#WrestleSkopje

Komarov Shines on U23 Debut; Ukraine Trumps Russia for WW title

Friday, May 21, 2021 - 20:12 By Vinay Siwach

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If there is a perfect way to debut at a tournament, Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) demonstrated it on Friday.

Wrestling for the first time at an U23-level tournament, the former cadet and junior world champion dominated his way into the final, establishing himself as the wrestler to beat at 87kg in the future.

He led three Russians in the finals as Greco-Roman wrestling began on Friday at the U23 European Championships in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Sweden and Armenia managed to enter two wrestlers each into the final while Turkey, Georgia and Azerbaijan also got one each in Saturday's final at the Jane Sandanski Arena.

Russia, Turkey and Armenia had entered four wrestlers each in the semifinal but only Russia managed to advance three while the other two fell behind.

Komarov was slow to start in the semifinal against Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) and was put in par terre after being called passive. But Saricicek failed to take advantage of the position. The Russian then got a takedown to lead 2-1 at the break.

Saricicek was penalized for his passivity and Komarov used his strength to gut-wrench him from the par terre position. His three rolls gave him six points and a 9-1 win.

In the morning session, Komarov notched up two victories by technical superiority but was checked by junior world champion Istvan TAKACS (HUN) in the quarterfinal. The Russian managed to win 4-1.

In the final, junior European champion Temur TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) will challenge Komarov. The Georgian is yet to concede a point in the tournament and has outscored his opponents 28-0.

He was so dominant in the semifinal against Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM) that it only lasted one minute and 20 seconds. After an early takedown to lead 2-0, Tchkuaselidze got two from a body lock throw. A leg foul from the Armenian added two more to extend the lead 6-0.

The following par terre position was enough for Tchkuaselidze to finish the bout but his grip slipped under the opponent's waist and the two points for the gut were reversed after a challenge from Armenia. But their happiness was short lived as Tchkuaslidze got a snap down for two points and the victory.

At 77kg, Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) also had a stunning run as he reached the final against Per OLOFSSON (SWE). In the semifinal, he took out Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM) 8-3, in a bout controlled with ease.

After his 1/8 final win over Patryk BEDNARZ (POL) via fall, he had a rematch of his World Championships final at 72 against Nikoloz TCHIKAIDZE (GEO). Like that bout, he came out on top in Skopje as well with a pin.

Olofsson, whose tournament was all but over in the quarterfinal, scored another come-from behind-victory against Erkan ERGEN (TUR). After a step out and Olofsson's passivity, Ergen led 2-0 but the Sweden wrestler scored a takedown after Ergen's miss to level it 2-2. He then trapped the Turk in a body lock to get two more points for the throw. The call was challenged by Turkey but they lost the challenge. The 5-2 score in favor of Olofsson remained until the clock expired.

In the quarterfinal, Olofsson was down 0-6 but scored 14 unanswered points against Aliaksandr PECHURENKA (BLR) to win 14-6 and progress to the semifinal.

OLOFSSON (SWE) U23 European Championships

In another Sweden vs Turkey semifinal at 63kg, Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) defeated Abdulkadir SAYDAM (TUR) 8-0. Half of those points, however, were caution points.

Oehlen got the advantage after Saydam was called passive and the Sweden wrestler won an exposure from the par terre position. Later, the referee awarded two points to Oehlen, warning Saydam for twisting his opponent's fingers.

Another warning followed as the Turk was seen to be involved in dangerous wrestling and that made the score 7-0 for Oehlen. The Turkey corner challenged the call and lost, ending the bout 8-0.

From the other side of the bracket, Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) upset U23 and Senior European bronze medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO) 1-1 in the semifinal. The bout only saw points for the two passivity calls with the Armernian getting the benefit of the second call.

At 55kg, Adem UZUN (TUR) will take on Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) in the final after he defeated Denis DEMIROV (BUL) 9-4 in the semifinal while Aliyev etched out a 3-3 win over Mavlud RIZMANOV (RUS).

Zaur ALIYEV U23 European Championships

Aliyev had fallen behind 1-3 but he scored a takedwon on the edge to make it 3-3 with 1:38 to go. The move was originally scored a stepout and one point but his corner challenged the call and won. Aliyev managed to keep his lead for the remaining 98 seconds and reach the final.

Uzun had to work harder for his win after leading 6-0 at one point of the match. But Demirov scored a takedown on either side of the break to make it 6-4. A stepout and a takedown later Uzun won 9-4.

In the final category of the day, two big wins in the semifinals set up a Russia-Armenia final. Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) defeated Franz RICHTER (GER) 11-0 in just one minute and 57 seconds while David OVASAPYAN (ARM) won against Delian ALISHAHI (SUI) 9-0 in three minutes and 40 seconds.

