#WrestlePlovdiv: Chkhikvadzes Guide Georgia to GR Team Title

Wednesday, March 9, 2022 - 20:09 By Vinay Siwach

PLOVDIV, Bulgaria (March 9) -- When Diego and Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) returned from the Junior World Championships in Ufa, Russia last year, they were upset. The two had to be satisfied with silver medals after losing their finals.

On their way back to Georgia, they promised each other that in the next competition, both are going to take home a gold.

Both Chkhikvadze's kept their promise they won the gold medals at 67kg and 72kg at the U23 European Championships in Plovdiv, Bulgaria.

“We have gold together at Junior Euros,” Diego said. “We have silver medals in Ufa but we did not want to win silver here.”

Georgia had five finalists in five weight classes Wednesday and three ascended to the top of the podium. Azerbaijan and Netherlands managed to win a gold each as Greco-Roman came to an end at the first continental championships of the year.

“When we had the camp in Tiblisi before this tournament, we prepared really hard,” Sergo NINUA, coach of the Georgian team, said. “We expected more gold medals but even four is good for now.”

The four gold along with three silver and bronze helped their team win the team title with 183 points. Turkey finished second with 156 points while Azerbaijan was third with 102 points.

But the highlight of the day for Georgia was the two Chkhikvadzes winning back-to-back gold medals.

Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), red, defeated Kadir KAMAL (TUR) in the 67kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Diego, a Batumi native, began the trend as he eked out a tough win against Kadir KAMAL (TUR), 3-2. He took the lead when Kamal was called passive and extended it with a body lock throw for two points.

In the second period, Kamal got the first point but he could not get a point when he stopped halfway in a gut-wrench. With the score still 3-1 in Diego's favor, Kamal managed to get a stepout from 2-on-1 after Turkey won the challenge.

Kamal tried his best to score in the final 24 seconds but it remained 3-2 as Diego added a U23 Euro title to his two junior Euro titles.

“I had an anke injury,” Chkhikvadze said. “I was not sure of coming here but I wanted to win the gold and it was a tough final but feels good to win it.”

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), blue, throws Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) for two points. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Giorgi followed him by winning the second gold of the night for his country. Incidentally, he also beat a Turkey wrestler in Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR).

“The final was one crazy bout because we both wanted to win,” the 21-year-old said. “It was more of a brawl because in wrestling you don't want to give anything to your opponent.”

Wrestling at 72kg, Toprak was called passive in the first period and Giorgi managed to get a throw from par terre to lead 3-0. But a 2-on-1 position resulted in Toprak coming out on top and cutting the lead to just one point, 3-2.

But Giorgi led by three points, 5-2, after Toprak received his second warning for an eye poke. An aggressive open-hand attack resulted in another warning and two points against Toprak.

But after the break, Giorgi was called passive and Toprak scored from a gut wrench to trail 7-5 with 1:52 remaining on the clock.

The final two minutes were filled with several warnings for both wrestlers from the referee but the Georgian managed to hong on for the win.

“My weight had 20 participants including the U23 world champion [Idris BAEV (GER)],” he said. “That is why this gold is a little special.”

Giorgi, who began wrestling when was six years old, had upset Baev Tuesday in the quarterfinal with a 9-3 score.

But as the two posed for photos with kids in the Kolodrom Plovdiv stadium, they did that with a warning that they are not brothers.

“Of course, people confuse us for brothers,” Giorgi said. “When people click photos with us, they tag us wrongly on social media. But we don't mind it because we are best friends and it's okay if someone calls us brothers.”

Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) celebrates after winning the 97kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The third gold for Georgia came at 97kg when Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) overcame Markus RAGGINGER (AUT), 5-3 in the final.

Katsanashvili scored via a takedown early in the bout but interestingly, he was called passive later. Ragginger, looking for Austria's first gold at U23 level, managed to score from par terre to lead 3-2.

But as the second period began, he was called passive and Katsanashvili once again took the lead, this time 3-3 on criteria. The Georgian was called passive again but the third passivity gave no points to his opponent, who failed to score from par terre this time.

Trailing on criteria, Ragginger went for a pushout but his momentum gave an easy takedown to Katsanashvili who won the bout 5-3.

“It's great for us that we win the team title in 2017, 2018, 2019 and now 2022,” Ninua said. “Being a small country, you can understand how happy we are.”

The only two wrestlers managed to stop Georgia from having a perfect night.

The match-winning four-point throw from Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), blue. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 60kg, Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) needed just over two minutes to go past Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI (GEO), 9-0 in the final.

The former cadet World and European champion showed some crafty wrestling, throwing his opponent twice to secure the win. He started with a takedown and then a big throw for two more points. The referees called it a leg-foul but Azerbaijan challenged the call and won, extending Mammadli's lead to 4-0.

In just one minute and 37 seconds, he finished with a gut wrench but this time, he made a leg foul. But he needed just 36 seconds more to finish the bout, executing a four-pointer.

Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) celebrates after winning the 82kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Junior world champion Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) was the other wrestler to win the gold. He defeated Beka GURULI (GEO), 6-2 in the 82kg final.

After a slow start in the first period in which he was called passive, Sterkenburg up the tempo and just before the break, he scored via a pushout.

He led 2-1 after Guruli's passivity in the second period but failed to score from par terre. With just 36 seconds remaining, Sterkenburg managed to get a headlock and four points to win 6-1.

His brother Tyrone, who was a silver medalist at 87kg at the Junior Worlds, jumped up to 97kg and won a bronze medal.

Wednesday also saw women's wrestling and world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) and defending champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) made it to the 68kg and 59kg gold medal bout respectively.

Gerogia

RESULTS

GR Medal Bouts

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df Irakli DZIMISTARISHVILI (GEO), 9-0

BRONZE: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df Mukremin AKTAS (TUR), 6-4
BRONZE: Tigran MINASYAN (ARM) df Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN), 7-6

67kg
GOLD: Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Kadir KAMAL (TUR), 3-2

BRONZE: Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) df Ignazio SANFILIPPO (ITA), 5-3
BRONZE: Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) df Konstantinas KESANIDI (LTU), 9-0

72kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR), 7-5

BRONZE: Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df Attila TOESMAGI (HUN), via fall
BRONZE: Idris IBAEV (GER) df Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR), 2-1

82kg
GOLD: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) df Beka GURULI (GEO), 6-2

BRONZE: Semion BREKKELI (MDA) df Vasile COJOC (ROU), 1-1
BRONZE: Branko KOVACEVIC (SRB) df Erik LOESER (GER), 6-3

97kg
GOLD: Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) df Markus RAGGINGER (AUT), 5-3

BRONZE: Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) df Marcus WORREN (NOR), 5-1
BRONZE: Mustafa OLGUN (TUR) df Richard KARELSON (EST), 9-0

WW Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Szimonetta SZEKER (HUN) vs Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA)

SF 1: Szimonetta SZEKER (HUN) df Shahana NAZAROVA (AZE), via fall
SF 2: Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA) df Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR), 5-2

55kg
GOLD: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) vs Andreea ANA (ROU)

SF 1: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) df Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA), 11-4
SF 2: Andreea ANA (ROU) df Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), 2-1

59kg
GOLD: Magdalena GLODEK (POL) vs Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

SF 1: Magdalena GLODEK (POL) df Morena DE VITA (ITA), 10-9
SF 2: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Anna SZEL (HUN), via inj. def.

68kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs Asli DEMIR (TUR)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER), 10-0
SF 2: Asli DEMIR (TUR) df Nigar MIRZAZADA (AZE), via fall

76kg
GOLD: Bernadett NAGY (HUN) vs Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU)

SF 1: Bernadett NAGY (HUN) df Mehtap GULTEKIN (TUR), 11-0
SF 2: Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) df Marion BYE (NOR), 3-0

#WrestleBudapest

Sharshenbekov Cuts Down, Rises to Win Gold in Budapest Ranking Series

Sunday, July 19, 2026 - 20:27 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 19) -- Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) appears to be rounding into form just in time for the World Championships.

After almost two years away from the mat, the Paris 2024 bronze medalist won the 63kg title at the Ulaanbaatar Open. On Sunday in Budapest he returned to his original Olympic weight of 60kg and rolled to another gold medal with a dominant run.

"It has been two years since I was at 60kg," Sharshenbekov said. "There was a break after the Olympics. I feel like I am just beginning to feel it again."

Sharshenbekov did not wrestle in the final after his opponent, Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), forfeited because of an injury. Before that, however, Sharshenbekov was in dominant form.

He opened the day against Dalton ROBERTS (USA) and secured a fall in one minute, throwing Roberts on the mat using underhook. It set the tone for the rest of the day.

In his second bout, Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) offered little resistance in a 10-0 loss. Sharshenbekov earned the first par terre opportunity, turned Aliyev for two points and followed with a four-point throw. In the second period, he added a takedown that Azerbaijan challenged. The call stood, and the unsuccessful challenge gave Sharshenbekov another point.

Against Mahmoud SAAD (EGY) in the quarterfinals, Sharshenbekov built a 2-0 lead with a chasing takedown before extending it to 5-0 with a par terre turn. Just before the break, he circled behind Saad for another takedown to make it 7-0.

He needed only 25 seconds of the second period to complete another technical superiority victory and book a semifinal against world silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB).

Asian champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB), wrestling with a heavily taped left knee, came out aggressively from the opening whistle but could not break through Sharshenbekov's defense. Sharshenbekov countered with ease and scored the opening takedown just 15 seconds into the bout.

Ganiev then limited the damage in par terre, defending Sharshenbekov's turn attempts to keep the deficit at 3-0 heading into the break.

The second period opened with both wrestlers battling for position as Ganiev searched for a takedown. But the relentless pace began to take its toll and after a minute of high-intensity wrestling, a tiring Ganiev surrendered a go-behind to fall further behind.

Ganiev threw everything at Sharshenbekov, working from body locks and underhooks to headlocks and two-on-one ties, but he could not move the Kyrgyzstan wrestler. Sharshenbekov eventually pull his arm out of Ganiev's hold and control Ganiev for another takedown to lead 5-0.

During a late scramble, Ganiev managed two exposure points, but Sharshenbekov immediately spun and came on top, brought Ganiev the mat and secured the fall.

As he prepares for the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, in September, Sharshenbekov's dominant return to 60kg sent a message to the rest of the field.

"This isn't my peak," he said. "It is merely the beginning. I have plans and goals to prepare even better for the Asian Games, the World Championships and the Olympics. I need to reach an even higher level of fitness for those events."

Szoke Wins 97kg

Alex SZOKE (HUN) gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, defeating Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS), 5-1, in the 97kg final. In one of the standout performances of the tournament, Szoke combined patience, strength and tactical awareness, scoring from par terre before sealing the victory with a counter takedown.

The final began at a high pace, with both wrestlers battling to secure the first par terre advantage. It was the Hungarian who received the activity point in the opening period to take a 1-0 lead. Szoke then capitalized from par terre with a turn to extend the lead to 3-0.

The second period saw Ermolenko on top but Szoke was at his best defense and did not allow the Russian to score any points. But there was a heart stopping moment for Szoke late in the match when Ermolenko locked Szoke and dragged him towards the zone. But Szoke showed exceptional skills and broke the lock.

Ermolenko earned the par terre advantage in the second period, but Szoke's defense held firm, denying the Russian any scoring opportunity. The home crowd was briefly on edge late in the match when Ermolenko locked up Szoke and drove him toward the edge of the mat. Szoke, however, showed exceptional composure, breaking the lock to escape the danger.

Moments later, Szoke circled behind Ermolenko for a takedown to stretch the lead to 5-1, effectively putting the match out of reach. Ermolenko slammed the mat in frustration as the Hungarian closed out the victory.

Russia Wins 3 Golds

It was not all disappointment for Russia, as its experienced wrestlers claimed three of the six Greco-Roman gold medals on offer Sunday.

European champion Sergey EMELIN (RUS) once again showcased the qualities that have made him one of the world's best at 63kg. Whether winning on criteria, scoring when an opening appears or protecting a lead, Emelin has an answer for almost every situation. He displayed all three in a 5-2 victory over Kerem KAMAL (TUR).

Emelin and Kamal were locked in a thrilling contest, with the Russian taking a 2-2 criteria lead. Kamal maintained the pressure and looked set to force a stepout, but Emelin circled behind for a takedown to move ahead 4-2. A stepout in the final minute extended the lead to 5-2, allowing Emelin to close out another Ranking Series title.

The 82kg final was a tactical affair as Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) edged Asian champion Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), 1-1 on criteria, to secure Russia's second gold medal.

Russia's third title came at 130kg, where Marat KAMPAROV (RUS) held on for a 1-1 criteria victory over U20 world champion Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), quieting the vocal home crowd.

Asian champion Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) added a Ranking Series title to his growing résumé with a comfortable 5-1 win over Brady KOONTZ (USA) in the 55kg final. Botirov set the tone from the opening whistle, earning the first par terre opportunity and scoring two gut-wrench turns for a 5-0 lead.

Koontz received the par terre opportunity in the second period, but Botirov defended it comfortably to seal the victory.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) df. Brady KOONTZ (USA), 5-1

BRONZE: Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) df. LALIT (IND), 18-10
BRONZE: Artiom DELEANU (MDA) df. Max NOWRY (USA), 3-0

60kg
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) df. Mahmoud SAAD (EGY), 14-2
BRONZE: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) df. Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 5-3

63kg
GOLD: Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df. Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-2

BRONZE: Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 7-0
BRONZE: Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) df. Sunny KUMAR (IND), 3-1

82kg
GOLD: Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) df Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), 1-1

BRONZE: Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO) df. Azimjon SOATULLAEV (UZB), 3-1
BRONZE: Mihail BRADU (MDA) df. Ognjen JAKOVLJEVIC (SRB), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS), 5-1

BRONZE: Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) df. Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), 1-1
BRONZE: Hayk KHLOYAN (ARM) df. Musa EVLOEV (RUS), via inj. def.

130kg
GOLD: Marat KAMPAROV (RUS) df. Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), 1-1

BRONZE: Wenhao JIANG (CHN) df. Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ), 2-2
BRONZE: Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) df. Aden ATTAO (USA), 3-1

#WrestlePlovdiv: Chkhikvadzes Guide Georgia to GR Team Title

Comments

Sharshenbekov Cuts Down, Rises to Win Gold in Budapest Ranking Series

Szoke Wins 97kg

Russia Wins 3 Golds

RESULTS