#WrestleWarsaw

LIVE BLOG: European C'ships (Day Five)

By Eric Olanowski

WARSAW, Poland (April 23) -- The fifth day of wrestling at the European Championships welcomes in Greco-Roman action to the mix.

Friday's Schedule:
11:30 - Qualification round
16: 45 - Semifinals
18:00 - Finals

WATCH: European Championships 

17:48: That'll do it for Greco-Roman action. We'll take a 10-minute break and start the women's wrestling medal matches. 

17:40: Riza does it. He'll wrestle for a TENTH European title on Saturday night.

17:33: Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) keeps his four-month hot-streak alive and inserts himself into the 87kg finals with a 9-1 win over Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN).

17:21: Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) defeated Michael WIDMAYER (GER), 5-0, and will wrestle for his fourth European title tomorrow night. He'll take on Yunus BASAR (TUR) in the 77kg gold-medal match.

17: 11: If Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT) win his semifinals match, he'd become the first Latvian wrestler to medal at the European Championships since '38.

HE'D END AN 83 YEAR DROUGHT!

17:03: Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) trailed late but used an acrobatic flying squirrel to upset '18 world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), 5-4. He'll wrestle Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) on Saturday night for 55kg gold. 

16:55: We're back to action in Poland. It'll be the Greco-Roman semifinals, followed by the women's wrestling finals, which will start at 18:00. 

Final Matches (As they come in): 

55kg
GOLD - Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) vs. Ekrem OZTURK (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) df. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), 5-4
SEMIFINAL - Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) df. Artsiom KATSAR (BLR), 8-0

63kg
GOLD - Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) vs. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) df. Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 9-5
SEMIFINAL - Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT), 7-1

77kg
GOLD - Yunus BASAR (TUR) vs. Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)
SEMIFINAL - Yunus BASAR (TUR) df. Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR), 4-0
SEMIFINAL - Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) df. Michael WIDMAYER (GER), 5-0 

87kg
GOLD - Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) vs. Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB)
SEMIFINAL - Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) df. Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), 9-1
SEMIFINAL - Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df. Denis KUDLA (GER), 2-1

130kg
GOLD - Riza KAYAALP (TUR) vs. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO)
SEMIFINAL - Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Eduard POPP (GER), via fall 
SEMIFINAL - Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) df. Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU), 5-0

14:46: That'll do it for this morning's Greco-Roman coverage. We'll meet back here at 16:45 for the Greco-Roman semifinals. The Day Five women's wrestling finals will begin at 18:00. 

14:40:  Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) upsets two-time world champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR), 1-1, and is headed to the 87kg semifinals.  

14:28: In the battle of world champions that just wrapped up on Mat B, Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) breezed to a 10-1 win over Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO). He'll square off with Individual World Cup champion and rising star Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) in tonight's 55kg semifinals.

14:15: Riza is not playing today! The nine-time European champion has wrestle twice today and has outscored his opponents 18-1 en route to the semifinals. Kayaalp will wrestle Tokyo Olympian Eduard POPP (GER) for a spot in the 130kg finals. 

14:08: World champions  Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) and Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) just took the mat on Mat B! The winner moves into the 55kg semifinals.

Semifinal Matches (As they come in): 

55kg
SEMIFINAL - Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) 
SEMIFINAL - Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) vs. Artsiom KATSAR (BLR)

63kg
SEMIFINAL - Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) vs. Leri ABULADZE (GEO) 
SEMIFINAL - Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) vs. Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT) 

77kg
SEMIFINAL - Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR) vs. Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR) 
SEMIFINAL - Michael Felix WIDMAYER (GER)  vs. Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)

87kg
SEMIFINAL - Turpan Ali Alvievich BISULTANOV (DEN) vs.
Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) 
SEMIFINAL - Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) vs.  Denis Maksymilian KUDLA (GER) 

130kg
SEMIFINAL - Eduard POPP (GER) vs. Riza KAYAALP (TUR)
SEMIFINAL - Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU) vs. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO)

13:37: I suggest posting up on Mat B and staying there for a while! 

