Seven Storylines to Follow at Russia's Greco-Roman National C'ships

Friday, January 11, 2019 - 15:35 By Tigran Avanian

KALININGRAD, Russia (January 11) - Sergey EMELIN, Stepan MARYANIAN, Artem SURKOV, Alexander CHEKHIRKIN, Musa EVLOEV, and Sergey SEMENOV, the six current Greco-Roman world champions, are exempted from the Russian Greco-Roman National Championships, which will be held in Kaliningrad, Russia, from January 17-21. But this does not make the upcoming competition less interesting, largely due to the fact that Olympic champions, Roman VLASOV and Davit CHAKVETADZE, will strive to regain their former positions.

Roman VLASOV, Russia's two-time Olympic champion returns to the mat after suffering a knee injury before the 2018 World Championships. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

1. Roman Vlasov, Old and New Rivals
At 77kg, the current world champion Alexander Chekhirkin was freed from the Russian National Championships, and the two-time Olympic champion Roman Vlasov, who missed the end of last season due to injury, is in line and intends to regain the title of the best wrestler in the country.

He will be confronted by an old rival, 2014 world champion Chingiz LABAZANOV, and two new rivals, Islam OPIEV and Egor KADIROV, who are winners of the junior world and European championships, respectively.

2. Possible Revenge For Davit Chakvetadze
At last year's Russian National Championships, Olympic champion Davit Chakvetadze, who just returned from injury, suffered a crushing defeat to Bekkhan OZDOEV. Ozdoev, the silver medalist of the 2018 European Championships went to the 2018 World Championships but failed to medal.

EuIn Kaliningrad, Chakvetadze will strive for revenge, while there are a number of other ambitious wrestlers, including Alan OSTAEV, who has already defeated world and European champion Maxim MANUKYAN (ARM).

Alexander GOLOVIN celebrates after winning his second U22 World title. Golovin is one of the 97kg favorites. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

3. Nikita Melnikov - Alexander Golovin
The reigning world champion Musa EVLOEV will not wrestle at the Russian National Championships, however, there's high competition in his weight, and the match between 2013 world and 2016 European champion, Nikita MELNIKOV, and two-time U23 world champion Alexander GOLOVIN is expected to happen.

We also single out junior world bronze medalists, Ruslan BEKUZAROV and Arthur SARGSYAN.

4. Trio of Flyers
There's interesting competition looming at 55kg. This category is only a year old - and the leaders here are Vasily TOPOEV and U23 world runner-up Vitaly KABALOEV. But now, Emin SEVERSHAEV, who has been a leader on the junior team for a long time, is ready to join the fight.

5. Adam Kurak - Abuazid Manzigov
This confrontation is already becoming a landmark. Abuyazid MANTSIGOV, the 2017 European bronze medalist missed out on a medal at the 2018 World Championships, while Adam KURAK has taken bronze at the World Championships and won the European Championships twice. In their extreme match before the World Championships, Manzigov was stronger.

How will it be this time?

Aleksander KOMAROV has won four age-level world titles and would be among the favorites at 82kg - if he decides to compete on the senior level. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

6. Chance of Alekander Komarov
Aleksander KOMAROV still remains on the junior team, where he can wrestle for one more year. But while there's time before the junior qualifiers, the time has come for the four-time age-level world champion to declare himself for the Senior Russian National Championships - especially with the country going through hard times at 82kg.

After the injury to 2016 world champion Ramazan ABACHARAEV, and Imil SHARAFETDINOV not successfully performing at the 2018 World Championships, isn't it time for Alexander Komarov to take his shot at a non-Olympic weight spot?

7. Favorites in the absence of world champions
In each weight, without mentioning above, there are favorites in the absence of world champions.

At 60kg, without Sergey Emelin, the highest chance of winning goes to the 2012 London Olympic bronze medalist Mingiyan SEMENOV.

In the weight up to 63kg, without Stepan MARYANIAN, the favorite is Ibragim LABAZANOV.

For the third time in a row, in the absence of Artem Surkov at 67kg, Zaur KABALOYEV can win the Russian National Championships.

At heavyweight, without Sergey Semenov, Vitaly SCHUR, the 2018 European runner-up, has the highest chance of success.

This story was translated from wrestrus.ru.

SCHEDULE

January 17 (Thursday)
10:00 - Mandate Commission
16:00 - Meeting of the panel of judges, representatives of the teams
17: 30 - Draw and medical control of weight categories up to 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, and 67kg

January 18 (Friday)
7:00 - Opening of the entrance for athletes
8:00 - Weighing, weight categories up to 55kg ,60kg ,63kg, and 67kg
10:00 - Start of competition
15:00 - Break
16:00 - Draw and medical control of weight categories up to 72kg, 77kg, and 97kg
17:00- Semifinals in weight categories up to 55kg ,60kg, 63kg, and 67 kg

January 19 (Saturday)
7:00 - Opening of the entrance for athletes
8: 00 - The second weighing for weight categories up to 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, and 67 kg
8:15 - Weighing, weight categories up to 72kg, 77kg, and 97kg
10:00 - Start of competition
15: 00 - Break
16: 00 - Draw and medical control for weight categories up to 82kg, 87kg, and 130 kg
17:00 - Opening Ceremony
17:00 - Semifinals in weight categories up to 72kg, 77kg, and 97kg
18:00 - Finals in weight categories up to 55kg ,60kg, 63kg, and 67 kg

January 20 (Sunday)
7:00 - Opening of the entrance for athletes
8:00 - Second weighing for weight categories up to 60kg, 77kg, and 97kg
8:15 - Weighing, weight categories up to 82kg, 87kg, and 130kg
10:00 Start of competition
15: 00 - Break
17:00 - Semifinals in weight categories up to 82kg, 87, and 130 kg
18:00 - Finals in weight categories up to 72kg, 77kg, and 97kg.

January 21 (Monday)
7:00 - Opening of the entrance for athletes
8: 00 -The second weighing for weight categories up to 82kg, 87kg, and 130kg
10:00 - Start of competition
12:00 - Finals in weight categories up to 82kg 87kg, 130kg.

Attention! The program is subject to change.

#WrestleBudapest

Budapest Ranking Series 2026: Greco-Roman Storylines to Watch

Monday, July 13, 2026 - 09:20 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 13) -- Azerbaijan, Uzbekistan, Georgia, Russia, Turkiye, Kazakhstan, and Kyrgyzstan are among the countries bringing full Greco-Roman squads for the Budapest Wrestling Ranking Series, scheduled from July 15 to 19.

Among the many stars and storylines that will be played out in Budapest, a few will be under extra spotlight. Here's what to watch in Greco-Roman at the final Ranking Series stop for the year:

Evloev Returns After 5 Years

Musa EVLOEV (RUS) was among the best wrestlers in the world and he confirmed that by winning the 97kg Greco-Roman gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. A two-time world champion, Evloev was at the peak of his career from 2018 to 2021.

After losing to legend Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) at the 2017 World Championships, Evloev went on an unbeaten run. He defeated Aleksayan in the 2018 World Championships final, 2020 Individual World Cup and the Tokyo final.

However, Evloev has not competed since. He made his comeback at the Benur Pashayan Memorial held in Armenia, but lost his first bout, 3-2, to U23 world champion Hayk KHLOYAN (ARM).

In Budapest, Evloev would be keen on addressing his shortcomings and getting used to competing, especially under new Greco-Roman rules.

In addition to Khloyan, world bronze medalist Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), two German young stars Darius KIEFER (GER) and Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER), European medalist Alex SZOKE (HUN), Asian silver medalist NITESH (IND), former U20 world champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), and Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) are also in the entries.

Uzbekistan's Top Team

Uzbekistan is bringing a strong squad to Budapest led by world champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB). Since winning the 63kg gold last year, Khalmakhanov has moved up to 67kg and won the Zagreb Open and U23 Asian Championships.

He will now face the 67kg field in Budapest that includes European medalist Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM), U23 world champion Mohamed ABDELREHIM (EGY), European medalist Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), among others.

World silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB) is also in a tough bracket at 60kg. Olympic medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will be at 60kg after a stint at 63kg at the Ulaabaatar Open in which he lost a group bout but still won gold.

Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) and Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) both will be tough opponents for Ganiev, who is be joined by compatriot Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB). Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) and Sadyk LALAEV (RUS) too, can cause trouble.

Uzbekistan, perhaps to select teams for the World Championships and the Asian Games, have entered two wrestlers in almost all weights. At 77kg, world medalist Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) and Asian medalist Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB) will be up against some big names.

Former U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) has moved up to 77kg while age-group world champion Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) will be making his senior debut. Hungary has entered three wrestlers, Robert FRITSCH (HUN), Levente LEVAI (HUN) and Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), making the field even deeper.

Others at 77kg include Idris IBAEV (GER), Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), Ali ARSALAN (SRB) and Joel ADAMS (USA).

Can Cengiz Challenge?

Since finishing 10th at the Paris Olympics, former world champion Ali CENGIZ (TUR) has not been competing. He will mark his return in Budapest at 87kg, but can he challenge the young field after his two-year absence?

Asian champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) will be his biggest test apart from the three Hungarian hammers Tamas LEVAI (HUN), Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and Istvan TAKACS (HUN).

Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) is also entered in the bracket and can make a run to the gold medal on his day.

Battles Everywhere

At 82kg, Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) will be up against old nemesis Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), the Paris Olympic silver medalist who shattered Makhmudov's dreams of winning a gold medal.

Asian champion and Qatar history-maker Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) at 82kg will be among the wrestlers eyeing gold in Budapest. A win here will make him one of the favorites to win gold in Astana. Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) is also entered.

Kerem KAMAL (TUR) will have his task cut out at 63kg against Asian champion Aftandil TAALAIBEK UULU (KGZ), European champion Sergey EMELIN (RUS) and Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS), who will also wrestle for the first time since 2021.

At 130kg, most countries have gone with two wrestlers. Laszlo DARABOS (HUN) and Darius VITEK (HUN) are medal contenders at home. Kazakhstan has gone with Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) and Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ).

Former European champion Sergei SEMENOV (RUS) is back and will battle youngster Marat KAMPAROV (RUS) as both seek places on Russia's World Championships team. The United States has gone with three wrestlers, Aden ATTAO (USA), Adam COON (USA) and Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA).