Larroque Returns To Top; Three Nations Win Historic U23 Titles

Thursday, November 4, 2021 - 21:40 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (November 4) – Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) has done this before. Back in 2017, she won the U23 World gold as a 19-year-old.

Given her record in wrestling, Larroque could have skipped the ongoing U23 Worlds in Belgrade to focus on the next season after a busy 2021. But a lot had changed since she won the U23 title in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

The 23-year-old won the junior Worlds gold, silver at the senior Worlds in 2018 and was destined for greatness as Tokyo Olympics approached. But tragedy struck on the mat.

During the 2018 World final against Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR), Larroque got caught in a leg lace and injured her knee. The youngster took almost a year to recover but failed to finish on the podium at any world event. She qualified for the Tokyo Olympics but suffered a loss via fall. Two months later, she finished seventh at the Oslo Worlds after dropping a close one to Forrest MOLINARI (USA).

So Belgrade was a final push to finish on a high and regain some lost ground.

“It was my last competition in U23 and I am very happy to win because last month was not easy for me,” Larroque said. “I am happy that I will take some rest after winning a gold medal.”

Larroque, wrestling with a heavily strapped knee, defeated Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) 3-0 after scoring a takedown from an ankle pick and a stepout. With that, she now has a cadet, two junior and two U23 world titles apart from the two medals at the senior level.

Since the Olympics, Larroque has been training away from her personal coach, who is on a break and the French wrestler had to make a few adjustments to her wrestling with the new staff.

“Right now I am at 66kg so it was easier for me to participate in 68kg,” she said. “But in Oslo, I was at 64kg so it was difficult. It was hard for me as my coach is not here and I did not have a lot of preparation.”

But with the sole objective of winning a gold in Belgrade, she came with a set plan of keeping it simple and not being over-attacking. Her first two bouts were high scoring but she took a cautious approach in the semifinal and final, scoring a total of only six points.

“I did not want to take points here,” she said. “I did not want to take much risk.”

Not only Larroque, but her father, who was watching from the stands, wanted his daughter to ascend to the top of the podium after watching her struggle for close to three years.

“I am so pleased,” Stephan LARROQUE said. “She had an injury in 2018 and she has achieved everything on her own so it's great to see her win again.”

Now, the Larroques want her to make the family proud in Paris.

“Before Rio, I thought she will qualify for the Olympics but she did not,” he said. “In Tokyo, I was hoping she will win a medal and I will go but that did not happen. So let's wait for Paris.”

Historic titles

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) won her first U23 world title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Apart from Larroque, four different nations won a gold medal with three of them being first-timers. Kyrgyzstan, Poland and Romania had their first-ever women's U23 world champions while Emily SHILSON (USA) added to her collection of cadet and junior world titles.

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) gave Kyrgyzstan a gold medal when she denied Colombia its first world champion in the 76kg final. Tatiana RENTERIA RENTERIA (COL) led 1-0 at the break against Medet Kyzy but gave up the lead when she was penalized for passivity.

The Oslo bronze medalist from Kyrgyzstan scored a taken in the final 20 seconds to secure a 3-1 win and added another gold to her junior world title.

Anhelina LYSAK (POL) won Poland's first-ever U23 gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 59kg, Anhelina LYSAK (POL) created history by winning her country's first world title at the U23 level as she took out Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), 7-2, in the finals.

She earned the match’s first point, but gave up a takedown and surrendered the one-point lead heading into the second period. But she bounced back by jacking up Vynnyk with double underhooks and regained the lead with the stepout point.

“I was going for this tournament only to win gold because I knew I am in shape,” Lysak said.

She faced a familiar opponent in the final as Vynnyk and her have been training in Ukraine for a long time.

“She [Vynnyk] is really strong, but I really wanted to win and I was going to get mine,” she said. “Mat is mat but off it we are friends.”

As she graduates to the senior level, Lysak wants to continue winning for Poland especially after breaking the deadlock with the U23 gold.

“This is my job and I am no longer fighting at U23,” she said. “Now I will be a senior and I still want to fight for medals and win as much as I can for the country.”

Andreea ANA (ROU), red, won her first world title in eighth attempt. (Photo: UWW / Mohammed Yahia)

The third historic title was for Romania as Andreea ANA (ROU) clinched a thriller at 55kg against Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS).

The Romanian trailed Vaulina 2-2 with 18 seconds left when she fired off a double leg. Her Russian opponent halted the initial shot attempt, but Ana transitioned to a head outside single leg. She tree topped the leg and kicked out Vaulina’s balancing foot to pick up the match deciding takedown with five seconds remaining.