13:25: ARE YOU KIDDING? Maskevich strikes again! He was down 6-0 against fellow Individual World Cup champion Milad Valerikovitch ALIRZAEV (RUS) but used a lateral drop to pick up the fall. He'll wrestle the winner of Yoan Danielov DIMITROV (BUL) and Tornike DZAMASHVILI (GEO) next.

13:10: Coming up next on Mat B, it'll be a matchup of Individual World Cup champions between Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) and Kiryl Maskevich.

12:59: Two-time world champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) is wrestling next on Mat B. It'll be his second competition of the year. He competed and won gold at January's Grand Prix of Zagreb.

12:46: Denis KUDLA ?? may be one of my most underrated wrestlers in the world. His resume is stacked with medals, but you rarely hear about him. He's coming up soon on Mat A (Bout 306).

Olympic Games: ?
World Championships: ??
European Championships: ???

12;23: '19 world champion Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) starts his day off with a quick 9-0 thumping of Denis HORVATH (SVK). He'll wrestle two-time U23 world champion ('17 & '18) Daniel CATARAGA (MDA) in eight matches (Bout 330)  on Mat B. 

12:14:  Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) IS MUST-WATCH TV! ? He just ran through ???? Viktor LORINCZ (HUN), 9-0, in the opening period and barely broke a sweat.He'll wrestle again in nine matches (Bout 328) on Mat B. #WrestleWarsaw

11:55: Kayaalp led 1-1 after the opening three minutes of wrestling, but scored eight second-period point from five gut wrenches and defeated Cherneyskyy, 10-1.

11:40: Today, we'll be paying attention to Riza KAYAALP (TUR). The Turkish big man begins his quest for his TENTH European title. He'll wrestle Oleksandr CHERNETSKYY (UKR) in the fourth match on Mat C.

11:30: There will be one women's wrestling repechage match on each mat, then we'll roll right into the Greco-Roman matches.

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 6 Blog

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 30) -- The ultimate day of the Asian Championships is here. Freestyle weight classes 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg will be in action in Amman.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 RESULT

125kg gold medal bout: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) vs. Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI)

14:27: Amireza MASOUMI (IRI), currently on a six-tournament win streak that includes world U23 and U20 titles, will get a chance to make it seven straight as he knocks off Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) 8-0 in their 125kg semifinal. Masoumi does his best Jordan Burroughs imitation when he launches a blast double-leg takedown for 4 in the first period. He tries again in the second period, but it only results a stepout. 

14:25: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) is back in the Asian Championships 125kg final with a solid 5-1 win over DINESH (IND). He scores a takedown and turn in the second period to go ahead 5-1 and set up a final against World U23 and U20 champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI). Mukhtur had stunned Masoumi in the semifinal of the 2023 Asian Championships.

92kg gold medal bout: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) vs. Deepak PUNIA (IND)

14:18: Deepak PUNIA (IND) assures himself of fourth career Asian medal, but will it finally be gold? Punia, a losing finalist three years ago, advances to the 92kg final with an 8-1 victory over Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN). Punia opens by with an arm drag takedown, to which a fleeing point is tacked on. In the second period, Punia receives an activity point, then twice presses Ishiguro down and goes behind for takedowns. Ishiguro gains a late stepout to avoid the shutout. 

14:18: World U23 champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) beats three-time Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and books a spot in the 92kg final. Dauletbekov tried a cut-back from standing but Firouzpour defend well and had Dauletbekov's back on the mat for two points. Two stepouts for Firouzpour as he extended his lead to 4-0. Dauletbekov put on the 30-second activity clock in the second period. Firouzpour adds another stepout and Dauletbekov fails to score during the activity clock and Firouzpour's lead swells to 6-0. Firouzpour adds another stepout to lead 7-0. Firouzpour elevates Dauletbekov's leg and throws him on the mat for two and a turn gives him two more. Lost challenge from Kazakhstan and Firouzpour wins 11-0.

