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

Ozaki keeps Olympic dream alive, glides into 68kg playoff

By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (December 24) -- After a devastating setback last summer that left her doubting herself, Nonoka OZAKI took action by going back to school. On Sunday, she passed a vital test that moved her a step closer to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Ozaki, looking far from the wrestler whose Olympic dreams seemed squashed for good a half-year ago, masterfully glided to a 7-0 victory over Miwa MORIKAWA in the women's 68kg final at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships in Tokyo.

The victory that capped the tournament at Yoyogi No. 2 Gym earned Ozaki a place in a playoff with Ami ISHII for the berth in Paris that Ishii had secured for Japan at this year's World Championships in Belgrade. The showdown has been set for January 27 at the National Training Center in Tokyo.

"There was only one match left, and I fought with the sole thought that winning this and then winning the playoff would get me to Paris," Ozaki said of the final.

The 20-year-old Ozaki relied on her speed and renewed confidence to win out in a weight class two above her usual 62kg. She had missed out on that division to Sakura MOTOKI, who clinched the Paris berth for Japan in Belgrade by winning a silver medal that automatically secured the spot for herself.

Japan female wrestlers won medals in five of the six Olympic weight classes in Belgrade, leaving only 68kg up for grabs because Ishii finished fifth. The lure of a ticket to Paris drew a slew of past and current world champions from weight classes above and below to the All-Japan to challenge Ishii, who would have snatched the berth outright with a victory.

Ozaki, the 62kg world champion in 2022, also went to Belgrade in the 65kg spot and won her second senior world title. Morikawa, the 2022 world champion at 65kg, likewise moved up to 72kg and took home a bronze.

Before the All-Japan, Ozaki said she added enough weight and strength so that it did not affect her speed. That helped her ensure that Ishii would not be leaving Yoyogi No. 2 Gym with both the title and Olympic berth by defeating her in the first round on Saturday. She and Morikawa then continued through the gauntlet to get to the final.

"It was a tense tournament," Ozaki. "I practiced very hard, practices that would be second to none, and I believed in myself, and my objective was to put all of that out on the mat here. I'm glad it worked out."

In the final, Ozaki led 1-0 after receiving an activity point when the complexion of the match turned with a lightning-fast series of points by Ozaki.

Morikawa shot for a high crotch and Ozaki reacted instantly by applying a pancake, then reversed field and grabbed the near knee to send Morikawa reeling backward for a takedown. Keeping the leg locked, Ozaki stood up and reverse rolled Morikawa over, then added a second exposure for a 7-0 lead.

In the second period, Ozaki never let the slower but more powerful Morikawa get close to her legs, fending off all attacks while continuing to keep just enough pressure on.

"I used my speed which is my strong point and withstood the power of the opponent, then used it against her to set up a tackle," Ozaki said. "I think I did well using the opponent's strengths, including when we tied up."

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)Nonoka OZAKI turns Miwa MORIKAWA over during a six-point spree in the first period of the women's 68kg final. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

When time ran out, Ozaki neither screamed in joy nor punched the air. Her only gesture of celebration was a quick nod toward a section of the stands with a small group donned in bright yellow t-shirts with her name on them.

The contingent, which included her mother, was mainly students and parents from Nirasaki Technical High School in Yamanashi Prefecture, north of Tokyo. Up to a few months ago, Ozaki had no connection with the school, but it would play a huge role in her revival.

Ozaki represents a rare case among elite wrestlers in Japan in that she attends Keio University, one of Japan's top academic universities with no wrestling tradition to speak of. Instead of earning easy entry through sports, she went the route of the common student and passed the grueling entrance exam. A product of the Japan Olympic Academy that also produced world champions Yui SUSAKI and Yuka KAGAMI, she mainly uses that as her training base.

Wrestling at 62kg at the Asian Games in October, she defeated world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), only to be dealt a tough 6-6 loss to Hyun-Gong MUN (PRK) in the final. Something had to change, and fast.

It was then that a friend of her mother whose children attend Nirasaki Technical suggested that Ozaki come train with its national powerhouse wrestling team, which is coached by Toshiro FUMITA, the father of Kenichiro FUMITA, the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist at Greco 60kg.

Every weekend, Ozaki trained with the team, sparring with the boys, as she went to work on improving her defense and just regaining her confidence. The difference was palpable when comparing the aggressive Ozaki at the Emperor's Cup with the unsure Ozaki in the July playoff.

"It was exactly a year ago that I lost at the Emperor's Cup," Ozaki said. "I lost the chance at 62kg and it made me think about many things. I wasn't going to retire, and my desire to get to the Olympics never changed.

"Then the chance came up [at 68kg], and I was going to grab it. The person I was last year would not have been able to take it one step at a time and keep winning. It makes me think I have made progress as a person, and I can achieve the dream that I have had since I was small."

Speaking about her time at Nirasaki caused Ozaki to break down into tears. "They took care of me, and created a perfect environment to prepare," she said.

"They are the reason I could win here. The kids came here to support me, they made t-shirts, I have nothing but gratitude for them. I can't lose the next match."

Looking ahead to the playoff, Ozaki will be aiming to beat Ishii for a fifth time in five career meetings, having previously beaten her three times during their junior days. But one thing the past year has taught her is to never let down her guard.

"She has nothing to lose, and we both want to go to Paris," Ozaki said. "It will come down to getting ready over the next month and who wants it more."

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)Arash YOSHIDA chalks up one of his six stepouts in the freestyle 97kg final against Hibiki ITO. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

Teen Yoshida earns ticket to Olympic qualifier

The final three tickets to the Asian Olympic qualifier in Bishkek in April were awarded, and teenager Arash YOSHIDA powered his way to one in his first-ever outing at freestyle 97kg, while two rising stars at Nippon Sports Science University grabbed the other two.

The 19-year-old Yoshida, the Asian champion at 92kg who finished fifth at the World Championships, gave away nothing in terms of strength at the higher weight class, crushing Hibiki ITO by a 10-0 technical fall in the final.

In fact, Yoshida was the one turning on the turbocharge as he scored six stepouts along with a pair of takedowns off counters for his first senior national title.

"I knew the opponent was strong on tackles, but I kept up my guard and used what worked best for me in the match," said the Nihon University star. "I know I didn't go on the attack very much, so I want to increase my attacks."

Yoshida, whose Iranian father was his coach at the Chiba Prefecture kids club where he started the sport, won all three of his matches by fall or technical fall.

One opponent he, fortunately, did not have to face was older brother Keivan, who was in the other bracket but lost his first-round match to defending champion Takashi ISHIGURO, who then fell to Ito in the semifinals.

"We were in the same weight class and I was thinking, 'Don't make us meet, don't make us meet,'" Yoshida said. "In the end, we didn't have to. Although he didn't make the final, he was there to help me warm up and all of the family gave me support."

At freestyle 65kg, NSSU's Kotaro KIYOOKA made sure his stunning win over Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO in Saturday's semifinals was not in vain, rolling to an 11-0 technical fall over fellow collegian Masanosuke ONO in the final.

With the victory, Kiyooka became the second member of his family to win a title at the tournament, after younger sister Moe successfully defended her 55kg crown on Friday.

Kyotaro SOGABE preceded his teammate to the top of the podium by rallying to beat NSSU alumnus and training partner Katsuaki ENDO 8-5 in the Greco 67kg final for his second straight title.

Sogabe was trailing 5-4 when he was put on top for the third par terre of the match with about a minute to go. He failed to score points with a throw, but the two landed in a position that allowed Sogabe to execute a pair of rolls to go ahead.

Sogabe, the Asian silver medalist this year and 2022 world U23 bronze medalist, had beaten Endo in a playoff to get to the World Championships. But his bid to clinch an Olympic spot in Belgrade came up just short when he suffered a heartbreaking 11-10 loss to Tokyo Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) during which he won the crowd to his side.

