#WrestleRome

LIVE BLOG: Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series, Day Three

By United World Wrestling Press

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

#WrestleSamokov

Iliasov levels up to win 130kg gold; Iran Greco champ again

By Vinay Siwach

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 24) -- Ali ILIASOV (UWW) made his international wrestling debut at the European U20 Championships in July and won a silver medal. Two months later, the 18-year-old is a world champion.

Wrestling at his career first World U20 Championships on Sunday, Iliasov emerged at the champion in the 130kg weight with victories over rivals more experienced and heavier, literally, than him.

Weighing only 115kg for the 130kg final, Iliasov defeated returning silver medalist Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI) in the semifinals and on Sunday, he managed to humble two-time world U17 champion Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) in the final and win the gold medal.

"I’m underweight for the class but I feel a kind of relief," Iliasov said. "I’ve fulfilled a small dream of mine. I still haven’t fully realized that I’ve become a world champion."

Overall, Iran became the team champions with 117 points. Armenia managed second-place finish with 98 points and Azerbaijan was third with 90 points. This was Iran's fourth straight team win in Greco at the World U20 Championships.

Ali ILIASOV (UWW)Ali ILIASOV (UWW) turns Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) for two points during the 130kg final at the World U20 Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iliasov was only 10 seconds into the final against Bakir when he used an arm-drag and had Bakir in trouble. Bakir managed to stop the takedown but he stepped out and was cautioned for fleeing as well. Iliasov led 2-0 after this sequence.

A similar arm drag brought down Bakir to the mat and Iliasov scored his first takedown. A stepout made the score 5-0. Iliasov remained relesntless in his attacks and a snapdown helped him score another takedown on Bakir. He then turned Bakir for the match-winning gut-wrench.

"I managed to beat my opponent so decisively was because I was extremely confident in myself, even more confident than he was," he said.

While he blanked Bakir in the final, Iliasov did have his share of close bout in Samokov. In his opening bout, Iliasov had a close 7-6 victory over Viachaslau FEDARYNA (UWW). He scored a technical superiority win over Leonhard JUNGER (AUT) in the second match before facing Fathitanzangi in the semifinals.

"I would say I was warming up, a little nervous [in the first bout]," he said. "After that first match I completely opened up."

In the semifinals, Iliasov led 3-0 when Fathitanzangi went for a pushout. Iliasov tried to stop it by throwing Fathitanzangi but he landed on his back and the Iranian wrestler was given two points.

As Fathitanzangi was awarded par terre position in the second period, he also got the 3-3 criteria lead over Iliasov. The Iranian tried defending his lead for the win but Iliasov managed to circle around and bring him down for two points. Fathitanzangi pulled one back with a stepout but that was all as Iliasov entered the gold-medal bout with a 5-4 win.

"My performance can be rated 9 out of 10," he said. "Because in the semifinal I strayed a bit from my tactics, lost focus, and almost gave away points."

With experience from this World U20 Championships, Iliasov now wants to switch to senior level as early as next year.

"I’ll try at the senior level," he said. "Of course, that’s another level, wrestler with much more experience. But I’ll do my best to test myself."

Georgia double

Georgia earned two gold medals on the final day of the World U20 Championships, a feat the country has not achieved since 2016.

Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) and Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) came out with dominant performances in the 77kg and 87kg finals respectively to bring home two golds for Georgia.

Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO)Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) hits a counter attack against Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) during the 77kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 77kg, Putkaradze was up against Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) in the final and got the par terre position. He managed to turn Bouveiri two times for a 5-0 lead. In the second period Bouveiri had the chance to turn it around when he the top position in par terre.

Things, however, did not go that way. As Bouveiri was trying lift Putkaradze, the Georgian countered with a bodylock and then slammed him for two-point takedown. He then turned the Iranian for two more points and won the gold medal, 9-1. Iran challenged for a foul but there was none and one more point was added to his score to make it 10-1.

Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO)Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) celebrates with his coach after winning the 87kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The second gold came from Kochalidze as he pinned Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW) in the 87kg final. In a rematch of the European U20 Championships final at 87kg, Abdulkadyrov was hoping to avenge his loss from Carole, Italy.

He was given the par terre advantage in the first period and he tried turning Kochalidze, who blocked the turn but lost his grip as well and the turns were called neutral. As Abdulkadyrov was back on top, he again tried to turn Kochalidze who managed stop Abdulkadyrov and kept him on the mat till the fall was called.

Georgia was the only country to win two gold medals in this competition in Greco-Roman.

At 63kg, senior Asian champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) proved why he will be medal threat in Zagreb with a dominant run to gold-medal. He defeated Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM), 12-2, with two big four-point throws.

Khalmakhanov began with a underhook throw for a takedown in the first 20 seconds. He tried the same move again but Margaryan blocked and scored a takedown for a 2-2 criteria lead. Late in the first period, Khalmakhanov was awarded the par terre position for one point but he failed to score and led 3-2 at the break.

If Margaryan hoped for a better second period, Khalmakhanov had no such idea. He slammed Margaryan from standing using the underhook for four points. He continued the sequence and lifted Margaryan and slammed him forward for four more points.

The two big throws for Khalmakhanov were enough for him for the win despite a challenge from Armenia. The lost challenged made his score 12-2.

RESULTS

63kg
GOLD: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM), 12-2

BRONZE: Mohammad ABOUTALEBI (IRI) df. Kristiyan MILENKOV (BUL), 9-0
BRONZE: Igor PUNCHENKO (UWW) df. Damir IBRASHOV (KAZ), 5-1

77kg
GOLD: Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) df. Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI), 10-1

BRONZE: Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW) df. Raatbek PAIAZBEKOV (KGZ), 8-0
BRONZE: Kiryl VALEUSKI (UWW) df. Leister BOWLING (USA), 9-0

87kg
GOLD: Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) df. Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW), via fall

BRONZE: Erik TER MATEVOSYAN ( ARM) df. Elias LYYSKI (FIN), 1-1
BRONZE: Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ) df. Orkhan HAJIYEV (AZE), 4-4

130kg
GOLD: Ali ILIASOV (UWW) df. Yusuf BAKIR (TUR), 9-0

BRONZE: Ivan YANKOVSKYI (UKR) df. Mazaim MARDANOV (AZE), 8-0
BRONZE: Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI) df. Viachaslau FEDARYNA (UWW), 5-1