Stadnik Thrives in Return; Akgul Wins 8th Euro Title

Wednesday, April 21, 2021 - 20:42 By Vinay Siwach

WARSAW, Poland (April 21) -- After 581 days off the mat, Maria STADNIK (AZE) began where she left in Nursultan. If the World Championships in 2019 were a display of her strength, she put on a show of her speed on Wednesday to reach the final of the European Championships in Warsaw.

Stadnik looked as good as ever and showed why she remains the top wrestler in the continent as she set up the '19 European gold-medal rematch against Miglena SELISHKA (BUL).

Russia sent four of their wrestlers to the finals as women's wrestling began at the spectator-less Hala Widowiskowo-Sportowa COS Torwar stadium in Warsaw on Wednesday.

Stadnik began her day against world bronze medalist Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS) and while it looked like a tough bout on paper, the world champion did not think so. She got a point for Poleshchuk's inactivity and later a takedown to lead 3-0. A double for four points gave her a 7-0 lead before she finished with a counter to win, 11-0.

The two semifinals at 50kg went back-and-forth before the winners prevailed. The first semifinal proved to be more challenging for Stadnik as Oksana LIVACH (UKR) kept coming at her until the end. After securing four points early in the first period, Livach got Stadnik in a headlock and threw her for a four. A stepout helped Stadnik regain her lead.

In the second period, Stadnik scored a point for stepout to lead 6-4 but Livach made a desperate attempt at the end. Stadnik was quick to counter for a takedown and a gut wrench to win, 10-4, and reach the final.

Selishka needed a last-second takedown and a challenge to beat Emilia BUDEANU (MDA), 3-3, and reach her second consecutive Euro final. Trailing 3-1, she scored via a go behind with Budeanu's knee touching the mat for a split second. The referees did not score the scramble but a challenge from Bulgaria's corner saved the day for Selishka 3-3 on criteria.

She will be aiming to defend her title on Thursday which she won in Stadnik's absence last year in Rome.

But another defending champion was not so lucky with criteria. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) suffered a shocking 4-4 loss in the 59kg semifinal against Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS). Nichita was the favourite to win the gold medal in Warsaw and was well on course until the Russian roadblock.

The Tokyo Olympian was leading 3-2 when Chumikova launched a double on her. Despite a cartwheeling effort from Nichita, Chumikova was awarded four points while two were given to Nichita.

A challenge from Nichita saw the score being reversed to 4-4 with Chumikova holding criteria as she had four points via two takedowns. With :46 remaining on the clock, Chumikova managed to hold off Nichita and reach her first European final.

The Russian will be up agaisnt the silver medalist from last year Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL). In the semifinal, Dudova completed a 2-1 win over Yuliya PISARENKA (BLR) with all three points coming for passivity.

Nichita had earlier ended the hopes of Grace BULLEN (NOR) becoming a European champion for the third time with a 7-0 win. Dominating the quarterfinal, Nichita gave Bullen no chance to score. With Nichita's loss later in the day, Bullen won't be able to compete in the repechage as well.

Warsaw saw more young talent reaching the finals as Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) and Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) set up the summit clash at 68kg. The France wrestler could not have asked for a better day as she won her two bouts via fall and technical superiority, respectively.

Thursday's final will be a rematch from the European Olympic Qualifier event in Budapest last month. For the record, Velieva had forfeited the final in Budapest citing injury but the defending champion at Euros will in all likelihood try to keep her gold with her.

At 76kg, two-time Olympic medalist Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) defeated Aline FOCKEN (GER) and Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) in consecutive bouts to reach the final of 76kg. She will take on world bronze medalist Epp MAEE (EST) on Thursday.

At 55kg, Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) made it to the final at 55kg where she will wrestle local wrestler Roksana ZASINA (POL).

Salkazanov ends dream run with gold

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) capped off his dream run in Warsaw with a gold medal at 74kg. Wrestling at his second European Championships, Salkazanov entered the final after coming out from the lower side of the brack which had two world champions and a silver medalist.

