#WrestleNewDelhi

Kaisanov Caps Eventful Week by Repeating as Asian 74kg Champ

Sunday, February 23, 2020 - 22:38 By Ken Marantz

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NEW DELHI (Feb. 23)—It’s been a good week for Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ). Five days after he was upgraded to the world bronze medal that he felt should have been his all along, he clinched a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics by successfully defending his freestyle 74kg title at the Asian Championships.

Kaisanov edged local favorite Jitender JITENDER (IND) 3-1 in the final as Kazakhstan captured two of the remaining five gold medals at stake on the final day of action at New Delhi’s K.D. Jadhav Wrestling Stadium.

“I believed I could win the Asian championship a second time,” Kaisanov said. “This gold medal was very important to me.”

It’s value was enhanced because the Kazakhstan federation informed him that a gold medal in New Delhi would automatically clinch the Olympic spot that he earned at the World Championships in Nur-Sultan, where he lost a contentious bronze-medal match to Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA). 

A loss and he would have had to enter a playoff for the ticket to the Tokyo Olympics. Even though he recently suffered a knee injury, the incentive of sewing up the place in New Delhi led him to make the decision to participate. 

“I participated because it was part of the Kazakhstan process for qualifying for the Olympic Games,” he said. “I had to win.”

Kaisanov had faced Jitender last month at the Matteo Pellicone ranking series event in Rome, handily winning 9-2 in a repechage match before winning a bronze.

“One month ago I beat him with a big score [in Rome],” Naisanov said. “But this match was different because he was at home in front of his fans. It was mentally different, that’s why it was difficult.”

In the final, Kaisanov was on the clock when he scored with an exposure off a counter, before Jitender gained a stepout point. In the second period, Naisanov gained an insurance point with a stepout and held on for the win.

The victory came after UWW announced that Khadiev had failed a doping test, which moved Naisanov up to the world bronze. Khadiev had won their third-place match 4-3, but there was contention whether a late stepout by Naisanov should have been scored a takedown.

“I am very happy because after the World Championships I was so sad because I thought I won that match,” Naisanov said. “The referees made some mistakes. When I first heard the news of the doping by the French wrestler, I waited for the official news. I am so very happy. “

In other finals, world U-23 champion Ulubek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) picked up his first senior Asia gold after winning bronzes in 2016 and 2018 when he decked Muhammad IKROMOV (TJK) in 2:44.

Zholdoshbekov, who had an eye poked in his opening match by an Iranian foe that bothered him throughout the day, scored a stepout while on the activity clock, then stuffed an arm drag attempt to put Ikromov into a headlock and secure the fall.

“All of the wrestlers want to take the gold in tournaments,” Zholdoshbekov said of gaining the elusive gold. “I worked very hard and I’m very happy.”

Ikromov was denied in his bid to become just the second Tajikstan wrestler in history to win an Asian gold. The only other came in 2003.

Zholdoshbekov said he will drop down to 57kg for the Asian Olympic qualifier to be held in his home country next month.

Shutaro YAMADA (JPN) defeated Ahmad BAZRIGHALEH (IRI), 10-10 in the 86kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

The biggest surprise of the evening came in the 86kg final, in which unheralded Shutaro YAMADA (JPN) uncorked a pair of 4-point throws and held on to defeat 2019 Asian U-23 champion Ahmad BAZRIGHALEH (IRI) 10-10 on big-point criteria.

Yamada was third at the Japan Championships, but got the chance to make his international senior debut as national champ Sosuke TAKATANI (JPN) will enter the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament. 

“The chance came to me and to be honest, I thought I wouldn’t win a medal, much less the championship,” said Yamada, who knocked off world silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) in the semifinals. “To get the gold, I’m extremely happy.

“After the semifinal, I went back to the hotel and looked at videos of my opponent in the final. He had high finishes in various tournaments. He’s a strong wrestler. This time, more than skills, I won with guts and patience.”

Bazrighaleh took a 3-0 lead on a takedown and stepout, before Yamada cut the lead with a nifty back trip for a takedown. But the Iranian added another stepout and a takedown to go ahead 6-2 heading into the second period.

That’s when Yamada put to good use his occasional training in Greco, as he locked up Bazrighaleh and executed a picture-perfect lateral drop, not once but twice. That put him up 10-6, and a takedown and 2-point counter were not enough to give Bazrighaleh the win.

