Competing in his home country, 2017 beach wrestling world champion Semen RADULOV (UKR) turned in a strong performance at the Odessa Beach Wrestling World Series, winning gold and picking up the award for "Best Throw" of the competition.
Radulov, a 2016 European bronze medalist in freestyle wrestling, claimed the gold medal at 70kg with a with a 3-1 victory in the finals over Timothy BOX (USA). He was a silver medalist at last year's Beach World Championships, as well as a silver medalist at the Rio Beach Wrestling World Series in May.
The 29-year-old Ukrainian won the award for "Best Throw" in his semi-final match with a high amplitude, flying fireman’s carry. By winning the award, Rudulov earned 1000 CHF. It marks the second straight time he has won the award. In Rio, Rudulov won the award after scoring with a blast double leg on the opening day of the competition.
Ukraine ran away with the team title in the men's competition on the strength of two champions and seven medalists. Joining Rudulov as a champion for Ukraine was Serghii PONOMARENKO at 80kg.
Moldova crowned a champion as Piotr IANULOV shut out Viktor SOLOVIOV (UKR) at 90kg.
Oyan NAZARIANI (AZE) edged Roman DOVHALIUK (UKR) to earn the title in the +90kg weight category.
In the women's competition, Ukraine won three of the four gold medals and captured the team title by 68 points.
Ukraine's gold medalists in the women's competition were Kateryna MASHKEVYCH (50kg), Valeriia SEMONKINA ZLATOVA (60kg) and Anna MAZURKEVYCH (70kg).