Nemes stuns Geraei for 67kg world title amid Serbian gold rush

Monday, September 12, 2022 - 18:06 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 12) -- Another time, another place, and the outcome would likely have been different. But riding the high energy from a home crowd that has been pushing its wrestlers to extraordinary heights, Mate NEMES (SRB) pulled off an upset for the ages.

Nemes continued host Serbia's incredible gold rush when he rallied to a thrilling 5-4 victory over the reigning world and Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) in the Greco-Roman 67kg final on Monday, the third day of the World Championships in Belgrade.

"This fight was exceptionally hard," Nemes said. "In the first period, the opponent was two times stronger than me, or maybe it was all in my head. I managed to defend myself from his toughest grip, which helped him win all of his matches in this World Championships."

Geraei looked to be in a good position to repeat as world champion when he took a 4-0 lead in the first period, scoring a 2-point defensive takedown and getting two for a leg foul when he attempted a lift and throw.

In the second period, Geraei tried to execute a roll while in on a takedown attempt, but Nemes halted the move and caught the Iranian on his back for his first two points of the match. That fired up the Stark Arena crowd and seemed to turn the tide, and Nemes picked up on the energy.

Nemes, put on top in par terre, managed to muscle Geraei over with a gut wrench to go ahead 5-4 with 1:25, then held off everything the Iranian threw at him to secure the biggest victory of his career and add to the world bronze he won in 2019.

Mate NEMES (SRB) defended everything Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) threw at him in the 67kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

"Those who are one percent psychologically more ready, will win," Nemes said. "In this fight, I was psychologically stronger in the second period. The opponent was last year’s world and Olympic champion, and I think he felt more pressure on him. The crowd helped a lot. In the second period, I didn’t give 100%, but 130%, 140%."

Serbia, which had won only a total of three world Greco golds in its young history coming into the competition, suddenly has four in this event alone. That has put the host on top of the team standings, although it will certainly be overtaken by Azerbaijan and possibly Turkey on the final day Monday.

Geraei had not lost at 67kg since falling to Renat ILIAZ UULU (KGZ) in the round-robin at the Asian U23 Championships in March 2019; since then, he had won six straight tournaments, including last year's Olympics and World Championships and the 2019 senior Asian title.

Nemes, who finished third at a pre-worlds international tournament in Warsaw, lost in the first round at the Tokyo Olympics to Frank STAEBLER (GER), who proceeded to lose to Geraei. His victory gives him the confidence to go further next time.

"I only need to win an Olympic gold, and then I’ll have won all the medals," Nemes said.

Sebastian NAD (SRB) won the gold medal at 63kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Sebastian NAD (SRB) preceded his compatriot Nemes onto the top of the medal podium when he edged Leri ABULADZE (GEO) for the 63kg gold with a hard-fought 3-1 victory in the final.

"Abdulaze is a great wrestler," Nad said. "We had wrestled in February, so we both knew each other from before. In the end, it was again 3-1 for me. For me, he’s one of the best, and I wish him all the success."

Nad was put on top in par terre in the first period and he took advantage, completing a gut wrench to lead 3-0. The positions were reversed in the second, and Nad held his ground to preserve the lead and add to Serbia's gold tally.

"Today I was ready to die, I was ready to do everything to win," Nad said. "I won this fight without mistakes and I am very happy."

Not surprisingly, winning in front of the home crowd made the victory that much more special. And it will take some time for it all to sink in.

"This is my first big senior competition here in Belgrade, so I feel great," he said. "My first medal was in Novi Sad four years ago, I won second place then, and now I won first place in Belgrade. Everything is still new to me, so I’m still not aware of it."

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) won his fourth world title and first since 2017. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Superstar Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) added another chapter to his growing legend when he captured a fourth gold medal in his sixth world final, notching a solid 5-1 victory over Kiril MILOV (BUL) at 97kg.

Aleksanyan, who won his third Olympic medal with a silver in Tokyo last year, got the chance in par terre in the first period and executed a back-and-forth pair of rolls to account for all of his points. He was at the bottom in the second period, but could not be budged by reigning European champion Milov.

"That’s my fourth world gold," said Aleksanyan, whose most recent world title came in 2017 after having to default in the final of the 2019 worlds. "For two years I couldn’t make it because of injuries. Thank God after the Olympic Games I took a year break and treated them all."

