#WrestleKonya

Iran, Azerbaijan snap 2 golds in GR at Islamic Solidarity Games

Friday, August 12, 2022 - 22:51 By Ali Feizasa

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KONYA, Turkey (August 12) -- Wrestling at the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games entered day three with three women's and five Greco-Roman weight classes in action. A few stars performed par expectations and claimed the gold medals.

In Greco-Roman, Azerbaijan and Iran shared two golds each while Uzbekistan won one as well. In women's wrestling, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan won a gold medal each.

The first gold medal of Greco-Roman wrestling went to Azerbaijan as the 2018 world champion and two-time world bronze medalist Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) won by superiority over Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) in the final match at 55kg. Azizli got a position in par terre and finished the bout with gut wrenches to win 10-1.

Another world champion doubled the gold count for Azerbaijan. Perhaps one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the field, Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) claimed the second gold at 82kg. The 34-year-old, an Olympic bronze medalist, defeated Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ), 6-3 in the 82kg final.

Huseynov, the 2022 European champion, struggled a little in the day, especially in his semifinal against Emrah KUS (TUR), which he won narrowly, 2-1.

Iran also won two gold medals with Shirzad BEHESHTI TALA (IRI) winning the 63kg gold while Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) won the title at 72kg.

In the 63kg final, Beheshti Tala was up against 2022 Asian champion Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and was an underdog. Just when it looked like Sharshenbekov will run away with the gold, Beheshti Tala managed to beat him 4-2 and claim the top medal.

Iranian newcomer and former junior world bronze medalist Rostami had an even closer bout against Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) in the 72kg final.

Ganizade, who has silver medals from the age-group World Championships, led 8-8 and was set to win the final on criteria but Rostami managed to score a stepout late in the final and earned a 9-8 victory.

At 97kg, the battle was between three top wrestlers of this year's Asian championships. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) succeed to win the match against Asian champion Mehdi BALI (IRI) 7-3 in the semifinal but 38-year-old Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) ended his dreams of becoming a champion in Konya and claimed the first gold for Uzbekistan Greco-Roman team.

After exchanging passivity, Assakalov managed to get a turn from par terre and managed to hang on for a 3-1 win against Dzhuzupbekov and the gold medal.

Medet Kyzy wins

After Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) won the gold medal at 62kg, Kyrgyzstan won another gold medal in women's wrestling through Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) at 76kg.

Medet Kyzy, a 2021 World bronze medalist, outscored her opponents 40-0 in the four bouts en route to winning gold. In the final, the 23-year-old, who has won gold at U23 Worlds and Asians, earned an easy 10-0 win over Amy AYOUIN (CIV).

The host country also won its second gold medal in women's wrestling as senior European medalist Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) won the 55kg weight class with much ease.

As the wrestlers in the weight class competed in a Nordic bracket, Yetgil had to beat Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) in Round 3 to claim the gold. She ended up pinning Akhmedova and let out an animated celebration in front of the home fans after capturing the title.

On Thursday, Buse TOSUN (TUR) won the gold at 72kg, the first of the Games for Turkey in wrestling.

At 65kg, Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) controlled her final against Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) to win the gold medal 3-3 on criteria.

Wrestling at the 5th Islamic Solidarity will continue Saturday, the final day, with five Greco-Roman and two women’s weight categories.

Day 3 Results

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB), 10-1

BRONZE: Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) df. Mohammad HOSSEINVAND (IRI), 8-0
BRONZE: Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) df. Umit DURDYYEV (TKM), 8-0

63kg
GOLD: Shirzad BEHESHTI TALA (IRI) df. Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), 4-2

BRONZE: Firuz MIRZORAJABOV (TJK) df. Turabek TIRKASHEV (UZB), via disqualification
BRONZE: Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) df. Djebbari ABDELDJEBAR (ALG), 6-3

72kg
GOLD: Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) df. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), 9-8

BRONZE: Murat DAG (TUR) df. Bek KONURBAEV (KGZ), 5-1
BRONZE: Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB) df. Sheroz OCILOV (TJK), 9-0

82kg
GOLD: Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) df. Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ), 6-3

BRONZE: Emrah KUS (TUR) df. Toyly ORAZOV (TKM), via fall
BRONZE: Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) df. Damen EID SULTAN (JOR), 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) df. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ), 3-1

BRONZE: Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR) df. Mirzoamin SAFAROV (TJK), 8-0
BRONZE: Mehdi BALI (IRI) df. Boudjemline ADEM (ALG), 4-0

Women’s Wrestling

55kg
Round 3: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) df. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB), via fall
Round 3: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) df. Faten HAMMAMI (TUN), 11-0

GOLD: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)
SILVER: Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)
BRONZE: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE)

65kg
GOLD: Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) df. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 3-3

BRONZE: Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ) df. Emilienne ETANE NGOLLE (CMR), 8-2

76kg
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Amy AYOUIN (CIV), 10-0

BRONZE: Mehtap GULTEKIN (TUR) df. Inkara ZHANATAYEVA (KAZ), 7-1

#WrestleParis

10 seeded showdowns we need to see at Paris 2024 (No. 6-10)

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 - 14:29 By Eric Olanowski

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PARIS, France (July 17) – We’re still a few weeks out from the Paris 2024 draws taking place on August 4. However, with the release of the top eight seeds per style, we can start to project potential matches that could take place as early as the quarterfinals.

SCHEDULE | PARIS 2024 EVENT PAGE 

The top eight Ranking Series point collectors from the 2023 World Championships, 2024 Continental Championships, and the Croatian and Hungarian Ranking Series events earned a top eight seed. The remaining eight wrestlers will be randomly drawn into their respective brackets.

Here are the top ten matches that we could see between seeded wrestlers from the quarterfinals on:

10. WW 68kg QUARTERFINAL - No. 3 Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) vs. No. 6 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)
Koumba Larroque has been a prominent figure in French wrestling since her bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships at just 19 years old. Now in the prime of her career, she’s France’s best shot at a medal.

Larroque’s path to an Olympic medal will be bumpy, to say the least. She’s the third-seeded athlete in a bracket with six world champions and includes a potential quarterfinal clash with  familiar foe No. 6 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR).

Larroque and Oborududu met twice in their career, splitting their pair of previous encounters.

Oborududu won their opening meeting at the 2020 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event, but Larroque returned the favor a year later at the Poland Open, evening the score at 1-1.

If Larroque and Oborududu win their first match, their third career meeting would take place August 5 in the 68kg quarterfinals.

9.  FS 65kg SEMIFINAL –  No. 2 Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) vs. No. 3 Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN)
Amouzad and Musukaev are nightmare opponents for each other and are stylistically opposites.

Amouzad, the 65kg world champ from two years ago, is a guy who wants to close the gap with his right-side underhook and fill as much space as possible. Conversely, Musukaev, the reigning 65kg world champion, wants as much space as possible to flow freely.

In their first meeting—the semifinals of the 2022 World Championships-- Musukaev fell victim to Amouzad’s pace and was shut out 6-0. In their second matches—the semifinals of the 2023 World Championships—Musukaev weathered the first period storm, saved enough energy for a last-ditch effort and stole the world finals spot, 6-5, with less than 10 seconds remaining.

If Amouzad and Musukaev meet for a third time, it’ll be on August 10 in 65kg semifinals.

8. 57kg SEMIFINAL – No. 2 Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) vs. No. 3  Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR)
The Nichita and Adekuoroye rivalry is one that dates back to the 2019 World Championships but has since changed hands from their pre-COVID meeting.

The seasoned vet Adekuoroye is an anomaly in the wrestling world. Her style can’t be mimicked or replicated. She’s the tallest and lengthiest 57kg wrestler in the world but has also learned to use her leverage to become one of the most powerful wrestlers in the weight.

Adekuoroye’s unique style gave Nichita fits in their first meeting, as the four-time world medalist opened their three-match series with a dominant 10-0 win.

But Nichita carried what she learned from their first meeting into their next matches and had her hand raised on subsequent occasions.

In Tokyo, Nichita fell behind early but capitalized on an uncharacteristic Adekuoroye’s mistake and picked up a dramatic come-from-behind fall while trailing 8-2. Their next meeting came at the 2023 World Championships, where Nichita doubled Adekuoroye before ending the match in the first period with a left-sided trap arm gut, 10-0.

The fourth meeting between Nichita and Adekuoroye will take place August 8 in the 57kg semifinals.

7. GR 67kg QUARTERFINAL – No. 2 Luis ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB) vs. No. 7 Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI)
If there were ever a lesson from losing a match, Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) certainly learned it the hard way.

Earlier this year at the Hungarian Open Ranking Series event, Esmaelil led reigning Olympic champion Orta, 7-5, with 0.4 seconds left in the match.

But before we get to the ending of the match, it’s important to note that Esmaeili was in a domestic battle with reigning Olympic gold medalist Reza GERAEI (IRI) for Iran’s 67kg Paris Olympic spot. If Esmaeili beat Orta, he cemented his spot on Iran’s Olympic team. If he lost, Esmaeili and Geraei would go to a three-match wrestle off and the winner goes to Paris.

Now, circling back to the match: With less than a second to go in the match, Esmaeili began celebrating as he thought the clock expired.

During Esmaeili’s lapse of judgement, Orta, being the experienced guy, continued to wrestle through the whistle. Orta took a peek at the clock, saw there was still time left, locked up a throw and picked up four points, stealing the match, 9-7.

Esmaeili will try to get his revenge on Orta August 7 in the 67kg quarterfinals.

*Esmaeili ended up beating Geraei in two straight matches to earn the Olympic spot.

6. WW 57kg SEMIFINAL - No. 1 Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) vs. No. 5 Helen MAROULIS (USA)
Through the first two meetings between Sakurai and Maroulis, it’s been a one-sided affair. Sakurai is 2-0 against Maroulis, outscoring the Rio Olympic champion, 9-0, while picking up four offensive takedowns and not surrendering a single point.

Sakurai and Maroulis’ meeting at the 2022 World Championships was a slow-paced match, where the Japanese wrestler did enough to win but didn’t really establish her dominance.

That came in the second match.

In their second meeting, the biggest difference was Sakurai’s tatical use of her right hand when tied up with Maroulis. She used it to score three takedowns—one from an underhook front headlock, one from a underhook throw-by and the final one coming from a two-on-one—besting the American, 6-0.

The third meeting between Sakurai and Maroulis would take place August 8 in the 57kg semifinals.

Wrestling at the Paris Olympic Games starts Agust 5-11 and can be followed on www.uww.org.