#Trnava2018

Iran Wins Greco-Roman Team Title, Komarov Wins Fourth World Gold

By Eric Olanowski

TRNAVA, Slovakia (September 19) – Iran, with four gold medalists and 136 points wrapped up the Greco-Roman team title at the 2018 Trnava Junior World Championships, four points ahead of second-place Russia. 

Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI), with his left shoulder heavily taped, claimed back-to-back junior titles, making it his third overall age-level world championship. 

In the 72kg championship bout, Kaviyaninejad scored an early takedown and transitioned into a gut wrench to command the 4-0 lead over Georgia’s Nikoloz TCHIKAIDZE. The Iranian wrestler slipped and surrendered his first takedown of the tournament, cutting his lead to 4-2. 

The three-time age-level world champion dominated the remainder of the bout, scoring two four-point throws, ending the match with a high dive to a body lock to pick up the fall. 

Kaviyaninejad joined fellow countryman Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) (130kg), Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) (55kg), and Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) (87kg) as Trnava junior world champions. 

Meanwhile, Russia, led by Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) who earned his fourth age-level world title finished in second place with 131 points. 

Komarov (RUS) shutout out Andrew BERREYESA (USA) 10-0 in the 77kg finals to reach the top of the junior world podium for the second straight year. 

“These World Championships were the toughest yet. But it a great learning experience, and it feels good to win again,” said Komarov. “Now, my attention turns toward the senior-level and the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.” 

Kerem KAMAL (TUR) was the third reigning champion to successfully defended his Tampere world title on Wednesday night. 

Last year’s 55kg gold medalist stopped India from winning their first junior world gold medal since 1992, defeating Vijay VIJAY (IND), 10-0 in the 60kg gold-medal bout. 

Kamal, who was wrestling in his fourth age-level world final backflipped his way to a gold medal with a pair of explosive four-point throws and a takedown. 

After the match, Turkey’s two-time champion navigated his way to the mat-side camera and blew kisses to his fans that were not in attendance to enjoy the show he put on at the City Sports Hall here in Trnava, Slovakia. 

Armenia’s Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) and Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) won the remaining pair of Greco-Roman gold medals. 

Amoyan finished the 67kg gold-medal bout with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Uzbekistan’s Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV, while Arvi Savolainen shutout Markus RAGGINGER (AUT), 5-0 for the 97kg gold medal.

RESULTS 

Team Scores
GOLD - Iran - (136 points)
SILVER- Russia (131 points)
BRONZE - Armenia (83 points)​​​​​​​
Fourth - Turkey (79 points) 
Fifth - India  (73 points)

60kg
GOLD - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Vijay VIJAY (IND), 10-0 

BRONZE - Kazuki YABE (JPN) df. Razvan ARNAUT (ROU), 2-1 
BRONZE - Ali Reza Ayat Ollah NEJATI (IRI) df. Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR), 9-0 

67kg
GOLD - Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB), 10-0 

BRONZE - Yousef HOSSEINVAND FATHI (IRI) df. Mohamed Ibrahi ELSAYED (EGY), 11-5 
BRONZE - Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) df. Ismail GUN (TUR), 3-3 

72kg
GOLD – Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) df. Nikoloz TCHIKAIDZE (GEO), via fall 

BRONZE - Erkan ERGEN (TUR) df. Minto MAEDA (JPN), 6-3 
BRONZE - Magomed YARBILOV (RUS) df. Alijon KHUSEYNOV (UZB), 5-0  

82kg
GOLD -  Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) df. Andrew BERREYESA (USA), 10-0 

BRONZE - Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df. Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO), 6-5 
BRONZE -  Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) df. Simone FIDELBO (ITA), 11-2 

97kg
GOLD - Arvi Martin SAVOLAINEN (FIN) df. Markus RAGGINGER (AUT), 5-0 

BRONZE - Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) df. Illia LAURYNOVICH (BLR)
BRONZE - Balint VATZI (HUN) df. Islam UMAYEV (KAZ), 4-0 

#Grappling

Grappling in 2024: Asian Championships in Philippines, Great Britain's first gold

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 10) -- Tagaytay, Baku and Astana were the three cities that saw major Grappling action in 2024. The Asian Championships were in the Philippines, the European Championships in Azerbaijan and it all came down to Kazakhstan for the World Championships.

Grappling also lost an important figure in 2024, as United World Wrestling World Grappling Committee President Rizvan BOCHKEV passed away in May at the age of 59.

In a historic year, Grappling hosted its second Asian Championships in Tagaytay, with six countries participating. The tournament was held in May, and 222 competitors participated in various age groups. Grappling powerhouse Kazakhstan dominated the tournament, winning the senior and U20 team titles, but hosts the Philippines displayed great skills and won the U17 titles. India, Singapore, Uzbekistan, and Pakistan were the other participating nations.

The European Grappling Championships were held in Baku, and 405 participants in various age groups participated. Poland outplayed others and emerged as the best team in most of the categories. Only Ukraine was able to stop Poland in some age groups, and Ukraine claimed team titles at the U17 and U20 levels.

The big event was the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan in September. While there were moments of brilliance from Kazakhstan, Poland and the Individual Neutral Athletes, Elizabeth GENGE (GBR) stole the show with her double gold, the first-ever for Great Britain; the country had not participated in the World Grappling Championships for the last 16 years.

Participating in her first Grappling World Championships, the 20-year-old Genge won all her bouts in two competitions via submission. Only Veronika KARAKHONOVA (AIN) could hold Genge to a decision victory. Genge is the British champion in wrestling and has participated in the Faltz Open as well, finishing fifth this year.

Another star attraction at the World Grappling Championships was Kendall REUSING (USA) who won the Grappling gold in 90kg. The Jiu-Jitsu black belt world champion won all her bouts via submission.

Overall, the Individual Neutral Athletes dominated the competition. They were so good that they won six out of the nine gold medals in the men's grappling. But in teams, Poland emerged as the best as it won the women's team gold in Women's Grappling Gi and the title in Men's Grappling. However, the United States clinched its first-ever team title as it won the gold in Women's Grappling. Kazakhstan was the best team in Men's Grappling Gi.