India Wins Historic Title; Eight Nations in #WrestleBudapest WW Finals

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - 20:51 By Vinay Siwach

Ever since the cadet World Championships were reinstated in the wrestling calendar, only two countries have shared the team title. In the past nine tournaments, Russia and Iran shared the top honors with the former winning eight times while Iran won once in 2018.

But on Wednesday, that streak was broken as India claimed their first-ever freestyle team title at the cadet World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. This is the country's first freestyle team title at any Worlds.

India, USA and Russia were involved in a three-way battle but with India winning two medals on Wednesday and USA losing the 92kg bronze medal bout, India jumped ahead on the lead. Russia needed to win two of their three finals on Wednesday but they failed to capture even one, place them third behind USA.

Iran claimed the fourth spot after two gold medals while Kazakhstan ended at the fifth spot as freestyle wrestling came to and end in Budapest. Iran had two finalists on Wednesday and both won gold medals while USA, Uzbekistan and Turkey claimed the remaining three titles.

Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) and Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI) captured the gold medals at 51kg and 71kg as Iran finished the tournament with three gold medals, the most for any country.

Ali Mahmoud KHORRAMDEL (IRI) Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) celebrates after winning the 51kg world title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

In the 51kg final, Khorramdel overcame a stiff challenge from Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) to claim a 2-0 win and the gold medal. He scored a takedown in the first period and maintained that lead going into the final few seconds.

Jumanazarov's continus attacks were too little too late to give him the gold as the young wrestler failed to control his emotions in the end.

Esmaeilnezhad Archi had a more convincing win in the final over Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) as he wrestled back in the second period to win 3-1.

Musaev led 1-0 at the break after a step out point but gave up a takedown and push out to trail 1-3. With Musaev's energy running out, Esmaeilnezhad Archi managed to keep him away in the dying seconds.

Another disappointment for Russia came at 92kg as Rifat GIDAK (TUR) defeated Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS) in a thrilling final. Dzhioev lead 3-0 after a stepout and takedown but as the second period began, Gidak paced up the bout.

Gidak got a takedown and then a stepout to lead on criteria and claim the win and the first gold medal for Turkey at this tournament.

“It was hard [in the final],” Gidak said. “But I prepared very well. I will now go back home with the gold medal, everybody is waiting for me there.”

Bowen William BASSETT (USA) Bowen BASSETT (USA) won the 45kg gold in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

USA added a gold medal to the one from Tuesday as Bowen BASSETT (USA) maintained his perfect record of winning by fall or superiority.

In the 45kg final, Bassett and Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS) traded a takedown each before the USA wrestler defended a big double leg attack from Ashinov. He then scored two exposures and on the latest, managed to keep Ashinov on his back.

The 14-year-old, with his family watching in the stands, was expecting a tough challenge from Ashinov but was prepared for anything that came towards him.

“It feels amazing to be a world champion,” Bassett said. “My match went great. I expected it to be tough, a lot of respect to the guy from Russia, I knew he was well-prepared. But it’s great to win by pin, especially at the World Championships.”

Uzbekistan crowned a world champion as well as Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) defeated Jaskaran SINGH (IND) 6-2 in the final at 60kg.

Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) won the gold medal at 60kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

The Uzbek went on the attack from the beginning as he countered Singh's trademark snap-down to go-behind takedown and instead got a takedown on the edge before a gut wrench made it four points.

Singh then tried to get his single leg attacks going but Kadamov held on to his defence and did concede any points. On once such attack, Singh ended giving up a point for step out.

With a 5-0 lead going into the second period, Kadamov took a step back and wrestled less aggressively. Singh got two points for head pinch exposure but then gave up a stepout in the final 20 seconds as Kamadov held on to a 6-2 win.

Singh failed to replicate his strong defence and sneak attacks that he used on Tuesday to reach the final. Kamadov said that it was the 'toughest bout of his career.'

“I feel great after my victory. I still can’t believe I have become the world champion,” Kamadov said. “It was a tough final. I can say that it was the toughest bout in my career. The Indian wrestler was very strong.”

The Uzbek now plans to move up to the junior age group and planning to wrestle the at the continental and world championships.

“My next competition will be among juniors in my country Uzbekistan,” he said. “Then we are planning to compete at the Asian championships and World championships.”

Eight nations in WW finals

Svenja JUNGO (SUI) became her country's first-ever cadet World finalist in women's wrestling. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Women's wrestling began at the cadet World Championships in Budapest with five weight classes – 43kg, 49kg, 57kg, 65kg and 73kg -- getting their finalists, including a historic one for Switzerland.

Eight different nations qualified their wrestler for the finals as India and Belarus qualifying two each. Ukraine, Switzerland, Turkey, Sweden, Russia and Hungary were the other six countries to enter a finalists each.

Incidentally, the two wrestlers that India and Belarus advanced to the finals will face off against each other. Valeryia MIKITSICH (BLR) will take on TANNU (IND) in the 43kg final and PRIYA (IND) will face Kseniya PATAPOVICH (BLR) in the 73kg final on Thursday.

Svenja JUNGO (SUI) made history as she became Switzerland's first-ever medalist in women's wrestling at cadet Worlds. This also their first in 18 years at age group Worlds. In the last 39 years at cadet Worlds, no wrestler from Switzerland won a medal in any style until Jungo did it Wednesday.

She will now look to become Switzerland first-ever cadet world champion when she takes on Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) in the 49kg final Thursday.

Jungo defeated Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) in the semifinal 8-6, coming back every time Jimenez looked like taking the lead. She had defeated cadet European champion Delia VOICULESCU (ROU) 2-2 in the quarterfinals.

“I train in Switzerland and Germany,” Jungo said. “She did a leg attack and I defended. She scored some points and I thought I need to do more.

“I will train mentally and then looking forward to the final.”

But it won't be easy against Yefremova, who outscored her opponents 29-0 in the morning session. She made it to the final after beating Sevim AKBAS (TUR) 9-0 in the semifinal.

TANNU IND TANNU (IND) won the semifinal via fall at 43kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 43kg, Tannu made a mockery of her competition winning her three bouts via fall, technical superiroty and fall. In the three bouts, she did not let her opponents score a single point and herself scored 31. She will face Mikitsich who defeated local girl Liliana KAPUVARI (HUN) 6-2 in the semifinal.

15-year-old Mikitsich knows that it won't be easy for her in the final but she will leave no stone unturned to win the gold medal.

“The semifinal was tough.” Mikitsich said. “It is never easy at the World Championships. My opponent was well prepared. I will prepare for the final just like I did before. I will listen to some music in my headphones, I’ll concentrate, I’ll plan ahead the match.”

To the delight of the Hungarian team, Eniko ELEKES (HUN) reached the final as well. She will take on Ekaterina OLEINIKOVA (RUS) in the 65kg final. The cadet European champion prevented India from having a third finalist with a 4-2 win over VARSHA (IND).

Oleinikova, 15, had a close semifinal against Daria KONSTANTYNOVA (UKR) and pulled off a 4-4 win, thanks to her four-point move over the two takedowns of the Ukrainian.

Eniko ELEKES (HUN) will wrestle for the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

“In last seconds of the match the score was 4-4, but I knew that I was still winning because the 4 point throw [fireman’s carry]saved me,” she said. “That’s one of my best techniques. I was so scared to lose everything after such a long preparation, I went through injuries, broken bones. I can’t believe I am in the final now.

“I’ll prepare for the final in a better way than I did for that match. I realize there is no way back.”

At 57kg, Tindra DALMYR (SWE) scored four points in the second period to beat Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ) 5-5 in the semifinal against book a final against Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR).

The 17-year-old Turk defeated cadet Euros silver medalist Angelina PERVUKHINA (RUS) 4-2 in the semifinal.

“When there was a challenge in the last seconds, it was a very risky position, but I was confident, so I won, and now I have to win the gold medal tomorrow,” Ilyasoglu said.

At the super-heavyweight, Priya maintained a perfect record and defeated cadet European champion Mariia AKULINCHEVA (RUS) 9-0 in the semifinal. She will take on Patapovich in the final after the Belarusian defeated Lillian FREITAS (USA) 3-1 in her semifinal.

"I came here to just win the gold medal,” Priya said.

Wrestling will continue with remaining five women's weight classes – 40kg, 46kg, 53kg, 61kg and 69kg – on Thursday along with the medal bouts in the evening session.

INDIA BUDAPEST FS India won the freestyle team title with USA second and Russia third. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

RESULTS: FS Medal Bouts

45kg
GOLD: Bowen BASSETT (USA) df Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS), via fall

BRONZE: Umidjon ISKANDAROV (UZB) df Yusif ISPAROV (AZE), 11-1
BRONZE: Imronbek RAKHMANOV (KGZ) df Shourya KUMAR (IND), 6-0

51kg
GOLD: Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) df Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB), 2-0

BRONZE: CHIRAG (IND) df Elman MAMMADOV (AZE), 9-6
BRONZE: Nathanael JESUROGA (USA) df Tigran BUNIATYAN (ARM), 6-2

60kg
GOLD: Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) df Jaskaran SINGH (IND), 6-2

BRONZE: Abdulrahman IBRAHIMOV (AZE) df Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), 8-7
BRONZE: Alex GOMBOS (HUN) df Baris UNSAL (TUR), via fall

71kg
GOLD: Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI) df Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS), 3-1

BRONZE: Yerkhan BEXULTANOV (KAZ) df Raul CASO (ITA), 8-3
BRONZE: JAIDEEP (IND) df Gigi SUBTIRICA (ROU), 7-3

92kg
GOLD: Rifat GIDAK (TUR) df Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS), 3-3

BRONZE: Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) df Gavin NELSON (USA), 6-0
BRONZE: Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) df Roland ROSZ (HUN), 4-0

Tindra Olivia DALMYR (SWE) Tindra DALMYR (SWE) will wrestle for the 53kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

RESULTS: Women's Semifinals

43kg
GOLD: Valeryia MIKITSICH (BLR) vs TANNU (IND)

SF 1: Valeryia MIKITSICH (BLR) df Liliana KAPUVARI (HUN), 6-2
SF 2: TANNU (IND) df Aida ALZHANOVA (KAZ), via fall

49kg
GOLD: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) vs Svenja JUNGO (SUI)

SF 1: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) df Sevim AKBAS (TUR), 9-0
SF 2: Svenja JUNGO (SUI) df Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), 8-6

57kg
GOLD: Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) vs Tindra DALMYR (SWE)

SF 1: Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) df Angelina PERVUKHINA (RUS), 4-2
SF 2: Tindra DALMYR (SWE) df Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ), 5-5

65kg
GOLD: Ekaterina OLEINIKOVA (RUS) vs Eniko ELEKES (HUN)

SF 1: Ekaterina OLEINIKOVA (RUS) df Daria KONSTANTYNOVA (UKR), 4-4
SF 2: Eniko ELEKES (HUN) df VARSHA (IND), 4-2

73kg
GOLD: PRIYA (IND) vs Kseniya PATAPOVICH (BLR)

SF 1: PRIYA (IND) df Mariia AKULINCHEVA (RUS), 9-0
SF 2: Kseniya PATAPOVICH (BLR) df Lillian FREITAS (USA), 3-1

#WrestleTirana

World Championships: Kinjo wins fourth world gold as Japan wins three

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - 23:55 By Ken Marantz

TIRANA, Albania (October 30) -- For two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (JPN), it wasn't just winning a fourth world title and first in five years that made her latest triumph so special. It was because of where she is at in her life at the moment.