Salkazanov had scored three come-from-behind victories coming into the final on Wednesday but it was a one-sided affair against Miroslav KIROV (BUL) as he won 10-0 to capture the gold medal.

On Tuesday, the Slovak defeated Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), 6-2, before erasing a five-point deficit in the quarterfinal against Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) to win 6-5. He then defeated the Individual World Cup champion Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) with an identical score in the semifinal.

Surprisingly, Salkazanov is yet to qualify for the Olympic Games in Tokyo as he finished 13th in Budapest last month. The World Olympic Qualifier in Sofia, Bulgaria can see him fulfill his dream.

Salkazanov Slovakia European Championships 2021

The two bronze medals at 74kg went to Mitchell FINESILVER (ISR) and Chamizo. Finsilver cruised to a 4-0 victory over Valentin BORZIN (MDA) to capture the bronze medal, Israel’s first freestyle European medal in the last 30 years. The last wrestler from Israel to medal at the European Championships was Maxim GELLER (ISR), who finished in second place at the 1991 European Championships in Stuttgart, Germany.

In a rematch of the Individual World Cup final in Belgrade, Serbia last year, Chamizo avenged his loss with a 5-1 win over Zhamalov. Putting up a defensive masterclass, Chamizo did not let the Russian score from any position despite being in trouble a couple of times.

He scored his points via two pushouts, a double leg and a penalty to Zhamalov for stopping the action, citing a shoulder injury. He was visibly in trouble with his shoulder but continued to wrestle despite his coach asking him to stop.

While Salkazanov captured his first title, veteran wrestler at 125kg Taha Akgul won his eighth European title in the last 11 years. In a final that saw Sergei KOZYREV (RUS) being cautioned out, Akgul looked a fitter, better version of himself at the surgery which kept him out for close to two years.

"I am really happy to comeback after the injury and beat the top four wrestlers to win the gold. It's very positive and motivating," Akgul, the Rio gold medalist, said after the final. "I will decide with my coaches where we will compete again. We are just months away from the Olympics and there is not much time."

Taha Akgul European Championships

Coming into the Championships, Akgul's biggest rival was '19 world champion Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), who he met in the first round. Akgul's sharpness and speed were too much for Petriashvili as he won, 6-1. Akgul then easily made it past Kamil Tomasz KOSCIOLEK (POL) and Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR).

Petriashvili returned to win the bronze medal after he defeated Khramianku (BLR) in a closely contested bronze medal bout. The Georgian won, 12-9. The second bronze went to Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) as he defeated Daniel LIGETI (HUN) 5-0.

Russia captured three gold medals on the final day for freestyle. Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS) was the first champion of the day as he rolled over Andrii DZHELEP (UKR) for a 12-2 win at 61kg.

The two bronze medals at this weight were won by Eduard GRIGOREV (POL) as he defeated Georgi VANGELOV (BUL). The second medal was captured by world champion Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) after a thriller against Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) which he won 9-7.

Russia's two other gold medals came via Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) and Magomed Guseynovitch KURBANOV (RUS) at 86kg and 92kg, respectively.

The six gold medals in Warsaw helped Russia win the team title while Ukraine and Azerbaijan finished in second and third, respectively.

Freestyle Results (Day 3 Photo Gallery)

61kg
GOLD - Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Andrii DZHELEP (UKR), 12-2

BRONZE - Eduard GRIGOREV (POL) df. Georgi Valentinov VANGELOV (BUL) , 4-2
BRONZE - Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) df. Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) , 9-7

74kg
GOLD - Tajmuraz Mairbekovic SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Miroslav Stefanov KIROV (BUL), 10-0

BRONZE - Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) df. Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS), 5-1
BRONZE - Mitchell Louis FINESILVER (ISR) df. Valentin BORZIN (MDA), 4-0

86kg
GOLD - Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) df. Sandro AMINASHVILI (GEO)

BRONZE - Myles Nazem AMINE (SMR) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 6-4
BRONZE - Ali SHABANAU (BLR) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), 4-2

92kg
GOLD - Magomed Guseynovitch KURBANOV (RUS) df. Samuel SCHERRER (SUI), 4-1

BRONZE - Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. AndriI VLASOV (UKR) ,5-0
BRONZE - Hajy RAJABAU (BLR) df. Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT), 8-0

