#WrestleBudapest: Akgul beats Petriashvili to capture ninth European title

Wednesday, March 30, 2022 - 21:29 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 30) -- It was a lasting image. Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) finished their 125kg final but had no energy to stand up for the winner's announcement. Instead, the two sat, perhaps admiring each other after another memorable chapter in their fancied rivalry. The embrace after the bout was even more emotional.

Akgul, the defending European champion, defeated Petriashvili, 5-2, in the 125kg gold medal bout at the European Championships in Budapest, Hungary. He won his ninth European title and extended his head-to-head record against the Georgian at the Continental Championships to 5-1.

Five wrestlers claimed gold on Wednesday night, but the biggest of the lot was the 125kg match-up. Akgul was under pressure after finishing with bronze at the Olympics and World Championships, while Petriashvili had won silver at those two events.

Akgul held the center in the first period while Petriashvili was satisfied to play it out. Akgul scored three step-outs and a takedown to lead 5-0 at the break. But Petriashvili leveled up in the second period. There were a few scrambles where Petriashvili nearly scored, but Akgul managed to sneak out.

The Rio Olympic champion went for a double leg, but Petraishvili countered that with a go behind and cut the Turkish legend's lead to 5-2. The Georgian finally had the break he wanted, but Akgul was determined to have the gold around his neck.

Akgul Taha AKGUL (TUR), blue, and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) after their 125kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

"It was my goal to come here and break my own record of eight European gold," Akgul said. "It was a great fight against a great wrestler."

The mutual admiration between the two was visible at the medal ceremony, where Petriashvili did not hesitate to congratulate Akgul for his ninth title.

The Tokyo silver medalist enjoys a superior record against Akgul at the World Championships and the Turkey legend hopes he can break that streak soon.

"It's always dramatic with Geno [Petriashvili]," Akgul said. "It's crazy that I keep beating him at the Europeans but he has a streak against me at the Worlds. So I will try to keep winning the gold at Euros and will soon break his streak against me at the World Championships."

But it will be interesting to see when Petriashvili steps on the mat again. After suffering a heartbreaking loss in the Olympic final in Tokyo, many questioned if he would call it quits. Instead, he tried to become a world champion in Oslo, which ended with a silver medal.

Silver in Budapest may be the final nail in the coffin for Petriashvili who stepped down from the podium waving to the small section of Georgian fans in the stands, thanking them for the support of one of Georgia's greatest ever wrestlers.

Akturk Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) added a senior European title to his U23 title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Turkey won its second gold at 92kg when Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) defeated Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 6-1, in the final. Akturk scored four step-outs and a takedown in a final, which he called 'exhausting.'

"I very proud to win and carry the [Turkey] flag," Akturk said. "The final was exhausting but with the gold medal, all the burden of the final fight fades away."

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) defended his 74kg European title in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 74kg, Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) defended his gold medal against two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) in a thrilling final, winning it 7-6 in the final second. Chamizo was set to win 5-5 on criteria, but Salkazanov managed to score a step-out before the clock expired to take the win.

The bout began with a big whizzer from Chamizo, which gave him four points. Salkazanov thought his opponent had stepped out and challenged the call. However, he lost the challenge, and Chamizo led 5-0.

But in the second period, Salkazanov scored an out-of-bounds takedown and then added another. He scored the first step-out with seven seconds remaining and then the final one at the end.

Despite his back-to-back golds, the Oslo silver medalist was not satisfied with his wrestling and thought he could have won it a little easier.

"I am not satisfied with my wrestling," Salkazanov said. "In the beginning, I made a mistake, but even after that I didn't give up, I believed that I could win till the very end. I saw he stepped out and it seemed to me that I got the point. When I threw the challenge, I was still ready to keep wrestling. I was thinking that even if I get that one point, it doesn't mean anything. I had to do my best on the mat. So, I made it happen. I tried hard to attack and I made it."

It was similar to their 1/8 final bout of the '21 European Championships in Warsaw and where Salkazanov scored a four-pointer in the final 10 seconds to beat Chamizo.

But Salkazanov, who lost to Kyle DAKE (USA) in the final in Oslo, wants to better his result at the World Championships in Belgrade later this year.

