#kaspeuro2018

Olympic Champ Vlasov, Silver Medalist Kaayalp Punch Ticket to Euro Finals

Monday, April 30, 2018 - 20:18 By Tim Foley

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KASPIYSK, Russia (April 30) – As youngsters looked to emerge on day one of wrestling in Dagestan, it was the Old Guard, led by Rio Olympic champion Roman VLASOV (RUS) and silver medalist Riza KAYAALP (TUR), showing fans they were still to be considered among the continent's best.

Vlasov had one of the day’s tougher semifinal matchups, facing 2015 European Games champion Elvin MURSALIYEV (AZE) at 77kg. The two-time Olympic champion used plenty of veteran savvy to earn the one-point passivity early and then immediately tack on two more points for a successful lift at the edge of the mat.

The Russian earned a pushout late in the first to make it 4-0 heading into the second period, which proved to be the last points scored. The win avenged a 20176 loss Vlasov suffered to Mursaliyev, 2-2. Vlasov will face defending world champion Viktor NEMES (SRB) who beat Alex Michel BJURBERG KESSIDIS (SWE), 2-0 in the night's other 77kg semifinal.

Kayaalp standing tall during early round action at the 20187 European Championships in Kaspiysk. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne) 

For Kayaalp the night’s on-the-mat activity seemed rote as he plodded through opponents with his bullying style of aggressive heads up wrestling. The barrel-chested Kayaalp came out firing in in his seminal match against Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) earning a quick go behind takedown, followed only moments later by a gut wrench. He would take the lead the rest of the way and head to the finals with a 4-0 victory.

Kaayalp, who is looking for his eighth European titles, will face 2017 European bronze medalist Vitalii SHCHUR (RUS) in Tuesday’s finals. The Russian made his way to the finals on the back of an early four-point throw against Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO). The move propelled Shchur to a 5-4 and his first European finals.

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) survived this five-point throw to climb back for an impressive 9-7 semifinal victory. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) took a curious route to the 55kg finals, finding himself down 7-0 to Vasilil TOPOEV (RUS) within the first :45 seconds of the 55kg semifinals. Topoev opened the match with a quick slide by takedown and then immediately lifted his Azerbaijani opponent for an incredible, picturesque five-point throw.

Azizli scored a single point in the first period, but in the second came back with eight unanswered points off a two-point takedown, two-point gut wrench and the decisive four-point front headlock with 1:30 remaining in the bout.

Azizili will face Estonia’s Helary MAEGISALU (EST) tomorrow after he bested Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), 4-4 in the night’s other 55kg semifinal.

Stig-Andrew BERGE (NOR) returns to the European finals for the first time since 2007. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

At 63kg it was Rio bronze medalist Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) who used a second period arm drag to top Donior ISLAMOV (MDA), 2-1. Berge will meet Mihai Radu MIHUT (ROU) in the finals after the Romanian bested Russia’s Zaur KABALOEV, 7-5.

Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) dominated Mikita KLIMOVICH (BLR) at 87kg. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

In the 87kg semifinals Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) made easy work of Mikita KLIMOVICH (BLR) earning the 8-0 technical fall with 2:20 left in the match, largely through a series of first-period gut wrenches. The young Georgian will face Bekkhan OZDOEV (RUS) in the finals after the Russian edged Azerbaijan’s Islam ABBASOV, 4-3 in a heart-pounding semifinal.

Finals for the first five Greco-Roman matches will begin Tuesday at 7pm local time.

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Greco-Roman, 55kg

GOLD: Helary MAEGISALU (EST) vs. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)

Semifinal: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. VasilII TOPOEV (RUS), 9-7

Semifinal: Helary MAEGISALU (EST) df. Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), 4-4

 

Greco-Roman, 63kg

GOLD: Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) vs. Mihai Radu MIHUT (ROU)

Semifinal: Mihai Radu MIHUT (ROU) df. Zaur KABALOEV (RUS), 7-5

Semifinal: Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) df. Donior ISLAMOV (MDA), 2-1

 

Greco-Roman, 77kg

GOLD: Roman VLASOV (RUS) vs. Viktor NEMES (SRB)

Semifinal: Viktor NEMES (SRB) df. Alex Michel BJURBERG KESSIDIS (SWE), 2-0

Semifinal: Roman VLASOV (RUS) df. Elvin MURSALIYEV (AZE), 4-0

 

Greco-Roman, 87kg

GOLD: Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) vs. Bekkhan OZDOEV (RUS)

Semifinal: Bekkhan OZDOEV (RUS) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 4-3

Semifinal: Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) df. Mikita KLIMOVICH (BLR) by TF, 8-0

 

Greco-Roman, 130kg

GOLD: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) vs. Vitalii SHCHUR (RUS)

Semifinal: Vitalii SHCHUR (RUS) df. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO), 5-4

Semifinal: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU), 4-0

#WrestleBudapest

Grace Bullen Move: Outside Trip That Defines European Champ

Thursday, July 9, 2026 - 10:31 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 9) -- Grace BULLEN (NOR) lost the most important match of her career while attempting her trademark outside trip, trying to finish the bout with a fall. It came in the Paris 2024 Olympic Games semifinal against Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), who countered with a neck bridge, tossing Bullen over for the fall.

UWW+

Despite the mixed results the move has produced over the years, Bullen did not hesitate to use it in the 2026 European Championships final against Amina TANDELOVA (RUS). Trailing 9-0, Bullen hooked her left foot behind Tandelova's heel and brought her down for the fall.

Three months after their epic European 62kg final, Bullen and Tandelova will be at the Budapest Ranking Series from July 15 to 19, the last stop to gain ranking points before the World Championships.

They will be joined by a strong field that includes former world champion Qi ZHANG (CHN), world bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), and European medalists Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) and Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR).

The field also includes Ana GODINEZ (CAN) and former U20 world champion Eniko ELEKES (HUN), who will have the backing of the home crowd. Two Indians, MANSI (IND) and SAVITA (IND), are also entered among others.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) performs the outside trip against Amina TANDELOVA (RUS) during the 62kg final at the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

The same move also rescued Bullen at the Tirana Ranking Series, where she trailed Mansi before winning 6-5.

Speaking after winning European gold, Bullen acknowledged both the risk and the reward of the move.

"I know it's my go-to when I'm down, but I also lost in that situation, the same place," Bullen said. "I know how it is being on the receiving end, also being an attacker in that situation. But glad it worked out for me.

"It's more risky that way and just locking the leg and going forward it's much less risky, especially for me."

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Grace Bullen (@gracebullen7)

 

A pivotal career decision saw Bullen relocate her training base to Georgia under coach Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI. Since moving to 62kg, she has won world and Olympic medals and established herself as one of the division's most dangerous wrestlers. The demanding training in Georgia and the move up in weight have transformed her wrestling and her mindset, even if the results have occasionally fluctuated.

"I'm also getting older," she said. "I have to be wise with how I train and so I keep my shape."

That experience has also made Bullen more patient than she was five years ago.

"I've years of experience in wrestling," she said. "I take losses with a greater smile than I ever did before. Just knowing that this year I was in two ranking series competitions and only won one match, I am more patient with everything. I know that even though I lose, I can win in the future."