125kg
GOLD - Taha AKGUL (TUR) df. Sergei KOZYREV (RUS), via DSQ

BRONZE - Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR), 12-9
BRONZE - Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) df. Daniel LIGETI (HUN), 5-0

Women’s Wrestling Results

50kg
GOLD - Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL) vs. Mariya STADNIK (AZE)

SEMIFINAL - Mariya STADNIK (AZE) df. Oksana LIVACH (UKR), 10-4
SEMIFINAL – Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL) df. Emilia CIRICU BUDEANU (MDA), 3-3

55kg
GOLD - Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL) vs. Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS)

SEMIFINAL - Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL) df. Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU), 2-1
SEMIFINAL - Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) df. Jessica Cornelia Francisca BLASZKA (NED), 9-2

59kg
GOLD - Bilyana Zhivkova DUDOVA (BUL) vs. Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS)

SEMIFINAL - Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) df. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), 4-4
SEMIFINAL - Bilyana Zhivkova DUDOVA (BUL) df. Yuliya PISARENKA (BLR), 2-1

68kg
GOLD - Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) vs. Khanum VELIEVA (RUS)

SEMIFINAL - Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) df. Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), 11-0
SEMIFINAL - Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) df. Nesrin BAS (TUR), 8-4

76kg
GOLD - Epp MAEE (EST) vs. Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS)

SEMIFINAL - Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) df. Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), 6-3
SEMIFINAL - Epp MAEE (EST) df. Cynthia Vanessa VESCAN (FRA), 4-0

#WrestleWarsaw

Kayaalp, Maskevich Dominate Through Finals; Russia Wins WW Title

Friday, April 23, 2021 - 20:37 By Vinay Siwach

WARSAW, Poland (April 23) -- No spectators were allowed at the Sportowa COS Torwar stadium in Warsaw, but if they were, Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) would have received the loudest cheer as both made it the finals of their respective weight categories in style.

While their both reached the summit clash, their paths were contrasting. Kayaalp used his experience to set up the opponents before dominating them in the three wins he needed to reach the final at 130kg. Kayaalp is chasing his 10th senior European title and is one step away from that.

Maskevich was more aggressive and had some hiccups before he entered the final at 87kg. After battling a world medalist, a world champion and even coming from behind to win, the young Belarussian phenom will look to win his first senior European title on Saturday.

Kayaalp led the way as three Turkish wrestlers made it to the final followed by two from Russia. Azerbaijan, Hungary, Belarus, Serbia and Georgia also had a finalist each.

The senior European Championships in Warsaw, Poland entered its fifth day with Greco-Roman action beginning in five weight categories – 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg. The medal bouts of the five women's weight category were also held as Russia won the team title.

Close to two months after he won the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series gold medal, Kayaalp was back on the mat. Beginning with the qualification round, the Turkey legend got going with a technical superiority win over Oleksandr CHERNETSKYY (UKR).

In the quarterfinal, Alin CIURARIU (ROU) had no chance one Kayaalp had been down on the mat. He completed a 8-0 win over the Romanian to move into the semifinal.

He took some time but once Eduard POPP (GER) was called for inactivity, Kayaalp got two turns and then a fall to reach his 11th European championship final.

Testing him in the final on Saturday will be 2019 World bronze medalist and European Games champion Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) who defeated Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU) 5-0 in the other semifinal.

This will be a rematch of the 2019 European Championships final which the Turkey wrestler won with ease.

Kiryl MASKEVICH European Championships 2021 — Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) reacts after beating Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) in Warsaw. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Another rematch in the final will be at 87kg as Maskevich will face Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) for the gold medal. The two met four months ago at the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, for a quarterfinal spot which Maskevich, the eventual champion, won 10-3.

Maskevich was one to enthrall live viewers from the word go as he opened up with a big opening round win against multiple time world medalist Viktor LORINCZ (HUN). He launched a pair of lifts to finish the bout in the first period itself with a score of 9-0.

But his tournament was well over when Individual World Cup winner at 82kg Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) led, 6-0. Maskevich then launched a headlock to pin the Russian to his back and he held it long enough to get the fall. He let out a loud roar before consoling his opponent.

Tornike DZAMASHVILI (GEO) was his next victim as he scored a 9-1 win over the Georgian to reach the semifinal and win it against Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) 9-1.

Serbian transfer from Georgia Datunashvili had a field as well on the other side of the 87kg bracket as he defeated world champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR), 1-1, in the quarterfinal before humbling Rio Olympic bronze medalist and world silver medalist Denis KUDLA (GER),2-1, in the semifinal.

At 55kg, a pair of world champions failed to reach the finals as Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) defeated 2019 world champion at 55kg Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), 9-0, in the quarterfinals before losing his semifinal against Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) 5-4.

This was Azizli's second straight win over Tsurtsumia after winning the semifinal at the 2018 World Championships. But he could not keep up his performance as he lost 4-5 against Sefershaev.

Azizli led 2-1 in the semifinal after the first period as he gave a point for inactivity but Sefershaev failed to roll him, instead gave up two points.

The second period saw Azizli getting another passive warning which made the score 2-2. A pushout, which was challenged by Russia, gave him a 4-2 lead which was intact until 18 seconds were left in the bout.

Sefershaev jumped over Azizli and grabbed him for a reverse lock and exposed him for two. The call was challenged by Azerbaijan but with no luck. In the end, it was a close, heartbreaking loss for Azizli.

From the other side of the bracket, 2018 world bronze medalist Ekrem OZTURK made it to the finals after beating Rudik MKRTHCHYAN (ARM), 5-4, and producing a technical superiority win over Artsiom KATSAR (BLR) in the semifinal.

Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) European Championships 2021

Another thriller was seen at 63kg as World Cup winner Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) scored nine points in the second period after trailing 0-5 against junior European champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) to win 9-5.

As if waiting for the passivity call against Abuladze, Lokyaev lifted him twice for four-point throws and won the battle.

He will face Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final as the Azerbaijan wrestler defeated Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT) 7-1. Had the Latvian wrestler reached the final, it would have been his country's first senior European medal in 83 years.

Mammadov and Lokyaev wrestled in the quarterfinal at the Individual World Cup in November last year with the Russian claiming a 2-0 win.

Another world champion to make it to the final with ease was Tamas LORINCZ (HUN). He had little to no trouble to reach the 77kg final against Yunus BASAR (TUR).

In the semifinal, Lorincz won 5-0 against Michael WIDMAYER (GER) while Basar was happy with a 4-0 win over Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR), who had earlier ended the tournament for 72kg world champion Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) with 12-3 win.

Ringaci avenges loss, Russia win title

As soon as the 65kg final finished, Irina RINGACI (MDA) ran to her coach for a long hug. The Moldova wrestler ran back to the mat as the referee raised her hand as the champion of Europe. While it was an overwhelming feeling for her, it became even more emotional given the manner in which she won the gold medal.

Over four months ago, Ringaci was in the final of the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia, and a win away from winning the gold. But all her dreams came crashing down as Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) defeated her, 14-4.

Cut to April in Warsaw, the two faced each other in the European Championships final, and this time, Ringaci makes no mistake and claims a technical superiority 10-0 win over Rizhko.

Ringaci got a body lock from behind to send Rizhko flying for a four before she came out on top in scramble she initiated using a slide-by. Two chest wrap exposures were enough for her to claim the gold medal in the Polish capital.

That denied Ukraine three gold medals which could have propelled them to a team title on the final day of women's wrestling. Russia claimed the title after Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) won the 53kg gold medal while Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) won the bronze at 72kg.

Ukraine's two gold medals came via Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) at 62kg as she denied Marianna SASTIN (HUN) her first European gold medal. Alla BELINSKA (UKR) also won a gold medal for her country as she defeated Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) 6-3 in the 72kg final.

Sastin tried hard to get a big attack in the final seconds of the 62kg final but Koliadenko was strong enough to hold her 4-1 lead and win the gold medal. This was Sastin's seventh European medal but none of them the top one.

