Gutu returns, Mihai ends drought at U23 Europeans

Tuesday, March 14, 2023 - 19:10 By Vinay Siwach

BUCHAREST, Romania (March 14) -- For a period of one year from mid-2018, Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) dominated every competition participated in. He won the U17 World and European Championships along with the Youth Olympics sandwiched between the two.

But for the next six tournaments, Gutu failed to win a gold medal and reached the final in only one. He ended the title drought with a gold at the U20 European Championships in 2021. He defended his title a year later but that was the only highlight of the year as he fell in the U20 and U23 World Championships.

After beginning 2023 with silver and bronze at the two Ranking Series, Gutu on Tuesday warmed up for the European Championships with a gold medal at the U23 European Championships in Bucharest, Romania. The U23 title means that only the senior gold is left to win and complete the set of continental titles.

The 21-year-old wrestled defending champion Khasay HASANLI (AZE) in the 77kg final and was in trouble early as Hasanli got the par terre. Gutu wanted to sneak out of the position but got stuck and gave up two points. But when Hasanli tried to lift Gutu for another throw, he lost balance and Gutu got the two points for exposure. Then came the trademark front headlock by which he scored another two points to lead 4-3 at the break.

Gutu did not relent in the second period as well and scored two pushouts as Hasanli struggled to match his pace for six minutes. The Moldovan won 6-3 for his first gold of the year.

David LOSONCZI (HUN) celebrates after beating Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) in the 87kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostandin Andonov)

Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) was not as lucky as Gutu and failed to complete his set of European titles as he fell in the 87kg final for the second straight year.

David LOSONCZI (HUN) followed Istvan TAKACS (HUN) in denying Bisultanov in the final as he scrambled through for a 4-3 win in Bucharest.

World silver medalist Bisultanov got the par terre in the first period and scored an arm trap gut to lead 3-0. He did remain aggressive in the second period but the referees called him passive and Losonczi got the par terre.

Losonczi, a bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships, managed to get a turn just in time to gain a 3-3 criteria lead which Bisultanov challenged for a foul. However, he lost the challenge as the referees deemed it a clean move and Losonczi got a 4-3 lead.

Despite his desperate efforts to score a point, Bisultanov, who got a second par terre position, fell short. But he would be hoping to turn around things by the time the European Championships, in which he is the defending champion, knock on the door in a month's time.

Denis MIHAI (ROU) won the 55kg gold medal at home. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Mihai's home run

After 13 attempts, Denis MIHAI (ROU) finally got his much-deserved gold medal at a championships as he won the 55kg weight class. The victory was made sweeter as he made a comeback in the final to win at home.

Mihai has been in the finals of different championships over the years but failed to win a gold medal. But Tuesday was different as he defeated Karapet MANVELYAN (ARM) 7-3 in the final.

After a slow first period in which Mihai led 1-0 for Manvelyan's passivity, wrestling picked up pace in the second as Mihai was called passive and Manvelyan scored from par terre to lead 3-1.

Mihai received a second par terre position and this time made no mistake, scoring a stunning front throw for four points for a 5-3 lead. As Manvelyan tried to regain the lead, he got countered by Mihai who scored two more points to win 7-3.

The crowd went into a frenzy as soon as the final whistle blew with Mihai acknowledging the praise and falling onto the mat to soak the moment.

Tino OJALA (FIN) defeated Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO) in the 63kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Ojala gets one for Finland

As an early contender for breakout performer of the tournament, Tino OJALA (FIN) won his first major gold medal on Tuesday. The wrestler became only the second from Finland to win a gold medal at U23 European Championships after Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) who won at 97kg in 2019.

Ojala's victory at 63kg meant that defending champion Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO), who lost 5-4, was denied a second straight gold medal.

A correct throw from par terre in the first period gave Ojala a 3-0 lead in the final but Shotadze answered with a takedown using an arm throw 30 seconds before the break to cut the lead to 3-2.

Shotadze got the par terre position in the second period but failed to score. However, he still led 3-3 on criteria for scoring the last point.

Ojala got his chance to reverse the lead as Shotadze was called for passivity. He scored a gut wrench to take a 5-3 lead, a huge moment in the bout which saw only a stepout more action and Ojala winning 5-4.

Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) won his first U23 European title after beating Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (UKR). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 130kg, U20 world champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) won his first U23 European title after beating Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO), 4-1, in the final.

Vyshnyvetskyi led only 1-0 at the break, a point for Tsopurashvili's passivity. But he did not slow down in the second and scored via exposure when Tsopurashvili tried doing a bearhug. Georgia challenged the call and lost to give Vyshnyvetskyi a 4-0 lead in the final.

The Ukrainian was called passive later in the second period but that was all the damage that occurred to him as Tsopurashvili failed to score from par terre and left the gold medal to his opponent.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df. Karapet MANVELYAN (ARM), 7-3

BRONZE: Muhammet CAKIR (TUR) df. Sabolc LOSONC (SRB), 9-0
BRONZE: Eduard STRILCHUK (UKR) df. Leonid MOROZ (MDA), 8-3

63kg
GOLD: Tino OJALA (FIN) df. Giorgi SHOTADZE (GEO), 5-4

BRONZE: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df. Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 11-0
BRONZE: Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) df. Ismail CULFA (TUR), 10-2

77kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Khasay HASANLI (AZE), 6-3

BRONZE: Deni NAKAEV (GER) df. Khvicha ANANIDZE (GEO), 9-1
BRONZE: Mykyta POLITAIEV (UKR) df. Sahan ACAR (TUR), 3-2

87kg
GOLD: David LOSONCZI (HUN) df. Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), 4-3

BRONZE: Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) df. Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL), 2-1
BRONZE: Hovhannes HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Gabriel LUPASCO (MDA), via fall

130kg
GOLD: Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) df. Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO), 4-1

BRONZE: Albert VARDANYAN (ARM) df. Marcel ALBINI (CZE), 6-1
BRONZE: Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) df. Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE), 4-0

2026 U23 European Championships

Magamedkhanov, Gaidarli Stop Russia Gold Sweep at U23 European Championships

Tuesday, March 10, 2026 - 23:18 By Vinay Siwach

ZRENJANIN, Serbia (March 9) -- Russia needed the calm of the Khaniev brothers to help it return to winning ways at the U23 European Championships after it suffered two shocking losses in the Freestyle finals on Tuesday.

After qualifying five finalists in as many weight classes on Monday, Russia expected to win all five gold medals, 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg, on Tuesday.

It began well with Aiandai ONDAR (RUS) winning the first gold of the evening as he defeated former U20 European champion Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE), 7-3, in the final. He scored all his points in the second period after an actionless first period.

But panic spread in the Russian camp when Magomedkhan MAGAMEDKHANOV (BLR) pulled a rabbit out of the hat by pinning Dzhambulat KIZINOV (RUS) when the Russian was leading 8-0 in the 65kg final.

A few moments later U20 world silver medalist Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) downed defending champion Magomed ELTEMIROV (RUS), 3-2, in the 70kg final. He scored a stepout in the final 30 seconds to take a 2-2 criteria lead before a lost challenge from Russia added one more point to his score.

The Khaniev brothers -- Ismail KHANIEV (RUS) and Takhir KHANIEV (RUS) -- salvaged some lost pride for Russia by sweeping the 79kg and 97kg gold medals, respectively as Russia ended with three gold and two silver medals. It has three more wrestlers going for gold in Freestyle on Wednesday.

Magomedkhan MAGAMEDOV (BLR) celebrates after winning the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Magamedkhanov, Gaidarli Win

The first shock came in the 65kg final when Magamedkhanov, down 8-0, had little chance of victory as Kizinov needed only two more points to finish the final.

However, Magamedkhanov shot deep and Kizinov answered with a chestwrap defense. But as he tried to roll over Magamedkhanov, Kizinov's back got planted on the mat and Magamedkhanov kept him in this position and the referee called the fall.

Kizinov was shell-shocked as he took time to realize that he was the losing wrestler. Russia threw a pointless challenge, though confirmed falls cannot be challenged unless a foul has been committed. Kizinov accepted his fate as Magamedkhanov's hand was raised.

Then came the 70kg final with returning champ Eltemirov a clear favorite over Gaidarli, a U23 world bronze medalist last year.

Eltemirov led 2-0 when he was hit with an activity clock and as he failed to score any points in that 30-second window, Gaidarli got his first point on the board.

With 36 seconds left in the bout, Gaidarli pushed Eltemirov out of the wrestling zone to earn another point and lead 2-2 on criteria of last point scored. Eltemirov tried various holds to score a point to lead and win but Gaidarli defended. Russia threw a helpless challenge only to see another point added to Gaidarli's score for losing it.

"This is my biggest victory [yet]," Gaidarli said. "You could even say it’s bigger than the World Championship in Bulgaria, because gold is still gold. I consider this my greatest achievement so far."

Gaidarli won a silver medal at the U20 World Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria last year. In a tense final against PJ DUKE (USA) at 70kg, the American defeated Gaidarli, 7-5.

"I would also like to wrestle Duke again and take revenge," he said. "I think we will meet again more than once."

The sizable Moldovan crowd cheered as Gaidarli's hand was raised and they hung around to get photos with the U23 European champion from Moldova, only the second in the country's history in Freestyle.

Takhir KHANIEV (RUS) Khaniev brothers, Takhir and Ismail, pose with their gold medals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Khaniev Brothers Turnaround

The scene turned from somber to cheerful when Khaniev secured an 11-0 victory over Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE) in the 79kg final.

He opened the scoring with a stepout before Amiraslanov was put on the activity clock. Amiraslanov failed to score in the designated 30 seconds which gave a point to Khaniev who also scored a stepout to lead 3-0 at the break. A takedown and two high gut-wrenches extended his lead to 9-0 before using a head outside single-leg attack to finish the bout 11-0 just before the clock was about to expire.

"I’m satisfied, but there were some mistakes on my part," Ismail Khaniev said. "I’m only partly satisfied with my wrestling itself. I could have wrestled better and executed more technical actions."

Having won the gold medal at the U23 European Championships last year as well, Khaniev was aware of the competition and did not put himself under undue pressure.

"I already had the experience, I felt confident on the mat, and there wasn’t much pressure," he said. "Our next goal is the Russian Championships. If I qualify there, then the next step would be the World Championships. Otherwise, I will compete for a spot at the U20 World Championships."

His elder brother Takhir was quicker as he defeated former U20 European champion Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR), 10-0, in three minutes and 25 seconds in the 97kg final.

Takhir, who defeated world champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) in Tirana, was called passive and on cue he scored a takedown and turn to lead 4-0. He extended his lead to 6-0 with another takedown and a little later, he locked Prymachenko from behind but could only score a stepout along with a point for the Ukrainian's fleeing.

And 25 seconds into the second period, he finished the bout with an identical move as his brother, head outside single-leg, and score the match-winning takedown.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Aiandai ONDAR (RUS) df. Vasif BAGHIROV (AZE), 7-3

BRONZE: Nikoloz BOTCHORISHVILI (GEO) df. Rassoul GALBOURAEV (FRA)
BRONZE: Arman HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Artsiom PAULIUCHENKA (BLR), 10-0

65kg
GOLD: Magomedkhan MAGAMEDKHANOV (BLR) df. Dzhambulat KIZINOV (RUS), via fall (3-8)

BRONZE: Musa AGHAYEV (AZE) df. Arman MUSIKYAN (ARM), 6-4
BRONZE: Viktor BOROHAN (UKR) df. Yusuf TUMER (TUR), 12-6

70kg
GOLD: Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) df. Magomed ELTEMIROV (RUS), 3-2

BRONZE: Davit MARGARYAN (ARM) df. Marcel WAGIN (GER), 5-2
BRONZE: Ramik HEYBATOV (AZE) df. Mykyta SARIIEV (UKR), 10-0

79kg
GOLD: Ismail KHANIEV (RUS) df. Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE), 11-0

BRONZE: Ibrahim YAPRAK (TUR) df. Mateusz PEDZICKI (POL), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO) df. Aliaksandr VIARBITSKI (BLR), 8-7

97kg
GOLD: Takhir KHANIEV (RUS) df. Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR), 10-0

BRONZE: Zafar ALIYEV (AZE) df. Emirhan KILIC (TUR), 19-9
BRONZE: Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Nikolaos KARAVANOS (GRE), 4-0

Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Levik MIKAYELYAN (ARM) vs. Jeyhun ALLAHVERDIYEV (AZE)

SF 1: Jeyhun ALLAHVERDIYEV (AZE) df. Besir ALILI (MKD), via inj. def. (12-5)
SF 2: Levik MIKAYELYAN (ARM) df. Tolga OZBEK (TUR), 10-3

74kg
GOLD: Manuel WAGIN (GER) vs. Seyfulla ITAEV (FRA)

SF 1: Manuel WAGIN (GER) df. Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS), 7-1
SF 2: Seyfulla ITAEV (FRA) df. Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 7-2

86kg
GOLD: Bozigit ISLAMGEREEV (RUS) vs. Ahmet YAGAN (TUR)

SF 1: Bozigit ISLAMGEREEV (RUS) df. Vasif KHUDIYEV (AZE), 3-2
SF 2: Ahmet YAGAN (TUR) df. Artur KOSTIUK (UKR), 4-2

92kg
GOLD: Fatih ALTUNBAS (TUR) vs. Ali TCOKAEV (AZE)

SF 1: Fatih ALTUNBAS (TUR) df. Krisztian ANGYAL (HUN), 6-2
SF 2: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (RUS), 6-4

125kg
GOLD: Khabib DAVUDGADZHIEV (RUS) vs. Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE)

SF 1: Khabib DAVUDGADZHIEV (RUS) df. Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO), 6-3
SF 2: Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) df. Stsiapan MANDRYK (BLR), 3-2

Gutu returns, Mihai ends drought at U23 Europeans

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Magamedkhanov, Gaidarli Stop Russia Gold Sweep at U23 European Championships