#WrestleSkopje

Three Gold, Three Finalists as Russia Close-in on Greco-Roman title

Saturday, May 22, 2021 - 20:18 By Vinay Siwach

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Russia took a step closer to winning the Greco-Roman team title after entering three more wrestlers in the finals apart from winning three gold and two bronze medals on the penultimate day of the U23 European Championships.

The three gold medals are already a better record than the last U23 Euros in which Russia claimed only two gold of 10.

They have a chance to double that on Sunday as Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS), Shamil OZHAEV (RUS) and Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) entered the final at 60kg, 82kg and 97kg.

Ukraine and Hungary also managed to advance two wrestlers each to the finals while Turkey, Armenia and Georgia got one each at the Jane Sansadski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Led by the senior Russian Championships silver medalist Allakhiarov, Russia had four wrestlers in the semifinal with Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS) falling short.

Allakhiarov wrestled junior World Championships silver medalist Tigran MINASYAN (ARM) in the semifinal at 60kg and made it look easy with his control of the center. Minasyan was the first to attack but Allakhiarov countered with a body lock throw for four points. A stepout made it 5-0.

The Russian performed a takedown in the second period to lead 7-0 and almost had the fall but Minasyan rolled out. A successful challenge from Armernia only delayed the eventual result as Allakhiarov won 7-0.

He will take on Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR) who defeated Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN) 5-2 in the other semifinal, which saw all the points scored in the first period.

Kecskemeti scored with a stepout before he was awarded a point for Kurochkin's passivity. But during the following par terre position, he lost control and the Ukrainian reversed it and also slammed him for four points lead 5-2, a margin which remained till the end of the bout.

His teammate Andrii KULIK (UKR) also made it to the final on Saturday. In the 72kg semifinal against Martun BADALIAN (BLR), Kulik scored two stepouts before been awarded the passivity point. Leading 3-0, he got a gut and then held the position to win via fall in just 2:19.

From the other semifinal, Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) wrestled accoring to his reputation and reached the semifinal after defeating Kutuzov. The Individual World Cup and European silver medalist opened the scoring with a stepout before the referee called Kutuzov for inactivity.

Amoyan completed a throw from par terre position to lead 4-0. Kutuzov did score a stepout but that was all, Amoyan winning the bout 4-1.

At 82kg, returning bronze medalist Tamas LEVAI (HUN) improved on his performance and made it to the final with a close 2-1 win over senior European bronze medalist Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO).

Levai was the first to be given passive but Rikadze was warned in the seccond period, giving Levai the criteria at 1-1. He scored a stepout with an arm lock in the final few seconds of the bout. The Georgian corner wanted to challenge the call Rikadze refused.

Levai will now take on Ozhaev who took no time to beat Arminas LYGNUGARIS (LTU) 8-0 in the other semifinal. After scoring a stepout, he was awarded a point for Lygnugaris' passivity. From the par terre position, Ozhaev slammed a throw for four points. A takedown later, he pocketed the bout in 2:14.

Another Russian to successfully reach the final was Sargsian as he also won 8-0 against Michail IOSIFIDIS (GRE) at 97kg. He was even quicker than Ozhaev, finishing the bout in just 1:37. He scored via three takedowns and a throw for two to finish the bout with technical superiority.

The other semifinal at this weight was much more closer as Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) etched out a 4-3 win over Ondrej DADAK (CZE). At the end of the bout, both wrestler took a few seconds to catch there breath.

They were awarded points for passivity but it was Katsanashvili who managed an exposure from the par terre position to lead 3-3. Dadak scored a reversal at this point to reduce the lead to 3-2. He later scored a stepout but Katsanashvili held the criteria 3-3.

With both wrestlers struggling to match the intensity of the bout, it was the Georgian who kept his cool and scored a stepout to lead 4-3 while Dadak, despite his tries, failed to score.

Turkey also had a finalist as Kadir KAMAL (TUR) ended the hopes of Oleksii MASYK (UKR) with a 6-2 win in the 67kg semifinal. Kamal led 1-0 as Masyk was warned for inactivity but he quickly gave it up with a lost challenge as he claimed a gut wrench from par terre position. The judges did not think the same.

But like any smart wrestler, he made sure he has the clear lead. He went big with a shoulder throw and got two points. A stepout gave another point. Just before the break, he scored a takedown by snapping Masyk down to lead 6-1.

Masyk managed only a stepout in the second period but could avoid the defeat.

From the other side of the bracket, Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) entered the final after a agonisingly close 4-3 win against Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE).

In a bout that saw a number of interruptions, mainly for medical attention to Vancza's bleeding, Jafarov had almost pulled of the win but a Hungary challenge denied him.

Vancza led 1-0 after Jafarov was passive but was awarded two more points as the referee thought the Azerbaijan wrestler was using his head to hit Vancza. A successful challenge from Azerbaijan reversed the decision.