The 30-year-old Aleksanyan, who suffered a hamstring injury at the Tokyo Olympics and competed in Belgrade with his right shoulder strapped, hopes his injury worries are behind him.

"I am now in a good shape, but still not perfect because I’ve just recovered after the injury," he said. "I hope in the future I’ll get in better shape."

Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) gets the turn against Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) in the 82kg final. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 82kg, 2021 silver medalist Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) made the big step up to the top of the podium when he rallied to a 7-6 victory over 2019 bronze medalist Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB).

Berdimuratov, looking to become just the second-ever Greco champion from Uzbekistan, looked well on his way when he opened the match with a 4-point arm throw. Akbudak came back with a pair of stepouts to cut the gap to 4-2, but on a third attempt, Berdimuratov shrugged him by and scored a takedown for a 6-2 lead at the break.

In the second period, Akbudak got his chance when he received a passivity point and was put on top in par terre. From there, he ripped off consecutive gut wrenches to take the lead for the first time with 1:16 left, and he held on for the gold.

Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) won the bronze at 67kg after a 25-point thriller. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

25-point thriller highlights bronze bouts

The day's bronze-medal matches featured the wildest encounter of the tournament, as Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) cut loose with 17 points in the second period to defeat Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) in a 25-point thriller at 67kg.

Ismailov, the Asian silver medalist, went into the second period trailing 5-0. A stepout put him six points behind, but, having been put on top in par terre, he got a 2-point exposure and another two points for a foul. Then he really got in gear, launching a succession of crowd-pleasing throws for two, two and four points, before ending the match at 5:33 with a 4-point headlock throw for a 17-8 win.

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), the 2021 world U23 and junior champion, followed with a comparatively staid 8-2 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) for the other 67kg bronze, which he capped with a 4-point throw following a reversal from the bottom of par terre.

Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) executed a five-point move in his bronze medal bout. (Photo: UWW / Kostandin Andonov)

At 63kg, Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) won his first world medal at age 33, and he did it in impressive fashion by beating Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) 10-4.

Mammadov, the European silver medalist the past two years, had just been rolled in par terre when he twisted to face Poghosyan and slammed him backward for four points. A short time later, he lifted Poghosyan up and after a dramatic pause, sent him flying for a 5-pointer.

The other 63kg bronze went to Erbatu TUO (CHN), who got the gut wrench from par terre and defeated Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) 4-1.

At 82kg, Tamas LEVAI (HUN) joined his brother as a medalist by posting a 3-1 win over Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE), the 2021 champion who will leave Belgrade empty-handed.

Put on the bottom of par terre for the second time, Levai stopped a roll attempt and put Huseynov on his back for the 2 points that gave him the bronze. His brother Zoltan won the silver at 77kg on Sunday.

The other 82kg bronze went to Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR), who got the roll in par terre to defeat European silver medalist Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) 3-1 and earn his first-ever major senior-level medal.

World champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), right, won the bronze medal at 97kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 97kg, defending champion and Olympic bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) bounced back from his heartbreaking semifinal loss to Aleksanyan by outclassing Metehan BASAR (TUR) 6-1 for the bronze.

A roll from par terre and two stepouts were more than enough for Saravi, who denied Basar his first world medal since the Turk won back-to-back golds in 2017-18.

Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) defended twice from the bottom of par terre, and was ahead on criteria when a lost challenge gave him a final point and the other 97kg bronze medal with a 2-1 victory over two-time European medalist Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA).

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) reached 62kg final after beating world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) 11-5 in the semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Ozaki gets best of Tynybekova again

In the semifinals held earlier in the session, recently crowned world U20 champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) showed she could defeat a healthy Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), knocking off the defending world champion 11-5 in women's 62kg.

Taking a 3-2 lead into the second period, the 19-year-old Ozaki scored a 4-point takedown and then stretched the gap to 9-2. A whizzer sent Tynybekova to her back for two more, but the Kyrgyz managed to reverse the situation and put Ozaki precariously on her back for a moment. But the two-time world cadet champion held on for the victory.

Last year in Oslo, Tynybekova knocked off Ozaki in the first round en route to her second world title, while Ozaki came back to take home the bronze. They met again last April in the final at the Asian Championships in Mongolia, a match that Ozaki won by injury default while leading 9-1 when Tynybekova suffered a foot injury as Ozaki was reeling off her trademark lace lock.

