#WrestleRome

LIVE BLOG: Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series, Day Four

By United World Wrestling Press

Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) clinched the much-anticipated bout against Jordan BURROUGHS 3-2 to win the gold medal at 74kg at Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event. Both had dominating runs to the summit clash. Bajrang PUNIA (IND) defended his title against Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) after a close 2-2 win. Zahid VALENCIA (USA) showed his dominance at 86kg as he teched Mark HALL (USA) in the final

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2050 hrs: We have our champions for the day! Great end to a successful tournament in Rome. Thank you for joining us. Until the next tournament! 

2040 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Selim YASAR (TUR) had sealed the gold medal in the morning session but now Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) gets the silver as he beats Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) 3-3

2035 hrs: Assadov is leading Yaylaci 3-0 at the break in this Round 5 bout. Yaylaci gets point and then a takedown to level it 3-3 in the second period.

2030 hrs: Final two bouts at Matteo Pellcone! PARVEEN (IND) will be the winner on Mat A as Pat DOWNEY (USA) is injured. On the other mat, Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) takes on Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) in Round 5 bout

2025 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Zahid VALENCIA (USA) is just too much for Mark HALL (USA). He scores a takedown and a gut to win the 86kg gold medal 11-0

2023 hrs: Step out point for Valencia and then he gets a takedown to lead 3-0. He gets another takedown and then an inside head single to make it 7-0

2021 hrs: Huge match on Mat B. Zahid VALENCIA (USA) is wrestling two-time junior world champ at 74kg Mark HALL (USA) at 86kg final

2020 hrs: Bronze medal for Myles MARTIN (USA). He scores a first period technical superiority win over Clayton Steven PYE (CAN)

2015 hrs: Bronze medal bouts at 86kg. Yeskali DAULETKAZY (KAZ) will win the first one as Fatih ERDIN (TUR) is out injured. In the second bout, Myles Najee MARTIN (USA) is wrestling Clayton Steven PYE (CAN)

2010 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ) hangs on for a 6-5 win over David Vincent MC FADDEN (USA) to win the gold medal at 79kg

 

#WrestleRome 79kg FS Medal Match Results:
?Galymzhan USSERBAYEV ??df. David MCFADDEN , 6-5??
?Muhammet KOTANOGLU?? df. Ramazan SARI ??, 6-0

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 7, 2021

 

2003 hrs: Usserbayev gets on the scoring first as he gets a turn. Reversal for McFadden. Exposures for both. Score is 4-3 Usserbayev. He adds takedown and will go to the break leading 6-3

2000 hrs: Muhammet Nuri KOTANOGLU (TUR) wins the gold medal after a 6-0 win over teammate Ramazan Ishak SARI (TUR). Now onto the 79kg final bout. David Vincent MC FADDEN (USA) is up against Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ)

1952 hrs: Bronze medal bout at 79kg. An all-Turkey bout as Ramazan Ishak SARI (TUR) takes on Muhammet Nuri KOTANOGLU (TUR).

1947 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) gets his second win over Jordan BURROUGHS (USA). Chamizo gave up a point for step out but held on to a 3-2 win. Burroughs still leads the head-to-head 4-2

 

#WrestleRome 74kg FS Medal Match Results:
?Frank CHAMIZO ??df. Jordan BURROUGHS ??, 3-2
?Daniyar KAISANOV ?? df. Narsingh YADAV ??, 5-0
?Nurkozha KAIPANOV ?? df. Franklin GOMEZ ??, 8-2

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 7, 2021

 

1945 hrs: Burroughs is warned for passivity again. He gets an inside single but Chamizo pushes him out. 3-1 for Chamizo

1944 hrs: Burroughs starts with a step out to cut it down to 2-1. Both wrestlers still looking for that opening. No one is blinking.