"This is my fourth world title, but the first since I became a mother," Kinjo said after winning the women's 59kg gold at the Non-Olympic Weight Categories World Championships on Wednesday in Tirana. "So it makes me happier than at any other tournament."

Kinjo was one of three Japanese to take one of the four women's golds up for grabs, as Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) became the sixth wrestler in history to win world titles on all four age-group levels when she triumphed at 55kg, and Ami ISHII (JPN) claimed the 72kg title to add to the world U23 gold at 68kg she won a week ago in the same venue.

Jia LONG (CHN) captured the other title at stake with a victory by fall in the 65kg final to improve on her silver medal from 2022.

Kinjo, who got married and gave birth to her first child after winning the gold at the Tokyo Olympics under her maiden name of KAWAI, missed out on qualifying for the Paris Games, but decided against retiring and was content to seek further success in the non-Olympic weight.

It hasn't been an easy journey, as her time away from the mat left her quite rusty. Just to get to Tirana, she had to score a last-second victory in the domestic qualifier over teenager Sakura ONISHI (JPN).

Now 30 and having to juggle training with the responsibilities of motherhood, Kinjo tries to get the most out of her body in the most efficient way. There are no wasted motions, and that came out during her 4-2 victory in the final against Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL).

"I get help from my family and make the best use of my time," Kinjo said. "Every day, I put together a schedule that allows me to sufficiently train."

Kinjo fell behind when Sukhee scored a stepout off Kinjo's takedown attempt in the first period. An activity point for Kinjo put her ahead on criteria in the second period, and then she scored a stepout countering a rare attack by Sukhee.

Kinjo remained patient and forced Sukhee to take the initiative. And when she did, Kinjo was ready with a quick counter to spin behind for a takedown. Sukhee added a late stepout that was too little, too late. Her points were the only ones scored on Kinjo in three matches.

Asked to assess her performance, Kinjo replied, "I've done everything I could do and I'm at my strongest right now, so I'm satisfied."

Kinjo and Sukhee had met once before, with Kinjo winning 10-0 in their first-round match at the 2019 World Championships, where she won the last of three consecutive golds. She also has a world silver from 2015.

While Japan did not sweep the women's golds here nor at the Paris Olympics (where the country won four of six), Kinjo sees that as a good thing. "The fact that we don't monopolize all of the golds, I think that shows that the level of women's wrestling is getting better, and I think that's great."

Kiyooka came into Tirana with a slight chip on her shoulder. The 21-year-old had watched with mixed emotions as her older brother Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) and her Ikuei University teammates Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) and Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) took home gold medals from the Paris Olympics.

"I really supported my brother and was happy when he won, but half of me was thinking that I too am an athlete who is aiming for the Olympics, so it was tough to take," Kiyooka said. "I want to quickly catch up to my brother, and he gives me good motivation. I practice with the feeling that the next time will be my time."

In the final, Kiyooka never took her foot off the gas as she stormed to a 10-0 technical fall over world U20 champion Jin ZHANG (CHN).

Kiyooka took an 8-0 lead in the first period, scoring three takedowns and adding a 2-point roll after the first. In the second period, she spun behind for a fourth and decisive takedown to end the match at 4:22 and complete a run of outscoring four opponents 32-0.

With her first senior championship, Kiyooka joined the elite group that has achieved the "Grand Slam" of world titles, having won the cadet (U17) gold in 2019 and adding both the U20 and U23
crowns in 2022. She was preceded by Haruna OKUNO (JPN), Masako FURUICHI (JPN), Yui SUSAKI (JPN), Amit ELOR (USA) and Nonoka OZAKI (JPN).

"From U17, I went up one level at a time and now I was able to win as a senior," Kiyooka said. "I feel that all I have left [to accomplish] is the Olympics."

