#WrestleSkopje

Russia, Ukraine in Thrilling WW Title Race at #WrestleSkopje

Thursday, May 20, 2021 - 19:49 By Vinay Siwach

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SKOPJE, North Macedonia (May 20) --- Ukraine and Russia are involved in a thrilling team title race in women's wrestling at the U23 European Championships.

While Russia dominated with four finalists on Wednesday compared to Ukraine's two, the latter entered three into the finals on Thursday while Russia fell behind to only two.

On Thursday, Ukraine saw their wrestlers reaching the semifinal in each weight class that was in action at the Jane Sandanski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia. Two, however, failed to reach the finals.

Alina AKOBIYA (UKR), Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) and Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR) reached the finals in 57kg, 62kg and 65kg weight category for Ukraine. For Russia, Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS) and Marina SUROVTSEVA (RUS) entered the 50kg and 72kg final.

The Ukraine wrestlers just did not reach the finals, but they made sure their opponents know it, Of the 10 semifinals, five were decided via fall and three of them were performed by wrestlers from Ukraine.

Alina AKOBIYA U23 European Championships

Akobiya led the way for them with victory in the 57kg semifinal against Sezen BELBEROVA (BUL). She began with a takedown to lead 2-0 and added another with a single leg which she managed to convert into a fall. But in the process, Belberova was hit on the forehead which resulted in bleeding before the fall action began. That only delayed the eventual result.

The wrestlers were called to the center with Akobiya leading 6-0. Belberova was put in a par terre position from which Akobiya managed to pin her.

That was not the first of the day for Akobiya as she had won both her previous bouts in similar fashion. Eda TEKIN (TUR) was pinned in the first period during the qualification bout while U23 Euro champ at 55kg Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS) was stunned as well with a fall after 12-1 score.

Akobiya will be eyeing her first U23 Euro gold after falling short in Novi Sad in 2019. But Patrycja GIL (POL) will be between her and the gold.

Gil, a junior world champion, used three takedowns and two stepouts to beat Othelie HOEIE (NOR) 8-0 in the other semifinal. In the quarterfinal, she defeated Hanna VAHER (BLR) 2-1.

Individual World Cup champ Rizhko will also be looking for her first U23 Euro title after she reached the final at 62kg. She humbled senior and U23 European medalist Anhelina LYSAK (POL) in the semifinal. Rizhko had an early takedown and then she got Lysak in a head lock and threw her over the shoulder. A fall was confirmed as Rizhko won in two minutes and 43 seconds.

Tatsiana PAULAVA (BLR) will try and stop Rizhko from winning the gold as she reached the summit clash from the top side of the bracket. In the semifinal, she scored couple of takedowns and a gut against Cansu AKSOY (TUR) to lead 6-0 at the break before a hitting a counter for four points and claiming the pin.

But her bigger win came in the quarterfinal where she defeated junior Euro champion and Russian Championships bronze medalist Maria LACHUGINA (RUS) 4-2.

At 65kg, Zelenykh was the quickest among the semifinalists to get the pin as she finished the bout in just one minute in 43 seconds. Even in that small period, a total of 11 points were scored. Zelenykh scored a 4 using a hip-toss before a takedown against Asli DEMIR (TUR). The Turkey wrestler also responded with a takedown at the edge. Her corner challenged the call, asking for four points but lost the challenge and Zelenykh led 7-2.

A single leg attack to expose Demir to her back before getting the fall gave the Ukrainian a spot in the final where she will face Irina RINGACI (MDA).

Quickly becoming one of the most feared wrestlers in 62-65kg weight classes, Ringaci also finished her semifinal against Kamila KULWICKA (POL) via fall.

Kulwicka made several attempts to get points on Ringaci but failed every time as the Moldova wrestler countered her moves. She got the first takedown via a counter before another and an exposure made it 6-0. Kulwicka again came with a single leg attack but Ringaci defended that and scored two points. Ringaci took some time but the pin was secured in 4:08.

There was disappointment as well for Ukraine as Maria VYNNYK (UKR) at 53kg and Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) at 72kg failed to win their semifinals.

Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) upset Vynnyk in the final second by scoring a stepout and winning 3-3 on criteria. Yetgil will now take on Verbina who controlled her semifinal against Szimonetta SZEKER (HUN) 6-0.

At 72kg, Alpyeyeva gave a tough fight but Surovtseva was too strong for her. After a couple of takedowns, the Russian led 4-0 at the break. Alpyeyeva managed an attack with caught the Russian off guard. But the win was secured by Surovtseva 6-2 with ease.

She will wrestle Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) in the final on Friday. Choluj needs to thank her Gods as she managed to sneak past Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR) 2-1 in the semifinal.

With the bout tied 1-1 with 24 seconds left, Choluj managed to get a step out and a 2-1 lead which she kept until the clock expired.

Russia, Ukraine win 2 gold each

By the time the final session ended in Skopje, Russia, with 90 points, had a small four-point led over Ukraine in the team title race.

Ukraine stopped Russia from gaining a big lead as Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) defeated Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS) in the 55kg final while Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) held off Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) in the 68kg final.

The two defeats hurt Russia despite their two gold medals at 50kg and 76kg.

Ukraine earned bronze medals at 50kg and 59kg but their absence from the podium at 76kg may come back to hurt them in the final scores.

The lone gold winner who did not represent the two countries was Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) as she defeated Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) 10-0 in a blink of an eye.

The defending European and world medalist put on a show of strength as she trapped Dollack in a arm to chest lock to get four turns and the win as she defended her U23 Euro gold.

Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) won the gold at 50kg as she eased past Anastasiya YANOTOVA (BLR) 7-2. Using single leg attacks, the Russian got a 5-0 lead at the break before Yanotova scored two step outs. But a takedown late in the bout sealed the gold for Tiumerekova.

DEMKO

Demko combined a takedwon and gut thrice in the final against Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS) to win 12-1 at 59kg. This was her first European title at the U23 level.

In another Ukraine-Russia final, Chudyk scored a takedown via an arm drag against Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) in the last 30 seconds of their 68kg final to lead 3-2. She managed to keep the Russian at bay and win the gold medal. This adds to her cadet and junior European titles.

Russia managed to lock the gold at 76kg as Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) needed only two minutes and 21 seconds to win 10-0 against Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR). She snapped Ozbege at the 40th second of the bout and got three exposures to lead 8-0. The final takedown was also scored via a snap down.

Focus will shift to Greco-Roman as wrestler from five weight classes – 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg, 130kg – will take the mat.

Results: WW Semifinals

53kg
GOLD: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) vs Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS)

SF 1: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) df Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), 3-3
SF 2: Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS) df Szimonetta SZEKER (HUN), 6-0

57kg
GOLD: Patrycja GIL (POL) vs Alina AKOBIIA (UKR)

SF 1: Patrycja GIL (POL) df Othelie HOEIE (NOR), 8-0
SF 2: Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) df Sezen BELBEROVA (BUL), via fall (10-0)

62kg
GOLD: Tatsiana PAULAVA (BLR) vs Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR)

SF 1: Tatsiana PAULAVA (BLR) df Cansu AKSOY (TUR), via fall (10-2)
SF 2: Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) df Anhelina LYSAK (POL), via fall (6-0)

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df Kamila KULWICKA (POL), via fall (11-0)
SF 2: Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR) df Asli DEMIR (TUR), via fall (9-2)

72kg
GOLD: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) vs Marina SUROVTSEVA (RUS)

SF 1: Marina SUROVTSEVA (RUS) df Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), 6-2
SF 2: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR), 2-1

U23 European Championships

WW Medal Bouts

50kg
GOLD: Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) df Anastasiya YANOTOVA (BLR), 7-2

BRONZE: Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) df Lisa ERSEL (GER), via fall (6-2)
BRONZE: Aynur ERGE (TUR) df Maria LEORDA (MDA), 10-0

55kg
GOLD: Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) df Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS), 12-1

