#Trnava2018

Bey Likes Odds to Repeat as World Champion

Sunday, September 16, 2018 - 21:32 By Eric Olanowski

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TRNAVA, Slovakia (September 16) – For reigning world champion Kamal BEY (USA) to replicate his 2017 run to Junior World gold, he’ll have to navigate a bracket that returns every medalist from the 74kg Tampere World Championships. 

Bey, along with runner-up Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and bronze medalist Nasir HASANOV (AZE) drew into the bottom half of the bracket, while Sajan SAJAN (IND), the other bronze medalist, drew into the top half of the bracket. 

The way the draw played out, a potential Tampere World finals rematch between Bey and Makhmudov could happen as early as Monday night (18:00 local time). 


Kamal BEY (USA) and Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) after the 2017 74kg gold-medal bout at the Tampere World Championships. (Photo by Marion Stein) 

When Bey was asked about the potential semifinal challenge of facing Makhmudov again, he said “It’s not that much of a challenge. People always want to challenge me, and I accept that challenge. He’s only bumping up for this tournament; then he’s going back down to 72kg for the Senior World Championships. …I’m in this for the long haul, and he’s just in this for one match.” 

He added, “This year, it’ll be about keeping the same pace and mentality, while not giving up as many points.” 

Whether it’s Makhudov, Hasanov, Sajan or the field, Bey feels that the improvements he's made over the last year have put himself in position to beat anyone on his way to repeating as Junior World champion. 

“Being a World champion is never given. Whoever stands in your way, you have to beat them regardless. It just about me going out there and taking care of my business.” 

Bey, along with the other returning medalists kick off the opening round of the 2018 Junior World Championships on Monday morning at 10:30 AM (local time). 

Larroque Cruises to Semifinals, Russia and Japan Insert Four

Thursday, September 20, 2018 - 12:37 By Eric Olanowski

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TRNAVA, Slovakia (September 20) - Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), the three-time age level world champion cruised to the 72kg junior world semifinals for the second time in her career. This is Larroque's second time competing in the Junior World Championships. Her first trip was back in 2016 when she brought home the gold medal.

Larroque wrestled Karuna KARUNA (IND) in the opening round and finished the match early, outscoring the Indian wrestler 10-0 in the opening period. The French superstar dominated Kamila KULWICKA (POL), 10-0, making tonight’s semifinals where she’ll meet Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR).

This semifinals matchup is a rematch of the 2018 U23 European championship gold-medal bout. A match that Larroque used three stepouts and a passivity point to win, 4-0. 

Umi IMAI (JPN) finishes a leg-lace in her quarterfinals matchup against Russia. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne. 

Meanwhile, Japan and Russia each inserted four wrestlers into tonight’s semifinals. More importantly, they’ll meet each other in two of those semifinal bouts. 

At 53kg, 2018 junior Asian champion Umi IMAI (JPN) will wrestle Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS), and 2016 cadet world champion Atena KODAMA (JPN) will take on 2018 junior European bronze medalist Daria BOBRULKO (RUS) for a spot in the 62kg finals. 

The semifinals will begin at 17:15 and will be followed by the women's wrestling finals which begin at 18:00. 

SEMIFINALS 

53kg 
Umi IMAI (JPN) vs. Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) 
Alisha Sue HOWK (USA) vs. Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)

57kg
Andoriahanako SAWA (JPN) vs. Mansi MANSI (IND) 
Qi ZHANG (CHN) vs. Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS)

62kg
Aurora CAMPAGNA (ITA) vs. Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) 
Atena KODAMA (JPN) vs. Daria BOBRULKO (RUS)

65kg
Asli DEMIR (TUR) vs. Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 
Miyu IMAI (JPN) vs. Veranika EISMANT (BLR)

72kg
Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) vs. Fanwen SHEN (CHN) 
Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) vs. Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR)