#WrestleBudapest

#WrestleBudapest: Greco-Roman bracket reactions

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 31) -- The final two days of the European Championships will see Greco-Roman wrestling in 10 weight classes. The draws for the same were completed Thursday.

The European Championships is the first competition that has four seeds in each weight class. The seeds are decided according to the United World Wrestling's Ranking system.

Here are the brackets for the 10 Greco-Roman weight classes.

55kg (10 participants)

Seeds
Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)
Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
Fabian SCHMITT (GER)
Koriun SAHRADIAN (UKR)

The weight category has former world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) as the top seed and he will be waiting for the winner of Denis MIHAI (ROU) and Stefan GRIGOROV (BUL) in the quarterfinals. If he reaches the semifinal, he will have to face one of Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) or fourth seed Koriun SAHRADIAN (UKR).

On the lower side, another world champ Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) is seeded second and he is likely to face U23 European champion Emre MUTLU (TUR) in the quarters. A semifinal against third seed Fabian SCHMITT (GER) will be a treat for the fans.

In rankings, Azizli and Tsurtsumia are ranked third and fourth, respectively, and both have 29000 points each. Both have a chance to be second if they can win at least a bronze medal. Whoever finishes ahead of the other will be ranked higher after the tournament.

60kg (16 participants)

Seeds:
Murad MAMMADOV (AZE)
Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM)
Razvan ARNAUT (ROU)
Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU)

A category that has former European champion Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) is guaranteed fireworks. Top seed Mammadov will avoid wrestling second seed Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) until the final but to reach there, he has to go through Daniel BOBILLO VIGIL (ESP), Michal TRACZ (POL) or Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) in quarters, and probably Kamal in the semifinal. But Kamal will have Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) before reaching the semifinal.

If the seeds hold true, the lower side will be the semifinal between Zhora ABOVIAN (UKR) and Gharibyan. But Erik TORBA (HUN) and Nazaryan can pull off the upset.

63kg (13 participants)

Seeds:
Leri ABULADZE (GEO)
Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE)
Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM)
Victor CIOBANU (MDA)

World silver medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO) is seeded number one in the 13-man bracket. He has the 60kg world champion and fourth seed Victor CIOBANU (MDA) on the same side which can make it difficult for him to advance to the final as the two can only meet in the semifinals. Etienne KINSINGER (GER) and Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR) are also on the upper side of the bracket.

Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) and Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) are seeded two and three respectively. The two are likely to meet in the semifinal.

67kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO)
Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)
Murat FIRAT (TUR)
Morten THORESEN (NOR)

World bronze medalist Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) will wrestle Andreas VETSCH (SUI) in his first bout before a likely quarterfinal against Krisztian VANCZA (HUN). But his toughest test could be number four seed Morten THORESEN (NOR) in the semifinals.

U23 and junior world champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) and Murat FIRAT (TUR) are seeded and can only meet in the semifinals. But to reach there, they have to go through some studs in Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), Dmytro MIROSHNYK (UKR), Sebastian NAD (SRB), Ivo ILIEV (BUL), Mateusz BERNATEK (POL), Christoph BURGER (AUT) and Witalis LAZOVSKI (GER).

72kg (16 participants)

Seeds
Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU)
Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL)
Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR)
Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)

Lithuania's top seed Kristupas SLEIVA is expected to reach the final from the upper side of the bracket. But a tough semifinal against Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) can ruin his plans.

The lower side of the bracket is more stacked as second seed Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) and Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR) may meet in the semifinal. But the bracket also has Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) who is wrestling Sahakyan in the first round.

Ali ARSALAN (SRB), Robert FRITSCH (HUN), Mikko PELTOKANGAS (FIN), Valentin PETIC (MDA), and Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO) are also on the same side and can upset any wrestler.

77kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE)
Viktor NEMES (SRB)
Yunus BASAR (TUR)
Oliver KRUEGER (DEN)

A potential quarterfinal between top Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) and 72kg world champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) may light up the European Championships. The winner will not have it easy ever after that. One of Oliver KRUEGER (DEN) or Per OLOFSSON (SWE) likely to meet in the semifinal.

On the lower side, the second seed Viktor NEMES (SRB) has local favorite Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the first round. Third seed Yunus BASAR (TUR) should not find it difficult to reach the semifinals.

82kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE)
Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR)
Ranet KALJOLA (EST)
Mihail BRADU (MDA)

Going by the results at Oslo World Championships and Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event, top seed Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) and second seed Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) should reach the final from either side of the bracket.

But trying to stop Huseynov from the top side will be U23 world champion Tamas LEVAI (HUN), junior world and U23 European champion Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), Karpet CHALAYAN (ARM) and fourth seed Mihail BRADU (MDA).

