Tkach reignites Olympic hope with Bishkek gold

Saturday, June 3, 2023 - 23:16 By Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (June 3) -- For some moments in the 59kg final, Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) thought she could overcome the Yuliia TKACH (UKR) challenge. Both Ukrainians had met in Round 2 of the Nelson bracket and Tkach pinned Vynnyk. As the two faced each other in the final, Vynnyk managed to race to a 6-0 lead. It looked like she would upset Tkach with ease and win the competition.

But Tkach is a willy veteran. She worked her way back in the final and managed to switch gears to score points with ease. She ultimately won the gold medal by a 9-6 scoreline.

Later, Tkach said that it was a deliberate attempt to go slow in the final before mounting a comeback to beat Vynnyk.

"I already wrestled Solomiia earlier today and I won via fall," Tkach said. "But in our second match, I started a little bit at ease and gave up points, then I realized it was time to score and I turned my turbo button on and won."

Tkach winning the gold brings further proof that the former world champion is still one of the best in the world. But with Paris Olympics just over a year away, she will have to move to an Olympic weight class.

"I will definitely go up at 62kg," she said. "Olympic Games is a gift from God."

Tkach has wrestled at the 2008 Beijing Games, 2012 London Games and 2016 Rio Games but failed to win a medal at any of the Olympics. But Paris gives her a new hope.

"I wrestled at three Olympics but never made a medal. For sure, I would love to have one, but it’s all about God’s will."

And she is leaving no stone unturned for it as the Ukraine team will fly to Japan for a training camp and then participate in the Budapest Ranking Series event. Tkach also said that one should believe in oneself till the end.

"It’s important to believe in yourself till the very end," she said. "As Oksana LIVACH won against the Chinese wrestler in the last two seconds, that was an amazing win."

Meng FAN (CHN) celebrates after beating Oksana LIVACH (UKR). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 50kg, Livach was trailing against Zigi FENG (CHN) but she rallied to beat her 5-4 to reach the final against Meng FAN (CHN). Livach would be cursing her luck as she ended up losing the final in the last 10 seconds against Fan.

Fan was trailing 4-2 with only 10 seconds remaining when she brought Livach down and got the match-winning two points.

While Fan won gold, Feng won bronze and the second bronze was also won by a Chinese wrestler Chun LEI (CHN). This marks the second time that all three Chinese wrestlers are on the podium in 50kg at a Ranking Series event.

Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) defeated fellow Mongolian Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL) in the 53kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 53kg, three Mongolians -- Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL) and Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) -- reached the semifinals. World silver medalist Batkhuyag faced Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and won via fall. The second semifinal also saw a similar result as Ganbaatar pinned Olympic bronze medalist Bat Ochir.

In the final, Batkhuyag gave no chance to Ganbaatar and won 8-0 in the gold medal bout. The Asian silver medalist from 2022 defended any attempts from Ganbaatar as well and countered them with takedowns of her own to blank her and win the final.

Kazakhstan won two gold medals in women's wrestling as Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) won the 55kg gold while Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) won the gold at 72kg.

Sedneva won her career's fifth Ranking Series medal and third gold as she came out on top against world bronze medalist Karla GODINEZ (CAN) 3-1 in the final.

In a Nelson brack, Sedneva faced compatriot Zulfiya YAKHYAROVA (KAZ) and won 6-1, pinned Melda DERNEKCI (TUR) next round and followed that with another pin to win against Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) despite trailing 4-0 in the semifinals.

Bakbergenova was one of the three wrestlers at 72kg but the world silver medalist was a level above the other two. In her first two bouts, she defeated Dalma CANEVA (ITA) 6-0 and then defeated REETIKA (IND) 4-0 in Round 3 to win the gold medal.

Since Reetika defeated Caneva 7-0, the Indian won a silver medal at 72kg.

India also won a gold medal as MANISHA (IND) made her way through a tough Nelson bracket with four dominating wins to win the 65kg weight class.

She began with a 15-4 win against Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) before adding an 11-0 victory over another Kazakhstan wrestler Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ). She won via technical superiority over Purevsuren ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL), 10-0 before clinching the gold by beating Yuliia LESKOVETS (UKR) 6-2 in Round 5.

Tazhudinov wins gold

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) emerged as the breakout star on Saturday as the 20-year-old followed his Asian Championships gold with another gold in Bishkek.

Opening his day, Tazhudinov wrestled Serik BAKYTKHANOV (KAZ) and won 10-0 before beating another Kazakhstan wrestler Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) 5-2 in the quarterfinals. The semifinals saw him emerge 10-0 victorious against veteran Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB).

The final at 97kg was against Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) who he had wrestled in the Asian Championships final around two months ago. Tazhudinov had won that bout 11-0 and there was no change in the story as the Bahrain wrestler once again defeated Habila. Tazhudinov won 10-1 to capture his first Ranking Series gold.

"This was our third match in the last two months," Tazhudinov said. "I had a confident win back at the Asian championships, but it doesn’t mean that it made it any easier for me. I was preparing a lot for it."

Despite his top wins, Tazhudinov struggles with stamina in a bout. He accepts that there is scope for improvement in his game.

"There are things I have to still work on and improve," he said. "There is no time to relax. We will be back and keep training for the next tournament which will be in Armenia. I’ll wrestle there and then we will decide with the coach what’s next for us."

Tazhudinov expressed his desire to wrestle world champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) at 97kg.

"At 97kg there are many great wrestlers. But most of all I would like to wrestle with Kyle Snyder as I want to give it a try."

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) met Zhiwei DENG (CHN) in the first round at 125kg and the former continued his unbeaten record over the Chinese with a narrow 4-3 win.

An 8-3 win against Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) in the quarterfinals put him against Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) in the semifinal but Petriashvili was up to the task with a 10-0 thrashing.

In the final, Petriashvili raced to a 12-1 win over Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB).

RESULTS

Women's wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Meng FAN (CHN) df. Oksana LIVACH (UKR), 4-4

BRONZE: Ziqi FENG (CHN) df. Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ), via fall
BRONZE: Chun LEI (CHN) df. Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB), 2-1

53kg
GOLD: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) df. Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL), 8-0

BRONZE: Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) df. Meiying JIANG (CHN), via fall
BRONZE: Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) df. Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN), 4-0

55kg
GOLD: Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ)
SILVER: Karla GODINEZ (CAN)
BRONZE: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR)

59kg
GOLD: Yuliia TKACH (UKR)
SILVER: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)
BRONZE: SARITA (IND)

65kg
GOLD: MANISHA (IND)
SILVER: Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ)
BRONZE: Yuliia LESKOVETS (UKR)

72kg
GOLD: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)
SILVER: REETIKA (IND)
BRONZE: Dalma CANEVA (ITA)

Freestyle

97kg
GOLD: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Awusayiman HABILA (CHN), 10-1

BRONZE: Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) df. Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ), 5-2
BRONZE: Nursultan AZOV (KAZ) df. Tuerxunbieke MUHEITE (CHN), 2-2

125kg
GOLD: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB), 12-1

BRONZE: Zhiwei DENG (CHN) df. Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB), 5-0
BRONZE: BUHEEERDUN (CHN) df. Reheman RUSIDANMU (CHN), 4-2

2026 U23 European Championships

Yakushenko Marches on With Another Gold

Sunday, March 15, 2026 - 19:31 By Vinay Siwach

ZRENJANIN, Serbia (March 15) -- Since 2024, Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) has suffered only one loss -- to Darius KIEFER (GER) in the final of 2025 U20 European Championships.

On either side of that loss, Yakushenko had won two age-group European and three world titles. He has also avenged that loss to Kiefer and now heads the head-to-head, 4-1, with his latest victory over the German coming on Saturday at the U23 European Championships.

A day later on Sunday, Yakushenko added his second U23 European title after he defeated former U20 world champion and Paris Olympian Abubakr KHASLAKHANAU (BLR), 3-1, in perhaps his toughest match of the tournament.

"This [U23] European Championships was really tough for me," Yakushenko said. "Not as easy as I imagined. I thought it would be easier, but overall I think the hardest fights are still ahead."

In the final, Yakushenko was awarded the first passivity point and the par terre position from wihch he lifted Khaslakhanau and brought him towards the edge of the mat but failed to land the Belarussian wrestler in danger. He was awarded a point for the stepout which gave him a 2-0 lead.

Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) tries to throw Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR) during the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Khaslakhanau got his chance in the second period when Yakushenko was put in par terre but failed to score any points. With a 2-1 lead, Yakushenko needed some good defense with two minutes left in the match.

While he had a couple of slip-ups during that time, Yakushenko did not give up any points. He was later warned for fleeing but managed to remain in contact after that. Belarus challenged for fleeing in the last 10 seconds but it was ruled out, adding one more point to Yakushenko's score.

"I had the same plan for all my opponents. It was tough," he said.

This was Yakushenko's third straight win over Khaslakhanau, a senior European bronze medalist and now a two-time U23 world silver medalist to go with his bronze as well.

Yakushenko defeated the Belarus wrestler twice last year -- a 7-3 victory at the U23 European Championships and then a 3-3 win at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad.

Daniial AGAEV (RUS) completed an 8-0 victory over William REENBERG (DEN) in just 37 seconds. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Agaev Leads Russia to Team Title

In other finals, Russia won two gold medals while Azerbiajan and Armenia won one gold each.

World bronze medalist Daniial AGAEV (RUS) led an inspired performance from Russia as it won the Greco-Roman team title. Russia won the Freestyle team title as well in Zrenjanin.

With 190 points, Russia was the best team. Armenia managed 113 points to finish second and Georgia finished third with 106 points.

Agaev need only 37 seconds to win his 67kg final against William REENBERG (DEN). He scored a takedown and transitioned into a gut-wrench, winning 8-0.

Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) defeated Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0, in the 72kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Russia's second gold medal came at 72kg Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) blanked Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0, in the final. Wrestling in only his third international tournament, Askerov began the final with a stepout before getting the par terre position. He did not score any points from the position but led 2-0.

An arm-drag to takedown doubled the lead to 4-0 before the break. In the second period, Askerov got another takedown to extend his lead to 6-0. The takedown also ended any hopes for Pada to get the par terre position.

Askerov would defend his 6-0 and win gold, his first major medal.

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) uses the seatbelt grip to throw Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO) during the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) captured his first U23 European title after a series of suplex to beat Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO), 9-0, in the 60kg final.

The former U20 champion was awarded the par terre in the first period which gave him a 1-0 lead. Kochalidze did well to defend the position but just as the referee was about to call neutral, Aghajanyan changed to a seatbelt grip and tossed Kochalidze in the opposite direction for two points.

He continued the same move with the seatbelt grip and was awarded four points for the second throw, giving him a 7-0 lead. The third throw was also scored four points, confirming an 11-0 victory for Aghajanyan.

Georgia challenged the decision, hoping that the throws will be scored two points each. But upon review the first throw was scored four points instead of original two points. With the second throw also being a four-pointer, the final was over, 9-0, a technical superiority win for the 2025 U23 world bronze medalist.

Elmin ALIYEV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 82kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Georgia suffered its second loss in the final at 82kg after Tornike MIKELADZE's (GEO) heartbreak against Elmin ALIYEV (AZE), 3-2.

Aliyev was down 2-0 at the break after giving up a stepout and passivity point in the first period. However, he managed to score a stepout at the start of the second period that later proved to be a crucial moment in the final.

Down 2-1, Aliyev was awarded the par terre position, giving him a 2-2 criteria lead. He failed to score any points from par terre but the criteria of scoring the last points remained with him and that enabled him to win the final.

Georgia threw a late challenge, asking for fleeing from Aliyev. But there was no evident fleeing and Georgia lost the challenge, giving one more point to Aliyev, who won 3-2.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) df. Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO), 9-0

BRONZE: Yevhen POKOVBA (UKR) df. Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: Ilian AINAOUI (FRA) df. Brian SANTIAGO (DEN), 1-1

67kg
GOLD: Daniial AGAEV (RUS) df. William REENBERG (DEN), 8-0

BRONZE: Azat SARIYAR (TUR) df. Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL), 4-1
BRONZE: Farid KHALILOV (AZE) df. Petro ZHYTOVOZ (HUN), 6-3

72kg
GOLD: Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) df. Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0

BRONZE Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) df. Leonard IURASCU (ROU), 5-4
BRONZE: Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE) df. Ashot KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 4-1

82kg
GOLD: Elmin ALIYEV (AZE) df. Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO), 3-2

BRONZE: Illia VALEUSKI (BLR) df. Szabolcs SZINAY (HUN), 10-1
BRONZE: Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) df. Alexander AEMAES (NOR), 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR), 3-1

BRONZE: Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Robin USPENSKI (EST), 6-4
BRONZE: Darius KIEFER (GER) df. Luka GABISONIA (GEO), 9-3

Tkach reignites Olympic hope with Bishkek gold

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Yakushenko Marches on With Another Gold