freestyle rankings, February, Snyder, Burroughs, Sadualev, Akgul, 2016

Gazimagomedov, Snyder Atop Freestyle Rankings Despite Losses in January

By William May

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (February 2) – World champions Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) fell to previously unranked wrestlers at the Yarygin Grand Prix in January but held onto their positions atop this month’s United World Wrestling freestyle rankings.

Gazimagomedov, the 70kg champion in Las Vegas, lost his opening bout at 74kg in Krasnoyarsk, Russia, to Kakhaber KHUBEZHTY (RUS) and was eliminated from the competition when the former world team member lost in the semifinals.

Snyder, meanwhile, advanced to the semifinals at 97kg before being stymied by Anzor BOLTUKAEV (RUS), who had been largely inactive internationally since winning the bronze medal at the 2013 world championships.

Gazimagomedov held onto his No.1 ranking at 70kg as he was wrestling up a category at 74kg while Snyder rebounded for a bronze medal at 97kg and was not challenged by any other world medalists, such as Abdusalam GADISOV (RUS), Khetag GAZUMOV (AZE) or Pavlo OLEYNIK (UKR).

Boltukaev, for his part, defeated London 2012 Olympic Games gold medalist Jakob VARNER (USA) in the Yarygin finale, and made one of the bigger leaps in the January rankings – going from unranked to No.10 at heavyweight.

The biggest move belongs to Nyurgun SKRYABIN (RUS), who went from unranked to No.7 at 61kg by pinning 2015 Ali Aliev champion Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) and prevailing over former junior European champion Imam ADZHIEV (RUS) in the Yarygin final.

Also at 61kg, Aleksander BOGOMOEV (RUS) and Vladimir DUBOV (BUL) both successfully tested the waters at 57kg – with Bogomoev winning in Krasnoyarsk and Dubov taking the Dan Kolov crown in Sofia.

At the other non-Olympic weight category of 70kg, Israil KASUMOV (RUS) moved down to 65kg for the Yarygin title, while Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) earned a silver medal at 74kg in Paris and Evgeniy NEDEALKO (MDA) bagged the welterweight gold medal in Sofia.

The top six wrestlers in each weight category at the world championships were awarded the top six positions in September, but these rankings are already changing in the face of more recent performances.

The bulk of the rankings from No.7 to No.20 were determined, in part, by a wrestler’s performance in Las Vegas along with results in competition throughout 2015.

Wrestlers in the rankings are listed by name, country code, most notable or most recent result over the last 12 months, and their position in the previous rankings.

57kg – 2013 junior world champion Younes SARMASTIDIZAJI (IRI) won the Takhti Cup for a second year in a row to go from unranked to No.10, while two-time junior world bronze medalist Gadshimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) put a scare into Yarygin Grand Prix winner Aleksander BOGOMOEV (RUS) for No.11.

1. Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) – World No.1 (1)
2. Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) – World No.2 (2)
3. Viktor LEBEDEV (RUS) – World No.3 (3)
4. Ismail MUSUKAEV (RUS) – GGP Final No.1 (4)
5. ERDENEBAT Bekhbayar (MGL) – GGP Final No.2 (5)
6. JONG Hak-Jin (PRK) – World No.5 (6)
7. Artas SANAA (KAZ) – World No.5 (7)
8. Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) – Pan American Games No.1 (8)
9. Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) – Dan Kolov No.3 (12)
10. Younes SARMASTIDIZAJI (IRI) – Takhti Cup No.1 (not ranked)
11. Gadshimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
12. Rustam AMPAR (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
13. Asadulla LACHINOV (BLR) – World No.7 (11)
14. Artyom GEBEKOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
15. Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) – Ziolkowski No.1 (9)
16. Zoheir EL OUARRAQE (FRA) – Ziolkowski No.3 (10)
17. Reza ATRABAGHARCHI (IRI) – Paris GP No.1 (nr_
18. Adama DIATTA (SEN) – All-African Games No.1 (16)
19. Sezer AKGUL (TUR) – European Games No.3 (17)
20. John PINEDA (CAN) – Dan Kolov No.3 (19)

61kg – Asian championships silver medalist Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) won the Takhti Cup and edged up to No.6, while Yarygin Grand Prix finalists Nyurgun SKRYABIN (RUS) and Imam ADZHIEV (RUS) join the rankings at No.7 and No.8, respectively.
 
1. Haji ALIEV (AZE) – World No.1 (1)
2. BATBOLD Nomin (MGL) – World No.2 (2)
3. Vladimir DUBOV (BUL) – World No.3 (4)
4. Aleksander BOGOMOEV (RUS) – European Games No.1 (7)
5. Vasyl SHUPTAR (UKR) – World No.3 (3)
6. Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) – Takhti Cup No.1 (10)
7. Nyurgun SKRYABIN (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.1 (nr)
8. Imam ADZHIEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
9. Masakazu KAMOI (JPN) – World No.5 (6)
10. Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) – European Games No.2 (8)
11. Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
12. Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) – World No.5 (7)
13. Dyamal OTARSULTANOV (RUS) – Yasar Dogu No.1 (13)
14. Iman SADEGHIKOUKANDEH (IRI) – Paris GP No.5 (15)
15. Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) – GGP Final No.3 (12)
16. Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.5 (16)
17. Volodya FRANGULYAN (ARM) – Medved Prizes No.1 (9)
18. Muenir Recep AKTAS (TUR) – Yasar Dogu No.2 (11)
19. Bekhan GOIGEREEV (RUS) – Medved Prizes No.2 (14)
20. Dimitar IVANOV (BUL) – Dan Kolov No.3 (nr)

65kg – Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) and Franklin GOMEZ MATOS (PUR) each won Dan Kolov titles, at 70kg and 65kg, respectively, as Gadzhiev edges up to No.9 and Gomez joins the rankings at No.10.
 
1. Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) – World No.1 (1)
2. Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) – World No.2 (2)
3. Sayed Ahmad MOHAMMADI (IRI) – World No.3 (3)
4. Togrul ASGAROV (AZE) – European Games No.1 (4)
5. Soslan RAMONOV (RUS) – World No.3 (5)
6. Magomed KURBANALIEV (RUS) – GGP Final (8)
7. GANZORIG Mandakhnaran (MGL) – Yarygin GP No.3 (6)
8. Ilyas BEKBULATOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.5 (7)
9. Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) – Dan Kolov No.1 (12)
10. Franklin GOMEZ MATOS (PUR) – Dan Kolov No.1 (nr)
11. Alibeggadzhi EMEEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
12. Borislav NOVACHKOV (BUL) – Dan Kolov No.2 (12)
13. Brent METCALF (USA) – Pan Am Games No.1 (10)
14. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) – Paris GP No.5 (11)
15. George BUCUR (ROU) – Ziolkowski No.2 (9)
16. Masoud ESMAILPOUR (IRI) – Asia No.1 (14)
17. Logan STIEBER (USA) – GGP Final No.2 (15)
18. Mustafa KAYA (TUR) – European Games No.3 (17)
19. Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) – Ali Aliev No.1 (18)
20. Meysam NASIRI (IRI) – Takhti Cup No.1 (nr)

70kg – Israil KASUMOV (RUS) won the Yarygin Grand Prix title over a tough field at 65kg to climb to No.5 in the rankings, while Evgheni NEDEALCO (MDA) won at 74kg in Sofia and junior world champion Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) finished second at 74kg in Paris behind 2014 world bronze medalist Ali SHABANOV (BLR).

1. Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) – World No.1 (1)
2. Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) – World No.2 (2)
3. Yakup GOR (TUR) – World No.3 (3)
4. James GREEN (USA) – World No.3 (4)
5. Israil KASUMOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.1 (7)
6. Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB) – GGP Final No.1 (6)
7. Azamat NURIKOV (BLR) – Medved Prizes No.1 (5)
8. Evgheni NEDEALCO (MDA) – Dan Kolov No.1 (nr)
9. Miroslav KIROV (BUL) – Dan Kolov No.3 (8)
10. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.1 (nr)
11. David TLASHADZE (GEO) – Kunaev Int’l No.1 (9)
12. Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE) – European Games No.3 (10)
13. Khusey SUYUNCHEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
14. Rasul ARSANALIEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
15. Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) – Ali Aliev No.1 (11)
16. Khalil AMINOV (RUS) – Intercontinental Cup No.1 (12)
17. Evgeni ZHERBAEV (RUS) – Dmitri Korkin No.1 (13)
18. Georgi ZLATOV (BUL) – Dan Kolov No.3 (15)
19. Elaman DOGDURBEK UULU (KGZ) – Asia No.2 (16)
20. Ayad IBRAHIM (EGY) – African Games No.1 (nr)

74kg – 2012 junior world champ Zaur MAKIEV (RUS) emerged the victor over a field that featured world champions Denis TSARGUSH (RUS), Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) and pre-tourney favorite Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) to win the Yarygin crown and a No.14 in the rankings.

1. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) – World No.1 (1)
2. Aniuar GEDUEV (RUS) – World No.3 (2)
3. PUREVJAV Unurbat (MGL) – World No.2 (3)
4. Narasingh YADAV (IND) – World No.3 (4)
5. Alireza GHASEMI (IRI) – Ziolkowski No.1 (5)
6. Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) – World No.5 (6)
7. Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) – Pan Am Games No.3 (7)
8. Jumber KVELASHVILI (GEO) – European Games No.3 (8)
9. Khetik TSABOLOV (RUS) – GGP Final No.3 (14)
10. Ali SHABANOV (BLR) – Paris GP No.1 (10)
11. Rashid KURBANOV (UZB) – Dan Kolov No.3 (11)
12. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) – European Games No.2 (10)
13. Yabrail HASANOV (AZE) – GGP Final No.1 (13)
14. Zaur MAKIEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.1 (nr)
15. Muslim DADAEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
16. Moustafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI) – Takhti Cup No.1 (nr)
17. Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (14)
18. Kakhaber KHUBEZHTY (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
19. Krystian BRZOZOWSKI (POL) – Dan Kolov No.2 (16)
20. Peyman YARAHMADI (IRI) – Takhti Cup No.3 (nr)

86kg – Shamil KUDIYAMAGOMEDOV (RUS), widely recognized in Russia as the top middleweight not named Abdulrashid, rolled to the Yarygin Grand Prix title to vault from No.11 to fifth in the rankings. London 2012 bronze medalist Ehsan LASHGARI (IRI) won the Takhti Cup to bound from 17th to No.9.

1. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) – World No.1 (1)
2. Selim YASAR (TUR) – World No.2 (2)
3. Sandro AMINASHVILI (GEO) – World No.3 (4)
4. Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) – World No.3 (3)
5. Shamil KUDIYAMAGOMEDOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.1 (11)
6. Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) – Yarygin No.3 (10)
7. Magomedhadshi KHATIEV (AZE) – World No.5 (5)
8. Mikhail GANEV (BUL) – World No.5 (6)
9. Ehsan LASHGARI (IRI) – Takhti Cup No.1 (17)
10. Ibragim ALDATOV (UKR) – World No.7 (7)
11. Pedro CEBALLOS FUENTES (VEN) – World No.10 (8)
12. Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) – Pan Am Games No.1 (9)
13. ORGODOL Uitumen (MGL) – Dan Kolov No.3 (12)
14. Aleksander GOSTIEV (AZE) – GGP Final No.1 (13)
15. Piotr IANULOV (MDA) – European Games No.2 (14)
16. Radoslaw MARCINKIEWICZ (POL) – European Games No.3 (15)
17. Arsenali MUSALALIEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
18. Nurmagomed GADZHIEV (AZE) – GGP Final No.2 (16)
19. Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL) – Dan Kolov No.2 (nr)
20. Istvan VEREB (HUN) – Paris GP No.2 (nr)

97kg – Radoslaw BARAN (POL), returning to competition after an early exit from the world championships in September, kicked off 2016 with a win at the Dan Kolov tourney for No.8 in the rankings.

1. Kyle SNYDER (USA) – World No.1 (1)
2. Abdusalam GADISOV (RUS) – World No.2 (2)
3. Khetag GAZUMOV (AZE) – World No.3 (3)
4. Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO) – GGP Final No.1 (4)
5. Pavlo OLIYNIK (UKR) – World No.3 (5)
6. Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) – GGP Final No.2 (6)
7. Abbas TAHAN (IRI) – World No.5 (7)
8. Radoslaw BARAN (POL) – Dan Kolov No.1 (9)
9. Valeri ANDRIITSEV (UKR) – European Games No.3 (8)
10. Anzor BOLTUKAEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.1 (nr)
11. Jakob VARNER (USA) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
12. Jose DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN) – Paris GP No.1 (14)
13. DORJKHAND Khuderbulga (MGL) – Paris GP No.2 (15)
14. Reza YAZDANI (IRI) – Takhti Cup No.1 (nr)
15. Magomed MUSAEV (KGZ) – Asia No.2 (10)
16. Khadshimourad GATSALOV (RUS) – World Military Games No.1 (11)
17. Adlan IBRAGIMOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
18. James BERGMAN (USA) – Schultz Memorial No.1 (nr)
19. Akhmed BATAEV (RUS) – Intercontinental Cup No.1 (18)
20. Mohamedhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) – Asia No.1 (17) 

125kg – Parviz HADI (IRI) won the Takhti Cup crown to edge up to No.6 in the rankings followed by 2014 world silver medalist Komeil GHASEMI (IRI), who took the title at the Paris Grand Prix. Vladislav BAITSAEV (RUS) took the Yarygin crown to go from unranked to No.13.

1. Taha AKGUL (TUR) – World No.1 (1)
2. Jamalladin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) – World No.2 (2)
3. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) – World No.3 (3)
4. Beylal MAKHOV (RUS) – World No.3 (4)
5. Levan BERIANIDZE (ARM) – World No.5 (5)
6. Parviz HADI (IRI) – Takhti Cup No.1 (7)
7. Komeil GHASEMI (IRI) – Paris GP No.1 (11)
8. JARGALSAIKHAN Chuluunbat (MGL) – Paris GP No.3 (6)
9. DENG Zhiwei (CHN) – Dan Kolov No.1 (16)
10. Aleksey SHEMAROV (BLR) – European Games No.2 (8)
11. Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) – Asia No.1 (9)
12. Muradin KUSHKHOV (RUS) – Ramzan Kadyrov No.1 (11)
13. Vladislav BAITSAEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.1 (nr)
14. Anzor KHIRZIEV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
15. Luis VIVENES (VEN) – Paris GP No.2 (nr)
16. Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) – Paris GP No.3 (nr)
17. David MODZMANASHVILI (GEO) – Medved Prizes No.1 (12)
18. Alen ZASEEV (UKR) – Medved Prizes No.2 (13)
19. Zachery REY (USA) – Pan Am Games No.1 (14)
20. Daulet SHABANBAY (KAZ) – Yasar Dogu No.3 (15)

61 کیلوگرم

1- حاجی علی اف (آذربایجان)- قهرمان جهان (1)

2- نومین باتبولد (مغولستان)- نفر دوم جهان (2)

3- ولادمیر دوبوف (بلغارستان)- نفر سوم جهان (4)

4- الکساندر بوگوموئف (روسیه)- قهرمان بازیهای اروپایی (7)

5- واسیل شوپتار (اوکراین)- نفر سوم جهان (3)

6- بهنام احسانپور (ایران)- قهرمان جام تختی (10)

7- نیورگون اسکریابین (روسیه)- قهرمان یاریگین (خارج از رنکینگ)

8- امام آجیف (روسیه)- نفر دوم یاریگین (خارج از رنکینگ)

9- ماساکازو کاموئی (ژاپن)- نفر پنجم جهان (6)

10- بکا لومتادزه (گرجستان)- نفر دوم بازیهای اروپایی (8)

11- احمد چاکایف (روسیه) – نفر سوم یاریگین (خارج از رنکینگ)

12- بارجانگ بارجانگ (هند)- نفر پنجم جهان (7)

13- جمال اوتارسلطانوف (روسیه)- قهرمان یاشاردوغو (13)

14- ایمان صادقی (ایران)- نفر دوم جایزه بزرگ باکو (15)

15- دولت نیازبکوف (قزاقستان)- نفر سوم جایزه بزرگ باکو (12)

16- مرشید موتالیموف (روسیه)- نفر پنجم یاریگین (16)

17- ولودیا فرانگولیان (ارمنستان)- قهرمان جام مدوید (9)

18- منیر رجب آکتاش (ترکیه)- نفر دوم یاشاردوغو (11)

19- بخان گویگریف (روسیه)- نفر دوم جام مدوید (14)

20- دیمیتار ایوانوف بلغارستان)- نفر سوم دان کلوف (خارج از رنکینگ)

 

65 کیلوگرم

1- فرانک چامیزو (ایتالیا)- قهرمان جهان (1)

2- اختیار نوروزاف (ازبکستان)- نفر دوم جهان (2)

3- سید احمد محمدی (ایران)- نفر سوم جهان (3)

4- طغرل عسگروف (آذربایجان)- قهرمان بازیهای اروپایی (5)

5- سوسلان رامونوف (روسیه)- نفر سوم جهان (4)

6- ماگومد قربان علی‌یف (روسیه)- قهرمان جایزه بزرگ باکو (8)

7- مانداخناران گانزوریگ (مغولستان)- نفر پنجم جهان (6)

8- الیاس بکبولاتوف (روسیه)- قهرمان جام یاریگین (7)

