#WrestleElJadida

Amri extends record African streak with Oborududu in chase

By Vinay Siwach

EL JADIDA, Morocco (May 21) -- Two Olympic medalists were entered at the African Championships and both ended up extending their record title streaks at the tournament.

Rio bronze medalist Marwa AMRI (TUN) extended her record streak of African gold medals to 12 as Tokyo silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) kept herself in the chase by winning her 11th gold Saturday.

Amri won her first African title in 2009 at 53kg while Oborududu achieved the feat in 2010 and since then the Nigerian has not been able to overtake Amri in the race.

Oborududu and Amri opted for a similar approach on Saturday, destroying their competition with ease. In the process of winning the gold, both did not give up a single point in their bouts.

Amri began the day with a resounding 10-0 win over Mastoura SOUDANI (ALG) in Round 1 of the Nordic bracket at 62kg. Then she leg-laced Françoise RASOARIMALALA (MAD) for another 10-0 win before securing a fall over Safietou GOUDIABY (SEN) in the semifinal.

The final against Patience OPUENE (NGR) followed a similar script as Amri won 10-0 and claimed her 12th straight title.

Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) won four out of her five bouts via fall. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Oborududu wrestled five bouts to win the gold -- four of those were victories via fall. Only Menatalla BADRAN (EGY) managed to avoid a fall against Oborududu.

Her first victim was Houria BOUKRIF (ALG) who got pinned in Round 1 after Oborududu had scored six points. Blandine NGIRI (CMR) fell in Round 2 while Rosie TABORA (COD) was pinned in the semifinal.

Badran, who had survived the fall during qualification, could not repeat in the final in which Oborududu got a big four before securing the fall.

Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR)Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) now has seven African titles. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Another Nigerian who starred in El Jadida was world silver medalist Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR), winning the 59kg gold medal for her seventh straight African title.

The Tokyo Olympian moved a weight up from her normal 57kg but still managed to outclass the field scoring 45 points to only three against her.

She with a 12-1 win over Atika EL ASLA (MAR) 12-1 and secured a fall over fellow Olympian Siwar BOUSETA (TUN). The first period was a slow-paced battle but Adekuoroye shifted and scored 11 points before securing the pin. In the semifinals, Parfaite MAMBOU (CGO) had no answer to Adekuoroye's attacks.

Bouseta and Adekuoroye again met in the final and the Tunisian managed to score two points. However, that was all she was getting as the Nigerian moved to a 12-2 win and claim the gold.

Nigeria won two more gold medals as Mercy ADEKUOROYE (NGR) won the 53kg title while Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR) finished at the top in the 55kg weight class.

The four gold medals kept Nigeria in the team title race but it fell agonizingly short of winning it. Tunisia finished first in the race with 179 points while Nigeria had 170 points. Egypt finished third with 110 points.

Tunisia claimed only two gold medals but won four silver and had 10 or more points in the remaining weights to finish above Nigeria, which was hurt by their pointless finish in 50kg and 57kg.

At 50kg, Tokyo Olympian Sara HAMDI (TUN) defeated Nada MOHAMED (EGY) 2-1 in the final. The two had met in the opening round as well with Hamdi prevailing 9-6 in that bout. Hamdi's two points in the first period helped her claim the gold.

Samar HAMZA (EGY)Samar HAMZA (EGY) won the 76kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Egypt's long gold medal came at 76kg as World bronze medalist and defending champion Samar HAMZA (EGY) defeated Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) 5-1 in the final. This was Hamza's sixth African title. Hamza's run saw her outscore her opponents 37-3.

Cameroon claimed two gold medals as its two star wrestlers lived up to the billing and were crowned champions.

Joseph ESSOMBE TIAKO (CMR)Joseph ESSOMBE TIAKO (CMR) won her 10th African Championships medal. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

At 57kg, Tokyo fifth-placer at 53kg Joseph ESSOMBE TIAKO (CMR) claimed her 10th African Championships medal and second straight gold after pinning Rayane HOUFAF (ALG) in the final. Her medal haul now stands at two gold, five silver and three bronze medals.

Berthe ETANE NGOLLE (CMR) won the gold medal at 65kg. After three silver medals at the African Championships, she finally broke the jinx by winning her two bouts in the Nordic bracket. In a crucial Round 2 bout, she managed to beat Khadija JLASSI (TUN), 13-7 to clear her path to gold. Her second win was 5-1 over Sunmisola BALOGUN (NGR).

