#WrestleBelgrade

Olympic Champs Vlasov, Chakvetadze Lead Russian Quartet into GR Finals

Saturday, December 12, 2020 - 20:14 By Andrew Hipps

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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
 

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 World Championships 2025 Day 1 Highlights

Monday, October 20, 2025 - 08:07 By Vinay Siwach

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NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 20) -- The eighth edition of the U23 World Championships begins in Novi Sad with around 700 wrestlers participating.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | U23 WORLDS PREVIEW

14:25: Razmik KURDYAN (ARM) hangs on a 3-2 win over Artur SARKISJAN (CZE) at 130kg and reaches the semifinals. Sarkisjan with a challenge, asking for a foul but reviews show no foul. The lost challenge gives Kurdyan a clear 3-2 lead.

14:20: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), bronze medalist at the World Championships, makes his way to the semifinals at 63kg. He needs only three minutes and 26 seconds to beat Adham ELSAYED (EGY).

14:00: Yassine BEN LABED (POL) has surprised everyone with his performance here in Novi Sad. After beating Ruben GEVORGYAN (ARM) and Deni NAKAEV (GER), he now beats Brian RUIZ MARIN (VEN) 2-1 and marches into the semifinals at 87kg.

13:55: A 41-second technical superiority win for Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) at 130kg. He scores a takedown and three turns from par terre to win 9-0

13:50: Levente LEVAI (HUN) into the semifinals at 77kg after a 3-1 win over Samvel TERTERYAN (ARM). A turn from par terre gave him a 3-0 lead and he escaped easily when he was put on par terre.

13:40: Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB) with a strong defense in the final minutes against Ahoura BOUVEIRI PIANI (IRI) and hands him a 2-1 loss at 77kg. Nakibov did not allow Bouveiri Piani any openings.

13:25: A quick win for world champion Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) against Leon RIVALTA (ITA) at 87kg. He works on a reverse lift before controlling Rivalta on the mat for the fall. He enters the semifinals.

13:02: Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) hands Iran its first loss of the tournament as he beats Mohammad ABOUTALEBI NAVID (IRI) 3-1 at 63kg. Aboutablebi Navid failed to score any points from par terre.

13:00: Defending champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) scores three turns par terre after taking a 3-0 lead to start his campaign with a 9-0 technical superiority win at 130kg against Saba CHILASHVILI (GEO).

12:40: Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (FRA) moves into the quarterfinal at 87kg with a 3-1 victory over Maksat SAILAU (KAZ). He got the turn from par terre while Sailau did not.

12:20: Levente LEVAI (HUN) looks unstoppable at 77kg. He posts his second win, 9-0, against Benjamin HANSEN (NOR) after using a trap-arm and finish the match

12:00: Ahoura BOUVEIRI PIANI (IRI) gets the first par terre against Yeldos KAMELOV (KAZ) and scores a turn to lead 3-0 but he steps out when trying to lift Kamelov again. Iran challenge the call but lose the challenge. Bouveiri Piani scores a takedown and stepout next but Kazakhstan challenge for a foul. Kazakhstan lose the challenge and Bouveiri Piani leads 7-2 at the break. A scramble but Kamelov scores the stepout. Bouveriri Piani answers with a takedown to lead 9-3, before going up one. A stepout makes it 10-5 and he hands on to his lead to win at 77kg.

11:55: Big match at 77kg as Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) faces Temuri ORJONIKIDZE (GEO). Solovei cannot score from par terre but Orjonikidze hits a four to lead 5-1 in the second period. Solovei scores back to back takedown to make it 5-5 but Orjonikidze leads on criteria with a minute left. Solovei with a stepout to make it 6-5. Georgia challenges the call, and on review, it is actually Solovei who stepped out and Orjonikidze who wins 6-5

11:20: Recent world bronze medalist Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) rolls Nurdaulet KAPAS (KAZ) four times from par terre and gets a 9-0 win at 63kg.

11:05: European U23 silver medalist Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (FRA) failed to score from par terre but he manages a takedown before the break to lead 3-0 against Mahmoud IBRAHIM (EGY). He counters Ibrahim from par terre in the second period and holds his 6-1 lead to win at 87kg.

10:55: World 82kg champion Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) makes his debut at 87kg and rolls to a 8-0 technical superiority win over Lachin VALIYEV (AZE).

10:35: Samvel TERTERYAN (ARM) took a 5-0 lead and was going to hang on to it before Isami HORIKITA (JPN) mounted a comeback. But the Japanese wrestler could score only four points and Terteryan won 5-4 at 77kg

10:25: European champion at 72kg Levente LEVAI (HUN) begins with a 5-0 blanking of Davud MAMMADOV (AZE) at 77kg in Novi Sad.

10:00: Welcome to day one of the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad. Greco-Roman action will kick off with 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg.