#WrestleSkopje

Nichita on Course for U23 Euro Gold; Russia Rolls to FS Team Title

Wednesday, May 19, 2021 - 20:53 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is the most accomplished wrestler entered in the women's wrestling draw at the ongoing U23 European Championships. After all, she has medals, including gold, at the world and continental level and is qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 22-year-old did not disappoint on Wednesday as she rock-and-rolled her into the 59kg final at the Jane Sandanski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia. Nichita scored two victories via fall and other via technical superiority.

Women's wrestling began with five weight classess – 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg – and Russia entered four wrestlers in the final. Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS), Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS), Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) and Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) reached the final at 50kg, 55kg, 68kg and 76kg respectively.

Ukraine sent two of their wrestlers while Belarus, Hungary, Moldova and Turkey also managed to enter one each.

Nichita, returning to competition after a bronze medal finish at the senior European Championships in Warsaw, Poland last month, began with a fall over Anna FABIAN (SRB) before a 10-0 win over Anne NUERNBERGER (GER) in the quarterfinal.

Up against former junior European silver medalist Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) in the semifinal Nichita once again came up with a fall and reach the final in which she will face Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) on Thursday.

Dollack had a close semifinal against Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR), who she defeated 9-8, thanks to a exposure with less than 10 seconds remaining.

Anastasiya YANATOVA U23 European Championships

At 50kg, former cadet European champion Anastasiya YANATOVA (BLR) had a dream run as she defeated Individual World Cup silver medalist Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) 10-10 en route the final.

Lisa ERSEL (GER) had build a 4-1 lead at the break in the semifinal but Yantova scored 12 unanswered points to win 13-4. She will take on Tiumerekova in the final.

The Russian showed why she is regarded highly in wrestling circles as she gave up only two points in three bouts before reaching the final. She began with a 7-0 win over Aynur ERGE (TUR) before claiming a pin over Taru VAINIONPAEAE (FIN) after leading 8-0 in the quarterfinal.

Maria LEORDA (MDA) did score two points on her but Tiumerekova was unstoppable as she ran to a 12-2 win.

Skirenko was the second Russian to enter the final as she defeated Aleksandrina KASHINOVA (BUL) 10-0 in the semifinal. Earlier, the bronze medalist at Russian Championships had defeated Dominika KULWICKA (POL) in the quarterfinal via fall.

Senior European bronze medalist Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) will challenge Skirenko in the final as she made her way to the summit clash after beating Beatrice FERENT (ROU) via fall. Esra PUL (TUR) had suffered a 1-7 loss at the hands of Demko in the quarterfinals earlier in the day.

Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) joined her teammate as she also made it to the final on Wednesday. Wrestling at 68kg, the multiple time age-group world medalist defeated Natallia BELSKAYA (BLR) 7-0 in the semifinal.

She began the day with a fall over Adina IRIMIA (ROU) after leading 8-0. Nesrin BAS (TUR) was the next to fall to Chudyk as she won 7-1.

From the other side of the bracket, Parfianovich reached the final after two exciting bouts. She first humbled junior and cadet world medalist Ewelina CIUNEK (POL) 15-13 in the quarterfinal before defeating Kendra DACHER (FRA), 6-2 in the semifinal.

The French had stunned junior European champion Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE) with a 7-7 victory.

Evgeniia ZHAKHARCHENKO U23 European Championships

At the heavyweight class, returning silver medalist Zakharchenko had some trouble reaching the final against Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR).

In the opening bout she was trailing before pulling off a 4-3 win against Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU). Bernadett NAGY (HUN) also gave a scare but the Russian held off for a 8-3 win.

The semifinal was a better show as she control the bout to win 8-0 against Enrica RINALDI (ITA).

Ozbege, however, had a much tougher semifinal and was trailing until the final 10 seconds she exposed Diana VLASCEANU (ROU) to her back and win 6-5.

Russia claim 2 gold, team title

Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) denied Russia a perfect outing in the finals of freestyle as he defeated Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS) via fall in the 125kg final to win the gold medal.

Three Russian wrestlers were competing for the gold medals on Wednesday but only two managed to win them. This, however, did not stop the country from winning the team title like they did two years back.

Russia finished with 196 points, thanks to four gold, three silver and three bronze medals. Turkey, who had three gold and three bronze medals finished second with 150 points. Azerbaijan was third with 140 points as they had only one gold, three silver and as many bronze medals.

