Freestyle World Cup, Los Angeles, United World Wrestling, Iran, Cuba, United States, Turkey, Mongolia, Azerbaijan

Freestyle World Cup: Updated Results and Notes

By United World Wrestling Press

Head to United World Wrestling's Freestyle World Cup page for links to the live stream, results and photographs. 
HERE: https://unitedworldwrestling.org/event/world-cup-senior-7

Pool A W L Pool B W L United States 3 0 Iran 3 0 Russia 2 1 Azerbaijan 2 1 Mongolia 1 2 Belarus 1 2 Cuba 0 3 Turkey 0 3

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: United States vs. Iran
THIRD PLACE: Russia vs. Azerbaijan
FIFTH PLACE: Mongolia vs. Belarus
SEVENTH PLACE: Cuba vs. Turkey

THIRD PLACE
AZERBAIJAN 4, RUSSIA 4 (15-15)

Azerbaijan wins by technical points 34-28
Azerbaijan need to go to the second tiebreaking criteria to defeat Russia for third place at the World Cup. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) picked up 12 crucial technical points in a 12-1 technical fall over Timur KOTSOEV (RUS) at 125kg. Magomedov's win was big because it tied the match score at four matches apiece, then tied the classification score at 15 apiece. With those 12 points, Jamaladdin's victory pushed Azerbaijan through. 

57 kg - Viktor RASSADIN (RUS) df. Yashar ALIYEV (AZE), 8-1
61 kg - No.12 Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. No.15 Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS), 9-4
65 kg - No.4 Magomed MUSLIMOV (AZE) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 6-0
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. No.12 Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE), 6-4
74 kg - Iakubali SHIKHDZHAMALOV (RUS) df. Murad SULEYMANOV (AZE), 4-1
86 kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE), 4-0
97 kg - No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. No.13 Yury BELONOVSKIY (RUS), 1-1
125 kg - No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Timur KOTSOEV (RUS) by TF, 12-1

FIFTH PLACE
BELARUS 5, MONGOLIA 3

Despite upset wins by Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR and Mandakhan GANZORIG, Belarus proved to be too much for Mongolia. Wins by Ivan YANKOUSKI at 97kg and Aleksey SHEMAROV at 125kg lifted Belarus to a fifth-place finish. Shemarov defeated World No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN 11-1 to finish off the dual. 

57 kg - No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL) df. No.7 Vladzislav ANDREEV (BLR) by FALL
61 kg - Dzianis MAKSIMAV (BLR) df. Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 10-10
65 kg - No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) df. No.5 Azamat NURIKOV (BLR), 11-5
70 kg - Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR), 11-9
74 kg - No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR) df. No.14 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL), 8-2
86 kg - Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR) df. Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL), 8-5
97 kg - Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 7-5
125 kg - No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR) df. No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL), 11-1

SEVENTH PLACE
CUBA 5, TURKEY 3

Cuba finished seventh after several wrestlers were unable to compete due to injury. In the four matches that were wrestled, the Cubans swept them all, with the biggest victory coming at 57kg as No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ earned a 10-0 technical fall over past World medalist Sezar AKGUL (TUR).

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. Sezar AKGUL (TUR) by TF, 10-0
61 kg - Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR) won by forfeit
65 kg - Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) df. Mustafa KARTAL (TUR) by TF, 10-0
70 kg - Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) df. Sefa AKSOY (TUR), 4-2
74 kg - Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) won by forfeit
86 kg - Serdar BOKE (TUR) won by forfeit
97 kg - No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR) by FALL
125 kg - Tanju GEMICI (TUR) won by forfeit

Pool B, Round 6
IRAN 7, AZERBAIJAN 1

The only loss for Iran was one of its best as No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) topped No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI) at 97kg 9-1. Iran would win the other seven bouts, with solid wins registered by No.18 Benham EHSANPOOR (IRI) over World Champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) at 61kg. A wild matchup occurred at 65kg as World No.2 Sayed MOHAMMADI (IRI) outlasted Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE) 14-10. Iran will face the host United States in the championship final.

57 kg - No.8 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. Jalal SULEYMANOR (AZE), 8-2
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. No.12 Haji ALIYEV (AZE), 5-5
65 kg - No.2 Seyed AHMAD MOHAMMADI  (IRI) df. Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE), 14-10
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. No.12 Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE), 10-8
74 kg - Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) df. No.9 Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) by TF, 10-2
86 kg - No.4 Meisam MOSTAFAJOUKAR (IRI) df. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) by TF, 12-1
97 kg - No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI), 9-1
125 kg - No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) df. No.11 Jamalladin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) by TF, 12-2

Pool A, Round 6
RUSSIA 4, CUBA 4
Russia wins by classification points, 24-12
Russia won two of its four matches by forfeit and the other two by fall to get past an injury-depelted Cuban squad in the final round of Pool A competition. The big win was delivered at 125kg as Yuri BELONOVSKIY (RUS) bumped up from 97kg to pick up a fall and give Russia the dual-tying win. Russia would win on criteria. 

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. Viktor RASSADIN (RUS), 12-6
61 kg - No.15 Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS) by forfeit
65 kg - Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 5-4
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) by FALL
74 kg - No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) df. Isa DAUDOV (RUS), 7-2
86 kg - Akhmed MAGOMEDOV (RUS) by forfeit
97 kg - No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) df. Azret SHOGENOV (RUS), 8-2
125 kg - No.13 Yury BELONOVSKIY (RUS) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB) by FALL

Pool A, Round 5
UNITED STATES 8, MONGOLIA 0

The United States swept Mongolia 8-0 to win Pool A and move into the championship dual against the winner of the Iran-Azerbaijan dual in Pool B. The U.S. won three matches against higher-ranked opponents while Saturday's hero, Tervel DLAGNEV (USA), was dominant at 125kg, earning a 10-0 techincal fall over World No.9 Chluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL). 

57 kg - No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) df. No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL), 1-1
61 kg - Coleman SCOTT (USA) df. Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 8-5
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL), 8-2
70 kg - No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA) df. Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL), 4-1
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. No.14 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL), 6-0
86 kg - No.10 Clayton FOSTER (USA) df. Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL), 2-2
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 3-0
125 kg - No.8 Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) df. No.9 Chluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) by TF, 10-0

Pool B, Round 5
BELARUS 5, TURKEY 3

57 kg - No.7 Vladzislav ANDREEV (BLR) df. Sezar AKGUL (TUR), 5-3
61 kg - Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAV (BLR) by TF, 14-4
65 kg - No.5 Azamat NURIKOV (BLR) df. Mustafa KARTAL (TUR) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - Zhan SAFYAN (BLR) df. (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
74 kg - Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) df. No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR), 4-3
86 kg - Serdar BOKE (TUR) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR), 8-7
97 kg - Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR) by TF, 20-9
125 kg - No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR) df. Tanju GEMICI (TUR) by TF, 10-0

WORLD CUP NOTEBOOK
Cuban Contingent Happy to Participate in World Cup in Los Angeles

Cuba's Livan LOPEZ AZCUY was excited for the 2015 United World Wrestling World Cup. He wasn't exactly excited about the arrival time into Los Angeles as the Cuban delegation arrived at 2 a.m. local time, approxmiately 13 hours prior to competition.

"This is my first trip to Los Angeles and we arrived very late so I haven’t seen anything. I’d like to see a little of the city," said Lopez. "We arrived late and I haven't had any time to recover."

Being sleep-deprived adds another level of sluggishness. Heavy legs and new timezones can be problematic for timing and quickness. Lopez had to take that into consideration when facing his first opponent on Saturday -- American Jordan BURROUGHS. 

"Jordan is an amazing wrestler and he would have been tough even if I was rested," said Lopez, a three-time World and Olympic medalist, who was still looking forward to wrestling Burroughs for the second time. "I've been fighting at 65kg and just moved up," said Lopez. "I have a great opportunity to work on my tactics at this weight and I know when I get home, I'll need to work on my strength."

Cuban head coach Julio MENDIETA CUELLAR was a bit awestruck of the Forum.

“When I walked in the front entrance of The Forum and saw all the pictures of the people who have performed here, I felt “WOW.”   I felt elevated that I was in the same facility as all these important people," said Mendieta Cuellar.

Funding is always an issue for the small Caribbean island nation, which sits just 90 miles from the United States mainland. Bringing top wrestlers to the World Cup is an opportunity, but even Mendieta Cuellar doesn't know if everyone in Los Angeles will be on the quad that competes at the World Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada come September.

“It’s too soon to decide that, but I expect that some of the wrestlers here in Los Angeles will go to the World Championships," said Mendieta Cuellar. "Bottom line, it the best performers that will go to Las Vegas.”

The Cuban contingent will have to fight the rest of the way without the dynamic Reineris SALAS PEREZ. The multi-time World medalist was injured in competition leading up to the World Cup and re-injured his ankle in a wild 22-13 loss to Ed RUTH of the United States.

"We brought a doctor with us and he will check it, but we don’t want to make the ankle worse with the World Championships coming up," said Mendieta Cuellar. Salas reportedly had a cast on his ankle removed two days prior. 

Burroughs Wins 100th International Match

Three-time World and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS of the United States won two matches on Saturday to push his senior-level international record to 100-2. Burroughs' 100th win was over Russia's Iakubali SHIKHDZHAMALOV. Burroughs jumped out to a 4-0 on four pushouts, then hit his trademark doubleleg to extend his lead to 8-0. Burroughs finished off the match with four points, converting on another double leg in the second period. Burroughs' only two losses are to fellow American Nick MARABLE and to three-time World and Olympic champion Denis TSARGUSH of Russia. 

Pool A, Round 4
MONGOLIA 5, CUBA 3
57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL) by TF, 15-5
61 kg - Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Moikel ANTONIO PEREZ GONZALEZ (CUB), 9-5
65 kg - No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) df. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) by TF, 11-0
74 kg - No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) df. No.14 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL), 6-4
86 kg - Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL) by forfeit, 0-0
97 kg - No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 3-1
125 kg - No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB) by TF, 10-0

Pool B, Round 4
AZERBAIJAN 6, BELARUS 2
57 kg - Jalal SULEYMANOR (AZE) df. Uladzislau ANDREYEU (BLR) by TF, 12-2
61 kg - Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAU (BLR) by TF, 12-2
65 kg - Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE) df. Azamat NURYKAU (BLR), 6-2
70 kg - Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR), 8-0
74 kg - Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) df. Ali SHABANAU (BLR), 1-1
86 kg - Amarhajy MAHAMEDAU (BLR) df. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE), 1-1
97 kg - Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) by TF, 11-1
125 kg - Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR) df. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE), 5-3

Pool A, Round 3
UNITED STATES 4, RUSSIA 4

USA wins by classification points, 17-16
Two-time World bronze medalist Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) came through in the clutch to beat Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS) 10-0 at 125kg to push the host United States to a tie-breaker victory over Russia in the second round of Pool A competition. Russia made things extremely interesting after Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) pinned Ed RUTH (USA) in 52 seconds at 86kg and then No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKIY (RUS) scored two takedowns to beat Olympic champion Jake VARNER (USA) at 97kg. Dlagnev's 10-0 technical superiority gave the U.S. four classification points, but more importantly, the shut out kept Aliev from scoring a classification point, which would have sent the match to the next criteria. 

57 kg - No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) df. Omak SYURUUN (RUS), 4-2
61 kg - No.15 Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 10-1
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. No.16 Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) by TF, 13-3
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA), 6-4
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Iakubali SHIKHDZHAMALOV (RUS) by TF, 12-0
86 kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Ed RUTH (USA) by FALL, 0:52
97 kg - No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKIY (RUS) df. Jake VARNER (USA), 4-0
125 kg - No.8 Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) df. Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS) by TF, 10-0

IRAN 7, TURKEY 1
Sezar AKGUL (TUR) opened up the dual with an exciting 13-10 victory over World No.16 Younes SARMASTIDIZAJI (IRI) at 57kg. The Iranian jumped out to an 8-1 lead before Akgul began his comeback with several front headlock rolls for exposure. Akgul would score 12 of the next 14 points to pick up the win. Iran would power through the rest of the dual with two technical falls, two forfeits and a fall by second-ranked Komeil GHASEMI (IRI). Iran ends the day 2-0 and will face Azerbaijan at 12:30 p.m. Pacific. If Iran wins, they will advance to the World Cup final. 

57 kg - Sezar AKGUL (TUR) df. No.16 Younes SARMASTIDIZAJI (IRI), 13-10
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR), 5-0
65 kg - No.2 Masmoud ESMAILPOUR (IRI) df. Sefa AKSOY (TUR) by TF, 10-0
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
74 kg - No.12 Peyman YARAHMADI (IRI) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
86 kg - No.4 Meysam JOKAR (IRI) df. Serdar BOKE (TUR) by TF, 10-0
97 kg - No.3 Mohammad HOSSIEN MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR), 4-4
125 kg - No.2 Komeil GHASEMI (IRI) df. Tanju GEMICI (TUR) by FALL 1:06

Pool A, Round 2
RUSSIA 5, MONGOLIA 3

Even without their best possible lineup, the Russian Federation fought past Mongolia in Pool A competition 5-3. Omak SYURUUN (RUS) opened up at 57kg with a crisp 8-1 victory over 2014 Asian silver medalist Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL). World No.9 Egor PONOZMARIOV (RUS) would give Russia a 2-0 lead with a 3-1 win over Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL) at 61kg. Russia stole any Mongolian momentum at 70kg as No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) trailed Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) 10-4 late in the first period, but Kasumov tossed Batchuluun to his back for the fall at 2:18. In a battle of ranked wrestlers, World No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKI (RUS) beat No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKAND (MGL) 2-0 at 97kg to clinch the dual victory for the Russians. 

57 kg - Omak SYURUUN (RUS) df. No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL), 8-1
61 kg - No.9 Egor PONOMARIOV (RUS) df. Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 3-1
65 kg - No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 6-4
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) by FALL, 2:18
74 kg - Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL) df. Isa DAUDOV (RUS), 6-6 (highest scoring move)
86 kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL) by TF, 10-0
97 kg - No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKI (RUS) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 2-0
125 kg - No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS), 8-1

Pool B, Round 2
AZERBAIJAN 7, TURKEY 1

Yashar ALIYEV (AZE) got Azerbaijan off to a strong start at 57kg as he defeated two-time World medalist Sezar AKGUL (TUR) 9-4. Akgul was a World silver medalist in 2009 and a bronze medalist in 2013. Reigning World champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) was ranked just 12th at 65kg, but he's back at 61kg and he put on a spectacular performance with several highlight-reel worthy throws to earn a 17-4 technical fall over Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR). Togrul ASGAROV (AZE), the Olympic champion in 2012 at 60kg, is back at 65kg after competing at 70kg in two international events this year. He made quick work of Sefa AKSOY (TUR) 11-0. Turkey's lone win came at 125kg where Tanju GEMICI (TUR) rallied from an 8-0 deficit, hitting a lateral drop to pin No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) at 1:33. 

57 kg - Yashar ALIYEV (AZE) df. Sezar AKGUL (TUR), 9-4
61 kg - No.12 Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR) by TF, 17-4
65 kg - Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE) df. Sefa AKSOY (TUR) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE) df. (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
74 kg - No.9 Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), 6-3
86 kg - Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) df. Serdar BOKE (TUR), 4-2
97 kg - No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR), 2-0
125 kg - Tanju GEMICI (TUR) df. No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) by FALL, 1:33

Session I
Pool A, Round 1
UNITED STATES 6, CUBA 2

Cuba opened up quickly by winning the first two bouts against the host Americans. Ranked fourth in the World at 61kg, Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) made the move down to 57kg and rallied to pin No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA)  in the second period. Bonne Herndanez used a cradle to secure the fall. Unheralded Maikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) picked up an outstanding 9-1 decision over 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Coleman SCOTT (USA) at 61kg. The United States would sweep the final six weights, with the first key victory coming at 74kg where three-time World and Olympic champion and World No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) topped two-time world medalist and World No.5 Livan LOPEZ (CUB) 6-2. It was wild at 86kg as Ed RUTH (USA) upended World No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) 22-13. Ruth jumped out to a 6-3 lead before Salas scored 10 straight to take a 13-6 lead. Ruth would then score 16 straight points. Jake Varner (USA), the 2012 Olympic champion, defeated World No.7 and 2014 World bronze medalist Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) 3-0 at 97kg to clinch the dual for the USA. 

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) by FALL 4:57. 
61 kg - Moikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 9-1
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB), 7-2
70 kg - No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) by TF, 10-0
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB), 6-2
86 kg - Ed RUTH (USA) df. No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB), 22-13
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB), 3-0
125 kg - No.15 Zach REY (USA) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB), 3-0

 

Pool B, Round 1
IRAN 8, BELARUS 0

Buoyed by a large contingent of fans in Los Angeles, Iran opened up with an impressive 8-0 shutout victory over Belarus. World No.8 and 2013 World Champion Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) opened up with a strong win over World No.7 and 2014 World bronze medalist Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR) at 57kg. One of the biggest victories came at 74kg where unranked Moteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) defeated Ali SHABANOV (BLR). Shabanov, a two-time World bronze medalist led 4-2 with 40 seconds left but Rezaei picked up a match-tying takedown to knot the score at four apiece. No further scoring would take place giving Rezaei the victory by criteria. Four-time World medalist and two-time champion Reza YAZDANI (IRI) was solid, earning a 10-0 technical fall over Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) at 97kg. The Iranians would make it a clean sweep after World No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) would defeat World No.7 and 2011 World Champion Aleksey SHEMAROV (BLR) 6-0.

57 kg - No.8 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. No.7 Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR), 5-2
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAU (BLR), 7-0
65 kg - No.2 Seyed AHMAD MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. No.5 Azamat NURYKAV (BLR) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR) by TF, 12-1
74 kg - Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) df. No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR), 4-4 (last point scored)
86 kg - No.13 Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR), 7-4
97 kg - No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) by TF, 10-0
125 kg - No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) df. No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR), 6-0

 

Competition Schedule (All Times are PDT; GMT -7)
Sunday, April 12
Session IV
4:15 p.m. – Mat A: Third Place Dual
5:45 p.m. – Mat A: Championship Dual

Session I
Pool A, Round 1
ETATS UNIS 6, CUBA 2

Cuba a commencé par gagner les deux premiers matchs face aux Américains. Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) , No. 4 à 61 kg, est descendu à 57 kg et a battu le No. 19 Tony RAMOS (USA) en seconde période. Maikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) a battu le médaillé de bronze des Jeux Olympiques de 2012 Coleman SCOTT (USA) 9-1 à 61kg. Les Etats Unis ont gagné dans les six catégories de poids restantes. L’une des victoires les plus importantes a été remportée par le triple champion du monde et champion olympique Jordan BURROUGHS à 74 kg ; le lutteur a battu le doublé médaillé et No. 5 mondial  Livan LOPEZ (CUB) 6-2. Le combat était dur à 86kg, ou Ed RUTH (USA) a battu le No. 2 mondial No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) 22-13. Ruth menait 6-3 au début du match avant que Salas de marque 10 points d’affilée et ne mène 13-6 ; Ruth a alors repris le dessus et a marqué 16 points consécutifs. Jake Varner (USA), champion olympique en 2012, a battu le No.7 mondial et médaillé de bronze des Championnats du Monde de 2014 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) 3-0 à 97kg.

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) par tombé 4:57. 
61 kg - Moikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 9-1
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB), 7-2
70 kg - No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) par sP, 10-0
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB), 6-2
86 kg - Ed RUTH (USA) df. No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB), 22-13
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB), 3-0
125 kg - No.15 Zach REY (USA) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB), 3-0

Pool B, Round 1
IRAN 8, BIELORUSSIE 0

Encouragés par leurs nombreux fans à los Angeles, les iraniens ont brillamment battu la Biélorussie 8-0. Le No. 8 mondial et champion du monde de 2013 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) a battu le No. 7 mondial et médaillé de bronze mondial Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR) à 57kg. L’une des victoires les plus impressionnantes a été celle remportée par Moteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) à 74 kg ; le lutteur non classé a battu Ali SHABANOV (BLR). Shabanov, double médaillé de bronze des Championnats du monde, menait 4-2 à 40 secondes de la fin mais Rezeai a finalement marqué deux points et a gagné sur critères.

Le quadruple médaillé mondial et double champion Reza YAZDANI (IRI) n’a rien laché et a battu Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) 10-0 par supériorité technique à 97 kg. Le No. 10 mondial Parviz HADI (IRI) a finalement battu le No. 7 mondial et champion du monde de 2010 Aleksey SHEMAROV (BLR) 6-0.

57 kg - No.8 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. No.7 Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR), 5-2
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAU (BLR), 7-0
65 kg - No.2 Seyed AHMAD MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. No.5 Azamat NURYKAV (BLR) par SP, 11-0
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR) par sP, 12-1
74 kg - Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) df. No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR), 4-4 (dernier point marqué)
86 kg - No.13 Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR), 7-4
97 kg - No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) par SP, 10-0
125 kg - No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) df. No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR), 6-0

Horaire de compétition (PDT; GMT -7)
Dimanche, 12 avril
Session III

11:00 a.m. – Tapis A: Etats-Unis vs. Mongolie; Mat B: Turquie vs. Biélorussie
12:30 p.m. – Tapis A: Azerbaïdjan vs. Iran; Mat B: Cuba vs. Russie
2:00 p.m. – Tapis A: match pour la 5ème place; Mat B: match pour la 7ème place
 
Session IV
4:15 p.m. – Tapis A: match pour la 3ème place
5:45 p.m. – Tapis A: match pour le championnat

#JapanWrestling

Tokyo Olympic champ Otoguro calls it a career at 26

By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (April 6) -- Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), whose dynamic moves and fierce tenacity thrilled fans around the world, suddenly announced his retirement, bringing down the curtain on a short but glory-filled career also plagued by injuries.

"Some may be surprised by this sudden announcement, but I have decided to retire as a wrestler," the 26-year-old Otoguro wrote on Instagram on Friday that included an English translation. "I discovered wrestling and became obsessed with it, and [was] loved and supported so much that it was a happy wrestling life."

Otoguro, who still remains Japan's youngest-ever male world champion for the freestyle 65kg gold he won in 2018, said he feels no uneasiness about leaving the mat, while adding a cryptic message about how the sport lost some of its shine for him.

"I have no regrets, because I was able to play the wrestling I love until I started to hate it," Otoguro wrote.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

A post shared by Takuto Otoguro (@01096taku)

It seems that being unable to defend his Olympic title at the 2024 Paris Games likely swayed his decision. First, he was hampered by a lingering foot injury and failed to secure Japan's quota at 65kg at the 2023 World Championships. Then he lost out in the domestic qualifying process to eventual gold medalist Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN).

As it turned out, the 6-6 loss to Kiyooka in the semifinals at the All-Japan Championships in December 2023 would prove to be Otoguro's final match. There was no symbolic leaving of the shoes on the mat at the time.

In stepping away, Otoguro paid tribute to all those who helped him achieve his success, while expressing his gratitude for putting up with his self-acknowledged stubbornness.

"My family, coaches, trainers, fellow wrestlers, and everyone who supported me and cheered me on," Otoguro wrote. "I can't mention all of their names, but I think I was a crazy and difficult wrestler to deal with. Thank you for believing in me and supporting me."

Otoguro won gold and bronze medals in three appearances at the cadet (U17) worlds, but gained widespread global notoriety with his dazzling performance at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest.

Otoguro overcame an ankle injury to notch a 16-9 victory over Bajrang PUNIA (IND) in a wild, freewheeling final that was selected as UWW's Freestyle Match of the Year  -- overshadowing his 15-10 come-from-behind win in the semifinals over Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS).  He was also chosen as the Breakout Performer of the Year.

That made him, at 19 years 10 months, Japan's youngest-ever male world gold medalist, breaking the previous record held by 1976 Olympic gold medalist Yuji TAKADA (JPN), his head coach at Yamanashi Gakuin University.

Otoguro, who won back-to-back titles at the Asian Championships in 2020 and 2021, hit the pinnacle of his career at the Tokyo Olympics. He defeated in succession Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), avenging a loss in the bronze-medal match at the 2019 worlds; Gadshimurad RASHIDOV (ROC), the 2019 world champion; and Haji ALIEV (AZE), a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and former world champion.

Otoguro started wrestling at age 4, following older brother Keisuke into the wrestling club coached by their father. He found success early, winning five straight national titles for his elementary school age group from second to sixth grades.

In a 2019 interview with The Japan News, Otoguro recalled the battles he and Keisuke had in their home, and how it laid the foundation for his future success.  "We would break windows, and open holes in the wall," he said, his soft-spoken, reserved nature contrasting with his aggressive style on the mat. "It would escalate from wrestling into fighting. It made us both better. It was the best way."

Otoguro opted to leave their home in Yamanashi Prefecture after elementary school to enroll in the JOC Elite Academy in Tokyo. He won the national junior high school title, then became the fourth wrestler in history to win the national Inter-High tournament for three consecutive years.

For university, Otoguro returned to his home prefecture to attend Yamanashi Gakuin, where his practice partners included 2017 world 57kg champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) and world 70kg bronze medalist Yuji FUJINAMI (JPN), the older brother Paris women's gold medalist Akari FUJINAMI (JPN).

"Of course he works hard, but what I am most envious about him is his total preparation for matches," Takahashi was quoted as saying by The Japan News. "He knows no fear. He is really remarkable."

Early in his freshman year, Otoguro suffered his first major injury, a torn cruciate ligament in the knee, that kept him off the mat for about a year. But he came back in the fall of 2017 and, at that year's All-Japan, defeated 2016 Rio Olympics 57kg silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) for the first of three national titles.

Upon graduation, Otoguro followed Keisuke again, this time to the Japan Self-Defense Forces' Physical Training School team. He has not indicated what he plans to do in the future.

"To everyone who loved my wrestling: I feel a little lonely, but this is farewell as a wrestler. I hope that the wrestling world moves in a positive direction in the future."