This was Ana's eighth World Championships and second after Tokyo Olympics as she participated in Oslo before coming to Belgrade. She said that her experience in Tokyo and Oslo helped her win here.

“I am proud of myself,” Ana said. “I improved with my experience as I have wrestled at a lot of competitions. In Tokyo and Oslo, I wrestled good wrestlers who were more experienced than me. I think that helped me to win this medal.”

Ana’s win in Belgrade was an improvement on her ’19 U23 world bronze medal and Romania’s first-ever U23 women’s wrestling world title.

Shilson wins third title

Emily SHILSON (USA) now has a cadet, junior and U23 world title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

To say Shilson is good is an understatement. The 20-year-old Wednesday joined a small group of wrestlers who have won two world titles in the same year.

The USA wrestler made the trip to Ufa, Russia in August for the junior world championships and dominated her way to the title, something similar to what we saw in Belgrade. In her four matches, Shilson never looked in trouble and won her bouts 10-0, via fall, injury default and a fall.

“Two years ago I did not win a medal at this tournament and now I have so felt awesome,” Shilson said.

In 2019, she finished 11th but did not make any mistake now even after a frantic start to the final against Shivani PAWAR (IND).

Shilson tried to strike early in the first with a single leg, but it was countered by her Indian opponent. While trailing 2-0, she hit a far side headlock and pinned Pawar less than 90 seconds into the opening frame.

Being one of the most active wrestlers in the US, Shilson was aware of the situation the Indian could have put her.

“I knew she was going to be like that be like that, she just wanted scramble,” Shilson said. “I had to get back up, refocus, and get to where I wanted to be, and then I was able to take what she was giving me.”

Shilson will be one of the wrestlers to watch out for as the Paris Olympics approaches and she thinks that she is on the right track in her career.

“In Ufa, I was one of the oldest wrestlers there, and here I am probably on the younger side,” she said. “Being able to go from juniors and step up on another level, U23 is reassuring that I am on the right track.”

U23 World Championships The four medalist at WW 76kg weight class in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD: Emily SHILSON (USA) df Shivani PAWAR (IND), via fall

BRONZE: Stefania PRICEPUTU (ROU) df Sarra HAMDI (TUN), 2-1
BRONZE: Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) df Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR), 10-0

55kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) df Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS), 2-2

BRONZE: ANJU (IND) df Virginie KAZE GASCON (CAN), 17-6
BRONZE: Eda TEKIN (TUR) df Ainur ASHIMOVA (KAZ), 6-5

59kg
GOLD: Anhelina LYSAK (POL) df Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), 7-2

BRONZE: Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR) df Ramina MAMEDOVA (LAT), 10-0
BRONZE: Anna SZEL (HUN) df Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (RUS), 3-3

68kg
GOLD: Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) df Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS), 3-0

BRONZE: Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) df Alyvia FISKE (USA), 3-3
BRONZE: Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) df Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER), via fall

76kg
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df Tatiana RENTERIA RENTERIA (COL), 3-1

BRONZE: Kylie WELKER (USA) df Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU), via fall
BRONZE: Enrica RINALDI (ITA) df Dilnaz MULKINOVA (KAZ) , via fall

#WrestleBelgrade

WATCH: Young challengers at 2023 World Championships

Saturday, September 9, 2023 - 19:46 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 9) — For the pre-Olympic World Championship, most wrestlers try to move into the six Olympic weight classes in their respective styles. The competition to make the national team for these championships is fierce, as a medal can guarantee them a spot on the Olympic team for their country, a dream for most wrestlers.

With close to 1000 wrestlers competing in the 2023 World Championships, a few young stars who can make a name for themselves are also competing. They may not be the favorites to win the gold medal, but there are certain dark horses to upset any of the well-established names.

Among the three styles, a few teenagers have already won World Championship medals and will look to repeat in Belgrade. Others, the dark horses, will have an outside chance to shine on the biggest stage.

Here are nine wrestlers, three from each style, who can enhance their reputation in Belgrade.

Freestyle

AMAN (UWW) (57kg)

In the last four editions of the Asian Championships, the 57kg gold medal has been won by an Indian. Olympic silver medalist Ravi DAHIYA became the first Indian to win it three times when he struck gold in Ulaanbataar in 2022. As he pulled out injured from the 2023 edition, 19-year-old Aman stepped up and won the gold.

