VfK Schifferstadt are the 2019 DRL champions
14 long years after the last title win, VfK Schifferstadt secures the championship in the German wrestling league. After the clear victory in the first match (15:7), the Palatinate team also proved its top class in the completely sold-out Walzbachhalle in Weingarten and defeated the Germans 9:6.
The tension in the Walzbachhalle reached its peak when the two wrestling teams, Germania Weingarten and VfK Schifferstadt, entered the rematch. Both teams had won five fights in their previous encounter, but the visitors from Schifferstadt were particularly dominant this time. With a clear 24:13 victory, they confidently secured the title of German champions.
The fans of Germania Weingarten were aware that their team was facing an enormous challenge. They had to make up an eight-point deficit from the first leg in order to celebrate the championship in front of their home crowd. The spectators were on the edge of their seats as the final bout began and could feel the impressive atmosphere emanating from the stands. Every fight promised to be world-class and offered pure excitement from start to finish.
Germania heavyweight Luis Orta got the evening off to a successful start. The Cuban athlete, who is still unbeaten in the German Wrestling League (DRL) this season, secured a 2:0 points victory in an offensive duel against his talented opponent Zhora Abovian.
In the heavyweight category, VfK Schifferstadt surprisingly opted for the 99-kilogram wrestler Alexander Hushtyn, who had previously competed in the 97-kilogram freestyle category in the first round. The strategy seemed to work, as Hushtyn showed a strong performance and was able to stand up well to the heavier Russian Magomed Nurasulov despite a narrow defeat.
Russian wrestler Zelimkhan Abakarov earned Schifferstadt further points in the third bout by confidently defeating Vasyl Shupter from Weingarten, thus consolidating his reputation as a dominant opponent.
In the fourth match, VfK wrestler Javid Hamzatau managed to secure a narrow points victory over the experienced Maksim Safarian and level the overall score.
Shortly before the interval, the spectators were treated to a real offensive spectacle. Weingarten's Maxim Mamulat entered the fight against Sanal Semenov with determination to make up for the result of the first round. Semenov, who had defeated a former world champion a week ago, found a combative Mamulat in front of him this time, but was still able to triumph with a narrow 2:0 points victory.
After the half-time break, the duel between the Russian Arsen Musasaliev and the Russian Arik Shebzukov continued. Both wrestlers fought a gripping match at eye level, but in the end Shebzukov narrowly emerged victorious thanks to a warning from his opponent.
The eagerly awaited rematch between Alejandro Valdes and Bajrang Punia fascinated the spectators. In front of his home crowd, Valdes was eager to defeat his Indian opponent, who was surprisingly inferior to him in the first fight. The Cuban started strongly, but Punia showed his class and put Valdes under pressure in the second half, which ultimately gave him an important 2:0 points victory.
Lasha Gobadze struck the final blow for Schifferstadt. The Georgian defeated the defensive artist Jan Fischer from Weingarten to secure the championship for VfK Schifferstadt early on.
After the final whistle, the enthusiasm of the Schifferstadt wrestling fans knew no bounds. The champion T-shirts were pulled on, the champagne flowed freely, and together with the fans who had traveled with them, the well-deserved championship was duly celebrated.
Schifferstadt had presented the strongest and most versatile team over the course of the season and therefore rightly secured the title of German Champion 2019. A worthy triumph for a team that showed sporting excellence on and off the mat.
The fights on the mat may be over, but the memories that I was able to capture as a photographer for VfK Schifferstadt will live on forever in my pictures. It was a journey full of passion, emotion and sporting excellence. I am infinitely grateful that I was able to be part of this victorious team and capture the moments of triumph.
Michael Schepers
