#WrestleRome

Lorincz Locks up Sixth Career Ranking Series Gold Medal

Wednesday, January 15, 2020 - 20:01 By Eric Olanowski

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ROME, Italy (January 15) --- Coming into the Matteo Pellicone, Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) already owned a Ranking Series title for every finger on one hand. The 2019 Greco-Roman Wrestler of the Year now has to move to a second hand to count his Ranking Series gold medals after he captured his sixth career Ranking Series title on Wednesday night in the Roman seaside town of Ostia.

The Hungarian tallied 19 wins in his previous five Ranking Series appearances. With his quartet of wins on Wednesday, Lorincz improved his Ranking Series record to a perfect 23-0 with a 2-1 win over last year’s Asian silver medalist Kumar SUNIL (IND) in the 87kg finals.

“I am very happy to win this tournament. I want to continue this very good series for me. I want to win the last two qualifications (European Championships and Poland Open) because it helps my seed for the Olympic Games,” said Lorincz.

In the finals, Lorincz, last year's world runner-up, picked up an inactivity point and a stepout in the first period. He had his lead cut to a single point when he was dinged for an inactivity point himself. But the Hungarian Hammer relied on his world-renound defensive skills and hung on to win an unprecedented sixth Ranking Series title, 2-1.

“I came here to win. I had some hard matches, and I’m not where I want to be. I want to (build) my strength and power for the other tournaments.” 

Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) won his second Ranking Series title on home soil with a 5-4 win over Felix BALDAUF (NOR).(Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Kakhelashvili Wins Second Ranking Series Gold on Home Soil
Last year’s City of Sassari champion Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) edged Felix BALDAUF (NOR) in the 97kg finals and seized his second Ranking Series title on home soil. “I’m so happy that I won in my country,” Kakhelashvili said. “Today was a big tournament. I think it’s good that I won, and I felt very strong. Now I hope to win the European Championships.”

In the 97kg gold-medal bout, Kakhelashvili jumped out to a five-point opening-period lead, but surrendered four unanswered points against his Norwegian opponent and narrowly won, 5-4. “I was a little bit nervous. I thought it was a touché, but I won the match, so everything is okay.”

Sailike WALIHAN (CHN) won his first Ranking Series gold medal after dropping his two previous trips to the finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Walihan, Bakhshilloev and Mohamed Claim Remaining Three Olympic Weight Golds
The remaining trio of Olympic weight gold medals of the day went to Sailike WALIHAN (CHN), Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) and Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY), who topped the podium at 60kg, 67kg and 130kg, respectively.

At 60kg, Walihan was 70 seconds away from seeing his hopes of winning a first Ranking Series gold disappear after he allowed a three-point second-period lead dwindle to nothing against Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB). But in the end, the Chinese wrestler capitalized on a late stepout and scooped up the one-point victory. 

Walihan, a 2018 world bronze medalist, scored an inactivity point and a gut wrench and carried the 3-0 lead late into the closing frame. That all changed when Walihan’s opponent, Bakhramov, a four-time Ranking Series finalist, scored an inactivity point that was quickly followed by a two-point tight low-level gut wrench and stole the 3-3 lead on criteria.

But like the savvy veteran he is, Walihan responded when it was needed the most. He scored a stepout with just under a minute left and hung on to win his first Ranking Series gold medal, 4-3.

Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) gut wrenched Abouhalima ABOUHALIMA (EGY) and won the 67kg title, 3-1. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

In the finals at 67kg, junior world champion Bakshilloev sealed up a 3-1 win over Rio Olympian Abouhalima ABOUHALIMA (EGY) by scoring a first-period inactivity point and gut wrench.

Abdellatif Mohamed, a two-time Ranking Series finalist, only needed 83 seconds to pick up the fall against Moises Salvador PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN) in the 130kg finals. Mohamed's Wednesday night fall put him in rare company, as he joined Mohamed EL SAYED as the only other Egyptian Greco-Roman wrestler to win a Ranking Series gold medal. 

Andres Roberto MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) took down Rio Olympic bronze medalist Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR), 11-0, on his way to the 63kg title. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan) 

Ayazci and Montano Arroyo Win Nordic Golds
Dogus AYAZCI (TUR) and Andres Roberto MONTANO ARROYO (ECU) claimed the final two opening-day golds, which both came in Nordic-style brackets. Their wins came in the non-Olympic weight classes of 55kg and 63kg, respectively.

