On 13 September, 26-year-old Circassian strongman Bilyal Makhov (Махуэ Билял) from Nalchik, Kabarda, won the bronze medal in Men's Greco-Roman Wrestling in the 130-kg category at the 2014 FILA World Wrestling Championships, which were held in the period September 8 to 14 in Tashkent, Uzbekistan.
Makhov's progress to bronze:
Qualification Round: Makhov beats Japans' Arata Sonoda. [Watch the fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vd21qXNM8XE]
1/8 Finals: Makhov beats Iakob Kajaia of Georgia (10-2) in the Round of 16. [Fight, on 13 September, lasted 5 minutes and 10 seconds; Bilyal came back from 0-2 to dominate the match].
Quarterfinals: Makhov prevails over Johan Magnus Eurén of Sweden (2-1). [Watch the fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hai6O__b1ws]
Semifinals: Makhov narrowly loses to Cuba's Mijaín López (0-1). [Watch the fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=olgkujUK5zw]
Final 3-5: Makhov completely dominates the fight with Germany's Eduard Popp (9-0) to secure (joint) third place and the bronze medal. [Watch the fight: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xAE95omnegw]
Official results of Men's Greco-Roman Wrestling 130-kg Category:
Gold - Mijaín López (CUB)
Silver - Rıza Kayaalp (TUR)
Bronze - Bilyal Makhov (CIR)
Bronze - Heiki Nabi (EST)
Makhov is three times Freestyle World Wrestling Champion in the under-120 kg weight category and was a bronze medalist at the 2012 London Olympics. He has recently made the switch from Freestyle wrestling to Greco-Roman. His ultimate ambition is to win Olympic Gold before retiring.