Russia and Georgia Grab Pair of Greco-Roman Olympic Berths

Saturday, March 20, 2021 - 19:25 By Eric Olanowski

BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 20) --- Russia and Georgia collected a pair of Olympic berths through Saturday’s Tokyo qualification round at the European Olympic Qualifier.

Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS) and Sergey SEMENOV (RUS) reached Saturday’s finals and brought Russia’s Greco-Roman Olympic berths total to five out of six weights, while Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) and Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) guaranteed a pair of Georgian Olympic licenses at 67kg and 87kg, respectively, after they each scored nine points en route to their semifinal victories.

At 77kg, Chekhirkin stepped up big after replacing two-time Olympic champion Roman VLASOV (RUS) on less than a weeks notice. He squeezed out a 7-6 win over Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL). Chekhirkin, the ’17 world champion, faced a 4-0 deficit in the first period but scored six unanswered points and gained the two-point lead. He surrendered a takedown and fell behind 6-6 on criteria but snatched a stepout and earned Russia's 77kg Olympic berth, 7-6.

His finals opponent will be now-two-time Olympian Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO). Starcevic qualified Croatia for the Olympic Games at 77kg with a 3-1 win over Oldrich VARGA (CZE).

Semenov was the second Russian Greco-Roman wrestler to book a ticket to Tokyo on Saturday. He was in such a hurry to get off the mat that he pinned Adam VARGA (HUN) in 98 seconds.

Semenov will take on Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU), who punched Lithuania’s 130kg Olympic ticket with a controlling 4-1 semifinal win over Knystautas KRAJEWSKI (POL).

Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) was one of two Georgian wrestlers who earn an Olympic berth on Saturday. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Georgia was the second nation that had a pair of wrestlers earn Olympic berths on Saturday.

Zoidze was the first Georgian to win a semifinal bout. He eased his way to a 9-1 win over the slim and slender Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM). He'll wrestle Hungarian world champion Balint KORPASI (HUN) in Sunday’s finals.

Korpasi dominated Donior ISLAMOV (MDA), 6-0, and handed Hungary a spot at 67kg at the Olympic Games. He has world medals trickled throughout his resume, but the one thing the former world champion's resume was missing was an Olympic appearance. At 33-year-old, that's all going to change as he’s expected to be Hungary’s representative in Japan later this year.

Gobadze was Georgia’s second wrestler to claim an Olympic license on Saturday. Despite trailing early, the ’19 world champ emptied his gas tank and earned the 9-5 win over Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS). Gobadze’s come-from-behind win stopped Russia from earning an Olympic berth at each of the six weight classes.

Kerem KAMAL (TUR) was Turkey's lone wrestler to punch an Olympic ticket on Saturday. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Meanwhile, Bulgaria, Finland, Germany, and Turkey each earned a solo Tokyo berth on Saturday night.

Turkey came into the European Olympic Qualifier with four wrestlers who had high hopes of adding to their nation’s pair of Olympic berths. But after failing to reach the semifinals at 67kg, 77kg and 87kg, they turned to 21-year-old Kerem KAMAL (TUR) to save the day.

With the pressure of a nation on his back, the energetic spark plug dug deep against Erik TORBA (HUN) and ended Hungary’s 60kg bid for an Olympic berth with a one-point victory.

As always, Kamal came out on fire. He tossed everything he had into an early correct throw (six seconds into the first period) and controlled the slim 2-0 advantage. His Hungarian opponent was hit with inactivity and placed down in the par terre position. The two-time European medalist lost focus for a split second and surrendered a reversal and an exposure. Trailing on criteria, Kamal picked up what ultimately proved to be the match-deciding takedown before the first period came to an end.

He stayed composed in the second period and became the third Turkish Greco-Roman wrestler (97kg and 130kg) to punch his ticket to the Olympic Games with a 5-4 victory.

Kamal will wrestle Etienne KINSINGER (GER) for gold on Sunday night.

The German hit one of the craziest four-points throws to steal the Olympic berth from Murad MAMMADOV (AZE).

Kinsinger trailed 3-1 late in the second period when he took a peek over at the clock and realized there was only ten seconds left. In what appeared to be a "flying squirrel" attempt, he left his feet, got his hands locked on a side headlock and tossed everything he had into one final attempt. Kinsinger rolled his Azeri opponent over his back and picked up four points. As the clock struck zero, he realized he punched Germany's ticket to the Olympic Games at 67kg and let out a massive roar in excitement.

