#WrestleRome

In Rome, mini battles highlight Greco-Roman field

Saturday, June 18, 2022 - 11:07 By Vinay Siwach

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ROME, Italy (June 18) -- Out of the seven Greco-Roman weight categories in which Azerbaijan wrestlers are entered for the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event, all but two would see the country's wrestler receive a seed at the World Championships.

Azerbaijan is bringing a strong squad to the Ranking Series event, looking to select their team for the Islamic Games in August and later for the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia.

For that reason, Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) and Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) are all entered at 60kg weight class in Rome. But for the World Championships, they will be returning to their original weight classes. World silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) and world champion Rafiq HUSEYNOV (AZE) are the only two wrestlers who get an automatic selection to the national team.

U23 and U20 world champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) will be returning to the mat since winning a bronze medal at the European Championships and will be looking for his first Ranking Series medal at 67kg. But with Erik TORBA (HUN), Morten THORESEN (NOR) and Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) also entered in the same weight class, he will have to do better than the performance in Budapest.

Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN)Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) will be eyeing his second Ranking Series medal this year. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Apart from 60kg, an all-Azerbaijan battle will be at 97kg as Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) and Murat LOKIAYEV (AZE) look to earn a spot on the national team. But the weight class some of the top wrestlers entered. Tokyo fifth-place Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) will be eyeing his second Ranking Series medal of the year after winning silver in Istanbul. He also won a silver at the European Championships.

However, the second fifth-placer in Tokyo and World silver medalist Alex SZOKE (HUN) will be the favorite to win the weight class in Rome. Asian champion Mehdi BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI) will also be put to test against a strong European field. Two other strong medal contenders are Felix BALDAUF (NOR) and Mihail KAJAIA (SRB).

Going back to Istanbul, Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) had stunned Riza KAYAALP (TUR) with a fall at the first Ranking Series and the two can clash again at 130kg in Rome. But Kayaalp has since won the European Championships title and is looking to return to prime form as the World Championships approach.

Oslo bronze medalist Oskar MARVIK (NOR) and former U17 world champion Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA) are also entered.

Islam ABBASOV (AZE)Islam ABBASOV (AZE) won the gold at the first Ranking Series event in Istanbul. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 87kg, Islam ABBASOV (AZE) has now notched up two straight victories over world champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB). His first win came in Istanbul in the final while the second was in the European Championships semifinal. While Datunashvili is not entered for Rome, Abbasov will have to wrestle at the top of his potential if he wants to win the gold.

U23 world champion at 77kg Tamas LEVAI (HUN) will be a strong opponent along with U23 European champion Istvan TAKACS (HUN). Hungary has also entered 
Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) in the field at 87kg. Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) is also moving up to 87kg after finishing fifth at the World Championships at 82kg.

60kg world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA) will once again try to win a gold medal at 63kg after failing to do so at his first two tournaments of the year. He lost in the final to Isomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) in Istanbul before Etienne KINSINGER (GER) ended his quest for a European title Victor CIOBANU (MDA) with a 3-1 loss in the quarterfinals in Budapest.

Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU)Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) is the top ranked wrestler at 72kg. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Lituania's history maker Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) will be eyeing revenge against Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) as the Azerbaijan wrestler defeated him in the bronze medal bout at the European Championships. Apart from the two, European silver medalist Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) and gold medalist in Istanbul Selcuk CAN (TUR) will be threats to the gold medal.

At 77kg, U23 world silver medalist Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) will be involved in a battle against compatriot Ali Mohammad GHOLAMI (IRI) for a spot on the Iran national team. A similar battle will be for Hungary as defending champion Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) and European champion Robert FRITSCH (HUN) are entered.

Returning to international competition after a two-year gap, Kamal BEY (USA) will try to win a medal on his return. His last competition in 2020 was also the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series where he finished fifth. But after securing his spot on the USA team for the World Championships, Bey will be eyeing a winning start to the year internationally.

The Matteo Pellicone will begin Wednesday with seven Greco-Roman weight classes. Thursday will the remaining three Greco-Roman weight classes along with four women's wrestling categories. The remaining six along with two freestyle weight categories will be in action Friday before eight freestyle weight categories close out the action Saturday.

Live action and highlights from the Matteo Pellicone can be available on uww.org.

#WrestleSamokov

New challenges fail to stop Yakushenko as he defends gold

Sunday, August 24, 2025 - 08:28 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 23) -- When Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) reached the final of the World U20 Championships in Samokov, he was aware that he will be facing a new challenge in Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI), the other finalist.

In his career, Yakushenko had never wrestled an Iranian wrestler. With the pedigree of Iran in Greco-Roman especially in age-group competition, Yakushenko knew that Seydi will be a tough opponent.

With his U20 world title on line, Yakushenko planned his final against Seydi to perfection to beat the Iranian 5-2 and capture his second straight gold medal at the World U20 Championships. He became the first Ukrainian wrestler to win two gold medals in Greco-Roman at this age-group Worlds.

Yakushenko had the first par terre position and he lifted Seydi and then completed a correct throw for two points and lead 3-0. Seydi managed to close out the first period with a stepout and cut the lead to 3-1.

Seydi had his chance to score in the second period from par terre but Yakushenko was solid in his defense and did not give up any points. Seydi tried a few attacks in the final second but there was no score. Yakushenko got two more points for a go-behind in the final second to win 5-2.

Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR)Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) celebrates after becoming the world U20 champion for the second time. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

 

While Seydi was a new challenge, Yakushenko faced a familiar foe in Darius KIEFER (GER) in the semifinals on Friday. Kiefer, who had lost three previous bouts to Yakushenko got one back when he defeated the Ukrainian in the final of the U20 European Championships. Yakushenko wasn't keen to letting him get one more win.

"When I saw my bracket, I understood that in the semifinals I would face Kiefer who beat me at the European Championships," Yakushenko said. "I really wanted to beat him. I trained and prepared only for him, focused only on him. Before him, in earlier matches, I just wrestled for six minutes straight, just to warm up. The bracket overall was pretty easy."

Yakushenko still has one more year left in this age-group and he wants to win the third gold medal at the U20 World Championships next year. He also plans to debut in the senior category.

"I still have one more year left in this age-group and next year the third belt will be mine," he said. "Starting next year, I plan to compete at the seniors, qualify for the Senior European Championship, and to be a strong competitor."

However, to be on the Ukraine team, he will have beat a few senior wrestler and may find it slightly difficult than the U20s.

"At the senior level, we have good competition," he said. "But among juniors, not really. For example, before the U20 European Championships there was no one in my category. I had to call an old friend, Vladislav LUB, whom I had trained with. Thanks to him, I managed to push through, and because of him I improved a lot and beat Kiefer."

Among the medalist at 97kg was Ilia KOMAROV (UWW), younger brother of European 87kg champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB). Ilia defeated Andrej RODIN (CRO), 8-0, in the bronze medalist.

Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ)Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) celebrates after beating Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) in the 67kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Another returning champion was not as fortunate and Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) dropped his 67kg final to 2023 World U20 silver medalist Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ), 4-2, and finish with a silver medal.

Zakriev was hurt from the two stepouts Mirzaliev scored on him when was in the dominant position but the Kyrgyz wrestler switched the position and pushed Zakriev out.

The first such incident came in the second minute when Zakriev tried to push Mirzaliev towards the zone the Kyrgyz wrestler spun an arm-throw and managed to force a stepout for a 1-0 lead. Zakriev got one for himself to take make it 1-1 but Mirzaliev had the criteria according to the new Greco rule that when the score is 1-1 in bout, the first scorer will have criteria.

