#WrestleIstanbul

Live Blog: Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series Day 3

By United World Wrestling Press

ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 26) -- The Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series event enters the third day with six women's and two men's freestyle weight classes in action.

Three-time Ranking Series gold medalist Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) will be in action at 55kg and can face world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) in the later stages of the tournament. Junior world champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE) and world silver medalist Iulia LEORDA (MDA) are wrestling at 53kg with Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) also in the same bracket. In the men's 97kg bracket, Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) makes a comeback since the Tokyo Olympics.

MATCH ORDER | LIVE STREAM

15:55: A pin for Winchester! She puts Phogat on the back and there is no resistance from the Indian wrestler. Winchester wins her semifinal. At 53kg, world silver medalist Iulia LEORDA (MDA) pulls off a 4-4 semifinal against Milana DADASHEVA (RWF)

15:50: No space given by either wrestler. Phogat is put on the clock in the second period. She has 30 seconds to score. Winchester gets the point. She leads 1-1. A go behind to extend the lead 3-1. She also gets exposure for two more. 5-1 Winchester. Phogat gets a stepout and a caution point. 5-3 Winchester.

15:40: Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) and Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) are on Mat C for their 55kg semifinal. A minute goes by and no points on the board by any wrestler. Both wrestlers get verbal warnings for inactivity. Winchester is put on the clock first. Phogat gets the one point. Phogat tried the whip while Winchester went for a double leg. None materializing. Phogat leads 1-0 at the break

15: 20: Anna SCHELL (GER) and Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) is just what we needed. Tosun had a 9-2 lead but then Schell worked hard to get it to 11-13. Exposure to make it 13-13 for the German before she closed it out 15-13. 28 points in that 72kg semifinal

15:05: Taha AKGUL (TUR) is into the semifinal at 125kg. He beats Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) 6-1 with a quick takedown and roll. On Mat B, Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) rolls on with another technical superiority win at 97kg

15:00: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) avenges her Ivan Yargiun Grand Prix loss to Emma BRUNTIL (USA) with a pin at 65kg. A cradle to the back to get the fall

14:50: Zhabrailov's strength is just a notch higher than Moore's and he takes the bout 8-2. Taha AKGUL (TUR) coming up on Mat A 

14:45: Kollin MOORE (USA) and Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF) are wrestling on Mat A. The RWF wrestler is up 4-2 at the break. Moore needs a big comeback here

14:35: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) vs Emma BRUNTIL (USA) is coming up on Mat B next!

14:30: Emilia VUC (ROU) moves into the semifinal at 50kg with a 10-5 win over Amy FEARNSIDE (USA). She looks on a mission here in Istanbul

14:25: A big bout at 97kg. Kollin Raymond MOORE (USA) will be up against Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF) on Mat A shortly. Could be some fireworks. The other semifinal will have Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) and Mustafa SESSIZ (TUR)

14:15: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) continues her winning run at 59kg. She has got another pin and will be moving into the semifinals later in the evening.

13:55: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) over Ekaterina ISAKOVA (RWF) 9-5. Winchester completely tired out Isakova to move on at 55kg. A Phogat-Winchester bout on the line

13:45: Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) was in real trouble against ANJU (IND) after she gave up a four and lost the challenge. But she managed a takedown in the final 15 seconds to secure an 8-7 win. 

13:25: USA wrestlers Emma BRUNTIL and Frank MOLINARI remain on course to face each other as the former wins 10-0 while Molinari pins her opponent

13:05: Tokyo bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) in her elements as she goes past Pooja GEHLOT (IND) 12-1 at 53kg. Just too easy for the Mongolian

12:55: World silver medalist Iulia LEORDA (MDA) had two chances to pin Emma MALMGREN (SWE) but the Sweden wrestler survived both times. But Leorda gets in the third time. Looks like Malmgrem might have got stuck in a lock there. 

12:50: Taha AKGUL (TUR) is moving on! He dominates Magomedgadzhi NURASULOV (SRB) and makes it looks easy. 11-0 win for him

12:40: Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) with a statement win over Erin GOLSTON (USA). She moves on at 50kg. On Mat A, we have Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER) leading Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) 6-1 at 125kg. He pins to win

12:20:  Two-time world medalist Emilia VUC (ROU) is on Mat B. She is wrestling Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR) who has a lot of support in the arena. Vuc leads 1-0 after Demirhan was called for inactivity. A takedown to add two more. Vuc defending every shot attempt from Demirhan. But the Turkey wrestler has a cradle looking for pin. But the clock runs out. Vuc hangs on for a 3-2 win. Wait... There's a challenge from Turkey. Demirhan is asking for another exposure. Challenge lost and it's actually Vuc's move. She gets two points for exposure. One point for Demirhan for reversal. 6-1 win for Vuc

12:00: European champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) was not starting the day in any other style. She pins Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) inside two minutes to win her first bout at 59kg

11:45: Former world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) led 7-0 at the break and then needs 43 seconds more to finish her qualification bout 11-0 against KAPPAR (KAZ).

