#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 5: FS 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg

By United World Wrestling Press

BELGRADE, Serbia (November 5) -- As we move towards the business end of the tournament, freestyle action takes center stage at the U23 World Championships in the Serbian capital. Wrestlers from 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg will be on the mat for their qualification and semifinal Friday.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The semifinals for freestyle will begin at 1645 local time and we will be back for that. Thank you for following and join us for the next session.

1520: What a bout closing out the session! Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) was down 3-4 with about 15 seconds left and then he scores two points via takedown on the edge. Refs white paddle it but Armenia challenge and win it. 5-4 to Tevanyan with nine seconds left. He wins 5-4

1510: Aliakbar FAZLIKHALILI (IRI) and Akmataliev match each other for attacks but it's the latter who has a 4-2 lead. But Fazlikhalili continues to attack. Akmataliev continues to counter. It's 10-6 Akmataliev with 10 seconds to go. It stays that way and Akmataliev makes his way to the semifinals at 70kg

1505: Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) was trailing 0-2 with just seven seconds left but he scored a takedown and leveled it 2-2 to earn the victory and move into the semifinal of 65kg.

1450: Two big matches coming up as Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) is wrestling on Mat A while Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) in on Mat C. 

1425: Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) led 8-6 against Rezuan KAZHAROV (RUS) when the two arm-locked each other and went out of bounds. The refs called it no points but the Kazakhstan corner challenged it asking for two points. Challenge lost and it became 8-8 with Talgat leading on criteria. Kazharov then scores a final second takedown to win 10-8

1410: Jonathan AIELLO (USA) for the win! He scores a takedown to lead 4-4 on criteria and then hangs on to it to win against Shamil GADZHIALIEV (RUS). He will wrestle in the 97kg semifinals

1400: Strong start from Oslo Worlds silver medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) at 70kg. He gives up two exposure points but has no trouble scoring 12 unanswered points to win 12-2 and reach the quarterfinals

1355: Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) is keeping it simple here. He scores a controlled 4-1 win over PARVINDER (IND). Great defense from the former cadet world champion

1330: The quarterfinals at 97kg are set.

1. Zuriko URTASHVILI (GEO) vs Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)
2. Radu LEFTER (MDA) vs Milan KORCSOG (HUN)
3. Shamil GADZHIALIEV (RUS) vs Jonathan AIELLO (USA)
4. Sahil AHLAWAT (IND) vs Danylo STASIUK (UKR)  

1315: Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) continues his winning run and moves into the quarters with a 10-0 thrashing of Oktay HASAN (BUL).

1250: Mohammadnezhadjavan with a big four after Glory's exposure but the USA wrestler still leads. A lot of scramble there and it's 11-5 for Glory. The Iran wrestler has less than a minute to win this. He gets a takedown and then a gut to make it 11-9. He is looking for another gut and gets it on the edge. 11-11. 18 seconds to go. He defends the criteria lead

1240: Patrick GLORY (USA) and Ahmad MOHAMMADNEZHADJAVAN (IRI) are in an intense battle but it's Glory who leads at the half way mark 5-1

1220: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) had a tough one to start against Shamil USTAEV (GER) but he hangs on for a 3-1 win. A takedown the difference

1200: Toktogul Uulu with a hard-fought win over Arushanian! They traded a takedown each but the Kyrgyzstan wrestler led 4-3 with ten seconds remaining. Arushanian tries hard to get a step out but Uulu circles back as time expire

1145: Pilidis gave up the lead 2-2 on criteria but he finds a final attack with a double leg and score two points to win 4-2. On the other side on Mat A, junior Euro champion Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) is facing Aibek TOKTOGUL UULU (KGZ).

1130: Junior world silver Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) gets a walkover in his first bout. We have to wait a little more to see him in action on the mat. Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympian Georgios PILIDIS (GRE) is making his way on Mat C

1120: Ibragim ABDURAKHMANOV (RUS) could not have asked for a better World Championships debut as he beats Colin REALBUTO (ITA) 11-0 with a strong leg lace

1110: On Mat B, Asian silver medalist Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) scores four straight points to beat VICKY (IND) 4-4 in the opening round at 79kg. It was a little tense for Iran there

1100: Junior Euro bronze Ramaz TURMANIDZE (GEO) is up against Saurabh IGAVE (IND). Two points to start for Igave and then he adds a four-point throw. Turmanidze starts the second period with a four-point and then adds a takedown to make it 7-6. Igave has locked a double leg and he will finish leading 8-7. The Georgian with a front headlock for exposure for two. India reversal and it's 10-9 Igave. Georgia challenge

1030: Welcome to day five of the U23 World Championships in Belgrade. The freestyle wrestlers are ready to begin the day. Another rainy day in the Serbian capital. We will have a few repechage bouts before moving to the qualifications.