In Bishkek, both Kiyooka and Sogabe will aim to win Olympic berths in weight classes in which only Iran has already secured one from Asia.

Risako KAWAI (JPN)Risako KAWAI lifts up Sena NAGAMOTO for a 4-point counter in the women's 59kg final. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

Kinjo claims fifth national crown

Having come to terms with the fact that she no longer has a chance to win a third straight Olympic gold, Risako KINJO is content with continuing her career while balancing it with being the mother of a toddler.

Kinjo, formerly KAWAI, won her second straight title at women's 59kg and the fifth overall of her career with a 9-2 victory in the final over Sena NAGAMOTO.

With the win, Kinjo earned a ticket to next year's Asian Championships, which will be held in Bishkek the week before the Olympic qualifier.

"As I raise my child, I realize I can't do my wrestling as usual," said the 29-year-old Kinjo, who gave birth to her daughter in August 2022 and then lost out to world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI in the race for the Olympic berth at 57kg.

"To face opponents who can focus on wrestling seven days a week is difficult."

The non-Olympic weights were run in a single day, which meant Kinjo had to win four matches en route to the gold. That task was made more difficult by the fact that only two divisions were remaining on the final day, meaning very little time between bouts.

"It was hard to have four matches in one day, but I was glad I wrestled hard and got through it," she said.

Her toughest match came in the semifinals when Kinjo had to draw on all of her power and pride as a two-time Olympic champion to avoid an upset by 2022 world U23 champion Himeka TOKUHARA.

Tokuhara was leading 2-1 in the second period when she scored a 4-point throw from a standing front headlock. Looking like vintage Kinjo, she came back with a takedown with :40 left that had a one-point fleeing penalty tacked on to cut the lead to 6-4.

That put her on top in par terre, but Tokuhara wriggled out of a roll attempt. With :20 remaining, Kinjo hit a slick inside leg trip to slam Tokuhara to her back for 4 points and the win.

"Up to the Tokyo Olympics, my mindset was that I wanted to win every match and win big," Kinjo said. "Now I don't have that luxury. I have to focus for all six minutes on the opponent. I don't even remember the four matches. I'll have to look at the videos to see what happened."

In Bishkek, Kinjo will be aiming for her fifth career Asian title dating back to 2014. But there's another reason she will aim to strike gold.

"I want to wear a uniform with 'Kinjo' on it and compete overseas once more," she said. "Also, I don't want my child to think that I became weaker because I gave birth to her. I want to have a good result after giving birth. That's become my motivation."

In other finals, two-time former world champion Remina YOSHIMOTO re-established herself as arguably the second-best 50kg wrestler in the world, defeating world U23 champion Umi ITO 11-2 for her third career national title.

Yoshimoto has had the bad luck of competing during the reign of Tokyo Olympic and three-time world champion Susaki, who has lost to only one wrestler (albeit three times) in her entire career. Yoshimoto's only losses both at home and abroad since 2020 have come to Susaki, and her world and national titles were won when Susaki was not entered.

As for the Asian Championships, Susaki and the eight others who have clinched spots at the Paris Olympics will have the priority on deciding whether or not to go to Bishkek, despite not entering the All-Japan. If Susaki defers, Yoshimoto will get a chance at a third continental crown.

At women's 57kg, 2021 world bronze medalist Sae NANJO won her second straight title and fifth overall with a 4-0 victory in the final over Himeka TANABE.

Nanjo scored a pair of activity points while being continually held to a stalemate on her single-leg attempts by Tanabe, then finally scored a clinching takedown in the second period.

Tanabe, a four-time bronze medalist, was appearing in the final for the first time but came up short of joining younger brother Kaisei as a national champion. Kaisei had won the freestyle 61kg title to complete a father-son tandem with their father Chikara, a bronze medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics.