Ozaki, who had to beat Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN) to make the Japanese team, will face last year's silver medalist, Kayla MIRACLE (USA), in Tuesday's final.

The American was in a 3-point hole against Ana GODINEZ (CAN) when she put her directly onto her back with a slick barrel roll and secured a fall at 1:38.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympic 53kg champion Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN), who has moved up to 55kg in the non-Olympic year, stormed into the final by routing 2019 world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) by 12-0 technical fall.

Shidochi, a two-time world champion at 55kg, capped the victory with a 4-point tackle that ended the match in 2:10.

Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) defeated Olympic silver medalist Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) in the 60kg semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In the two remaining Greco weight classes, young Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) pulled a shocker when he scraped out a 5-5 victory on criteria over Olympic silver medalist and two-time world champion Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) at 60kg.

Nazaryan, the 2021 European U20 champion at 63kg, scored a 4-point move when he bulled an off-balance Fumita to his back at the edge at the end of the first period, then gained an all-important fifth point when the Japanese side unsuccessfully challenged.

In the final, Nazaryan will face another tough Asian in 2021 world silver medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), who scored two takedowns and a throw in defeating Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) 7-0.

Riza KAYAALP (TUR) went past Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) 5-3 in the 130kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 130kg, Riza KAYAALP (TUR) earned a shot at a fifth world gold when he forged a 5-3 victory over four-time Asian medalist Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB).

The Uzbekistan wrestler took a 3-0 lead from par terre, but after being rolled, Kayaalp moved to the front and got two points back with a front lift to make it 3-2 after the first period. In the second, Kayaalp earned a passivity point and a stepout to clinch the win.

His opponent will be the dangerous 2021 world U23 champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), who defeated Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) 2-1, with a first-period stepout proving to be the decider.

Day 3 Results

Greco-Roman

60kg (29 entries)
Semifinal - Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) df. Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), 5-5
Semifinal - Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), 7-0

63kg (30 entries)
Gold - Sebastian NAD (SRB) df. Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 3-1

Bronze - Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM), 10-4
Bronze - Erbatu TUO (CHN) df. Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI), 4-1

67kg (30 entries)
Gold - Mate NEMES (SRB) df. Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), 5-4

Bronze - Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 8-2
Bronze - Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) df. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) by TF, 17-8, 5:33

82kg (25 entries)
Gold - Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df. Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 7-6

Bronze - Tamas LEVAI (HUN) df. Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE), 3-1
Bronze - Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) df. Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO), 3-1

97kg (29 entries)
Gold - Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Kiril MILOV (BUL), 5-1

Bronze - Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) df. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), 2-1
Bronze - Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Metehan BASAR (TUR), 6-1

130kg (25 entries)
Semifinal - Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 5-3
Semifinal - Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU), 2-1

Women's Wrestling

55kg (17 entries)
Semifinal - Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) df. Karla GODINEZ (CAN), 5-3
Semifinal - Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN) df. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) by TF, 12-0, 2:10

62kg (24 entries)
Semifinal - Kayla MIRACLE (USA) df. Ana GODINEZ (CAN) by Fall, 1:38 (2-3)
Semifinal - Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), 11-5

#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships: Mirzazadeh finally topples giant Kayaalp; Makhmudov repeats

Friday, September 22, 2023 - 21:48 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 22) -- After losses to Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in each of the past two years, Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) finally found a way to topple the giant. The way to do it was laterally.

Mirzazadeh scored two stepouts for a dramatic 2-2 victory on last-point criteria late in the Greco-Roman 130kg final over five-time champion Kayaalp at the World Championships on Friday night, avenging losses to the Turkish great in last year's final and at the Tokyo Olympics.

"Right after last year's World Championships where I won the silver medal, after about two weeks, I started training to achieve this gold medal," Mirzazadeh said. "I’m happy that I got the answer for my efforts and was able to win this gold medal."

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) also needed last-point criteria to successfully defend his 77kg crown, holding off a fierce challenge from Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) in a 1-1 nail-biter.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan claimed the golds in the two non-Olympic weight classes up for grabs, with Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) repeating at 55kg in a rematch of the 2022 final and Olympic bronze medalist Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) regaining the title at 82kg.

The tournament is also serving as the first qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with all of the medalists in the Olympic weights as well as winners of special fifth-place playoffs secured quotas for their countries. Interestingly, all 10 places on the first night of the Greco finals went to different countries.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) celebrates after winning the 130kg final in Belgrade. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The 25-year-old Mirzazadeh's victory over Kayaalp marked the pinnacle of a journey that started when he first burst onto the senior international scene by winning the gold medal at the 2020 Asian Championships. A year later, he was appearing in his first Olympics, where he lost 7-3 in Tokyo to Kayaalp in the bronze-medal match.

Three months later, he was in Belgrade, where he won the gold at the World U23 Championships. Mirzazadeh and Kayaalp would cross paths for the second time when he returned to Belgrade for last year's worlds, where Kayaalp came away with a 1-1 win for his fifth world title.

Mirzazadeh came into Belgrade this year having won a second Asian title in April and a victory at the Bishkek Ranking Series event in June under his belt.

"I’ll try my best to improve day by day to become better and be able to shine for my country in the next competitions, and be a message of happiness for my people and be able to win a gold medal," Mirzazadeh said. "And also I hope to be able to win a gold medal in the upcoming Olympics."

In Friday's final, Kayaalp received the first of two passivity points, but Mirzazadeh slipped out of the big Turk's grasp in par terre. Only through his remarkable dexterity did Kayaalp avoid giving up a reversal or worse, leaving the score 1-0 as the first period ended.

In the second period, Kayaalp missed a chance to score when the Mirzazadeh lost his balance after a mighty shove but showed some nimbleness himself by scrambling to avoid a stepout. Kayaalp then got a second passivity point to go up 2-0.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) scoring the winning stepout against Riza KAYAALP (TUR). (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Over the past decade or more, at such a point a victory by Kayaalp was almost a done deal. But Mirzazadeh was not ready to concede, and when he scored a stepout with 1:13 left, the cheers from the large Iranian contingent in the crowd started growing louder.

A key point in the match came at :54, when Kayaalp was called for passivity. Mirzazadeh opted to remain standing, feeling that he had a better chance of scoring from his feet. It was the right strategy.

Securing an underhook, he drove Kayaalp toward the edge and, as the two spun completely around once, forced him over the edge with :06.2 on the clock. Kayaalp flopped to the mat in disbelief, and could only stand in shock in the middle as time ran out.

"I know that my family always worked hard for me and I’m always grateful to them," Mirzazadeh said. "For one year, they told me about this, that you should go to the final and beat Riza Kayaalp. 'It's time to do that, you must do that.' And I’m happy that I was able to make them happy."

With the silver he received on Friday, the 33-year-old Kayaalp now has a total of 10 world medals to go along with his silver and two bronzes from the Olympics.

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) defeated Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) in the 77kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Makhmudov, the silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, became along with Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) the first Greco-Roman world champions in Kyrgyzstan history when they struck gold together last year in Belgrade.

He needed all of his extraordinary power to stave off Suleymanov in the 77kg final and relegate the Azeri to a second silver medal in three years.

"I don’t know what to say now, it’s difficult to describe it with words," Makhmudov said. "I know one thing for sure, I am very glad. I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who supported me, and to all the Kyrgyz people who prayed for me."

Suleymanov got the first passivity point in the first period, but could not budge Makhmudov in par terre. The same occurred when the situation was reversed in the second period, which put Makhmudov ahead on criteria.

Suleymanov had one solid chance for a winning score, and he came oh so close to getting it. Put on top in par terre with just over a minute to go, he actually lifted Makhmudov off the mat, but couldn't get the inertia to launch a throw. Makhmudov then held on for the win.

"The final match was not very interesting, but it was tense," Makhmudov said. "As it is said, the champion shouldn’t be judged. Most important is that the hand was raised. I wrestled clean, and I am glad."

To make the final, Makhmudov had to survive an inspired comeback from unheralded Nao KUSAKA (JPN) in the semifinals on Thursday.

"The match against the Japanese wrestler was very interesting," Makhmudov said. "He later won the bronze medal. He is a very worthy opponent.

"I can’t say that I was in my best shape. It was only around 30-40 percent. An athlete can not always be in top physical shape. For now, I have to work hard for the Olympics in order to get into my best shape."

