#WrestleNice

LIVE BLOG: Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France (Day One)

By Eric Olanowski

The 2021 calendar is officially underway, as action at the 47th Annual Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France kicked off in Nice, France. Women's wrestling takes center stage and is highlighted by Rio Olympic champion Helena MAROULIS (USA) and reigning world champions Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) and Tamayra MENSAH-STOCK (USA).

6:10: That'll do it  for today's coverage of the  Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France. Freestyle actions kicks off on Saturday at 10:00am (local time) and can be followed live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org.

Final Results:
50kg: Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), 13-2
53kg: Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) df. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), 8-4
57kg: Helen MAROULIS (USA) dfLaura MERTENS (GER), 4-1
62kg: .Kayla MIRACLE (USA) df. Macey KILTY (USA), 8-2
68kg: Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) df. Forrest MOLINARI (USA), 6-1
76kg: Martina KUENZ (AUT) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2

6:04: What a way start her year! Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sofia Mattsson grabbed arguably her biggest win since returning to competition after have her baby. She defeated reigning world champion Jacarra Winchester, 8-4, and is leaving France with the 53kg gold.

5:57: In a battle of world medalist, Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) handled Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), 13-2, in the 50kg finals. This is the American's second gold medal down at 50kg. She also claimed gold at last year's first Ranking Series event, the Matteo Pellicone. 

5:53: A five-point second period helped reigning world champion Mensah-Stock grab the 68kg gold medal over Molinari. The final score of the gold-medal match was 6-1.

5:50: World bronze medalist Martina KUENZ (AUT) claimed her first international gold at 76kg with a dominant 8-2 win over Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA).

5:49: Molinari is holding her own against the reigning world champion. She's heading into the final three minutes down by one point. 

5:45: in the second all-American final of the night, world champion Tamayra MENSAH STOCK (USA) will go toe-to-toe with Forrest MOLINARI (USA) for the 68kg gold.

5:44: In the all-American final at 62kg, Kayla MIRACLE (USA) downed Macey KILTY (USA), 8-2.

5:40: Maroulis closes out a magical day with the 57kg gold medal after cruising past Laura MERTENS (GER) , 4-1. In total, Maroulis outscored her four opponents 40-1 on her way to the Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France title.

5:31: The finals are about to begin. We'll kick things off with the 57kg finals where Olympic champion Helen Maroulis will wrestle Laura MERTENS (GER).

Reigning world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) awaits her finals match against Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sofia MATTSSON (SWE). (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

4:21: The final matchups are set and I'm struggling to pick my favorite match. Here's a quick rundown of why it's difficult to pick just one!

At 50kg, it'll be world silver medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) taking on world bronze medalist Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR). 

In the 53kg finals, reigning 55kg world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) will square off with six-time world and Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sofia MATTSSON (SWE).

Olympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) has outscored her three opponents 36-0 and will wrestle Laura MERTENS (GER) for the 57kg gold.

it'll be an all-American final at 62kg and 68kg. Macey KILTY (USA) will take onKayla MIRACLE (USA) in the 62kg finals, while reigning world champion Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) will go toe-to-toe with Forrest MOLINARI (USA).

Finally, we'll see world bronze medalist Martina KUENZ (AUT) wrestle Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) in the gold-medal match at 76kg.

Final Matchups:
50kg: Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR)
53kg: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) vs. Sofia MATTSSON (SWE)
57kg: Helen MAROULIS (USA) vs. Laura MERTENS (GER)
62kg: Macey KILTY (USA) vs.Kayla MIRACLE (USA) 
68kg: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) vs. Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA)
76kg: Martina KUENZ (AUT) vs. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)

3:41: It'll be an all-American gold-medal match at 68kg. Mensah and Forrest MOLINARI both claimed victories in their semifinal matches and will meet for gold later tonight. 

3:19: Rising star Macey KILTY (USA) scored the upset of the day thus far.  She defeated '14 world champion Yulia TKACH (UKR), 4-1.

3:01: Olympic champion Maroulis is wrestling on another level today! She moved into the semifinals with her second 13-0 victory of the day. Maroulis has now outscored her three opponents 36-0 en route to the 57kg finals. 

3:00: The semifinals are underway!


Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) will take on reigning world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) in the 53kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

2:03: The semifinals are set! USA leads the way heading into the semifinals after having nine wrestlers competing for a spot in the finals. Meanwhile, Germany has eight wrestlers in the semifinals, while Argentina, Austria, France, Italy, Sweden, Turkey and Ukraine all have at least one wrestler looking for a finals berth.

