Kolitsopoulos wins Greece's first-ever U17 Worlds gold

Wednesday, August 2, 2023 - 20:01 By Vinay Siwach

ISTANBUL (August 2) -- Over the years, close to 200 wrestlers from Greece had vied for a U17 World Championships gold medal, but none managed to break through. That changed when Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE) stepped up. He became the first wrestler from Greece to win a gold medal in the U17 world event in any style, finally breaking the barrier.

While six wrestlers from Greece had secured seven world titles in different age groups and styles, none had achieved it at the U17 level. Kolitsopoulos also put an end to a 24-year drought for a Greco-Roman world gold medal, a feat accomplished by Theofanis ANAGNOSTOU (GRE) at the U20 World Championships in 1999.

No one would have bet on the 17-year-old Kolitsopoulus achieving this historic feat just two months ago. At the U17 European Championships in Triana, Albania, he suffered an opening-round defeat at the hands of Salih YAZICI (TUR) and finished 18th in the tournament.

"At the European Championships, I lost," Kolitsopoulos said. "I was not ready. I got angry."

Fortunately, he channeled that anger in the right way and rallied to beat some of the world's best wrestlers, including U17 Asian champion Ahmadreza MOHAMADIAN (IRI) in the 71kg final, winning the gold medal on the third day of the U17 World Championships.

As Greco-Roman concluded in Istanbul on Wednesday, Iran managed to defend its team title with 113 points, with Azerbaijan finishing a close second with 108 points. Georgia secured the third spot with 96 points, India came in fourth with 88 points, and Armenia claimed the fifth position with 77 points.

Kolitsopoulos' journey began on Tuesday as he secured wins over Cristian RISCA (MDA) in the opening round, Seongmin JANG (KOR) in the pre-quarterfinals, Dias SEITKALIYEV (KAZ) in the quarterfinals, and U17 European champion Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (AIN) in the semifinals.

The semifinal win over Abdulkadyrov was just a small hurdle on his path to becoming a champion. On Wednesday, he faced a formidable force in Mohamadian, who even had a 5-3 lead at one point in the final.

During the first period, Mohamadian was put in par terre and Kolitsopoulos managed to get a turn for a 3-0 lead. However, Mohamadian scored a reversal and executed a throw for four points and led 5-3 at the break.

"My plan was to be the aggressor from the start but it was only in the second par terre that I managed to win," he said.

Mohamadian was handed a second passivity in the second period, a rarity in Greco-Roman to see the same wrestler being called passive consecutively. That narrowed Mohamadian's lead to 5-4. Kolitsopoulos executed another turn, taking a 6-5 lead with 37 seconds left. Mohamadian attempted to find an opening but failed, resulting in a historic win for the Greek wrestler.

"I have dreamed it like thousand times," he said. "I am feeling great and I hope kids out there in Greece start training more to become like me or better."

Kolitsopoulos, an ardent follower of Olympic and world champion Mohammareza GERARI (IRI), draws inspiration from his father and coach, Alexios, a former Greco-Roman wrestler who competed at the 2004 Athens Olympics. Both of Arionas' parents cheered him on from the stands in Istanbul.

Though the senior level is still a while away for Kolitsopoulos, he has already set his sights on surpassing his father's achievements.

"The most important thing is the results at the senior level," he said. "So step by step. Maybe next year I will be ready for seniors. I am not ready now because it's different power between senior and U17.

"I made history because my father was a talent. So I am talented but why not be better than him."

Saba PURTSELADZE (GEO) won the 92kg gold after beating Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) 7-7 in the final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In another victory marked by a stunning comeback, Saba PURTSELADZE (GEO) beat Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (AIN), 7-7, to claim the gold medal at 92kg.

The two had clashed in the U17 European Championships final as well and Purtseladze won that bout 4-3 after leading 4-0 at the break.

But in Istanbul, Purtseladze was put in par terre in the first period and Gadzhimagomedov scored exposure using a front headlock to lead 3-0. While for the second exposure, Purtseladze blocked him by pulling his singlet for which he was docked two points. Georgia challenged the call but lost, adding one more point to Gadzhimagomedov's score.

The bout resumed in pat terre but Gadzhimagomedov failed to score any more points and the two wrestlers went into the break with the AIN wrestler leading 6-0.

Purtseladze began the second period with an arm-throw and was awarded two points for the correct throw. Gadzhimagomedov scored a reversal in the same sequence to lead 7-2.

Gadzhimagomedov was called passive 33 seconds later and was put in forced par terre. Purtseladze failed to get any of his moves in par terre and left Gadzhimagomedov 53 seconds to defend the 7-3 score.

But with 36 seconds left on the clock, Purtseladze produced an underhook to throw Gadzhimagomedov back-first on the mat and score four vital points which gave him a 7-7 criteria lead.

Gadzhimagomedov had little energy left in him to score any points to regain his lead and suffered a heartbreaking loss to Purtseladze for the second time in two months.

Ilia KANDALIN (AIN) added a U17 Worlds title to his U17 European gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Individual Neutral Athletes did capture one gold and U17 European champion Ilia KANDALIN (AIN) did it in some style.

Wrestling Artur BROYAN (ARM) in the final at 51kg, Kandalin was effortless in the two minutes and 38 seconds he spend on the mat. He put the first points on the scoreboard by getting a stepout using a strong underhook. Broyan was called passive soon and Kandalin used two gut-wrenches to extend his lead to 6-0. Just before the 30-second period, Kandalin scored another stepout to lead 7-0.

It took him 38 seconds more to finish the bout 9-0 and add a world title to the European gold he won in Triana. With his win, Kandalin remains unbeaten internationally in three tournaments. He also has U15 European gold medal to his name.

In the quarterfinals, he defeated Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) 5-1, a better margin than the 4-3 win he scored over Karumidze in the opening round in Triana.

Roman KARIMOV (AZE) attempts a gut-wrench against Saba SURMANIDZE (GEO) in the 60kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 60kg, Roman KARIMOV (AZE) hung on to a one-point lead and beat Saba SURMANIDZE (GEO) 4-3 to win the gold medal.

Surmanidze was called passive in the first period but he defended all attempts from Karimov to score any points. He tried an arm-drag but an alert Karimov fleed. Surmanidze tried to use that momentum for a body throw but Karimov landed on top of Surmanidze, earning himself two points before the break.

Karimov was put in par terre in the second period and Surmanidze tried a reverse left before switching to a chest-wrap. He managed to expose Karimov who got out of the hold and scored a reversal. However, the score read 4-1 as Surmanidze's points were not awarded initially. Georgia challenged and won with the score 4-3 in Karimov's favor and 54 seconds left on the clock.

Despite U17 Euro bronze medalist Surmanidze's best efforts to score a point, Karimov held his lead and won the gold medal.

Rustem ABATSIEV (AIN), blue, was declared a joint-champion at 45kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Two golds at 45kg
In a rare instance, two wrestlers -- Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) and Rustem ABATSIEV (AIN) -- were declared winners at 45kg after their gold medal bout at the U17 World Championships in Istanbul, Turkiye.

The first final of the night saw Dashdamirov and Abatsiev wrestling with the former getting the first advantage when Abatsiev was called passive. He lifted the AIN wrestler and executed the throw which got him a point as Abatasiev landed out of bounds. Abatsiev was cautioned for using his leg to stop Dashdamirov's attack.

With a 4-0 lead, Dashdamirov was put in par terre in the second period. Abatsiev scored a turn to cut the lead to 4-3 with a minute left on the clock.

At 3:42, the referee warned Dashdamirov for locking fingers and a caution-and-one was given against Dashdamirov with 6.2 seconds left which should have given Abatsiev the criteria advantage. But the scoreboard wrongfully showed Dashdamirov as the bout leader, and after the 6.2 seconds expired, the Azerbaijan wrestler's hand was raised, declaring him the winner of the final.

According to United World Wrestling’s rules, once a winner of a bout is declared, the result cannot be changed. The technical committee of the U17 World Championships held a review and arrived at the decision to award both wrestlers the 45kg title.

Defending champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) defeated NEHA (IND) 8-4 at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Ulug Bugra Han)

Japan gets 4 in WW finals

Japan would be a happy team after day one of women's wrestling as it managed to get four out of five wrestlers in the final. Mona EZAKA (JPN), Rinka OGAWA (JPN), Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) and Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) will wrestle for gold on Thursday.

Ezaka, Uchida and Yoshida are returning finalists with only Uchida as the defending champion. She continued from where she left last year and began with two 10-0 wins over Nikola PIECHOCKA (POL) and Kai Yi LI (TPE).

Next up was U17 Asian champion NEHA (IND) and after a few uncomfortable moments in the bout, Uchida was quick to win 8-4. A 10-0 semifinal win against Yeo Jin MIN (KOR) confirmed her place in the final in which she will face Eylem ENGIN (TUR).

Ezaka, the silver medalist from Rome, posted three wins via fall including one over PARVEEN (IND) to reach the final at 43kg. She will now face Morgan TURNER (USA) who defeated Nilufar NURMUKHAMMADOVA (UZB), 4-2, in the other semifinal.

Yoshida, who lost to Harshita MOR (IND) in the final last year, will try to win the gold medal against Duygu GEN (TUR) at 65kg. Both wrestlers defeated AIN wrestlers in the semifinals with Yoshida beating Margarita SALNAZARIAN (AIN) 5-0 while Gen won 10-1 against Maryia MAKARCHANKA (AIN).

Ogawa will be looking for the first U17 world gold as she takes on U17 European champion Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) in the 49kg final. The two wrestlers were clearly more dominant than the rest of the field at 49kg. Ogawa won the semifinal via fall against Tana TIULIUSH (AIN) while Katena defeated Heather CRULL (USA) 10-1.

In the other final with no Japan wrestler, returning bronze medalist Lotta ENGLICH (GER) will wrestle Piper FOWLER (USA) for the gold at 73kg. Englich defeated Asaloy AMANGELDIEVA (UZB), 2-1, in the semifinal while Fowler was a little more aggressive to win 10-2 against Aliaksandra KAZLOVA (AIN) 10-2.

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

45kg
GOLD: Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) df. RUSTEM ABATSIEV (AIN), 4-4

BRONZE: Yurik MKHITARYAN (ARM) df. Nika TSETSKHLADZE (GEO), 9-0
BRONZE: Alireza AMIRIGHASRODDASHTI (IRI) df. Kadyrbek ALMANBETOV (KGZ), 5-1

51kg
GOLD: Ilia KANDALIN (AIN) df. Artur BROYAN (ARM), 9-0

BRONZE: Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) df. Dostonbek ORIPOV (UZB), 3-1
BRONZE: Manu YADAV (IND) df. Husniddin ULUGBEKOV (TKM), 9-0

60kg
GOLD: Roman KARIMOV (AZE) df. Saba SURMANIDZE (GEO), 4-3

BRONZE: Kiryl VALEUSKI (AIN) df. Yerdaulet LASSIM (KAZ), 12-8
BRONZE: Mingiian GORIAEV (AIN) df. VARUN (IND), 15-6

71kg
GOLD: Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE) df. Ahmadreza MOHAMADIAN (IRI), 6-5

BRONZE: Alkan AKAR (TUR) df. Luka LOMADZE (GEO), 5-1
BRONZE: Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (AIN) df. Dias SEITKALIYEV (KAZ), 10-0

92kg
GOLD: Saba PURTSELADZE (GEO) df. Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (AIN), 7-7

BRONZE: Mikayil ISMAYILOV (AZE) df. Aliakbar ASGHAR (IRI), 3-1
BRONZE: Gabriel STAN (ROU) df. Maxim UKRAINTSEV (KAZ), 9-0

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

43kg
GOLD: Mona EZAKA (JPN) vs. Morgan TURNER (USA)

SF 1: Mona EZAKA (JPN) df. Maria GKIKA (GRE), via fall (8-0)
SF 2: Morgan TURNER (USA) df. Nilufar NURMUKHAMMADOVA (UZB), 4-2

49kg
GOLD: Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) vs. Rinka OGAWA (JPN)

SF 1: Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) df. Heather CRULL (USA), 10-1
SF 2: Rinka OGAWA (JPN) df. Tana TIULIUSH (AIN), via fall (6-0)

57kg
GOLD: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) vs. Eylem ENGIN (TUR)