But Zakriev quickly made it 2-1. That's when the second instance of Mirzaliev getting a stepout when Zakriev was aggressive occurred. Zakriev had Mirzaliev in the zone when the latter hit the arm-throw but Zakriev kept his balance. He stepped out and conceded a point to Mirzaliev who now led 2-2 on criteria at the break.

The second period also began in this manger when Zakriev almost made Mirzaliev stepout but the Kyrgyz survived and circled inside. He then pushed Zakriev out and get a 3-2 lead. There no more points scored in the bout but Zakriev challenged at the end asking for passivity from Mirzaliev which was denied and he lost another point to lose 4-2.

The result is in contrast to the 10-0 win Zakriev scored on Mirzaliev just a month ago in Turkiye.

Payam AHMADI (IRI)Payam AHMADI (IRI) scores a takedown against Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) in the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Payam AHMADI (IRI) won the first gold medal for Iran at this World Championships when he defeated former world U17 champion Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE), 5-3, in the 55kg.

In one of most thrilling finals, Ahmadi needed an acrobatic summersault to not give up points to Dashdamirov in the final minute and defend his lead for the win.

Dashdamirov got the par terre position first but Ahmadi escaped with ease and without any trouble. Soon, Ahmadi scored a takedown and turned the Azerbaijani wrestler using a high gut-wrench for a 4-1 lead.

The second period saw Ahmadi on the aggressive and he tried a bodylock but Dashdamirov blocked it with an overarm and flipped Ahmadi for two points. Ahmadi now led 4-3 and Dashdamirov needed two points for a win with 2:40 remaining.

Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE)Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) hits a fireman carry for no points against Payam AHMADI (IRI) during the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Dashdamirov failed to find an opening until the last 15 seconds when he did a fireman carry but Ahmadi landed on his feet. Dashdamirov was awarded two points but Iran challenged and the points were removed as there was no danger position. With 4-3 score, Ahmadi defended for the last 7 seconds remaining and won the gold medal.

After drawing a blank in Ponteverdra, Spain last year, Armenia crowned a world U20 champion in Greco-Roman Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) defeated Ahmad KODIROV (UZB), 1-1, in the 72kg final and win the gold medal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Payam AHMADI (IRI) df. Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE), 5-3

BRONZE: Omur YNTYMAK UULU (KGZ) vs. Arsen ZHUMA (KAZ)
BRONZE: Anil MOR (IND) vs. Daisuke MORISHITA (JPN)

67kg
GOLD: Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) df. Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW), 4-2

BRONZE: Fayozbek ESHMIRZAEV (UZB) df. Gholamreza ABDOVALI (IRI), 5-1
BRONZE: Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) df. Takaku SUZUKI (JPN), 5-4

72kg
GOLD: Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) df. Ahmad KODIROV (UZB), 1-1

BRONZE: Oliver PADA (FIN) df. Arvid STRAAKEVED (SWE), 14-5
BRONZE: Yussuf ASHRAPOV (KAZ) df. Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE), 2-0

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI), 5-2

BRONZE: Darius KIEFER (GER) df. Amirkhon BERDIKULOV (UZB), 8-0
BRONZE: Ilia KOMAROV (UWW) df. Andrej RODIN (CRO), 8-0

Semifinals

63kg
GOLD: Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM) vs. AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB)

SF 1: Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM) df. Kristiyan MILENKOV (BUL), 9-0
SF 2: AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Damir IBRASHOV (KAZ), 8-0

77kg
GOLD: Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) vs. Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO)

SF 1: Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) df. Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW), 8-0
SF 2: Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) df. Kiryl VALEUSKI (UWW), 5-4

87kg
GOLD: Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) vs. Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW)

SF 1: Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) df. Elias LYYSKI (FIN), 6-0
SF 2: Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW) df. Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ), 8-0

130kg
GOLD: Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) vs. Ali ILIASOV (UWW)

SF 1: Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) df. Ivan YANKOVSKYI (UKR), 8-0
SF 2: Ali ILIASOV (UWW) df. Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI), 5-4 .