#Zagreb2019

Starcevic Stuns Olympic Champion Kim, Makes Fifth Zagreb Open Finals Appearance

Saturday, February 9, 2019 - 18:48 By Eric Olanowski

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ZAGREB, Croatia (February 9) -  Bozo STARCEVIC, the Zagreb, Croatia native, stunned Olympic champion KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR), 8-2 in the quarterfinals and ultimately moved into the Zagreb Open finals for the fifth consecutive year. 

On Saturday, Starcevic avenged his 6-4 2016 Olympic bronze-medal bout loss to Kim, where the Korean wrestler claimed his second overall Olympic medal.

In their quarterfinals meeting on Saturday, Starcevic built a commanding 6-0 lead before Kim used an arm-spin to pick up his lone takedown, closing the deficit to 6-2. Starcevic somehow came away from Kim's arm-spin attempt with an exposure of his own and ultimately moved into the semifinals win an 8-2 victory.

In the semifinals, the hometown wrestler defeated Russia's Rafael IUNUSOV, 5-1 and locked up his fifth consecutive trip to the Zagreb Open finals. He's walked away victorious in each of his previous four trips to the Zagreb Open finals. 

Starcevic will wrestle Yunus BASAR (TUR) in tomorrow's 77kg gold-medal bout. Basar is one of four Turkish wrestlers who made it to Sunday night's Zagreb Open finals. Ekrem OZTURK, Kerem KAMAL, and Emrah KUS round out the other Turkish finalists. 

Ozturk went undefeated in the round-robin competition and will wrestle Iran's 2017 junior world champion Poya Soulat DAD MARZ for the 55kg gold medal. Both wrestlers were 2-0 on the day. 


Turkey's two-time junior world champion Kerem KAMAL made his first senior finals. He'll wrestle Iran's Milad Ali REZANEZHAD in the 60kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan) 

Turkey's two-time junior world champion Kerem Kamal outscored his three opponents 26-3 and made it to his first career senior finals. His best finish prior to making Sunday's Zagreb Open finals came at the 2018 Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov Tournament when he finished with a bronze medal.

Kamal will wrestle Iran's Milad Ali REZANEZHAD in the 60kg finals. Sunday's gold-medal bout will be Rezanezhad's first senior finals appearance. 

Emrah Kus, the reigning 2018 world runner-up, rounds out the four Turkish finalists. Kus bulldozed his three opponents on the opening day of competition in Zagreb and snagged three straight technical superiority victories, outscoring his trio of opponents 25-0. 

He'll lace up against Bulgari's three-time European bronze medalist Daniel ALEKSANDROV for the 82kg gold medal. 


Reigning world runner-up Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) will wrestle defending Zagreb Open champion Mihai MIHUT (ROU)  in the 67kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan ) 

Meanwhile, Uzbekistan tallied the second most finalists with three.

They're led by reigning world runner-up and Rio Olympic bronze medalists Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB). Tasmuradov will take on one of the sports brightest rising stars and defending Zagreb Open champion Mihai MIHUT (ROU) in the 67kg gold-medal bout.

Though he didn't place at last year's world championships, Mihut did win last year's U23 and senior European championships, and also claimed titles at the Thor Masters, the Kristjan Palusalu Memorial, and the Ion Corneanu & Ladislau Simon Memorial. 

Islomjon BAKHRAMOV and Muminjon ABDULLAEV are Uzbekistan's remaining pair of finalists. 

Bakhramon will see America's Xavier JOHNSON (USA) in the 63kg finals. 

At 130kg, Abdullaev scored huge back-to-back wins, giving Uzbekistan their third finalist. In the quarterfinals, Abdullaev scored a match-winning takedown with one minute left and knocked off 2017 world bronze medalist Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI), 2-2. He followed his quarterfinals win up by blasting U23 world silver medalist Osman YILDIRIM (TUR), 9-0 in the semifinals, setting up a finals date with Norway's Oskar MARVIK. 


Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) was one of two Hungarian finalists. He'll wrestle Sweden's Kristoffer BERG in tomorrow's 87kg finals. (Photo: Martin Gabor) 

Meanwhile, Hungary and Bulgaria each had two finalists. 

Bulgaria's pair of finalists were Daniel Aleksandrov (previously mentioned) and reigning world runner-up Kiril MILOV, who will take on Russia's lone finalist, Ilia BORISOV (RUS), for the 97kg gold medal. 

Hungary's pair of finalists were Robert FRITSCH (HUN) and Viktor LORINCZ (HUN). 

Fritsch picked up back-to-back wins over world bronze medalists to put himself in the Zagreb Open finals for the first time. In the quarterfinals, Fritsch edged reigning world bronze medalists Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 3-3 on criteria. Then, he beat U23 world bronze medalist Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR), 6-3 and locked up his spot in the 72kg finals with Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO).

Hungary's second Zagreb finalist is Viktor Lorincz. Lorincz scored an extremely important 3-0 semifinals win over fellow Hungarian Erik SZILVASSY (HUN). Lorincz and Szilvassy, the 2017 U23 world champion, were in a tight battle for Hungary's 2019 Astana World Championship spot. Lorincz' semifinals win gives him a leg up on Szilvassy and some breathing room heading into the second Greco-Roman Ranking Series event, the Hungarian Grand Prix.  

Lorincz will meet Sweden's Kristoffer BERG in tomorrow's 87kg finals. 

The final day of wrestling at the Zagreb Open, United World Wrestling first Greco-Roman Ranking Series Event, beings on Sunday at 10:30, with the finals beginning at 17:30 (local time).

For news, interviews, highlights and behind-the-scenes clips, you can following United World Wrestling on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Youtube. 

SCHEDULE

Sunday (February 10)
8:00 - 2nd-day weigh-in, all weight categories (No weight tolerance!) Sport Hall
10:30 - Repechage bouts and bronze medal matches (all categories)
17:30 - Opening ceremony and Final matches (all categories)

RESULTS

55kg (Round-Robin) 
GOLD -  Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) vs. Poya Soulat DAD MARZ (IRI) 

60kg 
GOLD - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) vs. Milad Ali REZANEZHAD (IRI) 

Semifinals - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Ivan LIZATOVIC (CRO), 11-1 
Semifinals - Milad Ali REZANEZHAD (IRI) df. Erik TORBA (HUN)  , 6-3 

63kg 
GOLD - Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) vs. Xavier Tramain JOHNSON (USA) 

Semifinals - Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) df. Firuz TUKHTAEV (UZB) , 5-0
Semifinals -  Xavier JOHNSON (USA) df. Dawid ERSETIC (POL), 9-0

67kg
GOLD -  Mihai Radu MIHUT (ROU) vs. Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) 

Semifinals  -  Mihai Radu MIHUT (ROU) df. Danijel JANECIC (CRO)  , 5-1
Semifinals -  Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) df. Enes BASAR (TUR), 13-1 

72kg
GOLD - Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) vs. Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) 

Semifinals - Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Mateusz BERNATEK (POL), 11-2 
Semifinals - Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) df. Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR), 6-3 

77kg
GOLD -  Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO) vs. Yunus BASAR (TUR) 

Semifinals -  Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR) df. Mohammad NAGHOUSI (IRI) , 10-0  
Semifinals -  Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO) df. Rafael IUNUSOV (RUS), 5-1  

82kg
GOLD - Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL) vs. Emrah KUS (TUR) 

Semifinals - Emrah KUS (TUR) df. Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), 8-0 
Semifinals -  Daniel Tihomirov ALEKSANDROV (BUL) df. Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO), via injury default 

87kg
GOLD -  Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) vs. Kristoffer Zakarias BERG (SWE) 

Semifinals - Kristoffer Zakarias BERG (SWE) df. Yoan Danielov DIMITROV (BUL), 6-3 
Semifinals -  Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) df. Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), 3-0 

97kg
GOLD - Ilia BORISOV (RUS) vs. Kiril Milenov MILOV (BUL) 

Semifinals - Ilia BORISOV (RUS) df. Tracy Gangelo HANCOCK (USA), 3-1 
Semifinals - Kiril Milenov MILOV (BUL) df. Jahongir TURDIEV (UZB), 3-1  

130kg 
GOLD -  Oskar MARVIK (NOR) vs. Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) 

Semifinals -  Oskar MARVIK (NOR) df. Marko KOSCEVIC (CRO), 4-1 
Semifinals - Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) df. Osman YILDIRIM (TUR), 9-0  

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 World Championships 2025 Day 5 FS & WW Highlights

Friday, October 24, 2025 - 08:30 By Vinay Siwach

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NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 23) -- The U23 World Championships enters day five with two Freestyle weight classes -- 74kg and 92kg and three in women's wrestling -- 53kg, 59kg and 62kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

14:40: European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) finds a way to beat Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) in the final 40 seconds. Kolawale was lead 3-0 but Bondar with two different takedowns to win 4-3.

14:30: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) seems to be unbothered by the weight change as he puts on a clinic to win his 74kg quarterfinals against Mohammad BAKHSHI (JPN), 11-0. Aoyagi now into the semifinals

14:25: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) puts Iran in the semifinals after a technical superiority win over Joshua BARR (USA). Azimi led 1-1 on criteria but Barr began the second period with a takedown. But Azimi kept the pressure and scored a takedown, and used a high gut-wrench to score five turns and complete a 13-3 win and advance to the 92kg semifinals

14:20: There is no way 

14:15: Mukhamed KHANIEV (AZE) with a 10-0 victory over SACHIN (IND) and move into the semifinals at 92kg. Khaniev with three go-behinds before launching a big throw and turn to win via technical superiority.

14:10: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) with another technical superiority win as he beats Omar MOURAD (EGY), 12-2, to enter the 74kg semifinals.

14:00: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) and Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) face-off in the quarterfinals at 74kg. Both wrestlers exchange takedowns with Asluev leading 2-2 on criteria. Khaniev gets on a leg attack and manages to trip Asluev without control. It is, however, scored two points for Khaniev which gives him a 4-2 lead. Asluev manages to leg attack Khaniev but no points as both wrestlers go out of bounds in par terre. Bahrain challenges the call but it is lost, giving a 5-2 lead to Khaniev. Khaniev gets hit with caution and one point for fleeing, and the bout resumes in par terre. Asluev was about to turn Khaniev but loses his grip and Khaniev gets the two points for exposure which is also his winning points in his 7-3 win

13:35: SARIKA (IND) with a late takedown against Alexis JANIAK (USA) to clinch a 6-4 victory in their 59kg bout. Sarika set up Janiak a couple of times but failed to finish until the final takedown which resulted in victory. 

13:30: Returning silver medalist Ruka NATAMI (JPN) got a solid challenge from Olivia LICHTI (CAN) in her opening 59kg bout. Natami managed to counter Licthi's attacks and score her points in the 8-1 win but Litchi can be proud of her world debut

13:15: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) books a spot in quarterfinals at 92kg against Joshua BARR (USA) after an 8-1 victory over Sadig MUSTAFAZADE (AZE). Big four pointer for Azimi in that win.

12:50: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) with a quick takedown and turn to lead 4-1 against SAVITA (IND) after being put on activity clock in the 62kg match. Savit starts the second period with a takedown to  make the score 4-3. Bondar defends that lead for the last two minutes to advance to the quarterfinals.

12:45: Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) gets his double-leg attacks to win his 1/8 finals against PARVINDER (IND), 10-0, at 74kg. He finished with a lace turn to get the last two points.

12:30: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) comes back from 3-1 down to beat Ion MARCU (MDA), 11-5, at 74kg. Asluev moves into the quarterfinals and keeps Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW) alive

12:25: Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) with some masterful defense against Grigor CHOLAKYAN (ARM) and he scores on counters to beat the Armenian 14-5. Khaniev now in the quarterfinals.

12:20: Moving into the next round of 74kg bouts and we have world champion Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) doing what he does best. He beats Baitemir TULEBERDIEV (KGZ) 11-0 to advance to the quarterfinals.

11:40: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), chasing a historic gold to complete the Golden Grand Slam, begins with a fall over world bronze medalist Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) at 62kg.

11:30: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) upsets U20 world champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) at 92kg. Mix of stepouts and takedowns in his 7-1 victory.

11:15: U20 world champion and senior European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) and Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) involved in a little heated match. Bondar wanted twice for aggressive fouls but she manages to beat Ilyasoglu via fall at 62kg.

10:55: Former U20 world champion Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) begins his chase for a first world U23 title with a 12-2 win over Aliaksandr HULNIK (UWW) at 74kg.

U23 World Championships 74kg

10:50: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), world champion at 70kg, makes his debut at 74kg at the U23 World Championships. He begins slow but manages to up the pace in the second period and beat Petar PETKOV (BUL), 10-0.

10:40: Muhammed OZMUS (TUR) has pulled off a mini upset at 74kg as he beats Manuel WAGIN (GER), 10-2, two chest wrap attempts from Wagin costed him eight points and one for the lost challenge in that defeat.

10:30: Magomed KHANIEV (AZE) has more steady start at 74kg. He starts with a 10-0 controlled win against Georgios IOAKEIMIDIS (GRE). Khaniev will now be the favorite to reach the final from top half of that bracket.

10:20: We are off to very unexpected start at 74kg. Magomed BAITUKAEV (UWW), one of the favorites for gold at 74kg, goes down 3-3 against Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) in the opening bout. He led 3-0 but Asluev tied it in the second period, taking a criteria lead. He defended the lead to win.

10:00: The fifth day in Novi Sad can witness history. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) is chasing the gold and join the elite group of wrestlers to win all world titles and the Olympic gold medal.