“When I was in high school and sometimes in college, I entered Greco competitions,” said Yamada, a second-year student at powerhouse Yamanashi Gakuin University. “We often practice Greco style. Even though the styles are different, I’m glad I didn’t just limit myself to freestyle. 

“I used it in situations where I was both winning and losing. I just had to give it a shot and see what happens.”

Mohammadjavad EBRAHIMIZIVLAEI (IRI) crushed Takuma OTSU (JPN),11-0, and claimed the 92kg gold medal. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Another final that featured a clash between Iran and Japan went the Middle East nation’s way, as Mohammadjavad EBRAHIMIZIVLAEI (IRI) stormed to an 11-0 technical fall of Takuma OTSU (JPN) for the 92kg gold. 

That helped Iran capture the team title with 168 points, just 9 ahead of host India in second. Kazakhstan finished third with 146 points, 6 ahead of Japan.

Ironically, had Yamanashi Gakuin University entered the team competition on its own, it would have placed sixth with 100 points. The school located 120 kilometers west of Tokyo in Kofu city got gold medals from Yamada and Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) at 65kg, a silver from Otsu, and bronzes from Ryuto SAKAKI (JPN) at 61kg and alumnus Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) at 57kg.

“We expected at least third places from the lower weights,” Yamanashi coach Kunihiko OBATA said. “The guys in the upper weights far exceeded our expectations. It’s a good experience and gives them confidence.”

The final gold of the night went to world U-23 bronze medalist Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ), who executed three gut wreches in dominating Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL) for a 10-0 technical fall in 1:32.

In the bronze-medal matches, host India’s two world medalists came away with hardware, as Rahul AWARE (IND) topped Majid DASTAN (IRI) 5-2 at 57kg and Punia rolled to a 10-0 technical fall of Issa AL OBAIDI (IRQ) at 86kg.

Japan and Iran had two bronze medalists each, while Uzbekistan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and Korea had one each.

Daichi TAKATANI (JPN), a silver medalist at both the Asian Championships and Asian Games in 2018 at 65kg, picked up a bronze medal in his debut at the next Olympic weight of 74kg with a 15-4 technical fall of Karam MAHMOOD (IRQ).

Takatani had unsuccessfully tried to dislodge 2018 world champion Otoguro at 65kg in the battle to make Japan’s Olympic team, then made the drastic jump up two weight classes to 74kg. He came up short of grabbing the Tokyo 2020 spot, but his second place at the Japan Championships earned him a ticket to New Delhi.

While conceding little in terms of technique, Takatani still feels the gap in size, and allowed Mahmood to pull off a 4-point counter to start their bronze-medal match. But his superior skills came to the forefront and he piled up the points before finishing the match in 5:28.

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

61kg (13 entries)
GOLD – Ulubek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) df. Muhammad IKROMOV (TJK) by Fall, 2:44 (3-0)
BRONZE – Ryuto SAKAKI (JPN) df. YUN Jihoon (KOR), 4-2
BRONZE – Rahul AWARE (IND) df. Majid DASTAN (IRI), 5-2

74kg (12 entries)
GOLD – Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) df. Jitender JITENDER (IND), 3-1
BRONZE – Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) df. Karam MAHMOOD (IRQ) by TF, 15-4, 5:28
BRONZE – Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI) df. Sumiyabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), 5-0 

86kg (9 entries)
GOLD – Shutaro YAMADA (JPN) df. Ahmad BAZRIGHALEH (IRI), 10-10 
BRONZE – Isa SHAPIEV (UZB) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 4-2
BRONZE – Deepak PUNIA (IND) df. Issa AL OBAIDI (IRQ) by TF, 10-0, 2:43

92kg (8 entries)
GOLD – Mohammadjavad EBRAHIMIZIVLAEI (IRI) df. Takuma OTSU (JPN) by TF, 11-0, 5:31 
BRONZE – Tsogtgerel MUNKHBAATAR (MGL) df. Chyngyz KERIMULOV (KGZ) by TF, 11-1, 4:30
BRONZE – Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) df. Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB), 4-4

125kg (12 entries)
GOLD – Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) df. Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL) by TF, 10-0, 1:32
BRONZE – NAM Koungjin (KOR) df. Zaman ANWAR (PAK) by TF, 10-0, 3:23
BRONZE – Parviz HADIBASMANJ (IRI) df. Farkhod ANAKULOV (TJK) by TF, 10-0, 2:04

#WrestleTirana

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

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

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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