Ukraine win WW title

They trailed Russia by four points in the team title race on Thursday. But by the end of the women's wrestling in Skopje, Ukraine claimed the team title by a difference of 16 points.

If the scores of the all the medals winners are accounted, both nations are locked at 165. But Ukraine's fifth-place finish at 72kg and eighth-place at 76kg gave them 18 points. Russia, however, managed only two points from their non-medal winning wrestler.

Alina AKOBIYA (UKR) led the day with a gold medal finish at 57kg after beating Patrycja GIL (POL) 8-0 in the final. It was finally a big load off her back as she had finished with silver medals at the previous two U23 European Championships.

She got Gil in a headlock before turning it into a takedown. Another cradle and exposure made it 6-0 for before a double leg attack extended the lead to 8-0.

With 10 medals at age-group European and World Championships, Akobiya's resume got even more stronger with this title. Last month, she had won the silver medal at the senior Euros and also qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) was another first-time gold medalist at the U23 level as converted her debut into a golden one at 62kg.

Wrestling against Tatsiana PAULAVA (BLR) in the final, Rizhko worked up two takedowns before giving one up. Leading 4-2, she performed an inside trip to put Paulava on her back and secure the fall with 53 seconds remaining.

The only Ukrainian wrestler to come up short in the final was Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR) as she dropped her 65kg final 8-5 against rapidly rising Irina RINGACI (MDA).

The Moldovan wrestler put the disappointment of failing to qualify for the Tokyo Games behind her and ran through her opposition at this tournament.

In the final, she had some trouble as Zelenykh opened the scoring with a takedown before Ringaci countered with a lift which exposed Zelenykh for a four. The Ukrainian also countered with a takedown and almost got the pin. But Ringaci survived and led 4-4.

Riganci then scored a takedown and then a snap to make it 8-4. She conceded a point for step out but it was too little too late for Zelenykh as she dropped her bout 8-5.

Russia had two finalist but only one won the gold medal. Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS) was crowned the 53kg champion after Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) forfeited due to injury.

At the 72kg final, Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) shocked Marina SUROVTSEVA 2-2 in a bout that saw point only for passivity and stepouts.

Choluj was called passive in the first period but she scored a stepout to lead 1-1. Surovtseva scored a stepout to claim back the lead but was put on the activity clock with a minute and 18 seconds remaining. Choluj led 2-2 on criteria after the Russian failed to score.

The Polish wrestler hung on to the lead for the final 48 seconds and claimed the gold medal.

Results: GR Semifinals

55kg
GOLD: Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) vs Adem UZUN (TUR)

SF 1: Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) df Mavlud RIZMANOV (RUS), 3-3
SF 2: Adem UZUN (TUR) df Denis DEMIROV (BUL), 9-4

63kg
GOLD: Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) vs Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) df Abdulkadir SAYDAM (TUR), 8-0
SF 2: Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) df Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 1-1

77kg
GOLD: Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) vs Per OLOFSSON (SWE)

SF 1: Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) df Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM), 8-3
SF 2: Per OLOFSSON (SWE) df Erkan ERGEN (TUR), 5-2

87kg
GOLD: Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) vs Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS)

SF 1: Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) df Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM), 8-0
SF 2: Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) df Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR), 9-1

130kg
GOLD: Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) vs David OVASAPYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) df Franz RICHTER (GER), 11-0
SF 2: David OVASAPYAN (ARM) df Delian ALISHAHI (SUI), 9-0

WW Medal Results

53kg
GOLD: Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS) df Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), inj def

BRONZE: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) df Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 9-2
BRONZE: Alicja CZYZOWICZ (POL) df Szimonetta SZEKER (HUN), 2-1

57kg
GOLD: Alina AKOBIYA (UKR) df Patrycja GIL (POL), 8-0

BRONZE: Othelie HOEIE (NOR) df Hanna VAHER (BLR), 6-1
BRONZE: Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS) df Sezen BELBEROVA (BUL), inj def

62kg
GOLD: Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) df Tatsiana PAULAVA (BLR), via fall (8-0)

SF 1: Mariia LACHUGINA (RUS) df Cansu AKSOY (TUR), 13-4
SF 2: Anhelina LYSAK (POL) df Elena ESPOSITO (ITA), via fall (8-0)

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR), 8-5

BRONZE: Kamila KULWICKA (POL) df Nerea BLANCO (ESP), via fall (5-0)
BRONZE: Eyleen SEWINA (GER) df Asli DEMIR (TUR), via fall (10-3)

72kg
GOLD: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df Marina SUROVTSEVA , 2-2

BRONZE: Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR) df Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), 6-5

#WrestleNoviSad

Yakushenko levels up with first U23 World Championships gold

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - 15:49 By Vinay Siwach

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NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 22) -- Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) has lost only one bout in 2025 but that one loss remains tied to him when he steps on the mat.

At the U20 European Championships final, Yakushenko lost to Darius KIEFER (GER), 5-3, losing his gold medal to the German wrestler. But using that loss as a lesson and motivation, Yakushenko has now won two world titles in the space of two months.

The 19-year-old won gold at the U20 World Championships in August and on Wednesday at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, Yakushenko won his first U23 world title.

"If I hadn’t lost at the Europeans, I wouldn’t have won at Worlds," Yakushenko said. "Sometimes a loss can be for the better. It motivated me and helped me mentally."

Yakushenko, who avenged that loss to Kiefer at U20 Worlds, wrestled with great temperament at the U23 Worlds despite carrying an injury after his first bout. In four matches, he began with a win over Luka GABISONIA (GEO), held off Abubakar KHASLAKHANU (UWW) and defeated Richard KARELSON (EST) in the semifinals.

Facing senior Asia silver medalist Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) in the final, Yakushenko used a stepout and turn from par terre to lead 4-0. Matsiyev was docked two points for a defensive foul as Yakushenko extended his lead to 6-0.

When Matsiyev got the par terre position in the second period, Yakushenko easily defended it and managed to win the final 6-1, thus claiming gold.

"I’m euphoric right now," he said. "I feel that it really wasn’t that easy. I guess I just worked hard and prepared well, went through good training. My shoulder hurts a little. But I think it’s actually from the rib."

Yakushenko was in Porec, Croatia at the preparatory camp for senior World Championships. Though he did not participate in the tournament, Yakushenko was part of the Ukraine team and watched the matches in Zagreb.

"We had a camp in Croatia, where many countries were present," he said. "I watched, got motivated, I was overwhelmed with emotions. My weight category is very strong, but I think everything is within my reach."

The two-time U20 world champion believes that needs to build more strength to be ready for the senior level but will not shy from a chance to earn his spot on the senior Ukrainian team next year.

"I still need to build more physical strength," he said. "But technically, I don’t think I have problems, and my endurance is good too. 

"There should be the Ukrainian Cup in November, I’m not sure yet. It’s the qualification event for the European Championships. Maybe I’ll compete there, give our senior team a bit of a shake-up. I don’t know yet, I’ll depend on what my coach says. Whatever he decides, I’ll do."

Iran closer to cleansweep

Iran won its third gold medal in Greco at the U23 World Championships and has now all-but-confirmed the team trophy. With the team title in Novi Sad, Iran will assert its domination in Greco as it won team titles in all World Championships -- U17 in Athens, U20 in Samokov and senior in Zagreb -- to go with the one in Novi Sad, Serbia.

It consolidated its position on the top when former U23 world champion at 63kg, Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) won gold at 72kg on Wednesday. Mohammadi defeated Abror ATABAEV (UZB), 5-1, in the final.

Mohammadi was awarded the par terre in he first period and he hit a front headlock which was scored two and one more point was awarded for a stepout. But Iran challenged, claiming four points on the throw, which was confirmed on review but the stepout point was removed as it was a push.

After the challenge, Mohammadi led 5-0 and when Atabaev was given par terre in the second period, Mohammadi defended that position with ease and went on to win the gold medal.

Azerbaijan won its second gold medal in Greco-Roman after Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) held off Alibek AMIROV (UWW), 3-2, in the 55kg final. With the win, he also avenged his U23 European Championships semifinals loss to Amirov.

Egypt got its first world title at any level since 2023 and first at U23 in six years after Hassan ABDELREHIM (EGY) blanked Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), 3-0, in the 67kg. Incidentally, Egypt's other two U23 world titles, both won by Mohamed EL SAYED (EGY) in 2018 and 2019, have come at 67kg.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA)Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) completes a five-pointer. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Gutu in third straight final

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) is a win away from becoming the first three-time U23 world champion after he reached the 82kg final in Novi Sad.

Gutu, wrestling at the U23 Worlds for the fifth time, reached the his fourth straight final after beating Ibrahim TABAEV (BEL) in the semifinals. Gutu won gold medals in 2023 and 2024 and has a silver medal from 2022.

He began with a takedown before adding a stepout for a 3-0 lead. The par terre gave him one more point and he threw Tabaev out-of-bounds for one more point and lead 5-0. The second period saw him add one stepout as he won the semifinal 6-0.

For his third straight gold medal, Gutu will face Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR) who defeated Data CHKHAIDZE (GEO), 1-1, in the other semifinal, thanks to the first-point criteria in a 1-1 finish.