11:44: World bronze medalist Sartita MOR (IND) is up against Jowita WRZESIEN (POL). The two start off on a slow note. Wrzesin is called passive and Mor has a 1-0 lead. The Poland wrestler scores a takedown and leads 2-1. A takedown for Mor and it's 3-2 for her. Dying moments of the bout Wrzseien seals it with another to win 4-3

11:40: A single leg takedown to finish things off. It's 11-0 win for the Iran wrestler. A comeback on a positive note for the Tokyo Olympian.

11:35: Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) is up on Mat C. He is wrestling Mukhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB). A takedown on the edge for Mohammdian to begin the proceedings. He is up 2-0. A step out to add one more. He adds another takedown plus a gut wrench. One more and he leads 9-0 at the break.

11:25: Junior world champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE) begins the day with a convincing pin over Anzhelika VETOSHKINA (RWF). Some clean shots from her to be up 8-1 before getting the fall

11:10: Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) is wrestling Asian champion Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) at 125kg. Back and forth from the two with Rakhimov leading Yergali 4-4 on criteria. He then gets a takedown close to the danger zone and makes it 6-4. Huge win on his comeback from Rakhimov. He wins 8-4

10:55: Taha AKGUL (TUR) is making his way to Mat A. A loud section of fans. He is wrestling Gabriel TYSZ (SVK). That was quick. Akgul begins with an 11-0 win

10:30: Welcome to the third day of the Ranking Series event here in Istanbul. Women's and men's freestyle wrestlers will be in action in what promises to be an action-packed day.

#WrestleBratislava

Prevolaraki steps closer to historic European gold; Bullen vs Ringaci final at 65kg

By Vinay Siwach

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 10) -- Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) has got a chance to end her search for the elusive European gold medal. 

The 33-year-old entered her fifth European Championships final and with a hope of becoming the second wrestler from Greece to win the gold medal in Women's Wrestling. The four-time Olympian made her first finals' appearance in 2013 but finished with a silver medal. She earned the same medal in 2014, 2021 and 2022.

Prevolaraki defeated Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) via fall after building a 12-4 in the 53kg semifinal and booked her spot against former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU).

Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) gave Ana a big scare in the other semifinal, leading 3-2 with just 15 seconds remaining. But Ana hit a takedown for two points and got the lead back. Malysheva tried getting a reversal but the time ran out.

Sweden made sure it has one finalists in Women's Wrestling, a streaking dating back to 2022. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) made it to three successive finals, winning two golds and a silver last year.

On Thursday, it was Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) who reached the final at 62kg with a dominant win over Paris Olympian Lucia NIEMESCH (GER). Lindborg has a bronze medal from 2020 but finished fifth in 2023 and 2024.

Against Niemesch, Lindborg scored a stepout and takedown to lead 3-0 before she blocked a headthrow from Niemesch for two points, added a turn to lead 7-0. Germany challenged the call for a slip throw but lost, making it 8-0 for Lindborg.

Niemesch completed an attack in the second period and scored two points but Lindborg defended her 8-2 lead for the win.

Standing between her and the gold medal is world U23 champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) who survived a late attack from Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) and won her semifinal 8-4. Bondar, who has almost won everything at the age-group level, is making her senior European debut.

At 65kg, two Paris Olympic medalists from 62kg were entered. However, only one made it to the final.

Paris bronze medalist Grace BULLEN (NOR) pinned her way to the gold medal bout, spending only eight minutes on the mat of her 18 for three bouts. In the semifinal, she pinned Olha PADOSHYK (POL) after a 6-0 lead.

In the other semifinal, Paris silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) was no match for former world and European champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) who once again countered the leg-attacks with ease. Ringaci moved into the final with an 11-0 win.

Returning champion at 72kg Nesrin BAS (TUR) will defend her title against Alla BELINSKA (UKR) on Friday. Bas defeated Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3, in the semifinal while Belinksa took out Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2.

