#WrestleBucharest

Two Olympic Champs, Two World Champs Headline Wednesday Night’s Freestyle Finals

Tuesday, April 9, 2019 - 19:43 By Eric Olanowski

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BUCHAREST, Romania (April 9) – Olympic champions Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE), and two-time world champions Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) won their semifinal matches on Tuesday night and will wrestle for a European gold medal on the third day of wrestling in Bucharest, Romania. 

Rivals Akgul and Petriashvili both scored semifinals wins against opponents who they’ve previously lost to, setting up a rematch of last year’s European finals. 

Akgul, the reigning European champion, avenged his Ivan Yariguin finals loss to Russia’s Anzor KHIZRIEV (RUS). In that January meeting, Khizriev used a pair of second-period counter-offensive crotch lifts to win his first Ranking Series title, 7-3. But on Tuesday night, it was a different story when the Turkish superstar took his Russian opponent down four times, inserting himself into the finals with the 8-1 win.  

He’ll wrestle two-time world champion Geno Petriashvili in a rematch of last year’s European finals. 

Petriashvili edged his semifinals opponent Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR), 3-2, and gained the 2-1 match advantage on the Ukranian wrestler. The pair split their two previous career meetings. The Georgian won their 2015 European Games meeting, but most recently, it was the Ukrainian wrestler who came out on top of the pair’s 2018 International Ukrainian Tournament finals meeting. 

On Tuesday night, Petriashvili was able to skate past Khotsianivskyi, 3-2. 

The second Olympic champion that won their Tuesday night semifinals match was Azerbaijan’s  Sharif Sharifov. The Azeri, who dropped last year’s 92kg finals to Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS), defeated Georgia’s Irakli MTSITURI and made his third European finals appearance. 

In his first match of the day, Sharifov defeated Russia’s Magomed KURBANOV, 6-2, then defeated his Georgian semifinal opponent 8-2. 

He’ll wrestle Poland’s Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL), who scored the 6-5 come-from-behind win over Turkey’s Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR) with a late takedown. 

At 74kg, Italy’s two-time world champion Frank Chamzio made it back to the European finals for the first time since 2017 after he defeated Azerbaijan’s Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE), 6-2. With that win, Chamzio, the two-time European champion, improved on his third-place finish from a year ago. 

He’ll wrestle Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA), who knocked off Ukraine’s Vasyl MYKHAILOV and Georgia’s Budapest runner-up Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), 3-3.  

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), who is making his senior-level debut, will wrestle for a European gold medal on Wednesday night. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

The other two finals spots that were claimed came at 61kg and 86kg. 

At 61kg, returning European finalist Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) will meet Armenia's senior-level rookie Arsen HARUTYUNYAN for the gold medal. 

Lomtadze topped Switzerland’s Randy Adrian VOCK on the top half of the bracket, and Hartuyunyan took down Romania’s Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU) on the bottom half of the bracket. 

The final weight of the night, 86kg, featured one of the biggest upsets up the day when Moldova’s Piotr IANULOV flattened reigning world runner-up and current world No. 1 Fatih ERDIN (TUR) to reach the finals. 

He’ll take on 2017 world bronze medalist Vladislav VALIEV (RUS), who stopped Murad SULEYMANOV (AZE) to reach the continental finals. 

Wednesday nights final are expected to begin at 17:15 (local time) and can be followed on www.unitedworldwrestling.org. 