50kg
SEMIFINAL - Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)
SEMIFINAL - Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) vs. Lisa ERSEL (GER)

53kg
SEMIFINAL – Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) vs. Annika WENDLE (GER)
SEMIFINAL - Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) vs. Angelina PURSCHKE (GER)

57kg
SEMIFINAL - Helen MAROULIS (USA) vs. Johanna LINDBORG (SWE)
SEMIFINAL - Laura MERTENS (GER) vs. Josefine PURSCHKE (GER)

62kg
SEMIFINAL - Kayla MIRACLE (USA) vs. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)
SEMIFINAL - Macey KILTY (USA) vs. Yulia TKACH (UKR)

68kg
SEMIFINAL - Forrest MOLINARI (USA) vs.  Luz Clara VAZQUEZ (ARG)
SEMIFINAL -  Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) vs. Eyleen SEWINA (GER)

76kg
SEMIFINAL - Francy RADELT (GER) vs. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)
SEMIFINAL - Enrica RINALDI (ITA) vs. Martina KUENZ (AUT)

Martina KUENZ (AUT) moved into the semifinals with a 4-3 win over fellow world bronze medalist Epp MAE (EST). (Gabor Martin)

1:24: What a win! Kuenz secured her spot in the 76kg semifinals with a one-point "upset" win over reigning world bronze medalist, Mae.

1:15: HERE WE GO! I'm excited for this match. It'll be world bronze medalists Epp Mae and Martina Kuenz who are wrestling on Mat B.

1:11: Mattsson moves into the 53kg semifinals with an 8-0 shutout win over Hemmer. She's outscored her first two opponents, 18-0, and is one match away from earning a finals berth.

1:05: Olympic bronze medalist Mattsson is taking on Germany's Nina HEMMER on Mat A.The winner moves into the semifinals.

12:45: Mensah followed up her :20 second opening-round win with a 10-0 victory over Nesrin BAS (TUR). She'll wrestle the winner from Bout 34 in tonight's semifinals.  

12:32: World bronze medalists Epp MAE (EST) and Martina KUENZ (AUT) will square off on Mat B in five matches.

Olympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) has outscored her Henri DEGLANE opponents, 23-0. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

12:21: Olympic champion Maroulis keeps things rolling and improves to 2-0 on the day. After her 10-0 shutout win over Elena BRUGGER (GER), she's outscored her first two opponents 23-0.

11:57: World bronze medalist Demirhan trailed 3-0, but put four points on the board and defeated Amy FEARNSIDE (USA), 4-4. Until that Fearnside loss, USA was a perfect 9-0 on day.

11:48: Ukraine's '14 world champion Yulia TKACH is coming up in four matches on Mat B.

11:43: Winchester leads Pul, 8-2, but the match was briefly stopped as the American showed the ref her left arm -- allegedly showing a bite mark. No points were awarded as Winchester closed out the match with the 10-2 victory.

11:40: World bronze medalist Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) is coming up next on Mat B. 

11:38: Pul is holding her own against Winchester over on Mat B. The Turkish wrestlers leads the reigning world champion, 2-2, heading into the break. Each wrestler scored a takedown in the opening period. 

11:29: And we're back! World champion Winchester is making her second appearance down at 53kg after winning world gold in Nur-Sultan down at 55kg -- which is a non Olympic weight class.

11:26: I'm not sure what the hold up is on Mat A, but I think it has something to do with the mat surface. They have been mopping the mat for what feels like 10 minutes. Winchester and Pul are waiting mat-side. They both just put their sweatshirts back on and are trying to stay warm.

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) warms up for the opening day of wrestling at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix of France. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

11:15: Reigning world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) is coming up next on Mat A against Esra PUL (TUR).

11:05: Mattsson looked sharp in her first match of the year. She scored a pair of takedowns and three guts and moved into the 53kg quarterfinals with a 10-0 win over Schelder.

10:50: Six-time world and Rio Olympic bronze medalist Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) is coming up on Mat B in two matches. She'll take on Austria's Florine SCHELDER.

10:46: Team USA is rolling early. Lauren LOUIVE (USA) picked up a victory against Arianna CARIERI (ITA) over on Mat B -- extending USA's record to 6-0 in this morning's session. 

10:38: Reigning world champion Tamayra MENSAH-STOCK (USA) kicked off her day with a :20 second fall over Laura GODINO (ITA). She scored an early takedown off a head inside single, then threw Godino to her back for the quick fall.