BRONZE: Esra PUL (TUR) df Beatrice FERENT (ROU), via fall (5-1)
BRONZE: Dominika KULWICKA (POL) df Aleksandrina KASHINOVA (BUL), 3-2

59kg
GOLD: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Tamara DOLLAK (HUN), 10-0

BRONZE: Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR) df Maria BAEZ DILONE (ESP), 4-3
BRONZE: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) df Anne NUERNBERGER (GER), 14-4

68kg
GOLD: Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) df Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS), 3-2

BRONZE: Ewelina CIUNEK (POL) df Kendra DACHER (FRA), via fall (6-2)
BRONZE: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df Natallia BELSKAYA (BLR), via fall (9-0)

76kg
GOLD: Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) df Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR), 10-0

BRONZE: Diana VLASCEANU (ROU) df Andela PRIJOVIC (SRB), 10-0
BRONZE: Enrica RINALDI (ITA) df Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU), via fall (4-0)

#WrestleBratislava

Young stars make Azerbaijan best team at Europeans

Sunday, April 13, 2025 - 23:03 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 13) -- Azerbaijan is the best team of Europe and its way ahead of others.

The country claimed the Greco-Roman team title at the European Championships in Bratislava with 151 points, 41 points more than second-placed Turkiye which had 110 points. Hungary managed to put itself on the podium at the third place with 104 points.

After only a silver and bronze medals on Saturday, Azerbaijan bounced back with three gold medals and a bronze medal to finish on the top of the standings.

Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE)Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) initiates a throw against Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) in the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Starting the gold rush world 63kg champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) who downed Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), 7-3, in the 60kg final.

"The final started well and even though I had made seven points, I was more confident in winning," Mammadli said. "In the second period, I made a mistake. I gave two moves to my opponent but I was still able to hold on to the victory."

Mammadli got the first par terre advantage and completed a standing to danger suplex for four points and a turn to lead 7-0. He tried one more turn but Tibilov defended the attempt. Tibilov managed to turn Mammadli in the second period when he got the par terre position but that was all the action from him.

The 7-3 win gave Mammadi his second straight European gold medal and confirmed his spot on the Azerbaijan team for the World Championships.

"I am very happy with the second [title]," he said. "I felt ready for this, I was overwhelmed with myself. When I came to the competition, I was thinking about the gold medal. I had prepared myself well, both physically and technically. I achieved what I wanted."

In his three earlier bouts, Mammadli completed three technical superiority wins including a thunderous 8-0 win over former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in the semifinal, a rematch of the final of European Championships last year which Mammadli won.

"The competition was very good and there were very talented wrestlers," he said. "The gold last year at 60kg is almost a year past and every competition is very high. Because it was an Olympic weight class, this was expected. It was like a European World Championship in wrestling."

The 22-year-old will now wants to repeat as the world champion but in 60kg weight class. The challenge with that category is that it is dominated by wrestlers from Asia. At both the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics, all four medalists at 60kg were from Asia.

"[For Asian wrestlers] I can say that it will be a very difficult match," Mammadli said. "Hopefully, the next match will be at the World Championship. I know that it is a very difficult match but I will prepare even better for them."

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 67kg final at the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 67kg, Paris Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) continued his dominance at the continental event, winning his third straight European gold medal.

Facing Abu AMAEV (BUL), who Jafarov had defeated last European Championships in the quarterfinal, in the final in Bratislava, Jafarov turned him in par terre for two points. At the end of the mat, Jafarov lifted Amaev and completed the throw for four points to lead 7-0.

Amaev failed to break Jafarov's defense from par terre and got only one point as he dropped the bout 7-1. By reaching the final, Amaev earned his best European Championships medal -- a silver. He has two bronze medals from past editions.

"This European Championships was really tough for me," Jafarov said. "I managed to retain my title for the third time. I have endured a lot of hardships and hard work during this time. I injured my ear when I was playing the Zagreb tournament. An operation was performed, I continued to work hard, regardless of the surgery. I could not stay in camp in Croatia. I returned and continued to work hard in Azerbaijan."