SF 1: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) df. YeoJin MIN (KOR), 10-0
SF 2: Eylem ENGIN (TUR) df. Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ), 4-2

65kg
GOLD: Duygu GEN (TUR) vs. Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN)

SF 1: Duygu GEN (TUR) df. Maryia MAKARCHANKA (AIN), 10-1
SF 2: Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Margarita SALNAZARIAN (AIN), 5-0

73kg
GOLD: Lotta ENGLICH (GER) vs. Piper FOWLER (USA)

SF 1: Lotta ENGLICH (GER) df. Asaloy AMANGELDIEVA (UZB), 2-1
SF 2: Piper FOWLER (USA) df. Aliaksandra KAZLOVA (AIN), 10-2

#WrestleBaku

Murtazaliev defends U23 European gold; Azerbaijan wins Greco team title

Wednesday, May 22, 2024 - 19:29 By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU, Azerbaijan (May 22) -- Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) fell on his knees. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) looked around in a daze, his hands on the back of his head. Both breathing heavily, both barely able to walk any extra step than needed.

This was a fight for the gold medal between the two giants of the Greco-Roman 97kg category. Murtazaliev, a senior European Championship silver medallist and defending champion of the U23 continental tournament but missing out on a Paris Olympics spot. Khaslakhanau, a senior European bronze medallist, looking for his maiden U23 title, which would have been a perfect boost for his Olympic preparations.

After grueling six minutes, which tested the strength and stamina of both wrestlers to the limit, it was Murtazaliev who finished on top. The 23-year-old defeated Khaslakhanau 4-1 to defend his title here in Baku.

Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) defends a throw from Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) in the 97kg Greco-Roman final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Murtazaliev made all the early moves, using an underhook in search for a proper grip over Khaslakhanau. Shortly after one minute, the Paris Olympics-bound wrestler was penalized for passivity. Murtazaliev got a point for that and then used a strong gut-wrench for two points despite some exceptional defense from his opponent.

Khaslakhanau had his moments including the par terre in the second period. He completed a throw but Murtazaliev did not land in danger, forcing Khaslakhanau to challenge but to no avail. Murtazaliev used all his might to defend his 4-1 lead and ensure he ended the evening with a gold medal hanging around his neck.

Murtazaliev and Khaslakhanau embraced each other after the end of the bout when they left the mat. But it was the home wrestlers that celebrated the most as Azerbaijan won the team title with 163 points. Georgia finished second with 138 points and Turkiye was third with 135 points.

Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 82kg gold medal in Baku. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

The major contribution to Azerbaijan’s team title came from Gurban GURBANOV (AZE), who beat Islam ALIEV (AIN) 8-2 in an action-packed bout to win his second successive title.

But the scoreline hardly captures the drama that unfolded.

Only 30 seconds into the bout, Gurbanov requested a challenge, accusing Aliev of blocking using his hands on legs. The challenge was upheld and Aliev was cautioned, with the defending champion awarded two points.

That, however, was only the beginning. A minute later, Gurbanov had the par terre advantage, sending the home crowd into a frenzy. Those in the stands had more to cheer for after Gurbanov used a high gut to turn Aliev and extend his lead to 5-1.

Desperate to reduce his deficit, Aliev threw the kitchen sink at his rival. He got the par terre but failed to score and even asked for a challenge for blocking by Gurbanov only to see him lose one more point for a lost challenge. Just then, however, things started to get heated. A minute into the second round, Gurbanov alleged that Aliev pushed him out of the mat – and over the podium. The momentum carried the home favorite behind the judge’s table and as he walked back onto the mat, he held his left leg and looked in some discomfort.

After a stepout, Aliev head-butted Gurbanov with 1:33 left on the clock. He was awarded two points for dangerous play as Aliev received another caution.

The penalty points combined gave Gurbanov enough cushion to defend his lead in the closing moments and although Aliev did not give up, it was too big a gap to close down. Amidst a din, Gurbanov draped his country’s flag around his shoulders and took a lap of honor.

Mert ILBARS (TUR), behind, scored the match-winning stepout against Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) from this position. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Azerbaijan very nearly celebrated a second gold medal of the night. However, Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) came up agonizingly short against Mert ILBARS (TUR) in the 60kg final, losing 2-1.

