#WrestleBelgrade

Live Blog: World Championships, Day 7

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 16) -- The World Championships enter day seven with three freestyle weight classes. Defending world champions in all three weights are wrestling in Belgrade. Thomas GILLMAN (USA) at 57kg, Kyle DAKE (USA) at 74kg and Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) at 97kg are in action.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The semifinals are set

57kg
Thomas GILMAN (USA) vs. Wanhao ZOU (CHN)
Stevan MICIC (SRB) vs. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB)

74kg
Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) vs. Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)
Kyle DAKE (USA) vs. Yones EMAMI (IRI)

92kg
Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) vs. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO)
Jden COX (USA) vs. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)

14:09: Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) goes ahead with a stepout in the second period, then clinches the win with a takedown at the edge to beat Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) 4-1 to advance to the 74kg semifinals.

14:05: Younes EMAMI (IRI) begins with a spin for four over Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE). He moves to defensive mode but Bayramov pulls off an arm spin but only for two. He challenges but lost challenge. Bayramov with two more but he trails 5-4. Emami with a stepout and a late takedown for an 8-4.

14:05: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), chasing his third world and first since 2017, cuts it close once again but he's into the 74kg semifinals with a 6-3 win over Hetik CABOLOV (SRB). Cabolov ties up the legs to score a takedown to go up 3-1 a minute into the second period, but Chamizo reverses for a point. Back on their feet, Chamizo spins behind to take the lead 4-3 with :50 left. Cabolov has a chance to win it when he gets in on a single and lifts the leg in the air, but Chamizo not only defends, he gets a 2-point exposure.

13:57: How about that from Kyle DAKE (USA)! A huge body lock and he throws Sagar JAGLAN (IND) for a huge five. He gets the fall and a place in the 74kg semifinals.

13:53: He had to wrestle the full six minutes but Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) never looked in trouble. He confirms his place in the 92kg semifinals with a 7-2 win over Ahmed BATAEV (BUL).

13:52: The two bronze medalists at 92kg a year ago in Oslo will square off later tonight for a place in the final after both Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and J'den COX (USA) won their quarterfinals by 11-0 technical fall. Nurmagomedov finished off his rout with a takedown and four rolls off the lace lock, while Cox used a takedown and gut wrench.

13:50: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) gave up two points to Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) but he rolls into the semifinals with a 12-2 technical superiority.

13:43: Local favorite Stevan MICIC (SRB) spends the first period fending off low single attempts by Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), who only gets an activity point for his effort. Micic spins behind for a takedown in the second period, then twists the Japanese down for 4. An unsuccessful challenge gives Micic a 7-1.

13:41: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) starts his 57kg quarterfinal by lifting Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) up high for a 4-point takedown. He ends it with a takedown and three rolls off the lock for a 13-2 technical fall.

13:40: Thomas GILMAN (USA) is up against Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) and he is up 4-0 with two takedowns. Gilman gives up a point in the second period. He moves into the semifinals with a 5-1.

13:33: 57kg quarterfinals with Darian CRUZ (PUR) and former U23 world bronze medalist Wanhao ZOU (CHN). Cruz is called passive and Zou has a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Cruz gets the point for Zou's passivity. He leads 1-1 on criteria. Zou with a takedown with 16 seconds remaining. He wins the quarterfinal 3-1.

13:26: Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), holding the lead on criteria, scores a takedown with :12 left to clinch a 3-1 victory over Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) and fill the final quarterfinal spot at 74kg.

13:06: Only a few matches on Mat A to finish up before the start of the quarterfinals, in which all of the matches in each weight are started concurrently. Meanwhile, Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) fills the final last-8 spot at 92kg with an 8-0 win over Simone IANNATTONI (ITA). Still two matches at 74kg to go.

12:57: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), holding the criteria advantage, prevents Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) from finishing off a deep takedown in the final seconds of their match at 92kg, and manages to keep his whizzer and a knee down as they go out of bounds with :01 left. The Japanese side challenges, but the call of no point is confirmed, giving Maisuradze a 2-1 and a place in the quarterfinals.

12:51: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), a bronze medalist a year ago in Oslo at 92kg and the world U23 champion, gets a quick takedown and a pair of gut wrenches against Maxwell LACEY (CRC). Back on his feet, Nurmagomedov spins behind for a takedown, then a quick roll and it's over at 10-0 at 2:14 and he's into the quarterfinals.

12:47: Sagar JAGLAN (IND), a bronze medalist from world U20 in Sofia, picks up another technical superiority win against Diego SANDOVAL (MEX). He will now face Kyle DAKE (USA) in the quarterfinal.

12:38: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) continues to play with fire. After leading 5-0 against Seungbong LEE (KOR), he gives up four points. A takedown helps him lead 7-4 before he wins 11-4

12:33: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), who finished 7th at the Tokyo Olympics, just knocked off the silver medalist, Ravi DAHIYA (IND), and in a dominant fashion. Abdullaev scores exposure points when Dahiya tried to counter by coming over the top and finishes off a 10-0 technical fall with his third takedown of the match.

12:33: Kyle DAKE (USA) with a workman-like technical superiority win on Mat C against Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL). Dake's big attacks are working well and he is now into the quarterfinals.

12:30: On Mat D, Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) keeps Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) on his toes with his constant attacks. But Bujiashvili also defends well. A scramble gives them two each with Hasegawa leading 4-2. He ultimately wins 8-2.

12:27: Returning silver medalist Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), who won his second straight European gold earlier this year, dumps Cesar BORDEAUX (BRA) for a second 4-point takedown of the match to finish off a 12-0 technical fall at 74kg.

12:20: Minutes after Ghasempour won his bout, J'den COX (USA) comes on the mat against Yuxiang BI (CHN). He gets the grand amplitude throw for five and guts to win 10-0.

12:17: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) comes out blazing against  Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA) and is up 7-0 in no time. He continues his quick attacks and wins 10-0 inside the first period.

12:15: Reigning world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA) up against Georgii OKOROKOV (AUS) and he dumps him for a four and then adds a stepout. Okorokov does well to keep Gilman quiet for a long time but he ultimately goes down 11-0.

12:13: Asian bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) rallies for a stunning 6-6 victory over Asian silver medalist Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) at 74kg. Trailing 6-0 in the second period, Takatani constantly fights off Kaipanov's counter lifts to score the three takedowns he needs, with the third and final one coming with :01 on the clock! It's quite a scalp for Takatani, as Kaipanov is a two-time Asian champion and was a world silver medalist at 70kg in 2019.

12:12: Stevan MICIC (SRB) began slowly with just a takedown in the first period. But he unleashes a leg lace in the second period and secures a 12-1 win over Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ)

12:06: Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) gets a fall over former U20 world champion silver medalist Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR) at 57kg. Uses a cradle to get the pin.

12:02: Hetik CABOLOV (SRB), who won world silver in 2017, gets a 4-point takedown en route to a 10-0 technical fall for the home team over Kamil RYBICKI (POL) at 74kg.

11:56: Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) gives no chance to Asomiddin HASANOV (UZB) and moves into the 1/8 finals with a 10-0 technical superiority at 74kg.

11:50: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) may have underestimated his opening bout opponent Giorgi SULAVA (GEO). The Georgian raced to a 6-0 lead before Chamizo got a takedown and three exposures to lead 8-6. Sulava did score another takedown but Chamizo managed to scrape through for a 12-8 win.

11:38: Defending world champion Kyle DAKE (USA) with his big moves against Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) and he starts with a 10-0 at 74kg. He is followed by Younes EMAMI (IRI) who wins 10-0 against Enrique PEREZ (GUA) in one minute.

11:37: Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN), who won a 2014 bronze medal at 74kg, is now wrestling at 92kg, and opened with a 10-0 technical fall over Jinmyeong KIM (KOR). Takatani competed in his third Olympics in Tokyo at 86kg. His younger brother Daichi is entered in his old weight class of 74kg.

11:30: Asian champion and Olympic silver medalist Ravi DAHIYA (IND), looking to become just the second world freestyle champion in Indian history, overwhelms Razvan KOVACS (ROU) at 57kg with a 10-0 technical fall.

11:25: Vicky HOODA (IND) must be kicking himself. He had a 3-0 lead for the longest time but Radoslaw MARCINKIEWICZ (POL) scored four points in the final minute to win the 92kg bout 4-3.

11:18: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) was made to work a little but he wins 11-0 against Diamantino FAFE (GBS) at 57kg.

11:14: Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) and Kamil KERYMOV (UKR) showing the quality at 57kg. Hasegawa got a 10-4 lead with his quirky style but Kerymov got a headlock for four. Hasegawa survived the pin but could not remain at the same level and Hasegawa wins 16-9.

