There is a chance for 4 bronze medals at the European Championship

The European Wrestling Championship has begun in Bratislava, the capital of Slovakia.

On the first day of competition, finalists in freestyle wrestling in the 57, 65, 70, 79, and 97 kg categories were determined.

Islam Bazarqanov (57 kg), who joined the competition from the quarterfinals, confidently defeated last year’s European silver medalist from Turkey, Muhammet Karavuş, with a score of 8-1. However, Bazarqanov lost in the semifinals to Russia’s European silver medalist, Naçın Monquş, with a score of 0-5 and will compete for a bronze medal tomorrow. His opponent will be the winner of the match between Ivaylo Tisov (Bulgaria) and Manvel Xndzrtsyan (Armenia).

Ali Rahimzadeh (65 kg) first defeated Ayub Musayev, a Belgian of Dagestani origin, with a score of 7-2. In the quarterfinals, he dominated Niko Megerley of Germany, winning 10-0. Rahimzadeh lost in the semifinals to Chechen-born French wrestler Khamzat Arsamerzoyev by a narrow margin of 3-4. Ali will fight for the bronze medal against the winner of the match between Stefan Koman (Romania) and Andrey Svirid (Ukraine).

Kenan Heybetov (70 kg) defeated Austrian Benedikt Huber by a technical fall, 10-0, in the first round. In the quarterfinals, he won 4-1 against Bulgaria’s Mihail Georgiev. However, Heybetov lost in the semifinals to Russian world champion David Bayev with a score of 0-3. Kenan will fight for third place against either Ismail Musukayev (Hungary) or Viktor Voynovich (Serbia).

Orkhan Abasov (79 kg) lost to Zalimkhan Khadzhiev, a French wrestler of Dagestani origin, 5-9 in the qualification round. Since Khadzhiev advanced to the final, Abasov will face Slovakian Aksarbek Gulayev in a consolation match tomorrow.

Abubakr Abakarov (97 kg) won by pin (9-5) against Ukrainian Vasil Sovay, but in the quarterfinals, he lost to Hungary’s Richard Veg with a score of 2-5.