#WrestleBudapest

Kamal strengthens World Championships bid, ranking with Budapest gold

Sunday, July 16, 2023 - 10:21 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 15) -- Kerem KAMAL (TUR) entered the Budapest Ranking Series for two major reasons.

The first was to improve his ranking to number three and the second was to face European champion Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) before the World Championships.

The latter did not happen as Nazaryan, despite reaching the semifinal against Kamal, pulled out due to an injury. However, Kamal won the gold medal at 60kg in Budapest and jumped to number three in the rankings.

“The tournament was very difficult but important for me,” Kamal said. “My goal was to overtake the opponent from China in the ranking, which I achieved with a gold medal.”

In April, Kamal suffered two heartbreaking losses at the European Championships and finished fifth. A gold medal in Budapest also helped him put that loss behind him.

“I had a bad day at the European Championships, so this is a good motivation for me,” he said.

Kamal opened his day against Haithem MAHMOUD (EGY) and did not take time to advance to the quarterfinals with a 9-0 victory. In the quarterfinals, he posted another technical superiority win as he defeated Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) 8-0.

From the other side of the bracket, Nazaryan pinned Dalton ROBERTS (USA) in his first bout and defeated Nikolai MOHAMMADI (DEN) 5-1 in the quarterfinals. However, he pulled out of the semifinal against Kamal due to injury.

Kamal, now into the final, wrestled Omid ARAMI (IRI) and won 8-1 to win gold and collect the all-important ranking points.

“I was looking forward to the fight against Nazaryan,” he said. “I wanted to avenge him but he decided not to wrestle. I am looking forward to the World Championships so we wrestle each other.”

Before the Ranking Series in Budapest, Kamal had 39200 points while Liguo CAO (CHN) was at 40600 points. But the gold should push Kamal over Cao who finished 13th. Kamal will have 52200 points while Cao will finish with 45675 points.

Nazaryan, who collected 9000 points, will be the top seed at the World Championships while world champion Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will be seeded second. Kamal will be third.

“The ranking is very important,” he said. “I was fourth but after the gold medal, I will probably be third and that's what I wanted.”

Even after winning the gold medal, Kamal paid an emotional tribute to one of his friends. In an emotional message, Kamal dedicated his gold medal to fellow wrestler Ahmet TAS (TUR) who lost his life in the deadly earthquake that hit Turkiye in February.

“We had an earthquake in Turkiye and we lost many people,” he said. “Today would have been the birthday of my friend and wrestler Ahmet Tas who lost his life in the earthquake. I dedicate my gold medal to him.”

In the other two Greco-Roman weight classes that were in action on Saturday, Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) the gold medal at 55kg and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) became the champion at 63kg, both non-Olympic weight categories.

China rises at 76kg

The only Olympic weight class in action on Saturday in women's wrestling was 76kg with world and Olympic medalists. However, it was China that stole the show.

China entered three wrestlers in the weight class with Juan WANG (CHN), Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN) and QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN).

The first casualty at the hands of the Chinese wrestlers was world champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) as Huang defeated her 4-0 in the pre-quarterfinals. However, she suffered a fall in the quarterfinals against  Justina DI STASIO (CAN) which ended Adar's campaign.

In other quarterfinals, Qiandegenchagan defeated Yelena MAKOYED (USA), 12-1, to hand the American her first international defeat by a non-US wrestler. World bronze medalist Epp MAE (EST) dominated world silver medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) 8-2 while Wang won 4-3 against Genesis REASCO (ECU).

That put Qiandegenchagan and Mae in the same semifinal and the latter began with a headlock for four and tried pinning her Chinese opponent. But Qiandegenchagan managed to slip out of the hold. She got one for reversal and a roll added two more points.

In the second period, Mae tried pushing Qiandegenchagan out of the zone while being in a front headlock but the latter managed to move away, circle around for a takedown and take a match-winning 5-4 lead.

Di Stasio would blame her luck as she was leading 3-0 with 2:35 remaining in the bout and was clearly in better wrestler in the semifinal against Wang. However, Wang got on a single leg and transitioned into a cradle, putting Di Stasio on her back.

A fall was confirmed and Wang booked her place against Qiandegenchagan in the final which was a slow affair for the first four minutes.

Qiandegenchagan led 1-0 after a passivity point but with time running out, Wang got into a bodylock and Qiandegenchagan used the opportunity to execute a throw for four and led 5-0.

Wang made it interesting again by scoring a takedown with less than 20 seconds remaining. She rolled Qiandegenchagan to make it 5-4 before the clock ran out, giving Qiandegenchagan the win.

In the non-Olympic weight classes, Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) won the gold medal at 55kg after beating Karla GODINEZ (CAN) 7-4 in the final.

At 59kg, Jennifer PAGE (USA) survived two back-to-back four-point throws from Magdalena GLODEK (POL) and scored a takedown on reversal to win the gold medal 13-11.

Irina RINGACI (MDA) was easily the best at 65kg as she won three bouts in a round-robin bracket to win the gold medal.

At 72kg, Asian champion Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) held off Dalma CANEVA (ITA) 3-1 to claim the gold medal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) df. Denis MIHAI (ROU), 9-0

BRONZE: Ramaz SILAGAVA (GEO) df. Yersin ABYIR (KAZ), 5-2  

60kg
GOLD: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Omid ARAMI (IRI), 8-1

BRONZE: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) df. Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Virgil BICA (SWE), 10-0

63kg
GOLD: Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Jinwoong JUNG (KOR), 5-1

BRONZE: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) df. Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU), via fall
BRONZE: Mukhamedali MAMURBEK (KAZ) df. Aker SCHMID (AUT), via inj. def.

Women's wrestling

55kg
GOLD: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Karla GODINEZ (CAN), 7-2

BRONZE: Erika BOGNAR (HUN) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), via fall
BRONZE: Li DENG (CHN) df. Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ), via inj. def.

59kg
GOLD: Jennifer PAGE (USA) df. Magdalena GLODEK (POL), 13-11

BRONZE: SANGEETA (IND) df. Viktoria BORSOS (HUN), 6-2

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA)
SILVER: Kadriye AKSOY (TUR)
BRONZE: Ekaterina KOSHKINA (AIN)

72kg
GOLD: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA), 3-1

BRONZE: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) df. Kseniia BURAKOVA (AIN), 11-0

76kg
GOLD: QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN) df. Juan WANG (CHN), 5-4

BRONZE: Yelena MAKOYED (USA) df. Epp MAE (EST), 9-6
BRONZE: Genesis REASCO (ECU) df. Justina DI STASIO (CAN), 6-0

#WrestleSamokov

Onishi, Blaze reach final at U20 World Championships

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 06:38 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 18) -- Japan and India emerged as the two countries with two finalists each in Women's Wrestling at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Defending champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) will look to become a two-time world U20 champion after she reached the 59kg final and 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) made it to the 68kg final.

India had two wrestlers in action and both made the final. TAPSYA (IND) shocked returning champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) at 57kg while returning bronze medalist SRISHTI (IND) made it to the final after beating Laura KOEHLER (GER).

Onishi, a senior Asian champion, completed his third technical superiority of the day as she defeated Aubre KRAZER (USA), 10-0, in the semifinals. Onishi used a leg lace to lead 8-0 before an exposure finished the bout 10-0.

For the gold medal, she will face Karin SAMUELSSON (SWE) who earned the chance at the expense of European U20 and U23 champion Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), who was handed her first defeat of the year.

Samuelsson needed a challenge and some extra-ordinary defense in the final 10 seconds to win the bout 8-7 against Hurbanova. The match hung in balance when Samuelson had a 6-5 lead but Hurbanov managed to hit a leg-attack score a takedown. As Samuelson tried to attack, Hurbanova pulled the Sweden wrestler's hair and was cautioned after a challenge, giving a 7-7 criteria lead to Samuelson.

Hurbanova bodylocked Samuelson in the final seven seconds and tried to drive her out but Samuelson stood taller on her toes to overpower that attempt and win. Azerbaijan challenged but it was for no gain.

Another Nordic country made history as Norway got a finalist in Women's Wrestling. Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) rallied to beat Anna STRATAN (KAZ), 12-2, and became the first Norway wrestler to enter the World U20 Championships final in Women's Wrestling in 15 years.

She will now try to become the first world U20 champion from Norway in 37 years on Wednesday when she faces Tapsya in the final after the Indian defeated Uchida in the semifinal 4-3 with a takedown in the final 10 seconds.

Uchida had a 3-2 lead with a takedown in the second period but struggled with injury in her ankle and needed medical timeout with 15 seconds left in the match. Tapysa waited for the final five seconds before she went for the far and cradled Uchida for two points as time finished and she won 4-3.

At 68kg, Hoshino was in trouble in her semifinal, falling behind 5-0 at the break against Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) but she scored a quick takedown to cut it to 5-2. Another takedown later, she used the arm-bar to pin Erdenebat and win the semifinal.

Srishti scored a huge four-pointer in her semifinal against Kuehler and three setpout to complete a 7-3 win and set up a clash with Hoshino.

U.S. gets 2 more finalists

The United States had two more finalists in Freestyle as returning bronze medalist Marcus BLAZE (USA) and Maxwell MCENELLY (USA) won their respective semifinals at 61kg and 86kg respectively.

In the 61kg semifinals, Blaze rolled to a 15-4 technical superiority against Magomedkhan MAGAMEDKHANOV (UWW). The match began with Magamedkhanov chestwrap for two but Blaze planted him for two as well to take criteria lead.

The bout then turned one-sided as Blaze scored a takedown and Magamedkhanov was cautioned for locking hands with Blaze. The bout began in par terre with Blaze leading 5-2. Blaze scored four points by turning Magamedkhanov twice before a lost challenge added one more point to his score for a 10-2 lead at the break.

Blaze got another takedown when Magamedkhanov missed a shot and then a turn finished the bout 15-4.

The 2023 world U17 champion Blaze will now take on another former world U17 champion in Ahora KHATERI (IRI) who wrestled an almost perfect semifinal against Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), winning 3-1.

Saitiev opened the scoring when he was given a point for Khateri's passivity. But the Iranian scored a takedown and then was given a point for Saitiev's passivity in the second period.

At 86kg, Mcenelly needed a late takedown to overcome senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) and earn himself a chance to win gold medal. Rahmani was slow to pick up pace in the match and Mcenelly built a 3-1 lead.

But Rahmani did show more speed in the second period and he scored a takedown using a beautiful duck under to lead 3-3 on criteria. A stepout made it 4-3 for Rahmani.

With 30-seconds left on the clock, Rahmani planted one foot in the center with no position and Mcenelly pounced on him in a split second scoring a takedown after some effort and led 5-4.
Rahmani got a point for Mcenelly's fleeing but kept the criteria for a 5-5 win. He will now try to beat Bozigit ISLAMGEREEV (UWW) who defeated Ahmet YAGAN (TUR), 5-1, to enter the final.

The morning session updates follow

14:00: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) with a 12-2 win over Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR) at 68kg and then defending 59kg champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) completes a 10-0 win over Yifan ZHU (CHN) to enter the semifinal at 59kg.

13:54: No problems for Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) as she sees off ALIMOVA (LTU) 10-0 and reaches the semifinal at 57kg against TAPSYA (IND). In the other semifinal, European U20 champion Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) will take on Anna STRATAN (KAZ), a former world U17 bronze medalist 

13:45: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) with a fall over Mohammad UMKHADJIEV (FRA) at 86kg and moves into the semifinal. He is looking to upgrade his bronze medal from 2024.

13:40: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) gave up four stepouts and was cautioned once as Allan ORALBEK (KAZ) led 5-0. One stepout for Khateri before the break to make it 5-1. The second period is better for Khateri who begins with a takedown to cut the lead to 5-3. A point for passivity from Oralbek make it 5-4. Khateri with a leg attack and drives Oralbek out with takedown and scores two points to lead 6-5 and win the bout.

13:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is on a different level than the field at 61kg in Samokov. He gets his positions, waits for other wrestlers move and then launches his own. That's what Asian U20 champion Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) got in the 61kg quarterfinals. Blaze got the point for passivity first and then an ankle pick and turn made it 5-0. In the second period, Blaze waited for almost two minutes but got a cradle and then a turn to make it 9-0. A reversal point for Toktomatov but Blaze finishes with a takedown and wins 11-1.

13:22: Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), European U20 champion and unbeaten this year, gets an easy 6-0 win over Rahma BEDIWY (EGY) and moves into the quarterfinals at 59kg.

13:18: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) hangs on for a desperate 17-9 win at 61kg and makes the semifinals! Saitiev got good laces to lead 14-5 at the break against Ajay KAPADE (IND) who began with some good forward pressure in the second period and gets a takedown. Saitiev was struggling with conditioning but he scored one takedown in the second period as well the 9 point lead was too much to cover for Kapade.

13:10: A 27-second finish for defending champion at 59kg Sakura ONISHI (JPN). She leg laces Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR) to advance to the quarterfinals

12:57: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) overpowers Jordyn FOUSE (USA) in their 68kg bout and wins 13-2. Fouse failed to get past Hoshino in those scrambles.

12:55: Aubre KRAZER (USA) mounts a comeback after being 3-0 down against Erdenebolor LKHAGVASUREN (MGL) at 59kg and wins 10-3 and advance to the quarterfinals.

12:50: Defending 57kg champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) looks so comfortable. She warms up with a 10-0 win over Anna KOEBLO (HUN)

12:45: That is history for Angola! Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG), the first-ever woman enter for a World Championships from the country, pulls off a fall over Ilinka STEFANOVA (BUL) in a back-and-forth bout at 68kg. First win at the world level for Angola in women's wrestling.

12:32: Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) gets the fall over world U17 champion Wenjin QIU (CHN) at 68kg! Erdenbat reached the far leg of Qiu and picked her for four-points before finishing the bout 11-0 and advance

12:15: In a rematch of the European U20 final at 57kg, Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) once again beats Tindra DALMYR (SWE). Domajeva got a takedown and a point for passivity and hung to her 3-1 lead for the win at 57kg.

12:05: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) must thank his luck that he managed to hang on for an 8-6 victory over Omar AYOUB (PUR) at 61kg. Ayoub had a 6-1 lead at the break but a takedown and stepout made it 6-4 for Khateri. Ayoub then gave a point for passivity and takedown in final seconds and drop the bout against the Iranian who is former world U17 champ.

11:55: Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) tried pinning Takuto OSEDO (JPN) but the Japanese managed to survive. Toktomatov hit the same cut-back for four points again in the second period and pinned Osedo at 61kg and book a place in the quarterfinal against Marcus BLAZE (USA)

11:46: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) scores two takedowns in his 61kg bout against Andrii SHOKALIUK (UKR) and wins 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals.

11:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is into the quarterfinals at 61kg after European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) is given three cautions and is out. In typical Blaze style, he is on a relentless attacking spree and Begoyan keeps evading. But a takedown right at the break makes it 3-0 for Blaze. They offered one for fleeing but not given. Begoyan gets on board in the second period with a head-outside finish for a takedown and makes it 3-2. A flurry of action and Blaze gets a stepout which Armenia challenges but lost which makes it 5-2 for Blaze with over a minute left in the bout. Blaze gets another point for open hands from Begoyan to lead 6-2. A caution for for Blaze for not engaging and one point for Begoyan. But two cautions against Begoyan for aggressive open hands and he is cautioned out of the match. 

11:20: That match felt like it went on for ages! European U20 silver medalist Sevim AKBAS (TUR) falls to Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR), 7-5, at 59kg. Miziurko had a big four-pointer which proved to be the difference. 

11:07: Returning bronze medalist at 68kg SRISHTI (IND) with a big double-leg for four to get a 10-0 win over Pan-Am U20 champion Eduarda RODRIGUES (BRA). Srishti is also the Asian U23 champion this year.

11:05: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ), the Asian U20 champion at 68kg, scores a 10-0 win over Sheng Fang CAI (TPE) at 68kg. While she has frequently won medals at the Asian level, Tashtanbekova is looking for her first world medal.

10:55: Sabina TOREY (KAZ) with a quick fall over Michaela SEBOEKOVA (SVK) at 68kg to begin her international debut for Kazakhstan.

10:53: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) was in all sorts of trouble as returning silver medalist Ayse ERKAN (TUR) got her pinned on the mat in the 68kg bout. But Hoshino managed to move her head outside. Erkan had built a 6-0 lead before Hoshino scored a go-behind and then used an arm-bar to pin Erkan. All that in just two minutes.

10:50: Returning bronze medalist and senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) puts a takedown clinic and beats Grigor CHERNAKOV (BUL) at 86kg. Rahmani is one of the favorites to win the gold in Samokov.

10:35: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), who failed to medal last year, begins with a 10-1 win over Danoush JOWKAR (GBR) at 61kg. He won a silver medal at the European U20 Championships and now hoping for a world medal as well.

10:20: European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) completes a first-period technical superiority win over Haci ZADE (TUR) at 61kg. Begoyan is looking to a world medal to his resume after the bronze he won in 2022 world U17.

10:15: Marcus BLAZE (USA) has to be one of the most exciting talents in Freestyle out there. The returning bronze medalists takes only 87 seconds to gut-wrench Sandro HUNGERBUEHLER (SUI) and 10-0 at 61kg.

10:00: The U20 World Championships will see the final two Freestyle weight classes, 61kg and 86kg, in action on Tuesday and the start of Women's Wrestling with 57kg, 59kg and 68kg.