#WrestleBaku

Iran beats Azerbaijan to win Greco-Roman World Cup

By Vinay Siwach

BAKU, Azerbaijan (November 6) -- What a Greco-Roman World Cup that was. Iran and Azerbaijan were neck-to-neck with both winning five bouts. But the classification points gave Iran the win. Iran claims the World Cup it last won in 2016. Azerbaijan finishes second for the second time in a row.

The All-World team finishes third.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

21:10: Iran wins the Greco-Roman World Cup! Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) with a barrage of stepouts to beat Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) 6-3 and win the title for Iran on classification points. Kandelaki led 3-1 at the break but Yousofi broke Kandelaki and scored four stepouts in the second period along the fleeing point. Iran finishes with 21 classification points to 19 of Azerbaijan.

21:00: It all comes down to this bout. Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) vs Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) at 130kg for the World Cup title. Both teams are tied for classification points with 18 each. The winner takes it all. Kandelaki begins with a turn from par terre to lead 3-0. Yousofi gets a stepout just before the break. He begins the second period with a stepout. Kandelaki's lead is cut to 3-2. A tiring Kandelaki can't stop the stepouts. He trails 5-3 with two minutes remaining. Another stepout and the win for Yousofi.

20:45: Mehdi BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI) beats Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) and Iran has cut it down to 5-4. Balihamzehdeh was trailing 2-1 but a takedown and turn to lead 5-2 and the win. The title comes down to the final bout at 130kg. A win is all that is needed.

20:33: Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI) the hero for Iran! He keeps Iran in the match with a 2-1 win over Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE). Azerbaijan still leads 5-3 but Iran will hope to win the final two bouts and make it 5-5 to stand a chance.

20:20: Now at 82kg, Mohammadhossein MAHMOODI (IRI) will look to bring back Iran in this. But Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) with exposure when he was put in par terre to lead 2-1. He locked Mahmoodi's elbow to get the points. A par terre position for Huseynov in the second period. Mahmoodi is cautioned for two points but no more damage was done. Huseynov wins 5-1. Azerbaijan leads 5-2.

20:10: This is now turning out to be a difficult one for Iran. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) with a controlled 7-1 win over Aref HABIBOLLAHI (IRI) at 77kg. The win has propelled Azerbaijan to a 4-2 lead. Two more wins out of four bouts will seal it for Azerbaijan.

19:50: A challenge that Iran will regret if the final result doesn't go in its favor. Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) was leading Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) 3-3 with over a minute remaining. A challenge for negative wrestling but it was clean. Ganizade got the 4-3 lead and the win. Azerbaijan is now in the lead 3-2.

19:35: Two young stars. Two of the best at 67kg. Two wrestlers who will be dominant for a long time. Seyed SOHRABI (IRI) and Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) on the mat now. Sohrabi gets the early call for passivity. But he doesn't get any turn from par terre. Relentless from both wrestlers. Sohrabi will go at the break leading 1-0. Sohrabi with a body lock and tries to throw Jafarov but, are you kidding me, Jafarov with a one-handed counter for four! Iran challenges the call but it is a clear four. Jafarov leads 5-1. A victory for Jafarov at 67kg over Sohrabi. The crowd is electric.

19:25: World bronze medalist Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) now wrestling Iman Hossein Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) at 63kg. He is cautioned for two points for negative wrestling. 2-0 lead for Khoon Mohammadi who scores a takedown as well to lead 4-0 at the break. The second passivity against Mammadov and Khoon Mohammadi asks for standing. Mammadov is cautioned again and Khoon Mohammadi leads 7-0. A stepout to complete an 8-0 win for Iran which leads 2-1 now.

19:15: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) replaces an injured Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) at 60kg. He is facing Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI). A passivity call against Mammadli but Mohsen Nejad doesn't get the turn. A stepout for Mohsen Nejad as he leads 2-0 at the break. In the second period, Mohsen Nejad gets the advantage again. This time he turns Mammadli but gets stuck on the second attempt. Mammadli with a turn as well to make it 5-4. But Mohsen Nejad hangs on for the win. It's tied 1-1.

19:05: The first match is at 55kg. Two-time world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) takes on U23 world champion Poya DAD MARZ (IRI). Azizli wins 4-1 and puts Azerbaijan in the lead.

Now it is time for the big match! Iran is taking on Azerbaijan in Baku for the World Cup. 

18:55: U23 world champion Fatih BOZKURT (TUR) beats Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (UWW) 3-1 but it doesn't matter as the All-World team wins the bronze medal via classification points. Both teams have five wins but the All-World team has 22 points to Turkiye's 19. What a performance from the All-World team.

18:40: What a win for Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (UWW)! He beats two-time world champion Metehan BASAR (TUR) 1-1 at 97kg. The win all but confirms the third place for the All-World team. Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (UWW) has to avoid getting pinned at 130kg.

