#WrestleBudapest

Team USA Sends Four Wrestlers to #WrestleBudapest Finals

Monday, July 19, 2021 - 19:31 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 19) --- As soon as James MULLEN (USA) won his semifinal at 110kg, his USA teammate James ROWLEY (USA) began calculating the team scores. “That's 80 points,” he would shout to his team in the warm-up hall.

USA took a huge step towards the team title at the cadet World Championships which got underway in Budapest Monday as they entered four wrestlers in the five finals for Tuesday, the most for any country. India were the second best behind USA with two finalists while Russia, Iran, Georgia and Kazakhstan sending one each. Wrestlers from USA and India will meet in the two finals – 48kg and 80kg – on Tuesday.

That gives them a 30-point lead going into Tuesday which will see five more freestyle weight classes in action apart from the medal bouts of 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg and 110kg.

Two 15-year-olds made it to the final of 48kg in contrasting fashion as Pan Am champion Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) registered a thrilling win in the semifinals while Aman GULIA (IND) dominated his semifinal to win in a minute and five seconds.

Luke LILLEDHALE USALuke LILLEDAHL (USA) won his semifinal at 48kg 4-3. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Lilledahl, who trains in Missouri, will be looking to give himself an early birthday present, hopefully a gold, as he turn 16 years old in two weeks' time. He had a tough day in office as he began with a stunning 9-9 win over Akhmad MUSAKHADZHIEV (RUS) which saw USA challenge a call and winning it. He then handled Azim ABDYKALYKOV (KGZ) 8-1 before beating Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ) 4-3 in the semifinals. He needed a late takedown with a double to win the bout.

Assessing his bouts, Lilledahl said he could have done better but he is now preparing for his final against India.

“[My wrestling was] not the best and I still have work to do,” Lilledahl said. “I am representing my country so I have to do my best no matter what. [For the final], just prepare mentally and watch some videos.”

Gulia went for a leg-lace to finish his opponent Rezo MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) 10-0 in the semifinal. In the morning session he had conceded only one point while scoring 14.

The Indian stayed back to watch Lilledahl's semifinal and observed a few things before the two meet in the final on Tuesday.

“He only shows false attack and dodges,” Gulia said. “I'll watch his videos from today and then prepare for final.”

UWW Photo

At 55kg, the weight class where USA did not have a finalist, saw Russia and Kazakhstan advance. Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) had a few slip ups in the semifinal against Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) but eventually managed to win 10-6.

The wrestler from Chechnya was unfazed by the occasion of a World Championships final and said he will prepare for it as he does for any other bout.

His opponent, Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ) looked in the zone as he defeated Vaibhav PATIL (IND) 6-4 in the semifinals. Earlier in the day, he had defeated returing fifth-place and 2021 cadet European silver medalist Javi JAVIDOV (AZE) 10-0.

Nurlanbek challenged a takedown from Patil which had given Indian the lead. Kazakhstan won the challenge and kept off Patil's late attacks for the win.

Patil had earlier in the day ended the hopes for cadet European champion Andranik AVETISYAN (ARM) with a cradle pin despite the Armenian leading. He also pulled off a four-point throw in the dying seconds against Husanboy USMONOV (UZB). But his strategy did not work against the Kazak.

Meyer SHAPIRO USAMeyer SHAPIRO (USA) will wrestle in the 65kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) was the second USA wrestler to reach the final. Like Lilledahl, he had to go through a Russian wrestler to reach the final against Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO).

After a pin to start his day. Shapiro wrestled Khabib ZAVURBEKOV (RUS) and both exchanged attacks before Shapiro went for a final one. He managed to come out on top 8-6 but such was the intensity of the bout that he thought he had lost.

“My second match was super tough,” Shapiro said. “Definitely the best kid in the bracket. Honestly, anything could have happened in the end and I thought I lost because I could not see the score board. I was freaking out but turns out I had won. Later, I brought the pieces together and wrestled hard in the semifinals.”

He did not waste any time in the semifinal to handed a 10-0 defeat to Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE).

