#WrestleIstanbul Weight-to-Watch: Freestyle 65kg

Thursday, February 10, 2022 - 13:32 By Vinay Siwach

ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 9) -- Bajrang PUNIA (IND) is unbeaten at Ranking Series events. The Indian wrestler has five golds and is looking to extend his record as he is scheduled to compete at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event in Istanbul Turkey.

But the Yasar Dogu may be his toughest test yet.

The Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist is entered at 65kg alongside five other world medalists who'll be looking to make a splash at the February 24-27 event, making it the competition's Weight-to-watch.

World champion Zagir SHAKIEV (RWF) and Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) are two wrestlers that can make life difficult for Punia in Istanbul while Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), Shamil MAMEDOV (RWF) and Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) are other wrestlers who can stop him from winning gold on any given day.

Punia, however, feels that it is more about returning to the mat than his unbeaten record at the Ranking Series event which stretches back to 2018.

"I have not wrestled competitively in six months and I am desperate to return," Punia said. "I was looking forward to competing in Rome but now I am focused on the Istanbul event. While I know about my medals, I just want to get going for the year and take it from there. There are some strong wrestlers on the list but when has 65kg been a walk in the park?"

Regarded as one of the deepest weights in the world, 65kg will give wrestling fans some fireworks, aptly on the final day of the tournament.

A Punia-Muszukajev bout has been long been desired by the fans. It will be a match of contrasting styles as Punia high-paced wrestling will be up against Muszukajev's sneaky attacks and defense for six minutes.

Muszukajev has had a see-saw career since taking a transfer from Russia to Hungary. He won a bronze medal at the Worlds in 2019 but failed to win any medal at the European Championships. He also lost his bronze-medal bout at the Tokyo Games.

In Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV's (RWF) absence, Muszukajev, who has lost to Rashidov twice now, may fancy his chances but he will have to go past Shakhiev.

Zagir SHAKHIEV vs Amir YAZDANI Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) defeated Amirmohammed YAZDANI (IRI) to win gold in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Shakhiev, 22, will face the field of Tokyo Olympians for the first time since winning the gold in Oslo four months ago. He will be challenged by the veterans of this weight class and also his compatriot Mamedov as the Russian Wrestling Federation is expected to treat the event as the trial for senior European Championships which are scheduled a month after Yasar Dogu.

Mamedov won the junior world title in August in Ufa, Russia but his Ivan Yargiun gold medal last month earned him a shot to challenge Shakhiev for the Euros spot. In case RWF decides to throw in Tokyo bronze medalist Rashidov, it may become a three-way battle in March.

Tulga Tumur Ochir was also on the podium in Oslo. He has been the dark horse of this weight class for quite some time. He almost had his first Ranking Series gold last year in Rome but Punia defeated him in the dying moments of the final. He can avenge that loss along with the one he suffered in the 2019 Worlds bronze medal bout in which he had Punia on the back but failed to secure the pin. The two also wrestled back in the quarterfinals of the 2018 Worlds in which Punia became first Indian to reach to win two medals at the event.

Lomtadze, the '19 world champion at 61kg, will move up to 65kg to be Georgia's mainstay at the weight after the retirement of world and Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO). The Yasar Dogu will be his third competition up at his new weight class. He also wrestled at the '21 Medved and the World Olympic Qualifier, where he finished in fifth and eighth, respectivly.

Another wrestler who has wrestled Punia twice at Ranking Series is Joseph MC KENNA (USA). A two-time medalist at the Ranking events, McKenna will be looking to make his first final in Istanbul.

Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) is making a move up to 65kg from his preferred 61kg for this competition. He is a U23 world and Asian championship silver medalist but it will be a big test for Askarov as he tries to fill the shoes of Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) who retired after the Tokyo Olympics.

A few young stars are also named in the category. Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE), a two-time European bronze medalist, will like to be on the podium to earn a chance to challenge Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) on the national team. It may be a three-way battle as the 2013 junior world champion and 2016 Worlds bronze medalist Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) is also looking to make an impact.

20-year-old Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR), who won the Junior European Championships last year, can spring a surprise in the Turkish capital. He will be joined by former Cadet Worlds and Youth Olympic Games champion Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) who will be wrestling at the senior level for the first time.

The 65kg lot in all likelihood will throw some surprises but Punia, Muszukajev, and Tumur Ochir have their reputation on line against some of the upcoming names in the weight class.

For complete coverage of the Ranking Series events, Continental Championships and the World Championships, subscribe to the United World Wrestling's newsletter here.

65kg
Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE)
Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE)
Ilman MUKHTAROV (FRA)
Quentin STICKER (FRA)
Beka LOMTADZE (GEO)
Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN)
ROHIT (IND)
Bajrang PUNIA (IND)
Rahman Daryoosh RAHIMPOOR (IRI)
Morteza Hassanali GHIASI CHEKA (IRI)
Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ)
Adil OSPANOV (KAZ)
Bekzat YERMEKBAY (KAZ)
Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ)
Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL)
Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL)
Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU)
Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS)
Zagir SHAKHIEV (RUS)
Ertugrul KAHVECI (TUR)
Mensur BAYOGLU (TUR)
Munir AKTAS (TUR)
Ozgur GOK (TUR)
Mustafa ZOPALI (TUR)
Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR)
Joseph MC KENNA (USA)
Evan HENDERSON (USA)
Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB)
Nodir RAKHIMOV (UZB)
Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB)

2026 U23 European Championships

Yakushenko Marches on With Another Gold

Sunday, March 15, 2026 - 19:31 By Vinay Siwach

ZRENJANIN, Serbia (March 15) -- Since 2024, Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) has suffered only one loss -- to Darius KIEFER (GER) in the final of 2025 U20 European Championships.

On either side of that loss, Yakushenko had won two age-group European and three world titles. He has also avenged that loss to Kiefer and now heads the head-to-head, 4-1, with his latest victory over the German coming on Saturday at the U23 European Championships.

A day later on Sunday, Yakushenko added his second U23 European title after he defeated former U20 world champion and Paris Olympian Abubakr KHASLAKHANAU (BLR), 3-1, in perhaps his toughest match of the tournament.

"This [U23] European Championships was really tough for me," Yakushenko said. "Not as easy as I imagined. I thought it would be easier, but overall I think the hardest fights are still ahead."

In the final, Yakushenko was awarded the first passivity point and the par terre position from wihch he lifted Khaslakhanau and brought him towards the edge of the mat but failed to land the Belarussian wrestler in danger. He was awarded a point for the stepout which gave him a 2-0 lead.

Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) tries to throw Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR) during the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Khaslakhanau got his chance in the second period when Yakushenko was put in par terre but failed to score any points. With a 2-1 lead, Yakushenko needed some good defense with two minutes left in the match.

While he had a couple of slip-ups during that time, Yakushenko did not give up any points. He was later warned for fleeing but managed to remain in contact after that. Belarus challenged for fleeing in the last 10 seconds but it was ruled out, adding one more point to Yakushenko's score.

"I had the same plan for all my opponents. It was tough," he said.

This was Yakushenko's third straight win over Khaslakhanau, a senior European bronze medalist and now a two-time U23 world silver medalist to go with his bronze as well.

Yakushenko defeated the Belarus wrestler twice last year -- a 7-3 victory at the U23 European Championships and then a 3-3 win at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad.

Daniial AGAEV (RUS) completed an 8-0 victory over William REENBERG (DEN) in just 37 seconds. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Agaev Leads Russia to Team Title

In other finals, Russia won two gold medals while Azerbiajan and Armenia won one gold each.

World bronze medalist Daniial AGAEV (RUS) led an inspired performance from Russia as it won the Greco-Roman team title. Russia won the Freestyle team title as well in Zrenjanin.

With 190 points, Russia was the best team. Armenia managed 113 points to finish second and Georgia finished third with 106 points.

Agaev need only 37 seconds to win his 67kg final against William REENBERG (DEN). He scored a takedown and transitioned into a gut-wrench, winning 8-0.

Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) defeated Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0, in the 72kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Russia's second gold medal came at 72kg Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) blanked Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0, in the final. Wrestling in only his third international tournament, Askerov began the final with a stepout before getting the par terre position. He did not score any points from the position but led 2-0.

An arm-drag to takedown doubled the lead to 4-0 before the break. In the second period, Askerov got another takedown to extend his lead to 6-0. The takedown also ended any hopes for Pada to get the par terre position.

Askerov would defend his 6-0 and win gold, his first major medal.

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) uses the seatbelt grip to throw Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO) during the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) captured his first U23 European title after a series of suplex to beat Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO), 9-0, in the 60kg final.

The former U20 champion was awarded the par terre in the first period which gave him a 1-0 lead. Kochalidze did well to defend the position but just as the referee was about to call neutral, Aghajanyan changed to a seatbelt grip and tossed Kochalidze in the opposite direction for two points.

He continued the same move with the seatbelt grip and was awarded four points for the second throw, giving him a 7-0 lead. The third throw was also scored four points, confirming an 11-0 victory for Aghajanyan.

Georgia challenged the decision, hoping that the throws will be scored two points each. But upon review the first throw was scored four points instead of original two points. With the second throw also being a four-pointer, the final was over, 9-0, a technical superiority win for the 2025 U23 world bronze medalist.

Elmin ALIYEV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 82kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Georgia suffered its second loss in the final at 82kg after Tornike MIKELADZE's (GEO) heartbreak against Elmin ALIYEV (AZE), 3-2.

Aliyev was down 2-0 at the break after giving up a stepout and passivity point in the first period. However, he managed to score a stepout at the start of the second period that later proved to be a crucial moment in the final.

Down 2-1, Aliyev was awarded the par terre position, giving him a 2-2 criteria lead. He failed to score any points from par terre but the criteria of scoring the last points remained with him and that enabled him to win the final.

Georgia threw a late challenge, asking for fleeing from Aliyev. But there was no evident fleeing and Georgia lost the challenge, giving one more point to Aliyev, who won 3-2.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) df. Giorgi KOCHALIDZE (GEO), 9-0

BRONZE: Yevhen POKOVBA (UKR) df. Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: Ilian AINAOUI (FRA) df. Brian SANTIAGO (DEN), 1-1

67kg
GOLD: Daniial AGAEV (RUS) df. William REENBERG (DEN), 8-0

BRONZE: Azat SARIYAR (TUR) df. Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL), 4-1
BRONZE: Farid KHALILOV (AZE) df. Petro ZHYTOVOZ (HUN), 6-3

72kg
GOLD: Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) df. Oliver PADA (FIN), 6-0

BRONZE Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) df. Leonard IURASCU (ROU), 5-4
BRONZE: Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE) df. Ashot KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 4-1

82kg
GOLD: Elmin ALIYEV (AZE) df. Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO), 3-2

BRONZE: Illia VALEUSKI (BLR) df. Szabolcs SZINAY (HUN), 10-1
BRONZE: Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) df. Alexander AEMAES (NOR), 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (BLR), 3-1

BRONZE: Saipula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Robin USPENSKI (EST), 6-4
BRONZE: Darius KIEFER (GER) df. Luka GABISONIA (GEO), 9-3

#WrestleIstanbul Weight-to-Watch: Freestyle 65kg

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Yakushenko Marches on With Another Gold