Takhti Cup

Turkey Sends 6 to Finals of Greco-Roman Takhti Cup

Friday, January 26, 2018 - 01:27 By Ali Feizasa

Share this article

MAHSHAHR, Iran (January 25) - The finalists of the Takhti Cup International Greco-Roman Wrestling Tournament were determined in the southern port of Iran, Mahshahr.

Turkey had a brilliant performance on the opening day, sending six wrestlers to the finals, outperforming Iran and Kazakhstan, which sent four wrestlers to the finals.

The tournament is the first UWW ranking series event in Greco-Roman.

55kg final: Bachana PUTKARADZE (GEO) vs. Ekrem OEZTUREK (TUR)

20-year-old wrestler Ekrem OEZTUREK from Turkey stormed to final match, earning 27 points during his three matches. Oezturek will meet Bachana PUTKARADZE (GEO) in the finals. 

60kg final: Mehrdad MARDANI (IRI) vs. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ)

Iranian Mehrdad MARDANI did a great job defeating 2017 world silver medal winner Meirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) 4-0 in the semifinals, while, three-time Asian junior medal winner Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) beat Dastan ZARLYKHANOV (KAZ).

Both finalists represented their countries at the 2017 World Championships in Paris. 

63kg final: Kudaibergen TURSYNOV (KAZ) vs. Kaly SULAIMANOV (KGZ) 

Former junior world champion Kaly SULAIMANOV (KGZ) proved himself in senior level competition, edging Iranian favorite Mohammad NOURBAKHSH 3-0 in the semifinals. He will meet Kudaibergen TURSYNOV (KAZ) in the finals. 

67kg final: Fevzi MAMUTOV (UKR) vs. Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ)

The big surprise in this weight class came when Olympic and world champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) lost by fall to Ukranian Fevzi MAMUTOV in the quarterfinals. Borrero, who has moved up from 59kg to 67kg, was ahead in the match against Mamutov but lost the match in a moment. 

Mamutov also downed returning Takhti Cup champ Mohammad ELYASI (IRI) by technical fall 12-2. Elyasi placed fifth at the 2017 World Championships. 

Three-time world medalist Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) is another finalist at 67kg. Kebispayev beat Turkish junior and U-23 team member Murat FIRAT 4-2. Kebispayev also had a tough match in the first round, beating 2017 world bronze medal winner Atakan YUEKSEL (TUR) 3-1.

72kg final: Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) vs. Murat DAG (TUR)

U-23 world bronze medalist Murat DAG (TUR) had a technical fall victory over Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), 8-0 in the semifinals. He will meet Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) in the finale.

Zhadrayev, a 2017 world silver medal winner, had a brilliant performance as he beat Goga GOGIBERASHVILI (GEO) by technical fall 14-6 and had a victory by fall against Iranian Farshad BELFEKE (RI) in the quarterfinals.

Dag also did a great job in the first round, beating former world bronze medal winner Afshin BYABANGAR (IRI), 7-3.

77kg final: Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) vs. Serkan AKKOYUN (TUR)

World bronze medal winner Mohammadali GERAEI moved up from 71kg to 77kg and was successful in his new weight class. He downed Borouman ASLAN (IRI) 4-3 in the semifinals.
Serkan AKKOYUN (TUR) was another finalist at 77kg as he defeated Iranian Pejman PASHTAN in a narrow semifinal match. Akkoyun also won the match against 2017 U-23 world champion Fatih CENGIZ (TUR) in the first round.

82kg final: Emrah KUS (TUR) vs. Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL)

Daniel ALEKSANDROV was the only finalist for Bulgaria at the Takhti Cup, defeating Iranian Keyvan REZAEI in the semifinals 3-1. Aleksandorv, who placed fifth in Paris, defeated U-23 world champion Burhan AKBUDAK 4-0 in the quarterfinals.

2013 world bronze medal winner Emrah KUS (TUR) edged Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR), 2-1 in another semifinal match. 

The big surprise Iranian world bronze medalist Yousef GHADERIAN losing to Rezaei 6-3.

87kg final: Saman AZIZI (IRI) vs. Khussein MUTSOLGOV (KAZ)

Saman AZIZI (IRI) and Khussein MUTSOLGOV (KAZ) defeated KATSANASHVILI (GEO) and SHIRDAKOV (KGZ) respectively to advance to the finals at 87kg.

2017 world champion Metehan BASAR (TUR) didn’t continue in the tournament after his first win against Arman ALIZADEH (IRI).

