Azerbaijani wrestlers win 13 medals on first day of Golden Grand Prix Final

Baku, July 25 (AzerTAc). Azerbaijani freestyle wrestlers have claimed 13 medals on the first day of the Golden Grand Prix Final international wrestling tournament commemorating national leader Heydar Aliyev in Baku. Azerbaijani Khetag Gazyumov defeated the London 2012 Olympic Games gold and silver medal winners to grab his fourth light heavyweight crown in men’s freestyle. Olympic bronze medalist Gazyumov defeated London 2012 champion Jake Varner (USA) 5-1, in the first round at 97kg and then picked apart silver medalist Valeri Andriitsev (UKR) in the final with leg attacks and arm drags on his way to a 9-4 victory, avenging a loss to the Ukrainian in London. Gazumov’s win also capped a successful night for the tournament hosts with three champions, three silver and seven bronze medals. European champion Haji Aliyev picked apart world silver medalist Vladimir Dubov (BUL) by technical fall at 61kg, and Jabrayil Hasanov rolled up six points with an early gut wrench and fashioned a technical fall over defending champion and world bronze medalist Rashida Kurbanov (UZB) in the 74kg final. Other Azerbaijani wrestlers Ahmadnabi Gvarzatilov, Mahammad Muslimov and Emin Azizov grabbed silver, while Yashar Aliyev, Mahmud Mahammadov, Aghahuseyn Mustafayev, Ruslan Dibirhajiyev, Hajimurad Omerov, Alexander Gostiyev and Aslan Dzebisov won bronze medals. The competition continues Saturday, July 26, in all categories of female wrestling.