1942 hrs: Chamizo gets a point after Burroughs fails to score in the activity period. He will go into the break with a 2-0 lead

1937 hrs: Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) vs Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) at 74kg final. Scramble early on. Chamizo gets to the legs, Burroughs defends and tries to get one for his own. Chamizo gets a stepout in the end

1935 hrs: Bronze medal for Daniyar KAISANOV as he beats Narsingh YADAV (IND) 5-0 while Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) wins 8-2 against Franklin GOMEZ (PUR)

1925 hrs: Two bronze medal bouts at 74kg. Asian champion Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) up against Narsingh YADAV (IND) while Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) wrestling Franklin GOMEZ (PUR)

#WrestleRome 70kg FS Medal Match Results:
?Alec PANTALEO ?? df. Daulet NIYAZBEKOV?? , 4-0
?Vishal KALIRAMANA ?? df. Syrbaz TALGAT ??, 5-1

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 7, 2021

1922 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Alec PANTALEO (USA) gets two wins in a day over Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) to win the gold medal at 70kg. Huge win for USA wrestler. 

1920 hrs: Pantaleo leads 2-0 at the break through a takedown. But soon after the resumption he is put on the shot clock. He scores a big double in the activity to lead 4-0

1915 hrs: Gold medal bout at 70kg. Alec PANTALEO (USA) vs Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ). Pantaleo had a 6-2 win over Niyazbekov earlier in the day

1911 hrs: Bronze medal for Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND). Both wrestlers in a scramble. No points for either. Time runs out. Kazakhstan challenge. Review shows two for Kaliramana. One for the lost challenge. He wins 5-1 against Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)

1908 hrs: Now Kaliramana is put on the clock. He fails to score as well 1-1 lead Talgat. The referee warns the Kazak for twisting fingers. Kaliramana gets a point. 2-1 lead for him

1902 hrs: Bronze medal bout at 70kg as Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND) takes on Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ). No points scored between the two for the first minute and a half and Talgat is put on the shot clock

 

#WrestleRome 65kg FS Medal Match Results:
?Bajrang BAJRANG ?? df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR ??, 2-2
?Joseph MC KENNA ?? df. Selim KOZAN ??, 8-2
?Hamza ALACA ??df. Rohit ROHIT ??, 12-10

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 7, 2021

 

1900 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Bajrang PUNIA (IND) keeps the criteria lead to win 2-2 against Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL). He defends his Matteo Pellicone title and remains unbeaten in Ranking Series events. 5th gold for him

1855 hrs: Challenge won! Mongolia lead 1-0. Bajrang is warned for passivity. He cannot score and trails 0-2. He did call for a step out but referee does not agree. Bajrang gets a lucky go behind to lead 2-2 now with 14 seconds remaining.

1853 hrs: Punia and Ochir in a scramble with the Indian trying to get a lace going. But Ochir is strong in defence. He jumps out but referee is calling out of bounds. 1-1 lead Bajrang but Mongolia challenge

1850 hrs: Punia put on the shot clock and he has to score in the next 30 seconds to avoid giving the points to Ochir. He fails to do so. Ochir leads 1-0. Now Ochir is warned for passivity. But he will go into the break leading 1-0

1847 hrs: Final at 65kg. Bajrang PUNIA (IND) is wrestling Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL). It's a rematch from the 2019 World Championships where Punia carved out a close 8-6 win. 

1846 hrs: Bronze medals for Turkey and USA. ROHIT (IND) did get two step out but goes down 10-12 against Hamza ALACA (TUR). Joseph McKEENA wins 8-2 against Selim KOZAN (TUR) 

1844 hrs: Rohit with a push and Alaca lands out of bounds. India asking for two but referee awards one. Challenge from India. Alaca leads 11-8

1842 hrs: Turkey is asking for four and they challenge. It's won and Alaca now leads 8-4 with just under two minutes remaining. Rohit with another shot, he takes a takedown. Alaca also scores from exposure. Reversal for Rohit. 10-7 lead for Alaca

1840 hrs: Step out for Alaca. He makes it 4-4 but Rohit holds the lead on criteria. The Indian misfires a shot and Alaca gets a takedown. 6-4 to him

1835 hrs: Scrambles all around in the McKenna-Kozan bout. Kozan gets two but McKenna gets exposure to lead 7-2. Challenge from Turkey. On Mat A, Rohit leads Alaca 4-3 after a big throw

1832 hrs: To the bronze medal bout at 65kg. Hamza ALACA (TUR) against ROHIT (IND) on Mat A. Selim KOZAN (TUR) against Joseph McKEENA (USA)

1828 hrs: Suleyman ATLI (TUR) is the winner of the other Round 3 bout at 61kg and he will end with a silver medal as Anvar SUVINIITTY (FIN) is out injured

1827 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) wins this grueling Round 3 bout at 61kg 3-2 against Tyler GRAFF (USA). He will end with a gold medal while Graff will go home with a bronze medal 

1824 hrs: Askarov put on the shot clock. He is pushing for an opening but slips on one of his attacks. Graff is quick to go behind and take the lead 2-1. Askarov then shoots for the legs and get the takedown. He leads 3-2

1820 hrs: Askarov will go into the break leading 1-0. Some heated exchange between the two wrestlers on the mat so the judge had to intervene

1818 hrs: Round 3 bout at the 61kg category. World fifth place Tyler GRAFF (USA) is taking on U23 World runner-up Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ). Asakarov with a quick step out to open the scoring

 

#WrestleRome 57kg FS Medal Match Results:
?Nurislam SANAYEV ?? df. Nicholas SURIANO ??, 4-2
?Givi DAVIDOVI ?? df. Ali ABURUMAILA ?? , 10-0

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 7, 2021

 

1817 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) wins the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event after a 4-2 win over Nicholas SURIANO (USA) in the final

1815 hrs: Suriano got a step out but Sanayev with a single leg takedown before increasing his lead to 4-1. Suriano with another step out in the final seconds

1808 hrs: Givi DAVIDOVI (ITA) finishes with a bronze medal after a shutout 10-0 win against Ali M M ABURUMAILA (PLE). Dominating performance that. Now to the final at 57kg between Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) and Nicholas SURIANO (USA)

1800 hrs: Mat A and Mat B will see the medal matches. Wrestling first is Hamza ALACA (TUR) against ROHIT (IND) for the bronze medal at 65kg. On Mat B, Ali M M ABURUMAILA (PLE) is up against local favorite Givi DAVIDOVI (ITA) for the 57kg bronze medal

1745 hrs: 15 minutes away from what promises to an epic session of wrestling. Burroughs leads the head-to-head against Chamizo 4-1. Chamizo had forfeited their last meeting.

1730 hrs: Welcome back! The final session of the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series 2021 is about to get underway in Rome. If you missed the morning session, below are the highlights.

1415 hrs: We have our medal bouts set. Some of the most anticipated finals are coming up.

57kg: Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) vs Nicholas SURIANO (USA)
65kg: Bajrang PUNIA (IND) vs Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL)
70kg: Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) vs Alec PANTALEO (USA)
74kg: Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) vs Frank CHAMIZO (ITA)
79kg: David Vincent MC FADDEN (USA) vs Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ)
86kg: Zahid VALENCIA (USA) vs Mark HALLL (USA)

1410 hrs: We have a rematch at 70kg! Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) beats Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) 7-1 and he will wrestle Alec PANTALEO (USA). The US wrestler defeated Niyazabekov 6-2 in the morning session

1355 hrs: Alec PANTALEO storms into the final at 70kg after a tech 10-0 first period win over Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND)

1350 hrs: Mark HALL (USA) with a pin over LEE. He moves into the 86kg final against fellow teammate Zahid VALENCIA (USA)

1345 hrs: Jordan BURROUGS (USA) with a tactical 4-1 win against Narsingh YADAV (IND). We have a CHAMIZO vs BURROUGHS rematch at 74kg final 

1340 hrs: Sanayev wins 14-4 against Aburumaila. Zahid VALENCIA (USA) techs Fatih ERDIN (TUR) 12-2

1338 hrs: Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) is wrestling Ali M M ABURUMAILA (PLE) and is trailing 4-4. Burroughs up 2-0 against Yadav on Mat C. Valencia up 6-2 against Erdin in 86kg semifinal

1336 hrs: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) with an easy 6-0 win over Franklin GOMEZ (PUR). He waits in the 74kg final and will wrestle the winner of Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) vs Narsingh YADAV (IND)

1335 hrs: The 65kg final is set in Rome! Bajrang PUNIA (IND) beats Joseph McKEENA (USA) 6-3 while Tulga Tumur Ochir wins 4-0 against ROHIT (IND). The final is a rematch from 2019 World Championship bronze medal bout at 65kg. Ochir will like to avenge his loss

1330 hrs: Bajrang Punia leads Joseph McKenna 4-2 at the break. Ochir leads Rohit 2-0 while Chamizo is up 4-0 against Gomez

1327 hrs: Early takedown for Punia as he leads 2-0. McKenna fires back with a takedown as well. It's 2-2 McKenna

Ochir with a point for step out against Rohit on Mat C

1325 hrs: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) vs Franklin GOMEZ (PUR) on Mat A. Bajrang PUNIA (IND) vs Joseph McKENNA (USA) on Mat B. ROHIT (IND) vs Tulga Tumur OCHIR (MGL) on Mat C 

1320 hrs: Selim YASAR (TUR) with a takedown in the final 30 seconds to win the bout against Erhab YAYLACI (TUR) 3-3. We are moving into the semifinals now 

1315 hrs: David Vincent McFADDEN (USA) wins the bout 13-7 against compatriot Muhamed Mustafa McBRYDE (USA). One more match before semifinal begin. It's an all-Turkey affair as Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) takes on Selim YASAR (TUR)

1312 hrs: McFadden is too strong for McBryde who tried to go for single but McFadden gets an exposure twice to lead 9-2. Reversal give McBryde one point. Another takedown for McFadden as he extends his lead to 11-3

1308 hrs: McFadden with a step out to extend lead to 5-0. McBryde with a takedown to cut it down to 2-5 at the break

1305 hrs: We will start all the semifinal at the same time so waiting for the David Vincent McFADDEN (USA) and Muhamed Mustafa McBRYDE (USA) bout to be over. McFadden was warned for passivity but he goes behind and scores a takedown and gut for a 4-0 lead

1301 hrs: Another walkover as Pat DOWNEY (USA) does not show up for his bout against Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ). This brings up to a rematch from last year against returning champion Bajrang PUNIA (IND) and Joseph McKENNA (USA) in the 65kg semifinal

1300 hrs: Mat B had two walkovers as Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) and Alec PANTALEO (USA) score win at 57kg and 70kg respectively.

1243 hrs: Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ) with a go behind in the final 8 seconds. Sloppy from a tiring Muhamed Mustafa McBRYDE (USA). Usserbayev win 7-5

1241 hrs: McBryde with a takedown and exposure to make it 5-5 against Usserbayev. The Kazak is looking to run out of breath against the USA wrestler

1240 hrs: Usserbayev put on the shot clock against but he gets a quick duck under and a takedown. He leads 2-1 with two minutes to go

1236 hrs: Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ) is trailing Muhamed Mustafa McBRYDE (USA) 0-1 at the break in their 79kg Round 2 bout

1230 hrs: Alec William PANTALEO (USA) with an upset win over two-time World medalist Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ). The US wrestler was too good for Kazak in the 6-2 win

1218 hrs: Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) is now making his way to Mat B against Alec William PANTALEO (USA) for the 70kg Round 2 match

1215 hrs: That took some time but Atli wins the challenge. He leads 12-6. A big four from Atli. He will win 16-6

1207 hrs: Atli with a pick and he takes a takedown followed by exposure. 10-6 now for Atli. Challenge from Turkey. They are asking for two more points. We have challenges on all three mats for now

1205 hrs: 57kg Round 2 now. Suleyman ATLI (TUR) is on Mat C against Tyler GRAFF (USA). Graff is leading Atli 6-6 on criteria with two minutes to go

1200 hrs: Challenge lost. Mark HALL with a big four and gets the pin! He moves into the semifinal at 86kg

1155 hrs: Mark HALL (USA) and Myles MARTIN (USA) are up on Mat B for their 86kg quarter-final. A big scramble and it's two points each. 3-2 lead for Hall at the break. Challenge from Martin

1142 hrs: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) makes amends to a poor start in his quarter-final and comes back to win 13-8 against Myles AMINE (SMR)

 

Frank CHAMIZO ?? trailed Malik AMINE ??, 6-2, but scored the 13-8 come-from-behind win to move into the #WrestleRome 74kg semifinals.

He'll wrestle the winner of Yakup GOR ?? and Franklin GOMEZ ??. https://t.co/zpwxopXS8d

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 7, 2021

 

1140 hrs: ROHIT (IND) with a clutch performance at 65kg. He gets an exposure to win 9-8 against Behnam Eshagh ESHANPOOR (IRI) and make his way to the semi-final against Tulga Tumur OCHIR (MGL)

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) starts off with a comfortable 5-0 win against Asian champion Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ)

1136 hrs: Myles AMINE (SMR) is making heads turn in Rome. He had a takedown and a gut to lead 4-0 against Frank CHAMIZO (ITA). He has another exposure after Chamizo's reversal. Amine's corner is asking for two exposures. Challenge from Amine

1135 hrs: Burroughs leads 2-0 at the break. On Mat A, World bronze at 61kg, Behnam Eshagh ESHANPOOR (IRI) is trailing 2-7 against India national champion ROHIT (IND)

1132 hrs: Big match on Mat B. 4-time world and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) is wrestling 2019 world bronze medalist and Asia champion Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ). A single outside takedown for Burroughs to get things underway

1130 hrs: Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL) with a technical superiority win against Hamza ALACA (TUR). And making it to the semifinal against Bajrang Punia is Joseph McKEENA (USA) after a 7-3 win against David HABAT (SLO)

1125 hrs: Mark HALL (USA), a two-time junior world champion at 74kg, is wrestling on Mat A at 86kg. He is leading 5-0 against Hunter Jeffery LEE (CAN)

1120 hrs: Joseph McKEENA (USA) with a good takedown and lace to lead 7-0 against David HABAT (SLO). The winner will meet Punia is the semifinal at 65kg. On Mat B, Ochir has extended his lead to 4-0 at the break

1118 hrs: Another former cadet world champion from Turkey is on Mat B. Hamza ALACA (TUR) is wrestling Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL), who finished fifth at World Championships is an U23 Asia champion

1117 hrs: Bajrang PUNIA (IND) starts the day with a 7-0 comfortable win against Selim KOZAN (TUR). A single takedown to finish the bout

1115 hrs: Bajrang Punia with a single leg takedown to open a 3-0 lead against Kozan. A snap from the Indian but still cannot score. Kozan now trying to find an opening in Punia's defence. Constant pressure from Punia and Kozan gives up two more with a double leg 

1113 hrs: Punia continues his traditional pressure-wrestling against Kozan, who has been put on the shot clock. No score in the 30-second activity period. Bajrang leads 1-0 at the break

1110 hrs: On Mat B, Bajrang PUNIA (IND) is beginning his 65kg title defence against former cadet World champion and junior world silver Selim KOZAN (TUR)

1108 hrs: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) starts with a win. He defends a shot from Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) and then finishes with a single takedown. 6-0 the final score

1102 hrs: Chamizo leads 2-0 at the break. He gets a single takedown to make it 4-0 in the second period. He is happy to restart

1100 hrs: Local favorite and World Cup silver, three-time Ranking Series event winner Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) is up on Mat C. He is wrestling 70kg World silver Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ). He starts with takedown in the first minute and is up 2-0

1058 hrs: World silver at 65kg Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) is up on Mat C for his 70kg bout against Mustafa KAYA (TUR). The Turkey wrestler doesn't show up so Niyazbekov is the winner

1055 hrs: Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ) is up 1-0 against David Vincent McFADDEN (USA) at the break at 79kg Round 1 bout

1047 hrs: Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) with a close 3-2 win against Nicholas SURIANO (USA). All of Sanayev's points came after Suriano was cautioned. The US wrestler did complete a takedown with 5 seconds remaining but it was not enough

1045 hrs: World silver medalist at 57kg Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) is up 1-0 at the break against Nicholas SURIANO (USA)

 

Mat B is about to heat up.?

Bout 256: ??Franklin GOMEZ MATOS ??
Bout 257: ????Bajrang BAJRANG ??
Bout 259: ?????Jordan BURROUGHS ??
Bout 260: Olympic ?Selim YASAR??
Bout 261: ??Fatih ERDIN ??
Bout 263: ???Nurislam SANAYEV ??https://t.co/zpwxopXS8d

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 7, 2021

 

1042 hrs: Upset to start day four! U23 World silver Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) with four takedowns against Suleyman ATLI'S (TUR) one takedown and step out to win the Round 1 bout at 61kg 8-3. Yasar and Yaylaci also start with wins.

1030 hrs: Whistles! Freestyle action begins in Rome. On Mat A, Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) vs Patrick James DOWNEY (USA) at 92kg. On Mat B, World silver Suleyman ATLI (TUR) up against age-level World medalist Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) at 61kg. On Mat C, Rio Olympics silver Selim YASAR (TUR) at 86 kg wrestles PRAVEEN (IND) at 92kg.

1015 hrs: Huge day of wrestling action comping up in Rome. We are 15 minutes away from start of men's freestyle wrestling in eight weight categories -- 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg, 79kg, 86kg, 92kg 

#WrestleRome

Japan, India share 2 WW golds at U17 Worlds

By Vinay Siwach

ROME, Italy (July 28) -- In the history of women's wrestling at the U17 World Championships dating back to 1998, India never won a medal in the highest weight class 73kg; earlier 70kg.

Priya MALIK (IND) now has changed that record. She broke the jinx in 2021 by winning the gold at the U17 World Championships in Budapest.

The 17-year-old on Thursday defended her world title with a clinic display, to become a two-time U17 world champion, only the third Indian wrestler to achieve the feat in women's wrestling.

Malik entered this competition with only one loss in her entire career, a 3-3 defeat against Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at the U20 Asian Championships just 20 days back.

Priya MALIK (IND)Priya MALIK (IND) defeated Mariia ZENKINA (UKR) in the 73kg final. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

But she put that behind and wrestled like a pro throughout the tournament. After warming up with a 3-1 win over Kaiulani GARCIA (USA) in the opening round, she scored 10-0 on Dominika POCHOWSKA (POL) before pinning Alina YERTOSTIK (KAZ) in the semifinals, replicating the result from the U17 Asian Championships final.

In the gold medal bout, she wrestled European bronze medalist Mariia ZENKINA (UKR) and gave no chance to even score a point. A single leg attack opened the scoring for her and then she added one more takedown using the same attack as Zenkina tried to escape the hold.

Malik mixed it up with a double leg attack and go behind in the second period before securing the 10-0 win with 55 seconds remaining.

The Haryana-native has now joined Sonam MALIK (IND) and Komal PANCHAL (IND) as the only two-time U17 world champions in women's wrestling.

Ritika MALIK (IND)Ritika KATARIA (IND) defeated world champion Erica PASTORIZA (USA) in the 43kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Another U17 Asian champion, Ritika KATARIA (IND), added a world title to her name. In the 43kg final, she defeated returning gold medalist (40kg) Erica PASTORIZA (USA) via fall after leading 9-0.