Both wrestlers produced strong defensive performances, but the bout was anything but defensive. Guluzade, in particular, would leave the tournament with a feeling of ‘what if’. After the two wrestlers exchanged points for par terre with Ilbars leading 1-1 on criteria, Guluzade got the third par terre position late in the bout. The third call only offers position advantage and no points but Ilbars didn’t allow his opponent a proper grip and instead forced a remarkable turnaround to get into an attacking position and score a point from a push out.

For the rest of the bout, Ilbars defended as if his life depended on it and came out on top by the narrowest of margins.

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) celebrates after winning the 72kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Meanwhile, Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) beat Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU) 8-0 to win the gold medal in the 72kg category and add a second U23 European title. That win propelled Georgia over Turkiye in the team title race.

Turkiye could have finished second had Azat SARIYAR (TUR) won the 67kg 67kg final. Instead, Daniial AGAEV (AIN) rolled to an 11-1 technical superiority win to capture the gold at 67kg.

Defending champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) reached the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Malmgren on course to defend her title

Women’s wrestling star Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) stayed on course to winning her second consecutive U23 title after she reached the 55 kg category final.

Malmgren, one of the contenders for the Paris Olympics, was the odds-on favorite to defend her crown in Baku and it didn’t take long to understand why. The two-time senior European champion, who added a silver this year, was dominant in all her bouts, scoring 22 points and conceding just two.

The 22-year-old Swede will face Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), who has already improved on her performance from last year’s continental championship but will be hoping for a top-of-the-podium finish, which would also be her best-ever performance.

Vynnyk will be one of the three Ukrainian wrestlers who will have a shot at the gold medal on Thursday. In 68kg, Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) will take on Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN) in the title round whereas Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR) will face Laura KUEHN (GER) in the 76kg final.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Mert ILBARS (TUR) df. Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Dinislam BAMMATOV (AIN) df. Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL), 6-3
BRONZE: Melkamu FETENE (ISR) df. Georgios SCARPELLO (GER), 4-3

67kg
GOLD: Daniial AGAEV (AIN) df. Azat SARIYAR (TUR), 11-1

BRONZE: Oleg KHALILOV (UKR) df. Yanis GUENDEZ NIFRI (FRA), 2-2
BRONZE: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df. Dimitar GEORGIEV (BUL), 9-1

72kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df. Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU), 8-0

BRONZE: Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) df. Petar GORNYASHKI (BUL), 7-4
BRONZE: Vasile ZABICA (MDA) df. Giovanni ALESSIO (ITA), 5-4

82kg
GOLD: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) df. Islam ALIEV (AIN), 8-2

BRONZE: Deni NAKAEV (GER) df. Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), 4-1
BRONZE: Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (FRA) df. Leon RIVALTA (ITA), via fall (11-4)

97kg
GOLD: Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN), 4-1

BRONZE: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) df. Aapo VIITALA (FIN), 11-0
BRONZE: Anton VIEWEG (GER) df. Luka KATIC (SRB), 3-1

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Natallia VARAKINA (AIN) vs. Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR)

SF 1: Natallia VARAKINA (AIN) df. Ana PIRVU (ROU), 10-0
SF 2: Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Gabija DILYTE (LTU), 6-4

55kg
GOLD: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) vs. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)

SF 1: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) df. Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA), via fall (8-0)
SF 2: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Aliaksandra BULAVA (AIN), 11-0

59kg
GOLD: Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (AIN) vs. Alesia HETMANAVA (AIN)

SF 1: Alesia HETMANAVA (AIN) df. Ana Maria PUIU (ROU), 11-0
SF 2: Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (AIN) df. Sevim AKBAS (TUR), 5-1

68kg
GOLD: Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) vs. Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN)

SF 1: Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN) df. Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER), via fall (6-0)
SF 2: Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) df. Karolina POK (HUN), 2-0

76kg
GOLD: Laura KUEHN (GER) vs. Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR)

SF 1: Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR) df. Nazar BATIR (TUR), 3-2
SF 2: Laura KUEHN (GER) df. Olga KOZYREVA (AIN), 9-8

Kolitsopoulos wins Greece's first-ever U17 Worlds gold

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Murtazaliev defends U23 European gold; Azerbaijan wins Greco team title