RIO DE JANEIRO (August 15) – Reigning and former world champs Riza KAYAALP (TUR) and Mijain LOPEZ NUNEZ (CUB) are set for a showdown of the world’s top two super heavyweights Monday, the second day of Greco-Roman events at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games.
World champion Kayaalp, 26, recorded a fall and a pair of technical falls on his way to Monday evening’s 130kg final at Carioca Arena 2 while 34-year-old Lopez notched three points decisions on his side of the bracket.
Lopez, who defeated London 2012 silver medalist Heike NABI (EST) in the round of 16, is seeking to become the third wrestler in the classic style to win three Olympic Games gold medals – after Carl WESTERGREN (SWE, 1920-1932) and Alexander KARELIN (RUS, 1988-1996).
In head-to-head match-ups, Kayaalp has wins in the finals of the 2011 and 2015 world championship finals, while Lopez defeated his young rival for the 2014 world title as well as in the semifinals of the 2009 world championships and at London 2012.
Meanwhile, world and European champion Zhan BELENYUK (UKR) seeks to add “Olympic Games gold medalist” to his list of achievements, but must get by 2015 European Games gold medalist David CHAKVEDTADZE (RUS) in the 85kg final.
Belenyuk advanced to the championship bout with a 6-0 win over 2013 bronze medalist Javid HAMZATOV (BLR), while Chakvetadze stopped two-time world bronze medalist Viktor LORINCZ (HUN), 7-1, in the other semifinal.
Belenyuk advanced to the championship bout with a 6-0 win over 2013 bronze medalist Javid HAMZATOV (BLR), while Chakvetadze stopped two-time world bronze medalist Viktor LORINCZ (HUN), 7-1, in the other semifinal.
Chakvatadze also defeated both 2015 world bronze medalists Saman TAHMASEBI (AZE) and Habibollah AKHLAGHI (IRI) in his first two bouts.
In a minor upset in the quarterfinals, Lorincz edged world silver medalist Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), 2-1.
Greco-Roman 85kg (21 entries)
Gold Medal Final
Zhan BELENYUK (UKR) v Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS)
Semifinals
Zhan BELENYUK (UKR) df. Javid HAMZATOV (BLR), 6-0
Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS) df. Viktor LORINCZ (HUN), 7-1
Bronze Medal Finals
Winner A – Javid HAMZATOV (BLR)
Winner C – Viktor LORINCZ (HUN)
Repechage
RpA – Ahmed SAAD (EGY) v Nikolay BAYRAKOV (BUL)
RpB – Saman TAHMASEBI (AZE) v Habibolla AKHLAGHI (IRI)
RpC – Winner RpB v Denis KUDLA (GER)
Greco-Roman 130kg (19 entries)
Gold Medal Final
Riza KAYAALP (TUR) v Mijain LOPEZ NUNEZ (CUB)
Semifinals
Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Eduard POPP (GER) by TF, 8-0, 1:53
Mijain LOPEZ NUNEZ (CUB) df. Sergey SEMENOV (RUS), 3-0
Bronze Medal Finals
Winner A v Eduard POPP (GER)
Winner B v Sergey SEMENOV (RUS)
Repechage
RpA – Edwin CARABALLO CABRERA (VEN) v Sabah SHARIATI (AZE)
RpB – Heike NABI (EST) v Johan EUREN (SWE)