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)

SF 1: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) df. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), via fall (12-4)
SF 2: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW), 5-3

57kg
GOLD: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW)

SF 1: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) df. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), 9-4
SF 2: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) df. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), via inj. def. (4-2)

62kg
GOLD: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Iryna BONDAR (UKR)

SF 1: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 8-4
SF 2: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), 8-4

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), 11-0
SF 2: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Olha PADOSHYK (POL), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Nesrin BAS (TUR)

SF 1: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2
SF 2: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3

Qualification bouts blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

The semifinals will begin at 16:45

53kg
SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) vs. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)

57kg
SF 1: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)
SF 2: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) vs. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)

62kg
SF 1: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) vs. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)

65kg
SF 1: Olha PADOSHYK (POL) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)
SF 2: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) vs. Irina RINGACI (MDA)

72kg
SF 1: Nesrin BAS (TUR) vs. Daniela TKACHUK (POL)
SF 2: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)

12:30: Paris Olympic silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) led 10-3 and was lacing Beyza AKKUS (TUR) when the Turkiye wrestler called for medical and was announced injured, giving Koliadenko the win and a spot in the 65kg semifinals.

12:25: Big four and a fall for Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) over Amina CAPEZAN (ROU) at 62kg. Capezan took a 6-5 lead but Lindborg answered with a double-leg attack and the fall to enter the semifinal.

12:22: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) takes out Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) at 62kg. Bondar with a takedown before Dudova tried to bounce back but Bondar counters and turns Dudova for a 7-1 lead. A lost challenge from Dudova which gives Bondar a 8-1 lead which is the final score.

12:14: No time wasted by world U23 champion Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) who pancakes Magdalena GLODEK (POL) for a fall at 57kg and enter the semifinal.

12:12: A heartbreak for the local fans! Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK) had it all under control, leading 5-3 and about to pin Daniela TKACHUK (POL). But the Polish wrestler reverse the fall position and scores two points in the final second to win 5-5 on criteria.

12:10: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) survives a final second scare and wins 5-2 over Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) at 53kg. Yetgil led 4-0 and attempted for the leg hold to defend the lead in the final five seconds. But Krawczyk spun behind and added a roll but it was after the time.

12:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) books her spot in the 65kg semifinals with an 11-0 win over Dinara KUDAEVA (UWW). A big four-pointer to finish off the bout.

12:00: Defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) hangs on for 2-1 win against returning silver medalist Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) in what was a rematch of the final from last year. Bas led 2-0 at the break before being called passive in the second period. But Anghel failed to score one more point for win.

11:55: Andreea ANA (ROU) and Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) in a tense battle at 53kg. Malanchuk with an early takedown to take a 2-0 lead but Ana answers with a takedown and leads 2-2 on criteria. Single leg takedown in the second period for a 4-2 lead for Ana. Malanchuk fires double-leg attack and claim a 4-4 criteria lead with a minute and 40 seconds left. With 15 seconds left, Malanchuk gets cautioned for hair pulling and point for Ana who wins 5-4.

11:48: How did Irina RINGACI (MDA) tangle Eniko ELEKES (HUN) and secure the fall there? Ringaci blocks the lower part of Elekes with her leg and has her arm locked. There is no way Elekes can move. Ringaci wins inside one minute.

11:40: Veteran Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), searching for her first European title, has a good start with a 5-0 win over Viyaleta REBIKAVA CHYRYK (UWW) at 53kg. She get a point for Rebikava's passivity before adding a takedown and two more points in the second period.

11:30: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) is into the semifinals at 57kg! She works up a 6-0 win over Evelina HULTHEN (SWE) and will wrestle for a spot in the final later tonight

11:20: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) gets the benefits of Lydia PEREZ (ESP) who is passive and Dudova wins 3-0 at 62kg. The four-time champion moves a step closer to her fifth title.

11:14: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) gives Sweden its first win of the day! She works hard for her 11-2 win over Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) at 62kg but controls it throughout the six minutes.

11:12: Grace BULLEN (NOR) needs only 40 seconds to roll over Marta OJEDA NAVARRO (ESP) and win her first bout at 65kg. Great start for the Paris Olympic bronze medalist

11:00: World U23 champion and senior European debutant Iryna BONDAR (UKR) starts off at 62kg with a 10-0 technical superiority over Nikolett SZABO (HUN).

10:55: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) scores seven points in the second period and beats world U20 champion Aryna MARTYNAVA (UWW) 7-1 at 57kg.

10:50: Quick finish on Mat B as defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) pins Elvira ERSSON (SWE) and moves on at 72kg. Bas recently on the European U23 gold medal at 68kg but she is going at 72kg here in Bratislava.

10:45: Age-group European champion Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) with a 10-0 victory over Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA) in just over two minutes to start her campaign at 57kg.

10:30: The fourth day at the European Championships in Bratislava and its all women's wrestling. Paris Olympic medalists Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) and Grace BULLEN (NOR) are both in 65kg and competing for gold.