RESULTS 
61kg 
GOLD - Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Beka LOMTADZE (GEO)
SEMIFINAL - Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU), 10-4 
SEMIFINAL - Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) df. Randy Adrian VOCK (SUI), 10-0 

74kg
GOLD - Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) vs. Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA)
SEMIFINAL - Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) df. Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE), 6-2
SEMIFINAL - Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) df. Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR)  , 4-2 

86kg
GOLD - Vladislav VALIEV (RUS) vs. Piotr IANULOV (MDA)
SEMIFINAL - Vladislav VALIEV (RUS) df. Murad SULEYMANOV (AZE), 7-0 
SEMIFINAL - Piotr IANULOV (MDA) df. Fatih ERDIN (TUR), via fall 

92kg
GOLD -  Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL) vs. Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE)
SEMIFINAL - Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR), 6-5 
SEMIFINAL - Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. Irakli MTSITURI (GEO), 6-0 

125kg
GOLD - Taha AKGUL (TUR) vs. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)  
SEMIFINAL - Taha AKGUL (TUR) df. Anzor Ruslanovitch KHIZRIEV (RUS), 8-1 
SEMIFINAL - Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR), 3-2 

#WrestleBratislava

Prevolaraki steps closer to historic European gold; Bullen vs Ringaci final at 65kg

Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 08:31 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 10) -- Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) has got a chance to end her search for the elusive European gold medal. 

The 33-year-old entered her fifth European Championships final and with a hope of becoming the second wrestler from Greece to win the gold medal in Women's Wrestling. The four-time Olympian made her first finals' appearance in 2013 but finished with a silver medal. She earned the same medal in 2014, 2021 and 2022.

Prevolaraki defeated Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) via fall after building a 12-4 in the 53kg semifinal and booked her spot against former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU).

Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) gave Ana a big scare in the other semifinal, leading 3-2 with just 15 seconds remaining. But Ana hit a takedown for two points and got the lead back. Malysheva tried getting a reversal but the time ran out.

Sweden made sure it has one finalists in Women's Wrestling, a streaking dating back to 2022. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) made it to three successive finals, winning two golds and a silver last year.

On Thursday, it was Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) who reached the final at 62kg with a dominant win over Paris Olympian Lucia NIEMESCH (GER). Lindborg has a bronze medal from 2020 but finished fifth in 2023 and 2024.

Against Niemesch, Lindborg scored a stepout and takedown to lead 3-0 before she blocked a headthrow from Niemesch for two points, added a turn to lead 7-0. Germany challenged the call for a slip throw but lost, making it 8-0 for Lindborg.

Niemesch completed an attack in the second period and scored two points but Lindborg defended her 8-2 lead for the win.

Standing between her and the gold medal is world U23 champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) who survived a late attack from Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) and won her semifinal 8-4. Bondar, who has almost won everything at the age-group level, is making her senior European debut.

At 65kg, two Paris Olympic medalists from 62kg were entered. However, only one made it to the final.

Paris bronze medalist Grace BULLEN (NOR) pinned her way to the gold medal bout, spending only eight minutes on the mat of her 18 for three bouts. In the semifinal, she pinned Olha PADOSHYK (POL) after a 6-0 lead.

In the other semifinal, Paris silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) was no match for former world and European champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) who once again countered the leg-attacks with ease. Ringaci moved into the final with an 11-0 win.

Returning champion at 72kg Nesrin BAS (TUR) will defend her title against Alla BELINSKA (UKR) on Friday. Bas defeated Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3, in the semifinal while Belinksa took out Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2.

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)

SF 1: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) df. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), via fall (12-4)
SF 2: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW), 5-3

57kg
GOLD: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW)

SF 1: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) df. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), 9-4
SF 2: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) df. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), via inj. def. (4-2)

62kg
GOLD: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Iryna BONDAR (UKR)

SF 1: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 8-4
SF 2: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), 8-4

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), 11-0
SF 2: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Olha PADOSHYK (POL), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Nesrin BAS (TUR)

SF 1: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2
SF 2: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3

Qualification bouts blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

The semifinals will begin at 16:45

53kg
SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) vs. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)

57kg
SF 1: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)
SF 2: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) vs. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)

62kg
SF 1: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) vs. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)

65kg
SF 1: Olha PADOSHYK (POL) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)
SF 2: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) vs. Irina RINGACI (MDA)

72kg
SF 1: Nesrin BAS (TUR) vs. Daniela TKACHUK (POL)
SF 2: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)

12:30: Paris Olympic silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) led 10-3 and was lacing Beyza AKKUS (TUR) when the Turkiye wrestler called for medical and was announced injured, giving Koliadenko the win and a spot in the 65kg semifinals.

12:25: Big four and a fall for Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) over Amina CAPEZAN (ROU) at 62kg. Capezan took a 6-5 lead but Lindborg answered with a double-leg attack and the fall to enter the semifinal.

12:22: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) takes out Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) at 62kg. Bondar with a takedown before Dudova tried to bounce back but Bondar counters and turns Dudova for a 7-1 lead. A lost challenge from Dudova which gives Bondar a 8-1 lead which is the final score.

12:14: No time wasted by world U23 champion Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) who pancakes Magdalena GLODEK (POL) for a fall at 57kg and enter the semifinal.

12:12: A heartbreak for the local fans! Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK) had it all under control, leading 5-3 and about to pin Daniela TKACHUK (POL). But the Polish wrestler reverse the fall position and scores two points in the final second to win 5-5 on criteria.

12:10: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) survives a final second scare and wins 5-2 over Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) at 53kg. Yetgil led 4-0 and attempted for the leg hold to defend the lead in the final five seconds. But Krawczyk spun behind and added a roll but it was after the time.

12:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) books her spot in the 65kg semifinals with an 11-0 win over Dinara KUDAEVA (UWW). A big four-pointer to finish off the bout.

12:00: Defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) hangs on for 2-1 win against returning silver medalist Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) in what was a rematch of the final from last year. Bas led 2-0 at the break before being called passive in the second period. But Anghel failed to score one more point for win.

11:55: Andreea ANA (ROU) and Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) in a tense battle at 53kg. Malanchuk with an early takedown to take a 2-0 lead but Ana answers with a takedown and leads 2-2 on criteria. Single leg takedown in the second period for a 4-2 lead for Ana. Malanchuk fires double-leg attack and claim a 4-4 criteria lead with a minute and 40 seconds left. With 15 seconds left, Malanchuk gets cautioned for hair pulling and point for Ana who wins 5-4.

11:48: How did Irina RINGACI (MDA) tangle Eniko ELEKES (HUN) and secure the fall there? Ringaci blocks the lower part of Elekes with her leg and has her arm locked. There is no way Elekes can move. Ringaci wins inside one minute.

11:40: Veteran Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), searching for her first European title, has a good start with a 5-0 win over Viyaleta REBIKAVA CHYRYK (UWW) at 53kg. She get a point for Rebikava's passivity before adding a takedown and two more points in the second period.

11:30: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) is into the semifinals at 57kg! She works up a 6-0 win over Evelina HULTHEN (SWE) and will wrestle for a spot in the final later tonight

11:20: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) gets the benefits of Lydia PEREZ (ESP) who is passive and Dudova wins 3-0 at 62kg. The four-time champion moves a step closer to her fifth title.

11:14: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) gives Sweden its first win of the day! She works hard for her 11-2 win over Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) at 62kg but controls it throughout the six minutes.

11:12: Grace BULLEN (NOR) needs only 40 seconds to roll over Marta OJEDA NAVARRO (ESP) and win her first bout at 65kg. Great start for the Paris Olympic bronze medalist

11:00: World U23 champion and senior European debutant Iryna BONDAR (UKR) starts off at 62kg with a 10-0 technical superiority over Nikolett SZABO (HUN).

10:55: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) scores seven points in the second period and beats world U20 champion Aryna MARTYNAVA (UWW) 7-1 at 57kg.

10:50: Quick finish on Mat B as defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) pins Elvira ERSSON (SWE) and moves on at 72kg. Bas recently on the European U23 gold medal at 68kg but she is going at 72kg here in Bratislava.

10:45: Age-group European champion Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) with a 10-0 victory over Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA) in just over two minutes to start her campaign at 57kg.

10:30: The fourth day at the European Championships in Bratislava and its all women's wrestling. Paris Olympic medalists Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) and Grace BULLEN (NOR) are both in 65kg and competing for gold.