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LIVE BLOG: Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series, Day Three

Saturday, March 6, 2021 - 07:56 By United World Wrestling Press

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What a day! Victoria ANTHONY (USA) showed what she is capable of to win the gold at 50kg and Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) defended her 53kg title. Kollin Raymond MOORE (USA) stunned the three-time World medalist Alireza Mohammad KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) to win the gold medal at 97kg.

Onto the fourth and final day of Matteo Pellicone event where we wait for men's freestyle action. Watch out for Jordan Borroughs (USA) vs Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) final at 74kg

WATCH: Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series Day Three

A lot of action happened on the third morning of Matteo Pellicone. Our team has put together some of the highlights for you. Head over to our Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and Facebook to watch and read everything.

2000 hrs: We have out champions on day three of the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event. Stunning stuff from the wrestlers. Here are the winners on day three

50kg: Victoria Lacey ANTHONY (USA)
53kg: Vinesh PHOGAT (IND)
55kg: Jacqueline Del Rocio MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU)
59kg: Abigail Elizabeth NETTE (USA)
65kg: Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ)

Men's freestyle

97kg: Kollin Raymond MOORE (USA)
125kg: Amarveer DHESI (CAN)

1950 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! An anti-climatic finish to the 125kg Round 5 bout as Asian champion Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) completes a technical superiority 11-0 win over Amarveer DHESI (CAN) in just 30 seconds. But it is still Dhesi who wins the gold medal at 125kg in Rome 

1948 hrs: Round 5 bout at 125kg! Amarveer DHESI (CAN) is up against Asian champion Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ). Dhesi has been exceptional throughout the day.

1943 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! What a fantastic win for Kollin Raymond MOORE (USA). He downs 92kg world silver Alireza Mohammad KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) 3-3. Karimi waited for too long there to go for the attack. Top defence from Moore

 

#WrestleRome 97kg FS Medal Match Results:
?Kollin MOORE ?? df. Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI ??, 3-3
?Hayden ZILLMER ?? df. Ibrahim CIFTCI ??, 7-4
?Alisher YERGALI ?? df. Feyzullah AKTURK ??, 6-1

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 6, 2021

 

1941 hrs: Karimi tries to push Moore out of bounds but Moore keeps it in play. Gets a double and a takedown to lead 3-3 on criteria

1938 hrs: Karimi gets a stepout too and then a takedown off Moore's attack. The Iranian leads 3-1 at the break

1936 hrs: Gold medal bout at 97kg between 92kg World silver medalist Alireza KARIMI (IRI) and U23 World silver Kollin MOORE (USA). Moore with a point for stepout.

1935 hrs: Zillmer was trailing 4-3 with under a minute to go but he gets a takedown from single and then one later in the bout to hang on to a 7-4 win and the bronze medal

1930 hrs: Second bronze medal bout at 97kg between Hayden Zillmer and Ciftci. Zillmer leads 1-0 at the break 

1920 hrs: Bronze medal bout at 97kga.Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) and Alisher YERGALI (KAZ). The Kazak wrestler is the attacking wrestlers and completes three takedowns for the lead. He wins 6-1 and captures bronze medal.

1910 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) is the champion at 65kg weight category as she beats Veronica BRASCHI (ITA) with a dominant 8-0 win. That concludes our women's wrestling in Rome. Onto men's freestyle

1900 hrs: Final bout of 65kg. Local wrestler Veronica BRASCHI (ITA) is taking on Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ). A body lock situation but the Kazak wrestler comes out on top. She leads 2-0 

1853 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Abigail Elizabeth NETTE (USA) is the winner at 59kg after she puts up a dominant show against Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ).

1845 hrs: 59kg Round 3 bout between Abigail Elizabeth NETTE (USA) and Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ). Nette with an early takedown. Kayumova tries to get one late in first period but she is not able to. Reversal from Nette and another takedown. 4-0 for her at the break 

1838 hrs: Round 3 of 55kg. Ambra CAMPAGNA (ITA) is taking on Jacqueline Del Rocio MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU). Del Rocio with an early 4-0 lead and then another takedown for 6-0. She is looking for the pin her and will get it after a cradle.

 

#WrestleRome 53kg Medal Match Results:
?Vinesh VINESH ?? df. Diana WEICKER ??, 4-0
?Samantha STEWART ?? vs. Nandini SALOKHE ??, via inj. def.

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 6, 2021

 

1832 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) shows some strong defence against Diana WEICKER (CAN) to defend her gold medal at 53kg. Weicker gets hold of the single and is trying for the far leg. Cannot get to it and strong defence to get Vinesh Phogat. 4-0 win for the Indian

1830 hrs: Weicker trying to find that opening against Vinesh Phogat but the Indian is strong in her defence, not letting Weicker take control of her arm. Vinesh Phogat gets deep and a double leg from her. But Weicker this time was ready for it. Reverses it and no points for either wrestler 

1827 hrs: Weicker did get to Phogat's legs in the dying seconds of first period but she is unable to score. Phogat will go into the break leading 4-0 

1825 hrs: Snap single from Vinesh after being warned for passivity. She completes the takedown and leads 2-0. Then goes double leg and two more for her

1822 hrs: Samantha STEWART (CAN) gets the bronze medal with victory by fall in 2 minutes and 30 seconds against Nandini SALOKHE (IND). Final of 53kg now between Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) and Diana WEICKER (CAN)

1820 hrs: Bronze medal bout at 53kg between Samantha Stewart and Nadini SALOKHE (IND). Stewart is the first to break the deadlock with a takedown and then an exposure to lead 4-0

 

#WrestleRome 50kg Medal Match Results:
?Victoria ANTHONY ?? df. Miglena SELISHKA ??, 15-10
?Emilia VUC ?? df. Valentina ISLAMOVA ??, via. Inj. def.

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 6, 2021

 

1818 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Victoria ANTHONY (USA) wins the gold medal at 50kg after beating Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL). An excellent of wrestling for Anthony as she powers her way to the top

1816 hrs: Challenge lost and Selishka will have another point. Anthony is quick to shoot for the legs. Defend by Selishka but as they are getting back on their feet, Anthony uses her typical trip to get a four. She leads 13-10 

1814 hrs: A single takedown from Selishka and she brings down the difference to just two points. Anthony still leads 9-7. A trap from the Bulgaria and she gets a exposure over her shoulder. 9-9 for Selishka. Challenge from USA 

1810 hrs: Unsure what the challenge was about. Judges seem to say that challenge won but the score remains 9-3. Bulgaria are challenging again. Now they have changed the score to 9-5 Bulgaria

1807 hrs: Anthony is continously looking to attack and she gets a single. Reaches to the far leg and gets the two points. Looking for the pin but the time runs out in the first period. She leads 9-3 at the break. Bulgaria corner challenge the call  

1801 hrs: Gold medal bout at 50kg. Victoria ANTHONY (USA) takes on Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL). She starts with a single takedown and two exposures. Georgieva has a reversal. Anthony leads 6-1.

1800 hrs: Bronze medal for Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) after Valentina Ivanovna BRIK ISLAMOVA (KAZ) cannot wrestle due to injury. However, Vuc will not be happy with her performance here as she was the silver medalist last year in Rome 

1750 hrs: All the medal bouts will take place on Mat B starting with Valentina Ivanovna BRIK ISLAMOVA (KAZ) taking two-time World and returning silver medalist Emilia Alina VUC (ROU). Check out the match order here

1745 hrs: Welcome back to yet another session of top quality wrestling. The medal bouts in Rome are about to begin in 15 minutes

Vinesh PHOGAT (IND)

1305 hrs: That will do for the morning session in Rome! We had some great action and moves but a couple of wrestlers had to pull out injured. We are set for our medal matches in the evneing.

1300 hrs: Anthony Robert NELSON (USA) is the winner on Mat B as he beats Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) 7-1. A big double from Nelson gave him a 5-0 lead before a takedown made it 7-0. A stepout at the buzzer for Kazak but too little too late.

1300 hrs: Batirmurzaev was leading 1-0 at the break but return to finish a 11-0 win over Sumit after a takedown and 5 guts.

1256 hrs: Round 4 of the 125kg category is the final set of bouts for the morning session. Anthony Robert NELSON (USA) is up against Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) on Mat B and Asian champion Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) is wrestling SUMIT (IND) on Mat C

1256 hrs: Alireza Mohammad KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) will face Kollin Raymond MOORE (USA) in the 97kg final in Rome. Both wrestlers were dominant in their semifinal wins with the Iranian winning 10-0 while Moore notched up a 9-0 win

1255 hrs: Moore with a exposure and then a duck under to lead 6-0 against Yergali in the semifinal

1255 hrs: Karimimachiani is leading Ciftci 7-0 at the break. In the other semifinal, Moore is leading Yergali 2-0 after a single leg takedown

1250 hrs: Moving on to the 97kg semi-finals. World silver medalist Alireza Mohammad KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) is wrestling Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR). He gets a quick start with step out

1245 hrs: Victoria ANTHONY (USA) with a big double for four points and a technical superiority 10-0 win over two-time World silver medalist Elina Amilia VUC (ROU)

1242 hrs: Semi-final at the 50kg weight category. Victoria ANTHONY (USA) is wrestling Elina Amilia VUC (ROU). Anthony with ankle pick and gut wrench to take a 4-0 lead. She then gets one more to lead 6-0

The winner of other semifinal is Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL) as Valentina Ivanovna BRIK ISLAMOVA (KAZ) is injured

1240 hrs: Diana Mary Helen WEICKER (CAN) is the winner in the semi-final as she completes a takedown in the second period to beat Nandini SALOKHE (IND) 12-2. She will wrestle the defending champion Vinesh PHOGAT (IND)

1235 hrs: Weicker gets going a takedown but Salokhe gets into a scramble which results in a 10-1 score for Weicker. India challenge the call and win it as well. The score is 10-2 for Weicker1230 hrs: A 42-second pin for Vinesh PHOGAT (IND)! Stewart shoots for Phogat's legs but the Indian is quick to defend and counters with a cradle and gets the pin to march into her second consecutive finals at Matteo Pellicone

1225 hrs: We are rolling into the semi-final bout on day three. First up on Mat C is Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) vs Samantha STEWART (CAN) at 53kg. Incidentally, other semi-final at 53kg on Mat B is also and India vs Canada bout. Diana Mary Helen WEICKER (CAN) will take on Nandini Bajirao SALOKHE (IND)

1220 hrs: Karimimachiani was warned for his second passivity but he gets a takedown, gut wrench and another to win the bout at 97kg 6-3

1215 hrs: 92kg World silver medalist Alireza Mohammad KARIMIMACHIANI'S (IRI) much-awaited debut at ranking series event at 97kg on Mat B. He is wrestling Hayden ZILLMER (USA)

1215 hrs: Kollin Raymond MOORE (USA) with a huge win at 97kg and Asian bronze medalist Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) also pulls out a technical superiority win

1207 hrs: U23 World Championships silver medalist Kollin Rayomd MOORE (USA) is wrestling Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR). On Mat C, Vinesh PHOGAT rolls in the semi-final at 53kg as Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU) pulls out due to injury

1205 hrs: Diana Mary Helen WEICKER (CAN) wins the all-Canadian match-up. She beats Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN) 9-4 at 53kg

1202 hrs: Victoria ANTHONY (USA) is the winner as Valentina Ivanovna BRIK ISLAMOVA (KAZ) pulls out due to her shoulder injury.

Stewart got a takedown after body lock but Weicker gets a reversal and a gut wrench to lead 7-4

1200 hrs: On Mat C, an all Canadian bout between Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN) and Diana Mary Helen WEICKER (CAN). They exchange a takedown each before Weicker pulls one just before the break. She will lead 4-2 at the break

Anthony with a sick inside trip and to get a 4 points. She will go into the break with a 4-2 lead

1158 hrs: World bronze medalist Valentina Ivanovna BRIK ISLAMOVA (KAZ) is up against Victoria ANTHONY (USA). Huge match this in the 50kg category. Islamova gets the first takedown and tries to get an exposure but let's out a loud cry in pain. The medical team is checking her. She is ready to wrestle after that break

1150 hrs: Amar DHESI (CAN) is the winner on Mat B as he beats Anthony Robert NELSON (USA) 5-0 at 125kg. Dhesi with some top-level defence and continued action to get the win

1142 hrs: Nelson won the gold in Ottawa last year after Dhesi withdraw citing injury in the final. Nelson finding it difficult to get an opening here in the first period. Dhesi leads 3-0 at the break

1140 hrs: Huge match on Mat B! A repeat of the 2020 Pan Am Championships final at 125kg. Anthony Robert NELSON (USA) and Amar DHESI (CAN) are wrestling their Round 3 bout in Rome. Dhesi is quick to get a pushout and then a takedown to lead 3-0

1135 hrs: A 28 second technical superiority win for World bronze medalist Valentina Ivanovna BRIK ISLAMOVA (KAZ). A takedown and four chest wraps to finish her bout

1130 hrs: Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL) upsets two-time world silver medalist Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) with a stunning 6-1 win at 50kg. Vuc left too much for the second period to cover and her opponent was in total control throughout the bout

1125 hrs: Vuc has been warned for passivity and put on the shot clock. She is trailing 0-4 against Selishka. Makes that 5-0 as Vuc fails to score in the activity period 

1122 hrs: Emilia Alina VUC (ROU) is up against European champion Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL). Georgieva is leading 4-0 at the break

1120 hrs: Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) gets her second win of the day as Asian champion Tatyana AMANZHOL AKHMETOVA (KAZ) pulls out by injury default.

1110 hrs: Anthony Robert NELSON (USA) completely broke down Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) to win an entertaining bout 14-4. Nelson with his second win of the day

1103 hrs: European champion Miglena Georgieva (BUL) scores a technical superiority win over MEENAKSHI (IND) in her first round bout at 50kg

1100 hrs: Anthony Robert NELSON (USA) and Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) are involved in a high-action match on Mat B. The US wrestler scored a takedown and two leg laces to lead 8-4. He goes into the break leading 9-4 after a step out point

1047 hrs: World and returning silver medalist starts her day with a complete shutout win over Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES (BRA) 10-0 

1045: Returning champion at 53kg Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) starts her day with huge win via fall against Nandini Bajirao SALOKHE (IND). Sheer dominance from Phogat

 

World No. 1 Emilia VUC ?? and '20 European champion Miglena SELISHKA ?? will square off in five matches (Bout 185) on Mat C. #WrestleRome https://t.co/zpwxopXS8d

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 6, 2021

 

1040 hrs: Anthony Robert NELSON (USA) holds on to a 2-0 win against SUMIT (IND). Both points against Sumit for passivity. Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)  pulls off a couple of takedowns late to win 4-2 against Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ)

1030 hrs: Sumit is put on shot clock after inactivity. Nelson leads 1-0 at the break. A similar situation on Mat C as Bolton leads 1-0 at the break

1025 hrs: Beginning with SUMIT (IND) taking on Anthony Robert NELSON (USA) on Mat B and Asian champion at 125kg Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) wrestling his teammate Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) on Mat C

1015 hrs: Day three in Rome. We have some exciting bouts coming up in freestyle. Mat B and Mat C will see all the action for the day

#WrestleBudapest

Takahashi marks return from injury with Ranking Series gold

Friday, July 18, 2025 - 20:08 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 18) -- The last memories of Kota TAKHASHI (JPN) on the mat were painful. He had a heavily strapped right knee and was wrestling at the Non-Olympic World Championships in Tirana last year. He was torn.

A surgery and nine months later, Takahashi returned to international wrestling at the Budapest Ranking Series on Friday and captured the 74kg gold medal.

The world U23 champion was the third gold medalist from Japan in Budapest after Takara SUDA (JPN) and Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) won at 61kg and 70kg, respectively.

In the other two weight classes that were in action on Friday, Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and Trent HIDLAY (USA) captured the gold medal at 86kg and 92kg as Freestyle came to a close at the Ranking Series.

Takahashi, who won the Asian Championships gold in 2024, made himself a gold-medal threat for the World Championships in Zagreb with an impressive performance that saw him score wins over Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) and David CARR (USA).

"This was my first international competition since my right knee surgery, and I wanted to show my true abilities," Takahashi said. "I'm very happy that I was able to win by thoroughly executing my tackles and aggressive wrestling style."

Takahashi was up against Salkazanov in his first match and began by blasting two double-leg attacks to race to a 4-0 lead. But the second period was not the same as he was put on the activity clock and Salkazanov cut the lead with a takedown during that.

Just when it seemed that Salkazanov can take the lead, Takahashi hit a low leg-attack and converted it into takedown to make the gap 6-3. Salkazanov did not let it go and scored a stepout with nine seconds left.

