#Grappling

Spain dominates European Grappling with team titles

Monday, March 13, 2023 - 11:20 By Vinay Siwach

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BUCHAREST, Romania (March 13) -- Spain's women's team emerged victorious at the European Grappling Championships, held in Bucharest, Romania, over the weekend. Led by Anna CASTELLS' (ESP) two gold medals, the Spanish team showcased their skills and determination to claim the team title.

The Spain women's team outplaced grappling powerhouse Ukraine in both the styles -- Grappling and Gi. Castells won gold medals in both events.

Grappling at 64kg, Castells took on Sandra PNIAK (POL) in the final of Grappling. After a slow start, Castells scored a takedown when Pniak slowed down. In the same scramble, Pniak managed to reverse the position and Castells gave up two points. Pniak cleverly broke the lock with 30 seconds remaining and decided to defend her 2-2 criteria lead.

However, in the final 20 seconds, Castells managed to throw Pniak and score exposure for two points to win 4-2.

A day later, she grappled another Poland grappler. In the 64kg final of the Gi event, Joanna ZABULEWICZ (POL) challenged Castells but met the same fate as her teammate Pniak.

Zabulewicz decided to go to the mat first which gave Castells two points. The Spaniard was penalized for being passive after going on top as Zabulewicz got her first point. Zabulewicz continued to engage Castells who was clearly not in the mood to engage. She was once again called for passivity and her lead now was 2-2 on criteria.

In the final minute, realizing that she may be called passive for the third time, Castells decided to be more active. She did not score a point but was enough to continue to grapple Zabulewicz and win 2-2.

Castells' success at the European Grappling Championships is just the latest achievement. Last year, she won the World Championships in Grappling at 64kg in front of her home crowd.

Four other European champions were crowned in Grappling with Pnina ARONOV (ISR) winning at 53kg, Melissa BENEDINI (ITA) winning the gold at 58kg, world champion Kateryna SHAKALOVA (UKR) winning the 71kg gold and Janina CZYCZYN (POL) claiming the gold at 90kg.

Janina CZYCZYN (POL)Janina CZYCZYN (POL) won two gold medals at the European Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Czyczyn won the gold medal in the Gi event as well, claiming the title at 90kg over teammate Magdalena ZASZCZUDLOWICZ (POL).

In the Gi event, Spain had an even better performance with three gold medalists. Apart from Castells, Naiomi MATTHEWS (ESP) won the 53kg gold and Micaela COMPANY (ESP) won the 71kg gold. Shakalova decided to give the Gi event a miss.

But Ukraine still had a champion as Viktoriia SYNIAVINA (UKR) won the gold medal in the 58kg weight class.

Roman KIZIUK (UKR)Roman KIZIUK (UKR) won the 92kg gold medals in both competitions. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Kiziuk stars

Roman KIZIUK (UKR) lit up the arena in Bucharest with two exceptional performances over two days, winning the 92kg gold medals at both Grappling and Grappling Gi events.

Undoubtedly the biggest star of the competition, Kiziuk continued where in left in Pontevedra, Spain last year and dominated the competition in Bucharest, adding two European golds to his World Championships golds.

In the Gi format, Kiziuk faced Roy DAGAN (ISR) in the final and was on the offensive from the word go. While Dagan tried to get Kiziuk in a headlock using his legs, the Ukrainian kept searching for scoring options. Dagan gave up after two minutes which allowed Kiziuk to move into headpinch position which gave him three points in the 5-0 win.

Earlier in the day, Kiziuk got two walkovers and one win via submission to enter the final.

In the Grappling event, Kiziuk was even more lethal, beginning with a 5-0 win over Avraham IBRAGIMOV (ISR), an 18-0 thrashing of Eduard ORAC (FRA) in the quarterfinals and beating Piotr FRECHOWICZ (POL) 2-1 in the semifinal.

He faced teammate Mykhailo MUZYCHENKO (UKR), he scored a 3-1 victory but did most of the attacking. In the final minute, he got penalized a point for passivity but that did not do too much harm.