18:30: Ali CENGIZ (TUR) ties with for Turkiye! He beats Alex KESSIDIS (UWW) 4-2 at 87kg and it has become a thriller. The All-World team was looking very close to winning this but it has turned around.

18:20: A rematch of the World Championships final coming up at 82kg between Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) and Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UWW). The first passivity is against Akbudak and Berdimuratov scores a turn to lead 3-0. He starts the second period with a stepout. Akbudak then goes behind and scores a four before two turns make it 8-4. A point against Akbudak for being passive but that doesn't change the final result of the bout as Akbudak wins 8-5. The All-World team still leads Turkiye 4-3.

18:10: A long bout between world silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) and Yunus BASAR (TUR) and it is the Turkiye wrestler who comes out on top 7-6. Basar first got the turn from par terre before a surprise arm throw for a 7-3 lead. Levai did score a takedown but Basar held on top a 7-6 win. Turkiye now has two wins from six bouts.

17:55: A battle between the two world bronze medalists and Selcuk CAN (TUR) looked like winning the bout after he got the turn from par terre against Andrii KULYK (UWW). But Kulyk jumped over and pinned Can for the win. The All-World team now leads 4-1.

17:40: Murat FIRAT (TUR) brings Turkiye back into this match. He beats Joni KHETSURIANI (UWW) 1-1 as the two exchanges passivity points in this 67kg bout. The All-World team still leads 3-1 but Turkiye is crawling back.

17:32: World silver medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO) makes it 3-0 for the All-World team. He beats Ahmet UYAR (TUR) 3-1 after getting a turn in par terre.

17:20: At 60kg, Mukremin AKTAS (TUR) and Aidos SULTANGALI (UWW) going up against each other. Aktas gets the 1-0 lead for the passivity. But he fails to get any action. Sultangali goes behind and scores a throw for four. He continues the action for a gut wrench to lead 6-1 at the break. Aktas is called passive in the second period and Sultangali was happy to get the 7-1 win. A 2-0 lead for the All-World team.

17:05: The first bout of the Turkiye vs All-Star team is at 55kg between Muhammet CAKIR (TUR) and world silver medalist Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO). Early action in the bout as Tsurtsumia takes a 4-0 lead. But he tries an arm throw which Cakir defends and scores a takedown. He then goes for an arm throw and gets four to lead 6-4. A stepout makes it 7-4. Just before the break, Tsurtsumia gets a takedown on the edge. Turkiye challenges the call but loses. Cakir leads 7-7 on criteria at the break. Tsurtsumia is on the attack in the second period and scores a stepout. Cakir struggling with his conditioning now. A takedown for Tsurtsumia as he builds a 10-7 lead. No more scoring action in the bout and Tsurtsumia gives All-World team the lead.

17:00: Welcome to the medal bouts of the Greco-Roman World Cup in Baku. Turkiye will take on the All-World team for third place.

#WrestleMonterrey

Yepez adds third Pan-Am gold; U.S. wins WW team title

By Vinay Siwach

MONTERREY, Mexico (May 10) -- Paris Olympics silver medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) completed a hat-trick of Pan-Am golds while the United States added two more gold medals to its tally in Women's Wrestling at the Pan-American Championships in Monterrey, Mexico. Canada, which won two golds on Friday, got another one through Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) at 59kg.

Overall, the United States won the team title with 207 points with Canada finishing second with 170 points. Hosts Mexico was third with 131 points.

Yepez, wrestling for the first time since the Paris Olympic final, won the gold medal at 53kg after a 7-0 win in the final against Mariana ROJAS (VEN). This was Yepez's third straight gold medal at the Pan-Ams.

Two stepout and a activity clock point against Rojas helped Yepez get a 3-0 lead before a double-leg takedown and turn made it 7-0 in the first period. Surprisingly, there was no more scoring in the final as Yepez was happy to hold the center and the lead to win the top medal.

Kylie WELKER (USA)Kylie WELKER (USA) tries to score against Thamires MARTINS (BRA) in the 76kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

The United States, which won three gold medals on Friday, added two more through world bronze medalists Macey KILTY (USA) at 65kg and Kylie WELKER (USA) at 76kg.

Kilty was in a four-wrestler round-robin bracket and won her three bouts effortlessly. Kilty defeated Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) 10-0 in Round 1, secured a fall against Leticia DE OLIVERIA (BRA) in Round 2 and another 10-0 win in Round 3 against Alexis GOMEZ (MEX).

Welker, up against a tough bracket in 76kg, stepped and impressed with her performance to win her first Pan-Am gold. Olympic bronze medalist Milaimy MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) and defending champion Genesis REASCO (ECU), who has a win over Welker, were in the bracket.

But it was Welker and Thamires MARTINS (BRA) who reached the final. Welker defeated Reasco 10-0 while Martins stopped Potrille 9-7, both in the semifinals.

In the final, it took little effort for Welker to see off Martins, 8-1. The first period saw only a point for Welker as Martins was put on the 30-second activity clock but failed to score.

Both wrestlers put on the activity period in the second period and Welker's lead adjusted to 2-1. The only scoring scramble of the match was when Martins tried an outside trip but had no control of Welker's upper body. Welker swiftly got her head out and then scored a takedown to lead 4-1.

Martins shot for Welker's legs quiet a few times but failed to score any points. In the final five seconds, Martins drove Welker to the edge before the American countered with a whizzer and scored four points for the win.

At 59kg, Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) added her fourth Pan-Am title by winning both her bouts, in a three-wrestler bracket, in with ease. She defeated Abigail NETTE (USA) 6-3 in Round 1 and scored a 12-1 victory over Alma VALENCIA (MEX), 12-1, in Round 2.

Jaxen FORREST (USA)Jaxen FORREST (USA) celebrates after winning the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Three Freestyle golds for U.S.

The Freestyle competition also began at the Pan-Am Championships on Saturday and the U.S. made a strong start. The country swept all three weight class, winning gold medals at 61kg, 74kg and 86kg.

At 61kg, 18-year-old Jaxen FORREST (USA) made his senior debut and won the gold without giving up a single point in three bouts. He defeated Joseph SILVA (PUR) in the final bout.

Silva was put on the activity clock in the first period and he failed to score which gave Forrest a 1-0 lead at the break. The second period saw more action as Forrest switched gears. He scored a takedown to lead 3-0 before blasting a double-leg attack for four points. He finished the bout with a takedown for two points and exposure which gave him two more points.

Ladarion LOCKETT (USA)Ladarion LOCKETT (USA) won the 74kg final 11-0 against Anthony MONTERO (VEN). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Another youngster, world U20 silver medalist Ladarion LOCKETT (USA) won gold for the U.S. Lockett was also making his senior debut and defeated Anthony MONTERO (VEN), 11-0, in the final.

Lockett built a 5-0 lead with a big four-pointer in the first period and then exhibited how quick he is on the mat. Montero hit a snapdown to which Lockett lost momentum but pounced on Montero's left ankle in a blink. He scored a takedown and turn via lace to lead 9-0.

Montero tried a couple more attacks but Lockett saw them off before finishing the bout with a takedown and an 11-0 win.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA)Zahid VALENCIA (USA) won his second Pan-Am title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Zahid VALENCIA (USA), wrestling at the Pan-Am Championships after three years, reclaimed the 86kg title that he previously won in 2022. Just like his younger compatriots, Valencia had no trouble seeing off the 86kg field without giving up any points.

He defeated Jorge LLANO (ARG) 11-0 in the final in two minutes and 44 seconds. Valencia scored his two points via stepouts and Llano was hit with a point penalty for fleeing to make it 3-0 for Valencia. A takedown later, it became 5-0.

Llano was again hit with fleeing as Valencia scored a stepout and the score became 7-0. Valencia's takedown and gut-wrench finished the bout 11-0.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) df. Mariana ROJAS DIAZ (VEN), 7-0

BRONZE: Adrianny CASTILLO (ARG) df. Josefina RAMIREZ (MEX), via fall
BRONZE: Jaslynn GALLEGOS (USA) df. Serena DI BENEDETTO (CAN), 16-4

59kg
GOLD: Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN)
SILVER: Abigail NETTE (USA)
BRONZE: Alma VALENCIA (MEX)

65kg
GOLD: Macey KILTY (USA)
SILVER: Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN)
BRONZE: Alexis GOMEZ (MEX)

76kg
GOLD: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Thamires MARTINS (BRA), 8-1

BRONZE: Genesis REASCO (ECU) df. Linda MACHUCA (ARG), 6-0
BRONZE: Milaimy MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) df. Neirili BANGUERO (VEN), 10-0

Freestyle

61kg
GOLD: Jaxen FORREST (USA) df. Joseph SILVA (PUR), 11-0

BRONZE: Joshua KRAMER (ECU) df. Esteban PEREZ (GUA), 10-0
BONZE: Garette SAUNDERS (CAN) df. Peter HAMMER (CRC), 14-8

74kg
GOLD: Ladarion LOCKETT (USA) df. Anthony MONTERO (VEN), 11-0

BRONZE: Adam THOMSON (CAN) df. Geannis GARZON (CUB), via disqualification
BRONZE: Cristian SANTIAGO (MEX) df. Luis BARRIOS (HON), 14-3

86kg
GOLD: Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Jorge LLANO (ARG), 11-0

BRONZE: Kevin DE LEON (MEX) df. Cesar UBICO (GUA), 9-4
BRONZE: Steven RODRIGUEZ (VEN) df. Taran GORING (CAN), 11-0