#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.

#WrestleBaku

European Paris 2024 Freestyle Qualification Bouts Set

By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU, Azerbaijan (April 7) -- The final day of the European OG Qualifier in Baku, Azerbaijan with 12 Freestyle quotas to be won for the Paris Olympics. Wrestlers who finish top two in the six weight classes will qualify their countries for the the Games.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 REPORT

Paris Olympic Qualification Bout Set

 

57kg
Vladimir EGOROV (MKD) vs. Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE)
Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) vs. Aryan TSIUTRYN (AIN)

65kg
Maxim SACULTAN (MDA) vs. Goderdzi DZEBISASHVILI (GEO)
Haji ALIYEV (AZE) vs. Islam DUDAEV (ALB)

74kg
Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) vs. Frank CHAMIZO (ITA)
Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) vs. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)

86kg
Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) vs. Artur NAIFONOV (AIN)
Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) vs. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)

97kg
Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (AIN) vs. Illia ARCHAIA (UKR)
Radoslaw BARAN (POL) vs. Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (AIN)

125kg
Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) vs. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (AIN)
Alen KHUBULOV (BUL) vs. Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE)

14:15: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) puts himself in the 86kg semifinal with a 6-2 win over Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL). Nurmagomedov led 4-0 when Ramazanov scored a takedown and tried to turn Nurmagomedov who blocked Ramazanov during the turn and got two more points.

14:05: Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) fails to break Artur NAIFONOV (AIN) defense and suffers a 2-1 loss against Naifonov who has dominated Kurugliev. Naifonov will wrestle for the Paris Olympic quota while Kurguliev will have to fight it out in Istanbul.

13:55: Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) and Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) put on a show. The two wrestlers scrambled for the lead and on the mat but it was Kadimagomedov who managed to beat Demirtas 6-1. He will take on Salkazanov for a place in Paris Olympics

13:50: Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) survives an attempted pin from Miroslav KIROV (BUL) as the clock expires for the break. Kirov leads 3-1 with two minutes remaining. A stepout for Salkazanov to cut the lead to 3-2. Another one makes it 3-3 with Kirov holding criteria. With 25 seconds remaining, Salkazanov manages to push Kirov out and takes a 4-3 lead and the win at 74kg.

13:40: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) with a 2-0 victory to enter the semifinals at 74kg. He will take on Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) to win a spot for the Paris Olympics.

13:15: Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) with a solid 6-0 win over Suleyman ATLI (TUR) at 57kg to move into the semifinals. Tokyo Olympian Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) pins Kamil KERYMOV (UKR)

13:00: Haji ALIYEV (AZE) hangs on! He moves into the 65kg semifinals with a 4-2 win over Niurgun SKRIABIN (AIN). The National Gymnastics Arena here in Baku is overjoyed with that.

12:45: Artur NAIFONOV (AIN) and Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) post contrasting wins in their 1/8 finals at 86kg. Naifonov beats  Ivars SAMUSONOKS (LAT) 10-0 while Kurguliev wins 2-0 against Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL). Naifonov and Kurguliev will clash in the quarterfinals.

12:30: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) wins 11-0 over Aron CANEVA (ITA) at 86kg. On Mat C, Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) beats Osman GOCEN (TUR) 9-3 at 86kg. A big win for the Georgian wrestler who is moving up from 79kg.

12:10: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) continues the winning start for Azerbaijan wrestlers by winning 10-0 at 74kg. Bayramov took only two minutes and 10 seconds to beat Tobias PORTMANN (SUI).

12:00: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) marches on at 74kg. He beats Simon MARCHL (AUT) 7-1 to make his place in the quarterfinal.

11:40: Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (AIN), who replaced Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN), for Baku, starts with a 12-2 win over Benjamin HONIS (HUN) at 97kg.

11:35: Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) entertains the home crowd with a technical superiority 11-0 win over Simone PIRODDU (ITA) at 57kg. Azerbaijan wrestlers are unbeaten so far in Baku

11:25: European champion Islam DUDAEV (ALB) begins his 65kg campaign with a 10-0 win over Dominik JAGUSZ (POL). He will wrestle Joshua FINESILVER (ISR) next

11:10: Two-time Olympic medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) felt the burn in the final minute but he does well to keep Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) at bay and win 5-2 at 65kg. On Mat A, Erik ARUSHUNIAN (UKR) beats Andre CLARKE (GER) 7-1 at 65kg. 

11:00: Artur NAIFONOV (AIN), wrestling internationally for the first time since the 2021 World Championships, gets going with a technical superiority 10-0 win over Aimar ANDRUSE (EST).

10:45: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) uses a big throw for four in an 11-0 win over Stas David WOLF (GER) to move into the quarterfinals at 74kg.

10:40: In the first bout of the day, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) is up on Mat C facing Patryk OLENCZYN (POL). He leads 6-0 at the break, scoring three takedowns in counters. He adds two more in the second period and gives up three points to win 10-3 and advance at 74kg.

10:30: Day three of the European OG Qualifier in Baku with Freestyle weight classes competing for 12 Paris 2024 spots.