11:13: The horn-honking and chanting from the Iranian fans begins long before 2021 silver medalist Alireza SARLAK (IRI) takes the mat against Wanhou ZOU (CHN) at 57kg, but the Chinese spoils the fun with a dramatic 6-2 win. Just as Sarlak is receiving an activity point to go ahead 2-1, Zou scores a takedown with :30 left. In a last-second scramble, Sarlak goes for the counter lift, but it's Zou who scores an exposure.

11:07: European champion Vladimir EGOROV (MKD) repeats his victory from the semifinals in Budapest over Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM), but has a much harder time than that 10-0 win in June. He barely grapevines his leg in for a takedown in the final seconds for a 7-5 win.

11:05: Reineri ORTEGA (CUB) warms up with an 11-0 technical superiority over Jakobo TAU (RSA) and he moves into the 1/8 finals.

11:00: U23 world champion  Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) was looking for the fall against Sunggwon KIM (KOR) in at 57kg but Kim survives that. But he can't stop Rzazade from winning the bout 4-4 on criteria. Kim had a stepout and passivity while Rzazade had two takedowns.

10:55: Franklin MAREN (CUB), a world bronze medalist in 2018, loses 12-2 to  Zielimkhan TOHUZOV (UKR) in the qualification round at 74kg. Tohuzov executes a beautiful fireman's carry for 4. After Maren responds with takedown, Tohuzov gets a takedown and rolls back-and-forth for the win. With 34 entries in the weight class, Tohuzov will have to win three more times just to make tonight's semifinals.

10:29: Hello from the Stark Arena in Belgrade for the morning session of Day 8. Competition continues in freestyle with the qualification rounds through the quarterfinals at 57kg, 74kg and 92kg. Enjoy!

#WrestleAthens

U17 Worlds: Georgia, Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan put two each in Greco finals

By Vinay Siwach

ATHENS, Greece (July 28) -- Athens and Olympics are incomplete without each other. The Olympic flame is lit in Athens, as a mark of ancient Olympics and modern Olympic restarting in Athens in 1896.

So as the World U17 Championships kicked off in Athens on Monday, the opening ceremony had to be about the fire of the flame. The wrestlers too were fired up in action on the mat.

Wrestlers from seven different countries made it to the Greco-Roman finals on day one of the tournament which began with 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg and 110kg. Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan and Georgia entered two wrestlers each in Tuesday's finals.

Kazakhstan's run began with 48kg as Asian U17 champion Nurdaulet KUMARULY (KAZ) earned himself a chance to win a world title after he defeated Kaisei YAMAMOTO (JPN), who was 12th last year at the World U17 Championships, in a back-and-forth semifinal at 48kg.

Yamamoto led 2-0 but Kumaruly hit a headlock throw for four points on the edge and got a 4-2 lead. But the Japanese was not one to give up. He scored a takedown and turn to reclaim the lead, 6-4. Kazakhstan challenged the scoring and won it as the first throw from Yamamoto was not considered as control.

Kumaruly led 4-4 on criteria and then executed a similar throw for four points and won the semifinal 8-4. He will face Asian U17 bronze medalist Bunyod HASANOV (UZB) in the final after the Uzbekistan wrestler defeated Baris SOYLU (TUR) in the semifinal.

Soylu began with a two-pointer counter to get on the scoreboard but failed to turn Hasanov from par terre. He led 3-0 going into the break and then defended his par terre position in the second period to give himself a good chance to reach the final.

However, Hasanov mounted a comeback with a front headlock throw four points to lead 5-3, and later added a takedown and a turn to win 11-3.

Alkham ABDIRASULOV (KGZ)Asian U17 champion Alkham ABDIRASULOV (KGZ) reached the World U17 Championships final at 55kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Another Asian U17 champion reached the final in Athens as Alkham ABDIRASULOV (KGZ) defended a pushing Aditya GUPTA (IND) in the 55kg semifinals. He booked a place in the final against Nurali ASKAR (KAZ), who finished fifth at the Asian U17 Championships, in what will be a rematch of the semifinal from Vietnam.

Abdirasulov had a big four-point throw and raced to a 6-0 lead in the semifinal against Gupta who managed to get one on board with a stepout. Gupta then got lucky as Abdirasulov tried an arm-spin but landed on his back and Gupta completed the control for four points. However, Abdirasulov kept his 6-5 lead for the remaining 90 seconds to win the semifinal.

Aksar turned Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) from par terre to lead 3-0 in the other semifinal and gave up just a stepout when he was put in par terre to win 3-2. Barotov was hoping to becoming just the second wrestler from Tajikistan to reach a World Championships final in Greco-Roman.

