#WrestlePlovdiv

With Lorincz in his Corner, Takacs Wins #WrestlePlovdiv Gold

By Vinay Siwach

PLOVDIV, Bulgaria (March 8) – As Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) patted Istvan TAKACS (HUN) on the back and handed him the Hungarian flag, it marked a symbolic moment in the country's Greco-Roman history.

This was the passing of baton at 87kg for Hungary as Lorincz, a silver medalist from Tokyo Olympics, guided rising star Takacs to the gold medal at the U23 European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

Five gold medals were decided Tuesday and Hungary claimed a pair while Georgia, Azerbaijan and Turkey got one each.

“I am very, very happy with the performance,” Lorincz said.

The 31-year-old sat shouted instructions as Takacs and Dariusz VITEK (HUN) won the 87kg and 130kg respectively. Moreover, the three-time World Championships medalist never made the moment about himself as a coach but his wrestlers.

Hungary took home the first gold after Takacs' incredible performance in the final against junior European champion Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), who looked on a mission to win his first U23-level gold.

He had in his pocket for the most part of the final, leading 4-1 with two minutes remaining in the six-minute bout. He was awarded a point for Takacs' passivity in the first period and while trying a gut-wrench, he ended up giving a point for reversal.

But he capitalized on a failed arm-spin of his opponent and led 3-1 going into the break. Another passivity point increased his lead to 4-1 but he could not inflict any further damage.

“I was prepared to give up the first point against him [Bisultanov] because he works more in the first period,” Takacs said. “But I knew I have to come hard in the second period.”

Bisultanov continued to put forward pressure and it was one of these moments when Takacs moved out of the way and scored a takedown. A gut-wrench made it 5-4 for the Hungarian with a minute left.

Istvan TakacsIstvan TAKACS (HUN) celebrates after winning the gold in Plovdiv. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The moment left Lorincz celebrating with a fist-pump before he hugged his ward and sent him for a victory lap.

But both Lorincz and Takacs know that this is only the beginning of the road to the senior national team. As a matter of fact, Takacs could not make it to that team for this month's home European Championships in Budapest.

Former U23 world champion Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) is on the roaster but that also means that Lorincz and Takacs have their task cut out for the year with the Hungarian Championships scheduled before the September senior World Championships. The national champion will be heading to Belgrade, Serbia.

“I used to wrestle with him in training so I know where he can improve and I will continue to help him to make the senior team,” Lorincz said.

Takacs, a bronze medalist from last year's U23 Euros, is banking on his hard work and coach's knowledge to make the weight class his own.

“I don't feel the pressure of Lorincz's achievement as my coach,” he said. “Actually, he will only help me become better and win constantly.”

Dariusz VITEK (HUN)Dariusz VITEK (HUN) defetaed Fatih BOZKURT (TUR) in the 130kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 130kg, a battle of two bronze medalists from last year saw Vitek come out on top 1-1 against Fatih BOZKURT (TUR).

Vitek was put in par terre in the first period while Bozkurt was penalized in the second. With the score 1-1 and Vitek leading on criteria, it was a matter of which wrestler will blink first.

The referees once again called Vitek passive but no points are awarded for the third passivity call. However, Bozkurt could not score points despite getting the top position, giving Vitek the win.

Emre MUTLUEmre MUTLU (TUR) pinned Denis DEMIROV (BUL) in the 55kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Turkey's lone gold medal came at 55kg when Emre MUTLU (TUR) battled hard to secure a victory via fall against Denis DEMIROV (BUL) who was backed by a vocal home crowd.

Like his semifinal in which he staged a comeback from a 7-0 deficit, Mutlu recovered from 5-0 in the final. He was cautioned for blocking Demirov's attack with his hand on the neck. He was called passive to further trail 3-0. Demirov managed to get a roll and lead 5-0.

In the second period, Demirov was called for inactivity and a front-head lock from Mutlu gave him four. Demirov's reversal for four from standing was given four. But Turkey challenged the call and Demirov's move was called a leg foul when rewatched. Mutlu led 8-5 at this point. A desperate move from Demirov failed and Mutlu secured the fall.

Giorgi SHOTADZEGiorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) won the 63kg final 3-0. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Georgia and Azerbaijan exchanged gold medals at 63kg and 77kg as both bouts had the Azerbaijan-Georgia pair.

Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) battled it out with Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) to earn a 3-0 win in the 63kg final. The former cadet and junior world champion scored a takedown inside 30 seconds. He was up 3-0 once Babashov was called passive in the second period and maintained that lead with some solid defense to win the top medal.

But Khasay HASANLI (AZE) made sure the results were reversed at 77kg by winning the gold medal after a quick 10-0 win against Davit SOLOGASHVILI (GEO).

When Sologashvili was called passive in the first period, Hasanli was already up 2-0. He lifted the Georgian from par terre and tried going for an overhead throw. But seeing the momentum in the opposite direction because of his opponent's defense, Hasanli put Sologashvili pushed to his back and scored four.

An exposure added two more points to give him a 9-0 win. Georgia challenged the call but lost giving more points to Hasanli and the gold medal.

Khasay HASANLI (AZE)Khasay HASANLI (AZE) finished the 77kg inside first period. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

But Georgia will have a chance to win five gold medals Wednesday as all their remaining Greco-Roman wrestlers reached the summit clashes led by junior World Championships silver medalist Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO). He took out U23 world champion Idris IBAEV (GER) earlier in the day.

Women's wrestling will also begin Wednesday with five weight classes – 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg – in action.

RESULTS

GR Medal Bouts

55kg
GOLD: Emre MUTLU (TUR) df Denis DEMIROV (BUL), via fall

BRONZE: Artiom DELEANU (MDA) df Steven ECKER (GER), 7-6
BRONZE: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df Azat SEDRAKYAN (ARM), 6-0

63kg
GOLD: Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) df Ziya BABASHOV (AZE), 3-0

BRONZE: Mustafa YILDIRIM (TUR) df Vladimir HAROYAN (ARM), 3-1
BRONZE: Ilia MUSTAKOV (BUL) df Abere FETENE (ISR), 9-5

77kg
GOLD: Khasay HASANLI (AZE) df Davit SOLOGASHVILI (GEO), 10-0

BRONZE: Krisztofer KLANYI (HUN) df Aleksa ILIC (SRB), 4-1
BRONZE: Abdurrahman KALKAN (TUR) df Patryk BEDNARZ (POL), 5-0

87kg
GOLD: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), 5-4

BRONZE: Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) df Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM), 6-5
BRONZE: Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) df Matej MANDIC (CRO), 8-0

130kg
GOLD: Dariusz VITEK (HUN) df Fatih BOZKURT (TUR), 1-1

BRONZE: Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) df Tomasz WAWRZYNCZYK (POL), 1-1
BRONZE: Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE) df Nikolaos NTOUNIAS (GRE), 6-1

Day 2 Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI (GEO) vs Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE)

SF 1: Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI (GEO) df Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), 9-0
SF 2: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df Tigran MINASYAN (ARM), 9-0

67kg
GOLD: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) vs Kadir KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Ignazio SANFILIPPO (ITA), 9-0
SF 2: Kadir KAMAL (TUR) df Niklas OEHLEN (SWE), 8-1

72kg
GOLD: Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) vs Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO)

SF 1: Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) df Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 4-0
SF 2: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR), 7-0

82kg
GOLD: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) vs Beka GURULI (GEO)

SF 1: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) df Vasile COJOC (ROU), 8-0
SF 2: Beka GURULI (GEO) df Branko KOVACEVIC (SRB), 3-3

97kg
GOLD: Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) vs Markus RAGGINGER (AUT)

SF 1: Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) df Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED), 4-0
SF 2: Markus RAGGINGER (AUT) df Richard KARELSON (EST), 9-0

#WrestleZagreb

World C'ships Day 5 WW 53kg, 62kg, 68kg and 72kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 17) -- Women's Wrestling will continue at the World Championships in 53kg, 62kg, 68kg and 72kg in Zagreb.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 6 RESULTS

62kg semifinals
SF 1: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) vs. Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)
SF 2: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) vs. Amina TANDELOVA (UWW)

13:40: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) worked on five different takedowns before securing the fall over Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) and reach the 62kg semifinals. Motoki, the Paris Olympic champion, is cashing her first world title.

13:45: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), a world champion in 2017, with two big headlocks in her 5-1 victory over Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA). She returns to the World Championships semifinals to face Olympic champion Motoki.

13:42: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) not only advances to the 62kg semifinals, she avenges her loss in the final of this year's Asian Championships MANISHA (IND) with a solid 8-0 victory. Kim accumulates all of her points in the first period, topping each of her two takedowns with a 2-point roll or exposure.

13:37: The activity clock is just about to run out on Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) when she not only gets a score, her 4-point arm throw sends Ana GODINEZ (CAN) sailing onto her back in their 62kg quarterfinal. Tandelova doesn't let the opportunity get away and she secures the fall at 2:02.

53kg semifinals
SF 1: Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) vs. ANTIM (IND)
SF 2: Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) vs. Hyongyong CHOE (PRK)

13:32: In a battle of young stars, Jin ZHANG (CHN) and ANTIM (IND) square off in the 53kg quarterfinals. Antim gets on board with a go-behind before powering her way to another takedown for a 4-0 lead. A similar takedown for Antim and she races to a 6-0 lead. Zhang fires one back and catch Antim off guard to score two points and cut the lead to 6-2 at the break. Zhang with high pressure and gets the reward with a takedown and two lace turns for an 8-6 lead. Antim gets a reversal for an 8-7 score but she has only 18 seconds to score two points for a win. She remains calm and scores the takedown to win 9-8 for a place in the semifinals at 53kg.

13:30: Olympic silver medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) gets the first takedown against Emma MALMGREN (SWE) and then turns her for a 4-0 lead. Malmgren tries hard in the second period but she can only score a takedown to make it 4-2 as Yepez wins 4-2.

14:29: Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) wrestles tentatively to start against a defensive opponent, Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), gaining just an activity point without taking a shot in the first period of their 53kg quarterfinal. But the three-time world champion finds an opening in the second, scoring with a single leg. She then gets behind twice as Yetgil starts to show fatigue and the Japanese advances with a 7-0 victory.

14:28: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) continues her impressive run, storming to an 11-0 victory over Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) in their 53kg quarterfinal. Choe goes ahead in the first period with a takedown and two lace-lock rolls -- albeit the referee gave her more than ample time to execute them -- then added a takedown and exposure in the second.

68kg semifinals
SF 1: Buse TOSUN (TUR) vs. Ami ISHII (JPN)
SF 2: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) vs. Jia LONG (CHN)

13:20: Buse TOSUN (TUR) gets the first passivity call against Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) and the Czechia wrestler leads 1-0 at the break. Tosun on board in the second period with a point before a takedown helps her take a 3-1 lead with a minute remaining. Hanzlickova gets stepout but it's too little too late as Tosun wins 3-2 for a place in the 68kg semifinal.

13:18: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) scores two takedowns in the last two minutes of the second period, giving her a come-from-behind 8-4 victory over Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) and a place in the 68kg semifinals. Yaneva opened the scoring with a takedown and gut wrench, only to fall behind on criteria when Zelenkykh scored a takedown on each side of the break.

13:18: Ami ISHII (JPN) and Kennedy BLADES (USA) in a big quarterfinals at 68kg. Ishii blasts with a takedown and then exposure for two more to lead 4-0 against Kennedy BLADES (USA). She uses the arm-dram to score another takedown and lace for an 8-0 lead inside the first two minutes. Blades gets on board with a stepout to make it 8-1. Both scramble but Ishii scores a takedown for a 10-1 lead at the break. Ishii takes some time but manages to power her way to the match winning takedown. A 12-1 victory for Ishii as she reaches the semifinal.

13:17: In an high-profile all-Asian clash in the 68kg quarterfinals with little action, Jia LONG (CHN) scores a takedown in the final seconds to finish off a 4-1 victory over two-time Olympic medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

72kg semifinals
SF 1: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) vs. Alla BELINSKA (UKR)
SF 2: Nesrin BAS (TUR) vs. Zelu LI (CHN)

13:05: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) with four takedowns against Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) to secure a place in the 72kg semifinals with an 8-4 win.

13:03: After Nesrin BAS (TUR) receives an activity point, Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) goes on the attack as the first-period clock in winding down. Can she finish it off in time? Instead, Bas whizzers her over onto her back and completes the fall with one second to go to earn the spot in the 72kg semifinals.

13:01: Zelu LI (CHN), the Asian champion at 68kg, barges into the 72kg semifinals with a 10-0 victory over Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL). Li takes Zorigt directly to her back and, although she can't complete the fall, she adds a gut wrench. Another takedown and two more turns and she's the winner in 1:45.

13:00: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) steps over and catches Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) flat on the mat to secure the fall at 72kg and advance to the semifinal.

12:55: In the last match before the quarterfinals, Asian champion MANISHA (IND) keeps Astrid MONTERO (VEN) at bay at 62kg. Manisha got two points for two passivity calls against Montero who scored one point for the same. But Manisha hangs on for a 2-1 victory. This also means that European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) will return empty-handed.

12:45: Olympic champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) had just made a leg attack when Nikolett SZABO (HUN) called out injured. She seemed in a lot of pain having injured her knee. She had to carried off the mat on a stretcher. Motoki advances to quarterfinals at 62kg.

12:37: Veteran Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), eight years removed from her lone world championship, stays on track at 62kg with a comprehensive 10-0 victory over three-time European bronze medalist Veranika IVANOVA (UWW).

12:31: European champion Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) makes short work of Kseniya STANKEVICH (UWW) to advance to the 53kg quarterfinals, taking her straight to her back and recording a fall at 1:26.
 
12:28:
Jin ZHANG (CHN), last year's world silver medalist at 55kg, looks impressive in posting her second straight one-sided win at 53kg when she takes out Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) with a 10-1 victory. Only an activity point early on kept her from keeping a perfect sheet, but she quickly followed it with a takedown as she took a 6-1 lead at the break.

12:27: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) scored one takedown to lead 2-1 against Roksana ZASINA (POL) and then held her fort with that lead. Zasina tried desperately for an attack but failed to score and gave up a takedown. Malmgren wins 5-1 at 53kg.

12:25: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) cannot find a way to break the defenses of Ok Ju KIM (PRK) who scores four different takedowns in their 62kg bout to win 8-0

12:18: Jia LONG (CHN), the 2024 world champion at 65kg, gives up the big points to Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) in their 68kg match, but she piles up more than enough for a 12-6 victory.

12:17: Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) gives up a 4-point takedown early in her 62kg clash with Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), then erupts for 13 points in the second period, including a pair of 4-pointers of her own, for a 13-6 victory. 

12:05: Ami ISHII (JPN), gunning for a second straight world title after winning last year at 72kg, continues her quest at 68kg by rolling to a 10-0 victory over Noemi SZABADOS (HUN) to advance to the quarterfinals. Ishii scores a single-leg takedown just as she receives an activity point to go up 3-0. After a second similar takedown, she goes to laces and finishes off the win ni 2:42.

12:04: Defending 68kg champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) gets the fall over Grabriela DA ROCHA (BRA) when she put her back on the mat in the second period and held on till the fall was called.

12:03: Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) takes a 3-0 lead at the break in her 53kg bout against Annika WENDLE (GER). In the second period, she works a takedown and roll to make it 7-9. Another takedown on the edge puts her at 9-0 before she finishes the bout 11-0.

11:57: An upset on Mat C, as Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), aiming for her fifth world medal but first gold at 72kg, will have to settle for bronze at best after falling 3-3 on criteria to Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ). Nurtaeva trails 2-1 after giving up a second activity point, but scores a single-leg takedown with :51 left. Bakbergenova gains a stepout to tie, but trails on criteria, and Nurtaeva fends off a final attack to clinch the win.

