#wrestlenursultan

Nur-Sultan Mats Ready for Action as Worlds Kick Off with Greco Competition

By Ken Marantz

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (September 13) --- The road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics makes its first stop in Nur-Sultan over the next nine days, where the first Olympic berths will be allotted in the Kazakh capital to the nations of the top six finishers in each weight class. 

The first whistle will be blown Saturday at the gleaming Barys Arena, when the tournament starts with competition in Greco-Roman. Russia will look to exceed its showing from a year ago in Budapest, when it took home six of the 10 golds.

From there, Greco-Roman keeps the stage through Tuesday (Sept. 17), when it will share it with the women, who get started with qualification rounds in four weight classes. How many of the powerful Japanese women can clinch berths for the Olympics in their home country will be the main focus of interest.

The women will continue through the seventh day, Friday (Sept. 20), when the freestylers take to the mat in two weight classes, then close the tournament with four each over the final two days. The final day on Sunday could see the highly anticipated clash at 97kg between titans Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Kyle Snyder (USA).  

The opening day Saturday will see action in the four non-Olympic weight classes (55kg, 63kg, 72kg, and 82kg) in Greco-Roman. While Olympic berths will not be stake and the weight classes lost some top wrestlers who moved to Olympic divisions, that doesn’t mean they will be any less competitive.

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) is one of two returning world champions who kick off their day on Saturday morning. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) and Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) return to defend their world titles at 55kg and 63kg, respectively, while Maryanyan will be one of four European champions in action along with Vitali KABALOEV (RUS) at 55kg, Abuyazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) at 72kg and Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN) at 82kg. 

Bilsutanov will have to contend with Budapest 2018 silver medalist Emrah KUS (TUR) and bronze medalists Viktor SASUNOVSKI (BLR) and Maksim MANUKYUAN (ARM). And that’s not to discount Asian champion Saeid ABDVALI (IRI).

Advali is one of four Asian gold medalists in action Saturday. The brother combination of Ilkhom and Islomjon BAKHROMOV (UZB) took the 55kg and 60kg, respectively, at Xi’an 2019, but Islomjon has moved up to 63kg, so the two will be competing on the same day this time. 

Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) has remained unbeaten during his 2019 campaign after claiming world gold in a season ago. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

The 63kg field, led by Maryanyan, includes Asian champion Erbatu TUO (CHN) and bronze medalist JUNG Jinwoong (KOR). Also entered is Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shinobu OTA (JPN), who moved up to 63kg when he failed to beat 2017 world champion Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) for the place on Japan’s team at 60kg.  

At 72kg, Budapest champion Frank STABLER (GER) has moved down to 67kg, but runner-up Balint KORPASI (HUN) and bronze medalist Aik MNATSAKANIAN (HUN) look to be the top contenders along with Mantsigov and Asian silver medalist ZHANG Hujun (CHN). 

Tournament Schedule   
Saturday, September 14

11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds GR 55-63-72-82kg  
18:00-19:30 Semifinals GR 55-63-72-82kg

Sunday, September 15
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds GR 67-87-97kg
11:00-16:00 Repechage GR 55-63-72-82kg
16:45-17:30 Opening Ceremony
18:00-18:45 Semifinals GR 67-87-97kg
19:00-22:00 Finals GR 55-63-72-82kg

Monday, September 16
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds GR 60-77-130kg
11:00-16:00 Repechage GR 67-87-97kg
17:00-17:45 Semifinals GR 60-77-130kg
18:00-20:30 Finals GR 67-87-97kg

Tuesday, September 17
11:00-15:00 Qualification Rounds WW 50-53-55-72kg 
11:00-15:00 Repechage GR 60-77-130kg      
16:45-17:45 Semifinals WW 50-53-55-72kg
18:00-20:30 Finals GR 60-77-130kg

Wednesday, September 18
11:00-15:00 Qualification Rounds WW 57-59-65-76kg
11:00-15:00 Repechage WW 50-53-55-72kg
16:45-17:45 Semifinals WW 57-59-65-76kg
18:00-21:00 Finals WW 50-53-55-72kg

Thursday, September 19
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds WW 62-68; FS 57-65
11:00-16:00 Repechage WW 57-59-65-76kg
16:45-17:45 Semifinals WW 62-68; FS 57-65
18:00-21:00 Finals WW 57-59-65-76kg

Friday, September 20
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds FS 70-74-92-125kg
11:00-16:00 Repechage WW 62-68; FS 57-65
16:45-17:45 Semifinals FS 70-74-92-125kg
18:00-21:00 Finals WW 62-68; FS 57-65

Saturday, September 21
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds FS 61-79-86-97kg 
11:00-16:00 Repechage FS 70-74-92-125kg
16:45-17:45 Semifinals FS 61-79-86-97kg
18:00-21:00 Finals FS 70-74-92-125kg

Sunday, September 22
15:30-17:30 Repechage FS 61-79-86-97kg
18:00-21:00 Finals FS 61-79-86-97kg

#WrestleTirana

European Championships 2026 Day 6 Freestyle Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (April 25) -- The last five weight classes of European Championships will be in action on Saturday. Zavur UGUEV (UWW), Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SV), Ibragim KADIEV (UWW), Georgios KOUGIOUMSTIDIS (GRE) are among the stars that hit the mat in 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg.

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14:00: Osman GOCEN (TUR) cannot get his leg out of Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) hold in what was one of the most entertaining matches of the morning session. Kadiev led for most of the match but Gocen kept coming back and made it 4-4 with exposure points but a reversal gives Kadiev a 5-4. He then turns Gocen to extend it to 7-4. However, Gocen with a takedown with 24 seconds left to make it one-point difference. But as he shoots for an attack, Kadiev hangs on to Gocen's leg and doesn't let it go, winning the semifinal 7-6.

13:45: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) places himself in the 86kg semifinals with a big 10-0 victory over Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA). Dzhioev will face Ivars SAMUSONOK (LAT) for a place in the gold medal bout

13:35: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) has an unbreakable defense in the world. He frustrates Timur BIZHOEV (UWW) in the 74kg semifinals and beats him 2-1. Salkazanov is chasing his fifth European title

13:25: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE ((GEO) into the semifinals at 86kg with a 5-1 victory over Joshua MORODION (GER). Gamkrelidze looks in solid form but will face a tough challenge in the semifinals in one of Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) and Osman GOCEN (TUR).

(UWW) Nikita DMITRIJEVS MAYEUSKI (7)(AZE) Turan BAYRAMOV (9)

13:16: World silver medalist Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) has no answer to Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) wrestling as the Azerbaijan wrestler blanks Maisuradze 5-0 to advance to the 92kg semifinals

13:15: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), the returning medalist at 61kg, is back into the semifinals. He sends the home crowd into a frenzy after he defeated Niklas STECHELE (GER), 6-2.

13:10: Defending champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) hits a massive counter using a double underhook on Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW) and then works on a 11-2 victory to enter the semifinal against Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM). It will be a rematch of the final from last year which Uguev won.

13:05: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) with a takedown in the final five seconds to beat Khachatur KHACHATRYAN (ARM) at 125kg. The defending champion was down 3-3 on criteria and then gave up a takedown to fall behind 5-3. Khachatryna tries to defend is but in no position to do it as Meshvildishvili hits a double leg outside takedown for the criteria win.

12:50: Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR) with late takedown in a back-and-forth match to beat Shamil MUSAEV (UWW), 6-5 at 125kg. Every time Musaev seemed to chip away, Buyukcingil came back with a takedown.

12:45: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) gives up one point against Kamil KERYMOV (UKR) but has no trouble in beating the Ukrainian 11-1 and advance to the semifinals at 61kg

12:40: World champion at 79kg Georgios KOUGIOMISTDIS (GRE) falls in the first round against Osman GOCEN (TUR), 5-3. He began well with takedown and stepout but Gocen comes back with two takedowns to take a 4-3 lead. Kougiomistdis commits a offensive foul. Greece challenge the call and but lost it to win a point to Gocen.

12:30: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) sets up a match against Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) after a 8-1 victory over Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) at 86kg. Just controlling the bout through and through for the win.

12:20: Timur BIZHOEV (UWW), trying to the coveted 74kg gold, begins with a 11-0 shutout victory over Ibragim VELIEV (BEL) and advance. 

12:15: World bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) is like a workhorse and slowly pile ups the points over Denys BYKOV (UKR), winning his 86kg opening bout 10-0.

12:05: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) survives a scre against Farhad NOURIKHORJESTAN (UWW) at 74kg. Bayramov fell behind 2-1 but scored a stepout to take a 2-2 criteria lead before defending it for the win.

11:30: Home-favorite Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) moves forward at 61kg after a 12-2 technical superiority win over Simone PIRODDU (ITA). He blocked an arm throw from Prioddu to score his opening points before using a 2-on-1 for snap takedown and turn to lead 6-0. Piroddu scored two exposure points from a scramble but Abakarov quickly escaped and turned him three times for the win.

11:25: Returning silver medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) works on his murderous leg-lace and beats Vladimir EGOROV (MKD), 11-0.

11:15: Kamil KERYMOV (UKR) does a perfect fireman's carry against Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR) to score four points. He then continues to turn Kerymov and comes out with an 8-2 lead from the scramble. Ormanoglu scores two more points but Kerymov wins 8-4

11:10: Big match on Mat C as Shamil MUSAEV (UWW) takes on returning silver medalist Soloman MANASHVILI (GEO) at 125kg. Musaev with a trip to open the scoring for two points before giving up a reversal. He scored a go-behind to go ahead 4-1. Manashvili cut the lead to 4-3 after exposure with a minute left in the bout. But a struggling Manashvili gives up two more go-behinds and drops his first bout 8-3

10:30: Welcome to day six of the European Championships in Tirana. After the repechage rounds, the qualifications will being in 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg.