India Crowns Two #WrestleBudapest Champions; Russia Bounces Back

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 - 20:07 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 20) --- India won the head-to-head battle in the finals against USA to claim two gold medals as five new world champions were crowned at the cadet World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. USA, Russia and Iran won the remaining three titles.

Aman GULIA (IND) defeated Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) at 48kg and Sagar JALGAN (IND) won the 80kg final against James ROWLEY (USA) which helped India stay alive in the team title race.

The second day of the Championships saw the medal bouts of 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg and 110kg while the finalists were also decided in the remaining five weight classes – 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg and 92kg. The remaining medal bouts will take place Wednesday.

Gulia was the first champ as he held off Pan Am champion Lilledahl in the 48kg final 5-2. The Indian was awarded the first point for the American's passivity and he later extended his lead to 3-0, scoring a takedown via slide-by.

In the second period, he went for a big double but Lilledalh was quick to push his legs back and counter for a takedown and reduce the lead to 3-2. But his attempts for another two points for the win went in vain as Gulia defended the duck-under attacks. A counter gave two more points to Gulia.

“I have worked really hard to reach here,” Gulia said. “I can't thank my coaches enough and I would ask them to train me harder for the junior and senior level and ultimately the Olympics.”

In the second India-USA final, Jaglan showed a stronger stamina than Rowley to win 4-0 ay 80kg. All four points were scored via stepouts as Rowley looked a shadow of himself from Monday. Rowley found it difficult to sneak through Jaglan's defence which remained solid throughout the four minutes.

Meyer SHAPIRO USA Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) won the 65kg gold in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

But it was not all disappointment for USA as Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) won the 65kg gold medal with a stunning win over Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO). He got the fall after completely breaking his Georgian opponent.

Gogritchiani led early in the bout but Shapiro, with his constant pressure and attacks, wore down the Georgian and by the last minute, he had the bout under his control.

“I did not have any plan and had a blank mind as I wrestled,” Shapiro said. “I wanted to remain calm and with a minute and 30 seconds remaining, I knew the kid is not going to last long. I knew by that time that I will win the match."

Shapiro, with his high-paced wrestling, worked two takedowns as Gogritchiani crumbled and gave up. “When I got the first takedown, I got the momentum. That was 50 seconds remaining,”

The 17-year-old called it his biggest win and said he will be taking some time off wrestling after two grueling months of training.

“Definitely the biggest tournament I have won, he said. “Especially to come from behind and win. I had a great tournament. I am going to take some time off wrestling and go home and relax.”

Amirreza Fardin MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) became a world champion at the 110kg weight class. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran had a special moment in Budapest as Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI), son of two-time world medalist and 2008 Olympics fifth-placer Fardin, won the gold medal at 110kg.

Wrestling against James MULLEN (USA), Masoumi Valadi scored two four-point throws and then a counter for two points to finish the bout 10-0 well before the regular time of four minutes.

Mullen pressured Masoumi Valadi towards the danger zone but the latter tossed him over for four points. The second attempt was by the Iran wrestler as he pushed and scored four more. A desperate Mullen tried an arm-throw but failed, giving the Iranian 10-0 win.

Russia won the 55kg gold as Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) defeated Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ) 4-3 in a nail-biting final, thanks to a challenge which Russia won in the final few seconds.

Nulanbek tried defending a lead in the second period but Baitukaev scored a takedown which was not awarded initially and only after the challenge. The Kazak then got another point but it was not enough for the title.

“I am very happy to win the gold medal. My opponent was very tough. When I was stepping on the mat, I was thinking about the victory,” Baitukaev said.

Russia bounces back

Russia will have a chance to add to Baitukaev's gold on Wednesday as it bounced back after a dismal opening day and advanced three finalists on the second day.

Iran and Uzbekistan also improved their performances and sent two wrestlers each to the finals. Two best teams of day one – USA and India – managed to only one each. Turkey earned the remaining spot in the finals' line-up.

Tuesday's performance from Russia brought them back into the team race as they removed India from the second spot and closed the gap with top team USA which has five finalists in total.

Bowen William BASSETT (USA) Bowen BASSETT (USA) secured his place in the 45kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Russia and USA will square off in the 45kg final on Wednesday as Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS) and Bowen BASSETT (USA) dominated their respective halves of the bracket to reach the summit clash.

