Successful Performance of Azerbaijani Wrestlers in Poreč
On May 31 and June 1, the second stop of the Beach Wrestling World Series was held in Poreč, Croatia. The Azerbaijani national team, led by head coach Oyan Nazariani, was represented in two weight categories:
- 80 kg – Vusal Aliyev
- 90 kg – Ibrahim Yusubov
Vusal Aliyev’s Impressive Debut
The 19-year-old young wrestler Vusal Aliyev made a strong debut in the senior category. Competing in Group B, he secured three victories, defeating Oleksii Kharchuk from Ukraine and Miljan Rajic from Serbia with a 3-0 score. In his final group match, he dominated Rodrik Lav from the USA with a 4-0 victory, advancing to the semifinals.
In the semifinals, Aliyev faced Vasyl Mykhailov from Ukraine but lost 0-2. However, in the bronze medal match, he once again met Lav and secured a 3-0 victory in just 13 seconds, earning a third-place finish 🥉 in his debut tournament.
Ibrahim Yusubov – Champion’s Journey
Three-time world champion Ibrahim Yusubov (90 kg) showcased his experience in Group A, defeating Leon Mayr from France and Kevin Grem from Germany with 3-0 victories. In the final group match, he overcame Saeid Largani from Iran with a 5-2 score.
Advancing as the group leader, Yusubov dominated Nazar Doda from Ukraine in the semifinals with a 3-0 victory. In the final, he faced another Ukrainian wrestler, Oleksii Yakovchuk, in a tense battle. Yusubov emerged victorious with a 3-2 score, claiming the gold medal 🥇 and standing atop the podium.
Next Stop
The third stop of the Beach Wrestling World Series will take place on September 6-7 in Casablanca, Morocco.
