#WrestleSkopje

Nichita on Course for U23 Euro Gold; Russia Rolls to FS Team Title

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 20:53 By Vinay Siwach

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Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is the most accomplished wrestler entered in the women's wrestling draw at the ongoing U23 European Championships. After all, she has medals, including gold, at the world and continental level and is qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 22-year-old did not disappoint on Wednesday as she rock-and-rolled her into the 59kg final at the Jane Sandanski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia. Nichita scored two victories via fall and other via technical superiority.

Women's wrestling began with five weight classess – 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg – and Russia entered four wrestlers in the final. Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS), Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS), Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) and Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) reached the final at 50kg, 55kg, 68kg and 76kg respectively.

Ukraine sent two of their wrestlers while Belarus, Hungary, Moldova and Turkey also managed to enter one each.

Nichita, returning to competition after a bronze medal finish at the senior European Championships in Warsaw, Poland last month, began with a fall over Anna FABIAN (SRB) before a 10-0 win over Anne NUERNBERGER (GER) in the quarterfinal.

Up against former junior European silver medalist Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) in the semifinal Nichita once again came up with a fall and reach the final in which she will face Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) on Thursday.

Dollack had a close semifinal against Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR), who she defeated 9-8, thanks to a exposure with less than 10 seconds remaining.

Anastasiya YANATOVA U23 European Championships

At 50kg, former cadet European champion Anastasiya YANATOVA (BLR) had a dream run as she defeated Individual World Cup silver medalist Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) 10-10 en route the final.

Lisa ERSEL (GER) had build a 4-1 lead at the break in the semifinal but Yantova scored 12 unanswered points to win 13-4. She will take on Tiumerekova in the final.

The Russian showed why she is regarded highly in wrestling circles as she gave up only two points in three bouts before reaching the final. She began with a 7-0 win over Aynur ERGE (TUR) before claiming a pin over Taru VAINIONPAEAE (FIN) after leading 8-0 in the quarterfinal.

Maria LEORDA (MDA) did score two points on her but Tiumerekova was unstoppable as she ran to a 12-2 win.

Skirenko was the second Russian to enter the final as she defeated Aleksandrina KASHINOVA (BUL) 10-0 in the semifinal. Earlier, the bronze medalist at Russian Championships had defeated Dominika KULWICKA (POL) in the quarterfinal via fall.

Senior European bronze medalist Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) will challenge Skirenko in the final as she made her way to the summit clash after beating Beatrice FERENT (ROU) via fall. Esra PUL (TUR) had suffered a 1-7 loss at the hands of Demko in the quarterfinals earlier in the day.

Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) joined her teammate as she also made it to the final on Wednesday. Wrestling at 68kg, the multiple time age-group world medalist defeated Natallia BELSKAYA (BLR) 7-0 in the semifinal.

She began the day with a fall over Adina IRIMIA (ROU) after leading 8-0. Nesrin BAS (TUR) was the next to fall to Chudyk as she won 7-1.

From the other side of the bracket, Parfianovich reached the final after two exciting bouts. She first humbled junior and cadet world medalist Ewelina CIUNEK (POL) 15-13 in the quarterfinal before defeating Kendra DACHER (FRA), 6-2 in the semifinal.

The French had stunned junior European champion Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE) with a 7-7 victory.

Evgeniia ZHAKHARCHENKO U23 European Championships

At the heavyweight class, returning silver medalist Zakharchenko had some trouble reaching the final against Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR).

In the opening bout she was trailing before pulling off a 4-3 win against Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU). Bernadett NAGY (HUN) also gave a scare but the Russian held off for a 8-3 win.

The semifinal was a better show as she control the bout to win 8-0 against Enrica RINALDI (ITA).

Ozbege, however, had a much tougher semifinal and was trailing until the final 10 seconds she exposed Diana VLASCEANU (ROU) to her back and win 6-5.

Russia claim 2 gold, team title

Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) denied Russia a perfect outing in the finals of freestyle as he defeated Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS) via fall in the 125kg final to win the gold medal.

Three Russian wrestlers were competing for the gold medals on Wednesday but only two managed to win them. This, however, did not stop the country from winning the team title like they did two years back.

Russia finished with 196 points, thanks to four gold, three silver and three bronze medals. Turkey, who had three gold and three bronze medals finished second with 150 points. Azerbaijan was third with 140 points as they had only one gold, three silver and as many bronze medals.

Kilicsallayan changed gears in the second period of the bout after Tebloev had a 1-0 lead at the break. But a pushout and takedown gave the Turkey wrestler lead before he had Tebloev to his back to get the pin after leading 7-0.

Chermen VALIEV U23 European Championships

But the two other Russia wrestlers did not fail to do the job. Chermen VALIEV (RUS) was the first two win the gold at 74kg as he defeated Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) 4-0 in the final. Both the takedowns occured in the first period of the bout.

Valiev, who had a silver medal at the U23 World Championships at 70kg, is regarded as another top talent in the ever-growing list of 74kg wrestlers in Russia and around the world.

Amanula RASULOV (RUS) also gave his country a gold medal at 86kg after beating Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) 3-1 in the final. The wrestlers exchanged step outs but Rasulov's takedown proved to be the difference in the match.

Azerbaijan were denied their second gold medal of tournament in dramatic fashion when Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) lost to Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) 4-3 in the 92kg final.

Erhan YAYLACI

When the time expired, Nurmagomedov had won 3-3 on criteria but Yaylaci challenged for a pulled singlet in the final five seconds. The cameras did capture the Azerbaijan wrestler pulling Yaylaci's siglet which gave him the extra point and the win.

The sudden turn of events saw Azerbaijan camp in complete despair and in shock while Yaylaci celebrated his country's gold medal.

At 61kg, Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) claimed the lone gold medal for Georgia as he defeated Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM) 6-1 in the final. In the entire tournament, that one point for step out the only one which he conceded.

Wednesday will see wrestlers from the five remaining women's weight classes – 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg – fighting for a spot in the finals.

Results:

WW Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR) vs Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS)

SF 1: Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR) df Lisa ERSEL (GER), 13-4
SF 2: Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) df Maria LEORDA (MDA), 12-2

55kg
GOLD: Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) vs Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS)

SF 1: Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS) df Aleksandrina KASHINOVA (BUL), 10-0
SF 2: Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) df Beatrice FERENT (ROU), via fall

59kg
GOLD: Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) vs Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

SF 1: Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) df Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR), 9-8
SF 2: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), via fall

68kg
GOLD: Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) vs Oksana CHUDYK (UKR)

SF 1: Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) df Kendra DACHER (FRA), 6-2
SF 2: Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) df Natallia BELSKAYA (BLR), 7-0

76kg
GOLD: Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR) vs Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS)

SF 1: Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR) df Diana VLASCEANU (ROU), 6-5
SF 2: Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) df Enrica RINALDI (ITA), 8-0

Russia U23 Euro Championships

FS Medal Bouts

61kg
GOLD: Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) df Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM), 6-1

BRONZE: Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR) df Artem KRYVENKO (UKR), 13-8
BRONZE: Ruhan RASIM (BUL) df Nico MEGERLE (GER), 9-5

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (RUS) df Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM), 4-0

BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) df Isa DEMIR (TUR), 12-9

86kg
GOLD: Amanula RASULOV (RUS) df Orkhan ABASOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: Denys SAHALIUK (UKR) df Lars SCHAEFLE (GER), 4-3
BRONZE: Emre CIFTCI (TUR) df Andrian GROSUL (MDA), 3-1

92kg
GOLD: Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) df Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), 4-3

BRONZE: Azamat ZAKUEV (RUS) df Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR), 5-1
BRONZE: Gheorghe ERHAN (MDA) df Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 9-8

125kg
GOLD: Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) df Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS), via fall (7-2)

BRONZE: Yaraslau SLAVIKOUSKI (BLR) df Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR), 2-2
BRONZE: Vakhit GALAYEV (AZE) df Paris KAREPI (ALB), 5-1

#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open 2025 Day 3: Blades dominant, Jafarov injured

Friday, February 7, 2025 - 09:16 By United World Wrestling Press

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ZAGREB, Croatia (February 7) -- Zagreb Open enters day three with four Women's Wrestling weight classes and two Greco-Roman weight class. Paris Games silver medalist Kennedy BLADES (USA) at 76kg is moving down to 68kg and Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), bronze medalist in Paris at 67kg, is in action as well.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

13:30: Further problems for Iran. After Gholami's loss, Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) suffers a 6-1 loss to Valentin PETIC (MDA). Petic led 3-0 a the break but Mohsen Nezhad got two turns from par terre to make it 5-3 in the second period. Iran challenged that Petic committed a leg foul but it was seen on review that Mohsen Nezhad grabbed the singlet during par terre for the turns. The points were cancelled. A bodylock situation resulted in Petic falling on his back outside the zone but Mohsen Nezhad stepped out first make it 4-1. A desperate attempt from Mohsen Nezhad did not come through and gave Petic two more points

13:25: A front headlock throw from Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) gave him a 4-0 lead against Mohammadreza GHOLAMI (IRI). Joergensen got a turn from par terre to make it 7-0 but Gholami scored a stepout to reduce the lead to 7-1. But Norway challenged the call and it was a four-point throw from standing which made it 9-0 and Joergensen reached the final.

13:10: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) with a dominant win in the semifinal against Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) after he blocks the Uzbek in par terre and scores two points, a correct throw for two more and a gut wrench for two more to lead 6-1 at the break. A beautiful four-point throw in the second to finish the match 10-1. He will take on Dinislam BAMMATOV (AIN) who was quick in a 8-0 win over Ziya BABASHOV (AZE)

13:00: Kennedy BLADES (USA) is the gold medalist at 68kg. She has Round 5 left but as she has drubbed her all opponents, she will most likely remain as the top wrestlers. She just beat Noémi SZABADOS (HUN) 10-0.

12:50: Round 4 bout at 62kg saw Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) pull out a takedown and gut wrench with a second remaining to win 5-2 against Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL). Nwachukwu got one extra point for Dudova's lost challenge. She is the gold medalist at 62kg as she won all four of her bouts in the round-robin bracket.

12:40: An all Azerbaijan final at 59kg! Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) holds off Mariana CHERDIVARA (MDA) 3-1 while Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE) beats Michaela BECK (USA) 6-0 to enter the final

12:10: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) with a final second desperate move to beat AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) at 63kg. Keshtkar was trailing 2-0 when he got Khalmakhanov in a horizontal lift and brought him down in danger for four points. Khalmakhanov scored a counter for two but Keshtkar's big move gave the Iranian a 4-4 win. One point was added after Uzbekistan lost the challenge.

12:00: Kennedy BLADES (USA) was too quick for Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) at 68kg. She got a single leg for takedown. Blades then catches Hanzlickova in a bar on the edge and gets the fall just before the break. 

11:55: Daniial AGAEV (AIN) and Mohammadreza GHOLAMI (IRI) put on a show in their 67kg quarterfinal. Gholami, who last wrestled internationally at U17 World Championships in 2023 at 55kg, opened up a 5-1 lead at the break. However, Agaev with a takedown but gives up an exposure, giving Gholami a 7-3 lead and the win

11:45: U20 world champion Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) rolls out a top-class gut wrench and beats Nozimjon BOYKUZIEV (UZB) 8-3 and moves into the semifinal at 67kg. With Jafarov out, he is now the favorite to win gold.

11:35: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) was leading 7-0 against Valentin PETIC (MDA) but pulls out injured. Update: Jafarov has peeled his skin behind his ear after a rub with the mat. He is being treated in the hospital

11:25: Trademark double armlock and pin for Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) as she beats Karolina POK (HUN) at 68kg. Hanzlickova trusts that move with her life

11:20: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) with two activity points as she wins 2-0 against Nikolett SZABO (HUN) at 62kg.

11:15: Change in weight classes but no change in Kennedy BLADES (USA). She comes out with a throw and then arm bars Kendra DACHER (FRA) in the Round 2 bout at 68kg.

11:10: Former world champion at 63kg Sebastian NAD (SRB) and Farid KHALILOV (AZE) share a turn each from par terre but Nad does it in the second period and wins 3-3 at 67kg.

11:00: Hasrad JAFAROV (AZE), bronze medalist at the Paris Olympics, was staring at defeated with a minute remaining in his opening bout against Morten THORESEN (NOR) but is awarded a third passivity par terre and he does a reverse lift for four points and wins 5-1

10:55: In Round 1 at 65kg, Dinara KUDAEVA (AIN) pins Milla ANDELIC (CRO) while Eniko ELEKES (HUN) comes back from 4-0 to beat Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (AIN) 4-4.

10:50: Two bouts in Round 1 of 59kg and Azerbaijan has a great start. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) got a 5-0 win over Erika BOGNAR (HUN) while Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE) pinned Sofia MACALUSO (USA)

10:45: World bronze medalist Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) gave up an early point against Kendra DACHER (FRA) but manages to see her off 6-2 at 68kg. Hanzlickova became the first-ever Czech wrestler to win a world medal when she won bronze at 72kg in Tirana last year. 

10:30: Welcome to day three of the Zagreb Open Ranking Series event. With Freestyle done, we have four women's wrestling weight classes in action today -- 59kg, 62kg, 65kg and 68kg along with Greco-Roman in 63kg and 67kg.