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

Otoguro's dream of Olympic repeat shattered with stunning loss to Kiyooka

By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (December 23) -- The day after his younger sister pulled off an upset by beating the world champion, Kotaro KIYOOKA managed to top that with the type of victory that reverberates throughout the wrestling world.

Kiyooka officially ended Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO's hopes to repeat in Paris, getting two calls advantageously corrected on challenge in the last 30 seconds to score a stunning 6-6 victory in their freestyle 65kg semifinal at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships on Saturday in Tokyo.

"I was the challenger, but I went in with a strong mind that I could knock him off," said Kiyooka, who was vociferously cheered on by the large contingent of his Nippon Sports Science University teammates at Yoyogi No. 2 Gym.

In another weight class in the spotlight, Nonoka OZAKI assured that the open Olympic spot at women's 68kg will be heading to a playoff after upending Ami ISHII in their first-round clash, while Yukako KAWAI was another Tokyo Olympic gold medalist eliminated from the Paris hunt.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN)Kotaro KIYOOKA goes out the back door for a takedown against Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO in the freestyle 65kg semifinals. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

For the 22-year-old Kiyooka, his mission is not yet over. The tournament is also serving as the qualifier for the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament in Bishkek in April, and Kiyooka will face fellow collegian Masanosuke ONO in Sunday's final to earn that ducat.

"If I lose tomorrow, it's all for nothing," Kiyooka said. "I will focus on the one match and make sure I come out the winner."

Kiyooka said he was inspired by younger sister Moe winning her second straight All-Japan title at 55kg on Friday when she beat reigning world champion Haruna OKUNO in the final to avenge a loss in a world team playoff in July.

"That really gave me a spark," Kotaro said. "I was in the middle of cutting weight but I watched it closely."

The siblings had both missed out on making the World Championships in an Olympic weight with losses at the second domestic qualifier, the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, in June.

"She had also tasted the disappointment of defeat after losing a playoff and at the Meiji Cup," Kiyooka said. "I'm really happy that she won, and that made me fight even harder."

Otoguro came into the tournament having been plagued by a right foot injury that he suffered in January this year, but which flared up at his only two outings -- the Meiji Cup, which he still won, and the World Championships in September, where he strikingly failed to secure a Paris berth at 65kg.

The foot didn't seem to affect him in his first two matches Saturday, although he did take a brief timeout against Kiyooka. When the chips were down late in the match, he moved with the fierce intensity of a banshee, and Kiyooka fought him tooth and nail.

Kiyooka was the aggressor and scored the first points after going out the back door on a takedown in the first period, then made it 4-0 with a high leg roll. Otoguro snatched a takedown just before the buzzer to go into the break down 4-2.

With the crowd sensing a historic upset and Otoguro going into high gear, Kiyooka shot again, but Otoguro reached over and worked for a counter lift with a half-minute to go. This is where things got both interesting and complicated.

Takuto OTOGURO (JPN)The two points that Takuto OTOGURO (red) was awarded on this counter lift in the final seconds was rescinded on challenge. (Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

Otoguro executed a lift and back roll for 2, then another, then apparently a third that put him up 8-4. But Kiyooka's side challenged, and the points for the third roll were switched to a 2-point exposure for Kiyooka, putting him ahead 6-6 on last-point criteria.

As the time ticked down, Kiyooka was desperately clasping onto a leg, with Otoguro glancing at the clock as he girded his strength for one last counter lift. With the clock nearing zero, he hit the move and turned Kiyooka over, and the referees signaled 2 points.

But that was not the end. Another challenge, and after a long look at the replay, it was determined that Kiyooka's back had not been in the danger position by breaking the 90-degree plane. No points, and the king had fallen.

"He wasn't going to let me win easily, and the second period was a real battle," Kiyooka said. "I thought I had won, and maybe there was a little luck on my side. But it was good that I stayed on the attack in the second period. I think that led to the win."

As the NSSU side went wild, Otoguro displayed a mixture of disbelief, agitation and anger. Never one to handle losing well, he stormed out of the arena and refused to talk with the media.

Shinichi YUMOTO, Otoguro's coach on the Self-Defense Forces Physical Training School team, appeared in Otoguro's place.

"We disagree completely with the call, but the refereeing supervisor made the decision and we have to live by it," Yumoto said. "There is no one who puts their whole self into wrestling like him, and because he is so devastated he is unable to do an interview. I apologize for that."

Yumoto acknowledged that Otoguro needs to accept the outcome. "I think we saw a Takuto who gave everything he has now. He needs to have the pride of an Olympic champion and calmly accept the defeat."

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)Nonoka OZAKI scores a takedown with an ankle pick against Ami ISHII in their first-round match at women's 68kg. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

Ozaki, Morikawa to clash in 68kg final

The Japan federation had set the criteria that a wrestler who wins a medal in an Olympic weight class at the World Championships in Belgrade would automatically fill the spot in Paris themselves. Of the 10 secured by Japan, Ishii's at 68kg was the only one who did not medal.

That left 68kg as the lone unfilled spot for the Japanese women, and a powerful lineup had gathered to challenge Ishii, who could have clinched the place outright by winning the All-Japan.