Makhmudov has a little turnaround time before preparing for his next challenge, the Asian Games in China in two weeks. But he is already considering the preparations for Paris.

"In order to win the Olympic gold, I must think about it all the time, when I wake up in the morning, and when I go to bed," he said. "There isn’t much time left, only 10 months.

"Hopefully, if don’t have any injuries or problems, I will do my best to prepare for the Olympics. I was one step away from the Olympic gold [in 2021]. I really want to win the Olympic gold medal for my people."

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) became a three-time world champion for Azerbaijan. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

At 55kg, Azizli got the best of Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) for the second year in a row, chalking up a 13-4 technical fall in a match that got off to an explosive start and was over in less than a minute.

In a blink-and-you-missed-it moment, Tsurtsumia, the 2019 world champion, caught Azizil with a 4-point arm throw. But the Azeri rolled through the move to get 2 of his own and landed in the top position. From there, Azizli hit a pair of lift-and-throws, and a 2-point fleeing penalty against Tsurtsumia put Azizli up 10-4.

Because of the caution, the match resumed with Azizli on top in par terre, and it ended after 49 seconds with another 2-point penalty against Tsurtsumia after his arm got caught between the two bodies and touched the leg. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

For Azizli, a seven-time European medalist, the victory gave him a third world title and fifth world medal overall. He first won the gold in 2018.

Huseynov followed a short time later by edging Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) 2-1 in the 82kg final, with a reversal from the bottom of par terre in the first period proving the difference.

The 35-year-old Huseynov regained the world gold he won two years ago in Oslo. He also has a silver medal from 2019.

Oscar PINO (CUB) won the bronze medal at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Pino opens Olympic door for Lopez

In the bronze-medal matches, Oscar PINO (CUB) got an exposure that was upgraded after a challenge by his opponent and came away with a 5-1 victory over Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU) at 130kg for which compatriot Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) will likely be the beneficiary.

Pino was given two points for his effort from par terre, but when the Lithuanian challenged whether there was exposure or not, it backfired and the call was changed to four. Fridrikas gained a stepout point in the second period but could otherwise not budge the burly Cuban.

For Pino, it was his fourth world medal. But it also earned Cuba the Olympic quota, and it appears likely that Pino will yield the spot to the legendary Lopez so that he can make a run at an unprecedented fifth Olympic gold.

Six-time African champion Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) picked up his first global medal when he survived a late surge by Lingzhe MENG (CHN) and notched a 3-2 victory for the other 130kg bronze.

Mohamed had two passivity points and a stepout for a 3-0 lead when Meng put the pressure on, scoring two stepouts in the final minute. And he was pressing for another when time ran out.

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) tries to pin Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) on his way to win the 77kg bronze medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) will leave Belgrade with a bronze medal for the second straight year, with the added bonus of a Paris quota, after rallying with a 4-point throw to defeat Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) 9-7 in a thriller at 77kg.

Amoyan, the world champion in 2021, was leading 3-2 in the second period when Zhadrayev got a stepout, a failed challenge point and a passivity point to go ahead 5-3. But when he attempted a roll from par terre, Amoyan stepped over and stuffed it for 2.

Amoyan wasn't finished there. Ending up on top, he flung the Kazakh for 4 to put the match out of reach. Zhadrayev, a four-time Asian medalist still looking for his first world medal, got a late stepout and fleeing penalty point.

Nao KUSAKA (JPN) won his first bout against Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) at 77kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Kusaka, a world U23 bronze medalist, capped an impressive performance in his senior debut by notching an 8-0 technical fall over former world silver medalist Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) for the other 77kg bronze and Paris ticket.

Put in par terre in the first period, Kusaka responded with a somewhat unorthodox reverse headlock for 2, then later got a fourth point when the Uzbeki side unsuccessfully challenged a 4-point move that was judged a trip.

In the second period, Kusaka let fly with a lightning-quick arm throw for 4 that ended the match at 3:20, making him the heaviest Greco-Roman world medalist in Japanese history.

There had never been a Japanese on the podium over 68kg.

"It's my specialty," Kusaka said of his winning throw. "On the biggest stage, I wanted to use my top move."