Ishii, also a teammate of Kiyooka's at Ikuei University, earned her first senior world title when she rallied to an 8-6 victory over three-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) in the 72kg final.

Ishii, who finished second at 68kg in 2022, scored an opening takedown in the first period, but got sloppy on an attempt in the second period and Bakbergenova scored 4 with a counter lift.

Ishii spun behind for a takedown, but then allowed the Kazakh to score again off her attack with a counter, this time for 2 to fall behind 6-4.

Ishii, who missed out on the Paris Olympics when she lost in the last second of a playoff at 68kg to Ozaki, was not about to give up the fight and scored a takedown and a go-ahead 2-point exposure with 50 seconds left to seal the victory.

In the 65kg final, Long took down European silver medalist Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) with a double-leg lift to her back and secured a fall in 1:19.

It was the same outcome as in their only previous meeting, but could not have been more different. The two put on quite a show in the final of the 2022 Women's World Cup, when Zelenykh was competing for Ukraine. In that match, Zelenkyh led 8-2 at one point when Long launched an amazing comeback, tying the score at 12-all (but trailing on criteria) when she secured a fall with :02 left.

American pair add senior bronzes to U23 medals
In the bronze-medal matches, Macey KILTY (USA) and Kylie WELKER (USA) added senior medals to the ones they won at the last week's World U23.

Kilty, who won the world U23 silver at 65kg, picked up a bronze in that weight class when she stormed back from a five-point deficit to defeat Valeriia DONDUPOVA (AIN) 16-5.

Welker, the world U23 champion at 72kg, stayed at that weight and scored a takedown in each period to defeat 2023 world bronze medalist Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) 5-2.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), the world 65kg champion in 2022, picked up her fourth world medal by taking the other bronze in that weight class with an 8-2 victory over MANISHA (IND).

Morikawa took a 4-0 lead into the second period and, after Manisha cut the gap with two stepouts, came back with a stepout and takedown to clinch the victory as she rebounded from a loss in the semifinals to Long that avenged a defeat in the 2022 final.

The other bronze at 72kg went to Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), who scored a victory by fall over Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL). Hanzlickova shot in on a takedown and, as Zorigt defended, the Czech locked her arms and twisted her over onto her back.

At 55kg, Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) secured her third career bronze medal and first since 2019 by defeating Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN) 5-3. Kurachkina scored two takedowns in the first period and held on for the win.

The other 55kg bronze was won by 2023 European bronze medalist Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA), who picked up her first world medal at age 33 when she scored the second of two second-period takedowns with 25 seconds left for a 4-3 victory over Areana VILLAESCUSA (USA).

At 59kg, 2022 world U23 bronze medalist MANSI (IND) became the eighth Indian woman in history to win a senior world medal when she scored a takedown in each period in a 5-0 victory over Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN).

Elena BRUGGER (GER) won a battle between two-time European bronze medalists when she got two lace-lock rolls off a takedown in the second period to down Svetlana LIPATOVA (AIN) 6-3 for the other bronze at 59kg.

Women's Results

55kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Jin ZHANG (CHN) by TF, 10-0, 4:22

BRONZE: Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) df. Areana VILLAESCUSA (USA), 4-3
BRONZE: Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) df. Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN), 5-3

59kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Risako KINJO (JPN) df. Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), 4-2

BRONZE: MANSI (IND) df. Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN), 5-0
BRONZE: Elena BRUGGER (GER) df. Svetlana LIPATOVA (AIN), 6-3

65kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) by Fall, 1:19 (2-1)

BRONZE: Macey KILTY (USA) df. Valeriia DONDUPOVA (AIN) by TF, 16-5, 3:53
BRONZE: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. MANISHA (IND), 8-2

72kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), 8-6

BRONZE: Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) df. Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) by Fall, 1:56 (2-0)
BRONZE: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), 5-2

India Wins Historic Title; Eight Nations in #WrestleBudapest WW Finals

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World Championships: Kinjo wins fourth world gold as Japan wins three