European Games

Stadnik, Marzaliuk to Wrestle for Second European Games Gold Medals

By United World Wrestling Press

MINSK, Belarus (June 27) - Two women on opposite ends of the weight categories will wrestle for their second European Games gold medals on Friday.

Mariya STADNIK (AZE) and Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) earned semifinal victories at 50kg and 76kg respectively Thursday at the European Games in Minsk, Belarus. 

Stadnik, a three-time Olympic medalist, gave up the first point in her semifinal match, but came back with six unanswered points to win 6-1. She outscored her opposition 16-1 on Thursday. 

Opposing Stadnik in the finals will be world No.2 Oksana LIVACH (UKR). Livach, a 2019 European champion, shut out Viyaleta CHYRYK (BLR) 5-0 in the semifinals. The 22-year-old Ukranian scored first off a passivity point and led 1-0 at the break. She pulled away in the second period, scoring a takedown off a double leg before exposing Chyryk for an additional two points.

Marzaliuk, competing in her home country, had to come from behind late to beat 2015 world bronze medalist Epp MAE (EST) 5-3 in the semifinals. Marzaliuk led 2-1 at the break after scoring a takedown on the edge of the mat late in the first period. In the second period, Mae scored two consecutive step-out points to take a 3-2 lead. But Marzaliuk was able to secure a takedown in the final 30 seconds to claim the victory. 

She will meet Francy RAEDELT (GER) in the finals. Raedelt rolled to a technical superiority over Sabira ALIYEVA (AZE) in the semifinals. 

At 57kg, Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) scored a last-second takedown to edge Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) 8-6. The two wrestlers traded takedowns in the opening period, and Kurachkina led on criteria at the break. The second period was filled with action as Kurachkina opened with a takedown to extend her lead to 4-2. Nichita then regained the lead, 6-4, with a four-point throw. Kurachkina scored a takedown to make the score 6-6, but she still trailed on criteria. With short time on the clock, Kurachkina scored a takedown, which was initially not awarded, but a successful challenge overturned the call.

The other semifinal winner at 57kg was Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL), who advanced to the gold-medal match with a first-period fall over Bediha GUN (TUR) at 57kg. 

Yuliia TKACH (UKR), a four-time world medalist and 2014 world champion, reached the gold-medal match at 62kg by defeating world No.1 Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) 11-8. Tkach went up 8-4 at the break and held on to win by three. She will face Elmira GAMBAROVA (AZE) in the finals. Tkach was a European Games silver medalist in 2015. 

Gambarova used two takedowns to defeat Kriszta INCZE (ROU) in the semifinals. Incze scored first off a step out, but Gambarova took a 2-1 lead on the strength of a takedown off an arm spin. In the second period, Gambarova scored another takedown off an arm spin. 

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling 

50kg
GOLD - Mariya STADNIK (AZE) vs. Oksana LIVACH (UKR)
SEMIFINAL - Mariya STADNIK (AZE) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), 6-1
SEMIFINAL - Oksana LIVACH (UKR) df. Viyaleta CHYRYK (BLR), 5-0

57kg
GOLD - Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) vs. Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), Fall (2:03)
SEMIFINAL - Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) df. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), 8-6

62kg
GOLD - Yuliia TKACH (UKR) vs. Elmira GAMBAROVA (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Yuliia TKACH (UKR) df. Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), 11-8
SEMIFINAL - Elmira GAMBAROVA (AZE) df. Kriszta INCZE (ROU), 4-1

76kg
GOLD - Francy RAEDELT (GER) vs. Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR)
SEMIFINAL - Francy RAEDELT (GER) df. Sabira ALIYEVA (AZE), 11-1
SEMIFINAL - Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) df. Epp MAE (EST), 5-3
 

Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 Day 2 Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (November 19) — The Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 will enter the second day with two Greco-Roman weight classes, 97kg and 130kg, and three women’s wrestling weight classes — 50kg, 53kg and 57kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

13:15: Miesinnei GENEISI (NGR) with a fall over Chebila CHEIMA (ALG) in the 50kg semifinal and enter the final in which she will face Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)

13:05: Mohamed ADELLATIF (EGY) scores a takedown in the second period to survive a passivity call and win his semifinal at 130kg against Fatih OZTURK (TUR) 3-0. He will face Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) for the gold medal

12:45: Tekouk ACHOUAK DJAMILA (ALG) with some strong counters after Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) scored the first four points. Djamila made it 6-4 before Suleyman scored a go behind and led 6-6 and a turn to lead 8-6. The Turkiye wrestlers defends the late attacks from Djamila and wins 10-6 to enter the 57kg final.

12:30: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) reaches the final at 130kg after an 8-0 pounding of Roman KIM (KGZ) in the semifinal. He scored four points using a suplex. Kim was called for a leg foul which gave two more points to Hedayati. A takedown and he finishes with technical superiority.

12:05: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) has not trouble in his semifinal against Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA), beating him 9-0 with four turns from par terre and advance to the final at 97kg.

11:45: World bronze medalist Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) gets a solid 5-1 win over Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR) to advance to the final at 97kg. The big question is can Ahmadiyev challenge Saravi?

11:30: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) looks unstoppable at 130kg. He scores a takedown and three turns to beat Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) 8-0

11:25: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) gets another dominant win at 57kg. She pins MIM (BAN) and moves into the semifinal with the top spot in the group.

11:10: World and Olympic champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) was in some trouble when put in par terre and Rouabah FADI (ALG) almost turned him but Saravi manages to defend that. Saravi then scores a takedown, gets par terre and scores two turns to lead 7-1 and also win with that score.

11:00: Miesinnei GENEISI (NGR) gets hold of a struggling Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) in Round 2 at 50kg and finishes with a 12-2 win. Mammadova clearly struggling with a knee injury

10:55: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) began well again Mohamed ABDELLATIF (EGY), taking a 3-0 lead. However, the Egyptian managed to make a comeback and beat Kandelaki 4-3 at 130kg.

10:40: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) went neck-to-neck before the former stepped up her game and secured a five-point lead 13-8. Suleyman scored a four-point and two counters to score her 8 points while Aliyeva kept coming back every time Suleyman scored. But soon, Aliyeva scored two counter lifts to win the match 15-10 at 57kg.

10:25: Two quick finishes in Round 1 at 57kg in women’s. Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) laces MIM (BAN) for a 10-0 win while Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) beats Veronica AYO (UGA) 10-0 as well.

10:15: World U23 champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) squares up against the Mohamed ABDELLATIF (EGY) in Round 1 at Greco 130kg. He begins with a stepout before securing the first par terre advantage. He scores one more point to win 3-0.

10:05: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) takes little time to secure the fall over Chahd JELJELI (TUN) in the first bout at 57kg. The former world U23 champion is the favorite to win gold here.

10:00: Day two of the Islamic Solidarity Games and we have Olympic and world champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI), Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) among other stars in action.