Leon KAKEGAWALeon KAKEGAWA, 2nd from right,  stands on the Greco 82kg podium after winning a bronze medal, making him the first to medal in both styles since 1973. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

College freshman achieves unique double

With a sudden influx of wrestlers entering both the freestyle and Greco competitions, the "Shohei Otani" award for best two-way player goes to Waseda freshman Leon KAKEGAWA, who became the first wrestler to win a medal in both styles at the All-Japan in a half-century.

Kakegawa won a bronze medal at Greco 82kg, a day after he finished as the silver medalist at freestyle 92kg.

Kakegawa said he exclusively practices Greco, but entered the freestyle after qualifying by winning a gold at the freshman college championships.

"As a freshman, I thought it would be good to get as much experience as I can, and even though it's not my main style, I decided to enter," he said.

Asked about the large gap in weights between the two styles, he acknowledged that he was closer to 86kg in freestyle. "But this being an Olympic [qualifying] year, the top competitors all gathered for this tournament," he said.

"I'm not yet at that level. As a non-Olympic weight class, 92kg is kind of overlooked and I thought it would increase my chances for medal."

The last time a wrestler medaled in both styles was in 1973 when Mitsuo YOSHIDA won golds in the 100kg class. He went on to become a professional wrestler with the ring name Choshuriki.

In fact, no wrestler since the 1980s had entered both styles until last year, when 2022 world 70kg freestyle champion Taishi NARIKUNI did it, only to pull out of both due to an injury. Still, that seemed to inspire others to try and a handful did so this year.

Day 4 Results

Freestyle

65kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Kotaro KIYOOKA df. Masanosuke ONO by TF, 11-0, 2:02

BRONZE: Tomohiro HASEGAWA df. Takuto OTOGURO by Def.
BRONZE: Takumi AKIYAMA df. Ryoma ANRAKU, 8-4

97kg (14 entries)
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA df. Hibiki ITO by TF, 10-0, 4:52

BRONZE: Takashi ISHIGURO df. Asahi IMAMURA by Fall, :59 (6-0)
BRONZE: Genki HOKI df. Taira SONODA by Def.

Greco-Roman

67kg (20 entries)

GOLD: Kyotaro SOGABE df. Katsuaki ENDO, 8-5

BRONZE: Haruto YABE df. Zaion OBA by TF, 9-0, 3:18
BRONZE: Yuji UEGAKI df. Tomoaki FUTAMATA, 6-0

82kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Hayato TAMAOKA df. Taizo YOSHIDA, 6-4

BRONZE: Leon KAKEGAWA df. Renta YAMAGUCHI, 7-3
BRONZE: Muto SAWADA df. Shohei YABIKU by Def.

Semifinal: Taizo YOSHIDA df. Leon KAKEGAWA by TF, 12-4, 2:30
Semifinal: Hayato TAMAOKA df .Shohei YABIKU, 5-3.

Women's Wrestling

50kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Remina YOSHIMOTO df. Umi ITO, 11-2

BRONZE: Miruko SAKANE df. Miwa MAGARA, 6-2
BRONZE: Riko KASAI df. Minoriho YONEHARA , 6-2

57kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Sae NANJO df. Yumaka TANABE, 4-0

BRONZE: Sara NATAMI df. Ibuki TAMURA by Fall, 4:26 (10-0)
BRONZE: Kanon YAMASHITA df. Ichika ARAI by TF, 12-0, 3:29

59kg (15 entries)
GOLD: Risako KINJO df. Sena NAGAMOTO, 9-2

BRONZE: Miyu NAKANISHI df. Junna OKADA, 4-1
BRONZE: Himeka TOKUHARA df. Atena KODAMA, 6-2

Semifinal: Sena NAGAMOTO df. Miyu NAKANISHI, 3-1
Semifinal: Risako KINJO df. Atena KODAMA, 8-6

68kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI df. Miwa MORIKAWA, 7-0

BRONZE: Masako FURUICHI df. Rin MIYAJI by Def.
BRONZE: Miyu YOSHIKAWA df. Mei SHINDO, 3-1