Bassett, who is just 14-years-old, was class apart in the competition as he won his first two bouts via fall and the semifinal via technical superiority.

His opponent in the semifinal, Umidjon ISKANDAROV (UZB), did score two points over Bassett in the semifinal but surrendered 13 to the young cadet from USA.

Bassett, unfazed that he is the youngest wrestler in the field, said he got better with each bout and is confident that he can go all the way.

“I don't let that [age] faze my mind. I just try to tech fall everyone,” Bassett said. “My performance got better as it went on. First match I wrestled well, got it done but every match as it goes on, I get better. No one can stop me.”

He will be wrestling Ashinov in the final who beat Imronbek RAKHMANOV (KGZ) in the semifinal 6-0. All six points were scored in the first period.

Ashinov, the Kabardino, Balkaria native, trains in a village close to Nalchik. He said he is excited to wrestle an American wrestler in the final.

“I know that my opponent will be the American guy, but I have never seen his wrestling before,” Ashinov said. “But I'll be ready.”

Bassett echoed the same thoughts, given that USA and Russia enjoy a healthy rivalry in wrestling.

“He [Ashinov] will be pretty tough,” Bassett said. “I am glad that I'll be wrestling him in the finals. USA vs Russia is a rivalry. Excited for that. It will be a great match and best of luck to him.”

Akhmed Abdulaevitch MUSAEV (RUS) Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) defeated JAIDEEP (IND) to enter the 71kg final in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 71kg, Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) booked his spot in the final against Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI) after a late exposure win in the semifinal.

Wrestling JAIDEEP (IND) in the semifinal, he gave up two stepouts and was training until the last 20 seconds when both wrestlers scrambled for advantage. As the time expired, Russia challenged, asking for two points for Musaev.

Musaev won the challenge and claimed a 2-2 win over Jaideep to enter the final against Esmaeilnezhad Archi, who defeated Yerkhan BEXULTANOV (KAZ) 5-1 in the semifinal.

Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS) was third Russian to enter the final as he advanced at the 92kg weight class. In a dominating performance, Dzhioev defeated Gavin NELSON (USA) 8-0 in the semifinal.

"I wrestled well today but I don't know what will happen in the final,” Dzhioev, who trains at the Ossetia's Brothers’ Taimazov club, said. “I haven’t seen my opponent’s match, I’ll try to get ready as if it is my last match.”

He will face Rifat GIDAK (TUR) in the final. The Turkey wrestler was equally dominant as he defeated Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) 6-0 in the semifinal. He is yet to concede a point in the tournament, having scored 21 over his opponents.

Iran and Uzbekistan set up a final at 51kg as Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) and Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) advanced from either side of the bracket.

FS 51kg Jesuroga (USA) vs. Jumanazarov (UZB) Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) will wrestle for the 51kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Jumanazarov's first victim was Nathanael JESUROGA (USA) as he won 10-0 before beating Tigran BUNIATYAN (ARM) 8-2 in the semifinal.

Khorramdel was equally dominant in the day he outscored his opponents 26-0 in three bouts. In the semifinals, he faced CHIRAG (IND) and got a 6-0 win with ease.

The second Uzbekistan wrestler to enter the final was Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) as he secured the place in the 60kg gold medal bout against Jaskaran SINGH (IND).

Kadamov is a returning silver medalist from 2019 cadet World Championships in Sofia. He overcame Baris UNSAL (TUR) 9-0 in the semifinal and will now be preparing for Singh.

“We are going to analyze the videos of my Indian opponent together with my coaches,” he said.

Singh, who trains in Patiala, Punjab, outscored his opponents 32-4 on his way to the final. With a strong defence and some perfect single leg attacks, he made it to the final after beating Abdulrahman IBRAHIMOV (AZE) 6-2 in the semifinal.

On Wednesday, women's wrestling will take centerstage. Japan, China and Canada, the top nations in women's wrestling, are not entered for the tournament due to travel restrictions forced by COVID-19.

Sagar Podium The four medalists at 80kg weight class in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

RESULTS:

48kg
GOLD: Aman GULIA (IND) df Luke LILLEDAHL (USA), 5-2

BRONZE: Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) df Rezo MARSAGISHVILI (GEO), via fall
BRONZE: Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ) df Akhmad MUSAKHADZHIEV (RUS), 7-2

55kg
GOLD: Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) df. Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ), 4-3

BRONZE: Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) df Shahdad KHOSRAVI MARDAKHEH (IRI), 5-2
BRONZE: Javid JAVADOV (AZE) df Vaibhav PATIL (IND), 7-5

65kg
GOLD: Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) df Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO), via fall

BRONZE: Ali REZAEIAGHOUZGELEH (IRI) df Dyanko DYANKOV (BUL), 10-0
BRONZE: Khabib ZAVURBEKOV (RUS) df Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 10-2

80kg
GOLD: Sagar JAGLAN (IND) df James ROWLEY (USA), 4-0

BRONZE: Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO) df Sattarkhan ALLAHVERDILI (AZE), 4-2
BRONZE: Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (RUS) df Gabriele NICCOLINI (ITA), via fall

110kg
GOLD: Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) df James MULLEN (USA), 10-0

BRONZE: Ilia ZHIBALOV (RUS) df Aynazar BAZARBAEV (UZB), 9-0
BRONZE: SAHIL (IND) df Alikhan KUSSAINOV (KAZ), via fall

Rifat Eren GIDAK (TUR) Rifat GIDAK (TUR), left, will wrestle for the 92kg gold medal in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Semifinal Results

45kg
GOLD: Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS) vs Bowen BASSETT (USA)

SF 1: Bowen BASSETT (USA) df Umidjon ISKANDAROV (UZB), 13-2
SF 2: Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS) df Imronbek RAKHMANOV (KGZ), 6-0

51kg
GOLD: Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) vs Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI)

SF 1: Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) df CHIRAG (IND), 6-0
SF 2: Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) df Tigran BUNIATYAN (ARM), 8-2

60kg
GOLD: Jaskaran SINGH (IND) vs Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB)

SF 1: Jaskaran SINGH (IND) df Abdulrahman IBRAHIMOV (AZE), 6-2
SF 2: Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) df Baris UNSAL (TUR), 9-0

71kg
GOLD: Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) vs Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI)

SF 1: Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI) df Yerkhan BEXULTANOV (KAZ), 5-1
SF 2: Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) df JAIDEEP (IND), 2-2

92kg
GOLD: Rifat GIDAK (TUR) vs Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS)

SF 1: Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS) df Gavin NELSON (USA), 8-0
SF 2: Rifat GIDAK (TUR) df Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE), 6-0

#WrestleBudapest

Wiser after injury, Savolainen returns with 'same hunger to win'

Thursday, July 6, 2023 - 06:22 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 6) -- A year ago, Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) was preparing for the World Championships at a training camp in Poland. On the final day of the training camp, Savolainen experienced a setback.

While practicing the gut wrench, a common scoring technique in Greco-Roman wrestling, he inadvertently lost his grip and felt intense pain in his left wrist. Concerned about a possible break, he immediately stopped training. Unfortunately, his fears were confirmed by a doctor who diagnosed a torn ligament and recommended surgery.

Apart from the physical pain, Savolainen was deeply disappointed that he would have to miss the World Championships. Reflecting on the situation, he explained, "It was the last planned training camp before the World Championships. Surgery was the only option as the ligaments were completely torn, and if left untreated, my wrist would worsen."

"It was the last training camp planned before the World Championships,” Savolainen said. “Only surgery was the option as the ligaments were completely broken and if we didn't do the surgery, the wrist would get worse.”

In an Instagram post after the surgery, Savolainen shared a photo of his tapped left wrist and wrote a caption: “We have the main competition [World Championships] in fall, but this year I'm focusing on practicing life temporarily as a left-handed.”

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A post shared by ⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀⠀Arvi Savolainen (@arvidsons)

This setback marked the first major obstacle for Savolainen, a 24-year-old wrestler widely regarded as Finland's most promising talent and its best hope for a medal at the upcoming Paris Olympics. At the 2022 World Championships, he would have been among the favorites to step onto the podium at 97kg, the only world medal missing from his impressive collection.

In 2018, Savolainen ended Finland's 24-year wait for a U20 world champion title. The following year, he became the first Finnish wrestler to secure U23 world gold and added a bronze in 2021. At the 2022 European Championships, he reached the final, a milestone achievement for Finland after an eight-year absence.

Savolainen also made a mark at the Tokyo Olympics, finishing fifth and narrowly missing out on a bronze medal. His performance made him the first Finnish wrestler to reach the medal rounds at the Olympics since the 2004 Athens Games.

