#WrestleBudapest

#WrestleBudapest: Ukraine wins two golds on emotional day

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (April 1) -- Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) was one of the 22-member Ukrainian team that gathered in Lviv, Ukraine on March 10.

After a traumatizing three-day journey by road, she reached Lviv and along with the team, stayed in the city for four days before leaving for Budapest, Hungary for a training camp. But as they left their homes and families behind, no one was able to concentrate on training at the camp in Budapest before the European Championships.

No one knew if they would ever return to their home, and like Akobiia, other wrestlers also spent some emotional days training in Budapest.

Those memories came bursting out of them as Akobiia claimed the first gold of the tournament for Ukraine and the chants of 'Ukarina, Ukarina' filled the Bok Sports Hall.

“I still can’t believe I’ve won the gold medal of the senior European championship," Akobiia said. "I’ve come through a tough way and a lot of people have helped me. But now, all of Ukraine has helped me. I am really happy."

Akobiia stunned Tokyo bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) in the 57kg final to claim the first gold of the tournament for her country. She was trailing 2-2 when Akobiia tripped Nikolova for four points with 39 seconds remaining. She won the final, 6-2.

Nikolova had been on an incredible run of seven wins via pin and it looked that Akobiia would be her latest victim but the Ukrainian managed to overpower Nikolova at the right time.

This was Akobiia's first-ever gold medal at the senior championships and it could not have been more special, as she dedicated the medal to Ukraine.

"I want to dedicate my gold to my parents and to my motherland Ukraine. These are the closest things to me," she said.

The fact that the team did not have a place to train until being allowed to train in Budapest made the 22-year-old's feat even more incredible. 

“It was really difficult to prepare mentally," she said. "Sometimes I would give up, but then I believed in myself again. My friends didn’t let me lose heart. I believed till the end that I could make it happen.

"Nobody even planned to go to the European Championships, we just wanted to save our lives. My family is still there and we worry a lot for them. But I am here and I am happy that I have proved that I am the strongest in this weight class."

Tetiana RIZHKOTetiana RIZHKO (UKR) pinned Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) in the 65kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The second gold medal for the team went to Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) who pinned Tokyo Olympian Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) inside two minutes to win her maiden senior European gold. That medal from Rizhko sent another wave of emotional reactions not only in the Ukraine team but also in the stadium.

"It took me four days to reach Lviv, then we stayed there for three days because we couldn’t leave, then we came here to Hungary, we spent two weeks in a training camp," Rizhko said. "The wrestling association helped us a lot, the national team coaches who organized this trip. We have two gold."

Talking about her final, the Ukrainian said that she did not expect her to pin Manolova.

"I didn’t expect I would pin her so fast because the final was tough as there is high competition in my weight class," she said. "I am full of emotions. I am so glad we have such coaches and girls who came here with us."

Accompanying the team is the 2014 World Champions Yulia TAKCH (UKR), Tokyo medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), Tetyana KIT (UKR) and Oksana LIVACH (UKR) among others.

Since the team is a mix of young wrestlers as well, the senior wrestlers had to care for the younger ones.

"I had to distract the younger girls so they don't think about what is going on," Livach said. "We had to go through a lot and stay in shelters for two weeks. It was very emotional for everyone in the training."

But they did forget the difficult times, though momentarily, as the team ceremony happened.

"When the flag of Ukraine was going up, all I could think was about what the girls have done to reach here," Takch said. "The second place is still the first for us."

Emma MALMGRENJunior world champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE) won the 53kg gold in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In other finals, junior world champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE) defeated three-time Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 3-2, to win the gold medal at 53kg. 

The 20-year-old Malmgren trailed Prevolarki 2-2 at the break but she got a point for inactivity from Prevolaraki to lead 3-2 in the second period.

She defended that lead till the end to win Sweden's first gold at the senior European Championships after four years.

"It feels unreal for me to stand here," she said. "This has been a dream for me and I have worked so hard to stand here. So it feels good to walk home with the gold medal."

Malmgren had Yuliya RATKEVICH (AZE), who wrestled the Greek wrestler at the London Olympics, in her corner, and before the final, the two had a chat about how to tackle the veteran.

"We had a good plan before the match I just kept to it," she said. "She [Ratkevich] did tell me a lot of things about her and I am glad that they are here with me. Sofia [MATTSSON] on the phone. It came out very good."

Malmgren had a great tournament as she won her first bout 12-2 and the semifinal via fall. After a disappointing tournament in Istanbul where she was pinned, it came around well.

"I am satisfied with my wrestling over the two days," she said. "I was very disappointed after Istanbul and a little concerned. Now I am feeling very happy with the result. We have new coaches in Sweden and I will start working with them and continue going with them to camps around the world."

Taybe YUSEINTaybe YUSEIN (BUL) won her first gold at European Championships since 2019. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 62kg, Tokyo bronze medalist Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) managed to claim the gold with a comfortable 7-0 victory over Luisa NIEMESCH (GER). She kept the pressure on her German opponent and never looked in trouble.

"I was without the gold for two years at the European Championships," Yusein said. "It was good for me to come back and win the gold. My plan was to take advantage of my opponent's mistakes. It was a great bout."

Anna SCHELLAnna SCHELL (GER) gave Germany its first gold since 2007. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Anna SCHELL (GER) gave Germany its lone gold of the tournament as she pinned Buse TOSUN (TUR) at 72kg. The win was her second straight win over the Turkey wrestler and she will now be UWW's number one ranked wrestler at 72kg.

"It's the second final because in Istanbul I met her in the semifinal. Today was the second bout against her and it's great to win," Schell said.

Not only did she end Germany's 15-year wait for a women's wrestling gold at European Championships, but Schell also reached a personal landmark. The gold in Budapest was the first ever in her international career.

"It's amazing as I don't have a gold medal in international competition," Schell said.

Turkey won its maiden women's wrestling team title with 140 points while Ukraine finished second with 135 points. Bulgaria was third in the race.

photo

WW Results

53kg
GOLD: Emma MALMGREN (SWE) df Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 3-2

BRONZE: Iulia LEORDA (MDA) df Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), 3-2
BRONZE: Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) df Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR), 14-4 

57kg
GOLD: Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) df Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL), 6-2

BRONZE: Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) df Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR), 7-2
BRONZE: Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) df Anhelina LYSAK (POL), 4-2

62kg
GOLD: Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) df Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 7-0

BRONZE: Natalia KUBATY (POL) df Yagmur CAKMAK (TUR), 10-0
BRONZE: Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) df Anna FABIAN (SRB), via inj. def.

65kg
GOLD: Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) df Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), via fall
BRONZE: Kriszta INCZE (ROU) df Sofiya GEORGIEVA (BUL), 4-3

Final standings
GOLD: Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR)
SILVER: Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
BRONZE: Kriszta INCZE (ROU)

72kg
GOLD: Anna SCHELL (GER) df Buse TOSUN (TUR), via fall

BRONZE: Kendra DACHER (FRA) df Eleni PJOLLAJ (ITA), via fall
BRONZE: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) df Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), 3-3

GR Semifinal Results

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)

SF 1: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM), 7-3
SF 2: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 9-0

63kg
GOLD: Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) vs Leri ABULADZE (GEO)

SF 1: Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM), 3-1
SF 2: Leri ABULADZE (GEO) df Etienne KINSINGER (GER), 6-2

77kg
GOLD: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) vs Yunus BASAR (TUR)

SF 1: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df Per OLOFSSON (SWE), 9-0
SF 2: Yunus BASAR (TUR) df Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-3

87kg
GOLD: Nicu OJOG (ROU) vs Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN)

SF 1: Nicu OJOG (ROU) df Islam ABBASOV (AZE), via fall
SF 2: Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) df Mirco MINGUZZI (ITA), 10-0

130kg
GOLD: Danila SOTNIKOV (ITA) vs Riza KAYAALP (TUR)

SF 1: Danila SOTNIKOV (ITA) df Franz RICHTER (GER), via fall
SF 2: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 1-1

#WrestleBudapest19

Zholdoshbekov Claims First Men’s Freestyle World Title for Kyrgyzstan Since 2005

By Taylor Miller

Photo of Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) by Kadir Caliskan.

BUDAPEST, Hungary On Wednesday night at the 2019 U23 World Championships, Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) did what no other men’s freestyle wrestler from his country has done since 2005—win a World title.

The last men’s freestyle wrestler from Kyrgyzstan in any age-group to win a World gold medal was Iliaz Ozumbekov at the 2005 Junior World Championships in Vilnius, Lithuania.

Competing at 61 kg, Zholdoshbekov faced 2016 Cadet World bronze medalist Ravinder RAVINDER (IND) in the gold-medal match.

Trailing at the break, Zholdoshbekov scored a takedown then added exposure halfway through the second period, which propelled him to an eventual 5-3 win.

After competing in seven World Championships, Zholdoshbekov finally claimed his first UWW World Championships medal. Last year, he came up just short in the U23 World bronze-medal match.

At 86 kg, Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) won his second-consecutive U23 World championship with a decisive 9-3 win over Gadzhimurad MAGOMEDSAIDOV (AZE).

After a slow start in the first period, Ghasempour piled on the takedowns for the victory. The win adds to his 2018 U23 World gold and 2013 Cadet World silver.

Battling an injury the entire tournament, Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) came out on top in the 74 kg bracket.

Zhamalov, a 2018 Junior World silver medalist, faced off against 2017 Cadet World bronze medalist Mohammed NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) in the title bout.

The Russian used two four-point periods to zoom past the Iranian for an 8-1 win and the gold medal.

At 92 kg, Bo NICKAL (USA) was the first of the night to win his gold-medal match by technical fall.

Wrestling Batyrbek TSAKULOV (RUS), Nickal scored multiple times for a dominant 12-2 victory, which included a four-point takedown.

2018 Cadet World champion and 2019 Junior World silver medalist Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) followed Nickal’s lead, shutting down 2016 U23 European bronze medalist Vitali GOLOEV (RUS) in the finals match at 125 kg, 10-0.

Zare won all four of his matches by technical fall for the 125 kg crown.

Russia won the team title with 145 points, followed by Iran with 139 points and Azerbaijan with 111 points. Throughout the 2019 season, Russia has won the men’s freestyle team title in every age-group, including Cadet, Junior, U23 and Senior.

Finals results
61 kg
GOLD - Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) df. Ravinder RAVINDER (IND), 5-3
BRONZE - Dinislam TAKHTAROV (RUS) df. Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), fall
BRONZE - Ryutaro HAYAMA (JPN) df. Daulet TAZHIBAY (KAZ), 1-0

74 kg
GOLD - Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) df. Mohammed NOKHODILARIMI (IRI), 8-1
BRONZE - Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 5-3
BRONZE - Giorgi SULAVA (GEO) df. Fazli ERYILMAZ (TUR), fall

86 kg
GOLD - Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Gadzhimurad MAGOMEDSAIDOV (AZE), 9-3
BRONZE - Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) df. Ivan NEDEALCO (MDA), 11-0
BRONZE - Osman GOCEN (TUR) df. Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL), 3-0

92 kg
GOLD - Bo NICKAL (USA) df. Batyrbek TSAKULOV (RUS), 12-2
BRONZE - Yonger Pauli BASTIDA POMARES (CUB) df. Demur MEGENEISHVILI (GEO), 6-2
BRONZE - Hossein Lotfali SHAHBAZIGAZVAR (IRI) df. Shamil ZUBAIROV (AZE), 5-1

125 kg
GOLD - Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. Vitali GOLOEV (RUS), 10-0
BRONZE - Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) df. Zuriko URTASHVILI (GEO), 13-2
BRONZE - Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) df. Daniel Gregory KERKVLIET (USA), 4-4

Team standings
1. Russia – 145
2. Iran – 139
3. Azerbaijan – 111
4. Georgia – 109
5. Mongolia – 70
6. Japan – 65
7. Kazakhstan – 65
8. Turkey – 60
9. Ukraine – 58
10. USA – 57