Kataria and Pastoriza were arguably the top two wrestlers of the weight classes as they dominated their way to the finals. But Pastoriza could not get going in the gold bout, failing to attack Kataria once. 

The 15-year-old Indian tried to cradle Pastoriza early but the American survived the attempt. She again locked her arms in front and pressed Pastoriza's head for another cradle but once again the American defended but could not stop Kataria from a go behind. A takedown in the zone added two more to Kataria's score as she led 5-0 at the break.

It was a similar story in the second half as Kataria opened with a takedown before a headlock worked out well and she pinned Pastoriza to claim her first world gold.

Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN)Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) pinned Gerda TEREK (HUN) in 55 seconds to win 57kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Japan also won two gold medals as Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) capped off a dominant display in Rome with a fall over European champion Gerda TEREK (HUN) in the 57kg final. She took only 55 seconds to get the pin.

A product of the JOC Elite Academy which has produced the likes of Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Asian champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) among other stars, Uchida showed glimpses of the trademark Japanese wrestling style.

Keeping a low stance, she was lighting quick to attack the front leg of the opponents and finished her bouts well before the time, majorly using a leg lace.

Anju SATO (JPN)Anju SATO (JPN) became the U17 world champion at 65kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

The second gold for Japan came at 65kg as Anju SATO (JPN) held on for a nervy 5-2 win over Maria PANTIRU (ROU) in the final. 

Pantiru was called passive first and Sato shot for the leg soon after but the Romanian wrestler scored an exposure to lead 2-1. Sato continued her snap downs and during one such snap, Pantiru lost her balance and Sato was quick to go behind and score a takedown to lead 3-2 at the break.

A late takedown was the only other action in the bout as Sato kept her distance from Pantiru.

Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE)Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) upgraded her '21 silver to gold in Rome. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Japan's missed a chance to win a third gold medal of the night as Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) won a thrilling 49kg final against Mihoko TAKEUCHI (JPN), 5-3.

The victory was even sweeter as Mammadov had to make a comeback in the second period after trailing 3-0. Warned for passivity, Mammadova gave up a takedown after conceding the point for passivity.

Takeuchi had to hold her lead but was warned for inactivity and she then gave up a takedown in the activity period as Mammadova took a 3-3 criteria lead with 15 seconds remaining.

As Takeuchi tried to find her final attack, Mammadova used an arm throw to score two more points and seal the gold medal with a 5-3 win.

The European champion had fallen short at the last U17 World Championships as she suffered a 7-2 loss to Komal in the 46kg final.

A clearly improved Mammadova showed up in Rome as she went past U20 European champion Sevval CAYIR (TUR) 3-2 in the quarterfinals as well.

She is now only the fourth wrestler from Azerbaijan to win the U17 world title in women's wrestling.

Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN)Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) will wrestle in the 69kg final on Friday. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Japan, India dominate, again

Japan and India shared seven spots out of 10 in the finals on Thursday. Japan managed to send four wrestlers into the gold medal bouts while India managed three. The USA entered two while Ukraine managed a finalist.

In a repeat of the U17 Asian Championships final, MUSKAN (IND) set up the 40kg gold medal bout against Mona EZAKA (JPN). Both were class apart in the eight-wrestler field and will now wrestle for gold. In the Asian final, Muskan had pinned Ezaka.

At 46kg, Gabriella GOMEZ (USA) came from behind to beat European champion Kornelia LASZLO (HUN), 3-3, in the semifinals. She will now wrestle for gold against Koko MATSUDA (JPN) who managed to scrape past SHRUTI (IND) 4-0 with some solid defense.

India manage to beat a Japanese wrestler when SAVITA (IND) pinned Suzu SASAKI (JPN) in the 61kg semifinal by locking up a cradle. She will now face Valerie HAMILTON (USA) in the final after the USA wrestler made it past Sevinch SULTONOVA (UZB) with ease.

Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR)Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) will wrestle Sakura ONISHI (JPN) in a bid to win her second U17 world title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 53kg, one of the two finalists is destined to suffer their first-ever international loss. Sakura ONISHI (JPN) overpowered Ya CHEN (TPE) in the semifinal while returning world champion Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) pinned Khaliun BYAMBASUREN (MGL) in the other semifinal.

Both Onishi and Yefremova have never lost a bout on the international stage but that record will hold one more day for one of them.

HARSHITA (IND)HARSHITA (IND) secured her first U17 world medal after missing out in 2021. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)
    
The final pair at 69kg includes HARSHITA (IND) and Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN). Harshita gave no chance to Veronika VILK (CRO) to get her double arm lock and won 8-1 while Yoshida had to recover from 4-2 down to score a takedown Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UKR) and then score another clumsy one with seven seconds remaining.

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RESULTS

43kg
GOLD: Ritika KATARIA (IND) df. Erica PASTORIZA (USA), via fall (9-0)

BRONZE: Elvina KARIMZADA (AZE) df. Arina ABDULLINA (KAZ), via fall (8-0)
BRONZE: Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) df. Gulnura RUSLANOVA (UZB), 5-3

49kg
GOLD: Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) df. Mihoko TAKEUCHI (JPN), 5-3

BRONZE: Sevval CAYIR (TUR) df. Aiymgul ABYLOVA (KAZ), 13-0
BRONZE: Fabiana RINELLA (ITA) df. Reka HEGEDUS (SVK), 7-0

57kg
GOLD: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) df. Gerda TEREK (HUN), via fall (6-0)

BRONZE: Ulmeken ESENBAEVA (UZB) df. Shelby MOORE (USA), 4-2
BRONZE: Tuba DEMIR (TUR) df. Liza TOMAR (IND), 7-0

65kg
GOLD: Anju SATO (JPN) df. Maria PANTIRU (ROU), 5-2

BRONZE: Zharkynai NURLAN KYZY (KGZ) df. Sydney PERRY (USA), 7-0
BRONZE: Reka VAN OS (NED) df. Viktoria FOELDESIOVA (SVK), via fall (4-0)

73kg
GOLD: Priya MALIK (IND) vs. Mariia ZENKINA (UKR)

BRONZE: Alina YERTOSTIK (KAZ) df. Kaiulani GARCIA (USA), via fall (2-6)
BRONZE: Lotta ENGLICH (GER) df. Makoto KOMADA (JPN), 11-0

Semifinals

40kg
GOLD: Mona EZAKA (JPN) vs MUSKAN (IND)

SF 1: Mona EZAKA (JPN) df. Yagmur KARABACAK (TUR), 11-0
SF 2: MUSKAN (IND) df. Diana VOICULESCU (ROU), 10-0

46kg
GOLD: Koko MATSUDA (JPN) vs Gabriella GOMEZ (USA)

SF 1: Koko MATSUDA (JPN) df. SHRUTI (IND), 4-0 
SF 2: Gabriella GOMEZ (USA) df. Kornelia LASZLO (HUN), 3-3

53kg
GOLD: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) vs Sakura ONISHI (JPN)

SF 1: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) df. Khaliun BYAMBASUREN (MGL), via fall
SF 2: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) df. Ya CHEN (TPE), 10-0

61kg
GOLD: SAVITA (IND) vs Valerie HAMILTON (USA)

SF 1: SAVITA (IND) df. Suzu SASAKI (JPN), via fall
SF 2: Valerie HAMILTON (USA) df. Sevinch SULTONOVA (UZB), 5-0

69kg
GOLD: Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. HARSHITA (IND) 

SF 1: Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Nadiia SOKOLOVSKA (UZB), 6-4
SF 2: HARSHITA (IND) df. Veronika VILK (CRO), 8-0