#WrestleDortmund

Georgia Wins GR Title with Two Gold on Final Day at #WrestleDortmund

Sunday, July 4, 2021 - 20:01 By Vinay Siwach

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DORTMUND, Germany (July 4) --- After having subdued day at the junior European Championships on Saturday, Russia came up with two gold medal winning performances on Sunday to regain some lost ground in Dortmund, Germany.

Winning the title at 82kg and 97kg, Russia managed to climb up to the second spot in the team title race with Georgia winning the title as it won three gold and two silver. Turkey, with one gold, silver and bronze each in Dortmund, finished third.

Amirkhan TSECHOEV (RUS) was the first gold medalist for Russia as he claimed the 82kg title by beating Mykyta ALIEKSIEIEV (UKR) in the final. This was the second title for Russia for the event after Pavel REKLIN (RUS) won gold at 55kg on Saturday.

Tsechoev took the momentum in the 82kg final and was awarded a point for Alieksieiev's passivity. From the par terre position, he got two points for a throw. He was awarded two more points for another throw but Ukraine challenged tha call. Ukraine won the challenge but Russia still led 4-0.

In rush of adrenaline, Alieksiesiev went for a body lock but Tsechoev used that momentum to convert it into a four point throw. In just one minute 49 seconds, the Russian captured the gold medal with a technical superiority win.

A historic moment was witnessed at 82kg as Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) became the first ever medalist for Netherlands at the junior European Championships. He defeated Mikhail KHACHATURAU (BLR) 9-3 in a tense bronze medal bout.

Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS)Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) won the 97kg title at junior European Championships in Dortmund. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) was the second Russian to win the gold medal on Sunday. He ended the hopes of local wrestler Anton VIEWEG (GER) by beating him 5-0 in the 97kg final.

Mileshin, a cadet World Championships silver medalist, got a point for Vieweg's passivity. He used a throw from par terre to increase the lead to 3-0. In the second period, he scored a takedown and hung on to the 5-0 lead to win the top medal.

Georgia also had two European champions on Sunday as Pridon ABULADZE (GEO) won the 60kg title while Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) won the 72kg title.

In the 60kg final, Abuladze scored a come-from-behind victory over Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS). Bammatov was leading 4-0 but Abuladze scored five unanswered points to win 5-4. A disappointed Russian expressed his displeasure at the end and even his coach showed a protest.

Bammatov used a chest wrap to gut wrench to lead 4-0. But it all changed in the second period, he was called for passivity and Abuladze scored a step out. Russia challenged the call but lost and the difference was reduced to 4-3.

After a warning, the referee cautioned Bammatov for using aggressive force on Abuladze's arm and the judges confirmed it which gave the Georgian a 5-4 lead. The clock expired at the same score.

But Abuladze's biggest win came in the semifinal when he defeated former senior European champion Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) 3-2. The Bulgarian, a cadet world champion, was the favourite to win the title.

At 72kg, Chkhikvadze defeated Attila TOESMAGI (HUN) 4-1 in the final. The Youth Olympic Games champion led 1-0 after the Hungarian's inactivity. He added two more points with a throw from par terre.

Toesmagi, a bronze medalist at cadet Worlds, could not take advantage after the Georgian was called for inactivity. Toesmagi challenged for a leg foul but lost. The score changed to 4-1 but remained in Georgian's favour.

Azerbaijan won a gold medal on Sunday with Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) defeating Serhat KIRIK (TUR) in just one minute and 39 seconds.

It only needed a passivity from Kirik as Jafarov pounced on the opportunity and combined a throw and gut to lead 4-0. It looked like Kirik would defend the next attack from the Azerbaijani but Jafarov's strength was unmatched.

He scored two more throws for four points and secured a 9-0 win in the 67kg final.

RESULTS GR

60kg
GOLD: Pridon ABULADZE (GEO) df Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS), 5-4

BRONZE: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df Hleb MAKARANKA (BLR), 4-0
BRONZE: Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) df Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL), 12-7

67kg
GOLD: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df Serhat KIRIK (TUR), 9-0

BRONZE: Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU), 10-1
BRONZE: Luka OCHIGAVA (GEO) df Adam POHILEC (HUN), 10-0

72kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Attila TOESMAGI (HUN), 4-1

BRONZE: Khasay HASANLI (AZE) df Luka MALOBABIC (CRO), via fall
BRONZE: Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER) df Omer DOGAN (TUR), 8-3

82kg
GOLD: Amirkhan TSECHOEV (RUS) df Mykyta ALIEKSIEIEV (UKR), 8-0

BRONZE: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) df Mikhail KHACHATURAU (BLR), 9-3
BRONZE: Samet YALDIRAN (TUR) df Kevin GREMM (GER), 8-3

97kg
GOLD: Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) df Anton VIEWEG (GER), 5-0

BRONZE: Marcus WORREN (NOR) df Lasha TVILDIANI (GEO), via fall
BRONZE: Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR) df Antti HAANPAEAE (FIN), via fall

#WrestleTirana

Paris Olympic medalists in Tirana: An overview

Saturday, February 22, 2025 - 14:24 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (February 22) -- Tirana is quickly becoming a wrestling puller. After the thrilling World Championships in October, the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series will also prove to be a fan-favorite with the depth of field that in taking the mats in Tirana.

Given no further drop outs, 10 Paris Olympic medalists are expected to participate in Tirana including one champion -- Semen NOVIKOV (BUL).

Overall, five medalists are in Freestyle and three in Greco-Roman while two medalists are in Women's Wrestling. Here's a deep dive into the 10 Paris medalists heading to Tirana for the February 26 to March 3 event.

Greco-Roman

Semen NOVIKOV (BUL): Stuck behind Ukraine's legend Zhan BELEBIUK (UKR) at 87kg in Ukraine, Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) switched to Bulgaria. The change of countries brought change of fortunes for Novikov.

A world medal, Olympic qualification and a gold medal in Paris all gave Novikov a just reason to explain his switch. And the run in Paris included wins over David LOSONCIZ (HUN), Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI).

Tirana will test Novikov as some of the biggest names at 87kg are wrestling at the Muhamet Malo and the Olympic champion will be up for it.

Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI)Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI) won a silver medalist in his debut Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI): One of the top prospects in Greco-Roman for Iran is Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI). He may have lost the World Championships and Olympic finals but Mohmadipiani should be well settled at 87kg till Los Angeles 2028.

He will get a chance to wrestle Novikov in Tiran, depending on the draw. And a win for Mohmadipiani over Novikov will boost his confidence.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) won a bronze medal at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI): Sometimes the bracket it out like that. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) was stuck behind Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in Tokyo at 130kg. He defeated Kayaalp at the World Championships. But in Paris, he ran into Lopez again.

While he lost, Mirzazadeh captured the bronze medal that he missed in Tokyo. With Lopez retired and Kayaalp unclear about future, Mirzazadeh is undoubtedly the best 130kg wrestler. That is if Fardin HEYDAYATI (IRI) doesn't take his spot.

Tirana will be his first test and Heydayati the second when the two meet domestically.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) won the first wrestling medal at Olympics for Norway. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Women's Wrestling

Grace BULLEN (NOR): At 62kg, Grace BULLEN (NOR) has finally found her mojo. After struggling to qualify at 57kg, she not only qualified but won a bronze medal at 62kg in Paris. She could have well been in the final but Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) produced the move of the tournament to flip over and pin Bullen. 

Bullen is also the European champion at this weight and will begin her season in Tirana with a lot of expectations. There will be a few challenges but Bullen will be favorite to win this weight class.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) is a two-time Olympic medalist. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR): Silver medalist at 62kg in Paris, Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) will at 65kg in Tirana. Koliadenko is an underrated wrestler in the world. She has bronze from Tokyo and silver from Paris, a European gold medal and world medals as well. Koliadenko will no doubt be the top wrestlers in Tirana.

In the new Olympic cycle, Koliadenko will take her own time to lean towards 62kg or 68kg as Ukraine's superstar Iryna BONDAR (UKR) is making quick strides. Tirana will give some idea which way Koliadenko leans.

Islam DUDAEV (ALB)Islam DUDAEV (ALB) won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Freestyle

Islam DUDAEV (ALB): Albania's history-maker in Paris is wrestling at home. Dudaev won the first-ever medal for Albania in Olympic history in any sport in a thrilling bronze medal bout against Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), pulling off a 13-12 win.

Dudaev had an incredible 2024 in which he also became the European champion at 65kg, qualified for the Paris Games in Istanbul, and etched his name in history.

However, he will have his task cut out in Tirana. Also entered in the field in Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI).

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) is a silver medalist at 65kg from Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI): Among the many superstars that Iran produces, 65kg had to endure a wait long. Amouzad changed that in 2022 when he won the World Championships. He qualified for the Paris Games from the 2023 World Championships but his run was dismal as he did not win a medal.

But come Paris, Amouzad was in red-hot form. He blanked Dudaev and Muszukajev. The final did not go his way as he lost to Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) as his comeback was cut short. Amouzad-Dudaev rematch will be one bout to watch out for.

Chermen VALIEV (ALB)Chermen VALIEV (ALB) won bronze in a tough 74kg bracket in Paris. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Chermen VALIEV (ALB): Along with Dudaev, Valiev was the other Olympic medalist for Albania. He too will be wrestling at home at 74kg. Valiev had a remarkable run in Istanbul where he qualified for Paris after a win over Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR).

And Valiev almost had a similar in Paris but a challenge turned his victory to defeat against Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), who went on to win the gold medal and Valiev the bronze. Still, Valiev defeated Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) and Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) en route his bronze.

Valiev, in an interview with UWW last year, told that he is ready to avenge his loss to Jamalov however that opportunity will be later in the year.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO)Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) won a silver medal in Paris at 97kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO): In an excellent at the Paris Olympics, Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) made it to the 97kg final. He ran into Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and a failed arm-spin attempt resulted in a pin and Matcharashvili ended up with a silver medal.

The season will begin with Matcharashvili wrestling at 125kg in Tirana but that doesn't mean he will be at 125kg. He wrestled a few times at 125kg last year as well but returned to 97kg. In Tirana, he will face quite a few challenges at the super heavy weight class.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) returned with a silver medal from the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI): One of the top matches of Paris Olympics was the 125kg in which Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI), who has past wins over Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), lost to Petriashvili after getting caught in a gut-wrench. Down 8-0, Zare mounted a comeback but as time ran out, he fell short 10-9.

Zare will be full of motivation to begin his new year with a gold medal. He may not get a hand on Petriashvili soon but Zare must look at the bigger picture of 2028 LA Olympics.