#WrestleElJadida

Amri extends record African streak with Oborududu in chase

Saturday, May 21, 2022 - 20:04 By Vinay Siwach

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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

#WrestleSamokov

U20 World Championships Freestyle Day 1 Results and Highlights

Sunday, August 17, 2025 - 06:36 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 17) -- The U20 World Championships kicks off in Samokov, Bulgaria on a Sunday. Four weight classes will be in action -- 70kg, 74kg, 97kg and 125kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | U20 WORLD PREVIEW

19:22: In the final match of the day one of the U20 World Championships, Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) manages to hang on to his 1-1 criteria lead against former world U17 champion Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE). Mohmmad Nezhad got the one point for passivity in the second period which gave him the criteria.

19:15: A mini-upset in the 125kg semifinal as Asian U20 Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) beats Cole MIRASOLA (USA), 11-0, inside the first period. Two excellent counter takedowns from Kassimbek and then a locks Mirasola's legs around his head and turns him twice. A double-leg to finish things.

19:10: Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) gets the better of European U20 champion Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO). Rademacher led 4-3 at the break but then scores a takedown for two points to start the second period, add another go-behind and another single-leg to takedown to lead 10-3. Petriashvili gets an attack for  two points but Rademacher is relentless in his wrestling and three more takedowns to win 16-5 and reach the final.

18:55: Magomedgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (UWW) hangs on for an 11-9 win over VISHAL (IND) who had Magomedov in all sorts of trouble. Magomedov led 10-4 when Vishal mounted a comeback against absolutely broken Magomedov. He scored a takedown and Magomedov was cautioned for a singlet foul which made it 10-7. As the bout was restart in par terre, India challenged for two more points but the referee had blown the whistle before control from Vishal. That challenge gave enough breathing time to Magomedov to managed to hang on to his lead and win 11-9 at 97kg.

18:40: Raul CASO (ITA) cannot repeat his heroics in the semifinal against Adilet AKYLBEKOV (KGZ) at 74kg. Caso was down 3-2 and almost got a takedown but Akylebkov sneaks out and then Caso jumps over for control but the Kyrgyz wrestler is stands up quickly. Akylebkov wins 3-2. Italy challenge for two points but never there. One more point for Akylebkov

18:30: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) survives a scare against Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) in the 74kg, pulling off a 7-3 win. However, it was Yamaguchi who threatened to score in the final 25 seconds when Khaniev was leading 3-3 on criteria. Yamaguchi hit a double-leg attack and planed Khaniev who did not landed in danger and exposed Yamaguchi for two points. Yamaguchi tried a desperate throw in the final 15 seconds but Khaniev blocked it for two more points to win and enter the final at 74kg.

18:20: Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) has had a dream run in Samokov and he has made it to the 70kg finals after beating Nurlan AGHAZADA (AZE) in the semifinals. What a turnaround after finishing 18th last year at the World U20 Championships. He rallies with three takedowns in the second period against Aghazada to win 7-4.

18:10: PJ DUKE (USA) is into the final! He beats Erfan ELAHI (IRI) 2-2 on criteria. Elahi gets the first point after Duke is put on activity clock but Duke gets a takedown when Elahi tries a stepout and lead 2-1. A stepout in the second period for Elahi to make it 2-2 but Duke leads on criteria. Elahi does not realize that he is down on criteria and doesn't really attack in the final minute. Duke beats Elahi 2-2 and enters hte final at 70kg

The semifinals will begin at 18:00 hours local time

13:40: Cole MIRASOLA (USA) downs Inal GAGLOEV (UWW) in the final bout of the session. Mirasola with a takedown to start off the scoring in the bout. he He added a stepout to lead 3-0 at the break. No more action in the second period and Mirasola wins 3-0 and enter the 125kg semifinal against Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ).

13:30: Ashab DADAEV (FRA) thought he is winning against Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 97kg quarterfinals but he was down 3-2. Petriashvili had a takedown and stepout while Dadaev scored a stepout and a point for lost challenge from Petriashvili.

13:20: Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) beats Levan LAGVILAVA (FRA) 11-4 at 125kg and storms into the semifinals in which he will face Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) who defeated Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO) 5-0 in the quarterfinals

13:15: Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), the Asian U20 champion, pins Baejoon JANG (KOR) in the 125kg quarterfinals. Kassimbek has lost two world U17 finals and now has a chance to win at U20 level.

13:10: European fifth-placer Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) hands Islam KAZHAROV (UWW) a 8-3 loss. Big win for Gaidarli who finished 18th last year but has a silver medalist from 2024 European U20 Championships.

13:05: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI) keeps a strong defense after taking a 4-1 lead against Sungkar SEIDAKHMET (KAZ) at 70kg and wins 4-2. Elahi will face PJ DUKE (USA) in the semifinals after the U.S. wrestler defeated Abdoullah NAKAEV (FRA), 14-4, in the quarterfinals. This was Duke's third victory via fall or technical superiority. Nakaev had some good scrambles but Duke managed to finish better.

12:40: Raul CASO (ITA) with a takedown in the final second to beat Parvinder SINGH (IND) at 74kg. Caso had just six seconds to score two points to win 5-4.

12:37: European U20 silver medalist Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) with a quick fall over Ruije LI (CHN) at 125kg. The former world U17 champion is looking for a U20 world title.

12:35: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) got on board with a passivity point against Manuel WAGIN (GER) in their 74kg quarterfinal. Wagin could not get his duckunders going in that match as Khaniev underhooks were solid. Khaniev avenges his European U20 semifinal loss by beating Wagin 10-0

12:27: Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO), with his brother and Olympic champ Geno cheering from the stands, works a good 10-0 win over Andriyan VALKANOV (BUL) at 97kg.

12:20: Incredible comeback from Asian U20 champ Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) against Narantulga DARMAABAZAR (MGL) at 125kg. In a rematch of the Asian U20 final which the Kazakh wrestler won, Kassimbek breaks Darmaabazar and wins 15-12 after being down 12-5 at the break.

12:15: A third U.S. vs Turkiye head-to-head match today. Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) is countered by Ibrahim BENEKLI (TUR) a couple of times in the first period but he holds a 6-6 lead for his four-pointer. The second period is very straightforward as Rademacher gets the leg lace to lead 10-6. Benekli gets two points on board but Rademacher ultimately gets the fall with a 17-8 score. The head-to-head score is 3-0 for U.S.

12:05: Returning fifth-place Nikolaos KARAVANOS (GRE) brings down Asian U20 champion Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI), beating the Iranian 7-5. He led 5-5 on criteria and Alizadeh tried to hit a takedown but Karavanos counters with a takedown and wins at 97kg.

11:40: Noah LEIBOWITZ (JPN) begins with a 5-0 win over Aitenir MAKSATOV (KGZ) at 97kg. Leibowitz is one of the more exciting talents in Japan heavyweight and right behind Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)

11:30: Unlikely that PJ DUKE (USA) will be stopped in Samokov! He pins Gabriel SANCHEZ (MEX) in his second bout and has stormed to the quarterfinals at 70kg.

11:20: European U20 silver medalist Raul CASO (ITA) hangs on for a 9-8 wins at 74kg over Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IR). A four-pointer at the start of the match keeps him ahead. 

11:10: A potential final but we have it in 1/8 as returning silver medalist Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) takes on European U23 champion Ismail KHANIEV (UWW). Both trade stepout and Lockett leads 1-1 at the break. Khaniev gets another stepout for a 2-1 lead. Lockett is called for aggressive push and gets caution. Khaniev gets another point to make it 3-1. Khaniev is given another stepout but U.S. challenges the call. But clear stepout from Lockett and challenge is lost. A 5-1 lead for Khaniev with 24 seconds remaining. A stepout is all Lockett gets and Khaniev wins 5-2.

10:55: Big match at 74kg! European U20 champion Manuel WAGIN (GER) takes on senior European bronze medalist Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) at 74kg. Novruzov put on the shot clock but he scores a takedown after breaking Wagin's chest wrap and lead 2-0 at the break. Wagin gets on the leg in the second period but gets only a stepout. He adds another and a fleeing caution for Novruzov for Wagin to lead 3-2. Two beautiful duckunders from Wagin and earned two takedowns to lead 7-4. He wins the bout 7-2.

10:40: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI), a former world U17 champion, almost made a mess of his first bout at 70kg against SAGAR (IND). He led 6-1 before Sagar tries to make a comeback against a tiring Elahi. A stepout for Sagar makes it 6-3 but only 13 seconds left. Elahi gives up another stepout and docked a point for fleeing, score changes to 6-5. But Sagar can't get two points to win in the final three seconds.

10:25: PJ DUKE (USA) hits the leg lace over Umut USLU (TUR) in his first bout to win 11-0 at 70kg. Duke will be on the senior U.S. team as well for the World Championships, a spot he won after beating Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) in the trials.

10:20: Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) leg laces Catalin SPINU (MDA) to get the win at 74kg, a weight class which has good wrestlers on the same side. Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IRI) breaks Aliaksandr VIARBITSKI (UWW) to win 9-2, eight of his points were scored in the second period.

10:10: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) and Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) roll to 10-0 win over Vatan ANNAORAZOV (TKM) and Tolui MUNKHBAT (MGL) respectively. Novruzov has to work little harder but wins against Stiliyan DZHOROV (BUL)

10:00: What a line-up to start the day in Samokov! Ismail KHANIEV (UWW), Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) and Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) all in action on three actions at 74kg.