#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.

#WrestleAlexandria

Egypt dominates GR, Nigeria shines in WW at African Championships

By Vinay Siwach

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (March 18) -- Led by world bronze medalist Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) and U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY), Egypt produced a stunning performance at the African Championships, winning nine Greco-Roman gold medals in Alexandria.

In Women's Wrestling, Nigeria won four gold medals out of the five weight classes contested on Monday in Alexandria.

The nine golds helped Egypt win the Greco-Roman team title in front of the home crowd with 240 points. Algeria was second with 184 points and Tunisia finished third with 95 points.

Mohamed wrestled three matches in a Nelson bracket and won all three without surrendering a point. He defeated Hichem KOUCHIT (ALG), who later finished with a silver, 8-0 and Ahmed SEREHALI (MAR) 8-0. His final was against Brahim MALKI (TUN) who forfeited.

Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY)Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) won the gold medal 67kg in Greco-Roman. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Alameldin was even better as he won three of the four bouts via technical superiority while one was a walkover for the U20 world champion. In his first bout, he Souhaib KHDAR (MAR) 8-0 followed by a 9-0 win over Fayssal BENFREDJ (ALG) and 10-0 blanking of Sahid KARGBO (SLE).

Top seed Alameldin finished all his bouts well before regulation time. His first win, over Khdar, came in just 24 seconds.

At 60kg, Haithem MAHMOUD (EGY) defeated youngster Mohamed DRIDI (ALG), 8-1, in the final. He scored a stepout and later got a throw from par terre to get four points and led 6-0 at the break.

Dridi failed to score any points from par terre in the second period. Mahmoud got a front headlock and threw Dridi which was scored four points. Algeria challenged the call and it was scored only two points. However, Mahmoud still had enough to win the gold medal 8-1. In their Round 3 match, Mahmoud had blanked Dridi 8-0.

Mohamed KHALIL (EGY)Mohamed KHALIL (EGY) launches Shafaihuuna Benhard (NAM) for a big throw. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Mohamed KHALIL (EGY) won the gold medal at 77kg but did not have a smooth sailing. In his four bouts, Khalil dominated three while the one against Chawki DOULACHE (ALG) was a close contest.

The two met in Round 2 and the winner was most likely to win the gold medal. Khalil was called passive in the first period giving Doulache a 1-0 lead. But Khalil got the 1-1 criteria lead in the second period after Doulache was called passive. Both of them failed to score any action points but Khalil was the important win over Doulache to win the gold medal.

While Noureldin HASSAN (EGY) did not keep a clean sheet, he won the 87kg gold medal with four technical superiority wins in four bouts. Hassan did not face any real challenge from his opponents and only Haithem ISSAD (ALG) scored any points on Hassan.

In the Round 5 bout, Issad hit an arm throw and scored two points over Hassan. But that was all from Issad as Hassan dominated the bout from there and won 10-2.

The silver medal went to Roberto NSANGUA (ANG) who became the first wrestler from Angola to win silver at the African Championships. His only loss at the tournament was against Hassan.

 

At 97kg, Emad ABOUELATTA (EGY) won the gold medal after four wins. He was barely tested in his bouts apart from one against Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR) who had built a 3-0 lead at the break. He even defended well from par terre and did not give any points.

Abouelatta remained relentless in his attacks and after a failed front headlock attempt, he quickly moved behind Kouainso and hit a big throw for four points that gave him the 5-3 win.

Shaaban ABDELLATIF (EGY) won the gold medal at 55kg while Adham ELSAYED (EGY) won the gold medal at 63kg after Abdennour LAOUNI (ALG) pulled out of the final due to injury. The 82kg gold medal was captured by Mahmoud IBRAHIM (EGY).

72kg was the only weight in which Egypt did not win a gold medal as Emad GHALY (EGY) fell to Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG), 9-0, in the semifinals. Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN) then defeated Merabet in the final 5-1 to win the gold while Ghaly captured the bronze medal.

Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR)Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) won the 57kg gold without giving up a single point. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Nigeria shines

World bronze medalist Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) began the season with gold medals at the African Championships as Nigeria dominated Women's Wrestling.

Five weight classes were on the mat on Monday and Nigeria won four gold medals. Apart from Adekuoroye and Oborududu, Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) won at 53kg and  Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) won at 62kg.

Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) denied Nigeria a clean sweep as she defeated Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) 12-2 in the 76kg gold medal bout.

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RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Shaaban ABDELLATIF (EGY)
SILVER: Sefiane GUEZZANIA (ALG)
BRONZE: Bofenda KALUWEKO (ANG)

60kg
GOLD: Haithem MAHMOUD (EGY) df. Mohamed DRIDI (ALG), 8-1

BRONZE: Latuf MADI (COM) df. Given SIKHOSANA (RSA), via inj. def.

63kg
GOLD: Adham ELSAYED (EGY) df. Abdennour LAOUNI (ALG), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Romio GOLIATH (NAM) df. Mouad JAHID (MAR), 16-11

67kg
GOLD: Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY)
SILVER: Fayssal BENFREDJ (ALG)
BRONZE: Sahid KARGBO (SLE)

72kg
GOLD: Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN) df. Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG), 5-1

BRONZE: Emad GHALY (EGY) df. Anthony WESLEY (CPV), via fall (17-8)

77kg
GOLD: Mohamed KHALIL (EGY)
SILVER: Chawki DOULACHE (ALG)
BRONZE: Francisco KADIMA (ANG)

82kg
GOLD: Mahmoud IBRAHIM (EGY)
SILVER: Amar MOUMENE (ALG)
BRONZE: Belhasan AZAOUZI (TUN)

87kg
GOLD: Noureldin HASSAN (EGY)
SILVER: Roberto NSANGUA (ANG)
BRONZE: Hakim TRABELSI (TUN)

97kg
GOLD: Emad ABOUELATTA (EGY)
SILVER: Mohamed MISSAOUI (TUN)
BRONZE: Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR)

130kg
GOLD: Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY)
SILVER: Hichem KOUCHIT (ALG)
BRONZE: Ahmed SEREHALI (MAR)

Women's Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Chahrazed AYACHI (TUN), 10-0

BRONZE: Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV) df. Miriam NGOE WASE (CMR), 10-0
BRONZE: Hadir AHMED (EGY) df. Elisa RASOANANTENAINA (MAD), 4-0

57kg
GOLD: Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Chaimaa AOUISSI (ALG), via fall

BRONZE: Shaimaa ABDELZAHER (EGY) df. Natacha NABAINA (CMR), 10-0
BRONZE: Faten HAMMAMI (TUN) df. Zineb HASSOUNE (MAR), via fall

62kg
GOLD: Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) df. Farah HUSSEIN (EGY), 11-0

BRONZE: Minette KRUGER (RSA) df. Eunice MBURU (KEN), 2-0
BRONZE: Mastoura SOUDANI (ALG) df. Fatoumata CAMARA (GUI), via fall (8-6)

68kg
GOLD: Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) df. Menatalla BADRAN (EGY), 13-2

BRONZE: Nour JELJELI (TUN) df. Blandine NGIRI (CMR), 8-2

76kg
GOLD: Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) df. Hannah RUEBEN (NGR), 12-2

BRONZE: Amy YOUIN (CIV) df. Pelagie WILITA (CMR), 6-4