#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
 

#WrestleBudapest

Budapest Ranking Series Greco-Roman Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 20) -- The Budapest Ranking Series final day will see Greco-Roman action in seven weight classes -- 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, 67kg, 77kg, 82kg, 97kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

16:30: The end of the semifinals in Budapest. Giorgi MELIA (GEO) makes it to the 97kg final after a 5-1 victory over Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE). He will take on  Hayk KHLOYAN (ARM) who sneaks through with a 5-4 win over Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN).

16:12: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) gets the benefit of Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) defensive fouls and win 4-3 at 82kg semifinals. He will face Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW) for the gold who defeated Rafael IUNUSOV (UWW), 5-1.

16:00: Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) launches Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) for a huge four-pointer in the last minute and wins the 77kg semifinal 6-3 to set up a final against Sergei KUTUZOV (UWW) after he defeated Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) 8-6. Suleymanov was going well with a 6-0 lead but when Kutuzov got the par terre, he reverse lifted Suleymanov for a four and another for two points to lead 7-6. A lost challenge made it 8-6 for the win.

15:40: European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) rolls to a 8-0 technical superiority win over Daniial AGAEV (UWW) in the 67kg final. But there will be no all-Georgian final as Leri ABULADZE (GEO) drops his semifinal to Valentic PETIC (MDA) 5-3.

15:25: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) takes out European silver medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) 5-3 to enter the final at 63kg. Surprising win for Eriomenco but he will face Sergey EMELIN (UWW) for the gold medal. Emelin had a injury walkover in the other semifinal.

15:05: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) showing why he is the best in the world at 60kg as he beats Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) in a rematch of the European final. He defends most of Tibilov's attacks to win 3-2. He will face SUMIT (IND) in the 60kg final after the Indian pinned Galym KABDUNASSAROV (KAZ).

14:45: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) needs all the luck he can as he beats Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB), 5-5, on criteria in the 55kg semifinal. He will take on Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) for the gold medal after he defeated Alpamys DASTANBEK (KAZ), 8-0, in just a minute and 20 seconds.

Semifinals

14:15: Sergei KUTUZOV (UWW) scores turns from par terre and beats Asian champion Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) 9-0 to book a place in the semifinal against Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg.

14:00: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) keeps and simple and gets both par terre advantages in the against Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB) and beats him 4-0 at 60kg. This avenges his loss to Bakhramov at the Zagreb Open earlier this year.

13:55: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) takes out Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO) 5-5 in the 60kg quarterfinals via criteria. Tibilov will face Mammadli in the semifinal, a rematch of the European final which Mammadli won

13:40: SUMIT (IND) breaks Dahyun KIM (KOR) down with his pace and secures the fall after an early scare in the 60kg bout. He moves into the semifinals of the Ranking Series.

13:35: European champion Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) comes strong in defense, blocking Anil MOR (IND) when the Indian was trying to turn Sefershaev from par terre. He also pushed him out for a point. Sefershaev win 4-1 at 55kg. 

13:25: Alex SZOKE (HUN) sends the local crowd into frenzy after beating Artur SARGASIAN (UWW) 6-6 on criteria at 97kg. Szoke had three two point techniques while Sargasian managed only two and the Hungarian kept the criteria.

13:15: European silver medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) puts another clinical show and beats Ellis COLEMAN (USA) 6-1 at 63kg. He enters the semifinals.

12:45: World and European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) takes a little injury timeout before par terre but gets to work and finishes the bout against Seunghak KIM (KOR), 9-0, at 60kg.

12:20: Two huge losses as Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) drops his match 9-3 to SUMIT (IND) and on Mat D, Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (UWW) loses 9-0 to Dahyun KIM (KOR) at 60kg. Both were looking to be on the team to Zagreb but what unexpected losses.

12:00: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) manages to blank Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) in the opening round at 77kg. A takedown to open the scoring for Suleymanov before he scores a turn from par terre. Gutu challenges for the hand-below-waist but it's lost. A takedown in the second period and Suleymanov wins 8-0.

11:50: European champion Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) gives no chance to Artium DELEANU (MDA) and wins an easy 7-1 opening round.

11:45: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) and Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) are involved in a battle but it's the Moldovan who comes out on top 5-5 on criteria.

11:35: European silver medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) bosses his opening round bout at 63kg and beats Yerkebulan ARDAKOV (KAZ), 9-0 to advance. In the next match on Mat D, 

11:20: World U23 champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB), one of the most explosive wrestler in the world, wins his first bout at 63kg via disqualification of Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ). Ganiev was already leading 7-0 by then.

11:05: Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) opens with a 10-0 victory over Seungjun KIM (KOR) at 97kg. Savolainen has not enjoyed similar success like he did before the Paris Olympic cycle.  

10:55: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) needs a challenge to overturn a defeated to victory against Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB). Vardanyan got a exposure at the end but was not scored. However, he won the challenge and Nakibov is devasted.

10:40: Former world champion Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) wins his first bout at 77kg with a 1-1 score against Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) as he was the first to get the par terre points.

10:30: Welcome to the final day of the Budapest Ranking Series. It will be Greco-Roman action the whole day in seven weight classes