The first ranking series tournament of the year, Zagreb Open, has officially kicked off in the Croatian capital.
Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers stepped onto the mat on the opening day, delivering a strong performance and securing one gold, two silver, and two bronze medals, Idman.biz reports.
Seniors - Freestyle
57 kg – Silver for Islam Bazarganov
Islam Bazarqanov started strong, defeating Serbia’s Azamat Tuskaev 3-1 in the quarterfinals. He continued his momentum in the semifinals with a dominant 10-0 victory over Iran’s Farhad Khateri. However, in the final, Bazarganov fell short against the USA’s Spencer Lee, settling for silver with a 2-6 loss.
61 kg – Bronze for Nuraddin Novruzov
After an early setback against Iran’s Ebrahim Khari (0-10) in the qualification round, Nuraddin Novruzov bounced back in the repechage, defeating Moldova’s Leomid Kolesnik with a commanding 14-3 victory. In the bronze medal match, he overcame Iran’s Reza Hossein Momenijoujadeh with an 8-4 win to secure his place on the podium.
65 kg – Bronze for Ali Rahimzada
Ali Rahimzada started with a victory over Poland’s Krzysztof Bienkowski (3-0) but faced defeat against the USA’s Joseph McKenna (4-7) in the quarterfinals. In the bronze medal bout, he redeemed himself by defeating Georgia’s Goga Otinashvili 6-0.
70 kg – Gold for Kenan Heybatov
Kenan Heybatov had a remarkable run, defeating Mexico’s Austin Gomez (9-5) in the qualification round, followed by a dominant 11-1 win over Poland’s Patryk Krzysztof Olenczyn in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he continued his strong form, beating Iran’s Ebrahim Esmaeil Elahichouran 10-5. Heybatov then clinched the gold medal with a stunning 12-1 victory against Iran’s Sina Khalili in the final.
74 kg – No Medal for Aghanazar Novruzov
Aghanazar Novruzov was eliminated in the quarterfinals by Slovakia’s Tajmuraz Mairbekovic Salkazanov (0-5). In the bronze medal match, he faced Georgia’s Giorgi Elbakidze but suffered a narrow 2-3 defeat, missing out on a podium finish.
86 kg – Silver for Arsenii Dzhioev
Arseniy Djioyev dominated his early matches, securing two technical superiority wins over Ukraine’s Mukhammed Aliyev and Georgia’s Tariel Gaphrindashvili (both 10-0). He then defeated the USA’s Trent Hidlay 5-0 in the semifinals. In the final, Dzhioev faced another American, Zahid Valencia, but fell short with a 0-8 loss, earning a silver medal.
Azerbaijan has sent a delegation of 33 wrestlers to compete in Zagreb Open, aiming for more podium finishes in the upcoming days.
Idman.biz
