Mohammadian Closes Olympic Ticket for Iran; USA Shines at Poland Open

Tuesday, June 8, 2021 - 21:49 By Vinay Siwach

WARSAW, Poland (June 8) -- Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) had to wait until the final bout of the day but it was worth it as he successfully captured the gold medal at the Poland Open Ranking Series event in Warsaw.

The value of this gold medal increased as he also won the right to represent Iran at the Tokyo Olympics after beating two of his compatriots during his title-winning run on Tuesday.

Iran is treating the Poland Open as a selection tournament for the three freestyle and one Greco-Roman weight classes.

At 97kg, Mohammadian captured the spot after he beat Alireza Mohammad KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) and Ali Khalil SHABANIBENGAR (IRI) with little separation in both the bouts.

“Thank God I was able to win,” Mohammadian said. “This is not the biggest day for me but I am happy.”

Apart from Iran's selection, the Tokyo seeds were confirmed in three weight classes as the final ranking points for 57kg, 86kg and 97kg were finalized on Tuesday.

Mohammadian's gold may not have been enough for a seed in the weight class at the Olympics, but it ended a long wait of Iran finalizing the wrestler at the weight. He won the quota in dominating fashion at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in April.

But Shabanibengar's wins over him earlier this year and Karmimachiani's record at 92kg made them contenders as well. Instead of hosting a trial back home, the Iranian Federation decided to send the wrestler to Warsaw for a face-off. The winner would be selected for the Olympic team.

The stage was set when Karimimachiani and Mohammadian were drawn on the same side while Shabanibengar was split to the upper half. Mohammadian began with an 11-0 thrashing of Kollin MOORE (USA) in the qualification, while Karimimachiani overcame Abraham de Jesus CONYEDO RUANO (ITA), 11-1, in the quarterfinal. Earlier in the day, the Italian upset Olympic champion Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) for a 2-2 criteria win.

Mohammadian's 10-0 win over Serik BAKYTKHANOV (KAZ) put him in the semifinal. He began with a takedown and secured a 2-0 lead. Karimimachiani's one point for passivity and a step out tied it 2-2, but Mohammadian held the criteria to set up a final against Shabanibengar.

It was anti-climatic as both wrestlers played it safe. They exchanged a point each for passivity but it was Mohammadian who was awarded one in the second period which gave him the win.

“I have been wrestling with Shabanibengar since cadet-level and I know his style,” he said. “Before becoming here I had strategized a lot and thankfully it paid off.”

At 57kg, Serbian Olympian Stevan MICIC (SRB) won his second Ranking Series gold medal in convincing fashion. He outscored Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) and Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB), 18-3, and was awarded the 57kg Nordic style gold medal.

Micic, who came into the tournament at the third-seeded wrestler for the Tokyo Olympic Games, passed second-seeded Sueyman ATLI (TUR) for the second spot in Tokyo.

“I felt really good today,” he said. “At this tournament, I just wanted to get my weight down to 57kg and go to the Olympics after a strong competition. The gold medal is always a boost in confidence.”

The top-four seeds at 57kg for Tokyo are Zavur UGUEV (RUS), Micic, Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and Ravi KUMAR (IND), respectively.

“I wasn't sure about the seeds so it was better to just compete,” he said. “I have a lot of confidence in my ability and it doesn't matter where I am seeded. I will have four tough matches in order to win at the Olympics.”

Micic defeated Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) and Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB) in the two matches to win the gold medal.

Stevan MICIC

USA also had a field day as they captured two gold medals. Zahid VALENCIA (USA) added another Ranking Series gold as he dominated the 86kg weight category.

“I started off a little bit slow but I am happy with how I ended it,” he said. “More offense, more takedowns is what I am looking for.”

Valencia survived a scare against local boy Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) and won 6-5 before an injury default by world silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) gave him a spot in the semifinal. Myles AMINE (SMR) was up next in the semifinal but Valencia had an easy 7-1 win.

In the 86kg finals, Zahid VALENCIA (USA) claimed his second Ranking Series title with a 10-0 trouncing of Georgia’s Sandro AMINASHVILI (GEO). The bleach blonde-haired American scored five first-period takedowns and ended the match less than two minutes into the finals.

But with David TAYLOR (USA) going to the Olympics, it was just the points for Valencia but not for the Olympics.

“[I am looking for] experience,” he said. “I am still young and could not make the Olympic team this year. It is still a goal of mine. I wanted to get matches and see how foreigners wrestle.”

The close first bout did upset Valencia but he is keen on working on his skills to not give up easy points.

“I got taken down,” he said. “I was working on my offense and defense. I did not want to over wrestle and expose myself.”

Also at 86kg, Myles AMINE (SMR) beat Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) in the bronze medal match and leaped Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) for the No. 3 seed at the Olympic Games.

