#WrestleSofia

Nakaev wins Germany's first U20 Worlds gold in 23 years

Saturday, August 20, 2022 - 17:05 By Vinay Siwach

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SOFIA, Bulgaria (August 20) -- More than two hours after the final, Deni NAKAEV (GER) was still processing the win.

Nakaev was not the favorite but won the 77kg gold medal at the U20 World Championships in Sofia, Bulgaria to give Germany its first Greco-Roman world champion in this age group in 23 years.

"I can't even explain how it feels," Nakaev said. "I haven't yet processed it or thought about it. I used the momentum and time when I got the opportunity to win."

Over the two days in Sofia, Nakaev scripted two comebacks and managed to win the 77kg gold over Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR). The German wrestler defeated Saricicek 9-4 in the final after trailing 4-0.

The two U20 European bronze medalists met in the final on Saturday and Nakaev fell behind early as Saricicek led 2-0 at the break. He added a takedown 15 seconds into the second period.

"When I was 4-0 down, I was thinking if I don't do it now, then when," he said. "You don't get too many opportunities to wrestle in the World Championships, forget in the final."

So he went for arm spin and scored the four points to take a 4-4 criteria lead. But he was not done yet. Nakaev broke Saricicek in the final minute and scored points via stepouts and takedown to secure the win.

"I did not know if it was a four-point move," he said. "But I saw it. So I was safe but then I thought if I lose from here, it will be because of my mentality. If I give up any points it will be my mental weakness."

He has been in situations like this before. Back in 2017, he wrestled at a tournament in North Macedonia and led 7-0. But he allowed the opponent to make a comeback and lost the bout. Since, Nakaev has felt that he needs to improve his mental strength.

"I remember at the earlier tournaments, there was one step missing," he said. "I had too much stress, mentally weak, tiny issues. But I worked hard especially between the U20 Europeans and Worlds now."

In Rome, Nakaev lost to (GEO) but came back to win the bronze medal. But since then, he was eager to win the World Championships.

"I was concentrated on myself," he said. "I had beat everyone to reach the final. I knew that the Asian champion was coming. I won that bout after being 4-0 down. I had to decide for myself if I wanted to wrestle for bronze or gold."

Nakaev began wrestling when he was nine years old when his father found a wrestling gym for his hyper-active son.

"I used to fight a lot on the streets," he said. 

While he won't be on the flight to Serbia, Nakaev wants to make the senior team as soon as possible.

"I still want to keep working and beat [Idris] IBAEV in Germany," he said. "So I have to step up like him and then move next."

Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR)Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) defeated Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) in the 130kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In other finals, Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) enthralled the fans in the stands after a 6-4 win against Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) in the 130kg final.

Hedayati tried hard to keep Vyshnyvetskyi quiet in the first period and even took a 4-2 lead. But he was called passive in the second period and Vyshnyvetskyi scored a gut wrench to lead 5-4.

Hedayati almost got the stepout late in the bout but the referee saw the Iran wrestler pull the singlet when pushing the Ukraine wrestler. Iran challenged the call but lost.

"The final match was tough," he said. "The quarterfinal against the Egypt wrestler wasn’t good enough. In the first period, I made a lot of mistakes, but in the second one I improved and got what I was supposed to."

In the quarterfinals, Fekry EISSA (EGY) almost pinned Vyshnyvetskyi but failed to hold him on the ground. Eissa countered every attack but Vyshnyvetskyi kept coming back to win 9-7.

The U20 European champion took a lesson from the U20 tournament in Rome which helped him in Sofia, especially to make comebacks.

"At the European championships, I realized that I can’t give up points for no reason," he said. "Because it is hard to make them up as all the wrestlers are the best representatives of their countries. So, I had to wrestle till the very last point."

A European final rematch was expected in the semifinal when Vyshnyvetskyi met Adolf BAZSO (HUN) but Aden ATTOO (USA) pinned Bazso.

"I was expecting the Iranian guy in the final because he is the Asian champion," Vyshnyvetskyi said. "I checked all his matches and I knew he is not an easy one. I tried to find the right way to wrestle him. The first period was a bit tough, but in the second period I got the par terre and made it work."

Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI)Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) won the 63kg gold medal in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 63kg, Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) controlled the final against Baiaman KARIMOV (KGZ) with ease and won 6-1, most of the points coming via stepouts.

Khoon Mohammadi, who also has a senior Asian bronze medalist, scored the first three points via steptouts before Karimov was called for passivity. At the break, he led 5-0.

Nihad GULUZADE (AZE)Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) won the 55kg gold after beating Denis MIHAI (ROU) in the final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

A rematch of the U20 European final occured at 55kg as both Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) and Denis MIHAI (ROU) made it to the gold medal bout. But like the Rome final, Guluzade defeated Mihai 6-1 to become Azerbaijan's U20 world champion.

Guluzade got the advantage when Mihai was called passive. The Azerbaijan wrestler scored two turns from par terre and led 5-0. He was called passive in the second period but Mihai was not able to level the score.

Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM)In a dramatic final, Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) denied Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI) at 87kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Iran sent three in the finals but only won one. Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) denied Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI), 1-1 at 87kg. The two exchanged passivity points but with just three seconds remaining on the clock, Choubani dragged Nazaryan towards the zone and pushout.

But Armenia challenged the call and in the review, it appeared that Choubani moved his hands below Nazaryan's waist while pushing him out. That prompted the jury to rule the decision in Armenia's favor.

While the Iran corner was not happy about it, Nazaryan won the bout 1-1 and become the U20 world champion, the first for Armenia since 2018.

The final five gold medals of the U20 World Championships will be handed out on Sunday.

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RESULTS

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) df. Denis MIHAI (ROU), 6-1

BRONZE: Nuristan SUIORKULOV (KGZ) df. Tamazi GLONTI (GEO), 5-1
BRONZE: Taiga ONISHI (JPN) df. Karapet MANVELYAN (ARM), via fall

63kg
GOLD: Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. Baiaman KARIMOV (KGZ), 6-1

BRONZE: Chiezo MARUYAMA (JPN) df. Azat SARIYAR (TUR), 5-2
BRONZE: Oleh KHALILOV (UKR) df. Arman VARDANYAN (ARM), 5-0

77kg
GOLD: Deni NAKAEV (GER) df. Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR), 9-4

BRONZE: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Khasay HASANLI (AZE), 11-5
BRONZE: Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB) df. Michal ZELENKA (CZE), 9-8

87kg
GOLD: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) df. Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI), 1-1

BRONZE: Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) df. Donghyun YUN (KOR), 9-0
BRONZE: Maksat SAILAU (KAZ) df. Mykyta ALIEKSIEIEV (UKR), via fall

130kg
GOLD: Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) df. Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI), 6-4 

BRONZE: Aden ATTAO (USA) df. Fekry EISSA (EGY), 11-3
BRONZE: Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) df. Albert VARDANYAN (ARM), 11-5

Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) vs. Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), 1-1
SF 2: Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) df. SUMIT (IND), via fall

67kg
GOLD: Kanan ABDULLAZADE (AZE) vs. Nika BROLADZE (GEO)

SF 1: Kanan ABDULLAZADE (AZE) df. Din KOSHKAR (KAZ), 9-2
SF 2: Nika BROLADZE (GEO) df. Seyed SOHRABI (IRI), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) vs. Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA)

SF 1: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) df. Irfan MIRZOIEV (UKR), 5-0
SF 2: Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) df. Amir ABDI (IRI), 5-2 

82kg
GOLD: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) vs. Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI)

SF 1: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR), 5-1
SF 2: Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) df. Alperen BERBER (TUR), 8-2

97kg
GOLD: Ali ABEDIDARZI (IRI) vs. Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ)

SF 1: Ali ABEDIDARZI (IRI) df. Richard KARELSON (EST), 1-1
SF 2: Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) df. Nurmanbet RAIMALY UULU (KGZ), 11-2

#WrestleBratislava

Baev marks international return with European gold

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 19:51 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 8) -- David BAEV (UWW) began his international career in Slovakia when he won the cadet [U17] world gold medal in 2014 in Snina, a small town in west Slovakia. Who would have thought that Baev's long awaited international return will also be in the same country.

Read More: Sidakov vs Valiev set for European gold

Baev returned to Slovakia after 11 years, ending his six-year absence from international competitions, winning the gold medal at 70kg at the European Championships, his first-ever.

"Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and I enjoyed every second of it," Baev said after the final "I’ve so badly wanted to see those blue and purple banners from UWW Worlds and Europeans [respectively]."

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) at the podium of the U17 World Championships in 2014. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Read More: Remembering Saitiev, the master on mat who inspired many

The 28-year-old last competed internationally at the 2019 World Championships in Astana where he won the 70kg gold medal. He tried moving to the 74kg weight class with a hope to make Olympic but with little success.

He moved back to 70kg and began winning again. On Tuesday, despite his long layoff from international scene, Baev hardly made it look like he was away for long.

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) wrestles Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) in the 70kg final at the European Championships in Bratislava. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev denied Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) his second straight title at 70kg, beating the Armenian 4-1 in the final at his first international competition since winning the gold medal at the 2019 World Championships.

The first point of the bout was from Andreasyan's passivity and Baev scored a takedown in the second period for a 3-0 lead. A stepout made it 4-0 before he gave up a stepout for one point.

Baev celebrated winning his gold medal by spreading his arms and looking up to the skies with a sigh of relief. He later said that he did the same celebration when he won the gold in 2014 and decided to stay with the that celebration since then.

"My first victory where I celebrated was 11 years ago, also in Slovakia," he said. "Since then, after every win — and even after losses — I do the same celebration."

He recalled his first visit to Slovakia in 2014 and called the country in which he only has good memories.

"I was 16 years old when I traveled abroad for the first time — it was Slovakia," he said. "My first international competition [U17 Worlds], at 58 kilograms. I won, so I have only good memories of Slovakia. I have friends here, and some of my close friends even compete for the Slovak national team. I’ve visited them here, stayed with them."

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) on the podium after receiving his gold medal at the European Championships. (Photo: Untied World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev wore a "Buvaisar SAITIEV" tee shirt after his bouts and dedicated his gold medal to the three-time Olympic champion who passed away in March aged 49.

"Saitiev is a legendary wrestler," he said. "His name has practically become symbolic. It’s like when someone talks about basketball, they mention Jordan. Or when it’s football, they bring up Ronaldo or Maradona. In wrestling, it’s Saitiev. What he showed on the mat… no one has ever shown before, and probably no one ever will."

Remembering Saitiev, Baev said he met Saitiev once when he was four years old. However, he never got a chance to meet him again.

"I actually met him once as a kid," he said. "My father’s friends took me to the Akhmat Kadyrov Memorial tournament. I was very young, but I remember sitting at the same table with him — I even have a photo.

"Honestly, I’ve always wanted to ask him if he remembers that little boy sitting at the table with him in that café… But sadly, I never got the chance."

Baev was not the only one wearing the Saitiev shirt. Three other "UWW" wrestler won gold on Tuesday and dedicated their medals to Saitiev.

Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW)Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW), blue, defends against Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) in the 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

At 57kg, Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) earned his first-ever European gold medal after he defeated Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4, a closely contested final.

Tuskaev, hoping to become Serbia's first-ever European champion in Freestyle, fell behind early with a point for his passivity and then a stepout. Mongush added a takedown to make it 4-0.

With time running out, Tuskaev made desperate attempts and got two for a takedown. A scramble was awarded two points each with Mongush still leading 6-4. In the final 10 seconds, Tuskaev was about to score a go-behind but Mongush blocked him and secured the win and his first-ever European gold.

France was looking for its first Freestyle European champion as it had two finalists on Tuesday but the drought is set to continue as both wrestlers failed to cross the hurdle to win gold.

At 65kg, Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) who had a dominant run to the gold medal. Ibragimov's win was similar to his 6-2 win over Arsamerzouev in the 2024 European U23 Championships final.

Arsamerzouev was hit with a passivity call in the first period and he failed to score, giving Ibragimov a 1-0 lead. While the French wrestler did make some inroads in the second period, Ibragimov managed to score a takedown for a 3-0 lead.

Two-time European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) will have to wait for his gold medal as former world champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) posted a 9-1 win in the 79kg final which also included a massive front headlock throw for four.

Usmanov now has back-to-back European gold medals while Khadjiev has third silver as had finished with silver medals at the 2018 and 2019 European Championships. 

Matcharashvili hat-trick

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) completed a hat-trick of European gold medals after he defeated Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) in the 97kg final.

Maintaining his perfect record of wins at European Championships, Matcharashvili pulled out his signature move of front headpinch and scored two points against Kurbanov to win 3-2, making a comeback after giving up a activity clock point and a stepout.

"This European Championships is important for me," Matcharashvili said. "I am a three-time champion now. I love wrestling and wrestling is my life."

Asked about his comeback against Kurbanov using a front chest wrap throw to take the lead, Matcharashvili said he knows that he will aways win that position

"This is my personal move," he said. "When I am in this position, 100 percent I will win the points."

Last year after winning the gold in Bucharest, Romania, Matcharashvili called out all 97kg wrestlers. This year, he was more humble in his message.

"The message is the same." he said. "This is my job and I am ready for every, anytime. When I am standing on the podium with our flag going up, that's what matters."

Matcharashvili's third gold puts him tied second the list of Georgians with most European titles in Freestyle with Rio 2016 Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO).

Eldar KURTANIDZE (GEO) still holds the record of most European titles for Georgia in Freestyle with five which he won in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2005.

Photo

RESULTS

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) df. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4

BRONZE: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Ivaylo TISOV (BUL), 12-2
BRONZE: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) df. Niklas STECHELE (GER), 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), 3-0

BRONZE: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO), via forfeit
BRONZE: Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) df. Andrii SVYRYD (UKR), 4-0

70kg
GOLD: David BAEV (UWW) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 4-1

BRONZE: Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) df. Oleksii BORUTA (UKR), 6-2
BRONZE: Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) df. Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), 5-2

79kg
GOLD: Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) df. Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA), 9-1

BRONZE: Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Ion MARCU (MDA), 3-0
BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP), 4-1

97kg
GOLD: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Magomed KURBANOV (UWW), 3-2

BRONZE: Richard VEGH (HUN) df. Radoslaw BARAN (POL), 10-6
BRONZE: Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) df. Radu LEFTER (MDA), 11-0

Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Zavur UGUEV (UWW)

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 5-2
SF 2: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW), 10-0

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) df. Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 6-0
SF 2: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-0

86kg
GOLD: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) vs. Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW)

SF 1: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), via fall (9-0)
SF 2: Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) df. Artur NAIFONOV (UWW), 6-3

92kg
GOLD: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE)

SF 1: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-2
SF 2: Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) df. Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR), 3-3

125kg
GOLD: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) vs. Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW), 8-5
SF 2: Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 8-3