Ayazci outscored his three opponents 22-0 en route to the 55kg gold medal, while Montano Arroya’s 11-0 thumping of Rio Olympic bronze medalist Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) highlighted his run to the 63kg title.

RESULTS
50kg 
GOLD - Dogus AYAZCI (TUR) 
SILVER - Max NOWRY (USA)
BRONZE - Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR)

60kg 
GOLD - Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) vs. Sailike WALIHAN (CHN)
BRONZE - Erbatu TUO (CHN) vs. Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 7-1 
BRONZE - Firuz TUKHTAEV (UZB) df. Sachin RANA (IND), 9-0 

63kg 
GOLD – Andres Roberto MONTANO ARROYO (ECU)
SILVER – Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR)
BRONZE – Erik TORBA (HUN)

67kg 
GOLD - Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) df. Abouhalima ABOUHALIMA (EGY), 3-2
BRONZE - Qiye TIAN (CHN) df. Ashu ASHU (IND), 9-0 
BRONZE - Anthony PALENCIA PUENTES (VEN) df. Ruben MARVICE (ITA), 10-1

87kg
GOLD - Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) df. Kumar SUNIL (IND), 2-1 
BRONZE - Ali CENGIZ (TUR) df. Josef Patrick RAU (USA), 9-0 
BRONZE - Luis Eduardo AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN) df. Patrick Anthony MARTINEZ (USA), 4-1 

97kg
GOLD - Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA)df. Felix BALDAUF (NOR), 5-4
BRONZE - Mélonin NOUMONVI (FRA) df. Matti Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN), 3-2
BRONZE - Gangelo HANCOCK (USA) df. Semen NOVIKOV (UKR), 10-0

130kg
GOLD - Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) vdf Moises PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN), via fall (4:37)
BRONZE - Lingzhe MENG (CHN) df. Adam Jacob COON (USA), 4-2 
BRONZE – Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) df. Oskar MARVIK (NOR), 3-3

#WrestleTirana

Muhamet Malo 2025 Ranking Series Day 4 Recap

Saturday, March 1, 2025 - 09:28 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (March 1) -- Four Women's Wrestling weight classes and two Greco-Roman weight classes as Muhamet Malo 2025 Ranking Series enters day four in Tirana. Here's the recap of day three

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

15:35: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) and Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) received cautions for negative wrestling but Beishekeev had two activity points and turn from par terre in the 67kg semifinal as he defeated Khetsuriani 6-2 to make the final.

The former U17 world champion and 2024 U23 world champion Beishekeev will wrestle Valentin PETIC (MDA) for the gold after the Moldovan survived a spirited comeback from Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ) in the other semifinal to win 13-8

15:20: Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LAT) thought he has earned his first Ranking Series medal after he gut-wrenched Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ) for an 8-0 win in the 63kg semifinal. However, Choibekov challenges the first takedown and on review, it is deemed a risk from Choibekov and all points are cancelled. Choibekov then takes a 4-1 lead before a big throw gets him four more. A 9-3 win for Choibekov.

He will face Kerem KAMAL (TUR) in the final who defeated Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) 5-1 in the other semifinals.

15:05: Medet KYZY AIPERI (KGZ) storms into the 76kg final with 10-0 win over Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR). She scored three takedowns and huge reverse lift for four to win. She will take on Dymond GUILFORD (USA) who pulled off a 14-1 win over Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ).

14:55: Samantha STEWART (CAN) with yet another Ranking Series final. She beats Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) 5-2 at 57kg after two takedowns to one. She will take on Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) for the gold medal as the Turkish defeated Amanda MARTINEZ (USA), 9-3.

14:40: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) manages to scrap out a tough win against Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) at 53kg. Malanchuk caught Kiyooka in a bow-arrow lock and rolled her for a 6-0 lead. But Kiyooka regrouped and scored two takedowns to cut the lead to 6-4. Malanchuk kept shooting for the legs and Kiyooka kept defending with double underhooks. A caution against Malanchuk for hair-pulling and Kiyooka gets another point. Malanchuk gets two points out of a scramble and Kiyooka is forced to defend the situation. Malanchuk leads 8-5 at the break.