All this success came despite Finland's decline as a powerhouse in Greco-Roman wrestling.

“Sparring partners is a huge problem, I think, for all Nordic countries,” he said. “There is not much wrestling like in Hungary. There are some younger guys, but if you want real good sparring with a lot of partners, then you have to go to other countries like here in Hungary.”

However, these challenges didn't deter Savolainen from his wrestling journey. Though the injury posed a temporary setback, he used the time to focus on strengthening his lower body, dedicating extra hours at the gym to leg exercises.

“Mostly I trained lower body like power to the legs and the mid-body power,” he said. “With time, I was able to do normal stuff and also wrestle. But wrestling is quite hard for the wrists.”

For a Greco-Roman wrestler, wrists play a crucial role in bouts, from gripping opponents' hands to enduring constant pressure and utilizing the wrists for techniques like rolls.

“When you have normal wrists, you don't think that wrestling is that hard for the wrist,” he said. “But when you have a broken wrist, you realize 'oh damn, wrestling is really hard.' The grip of your hand is different than before.”

Undeterred by his injury, Savolainen decided to return to competition. He participated in an international training camp in Croatia in February and then entered the Thor Masters in March to prepare for the European Championships.

“We had technique sessions to wrestle in standing position and do some in which you can avoid using your wrist,” he said. “I taped it in the beginning. I thought I'm ready to compete with the tape wrist and I competed in a Thor Masters.”

However, an unfortunate turn of events awaited Savolainen in Denmark. After winning his first bout with ease, he broke the cartilage of his ribs while executing a roll, requiring another surgery and extending his recovery time. As a result, he had to withdraw from the European Championships.

“I rolled him [my opponent] and broke cartilage in my rib,” he said. “I had to have another operation. Fortunately, it was not a big one so it only took maybe one month to recover from it, but now I've.”

This was the longest the Lahti native was away from wrestling since he began aged four. Not that it was the only sport he took part in as a kid.

Savolainen, being an extremely energetic kid, tried his hands at three other sports before settling for wrestling. As his family owned a few horses, he took part in equestrian at a junior level along with snowboarding and ice hockey.

“I had older siblings who also wrestled but they quit maybe after a year,” he said. “Wrestling was quite cheap and a good hobby in Finland.

“When I was younger, we had our own horses. I've also done some snowboarding. I also acted for a year. But at 15, you have to decide if you want to be a wrestler. And you don't have the energy to do a lot of other stuff if you become a wrestler.”

To resume his history-making streak for Finland, Savolainen has entered the fourth Ranking Series in Budapest, scheduled from July 13 to 16. Competing against some of the world's best wrestlers in Budapest, providing him the test before the World Championships in September.

Among the notable competitors entered for Budapest are Daniel GASTL (AUT), Markus RAGGINGER (AUT), Murat LOKIAYEV (AZE), Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), Tamas LEVAI (HUN), Alex SZOKE (HUN), Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED), and Felix BALDAUF (NOR).

But Savolainen is not worried.

“Getting your mind ready to compete and also get some good matches in the competition is the main thing,” he said. “When we have other competitions before the World Championships, as my condition gets better and better, I feel confident with myself before the real test in Serbia.”

A lot of that confidence also comes from the lessons he learned about wrestling and himself during the time his away from training.

“I'm much more experienced,” he said. “Maybe after some injuries, you learn stuff. You don't have to push your body to your limits in every training so be wise.

“I missed it [wrestling], sometimes. It's a good feeling when you have a successful competition and all the pressure goes away. That's the feeling you miss.”

He could not have picked up a better competition to experience the winning feeling. Budapest holds a special significance for Savolainen as it was this city where he claimed the U20 world title in 2018 and secured a silver medal at the European Championships the previous year.

Despite wrestling's physical toll, Savolainen remains determined to achieve greatness in the sport and experience that gratifying sensation once again.

“Wrestling is quite hard on your body,” he said. “Sometimes you just want to lay on your sofa and watch Netflix. I like to go sauna to relax when we have off time. But I still have a hunger to win and the same feeling when you have a successful competition. You might have your body hurting, but [when you win] you feel that you did it and it's a good feeling.”

India Crowns Two #WrestleBudapest Champions; Russia Bounces Back

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Wiser after injury, Savolainen returns with 'same hunger to win'