#WrestleRome

Mohammadian Mauls Snyder En Route to Matteo Pellicone Title

Friday, January 17, 2020 - 20:06 By Eric Olanowski

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ROME, Italy (January 17) --- Even before bulldozing Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) in the 97kg finals on Friday night, Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) outscored his four pre-final opponents 32-0 and pancaked Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) while shutting him out 8-0 at the time of the fall. 

He ended up outscoring his five Friday opponents 41-0, but his pin over Snyder minimized the seismic day that he had, which saw him defeat an Olympic champion, a U23 world champion, a world bronze medalist and a world fifth-place finisher.

Mohammadian kickstarted his day by walloping Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), a fifth-place finish in Nur-Sultan. The Iranian downed the man who qualified Kazakhstan for the 2020 Olympic Games, 11-0. He followed up that hot start with a second technical superiority victory. This time, he thumped reigning U23 world champion Bo NICKAL (USA), 10-0.

In the quarterfinals, Mohammadian picked up arguably the biggest win of his career when he flattened Olympian champion, Kyle Snyder, while commanding an 8-0 lead. An 11-0 showing against 2018 world bronze-medal finisher Abraham de Jesus CONYEDO RUANO (ITA) inserted the Iranian into the finals, where he met Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) for the 97kg title. He capped off his dominant run to a Matteo Pellicone gold medal, where he outscored his five opponents 41-0, with a 9-0 blanking of Hushtyn and brought home his first career Rankings Series title.

At 125kg, Amir ZARE (IRI) celebrated his 19th birthday by showing the Italian friendly crowd how youth prevails, even against a 13-year veteran like Bilial MAKHOV (RUS). Zare, who was just six years old when Makhov won his first of three world titles, weathered the upper body threat from the Russian big man and scored the go-ahead takedown with 32 seconds left to win the 125kg gold medal, 5-3. 

Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) peaks at the clock while she was looking for the match-deciding takedown in the 50kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Women’s Wrestling
If there were any questions surrounding Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) moving down to 50kg coming into Rome – they’ve been answered on Friday night. Hildebrandt scored a takedown with two seconds left and stole the gold medal from Emilia VUC (ROU) in the 50kg finals battle that featured a pair of past world silver medalists. With a smile on her face from ear-to-ear, Hildebrandt said, “I like the sound of that, 50kg champ!” 

The American, who was down 2-1 with under 10 seconds left, said she told herself, “You’re not going to win because I'm not going to lose.” And that’s exactly what happened. 

The 2018 world silver medalist used an underhook throw by with under ten seconds left to get to the body of her Romanian opponent. Then, she snaked her left arm out, and barley scored the takedown as time expired to win her second Ranking Series title, 4-2.

Vinesh VINESH (IND) scored two takedowns in the 53kg finals and defeated Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU), 4-0. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

In the 53kg finals, Vinesh VINESH (IND) locked up a takedown in each period and shutout Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU), 4-0. 

“I feel very good because this is the first competition of the year, and the Olympics are very near,” said Vinesh. “This was my first match with Ecuador, and I didn’t know how she wrestles and what techniques she uses.”

The 2019 world bronze medalist added, “It’s my one year in this weight category (53kg) is finished, and I need more matches.” And for her will come next in March at the 2020 Asian Championships in New Delhi, India. “We’ve waited for a competition in India, and now (that’ll be) the Asian Championships.” She continued by saying, “When you (wrestle) in your hometown, this feeling is incredible.” 

Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR), Inna TRAZHUKOVA  (RUS) and Maria SELMAIER (GER) claimed the 55kg, 65kg, and 72kg Nordic style bracket gold medals, respectively.

RESULTS
Freestyle

97kg
GOLD - Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) df. Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR), 9-0 
BRONZE - Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA) df. Abraham de Jesus CONYEDO RUANO (ITA), 12-1 
BRONZE - Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR) df. Pavel OLEJNYIK (HUN), 8-4

125kg
GOLD - Amir ZARE (IRI) df. Bilial MAKHOV (RUS), 5-3
BRONZE - Amarveer DHESI (CAN) df. Daniel LIGETI (HUN), 8-4
BRONZE - Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) df. Nick MATUHIN (GER), 8-3

Women’s Wrestling 
50kg 
GOLD - Sarah Ann HILDEBRANDT (USA) df. Emilia Alina VUC (ROU), 4-2 
BRONZE - Oksana LIVACH (UKR) df. Whitney CONDER (USA), 10-2
BRONZE - Victoria Lacey ANTHONY (USA) df. Devi NIRMALA (IND), 4-1 

53kg
GOLD - Vinesh VINESH (IND) df. Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU), 4-0 
BRONZE - Katherine Grace SHAI (USA) df. Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE), 10-0 
BRONZE - Qianyu PANG (CHN) df. Lannuan LUO (CHN), 10-0 

55kg 
GOLD – Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) 
SILVER – Iryna HUSYAK (UKR)
BRONZE – Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) 

65kg
GOLD – Inna TRAZHUKOVA  (RUS) 
SILVER – Oksana KUKHTA HERHEL (UKR)
BRONZE –  Hsin Ping PAI (TPE)

72kg
GOLD – Maria SELMAIER (GER) 
SILVER – Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR)
BRONZE – Enrica RINALDI (ITA)

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Freestyle Live Blog

Sunday, June 1, 2025 - 02:15 By Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 1) -- The fourth and final day of the Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 will see seven weight classes in Freestyle with Olympic bronze medalist AMAN (IND) returning as well.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

14:15: Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) has a rematch with Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) after beating Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR) 12-1 in the 125kg semifinal. Mukhtur defeated Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL) 5-0.

