SZOMBATHELY, Hungary (March 23) – Rio 2016 gold medalist Davor STEFANEK (SRB) and reigning world champion Balint KORPASI (HUN) bring star power to the inaugural Polyak Imre Memorial wrestling tournament as a busy month in Greco-Roman nears its end this weekend.
Stefanek opens the two-day event on Saturday seeking his second triumph in Szombathely – and a fifth medal overall – at Arena Savaria after winning the 66kg crown in 2014.
Stefanek, also a 2014 world champion, faces challenges from European Games silver medalist Soslan DAUROV (BLR), who took a silver medal at the Vehbi Emre tourney in early March, and last year’s European under-23 champion Mateusz BERNATEK (POL).
Korpasi, meanwhile, will be joined by 2014 world champion Peter BACSI (80kg) as well as 2009 world champ Balasz KISS (98kg), both Rio 2016 Olympians, on the final day of competition.
Korpasi, crowned at the world championships last December in Budapest, will attempt to repeat as Szombathely titlist at 71kg, but faces a potential showdown with London 2012 gold medalist Omid NOROOZI (IRI).
Bacsi is back at 80kg after reaching the bronze medal finals in Rio at 75kg, and faces a field that includes defending champion Pavel POMINCHUK (BLR), 2015 world silver medalist Viktor SASUNOVSKI (BLR) and reigning European champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (GEO).
Kiss also takes on a competitive field at 98kg, including Aleksander HRABOVIC (BLR) with a win this month at Vehbi Emre, but Kiss may face his toughest challenge from local rival Adam VARGA (HUN) -- a bronze medal winner here last year.
Another Hungarian trio will also have the locals on their feet throughout the first day of wrestling in Szombathely, western Hungary.
Tamas LORINCZ (HUN), defending champ at 66kg, has moved up to 75kg for his first competition since Rio de Janiero and will take on last year’s European silver medalist Viktor NEMES (SRB) and 2012 junior world champ Kazbek KILOV (BLR).
Meanwhile, Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) is entered at 85kg seeking his first win in Szombathely after bronze medals in his last three visits here, but he will have to get by Rio 2016 bronze medal winner Javid HAMZATOV (BLR) and European silver medalist Robert KOBLIASHVILI (GEO).
World student champion Balint LAM (HUN), a winner in Zagreb earlier this month, takes on London 2012 silver medalist Heike NABI (EST) and Iosif CHUGOSHVILI (BLR), a bronze medal winner at last year’s European championships.
Meanwhile, wrestling at 59kg on Sunday, Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) aims to become the fourth wrestler from Japan to win the lightest weight category here over the last five years. Only world and Olympic champion Hamid SORYAN (IRI) was able to interrupt this streak in 2014.
Tournament namesake and UWW Hall of Fame member Imre POLYAK (HUN) is one the all-time greats in Greco-Roman, taking three silver medals at the Olympic Games (1952-1960) and finally grabbing the gold medal at Tokyo 1964. Polyak also won world titles in 1956, 1958 and 1962.
Schedule
Friday, March 24
17:30-18:30 – Medical Examination: GR 66kg, 75kg, 85kg & 130kg
18:30-19:00 – Weigh-In: GR 66kg, 75kg, 85kg & 130kg
Saturday, March 25
09:00-14:00 – Elimination Rounds: GR 66kg, 75kg, 85kg & 130kg
14:00-15:00 – Medical Examination: GR 59kg, 71kg, 80kg & 98kg
15:00-15:30 – Weigh-In: GR 59kg, 71kg, 80kg & 98kg
16:00-17:30 – Repechage: GR 66kg, 75kg, 85kg & 130kg
17:30-18:00 – Opening Ceremony
18:00-19:30 – Finals & Award Ceremonies: GR 66kg, 75kg, 85kg & 130kg
Sunday, March 26
09:00-12:00 – Elimination Rounds: GR 59kg, 71kg, 80kg & 98kg
12:00-13:00 – Repechage: GR 59kg, 71kg, 80kg & 98kg
13:00-14:00 – Finals & Award Ceremonies: GR 59kg, 71kg, 80kg & 98kg