Olympic silver medalist Valeria KOBLOVA (RUS)'s troubles continued at 62kg as she lost the bronze medal bout 0-5 to Veranika IVANOVA (BLR). On Thursday, she had suffered a loss by fall in the semifinal.

The second bronze at 62kg went to Katarzyna MADROWSKA (POL) as world silver medalist Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) opted out.

In the 53kg final, Khoroshavtseva was totally dominant against Rio Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) and gave no chance to her in the final. Three takedowns and a lost challenge from Greece handed her a 7-0 win.

The bronze medal at 53kg went to Iulia LEORDA (MDA) who defeated Tatyana VARANSOVA (AZE) 10-0 and Annika WENDLE (GER) who came out on top against Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), 8-1.

Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) ended the dream run and home country's gold medal hope Anhelina LYSAK (POL) by beating her 15-4 in the 57kg final.

Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) fought out a close bronze medal bout against Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) at 57kg but won 8-7. Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) completed a victory via fall over Francesca INDELICATO (ITA) to win the second bronze at the weight.

Kriszta INCZE (ROU) and Aleksandra WOLCZYNSKA (POL) captured the bronze medals at 65kg with a 4-3 win and a victory by fall over IrIna Petrovna NETREBA (AZE) and Alina ANTIPOVA (LAT), respectively.

In the final weight category of the day, 72kg, Dalma CANEVA (ITA) battled it out against Maria SELMAIER (GER) for a 3-2 win and the bronze medal. Zakharchenko won the other with an 11-0 win over Merve PUL (TUR).

Greco-Roman Semifinal Results

55kg
GOLD - Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) vs. Ekrem OZTURK (TUR)

SEMIFINAL - Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS) df. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), 5-4
SEMIFINAL - Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) df. Artsiom KATSAR (BLR), 8-0

63kg
GOLD - Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) vs. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE)

SEMIFINAL - Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) df. Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 9-5
SEMIFINAL - Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT), 7-1

77kg
GOLD - Yunus BASAR (TUR) vs. Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)

SEMIFINAL - Yunus BASAR (TUR) df. Dmytro PYSHKOV (UKR), 4-0
SEMIFINAL - Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) df. Michael WIDMAYER (GER), 5-0

87kg
GOLD - Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) vs. Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB)

SEMIFINAL - Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) df. Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), 9-1
SEMIFINAL - Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df. Denis KUDLA (GER), 2-1

130kg
GOLD - Riza KAYAALP (TUR) vs. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO)

SEMIFINAL - Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Eduard POPP (GER), via fall
SEMIFINAL - Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) df. Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU), 5-0

European Championships 2021 WW 62kg podium

Day Five WW Medal Results

53kg
GOLD - Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 7-0

BRONZE - Iulia LEORDA (MDA) df. Tatyana VARANSOVA (AZE), 10-0
BRONZE - Annika WENDLE (GER) df. Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), 8-1

57kg
GOLD - Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) df. Anhelina LYSAK (POL), 15-4

BRONZE - Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) df. Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS), 8-7
BRONZE - Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) df. Francesca INDELICATO (ITA), via fall

62kg
GOLD - Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Marianna SASTIN (HUN), 4-1

BRONZE - Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) df. Valeria KOBLOVA ZHOLOBOVA (RUS),5-0
BRONZE - Katarzyna MADROWSKA (POL) df. Taybe Mustafa YUSEIN (BUL), via fall

65kg
GOLD - Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR), 10-0

BRONZE - Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU) df. IrIna Petrovna NETREBA (AZE), 4-3
BRONZE - Aleksandra WOLCZYNSKA (POL) df. Alina Aleksandra ANTIPOVA (LAT), via fall

72kg
GOLD - Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Yuliana Vasileva YANEVA (BUL), 6-3

BRONZE - Dalma CANEVA (ITA) df. Maria SELMAIER (GER), 3-2
BRONZE - Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) df. Merve PUL (TUR), 11-0

Stadnik Thrives in Return; Akgul Wins 8th Euro Title

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Kayaalp, Maskevich Dominate Through Finals; Russia Wins WW Title