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

#EmperorsCup

Kiyooka exacts revenge on world champ Okuno for 55kg gold

By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (December 22)--Moe KIYOOKA went to this year's World Championships as a warm-up partner for Ikuei University teammate Tsugumi SAKURAI, but that was never her original intention.

Kiyooka had planned to go as a competitor, and on Friday, she got revenge on the person who not only kept that from happening, but had come home with the world gold that she had been aiming for.

Kiyooka avoided the mistakes that cost her the last time she faced Haruna OKUNO and held on for a 5-1 victory in the women's 55kg final at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships on the second day of the four-day tournament in Tokyo.

"I got revenge, so that's good," said Kiyooka, who had lost to Okuno in a playoff last July for the 55kg spot for the world team to Belgrade.

"[Losing in the playoff] was really hard to take. I really blew my chance after getting so close. I had to go back and determine what was the problem and work it out. Little by little I was able to overcome my issues and this was the result."

With the victory, Kiyooka earned a ticket to the Asian Championships in Bishkek in April, which will mark her senior debut on a major international stage.

The 20-year-old Kiyooka had gone into this year with such promise. She captured golds at both the world U20 and U23 championships, and won her first All-Japan title, albeit it came at 55kg while most of the top competitors had funneled into the Olympic weight classes.

Kiyooka eventually made her Olympic bid by dropping down to 53kg for the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, the second domestic qualifier for Belgrade held in June, but failed to depose the invincible Akari FUJINAMI.

She then entered the wrestle-offs for the world team spot at 55kg, but lost a heartbreaking 2-2 decision to Okuno, who then beat Rino KATAOKA for the ticket to Belgrade. There, Okuno won her third world gold and first since 2018, while Kiyooka went along to help Sakurai capture the 57kg gold and a place in Paris.

In between, Kiyooka had suffered another setback, when she surprisingly failed to defend her world U20 title in Jordan. She was leading Georgiana LIRCA (ROM) in the semifinals when she got caught and lost by fall, and had to settle for a bronze medal.

"My disappointment faded a little after the playoff, but I became lax and left myself open," Kiyooka said. "A lot of people said to me, 'It's a good thing that didn't happen at the All-Japan or an Olympic qualifier.' The important thing was what I learned from it."

JPNMoe KIYOOKA gets behind for a takedown against Haruna OKUNO in the women's 55kg final. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

At the World Championships, Kiyooka remained dedicated to the task at hand, but deep down the torment of being left out on the sidelines ate at her. "I had intended to go as a competitor, and to be in that place was agonizing," Kiyooka said. "Every night when I went back to the hotel in Serbia I was close to tears."

Still, her relationship with Sakurai, one year her senior, has been nothing but positive and goes back to their days together as kids in the Kochi Club. It also made her opt to go to Ikuei, bypassing current powerhouse Nippon Sports Science University which older brother Kotaro attends.

"Tsugumi and I have been wrestling together since we were small," Kiyooka said. "She was behind my going to Ikuei. I train with the aim of getting to her level. I try my best to score on her when we are sparring. That's something I wouldn't get at another university. So I feel blessed with the training environment."

In the final against Okuno, Kiyooka gave up an activity point in the first period, but quickly went ahead in the second when she countered a sudden lunge by Okuno and got behind for a takedown. After Kiyooka picked up an activity point to go up 3-1, it became a matter of avoiding a costly mistake.

With time running out, she latched onto Okuno's lower leg, but wasn't able to finish off the takedown. Okuno tried with all of her might to counter lift, but in the end, Kiyooka stepped over to get a 2-point exposure in the final seconds.

"My style is to step it up in the second period," Kiyooka said. "I have confidence in myself in that. I was behind by a point, but I believed I could turn it around. My body reacted naturally and that led to the points."

Ikuei coach Yoshimaro YANAGAWA revealed that Kiyooka was not in top shape heading into the tournament, and praised her outstanding performance under the circumstances.

"Before the tournament, her condition was not so good, but I'm glad she could endure and end up winning," he said.

Looking ahead, Yanagawa said, "The Kiyooka of today has to be looking at the Los Angeles Olympics [in 2028]. She can no longer go to Paris, so she had to regard this tournament as the start and had to win first in Japan."