Senegal also claimed a gold medal, the first in six years, Anta SAMBOU (SEN) won two out of three bouts at 72kg. Defending champion Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) also won two out of three bouts including a fall over Sambou. But with the Senegal wrestler had scored 20 technical points over Sghaier's 14.

WW Results

50kg
GOLD: Sarra HAMDI (TUN) df. Nada MOHAMED (EGY), 2-1

BRONZE: Ibtissem DOUDOU (ALG) df. Rebecca MUAMBO (CMR), 6-5

53kg
GOLD: Mercy ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV), 9-1

BRONZE: Shaimaa MOHAMED (EGY) df. Lobna ICHAOUI (TUN), 12-2

55kg
GOLD: Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR)
SILVER: Faten HAMMAMI (TUN)
BRONZE: Louji YASSIN (EGY)

Key match: Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR) df. Faten HAMMAMI (TUN), 13-2 (Round 2)

57kg
GOLD: Joseph TIAKO (CMR) df. Rayane HOUFAF (ALG), via fall

BRONZE:  Farah HUSSEIN (EGY) df. Siwar LOUATI BEN ALI (TUN), 11-0
BRONZE: Nisrine HAMMAS (MAR), via forfeit

59kg
GOLD: Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Siwar BOUSETA (TUN), 12-2

BRONZE: Fatoumata CAMARA (GUI) df. Parfaite MAMBOU (CGO), 10-0

62kg 
GOLD:  Marwa AMRI (TUN) df. Patience OPUENE (NGR), 10-0 

BRONZE: Mastoura SOUDANI (ALG) df. Safietou GOUDIABY (SEN), via fall (10-4)

65kg
GOLD: Berthe ETANE NGOLLE (CMR)
SILVER: Khadija JLASSI (TUN)
BRONZE: Sunmisola BALOGUN (NGR)

Key match: Berthe ETANE NGOLLE (CMR) df. Khadija JLASSI (TUN), 13-7 (Round 2)

68kg
GOLD: Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) df. Menatalla BADRAN (EGY), via fall (4-0)

BRONZE: Ranim SAIDI (TUN) df. Rosie TABORA (COD), 5-3

72kg
GOLD: Anta SAMBOU (SEN) (2 wins, 2 via fall)
SILVER: Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) (2 wins, 2 via fall)
BRONZE: Ebi BIOGOS (NGR) (2 wins, 1 via fall)

76kg
GOLD: Samar HAMZA (EGY) df. Hannah RUEBEN (NGR), 5-1

BRONZE: Amy YOUIN (CIV) df. Nour JELJELI (TUN), 5-4

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 7 GR 60kg, 72kg, 97kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 19) -- The World Championships day seven will see three Greco-Roman weight classes -- 60kg, 72kg and 97kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 6 RESULTS

60kg semifinals
SF 1: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) vs. Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO)
SF 2: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) vs. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB)

14:15: World 63kg champion will not be able to add another gold to his name as he drops his quarterfinal against Alisher GANIEV (UZB) at 60kg. Ganiev with beautiful whizzer counter when Mammadli was tried an arm-drag. He managed to turn him as well for a 6-0 lead. Ganiev gets the par terre but there is no score. There is no par terre in the second period but Mammadli gets a four-point throw. However, that is all the action in the match. A lost challenge from Azerbaijan gives Ganiev one more point as he wins 8-4.

14:11: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), a two-time world bronze medalist, stayed on a track for a better medal when he defeated Se Ung RI (PRK) 1-1 in their 60kg quarterfinal by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points.

14:10: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) books his place in the 60kg semifinals with a solid 4-1 victory over SURAJ (IND). Tibilov opens with a stepout, then pads his lead with a gut wrench from par terre to lead 4-0 at the break. He resists when put on bottom in the second period, and holds on for the victory.

14:09: Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO) with a beautiful headlock throw four points to beat Enes BASAR (TUR) 10-0 at 60kg. Shavadze scored a gut-wrench from par terre to lead 3-0 before the throw. Basar commits a defensive four and gets a penalty for two points. A lost challenge from Turkiye to give one more point. 

97kg Semifinals
SF 1: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) vs. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW)
SF 2: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) vs. Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE)

14:00: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) avoids the upset bug, but it is anything but easy in forging a 1-1 victory over Giorgi MELIA (GEO) to advance to the 97kg semifinals. Saravi gets the first of the two passivity points, and that makes the difference. He gets a second chance at par terre in the second period, but can't turn the Georgian.

13:59: The shocks continue at 97kg as Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) pulls off a stunning 7-4 victory over Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) to advance to the semifinals. Maskevich leads 2-0 after getting a passivity point and stepout in the first period. In the second, Rosillo uses his amazing speed and tries to spin behind for a takedown. But as they spin around like cats, Maskevich reaches over and pancakes Rosillo over for a 4-pointer. An unsuccessful challenge puts Maskevich ahead 7-0. Rosillo comes back with a takedown, and gains 2 on a leg foul, which gives Rosillo a chance in par terre. But he can't turn, and Maskevich advances.

13:52: A 1-1 victory for Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) over Alex SZOKE (HUN) at 97kg! Sargsian beneficiary of the new rule in which the criteria remains with the wrestler who gets the first point in a 1-1 finsih. 

13:50: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) is pinned! The bad run for Aleksanyan continues as Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) blocks Aleksanyan during the gut-wrench and holds him in danger position till the fall is confirmed. Ahmadiyev moves into the 97kg semifinals.

72kg Semifinals
SF 1: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) vs. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)
SF 2: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) vs. Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ)

13:42: That has to be a first in wrestling as Danial SOHRABI (IRI), who had multiple bleeding stoppages, is medically timed out as the four minutes allotted for bleeding finish. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA), who was leading 4-2 at that moment, wins and advances to the 72kg semifinals. 

13:41: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) survives a tough test from Yeonghun NOH (KOR) to advance to the 72kg semifinals as he pursues a second straight gold. Noh surprises Ganizade with a headlock throw attempt right off the whistle, which is good for 2 points. A passivity point puts the Korean up 3-0 at the break. Ganizade calmly goes ahead in the second period on criteria with a throw from par terre. At the end, the Korean is denied a potential takedown due to a foul, and in the final seconds, leaps over the top in a flying squirrel attempt, but Ganizade plants him on the mat for 5 and an 8-3 victory.

13:40: For two-time Olympic medalist, Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) saw his bid for an elusive world medal dealt a serious setback when he fell 4-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ) in the 72kg quarterfinals. Nasibov started well with a throw from par terre, but gave up a soft takedown at the end of the first period. Maulitkanov received a passivity point in the second period to go ahead on criteria. At the end, a Nasibov challenge for an imaginary foul was denied.

13:35: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) with a feet-to-back five points and a stepout to beat Michael PORTMANN (SUI) 8-0 at 72kg. He enters the semifinal for Uzbekistan.

Quarterfinals begins at the same time

13:19: Two-time European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), looking to add to the world title to the one he won last year at 63kg, needs just 33 seconds to overwhelm Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) 8-0 and advance to the 60kg quarterfinals.

13:13: European and former world bronze medalist Alex SZOKE (HUN) ends his long wait to take the mat by grinding out a 1-1 victory over Artur OMAROV (CZE) at 97kg by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points. Both wrestlers had to receive treatment for a head cut and wrestled with their head bandaged.

13:10: A huge win for world U20 bronze medalist SURAJ (IND) over former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA). He defended the par terre position which sealed the deal for him in a 3-1 victory at 60kg.

13:02: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Ung RI (PRK) gets the benefit of the doubt in a 4-point takedown in defeating Kaito INABA (JPN) 8-0 at 60kg, with the winning point coming on an unsuccessful challenge. After Ri receives a passivity point, the two are on their feet when Ri pancakes Inaba to the mat -- although it appears he used his foot to trip the Japanese -- then adds a gut wrench. The Japanese side challenges, but the judge says the move was valid, ending the match.

13:01: Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) makes short work of Richard KARELSON (EST), launching a 4-point throw from par terre than scoring a 4-point takedown to advance to the 97kg quarterfinals with a 9-0 win in 2:39.

13:00: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) uses his incredible gut-wrench to finish his bout 9-0 against Zegang WANG (CHN). However, China challenges for a leg-foul. On review, Aleksanyan's two turn are validate and the third and fourth are cancelled for foul. Wang gets par terre in second period but Aleksanyan defends well to win 5-1 at 97kg.

12:56: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) advances to the 72kg quarterfinals with a 5-0 victory over Gor KHACHATRYAN (ARM). After a stepout, Ghanem gets an exposure from par terre for a 4-0 lead at the break, then gets a second passivity point in the second.

12:54: European silver medalist Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) gets off to a good start at 60kg, putting together an 8-0 victory over Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL). Tibilov gets two turns from par terre, then counters an attack by Skrzypczak for another 2 to lead 7-0 at the break. He ends the match with a stepout. 24 seconds into the second period.

12:52: Olympic champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) gets both the passivity points in his 4-0 victory over NITESH (IND) and enters the quarterfinals at 97kg. He is looking for his second world title.

12:50: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) brings down Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) with a 5-1 victory at 97kg. Ahmadiyev defends the gut-wrench attempt from the Kyrgyzstan wrestler.

12:46: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) gets the first passivity point and then defends while on the bottom, putting him into the 97kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 win over Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER).

12:45: Reigning world champion Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) clears his first hurdle at 72kg, easily handling Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG) in a 6-0 victory. Ganizade opens with a stepout and a passivity point and, although he can't turn Merabet, he scores a takedown to go up 4-0 at the break. Ganizade spins behind for a takedown in the second to cap the win.

12:32: Former world champion and three-time world medalist Ali ARSALAN (SRB) tumbles out in his opening match at 72kg, falling 5-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ). Maulitkanov jumps out to a 4-1 lead when Arsalan cuts the gap with a takedown to end the first period. Late in the second period, Arsalan in on the verge of getting a takedown but can't finish it off. On challenge, it is discovered he not only did not score points, but committed a leg foul.

12:20: Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) steps closer to his first world medal as he beats Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW), 5-0, at 72kg. Both par terre positions to Nasibov in that match

12:15: Michael PORTMANN (SUI) continues his winning run as he now defeated Selcuk CAN (TUR), 8-2, at 72kg. 

12:07: Kaito INABA (JPN), Asian medalist, begins his quest for a world medal with a 5-5 criteria win over Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) at 60kg. 

12:01: It takes a while to sort out an interesting exchange between Olympic bronze medalist and five-time Asian medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) and Mohamed GABR (EGY) at 97kg. Dzhuzupbekov tries to spin behind off an arm drag, but Gabr catches the arm and steps over. On challenge, both are given a 2-point exposure, with Dzhuzupbekov having the last-point criteria. That gives him the win when there is no scoring in the second period, with the customary late challenge only making the score 3-2.

11:50: Former world silver medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) loses the advantage by giving up the first passivity point against Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) at 97kg, but he doesn't need it. Put on top in par terre in the second period, he hits a 2-point throw, which he quickly follows with a gut wrench. He gets an added bonus of a 2-point fleein penalty, and is put back on top. But his bear hug throw attempt goes awry and he only gets a stepout. No matter, he walks away an 8-1 winner.

11:25: Olympic bronze medalist and 2023 world champion Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) picks up a quick 4 against Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE), then uses his speed to get behind for two takedowns to advance at 97kg with an 8-0 victory in 2:17.

11:24: Asian champion Danial SOHRABI (IRI) gives up a quick stepout to Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), but responds with one himself. Put on top in par terre, Sohrabi wastes no time, firing off four rolls for a 10-1 win in just over two minutes at 72kg.

11:24: Host Croatia loses its presence in a span of minutes, when Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO) falls 4-1 to Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) at 72kg on Mat C, and shortly after on Mat B, NITESH (IND) gets a late gut wrench to oust Filip SMETKO (CRO) 3-2 at 97kg.

11:17: Two-time Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), searching for his first world medal, begins with an 8-0 superiority win over Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) at 72kg.

11:08: European champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) bulls his way to three stepouts in the second period and a 4-0 victory over Alejandro SANCHO (USA) at 72kg.

11:08: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), winner of the Ranking Series events in Budapest and Tirana, gets the first chance in par terre against  two-time world bronze medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) at 72kg, but his roll is annulled on challenge for a leg foul. Can fares much better when he gets the chance, throwing Lomadze for 2 and holding on for a 3-1 win.

11:00: Not to be for Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) at 72kg. The Japanese was trying to win a medal in Greco-Roman, two years after he won the world gold medal in Freestyle 70kg. But Michael PORTMANN (SUI), he drops his opening bout 2-1. Portmann scored a stepout apart from the par terre points.  

10:30: The World Championships will continue with Greco-Roman with 60kg, 72kg and 97kg in Zagreb