9- ماگومد مراد گاجیف (لهستان)- قهرمان یاشار دوغو (12)

10- فرانکلین گومز ماتوس (پورتوریکو)- قهرمان دان کلوف (خارج از رنکینگ)

11- آلیبگاجی امیف (روسیه)- نفر سوم یاریگین (خارج از رنکینگ)

12- بوریسلاو نواچکوف (بلغارستان)- نایب قهرمان دان کلوف (13)

13- برنت متکالف (آمریکا)- قهرمان پان آمریکن (10)

14- آوتاندیل کنتچادزه (گرجستان)- نفر نهم جهان (11)

15- گئورگ بوکور (رومانی)- نفر دوم زیلکوفسکی (9)

16 - مسعود اسماعیل پور (ایران)- قهرمان آسیا (14)

17- لوگان اشتیبر (آمریکا)- نفر دوم جایزه بزرگ باکو (15)

18- مصطفی کایا (ترکیه)- نفر سوم بازیهای اروپایی (17)

19- یوشگون عظیموف (آذربایجان)- قهرمان جام علی اف (18)

20- میثم نصیری (ایران)- قهرمان جام تختی (خارج از رنکینگ)

 

70 کیلوگرم

1- ماگومد رسول گازی ماگومداف (روسیه)- قهرمان جهان (1)

2- حسن یزدانی (ایران)- نفر دوم جهان (2)

3- یاکوب گور (ترکیه)- نفر سوم جهان (3)

4- جیمز گرین (آمریکا)- نفر سوم جهان (4)

5- اسرائیل کاسوموف (روسیه)- قهرمان جام کنایف (7)

6- بکزود عبدالرحمانوف (ازبکستان)- قهرمان جایزه بزرگ باکو (6)

7- عظمت نوریکوف (بلاروس)- قهرمان جام مدوید (5)

8- یوگنی ندیلکو (مولداوی)- قهرمان دان کلوف (خارج از رنکینگ)

9- میروسلاو کایروف (بلغارستان)- نفر سوم جام دان کلوف (6)

10- زائوربک سیداکوف (روسیه)- قهرمان یاریگین (خارج از رنکینگ)

11- دیوید تلاشادزه (گرجستان)- نفر هفتم جهان (9)

12- روسلان دیبیرگاجیف (آذربایجان)- نفر سوم بازیهای اروپایی (10)

13- خوسی سویونچف (روسیه)- نفر دوم یاریگین (خارج از رنکینگ)

14- رسول ارسان علی اف (نفر سوم یاریگین)- (خارج از رنکینگ)

15- ماگومد حبیب کادی ماگومداف (روسیه)- نفر اول جام علی اف (11)

16- خلیل امین اف (روسیه)- قهرمان جام بین قاره ای (12)

17- یوگنی ژربایف (روسیه)- قهرمان دمیتری کورکین (13)

18- گئورگی زلاتوف (بلغارستان) نفر سوم دان کلوف (15)

19- الامان دوگدوربک اولو (قرقیزستان)- نفر دوم آسیا (16)

20- آیاد ابراهیم (مصر)- قهرمان بازیهای آفریقا (خارج از رنکینگ)  

#JapanWrestling

Murayama upends Kiyooka, twice, to make Japan's world team

By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (June 21) -- When Paris Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI announced she was moving up to 57kg, it seemed that everyone was ready to bequeath the opening at 53kg to
reigning world 55kg champion Moe KIYOOKA.

On Saturday, Haruna MURAYAMA said not so fast. Not once, but twice.

Murayama defeated Kiyooka in the women's 53kg final at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Championships in Tokyo, then came back a short time later and did it again in a playoff to earn a place on Japan's team and a shot at a fourth world gold at this year's World Championships.

"I only had two matches today, but I totally focused on each one in turn," said Murayama, whose previous world titles came under her maiden name of OKUNO.

"After that, it was important to win, but because I want to keep going at 53kg, this tournament had more meaning. Of course, I was aiming for a good result, but I wanted to get something out of this tournament."

Read More: Olympic champ vs Asian champ - Kiyooka vs Tanabe final at 65kg

Murayama and Kiyooka had beaten each other a number of times, but Kiyooka got the upper hand when she won a playoff last year for the Non-Olympic World Championships, where she succeeded Murayama as the gold medalist at 55kg.

With Fujinami was still on her post-Olympic hiatus, Kiyooka moved down to 53kg and won the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships last December, the first of two domestic qualifiers for the World Championships along with the Meiji Cup.

Winning both tournaments secured an automatic place on the world team, while a playoff determined the spot if case of different winners.

Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN)Haruna MURAYAMA reacts after beating Moe KIYOOKA in the world team playoff at women's 53kg. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

Murayama won the 55kg title at the Emperor's Cup, but took a risk and dropped down to 53kg to challenge Kiyooka at the Meiji Cup, a move that paid off and left her young opponent in tears.

"Olympic weight classes and non-Olympic weight classes are completely different," Murayama said. "I've been in international tournaments as well as domestic meets at various weights, and, I can't really put it into words, but you can feel it in your skin.

"I won at a non-Olympic weight at the Emperor's Cup and if I had entered that weight here and won, I would have gone to the World Championships at 55kg. It would be rude to say it is meaningless, but in a career that is limited, you want to compete at the highest level. So I want to continue at 53kg from here."

The 26-year-old Murayama won her first world title at 55kg in 2017, added a second at 53kg in 2018, then went five years before adding a third at 55kg in 2023. In between she suffered the heartbreak of having her Olympic dreams smashed twice, first by Mayu MUKAIDA (now SHIDOCHI) before the Tokyo Olympics, and then by Fujinami in the runup to Paris.

Her performance at Tokyo Metropolitan Gym -- which included a quarterfinal victory over Shidochi, who was returning after a two-year layoff -- puts her smack in middle of discussions for the 2028 Los Angeles.

Murayama did it with nearly identical victories over Kiyooka, winning 3-1 in the Meiji Cup final and then 4-1 in the playoff.

In both matches, she gained an activity point in the first period, then scored a takedown off a low single in the second. Kiyooka, who wore a headgear after suffering a recent skull injury in practice, was constantly kept at bay and only launched one attack that Murayama fended off.

"The rules now favor the aggressor, and that also leads to activity points," Murayama said. "I'm not the type who goes for tackles much at the beginning. But I came up with a style where my tying up leads to tackles.

"Recently, it wasn't working so well. I've been having more chances to face younger opponents, and they like to go on the attack right away, which makes me feel pressure. There were many matches that went awry at the end that I couldn't finish off. This time, I was able to keep her under control in the first period, then wrestle my way to end the match."

Ironically, Murayama and Kiyooka were teammates at a pair of international tournaments earlier this year, where they had positive results. Murayama won the 55kg title and Kiyooka the 53kg gold at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series tournament in Tirana in February, then took a bronze and a silver, respectively, at the Asian Championships in March in Amman, Jordan.

"I recently was able to go to some international tournaments, and the overseas wrestlers have gotten better," Murayama said. "We're in an era where you can soon view a video of a match and I feel that I have been well scouted. I look forward to using my skills against them."

Ami ISHII (JPN)Ami ISHII secures a fall over Seia MOCHINAGA to secure her ticket at women's 68kg to the World Championships. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

Ishii cruises to world berth; Aoyagi bounces back in playoff

In other action on the third day of the four-day tournament, Ami ISHII, who won the women's 72kg gold at the non-Olympic worlds as consolation for missing out on the Paris Olympics, will be heading back to the regular World Championships at 68kg.

Ishii easily won out in a four-women field that was thinned to three by injury, finishing up with a victory by fall over Seia MOCHINAGA in her final round-robin match.

Ishii said she is looking forward to possibly facing Kennedy BLADES (USA), the Paris Olympic silver medalist at 76kg who recently won the U.S. trials at 68kg. And she wants to not only win, but win big.

"I won't be seeded, so I don't know when or if I will face her," Ishii said. "It doesn't have to be the final. I want it to be one of those matches where you go, 'Wow.' I want to win big with a technical fall like Masanosuke ONO. I don't want it to come down to the wire."

One other women's world team spot was filled, with Asian bronze medalist Nodoka YAMAMOTO beating Yasuha MATSUYUKI 3-1 to win the round-robin at 76kg as Paris Olympic champion Yuka KAGAMI continues to remain out of competition.

Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN)Yoshinosuke AOYAGI works to turn Shoya MIURA in the world team playoff at freestyle 70kg. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

Among the three world team playoffs in freestyle, world silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI bounced back from his stunning semifinal loss on Friday by romping to an 11-0 victory over Shoya MIURA.

Aoyagi chalked up a pair of takedown-roll combinations in the first period, then ended the match by using his leg to catch Miura on his back during a scramble.

"I was down [after the loss] and still felt that way today," Aoyagi said. "But to do it, I had to pull myself together. I got advice from various people, and keeping in mind all of those supporting me, I was finally able to come around."

Miura had won the title with a 6-5 victory over world U20 champion Ryoya YAMASHITA, who had stunned Emperor's Cup champion Aoyagi in the semifinals. Miura's win can be credited to a 4-point counter throw that could have gone either way but was awarded on challenge.

Aoyagi acknowledged that Miura presented a less formidable foe, although he would have liked to have had a chance to avenge his loss to Yamashita.

"I wanted to get revenge and of course I had come up with a plan and asked around for advice," Aoyagi said. "Next week, we're going to Nittaidai [Nippon Sport Science University] for joint practice and I'll ask him to spar with me. I lost and will be the challenger, but I will turn the tables."

There was one thing that Aoyagi did before the playoff that left many people befuddled.

Normally, a wrestler who goes to a playoff after losing before a final skips the bronze-medal match, which is held a few hours earlier.

But Aoyagi showed up for his match, which he won with an 11-0 victory in 3:44. Why even bother?

The 23-year-old Aoyagi, who joined the corporate team Clean-up out of Yamanashi Gakuin University, said he did it out of loyalty to his company and its employees, who formed a small supporting section in the stands.

"I thought that at the very least, I had to get a medal from the standpoint of my company," Aoyagi said. "There were many people from the company who came in support and I wanted them to know they could believe in me and I would give it my all. If I didn't do that match and only went to the World Championships, it might leave a bad impression."

Aoyagi, who won the Muhamet Malo tournament and finished third at the Asian Championships this year, said he will be confident but wary in Zagreb, which will be his last tournament at 70kg before making a planned move up to 74kg.

"Last year I finished second and I'm currently ranked No. 1, but it's not going to be so easy," Aoyagi said. "I placed third at the Asian Championships and strong opponents are constantly coming up. The luck of the draw is important, but I will practice harder and become a wrestler who doesn't present openings. If I prepare thoroughly for the World Championships, of course I can win the title."

In another playoff, Emperor's Cup champion Ryunosuke KAMIYA avenged a semifinal loss to Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI by beating him 3-0 for the freestyle 79kg ticket to Zagreb. Gharehdaghi had taken the title with a 2-2 win over Subaru TAKAHARA.

At 61kg, Takara SUDA, the Emperor's Cup champion who had to miss the tournament, scored a late takedown to defeat 2021 world bronze medalist Toshihiro HASEGAWA 4-3. Suda was not entered after his school, Yamanashi Gakuin University, reportedly missed the registration deadline.

Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN)Yuri NAKAZATO puts the pressure on Takahiro TSURUDA in the Greco 97kg final of the Meiji Cup. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

In Greco, Yuri NAKAZATO will get a chance to see if he can make a breakthrough for Japan in the upper weights after he defeated Takahiro TSURUDA 4-0 to take the 97kg crown and secure a place on the world team.

The Okinawa native, a 2023 world U23 bronze medalist, showed some potential by winning a silver medal at this year's Asian Championships. That made him the first Japanese to make the final in a weight class 90kg or over in 11 years, and just the ninth ever.

Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN)Mayu SHIDOCHI, right, assured she would not go home empty-handed from her first tournament in two years by taking a bronze medal at women's 53kg. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

Shidochi finishes up comeback with bronze

Tokyo Olympic champion Shidochi bounced back from her loss to Murayama by winning her bronze-medal match at 53kg, beating Saki YUMIYA 5-0.

After gaining an activity point in the first period, Shidochi pulled away in the second with a takedown and gut wrench.

Shidochi was competing for the first time since losing to Fujinami in the semifinals at the 2023 Meiji Cup, giving birth to her first child in the interval.

"When it comes down do it, I lost yesterday and it's really hard to take," Shidochi said. "But I came back and won the third-place match, which I hope will lead to better things. I was able to bounce back and, although it wasn't the gold medal, I could still finish up with a medal."

Shidochi gives herself credit for not taking the easy path in her return to the mat.

"I decided to make a challenge at an Olympic weight and I realize that in reality, it is not so easy," she said. "In the second round I faced world champion Haruna. I had lost to her the last time and wanted to get revenge, but I wasn't able to do it and that's disappointing.

"It was my first tournament in two years. It comes down to getting that match sense again, and I was pretty nervous this time. There are many things I need to work on."

Day 3 Results

Freestyle

57kg (11 entries)
SF 1: Rin SAKAMOTO df. Rikuto NAGAI, 7-4
SF 2: Kento YUMIYA df. Rikuto ARAI, 2-1

61kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Toshihiro HASEGAWA df. Akito MUKAIDA by TF, 15-5, 4:51

BRONZE: Taichi YAMAGUCHI df. Aiki KAWAI, 7-0
BRONZE: Meiryu AKAMINE df. Takuto OSEDO, 5-3

World Team Playoff: Takara SUDA df. Hasegawa, 4-3

65kg (9 entries)
SF 1: Kaisei TANABE df. Ryuto SAKAKI, 5-0
SF 2: Kotaro KIYOOKA df. Yuto NISHIUCHI, 8-1

70kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Shoya MIURA df. Ryoya YAMASHITA, 6-5

BRONZE: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI df. Raita MATSUDA by TF, 11-0, 3:44
BRONZE: Makoto HOSOKAWA df. Yamato FUKUI by TF, 13-2, 3:46

World Team Playoff: Aoyagi df. Miura by TF, 11-0, 3:50

74kg (12 entries)
SF 1: Kota TAKAHASHI vs Hikaru TAKATA by TF, 12-2, 5:40
SF 2: Masaki SATO df. Toki OGAWA, 6-0

79kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI df. Subaru TAKAHARA, 2-2

BRONZE: Kohei KITAMURA df. Ryunosuke KAMIYA by Def.
BRONZE: Natsura OKAZAWA df. Hirotaka ABE by TF, 11-0, 3:39

World Team Playoff: Kamiya df. Gharehdaghi, 3-0

Greco-Roman

60kg (8 entries)
SF 1: Kaito INABA df. Seima TOKUHARA by TF, 11-1, 4:32
SF 2: Yu SHIOTANI df. Koto GOMI by TF, 10-0, 1:49

67kg (12 entries)
SF 1: Katsuaki ENDO df. Kensuke SHIMIZU, 7-3
SF 2: Kyotaro SOGABE df. Haruto YABE, 13-6

77kg (10 entries)
SF 1: Kodai SAKURABA df. Shu YAMADA by TF, 9-1, 4:50
SF 2: Nao KUSAKA df. Naoki KADODE by TF, 12-1, 2:04

87kg (7 entries)
GOLD: So SAKABE df. Tatsuya FUJII, 9-0, 2:18

BRONZE: Isshin ONITSUKA df. Genki YAHAGI by Fall, 2:27 (10-0)

97kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Yuri NAKAZATO df. Takahiro TSURUDA, 4-0

BRONZE: Masayuki AMANO df. Ryosei KATAMATSU by TF, 8-0, 1:51
BRONZE: Sorato KANAZAWA df. Asahi IMAMURA by TF, 9-0, 1:51

130kg (7 entries)
GOLD: Yuta NARA df. Sota OKUMURA, 3-1

BRONZE: Shion OBATA df. Ayumu IWASAWA, 6-1

Women's Wrestling

50kg (9 entries)
SF 1: Remina YOSHIMOTO vs Mai OGAWA by TF, 10-0, 5:27
SF 2: Umi ITO df. Miyu NAKAMURA, 6-0

53kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Haruna MURAYAMA df. Moe KIYOOKA, 3-1

BRONZE: Haruna MORIKAWA df. Natsumi MASUDA, 3-0
BRONZE: Mayu SHIDOCHI df. Saki YUMIYA, 5-0

World Team Playoff: Murayama df. Kiyooka, 4-1

57kg (10 entries)
SF 1: Himeka TOKUHARA df. Sara NATAMI, 3-1
SF 2: Sae NANJO df. Ichika ARAI, 9-0

62kg (11 entries)
SF 1: Nonoka OZAKI df. Misuzu ENOMOTO, 10-2
SF 2: Sakura MOTOKI df. Shirin TAKEMOTO by TF, 10-0, 2:23

68kg (4 entries)
GOLD: Ami ISHII (3-0)
SILVER: Seia MOCHINAGA (2-1)
BRONZE: Kaede MATSUYAMA (1-2)

Key match: Ishii df. Mochinaga by Fall, 2:06 (6-0), in Round 3

76kg (4 entries)
GOLD: Nodoka YAMAMOTO (3-0)
SILVER: Yasuha MATSUYUKI (2-1)
BRONZE: Mizuki NAGASHIMA (1-2)

Key match: Yamamoto df. Matsuyuki 3-1 in Round 3