"My main goal is to become the world champion," he said. "Last year I was one step away from it. After that, I was so disappointed because I was supposed to win that match. I hope this year I will make it happen."

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) won his second European gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) also won his second European gold medal as he defeated former world silver medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR) in the 61kg final. In a dominating performance, Harutyunyan won, 15-3.

Harutyunyan caught Atli by surprise when he threw him for four and then leg laced to lead 6-0. Another single-leg takedown made it 8-0 but Armenia asked for another exposure and the win. He lost the challenge and Atli scored a takedown to cut the Armenian's lead to 8-3.

The U23 World champion went straight on the offensive in the second period and got the takedown, during which Atli called for a medical timeout. When the bout resumed, Atli was forced in par terre, and Harutyunyan managed to finish the bout 15-3 with two gut wrenches.

Myles AMINE (SMR) defeated Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) in the 86kg final to claim the gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

San Marino wins first gold

Tokyo bronze medalist Myles AMINE (SMR) added another page to San Marino's wrestling history when he won the nation's first-ever European Championships gold by beating Oslo bronze medalist Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE), 9-5, in the final.

Amine, who finished second at the USA's NCAA final two weeks ago, performed with exceptional composure against Abakarov to secure the gold.

"He [Abakarov] is funky," Amine said. "I got in on that first shot and it felt too easy. His left leg is his best defense so I tried to get my attacks on his right leg and that kind of started working and I opened up my attacks. He was a guy that I had to adapt against otherwise I was going to probably lose that match."

Amine was leading 5-4 at one point, but then he scored two takedowns in the final two minutes to steer clear of any Abakarov comeback.

Since winning San Marino's first-ever Olympic medal in wrestling, Amine has been improving and looks to continue that.

"Two weeks ago, I had a tough loss in the final of NCAA," he said. "I beat the guy in the final of Big 10 Championships. I was excited to come and compete to put that loss behind me. As much as I say that I have to agree that in the last 10 months, I have been blessed by god.

"I will take a few weeks off and come back again because that worked after Olympics. Go back to the drawing board and see where I can improve. I am sure I need to improve my par terre."

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df Suleyman ATLI (TUR), 15-3

BRONZE: Eduard GRIGOREV (POL) df Besir ALILI (MKD), 12-2
BRONZE: Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) df Gamzatgadzhi KHALIDOV (HUN), via inj. def.

74kg
GOLD: Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), 7-5

BRONZE: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) df Zurab KAPRAEV (ROU), 2-1
BRONZE: Giorgi SULAVA (GEO) df Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM), 17-5

86kg
GOLD: Myles AMINE (SMR) df Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE), 9-5

BRONZE: Osman GOCEN (TUR) df Uri KALASHNIKOV (ISR), 8-8
BRONZE: Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL) df Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT), 6-0

92kg
GOLD: Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) df Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 6-1

BRONZE: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df Damian IGLESIAS VILELA (ESP), 11-0
BRONZE: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df Georgii RUBAEV (MDA), 7-2

125kg
GOLD: Taha AKGUL (TUR) df Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), 5-2

BRONZE: Robert BARAN (POL) df Abraham CONYEDO RUANO (ITA), 3-2
BRONZE: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) df Magomedgadzhi NURASULOV (SRB), 6-4

WW Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) vs Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR)

SF 1: Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) df Anna LUKASIAK (POL), 4-2
SF 2: Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR) df Emilia VUC (ROU), 8-5

55kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR)

SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) df Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 6-0
SF 2: Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) df Bediha GUN (TUR), via fall

59kg
GOLD: Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) vs Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

SF 1: Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) df Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), 3-1
SF 2: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Elena BRUGGER (GER), 8-0

68kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), via fall
SF 2: Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) df Natalia STRZALKA (POL), 3-2

76kg
GOLD: Epp MAEE (EST) vs Yasemin ADAR (TUR)

SF 1: Epp MAEE (EST) df Catalina AXENTE (ROU), 10-0
SF 2: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df Bernadett NAGY (HUN), via fall

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo 2026 Wrestling Day 5 Results: Mammadli, Sargsian Win Gold

Sunday, March 1, 2026 - 08:36 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (March 1) -- European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) claimed gold medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in Tirana at 60kg after a 1-1 victory over compatriot Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) in the final.