Amine came into the competition with 40 points -- seven points behind his Russian nemesis -- but used his ten-point bronze medal to move to the opposite side of the bracket as top-seeded Olympic champion Hasan YAZDANI (IRI).

The Olympic seeds at 86kg are Yazdani), Punia, Amine and Naifonov, respectively.

Another American with a big day was Alec PANTALEO (USA) who plowed his way to a fourth consecutive gold medal with a career-defining win over three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE), before capping things off with a win over rival James GREEN (USA) in the 70kg finals.

Alec PANTALEO df Haji ALIYEV

In the semifinals, Pantaleo cruised out to an early 6-1 lead over Aliyev thanks to a takedown and a four-point move. But the Azeri clawed back in the second period and tied the match, 6-6. The American’s first-period fought off a late flurry of attacks and used his four-point move to push himself into the finals.

In the gold-medal match, Pantaleo jumped out to an early four-point advantage against two-time world-medal winner James Green. He scored both early takedowns on head inside single legs to Green’s right leg. Pantaleo surrendered a takedown and a stepout in the second period, but hung on to win his fourth consecutive competition, 5-3.

At 79kg, Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) scored a last-second takedown to beat veteran Rashid KURBANOV (UZB) 2-2 in the final and claim the gold medal.

RESULTS:

57kg
GOLD - Stevan Andria MICIC (SRB) (2-0)
SILVER - Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) (1-1)
BRONZE - Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB) (0-2)

70kg
GOLD - Alec William PANTALEO (USA) df. James GREEN (USA), 5-3
BRONZE - Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO), 2-1

79kg
GOLD - Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Rashid KURBANOV (UZB), 2-2
BRONZE - Mateusz KAMPIK (POL) df. Vadim PETRAUSKAS BABUSKIN (LTU), 16- 13
BRONZE - Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Aimar ANDRUSE (EST), 5-2

86kg
GOLD - Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Sandro AMINASHVILI (GEO), 10-0
BRONZE - Cezary SADOWSKI (POL) df. Pool AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER), 8-4
BRONZE - Myles AMINE (SMR) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), 6-1

97kg
GOLD - Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) df. Ali SHABANIBENGAR (IRI), 1-1
BRONZE - Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) df. Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD), via fall
BRONZE - Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI)df. Kollin Raymond MOORE (USA), 2-2

#WrestleBratislava

Young stars make Azerbaijan best team at Europeans

Sunday, April 13, 2025 - 23:03 By Vinay Siwach

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 13) -- Azerbaijan is the best team of Europe and its way ahead of others.

The country claimed the Greco-Roman team title at the European Championships in Bratislava with 151 points, 41 points more than second-placed Turkiye which had 110 points. Hungary managed to put itself on the podium at the third place with 104 points.

After only a silver and bronze medals on Saturday, Azerbaijan bounced back with three gold medals and a bronze medal to finish on the top of the standings.

Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) initiates a throw against Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) in the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Starting the gold rush world 63kg champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) who downed Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), 7-3, in the 60kg final.

"The final started well and even though I had made seven points, I was more confident in winning," Mammadli said. "In the second period, I made a mistake. I gave two moves to my opponent but I was still able to hold on to the victory."

Mammadli got the first par terre advantage and completed a standing to danger suplex for four points and a turn to lead 7-0. He tried one more turn but Tibilov defended the attempt. Tibilov managed to turn Mammadli in the second period when he got the par terre position but that was all the action from him.

The 7-3 win gave Mammadi his second straight European gold medal and confirmed his spot on the Azerbaijan team for the World Championships.

"I am very happy with the second [title]," he said. "I felt ready for this, I was overwhelmed with myself. When I came to the competition, I was thinking about the gold medal. I had prepared myself well, both physically and technically. I achieved what I wanted."

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In his three earlier bouts, Mammadli completed three technical superiority wins including a thunderous 8-0 win over former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in the semifinal, a rematch of the final of European Championships last year which Mammadli won.

"The competition was very good and there were very talented wrestlers," he said. "The gold last year at 60kg is almost a year past and every competition is very high. Because it was an Olympic weight class, this was expected. It was like a European World Championship in wrestling."

The 22-year-old will now wants to repeat as the world champion but in 60kg weight class. The challenge with that category is that it is dominated by wrestlers from Asia. At both the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics, all four medalists at 60kg were from Asia.

"[For Asian wrestlers] I can say that it will be a very difficult match," Mammadli said. "Hopefully, the next match will be at the World Championship. I know that it is a very difficult match but I will prepare even better for them."

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 67kg final at the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 67kg, Paris Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) continued his dominance at the continental event, winning his third straight European gold medal.