Koto GOMI (JPN)Koto GOMI (JPN) celebrates after winning the 60kg semifinal against Maxwell BLACK (USA). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 60kg, Koto GOMI (JPN) will try to the six-year gold medal drought for Japan after he reached the 60kg final on Wednesday after a dominant performance. He faced Maxwell BLACK (USA) in the semifinals and like his previous bouts, he began by scoring as soon as the match began.

An arm-drag to takedown gave him a 2-0 lead before he got the par terre position and scored three rolls using high gut-wrench and win 9-0.

He will face Sajjad ABBASPOUR (IRI) for gold after he made a remarkable comeback in the final 20 seconds. Down 3-1 against Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB), Abbaspour scored a stepout which was also called fleeing with 13 seconds left. However, Bakhramov still held the criteria at 3-3 as he had a two-point move.

But Abbaspour did not give up and scored another stepout with five seconds left, giving him a match-winning 4-3 lead. Uzbekistan challenged it but only to lose it and add one more point to Abbaspour's score.

The 5-3 defeat left the teenager Bakhramov in tears while the Iran corner celebrated the unexpected win in the semifinals.

U.S. perfect

Audrey JIMINEZ (USA) will get another chance of winning her first-ever world title after she reached the 50kg finals after posting a controlled 5-2 win against Aida KERYMOVA (UKR) in the semifinals. Jiminez, who had four age-group world silver medals, scored a takedown and one turn in the second period to overcome a 2-1 deficit and post the win.

She will face Jinyue LIANG (CHN) for that much-awaited gold after Liang saw off Natalia PUDOVA (UWW) in the other semifinal. Liang scored a takedown in the second period to lead 2-1 and then got in scramble which that scored two points each. She then hit a headlock for four to make the score 8-3, her winning score in the final.

Former U20 world champion Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) reached the final at 72kg with her third technical superiority win in three bouts. She defeated former U17 world champion Veronika VILK (CRO), 10-0, in the semifinals using her trademark double blasts.

Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) will look to stop Robinson from winning her first U23 world title after she reached the final at 72kg after beating Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), 6-3.

Returning champion at 72kg, Kylie WELKER (USA), who moved up to 76kg, reached the final after a 16-6 technical superiority win over Edna JIMENEZ VILLALBA (MEX).

Welker began with a four-pointer before two turns made it 8-0. But Villalba also hit a four-pointer to cut the lead to 8-4. She then had Welker in danger to make it 8-6 bit a reversal and three lace turns tilted the semifinal 15-6 in favor to Welker, who scored a stepout in the second period for the win.

She will take on returning bronze medalist Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) who posted a 4-1 win over Elmira YASIN (TUR) in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) df. Alibek AMIROV (UWW), 3-2

BRONZE: Khojiakbar KUCHKAROV (UZB) df. Armin SHAMSIPOUR (IRI), 8-0
BRONZE: Vishvajit MORE (IND) df. Yerassyl MAMYRBEKOV (KAZ), 5-4

67kg
GOLD: Hassan ABDELREHIM (EGY) df. Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), 3-0

BRONZE: Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) df. Hleb MAKARANKA (UWW), 7-1
BRONZE: Otto BLACK (USA) df. Attila JOZSA (HUN), via inj. def.

72kg
GOLD: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. Abror ATABAEV (UZB), 5-1

BRONZE: Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) df. Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM), 3-1
BRONZE: Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ) df. Danil GRIGOREV (UWW), 10-0

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ), 6-1

BRONZE: Richard KARELSON (EST) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (UWW), 7-7
BRONZE: Maksim AVERIN (UWW) df. Arshak GEGHAMYAN (ARM), 1-1

Greco-Roman Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Koto GOMI (JPN) vs. Sajjad ABBASPOUR (IRI)

SF 1: Koto GOMI (JPN) df. Maxwell BLACK (USA), 9-0
SF 2: Sajjad ABBASPOUR (IRI) df. Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB), 5-3

82kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) vs. Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR)

SF 1: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Ibrahim TABAEV (BEL), 6-0
SF 2: Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR) df. Data CHKHAIDZE (GEO), 1-1

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) vs. Jinyue LIANG (CHN)

SF 1: Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) df. Aida KERYMOVA (UKR), 5-2
SF 2: Jinyue LIANG (CHN) df. Natalia PUDOVA (UWW), 8-3

72kg
GOLD: Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) vs. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ)

SF 1: Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) df. Veronika VILK (CRO), 10-0 
SF 2: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) df. Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), 6-3

76kg
GOLD: Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) vs. Kylie WELKER (USA)

SF 1: Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) df. Elmira YASIN (TUR), 4-1
SF 2: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Edna JIMENEZ VILLALBA (MEX), 16-6