Kusaka showed he had the potential to make his mark in Belgrade when he finished second at the Grand Prix of Germany in August, where he lost in the final to Victor NEMES (SRB), who fell in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Kusaka, an alumnus of wrestling power Nippon Sports Science University, put on quite a show in Belgrade, beating three-time world medalist Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) in the first round and giving Makhmudov a run for his money in the semifinals.

Now he is setting his sights even higher. By winning a medal in Belgrade, Kusaka automatically fills the Olympic spot himself in accordance with criteria established by the Japanese federation.

"The real competition starts from now," Kusaka said. "You don't get anything just for being in the Olympics, in the end, you have to win a medal. Well, a medal, I want to win the gold."

At 55kg, Asian champion Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) added a senior bronze to the world U23 gold he won last year, getting two gut wrenches in par terre in the first period and holding on to defeat Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) 6-3.

Dad Marz looked well on his way to victory when he held out on the bottom of par terre in the second period. But Mukashev suddenly came to life and scored a takedown with 25 seconds, then lifted Dad Marz into the air for what could have been a winning throw. But he never got one off, and a challenge that had no chance added the final point.

Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) came away with a world bronze for the second straight year, defeating Artiom DELEANU (MDA) 6-1 in the other third-place match at 55kg.

Ortikboev, a two-time Asian medalist, used an arm drag for a takedown, then added an exposure and gut wrench to put Deleanu into a six-point hole. Deleanu managed a stepout off a whizzer counter in the second period, but nothing more.

Aues GONIBOV (AIN) will take home a bronze in his senior world debut, and it only took defeating the reigning world and European champion. The 2019 world junior (U20) silver medalist defeated Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) 6-3 at 82kg.

Gonibov opened with a stepout, then, put on top in par terre, received a 2-point penalty while trying to execute a throw. He followed that with a 2-point throw to go up 6-0. In the second period, Akbudak had his chance in par terre, but could only manage one roll from a reverse body lock.

Akbudak will leave Belgrade empty-handed after winning a silver in 2021 and the gold last year.

European silver medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) also became a bronze medalist for the second straight year when he came out on top of Mihail BRADU (MDA) in an 82kg match limited to passivity points.

Bradu received a point in the first period and Filchakov in the second, and when neither could generate any technical points, it gave the Ukrainian the win.

Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) won the Olympic playoff at 77kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Uzbekistan, China gain Paris places

In the Olympic weights, Vardanyan and Meng gave Uzbekistan and China, respectively, a Paris berth by coming back to the mat and winning fifth-place playoffs.

Vardanyan exected two gut wrenches from par terre in the first period, then held on for a 5-4 victory over Zhadrayev at 77kg.

For Meng, getting the second passivity point gave him a 1-1 victory on last-point criteria over Fridrakas at 130kg.

Day 7 Results

Greco-Roman

55kg (20 entries)
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) by TF, 13-4, :49

BRONZE: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) df. Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ), 6-3
BRONZE: Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 6-1

60kg (40 entries)
GOLD: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) vs. Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)

Semifinal: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) df. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), 5-1
Semifinal: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), 4-3

72kg (24 entries)
GOLD: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) vs. Robert FRITSCH (HUN)

Semifinal: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) df. Selcuk CAN (TUR), 4-0
Semifinal: Robert FRITSCH (HUN) df. Shingo HARADA (JPN), 3-1

77kg (45 entries)
GOLD: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 1-1

BRONZE: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), 9-7
BRONZE: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) df. Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) by TF, 8-0, 3:20

5th-Place Playoff: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) df. Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), 5-4

82kg (24 entries)
GOLD: Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) df. Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI), 2-1

BRONZE: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) df. Mihail BRADU (MDA), 1-1
BRONZE: Aues GONIBOV (AIN) df. Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), 6-3

97kg (37 entries)
GOLD: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) vs Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB)

Semifinal: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU) by TF, 9-0, 2:02
Semifinal: Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) df. Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), 3-0

130kg (30 entries)
GOLD: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. Riza KAYAALP (TUR), 2-2

BRONZE: Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) df. Lingzhe MENG (CHN), 3-2
BRONZE: Oscar PINO (CUB) df. Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU), 5-1

5th-Place Playoff: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) df. Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU), 1-1

Nemes stuns Geraei for 67kg world title amid Serbian gold rush

Comments

World Championships: Mirzazadeh finally topples giant Kayaalp; Makhmudov repeats