#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Live Blog: #WrestleUlaanbaatar Asian Championships Day 1

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 - 03:03 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 19) -- The first day of the Asian Championships is here. In the Mongolian capital, wrestlers are ready to be crowned champions of Asia. The tournament begins with Greco-Roman and five weight classes will be in action on day one of the competition.

Olympic silver medalist Azkhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), London Games champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR), Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN) and other stars will be in action.

MATCH ORDER | WATCH LIVE

13:35: That's all from the first morning session at the Buntyar Ulkhh Sports Palace in the Mongolian capital. Kazakhstan will have four wrestlers going for gold when we return for the evening session at 1800 hours local time. 

13:27: Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) made his first Asian final with a wild come-from-behind victory at 63kg over Bakhramov that ended in a fall after he built up a 13-7 lead. In the final, he will face two-time world medalist Mirambek AINUGULOV (KAZ), who ended Mohammadi's run with a 14-3 technical fall. 

13:25: Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) keeps coming back to win the bouts. The defending champion is into the final at 55kg with a 10-8 win. He was down 4-0 but worked his way to beat Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB)  

13:15: In the match-up of the session, Olympic bronze medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) scored a gut wrench off the par terre in the second period and held on for a 4-1 win over veteran Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR). The 33-year-old Kim put Makhmudov on his back in the first period, but the points were negated after a challenge because the Korean used his leg to block.

13:06: The 87kg final will be a clash of champions from last year in Almaty, after victories over the finalists from 2019. Defending champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) beats 2019 champion Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) 3-0, and Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), the 2021 gold medalist at 82kg, followed with an 8-0 technical fall over 2019 runner-up Sunil KUMAR (IND).

12:40: World bronze medalist Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN) isn't able to turn Imam MOHAMMADI (IRI) from the par terre position in the final minute, and the Iranian holds on for a 2-0 victory at 63kg. Both of his points came for passivity as he put up a defense that Shimizu just could not penetrate. 

12:37: Shiotani was down 5-0 but then makes a comes back with two par terre rolls and two stepouts to win 6-5

12:31: Sunil KUMAR (IND) comes from behind to win his quarterfinal at 87kg 5-3 against Mataso SUMI (JPN). On Mat A, defending champion Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) is wrestling Hyeokjin JEON (KOR) at 55kg 

12:28: Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) cannot repeat his exploits from the first match and goes down 10-1 against Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) in the quarterfinals.  

12:22: No. 2 seed Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB ) begins his quest for a fourth Asian medal and second gold with a 7-1 win at 63kg over Jinseub SONG (KOR). Bakhramov won the gold at 60kg in 2019.

12:22: Asian champion at 82kg Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) moves up to 87kg and begins with a win against Batbayar LUTBAYAR (MGL). He will wrestle in the semifinals now.

12:10: At 130kg, Arata SONODA (JPN) wins his first bout against Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL). On Mat B, Olympian Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) moves past Amir GHASEMIMONJAZI (IRI) 9-6

12:05: Makhmudov scores all of his points in the second period, including a 4-point throw off the par terre, to post a 9-1 technical fall and set up a clash of Olympic medalists with Korea's Kim in the semifinals.

11:57: At 87kg, Olympian Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) with a technical superiority win over Jinhyeok KIM (KOR) in the quarterfinals 

11:55: Kim comes away with a solid 7-1 win. He'll face the winner of the next match, the marquee clash between Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHUMUDOV (KGZ) and unheralded Aref HABIBOLLAHI (IRI)

11:46: Now up on Mat A at 77kg, two-time Olympic medalist Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) and 2019 world 72kg silver medalist Aram VARDANYAN (UZB).  

11:45: Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) holds on for the 9-5 win and he will move into the semifinal at 55kg. Top seed Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) is next for him.

11:40: Ali NOURBAKHSH (IRI) led Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) 301 at the break but the Indian pulls off two four-point to finish the bout 13-3 but a challenge from Nourbakhsh. A defensive foul from Halakurki and he will be cautioned. 9-5 the score with 40 seconds remaining.

11:36: The Iranian proves too much, getting a takedown and then posting a series of back-and-forth gut wrenches for a 12-4 technical fall. Next up for Mohammadi will be world bronze medalist Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN).

11:35: Damjin pulls a surprise with a lateral drop for 4 to take a 4-2 lead. Mohammadi gets a stepout to cut the lead as they go into the break. We'll see if the Mongolian can make that hold up.

11:29: 2018 world junior bronze medalist Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) to start the action on Mat C against local favorite Baljinnyam DAMJIN (MGL) at 63kg. The matches in the stacked weight class of 77kg are the second ones up on the two other mats.

11:20: Welcome to the Asian Championships from Ulaanbaatar. The competition kicks off with five Greco-Roman weight class

#WrestleBratislava

Olympic champ Novikov sets up Paris rematch with Losonczi

Friday, April 11, 2025 - 08:55 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 11) -- Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) had to make three comebacks in three bouts to reach the European Championships final.

Novikov was up against Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the semifinal and got the par terre advantage first. He scored a gut-wrench to lead 3-0. Abbasov got the chance in the second period and scored exposure with reverse lock. Novikov blocked Abbasov after the exposure and got the one point for reversal and keep the lead 4-3. A late stepout made it 5-3 for Novikov.

In a rematch of the Paris Olympic semifinal, Novikov will face world champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) who defeated defending champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) in the other semifinal. Losonczi hit a perfect suplex for four points to win 5-1 against Komarov.

Armenia and Turkiye were the most successful countries of the semifinals session as they had two finalists each. Armenia had Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) and Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) while Turkiye put Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Hamza BAKIR (TUR).

Kamal, who won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, entered his fourth European Championships with an inspiring performance in which he defeated former champion Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4.

He will face Aslanyan for the gold medal after he made it to his first-ever final after he scored a takedown four-pointer and a turn to beat Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0.

Bakir made sure a Turkish wrestler was in the final of 130kg after he defeated Jello KRAHMER (GER) 3-2 in the semifinal. Bakir made a turn from par terre to lead 3-0. Krahmer hit a takedown in the final seconds of the bout but time ran out for any further action.

Bakir will take on defending champion Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) who pinned Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) in the other semifinal.

In an entertaining 77kg semifinal, Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) earned his first trip to the European Championships final after he defeated Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) 10-2.

Zoidze scored a takedown before hitting a headlock throw to get a fall. But Olofsson defended and reversed the positions to get two points. Zoidze escaped and had Olofsson in danger again for two points and the scramble ended with Zoidze leading 8-2. Sweden challenged the scoring and lost a point for the lost challenge.

A stepout finished the bout and Zoidze booked a face-off with four-time European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) who defeated Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1, in the other semifinal of 77kg. Amoyan got the first par terre advantage and he scored two turns to lead 5-1. Mnatsakanian never got off to a start despite getting two par terre.

In the 55kg final, four-time world and two-time European champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will take on Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) for the gold medal.

Azizli defeated Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM) after scoring two exposures from front locks and defended his par terre position to win 5-1.

Sefershaev defeated defending champion Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1, in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW)

SF 1: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 5-1
SF 2: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1

63kg
GOLD: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) vs. Kerem KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) df. Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0
SF 2: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4

77kg
GOLD: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) vs. Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE), 10-2
SF 2: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1

87kg
GOLD: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) vs. David LOSONCZI (HUN)

SF 1: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 5-3
SF 2: David LOSONCZI (HUN) df. Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB), 5-1

130kg
GOLD: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) vs. Hamza BAKIR (TUR)

SF 1: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) df. Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW), via fall
SF 2: Hamza BAKIR (TUR) df. Jello KRAHMER (GER), 3-2

Morning session qualification results and blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

13:48: In the final match of the session, David LOSONCZI (HUN) makes sure he secures his place in the semifinals in 87kg. He defeated Hannes WAGNER (GER) 2-1 to enter the semifinal. Wagner got the first par terre advantage but Losonczi scored a stepout. However, according to the new rule, Wagner held the criteria advantage as the score was 1-1. But Losonczi gets the second par terre and wins 2-1

13:42: Defending 87kg champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) with a turn from par terre to lead 3-1 against Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW). He tries to defend the lead but Alirzaev scores a stepout to make it 3-2. Another stepout for Alirzaev with 45 seconds remaining to make it 3-3 but Komarov leads on criteria for the turn. Komarov defends the 3-3 lead and enters the semifinal. Alirzaev challenges for a finger grabbing foul but he loses the challenge and Komarov wins 4-3.

