Islamgereev's Stunning 'Flying Squirrel': How He Outwitted Magamadov in the U23 Championships

Key Takeaways

Islamgereev's 'flying squirrel' move became an internet sensation.

He was trailing in the match but executed a remarkable comeback.

The move showcased creativity and risk-taking in wrestling.

Islamgereev's victory highlights the unpredictability of sports.

He became the U23 European champion after a thrilling final match.

New Delhi, March 13 (NationPress) After Russian wrestler Bozigit Islamgereev executed a remarkable 'flying squirrel' maneuver against French competitor Rakhim Magamadov during the final moments of the 86kg quarterfinal at the U23 European Championships in Zrenjanin, Serbia, he instantly rose to fame online.

The astonishing video, shared by United World Wrestling (UWW), went viral, transcending the realm of combat sports to capture widespread attention. No wrestling clip has matched the level of notoriety that Islamgereev's move achieved.

"Everyone was astonished. My videos are everywhere now, I can’t even keep up with Instagram anymore. I’m all over the feed. Everyone congratulated me, absolutely everyone. People are surprised and shocked. Everyone is asking how this even happened," Islamgereev shared with UWW.

In the quarterfinal match, Islamgereev found himself down 8-3 with just 15 seconds remaining against Magamadov, who was favored to win the gold medal. He scored a step-out and a caution point, narrowing the gap to 8-5 with 7 seconds to go.

Islamgereev advanced a few steps toward Magamadov, who crouched low to evade a double-leg attack that could have resulted in a significant point loss. In a stunning move, the Russian leapt over Magamadov, securing him from behind while in an upside-down position and slammed him to earn four points.

"There were literally only a few seconds left, probably around 10 seconds, when I pushed him out. Then there were about 7 seconds remaining. I couldn’t get to his legs at all. I thought to myself that since I couldn’t attack from below, I would try from above. He was standing very low, and I couldn’t make a leg attack. So I decided to try from above. At the end, there were only a couple of seconds left; there was no time to think too much. In that moment, you either take the risk or end up with nothing. I took the risk. That’s how it happened; I jumped," he explained.

"The key is to first fake an attack to the legs and deceive him. As soon as he leans down, you need to leap upward so he can’t catch your legs. Then you have to be cautious; you need to land on both feet to lift him and score four points," the Russian added.

In the final match on Wednesday, he triumphed over Ahmet Yagan of Turkey with a score of 2-1, securing the title of U23 European champion.

Point of View

I find the story of Bozigit Islamgereev's incredible maneuver not just fascinating but a testament to the unpredictability of sports. His ability to execute such a daring move under pressure exemplifies the spirit of competition and the thrill of wrestling.

NationPress

8 Jul 2026

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the 'flying squirrel' move?

The 'flying squirrel' is a wrestling technique where the wrestler leaps over their opponent while upside down, securing them from behind and executing a slam.

Who did Islamgereev compete against in the quarterfinal?

Islamgereev faced Rakhim Magamadov from France in the 86kg quarterfinal.

What was the outcome of the final match for Islamgereev?

Islamgereev won the final match against Ahmet Yagan from Turkey with a score of 2-1, becoming the U23 European champion.

How did Islamgereev feel about his viral moment?

Islamgereev expressed that he was shocked by the overwhelming reaction and the widespread sharing of his videos on social media.

What strategy did Islamgereev use during the match?

He faked an attack to the legs to trick his opponent before executing the high-flying move.