World Cup

Iran, Azerbaijan on Collision Course in Pool B; United States Tops Russians in Tiebreaker

Sunday, April 12, 2015 - 05:24 By Jason Bryant

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LOS ANGELES (April 11) – A pair of strong performances in Pool B by Iran and Azerbaijan on Saturday evening at the Forum in Los Angeles have the two nations ready to meet to determine what nation will wrestle for gold at the 2015 United World Wrestling Freestyle World Cup.

Iran won 15 of 16 matches, while Azerbaijan won 13 of 16 individual bouts. They teams will square off at 12:30 Pacific time to determine who will be the Pool B champion and wrestle for a World Cup title on Sunday evening.

 Iran opened up with an 8-0 shut out victory over Belarus. Key victories for Iran came at 65kg, 74kg and 125kg.

At 65kg, World No.2 Sayed AHMAD MOHAMMADI (IRI) knocked off World No.5 Azamat NURYKAV (BLR) 11-0, while unranked Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) picked up a huge 4-4 criteria victory over two-time World medalist and World No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR).

The third upset, at least from a United World Wrestling rankings perspective came at 125kg as No. 10 Parviz HADI (IRI) defeated 2011 World champion and World No.7 Aleksey SHEMAROV (BLR).

Iran continued to pour it on in its second victory, a 7-1 blasting of Turkey. The Turks were bested 7-1 in the opening round by Azerbaijan and will face Belarus to determine which team will wrestle for fifth place on Sunday.

Iran dominated after dropping the first match of the dual at 57kg. Seven ranked wrestlers prevailed, with two wins coming by forfeit. Iran also earned a fall and two technical falls.

Against Turkey, Azerbaijan’s lone individual loss came at 125kg as World No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) was leading 8-0 early in the match before getting thrown to his back and pinned by Tanju GEMICI (TUR) at 1:33. Azerbaijan defeated Belarus 6-2 in Saturday’s final round to finish the day 2-0.

"It was good enough but not what I was expecting," said Iranian coach Dr. Rasoul Khadem, who expects Sunday's dual with Azerbaijan to be "very serious and very competitive."

In Pool A, the United States powered past a game Cuban squad 6-2 in the opening round and then got past a feisty group of Russians in a 4-4 tiebreaker win to end the day 2-0. The U.S. will face Mongolia, which split a pair of matches with Russia and Cuba in Pool A on Saturday.

Against Russia, American Tervel DLAGNEV came up big at 125kg, scoring a crucial 10-0 technical fall over Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS) to earn four classification points, which would prove to be the difference. With each team winning four of the eight bouts, the first tiebreaker came down to total classification points. With five points for a fall, four for a technical fall and three for a decision and one for scoring a point in a loss that doesn’t end in a fall, Russia led 16-13 going into 125kg.

“I haven’t wrestled for a while, so I was hungry and very excited to get back out there,” Dlagnev told USA Wrestling following the bout. “It was a lot of fun. I came out looking to attack and score points. I knew that match helped our team advance and it was great to be able to help the team. I just went out there and tried to do my best. I knew I had to tech him or pin him, and not let him score a point.”

“It went right down to the wire,” U.S. coach Bruce Burnett said. “You have some expected things and you have some unexpected things happen. When that takes place, somebody has to rise up. I’m really proud of the team. Everybody on the team competed hard, top to bottom.”

The group of young Russians isn’t likely to represent their nation in Las Vegas at the 2015 World Championships, but despite not being ranked No.1 in their nation, the squad featured five World-ranked wrestlers.

“Considering everything, I am happy. I feel like the Americans won that meeting. They scored more points, and in the end, the rules determined the winner. Our guys did a good job. I am confident they can make the big moves,” said Russian coach Christakis Alexandridis.

“They are not our No. 1 team, more like numbers two and three. But they’ve done very well. None of them will be on the World Championship team.  We have stronger wrestlers back in Russia.”

While their might be “stronger” wrestlers back in Russia, World No. 13 Yuri BELONOVSKY (RUS) earned a crucial 4-0 victory over 2012 Olympic champion Jake VARNER (USA) to put the Russian contingent in a position to upend the Americans.

“I have tremendous respect for Jake; he is a great opponent,” said Belonovsky. “But wrestling is a sport and anything can happen. The match was grueling and a challenge.  I was really happy with my technical work and my physicality.”

One match prior to Belonovsky’s win, Dauren KURUGLIEV pinned American Ed RUTH in just under a minute.

“We are well-prepared for the tournament,” said Kurugliev. “The spectators were really getting behind Ruth and it really pumped me up.  I wanted to show them a great performance and I did.”

Pool A Standings: United States 2-0, Russia 1-1, Mongolia 1-1, Cuba 0-2
Pool B Standings: Azerbaijan 2-0, Iran 2-0, Belarus 0-2, Turkey 0-2

Full Day 1 Results, Notes & Standings: http://uww.io/zuR7L
Event Information page (Photos, Live Stream, Results):
 https://unitedworldwrestling.org/event/world-cup-senior-7

Competition Schedule (All Times are PDT; GMT -7)
Sunday, April 12
11:00 a.m. – Mat A: USA vs. Mongolia; Mat B: Turkey vs. Belarus
12:30 p.m. – Mat A: Cuba vs. Russia; Mat B: Azerbaijan vs. Iran
2:00 p.m. – Mat A: Fifth Place Dual; Mat B: Seventh Place Dual
4:15 p.m. – Mat A: Third Place Dual
5:45 p.m. – Mat A: Championship Dual

 

About United World Wrestling
United World Wrestling is the international governing body for the sport of wrestling and is headquartered in Corsier-Sur-Vevey, Switzerland. To learn more about United World Wrestling and the activities of its 179 national federations, please visit: www.UnitedWorldWrestling.org, Facebook and Twitter. 

For any press inquires please contact Tim Foley at foley@unitedworldwrestling.org or Gordon Templeman at gordon@unitedworldwrestling.org.

#WrestleBratislava

Baev marks international return with European gold

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 19:51 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 8) -- David BAEV (UWW) began his international career in Slovakia when he won the cadet [U17] world gold medal in 2014 in Snina, a small town in west Slovakia. Who would have thought that Baev's long awaited international return will also be in the same country.

Read More: Sidakov vs Valiev set for European gold

Baev returned to Slovakia after 11 years, ending his six-year absence from international competitions, winning the gold medal at 70kg at the European Championships, his first-ever.

"Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and I enjoyed every second of it," Baev said after the final "I’ve so badly wanted to see those blue and purple banners from UWW Worlds and Europeans [respectively]."

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) at the podium of the U17 World Championships in 2014. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Read More: Remembering Saitiev, the master on mat who inspired many

The 28-year-old last competed internationally at the 2019 World Championships in Astana where he won the 70kg gold medal. He tried moving to the 74kg weight class with a hope to make Olympic but with little success.

He moved back to 70kg and began winning again. On Tuesday, despite his long layoff from international scene, Baev hardly made it look like he was away for long.

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) wrestles Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) in the 70kg final at the European Championships in Bratislava. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev denied Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) his second straight title at 70kg, beating the Armenian 4-1 in the final at his first international competition since winning the gold medal at the 2019 World Championships.

The first point of the bout was from Andreasyan's passivity and Baev scored a takedown in the second period for a 3-0 lead. A stepout made it 4-0 before he gave up a stepout for one point.

Baev celebrated winning his gold medal by spreading his arms and looking up to the skies with a sigh of relief. He later said that he did the same celebration when he won the gold in 2014 and decided to stay with the that celebration since then.

"My first victory where I celebrated was 11 years ago, also in Slovakia," he said. "Since then, after every win — and even after losses — I do the same celebration."

He recalled his first visit to Slovakia in 2014 and called the country in which he only has good memories.

"I was 16 years old when I traveled abroad for the first time — it was Slovakia," he said. "My first international competition [U17 Worlds], at 58 kilograms. I won, so I have only good memories of Slovakia. I have friends here, and some of my close friends even compete for the Slovak national team. I’ve visited them here, stayed with them."

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) on the podium after receiving his gold medal at the European Championships. (Photo: Untied World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev wore a "Buvaisar SAITIEV" tee shirt after his bouts and dedicated his gold medal to the three-time Olympic champion who passed away in March aged 49.

"Saitiev is a legendary wrestler," he said. "His name has practically become symbolic. It’s like when someone talks about basketball, they mention Jordan. Or when it’s football, they bring up Ronaldo or Maradona. In wrestling, it’s Saitiev. What he showed on the mat… no one has ever shown before, and probably no one ever will."

Remembering Saitiev, Baev said he met Saitiev once when he was four years old. However, he never got a chance to meet him again.

"I actually met him once as a kid," he said. "My father’s friends took me to the Akhmat Kadyrov Memorial tournament. I was very young, but I remember sitting at the same table with him — I even have a photo.

"Honestly, I’ve always wanted to ask him if he remembers that little boy sitting at the table with him in that café… But sadly, I never got the chance."

Baev was not the only one wearing the Saitiev shirt. Three other "UWW" wrestler won gold on Tuesday and dedicated their medals to Saitiev.

Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW)Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW), blue, defends against Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) in the 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

At 57kg, Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) earned his first-ever European gold medal after he defeated Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4, a closely contested final.

Tuskaev, hoping to become Serbia's first-ever European champion in Freestyle, fell behind early with a point for his passivity and then a stepout. Mongush added a takedown to make it 4-0.

With time running out, Tuskaev made desperate attempts and got two for a takedown. A scramble was awarded two points each with Mongush still leading 6-4. In the final 10 seconds, Tuskaev was about to score a go-behind but Mongush blocked him and secured the win and his first-ever European gold.

France was looking for its first Freestyle European champion as it had two finalists on Tuesday but the drought is set to continue as both wrestlers failed to cross the hurdle to win gold.

At 65kg, Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) who had a dominant run to the gold medal. Ibragimov's win was similar to his 6-2 win over Arsamerzouev in the 2024 European U23 Championships final.

Arsamerzouev was hit with a passivity call in the first period and he failed to score, giving Ibragimov a 1-0 lead. While the French wrestler did make some inroads in the second period, Ibragimov managed to score a takedown for a 3-0 lead.

Two-time European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) will have to wait for his gold medal as former world champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) posted a 9-1 win in the 79kg final which also included a massive front headlock throw for four.

Usmanov now has back-to-back European gold medals while Khadjiev has third silver as had finished with silver medals at the 2018 and 2019 European Championships. 

Matcharashvili hat-trick

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) completed a hat-trick of European gold medals after he defeated Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) in the 97kg final.

Maintaining his perfect record of wins at European Championships, Matcharashvili pulled out his signature move of front headpinch and scored two points against Kurbanov to win 3-2, making a comeback after giving up a activity clock point and a stepout.

"This European Championships is important for me," Matcharashvili said. "I am a three-time champion now. I love wrestling and wrestling is my life."

Asked about his comeback against Kurbanov using a front chest wrap throw to take the lead, Matcharashvili said he knows that he will aways win that position

"This is my personal move," he said. "When I am in this position, 100 percent I will win the points."

Last year after winning the gold in Bucharest, Romania, Matcharashvili called out all 97kg wrestlers. This year, he was more humble in his message.

"The message is the same." he said. "This is my job and I am ready for every, anytime. When I am standing on the podium with our flag going up, that's what matters."

Matcharashvili's third gold puts him tied second the list of Georgians with most European titles in Freestyle with Rio 2016 Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO).

Eldar KURTANIDZE (GEO) still holds the record of most European titles for Georgia in Freestyle with five which he won in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2005.

Photo

RESULTS

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) df. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4

BRONZE: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Ivaylo TISOV (BUL), 12-2
BRONZE: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) df. Niklas STECHELE (GER), 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), 3-0

BRONZE: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO), via forfeit
BRONZE: Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) df. Andrii SVYRYD (UKR), 4-0

70kg
GOLD: David BAEV (UWW) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 4-1

BRONZE: Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) df. Oleksii BORUTA (UKR), 6-2
BRONZE: Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) df. Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), 5-2

79kg
GOLD: Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) df. Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA), 9-1

BRONZE: Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Ion MARCU (MDA), 3-0
BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP), 4-1

97kg
GOLD: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Magomed KURBANOV (UWW), 3-2

BRONZE: Richard VEGH (HUN) df. Radoslaw BARAN (POL), 10-6
BRONZE: Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) df. Radu LEFTER (MDA), 11-0

Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Zavur UGUEV (UWW)

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 5-2
SF 2: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW), 10-0

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) df. Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 6-0
SF 2: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-0

86kg
GOLD: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) vs. Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW)

SF 1: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), via fall (9-0)
SF 2: Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) df. Artur NAIFONOV (UWW), 6-3

92kg
GOLD: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE)

SF 1: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-2
SF 2: Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) df. Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR), 3-3

125kg
GOLD: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) vs. Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW), 8-5
SF 2: Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 8-3