Russia Delights Ufa with 3 GR Gold Medals

Saturday, August 21, 2021 - 16:49 By

UFA, Russia (August 21) -- Russia did not win the team titles in freestyle and women's wrestling but they virtually confirmed the Greco-Roman title at the Junior World Championships after winning three gold medals Saturday.

In a dominating performance at the Ufa Arena, Russia won the titles at 63kg, 77kg and 87kg while Iran captured the gold at 55kg while Turkey won the 130kg gold medal.

But it was special for Said BAKAEV (RUS) who won the top medal in front of his home crowd in Ufa. In an emotional final, Bakaev defeated two-time junior Euro champion Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) 9-0 in the first period.

Bakaev went for a throw from the standing position to get two points but Russia challenged the call and asked for four points. The jury reviewed the call and Russia won the challenge. Bakaev then scored a stepout. A final takedown gave Bakaev two more points and won 8-0. Georgia lost the challenge, giving one more point and Bakaev won 9-0 in the first period.

"I can’t explain what I feel," Bakaev said. "The Georgian wrestler is a tough opponent but maybe I was better prepared mentally this time.

"I realize that I became the best in the world. As soon as I go down from the podium, I am a just an athlete and I have to start training all over again. It’s just a junior Worlds, I have to aim for the senior Worlds."

Bakaev explained that he prepared well for the tournament, both on the mat and mentally.

"The coaches told me to go on the mat and get the gold medal," he said. "They told me it was my place and that I deserved it. Mental preparation is really I important for such big tournaments."

Russia's success at the tournament was one thing that Bakaev was excited about and said that the team was better than anyone else.

"In Russia we train really hard," he said. "We are almost never at home. We stay home for a week and then back to the training camp. I am sure we are better than the others. There is no need to be afraid. The others should be afraid of us."

Islam Aliev

More metal was collected by Russia as Islam ALIEV (RUS) won the gold medal at the 77kg. He was wrestling Exauce MUKUBU (NOR), who had finished fifth at the last junior Worlds. Aliev never let Mukubu take control of the bout.

As Mukubu began pressuring Aliev early in the match, the Russian positioned himself in a better way and used underhooks and momentum to score points. Aliev scored the first takedown on the edge to lead 2-0 and then another two when Mukubu tried throwing but failed to expose. In all of one minute, Aliev captured the gold with a arm-bundle to arm spin throw for four points.

The quick finish was something he had on his mind before even stepping on the mat and the crowd made it special.

"I was going to the mat to finish the match ahead of time," Aliev said. "The World Championships was great for me. I loved the fans and the atmosphere."

Amriev

The third gold for Russia was won by Adlan AMRIEV (RUS) as he defeated Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) 5-1 in the 87kg final. Netherlands were hoping for their first Greco-Roman world champ in 43 years but Amriev had other plans.

He began with a stepout and then got another point for Sterkenburg's passivity. He managed to get a throw from par terre. Sterkenburg scored a point for reversal but another stepout for Amriev extended his lead to 5-1 which was also the final score of the bout.

Wrestling in front of his home fans made Amriev feel the pressure but winning in front of home crowd was big motivation for him.

"On the one hand, I felt the support, but on the other, I could feel the pressure as well," he said. "When I wrestle, I never tell anybody about it. This time all my family, friends knew that.

"Some of them are watching the matches at home on TV, a lot of them are here watching at the venue. I am from Ufa, so many people came here today. Thanks a lot to all of them."

Back in 2019, Russia won four gold, two silver and one bronze medal but Amriev believes this year that record will be shattered and three more Russian wrestlers are going for gold Sunday.

"I think our generation will set a new record. We already have 3 gold medals and one bronze there are 3 more wrestlers in the final," he said.

DEHBOZORGI

Iran made sure they get a Greco-Roman world champion as Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) defeated Alimardon ABDULLAEV (UZB) 3-1 in a slow-paced 55kg final. But Dehbozorgi was tactically better than his Uzbek opponent.

Abdullaev got the 1-0 lead in the first period after Dehbozorgi was called passive but he managed to defend his par terre position. But when he got the advantage for Abdullaev's passivity, he then scored a takedown and led 3-1. He defended his lead till the clock expired.

Junior European champion Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) added a junior world title to his collection after he defeated Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE) 3-1 at 130kg. Bakir's win makes him a prospect to take over at the heavyweight weight class after three-time world champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR) retires.

The four points in the final came via passivity and stepouts but it was Bakir who scored three and Mammadov scored only one which gave Bakir the title.

3 More Russia Wrestlers in Finals

Russia is on a roll at the home Junior World Championships as three more wrestlers entered the Greco-Roman finals on the penultimate day of the competition.

Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS), Evgeni BAIDUSOV (RUS) and Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) all made it to the finals, increasing the number of Russian finalists to six and moving closer to the Greco-Roman team title.

Armenia managed to get two wrestlers in the finals as well while Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Netherlands and Belarus also got one each in the final.

Bammatov, a silver medalist from junior Euros, defeated former cadet world champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) 9-0 in the 60kg semifinals. It was a quick one as Mammadali was called passive and Bammatov went for two big four points from par terre to win the bout.

He will face another cadet world champion in Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI). He went past Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL) with an easy 8-0 win. The bout finished in the first period as Esmaeili Leivesi used a stepout and then finished the bout with three guts as Salimov was called passive.

At 72kg, Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) will face Baidusov as he defeated Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) 8-1 in the semifinal. The junior Euro champ defended from par terre against the returning silver medalist and then scored eight points to win.

Baidusov's semifinal had 4:47 seconds left when he defeated junior Euro silver medalist Attila TOESMAGI (HUN) 8-0. He began with a takedown and come back with a big four using body lock. In the same move, he used a arm-trap to get the roll and the win.

Braxton AMOS (USA) was trying to become a double world champion after winning the freestyle title at 97kg but he hit the wall in the semifinals as Mileshin handed him a 9-0 defeat. Mileshin won the junior Euros this year and will look to win his first world title after finishing second at the cadet level.

It took him two minutes and 50 seconds to get a takedown, two guts and another takedown over Amos to win amid the cheers of the local crowd.

Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR) will challenge him in the final after he made it to the final two defeating Morteza ALGHOSI (IRI) 10-1. It was another powerful show from Hlinchuk as he used three guts and a takedown to finish the match.

A day after his twin brother made it to the final, Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) also made it to the final at 82kg and will wrestle Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM).

Sterkenburg was wrestling Mykyta ALIEKSIEIEV (UKR) in the semifinal and attacked from the first go. When he got the par terre advantage, he managed to get the gut wrench to lead 3-0. He went for a big body lock and throw in the semifinal before a stepout finished the bout 8-0 with 2:28 seconds remaining.

Khachatryan had a similar bout as well and defeated Ravi MALIK (IND) 9-0 to book his spot in the final. Once Malik was called passive, the Armenian used three gut wrenches to lead 7-0 and a stepout. India challenged the final call but lost.

Another Armenian in the final was Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) who defeated Marian HOLUBOVSKYI (UKR) 3-0. The returning silver medalist from 60kg kept it simple against the Ukrainian as he got a point for passivity and his gut wrench made it 3-0. No points were scored in the second period.

He will face junior Euro champ Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE). In the semifinal, Jafarov was dominant against Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) and won 10-0. Snjoyan was passive in the first period and gave up a gut wrench to trail 0-3.

A takedown and two rolls made it 9-0 for Jafarov and an out of bounds was called when the action finished, making the score 10-0 with 2:13 remaining.

GR Medal Bouts Results

55kg
GOLD: Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) df Alimardon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 3-1

BRONZE: Akyikat KULZHIGIT UULU (KGZ) df Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK), 9-0
BRONZE: Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) df Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ), 3-1

63kg
GOLD: Said BAKAEV (RUS) df Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 10-0

BRONZE: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) df Manuel STOICA (ROU), 9-0
BRONZE: Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) df Ismail ORUCOGLU (TUR), 3-1

77kg
GOLD: Islam ALIEV (RUS) df Exauce MUKUBU (NOR), 8-0

BRONZE: Mohammadhossein AZARMDOKHT (IRI) df Emad ABOUELATTA (EGY), 8-4
BRONZE: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df Giorgi SHPETISHVILI (GEO), 8-0

87kg
GOLD: Adlan AMRIEV (RUS) df Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED), 5-1

BRONZE: Tansel ORTUCU (TUR) df Shakhriyor JURABOEV (UZB), 5-3
BRONZE: Oleksandr PRYMACHENKO (UKR) df Lachin VALIYEV (AZE), 3-1

130kg
GOLD: Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) df Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: Armen CHOLOKIAN (RUS) df Razmik KURDYAN (ARM), 3-1
BRONZE: Amirmohammad BAYAT (IRI) df Nikolaos NTOUNIAS (GRE), 6-3

GR Semifinal Results

60kg
GOLD: Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS) vs Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI)

SF 1: Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS) df Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), 9-0
SF 2: Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) df Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL), 8-0

67kg
GOLD: Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) vs Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)

SF 1: Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) df Marian HOLUBOVSKYI (UKR), 3-0
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df Gagik Mishai SNJOYAN (FRA), 10-0

72kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) vs Evgenii BAIDUSOV (RUS)

SF 1: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 8-1
SF 2: Evgenii BAIDUSOV (RUS) df Attila TOESMAGI (HUN), 8-0

82kg
GOLD: Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM) vs Marcel STERKENBURG (NED)

SF 1: Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df Ravi MALIK (IND), 9-0
SF 2: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) df Mykyta ALIEKSIEIEV (UKR), 8-0

97kg
GOLD: Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) vs Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR)

SF 1: Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) df Braxton AMOS (USA), 9-0
SF 2: Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR) df Morteza ALGHOSI (IRI), 10-1

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview

Monday, September 8, 2025 - 13:14 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 6) -- For nearly a decade, the 97kg Freestyle wrestling division was defined by two names: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) and Kyle SNYDER (USA). From 2015 to 2017, Snyder ruled the mat, winning Olympic and World titles.

