#WrestleWarsaw

Kayaalp Wins 10th Euro Title; Evloev Leads 3 Russians Into GR Finals

By Vinay Siwach

WARSAW, Poland (April 24) -- Normally, teams wait until the tournament finishes to click their group photos after they finish on the podium. But Saturday was not a normal day for Turkey and no one wanted to wait another day.

As soon as the medal ceremony for 130kg finished, Turkey team jumped on the stage to take pictures, with every member showing the number ten with their hands.

It was a tribute as Riza KAYAALP (TUR) won his 10th senior European Championships title on Saturday at the Sportowa COS Torwar stadium in Warsaw, Poland.

Greco-Roman action continued on day six of the Championships as five gold medals were decided with Russia capturing two of them. Hungary, Serbia and Turkey claimed the remaining three.

Kayaalp had to wait until the final match of the day to claim his historic title. The Turkey legend had dominated his competition on Friday to reach the final against Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO), same wrestler he had defeated to win the 2019 European title.

For the record, Kayaalp won the final 3-1 against Kajaia after scoring a takedown and one point for Kajaia's passivity. He gave up a point for his own inactivity in the second period but that did not mean much as he claimed the gold medal with ease.

The 31-year-old the value of winning a gold medal in an Olympic year, especially given how unpredictable the 130kg weight category is around the world.

“It feels great to win 10 gold medals in 11 [European Championships] finals,” Kayaalp said. “In Greco Roman it is much more difficult to win it. It is good step for Tokyo as well.”

With 90 days still left for the Games, the two-time Olympic medalist feels he can still improve and will return to Warsaw to compete at the Poland Open Ranking series event.

“I will continue to improve. I will compete in Poland to see how well prepared I am for Tokyo,” he said.

Another world champion and Olympic medalist who added to his European Championships count was Tamas LORINCZ (HUN). His last European title came way back in 2014, since then winning two bronze medals at the 2017 and 2018 Championships.

Wrestling in the final of 77kg, Lorincz made little work of one of the three finalists from Turkey on Saturday Yunus BASAR (TUR), completing a technical superiority 8-0 win.

Turkey's Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) also finished with a silver medal at 55kg as Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) claimed the gold medal with a 7-0 win.

Beginning on a slow note, Sefershaev waited for Ozturk's passivity but failed to capitilise on the par terre position. He later scored his second point via a pushout to extend his lead to 2-0.

To Ozturk's surprise, he was once again called for passivity in the second period and Sefershaev did not make any mistake this time with a huge four-point throw to make it 7-0. Any tries of Ozturk's were denied as the Russian gave his country the first of the two gold medals.

Russia captured the title at 63kg as well with Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) defeating Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) 5-0 in the final. It was their second bout in four months as the Individual World Cup winner Lokyaev had defeated Mammadov 2-0 in the quarterfinal in Belgrade.

After getting warned for passivity, Mammadov failed to stop Lokayev from a lift from the par terre position and gave up four points. It was enough for the Russian to hold on to the lead until the final whistle.

The surprise of the day came at 87kg as Friday's star performer Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) fell in the final against Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) 5-1 as the Serb avenged his 3-10 loss to Maskevich at the Individual World Cup in December.

Maskevich has defeated a world medalist, a world champion and secured a come-from-behind fall on Friday but looked off color a day later. He got the advantage when Datunashvili was warned for inactivity but Belrussian failed to capitalize.

In turn, he gave up four points from par terre when he was warned for passivity, giving the Serb a 5-1 lead.

He got another chance late in the second period when he got Datunashvili in par terre again but could not complete his signature body lock throws, ending his roller-coaster campaign with a silver medal.

Datunashvili, a transfer from Georgia, broke out in a celebration with his coach after winning the gold medal, a first for the country in Greco-Roman after four years.

Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR)
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) defeated Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) in the 87kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In the bronze medal bouts at 55kg, former world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) defeated Fabian SCHMITT (GER) 8-0 with two big throws in the first period while Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) claimed the second bronze by beating Artsiom KATSAR (BLR) with a similar scoreline.

History was created in 63kg weight category as Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT) won his country first senior European medal since 1938. He ended the 83-year wait by capturing the bronze medal with a 7-5, come-from-behind victory over Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM).

Leri ABULADZE (GEO) was quick to finish his bronze medal bout against Mihai MIHUT (ROU) 9-1 to claim the third spot.