Facing Abu AMAEV (BUL), who Jafarov had defeated last European Championships in the quarterfinal, in the final in Bratislava, Jafarov turned him in par terre for two points. At the end of the mat, Jafarov lifted Amaev and completed the throw for four points to lead 7-0.

Amaev failed to break Jafarov's defense from par terre and got only one point as he dropped the bout 7-1. By reaching the final, Amaev earned his best European Championships medal -- a silver. He has two bronze medals from past editions.

"This European Championships was really tough for me," Jafarov said. "I managed to retain my title for the third time. I have endured a lot of hardships and hard work during this time. I injured my ear when I was playing the Zagreb tournament. An operation was performed, I continued to work hard, regardless of the surgery. I could not stay in camp in Croatia. I returned and continued to work hard in Azerbaijan."

Jafarov, who has an Olympic bronze medal and two medals at the World Championships, is determined to win the gold medal at the World Championships now.

"I haven't been a world champion. I'm want to be a world champion," he said. "I have to work hard for Azerbaijan so that I can win a gold medal at the upcoming world championships. I really want that medal and God willing it will be like that because I really want that medal in any way."

Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) defeated world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), in par terre, in the 82kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Another young star gave Azerbaijan its third gold as Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) won the top medal at 82kg. He defeated world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) 6-0 in the final.

Earning a par terre advantage in the first period, Gurbanov scored from a turn to lead in the first period before blocking an armthrow from Szilvassy to earn two points. Hungary challenged the call for slip throw but lost it, giving one more point to Gurbanov for a 6-0 lead.

The gold medal is Gurbanov's first major senior gold medal as he already has two European U23 golds and one U17 gold. Gurbanov has won the World Championships gold medal at U17, U20 and U23 levels.

Milov completes golden run

Kiril MILOV (BUL) completed is glorious run at the European Championships with the 97kg gold medal, his second in the continental history. In the final, he beat Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER), 7-1, a day after he defeated seven-time European champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM).

"This is one of the most long-awaited medals because in the semifinals I managed to defeat Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), who is a great wrestler, and I am glad that I managed to win the title," Milov said.

Milov scored two gut wrench turns from par terre to lead 5-0 and then was saved by a challenge in the second period. Lazogianis completed a throw from par terre which was blocked by Milov and he never landed in danger. But Lazogianis was awarded four points which gave him a 5-5 criteria lead for a bigger move.

Bulgaria challenged the decision and got two points as he had blocked Lazogianis and made him land in danger instead. He then defended his 7-1 lead for the gold medal.

"We trained very differently, very hard, we did very good training, we prepared well and I managed not to make a mistake in the matches and that is why I managed to win," he said.

Kiril MILOV (BUL) celebrates after winning the 97kg final at the European Championships. (Photos: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In his semifinal against Aleksanyan, Milov countered the Armenian's strongest suit -- the gut wrench. Milov led 1-1 on criteria after getting the first par terre position. Aleksanyan, in the second par terre position, tried to turn Milov who managed to stay in his position and scored a reversal.

With a 2-1 lead, Milov defended his position in the remaining 90 seconds and handed Aleksanyan his first-ever European defeat since 2017.

"With Artur, I know that whatever I do, I have to defend myself from the ground [par terre], because that's his best grip." Milov said. "He's very good from there and I'm glad I was able to defend myself from the ground."

The 28-year-old was at the Paris Olympics at 130kg after the spot was offered to Bulgaria due to reallocation of quotas. Milov underwent surgery before Olympic qualifiers in 2024 and missed qualifying at 97kg.

"Yes, before the two Olympics, even in Tokyo, I had an operation before the Olympics itself and in Paris too, I underwent a very serious operation," he said. "I wasn't able to get a quota but I got the chance to participate. I participated at 130kg, but I couldn't get prepared and the results. I was shaking. So now I'm training to succeed at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles."

At 72kg, two gold medals were awarded after a scoreboard glitch gave Levente LEVAI (HUN) a 4-4 criteria win over Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) in the final.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), 7-3

BRONZE: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) df. Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO), 10-0
BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) df. Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL), 5-0

67kg
GOLD: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Abu AMAEV (BUL), 7-1

BRONZE: Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL) df. Yanis GUENDEZ NIFRI (FRA), 5-0
BRONZE: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 3-1

72kg
GOLD: Levente LEVAI (HUN) and Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) [NO SILVER]

BRONZE: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) df. Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW), 2-1
BRONZE: Mehmet SAHIN (TUR) df. Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU), 9-1

82kg
GOLD: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) df. Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), 6-0

BRONZE: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df. Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR), 5-3
BRONZE: Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Kiril MILOV (BUL) df. Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER), 7-1

BRONZE: Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) df. Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED), 8-5
BRONZE: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), via inj. def.

Mohammadian Closes Olympic Ticket for Iran; USA Shines at Poland Open

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Young stars make Azerbaijan best team at Europeans