#BudaWrestle2018

Staebler Comes Back to Defeat Zhadrayev in 2017 World Finals Rematch

Thursday, October 25, 2018 - 13:01 By Andrew Hipps

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (October 25) -- Two-time world champion Frank STAEBLER (GER) came from behind late to defeat Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) in the quarterfinals at 72kg in a rematch from last year's world finals match at 71kg in Paris. It was one of the highlight matches in Thursday's opening session of Greco-Roman at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. 

Zhadrayev led 6-0 in the second period, but Staebler worked his way back into the match. He used a four-point throw with just over a minute left to take the lead and help complete the comeback.

Staebler will now face 2015 world champion Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE), a 6-4 winner over Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) in the quarterfinals.

Another world champion at 72kg, Balint KORPASI (HUN), a local favorite, was impressive in Thursday's opening session, picking up two technical falls without surrendering a point. In the quarterfinals he defeated Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) 8-0. He meets Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) in the semifinals. 

Returning world bronze medalist Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) made quick work of Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) in the quarterfinals at 63kg, picking up an 8-0 technical fall midway through the first period. Maryanyan now faces Hassan MOHAMED (EGY).

Olympic bronze medalist Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) cruised into the semifinals at 63kg with a 9-0 technical fall over Donior ISLAMOV (MDA). His opponent in the semifinals will be 2010 junior world bronze medalist. Lenur TEMIROV (UKR).

At 82kg, a pair of world champions advanced to the semifinals at 82kg, Saeid ABDVALI (IRI) and Peter BACSI (HUN), while another Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM) fell in the quarterfinals. 

2013 world bronze medalist Emrah KUS (TUR) edged the returning champion Manukyan 2-1. 

Abdavali, a 2011 world champion and returning world bronze medalist, shut out Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) 3-0 in the quarterfinals. Bacsi held on to defeat Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ) 2-1. Yerezhepov cut the deficit to one point late in the match but was unable to score again. 

Abdavali will face Kus in the semifinals, while Bacsi will meet Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ).

Nineteen-year-old Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), a junior world finalist in 2017, shined in the opening session at 55kg, picking up two technical falls without surrendering a point to reach the semifinals. He will meet top-seeded Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), a world university champion who had fall and 7-0 victory. 

On the bottom side of the bracket at 55kg, two-time junior world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) rolled to the semifinals with three dominant victories. He will face multiple-time junior world medalist Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) in the semifinals. Tsurtsumia was pushed in his second match by VasilII TOPOEV (RUS) but prevailed 11-9. 

The semifinals are scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m. local time.

Semifinal Matchups

Greco-Roman 

55kg
Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) vs. Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)
Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) vs. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) 

63kg
Lenur TEMIROV (UKR) vs. Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) 
Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) vs. Hassan MOHAMED (EGY) 

72kg
Balint KORPASI (HUN) vs. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) 
Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) vs. Frank STAEBLER (GER)

82kg
Saeid Morad ABDVALI (IRI) vs. Emrah KUS (TUR
Peter BACSI (HUN) vs. Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ)
 
 

#WrestleAthens

World champions Sanchez, Rashidov set up golden clash at U17 Worlds

Saturday, August 2, 2025 - 14:49 By Vinay Siwach

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ATHENS, Greece (August 2) -- It will be world champion clashing with another for the 51kg gold medal on Sunday at the World U17 Championships in Athens, Greece.

Returning world champion from 45kg Samuel SANCHEZ (USA) and returning 48kg champion Ulugbek RASHIDOV (UZB) both won their semifinals and will have a go at each other on Sunday.

Sanchez took just 44 seconds to see of Danael ABDYKASSYM (KAZ), 10-0, in the semifinals at 51kg. He used his gut-wrench to great effect to win via technical superiority.

Ulugbek RASHIDOV (UZB) had to work harder for his win against Haruku SHIINA (JPN). He set up two takedowns and then scored an exposure by doubl arm-locking Shiina and throwing him on the mat when the Japanese tried to defend using headpinch just before the break. Japan challenged but lost the decision as Rashidov led 7-0 at the break.