86kg gold medal bout: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) vs Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI)

14:05: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) heads to the 86kg final after a 12-1 victory over Nan CAO (CHN). Sakayev with counters that hurt Cao immensely. Coa kept the forward pressure but Sakayev scored three go-behind and a turn to win.

13:59: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) storms into the 86kg final with an 11-0 rout of Mukul DAHIYA (IND), ending their semifinal with the second of two 4-point moves. After opening with a stepout, Rahmani adds a takedown, then gets 4 with an underhook takedown to the back. Rahmani then hits a duck under, keeps Dahiya's arm locked and drives him straight to his back. He doesn't try for a fall and the match ends at 2:45.

74kg gold medal bout: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) vs. Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)

13:55: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with a stepout to begin his 74kg quarterfinal against Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB). He builds a 5-0 lead, including a takedown, at the break. Toktomambetov is awarded a stepout but Uzbekistan challenge and Nasritdinov is awarded the stepout on review as Toktomambetov stepped outside to complete the action. A bodylock throw from Toktomambetov for four but Uzbekistan challenge again. No problems this time and Toktomambetov leads 10-1 with one minute remaining in the bout. Tokyomambetov is happy to defend till the end and win 10-1 and enter the final.

13:52: Experience triumphs over youth as Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) nails a 4-point takedown with :20 left to clinch a 6-1 victory over Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) and advance to the 74kg final. Kaipanov, the world champion at 70kg, receives an activity point in the first period, then adds a stepout in the second. It looks like the match will end that way when Kaipanov suddenly steps up and slams Shakeri over the edge with a double-leg takedown. Shakeri, the 2023 world U20 champ at 65kg, adds a consolation stepout in the final seconds.

61kg gold medal bout: Takara SUDA (JPN) vs UDIT (IND)

13:42: UDIT (IND), the runner-up last year at 57kg, earns a chance for a gold at 61kg after barely holding on for a 2-0 win over Wanhao ZOU (CHN). In the final seconds, Zou gets behind Udit in the standing position, but time runs out before he can get Udit to the mat.

13:40: Japan and Iran with a head-to-head in the 57kg semifinals. Sweep single from Takara SUDA (JPN) to lead 2-0 against Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) in the first minute of the bout. Both wrestlers scramble in and out of holds but there is no points scored. Suda is put on the activity clock in the second period. Javan gets on the scoreboard with one point as Suda doesn't score in the 30-second period. Javan doesn't give up chasing Suda and scores a stepout to make it 2-2 but Suda has criteria. And he keeps Javan at bay without fleeing to win 2-2 and enter the final

13:18: With his opponent on the activity clock, Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) ties up Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) with a front headlock, then proceeds to roll five times to end their 125kg quarterfinal match with a 11-0 win in 2:01 to end the session.

13:16: World U23 and U20 champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI), the prohibitive favorite at 125kg, finally takes to the mat for his quarterfinal match against Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ), and needs a little less than one period to notch an 11-1 victory. Masoumi's only blip comes after he opens with a takedown and gut wrench, then transitions to a headlock. Al Jamie rolls out of the predicament for a reversal. He makes up for the gaffe with a slick back-trip for 4.

13:12: Former Asian champion and world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) was down 2-1 against Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) in the 125kg quarterfinal. But he is all work in the second period as he scores a four-pointer and finishes the bout with an 13-2 win.

13:09: Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) is through to the 74kg semifinals with a 4-0 victory over Hikaru TAKATA (JPN). Shakeri gets an activity point in the first period, then adds a stepout and a takedown in the second.

13:07: The host nation's hopes for a gold medal, that were slim at best, officially end when Fazlidden NASRITDINOV (UZB) builds a big lead and defeats a spunky Orts ISAKOV (JOR) 10-3 to advance to the 74kg semifinals. Isakov never gives up, scoring all of his points in the final minute.

13:02: DINESH (IND) upsets former Asia bronze medalist BUHEEERDUN (CHN) at 125kg. He scores two takedowns, gets one point for lost challenge and adds a stepout to lead 6-0. He then gets a four-pointer which China challenges but loses. Dinesh wins 11-0

12:59: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) builds up a 6-0 lead against Daegil HAN (KOR), then hits a headlock throw and secures the fall in the first period to charge into the 74kg semifinals.

12:54: Three-time Asian medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND), six years removed from a world bronze medal, put on one of those comebacks that Indian wrestlers do so well. Down 6-0 against Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) in their 92kg quarterfinal, Punia gradually chipped away at the lead before going ahead 8-6 with a 4-point throw early in the second period. He scores two takedowns and goes on to notch a 12-7 win.

12:52: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) finishes his 74kg quarterfinal against Batbayar BATSUKH (MGL) in the first period. Kaipanov brought out those big doubles.

12:48: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) with a grand amplitude throw against Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) and that is his only action in the match. It is, however, enough for him to win 5-3 and book a place in the 92kg semifinals.

12:44: Two-time world bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) begins his quest for a fourth consecutive Asian title and first at 92kg in the quarterfinals against LIN Zushen (CHN). Dauletbekov gets an activity point for the lone score of the first period. Lin gets the activity point to start the second period, and Daultetbekov immediately scores a takedown and gut wrench to go up 5-1. He adds a classic counter-lift for 2 for a 7-1 victory.

12:43: Two-time defending champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) opens his 92kg title defense with a 5-0 victory over Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) that includes a rare penalty point when Poyonov takes a swat at the Iranian.

12:35: Wanhao ZOU (CHN) scores two takedowns in the second period to clinch a 6-1 victory over Mukhamed BALGABAY (KAZ) and advance to the 61kg semifinals

12:38: Silver medalist at 57kg in 2024, UDIT (IND) mounts a comeback to beat Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) 9-6 at 61kg. Myrzanazar Uulu developed a 6-4 lead with two minutes left on the clock but Udit scored a reversal and then two takedowns to move into the 61kg semifinals.

12:30: Returning bronze medalist at 61kg Kum Chol RI (PRK) gets Muhamet Malo Ranking Series winner Takara SUDA (JPN) in the quarterfinal. Suda with a four-pointer during Ri's activity time to lead 5-1. Ri gets a stepout in the second period. Ri continues his attacks but Suda with some solid defense to deny Ri. Suda put on activity clock in the final minute of the match. Ri gets on another single-leg attack but only gets a stepout to make it 5-3 with 13 seconds left. He tries the head pinch but Suda blocks and gets two. A reversal for Ri but Suda will win 7-4

12:28: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), winner at this year's Zagreg Ranking Series event, hits a 4-point headlock throw en route to a 9-1 victory over Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) to advance to the 61kg semifinals. 

12:25: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) books his spot in the 86kg semifinals by holding off a final single-leg attempt by Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) to clinch at 3-1 win.

12:19: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) has little trouble disposing of Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) in their 86kg quarterfinal. He jumps out to a 4-0 lead with a fireman's carry and lace-lock roll and adds a takedown in the first period, then finishes the match in the second period with a 4-point throw for a 10-0 win.

12:17: At 86kg Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) scores a takedown right to a gut wrench early in his match with Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), and, other than an activity point for the Mongolian, it looks like that's going to end the scoring. But Naadambat gains a takedown with :12 left to cut the lead to 4-3, then forces Sakayev out at the buzzer. But was it in time? The challenge says no, and Sakayev is into the semifinals with a 5-3 win.

12:11: Batbayar BATSUKH (MGL) gets a takedown with :15 left to clinch a hard-fought 4-2 vicory over Ok Chol HAN (PRK) at 74kg.  

12:06: Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), the 2023 world U20 champion at 65kg, starts his day at 74kg with a 5-0 victory over Perman HOMMADOV (TKM). Leading 1-0, Shakeri scores a takedown with Hommadov on the activity clock early in the second period, then adds a stepout.

