#wrestlenursultan

Amine Makes History by Qualifying San Marino for Tokyo 2020 by Making 86kg Semis

Saturday, September 21, 2019 - 10:10 By Ken Marantz

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NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept. 21)--- Having become San Marino’s first wrestler in history to qualify for the Olympic Games, Myles AMINE (SMR) certainly achieved his goal of making his grandfather back in the small European enclave proud. 

Amine, who was born and raised in the U.S. state of Michigan and holds dual citizenship, clinched a place in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for San Marino in freestyle 86kg when he advanced to the semifinals on Day 8 of the World Championships.

“It just feels incredible,” Amine said. “I know the amount of work I put in, year-round these past few years….I decided my goal was to get to the Olympics here. At first, I went to the European Championships and I had a pretty good tournament, breakout, but I knew I had a lot of work to do. I put all that work in the summer, and it paid off.”

The 22-year-old Amine who finished ninth at the European Championships in April, defeated Ahmed DUDAROV (GER) 4-2 in the quarterfinals to set up a monster task to earn a place in the finals. 

His semifinal opponent will be 2017 world and 2016 Olympic champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), who bulldozed his way into the last four with a technical fall and two falls. Amine looks forward to the challenge.

“I live for this kind of stuff,” he said. “To wrestle these guys that I look up to at a point in time. Even now, I still watch a lot of his technique and study him. To be able to go up and compete against a guy like that, that’s a dream of mine. I’m stoked.”

Amine’s run nearly got derailed in the previous round, when he literally scored a takedown off a counter in the last second for a 5-2 victory over 2014 world silver medalist Sosuke TAKATANI (JPN)

“I don’t know what happened there,” Amine said with a smile. “I kind of just took a bad shot and he got in. I honestly thought it would be a miracle to win that match. 

Amine, who is part of the group of wrestlers in Nur-Sultan with dual citizenship who trained at the University of Michigan under Russian legend Sergey BELAGLAZOV, said growing up in the United States and competing in the folkstyle paid off that situation. 

“I’m really good in those scramble positions,” he said. “Wrestling in the United States you learn to scramble really well and it came up big. It’s the reason why I’m going to the Olympics.”

Competing for San Marino, a country with a population of 33,000 completely surrounded by Italy, certainly can be a conversation starter for Amine, who takes great pride in his heritage. 

“I don’t think most people know what San Marino is,” he said. “It’s my heritage and my grandpa is really proud to be from there and talks about it all the time. I just talked to him last night and told him I’d try to make him proud. For this to happen, it’s surreal.”

The other semifinal at 86kg will pit Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI) against Deepak PUNIA (IND), the recently crowned world junior champion.

The day session featured qualification rounds in the final four freestyle weights, with those advancing to the semifinals clinching berths for their country at Tokyo 2020. 

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) both made it to the semifinals and are one match away from wrestling for the 97kg for the third consecutive year. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

The highly-anticipated showdown between 97kg titans Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) remained on course as the two advanced to the semifinals in separate brackets. 

Sadulaev, winner over Snyder in last year’s world final in Budapest, will face Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), while Snyder faces a stiff test in European champion and Rio 2016 bronze medalist Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE). 

In the quarterfinals, Snyder fell behind against Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) before getting into gear and storming to a 13-3 technical fall. Sadulaev, who won by technical fall in his opening match, knocked off Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) 6-0.

Defending champion Kyle DAKE (USA) advanced to the semifinals of the non-Olympic 79kg division, gaining a stepout and a takedown over the final minute to secure a 5-1 victory over Gadzhi NABIEV (RUS). 

He will face Rashid KURBANOV (UZB), while the other semifinal will be a clash between Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) vs Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE)

In the non-Olympic 61kg class, Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) emerged from a wild-and-wooly encounter with Akhmednabi GVARTZATILOV (AZE) with a 13-12 victory, and will face Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS) for a place in the final.

Gvartzatilov had handily ousted defending champion and top seed Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUES (CUB) 7-0.

Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) will square off with Rahul AWARE (IND) in the 61kg semifinals. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

The other semifinal will be a clash between 2016 world silver medalist Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) and Asian bronze medalist Rahul AWARE (IND). Aware prevailed 10-7 in a back-and-forth quarterfinal over Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ). 

In the repechage rounds to fill the bronze-medal matches in the four weight classes that started competition on Friday, Mao OKUI (JPN) secured a place for the host country at Tokyo 2020 at 74kg when he scored a takedown and two rolls in the last 30 seconds to defeat Kamil RYBICKI (POL) 6-2.

Okui, who defeated 2017 world 70kg bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) to make the Japanese team to Nur-Sultan, will face a tall task in his bid to win a bronze medal, which would have further ramifications for the 2018 world university silver medalist

A victory would clinch the Olympic spot for himself without further domestic qualifying, according to Japan federation criteria. His opponent in the third-place playoff? Four-time world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), who will be aiming for his seventh world medal overall. 

At 70kg, Nicolae COJOCARU (GBR) will try to give his country its first-ever men’s world medal when he faces Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI). The Romanian-born Cojocaru defeated Joshua RILEY (AUS) by fall in the repechage. 

Two wrestlers from the host country earned chances to add to its medal haul when Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) advanced at 74kg and Nurgali NURGAIPULY (KAZ) at 92kg. 

Badzha KHUTABA (SYR) assured he would have the highest finish in freestyle in Syrian history when he advanced at 125kg. He will look to become the first medalist when he faces Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR).

Day 8 Pairings

Freestyle

61kg (25 entries)
Semifinal – Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) vs Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS) 
Semifinal – Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) vs Rahul AWARE (IND)

70kg (30 entries)
Gold – David BAEZ (RUS) vs Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) 
Bronze –Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) vs Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL)
Bronze – Nicolae COJOCARU (GBR) vs Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) 

74kg (39 entries)
Gold – Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) vs Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) 
Bronze –Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) vs Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA)
Bronze – Mai OKUI (JPN) vs Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) 

79kg (23 entries)
Semifinal – Kyle DAKE (USA) vs Rashid KURBANOV (UZB) 
Semifinal – Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) vs Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE)

86kg (43 entries)
Semifinal – Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI) vs Deepak PUNIA (IND) 
Semifinal – Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) vs Myles AMINE (SMR)

92kg (18 entries)
Gold – J’den COX (USA) vs Alireza KARAMIMACHIANI (IRI)  
Bronze –Nurgali NURGAIPULY (KAZ) vs Irakli MTSITURI (GEO)
Bronze – Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) vs Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) 

97kg (26 entries)
Semifinal – Kyle SNYDER (USA) vs Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) 
Semifinal – Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) vs Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS)

125kg (28 entries)
Gold – Geno PETRAIASHIVILI (GEO) vs Taha AKGAL (TUR) 
Bronze –Badzha KHUTABA (SYR) vs Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR)
Bronze – Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) vs DENG Zhiwei (CHN)

#BeachWrestling

Beach Wrestling: Iran's return to top; Puerto Rico, Azerbaijan win first golds

Sunday, September 28, 2025 - 13:44 By United World Wrestling Press

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KATERINI-PIERIA, Greece (September 27) -- Iran’s return to Beach Wrestling after an eight-year absence could have been cautious. Instead, it was commanding.

Iran won four medals, including two golds, to claim the men’s team title at the U17 World Beach Wrestling Championships after a close race with Georgia, which finished second with 75 points to Iran’s 80. Azerbaijan was third with 62 points.

In the women's category, hosts Greece managed to go past France to finish first with 50 points while France ended up second with 42. The United States was third with 32 points.

The U17 World Championships is a significant stop in Beach Wrestling as it will be taken into consideration for while awarding the quotas for the 2026 Youth Olympic Games.

IranIran's two gold medalists in Greece, Mahdi FOTOUHI (IRI), left, at 90kg and Youssof HOSSEIN (IRI), right, at 70kg.

Gold medalists for Iran, Youssof HOSSEIN (IRI) at 70kg and Mahdi FOTOUHI (IRI) at 90kg, were competing in Beach Wrestling for the first time but never let their inexperience affect their performances.

Hossein, who defeated Stefan MUNTEAN (MDA) in the knockout match, was placed in Group D with Yuki UEDA (JPN), Nikolaos PAPADOPOULOS (GRE) and Ilie TURCAN (MDA). He defeated Papadopoulos 3-1 in the group bout before blanking Turcan 3-0 in just 40 seconds. He was quicker against Ueda, winning in 34 seconds.

Facing Luka MAKHARADZE (GEO) in the quarterfinals, Hossein scored a 3-1 victory and took only 40 seconds to beat Rashad ALIYEV (AZE) in the semifinals.

