Bolat Turlykhanov Cup: Yildirim, Kamal star for Turkey on day one

Thursday, June 2, 2022 - 18:05 By Vinay Siwach

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (June 2) -- Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) thought he passed his toughest test in Almaty as he defeated arch-rival and world champion Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) in a 2-2 comeback. But little did he expect that Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) will hand him a shock defeat in the final at 130kg.

The U23 world champion was the favorite to win the gold at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup, the second Ranking Series event of the year, but Yildrim scored from par terre while Mirzazadeh failed to do the same. That proved to be the difference as the Turkey youngster won his second straight Ranking Series gold. His first was at home in Istanbul where he won gold over Beka KANDELAKI (AZE).

Yildirim scored wins over Anton SAVENKO (KAZ), 5-0, Sulkhan BUIDZE (GEO), 3-0 and Asian champion Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) 3-1 to reach the final.

"I saw that my opponent in the final would be the Iranian wrestler," Yildirim said. "I concentrated a lot to prepare well. I know that the wrestlers from Iran and Georgia are very strong. The match was really tough. I was preparing and glad that it paid off."

Mirzazadeh began the day on a strong note with a 9-0 win over SATISH (IND) before advancing to the semifinal against Yousofi, who defeated Olympic silver Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) 8-0 in the quarterfinal.

Apart from exchanging the passivity points, Mirzazadeh and Yousofi had one stepout each in the semifinal but Mirzazadeh scored the latest point to claim the win.

Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) scored two points from par terre to win against Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI). (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

In the gold-medal bout, Mirzazadeh got the first point for Yildirim's inactivity and led 1-0. But the Iran Olympian gave up a point in the second period and Yildirim got the gut from par terre to lead 3-1 even as a surprised Mirzazadeh tried hard to score. He managed to push Yildirim after the gut wrench but could not score two more points which would have helped him win.

"It was very bad. I can't explain what happened there but I hope that I will be better at the World Championships," Mirzazadeh said.

The Bolat Turlykhanov Cup in Almaty was the first step towards selecting the team for World Championships for Iran but now it may need to find another path.

Although Mirzazadeh defeated Yousofi, missing the gold medal proves that he has the chinks in the armor which may push Iran coaches to rethink their selection.

For Yildirim, it will be a tough road to Belgrade as well as he has to go through four-time world champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR) to earn the spot on the team.

"I am ready to work hard to get the 130kg spot in the national team and I believe I will get it," he said. "We are glad that we have such an amazing wrestler as Kayaalp on our national team. The younger generation can take him as an example."

Kerem KAMAL (TUR) won the 63kg gold medal in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Another Turkey star who claimed the gold medal in Almaty was European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR).

The three-time U20 world champ moved up a weight class to 63kg after winning the European Championships and came home with the second gold in two months as he won the 63kg weight class in dominating fashion.

He was drawn on the same side of the bracket as world silver medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and the two clashed in the quarterfinals. Sharshenbekov began on strong and got the first points with a takedown. But Kamal that behind and scored a four-pointer from par terre to lead 5-2 at the break.

Kamal scored four points in the second period to Sharshenbekov's one to claim a 9-3 win his first Ranking Series gold medal this year.

"The Asian wrestlers are the strongest opponents for me and Zholaman [Sharshenbekov] is a very tough opponent as well," Kamal said. "It was a great experience for me to wrestle him at 63kg here."

The two had earlier met five years ago in the U20 World Championships final in Tampere which Kamal won 12-3.

"It was an amazing match against Zholaman," he said. "Five years ago, back in 2017, we wrestled in the U20 World final. I am so happy I won today. With the help of God, I will achieve good results."

In the final, he hammered Bagylan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ) 11-0 after two big throws for four points each from par terre.

With a great start to the year, Kamal now wants to win his first senior world medal and is focused on achieving that result in Belgrade, exactly 100 days from Thursday.