Erekle TAVBERIDZE (GEO)Erekle TAVBERIDZE (GEO), European U17 champion, reached the 65kg final in Athens and will taken on Janes NAZARYAN (ARM), an opponent he defeated in Euro final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

A rematch of the European U17 Championships will be played at 65kg after Erekle TAVBERIDZE (GEO) and Janes NAZARYAN (ARM) made it to Tuesday's gold-medal bout. Tavberidze had humbled Nazaryan 9-0 in the final in Skopje in June.

Tavberidze outperformed ANUJ (IND) in the semifinal, scoring eight points from gut-wrench in the semifinal period to win 9-1 while Nazaryan had to work a little harder against Yehor TARASENKO (UKR) in the other semifinal.

He got the first par terre position and scored a drop on Tarasenko for four but Ukraine challenged and the call was overturned. With a 1-0 lead, Nazaryan defended the position from par terre in the second period. As Tarasenko let off of the hold, Nazaryan scored a takedown and won 3-1.

Tavberidze took out Dosbol SHAMIL (KAZ) in his opening bout 5-3 before beating Maxim DAMASCHIN (MDA) in the 1/8 final. He blanked Shohijahon BOBOEV (TJK) in the quarterfinals.

Nazaryan had an equally good run to the final as he defeated Pan-American U17 champion Arseni KIKINOU (USA), Huseyn ISGANDAROV (AZE) and Kyliane EDDOUH (FRA).

Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB)Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB) pinned Nurislam OSKONBAEV (KGZ) in the 80kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB) showed why he is one of the top upcoming wrestlers as he slammed Nurislam OSKONBAEV (KGZ) with a bodylock four and then secured the fall in the 80kg semifinal. He is now one win away from winning the world title.

But standing between him and gold medal is Luka MARTIASHVILI (GEO) who needed a late stepout to beat Ismail BEREKET (TUR), 2-1 in the other semifinal. The Georgian finished fifth at the European U17 Championships but in 92kg.

In what turned out be a poor day for Iran, the defending team champions, Yazdan DELROUZ (IRI) gave it something to cheer about after making the 110kg final. That was the finalist for Iran on Monday.

Taking on Temuri SIMSIVE (GEO) in the semifinals, Delrouz had a takedown sandwiched between his two par terre points to win 4-0.

HARDEEP (IND)Asian U17 champion HARDEEP (IND) defeated Emrullah CAPKAN (TUR) in the 110kg semifinals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

He will take on Asian U17 champion HARDEEP (IND) who denied Emrullah CAPKAN (TUR) another chance to be in the final. The Turkiye wrestler had finished fifth last year.

Capkan got the 1-0 lead in the semifinal but Hardeep bounced back with a stepout. Capkan managed to get one back and take a 2-1 lead but that was the last point he scored.

Hardeep came back with a takedown and then got the par terre point in the second period and won the semifinal 4-2.

RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: Nurdaulet KUMARULY (KAZ) vs. Bunyod HASANOV (UZB)

SF 1: Bunyod HASANOV (UZB) df. Baris SOYLU (TUR), 12-3
SF 2: Nurdaulet KUMARULY (KAZ) df. Kaisei YAMAMOTO (JPN), 8-4

55kg
GOLD: Alkham ABDIRASULOV (KGZ) vs. Nurali ASKAR (KAZ)

SF 1: Nurali ASKAR (KAZ) df. Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK), 4-2
SF 2: Alkham ABDIRASULOV (KGZ) df. Aditya GUPTA (IND), 6-5

65kg
GOLD: Erekle TAVBERIDZE (GEO) vs. Janes NAZARYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Janes NAZARYAN (ARM) df. Yehor TARASENKO (UKR), 3-1
SF 2: Erekle TAVBERIDZE (GEO) df. ANUJ (IND), 9-1

80kg
GOLD: Luka MARTIASHVILI (GEO) vs. Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB)

SF 1: Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB) df. Nurislam OSKONBAEV (KGZ), via fall (4-2)
SF 2: Luka MARTIASHVILI (GEO) df. Ismail BEREKET (TUR), 2-1

110kg
GOLD: Yazdan DELROUZ (IRI) vs. HARDEEP (IND)

SF 1: HARDEEP (IND) df. Emrullah CAPKAN (TUR), 4-2
SF 2: Yazdan DELROUZ (IRI) df. Temuri SIMSIVE (GEO), 4-0