#WrestleTirana

Greco-Roman must-watch battles at U23 Worlds

Friday, October 20, 2023 - 07:40 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (October 19) -- The Greco-Roman at the U23 World Championships will reignite the rivalries among wrestlers from Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia and Turkiye. These are some of the countries that dominate the classic style and when the wrestlers perform from October 27 to 29, it will be a spectacle. Here's what to watch in Greco-Roman at the U23 World Championships

Must-watch match-ups

At 130kg, the battle for gold can be a four-way battle with Mikhail LAPTEV (AIN), Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI), Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) and Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) all entered. Laptev is the bronze medalist from the 2021 U23 World Championships while Hedayati is the U20 world champ. Bakir won the gold at the U20 level in 2021.

Vyshnyvetskyi will try to upgrade his silver from last year after losing the final to Fatih BOZKURT (TUR). He won the gold medal at the U20 Worlds in 2022 as he defeated Hedayati in the final.

A similar battle will be seen at 87kg as the 82kg U23 world champion Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) is moving up to 87kg to challenge the defending champion Istvan TAKACS (HUN).

Joining the two are U20 world champion Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) who is coming off a silver-medal finish at the World Championships in Belgrade.

Alex SZOKE (HUN) is the defending champion at 97kg and will be the favorite to win the gold medal. But the return of Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN) should put some pressure on Szoke.

Hlinchuk won the gold at the U20 World Championships in 2021 and then finished with a silver at the U23 Worlds. He will look to change the color of his medal this year.

Sohrabi-Snjoyan Rematch

A rematch of the 67kg final last year is on the cards as both Danial SOHRABI (IRI) and Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) are entered. Sohrabi stormed back from 7-0 down to beat Snjoyan 17-7 and claim the gold medal. Snjoyan, however, has been out of action since that final due to an injured shoulder.

Sohrabi has had a busy year as he wrestled in three of the four Ranking Series, the World Championships and recently the Asian Games.

60kg minefield

The 60kg bracket can see intense competition with 2021 U23 world champion Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (AIN) returning. He wrestled at the senior World Championships in Belgrade but failed to win a medal. Joining him is U20 world champion Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM) who will be looking to at the U23 world title.

SUMIT (UWW) will be keen to avenge his U20 Worlds loss against Aghajanyan as he aims to become the first finalist in Greco-Roman at the U23 World Championships. Returning bronze and U23 European silver Melkamu FETENE (ISR) is also coming to Tirana.

Last year's 55kg silver medalist Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) is moving up to 60kg as he continues to search for a world title. He finished with a silver medal at 55kg in Pontevedra.

Nurmukhammet ABDULLAEV (KGZ) will undoubtedly be the dark horse of this weight class.

New challengers

Tirana will see a number of wrestlers from the 2021 class of U20 World Championships. But the young crop is out to challenge them. The U20 wrestlers trying to make a mark at U23 are Denis MIHAI (ROU) at 55kg, Aghajanyan at 60kg, Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) at 77kg, Alperen BERBER (TUR) at 82kg, Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) at 87kg and Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) at 130kg.

Aghajanyan, Berber, Bolkvadze and Hedayati are coming off title-winning runs at the U20 Worlds in August.

#WrestleTirana

Paris Olympic medalists in Tirana: An overview

Saturday, February 22, 2025 - 14:24 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (February 22) -- Tirana is quickly becoming a wrestling puller. After the thrilling World Championships in October, the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series will also prove to be a fan-favorite with the depth of field that in taking the mats in Tirana.

Given no drop outs, 12 Paris Olympic medalists are expected to participate in Tirana including three champions -- all Greco-Roman.

Overall, five medalists are in Freestyle and the same in Greco-Roman while two medalists are in Women's Wrestling. Here's a deep dive into the 12 Paris medalists heading to Tirana for the February 26 to March 3 event.

Greco-Roman

Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI): One of Iran's most heartwarming stories is that of Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI). He had to defeat two Olympic champs to be in Paris, first Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) and then Luis ORTA (CUB).

Orta pulled off that incredible last-second throw to beat Esmaeili in Budapest. However, Esmaeili had learnt his lesson and blanked Orta in Paris before keeping his nerves in a 7-6 win against Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) in the final.

Esmaeili's rise has given a fresh lease of life to Iran at 67kg as Geraei has given mixed result after winning the Tokyo gold medal.

Semen NOVIKOV (BUL)Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) won the gold medal at 87kg in Paris. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Semen NOVIKOV (BUL): Stuck behind Ukraine's legend Zhan BELEBIUK (UKR) at 87kg in Ukraine, Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) switched to Bulgaria. The change of countries brought change of fortunes for Novikov.

A world medal, Olympic qualification and a gold medal in Paris all gave Novikov a just reason to explain his switch. And the run in Paris included wins over David LOSONCIZ (HUN), Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI).

Tirana will test Novikov as some of the biggest names at 87kg are wrestling at the Muhamet Malo and the Olympic champion will be up for it.

Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI)Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI) won a silver medalist in his debut Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI): One of the top prospects in Greco-Roman for Iran is Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI). He may have lost the World Championships and Olympic finals but Mohmadipiani should be well settled at 87kg till Los Angeles 2028.

He will get a chance to wrestle Novikov in Tiran, depending on the draw. And a win for Mohmadipiani over Novikov will boost his confidence.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) was one of the two Olympic champions for Iran in Paris. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI): He lost to Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) in all their previous meeting but when it mattered most in the Olympic final, Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) defeated Aleksanyan and captured the gold medal at 97kg.

He now is the best 97kg wrestler in the world and it will be surprising if has any hiccups in Tirana.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) won a bronze medal at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI): Sometimes the bracket it out like that. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) was stuck behind Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in Tokyo at 130kg. He defeated Kayaalp at the World Championships. But in Paris, he ran into Lopez again.

While he lost, Mirzazadeh captured the bronze medal that he missed in Tokyo. With Lopez retired and Kayaalp unclear about future, Mirzazadeh is undoubtedly the best 130kg wrestler. That is if Fardin HEYDAYATI (IRI) doesn't take his spot.

Tirana will be his first test and Heydayati the second when the two meet domestically.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)Grace BULLEN (NOR) won the first wrestling medal at Olympics for Norway. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Women's Wrestling

Grace BULLEN (NOR): At 62kg, Grace BULLEN (NOR) has finally found her mojo. After struggling to qualify at 57kg, she not only qualified but won a bronze medal at 62kg in Paris. She could have well been in the final but Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) produced the move of the tournament to flip over and pin Bullen. 

Bullen is also the European champion at this weight and will begin her season in Tirana with a lot of expectations. There will be a few challenges but Bullen will be favorite to win this weight class.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR)Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) is a two-time Olympic medalist. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR): Silver medalist at 62kg in Paris, Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) will at 65kg in Tirana. Koliadenko is an underrated wrestler in the world. She has bronze from Tokyo and silver from Paris, a European gold medal and world medals as well. Koliadenko will no doubt be the top wrestlers in Tirana.

In the new Olympic cycle, Koliadenko will take her own time to lean towards 62kg or 68kg as Ukraine's superstar Iryna BONDAR (UKR) is making quick strides. Tirana will give some idea which way Koliadenko leans.

Islam DUDAEV (ALB)Islam DUDAEV (ALB) won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Freestyle

Islam DUDAEV (ALB): Albania's history-maker in Paris is wrestling at home. Dudaev won the first-ever medal for Albania in Olympic history in any sport in a thrilling bronze medal bout against Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), pulling off a 13-12 win.

Dudaev had an incredible 2024 in which he also became the European champion at 65kg, qualified for the Paris Games in Istanbul, and etched his name in history.

However, he will have his task cut out in Tirana. Also entered in the field in Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI).

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) is a silver medalist at 65kg from Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI): Among the many superstars that Iran produces, 65kg had to endure a wait long. Amouzad changed that in 2022 when he won the World Championships. He qualified for the Paris Games from the 2023 World Championships but his run was dismal as he did not win a medal.

But come Paris, Amouzad was in red-hot form. He blanked Dudaev and Muszukajev. The final did not go his way as he lost to Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) as his comeback was cut short. Amouzad-Dudaev rematch will be one bout to watch out for.

Chermen VALIEV (ALB)Chermen VALIEV (ALB) won bronze in a tough 74kg bracket in Paris. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Chermen VALIEV (ALB): Along with Dudaev, Valiev was the other Olympic medalist for Albania. He too will be wrestling at home at 74kg. Valiev had a remarkable run in Istanbul where he qualified for Paris after a win over Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR).

And Valiev almost had a similar in Paris but a challenge turned his victory to defeat against Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), who went on to win the gold medal and Valiev the bronze. Still, Valiev defeated Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) and Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) en route his bronze.

Valiev, in an interview with UWW last year, told that he is ready to avenge his loss to Jamalov however that opportunity will be later in the year.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO)Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) won a silver medal in Paris at 97kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO): In an excellent at the Paris Olympics, Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) made it to the 97kg final. He ran into Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and a failed arm-spin attempt resulted in a pin and Matcharashvili ended up with a silver medal.

The season will begin with Matcharashvili wrestling at 125kg in Tirana but that doesn't mean he will be at 125kg. He wrestled a few times at 125kg last year as well but returned to 97kg. In Tirana, he will face quite a few challenges at the super heavy weight class.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) returned with a silver medal from the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI): One of the top matches of Paris Olympics was the 125kg in which Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI), who has past wins over Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), lost to Petriashvili after getting caught in a gut-wrench. Down 8-0, Zare mounted a comeback but as time ran out, he fell short 10-9.

Zare will be full of motivation to begin his new year with a gold medal. He may not get a hand on Petriashvili soon but Zare must look at the bigger picture of 2028 LA Olympics.