"Today [Thursday] I found out that there are 100 days left for the World Championships, that's why it's important to stay in a good shape, continue the training, and get ready for the World Championships."

Turkey collected its third gold medal through two-time world champion Metehan BASAR (TUR) as he defeated Mahdi FALLAH (IRI) with a first-period fall.

Basar, with the retirement of Cenk ILDIM (TUR), moved up to the 97kg weight class after a decade at 87kg and has begun well with gold at the Ranking Series event.

The match winning move from Abror ATABAEV (UZB) against world champion Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) in the 67kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

New star

On a giant-killing spree in Almaty, Abror ATABAEV (UZB) first spoiled the return of Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) and later pinned Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) with ease to win the 67kg gold medal.

The 19-year-old left the arena with a number of new fans as they requested Atabaev for photos after he won his first senior-level gold medal.

In the semifinal against Dalkhani, Atabev was trailing 3-1 with five seconds left when he locked the world champion and pulled off a throw to get two points and win 3-3. Dalkhani had his arms locked in an uncomfortable position and landed on his left arm which got injured during the move.

"I am still at the U20 level so this is completely different," Atabaev said. "The wrestling style of the opponents, their technique and strength are completely different. But I could win today."

The 2018 U17 world champion, who was introduced to wrestling by his father when he was four years old, said that he had prepared well for the bout against Dalkhani and remembered to wrestle until the end.

"He is a World champion and is very strong," he said. "I was getting ready for the match as the one who wasn't expected to win. But I proved to everyone that I deserve it. My coaches helped me to understand his wrestling, so I could win at the last second because I always wrestle till the very end."

Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) won the 55kg gold medal in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran did collect three gold medals out of the seven that were on offer on day one of the competition.

Another junior world champion from 2017 Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) secured the first gold of the night as he defeated Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) 4-2 in a tense final at 55kg. The U23 World silver medalist got the first point for Mukashev's passivity and then got a gut wrench from par terre.

However, when he was trying a second gut wrench, Dad Marz got stuck midway through the roll and Mukashev tried securing a fall via headlock. But Dad Marz quickly got to safety. In the second period, Mukashev was again called passive but instead of asking for a par terre, Dad Marz was happy to resume the bout from standing. He defended his 4-2 lead till the clock expired.

Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) outscored his opponents 27-0 to win the gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The second gold was secured by Ali Reza NEJATI who won the 60kg weight class.

In an all-Iran final, Nejati dominated compatriot Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) to win the gold medal. He pulled off a four-point throw from par terre after getting a point for Naserpour's passivity. He later scored a stepout to lead 6-0 at the break.

In the second period, he was awarded another point for inactivity and finished the bout with an exposure throw for two points. The Tokyo Olympian competed for the first time since finishing with a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships in November last year.

Overall, he outscored his opponents 27-0 in the three bouts he wrestled to win the gold.

Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI) won the 87kg gold in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

The final gold for Iran was won by Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI) as he defeated Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO) 2-1 in the 87kg final.

The bout began with some aggressive wrestling by the two but the Iranian was called passive and as Rikadze tried to get a roll going, he got caught on his back which gave Taherisartang the two points. The second period saw a lot of action but no scoring move as Rikadze suffered a close loss.

Results

55kg
GOLD: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) df. Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ), 4-3

BRONZE: Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) df. Arjun HALAKURKI (IND), 13-4
BRONZE: Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) df. Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO), 14-5

60kg
GOLD: Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) df. Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI), 9-0

BRONZE: Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) df. Firuz MIRZORADZHABOV (TJK), 4-2
BRONZE: Mukhammadkodir YUSUPOV (UZB) df. Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB), via fall

63kg
GOLD: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df Bagylan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ), 11-0

BRONZE: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ), via inj. def.
BRONZE: NEERAJ (IND) df. Ahmet UYAR (TUR), via fall

67kg
GOLD: Abror ATABAEV (UZB) df. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO), via fall

BRONZE: Madiyar MALTEKBAYEV (KAZ) df. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), 9-6
BRONZE: Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) df. Meysam DALKHANI (IRI), via inj. def.

87kg
GOLD: Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI) df. Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO), 2-1

BRONZE: A. AZISBEKOV (KGZ) df. Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ), 6-5
BRONZE: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) df. Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Metehan BASAR (TUR) df. Mahdi FALLAH (IRI), via fall

BRONZE: Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) df. Umalt DAUDOV (KAZ), 10-2
BRONZE: Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) df. Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), 7-4

130kg
GOLD: Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) df. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), 3-2

BRONZE: Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) df. SATISH (IND), 9-0
BRONZE: Anton SAVENKO (KAZ) df. Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ), 6-1

#WrestleAlmaty

Yazdani, Punia to clash for Asian 86kg title as Iran, host Kazakhstan put 3 each in finals

Sunday, April 18, 2021 - 10:14 By Ken Marantz

Two years after superstar Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and up-and-coming Deepak PUNIA (IND) were slated to meet for the world title in a match that never came about, the two will finally tangle with an Asian gold on the line.

Yazdani, the reigning world and Olympic champion, and Punia both won their semifinal matches at 86kg during the early session to set up the long-delayed clash when the six-day Asian Championships wrap up with five freestyle finals on Sunday night in Almaty.

"I have not wrestled for one and a half years and I thought I should test myself in a lighter competition," said Yazdani, who won the gold in his only other appearance at the Asian Championships in 2018. "This is just to check how my body is and if it is ready. Thankfully, it was great start from the first bout today."

Yazdani is one of three Iranians in the finals, along with 2020 bronze medalist Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI) at 74kg and Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), who will aim to add the 92kg gold to the one he won at 86kg in 2019.

Host Kazakhstan, led by 2019 world silver medalist Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) at 74kg, also has three finalists, while Uzbekistan, India, Mongolia and Kyrgyzstan have one each.

Punia, the 2018 world junior silver medalist, caught the wrestling world's attention when he made an impressive run into the final at the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan, which also served as the initial qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics.

However, he conceded the gold to Yazdani after being forced to default the final due to a left ankle injury suffered in his opening match.

"Definitely I will wrestle in the final," Punia said. "I missed a chance to wrestle him before because I was injured. It is always good to wrestle a good wrestler and that, too, when you know that you can meet him in the Olympics."

In getting another shot at one of the premier wrestlers in the world today by making the final in Almaty, Punia will have to lift his game much higher than what he showed in the early session.

Punia, the bronze medalist a year ago in New Delhi, could only manage a pair of activity-clock points in defeating Gwanuk KIM (KOR) 2-0 in the semifinals. That came after struggling to edge Bakhodur KODIROV (TJK) 4-3 in the quarterfinals.

"My body is still recovering from the fatigue of travel," Punia said.

Yazdani, on the other hand, was never challenged in chalking up a pair of technical fall victories.

The Iranian, who last lost in the first round of the 2018 World Championships, advanced to the final with an 10-0 rout in 2:53 of a valiant but overmatched Mustafa AL OBAIDI (IRQ), methodically scoring four takedowns and adding a gut wrench after the final one.

Al Obaidi showed remarkable resilience in chalking up a wild 12-11 victory in the quarterfinals over Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ). Al Obaidi, who fell behind after blowing an 8-2 lead, came through with a takedown with 7 seconds left for the win.

Like Yazdani, Ghasempour advanced to the 92kg final riding a pair of technical falls. In the semifinals, he built up a 9-0 lead in the first period against Rustam SHODIEV (UZB) before finishing him off with a takedown early in the second.

Standing in his way to the gold is 2020 bronze medalist Tsogtgerel MUNKHBAATAR (MGL), who scored a 4-point takedown with 30 seconds left to clinch a 7-2 win over Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) in the other semifinal.

A number of the most exciting bouts of the day came at 125kg, where the massive combatants dispelled the notion of their weight class being one of plodding affairs. Certainly not when one match has 33 points.

Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) prevented Iran from having a fourth finalist with a stunning victory by fall over Amin TAHERI (IRI), slamming his opponent to the mat after falling behind 6-0.

In the final, he will face Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ), who chalked up a 3-0 victory over Amirjon NUTFULLAEV (UZB), who certainly must wish he had saved some of the 30 points he had scored in his first two matches.

Lazarev, who missed out on earning a place at Tokyo Olympics at the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament held last week in the same venue, spotted 2018 world U-23 bronze medalist Taheri a 6-point lead when the Iranian scored a takedown and two gut wrenches.

But Lazarev coolly locked up an arm and the head in the standing position, then slammed a stunned Taheri to the mat, securing the fall at 2:43.

"I was waiting for his attacks but I tried to control and catch his movement for my attack," Lazarev said. "I will do my best in the final to display what I can do with my wrestling. The result will only be seen on the mat."

Boltin, a Japan national collegiate champion when he competed at Yamanashi Gakuin University, gained an activity point in the first period, then added a driving tackle for 2 in the second to defeat Nutfullaev.

"I am wrestling at home so I wanted to perform good and make everyone happy," Boltin said. "I am feeling very good before every bout."

Boltin's day was not without its drama. In the quarterfinals, he had a slim lead over Sumit MALIK (IND) in the dying seconds when the Indian had a leg and was nearing a takedown. But Boltin hit a desperate back roll and lift for 4 points and a 7-1 win.

"The second bout against Sumit was very difficult because he was very strong," said Boltin, who started his day by scoring a takedown with 8 seconds left to knock off 2020 silver medalist Khunderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL) 3-2 in his opening match.

But nothing compares to what Nutfallaev went through earlier. After rallying for an 11-6 victory over Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN), the Uzbek got into a free-wheeling shootout with Rustam ISKANDARI (TJK).

Nufallaev came back from 8-1 down to go up 12-9 at one point, then finished up a 19-12 win with a takedown and two rolls.

"Yes, I am very tired," Nutfallaev said. "My opponents were very good. I have not trained too much and I know that I need a lot of training and improvements to win.

"I had prepared well for the Kazak wrestler, but Boltin was very good in the semifinals."

As 74kg, Kaipanov kept on track to add to his 2018 Asian gold when his two takedowns trumped the two stepouts by Sumiyabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) in a 4-2 victory.

In the other semifinal, Hosseinkhani advanced with an 11-0 technical fall over Atamyrat CHARLYYEV (TKM) as he looks to make his fifth Asian medal the third gold of his career.

The 61kg final will be a clash between 2017 Asian junior champion Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB) and Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ).

Turobov defeated Sunggwon KIM (KOR) 4-0, while Askarov came out a 7-4 winner over Ravinder DAHIYA (IND), a fellow silver medalist (in different weight classes) at the 2019 World U-23 Championships.

Day 6 Results Freestyle

Semifinals

61kg
Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB) df. Sunggwon KIM (KOR), 4-0
Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) df. Ravinder DAHIYA (IND), 7-4

74kg
Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Sumiyabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), 4-2
Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI) df. Atamyrat CHARLYYEV (TKM) by TF, 11-0, 3:57

86kg
Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. Mustafa AL OBAIDI (IRQ) by TF, 10-0, 2:52
Deepak PUNIA (IND) df. Gwanuk KIM (KOR), 2-0

92kg
Tsogtgerel MUNKHBAATAR (MGL) df. Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ), 7-2
Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Rustam SHODIEV (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 3:25

125kg
Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) df. Amin TAHERI (IRI) by Fall, 2:42 (4-6)
Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) df. Amirjon NUTFULLAEV (UZB), 3-0

Bolat Turlykhanov Cup: Yildirim, Kamal star for Turkey on day one

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Yazdani, Punia to clash for Asian 86kg title as Iran, host Kazakhstan put 3 each in finals