11:56: Asian champion Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) goes to the lace lock after a second takedown, and three rolls later she advances at 53kg with a 10-0 victory over Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL) in 2:20.

11:55: Olympic silver medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) comes from 4-1 down to get a fall over Laura HERIN AVILA (CUB) and advance at 53kg. Yepez is looking to add to her bronze medal from 2023. 

11:51: A takedown and four quick lace-lock rolls and two-time Asian bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) advances at 53kg with a 10-0 win over Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP).

11:49: Sol Gum PAK (PRK) tries to score the one point she needs to beat Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) at 68kg but Yaneva defends everything that is thrown at her to win 7-6 and advance.

11:49: Two-time Olympic medalist and 2021 world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) opens her campaign with a 10-0 win over Aniseta ACOSTA (ASA) at 68kg. Zhumanazarova had a pair of 4-point moves, the second coming with a hip throw that made it a 10-point difference. The match ended when Acosta fought off her back.

11:45: Kennedy BLADES (USA), the Paris Olympic silver medalist at 76kg who has dropped down to 68kg, gets off to rousing start, overwhelming RADHIKA (IND) for an 11-0 victory in 1:38. Blades gets a 4-point takedown thwarting a Radhika counter to take a 7-0 lead within the first minute. She then bulls her opponent over for a takedown, then caps the proceedings with a classic gut wrench.

11:40: Six-time Asian medalist Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) is trailing 2-1 against Jyoti BERWAL (IND) in the second period of their 72kg bout when she does what Mongolian's do best -- hit her opponent with a headlock throw, giving her a victory by fall.

11:39: In a case of anything you can do, I can do better, LILI (CHN), a 2023 world bronze medalist at 65kg, scores three exposure tilts after a takedown to give her a 9-7 win over Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE) at 62kg. Lili's sequence came after Soltanova had gone ahead with three consecutive 2-point lifts to counter a single-leg attempt by Lili.

11:35: After a longish defense from Hyeonyeong PARK (KOR), Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) secures the fall as Park runs out of steam.

11:28: Three-time world champion Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN), looking to fill the 53kg spot following the move up to 57kg by compatriot and Paris Olympic gold medalist Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), opens with an 11-0 victory over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). Murayama leads 3-0 in the second period when she scores with a snapdown takedown, then reels off four gut wrenches.

11:32: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) with a fall over Aurora CAMPAGNA (ITA) in her opening bout at 62kg. Kim just too strong for Campagna

11:30: Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) opened the scoring against Masako FURUICHI (JPN) with a stepout before getting a point for inactivity of Furuichi. The Japanese bounces back with a takedown but gives up a reversal as Glaude leads 3-2. She hangs on to that lead to upset Furuichi

11:16: World 55kg silver Jin ZHANG (CHN) works on five different takedowns to beat Felicity TAYLOR (USA), 10-0, at 53kg with 31 seconds left on the clock.

11:11: In a battle of former European champions at 68kg, 2021 world silver medalist Khanum VELIEVA (UWW) gets a stepout just moments after giving up an activity point to Yuliana YANEVA (BUL). But Yaneva dominates the second period, scoring a takedown-gut wrench combination, then putting Velieva onto her back and securing a fall at 4:31.

11:09: Nice win for South America as Astrid MONTERO (VEN) scores two takedowns in the second period to knock off European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) 6-4 at 62kg. Montero gets behind for an early takedown, only to see Bondar come back with a takedown and quick exposure to lead 4-2 at the break.

10:50: Two-time Asian silver medalist RADHIKA (IND) gives up a 4-point takedown to the back to Laura GODINO (ITA) at the start of their 68kg qualification bout. That appears to wake up the Indian, who comes back with a takedown and stepout to cut the gap at the break. Another takedown puts Radhika ahead 5-4, then she ends the match by muscling Godino down and over for a fall with just over a minute left.

10:45: World 72kg champion Ami ISHII (JPN), back down at 68kg, starts her bid to win her second world title with a 10-0 victory over Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) in a minute and 31 seconds.