97kg final: Orkhan NURIYEV (AZE) vs. Cenk ILDEM (TUR)

The gold medal at 97kg will go to Turkey or Azerbaijan. Olympic bronze medal winner Jenk ILDEM (TUR) downed Dorin PIRVAN (ROM) 3-0 in the semifinals. Orkhan NURIYEV (AZE) beat Mohammad YEGANEH (IRI) 3-2.

 It is not the first battle of Ildem and Huriyev. These wrestlers competed against each other in a match at the 2015 European Games, which Ildem won.

130kg final: Behnam MEHDIZADEH (IRI) vs. Osman YILDIRIM (TUR)

Two-time Asian champion Behnam MEHDIZADEH (IRI) had a narrow win over 2017 Iran team member Shahab GHOUREHJILI (IRI). He will meet Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) in the finals.  Yildirim had a 4-1 victory over Alin ALEXUC (ROM) the semifinals. 

The repechage and finals of the Takhti Cup will be held on Friday from 10 a.m. local time.

Semifinal Results

55kg
Bachana PUTKARADZE (GEO) df. Ibrahim NURULLAYEV (AZE), 3 – 1
Ekrem OEZTURK (TUR) df. Ziyad ZEYNALOV (AZE), 12 - 6

60kg
K. ZHOLCHUBEKOV (KGZ) TF. Dastan ZARLYKHANOV (KAZ), 11 - 1
Mehrdad MARDANI (IRI) df. Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ), 4 – 0

63kg
Kudaibergen TURSYNOV (KAZ) df. Khvicha TCHITAVA (GEO), 6 - 6
K. SULAYMANOV (KGZ) df. Mohammad NOURBAKHSH (IRI), 3 – 0

67kg
Fevzi MAMUTOV (UKR) TF. Mohammad ELYASI (IRI), 12-2
Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 4-2

72kg
Murat DAG (TUR) TF. Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), 8 - 0
Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) TF. Goga GOGIBERASHVILI (GEO), 14 – 6

77kg
Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) df. Boroomand aslan GHAREHDAGHI (IRI), 4 - 3
Serkan AKKOYUN (TUR) df. Pejman PASHTAM (IRI), 5 – 5

82kg
Emrah KUS (TUR) df. Yaroslav FLICHAKOV (UKR), 2 - 1
Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL) df. Keivan REZAEI (IRI), 3 – 1

87kg
Saman AZIZI (IRI) df. Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO), 4 - 3
Khussein MUTSOLGOV (KAZ) df. S. SHIRDAKOV (KGZ), 4 – 1

97kg
Cenk ILDEM (TUR) df. Dorin constantin PIRVAN (ROU), 3 - 0
Orkhan NURIYEV (AZE) df. Mohammad YEGANEH (IRI), 3 – 2

130kg
Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) df. Ciurariu alin ALEXUC (ROU), 4-1
Behnam MEHDIZADEH (IRI) df. Shahab GHOUREHJILI 
 

#WrestleBratislava

European Championships 2025 Day 1 Freestyle Semis Set

Monday, April 7, 2025 - 08:15 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 7) -- The European Championships begins in Bratislava with Freestyle weight classes 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | EUROPEAN CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW

57kg semifinals
SF 1: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) vs. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB)
SF 2: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) vs. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE)

65kg semifinals
SF 1: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) vs. Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO)
SF 2: Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) vs. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)

70kg semifinals
SF 1: Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) vs. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM)
SF 2: David BAEV (UWW) vs. Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE)

79kg semifinals
SF 1: Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) vs. Ion MARCU (MDA)
SF 2: Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) vs. Akhmed USMANOV (UWW)

97kg
SF 1: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) vs. Richard VEGH (HUN)
SF 2: Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) vs. Radu LEFTER (MDA)

The semifinals will begin at 18:00 local time

13:30: In the final bout of the morning session, Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) books his spot in the 65kg semifinal with a 10-0 win over Nico MEGERLE (GER). Rahimzada led 2-0 at the break, adds a takedown, two chest-wrap turns and a takedown with a minute and 18 left to win 10-0.

13:20: In a marquee 65kg match, European champion Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) takes on world U23 champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW). Tevanyan is put on the activity clock first and he falls behind 1-0 at the break. The second period sees more action and Tevanyan gets on the leg-attack but Ibragimov manages to keep it down to a step down. A fleeing caution is hit on Ibragimov which gives Tevanyan a 2-1 lead. Ibragimov with a fake snap for takedown on the edge to claim a 3-2 lead with a minute remaining. Tevanyan can't break the defense and Ibragimov gets the 3-2 win to enter semifinals at 65kg.

13:12: Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) adds to the misery of the local fans as he beats Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) at 97kg. Kurbanov relied on his defense to counter Tsakulov and win 9-1 and advance to the semifinals.

13:08: For a place in the 97kg semifinals, Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) takes on Richard VEGH (HUN). Abakarov scores a takedown just before the break to lead 2-1. Vegh gets a stepouts to make it 2-2 but Abakarov leads on criteria for his takedown. Vegh scores another stepout in the final 25 seconds to lead 3-2. He squares up to defend and Abakarov tries to reach the far leg but Vegh evades and spins behind for two. He wins 5-2.

13:02: Veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) pulls off a 4-0 win over Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) at 79kg and enters the semifinal. Two points for activity and a takedown are enough for Khadjiev. He celebrates the win with a sigh of relief. Local fans heartbroken with the loss.

12:55: Big match at 79kg as world champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) takes on former European champion Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR). Both wrestlers start slow but it is Usmanov who gets on the scoreboard first with an activity point. Mykhailov gets on the clock as well and leads 1-1 on criteria. In the final minute, Mykhailov is put on the activity clock again and the lead switches to Usmanov, 2-1, with a 20 seconds left on the clock. Usmanov defends the time and advances to the semifinals at 79kg

12:47: Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) had built an 8-0 lead in the first period over Okan TAHTACI (TUR) in their 79kg quarterfinal but Tahtaci scored a takedown and turn to cut it to 8-4 against a tiring Mottaghinia. But as it looked like Tahtaci would make a match of it, Mottaghinia scores a takedown and two lace turns to win 14-4.

12:40: Defending 70kg champion Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) advances to the semifinals with a controlled 4-0 win over Oleksii BORUTA (UKR) and takes a step closer to defend his gold medal.

12:30: Defending 97kg champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) opens with a 11-0 win over Radoslaw BARAN (POL). He got a point for Baran's passivity, scored a takedown before adding three gut-wrenches to lead 9-0 at the break. A go-behind in the second period is enough for the win.

12:25: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) with an over-under lock and throw for four to lead 4-1 against Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM) at break in their 57kg quarterfinal. That remained the only scoring move of the match even as Khndzrtsyan tried breaking the shackles in the second period. Mongush into the semifinals with a 4-1 win.

12:10: David BAEV (UWW) is looking unstoppable. He now gut wrenches Viktor VOINOVIC (SRB) and advances to the semifinal at 70kg which will be held at 18:00 local time

12:05: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) in defense is one of the best you get out there. He works up a 3-0 win over Islam GUSEINOV (UWW) at 65kg enters the quarterfinals.

11:55: Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) started off slow but he takes just 2 minutes and 17 seconds to beat Gurgen SIMONYAN (ARM) 10-0 at 97kg.

11:40: Defending 79kg champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) gets two activity points and a stepout as he wins 3-0 against Paris Olympian and world silver medalist Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO). Usmanov had defeated Gamkrelidze in the 79kg final at the 2023 World Championships.

11:30: Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE), moving up to 97kg for the European Championships, opens up a 8-2 win over Vasyl SOVA (UKR)

11:20: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) posts a technical superiority win over Hayk PAPIKYAN (ARM) and advances at 79kg. He is chasing his second European gold

11:05: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) hands Kamil KERYMOV (UKR) a 10-0 humbling at 57kg. Tiutrin is one of the hopefuls to win the gold. In the next match at 57kg, Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW), who won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold at 61kg, wins 100- against Ivaylo TISOV (BUL)

11:00: Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), former European champion, gets on the scoreboard with a activity clock point to lead 1-0 against Niklas STECHELE (GER) at the break in their 57kg bout. He adds a stepout to make it 2-0. A double-leg takedown to make it 4-0 and Stechele can't break the defense.

10:56: Former world U20 champion Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) makes quick work of Benedikt HUBER (AUT) in the 70kg opening round bout.

10:50: Battle of two world champions on Mat B as Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), world 65kg champion in 2023, takes on David BAEV (UWW), who won gold medal at 79kg in 2019. Baev opens up a 4-0 lead with a takedown and two stepouts as Muszukajev evades most of the attacks in the first period. Baev starts the second period with a double-leg. Muszukajev avoids a takeodwn but Baev laces him and spins him for an in-air leg lace and gets four and two to win 10-0 and advance at 70kg. 

10:42: On Mat C, three-time European champion Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) opens his defense of 70kg gold with a takedown class and finishes with a 10-0 win over Mateusz LUSZCZYNSKI (POL).

10:35: World U23 champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) takes a minute and 46 seconds to roll to a 10-0 victory over Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL)

10:30: The European Championships are underway in Bratislava. Big names are wrestling with five gold medals on line.