12:00: World Military champion JAIDEEP (IND) hits a four-pointer but Hikaru TAKATA (JPN) comes back with two takedowns to make it 4-4 at the break in their 74kg bout. Takata completes a takedown in a scramble before adding a lace to lead 8-4. A stepout adds to his lead. Jaideep scores a stepout with a minute remaining. Takata defends an attack and Jaideep is forced to move out of bounds and Takata runs out the clock to win 10-5

11:58: Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN), a bronze medalist back in 2017 at 125kg, trails 2-1 against Nursultan AZOV (KAZ), with all of the points coming on the activity clock, when he finally makes an offensive move and scores a stepout with :30 left. Azov comes back with a shot that forces a sprawling Yamamoto out, but is originally scored as no points. On challenge, the call is changed to a stepout. With :03 left, Yamamoto gets in on a single and forces to the edge for a stepout, and that one is upheld on challenge. Yamamoto walks off a 4-3 winner. 

11:52: World U23 silver medalist Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), who won an Asian bronze at 70kg two years ago, rolls to an 11-0 victory at 74kg over Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN).

11:52: World 70kg champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) fell 1-0 behind against Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) in their 74kg opening bout but he comes back in the second period and wins 2-1 to advance.

11:45: At 125kg, Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ) squanders a 3-1 lead to fall behind 4-3 against Gyeongmin KIM (KOR), but comes back with a takedown with :32 left for a 5-4 win.

11:43: Returning silver medalist and Asian U20 champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) gives up an early stepout to Abdul ABUIDAIJ (JOR), but that's all he concedes in an 11-1 victory at 92kg. Poyonov chalks up four takedowns in the first period, then finishes the match by getting behind 15 seconds into the second.

11:34: Veteran Gwanuk KIM (KOR), a bronze-medal winner at the 2014 Asian Games and 2021 Asian Championships, falls 6-4 in his 92kg match with Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ), an Asian U23 bronze medalist. Trailing 4-2 in the second period, Kim receives an activity point, then appears headed for a go-ahead score when he gets Rakhimov's leg in the air. But the Kyrgyz wrestler deftly hits a switch and gets behind for 2. Kim scores a late stepout, but it's too little, too late.

11:26: A back-and-forth first period leaves Gyeongyeon LEE (KOR) with a 5-4 lead against Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) going into the second period at 86kg. Abdullaev receives a caution point for Lee's fleeing, and from par terre, hits two gut wrenches, but Lee reverses to the back after the second. So now it's 9-7, Abdullaev, with 40 seconds to go. Abdullaev gets behind when Lee tries to spin out of an underhook and walks off an 11-4 winner.

11:26: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) will accept an injury walkover from Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) at 92kg.

11:23: 2023 Asian bronze medalist Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) hangs on for a 4-2 win against Behruzbey TURANMURATOV (UZB) in the 61kg opening round bout. He went into a defense mode in the second period after leading 4-0 at the break.

11:16: Kum Chol RI (PRK), a bronze medalist a year ago at 61kg, drives Hyeonsik SONG (KOR) out for a 2-point takedown with his opponent on the activity clock for a quick 3-0 lead that he extends to 9-0 at the break. Ri ends the match with a takedown a minute into the second period.  

11:15: World U20 bronze medalist Abolfazl RAHMANI  (IRI) gets started with a 10-0 win over Mustafa AL AZZAWI (IRQ), capped with a 4-point pancake early in the second period.

11:12: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) has a good warm-up at 86kg with a 12-0 win over Weng CHOW (SGP) after two big throws. India did not reach the medal bouts on Saturday and would be hoping to change that today.

11:09: Asian U20 champion Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL) takes a 2-0 lead into the second period of his 86kg bout with Salimzhoni KHALIMZODA (TJK) with a stepout and activity point, but Khalimzoda goes ahead with a 2-point counter lift. Naadambat  counters a takedown attempt and gets behind for 2 and holds on for a 4-2 win.

11:09: Returning 86kg bronze medalist Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) completes a 10-0 win over Fahriansyah FAHRIANSYAH (INA) just inside the first period. 

11:03: Nan CAO (CHN), last year's Asian U23 champion at 79kg, gets his campaign started at 86kg with quick victory by fall over Abdallah MAKOON (JOR) in the opening match on Mat C.