V. LORINCZ, KISS WIN BRONZE MEDALS, HOSTS IN 2ND AT SR WORLD C’SHIPS

BUDAPEST (September 21) – Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) and Balasz KISS (HUN) won a pair of bronze medals for Hungary putting the hosts in second place on the penultimate day of the senior wrestling world championships on Saturday, September 22.

With only one day and competition in three weight categories remaining at Papp Laszlo Budapest Sports Arena, Hungary has 24 points from three bronze medals, one point behind Russia and only four points in front of tradition Greco-Roman powers Armenia and Azerbaijan.

World University Games champion Nikita MELNIKOV (RUS) edged European champion and archrival Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), 2-2 on criteria, in the final at 96kg to give Russia the lead in the team rankings heading into Sunday’s final day of competition.

Earlier, Ivo ANGELOV (BUL) edged IVAN KULYAKOV (RUS) in a repeat of their 60kg final at the European championships in March and Taleb Nariman NEMATPOUR (IRI) defeated Saman Ahman TAHMASEBI (AZE) at 84kg in a meeting for former teammates and rivals in Iran.

Wrestling in Greco-Roman concludes on Sunday, September 22, with competition in weight categories 66kg, 74kg and 120kg, bringing the curtain down on the 2013 world championships.

Greco-Roman

60kg – In the gold medal final, Universiade champion Ivan KUYLAKOV (RUS) scored single points with a pair of back-arching throws in the first period. In the second period, however, he was placed in par terre and gave European Ivo ANGELOV (BUL) a point from a leg penalty.

Given a second chance, ANGELOV took the lead with a tight gut wrench which he made stand for a 3-2 victory and his first world title.

In the bronze medal finals, 2012 Asia bronze medal winner WOO Seung-Joo (KOR) captured a front headlock in par terre and threw Edward BARSEGJAN (POL) over for three points midway through the first period on his way to a 7-0 technical fall.

In an all-central Asia encounter, Asia champion Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) erupted for a series of gut wrenches in the second period to roar from behind and claim an 11-6 triumph over 2011 world silver medalist Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ).

84kg – Asian Games champion Taleb Nariman NEMATPOUR (IRI) uncorked a front headlock and throw-over for a 2-0 lead at the intermission.  Two-time Olympian Saman Ahman TAHMASEBI (AZE) scored a lift and turn from the par terre position for a 3-2 lead.

With time ticking away, NEMATPOUR went back to the front headlock for another turn — this time for three points – and the victory.

Universiade bronze medalist Javid HAMZATAU (BLR) scored a late shuck and go-behind takedown to erase an earlier gut wrench by London 2011 Olympic Games bronze medalist Damian JANIKOWSKI (POL) and win a 2-2 decision on last-point criteria.

Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) hammered away on veteran Rami HIETANIEMI (FIN) and received a penalty point early in the second period. HIETANIEMI, a 2011 world bronze medalist, had one last chance in par terre to reverse the match, but LORINCZ stepped over his gut wrench attempt for a point and the match.

96kg – European champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) forces his rival out-of-bounds for a quick 1-0 lead but gives the point back with a penalty in par terr.  Nikita MELNIKOV (RUS) followed with a gut wrench for one point and lead, but ALEKSANYAN got another force-out to draw level at 2-2.

In the final 15 seconds, ALEKSANYAN appeared to believe that he had the tie-breaker with the last point.  Instead, MELNIKOV enjoyed the advantage with fewer penalties, 1-2, during the bout.  Despite the shouts from his corner, ALEKSANYAN seemed to be content to protect his “advantage,” only to learn he had lost when time expired.

In the bronze medal matches, 2009 world champion Balasz KISS (HUN) earned a force-out point in the first period, then scored with a bodylock going out of bounds for three points as he ran over Universiade bronze medal winner Mahdi ALIYARIFEIZABADI (IRI), 5-3.

Former European bronze medalist Shalva GADABADZE (AZE) scored one point with an arm throw attempt and then in par terre picked up another point with a gut wrench to edge Norikatsu SAIKAWA (JPN), 2-1.

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