JPN1Sosuke TAKATANI keeps Tatsuya SHIRAI in bounds before finishing up a takedown in their freestyle 86kg semifinal. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Takatani barely keeps Olympic hopes alive

In Olympic weight classes in which Japan has not yet secured a place in Paris, the tournament is also serving as the qualifier for the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament that will also be held in Bishkek, the week after the Asian Championships.

Veteran Sosuke TAKATANI, aiming to make it to his fourth Olympics and a first in tandam with his younger brother, moved a step closer by making it to the final of freestyle 86kg, but he still has a big wall to get over.

Takatani was his own worst critic after he eked past 2022 world U23 champion Tatsuya SHIRAI 2-0 in the semifinals to set up a clash with defending champion Hayato ISHIGURO.

"It wasn't my wrestling at all," said the 34-year Takatani, who is also seeking his 13th consecutive All-Japan title. "If I'm going to be like that, it's meaningless to aim for the Olympics. I'm really mad at myself. It's been awhile since I felt like that."

Takatani grabbed a low single and keep Shirai in bounds for a takedown midway through the first period. That was the lone score and Takatani manged to make it hold up as he held off Shirai's late charges.

The win earned Takatani a shot at the title against Ishiguro, who beat him 3-0 in the Meiji Cup final in June to clinch a place on the team to Belgrade. Ishiguro placed 13th in the world after starting the year by taking a silver medal at the Zagreb Open and a bronze at the Asian Championships.

"I'm the challenger," Takatani said. "There is the fact that I'm 34. But I prepared to win this and I'm determined to do just that."

Takatani's younger brother Daichi already has a ticket to Paris after winning a bronze medal in Belgrade at 74kg--the same weight class that Sosuke won a world silver medal in back in 2014.

JPNSo SAKABE, left, and Masato SUMI square off in the Greco 87kg final. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Japan's entrants for the Asian Olympic qualifier in the three upper weights of Greco were also decided, with So SAKABE pipping teammate and longtime rival Masato SUMI 3-1 for the spot at 87kg, Yuri NAKAZATO filling the 97kg place by capturing his first national title, and Sota OKAMURA repeating at 130kg to earn his ticket.

Sakabe and Sumi, teammates on the Self-Defense Forces Physical Training School team, have completely dominated the 87kg division in recent years, with Sumi more often getting the best of his comrade.

Sumi came into the tournament with a 5-2 lead in head-to-head meetings with Sakabe, winning their most recent encounter in a playoff for the world team spot in July. Sumi lost in the second round in Belgrade, but bounced back to take a bronze medal at the Asian Games.

In Friday's final, Sakabe was trailing on criteria 1-1 after each were hit with a passivity call. He was then put in the top position in the third par terre of the match and took advantage with a gut wrench to snatch the win.

"We're on the same team and we're always thinking about what the other is up to," Sakabe said. "I knew it would come down to getting points on the ground, not from standing. I was able to defend. I made a mistake at the Meiji Cup and that cost me a place at the World Championships."

Sakabe realizes the burden he now shoulders as he tries to become the first Japanese since 2012 to qualify for an Olympics in a Greco weight class over 80kg.

"I will be going to the Asian Olympic qualifier as a representative of Japan," he said. "In the time I have left, I want to raise my level a notch or two and bring back the Olympic berth."

Nakazato scored a second-period stepout to defeat Takahiro TSURUTA 2-1, while Okamura beat Shion OBATA 1-1 after getting the second of the match's two passivity points.

In other action, a day after joining his father as a national champion by winning the freestyle 61kg title, Kaisei TANABE was back on the mat for the Greco 63kg competition.

Tanabe, who acknowledged he only practiced one or two times over the past 10 days, held his own pretty well, winning his opening match before losing a close 3-2 decision to Yamato HAGIWARA in the quarterfinals. His bid for a medal ended with a loss in the repechage.

Tanabe said he was inspired to try the double by Nippon Sports Science University head coach Shingo MATSUMOTO. Matsumoto won nine straight All-Japan titles in Greco from 1999 to 2007, then capped his career by taking the freestyle 98kg gold on a lark in 2008.

At women's 62kg, Yuzuka INAGAKI won her first title since 2018 and second overall with a 7-0 victory in the final over Kiwa IWASAWA.

Inagaki is among that group of Japanese women who have been wildly successful overseas, but can't seem to break into the elite at home. Inagaki won her second world U23 title this year, and won previously on the cadet (U17) and junior (U20) levels.

Her only loss to date in 11 career overseas touraments came in her lone appearance at a senior World Championships in 2019, when she fell 11-8 to Pooja DHANDA (IND) in the third round at 59kg and left Nur-Sultan without a medal.

JPN3Ryusei FUJITA, left, and younger brother Hosei go at it for a bronze medal at freestyle 125kg. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Family matters crop up throughout day

With a number of weight classes having siblings among the entrants, it seemed only a matter of time before two would meet on the mat, and that's what happened in a bronze-medal match at freestyle 125kg.

Nihon University's Ryusei FUJITA kept his pride intact by defeating high schooler and younger brother Hosei 4-0, adding the bronze to the silver medal he won last year.

"It was fun," Fujita said of the brothers' first-ever clash in an official match. Acknowledging the pressure of being expected to beat his younger sibling, he said, "Yeah, that's true. I just tried to keep my legs moving."

He said the two practice together and as kids had the usual occasional fight. Comparing the two, Fujita said, "He's taller and heavier, but I have the better technique."

Freestyle 57kg also had a pair of brothers in the draw, and while they didn't face each other, Akito MUKAIDA may have thought he was seeing double when he faced them in consecutive matches.

Mukaida, the younger brother of women's Tokyo Olympic champion Mayu MUKAIDA (now SHIDOCHI), edged Haruto YUMIYA 3-2 in the quarterfinals to set up a semifinal against Yumiya's twin brother Kento.

In a wild battle in which the lead changed hands several times, Yumiya emerged with a 14-10 win, putting him into Saturday's final against Rikuto ARAI.

Another noticeable name to fall was Hiyori MOTOKI, whose older sister Sakura secured a place at the Paris Olympics by winning the silver medal at 62kg at the World Championships. Like the eight other Paris-bound wrestlers, Sakura is sitting out this tournament, which meant giving up the title she won last year.

Hiyori, however, was left empty-handed when she lost in the semifinals Thursday to Iwasawa, then in a bronze-medal match to high schooler Shirin TAKEMOTO.

Ishii, Ozaki drawn in 1st-round clash

Meanwhile, the fireworks will start early in the stacked women's 68kg division that gets underway Saturday when Ami ISHII was drawn to face Nonoka OZAKI in the first round.

Ishii, the reigning champion, secured Japan's ticket to Paris in the weight class by placing fifth at the World Championships in Belgrade. But because she did not win a medal, the berth remains lone women's one up for grabs.

Ishii will clinch the berth by winning the tournament. If she loses, she will face the eventual champion in a playoff at a date to be determined.

She will be facing an Ozaki who is not lacking for motivation. Ozaki lost out to Motoki at 62kg, then won the world gold at 65kg as a sort of consolation. Second chances are few and far between in the sport, and Ozaki will be determined to take advantage of this opportunity.

The winner will face Mei SHINDO, with the winner of that bout getting a possible semifinal clash with Tokyo Olympic 62kg gold medalist Yukako KAWAI.

On the other side of the draw, world 72kg champion Miwa MORIKAWA will likely have to get by 2021 world silver medalist Rin MIYAJI and 2021 world 72kg champion Masako FURUICHI to make the final.

Day 2 Results

Freestyle

57kg (17 entries)
Semifinal--Rikuto ARAI df. Yuto TAKESHITA, 6-1
Semifinal--Kento YUMIYA df. Akito MUKAIDA, 14-10

74kg (13 entries)
GOLD----Kota TAKAHASHI df. Kojiro SHIGA by TF, 10-0, 3:54

BRONZE--Daiju SUZUKI df. Ryotaro TOGIYA by TF, 11-0, 2:47
BRONZE--Shoto KANEKO df. Shuri ITO by TF, 12-2, 2:30

86kg (14 entries)
Semifinal--Hayato ISHIGURO df. Mao OKUI, 5-1
Semifinal--Sosuke TAKATANI df. Tatsuya SHIRAI, 2-0

92kg (21 entries)
GOLD--Satoshi MIURA df. Leon KAKEGAWA, 7-4

BRONZE--Takato UCHIDA df. Chihiro MOTOHASHI by TF, 10-0, 2:43
BRONZE--Issa KIKUCHI df. Daichi OKA, 7-2

Semifinal--Satoshi MIURA df. Takato UCHIDA, 3-1
Semifinal--Reon KAKEGAWA df. Daichi OKA by TF, 10-0, 1:06

125kg (17 entries)
GOLD----Taiki YAMAMOTO df. Koki YAMAMOTO by TF, 11-1, 5:22

BRONZE--Ryusei FUJITA df. Hosei FUJITA, 4-0
BRONZE--Yuji FUKUI df. Naoya IWATA by TF, 12-1, 5:33

Greco-Roman

60kg (16 entries)

Semifinal--Maito KAWANA df. Yasuhito MORI, 6-1
Semifinal--Kaito INABA df. Kosei TAKESHITA  by Fall, 6:00 (3-1)

63kg (20 entries)
GOLD--Ayata SUZUKI df. Yamato HAGIWARA by TF, 9-1, 4:04

BRONZE--Komei SAWADA df. Ryuto IKEDA by Def.
BRONZE--Kodai MITANI df. Takeru ARIGA by TF, 9-0, 1:44

Semifinal--Yamato HAGIWARA df. Ryuto IKEDA, 8-5
Semifinal--Ayata SUZUKI df. Takeru ARIGA, 5-1

77kg (12 entries)
Semifinal--Isami HORIKITA df. Keisei SHIMABUKURO, 2-1
Semifinal--Taishi TOMOYOSE df. Kenryu KUZUYA, 1-1

87kg (16 entries)
GOLD----So SAKABE df. Masato SUMI, 3-1

BRONZE--Minto MAEDA df. Tomofumi IWAI by TF, 9-0, 1:48}
BRONZE--Tatsuya FUJII df. Sorato KANAZAWA by TF, 11-0, 2:33

97kg (13 entries)
GOLD----Yuri NAKAZATO df. Takahiro TSURUTA, 2-1

BRONZE--Yuta NARA df. Daisho KATO by Fall, :26 (4-0)
BRONZE--Masayuki AMANO df. Ren TAKEDA by TF, 8-0, 1:46

130kg (11 entries)
GOLD----Sota OKAMURA df. Shion OBATA, 1-1

BRONZE--Naoto YAMAGUCHI df. Kyo KITAWAKI, 7-1
BRONZE--Keita KOBAYASHI def. Yuma MIYAUCHI by Def.

Women's Wrestling

53kg (9 entries)
GOLD----Rino KATAOKA df. Mihoko TAKEUCHI by Fall, 2:52 (6-0)

BRONZE--Nagisa HARADA df. Mako ONO, 8-4
BRONZE--Chiaki KAWAI df. Karen SASAKI, 10-5

55kg (12 entries)
GOLD--Moe KIYOOKA df. Haruna OKUNO, 5-1

BRONZE--Umi IMAI df. Ruka NATAMI, 3-0
BRONZE--Sowaka UCHIDA df. Noa ITO by TF, 11-0, 3:25

Semifinal--Haruna OKUNO df. Ruka NATAMI, 8-6
Semifinal--Moe KIYOOKA df. Sowaka UCHIDA, 3-2

62kg (11 entries)
GOLD----Yuzuka INAGAKI df. Kiwa IWASAWA, 7-0

BRONZE--Naomi RUIKE df. Suzu SASAKI by TF, 10-0, 3:35
BRONZE--Shirin TAKEMOTO df. Hiyori MOTOKI, 7-4

65kg (11 entries)
GOLD--Mahiro YOSHITAKE df. Nana IKEHATA by TF, 11-1, 3:43

BRONZE--Momoko KITADE df. Nagisa ITO, 5-0
BRONZE--Rin TERAMOTO df. Kaeda MATSUYAMA, 5-3

Semifinal--Mahiro YOSHITAKE df. Momoko KITADE by Fall, 4:36 (6-0)
Semifinal--Nana IKEHATA df. Rin TERAMOTO, 5-5

76kg (4 entries)
GOLD--Mizuki NAGASHIMA (3-0)
SILVER--Yasuha MATSUYUKI (2-1)
BRONZE--Makoto KOMADA (1-2)

Key Match: Mizuki NAGASHIMA df. Yasuha MATSUYUKI 3-2 in 1st round