Azerbaijani wrestlers Haji Aliyev and Jabrayil Hasanov reached the top of the European podium for the third time in their careers and helped Azerbaijan carry a five-point lead over the Russian Federation into the final day of freestyle wrestling at the European Championships, AzVision.Az reported. 

Returning European champion Haji Aliyev pitched a shutout against Turkey’s Selahattin Kilicsallayan in the 65kg finals and brought his overall continental title total to three. Aliyev now has as many European titles as he does world titles. 

Another Azerbaijani wrestler Jabrayil Hasanov won his third European title after receiving an injury defeat in the 79kg finals.

Jabrayil Hasanov was the second Azerbaijani who won a European title on the second day of wrestling at Bucharest’s Pollyvalent Hall. Though it wasn’t the way he wanted to win, the reigning world runner-up won his third European championship with an injury default win over Akhmed Gadzhimagomedov (RUS) who was unable to compete after injuring his right knee on Monday night in the semifinals.

Azerbaijan also picked up points from Aghahuseyn Mustafayev's 70kg second-place finish, and bronze medal finishes from Mahir Amiraslanov and Nurmagomed Gadzhiyev at 57kg and 92kg respectively.

The Russian Federation, thanks to Abdulrashid SADULAEV’s gold-medal performance at 97kg, along with four other medals, head into the last day of freestyle wrestling in second place with 95 points.

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