Mammadli had to defend two passivity calls against him in the second period. The 2024 world champion did not give any points when he was put in par terre during those calls.

He held the criteria in the match, thanks to the new Greco-Roman rule in which if the bout 1-1 due to the passivity calls, the wrestler who gets the first point will be the winner.

At 97kg, world silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) claimed the gold medal after world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) defaulted via injury. But before the final, Sargsian had to go through Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals and then Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI) in the semifinals.

Against Dzhuzupbekov, Sargsian scored a takedown and then lifted the Kyrgyzstan wrestler and slammed back first for four points. He got the par terre in the second period and turned Dzhuzupbekov close to the edge to complete a 9-0 win.

He then forged a 3-2 win over Moradiyan in semis, He 1-1 on criteria before Moradiyan got whizzed for four points by Sargsian. Iran challenged the call and won but it only changed the score to 3-1. Moradiyan scored a stepout but it was too little too late.

Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) sets up a throw on Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) during the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion at 55kg Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) battled it out against Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) and come out on top, 3-1, in the final.

In a very close bout, Mammadov, a U23 world and senior European silver medalist in 2024, got the first par terre a position but failed to score any points.

When Sefershaev got the position in the second period, he lifted Mammadov towards the edge before a half-hearted throw. It was scored one point for stepout for Sefershaev and Azerbaijan promptly challenged that call as Mammadov fell on top of Sefershaev.

But on review, it was clear that Mammadov's more than half body went outside the zone and he landed his hands outside first which was the basis of the one point for stepout. The lost challenge made Sefershaev's score 3-1.

He will now be defending his European title in the same arena in Tirana, Albania come April.

In the 130kg weight class, Murat KAMPAROV (UWW) emerged as the gold medal winner after he defeated Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN), 5-0, in the final.

He scored a turn from par terre in the first period to lead 3-0 at the break, Maeenpaeae, hoping to get the par terre call in the second period, began the second period with some furious attacks but lost his balance.

Kamparov capitalized on it and scored a takedown on the edge for a 5-0 lead, which turned out to be the winning score of the final.

Javad REZAEI (IRI) hits a four-point throw on Hojat REZAEI (IRI) during the 72kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Iran Wins 2 Golds

Iran won two gold medals to open its account in Tirana.

At 72kg, in an-all Iranian final, 2021 U23 world champion Javad REZAEI (IRI) got the better of Hojat REZAEI (IRI), 7-3, in the final.

Hojat was put in par terre in the first period and Mohammad scored two suplex throws of four points each to finish the final 9-0. However, Hojat challenged the call and the second throw was only scored two points after the review, changing the score to 7-0.

In the second period, Hojat was put awarded the passivity call and he got on board with a point. As he was trying to work a move, Mohammad committed a defensive foul which added two more points to Hojat's score.

However, Hojat did not score any action points during the bout and Mohammad was happy to defend his lead and win the gold medal.

The second gold medal for Iran was won by debutant Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) who defeated world fifth-placer Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW), 6-2, in the 82kg final.

Tiuliubaev failed to score any points from par terre in the first period but held criteria 1-1 lead when Hosseini got the par terre in the second period.

However, Tiuliubaev committed a defensive leg foul during Hosseini's left and was docked two points which gave Hosseini a 3-1 lead. Tiuliubaev challenged the foul call but it was confirmed and he lost another point. Though Hosseini did not score any points from position he held a comfortable 4-1 lead.

With 17 seconds left, Tiuliubaev scored a stepout to cut the lead to 4-2 but he then committed a headbutt, perhaps out of frustration of losing, which gave Hosseini two more points and swelled the Iranian's score to 6-2.