Akbudak will also have a tough road to the final as he faces Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the first round. Pascal EISELE (GER), Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) and third seed Ranet KALJOLA (EST) also await him.

87kg (16 participants)

Seeds
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB)
Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL)
Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN)
Metehan BASAR (TUR)

Top seed and world champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) will have a chance to avenge his Yasar Dogu loss to Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the quarterfinal in Budapest if he can get past Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) in the first round. Abbasov has Matej MANDIC (CRO) in the first round.

Seeded fourth, Metehan BASAR (TUR) is likely to make the semifinal on the upper side of the bracket.

Second seed Arkadiusz KULYNCZ (POL) and third seed Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) are favorites to reach the semifinals from the lower side of the bracket.

97kg (18 participants)

Seeds
Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN)
Kiril MILOV (BUL)
Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA)
Vilius LAURINAITIS (LTU)

The young star and Tokyo Olympic fifth place Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) is seeded number one for this weight class. He will have Murat LOKIAYEV (AZE) in the first round followed the quarterfinal against one of Revazi NADAREISHVILI (GEO), Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE) and Laokratis KESIDIS (GRE).

Fourth seed Vilius LAURINAITIS (LTU) has the chance to reach the semifinal if he can beat Artur OMAROV (CZE) in the first round and one of Ramsin AZIZSIR (GER) or Daniel GASTL (AUT) in the quarterfinal.

From the lower side of the bracket, second seed Kiril MILOV (BUL) and third Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) are expected to reach the semifinals. But Felix BALDAUF (NOR), Michal DYBKA (POL) and Mihail KAJAIA (GEO) stand in their path.

130kg

Seeds
Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO)
Riza KAYAALP (TUR)
Beka KANDELAKI (AZE)
Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU)

Top seed and Tokyo silver medalist Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) is the favorite to reach the final from the top side of the bracket. From the lower side, second seed and defending champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR) will be eyeing his 11th title.

The only problem is third seed Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) who had pinned Kayaalp in Istanbul just a month back. The two can clash in the semifinals if they win all their prior bouts.

#development

Women's coaches and referees course held in Colombia

By United World Wrestling Press

RIONEGRO, Colombia (April 23) -- An unprecedented international course, exclusively for Spanish-speaking female coaches and referees, was held in Rionegro, Colombia from April 16 to 18.

Organized by United World Wrestling (UWW) with support from Olympic Solidarity, the event took place at the Recinto Quirama, gathering 33 participants from 15 Latin American countries.

The course was inaugurated by UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY, UWW Sport and Development Officer Yuri Maier and member of the UWW Americas Executive Committee Fanny ECHEVERRY.

The educational sessions were led by Rafael GALVA LEBRON, an Olympic referee and member of the UWW Referee Commission, known for his passionate and dynamic teaching style and Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, one of the most respected Greco-Roman wrestling coaches globally, recognized for guiding the legendary Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB).

Throughout three days filled with camaraderie, learning, and solidarity, the participants engaged in integrated theoretical and practical sessions conducted in a shared venue.

This approach facilitated dynamic exchanges, ongoing dialogue between coaches and referees, and created a supportive and collaborative learning environment. The course activities included live simulations, technical analyses, motivational talks, and workshops on leadership and personal development.

Notably, the event featured motivational speeches by Jackeline RENTERIA, Colombia's two-time Olympic medalist and a leading figure in Women's Wrestling on the continent, and Jessica ECHEVERRY, President of the Risaraldense Wrestling League.

Both speakers emphasized shared experiences and the importance of women supporting each other beyond individual differences.

COLParticipants listen to United World Wrestling's Development Department's opening remarks. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

"This course was a significant opportunity to continue learning and to give back to the sport that has given me so much," Nes RODRIGUEZ (PUR) said. "Now, as a sports director, my goal is to inspire children and youth by showing them that sports can provide a life full of opportunities beyond any hardships."

Other expressed how motivated they were after attending the courses.

"It reminded me of the importance of never giving up, not only as a coach but also as a woman," Keliyojana VAZQUEZ (MEX) said. "I'm returning home with new tools to improve my work and appreciate myself more in every aspect."

"I leave with the commitment to build networks of support and communication among us," Paula GRAJALES (COL) said. "We are friends and colleagues who must unite to grow together and continue transforming our communities and the sport."

The pioneering course, aligned with the Gender Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (GEDI) agenda of the International Olympic Committee, represented a historic milestone for women's wrestling in Latin America

The notable personal growth experienced by the participants confirmed that when women come together and put aside competition, they significantly amplify their transformative power, strengthening the future of women's sports in the region.