Although it wasn’t pretty by any means, Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) got the job done at the end of the day and qualified Finland for the Olympic Games at 97kg. Despite having two cautions against him and trailing 5-1 with less than a minute left, the Finnish wrestler stunned Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) with a four-point throw to earn the 5-5 criteria victory.

Savolaninen will take on ’18 world silver medalist Kiril MILOV (BUL) in the finals. Milov qualified Bulgarian for the Olympics after he walked to a 9-0 shutout win over Artur OMAROV (CZE), 9-0.

The Greco-Roman finals begin at 18:00 on Sunday and can be followed live on www.uww.org.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) vs. Etienne KINSINGER (GER)
SEMIFINAL - Etienne KINSINGER (GER) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-3
SEMIFINAL - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Erik TORBA (HUN), 5-4

67kg
GOLD - Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) vs. Balint KORPASI (HUN)
SEMIFINAL - Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM), 9-1
SEMIFINAL - Balint KORPASI (HUN) df. Donior ISLAMOV (MDA), 6-0

77kg
GOLD - Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO) vs. Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 7-6
SEMIFINAL - Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO) df. Oldrich VARGA (CZE), 3-1

87kg
GOLD - Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) vs. Islam ABBASOV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Islam ABBASOV (AZE) df. Ramon BETSCHART (SUI), 6-1
SEMIFINAL - Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) df. Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS), 9-5

97kg
GOLD - Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) vs. Kiril MILOV (BUL)
SEMIFINAL - Kiril MILOV (BUL) df. Artur OMAROV (CZE), 9-0
SEMIFINAL - Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) df. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), 5-5

130kg
GOLD - Sergey SEMENOV (RUS) vs. Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU)
SEMIFINAL - Sergey SEMENOV (RUS) df. Adam VARGA (HUN), via fall
SEMIFINAL - Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) df. Rafal KRAJEWSKI (POL), 4-1

#WrestleBudapest

India Crowns Two #WrestleBudapest Champions; Russia Bounces Back

Tuesday, July 20, 2021 - 20:07 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 20) --- India won the head-to-head battle in the finals against USA to claim two gold medals as five new world champions were crowned at the cadet World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. USA, Russia and Iran won the remaining three titles.

Aman GULIA (IND) defeated Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) at 48kg and Sagar JALGAN (IND) won the 80kg final against James ROWLEY (USA) which helped India stay alive in the team title race.

The second day of the Championships saw the medal bouts of 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg and 110kg while the finalists were also decided in the remaining five weight classes – 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg and 92kg. The remaining medal bouts will take place Wednesday.

Gulia was the first champ as he held off Pan Am champion Lilledahl in the 48kg final 5-2. The Indian was awarded the first point for the American's passivity and he later extended his lead to 3-0, scoring a takedown via slide-by.

In the second period, he went for a big double but Lilledalh was quick to push his legs back and counter for a takedown and reduce the lead to 3-2. But his attempts for another two points for the win went in vain as Gulia defended the duck-under attacks. A counter gave two more points to Gulia.

“I have worked really hard to reach here,” Gulia said. “I can't thank my coaches enough and I would ask them to train me harder for the junior and senior level and ultimately the Olympics.”

In the second India-USA final, Jaglan showed a stronger stamina than Rowley to win 4-0 ay 80kg. All four points were scored via stepouts as Rowley looked a shadow of himself from Monday. Rowley found it difficult to sneak through Jaglan's defence which remained solid throughout the four minutes.

Meyer SHAPIRO USA Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) won the 65kg gold in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

But it was not all disappointment for USA as Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) won the 65kg gold medal with a stunning win over Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO). He got the fall after completely breaking his Georgian opponent.

Gogritchiani led early in the bout but Shapiro, with his constant pressure and attacks, wore down the Georgian and by the last minute, he had the bout under his control.

“I did not have any plan and had a blank mind as I wrestled,” Shapiro said. “I wanted to remain calm and with a minute and 30 seconds remaining, I knew the kid is not going to last long. I knew by that time that I will win the match."

Shapiro, with his high-paced wrestling, worked two takedowns as Gogritchiani crumbled and gave up. “When I got the first takedown, I got the momentum. That was 50 seconds remaining,”

The 17-year-old called it his biggest win and said he will be taking some time off wrestling after two grueling months of training.

“Definitely the biggest tournament I have won, he said. “Especially to come from behind and win. I had a great tournament. I am going to take some time off wrestling and go home and relax.”

Amirreza Fardin MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) became a world champion at the 110kg weight class. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran had a special moment in Budapest as Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI), son of two-time world medalist and 2008 Olympics fifth-placer Fardin, won the gold medal at 110kg.

Wrestling against James MULLEN (USA), Masoumi Valadi scored two four-point throws and then a counter for two points to finish the bout 10-0 well before the regular time of four minutes.

Mullen pressured Masoumi Valadi towards the danger zone but the latter tossed him over for four points. The second attempt was by the Iran wrestler as he pushed and scored four more. A desperate Mullen tried an arm-throw but failed, giving the Iranian 10-0 win.

Russia won the 55kg gold as Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) defeated Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ) 4-3 in a nail-biting final, thanks to a challenge which Russia won in the final few seconds.

Nulanbek tried defending a lead in the second period but Baitukaev scored a takedown which was not awarded initially and only after the challenge. The Kazak then got another point but it was not enough for the title.

“I am very happy to win the gold medal. My opponent was very tough. When I was stepping on the mat, I was thinking about the victory,” Baitukaev said.

Russia bounces back

Russia will have a chance to add to Baitukaev's gold on Wednesday as it bounced back after a dismal opening day and advanced three finalists on the second day.

Iran and Uzbekistan also improved their performances and sent two wrestlers each to the finals. Two best teams of day one – USA and India – managed to only one each. Turkey earned the remaining spot in the finals' line-up.

Tuesday's performance from Russia brought them back into the team race as they removed India from the second spot and closed the gap with top team USA which has five finalists in total.

Bowen William BASSETT (USA) Bowen BASSETT (USA) secured his place in the 45kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Russia and USA will square off in the 45kg final on Wednesday as Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS) and Bowen BASSETT (USA) dominated their respective halves of the bracket to reach the summit clash.

Bassett, who is just 14-years-old, was class apart in the competition as he won his first two bouts via fall and the semifinal via technical superiority.

His opponent in the semifinal, Umidjon ISKANDAROV (UZB), did score two points over Bassett in the semifinal but surrendered 13 to the young cadet from USA.

Bassett, unfazed that he is the youngest wrestler in the field, said he got better with each bout and is confident that he can go all the way.

“I don't let that [age] faze my mind. I just try to tech fall everyone,” Bassett said. “My performance got better as it went on. First match I wrestled well, got it done but every match as it goes on, I get better. No one can stop me.”

He will be wrestling Ashinov in the final who beat Imronbek RAKHMANOV (KGZ) in the semifinal 6-0. All six points were scored in the first period.

Ashinov, the Kabardino, Balkaria native, trains in a village close to Nalchik. He said he is excited to wrestle an American wrestler in the final.

“I know that my opponent will be the American guy, but I have never seen his wrestling before,” Ashinov said. “But I'll be ready.”

Bassett echoed the same thoughts, given that USA and Russia enjoy a healthy rivalry in wrestling.

“He [Ashinov] will be pretty tough,” Bassett said. “I am glad that I'll be wrestling him in the finals. USA vs Russia is a rivalry. Excited for that. It will be a great match and best of luck to him.”

Akhmed Abdulaevitch MUSAEV (RUS) Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) defeated JAIDEEP (IND) to enter the 71kg final in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 71kg, Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) booked his spot in the final against Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI) after a late exposure win in the semifinal.

Wrestling JAIDEEP (IND) in the semifinal, he gave up two stepouts and was training until the last 20 seconds when both wrestlers scrambled for advantage. As the time expired, Russia challenged, asking for two points for Musaev.

Musaev won the challenge and claimed a 2-2 win over Jaideep to enter the final against Esmaeilnezhad Archi, who defeated Yerkhan BEXULTANOV (KAZ) 5-1 in the semifinal.

Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS) was third Russian to enter the final as he advanced at the 92kg weight class. In a dominating performance, Dzhioev defeated Gavin NELSON (USA) 8-0 in the semifinal.

"I wrestled well today but I don't know what will happen in the final,” Dzhioev, who trains at the Ossetia's Brothers’ Taimazov club, said. “I haven’t seen my opponent’s match, I’ll try to get ready as if it is my last match.”