13:35: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) with a second come-from-behind victory at 87kg. He fell behind 3-1 after European silver medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) blocked him during the turn which Novikov challenged and lost. Novikov began the second period with a pushout to cut the lead to 3-2. He gets the second par terre as well to make it 3-3 but Filchakov who still leads on criteria. With time running out, Novikov is desperate and he tried a double-arm lock on which Filchakov tried to evade and stepped in the danger zone and Novikov scored a stepout to win 4-3. Filchakov challenges but no change in decision as Olympic champion Novikov wins 5-3.

13:22: If you watched Mat A and wonder why Jello KRAHMER (GER) won against Heiki NABI (EST) despite getting the first par terre advantage and not the second, it is because UWW is testing a new rule change that if the Greco-Roman bout ends 1-1, the wrestler with first point will win on criteria. That is only for 1-1 bouts.

13:00: Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) with a big 6-1 win over Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the 77kg quarterfinals. Levai got the third passivity and as he tiring to headpinch Mnatsakanian, he failed to move his leg and got thrown for two points and then put his hand on Mnatsakanian's face to be docked two more points. Levai challenged the call but lost and Mnatsakanian won 6-1.

12:48: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) with four reverse lift throws after getting par terre to beat world U23 champion at 63kg Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA). He moves into the semifinals.

12:42: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) counters Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) when the Georgian scored a turn from par terre and then scored a stepout to lead 5-3. Bolkvadze challenges the call but he is docked a point for fleeing as well. He goes down 6-3 to Alirzaev at 87kg 

12:30: Islam ABBASOV (AZE) with two takedowns against Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) to post a 4-1 win and advance at 87kg. Azerbaijan is gunning for that team title in Greco-Roman after it won it in Freestyle.

12:28: Defending champion at 87kg Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) streamrolls Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) 9-0 and moves into the quarterfinals.

12:22: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) got turned from par terre and fell 3-0 behind against Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM) but he answers with six points in the second period and wins 6-3 at 87kg

12:15: Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) hangs on for a 2-1 win over Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg. Big result for Yilmaz and Turkiye at the European Championships. 

12:10: Defending champion and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) stuns with two back-to-back four points throws to win 9-0 against Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) at 77kg.

12:05: Big match at 77kg as World silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) takes on Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) who won the Zagreb Ranking Series in January. Levai with a counter four-pointer to start off the bout. Stepanov tried locking Levai but failed to lock his hands behind Levai who threw him on the mat for four. A stepout made it 5-0 at the break for Levai. There is no more scoring action or any par terre decisions and Levai beats Stepanov 5-0 to move into the quarterfinals.

11:45: Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) pins Apostolos TSIOVOLOS (GRE) at 130kg. While two-time Olympic medalist Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) is the favorite at 130kg, their are others who can upset him.

11:40: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) pins European U23 champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) at 130kg. Kandelaki with two head throws which shocked Vysgnyvetskyi

11:35: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW), the defending champion at 130kg, with a 6-0 win over Darius VITEK (HUN) to begin his title defense. Semenov denied Riza KAYAALP (TUR) his historic 13th European title last year which would have put him ahead of Aleksandr KARELIN.

11:30: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) opens his European Championships with a 6-0 win over Tino OJALA (FIN) at 63kg. Kamal won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold at 63kg and has new-found motivation.

11:20: Hannes WAGNER (GER) rolls to a 10-0 technical superiority win over Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (GEO) in the opening round at 77kg. Karchaidze was hoping to build on his European U23 silver medal but falls at the first step

11:00: Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) with the first big move of the day with a flowing suplex over Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) for a 9-0 win at 63kg.

10:30: Greco-Roman will begin at the European Championships with five weight classes. The morning session will run with it and semifinals at 16:45. Women's Wrestling medal bouts will be at 18:00.