#WrestleBucharest

Szel scripts comeback to win U23 European gold

Friday, March 17, 2023 - 19:36 By Vinay Siwach

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BUCHAREST, Romania (March 17) -- Perhaps the most amateurish move Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) has performed in her career. With little control over Anna SZEL (HUN), she tried an arm spin, only to suffer a heartbreaking loss. After the final whistle blew, Khomenets realized her mistake, smashing her hand on the head.

An incredible comeback and Khomenets brain-fade moment gave Szel a thrilling 6-6 win and the 57kg gold medal at the U23 European Championships on Friday. This was Szel's first gold at a championship in five years.

Anna SZEL (HUN)Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) tried the arm spin on Anna SZEL (HUN) which proved costly. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Szel has shown sparks of brilliance before, like when she won a silver medal at the U20 European Championships in 2021 or when she claimed bronze at the U23 Worlds in 2021. Or when she finished with silver at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games.

But for the major part of her career, Szel has been jumping around weight classes. In 2018, she wrestled at 57kg. A year later, she remained at 55kg but till 2021, she wrestled in four competitions at 62kg without much success at the top level. In 2021 and 2022, she wrested at 59kg and 62kg with a single appearance at 57kg as well.

With the start of the new season, Szel decided to stay at 57kg. She finished 14th at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series event in February. But she did not lose heart and decided to enter the U23 Europeans at the same weight and what a decision that has turned out to be.

"I was injured at the last U23 Europeans," Szel said. "I had to take off for six months for surgery and rehab. Even today I was wrestling with pain in my right knee. A ligament injury took time to heal and that is why I kept wrestling in different weight classes."

Wrestling against world silver medalist Khomenets, Szel never felt out of place, sticking to her defense even when Khomenets was close to scoring. She even trailed early and survived a barrage of double-leg attacks. But in the end, she came out all clear and with the gold medal around her neck.

Khomenets, like Szel, has been juggling between 55kg and 57kg. She has had success at 57kg before as she won the U20 European title and a bronze medal at the U20 World Championships last year.

She was hoping to achieve her biggest win at 57kg on Friday until the brain fade in the last 30 seconds of the final.

The bout began with Khomenets' back-to-back attacks, unsettling Szel at first. The aggression bore fruit as she managed to score a takedown with a double-leg to lead 2-0 at the break.

Szel had not taken a real shot so far in the bout and did not look for any chances in the second as well. So Khomenets got going and once again managed to hit a double leg. However, this time Szel was alert and did not give up a takedown, thanks to a crucial challenge from the Hungary corner. Szel had locked her hands around Khomenets to defend the attack but the referee had awarded two points to Khomenets which were removed after the challenge.

"I followed a tactic in the final to wait till the last minute," Szel said. "We knew that she will get tired and I can score and win then. I definitely had more power than her. I had a better chance to win in the final minute because the score could be close."

Khomenets stayed low and tried the double leg again. Szel kept splitting her legs and putting her arms around Khomenets waist. In one such sequence, Szel managed to lift Khomenets for exposure and get the two points to take a 2-2 criteria lead.

But Khomenets kept coming back and got Szel in danger. She tried pinning the Hungarian for 30 seconds but could not. In that sequence, she scored two rolls. However, the referee only scored one.

With 20 seconds left, Khomnenets, leading 4-2, looked at the scoreboard and tried to score two more points. The lapse in concentration cost her as Szel put her right leg over Khomenets and got two points to lead 4-4 on criteria.

It was then that Khomenets tried that arm spin which proved disastrous. She only managed to put her own back in danger which gave Szel two more points to win 6-4.

"I did not know what I will do but I knew that I can win this match," she said. "I was not sure what was happening in the final 30 seconds. When the challenge was going on, I knew that the last point is mine so even if she gets two more, I will win."

Ukraine had already challenged, asking for two points in the earlier sequence. Khomenets was awarded two points on review but Szel had scored the last points and hence declared the winner, 6-6, on criteria.

Khomenets was heartbroken as she lay on the mat even as Szel jumped around in excitement, hugged her coach and screamed before the nerves settled. During her victory lap, Szel took the flag and just jumped, letting the moment sink in, something she had waited for since that U17 Euro title in 2018.

With Szel cutting down and Khomenets moving up, there was a clear difference in strength between the two wrestlers which made Szel follow the game plan to tire her out.

"I felt that 62kg is not for me as I was not feeling strong enough," Szel said. "I could not wrestle like myself. I am stronger and faster at 57kg and I felt that in the final today. I could feel that she is not the same as me."

In a month's time, Szel will be at the European Championships in Zagreb, Croatia and the gold in Bucharest could not have come at a better time to boost her confidence before the senior tournament.

Despite Khomenets' loss, Ukraine won the team title with 158 points. Turkiye finished second with 129 points and the host country finished with 123 points for third place.

Iryna BONDAR (UKR)Iryna BONDAR (UKR) won the 62kg gold medal in Bucharest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Iryna BONDAR (UKR) won the gold medal for Ukraine at 62kg to go with the gold medals won by Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) and Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) on Thursday. Apart from three golds, it also won three silvers and a bronze medal.

Bondar's gold at 62kg came as she defeated Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) 5-1 in the final. All the points by Bondar were scored in the first period and Douarre had to endure a frustrating second period as Bondar decided to not engage.

Douarre was called passive in the first period and during the activity time, Bondar jumped behind Douarre, caught both arms and slammed her on the mat for four points.

Douarre did get on a couple of single-leg attacks in the second period but Bondar always pressured Douarre's head to keep her from elevating her legs. Bondar gave up one point for passivity which did not cause her much damage as she won the final 5-1.

Two more Ukrainians were in the finals but both fell short at the final hurdle.

Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) scores a four-pointer on Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) in the 53kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 53kg, Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) defeated Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) and Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) denied Iryna ZABLOTSKA (UKR) in the 72kg final.

Yetgil has been long overdue for a big win and that came in the form of the U23 European gold medal at 53kg. This was her second U23 European title as she won her first back in 2018.

In her three bouts prior to the final, Yetgil won with scores of 10-0, 10-0 and a victory via fall. In the final, she had to work a little harder but was never in extreme trouble.

She shot a double-leg on Malanchuk to score her first takedown and exposed her for two points more. Malanchuk got out of the grip and scored a roll for two points but Yetgil ultimately finished on top to lead 5-2.

Just before the break, Yetgil hit a huge four to extend her lead to 9-2, enough for her to take a step back in the second period. Malanchuk managed to score a takedown after the break but that was all as Yetgil won the gold 9-4.

Yetgil will now hope to end the medal drought at the senior European Championships as her best finish at that competition is fifth, a result she achieved last year.

Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL)Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) became a three-time U23 European champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

U23 world silver medalist Choluj became a three-time U23 European champion as she defeated Zablotska 11-0 in the gold medal bout.

Choluj began with a snapdown and added a gut-wrench to lead 4-0 inside the first minute of the final. A go-behind made it 6-0 before she forced a stepout against Zablotska. As Zablotska tried attacking Choluj, she kept giving up points on the counter.

Choluj scored two more points via go behind and the final move was a double-leg blast for which she got two more points for an 11-0 win and her third straight U23 Euro title.

With medals at all age-group World and European Championships, Choluj will like to complete the set by winning medals at the senior level of both tournaments.

Amina CAPEZAN (ROU)An emotional Amina CAPEZAN (ROU) after winning the 65kg gold at home. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 65kg, Amina CAPEZAN (ROU) gave the home crowd something to cheer about she won the gold medal after beating Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE), 6-5, in a nail-biting final.

Capezan had suffered a heartbreaking loss in the final of the same tournament last year but kept her nerves to win her first international gold medal.

Soltanova, a U20 European champion at 62kg, lead 1-1 at the break after scoring a stepout after giving up a point for passivity. In the second period, Capezan was hit with the passivity call and she attacked Soltanova who scored with a lift for exposure before giving up a reversal.

Trailing 3-2, Capezan scored a takedown and transitioned into a gut wrench to lead 6-3 with a minute left. Soltanova managed to score two points for a double-leg but Capezan held off, barely, to win the gold in front of a loud home crowd.

 

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RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) df. Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR), 9-4

BRONZE: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) df. Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE), 10-0
BRONZE: Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) df. Beatrice FERENT (ROU), 5-2

57kg
GOLD: Anna SZEL (HUN) df. Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR), 6-6

BRONZE: Naemi LEISTNER (GER) df. Celeste SION (FRA), 4-1
BRONZE: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) df. Aurora RUSSO (ITA), 6-2

62kg
GOLD: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. Ameline DOUARRE (FRA), 5-1

BRONZE: Viktoria VESSO (EST) df. Gabriela CUC (ROU), via fall
BRONZE: Elena ESPOSITO (ITA) df. Luisa SCHEEL (GER), 5-2

65kg
GOLD: Amina CAPEZAN (ROU) df. Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE), 6-5

BRONZE: Iris THIEBAUX (FRA) df. Gergana STOYANOVA (BUL), 4-1
BRONZE: Elma ZEIDLERE (LAT) df. Busra EFE (TUR), 4-3

72kg
GOLD: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Iryna ZABLOTSKA (UKR), 11-0

BRONZE: Noemi SZABADOS (HUN) df. Paula ROTARU (ROU), 10-0
BRONZE: Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE) df. Lilly SCHNEIDER (GER), via fall

#WrestleTirana

Muhamet Malo 2025 Ranking Series Day 3 Finals Set

Friday, February 28, 2025 - 10:08 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (February 28) -- Muhamet Malo Ranking Series enters day three with four Women's Wrestling and two Greco-Roman weight classes. Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) will be in action at GR 87kg alongwith silver medalist Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI) and both are on collision course as well. Other Paris Olympic medalist in action are Grace BULLEN (NOR) at WW 62kg and Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) at WW 65kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 RESULTS

16:45: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) will look to avenge her round-robin loss to Irina RINGACI (MDA) as she wins her semifinal against Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) to enter the gold medal bout. Koliadenko, a Paris silver medalist at 62kg, was 1-0 at the break after Morikawa's inactivity. But Morikawa launched a huge but sloppy double-leg to score four points at the start of the second period to lead 4-1. Koliadenko was put on activity clock but did not score which gave a point to Morikawa. Koliadenko then scored a takedown with a minute left to cut the lead to 5-3. Morikawa answered with another stepout and led 6-3, the winning score.

Irina RINGACI (MDA) won 10-0 over Aleah NICKEL (CAN). She finished the bout with an ankle pick for four. Ringaci won the round-robin bout against Morikawa 6-5. They both go against each other in about three hours time.

16:30: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) sees off Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) in the 59kg semifinal. She scored a takedown, stepout before Vynnyk was docked for cautioned for locking Onishi's neck. From forced par terre, Onishi used the head between legs to roll Vynnyk twice and make it 8-0. Vynnyk scored exposure using chestwrap but it was scored two for Onishi as she never got turned. Ukraine challenged the decision and won which made it 8-2 at the break. Vynnyk was docked a caution for blocking Onishi who finished the match with an ankle pick four-pointer on the edge. She won 13-2.

Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) survived an onslaught from Bediha GUN (TUR) in the final 30 seconds to win 4-4 in the other semifinal. Down 4-0, Gun scored a takedown and was awarded a caution point. Another takeodwn made it 4-4 but she could not get another point as Sidelnikova won 4-4 through points via bigger technique (2+2).

16:20: Idris IBAEV (GER) enters the 77kg final after beating Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) in an action-filled match. He got the par terre in first period and turned Sakuraba who also committed a foul. A stepout was awarded to Ibaev on review which made his lead 6-0. Sakuraba wasn't focused as he walked out of the zone thinking he has scored a stepout but Ibaev got the points. He then tried a headlock which Ibaev defended and scored four points. Japan challenged the call and won as it was a risk by Sakaruba who managed to get on board with a pushout. Ibaev challenged and got the pushout point as Sakuraba's hand was out before him.

Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) will face Ibaev in the final after he defeated Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) 6-1. Maksatbek Uulu blocked Olofsson from par terre and led 2-1 at the break. In the second period, Olofsson was about to take Maksatbek Uulu but lost his balance and the Kyrgyz scored a takedown which Olofsson challenged and lost. With a 5-1 lead, Maksatbek Uulu got a passivity call to make it 6-1 and won.

16:00: We have the 87kg finalists in Greco-Roman! Paris silver medalist Alireza MOHAMMADIPIANI (IRI) and David LOSONCZI (HUN) will wrestle for gold. Mohammadipiani with an impressive win -- 6-1 over Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB). He got the par terre advantage and turned Komarov twice to lead 5-0 at break. Komarov got his par terre chance in the second period but failed to score from the position and Mohammadipiani defended for the rest of the match to win and enter the final.