At 77kg, Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) hung on for 5-1 win over Michael WIDMAYER (GER) and Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) won the bronze medal by beaten Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR) 6-0.

Former and current world champions at 87kg Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) and Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) won the bronze medals. The Russian claimed a big win over Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) 8-1 while Beleniuk had a close bout against fellow world medalist Denis KUDLA (GER), winning it 1-1.

The 130kg bronze medals were settle with just one point difference in both bouts as world medalist Eduard POPP (GER) overcame Oleksandr CHERNETSKYY (UKR) 2-1 and Zurabi GEDEKHAURI (RUS) won 3-2 against Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU).

Evloev shines as Russia reach 3 finals

After sending two wrestler to the finals on Friday, Russia improved and entered three on Saturday, led by two-time defending world champion Musa EVLOEV (RUS).Just like the freestyle 97kg category is dominated by Russia, the Greco-Roman is no different, thanks to Evloev.

Close to two months after winning the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series in Rome, Evloev was back on the mat, demolishing his opponents in his usual calm and composed manner.

He began with a 4-0 win over Markus RAGGINGER (AUT) and followed it with a technical superiority win over Yevhenii SAVETA (UKR). In the semifinals, he met Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), a silver medalist from last year's European Championships.

Evloev was the first to go into a par terre position and gave a 1-0 lead to Kakhelashvili. But the Italian's flee in gave Evloev two points and a 2-1 lead. He later got another point for Kakhelashvili's inactivity. The 3-1 score was enough to take him to the final.

Evloev will look to reclaim the title he had won in 2019 but skipped the 2020 tournament where the gold medal was won by Armenian legend Artur Aleksanyan (ARM).

Trying to stop him in the final will be 38-year-old Balazs KISS (HUN). He won the semifinal against Mikalai STADUB (BLR) with an identical score of 3-1.

With the entry into the final, Kiss has confirmed atleast a silver medal, a first for him in 11 attempts at the European Championships. His previous three medals have all been bronze.

Saturday was the first time he reached the finals of the tournament since began competing at the senior level dating back to 2003. In the last 18 years he has competed at 11 Championships, including this year, and one Games.

2018 World Champion and 2019 runner-up Sergey EMELIN (RUS) will look to add to Russia's tally of gold medals in Warsaw as he reached the final at 60kg.

Emelin was at his brutal self as he finished all his bout well before time, winning all three of them via technical superiority.

His wins include a 9-0 scoreline over Grzegorz KUNKEL (POL) in the qualification round, 8-0 over Jozsef ANDRASI (HUN) in the quarterfinal and 9-0 over Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) in the semifinal.

But the final may not see the same as he wrestles two-time junior world champion and European silver medalist Kerem KAMAL (TUR) on Sunday. Kamal will like to change the colour of his medal from last year as he finished with a silver and a bronze in 2019.

Kerem KAMAL (TUR) Senior European Championships 2021

His road to the final was unlike Emelin as he had to work harder for his wins. In the quarterfinal he defeated Viktor PETRYK (UKR) 5-1 before beating Hleb MAKARANKA (BLR) 7-2 in a closely contest semifinal.

Kamal scored a point via pushout before Makaranka gave up another for inactivity. He went for big throw but could only get two points after a successful challenge. Makaranka got one for reversal but still trailed 1-4.

The Belarussian was awarded a point for Kamal's passivity but he failed to complete a throw from par terre, instead giving exposure to Kamal for two points. It was challenged by his corner but was unsuccessful as Kama secured a 7-2 win.

At the Olympic weight category of 67kg, Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) delighted the home country as he reached the final with a thrilling 5-4 win over Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM).

By assuring himself atleast a silver medal, Bernatek claimed his first European medal at the senior level, and deservedly so.

Galstyan ran to a 4-0 lead with a slip by and roll within the first period of the bout. But he was warned for passivity and Bernatek got him him in a front headlock lift for two points. While going for the second one, he was failed and Galstyan grabbed the opportunity to pin him.

Poland corner challenged the call for a leg foul and they did it successful. That gave Bernatek two more points and a 5-4 lead over Galstyan which stayed till the end.

Mateusz Lucjan BERNATEK (POL) Senior European Championships 2021
Mateusz Lucjan BERNATEK (POL) after winning his semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

He will wrestle Mate NEMES (SRB) who defeated Murat FIRAT (TUR) 3-3 on criteria in the other semifinal at 67kg.

Firat was leading 3-1 after a passivity and gut wrench points but committed a leg foul in the second period which gave Nemes a 3-3 lead, based on the caution Firat had received.

Junior World and European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) made it to the final at 72kg and will face Olympic bronze medalist Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO).

The Armenian defeated Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series gold medalist this year Robert FRITSCH (HUN) 3-1 while the Georgian was quick to stop another local wrestler from reaching the final by beating Roman PACURKOWSKI (POL) 6-0.

With Pacurkowski's defeat, world medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) and former world champion Frank STAEBLER (GER) will return empty-handed from Warsaw. Can lost 3-11 in the quarterfinal after he had defeated Staebler 6-6 in the pre-quarters.

At 82kg, Adlan AKIEV (RUS), who is participating in a European Championships after four years, reached the final against Radzik KULIYEU (BLR).

The finals of 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg, and 97kg will be held on Sunday, the final day of the 2021 senior European Championships in Warsaw.

Greco-Roman Finals Matches

63kg
GOLD - Sergey EMELIN (RUS) vs. Kerem KAMAL (TUR)

SEMIFINAL - Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df. Razvan ARNAUT (ROU), 9-0
SEMIFINAL - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) vs. Hleb MAKARANKA (BLR), 7-2

67kg
GOLD - Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) vs. Mate NEMES (SRB)

SEMIFINAL - Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) df. Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM), 5-4
SEMIFINAL - Mate NEMES (SRB) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 3-3

72kg
GOLD - Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) vs. Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)

SEMIFINAL - Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN), 3-1
SEMIFINAL - Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) Roman PACURKOWSKI (POL), 6-0

82kg
GOLD - Adlan AKIEV (RUS) vs. Radzik KULIYEU (BLR)

SEMIFINAL - Adlan AKIEV (RUS) df. Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO), 6-1
SEMIFINAL - Radzik KULIYEU (BLR) df. Rajbek Alvievich BISULTANOV (DEN), 1-1

97kg
GOLD - Musa EVLOEV (RUS) vs. Balazs KISS (HUN)

SEMIFINAL - Musa EVLOEV (RUS) df. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), 3-1
SEMIFINAL - Balazs KISS (HUN) df. Mikalai STADUB (BLR), 3-1

Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) Senior European Championships 2021
Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) won his fourth European title on Saturday. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman Medal Bouts Day 6

55kg
GOLD - Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) df Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), 7-0

BRONZE - Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Fabian SCHMITT (GER), 8-0
BRONZE - Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) df. Artsiom KATSAR (BLR), 8-0

63kg
GOLD - Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) df. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-0

BRONZE - Leri ABULADZE (GEO) df. Mihai Radu MIHUT (ROU), 9-1
BRONZE - Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT) df. Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM), 7-5

77kg
GOLD - Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) df. Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR), 6-0

BRONZE - Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) df. Michael Felix WIDMAYER (GER), 5-1
BRONZE - Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) df. Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR), 6-0

87kg
GOLD - Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) vs. Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR), 5-1

BRONZE - Milad Valerikovitch ALIRZAEV (RUS) df. Turpan Ali Alvievich BISULTANOV (DEN), 8-1
BRONZE - Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) df. Denis Maksymilian KUDLA (GER), 1-1

130kg
GOLD -Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO), 3-1

BRONZE - Eduard POPP (GER) df. Oleksandr CHERNETSKYY (UKR), 2-1
BRONZE - Zurabi GEDEKHAURI (RUS) df. Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU), 3-2

#WrestleParis

Wrestling at Paris 2024: Tazhudinov vs Snyder in semis

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

PARIS (August 10) -- Wrestling at Paris enters its penultimate day with Freestyle in 65kg and 97kg and women's wrestling in 76kg. More medals to be won at the Olympics.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 DAY 5

13:48: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) avenges a loss to her predecessor as world champion, Yasemin ADAR (TUR), at the 2022 World Championships, holding on for a 3-0 victory to gain a spot in the women's 76kg semifinals. Kagami gains an activity point in the first period, then connects on a single-leg attempt for a takedown. She then fends off all of Adar's attacks to keep alive her gold-medal hopes.

13:30: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) seems to have recovered from that hectic opening bout against Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI). He casually beats Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) 14-2 in the quarterfinal. He will have a tough one in the semifinal -- Kyle SNYDER (USA).

13:24: Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) posts a dramatic 6-3 victory over Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) to advance to the women's 76kg semifinals and move a step closer to making Colombian history. Renteria gives up a go-ahead takedown in the second period, but comes back with a stepout and takedown to take a 5-3 lead. She then holds out against a single-leg attempt by Enkh Amar to clinch the victory. The Mongolian side challenges, but it is denied. Renteria is looking to join two-time Olympic bronze medalist Jackeline RENTERIA (COL) as Colombia's lone Olympic medalist in wrestling.

13:26: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) is looking particularly sharp at freestyle 65kg. He comes out like a buzzsaw in his quarterfinal against Islam DUDAEV (ALB), who has no answer as the Iranian chalks up three stepouts and two takedowns in the first period, and two stepouts and a clinching takedown in the second for an 11-0 victory.

13:23: Kennedy BLADES (USA) survives a tough battle with Milsimy MARIN (CUB), advancing to the women's 76kg semifinals with a 4-3 win. Blades goes ahead 2-1 in the second period with a stepout while on the activity clock, then makes it 4-1 by stuffing a takedown attempt by Marin for 2. But Marin scores a takedown in the final 10 seconds, and Blades does all she can to keep from being turned out.  

13:20: Kyle SNYDER (USA) with a fall! Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB) kept him under control for some time but Snyder dumps him and holds him on the edge before a fall at the start of the second period.

13:14: In a testy freestyle 65kg quarterfinal between two longtime foes, Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN) gets a 4-point takedown en route to a 10-3 victory over Haji ALIYEV (AZE). Musukaev clinched the win with a slick ankle pick for a takedown.  

13:10: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) holds on for a 1-1 victory on last-point criteria over REETIKA (IND) in a women's 76kg quarterfinal limited to activity points. On the clock in the second period, Reetika came close to getting a clinching takedown, but Medet Kyzy managed to keep her from completing the move. 

13:00: World champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN), looking to give powerhouse Japan its first-ever gold medal in the heaviest women's weight class, gets an activity point in the first period and a stepout in the second while on the clock to defeat Genesis REASCO  (ECU) 2-0 and fill the final women's 76kg quarterfinal spot.

13:00: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) reaches the semifinal at 97kg after a 7-2 win over Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL).
      
12:59:
Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) chalks up a dramatic and at times acrobatic 8-6 victory over Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) to advance to the freestyle 65kg semifinals. Kiyooka gets a pair of 2-point exposures in a scramble off his single-leg attempt, then transitions to a lace lock for 2 more. Rivera comes back with a takedown to cut the lead to 6-2 at the break. In the second period, Rivera successfully counters a low single for a 2-point exposure, but Kiyooka gets an exposure on his next takedown attempt. Rivera scores a final takedown, which he completes despite a balletic flip by Kiyooka, in an attempt to escape the hold.12:48: A dramatic win on Mat A for Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) and he's into the freestyle 65kg semifinals. After giving up a 4-point takedown to Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM), he gradually cuts the lead, finally going ahead with a spin-behind takedown with :12 left. An unsuccessful challenge makes it a 7-5 win.

12:47: Tokyo bronze medalist Yasemin ADAR  (TUR) trails 2-2 on criteria when she scores three takedowns in the final minute for a 6-2 win over Justina DI STASIO (CAN), a world champion in 2018 who was making a long-awaited Olympic debut.  

12:47: World champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) with a huge comeback in the second period to move into the quarterfinals. Tazhudinov was down 2-0 against Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) at the break and then 3-0 with 90 seconds left. But Azarpira could not hold for the final 40 seconds and gave up two takedowns to go down 4-3.

12:35: World 72kg silver medalist Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) bulls Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) backward for a takedown with 10 seconds left that clinches a 5-2 victory over at women's 76kg.

12:34: Two-time Asian champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) gets two takedowns in the first period then scores with stepouts in the second in a comfortable 8-0 win over world 70kg champion Zain RETHERFORD (USA) in the final first-round match at freestyle 65kg.

12:24: World bronze medalist Tatiana RENTERIA (COL), who also dabbles in beach wrestling, dug herself out of a 4-point hole against Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) to advance to the women's 76kg quarterfinals with an 8-4 win.

12:23: Japan-born Gaku AKAZAWA (SAM), who received Samoan citizenship in time to become just the second wrestler in the Pacific island nation's history to qualify for the Olympics, gets a rough intro to the Olympic level when he is dealt a 10-0 loss by Islam DUDAEV (ALB) at freestyle 65kg.

12:18: Tempestuous Tokyo silver medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) keeps Austin GOMEZ (MEX) at bay and advances at freestyle 65kg with a safe 7-0 victory. Aliyev leads 2-0 in the second period when he chalks up two takedowns and a stepout at the buzzer.

12:14: Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB) works his way to a slow but controlled 5-0 win over Erik THIELE (GER). He will face Snyder in the next bout.

12:14: There is a delay on Mat B as Catalina AXENTE (ROU) continues to receive treatment on her neck. She is taken off on a stretcher to respectful applause from the crowd.

12:07: Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) would be proud of his four-point counter against Kyle SNYDER (USA) but the returning silver medalist from America breaks Habila and goes on to win 9-5 in the opening 97kg bout for Snyder.

12:06: Reigning world champion and two-time world bronze medalist Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN) gets a slow start, taking a 1-0 lead into the second period at freestyle 65kg against Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ). But a second-period takedown opens the door for a series of gut wrenches that give him an 11-0 win.

12:05: Kennedy BLADES (USA), who defeated six-time world champion and Tokyo silver medalist Adeline GRAY (USA) at the U.S. trials, gets her Olympic debut off to a roaring start, but a painful one for Catalina AXENTE (ROU). After an opening takedown, Blades connects with a 4-point takedown to take a 6-0 lead into second period. It is then she hits a back suplex for which any Greco wrestler would be proud for 5.

11:46: World U23 champion REETIKA (IND) uses her counter lifts to great advantage and advances at women's 68kg with a 12-2 win over Bernadett NAGY (HUN).

11:45: Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) gives up an opening takedown to Georgii OKOROKOVV (AUS), then takes control of their freestyle 65kg clash. Rivera scores a takedown and two gut wrenches, then another takedown and two tilts for a 12-2 win.

11:43: European champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) has little trouble seeing off Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA) at 97kg. Top counter game from Matcharashvili who has a really good chance to be in the final here.
      
11:41: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), who dethroned Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) as national freestyle 65kg champion and earned his ticket to Paris at the Asian Qualifier, showed no fear in his first major senior tournament, rolling to a 10-0 victory over 2021 European bronze medalist Maxim SACULTAN (MDA). Kiyooka follows his third takedown with two rolls to end the match with three seconds to spare in the second period.

11:36: Asian champion Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), a fifth-place finisher at the Tokyo Olympics, executes a classic counter-lift for 2, then twists around to put Juan WANG (CHN) onto her back for 2 more. Wang gets an activity point in the second period, but falls well short in a 4-1 scoreline in their women's 76kg clash.

11:35: Two-time Asian silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) gets an activity point and takedown in the first period, and he goes on to a 5-0 victory at freestyle 65kg over 35-year-old Alejandro VALDES (CUB), a two-time Olympian who won consecutive world bronze medals in 2017-18.

11:30: World silver medalist Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) with a nice warm-up win over Luis PEREZ SOSA (DOM) at 97kg. Perez Sosa is the first ever freestyle wrestler from Dominica to be at the Olympics.

11:26: Ana GODINEZ  (CAN) scores a takedown while on the activity clock in the first period, and that's enough to defeat Kriszta INCZE (ROU) 2-0 in the second repechage at women's 62kg.  She will face Grace BULLEN (NOR) for the bronze.

11:24: World bronze medalist Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) gets a pair of takedowns in the second period to finish up an 11-0 victory over  Goderdzi DZEBISASHVILI (GEO) in 4:45 of the opening match at freestyle 65kg.

11:20: Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) is into the bronze medal bout after missing out on it twice before at the Olympics. He pins Amarveer DHESI (CAN) at 125kg. In the second 125kg repechage, Robert BARAN (POL) gives himself a chance to win a bronze after he beats Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR)

11:16: A women's 62kg repechage match starts the action on Mat B, Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) gets a takedown with 1:02 left to defeat Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) 3-2 in a clash of former world champions.  Purevdorj will face Tokyo silver medalist and reigning world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) for a bronze medal.

11:15: The last full morning session on Mat A starts with a 74kg repechage match between Tokyo silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) and four-time reigning European champion Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK). An earlier defensive exposure and a key takedown with a minute to go give Kadzmihamedau a 6-6 victory on big-point criteria. Because 74kg had 18 entries and there was a preliminary round, Kadzmihamedau will have another repechage match later in the session against Chermen VALIEV (ALB) for a place in the bronze-medal match.

11:00: Welcome to Paris 2024! We have a few big matches coming on the last full day of wrestling at the Champs de Mars Arena.