#WrestleBelgrade

Olympic Champs Vlasov, Chakvetadze Lead Russian Quartet into GR Finals

By Andrew Hipps

Link: Day 1 Photos

BELGRADE, Serbia (December 12) -- Olympic champions Roman VLASOV (77kg) and Davit CHAKVETADZE (87kg) led a quartet of Russian finalists in Greco-Roman on the opening day of the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia.

The Individual World Cup marks international wrestling's return to competition after 270 days. 

Vlasov, a two-time Olympic champion, advanced to the 77kg finals with a 2-1 semifinal victory Viktor NEMES (SRB) in a battle of world champions. Vlasov scored a passivity in the first. Nemes came back to take the criteria lead off a passivity before Vlasov retook the lead with a passivity and held on for the win

He will meet European silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the 77kg finals. Levai edged Yasaf ZEINALOV (UKR) 1-1 on criteria in the semifinals. The Hungarian scored the first point off a passivity to go up 1-0. Levai scored a passivity point of his own in the second period to take the criteria lead, which would prove to be the difference in the match.

Davit CHAKVETADZE throws Hossein NOURI (IRI) in the semifinals at 87kg (Photo/Kadir CALISKAN, UWW)

Chakvetadze dominated 2017 world bronze medalist Hossein NOURI (IRI) 7-0 in the semifinals at 87kg. The Russian Olympic gold medalist used a four-point throw to go up 5-0 in the first period. He added two step outs in the final period while shutting down Nouri.

Opposing Chakvetadze in the 87kg finals will be Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR), who rolled to a technical superiority over Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) in the semifinals. Maskevich led 4-3 at the break before pulling away in the second period on the strength of a four-point throw. 

Russia's other finalists are Emin SEFERSHAEV (55kg) and Nazir ABDULLAEV (67kg).

The 22-year-old Sefershaev moved into the 55kg finals with a 9-0 technical superiority over Balbai DORDOKOV (KGZ). Sefershaev scored an early takedown to go up 2-0. He extended his lead to 3-0 with a passivity point. Late the in period, Sefershaev scored two points off an arm throw before finishing the match with a four-point throw. Earlier in the day, Sefershaev knocked off 2018 world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE).

Sefershaev will meet Serif KILIC (TUR) for the gold medal. Kilic, a silver medalist at the Zagreb Open last month, was dominant in claiming a 10-0 technical superiority in one minute over Artiom DELEANU (MDA) in the semifinals. He scored a four-point move early in the match, and then used a gut wrench to go up 6-0 before finishing the match with another four-point throw.


Olympic champion Davor STEFANEK (SRB) fell in the quarterfinals before announcing his retirement (Photo: Kadir CALISKAN, UWW)

Abdullaev turned in an impressive showing on the opening day. After starting his tournament with a victory over Roman PACURKOWSKI (POL), Abdullaev handled Rio Olympic champion Davor STEFANEK (SRB) 7-1 in the quarterfinals. After the match, Stefanek left his shoes on the mat, signifying his retirement from the sport after 17 years on the senior level. 

In the semifinals, Abdullaev cruised to a 9-0 technical superiority over Khalmurat IBRAGIMOV (KGZ) in the semifinals. Abdullaev led 2-0 at the break before opening up the scoring in the second period to end the match early. 


Islambek DADOV (AZE) lifts Artur POLITAIEV (UKR) in the 67kg semifinals (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

In the second semifinal at 67kg, Islambek DADOV (AZE) advanced to the finals with an 8-2 win over Artur POLITAIEV (UKR). Dadov led 1-0 at the break and then extended his lead to 4-0 in the second period. Politaiev cut the deficit to 4-2 late in the match before trying a desperation move in the closing moments, giving Dadov four points and a six-point victory.

Balint KORPASI (HUN) and Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) reached the finals at 72kg.

Korpasi won a hard-fought match, 3-1, over Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) in a battle of multiple-time world medalists. The 33-year-old Hungarian scored the only point of the opening period off a passivity. In the second period, Mnatsakanian scored his first point off a passivity to take the criteria lead. Mnatsakanian then attempted a gut wrench but Korpasi countered and scored two points to take the 3-1 lead in what turned out to be the final scoring sequence of the match. 