Jafarov, who has an Olympic bronze medal and two medals at the World Championships, is determined to win the gold medal at the World Championships now.

"I haven't been a world champion. I'm want to be a world champion," he said. "I have to work hard for Azerbaijan so that I can win a gold medal at the upcoming world championships. I really want that medal and God willing it will be like that because I really want that medal in any way."

Gurban GURBANOV (AZE)Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) defeated world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), in par terre, in the 82kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Another young star gave Azerbaijan its third gold as Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) won the top medal at 82kg. He defeated world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) 6-0 in the final.

Earning a par terre advantage in the first period, Gurbanov scored from a turn to lead in the first period before blocking an armthrow from Szilvassy to earn two points. Hungary challenged the call for slip throw but lost it, giving one more point to Gurbanov for a 6-0 lead.

The gold medal is Gurbanov's first major senior gold medal as he already has two European U23 golds and one U17 gold. Gurbanov has won the World Championships gold medal at U17, U20 and U23 levels.

Milov completes golden run

Kiril MILOV (BUL) completed is glorious run at the European Championships with the 97kg gold medal, his second in the continental history. In the final, he beat Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER), 7-1, a day after he defeated seven-time European champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM).

"This is one of the most long-awaited medals because in the semifinals I managed to defeat Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), who is a great wrestler, and I am glad that I managed to win the title," Milov said.

Milov scored two gut wrench turns from par terre to lead 5-0 and then was saved by a challenge in the second period. Lazogianis completed a throw from par terre which was blocked by Milov and he never landed in danger. But Lazogianis was awarded four points which gave him a 5-5 criteria lead for a bigger move.

Bulgaria challenged the decision and got two points as he had blocked Lazogianis and made him land in danger instead. He then defended his 7-1 lead for the gold medal.

"We trained very differently, very hard, we did very good training, we prepared well and I managed not to make a mistake in the matches and that is why I managed to win," he said.

Kiril MILOV (BUL)Kiril MILOV (BUL) celebrates after winning the 97kg final at the European Championships. (Photos: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In his semifinal against Aleksanyan, Milov countered the Armenian's strongest suit -- the gut wrench. Milov led 1-1 on criteria after getting the first par terre position. Aleksanyan, in the second par terre position, tried to turn Milov who managed to stay in his position and scored a reversal.

With a 2-1 lead, Milov defended his position in the remaining 90 seconds and handed Aleksanyan his first-ever European defeat since 2017.

"With Artur, I know that whatever I do, I have to defend myself from the ground [par terre], because that's his best grip." Milov said. "He's very good from there and I'm glad I was able to defend myself from the ground."

The 28-year-old was at the Paris Olympics at 130kg after the spot was offered to Bulgaria due to reallocation of quotas. Milov underwent surgery before Olympic qualifiers in 2024 and missed qualifying at 97kg.

"Yes, before the two Olympics, even in Tokyo, I had an operation before the Olympics itself and in Paris too, I underwent a very serious operation," he said. "I wasn't able to get a quota but I got the chance to participate. I participated at 130kg, but I couldn't get prepared and the results. I was shaking. So now I'm training to succeed at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles."

At 72kg, two gold medals were awarded after a scoreboard glitch gave Levente LEVAI (HUN) a 4-4 criteria win over Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) in the final.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), 7-3

BRONZE: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) df. Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO), 10-0
BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) df. Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL), 5-0

67kg
GOLD: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Abu AMAEV (BUL), 7-1

BRONZE: Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL) df. Yanis GUENDEZ NIFRI (FRA), 5-0
BRONZE: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 3-1

72kg
GOLD: Levente LEVAI (HUN) and Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) [NO SILVER]

BRONZE: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) df. Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW), 2-1
BRONZE: Mehmet SAHIN (TUR) df. Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU), 9-1

82kg
GOLD: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) df. Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), 6-0

BRONZE: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df. Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR), 5-3 
BRONZE: Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Kiril MILOV (BUL) df. Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER), 7-1

BRONZE: Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) df. Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED), 8-5
BRONZE: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), via inj. def.