MINSK, 7 May (BelTA) – Belarusian freestyle wrestler Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov (74kg) booked his ticket to the Tokyo Summer Olympic Games at the 2021 World Wrestling Olympic Qualification Tournament in Sofia, Bulgaria, BelTA has learned.
The Belarusian defeated Arsalan Budazhapov of Kyrgyzstan 5-1 in the opener. Then, Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov secured a solid win over Mihail Sava of Moldova, 11-1. In the quarterfinal the Belarusian saw off 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Soner Demirtas of Turkey 8-4. In the semifinal the Belarusian wrestler beat 2021 European champion Taimuraz Salkazanov of Slovakia.
Belarusian freestyle wrestlers Uladzislau Andreyeu (57kg) and Niurgun Skriabin (65kg) lost in the round of Last 16.
According to the competition rules, athletes who reach the final qualify for the Olympic Games. Vasyl Mykhailov of Ukraine won the second Olympic berth in 74kg. The Belarusian will face him in the final on 7 May.
The Belarusian freestyle wrestling team have so far won four Olympic berths, including those by Ali Shabanau (86kg), Aliaksandr Hurshtyn (97kg), and Dzianis Khramiankou (125kg).
The 32rd Olympic Games in Tokyo will take place on 23 July – 8 August 2021. The freestyle wrestling tournament will feature six medal events.