Amoyan shut out Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR) 7-0 in the second semifinal at 72kg. Amoyan raced out to a 5-0 lead on the strength of a four-point throw in the opening period. He added a takedown in the second period to win by seven.

Action resumes Sunday at 11:00 local time with Greco-Roman qualification rounds at 60kg, 63kg, 82kg, 97kg and 130kg.

Greco-Roman Semifinal Results

55kg
Serif KILIC (TUR) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA) by VSU, 10-0
Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) df. Balbai DORDOKOV (KGZ) by VSU, 9-0
 
67kg
Nazir ABDULLAEV (RUS) df. Khalmurat IBRAGIMOV (KGZ) by VSU, 9-0
Islambek DADOV (AZE) df. Artur POLITAIEV (UKR) by VPO1, 8-2
 
72kg
Balint KORPASI (HUN) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), by VPO1, 3-1
Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR) by VPO, 7-0

77kg
Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) df. Yasaf ZEINALOV (UKR) by VPO1, 1-1
Roman VLASOV (RUS) df. Viktor NEMES (SRB) by VPO1, 2-1

87kg
Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) df. Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) by VSU1, 11-3
Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS) df. Hossein NOURI (IRI) by VPO, 7-0
 

#WrestleBelgrade

Live Blog, U23 World Championships Day 1: GR 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg, 130kg

By United World Wrestling Press

BELGRADE, Serbia (November 1) -- The U23 World Championships get underway in Belgrade, Serbia with Greco-Roman action. Five weight classes -- 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg, 130kg -- will be in action on day one of the competitions at the Belexpocentar.

MATCH ORDER | WATCH LIVE

1430: That will do for the morning session of the first day at the U23 World Championships. Iran puts four in the semifinals while Russia has three. We will be back for the semifinals at 1800 local time

1420: Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) comes from behind to score a 10-5 win over Erkan ERGEN at 77kg and secures a place in the semifinals

1410: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) looks unstoppable today! He beats Anton SAVENKO (KAZ) and moves into the semifinals at 130kg. At 55kg, Taylor LA MONT (USA) is into the semifinals after beating Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO) 6-3

1350: Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) gets the fall! He moves on to the semifinal at 87kg after beating Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR)

1330: Abuladze is called passive and Tibilov gets the lift. He is unable to score and it's the Georgian who lands on top and scores 2. Russia challenges the call. It stands. A point for the lost challenge as well. Abuladze leads 6-1. Pushout adds one more. He hangs on for a 7-3 win

1320: We are beginning with the quarterfinals here in Belgrade. A big bout on Mat A as Leri ABULADZE (GEO) takes on Georgii TIBILOV (RUS). The Russian is called passive and Abuladze gets a roll to lead 3-0 at the break

1300: A battle worthy of a final but we saw it in the 1/8 finals. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) and Mikhail LAPTAEV (RUS) in an intense battle but the Iranian comes out on top 2-1. He moves on into the quarterfinals.

1230: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) was called passive twice but he defends the par terre position against Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) and won 1-1 at 55kg 

1210: No stopping Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS)! He defeats 2020 Asian champion Sunil KUMAR (IND) 6-2 to move into the quarterfinals at 87kg

1200: 2019 World bronze medalist Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) has no trouble going past NEERAJ (IND) at 63kg. Easy 9-0 win for the Iranian

1145: World silver medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO) doesn't take much time to get his first win over Assaukhat MUKHAMADIYEV (KAZ). He wins 5-1 at 63kg.  

1130: U23 Euro champion Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) with the fireworks. A big throw to secure a 9-0 win over Andrej GINC (GER) at 63kg

1115: Nikoloz TCHIKAIDZE (GEO) was trailing 1-5 in the opening round at 77kg but makes a comeback to beat Lamjed MAAFI (TUN) 8-5

1100: Tokyo Olympian and Asian champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) has put the right steps to start his tournament. He wins 6-1 against Nikola MILATOVIC (NOR) 

1050: Another great start for Russia as Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) makes it look easy against Nikolaos NTOUNIAS (GRE) with a 9-1 win. 

1040: U23 European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) with a big 3-1 win Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) to get going at the 87kg 

1030: Welcome to the U23 World Championships! A day after the UWW Congress where Nenad LALOVIC was re-elected as the UWW President, the limelight shifts to wrestling. Greco-Roman will get us going.