The weight class also had world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ). But both went medalless after losing in the quarterfinals to Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE) and Kamal BEY (USA), respectively.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: LALIT (IND) df. Arsen ZHUMA (KAZ), via fall (9-0)
BRONZE: Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) df. Vishvajit MORE (IND), 12-12

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), 1-1

BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) df. Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM), 7-1
BRONZE: Suner KONUNOV (UWW) df. Maxwell BLACK (USA), 1-1

72kg
GOLD: Mohammad REZAEI (IRI) df. Hojat REZAEI (IRI), 7-3

BRONZE: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) df. Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE), 7-4
BRONZE: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) df. Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ), via fall

82kg
GOLD: Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) df. Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW), 6-2

BRONZE: Iraklii KALANDIIA (UWW) df. Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE), via fall (11-1)
BRONZE: Viktor NEMES (SRB) df. Kamal BEY (USA), 2-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) df. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Giorgi MELIA (GEO), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) df. Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI), 4-2

130kg
GOLD: Marat KAMPAROV (UWW) df. Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN), 5-0

BRONZE: Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN) df. Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 3-0
BRONZE: Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) df. Jello KRAHMER (GER), via fall (7-0)

Morning Session Highlights

15:50: 130kg semifinals - Murat KAMPAROV (UWW) will take on Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) in the 130kg final after he defeated Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 1-1. Maeenpaeae scored a quick 8-0 victory over Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) in the other semifinal.

15:40 - 97kg semifinals - World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) moves into the final with a 3-2 victory over the very impressive Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI). Sargsian held only a 1-1 criteria lead before Moradiyan got whizzed for four points from Sargsian. Iran challenged the call and won but it only changed the score to 3-1. Moradiyan scored a stepout but it was too little too late. Sargsian will face world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) in the final after he scored a electric 7-1 win over Giorgi MELIA (GEO).

15:25: 82kg semifinals - Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) beats Kamal BEY (USA), 7-0, at 82kg after scoring a four-pointer in the first period and then a takedown in the second. He will face Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW) for the gold medal after he held off Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE), 4-1, with all points being non-action points. Tiuliubaev led 2-1 when he scored a stepout from par terre in the second period. Vazirzade challenged the call and asked for two points for himself but lost it. Tiuliubaev scored a stepout to extend his lead to 4-1. A failed attempt from Vazirzade sees him being slammed on the mat as Tiuliubaev wins 6-1

15:10: 72kg semifinals - An all-Iran final at 72kg after Javad REZAEI (IRI) wins his semifinals, 5-1, against Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ). Rezaei scored two turns from par terre in the par terre and then did well to defend in the second. Beishekeev tried to do a flying squirrel but did not score any points. In the other semifinal, Hojat REZAEI (IRI) managed a controlled 7-3 victory over Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) to enter the final.

14:55: 60kg semifinals - Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) books a place in the final after a thumping 8-0 victory over Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) at 60kg. He opened the scoring with a stepout before getting the par terre position to lead 2-0. Three gut-wrenches get the job done for him. He will face compatriot Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) in the final after the European champion defeated Suner KONUNOV (UWW). Mammadli scored a stepout to lead 1-1 at the break, then got a takedown to start the second and extend the lead to 3-1. He defended the lead to win

14:40: 55kg semifinals - Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) enters the final after a dominant 10-1 victory over Vishvajit MORE (IND). He used two throws, a takedown and turn to score his points. He will face Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) for the gold medal after he held off LALIT (IND), 6-5, in the other semifinal. Mammadov led 3-2 when Lalit got the par terre in the second period to lead 3-3 on criteria. He managed to score two points for exposure but Mammadov got a reversal and completed a correct throw to lead 6-5, the winning score

14:20: Ali ILIASOV (UWW) must be gutted after that loss to Beka KANDELAKI (AZE). The U20 world champion scored a takedown and got a point for Kandelaki's passivity in the first period to lead 3-0. Kandelaki got the par terre in the second and after a long time on top, managed to turn Iliasov and lead 3-3 on criteria. With ample time left, Iliasov waited for his options before he managed to get behind Kandelaki and was about to lock his hands when the Azerbaijan wrestler flung him away from his back and was given two points. Iliasov challenged it and the 2 points were changed to 4 points which results in a 7-3 lead for Kandelaki. He won the quarterfinals at 130kg with the same score

14:00: World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) with a technical superiority win over Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) at 97kg. Sargsian scored a takedown and then lifted Dzhuzupbekov and slammed him back first for four points and a 6-0 lead. He gets the par terre in the second period and turn close to the edge to complete a 9-0 win.

13:50: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) blanks Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 6-0, at 60kg. He scored two turns from par terre in the first period to lead 5-0 and then again got a stepout early in the second period to win 6-0

13:45: Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) with an 1-1 victory over Alex SZOKE (HUN) at 97kg. Maskevich got the criteria since he received par terre advantage in the first period against Szoke, who won the Zagreb Open three weeks ago.

13:35: Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE) stuns Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 82kg. While Makhmudov did not give up any points when he was put in par terre in the first period, Vazirzade scored four points via a body throw in the second to lead 5-0. That also made him avoid being called passive in the second period. Makhmudov with a late takedown but Vazirzade wins 5-2

13:20: Kamal BEY (USA) with an upset win over Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) at 82kg. Zhadrayev was leading 3-1 but Bey with a drag and takedown to lead 3-3 on criteria with 20 seconds left to win and advance to the next round.

13:00: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) scores three turns from par terre and then holds off Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) to win their 130kg 7-3. With Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) pulling out due to health issues, Kandelaki is the favorite to win the gold here.

12:50: U20 world champion Ali ILIASOV (UWW) downs Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1, at 130kg with a two-point turn from par terre to win his first bout in Tirana. Can he go all the way here?

12:35: Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) gets a four-pointer to start his bout at 97kg against Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM) and then scores two turns from par terre to complete a 9-0 victory.

12:20: World bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) completes a very cool and composed victory at 97kg over Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ). Maskevich defended when he was put in par terre in the first and then used a suplex in the second period to win 5-1

12:14: World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) used a side suplex and gut-wrench exposure to score his 8-0 win over Michial FOY (USA) at 97kg. He takes only one minute and 50 seconds to advance to the next round.

12:12: World bronze medalist Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) falls to Giorgi MELIA (GEO) at 97kg. Ahmadiyev had scored a point using a reversal to lead 2-1 but gave up a stepout with 22 seconds left which gave Melia the lead and the victory.

12:10: U20 world bronze medalist and one of the rare Greco talent from India SURAJ (IND) starts with a 3-1 victory over Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO) at 60kg. He got a turn in the first period from par terre while Khadhidze did not when he got par terre in the second period.

12:00: Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) feels the heat at 60kg as Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ) beats him 8-7. Kamaliyev got the par terre in the first period and he scored three turns using front chest-wrap. Lolua managed to block him once during the sequence and was awarded two points but the Kazakhstan wrestler lead 7-2 at the break.

Lolua got his chance in the second period and scored a turn. He scored the second as well but Kamaliyev never came in neutral position. Lolua challenges, asking for points for the second turn but he loses the challenge which gives Kamaliyev a 8-5 lead. Lolua did manage a takedown with 8 seconds left but still could not over turn the result. Georgia would think about that challenge considering it was evident Lolua did not get the second turn completely.

11:40: European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) begins with an 8-0 technical superiority over Maxwell BLACK (USA) at 60kg. He will in all likelihood get 55kg world champion Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO), who is moving up, next.

11:30: Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) finds a way to beat Dmitrii DZHIOEV (UWW) at 82kg. Dzhioev led 1-1, holding criteria when he was given the third par terre, which is without points, but fails to score and it is Zhadrayev, the Olympic silver medalist at 77kg, who scores and wins.

11:20: Former world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), up at 82kg, begins with a close win over Dias KALEN (KAZ). Makhmudov was cautioned when he committed a defensive leg four on Kalen in par terre, giving Kalen a 3-0 lead. Makhmudov then scored a stepout to get one points. When he was given the par terre in the second period, he turned Kalen to make it 4-3 and defended that score to win.

11:10: Almost two years after his last competition, Viktor NEMES (SRB) was just 20 seconds away from making a winning start. But, Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) comes out with a suplex for four points to beat the Serbian 5-2 at 82kg.

10:50: In the first top match of the day, world silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) takes out Mahammad AHMADIYEV (AZE) at 97kg. Sargsian led only 3-2 at the break but he launched a big four-pointer at the start of the second period and led 7-2, all but making it out of reach for Ahmadiyev.

10:30: A big day ahead in Tirana with six Greco weight classes in action -- 55kg, 60kg, 72kg, 82kg, 97kg and 130kg.

#WrestleBudapest: Akgul beats Petriashvili to capture ninth European title

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Muhamet Malo 2026 Wrestling Day 5 Results: Mammadli, Sargsian Win Gold