Kiyooka with a snapdown and go-behind to begin the second period. Another takedown when she finally gets the lead 9-8. Malanchuk challenges the last takedown as she had her hand between the bended knee as defense. The points are cancelled as Kiyooka's action is deemed dangerous, bending the knee more than 90 degrees. Malanchuk lead 8-7 with 2 minutes remaining. A stepout for Kiyooka but Malanchuk leads 8-8 on criteria. Finally, a takedown for lead for Kiyooka which Malanchuk blocks with open fingers. Kiyooka leads 11-8 and restart in par terre from which she turns Malanchuk to lead 13-8. Malanchuk makes a desperate attempt but Kiyooka go-behind for two points and a 15-8 win.

On Mat B, Andreea ANA (ROU) got two points for Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) failure to score in the activity clock and give ones for the same. She hangs on for a 2-1 win against Yetgil to book a spot in the final against Kiyooka.

The semifinals begin at 14:30 local time

13:20: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) enters the 67kg semifinals with a 7-1 win over Abu AMAEV (BUL). After losing a challenge very early in the bout, Khetsuriani managed to lead 5-1 from par terre. He scored a stepout in the second was awarded the second passivity advantage as well which propelled him to a 7-1 win.

13:05: A last second stepout for Andreea ANA (ROU) to beat Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) at 53kg! With 20 seconds left, Malysheva led 3-0 but Ana scored a takedown to make it 3-2 with 10 seconds on the clock. She went for the leg straightaway and carried Malysheva outside the zone for one to win 3-3.

13:00: Yuxuan LI (CHN) manages to score a takedown on Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) but that is all. Kiyooka rallies to pile up takedowns to beat Li 12-2 in three minutes and 23 seconds. 

12:45: Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) with a 44 seconds technical superiority win over Vanesa GEORGIEVA (BUL) in the 76kg quarterfinals. Alpyeyeva is a former U23 world champion and has been at 72kg for Ukraine for long but changing to the Olympic weight class of 76kg now

12:40: Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) cannot find a way to penetrate Kerem KAMAL's (TUR) defense. The two met at 63kg and Mohsen Nejad got the first par terre. No score. Kamal was on top in the second period but failed to score. But with a 1-1 criteria lead to Kamal, Mohsen Nejad was forced to score but his desperate attempt lands him on his back and Kamal gets four for a 5-1 win.

12:30: Two quarterfinals results which happened at different times. Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) beats Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) 12-1 to move into the semifinals while Medet KYZY AIPERI (KGZ) takes full six minutes to beat Enrica RINALDI (ITA) 9-0.

12:15: Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) makes a statement with a win over Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) at 72kg. Glaude never let Bakbergenova to go for the big moves and counter with her takedowns. She beats the Kazakh 7-2.

12:10: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) with a fall at 72kg Round 2 against Linda MACHUCA (ARG). The fall makes it extremely likely that she will top the group

11:55: Huge win for Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) over Leri ABULADZE (GEO). The bout at 67kg was Abuladze trying to switch to an Olympic weight class. However, that proves too much for him right now. Khetsuriani got the par terre and then was about to score when Abuladze committed a leg foul. Abuladze challenge but lost which made the score 4-0 for Khetsuriani. He defended par terre in the second period and won 4-1

11:41: On Mat A, three-time world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOV (KAZ) holds on to a 3-1 win over Alla BELINSKA (UKR) in Round 1 of 72kg.

11:40: World champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), who is now trying to be at 53kg since Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) has moved up to 57kg, wins her first bout over Felicity TAYLOR (USA) 8-0. Kiyooka was on the leg lace quite a few times but was defended well but Taylor. But Kiyoola still managed a 10-0 win with a minute and 16 seconds remainig.

11:30: Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) takes out Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at 76kg in the opening round. Alpeyeyeva with leg attacks that clearly unsettled Yamamoto who likes to stay on upper body. A 9-1 win for Alpyeyeva.

11:20: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) takes her time but manages to beat Meile ZHANG (CHN) 11-0 with 36 seconds left. Great start for Medet Kyzy is a slightly stacked weight class.

11:10: Morten THORESEN (NOR) just blanked Sebastian NAD (SRB) at 67kg! Extreme pace from Thoresen to get two passivity calls and stepouts in his wins.

11:00: Day four of the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series. No rain today and bright sunshine blesses Tirana. Women's Wrestling and Greco-Roman wrestlers will be on the mat.