14:05: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) makes it to the final at 97kg and the small crowd here is all for it. He defeated VICKY (IND) 4-2 in the semifinal, a match the Indian complained of wrong score on the scoreboard.

He will face Ahmad BAZRI (IRI) in the final after the Iranian won 8-0 over Resul GUNE (TUR) in the other semifinal.

13:50: In the 79kg semifinals, Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) with a fall over Dalaitseren JAVKHLANKHUU (MGL) and Fariborz BABAEIR (IRI) with a controlled win over AMIT (IND).

13:33: Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI) with a last-ditch attempt to win against Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) but his head pinch is only worth two points as he goes down 10-6 in the 70kg semifinal. Fazli trailed 4-1 but scored consistently to make it 9-4 before Amouzad got two points to exposure, too little too late. 

Konstantin KAPRYNOV (UWW) needs only two minutes and 26 seconds to finish his semifinal against Usukhbayar BAATARKHUU (MGL) and win 10-0.

13:20: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) holds off Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) for a 3-3 win in the 65kg semifinal and enter the final in which he will face Dzhambulat KIZINOV (UWW) who proved extremely strong for Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ) and won 9-3.

13:11: Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) takes out compatriot Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) 9-1 in the other 61kg semifinal and he will wrestle UDIT (IND) in the final.

13:10: UDIT (IND) reaches the final at 61kg with a 2-1 win over Artem GOBAEV (UWW). A takedown in the first period the difference between the two. The one point for Gobaev came from a lost challenge from India.

13:00: Another disappointing semifinal loss for India at 57kg as RAHUL (IND) falls to Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) 6-3 after the Mongolian scored three takedowns in the first period and defended his lead.

12:55: Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) two huge four-pointers which set up his 14-11 win over AMAN (IND), the Paris Olympic bronze medalist from India. Aman maintained continued pressure and scored at regular intervals. However, Bravo Young never let the lead swell too much. Aman led 11-10 in the final 20 seconds when Bravo Young scored a takedown and turn to win 14-11, ultimately called a pin.

Semifinals begins straightaway on Mat A and B

12:45: In the final match of the qualifications round, Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) wins 6-2 against Narantulga DARMAABAZAR (MGL) in Round 3 at 125kg.

12:35: Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) with a takedown with less than 30 seconds left in the match to claim a 5-1 win over Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) at 70kg. Fazli got a point for stepout during his activity period to take a 1-0 lead. Tumur Ochir took the 1-1 criteria lead after Fazli was called passive in the second period. However, Fazli got behind and then scored a takedown. Tumur Ochir was cautioned for fleeing but Mongolia challenged the call which was upheld and it lost the challenge making the score 5-1.

12:23: Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI), the twin brother of Paris Olympic silver medalist Rahman, with a clutch takedown over Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND) from disadvantageous position to win 3-2 at 70kg.

12:10: Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) with a bodylock throw for four and then laces ROHIT (IND) for an 11-0 victory at 65kg to enter the semifinals.

11:55: Iran's Ahmad BAZRI (IRI) opens his campaign at 97kg with a 4-0 win against Irbeg TAVGAZOV (UWW). Bazri will wrestle Resul GUNE (TUR) in the semifinal after he defeated Bady SAMDAN (UWW) via fall.

11:46: Magomet EVLOEV (TJK), silver medalist from Asian Championships, gets his first win of the day with a 6-0 shutout of AMIT (IND) at 79kg.

11:40: Asian silver medalist UDIT (IND) with a solid 11-0 win over Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) in the quarterfinals at 61kg. Great defense whenever Myrzanazar Uulu tried attacks.

11:30: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) beats compatriot Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL) 7-3 to book a semifinal spot at 57kg against RAHUL (IND) who defeated Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ).

11:20: Pan-Am champion Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) starts off at 57kg with a 12-2 win over Bekir KESER (TUR). With the win, he gets a shot at Paris bronze AMAN (IND) in the semifinals.

11:13: Zagir SHAKHIEV (UWW), the 2021 world champion at 65kg and hoping to make a comeback to international wrestling at 70kg, drops his opening bout to Konstantin KAPRYNOV (UWW). He gives up two stepouts and a takedown and scores only one stepout as Kaprynov wins 5-1. Kaprynov was silver medalist at the Yarygin tournament to David BAEV (UWW) this year.

11:10: Paris bronze medalist AMAN (IND), wrestling first time since the Games in August 2024, starts off with an 11-1 win over Almaz SAMABEKOV (KGZ). Typical Aman win where he wears his opponents out and then scores his takedowns. 

10:52: In 125kg Round 1, Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) started off well with two stepouts but world medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) rallies his attacks and wins 9-1.

10:48: Olympian Georgii OKOROKOVV (AUS) was almost pulling off a huge upset against Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ), taking a 6-0 lead but his conditioning gave up on him and Myrzanazar Uulu wins 13-6 at 61kg. As it is a round-robin bracket, Okorovv will wrestle again.

10:40: RAHUL (IND) with an upset win over European U23 champion Lev PAVLOV (UWW) at 57kg. Pavlov was warned for being passive in the first period which gave Rahul the 1-0 lead. But there was no change in Pavlov's intent in the second period and was warned again which made it 2-0 for Rahul. A beautiful duck under from Rahul for a takedown extended his lead 4-0. Pavlov, who had been warned for finger-grabbing before, was cautioned again and Rahul got one point. That was all as Rahul won 5-0.

10:36: Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) begins his 57kg campaign with a 12-2 win over Jiguur SARANTUYA (MGL) which included a huge arm throw for four points.

10:30: The Ulaanbaatar Open enters its last day with Freestyle action in 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg and 125kg.