Now she will have to earn it in a playoff with the winner of the final on Sunday between Ozaki and Miwa MORIKAWA, after both made it through a gauntlet in their brackets.

Ozaki has been on a roller-coaster of emotions since losing out at her normal weight class of 62kg to Sakura MOTOKI, who secured her ticket to Paris with a silver medal in Belgrade.

Morikawa was in a similar boat, as she lost to Ishii in the world team playoff at 68kg. Both Ozaki and Morikawa also went to Belgrade in non-Olympic weights, with the former winning the gold at 65kg and the latter a bronze at 72kg. Ishii's failure to win a medal reopened the door to Paris for both, and now they are on a collision course to see who gets to challenge Ishii in the decisive showdown on a date to be determined.

On Saturday, the naturally lighter Ozaki put her superior speed to full use in chalking up a 6-2 victory over Ishii.

Ozaki said she was unfazed by having to face Ishii right off the bat. "My goal is the win the championship," she said. "I can't get to the playoff without it, so I can't let myself get too high or too low. Facing Ishii in the first match is just part of it."

Ozaki scored a takedown with a slick ankle pick in the first period for a 2-0 lead. In the second period, Ishii secured an underhook that set up a deep single shot, but Ozaki worked out of it and spun behind to make it 4-0.

Ishii then put the pressure on from above and Ozaki on her knees, but Ozaki shimmied out of danger and got behind for another takedown. Ishii managed a stepout that also drew a fleeing point, but it was too little too late.

After pouring it on in the second period to beat Mei SHINDO by a 10-0 technical fall in the quarterfinals, Ozaki advanced to the final with an 8-1 victory over Miyu YOSHIKAWA, who scored one of her biggest career wins by knocking off Kawai.

Kawai, the Tokyo Olympic champion at 62kg, saw her last chance to get back to the Olympics end when Yoshikawa scored the final point in a scramble for a 4-4 win on criteria.

Yoshikawa, formerly IMAI, has been a perennial medalist at 65kg and although she has never won a national title, she was a world junior champion in 2018.

Morikawa's path to the final consisted of a 3-2 win over Rin MIYAJI and a 10-0 technical fall over Masako FURUICHI. Ironically, the three were all medalists together at the 2021 World Championships in Oslo, where Morikawa and Miyaji won silvers at 65kg and 68kg, respectively, and Furuichi won the 72kg gold.

Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN)Hayato ISHIGURO fends off a takedown attempt by Sosuke TAKATANI in the freestyle 86kg final. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

Ishiguro quashes Takatani's Olympic hopes, title streak

Veteran Sosuke TAKATANI saw his dreams of a fourth Olympic appearance and a streak of 12 straight All-Japan titles come crashing down at the hands of Takashi ISHIGURO. And he drew a tear-filled tongue-lashing from his younger brother to boot.

Ishiguro fended off Takatani's tackles and held on for a 3-2 victory in the freestyle 86kg final to earn a ticket to the Asian Olympic qualifier to go with his second straight title and third overall. The Asian bronze medalist this year will get his second chance to make a first Olympics after coming up short at the World Championships.

"It's not over yet. I still have a high hurdle to get over," Ishiguro said. "But I'm really happy."

With Ishiguro leading 1-1 on criteria after the two traded activity points, he scored a stepout that drew an additional point for fleeing for a 3-1 lead with 1:20 left. Takatani received another activity point, but his desperate attempts for a winning takedown were thwarted.

Takatani was aiming for his 13th straight All-Japan title won over four weight classes, but more importantly, he wanted to go to the Paris Olympics in tandem with younger brother Daichi, who clinched his ticket by winning a bronze medal at 74kg in Belgrade.

In the concourse beneath the stands leading to the mixed zone, Daichi confronted his brother. Like a coach castigating a player who let him down, he went at Sosuke for spoiling their plans in a mixture of ire and affection.

"What were you doing out there for six minutes!" he bellowed before the tirade ended with a hug.

Ishiguro also saw a brother fall by the wayside, as older sibling and two-time defending champion Takashi was dethroned at 97kg with a 7-1 loss in the semifinals to Hibiku ITO.

Ito, whose mother was an Olympic medal-winning volleyball player, stands 1.93 meters and used his height advantage to score a 4-point counter and fend off Ishiguro's low tackles.

In the final, Ito will face one of Japan's fastest-rising stars, 19-year-old Arash YOSHIDA, who won the 92kg gold at the Asian Championships in his international debut and finished fifth at the World Championships.

Yoshida blasted his way to the gold-medal match with a fall and technical fall in his two matches. Asked about his strategy in regard to Ito's height, the son of an Iranian father and Japanese mother replied, "It's difficult. I've never faced such a tall wrestler. It's important how I can attack. I will talk it over with my coach."

In other action, two-time world champion Remina YOSHIMOTO and reigning world U23 champion Umi ITO both cruised into the women's 50kg final in what will be a matchup of arguably the best wrestlers in the world in that weight class not named Yui SUSAKI.

Susaki, like all of the eight others who clinched Paris berths in Belgrade, did not enter the tournament.

Japan has a good chance to gain another ticket to Paris at Greco 67kg from either Asian Games gold medalist Katsuaki ENDO or Asian silver medalist Kyotaro SOGABE, who will clash in the final after both won their respective semifinal by technical fall.

Tomoaki FUTAMATA (JPN)Tomoaki FUTAMATA (red) sends Taishi NARIKUNI flying for a 4-point throw during their Greco 67kg match. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

While they were tearing through their respective brackets, former world freestyle champion Taishi NARIKUNI's latest foray into Greco was dealt a surprisingly early setback.

Narikuni, who won the 2022 world gold at freestyle 70kg, had planned to compete in both styles at last year's Emperor's Cup, but withdrew from both after suffering an injury just before the tournament. He then went strictly with Greco at the Meiji Cup, but was ousted in the quarterfinals.

On Saturday, he was completely outclassed by Tomoaki FUTAMATA, who reeled off a pair of 4-point throws for a 9-0 win in 2:05 in their preliminary round match.

"It's really shameful," a tearful Narikuni said. "I came with the real aim of winning the title. It's not like I let down my guard, I was ready to go from the first match. Wrestling can be really difficult."

Narikuni realizes that he may have set a trend, as more than a few wrestlers are competing this year in both styles, including freestyle 61kg champion Kaisei TANABE, who made it to the quarterfinals at Greco 63kg.

"Recently, I have become a pathfinder and the number doing both styles has increased," Narikuni said. "But because I have not won at all, all I feel is pitiful."

Ironically, Futamata is among the group that doubled up here. His priority on Greco, however, became apparent when he was forced to make a tough decision.

Five minutes before his match against Narikuni, his first-round match at freestyle 70kg was called. He forfeited it.

Day 3 Results

Freestyle

57kg (17 entries)
GOLD: Kento YUMIYA df. Rikuto ARAI by TF, 10-0, 2:01

BRONZE: Yudai FUJITA df. Yuto TAKESHITA, 5-2
BRONZE: Daito KATSUME df. Akito MUKAIDA, 11-7

65kg (27 entries)
Semifinal: Kotaro KIYOOKA df. Takuto OTOGURO, 6-6
Semifinal: Masanosuke ONO df. Ryoma ANRAKU, 8-4

70kg (21 entries)
GOLD: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI df. Keiji WATANABE, 4-0

BRONZE: Kanata YAMAGUCHI df. Raita MORITA by TF, 10-0, 3:43
BRONZE: Ryota UCHIYAMA df. Toki OGAWA by Fall, 6:00 (10-4)

Semifinal: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI df. Raita MORITA by TF, 10-0, 1:23
Semifinal: Keiji WATANABE df. Toki OGAWA, 2-0

79kg (20 entries)
GOLD: Ryunosuke KAMIYA df. Kirin KINOSHITA, 9-6

BRONZE: Subaru TAKAHARA df. Yuta ABE, 6-4
BRONZE: Taro UMEBAYASHI df. Kensuke OTANI by TF, 13-0, 3:46

Semifinal: Ryunosuke KAMIYA df. Yuta ABE by TF, 10-0, 5:14
Semifinal: Kirin KINOSHITA df. Taro UMEBAYASHI by TF, 11-0, 4:48

86kg (14 entries)
GOLD: Hayato ISHIGURO df. Sosuke TAKATANI, 3-2

BRONZE: Yudai TAKAHASHI df. Mao OKUI by Fall, 5:59 (7-0)
BRONZE: Tatsuya SHIRAI df. Shota SHIRAI by TF, 10-0, 5:20

97kg (14 entries)
Semifinal: Hibiki ITO df. Takashi ISHIGURO, 7-1
Semifinal: Arash YOSHIDA df. Taira SONODA by TF, 11-0, 2:32

Greco-Roman

60kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Kaito INABA df. Maito KAWANA, 5-2

BRONZE: Yasuhito MORI df. Keijiro SONE, 4-2
BRONZE: Koto GOMI def. Kosei TAKESHITA by Def.

67kg (20 entries)
Semifinal: Katsuaki ENDO df. Haruto YABE by TF, 11-0, 2:27
Semifinal: Kyotaro SOGABE df. Tomoaki FUTAMATA by TF, 9-0, 1:58

77kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Isami HORIKITA df. Taishi TOMOYOSE, 5-3

BRONZE: Keisei SHIMABUKURO df. Yudai KOBORI by TF, 10-2, 1:30
BRONZE: Shu YAMADA df. Kenryu KUZUYA, 8-5

Women's Wrestling

50kg (18 entries)
Semifinal: Remina YOSHIMOTO df. Miwa MAGARA by TF, 10-0, 3:39
Semifinal: Umi ITO df. Minoriho MAEHARA by TF, 13-2, 3:20

57kg (13 entries)
Semifinal: Sae NANJO df. Sara NATAMI by Fall, 5:04 (2-5)
Semifinal: Yumaka TANABE df. Ichika ARAI, 4-4

68kg (11 entries)
Semifinal: Miwa MORIKAWA df. Masako FURUICHI by TF, 10-0, 5:56
Semifinal: Nonoka OZAKI df. Miyu YOSHIKAWA, 8-1