#WrestleRome

Matteo Pellicone freestyle finals set

Saturday, June 25, 2022 - 08:19 By Vinay Siwach

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ROME, Italy (June 25) -- The final day of the Matteo Pellicone will see eight freestyle weights in action. Just like their Greco-Roman team, Azerbaijan has brought some big names for the freestyle event. Haji ALIYEV (AZE) will be wrestling up at 70kg which means a possible clash against European champion Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO).

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The 8 freestyle finals are set

57kg: Horst Justin Junior LEHR (GER) vs. Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE)
61kg: Andrii DZHELEP (UKR) vs. Recep TOPAL (TUR)
65kg: Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) vs. Sebastian RIVERA (PUR)
70kg: Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) vs. Murad EVLOEV (AZE)
74kg: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) vs. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)
79kg: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) vs. Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU)
86kg: Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) vs. Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE)
92kg: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) vs. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) 

14:20: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) beats Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) 6-4 to enter the 92kg final. That means Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), who is already in the final, won't get a chance to avenge his U23 European loss to Yaylace. Nurmagomedov defeated Saba CHIKHRADZE (GEO) in the semifinal.  

14:10: Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) and Boris MAKOEV (SVK) tied 3-3 in their 86kg semifinal. Makoev leads on criteria. Abakarov shoots for the leg and converts it into a takedown to take a 5-3 lead at the break. Makoev tries to get a takedown but Abakarov is solid in defense. Abakarov will wrestle for the 86kg gold after an 8-6 win

14:00: Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) dominates Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE). He scores a trip and then adds three chest wrap finishes to win 10-0 in 90 seconds. He will wrestle Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) for the 65kg gold 

13:45: World bronze medalist Horst LEHR (GER) pins Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) to enter the 57kg final. At 70kg, Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) received an injury default from Haji ALIYEV (AZE) since Aliyev will be moving down to 65kg for the Worlds.

13:40: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) wrestling in the 74kg semifinal. Bayramov is up 1-0 for Gadzhiev's passivity before he adds a takedown just before the break to lead 3-0. Both wrestlers are given one warning for headbutting and open hands. Bayramov leads 4-1. Gadzhiev gets a point for Bayramov's passivity. He has 30 seconds to score a takedown for the win. A caution against Gadzhiev and he will go down 5-3 against Bayramov in the semifinal. Bayramov will wrestle Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)

13:35: Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) and Shamil OMAROV (ITA) in a battle. Omarov was up 4-0 but Rivera ties it up 4-4 and gets one more for a lost challenge to lead 5-4 against Omarov with five seconds left. Omarov gets a takedown but Rivera is challenging. The clock had expired. He wins 5-4

13:20: The 57kg quarterfinal between Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO) and Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) has already seen 21 points in the first period. Rzazade leads 13-8 at the break. An exposure and takedown in the second period for Rzazade as he wins 17-8

12:55: At 57kg, Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) has two four-point throws and one reversal to lead 8-1 but is struggling with a back injury. Andrii YATSENKO (UKR) then scores a takedown to trim it to 8-3. Bujiashvili comes up with another four to lead 12-3 at the break. Yatsenko with a quick takedown and two leg laces to make it 12-9. A counter and two. Yatsenko has closed the gap to 12-11. A stepout for Bujiashvili and he hangs on for a 13-11 win.

12:45: Moving into the semifinal at 70kg, Haji ALIYEV (AZE). Effortless from the Tokyo silver medalist as he gut wrenches Daniel CHOMANIC (SVK) for a 10-0 win

12:35: On the other side in 65kg, Sebastian C RIVERA (PUR) kept his cool after taking an early 6-0 lead over Hamza ALACA (TUR) to win 10-8. He will face the winner of Vasyl SHUPTAR (UKR) vs. Shamil Makhmudovitch OMAROV (ITA) in the semifinal.

12:30: Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) trails Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) in their 70kg quarterfinal. He has given up two takedowns. He snatches one single leg to make it 4-3 with 15 seconds left. Azimov won't let Iakobishvili go behind for a takedown. He wins 4-3 over the European champion from Georgia  

12:25: If you missed Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR), he is back. The U20 European champion begins at 65kg and won 8-1 against Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU) to reach the semifinal. He will wrestle the winner of Arman ELOYAN (FRA) vs. Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE)

12:15: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) has set up a semifinal against  Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) at 74kg after a close 2-2 win over Vasile DIACON (MDA). The last time the two competed against each other was at the Dan Kolov where Gadzhiev won 1-1. While this may not be the final selection for the World Championships, the winner in Rome may get the preference.

12:00: The 86kg quarterfinals are set

Boris MAKOEV (SVK) vs. Khasan ZAKARIIEV (UKR)
Zaur BERADZE (GEO) vs. Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO)
Mukhammed ALIIEV (UKR) vs. Lars SCHAEFLE (GER) 
Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT) vs. Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) 

11:45: A fall for Vasyl SHUPTAR (UKR) over Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) at 65kg. Lomtadze never looked in the bout and was trailing 7-0 before the pin. 

11:30: Former U17 world champion Hamza ALACA (TUR) up against Tornike KATAMADZE (GEO). Katamadze with a cradle and looking for a pin but Alaca manages to survive. Katamdze leads 6-4 after that sequence. But Alaca has increased the intensity of the bout and now Katamdze is struggling. He gives up two takedowns in the final minute as Alaca wins 10-6

11:22: Haji ALIYEV (AZE), wrestling at 70kg, had to work hard against Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR). The Ukraine wrestler led 5-1 before Aliyev managed to score a takedown and a classy four-pointer. He secured the fall in the same sequence

11:10: Another European champion begins with a win! Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) never looked in any trouble against Nestor TAFUR (COL) in his 12-1 win at 79kg. 

11:00: European champion Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) looking for his second straight Ranking Series gold medal and he has begun with a 3-2 win over Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) at 74kg

10:50: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) got a wake-up call with that bout. Cesar BORDEAUX (BRA) gave a tough fight and even led 6-1 before Gadzhiev gathered his thoughts and used three four-point throws in a 14-9 win

10:40: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) have given a winning start to Azerbaijan. Contrasting bouts as Bayramov defeated Mitchell FINESILVER (ISR) 2-1 with all three points being scored for passivity. Nurmagomedov worked more proactively and got a 10-1 win over Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) at 92kg. 

10:30: Welcome to the final day of the Ranking Series event. Eight weights are in action and it will be top-class action from some of the biggest stars of the sport

#WrestleAmman

U20 World Championships, Day 2 semis set

Tuesday, August 15, 2023 - 06:57 By Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (August 15) -- The second day of the U20 World Championships will see the remaining five Freestyle weight classes in action. After the United States and Iran dominated day one, it will interesting to see if they can sustain their momentum.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

Semifinals

61kg
Besir ALILI (MKD) vs. Mohit KUMAR (IND)
Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) vs. Eldar AKHMADUDINOV (AIN)

74kg
Anton SUCHKOV (AIN) vs. Hossein AGHAEI (IRI)
Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) vs. Zhakshylyk BAITASHOV (KGZ)

86kg
Bennett BERGE (USA) vs. Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA)
Fumiya IGARASHI (JPN) vs. Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA)

92kg
Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) vs. Giorgi ROMELASHVILI (GEO)
Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) vs. Knyaz IBOYAN (ARM)

125kg
Said AKHMATOV (AIN) vs. Karanveer MAHIL (CAN)
Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) vs. Volodymyr KOCHANOV (UKR) 

Iran ended the first session on day two of the U20 World Championships slightly better than the United States. Iran managed to send four wrestlers in the semifinal while the U.S. managed only two. That makes Iran the favorite for the Freestyle team title.

15:01: U20 Pan-Am champion Karanveer MAHIL (CAN) with two big double-leg attacks for four to beat Levan LAGVILAVA (FRA) 11-0 in the 125kg quarterfinals. He will take on Said AKHMATOV (AIN) in the semifinals.

14:55: U17 world champion Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) feels the heat of U20 competition and drops his quarterfinal at 125kg against Said AKHMATOV (AIN) 5-1. Akhmatov never allowed Dursunov to complete his attacks.

14:40: Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) is right up there. In complete control of his 11-0 win against Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (AIN) in the 92kg quarterfinals. Nothing seems to trouble him.

14:35: Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA) may have pulled off the upset of the tournament as he beats Amirhossein ALIZADEHSHAHKOLAEI (IRI) 5-3 in the 86kg quarterfinals. The Iran wrestler looked solid as he avenged his U20 Asian finals lost to Mukul DAHIYA (IND) but could not score a decisive takedown against Mihalcean who was ecstatic after the win. 

14:31: No stopping Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) at 125kg. He makes short work of Christian CARROLL (USA) in the quarterfinals. Next up on Mat A is the supremely talented Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) who takes on Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (AIN) at 92kg.

14:28: Incredible action from both Mohit KUMAR (IND) and Nicholas BOUZAKIS (USA) at 61kg. Bouzakis raced to a 4-0 lead before Kumar made it 4-4. Bouzakis continued his attacks and led 8-6. In the second period, Bouzakis began with a takedown but Kumar, with his slightly better gas tank, scored three and led 12-10. Bouzakis however got a foul from Kumar and a par terre position with 19 seconds remaining. However, he failed to turn Kumar who won 12-11 to return to the semifinals at 61kg

14:15: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) absolutely dominates JAIDEEP (IND) to win 11-0 and move into the 74kg semifinals. He is looking to reach his second straight U20 World Championships final.

13:40: The United States suffered its first defeat in this tournament on the second day. Giorgi ROMELASHVILI (GEO) beats Jack DARRAH (USA) at 92kg.

13:20: U17 world champion Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) continues his winning run at U20 World Championships as well. He blanks Teodor GJORGIEV (MKD) 10-0 at 125kg.

12:50: The U.S. continues the good show as Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) rolls through 12-1 against Elkhan GARAYEV (AZE) at 74kg.

12:45: Defending champion Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) with a fall! Shakjir BISLIMI (MKD) was no match for the France wrestler who scored 10 points before getting the win.

12:35: Bennett BERGE (USA) is on the mat now for his 86kg pre-quarterfinals against Ivan CHORNOHUZ (UKR). Berge was the silver medalist last year. He takes a 3-2 lead against Chornohuz who adds a stepout before the two wrestlers scores two-and-two. Berge leads 5-5 on criteria with a minute left. He gets the job done 7-5 

12:15: Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN) suffers a heartbreaking loss in the pre-quarterfinals at 74kg. The silver medalist from last year scored a takedown in the final minute against Anton SUCHKOV (AIN) but the AIN wrestler managed to hold on for a 3-2 win.

12:00: Defending champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) with a solid 9-1 win over Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR) at 125kg. That strong underhook is still his go-to win bouts.

11:45: Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN) with a fall over  Musa AGHAYEV (AZE) and on Mat A, Besir ALILI (MKD) wins a 14-11 slugfest against Mykola TASHOHLO (UKR).

11:30: The 61kg weight class in action and returning bronze medalist Mohit KUMAR (IND) begins with a 12-2 technical superiority win over Zoltan MIZSEI (HUN). He will face Dmitri CARASTOIANOV (MDA) in the next round.

10:50: U20 Asian champion Yerkhan BEXULTANOV (KAZ) uses a strong leg lace to beat U20 Pan-Am silver medalist Amaan GULACHA (CAN) via technical superiority at 74kg.

10:40: Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN), who won the silver medal at 74kg last year, begins on a strong note and beats Tanner PEAKE (PUR) 10-0. Kamiya is looking to upgrade his medal.

10:30: Returning silver medalist at 70kg Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) has begun his quest for another world medal with a 10-0 win over Ion MARCU (MDA). A thoroughly controlled bout as he moves up to 74kg in Amman.

10:00: After the United States and Iran dominated day one, sending three wrestlers each in the finals, Iran will look to take the lead in the team title race as the U.S. looks for an upset.