He used a takedown and turn to make it 11-0 in three minutes and 57 minutes.

Iran vs U.S. in two finals

Iran and the United States will face off in two finals on Sunday. At 45kg, Parsa TAHMASBI (IRI) and Keegan BASSETT (USA) dominated their semifinals to enter the gold-medal bout.

Tahmasbi pinned Mirjalol MUKAMMILOV (UZB) using a cradle and Bassett posted a composed 6-2 win over Ibragim VELIULLOV (UWW), 6-2.

The second Iran-U.S. final will be at 71kg after Arsham VAHABIAN (IRI) and Jayden JAMES (USA) needed comeback wins in their respective semifinals.

Vahabian was trailing 5-3 but scored a takedown to make it 5-5 against Ayubjon BOZORZODA (TJK), who led on criteria. Bozorzoda added a stepout to take a clear 6-5 lead. However, Vahabian got behind and managed to tilt Bozorzoda more than 90 degrees to score two points in the final five seconds.

Tajikistan challenged the decision but there was no other action as seen in review and the challenge was lost, giving one more point to Vahabian.

In the other semifinal, James was leading 3-3 against Yeghishe MOSESYAN (ARM) when the Armenian used a front headlock for turn and got two points to lead 5-3. But James quickly blocked Mosesyan and broke his lock and held him on the mat for a fall.

Canada could have had its first finalist of a World Championships in Freestyle since 2018 and first time at U17 Worlds since 1989, but Nathan NASH (CAN) failed to hold on to his 3-3 criteria lead against Rihito HIURA (JPN) in the final 30 seconds and suffered a heartbreaking 5-3 loss at 60kg.

Hiura scored a takedown to take a 5-3 lead and tried a leg-lace as the clock ticked and he managed to keep his score till it expired.

The Japanese will face SITENDER (IND) for the gold medal bout after the Indian defeated Bekassyl ASSAMBEK (KAZ), 5-1, in the other semifinal which turned out be a one-big-move match.

Iran had another finalist as Amirali ALIZADEH (IRI) won another one-sided bout. He defeated Elguja LOMIDZE (GEO), 11-0, in the semifinals. 

David DZEBISOV (UWW) made it to the final from other side after he blanked Beibarys YERGALI (KAZ), 9-0, in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

45kg
GOLD: Keegan BASSETT (USA) vs. Parsa TAHMASBI (IRI) 

SF 1: Keegan BASSETT (USA) df. Ibragim VELIULLOV (UWW), 6-2
SF 2: Parsa TAHMASBI (IRI) df. Mirjalol MUKAMMILOV (UZB), via fall

51kg
GOLD: Ulugbek RASHIDOV (UZB) vs. Samuel SANCHEZ (USA)

SF 1: Ulugbek RASHIDOV (UZB) df. Haruku SHIINA (JPN), 11-0
Sf 2: Samuel SANCHEZ (USA) df. Danael ABDYKASSYM (KAZ), 10-0

60kg
GOLD: SITENDER (IND) vs. Rihito HIURA (JPN)

SF 1: SITENDER (IND) df. Bekassyl ASSAMBEK (KAZ), 5-1
SF 2: Rihito HIURA (JPN) df. Nathan NASH (CAN), 5-3

71kg
GOLD: Jayden JAMES (USA) vs. Arsham VAHABIAN (IRI)

SF 1: Jayden JAMES (USA) df. Yeghishe MOSESYAN (ARM), via fall (5-5)
SF 2: Arsham VAHABIAN (IRI) df. Ayubjon BOZORZODA (TJK), 8-6

92kg
GOLD: David DZEBISOV (UWW) vs. Amirali ALIZADEH (IRI)

SF 1: David DZEBISOV (UWW) df. Beibarys YERGALI (KAZ), 9-0
SF 2: Amirali ALIZADEH (IRI) df. Elguja LOMIDZE (GEO), 11-0