Aliyev Defeats Kuzko, Georgia Wins GR Team Title at Cadet European C'ships

SARAJEVAO, Bosnia and Herzegovina (July 30) – In a battle of returning world medalists, Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) came from behind to defeat Vladyslav KUZKO (UKR) to claim gold in Greco-Roman at 46kg on the final day of the Cadet European Championships. 

Trailing 1-0 at the break, Aliyev, a cadet world bronze medalist, used a four-point throw to grab a 4-1 lead early in the second period. He would add another four-pointer as time expired to win by seven over the returning European champion and world silver medalist. 

Russia captured two more gold medals on Sunday after winning one on the first day of Greco-Roman competition.  Winning gold for Russia on Sunday were Artem EROKHIN (63kg) and Aues GONIBOV (76kg).

Erokhin knocked off returning European bronze medalist Gergely BAK (HUN) 6-3 to take the title at 63kg. The Russian used an arm throw in the first period to pace him to victory. Erokhin outscored his opponents 46-7 in the tournament. 

Gonibov won his gold by shutting out Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) 2-0 in the championship match at 76kg. The only points in the match were scored in the first 30 seconds from a Gonibov takedown. 

Balint VATZI (HUN) captured the final gold medal of the Cadet European Championships, edging Mehmet ATCI (TUR) 1-1 on criteria in the finals at 100kg. Vatzi, who competed at 85kg in 2016, was unscored upon up until the finals, and then gave up a point in the first period against Atci. He eventually took the lead with a minute remaining in the match and held on for the narrow victory. Vatzi becomes Hungary's second 2017 gold medalist in Greco-Roman, joining Alex Gergo SZOKE (85kg), who won gold on Saturday. 

Beka GURULI (GEO) came back from a five-point deficit to defeat Myroslav SOLOVIAN (UKR) 10-7 in the finals at 54kg. Solovian went up 6-1 in the second period. Guruli came back to take a 7-6 lead before Guruli retook the lead on criteria with just over a minute remaining. The Georgian scored with a step out and takedown in the final minute to win by three. He joins teammate Giorgi SHOTADZE as a Greco-Roman gold medalist for Georgia. 

Georgia claimed the team title in Greco-Roman, finishing with 69 points. Russia finished second with 60 points, followed by Hungary with 50 points. 

Mukremin AKTAS (TUR) and Yazid GHARBI (FRA) won bronze medals at 46kg.

Bronze medals at 54kg were won by Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU) and Samvel AGHAJANYAN (ARM). 

Otar ABULADZE (GEO) and Ilya PRAKOPCHYK (BLR) were bronze medalists at 63kg. 

Istvan TAKACS (HUN) and Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) claimed the bronze medals at 76kg.

The final two bronze medals of the Cadet European Championships were won by Ciprian Ilie TRUFAN (ROU) and Erikas CEREPOKAS (LTU).

Results: Medal Matches

Greco-Roman

46kg (13 entries)
GOLD:  Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) df. Vladyslav KUZKO (UKR) by VPO1, 8-1  
BRONZE:  Mukremin AKTAS (TUR) df. Denis Krasimirov DEMIROV (BUL) by VPO1, 7-3  
BRONZE:  Yazid GHARBI (FRA) df. Ianvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) by VPO1, 4-1  

54kg (19 entries)
GOLD:  Beka GURULI (GEO) df. Myroslav SOLOVIAN (UKR) by VPO1, 10-7  
BRONZE:  Vilius SAVICKAS (LTU) df. Sondre SVARSTAD (NOR) by VSU, 8-0  
BRONZE:  Samvel AGHAJANYAN (ARM) df. Tsvetan Metodiev SIRASHKI (BUL) by VPO, 7-0  

63kg (29 entries)
GOLD:  Artem EROKHIN (RUS) df. Gergely BAK (HUN) by VPO1, 6-3  
BRONZE:  Otar ABULADZE (GEO) df. Emrullah CANDIR (TUR) by VSU, 8-0  
BRONZE:  Ilya PRAKOPCHYK (BLR) df. Nikalas Petrov SULEV (BUL) by VPO1, 3-1

76kg (24 entries)
GOLD:  Aues GONIBOV (RUS) df. Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) by VPO, 2-0  
BRONZE:  Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df. Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) by VPO1, 5-1  
BRONZE:  Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) df. Thomas Dominique Joseph DACHER (FRA) by VPO, 6-0  

100kg (17 entries)
GOLD:  Balint VATZI (HUN) df. Mehmet ATCI (TUR) by VPO1, 1-1  
BRONZE:  Ciprian Ilie TRUFAN (ROU) df. Ignat Sevinov MILENOV (BUL) by VPO, 3-0  
BRONZE:  Erikas CEREPOKAS (LTU) df. Oleksandr YEVDOKIMOV (UKR) by VPO1, 8-6