His win in Grappling Gi helped Ukraine win the team title with 120 points, four more than second-placed Israel.

Ukraine finished second in the Grappling event with Poland dominating the show and finishing with 133 points. Ukraine finished second with 104 points.

Andrzej IWAT (POL)Andrzej IWAT (POL) won gold medals at 100kg in both Grappling and Grappling Gi events. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Jakub NAJDEK (POL), Mateusz MAZUR (POL) and Andrzej IWAT (POL) were the European champions for Poland in 77kg, 84kg and 100kg respectively.

Other champions in Grappling included Omri HAVIV (ISR) at 62kg, Anthony DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) at 66kg, Alessio SACCHETTI (ITA) at 71kg and Ioannis KARGIOTAKIS (GRE) at 130kg.

Alessio SACCHETTI (ITA)Alessio SACCHETTI (ITA) was a double champion in Bucharest. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Apart from Kiziuk in the Gi event, Sacchetti and Iwat also claimed twin gold medals. Sacchetti defeated Iker CAMARA (ESP) in the Grappling 71kg final 8-0 and Viki DABUSH (ISR) 4-2 in the Gi final.

Iwat faced Ivan Malin in the two finals and managed to win close bouts. In the Grappling final, he defeated Malin 4-2 and in the Gi final, he won 6-4.

Other champions in Gi were Mayis NERSESYAN (ARM) at 62kg, Alejandro CARRERAS (ESP) at 66kg, Pavlo MAKSYMCHUK (UKR) at 77kg, Nimrod RYEDER (ISR) at 84kg and Wojciech WILK (POL) at 130kg.

Results

Men's Grappling

62kg
Omri HAVIV (ISR)
Mykola NYKYFORUK (UKR)
Dmytro BARANOV (UKR)
Loris ZANOLINI (ITA)

66kg
Anthony DE OLIVEIRA (FRA)
Yarin CHRIKI (ISR)
Sergio RIQUELME (ESP)
Wojciech PAJAK (POL)

71kg
Alessio SACCHETTI (ITA)
Iker CAMARA (ESP)
Viki DABUSH (ISR)
Nico PULVERMUELLER (GER)

77kg
Jakub NAJDEK (POL)
Djabrail DJABRAILOV (FRA)
Pierre MANZO (FRA)
Kamil ROSIAK (POL)

84kg
Mateusz MAZUR (POL)
Saar SHEMESH (ISR)
Pawel JAWORSKI (POL)
Nimrod RYEDER (ISR)

92kg
Roman KIZIUK (UKR)
Mykhailo MUZYCHENKO (UKR)
Piotr FRECHOWICZ (POL)
Jose MORA (ESP)

100kg
Andrzej IWAT (POL)
Ivan MALIN (UKR)
Mourad BENGHOUNE (FRA)
Guglielmo CECCA (ITA)

130kg
Ioannis KARGIOTAKIS (GRE)
Eldar RAFIGAEV (MDA)
Ivan SNIHUR (UKR)
Aleksandre TEVZADZE (GEO)

Women's Grappling

53kg
Pnina ARONOV (ISR)
Carlota PRENDES (ESP)
Kristina RAU (GER)
Anca CUBLESAN (ROU)

58kg
Melissa BENEDINI (ITA)
Lina GROSSET (FRA)
Viktoriia SYNIAVINA (UKR)

64kg
Anna CASTELLS (ESP)
Sandra PNIAK (POL)
Antonia KANEW (GER)
Joanna ZABULEWICZ (POL)

71kg
Kateryna SHAKALOVA (UKR)
Alycia QUENEE (FRA)
MERYXELL GONZALEZ CORREA (ESP)

90kg
Janina CZYCZYN (POL)
Magdalena ZASZCZUDLOWICZ (POL)
Claudia FORNES (ESP)

Men's Grappling Gi

62kg
Mayis NERSESYAN (ARM)
Omri HAVIV (ISR)
Tal PISTINER (ISR)
Dmytro BARANOV (UKR)

66kg
Alejandro CARRERAS (ESP)
Sergio RIQUELME (ESP)
Anthony DE OLIVEIRA (FRA)
Wojciech PAJAK (POL)

71kg
Alessio SACCHETTI (ITA)
Viki DABUSH (ISR)
Iker DOMINGUEZ (ESP)
Dzhimsher RAZMADZE (GEO)

77kg
Pavlo MAKSYMCHUK (UKR)
Nikolaos POLYDOROS (GRE)
Djabrail DJABRAILOV (FRA)
Pierre MANZO (FRA)

84kg
Nimrod RYEDER (ISR)
Pawel JAWORSKI (POL)
Andrii BARKAR (UKR)
Matteo VERMIGLIO (ITA)

92kg
Roman KIZIUK (UKR)
Roy DAGAN (ISR)
Francisco MARTINEZ VILA (ESP)
Claudiu PATRU (ROU)

100kg
Andrzej IWAT (POL)
Ivan MALIN (UKR)
Mattan CHAZEN (ISR)
Martin NUSSMANN (GER)

130kg
Wojciech WILK (POL)
Eldar RAFIGAEV (MDA)
Guglielmo CECCA (ITA)
Michal PIWOWARSKI (POL)

Women's Grappling Gi

53kg
Naiomi MATTHEWS (ESP)
Pnina ARONOV (ISR)
Kristina RAU (GER)
Carlota PRENDES LARIOS (ESP)

58kg
Viktoriia SYNIAVINA (UKR)
Alesia ABRAMOVA (ISR)
Diana HRYHORENKO (UKR)

64kg
Anna CASTELLS (ESP)
Joanna ZABULEWICZ (POL)
Florika LUCHYCH (UKR)
Snezhana MORAR (UKR)

71kg
Micaela COMPANY (ESP)
MERYXELL GONZALEZ (ESP)
Alycia QUENEE (FRA)

90kg
Janina CZYCZYN (POL)
Magdalena ZASZCZUDLOWICZ (POL)
Giulia SIRTORI (ITA)

#WrestleTirana

Paris Olympic medalists in Tirana: An overview

Saturday, February 22, 2025 - 14:24 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (February 22) -- Tirana is quickly becoming a wrestling puller. After the thrilling World Championships in October, the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series will also prove to be a fan-favorite with the depth of field that in taking the mats in Tirana.

Given no further drop outs, 10 Paris Olympic medalists are expected to participate in Tirana including one champion -- Semen NOVIKOV (BUL).

Overall, five medalists are in Freestyle and three in Greco-Roman while two medalists are in Women's Wrestling. Here's a deep dive into the 10 Paris medalists heading to Tirana for the February 26 to March 3 event.

Greco-Roman

Semen NOVIKOV (BUL): Stuck behind Ukraine's legend Zhan BELEBIUK (UKR) at 87kg in Ukraine, Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) switched to Bulgaria. The change of countries brought change of fortunes for Novikov.

A world medal, Olympic qualification and a gold medal in Paris all gave Novikov a just reason to explain his switch. And the run in Paris included wins over David LOSONCIZ (HUN), Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI).

Tirana will test Novikov as some of the biggest names at 87kg are wrestling at the Muhamet Malo and the Olympic champion will be up for it.

Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI)Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI) won a silver medalist in his debut Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI): One of the top prospects in Greco-Roman for Iran is Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI). He may have lost the World Championships and Olympic finals but Mohmadipiani should be well settled at 87kg till Los Angeles 2028.

He will get a chance to wrestle Novikov in Tiran, depending on the draw. And a win for Mohmadipiani over Novikov will boost his confidence.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) won a bronze medal at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI): Sometimes the bracket it out like that. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) was stuck behind Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in Tokyo at 130kg. He defeated Kayaalp at the World Championships. But in Paris, he ran into Lopez again.

While he lost, Mirzazadeh captured the bronze medal that he missed in Tokyo. With Lopez retired and Kayaalp unclear about future, Mirzazadeh is undoubtedly the best 130kg wrestler. That is if Fardin HEYDAYATI (IRI) doesn't take his spot.

Tirana will be his first test and Heydayati the second when the two meet domestically.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) won the first wrestling medal at Olympics for Norway. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Women's Wrestling

Grace BULLEN (NOR): At 62kg, Grace BULLEN (NOR) has finally found her mojo. After struggling to qualify at 57kg, she not only qualified but won a bronze medal at 62kg in Paris. She could have well been in the final but Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) produced the move of the tournament to flip over and pin Bullen. 

Bullen is also the European champion at this weight and will begin her season in Tirana with a lot of expectations. There will be a few challenges but Bullen will be favorite to win this weight class.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) is a two-time Olympic medalist. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR): Silver medalist at 62kg in Paris, Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) will at 65kg in Tirana. Koliadenko is an underrated wrestler in the world. She has bronze from Tokyo and silver from Paris, a European gold medal and world medals as well. Koliadenko will no doubt be the top wrestlers in Tirana.

In the new Olympic cycle, Koliadenko will take her own time to lean towards 62kg or 68kg as Ukraine's superstar Iryna BONDAR (UKR) is making quick strides. Tirana will give some idea which way Koliadenko leans.

Islam DUDAEV (ALB)Islam DUDAEV (ALB) won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Freestyle

Islam DUDAEV (ALB): Albania's history-maker in Paris is wrestling at home. Dudaev won the first-ever medal for Albania in Olympic history in any sport in a thrilling bronze medal bout against Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), pulling off a 13-12 win.

Dudaev had an incredible 2024 in which he also became the European champion at 65kg, qualified for the Paris Games in Istanbul, and etched his name in history.

However, he will have his task cut out in Tirana. Also entered in the field in Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI).

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) is a silver medalist at 65kg from Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI): Among the many superstars that Iran produces, 65kg had to endure a wait long. Amouzad changed that in 2022 when he won the World Championships. He qualified for the Paris Games from the 2023 World Championships but his run was dismal as he did not win a medal.

But come Paris, Amouzad was in red-hot form. He blanked Dudaev and Muszukajev. The final did not go his way as he lost to Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) as his comeback was cut short. Amouzad-Dudaev rematch will be one bout to watch out for.

Chermen VALIEV (ALB)Chermen VALIEV (ALB) won bronze in a tough 74kg bracket in Paris. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Chermen VALIEV (ALB): Along with Dudaev, Valiev was the other Olympic medalist for Albania. He too will be wrestling at home at 74kg. Valiev had a remarkable run in Istanbul where he qualified for Paris after a win over Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR).

And Valiev almost had a similar in Paris but a challenge turned his victory to defeat against Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), who went on to win the gold medal and Valiev the bronze. Still, Valiev defeated Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) and Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) en route his bronze.

Valiev, in an interview with UWW last year, told that he is ready to avenge his loss to Jamalov however that opportunity will be later in the year.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO)Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) won a silver medal in Paris at 97kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO): In an excellent at the Paris Olympics, Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) made it to the 97kg final. He ran into Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and a failed arm-spin attempt resulted in a pin and Matcharashvili ended up with a silver medal.

The season will begin with Matcharashvili wrestling at 125kg in Tirana but that doesn't mean he will be at 125kg. He wrestled a few times at 125kg last year as well but returned to 97kg. In Tirana, he will face quite a few challenges at the super heavy weight class.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) returned with a silver medal from the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI): One of the top matches of Paris Olympics was the 125kg in which Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI), who has past wins over Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), lost to Petriashvili after getting caught in a gut-wrench. Down 8-0, Zare mounted a comeback but as time ran out, he fell short 10-9.

Zare will be full of motivation to begin his new year with a gold medal. He may not get a hand on Petriashvili soon but Zare must look at the bigger picture of 2028 LA Olympics.