Uzbekistan wrestlers had a prolific day at the Baku 2015 test event, winning every final they participated in ©Baku 2015

Uzbekistan’s wrestlers took centre stage in the cadet freestyle competition, as the third day of the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation Cup continued here tonight.

With Greco-Roman wrestling taking place across the opening two days of the event, the freestyle wrestlers were given their opportunity to test the venue in what is the test event for Baku 2015 and display their abilities in front of a passionate crowd.

Rustanbek Yurayev led the gold rush for Uzbekistan as he overcame home favourite Royal Agamaliyev in the 46 kilogram event.

Yurayev established an early advantage over his Azerbaijani opponent and despite the home crowd’s encouragement Agamaliyev was unable to turn the tide in the contest, eventually falling to a 6-0 defeat.

Uzbekistan's Yulomyev Abdullayev delivered an even more empathic victory in the 50kg division scoring 11 points against Kazakhstan’s Nuraly Kaiyrkbek on route to the title, with a well-executed counter-attacking strategy.

His compatriot Khasanboy Rakhimov then triumphed  in the men’s 100kg division.

The Uzbekistan team ended the day with a 100 per cent record in every freestyle event final which one of their athletes appeared in, after Abbos Rakhmonov clinched victory in a high scoring encounter in the 54kg division.

Rakhmonov, although eventually finishing on the top step of the medal podium, was forced to work hard for his victory in a contest with Russia’s Razambek Iamalov which enthralled the crowd, as he eventually triumphed 13-7.

The home crowd also saw their young athletes show promise for the future with victories in finals
The home crowd saw their young athletes show promise for the future with victories in finals of the Baku 2015 wrestling test event ©Baku 2015

“I am very satisfied,” said Uzbekistan head coach's Eshpulat Khidoyatov.

“I actually only expected two gold medals but we won four.

“The surprise was in the 100kg category, because he [Khasanboy Rakhimov] didn't even want to participate in the competition, but we both decided that he would take part.”

The home fans were in equally buoyant mood in the venue, which will also host judo and sambo at the inaugural European Games, after watching their cadets earn titles in the 58kg, 63kg, 69kg and 76kg divisions.

While the hosts and Uzbekistan earned multiple triumphs, Russia’s Sheymansur Idrisov progressed impressively through the rounds of 85kg discipline, before defeating Turkish wrestler Nail Segyak in the final.

The final day of the wrestling test event is due to take place tomorrow.



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