He will face Rifat GIDAK (TUR) in the final. The Turkey wrestler was equally dominant as he defeated Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) 6-0 in the semifinal. He is yet to concede a point in the tournament, having scored 21 over his opponents.

Iran and Uzbekistan set up a final at 51kg as Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) and Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) advanced from either side of the bracket.

FS 51kg Jesuroga (USA) vs. Jumanazarov (UZB) Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) will wrestle for the 51kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Jumanazarov's first victim was Nathanael JESUROGA (USA) as he won 10-0 before beating Tigran BUNIATYAN (ARM) 8-2 in the semifinal.

Khorramdel was equally dominant in the day he outscored his opponents 26-0 in three bouts. In the semifinals, he faced CHIRAG (IND) and got a 6-0 win with ease.

The second Uzbekistan wrestler to enter the final was Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) as he secured the place in the 60kg gold medal bout against Jaskaran SINGH (IND).

Kadamov is a returning silver medalist from 2019 cadet World Championships in Sofia. He overcame Baris UNSAL (TUR) 9-0 in the semifinal and will now be preparing for Singh.

“We are going to analyze the videos of my Indian opponent together with my coaches,” he said.

Singh, who trains in Patiala, Punjab, outscored his opponents 32-4 on his way to the final. With a strong defence and some perfect single leg attacks, he made it to the final after beating Abdulrahman IBRAHIMOV (AZE) 6-2 in the semifinal.

On Wednesday, women's wrestling will take centerstage. Japan, China and Canada, the top nations in women's wrestling, are not entered for the tournament due to travel restrictions forced by COVID-19.

Sagar Podium The four medalists at 80kg weight class in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

RESULTS:

48kg
GOLD: Aman GULIA (IND) df Luke LILLEDAHL (USA), 5-2

BRONZE: Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) df Rezo MARSAGISHVILI (GEO), via fall
BRONZE: Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ) df Akhmad MUSAKHADZHIEV (RUS), 7-2

55kg
GOLD: Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) df. Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ), 4-3

BRONZE: Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) df Shahdad KHOSRAVI MARDAKHEH (IRI), 5-2
BRONZE: Javid JAVADOV (AZE) df Vaibhav PATIL (IND), 7-5

65kg
GOLD: Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) df Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO), via fall

BRONZE: Ali REZAEIAGHOUZGELEH (IRI) df Dyanko DYANKOV (BUL), 10-0
BRONZE: Khabib ZAVURBEKOV (RUS) df Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 10-2

80kg
GOLD: Sagar JAGLAN (IND) df James ROWLEY (USA), 4-0

BRONZE: Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO) df Sattarkhan ALLAHVERDILI (AZE), 4-2
BRONZE: Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (RUS) df Gabriele NICCOLINI (ITA), via fall

110kg
GOLD: Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) df James MULLEN (USA), 10-0

BRONZE: Ilia ZHIBALOV (RUS) df Aynazar BAZARBAEV (UZB), 9-0
BRONZE: SAHIL (IND) df Alikhan KUSSAINOV (KAZ), via fall

Rifat Eren GIDAK (TUR) Rifat GIDAK (TUR), left, will wrestle for the 92kg gold medal in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Semifinal Results

45kg
GOLD: Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS) vs Bowen BASSETT (USA)

SF 1: Bowen BASSETT (USA) df Umidjon ISKANDAROV (UZB), 13-2
SF 2: Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS) df Imronbek RAKHMANOV (KGZ), 6-0

51kg
GOLD: Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) vs Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI)

SF 1: Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) df CHIRAG (IND), 6-0
SF 2: Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) df Tigran BUNIATYAN (ARM), 8-2

60kg
GOLD: Jaskaran SINGH (IND) vs Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB)

SF 1: Jaskaran SINGH (IND) df Abdulrahman IBRAHIMOV (AZE), 6-2
SF 2: Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) df Baris UNSAL (TUR), 9-0

71kg
GOLD: Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) vs Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI)

SF 1: Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI) df Yerkhan BEXULTANOV (KAZ), 5-1
SF 2: Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) df JAIDEEP (IND), 2-2

92kg
GOLD: Rifat GIDAK (TUR) vs Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS)

SF 1: Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS) df Gavin NELSON (USA), 8-0
SF 2: Rifat GIDAK (TUR) df Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE), 6-0

Russia and Georgia Grab Pair of Greco-Roman Olympic Berths

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India Crowns Two #WrestleBudapest Champions; Russia Bounces Back