#WrestleRome

Wednesday night's Matteo Pellicone finals set

Wednesday, June 22, 2022 - 01:46 By Eric Olanowski

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ROME, Italy (June 21) --- We've finally reached the opening day of action at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event. Wednesday's action will feature Greco-Roman stars at 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, 67kg, 87kg, 97kg and 130kg. 

Stars in Action on Wednesday:
- Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) - '21 world bronze
- Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) - '18 world champ 
- Victor CIOBANU (MDA) - '21 world champ
- Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)- '22 U23 and junior world champ
- Morten THORESEN (NOR) - '20 European champ
- Tamas LEVAI (HUN), Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and Istvan TAKACS (HUN) - Potential Hungarian wrestle-off for the 87kg world team spot. 
- Alex BJURBERG KESSIDIS (SWE) - '19 world silver
- Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) - '22 European silver, Olympic fifth place
- Felix BALDAUF (NOR) - '17 European champ
- Oskar MARVIK (NOR) -  '21 world bronze

Biggest Upset of the Day (thus far): At 97kg, Aleksandar Georgije STJEPANETIC (SWE) df. Felix BALDAUF (NOR), 5-2.

FINALS MATCHES:
55kg: Nordic-style bracket
60kg: Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) vs. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)
63kg: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) vs. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) 
67kg:  Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Furkan YILDIZ (TUR) 
87kg:  Islam ABBASOV (AZE) vs. Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) 
97kg:  David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs.  Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) 
​​​​​​​130kg:  Sabah Saleh SHARIATI (AZE) vs. Riza KAYAALP (TUR) ​​​​​​ 

1:56: I'm not too sure what's going on over on Mat B, but Alex Gergo SZOKE (HUN) is complaining about Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) being slippery while in par terre. I think he's saying there's a foreign substance stopping him from gripping the Italian.

1:51: I won't lie, I was selfishly rooting for a 130kg rematch between Kayaalp and Beka KANDELAKI (AZE). Sabah Saleh SHARIATI (AZE) had different plans, as the Rio Olympic bronze medalist edged Kandelaki on criteria to punch his ticket to the gold-medal match.

1:40: Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU) leads '21 world champ  Victor CIOBANU (MDA) by four points heading into the second period. That match is underway on Mat B.

1:12: In what is likely the determining competition in the fight for the Belgrade spot, Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) sends Tamas LEVAI (HUN) packing his bags after picking up the 2-1 win.

12:55: We have one or two matches left on each mat then will roll directly into the Day One semifinals.

12:51: Kayaalp, the four-time world champion from Turkey, is up now on Mat B. He trailed Knystautas 1-0 after the first but scored a gut wrench after picking up an inactivity point. It looks like he'll close out the match with a two point win and take on reigning world bronze medalist Oskar MARVIK (NOR).

12:43: How are they going to call this? Cohlton Michael SCHULTZ (USA) was down 7-0 against Sabah Saleh SHARIATI (AZE) when the Azeri gutted him for two more points. But things got interesting when the American put Shariati to his back. The refs stop the match and are now reviewing the call. This should be interesting.

12:32: The scoreboard reads 9-4 in favor of Islam ABBASOV (AZE) over Istvan TAKACS (HUN). After Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and Tamas LEVAI (HUN) both reached the semifinals on the other side of the bracket, this likely ends Takacs' quest for a world team spot at 87kg for Hungary.

12:25: This Jafarov kid from Azerbaijan is going to be a star. The 2021 junior and U23 world champion has picked up back-to-back technical superiority victories and is awaiting the winner of Mohammad Javad Saadat REZAEI (IRI) and Morten THORESEN (NOR).

12:18:  In a clash of world medalist Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) scored a remarkable comeback against Hossein Ahmad NOURI (IRI). The Swedish wrestler trailed 7-2 but scored seven consecutive points and will take on the winner of Istvan TAKACS (HUN) vs. Islam ABBASOV (AZE).

12:01: Alex Gergo SZOKE (HUN) eeks past Artur OMAROV (CZE), 3-1, in what was a battle of Tokyo Olympians.

11:49: Mohammad Hajiali HOSSEINVAND PANAHISANI (IRI) just erased a 7-0 first-period deficit against Florin TITA (ROU) by scoring 11 unanswered points.

11:41: We still haven't seen Turkish legend Riza KAYAALP (TUR) take the mat yet. He's still a ways out, but will take on Knystautas in eight matches on Mat B (Bout 43).

11:31: Keep an eye out for world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) on Mat A. He's coming up in three matches and will wrestle Teodor HORATAU (ROU).

11:27: In a battle of Tokyo Olympians Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) picked up the 2-0 opening-round win over Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU).

11:07: Reigning world champ Victor CIOBANU (MDA) just made Taleh MAMMADOV'S (AZE) feet touch the ceiling at the Palla Pellicone with a back-arching throw!

10:59: This should be a great one over on Mat B. Youngster Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is climbing the ranks at 67kg while Erik TORBA (HUN) is an established vet.

10:55: As the day progresses, we'll be paying close attention to Hungarian 87kg wrestlers Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), Istvan TAKACS (HUN) and Tamas LEVAI (HUN), who are all in contention to hold the world championship spot in Belgrade.

10:52: Norway's second European champ of the day Morten THORESEN (NOR) is now on the middle mat. He's wrestling Italy's Giovanni Paolo ALESSIO (ITA) on Mat B.

10:41: Mammadov looked really impressive in his first-round match, defeating Ozturk, 14-1. I'm not sure where the Turking wrestler goes for the World Championships, but I'm sure there's talk about him moving back down to 55kg. I think that's what give Turkey the best shot at a medal at 55kg and 60kg, with European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) taking over the 60kg position.

10:37: It's nice to see European champion Felix BALDAUF (NOR) wrestling over on Mat C. While at the European Championships in Budapest earlier this year, we were shooting out Question of the Day with fans, wrestlers and coaches when someone ran past and said, "Felix just broke his leg on the mat. He's done for a while." Luckily that turned out to be false and it was just a minor injury and he's back to looking like the early 2022 Baldauf.

10:30: We'll kick the day off with hammers Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) wrestling on Mat A. This is Ozturk's sixth Ranking Series event. He's reached the finals in all five of his previous Ranking Series outings. 

#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open Day 4: Bisultanov vs Losonczi; U.S. dominates WW

Saturday, February 8, 2025 - 07:09 By United World Wrestling Press

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ZAGREB, Croatia (February 8) -- The Zagreb Open 2025 enters day four with Greco-Roman 77kg and 87kg weight classes, perhaps two of most populated weight classes in the world. Women's Wrestling will continue with 57kg, 72kg and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | BLADES SUPLEX

13:35: David LOSONCZI (HUN) and Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) set up their Paris Olympic bronze medal bout rematch for the 87kg final in Zagreb.

Losonczi got going from the whistle against Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) with a turn from par terre and then a stepout to lead 4-0 at the break. A stepout in the second period made it 5-0 and eliminated the chance of passivity against him. He wins 5-0.

Bisultanov survived two par terre positions and defended level to beat Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN) 1-1 and enter the final.

13:25: In the two semifinals at 77kg, Sergei STEPANOV (AIN) blows away Sergei KUTUZOV (AIN) while Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) falls to Zoltan LEVAI (HUN). Stepanov got the par terre in the first period and used a reverse lift for five points and a correct throw for two more to win 8-0. In the other semifinal, Levai led 4-0 at the break and added a stepout in the second to win 5-1

13:10: Skylar GROTE (USA) has been in a league of her own today. She puts up another technical superiority win, beating Veronika VILK (CRO) 11-0 at 72kg.

We have moved the Mat B bouts to Mat A for the semifinals

12:45: Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) is into the semifinals at 87kg. He breaks Croatian hearts by beating Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 5-1 in the quarterfinals. He will take on David LOSONCZI (HUN)

12:42: Former U17 world champion and U20 world silver medalist Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) is into the semifinals at 77kg. He defeats Illia VALEUSKI (AIN) 6-4 and will take on Zoltan LEVAI (HUN)

12:37: David LOSONCZI (HUN) and Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) in a Paris rematch at 87kg. Losonczi is called for a singlet pull but Komarov is called passive first. Losonczi, lead 1-1 on criteria, hits a throw from par terre for four and lead 5-1. Komarov with a go behind takedown to cut the lead to 5-3. But Losonczi with his pace gets a stepout and make it 6-3 at the break. No more action or par terre calls in the second period and Losonczi wins 6-3.

12:25: Sergei KUTUZOV (AIN) blasts two reverse lifts for four points each and wins his quarterfinal against Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) 9-0. Spectacular throws from Kutuzov

12:20: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) keeps U20 world champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) in check and goes on to win 3-0. A passivity point in the first period and then a takedown in the second is all he needed

12:10: Anes GANIBOV (AIN) with a hard fought 9-4 win over Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) at 87kg. Sterkenburg struggled with his conditioning in the second period and Ganibov was happy to play it out till the clock expired.

12:05: Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) scores a reversal and a stepout to beat Ihar YARASHEVICH (AIN) 4-2 at 87kg. He is into the quarterfinals and will take on Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) who defeated Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) 8-4.

11:55: Sergei KUTUZOV (AIN) comes out with duck under and scores a takedown with six seconds on the clock to beat Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) 4-3. The local are in shock as Kamenjasevic was about to pull off a big upset

11:50: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) passes another test. Up against Amir ABDI (IRI), Gutu comes out with a stepout and takedown in the second period to claim a 4-3 win over Abdi.

11:47: David LOSONCZI (HUN) keeps it simple against Vjekoslav LUBURIC (CRO) and goes to a 9-0 victory to book his quarterfinal spot at 87kg.

11:35: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) comes out with a four pointer later in the bout and gets a 7-1 win over Robert FRITSCH (HUN) at 77kg.

11:25: Another pin for U23 world champion Yelena MAKOYED (USA)! Valeriia TRIFONOVA (AIN) got an arm throw for four points to make it 7-4 but Makoyed was unfazed. She got the double arm lock and pinned Trifonova

11:20: U20 world champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) makes a great Ranking Series debut. He beats Tamas LEVAI (HUN) 6-1 at 87kg and will take on Paris Olympic bronze medalist Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) next.

11:13: Exacue MAKUBU (NOR) with a 6-3 win over Mate MANDIC (CRO). He was leading 4-0 but Mandic got the passivity in the second period and turned Makubu, who blocked the second turn to make it 6-3 and held on to that lead.

11:10: Quick work from David LOSONCZI (HUN) who scores a takedown before getting the par terre advantage. He rolls Milos PEROVIC (SRB) and gets the 9-0 win at 87kg.

11:05: Big match at 87kg as Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) takes on Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB). Huseynov defends his par terre position in the first period. As Komarov is called passive in second, Huseynov is about to lift him when Komarov intentionally moves backwards. The referee confirms fleeing and docks Komarov for a point. Serbia challenges the call but the caution is upheld giving Huseynov a 3-1 lead. Komarov scores two stepouts in last 15 seconds and is also called for a fleeing and Komarov wins 4-3. Azerbaijan challenge the fleeing call but fleeing is upheld as Komarov wins 5-3. 

10:50: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) keeps it simple in his opening bout at 77kg. He wins 1-1 on criteria against Aleksa ILIC (SRB).

10:45: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) taking Amin KAVIYANI (IRI) to the cleaners! In the first bout at 77kg, Gutu got the first period par terre advantage and then reverse lifted Kaviyani for a five-point throw. He added two steps in the second period to win 8-0

10:42: Amir Ali ABDI (IRI) with a classic arm throw to beat Akseli YLI HANNUKSELA (FIN) 10-0 at 77kg. He is bidding to be Iran's representative at Asian Championships.

10:36: Great start for the United States as Yelena MAKOYED (USA) at 76kg and Skylar GROTE (USA) at 72kg both win their bouts with ease. Makoyed pins Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) and Grote gets a 10-0 win over Noemi OSVATH NAGY (HUN).

10:30: Welcome to day four in Zagreb. Women's Wrestling will have 57kg, 72kg and 76kg wrestlers while Greco-Roman will see wrestlers in 77kg and 87kg. Since there is only Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) and Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) in 57kg, it will be the final to be held in the evening session.