It could not have been more fitting, as Aman is a carbon copy of Dahiya with his long limbs helping him attack with ease and a gas tank that destroys wrestlers in the second period. It’s no surprise that the two train at the same stadium in Delhi.

Aman will have to step up once again as he takes his first trip to the World Championship. Now 20, Aman will be in a field with some of the biggest names in the world of wrestling.

The U23 world champion will have returning world champ Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 61kg world champ and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), Zane RICHARDS (USA), Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 61kg European champion Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), 57kg European champion Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE), Suleyman ATLI (TUR) among others.

Aman's first senior-level gold came at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup in 2022, and since then, he has participated in seven tournaments, winning medals in six of them including two golds. The tournaments have given Aman much-needed experience for the big event, where the youngster looks unfazed by the names in the bracket or the stage.

The two-time U17 world bronze medalist will also have his eyes on winning the Paris Olympics quota. Four years ago, Dahiya won a bronze medal to clinch a Tokyo Olympics quota in his first World Championships. Aman would not mind a similar result in his first Worlds.

Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) (65kg)

The 65 kg weight class in Belgrade will throw many surprises as most wrestlers are evenly matched in skills and temperament. World champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) can certainly be considered the heavy favorites, but it will be ill-advised to completely count out Haji ALIYEV (AZE), Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM), Iszmail MUSZUKAJAEV (HUN), Nicholas LEE (USA), Mikyay NAIM (BUL), Alejandro VALDES (CUB), Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) among others.

One name that is not mentioned in Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). The 2022 U20 world champion has been taking long strides in recent tournaments, consistently winning medals at the Ranking Series events. Since 2022, Jalolov has managed to win medals in five out of eight competitions.

Jalolov’s is still a work in progress for the senior level, but a few of his results make for a great case. He began his senior career at UWW events at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series and came home with a bronze medal by beating Tumur Ochir who has since raised his game significantly.

He lost to the Mongolian star 5-1 in Almaty in the third Ranking Series event but wrestled back to win another bronze. He added another bronze in 2023 at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series event after losing to Tevanyan. The next two tournaments were the Asian Championships and the Bishkek Ranking Series. Jalolov finished without a medal in both after losing to Tumur Ochir. He, however, closed the gap in each meeting.

Jalolov is an aggressive counterattacker, which Tumur Ochir figured out after their first meeting. Tevanyan matches Jalolov in style. But not many have experienced what Jalolov brings with him, and with nothing to lose in Belgrade, Jalolov can outshine a number of seasoned campaigners.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) (92kg)

It’s rare that Japan has a potential medal winner in a heavier weight class. But Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) can change that in Belgrade.

Yoshida, whose only international experience is the Asian Championships in Astana this year, will be seeded sixth at 92kg since he collected 10000 points for winning gold in Astana. He blew hot and cold in Astana, as he won two bouts via technical superiority and two via decision. But never did he look like a 19-year-old out-of-place teenager.

After conquering Asia, Yoshida will have to step up if he wants to lay claim to the 92kg weight class. Both the finalists from last year, Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and J’den COX (USA), will not be in Belgrade. But both bronze medalists, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) and Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) are returning. Feyzulla AKTURK (TUR), Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) and Zahid VALENCIA (USA) are some of the hot favorites to reach the final this year.

Yoshida will have to deal with it and get rid of the nerves before the World Championship. He will be wrestling with stars who will have a few in the stands cheering for them. The experience from the Asian Championships and his Iranian style of wrestling can be a big boost for Yoshida, as not many have laid a hand on him.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), who lost to Yoshida in the Asian Championships final, will look to avenge that loss, and that will be Yoshida’s big test—can he continue what he started and give hope to Japan?

Women’s Wrestling

ANTIM (UWW) (53kg)

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) could well be the young star to watch out for, but who doesn’t know that? Fujinami is actually the favorite to win the gold in Belgrade, as she returns to the World Championship after skipping the last one due to injury. At just 20, Fujinami already has the senior world title, which she won in 2021 in Oslo as a teenager.

Another 20-year-old who can cause a few problems for others in Belgrade is Antim. The two-time U20 world champion has made a name for herself recently as the challenger to VINESH in India while performing on the international stage. Antim’s tactical wrestling led her to win the world titles along with a silver medal at the senior Asian Championships and gold at the Tunis Ranking Series last year.

But her first World Championships can bring a lot of challenges, including wrestling some of the strongest wrestlers out there at 53kg. Apart from Fujinami, Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN), Lucia YEPEZ (ECU), Maria PREVOLARKI (GRE), Iulia LEORDA (MDA), Andreea ANA (ROU), Jonna MALMGREN (SWE), Dominique PARRISH (USA) are some of the stars entered.

