BAKU, Azerbaijan (November 4) -- When Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) came to know that Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) will also be at the opening press conference for the Greco-Roman World Cup, he drove to the team hotel to pick up Akbudak.
Though aware that the two teams can compete in the World Cup final on Sunday, Huseynov puts that rivalry aside to set an example of hospitality, not just for Akbudak but for participants as well.
"We are friends," Huseynov said. "We have known each other for a long time."
At most competitions, the two would be busy with the preparations to win a medal at the World or European Championships. But the World Cup provides an opportunity for the wrestlers to engage more. The relaxed feel of the tournament also allows the wrestlers to mix with each other.
Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) and Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) wrestling at the 2021 World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)
Huseynov and Akbudak have been wrestling together for the last six years. A common language, cultural similarities and the same weight class have helped them become even closer.
"We are like brothers in wrestling," Huseynov said. "We train together in camps and we meet every competition. So we became close friends."
Azerbaijan and Turkiye have hosted numerous training camps together and it was at one of these camps in 2015 that Akbudak and Huseynov, sparring partners, became friends.
But along with the friendship comes the rivalry. Since both compete in the same weight class, the two face each other on the mat at international tournaments.
Both have met three times with Huseynov winning two bouts and Akbudak winning one, in February 2022, incidentally in his hometown Istanbul. In 2021, Huseynov became a world champion at 82kg by beating Akbudak 2-1 in the gold medal bout.
Huseynov did not forget to respect Akbudak after winning the gold and carried the Turkiye flag along with the Azerbaijan flag during the celebrations.
Even in Baku, one can see flags of Azerbaijan and Turkiye being hoisted together on balconies, in malls and even in public transport denoting the close relationships between the two countries.
With another bout between the two peers looming at the World Cup, this time in Huseynov's backyard Baku, both are ready to put the friendship aside and put on a show for the fans.
"When we wrestle, we wrestle to win," Huseynov said. "That's the plan. But if I win or him, we win together."
Akbudak, the newly crowned world champion, echoed the same thoughts as he leads a talented Turkish team into the World Cup. Turkiye faces a strong Iran team in the morning session Saturday.
"We are very close friends for long," Akbudak said. "It has more to do with Turkiye and Azerbaijan being close countries now. We hope to win as well."
Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) and Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (UWW) will resume their rivalry at the Greco-Roman World Cup. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)
The Greco-Roman World Cup will see Azerbaijan and the All-World team in Group A after Serbia had to pull out due to COVID-19 cases in the camp.
Azerbaijan will hope to win this battle against the All-World team, participating for the first time in the World Cup, and reach the final.
"As you know the Greco-Roman team of Azerbaijan has been performing stronger," Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), a two-time world champion, said. "It doesn't matter if world champion or not, there is always more pressure when wrestling in the home country and in Baku.
"But we want to win and prove that Azerbaijan is a strong team."
The All-World team will have Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (UWW) at 55kg who would hope to get his first win over Azizli. Among other losses, two of them have come in the World Championships finals.
World Championships silver medalists Leri ABULADZE (UWW), Zoltan LEVAI (UWW) and Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UWW) are among other stars part of the All-World team.
All-World team member Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (UWW) at the press conference in Baku. (Photo: UWW / Dogukan Karadag)
At 130kg, Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) will represent the team and was motivated to perform at the World Cup, an opportunity he thinks will rarely come his way.
"I may not ever be part of the World Cup as a team Lithuania," Knystautas said. "But I am motivated to wrestle with other guys in the world who are the best. It's a celebration of wrestling and I am proud to represent Lithuania."
In Group B, Iran will open the session against Turkiye before the two teams collide against Kyrgyzstan. In all likelihood, the winner of the Iran-Turkiye clash will reach the gold medal bout.
Apart from Akbudak, Turkiye boasts of Kerem KAMAL (TUR), Selcuk CAN (TUR), Yunus BASAR (TUR), Metehan BASAR (TUR) and Osman YILDIRIM (TUR).
Iran too has brought a strong squad with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI), Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI), Mehdi BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI) and Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI).
Wrestling begins at 1000 hours local time and will be live on uww.org and the UWW official app which can be downloaded from Google Play Store | Apple App Store.