Gogritchiani, who trains in Racha, had a contrasting semifinal as he defeated Ali REZAEIAGHOUZGELEH (IRI) 6-6 after a successful challenge to reclaim his lead in the final minute. Two points were awarded to Iran but Georgia challenged the call and instead, the two points were awarded to Gogritchiani. The Iran wrestler did get two stepouts but those were not enough for the win.

“I wrestled very well,” he said. “In the last match with the Iranian I was sure I won those two points in the challenge. In tomorrow’s final I’ll do my best to get the gold medal.”

When Shapiro was asked who he is going to prepare for the final, he said he wanted to relax.

“I am not really worried about that,” he said. “I will watch a film [of Gogritchiani] and whatever happens, happens.”

Another India-USA was set at 80kg as Rowley made his way to wrestle Sagar JAGLAN (IND), defeating a Russian wrestler on the way.

Sagar JAGLAN INDSagar JAGLAN (IND) pinned Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO) in the semifinal at 80kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Rowley was slow to start as he wrestled Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (RUS) in the 1/8 finals. A late takedown was what gave him an 8-6 win. In the quarterfinals, he picked up pace and defeated cadet European champion Oleksandr MAMROSH (UKR) before getting a technical superiority win over Gabriele NICCOLINI (ITA) 12-2.

“It kept getting better [for me],” Rowley said. “ My first match was slow and second was a little better. In the third, I blew him out of water.

“For the final, I will get the mindset right and win.”

He will face Jaglan in the final who won three out of his four bouts after trailing initially. But that was just another example of the exceptional motor skills of Indian wrestlers, made popular by Bajrang PUNIA (IND).

In the semifinal against cadet European Championships semifinalist Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO), he was trailing 4-6 as the Georgian struggled to catch his breath. Jaglan managed to put him on his back and get the fall.

A similar story saw him beat Radomir STOYANOV (BUL) in opening round. The Indian was trailing 1-9 but rebounded against a panting Stoyanov to win 15-10. Then against Musza ARSUNKAEV (UWW), he took advantage of a tiring opponent to win 14-9. A 12-4 win against Sattarkhan ALLAHVERDILI (AZE) earned him a place in the semifinal.

At 110kg, Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) has begun well to follow his father's footsteps at the super-heavyweight category. Son of World Championships silver medalist and Beijing Olympic fifth placer Fardin MASOUMI VALADI, Amirreza stormed into the final with a 5-1 win over cadet European champion Ilia ZHIBALOV (RUS).

“Before coming here, I trained two months for this competition and I had great bouts,” Masoumi Valadi said.

He will face Pan-Am champion James MULLEN (USA) in the final. Mullen defeated Alikhan KUSSAINOV (KAZ) 7-1 in the semifinal.

Amirreza Fardin MASOUMI VALADI (IRI)Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) will wrestle for gold at 110kg (Photo: UWW)

RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: AMAN (IND) vs Luke LILLEDAHL (USA)

SF 1: AMAN (IND) df Rezo MARSAGISHVILI (GEO), 10-0
SF 2: Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) df Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ), 4-3

55kg
GOLD: Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) vs Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ)

SF 1: Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) df Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR), 10-6
SF 2: Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ) df Vaibhav PATIL (IND), 6-4

65kg
GOLD: Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO) vs Meyer SHAPIRO (USA)

SF 1: Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO) df Ali REZAEIAGHOUZGELEH (IRI), 6-6
SF 2: Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) df Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 10-0

80kg
GOLD: Sagar JAGLAN (IND) vs James ROWLEY (USA)

SF 1: Sagar JAGLAN (IND) df Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO), via fall
SF 2: James ROWLEY (USA) df Gabriele NICCOLINI (ITA), 12-2

110kg
GOLD: Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) vs James MULLEN (USA)

SF 1: Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) df Ilia ZHIBALOV (RUS), 5-1
SF 2: James MULLEN (USA) df Alikhan KUSSAINOV (KAZ), 7-1

#WrestleBratislava

European Championships 2025 Preview

Wednesday, April 2, 2025 - 13:20 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 2) -- The European Championships 2025 will be held in Bratislava, Slovakia from April 7 to 13. It will be live on UWW+ on uww.org and the UWW app.

Follow United World Wrestling on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and TikTok.

Download the European Championships 2025 Preview here

(Text version)

The 2025 European Championships will be held in Bratislava from April 7 to 13 and has 24 returning champions. However, the six missing champions have made way for some historic battles.

The 125kg mainstays -- both Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) -- are not competing, Haji ALIYEV (AZE) at 65kg has retired and so has Mariya STADNIK (AZE) in Women's Wrestling. There will be no Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in Greco-Roman as well.

And it won't only be about the wrestlers not in Slovakia. Olympic and world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) is searching for his first European medal and will participate in the tournament after nine years. Former world champion David BAEV (UWW) will make his European Championships debut this year. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) returns after missing it in 2024 after a bizarre situation in Romania.

Among the 24, who all will be able to defend their titles this year? Here's the breakdown of the three style and key storylines of the upcoming European Championships

Taha AKGUL (TUR)

Freestyle

For the first time in 13 years, the 125kg European champion will not be named Taha AKGUL (TUR) or Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO). The two have won every gold on offer in the continental tournament since 2012. But Akgul has retired and Petriashvili has not returned to action since winning the 2024 Paris Olympics gold.

Georgia is sending Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) and Turkiye is going with Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR). While they have age-group credentials, the two can find it challenging at the European Championships.

Paris bronze medalist Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) will be the favorite for the gold medal along with Zelimkhan KHIZRIEV (UWW) who won silver medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. U23 European champion Georgi IVANOV (BUL) will once again make a run to end up on the podium at the senior level, a feat he has not achieved yet. Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN), the former mainstay at 97kg, is at 125kg.

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW)Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) will be eyeing his sixth European title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

While Akgul and Petriashvili, both Olympic champions are not in Bratislava, four others are. Three former Olympic champions -- Zavur UGUEV (UWW), Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) -- are heading to Bratislava as UWW athletes while the fourth -- Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) -- will be in action for the first time since winning the gold medal at 86kg at the Paris Olympics.

Sadulaev, who will compete at the European Championships after five years, is going for this sixth title. While the gold medal looks very straightforward, the weight itself has a few big names. Apart from Sadualev, who won the world title at 92kg, Paris silver medalist Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO), Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE), Radu LEFTER (MDA) and Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) are also entered.

Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) is competing at the European Championships for the second time. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Sidakov may not have it as simple. Sidakov, who last wrestled at the 2023 World Championships and won gold, will face tough battles from Paris bronze medalist Chermen VALIEV (ALB) and Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), who has won four straight European gold medals.

Valiev won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold medal recently over Salkazanov but Sidakov will be a bigger challenge. He has managed to run Sidakov close, last losing to him 3-2 at the Russian National Championships in 2023.

For Uguev, the non-Olympic World Championships was a horror as he finished without a medal, losing first to Japanese sensation Masanosuke ONO (JPN) and then to Vitali ARUJAU (USA) in the bronze-medal bout.

And the European Championships will be nothing short of another challenging tournament. He will have Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) who defeated him at the 2023 World Championships, three-time European champion Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) and youngsters in Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE) and Andrii DZHELEP (UKR).

Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL)Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) will be competing for the first time since winning the gold medal at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Ramazanov, who finished eighth last year, will enter 86kg as the Olympic champion. But gold will be of little weight as he faces a tough field. European U23 champion Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE), European U23 silver Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA), former Olympic silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) and his former rival Artur NAIFONOV (UWW) are all in.

Naifonov, Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, has a perfect record at the Euros, winning the title three times. But he last competed here in 2021 and his battle with Ramazanov will the one of the biggest in Bratislava.

At 65kg, returning champion and Olympic bronze medalist Islam DUDAEV (ALB) has a big task ahead of him especially after missing a medal at the Muhamet Malo. U23 world champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), who also finished without a medal in Muhamet Malo, can set a fierce final.

But Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) will remember his medalless run last year and hope to reclaim his gold medal, one he won in 2023.

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) will be returning to international wrestling for the first time since 2019. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Back in 2019, David BAEV (UWW) enthralled everyone with his 70kg gold medal run at the World Championships. However, he never wrestled internationally again. Now, Baev is going for European gold at 70kg and there is little doubt that he will claim it.

Still, Baev will be up against Armenia's returning champion at 70kg Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) who had an incredible run in 2024, beating world champion  Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) and Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) in semifinal and final, respectively. Muszukajev will be back at 70kg in hopes of winning his second European title.

Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE)Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) is moving up to 92kg for the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The 92kg weight class can throw some surprises as Olympic bronze medalist Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) is wrestling up in that weight class. He is joined by world silver medalist Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) and 2023 world silver medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE). Also in the mix are Boris MAKOEV (SVK) and former European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR).

Nachyhn MONGUSH (UWW) at 57kg and defending 79kg champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) should have easy paths to gold.

Buse TOSUN (TUR)Buse TOSUN (TUR) is the defending champion at 68kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Women's Wrestling

Can Turkiye improve on its three gold medals from 2024?

It will be the big question as the nation sends a strong team to Bratislava in Women's Wrestling. 

Led by Olympic bronze medalist and world champion Bose TOSUN (TUR), Türkiye also has two returning champions in Yasemin ADAR (TUR) and Nesrin BAS (TUR). The three will be the favorites to repeat in their respective weight classes -- 68kg, 76kg and 72kg.

Tosun, who won bronze at the Paris Olympics, can face Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) in what will be a rematch of the semifinals from last year which Tosun won 10-9. Kendra DACHER (FRA) and Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) can also finish on the podium.

Former world champion Adar already has five European gold medals and looks poised for sixth. She has Martina KUENZ (AUT), Laura KUEHN (GER), Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) and Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) as some of her opponents.

Bas, who own her third European U23 gold in March, will be the favorite again at 72kg. She has returning silver medalist Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), former world champion Alla BELINSKA (UKR) and Viktoryia RADZKOVA (UWW) as her challengers among others.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) is leading the Ukraine team and will compete at 65kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Ukraine can certainly challenge the likes of Turkiye. The nation is bringing a strong line-up led by Olympic silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) and young star Irina BONDAR (UKR).

Koliadenko, moving up a weight class to 65kg, is in a three-way battle for the title. The silver medalist at 62kg from Paris and the defending champion will have her fellow Paris medalist, Grace BULLEN (NOR). Former world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) is also going for the title at 65kg.

However, Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU), returning silver medalist and who defeated Ringaci last year, will be the darkhorse in this weight class.

Iryna BONDAR (UKR)Iryna BONDAR (UKR) is the favorite to win the 62kg gold. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Bondar will be eyeing her first senior European title after exploits at the age-group level, the most recent being European U23 title. She will have to face the strength of a few senior wrestlers including former world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), who won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), Sara LINDBORG (SWE), Veranika IVANOVA (UWW) and Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) are also listed.

Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) has not reached her top level since the return after a career-threatening injury in 2023. But she won the bronze medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series and will be a favorite to win the gold at 55kg in Bratislava.

In the list of wrestlers who can challenge her are Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW), Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), Tuba DEMIR (TUR). Veterans Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) and Roksana ZASINA (POL) are also going for another European medal.

The 50kg weight class, reserved for Mariya STADNIK (AZE), will have a new European champion. Any other time when there was a different champion in this weight class, it was because she was not participating that year.

Returning silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR) will be hoping to upgrade her medal this year but she will face a tough time from Paris Olympian Oksana LIVACH (UKR) and Zagreb Open champion Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (UWW).

Watch out for Svenja JUNGO (SUI), the history-making Swiss wrestler, who will be at her second European Championships.

A rivalry to watch out for is at 57kg as Tokyo silver medalist and defending champion Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) and Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) return for another round. Azerbaijan's first-ever world U23 champion Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and returning bronze Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) will look to earn a medal as well.

Defending champion at 59kg Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) and her final's opponent Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR) are heading to Bratislava with Filipovych hoping to avenge the 3-3 loss from last year. Paris Olympian Aurora RUSSO (ITA) and two former world U20 champion Alesia HETMANAVA (UWW) and Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) are listed as well.

At 53kg, can four-time Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) win the elusive European gold medal?

She has eight European medals -- four silvers and four bronzes -- and will look to win the gold medal in Bratislava. Trying to stop her from making history include European champion Andreea ANA (ROU), U23 European champion Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE), returning bronze medalist Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) and Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW).

Greco-Roman

The only Paris Olympic champion from Europe, Semen NOVIKOV (BUL), will be eying his second European gold, now at 87kg, and the first since 2020. He also has a bronze medal from the 2023 edition. Novikov will need to shake off his loss against Saied ESMAEILI (IRI) at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

Defending 87kg champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) had a stunning run to the gold medal in 2024 but has not shown the same signs since in different competitions. He finished eighth at the Olympics and fifth at the season-opening Zagreb Open. David LOSONCZI (HUN) and Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) have continued to be big threats and will be strong contenders for the gold medal.

Young stars in Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (FRA), Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO), Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) and Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) will look to challenge the seniors in this weight class.

One of the biggest names in Greco-Roman, Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), already has seven European gold medals and is going for his eighth. Aleksanyan, a four-time Olympic medalist, including gold in Rio, is leading the Armenian team.

However, Aleksanyan will have to fight for it. Former European champion Kiril MILOV (BUL), world bronze medalist Artur OMAROV (CZE), former world champion Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) and world bronze medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW), who recently won the Zagreb Open Ranking Series, are vying for the title as well.

Aleksanyan has wins over most of them including Milov, who is the returning bronze medalist. Omarov, who pulled out of Paris Olympics due to an injury, will return after a year off. Sargasian, at 27, will be making his senior European Championships debut and can be biggest challenger to Aleksanyan. Maskevich is moving up from 87kg to 97kg and will be at his first European Championships at this weight class.

Among other big names, Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN), Alex SZOKE (HUN), Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) and Felix BALDAUF (NOR) are listed. European U23 silver medalist Richard KARELSON (EST) will be hoping for a medal at the senior level and match his father, also named Richard KARELSON, with a senior medal.

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) will look to defend his 77kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Defending 77kg champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) is returning since winning bronze at the Paris Olympics. He will be the favorite to win gold but Sergei STEPANOV (UWW), who won the Zagreb Open 2025 gold on his return since 2021, can take every one by surprise. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) did not have a good start to the year, finishing fifth at the Zagreb Open 2025. But he will be keen on winning a medal at the European Championships and get his form on track. Former world silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) is in medal-contention as well.

Moldova's mainstay at 77kg, Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), has made way for Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) at this weight class for European Championships. Solovei won the U23 European title recently at 82kg.

Azerbaijan has all three of its 2024 world champions heading to Bratislava along with other strong wrestlers to complete the line-up.

At 60kg, world champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) will have his task cut out with Victor CIOBANU (MDA), Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) and Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) chasing the gold medal.

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will be favorite to win gold at 55kg despite his absence last edition, in which Artiom DELEANU (MDA) stunned a strong field to win gold. Multiple time world medalist Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) will be eyeing the gold medal that he last won in 2021.

Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), world champion at 72kg, will have a tougher path. Among the top contenders in this weight class is two-time Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), moving up from 67kg, world champions Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) and Ali ARSALAN (SRB).

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) opened his season at the Zagreb Open. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 67kg, Paris bronze and defending champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is going for his third straight gold medal. He injured his ear in Zagreb in January but will be fully fit for the European Championships. Silver medalist against Jafarov, Ruslan BICHURIN (UWW) is returning as well with a hope to avenge his 8-5 final loss to Jafarov.

Azerbaijan's defending 63kg champion Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) will eyeing a second straight gold medal but Kerem KAMAL (TUR), who won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold at 60kg, is back with a new-found motivation after missing the Paris Olympics.

U23 world champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), European U23 silver Hleb MAKARANKA (UWW) and Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) will be making Mammadov or Kamal's path to gold even more stiffer.

Veteran Sergei SEMENOV (UWW), who denied Riza KAYAALP (TUR) a historic 12th European title by pinning him in the 130kg final last year, has now emerged the favorite for the gold this year.

There are, however, young stars in Hamza BAKIR (TUR) and Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR), both of whom have proved themselves at the age-group levels. But can they challenge the seniors?

The weight class also has Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), London Olympic medalist 39-year-old Heiki NABI (EST) and Tokyo silver medalist Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) among others.