Her potential five bouts in Belgrade will test Antim every minute and provide a perfect picture of the challenges senior-level wrestling throws.

Aryna MARTYNAVA (AIN) (55kg)

The non-Olympic weight class has attracted 19 entries, led by former world champions Haruna OKUNO (JPN) and Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA). While there are many others like Karla GODINEZ (CAN), Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), Min ZHANG (CHN), who can stand on the podium, U20 world champion Aryna MARTYNAVA (AIN) will fancy her chances to claim one of the four spots available on the podium.

Martynava made the switch from 59kg to 55kg at the U20 World Championships in Amman, Jordan, this year and won the gold, spending merely three minutes and 35 seconds on the mat in four bouts (24 minutes). All four of her wins were via technical superiority, with the first two finishing in 28 seconds and the final in 21 seconds. It was only the semifinal, which went for 2:18.

Before a silver medal at the 2021 U20 World Championships, Martynava had odd medals at the U17 level. But her return to the mat after two years saw her dominate the competition. She would like to take the form into the World Championships, her first, and cause a few upsets at 55kg.

Milaimys MARIN PORTILLE (CUB) (76kg)

Portille won the Youth Olympic Games in 2018 and announced herself as a young star from Cuba. She went on to win the U20 and U23 World Championships in 2019 to continue her rise. It was only last year that she participated in her first senior World Championships and finished 14th.

As Portille returns to Belgrade for another World Championships, she will hope to put on a better show than the one she did against Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR), losing 11-0. Portille did not look in her element and was struggling to attack or defend.

At 22, Portille has shown glimpses of being a good heavyweight wrestler, but to stand against the best in the world, she will have to raise her level in Belgrade. The likes of Adeline GRAY (USA), Samar HAMZA (EGY), Epp MAE (EST), Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will not give her a second chance. She, however, can take confidence from the fact that she has wins over Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) and Tatiana RENTERIA (COL).

Greco-Roman

Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) (60kg)

Among all the stars that Azerbaijan has in its Greco-Roman line-up, Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) may be seen as a youngster with little chance to make it in the 60kg field at the World Championships. But don’t count him out.

The 21-year-old earned his spot at 60kg when Azerbaijan could have experimented with Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE). But Mammadli’s selection is the writing on the wall that he is the one in the long run.

Mammadli has wrestled in three tournaments at the senior level this year and medals at all. He won a silver medal at the Zagreb Open to start the season before a bronze medal at the European Championship, and another bronze at the Budapest Ranking Series in July.

His three losses this year have been to Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) and Omid ARAMI (IRI). The first two wrestlers will be in Belgrade along with Kerem KAMAL (TUR), Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), Victor CIOBANU (MDA) who can make life difficult for Mammadli but provide him the perfect platform to shine against the best.

Daniel SOHRABI (IRI) (72kg)

If not for Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), Daniel SOHRABI (IRI) could well have been Iran’s representative at 67kg for the World Championships. But he has to move to 72kg and will be looking to upset a few established stars.

Sohrabi ability to make a comeback after falling behind makes him super lethal against wrestlers who try to hold on to their leads. He also has attacks to score from standing and does not wait for the par terre position.

In 2023, Sohrabi won gold at the third and fourth Ranking Series in Bishkek and Budapest, respectively. In Zagreb, he left without a medal after losing to Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB). That was his third loss since the start of 2022, with the other two being the U20 World Championship semifinal loss to Nika BROLADZE (GEO) and Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) in the Greco-Roman World Cup in December.

The World Championship will be another big yet important stop for Sohrabi as he tries to establish himself in the big league. He will have Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO), Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), Ali ARSALAN (SRB), Selcuk CAN (TUR) and other solid wrestlers in the field.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) (77kg)

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) has medals at all the age-group World Championships. But his debut World Championships at the senior level ended in 13th place. After skipping last year’s World Championships, Gutu is back with the aim of earning an Olympic spot for his country in Belgrade.

At 77kg, a weight class that has supremely talented wrestlers, Gutu will have his task cut out for him. The high-flying wrestler has to come up with his best defense from par terre, something that has troubled him in the past. He will have to keep a check on his big moves, as he has a habit of getting countered during such moves.

With Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM), Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), Viktor NEMES (SRB), Yunus BASAR (TUR), Kamal BEY (USA) being some of the names entered, Gutu cannot let his guard down.

Larroque Returns To Top; Three Nations Win Historic U23 Titles

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WATCH: Young challengers at 2023 World Championships