Four USA women top ranked after continental championships

Friday, May 27, 2022 - 14:48 By Vinay Siwach

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (May 26) -- In the last three months, wrestlers have been busy competing at the continental championships to attain ranking points.

With the four tournaments now over, the rankings present a clearer picture of where the wrestlers stand in terms of ranks with only three more events remaining to earn more points.

Bolat Turlykhanov Cup in Almaty, Matteo Pellicone in Rome and Zouhaier Sghaier in Tunis are the Ranking Series events that will help wrestlers earn points and get seeds for the September World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia where the top eight wrestlers will get seeded.

Women's rankings saw major changes and as the points get closer, more wrestlers are entered for the next ranking series event in Almaty.

50kg
Her Olympic bronze, World Championships silver and now the Pan-Am gold has steered Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) clear at the top spot at 50kg. The USA wrestler now has 84200 points while world champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) is second with 55000 points.

Yoshimoto won the Asian title in April to move ahead of Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) who has 51000 points. The two are expected to compete against each other for a spot on Japan's World Championships team.

European silver medalist Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) takes the fourth spot with 49900 points while bronze medalist Emilia VUC (ROU) has 49100 points at the fifth position.

Yanan SUN (CHN), Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL), Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RWF) and Mariya STADNIK (AZE) occupy the sixth to ninth positions but have not competed since the Olympics or Worlds last year.

Namuuntsetseg TSOGTOCHIR won a silver medal at home at the Asian Championships to increase her points to 31000 and is 10th in the rankings followed by African champion Sarra HAMDI (TUN) [30980 points] at 11th and Pan-Am silver medalist Madison PARKS (CAN) [29200 points] at 12th.

European champion Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) broke into the top-15 with her gold and now has 21600 points.

Bolortuya BAT-OCHIR (MGL) is the top ranked wrestler at 53kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

53kg
Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya BATOCHIR missed the Asian Championships but is still the top-ranked wrestler at 53kg with 56200 points, thanks to her gold at the Istanbul Ranking Series.

But the battle for the top five is intense as world champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) won her first Asian title as well and is now second with 55000 points.

European Championships bronze Iulia LEORDA (MDA) takes the third spot with 53700 points. She received 6500 points for the effort in Budapest. Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) won silver at the Pan-Am Championships and jumped to fifth spot and has 51000 points, the same as Olympic champion and fourth-placed Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN).

Qianyu PANG (CHN) has 41400 points for the sixth spot but Samantha STEWART (CAN) can overtake her soon as she has 39000 points after finishing fifth at the Pan-Ams.

World bronze medalist Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) is eighth after her bronze at the Euros with 37500 points, 2700 points more than European champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE) [34800 points]. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BWF) rounds off the top-10 as she trails Malmgren by just 600 points at the 10th position.

From 11-16, the ranking gets even closer as Annika WENDLE (GER) has 27520 points at 11th, Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR) has 25000 points at 12th, Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) has 23200 points at 13th, Pan-Am champion Dominique PARRISH (USA) has 23200 points at 14th, while two Tokyo Olympics fifth -- Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) and Joseph ESSOMBE (CMR) -- are 15th and 16th with 23000 points each.

World champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) continues to be at the top at 55kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

55kg
World champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) continues to lead the rankings with 43000 points. However, she won her first Asian title at 57kg and is expected to stay in that weight. The next best then comes Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) with 37000 points after her silver medal at the European Championships for 8000 points.

World silver Nina HEMMER (GER) is third with 35000 points while bronze at the same tour Jenna BURKERT (USA) is fourth with 29000 points. European champion Andreea ANA (ROU) has 26200 points after her gold which helped her break into the top five.

India's PINKI (IND) is sixth with 23000 points, followed by Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RWF) [23000 points] and Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) [19000 points], Mehlika OZTURK (TUR) [18100 points] and African champion Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) [15000 points] in the top-10.

Pan-Am champion Karla GODINEZ (CAN) debuted in the rankings with 10000 points and takes the 12th spot.

Helen MAROULIS (USA) leads the 57kg rankings with 79200 points. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

57kg
Helen MAROULIS (USA) skipped the Pan-Am Championships but her bronze at the Olympics and gold at Worlds have helped her pocket 79200 points to be number one in the rankings.

A close second is Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) with 72200 points as she won the Istanbul Ranking Series gold after her Olympic bronze and later added a European silver medal. World silver medalist Anshu MALIK (IND) won another silver at the Asian Championships to be back in the top three with 58500 points.

Iryna KURACHKINA (BWF) has 51600 points to be fourth followed by Olympic champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) [51000 points]. Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RWF) is sixth with 35200 points.

In the absence of Maroulis, Giullia DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) had a chance to win the Pan-Am gold but she ended up with a bronze which gave her only 6500 points. She now has 32180 points at the seventh spot.

Silver at Pan-Ams Alma ESCOTO (MEX) is 10th with 29300 points while Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) is 11th with 25000 points.

Khongorzul BOLDSAIKHAN (MGL) and Valeria KOBLOVA (ROC) were fifth at the Olympics and are 12th and 13th in the rankings with 23000 points each.

Junior world champion Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) comes in at number 14 with 20500 points while Bolortuya KHURELKHUU is at 15th with 17900 points.

Second placed Sarita MOR (IND), right, has the best chance to replace world champ Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) at the top at 59kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

59kg
No one has been able to overtake world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) as the top-ranked wrestler. She has 45000 points from the Worlds and still sits at the top. Silver to her at Worlds Akie HANAI (JPN) is third with 37000 points.

Separating the two is bronze medalist Sarita MOR (IND) with 38050 points. She moved past Hanai with a bronze at the Asian Championships for 3250 points. Fourth is Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) with 35000 points after her silver medal at the Asian Championships.

She was fourth at the European Championships but the 58000 points helped Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) move from ninth to fifth as she now has 28300 points, 3300 points more than sixth-placed Maya NELSON (USA). Sara LINDBORG (SWE) has 25000 points in the seventh spot while Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) has 24400 points to be eighth.

European champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) has 21000 points as she also won the Istanbul event. Linda MORAIS (CAN) has 18200 points to be ranked 10th.

Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (SWE) has 17000 points at 11th, Krystsina SAZYKINA (BWF) has 15500 points at 12th, Ebru DAGBASI (TUR) has 10880 points at 13th and Elif YANIK (TUR) has 10600 points at 14th.

African champion Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) debuts in the rankings at 15th with 10000 points.

Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) has 94400 points at the top at 62kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

62kg
She may not have won gold medals at Istanbul Ranking Series and Asian Championships but Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) has an enormous lead over her opponents at 62kg. She won a silver at Olympics, gold at Worlds and silver at Asians to have 94400 points at the top.

The next best wrestler is Olympic bronze and European champion Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) with 53200 points followed by World and Pan-Am silver medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) who has 51200 points. Yukako KAWAI (JPN) has 51000 points at fourth with Lais NUNES (BRA) at fifth with 43900 points.

Japan's new sensation at 62kg Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) is fifth with 41000 points as she won bronze at the Worlds and gold at the Asian Championships.

Two Ukraine wrestlers take the seventh and eighth spots as Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) has 34200 points while Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) has 31500 points.

World bronze medalist Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) has been pushed down to ninth as she has 31000 points while Pan-Am champ Ana GODINEZ (CAN) has risen to 10th with 27000 points.

African champion Marwa AMRI (TUN) added 10000 points to be 12th in the rankings as she now has 24000 points.

Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) with 21300 points is 15th in the rankings.

Pan-Am champion Forrest MOLINARI (USA) is the top ranked wrestler at 65kg. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

65kg
Forrest MOLINARI (USA) had replaced world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) at the top by winning gold in Istanbul and now she is 5000 points clear at the top with the Pan-Am title. She now has 49000 points against Ringaci's 45000 points. Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) added the Asian title to her World silver to be third with 42000 points.

The rest of the field lags behind in points as fourth-placed Malin MATTSSON (SWE) has only 31000 points followed by Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) at fifth with 25000 points. Maryia MAMASHUK (BWF) also has 25000 points but is sixth.

European silver medalist Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) has 24400 points at the seventh position while bronze medalist Kriszta INCZE (ROU) has 23220 points to be eighth. Dinara KUDAEVA (RWF) [19350 points] takes the ninth spot.

European champion Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) breaks into the top-10 at 10th with 19000 points for her title and 11th position at the World Championships.

The points she collected at the Olympics and World Championships -- 18200 -- take Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) to the 11th spot. Asli DEMIR (TUR) is 12th with 17000 points and Aina TEMIRTASSOVA (KAZ) is 13th with 15500 points.

After winning a bronze at the Istanbul Ranking event, Khadija JLASSI (TUN) won a silver medal at the African Championships to earn 14200 points and move to the 14th spot. Sofiya GEORGIEVA (BUL) rounds off the top-15 with 13280 points.

Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) has 91600 points at the top spot at 68kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

68kg
Olympic champion Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) missed the gold at World Championships and then skipped the Pan-Am Championships which allowed world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) to take the top spot at 68kg with 91600 points. Mensah has 80000 points at the second position. Zhumanazarova, however, will rue the fact that she could not create a bigger cap as she missed out on gold at the Istanbul event and Asian Championships.

In Istanbul, Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) won gold and followed that up with the African title to be ranked third with 74400 points.

Others are playing catch-up in the rankings as Khanum VELIEVA (RWF) is fourth with 49200 points followed by world silver Rin MIYAJI (JPN) with 35000 points.

Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) is sixth with 34200 points and 1000 points behind her is Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) at seventh. Tokyo Olympics fifth-placers Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL) and Sara DOSHO (JPN) take the eighth and ninth spots as both have 23000 points each. Fith at the World Championships Olivia DI BACCO (CAN) also has 23000 points and is 10th.

The top-15 places are rounded off by Feng ZHOU (CHN) [16200 points], Anastasiia LAVRENCHUK (UKR) [16200 points], Ambar FLORES (MEX) [15400 points], Anna SCHELL (GER) [13500 points] and Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) [13500 points].

Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) remains the top ranked wrestler at 72kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

72kg
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) continues to be at the top at 72kg with 48000 points while Anna SCHELL (GER) is second with 45400 points as he moved ahead of arch-rival Buse TOSUN (TUR) 41000 points who is fourth. Separating them at third is Masako FURUICHI (JPN) who has 43000 points.

Fifth-placed Davaanasan ENKH-AMAR (MGL) is lagging behind with just 26250 points followed by Cynthia VESCAN (FRA) who has 23000 points. Divya KAKRAN (IND) takes the seventh spot with 16200 points.

Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BWF) with 15000 points is eighth while Sofiya GEORGIEVA (BUL) is ninth with 13500 points. Junior world champion Kylie WELKER (USA) tops off the top-10 as she has 12300 points.

Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) has 10200 points at 11th, Kseniia BURAKOVA (RWF) is 12th with 9400 points, Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK) has 7000 points at 13th, Kendra DACHER (FRA) takes the 14th spot with 6500 points.

Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) has 6500 points to finish in the top-15 rankings at 72kg.

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), blue, can overtake world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) at the top at 76kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

76kg
Adeline GRAY (USA) will not be at the World Championships which means Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) has the opportunity to take the top rank and seed. Gray still leads the ranking with 86400 points but Medet Kyzy has 77000 points and has three tournaments to go past Gray.

World bronze and African champion Samar HAMZA (EGY) will also fancy her chances for the top seed as she has 61100 points at third. But it will a big task for her. Moreover, European silver medalist Epp MAE (EST) has 60000 points at fourth and can go past Hamza.

Olympic champion Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER) has 51000 points for her gold but is retired and cannot move up. But bronze medalist in Tokyo and European champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) can break into the top three as she has 44200 points at the sixth spot.

Qian ZHOU (CHN) is number seven with 34200 points and is likely to get a seed at Worlds if she is registered in September.

Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR) and Kiran GODARA (IND) have 25000 points each to take the eighth and ninth positions respectively while Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) rounds off the top-10 with 23000 points.

Francy RAEDELT (GER) has 21500 points at 11th, Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) has 19700 points at 12th and Zagardulam NAIGALSUREN (MGL) has 18200 points at the 13th position.

Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) takes the 14th spot with 17000 points while Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) is 15th with 16700 points.

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ranking Series: Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Preview

Monday, May 26, 2025 - 06:43 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (May 23) -- While most Paris Olympic medalist have returned to action in either the first two Ranking Series or the recent continental championships, there are still who will be wrestling for the first time since Games in August 2024.

The Ulaanbaatar Open, the third stop of the Ranking Series, will see two such wrestlers -- AMAN (IND) and Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ).

Aman, the bronze medalist at 57kg in Paris, will mark his return to competition after dropping out from first two Ranking Series tournaments. Dzhuzupekov, who won bronze at Greco-Roman 97kg in Paris, will also be returning for the first time.

Barring those, a few world medalists are also wrestling in Ulaanbaatar. The tournament, which will see more than 200 wrestlers, throws up some top match-ups despite a several nations preparing for their domestic trials or national championships.

The tournament will run through May 29 to June 1 and will be live on UWW+ on uww.org and UWW App.

Freestyle

In a hugely viral clip of United World Wrestling, Zagir SHAKHIEV (UWW) is getting pinned by Shamil MAMMEDOV (UWW) who has Shakhiev in a cradle. That was January 2022 at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series.

More than three years after his last international bout, Shakhiev is making a comeback. The 2021 world 65kg champion will take the mat at 70kg at the Ulaanbaatar Open as he tries to find a way back to the top in international wrestling.

However, it's won't be an easy journey. The 70kg in Ulaanbaatar will se Shakhiev clash with Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI), Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) and Viktor RASSADIN (TJK).

Tumur Ochir will be looking avenge his 4-4 loss to Shakhiev from that 2021 World Championships, a match which had all the drama in the final minute. How Shakhiev comes out now is yet to be seen.

Asian silver medalist Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) can trouble Shakhiev and so can Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI) and Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) with their gas-tanks.

For Tumur Ochir, it will be a perfect opportunity to perform in front of his home crowd and regain some form before the World Championships in September.

Mongolia will be keen on its wrestlers finishing on podium at the home tournament. Their biggest hope, apart from Tumur Ochir, will be Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) at 125kg.

The Asian silver medalist will have DINESH (IND),Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR), Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) and Abdulla KURBANOV (UWW) as some of his opponents but is expected to finish better than them.

At 57kg, Aman may be the only Olympic medalist entered but the field seems challenging for anyone. European U23 champion Lev PAVLOV (UWW) brings a lot of craft with him and Aman will like face him if he wants to win another Ranking Series gold medal. Then there is Pan-Am champion Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) who too is coming off a good run in Monterrey.

Kyrgyzstan is sending two wrestlers -- Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) and Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) -- and both can trouble their opponents. The hosts Mongolia is banking on Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL).

Asian silver medalist UDIT (IND) will be another top name in Freestyle but his weight class also has quite a few challengers. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) and Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) will be there from Kyrgyzstan along with Artem GOBAEV (UWW), who won the European U23 Championships gold last year.

Another Asian silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) will continue to be at 92kg and not 86kg, his previous weight class. Punia made his return from surgery at the Asian Championships and won silver medal at 92kg, only dropping the final to Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI).

He will be put to further test in Ulaanbaatar and Askhab SAADULAEV (UWW) may emerge as his biggest competitor.

At 74kg, Iran is sending three wrestlers in the hope of finding the best for the World Championships. Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI), who recently moved up from 70kg and won the Takhti Cup, will be challenged by Yones EMAMI (IRI) and Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI).

To win gold, Yazdani will also face competition from JAIDEEP (IND), Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) and former world medalist Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), who Yazdani defeated in a club competition in Iran recently.

European bronze medalist Osman GOECN (TUR) will be Türkiye chance to win gold medal at the Ranking Series. Gocen will largely be unchallenged at 86kg given his experience and style.

At 65kg, Kyrgyzstan is trying to find its best bet for a medal at the World Championships as both Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) and Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ) are entered.

Greco-Roman

Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye are bringing strong teams for the Ranking Series. Kyrgyzstan will be led by Olympic bronze medalist Dzhuzupbekov while Turkiye has European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and former world champion Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR). Barring those, only India is sending a full team for the tournament.

Iran has two wrestlers namely Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) and Danial SOHRABI (IRI) at 63kg and 72kg respectively.

Kamal, who has found a lifeline since switching to 63kg from 60kg, won the European Championships gold medal in spectacular fashion and is now out to win his second Ranking Series gold of the year.

He has Keshtkar in his weight class along with Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ), Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) and Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT). However, Kamal remains the favorite. Akbudak should have an easy path to gold at 82kg.

European silver medalist Hamza BAKIR (TUR) at 130kg is also unlikely to face much challenge in the competition at the highest weight class.

The Kyrgyzstan vs Turkiye may emerge as the theme of the tournament in Greco-Roman for the rest of the weight classes.

Paris Olympian Enes BASAR (TUR) may have to navigate a stronger field at 60kg with former world U17 champion SURAJ (IND) and two of Kyrgyzstan's rising stars Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) and Kurmanbek ZHAPAROV (KGZ).

Kyrgyzstan's Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), who won gold at Muhamet Malo and silver at Asian Championships, will be the favorite at 67kg despite the presence of Murat FIRAT (TUR).

Same goes for Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) who won gold at 77kg in Albania and later a bronze medal at the Asian Championships. His battle with European bronze medalist Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) will be one to watch out for.

At 87kg, two former age-group world champions will be fighting it out. Former world U20 champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) had a rather disappointing Asian Championships as he finished seventh and will be looking to win gold in Ulaanbaatar to regain confidence.

Alperen BERBER (TUR), who has all age-group world titles, has not wrestled this year in any Ranking Series or Championships and will be test at 87kg.

Sohrabi, who won the Asian title at 72kg in Amman, will start as the favorite but has to be careful with Yryskeldi KHAMZAEV (KGZ) who can upset the Iranian.

Women's Wrestling

India, Turkiye and Mongolia are in a three-way battle in Women's Wrestling. A few UWW wrestlers are also in the fray in the tournament but not in all weight classes. The Indian and Turkish teams have some of their continental medalists and will make for an exciting clash in the respective weight classes.

No weight class in Women's Wrestling is expected to have eight wrestlers and will be competed in Nelson or round-robin format. That throws big match ups in most weight classes.

At 62kg, Asian champion MANISHA (IND) will be clashing with Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), Saruul ERDENEBILEG (MGL) and Alina KASABIEVA (UWW).

Sukhee, a former world champion, is known for her big moves and can easily reach the top of the podium in Ulaabaatar. But Purevdorj, who surprisingly missed the Asian Championships, will be keen on displaying her skills and reclaim the top spot in the weight class.

Kasabieva, world silver medalist at 65kg, has to face the Asian challenge and style and a good performance in Ulaabaatar can work wonders for her future tournaments.

Asian bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) will be the favorite at 53kg but has to step up against the likes of Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL) andNatalia MALYSHEVA (UWW).

Similarly, NEELAM (IND) may find it tough against European silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) and European U23 champion Natalia PUDOVA (UWW). A direct India-Turkiye battle is expected at 57kg as European silver medalist Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) will be tested by world U20 bronze NEHA (IND).

In most other weight classes, Mongolia is likely to have podium finishes as it has three wrestlers in each weights.

Former world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) is at 55kg along with Dulguun MUNKHBOLD BOLORMAA (MGL) and 2023 world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) is the favorite at 68kg despite her bronze-medal finish at the Asian Championships.

At 72kg, European U23 champion Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW) will test herself against the Asian style of wrestling. Former U17 world champion HARSHITA (IND) will be her biggest test.

Four USA women top ranked after continental championships

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Ranking Series: Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Preview