#kaspeuro2018

Stadnik Wins Eighth European C’Ship, Adar Gets Third

By Eric Olanowski

KASPIISK, Russia (May 3) - Mariya STADNIK (AZE) captured her eighth European title and reigning world championship, Yasmin ADAR (TUR) claimed her third crown.

Stadnik sealed up the gold medal by demolishing 2017 world finalist, Emilia VUC (ROU), 10-0. 

When asked what’s the difference between this win and the first seven, Stadnik said “When I won the first few European Championships, I used to get really stressed out prior to the tournament. Now, I remain pretty calm. That’s the difference.” 

Stadnik also beat Vuc earlier this year in the Klippan Lady Open finals. She said, “I met Vuc in the finals of the Klippan Lady Open so I knew about her skills and tendencies.” 

With Mother’s Day just over a week away, Stadnik, a mother of two stated “I dedicate this win to my children. I have to leave them so often to go train, and the compensation for me being gone so much is this gold medal.”

Yasmin ADAR (TUR), now a three-time champion gave Turkey their second gold medal of the day by combining her four-point arm spin with two takedowns to best Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS), 4-2. 
 

At 55kg, the difference in the bout came with two minutes remaining as Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) took down Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL) and immediately went into a gut wrench to controlled the 4-1 lead.  Zasina scored a passivity point with under 15 seconds left to cut Kurachkina’s lead to 4-2. 

Kurachkina suffered from a lapse of judgment while celebrating with one second remaining as she fell to her back with excitement. Zasina jumped on top of the Belarusian and scored a takedown, evening the score at four apiece. 

“I thought the match was over, but in reality, I almost lost the victory. I was in total shock when I saw the final two points on the board. I learned that I need to wrestle until the whistle is blown.” 

Though the score was tied, Kurachkina defeated Zasina, 4-4 on criteria. 

“This was always my dream to win a European title, and today my dream came true. But, the European gold is just one step of preparation for other important tournaments.” 

Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) cruised to the 6-4 victory over Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL) in the 59kg gold-medal bout. The Turkish wrestler’s two takedowns and gut wrench in the opening period were enough to brush off Hristova’s pair of second-period takedowns.

“After being off for two years due to a break and an injury, this is a dream come true…I learned not to give up. It doesn’t matter if you’re injured, you can still find positives.”  

Anastasia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS) successfully defended her European title by avenging a loss from the 2017 World Championships in Paris, France to Koumba LARROQUE (FRA). 

Bratchikova picked up a takedown with 20 seconds left to break the 1-1 tie, ultimately winning 3-1. 

“I’ve met Koumba Larroque four times, and the only time I lost was in Paris at the 2017 World Championships. I’ve still haven't forgotten about that loss.” 

RESULTS
50kg
GOLD - Mariya STADNIK (AZE) df. Emilia Alina VUC (ROU), 10-0 

BRONZE – Milana DADASHEVA (RUS) df. Kseniya STANKEVICH (BLR), 4-2
BRONZE - Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Ainztane GORRIA GONI (ESP), 6-0 

55kg
GOLD - Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) df. Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL), 4-4

BRONZE – Bediha GUN (TUR) df. Anna VOITOVA (UKR), 10-0 
BRONZE -Mariia GUROVA (RUS) df. Evelina Georgieva NIKOLOVA (BUL), 10-6

59kg 

GOLD - Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) df. Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL), 6-4. 

BRONZE – Tetiana OMELCHENKO (AZE) df. Katsiaryna YANUSHKEVICH (BLR), 12-2
BRONZE - Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) df. Emma JOHANSSON (SWE), via inj def. 

68kg
GOLD - Anastasia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS)df. Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), 3-1 

BRONZE – Martina KUENZ (AUT) df. Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU), 2-1
BRONZE - Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Monika MICHALIK (POL) 6-4

76kg
GOLD - Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS), 8-2.

BRONZE – Sabira ALIYEVA (AZE) df.Iryna PASICHNYK (UKR), 6-3.
BRONZE - Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) df. Epp MAE (EST), 8-2. 

#WrestleBudapest

Kusaka, Losonczi shine on final day of Budapest Ranking Series

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 9) -- The final day of the Ranking Series with seven Greco-Roman weight classes. Four Olympic weights will be in action -- 67kg, 77kg, 87kg and 97kg -- with ranking points to be earned.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

Incredible session of wrestling. The finals are set and Iran is likely to have a few wrestle-offs for the Paris Olympics

14:30: Ali CENGIZ (TUR) and David LOSONCIZ (HUN) wrestle in the 87kg semifinal. Cengiz and Losonciz shared the World Championships gold after Losonciz won an appeal for a judge's error. But in the rematch here, Losonciz pins Cengiz in the second period after racing to a 5-0 lead. He knows what it means! This is the first time the two have wrestled after that World Championships final

14:10: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) with a stepout in the second period to beat world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) 2-1 and enter the 77kg final against Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) who defeated Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) 1-1 

13:50: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) has defeated world champion Luis ORTA (CUB)! OH WAIT WHAT?! What did we just witness here! Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) was clearly the better wrestler for five minutes and 58 seconds. He led 6-0 at the break but gave up a four pointer in the second as Orta closed the gap to 6-4. Iran challenged the call asking for two points for counter but lost to make the score 6-5. Esmaeili did well to keep the lead but for the last two seconds. As Orta dropped his guard, Esmaeili began celebrating but Orta launched a massive throw for four. It was originally not scored as the clock expired but Cuba challenged the call. On review, the move was completed with 0.1 seconds remaining on the clock. Esmaeili is inconsolable.

13:35: 63kg world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) hands Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) a 6-1 loss at 67kg. A big setback for Geraei and his Olympic dreams. He would now hope that Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) fails to win the gold medal here and the two get to have a playoff later in the evening.

13:25: David LOSONCZI (HUN) gives up a turn from par terre in the second period but that is not enough for Mohammadhossein MAHMOODI (IRI) to win their 87kg bout. Losonczi had a 5-0 lead from the first period and he looked in control of the bout.

13:22: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) has given a walkover to Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) in their 77kg quarterfinal. Akbudak will now wrestle Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) for a spot in the final.

13:00: Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) may feel he has been hard done here against Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg. Geraei defended two par terre positions and led 1-1 on criteria with 23 seconds left on the clock. He made an arm throw but had no contact with Suleymanov who was awarded two points and two more for a turn. Geraei was not defending thinking the referees would call it a risk. Iran challenged for the same but it called points and Geraei dropped his bout 6-1.

12:55: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) beats Mohammad Reza MOKHTARI (IRI) at 77kg to enter the semifinals. He will now wait for the winner of Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) and Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI). 

12:40: World champion Luis ORTA (CUB) and Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) now wrestling at 67kg. Orta launches a big four-pointer on the edge for the early lead. He then is then awarded a point for Sogabe's passivity. No turn in par terre but he scored a takedown to lead 7-0 at the break. Sogabe is unable to break Orta's defense in the second period. Orta closes out the match 7-1.

12:00: A tough opening round for world champion Ali CENGIZ (TUR) as he needs six minutes to beat Payton JACOBSON (USA) 6-1 at 87kg. He is on his way for a clash with David LOSONCIZ (HUN). Both were awarded the World Championships gold medal after Hungary won an appeal for a referee error in the final

11:40: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) continues to chip away at 77kg. He beats Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) 6-0 to advance to the 1/8 finals. In the same weight class, Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) has set up a 1/8 final with Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE).

11:30: A minute and 29 seconds is all Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) needs to win 8-0 against Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) in their round two bout at 55kg. Azizli looking absolutely dominant so far.

11:05: Mohmmadreza GERAEI (IRI) did not look his best in his opening match against Souleymen NASR (TUN) at 67kg as he failed to perform his throw from par terre. Nasr was called for negative wrestling twice which gave Geraei a 4-0 lead. But a lost challenge from Gereaei and par terre in the second period made it 4-2. Geraei holds on to that score to win. Iran's second wrestler at 67kg, Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) rolls to a 10-0 win over Nestor ALMANZA (CHI) in no time.

10:55: World champion Luis ORTA (CUB) shows up and rolls over David MANYIK (HUN) for a technical superiority win at 67kg. He earns a quarterfinal date with Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN).

10:50: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) dominates his first bout over Abd Elkrim OUAKALI (4), winning 11-3 and marching on at 77kg. He will face Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) next. In the same weight class, a quick finish as Zoltán LEVAI (HUN) pins Levente LEVAI (HUN).

10:40: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) has been trying to get the better of Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) at 55kg but he will have to wait another day for that as Azizli beats Dad Marz in the first bout at 55kg. On Mat A, Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) beats Marat GARIPOV (BRA).

10:30: Long day ahead in Budapest with some top matches scheduled. Nao KUSAKA (JPN), Geraei brothers, Ali CENGIZ (TUR), David LOSONCIZ (HUN), Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) are among the stars to be on the mat.