Takahashi was happy to not engage in those nine seconds, and happily gave a stepout and a caution. He won 6-6 and set up a quarterfinal against Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN). He did not need any of those attacks as he managed a 3-0 win.

The semifinal against Carr was a challenging one as Takahashi struggled to keep his conditioning for six minutes. He opened with a stepout and Carr was called for fleeing. As Carr used a chest wrap to stop Takahashi's double-leg attack, he fell on his back with hand opens. Only Takahashi was awarded two points which made his lead 4-0. Two stepouts later, it was 6-0.

Carr got going in the final two minutes as he scored two takedowns inside 20 seconds to make it 6-4. So far, Takahashi had remained low in his stance and cancelled Carr's long reach. However, his defense began to break up.

As Carr tried to turn Takahashi after the second takedown, Takahashi blocked the turn and got two points. Carr scored a reversal to make it 8-5. He then made it 8-7 with 10 seconds remaining but that was the final scoring action of the bout.

"Car is very aggressive, and I am also good at aggressive wrestling, but in the second half, my opponent's attacks were superior to mine. I ended up conceding points," he said. "I think that was my mistake. In the second period, I tried to attack, but the opponent kept attacking repeatedly. I ended up just defending, and that was the reason I lost points. I need to be more aggressive and attack more."

Takahashi's aggressive wrestling was once again on show in the final against another former world U23 champion Magomed KHANIEV (AZE). He scored two takedowns and defending so well that Khaniev was not able to score a point and Takahashi won gold medal, 4-0.

But the Japanese accepted the chinks in his armor and has decided to work on them before the World Championships where he knows that the competition will be even tougher.

"Similar story against Salkazanov. I want to review my stamina to maintain an aggressive attack throughout the six minutes without breaking my stance, and keep solid stance," he said. "In the second half, my desire to attack weakened, and I ended up being attacked by the opponent, leading to them scoring points. I need to improve on that."

Carr returned for the bronze medal bout and defeated Salkazanov 4-4, avenging his previous to the Slovak from Zagreb.

Trent HIDLAY (USA)Trent HIDLAY (USA) defeated Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) 7-2 in the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Trent HIDLAY (USA), a 86kg silver medalist last year in Budapest, upgraded to gold medal after beating world silver medalist Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 7-4, in the 92kg final.

Hidlay was in red-hot form the whole day as he began with a win over Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE)  and then posted a 10-0 win over Krizstian ANGYAL (HUN) in the quarterfinal. He began the semifinal against Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) with a powerful double-leg takedown.

As Kurugliev fell, he landed on his knee and suffered an injury so bad that he was unable to walk off the mat. Hidlay reached the final after the injury forced Kurugliev to stop.

It was Maisuradze who opened the scoring in the final with a snapdown to takedown for two points but Hidlay answered with two stepouts and the Georgian led 2-2 on criteria at the break.

Hidlay opened the second period with a takedown to take a 4-2 lead and then continued to put pressure on Maisuradze. It paid off as he scored another takedown on the edge to lead 6-2. Georgia challenged that both wrestlers were already out of the zone and it should be one point. But the challenge was lost, making it 7-2 for Hidlay with 1:47 left on the clock.

That was all in the bout as Hidlay captured the gold and put his name in contention for the gold medal at the upcoming World Championships.

At 86kg, Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) was the gold medalist after European silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) pulled out of the final injured.

Kadzimahamedau suffered a knee injury in the semifinal against Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) as the Iranian did not let go off his knee despite it turning more than 90 degrees.

RESULTS

74kg
GOLD: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) df. Magomed KHANIEV (AZE), 4-0

BRONZE: David CARR (USA) df. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), 4-4
BRONZE: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Yeldos KUANYSHBAY (KAZ), 8-2

86kg
GOLD:  Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Osman GOCEN (TUR) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 3-2
BRONZE: Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) df. Nurzhan ISSAGALIYEV (KAZ), 3-0 

92kg
GOLD: Trent HIDLAY (USA) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 7-4

BRONZE: Benjamin HONIS (ITA) df. Musza ARSUNKAEV (HUN), via fall (5-5)
BRONZE: Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) df. Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), via inj. def.