Sadulaev then took over from 2018 to 2021, claiming every major gold. When Sadulaev missed the 2022 Worlds, Snyder reclaimed the top spot.

But in 2023, a new force emerged -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN). He stunned the wrestling world by beating both Snyder and Sadulaev in Belgrade, claiming the world title. In 2024, he repeated his feat in Paris, solidifying his status as the man to beat at 97kg.

Now, Tazhudinov enters Zagreb as the wrestler to beat, but he’ll face stiff competition from veterans looking for redemption and rivals who came close to beating him.

Snyder, who missed the podium in Paris, remains dangerous. He once pushed Sadulaev to the limit before the latter adjusted. Snyder also fell in Albania to Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), the current Asian champion. Yoshida, blends Iranian and Japanese techniques and has excellent underhook defense and is a serious medal contender.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is a three-time European champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is another name to watch. He won Olympic silver in Paris but was pinned quickly by Tazhudinov. Still, as the number two seed, he avoids Tazhudinov until the final and must contend with Snyder, Yoshida, and possibly Sadulaev on his side of the bracket.

Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), seeded number five, came closest to beating Tazhudinov in Paris, leading 3-0 before surrendering two late takedowns to lose 4-3. Back from injury, his fitness will be key if the two meet again in Zagreb.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), Kazakhstan’s first freestyle world champion, also pushed Tazhudinov hard at the Asian Championships but couldn’t close the match. He’s a strong bet for the podium. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) returns after a bronze in Paris and a silver at the 2023 World Championships, remains a serious threat in one of the deepest brackets in the championships.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) defeated Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) in the 65kg Olympic final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Olympic final rematch on cards

Apart from Tazhudinov, Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) is the only other Freestyle Olympic champion in Zagreb. At 65kg, all four returning medalists from Paris are entered, though Islam DUDAEV (ALB) will wrestle at 70kg.

A repeat of the 2024 Olympic final is expected at 65kg, with Kiyooka and silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) on course to collide if seeding holds. Kiyooka has never wrestled at a World Championships and skipped the season after winning gold in Paris, but his resume includes wins over world-class opponents. He beat Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to earn Japan’s Paris spot, and then defeated Asian champion Kaisei TANABE (JPN) twice to make the team for Zagreb.

Amouzad will be his biggest threat, looking to avenge the Olympic final. Barring that loss, the Iranian has been a consistent force, using his under-over technique to catch opponents off guard. If he can limit Kiyooka's relentless attacks and keep the match low-scoring, he may have a chance.

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European champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), the world U23 champion, brings a full arsenal to challenge both Kiyooka and Amouzad. He could be the biggest disruptor in the bracket.

Sebastian RIVERA (PUR), an Olympic bronze and world silver medalist, could medal again despite not competing since Paris. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and SUJEET (IND) are also aiming for podium finishes.

Gold drought for Uguev

Beyond Kiyooka and Yoshida, other Japanese medal hopefuls include Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) at 61kg, world silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) at 70kg, Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) at 74kg, and the Ishiguro brothers at 86kg and 92kg.

Suda will have big shoes to fill as his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate Masanosuke ONO (JPN) rose to become the world champ last year. Suda faces an equally tough field with Zavur UGUEV (UWW), Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), and UDIT (IND) among others.

Takara SUDA (JPN) is the Asian champion at 61kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev, Olympic and 2019 world champion, returned to form by winning the European title in April. He finished fifth last year after losses to Ono and Vitali ARAJAU (USA). Can he now stop Suda, the Ranking Series and Asian champion? Suda has found ways to win but struggles with conditioning.

Abakarov, a former world champion, will also be in the mix, having beaten Uguev in 2023. Other contenders include Asian silver medalist Udit, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) -- back at 61kg -- and Jaxen FORREST (USA), who beat Arajau to claim the U.S. team spot.

Sidakov set to return

At 74kg, 2023 world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) has managed to recover just in time for the World Championships. He suffered an injury in his European Championships loss to Chermen VALIEV (ALB) and will likely go through the Albanian if he wants to defend his gold.

Also Read: Valiev opens up Olympics, his style

Valiev has had close encounters against Sidakov and the win at Europeans was his first over Sidakov. His strategy to keep a close score or defend a lead may not always play out well. But his defensive skills are top notch, and he doesn't let anyone score easily.

Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) and David CARR (USA) are two youngsters who can surprise a few. Both have lethal attacks and can move quickly. Takahashi won the clash in Budapest but Carr nearly pulled off a comeback against a tiring Takahashi.

World silver medalist Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) would like to return to the podium, while Yones EMAMI (IRI) and veteran Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) remain strong contenders.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), blue, and Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) wrestled in the 70kg final at 2024 World Championships. Kaipanov won gold. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Top-seeded Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) and world champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) will go for the 70kg title. Kaipanov defeated Aoyagi in last year’s final to win gold. Aoyagi seemed in form with a win at the Budapest Ranking Series but will be challenged in Zagreb.

Kaipanov won 74kg gold at the Asian Championships but is now back at 70kg to defend his world title. While Aoyagi is a key challenger, others may break Kaipanov’s defensive wall.

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Former world silver medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will be the biggest threat as he hunts for his first world title. His attacking style troubles many, though his conditioning is still a work in progress. The field is deeper with Asian champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), who entertains with crafty moves, though that can be his undoing.

Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), a Paris Olympian and second to Akmataliev in Asia, is also a medal threat. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will be at 70kg. Saiyn KAZYRYK (UWW) can make a run to the final but will be tested on the international level.

PJ DUKE (USA), coming off a world U20 gold, and world medalist Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), will look to add to their success.

Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE (USA) is chasing his first world title at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Lee chases world gold

In other weight classes, Spencer LEE (USA) will be looking to win a world medal. A United States wrestler winning the gold medal in the lowest weight category is a rare occurrence. Thomas GILMAN (USA) won gold in 2021 and silver in 2022; however, the country drew a blank in 2023.

Now, Paris Olympic silver medalist Lee is primed to win gold at 57kg in Zagreb. This will be his first World Championships, but he is the favorite to claim the title. It is unlikely he will face much trouble, but if he does, it will likely come from 2023 world bronze medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) and Paris bronze medalists AMAN (IND) and Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB).

The field is further intensified by Asian champion Chong Song HAN (PRK), European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), and Iran’s Ali MOMENI (IRI).

At 79kg, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW), world champion in 2023, should have no trouble winning his second title despite familiar foes like Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI).

Usmanov defeated both en route to his 2023 gold and has since won the European Championships in 2024 and 2025. In the final in Slovakia, Usmanov overcame veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA).

Khadjiev remains a podium contender but recently suffered a close loss to Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) in Budapest, making the Greek wrestler a real medal threat. Also not to be counted out is Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), who has consistently been competitive at the World Championships.

New dawn at 86kg
The 86kg category will see a big shift in Zagreb. Since 2017, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and David TAYLOR (USA) have shared the gold medals at Worlds. However, that near-decade-long reign is ending. Taylor has retired, and Yazdani has moved up a weight class, skipping this year.

So who will be champion in Zagreb? Two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), second to Yazdani at 86kg, will be the favorite. He was competing at 92kg and was close to a third world title before losing heartbreakingly in the semifinals to Sadulaev.

Also Read: "I was destroyed" - Ghasempour on Sadulaev loss

Now back at the Olympic weight class, Ghasempour aims to deliver his best performance in Zagreb. He is unseeded, which means he can be drawn anywhere in the bracket.

The weight class is packed with talent. European silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) is thriving at 86kg and nearly won gold at the European Championships. Former world U20 champion Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) is another strong contender despite limited top-level international experience.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) has improved significantly over the past year and is a potential podium finisher with his attacking pace. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) are dark horses who could surprise in this competitive field.

Podium All four 2025 European Championships medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), left, Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), second from left, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), third from left, and Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) are medal threats in Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time world silver medalists Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), European champion Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), and former world silver medalists Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) and Deepak PUNIA (IND) make the 92kg category one of the toughest in Zagreb.

Though he lacks a World Championships medal, Trent HIDLAY (USA) is a top gold-medal contender after winning gold in Budapest. He is currently one of the strongest wrestlers globally.

Firouzpour, moving into the spotlight after Ghasempour’s shift down a weight class, enters Zagreb as a favorite. Though new to Worlds, his Iranian style with underhook pushouts and takedowns makes him a serious threat.

Nurmagomedov and Kurugliev battled at the European Championships and Budapest, with Kurugliev prevailing both times. Maisuradze remains a strong competitor despite a recent dip in form.

At 125kg, Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) stands head and shoulders above the rest, though European champion Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), and Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) aim to challenge him.

Russia Delights Ufa with 3 GR Gold Medals

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World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview