European Games

Russia Goes 3-for-3 in Freestyle Finals on Day 2 of European Games

Wednesday, June 26, 2019 - 20:03 By United World Wrestling Press

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MINSK, Belarus (June 26) - Russia shined on Day 2 of the European Games in Minsk, Belarus, going 3-for-3 in gold-medal finals matches in freestyle wrestling. 

Winning gold medals for Russia on Wednesday night were Zaurbek SIDAKOV (74kg), Dauren KURUGLIEV (86kg) and Anzor KHIZRIEV (125kg).

The other gold medal was won by Mahir AMIRASLANOV (AZE) at 57kg.

Sidakov, a returning world champion and world No.1, picked up a first-period fall in the 74kg final against Olympic and world medalist Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR). After scoring a takedown off a single leg, the 23-year-old Russian used a cradle to put Demirtas on his back. He secured the fall just over two minutes into the match. 

Kurugliev, a two-time Yarygin champion, edged four-time world medalist Ali SHABANAU (BLR) 3-2 for the gold medal at 86kg. Shabanau scored first off a passivity to take a 1-0 lead. In the second period, Kurugliev scored a passivity point of his own to take the lead on criteria. The two wrestlers continued to battle and with just under a minute remaining Kurugliev was placed on the activity clock. While on the activity clock, Kurugliev was able to secure a takedown with just over 30 seconds remaining to go up 3-1 and hold on for the victory.   

Khizriev claimed his gold medal at 125kg by defeating U23 world champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) 8-2 in a hard-fought match until the end. After scoring first off a passivity, Khizriev scored a takedown in the second period to extend his lead to 3-0. With 1:15 remaining, the Georgian picked up a takedown of his own to cut the deficit to 3-2. In the last second of the match, Matcharashvili attempted a desperation move, which Khizriev countered and scored five additional points to win by six.

Amiraslanov, a European bronze medalist and 2015 junior world champion, opened the gold-medal matches with a convincing 9-1 victory over Stevan MICIC (SRB) at 57kg. Amiraslanov raced out to a 4-0 lead early in the match on the strength of a four-point, feed-to-back takedown. He added a step out and led 5-0 at the break. Amiraslanov was able to counter Micic's attacks in the second period and scored two more takedowns to pull away. 

World No.1 Suleyman ATLI (TUR) won a bronze medal at 57kg by defeating Taras MARKOVYCH (UKR) 12-9. The other bronze medal was won by returning world champion Zavur UGUEV (RUS), who cruised to a 10-2 win over Georgi VANGELOV (BUL).

Bronze medals at 74kg were won by Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) and Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE). Kentchadze, a world silver medalist, won 8-5 in the bronze-medal match against Azamat NURYKAU (BLR). Gadzhiyev rolled to a 9-1 win over Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR).

Myles AMINE (SMR) edged Alexander GOSTIYEV (AZE) 3-3 for bronze at 86kg, becoming San Marino's first-ever medalist at the European Games. Ahmed DUDAROV (GER) won the other medal at 86kg, beating world silver medalist Fatih ERDIN (TUR) 10-8.

Jammaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) dominated Rares CHINTOAN (ROU) to claim a bronze at 125kg. The other bronze at 125kg was won by Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) who defeated Faith YASARLI (TUR) 2-1. 

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD - Mahir AMIRASLANOV (AZE) df. Stevan MICIC (SRB), 9-1
BRONZE - Suleyman ATLI (TUR) df. Taras MARKOVYCH (UKR), 12-9
Bronze - Zavur UGUEV (RUS) df. Georgi VANGELOV (BUL), 10-2

74kg
GOLD - Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) by fall at 2:04
BRONZE - Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Azamat NURYKAU (BLR), 8-5
BRONZE - Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) df. Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), 9-1

86kg
GOLD - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Ali SHABANAU (BLR), 3-2
BRONZE - Ahmed DUDAROV (GER) df. Fatih ERDIN (TUR), 10-8
BRONZE - Myles AMINE (SMR) df. Alexander GOSTIYEV (AZE), 3-3 

125kg
GOLD - Anzor KHIZRIEV (RUS) df. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO), 8-2
BRONZE - Jammaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Rares CHINTOAN (ROU), 12-2
BRONZE - Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) df. Faith YASARLI (TUR), 2-1
 

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Interview: Iran Greco-Roman coach Hassan Rangraz

Sunday, February 16, 2025 - 10:38 By Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (February 14) -- Iran won its first Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman at the 2012 London Games. Rio 2016 was a blank but Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) won at the Tokyo Olympics. Soon, Iran changed the coaching staff and brought in Hassan RANGRAZ to lead the Iran team.

Rangraz enjoyed success at various levels but the 2024 Paris Olympics was one of the best that Iran had. Two gold medals, one silver and one bronze made it the most successful Olympics for Iran.

The 44-year-old soft-spoken former world champ has a different personality while coaching. He rarely takes the role of first coach during the bouts. But he is always animated in the corner, shouting instructions to his wrestlers and sometimes reacting to the referee's decisions.

As the new Olympic cycle for the 2028 Los Angeles Games begins, United World Wrestling caught up with Rangraz at the season opening Zagreb Open Ranking Series. Rangraz explained the success of Iran's Greco-Roman team, training in Tehran, defended the selection process and the fans who have a say on everything in Iran wrestling.

Hassan RANGRAZ (IRI)Iran's national Greco-Roman coach Hassan RANGRAZ during the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Excerpts:

- How do you see the success of Iran Greco-Roman team at the Paris Olympics?

Rangraz: In my opinion, the result of the Paris Olympics, with four medals, two of them gold, was a remarkable achievement in the history of Greco-Roman wrestling for Iran. This success was primarily due to the six years of planning by the federation, the efforts of former head coaches and previous coaches. I played a very small part in this journey.

- What is it like in the national camp for Iran?

Rangraz: Right after the Olympics, with a very short break, we began our planning. From the Olympics to the 2025 World Championships, we will have 22 training camps, totaling 220 days. We will also be competing for nearly 80 days. Out of the 365 days in a year, our wrestlers will be under direct supervision of the coaching staff for about 300 days. They will follow intense training programs and preparation matches. Even during the remaining 60 days, they will still be monitored indirectly through technical and strength training programs provided by the coaching staff.

- Iran's selection process often comes under scrutiny. Despite that, it keeps producing results. What are you thoughts on the current selection process in Iran?

Rangraz: We have a process and young wrestlers can enter this cycle to compete and prove their worth. The prime examples of this process are Esmaeili and Mohammadi. They shone in domestic and international tournaments, competed with top wrestlers in their weight classes. They performed and won Olympic medals. We are committed to implementing the national team’s selection process and giving talented young wrestlers the opportunity to prove themselves. This way, we can execute the talent identification process in the best possible way.

- What are the responsibilities and challenges as the national coach?

Rangraz: Wrestling is the number one sport in Iran and our national, patriotic, and traditional sport. Wrestling is part of Iran’s culture. Therefore, taking on the technical responsibility as the head coach primarily brings stress, anxiety, and immense pressure. On top of that, you have to be accountable for the results and take responsibility for the team’s performance. In terms of difficulty, I can confidently say that considering the intense scrutiny, being the head coach of the national team is so challenging it’s like working in a mine.

- The fans of Iranian wrestling are always involved. How do you see this and does it affect you in any way?

Rangraz: As I mentioned earlier, 80 million Iranians have a deep love for wrestling. Perhaps that’s why a tournament that may not hold much significance for people from other countries is so important to our people. They follow it closely, they care about it, they rejoice in victories and worry about defeats. This immense passion and support from fans is the greatest strength and asset for wrestling in our country.

- What is the roadmap for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?

Rangraz: We believe that the Olympic Games are just around the corner. Four years go by very quickly. To succeed in the Olympics, you need to work hard, but also work smart. You can’t afford to miss a single training session or day. With this mindset and determination and knowing how high and legitimate the expectations are, we continue on our path with great strength, despite all the pressures we feel in every competition.

I believe the future of Iranian wrestling is very bright. Iran is passionate about wrestling. One of my dreams is that, just like in 1998 and 2002, we can once again host the World Wrestling Championships in Iran. The main reason for this is that nowhere else in the world will you find such passionate and numerous fans. These fans are the greatest asset of world wrestling, not just Iranian wrestling, and their expectation is to host a World Championship event.