Losonczi brought his motor to the semifinal against Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) and led 2-1 at the break with two stepouts. Sterkenburg was cautioned for a move against bone joints and docked two points. He challenged and lost another as Losonczi led 5-1. Sterkenburg was called passive which added another point to Losonczi's score before a stepout added another for a 7-1 win for Losonczi and a place in the final. 

15:50: World champion Ami ISHII (JPN) marches on to the 68kg final. Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) scored the first takedown but Ishii with a reversal and then two turns to make it 5-2. Ishii counters an attempt to make it 7-2 at the break. Ishii continues attacking the legs of Zelenykh and finally gets a takedown with traparm and rolls Zelenykh twice to win 13-2.

Zelu LI (CHN) will be her opponent in the final after the Chinese laced her way to a 10-0 win over Noémi SZABADOS (HUN).

15:40: First semifinals of the day! Women's Wrestling 62kg has three Paris Olympians out of the four semifinalists. The only one not from Paris, LILI (CHN), takes out bronze medalist Grace BULLEN (NOR) and books her spot in the final. Bullen got a takedown and turn before Lili scored reversal and lace. Bullen led 4-3 and Lili scored another takedown and turn to make 7-4. Bullen get the gap to 7-5 with a stepout but Bullen couldn't break the defense and lost 8-3. Lili will face Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) for the gold medal who defeated  Anne NUERNBERGER (GER) in the other semifinal. Dudova led 3-0 at the break and then scored a takedown and gut wrench to make it 7-0. Solid snapdowns in the match from Dudova as she added another takedown before countering an attack to win 11-0.

15:25: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) with a different approach in the match against Abigail NETTE (USA). With a more cautious approach, Onishi was shut down by Nette who led 1-0 at the break for Onishi's passivity. But Onishi comes out blazing in the second and score 10 straight points using head in the middle. A takedown makes it 12-1 as Onishi advances at 59kg.

15:20: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) books herself a semifinal with Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) at 65kg. Morikawa with a 3-0 win over Yuqi RAO (CHN).

15:05: Back to Women's Wrestling, and Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) with a 34 second technical superiority win over Aleah NICKEL (CAN) at 65kg. She top her group with that win and enters the semifinal in which she likely to face Miwa MORIKAWAN (JPN).

14:55: Paris Olympic final rematch at Greco-Roman 87kg between Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI). Novikov had blanked Mohamadipiani 7-0 in the final in Paris. An aggressive start from Mohammadi and he gets a par terre but no score. He leads 1-0 at the break. A stepout and takedown to make it 4-0 in the second period. He is awarded the par terre for his active wrestling to lead 5-0 but he can't score from there. Mohammadi shuts Novikov down completely and wins 5-0. He celebrates with an acknowledgement from the coach.

14:42: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) scored a takedown and three turns after Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) got the par terre and he wins 9-2 at 87kg. A machine from par terre.

14:40: World champion at 72kg Ami ISHII (JPN) is back at 68kg for the Ranking Series. She begins her campaign with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Greda BARTH (GER).

14:30: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) isn't giving Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) any last-second points this time as in Zagreb. Down 4-2, Dudova scores a takedown and then an exposure when Nwachukwu tries to hold on to her 4-4 criteria lead in last 10 seconds to win 6-4. Nwachukwu scored a takedown in the final five seconds in Zagreb to beat Dudova.

14:15: Irina RINGACI (MDA) with a 10-0 technical superiority and Grace BULLEN (NOR) with a fall in their respective bouts at 65kg and 62kg.

14:10: U20 world champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Bediha GUN (TUR) in Round 2 of 59kg. She is the favorite to win the gold medal

13:35: Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI), who lost to Novikov in the Paris final, begins with a solid 8-0 win over Tamas LEVAI (HUN) at 87kg. Mohamadipiani got the part terre and turned Levai, who locked Mohamadipiani's neck which is a foul. Hungary challenged the call but lost. With a 6-0 lead, Mohamadipiani turned Levai once to win 8-0

13:30: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) is into the quarterfinal at 87kg after beating Istvan TAKACS (HUN). He got a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break. Novikov keeps the pressure in the second period and scores a stepout before getting the second par terre as well. No points but enough for Novikov to win 5-0.

13:20: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) with another 8-0 technical superiority. A stepout, first par terre and four turns to beat Artur OVSEPYAN (UKR) and advance to the 87kg quarterifinals.

13:15: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) up against Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) at 87kg 1/8 final. He scores the opening takedown to be 2-0 up. Georgia challenge but lose. Sterkenburg gets par terre advantage to make it 4-0 but no turn from par terre. Sterkenburg with a strong start in the second and scores a stepout. Bolkvadze tries a headlock but falls on his back and Sterkenburg gets the fall.

13:10: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) was woken up by Albina DRAZHI (ALB) with the first takedown of their 65kg bout but Koliadenko works her way back and scores 12-2 technical superiority win in Round 1 at 65kg. 

13:00: Irina RINGACI (MDA) and Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) faced off in the 2021 World Championships final which Ringaci won. Four years later, they meet in Round 1 of 65kg in Tirana. Ringaci on the holds straightaway and she scores a takedown and a turn to lead 4-0. Morikawa is more active in the second period but a scramble results in Ringaci landing on top to take the lead 6-0. Morikawa keeps going but Ringaci split defense keeps her at bay before Morikawa scores exposure for two. Another leg elevation from Morikawa for a takedown to make it 6-4 with 17 seconds left. A double leg from Morikawa but Ringaci decides to run out of bounds than give a losing takedown. 6-5 with 6 seconds remaining. Japan challenge the call. Morikawa has no control over Ringaci during stepout. It's only one point and Japan lose the challenge, giving Ringaci a 7-5 lead. She defends the lead for the six seconds to win 7-5. They both can still meet in the final as 65kg is in Nelson system.

12:40: World champion at 59kg in 2023, Qi ZHANG (CHN) was down 8-0 against Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) but mounts a comeback. Zhang with a stepout, a takedown and exposure to make it 8-5 at the break. A caution against Tandelova made it 8-6. A takedown for Zhang but a double leg takedown from Tandelova to make it 10-8. As Zhang tries another attack, Tandelova counters for another two points. She wins 12-8 at 62kg.

12:30: That was quick from Grace BULLEN (NOR). The Paris bronze medalist beats Sara LINDBORG (SWE) 10-0 inside two minutes at 62kg.  

12:25: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) with all those counter attacks to beat Nikolett SZABO (HUN) 9-0 at 62kg. Dudova led only 1-0 at the break but as Szabo tried to score in the second, Dudova continued to counter those attacks.

12:00: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) gets former U23 world champion Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the first round. Novikoc with a stepout to open the scoring. He turns Mukubu from par terre to lead 4-0. Excellent defense from Mukubu after the first turn. Mukubu begins the second period with a takedown. Novikov was pushing Mukubu towards the zone but Mukubu sneaked and scored a go-behind takedown. Then gets the par terre to make the score 4-3. Novikov blocks the turn attempt and score a gut-wrench to lead 8-3. Novikov wins 8-3.

11:52: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) with a quick 8-0 technical superiority win over Jiaxin HUANG (CHN). A takedown and gut wrench for Komarov.

11:50: U20 world champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) gets a taste of senior level competition as Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) beats him 6-2 in the opening round at 87kg. Zhanyshov gets thrown for four from bodylock and is down 5-0. Both wrestlers exchange stepouts and Saricicek leads 6-1 at the break. A stepout from Zhanyshov in the second period is all he got as Saricicek wins 6-2.

11:45: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO), one of the three Georgian wrestlers at 87kg, runs into Soh SAKABE (JPN) in the opening round. Sakabe gets the first par terre advantage but Bolkvadze blocks the turn and leads 2-1 at the break. Bolkvadze manages a throw from par terre in the second period to lead 7-1. Sakabe with a headlock throw and is awarded two and one point for reversal for Bolkvadze. Japan challenge for four. But on review, all the points are removed as no one landed in danger. A 7-1 win for Bolkvadze.

11:30: Another rainy day here in Tirana. But wrestlers are ready for day three of the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series with 59kg, 62kg, 65kg and 68kg in Women's Wrestling and 77kg and 87kg in Greco-Roman.