But soon after, the referee did awarded the Hungarian the two points in the second period. Jafarov again challenged the call. He lost, making the score 4-0. He roared back with a takedown and another one soon to make it 4-4. A step out in the same action made it 5-4.

Hungary challenged the latest takedown saying Jafarov used his legs in the action. The video replays confirmed that and the score was reversed to 4-2 for the Hungarian. A late stepout was not enough for Jafarov in the 4-3 defeat.

Komarov leads Russia to three gold

Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) has medals from cadet, junior and senior level continental championships. On Saturday, he completed his medal cabinet with a gold medal at the U23 level as well.

Making his debut at this age-group, the Russian defeated Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) 6-1 in the 87kg final to win the gold medal.

Tchkuaselidze was the aggressive wrestler of the two as he pressured Komarov in the first minute. During one such attack, he had the Russian on the edge but Komarov used the Georgian's momentum to reverse the attack and score a takedown.

Another takedown gave him a 4-0 lead before Tchkuaselidze answered with a stepout. Komarov in his composed and laid back wrestling scored another takedown to lead 6-1 at the break. The scorers were not troubled till the six minutes expired.

This was the second of Russia's three golds on Saturday. Junior world champion Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) also claimed his first U23 Euro gold after beating Per OLOFSSON (SWE) 5-2 at 77kg.

A big four point throw and the passivity point were enough for Stepanov to counter Olofsson's opening takedown in the final.

The gold medal at 130kg also went to Russia as Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) beat David OVASAPYAN (ARM) 5-1 in the final.

Laptev got going after sneaking out of a dangerous position to duck under and put Ovasapyan on his back for two points. A passivity warning against Ovasapyan made it 3-0 for the Russian.

But later, Laptev was warned for passivity to see his lead being reduced to two points. As Ovasapyan was looking for a turn from par terre position, Laptev reversed it to lead 4-1. Armenia challenged the call but lost.

But his teammate Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) had a different ending to his tournament. In the 63kg final, he defeated Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) 4-1 to win the gold medal.

Zaur ALIYEV U23 European Championships

At 55kg, a thrilling final saw junior World Championships silver medalist Zaur ALIYEV (TUR) win the gold medal over Adem UZUN (TUR), thanks to a successful challenge at the beginning of the bout.

Aliyev tried and shoulder throw but failed. Uzun got the takedown and a gut wrench to lead 4-0. Azerbaijan challenged the call and won, reversing the score to 0-0.

The deadlock was broken when Uzun was called passive and Aliyev led 1-0. Later, it was the turn of Aliyev to be in par terre and Uzun managed an exposure to lead 3-1.

With just over a minute left, Aliyev got Uzun in front head lock and looked at his corner, with his coach instructing him for a roll. He did exactly that and rolled Uzun for two points to lead 3-3.

He maintained the criteria, despite desperate attempts from Uzun, for the win.

The final medal bouts of the remaining Greco-Roman weight classes will be held on Sunday, the final day of the U23 event, the first after 592 days of absence.

Results: GR Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) vs Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR)

SF 1: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) df Tigran MINASYAN (ARM), 7-0
SF 2: Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR) df Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN), 5-2

67kg
GOLD: Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) vs Kadir KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) df Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), 4-3
SF 2: Kadir KAMAL (TUR) df Oleksii MASYK (UKR), 6-2

72kg
GOLD: Andrii KULIK (UKR) vs Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Andrii KULIK (UKR) df Martun BADALIAN (BLR), via fall (5-0)
SF 2: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS), 4-1

82kg
GOLD: Tamas LEVAI (HUN) vs Shamil OZHAEV (RUS)

SF 1: Tamas LEVAI (HUN) df Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO), 2-1
SF 2: Shamil OZHAEV (RUS) df Arminas LYGNUGARIS (LTU), 8-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) vs Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) df Michail IOSIFIDIS (GRE), 8-0
SF 2: Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) df Ondrej DADAK (CZE), 4-3

GR Medal Results

55kg
GOLD: Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) df Adem UZUN (TUR), 3-3

BRONZE: Bajram SINA (ALB) df Denis DEMIROV (BUL), 12-9
BRONZE: Mavlud RIZMANOV (RUS) df Denis MIHAI (ROU), 16-5

63kg
GOLD: Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) df Niklas Jan Olov Pontus OEHLEN (SWE), 4-1

BRONZE: Aliaksandr PECHURENKA (BLR) df Abdulkadir SAYDAM (TUR), 8-2
BRONZE: Rakhman TAVMURZAEV (RUS) df Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 4-2

77kg
GOLD: Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) df Per OLOFSSON (SWE), 5-2

BRONZE: Erkan ERGEN (TUR) df Mikita KAZAKOU (BLR), 7-2
BRONZE: Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM) df Nikoloz TCHIKAIDZE (GEO), 11-2

87kg
GOLD: Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) df Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO), 6-1

BRONZE: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR), 1-1
BRONZE: Svetoslav NIKOLOV (BUL) df Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM), 4-1

130kg
GOLD: Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) df David OVASAPYAN (ARM), 5-1

BRONZE: Fatih BOZKURT (TUR) df Delian ALISHAHI (SUI), 9-0
BRONZE: Dariusz VITEK (HUN) df Franz RICHTER (GER), 5-4

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview

Monday, September 8, 2025 - 13:14 By Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 6) -- For nearly a decade, the 97kg Freestyle wrestling division was defined by two names: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) and Kyle SNYDER (USA). From 2015 to 2017, Snyder ruled the mat, winning Olympic and World titles.

Sadulaev then took over from 2018 to 2021, claiming every major gold. When Sadulaev missed the 2022 Worlds, Snyder reclaimed the top spot.

But in 2023, a new force emerged -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN). He stunned the wrestling world by beating both Snyder and Sadulaev in Belgrade, claiming the world title. In 2024, he repeated his feat in Paris, solidifying his status as the man to beat at 97kg.

Now, Tazhudinov enters Zagreb as the wrestler to beat, but he’ll face stiff competition from veterans looking for redemption and rivals who came close to beating him.

 

Snyder, who missed the podium in Paris, remains dangerous. He once pushed Sadulaev to the limit before the latter adjusted. Snyder also fell in Albania to Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), the current Asian champion. Yoshida, blends Iranian and Japanese techniques and has excellent underhook defense and is a serious medal contender.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO)Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is a three-time European champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is another name to watch. He won Olympic silver in Paris but was pinned quickly by Tazhudinov. Still, as the number two seed, he avoids Tazhudinov until the final and must contend with Snyder, Yoshida, and possibly Sadulaev on his side of the bracket.

Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), seeded number five, came closest to beating Tazhudinov in Paris, leading 3-0 before surrendering two late takedowns to lose 4-3. Back from injury, his fitness will be key if the two meet again in Zagreb.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), Kazakhstan’s first freestyle world champion, also pushed Tazhudinov hard at the Asian Championships but couldn’t close the match. He’s a strong bet for the podium. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) returns after a bronze in Paris and a silver at the 2023 World Championships, remains a serious threat in one of the deepest brackets in the championships.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN)Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) defeated Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) in the 65kg Olympic final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Olympic final rematch on cards

Apart from Tazhudinov, Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) is the only other Freestyle Olympic champion in Zagreb. At 65kg, all four returning medalists from Paris are entered, though Islam DUDAEV (ALB) will wrestle at 70kg.

A repeat of the 2024 Olympic final is expected at 65kg, with Kiyooka and silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) on course to collide if seeding holds. Kiyooka has never wrestled at a World Championships and skipped the season after winning gold in Paris, but his resume includes wins over world-class opponents. He beat Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to earn Japan’s Paris spot, and then defeated Asian champion Kaisei TANABE (JPN) twice to make the team for Zagreb.

Amouzad will be his biggest threat, looking to avenge the Olympic final. Barring that loss, the Iranian has been a consistent force, using his under-over technique to catch opponents off guard. If he can limit Kiyooka's relentless attacks and keep the match low-scoring, he may have a chance.

European champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), the world U23 champion, brings a full arsenal to challenge both Kiyooka and Amouzad. He could be the biggest disruptor in the bracket.

Sebastian RIVERA (PUR), an Olympic bronze and world silver medalist, could medal again despite not competing since Paris. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and SUJEET (IND) are also aiming for podium finishes.

Gold drought for Uguev

Beyond Kiyooka and Yoshida, other Japanese medal hopefuls include Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) at 61kg, world silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) at 70kg, Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) at 74kg, and the Ishiguro brothers at 86kg and 92kg.

Suda will have big shoes to fill as his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate Masanosuke ONO (JPN) rose to become the world champ last year. Suda faces an equally tough field with Zavur UGUEV (UWW), Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), and UDIT (IND) among others.

Takara SUDA (JPN)Takara SUDA (JPN) is the Asian champion at 61kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev, Olympic and 2019 world champion, returned to form by winning the European title in April. He finished fifth last year after losses to Ono and Vitali ARAJAU (USA). Can he now stop Suda, the Ranking Series and Asian champion? Suda has found ways to win but struggles with conditioning.

Abakarov, a former world champion, will also be in the mix, having beaten Uguev in 2023. Other contenders include Asian silver medalist Udit, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) -- back at 61kg -- and Jaxen FORREST (USA), who beat Arajau to claim the U.S. team spot.

Sidakov set to return

At 74kg, 2023 world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) has managed to recover just in time for the World Championships. He suffered an injury in his European Championships loss to Chermen VALIEV (ALB) and will likely go through the Albanian if he wants to defend his gold.

Also Read: Valiev opens up Olympics, his style

Valiev has had close encounters against Sidakov and the win at Europeans was his first over Sidakov. His strategy to keep a close score or defend a lead may not always play out well. But his defensive skills are top notch, and he doesn't let anyone score easily.

Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) and David CARR (USA) are two youngsters who can surprise a few. Both have lethal attacks and can move quickly. Takahashi won the clash in Budapest but Carr nearly pulled off a comeback against a tiring Takahashi.

World silver medalist Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) would like to return to the podium, while Yones EMAMI (IRI) and veteran Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) remain strong contenders.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), blue, and Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) wrestled in the 70kg final at 2024 World Championships. Kaipanov won gold. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Top-seeded Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) and world champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) will go for the 70kg title. Kaipanov defeated Aoyagi in last year’s final to win gold. Aoyagi seemed in form with a win at the Budapest Ranking Series but will be challenged in Zagreb.

Kaipanov won 74kg gold at the Asian Championships but is now back at 70kg to defend his world title. While Aoyagi is a key challenger, others may break Kaipanov’s defensive wall.

Former world silver medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will be the biggest threat as he hunts for his first world title. His attacking style troubles many, though his conditioning is still a work in progress. The field is deeper with Asian champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), who entertains with crafty moves, though that can be his undoing.

Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), a Paris Olympian and second to Akmataliev in Asia, is also a medal threat. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will be at 70kg. Saiyn KAZYRYK (UWW) can make a run to the final but will be tested on the international level.

PJ DUKE (USA), coming off a world U20 gold, and world medalist Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), will look to add to their success.

Spencer LEE (USA)Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE (USA) is chasing his first world title at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Lee chases world gold

In other weight classes, Spencer LEE (USA) will be looking to win a world medal. A United States wrestler winning the gold medal in the lowest weight category is a rare occurrence. Thomas GILMAN (USA) won gold in 2021 and silver in 2022; however, the country drew a blank in 2023.

Now, Paris Olympic silver medalist Lee is primed to win gold at 57kg in Zagreb. This will be his first World Championships, but he is the favorite to claim the title. It is unlikely he will face much trouble, but if he does, it will likely come from 2023 world bronze medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) and Paris bronze medalists AMAN (IND) and Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB).

The field is further intensified by Asian champion Chong Song HAN (PRK), European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), and Iran’s Ali MOMENI (IRI).

At 79kg, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW), world champion in 2023, should have no trouble winning his second title despite familiar foes like Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI).

Usmanov defeated both en route to his 2023 gold and has since won the European Championships in 2024 and 2025. In the final in Slovakia, Usmanov overcame veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA).

Khadjiev remains a podium contender but recently suffered a close loss to Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) in Budapest, making the Greek wrestler a real medal threat. Also not to be counted out is Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), who has consistently been competitive at the World Championships.

New dawn at 86kg
The 86kg category will see a big shift in Zagreb. Since 2017, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and David TAYLOR (USA) have shared the gold medals at Worlds. However, that near-decade-long reign is ending. Taylor has retired, and Yazdani has moved up a weight class, skipping this year.

So who will be champion in Zagreb? Two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), second to Yazdani at 86kg, will be the favorite. He was competing at 92kg and was close to a third world title before losing heartbreakingly in the semifinals to Sadulaev.

Also Read: "I was destroyed" - Ghasempour on Sadulaev loss

Now back at the Olympic weight class, Ghasempour aims to deliver his best performance in Zagreb. He is unseeded, which means he can be drawn anywhere in the bracket.

The weight class is packed with talent. European silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) is thriving at 86kg and nearly won gold at the European Championships. Former world U20 champion Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) is another strong contender despite limited top-level international experience.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) has improved significantly over the past year and is a potential podium finisher with his attacking pace. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) are dark horses who could surprise in this competitive field.

PodiumAll four 2025 European Championships medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), left, Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), second from left, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), third from left, and Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) are medal threats in Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time world silver medalists Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), European champion Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), and former world silver medalists Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) and Deepak PUNIA (IND) make the 92kg category one of the toughest in Zagreb.

Though he lacks a World Championships medal, Trent HIDLAY (USA) is a top gold-medal contender after winning gold in Budapest. He is currently one of the strongest wrestlers globally.

Firouzpour, moving into the spotlight after Ghasempour’s shift down a weight class, enters Zagreb as a favorite. Though new to Worlds, his Iranian style with underhook pushouts and takedowns makes him a serious threat.

Nurmagomedov and Kurugliev battled at the European Championships and Budapest, with Kurugliev prevailing both times. Maisuradze remains a strong competitor despite a recent dip in form.

At 125kg, Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) stands head and shoulders above the rest, though European champion Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), and Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) aim to challenge him.