In an all-Iran final, Hossein fell behind 1-0 against Ilyar VEGHARI (IRI) but stormed back with two straight points with a knee and head touch from Veghari. He used a lateral drop as his final move to win 5-1. Veghari's lost challenge added to Hossein's score and made it 6-1.

Fotouhi was even more dominant at 90kg, winning all three of his group bouts via fall. Charilaos CHAITIDIS (GRE) survived getting pinned in the quarterfinals but Fotouhi was strong enough to win 3-0 and advance to the semifinals.

After winning the semifinal 2-1 against Elgun KARIMLI (AZE), Fotouhi was back to his dominant self and slammed Joni SHAORSHADZE (GEO) to pick his fourth fall in six bouts and the gold medal for Iran.

Fotouhi began with a step out to earn his first point of the final. Both wrestlers arm-locked each other and tried to throw at the edge but it was Shaorshadze who touched outside first which gave Fotouhi his second point.

In one of those moments when his Freestyle instincts took over, Fotouhi went for duckunder and touched his knee on the sand which gave Shaorshadze a point to make the score 2-1. The Georgian tried a fireman carry in the final 10 seconds but Fotouhi pancaked him for a fall.

At 60kg, Mykyta KUZMENKO (UKR) defeated Rati BERIDZE (GEO) twice, first in the group stages and then in final, to claim the gold medal.

Kuzmenko blanked all his opponents barring Beridze who managed to score one point when the two met in the Group B bout. However, the Ukrainian improved and gave no chance to Beridze in the final, winning 3-0.

The Ukrainian was quick to score two step-outs and lead 2-0 and when Beridze tried to score a point, Kuzmenko snapped him down and scored his third and winning point.

Georgia had another silver medalist, Nuradin MUSTAFAEV (GEO), who suffered a one-sided loss in the 80kg final to Nihad SULEYMANLI (AZE), who had represented Azerbaijan at the U17 World Championships in Athens in August.

Suleymanli did not give up a single point in the tournament and won the final against Mustafaev 3-0. He scored a step-out to open the scoring in the final before Mustafaev fell on the ground to give a second point. The Georgian wrestler tried tripping Suleymanli but instead gave a takedown for one point to drop the final.

AzerbaijanAzerbaijan's first-ever gold medalist Ulviyya MUSAYEVA (AZE) with other team members.

Historic golds for Puerto Rico, Azerbaijan

In the women's category, Puerto Rico and Azerbaijan earned historic golds as four different countries crowned champions.

Heklanys RIVERA (PUR), the first woman to compete in Beach Wrestling for her country, made a stunning run to the gold medal at 45kg. She did not give up a single point in six bouts including the final.

Taking on Kaltouma SALISSOU (FRA) in the final, Rivera was put on the 30-second activity clock. With eight seconds remaining, Rivera used an underhook to get the first takedown for a point.

The second point was awarded to Rivera when Salissou committed a foul by grabbing Rivera's shorts. The winning takedown was similar to the first one as Rivera moved from underhook to tripping Salissou.

For Azerbaijan, 15-year-old Ulviyya MUSAYEVA (AZE) needed only 16 seconds to create history. She defeated last year's champion Reisa KOJIMA (JPN) via fall in the 55kg final. Kojima tried hitting a lateral drop in the final but fell on her back, which gave Musayeva three points for the win.

Earlier, Musayeva had lost one of the group bouts against Mia KOVAC (CRO) via fall but rebounded to win all remaining bouts to make the final and then capture the gold medal.

Hosts Greece, which won the team title, earned the gold medal at 75kg through Elena ZAIMIDOU (GRE) who scored a 32-second victory via fall over Madeline HAYDEN (USA) in the final.

Zaimidou, who has competed and won gold in Grappling at the European level, secured three victories via fall, and a victory via superiority over Merily VAESTER (EST) in the semifinals.

In the gold medal bout, Hayden stunned the local fans when she hit a beautiful over-the-head suplex on Zaimidou. Hayden went for a second suplex, but Zaimidou blocked her, using a headlock, and Hayden fell on her back which gave Zaimidou three points and the victory.

Hayden challenged the scoring but the points were confirmed on review and Zaimidou was awarded a point for lost challenge, which made her score 4-1.

European bronze medalist in Women's Wrestling, Alexandra MOISEI (MDA) earned the gold medal at 65kg after some nervous wins. She defeated Thea ROUSSEL (FRA), 3-0, in the final in 49 seconds using three easy snapdowns.