#WrestleNoviSad

U23 Worlds 2025: Forrest wins epic final to hand U.S. team title

By Vinay Siwach

NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 27) — For a second time this year, the United States and Iran were involved in a thrilling team title race in Freestyle at a World Championships with the U.S. eventually winning the title.

After being tied at 102 points each at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, the U.S. needed one win and Iran needed to win all three bouts on the final day of the competition.

The U.S. sealed the team title as soon as Jaxen FORREST (USA) won the 61kg final, giving his country an unassailable lead of 137 points over Iran, which finished second with 127 points. Japan was third with 85 points.

With the team title, U.S. won the top spot in Freestyle in all age-group World Championships while Iran won the title in senior Worlds.

Three gold medals already in pocket, the U.S. won a fourth one on Monday through Forrest who had an unforgettable bout against Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ).

Both teenagers, U20 world bronze medalist Forrest and U17 world champion Asan Uulu put on a match that will be remembered for ages. Both wrestlers settled in, Forrest came up with an over-underhook for four but Asan Uulu soon fired back with two takedown to make it 4-4. After a back-and-forth scramble, Asan Uulu managed to score a push out for a 5-4 lead.

But Forrest took a big lead when he threw Asan Uulu from quad pod position for four points. Kyrgyzstan’s lost challenge added one more point to make it 9-5.

Jaxen FORREST (USA)Jaxen FORREST (USA) scores a takedown against Umurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The two were not done yet. As soon as the second period began, Asan Uulu scored a stepout, Forrest got a takedown to make it 11-6. Asan Uulu managed to get a takedown and score via exposure. He took a 12-11 lead with a takedown on edge with 1:30 left.

There was more left in the match as Forrest got on a low single to get a takedown and as the wrestlers returned to standing, he threw Asan Uulu for a big four, the third of the match to make it 17-12. He was happy to give one takedown to Asan Uulu in the final 10 seconds and win the gold medal 17-14, in what was perhaps the match of the year.

SUJEET (IND)SUJEET (IND) scores the match-winning takedown against Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 65kg, SUJEET (IND) upgraded his bronze from last year to gold this year after he blanked world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) in the final, his third 10-0 technical superiority over Jalolov this year.

Sujeet began like favorite underhook and snapdowns and Jalolov was put on the clock. Sujeet scored a takedown during that period to lead 3-0 before a stepout made it 4-0, a lead which Sujeet carried into the break.

The second period was no different as Sujeet did not let Jalolov settle down. He scored using a counter takedown to lead 6-0 with 1:52 remaining. Jalolov tried to hit a far reaching leg attack but Sujeet throws thew himself backward before scoring a takedown. A double leg takedown to make it 10-0 with 1:06 remaining.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) celebrates after beating Merab SULEIMANISHVILI (GEO) in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Japan went past Turkiye in the team race by one point, all thanks to Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) winning the gold medal at 97kg by beating Merab SULEIMANISHVILI (GEO), 12-2, in the final.

For a split second Suleimaniashvili was about to pin Yoshida but apart from that, Yoshida never looked in any kind of trouble. His body frame and power were too much for the Georgian who just folded in the battle.

Yoshida managed to score from various position and used the underhook to perfection to earn his first world title.

One of the most dominant wrestlers in this tournament, Arsen BALAIAN (UWW), capped off his incredible run with a 10-0 victory over Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA), 10-0.

RESULTS

61kg
GOLD: Jaxen FORREST (USA) df. Omurbek ASAN UULU (KGZ), 17-14

BRONZE: Akito MUKAIDA (JPN) df. Mykyta ABRAMOV (UKR), 10-0
BRONZE: Tolga OZBEK (TUR) df. Erdal GALIP (BUL), 11-1

65kg
GOLD: SUJEET (IND) df. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB), 10-0

BRONZE: Bilol SHARIP UULU (KGZ) df. Aykhan ABDULLAZADA (AZE), 10-0
BRONZE: Bashir MAGOMEDOV (UWW) df. Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN), 7-5

86kg
GOLD: Arsen BALAIAN (UWW) df. Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA), 10-0

BRONZE: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO), 13-2
BRONZE: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) df. Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA), 7-5

97kg
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Merab SULEIMANISHVILI (GEO), 12-2

BRONZE: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) df. Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI), 7-1
BRONZE: Soslan DZHAGAEV (UWW) df. David MCHEDLIDZE (UKR), 4-2