Kilicsallayan changed gears in the second period of the bout after Tebloev had a 1-0 lead at the break. But a pushout and takedown gave the Turkey wrestler lead before he had Tebloev to his back to get the pin after leading 7-0.

Chermen VALIEV U23 European Championships

But the two other Russia wrestlers did not fail to do the job. Chermen VALIEV (RUS) was the first two win the gold at 74kg as he defeated Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) 4-0 in the final. Both the takedowns occured in the first period of the bout.

Valiev, who had a silver medal at the U23 World Championships at 70kg, is regarded as another top talent in the ever-growing list of 74kg wrestlers in Russia and around the world.

Amanula RASULOV (RUS) also gave his country a gold medal at 86kg after beating Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) 3-1 in the final. The wrestlers exchanged step outs but Rasulov's takedown proved to be the difference in the match.

Azerbaijan were denied their second gold medal of tournament in dramatic fashion when Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) lost to Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) 4-3 in the 92kg final.

Erhan YAYLACI

When the time expired, Nurmagomedov had won 3-3 on criteria but Yaylaci challenged for a pulled singlet in the final five seconds. The cameras did capture the Azerbaijan wrestler pulling Yaylaci's siglet which gave him the extra point and the win.

The sudden turn of events saw Azerbaijan camp in complete despair and in shock while Yaylaci celebrated his country's gold medal.

At 61kg, Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) claimed the lone gold medal for Georgia as he defeated Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM) 6-1 in the final. In the entire tournament, that one point for step out the only one which he conceded.

Wednesday will see wrestlers from the five remaining women's weight classes – 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg – fighting for a spot in the finals.

Results:

WW Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR) vs Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS)

SF 1: Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR) df Lisa ERSEL (GER), 13-4
SF 2: Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) df Maria LEORDA (MDA), 12-2

55kg
GOLD: Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) vs Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS)

SF 1: Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS) df Aleksandrina KASHINOVA (BUL), 10-0
SF 2: Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) df Beatrice FERENT (ROU), via fall

59kg
GOLD: Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) vs Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

SF 1: Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) df Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR), 9-8
SF 2: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), via fall

68kg
GOLD: Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) vs Oksana CHUDYK (UKR)

SF 1: Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) df Kendra DACHER (FRA), 6-2
SF 2: Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) df Natallia BELSKAYA (BLR), 7-0

76kg
GOLD: Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR) vs Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS)

SF 1: Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR) df Diana VLASCEANU (ROU), 6-5
SF 2: Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) df Enrica RINALDI (ITA), 8-0

Russia U23 Euro Championships

FS Medal Bouts

61kg
GOLD: Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) df Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM), 6-1

BRONZE: Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR) df Artem KRYVENKO (UKR), 13-8
BRONZE: Ruhan RASIM (BUL) df Nico MEGERLE (GER), 9-5

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (RUS) df Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM), 4-0

BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) df Isa DEMIR (TUR), 12-9

86kg
GOLD: Amanula RASULOV (RUS) df Orkhan ABASOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: Denys SAHALIUK (UKR) df Lars SCHAEFLE (GER), 4-3
BRONZE: Emre CIFTCI (TUR) df Andrian GROSUL (MDA), 3-1

92kg
GOLD: Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) df Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), 4-3

BRONZE: Azamat ZAKUEV (RUS) df Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR), 5-1
BRONZE: Gheorghe ERHAN (MDA) df Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 9-8

125kg
GOLD: Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) df Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS), via fall (7-2)

BRONZE: Yaraslau SLAVIKOUSKI (BLR) df Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR), 2-2
BRONZE: Vakhit GALAYEV (AZE) df Paris KAREPI (ALB), 5-1

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Day 3 Blog: China, DPR Korea shine

Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 08:33 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

Share this article

AMMAN, Jordan (March 27) -- Asian Championships enters day three with Women's Wrestling in 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 RESULTS

76kg gold medal bout: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs REETIKA (IND)

14:11: REETIKA (IND) gives India a presence in the finals with a victory by fall over Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at 76kg, giving her a chance to avenge a quarterfinal loss at the Paris Olympics to Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ). Reetika, the 2023 world U23 champion, had an answer for everything Yamamoto attempted. The Indian opened the scoring with a double-leg takedown, getting the points by going over the edge as Yamamoto attempted a counter lift, then added a takedown to go ahead 4-0 at the break. In the second period, Reetika got 2 more with a counter-lift of her own off a scramble, then ended the match when she slammed Yamamoto to the mat for 4 and secured the fall at 4:13.

14:07: Quick movement from Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and she cradles Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) for a fall in the 76kg semifinals! Kim escaped Medet Kyzy's cradle but the Kyrgyz managed to still pin Kim on her back.

68kg gold medal bout: Zelu LI (CHN) vs Sol Gum PAK (PRK)

14:02: In a clash of Paris Olympians, Sol Gum PAK (PRK) gets a pair of stepouts, the second coming with Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) on the activity clock, to take a 3-0 lead in their 68kg semifinal. In the second period, Pak gets 2 when she counters a takedown attempt with a Greco-like back throw. Pak adds another stepout, then scores 2 when she stops a headlock attempt and, despite giving up a late takedown, she's through to the final in her senior Asian debut with an 8-2 win. Enkhsaikhan, a 2023 world silver medalist, will have to be content battling for a fourth career Asian bronze and fifth medal overall.

14:00: Zelu LI (CHN) will clash with Paris fifth-placer Sol Gum PAK (PRK) for the 68kg gold medal after she takes down world U17 champion Mansi LATHER (IND) 10-1 in the semifinal with some brute strength and counters. Li was pretty defensive in the first period and got put on the activity clock. Lather led 1-0 and tried getting a stepout but Li defended and circled to score a takedown. She laced with a bent knee to make it 4-1 at the break. Lather was on the attack in the second period as well but Li's strength was little too much as she fails to finish after a single-leg attack. Li manages to get out of the hold and scores a takedown for a 6-1 lead. A double leg throw for four to make it 10-1 which she defends for the final minute and win.

59kg gold medal bout: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) vs. Pyol HONG (PRK)

13:51: Pyol HONG (PRK), a newcomer onto the international scene, takes it directly to veteran Mengyu XIE (CHN), a former world bronze medalist and Asian champion, in their 59kg semifinal. Hong scores a single-leg takedown in the first period, then adds another in the second. Hong defends against a pair of tackle attempts and she's through to the final with a 4-0 victory. 

13:46: World U20 champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) needs only 42 seconds to beat Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) in the 59kg semifinal. Onishi with a head-outside single and gut-wrenches for a 4-0 lead. She transitions into a lace and gets the 10-0 win to enter the final.

55kg gold medal bout: Yuxuan LI (CHN) vs Kyong Ryong LI (PRK)

13:42: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) will get a chance to improve on her silver medal from last year at 55kg after overwhelming Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB). Oh starts out with a single-leg takedown and adds a lace lock. Matnazarova squirms out of the lock and attempts a switch, but Oh presses forward and stuffs Matnazarova onto her back, then secures a fall at 1:58.

13:42: Yuxuan LI (CHN), who made her international debut at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series 2025, is into the final at 55kg of Asian Championships. A meek surrender by Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) as Li gut-wrenches her way to the final.

50kg gold medal bout: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) vs. Yu ZHANG (CHN)

13:39: Two-time Asian champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) with a strategic win over Myonggyong WON (PRK) in the 50kg semifinal. Won got a 1-0 lead after Yoshimoto was put on the activity clock. But Yoshimoto scores a takedown in the second period when Won is on the clock to lead 3-1. Won tries a arm-throw which is blocked by Yoshimoto and she countries with a go-behind and gets a takedown. She defends her 5-1 lead, never allowing Won to reach her legs.

13:36: World U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN) will battle for her first senior-level gold after sweeping to a 10-0 victory over Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ) in the 50kg semifinals. Zhang starts off with a single-leg takedown, then adds 2 with a high-thigh lock and roll. She spins behind for another takedown to make it 6-0. Ankicheva attempts an inside trip, but Zhang thwarts the effort and spins behind for 2, then hits a regular lace lock to finish her off in 2:43. 

The semifinals will begin at 13:30 local time in Amman

12:47: In the final bout of the session, world U23 bronze medalist Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) scores an opportunistic takedown with :23 left to defeat Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) 4-2 and advance to the 76kg semifinals. Yamamoto opened the scoring with a takedown, but Enkh Amar, the 2023 world silver medalist at 72kg, came back with a takedown at the first-period buzzer. It looked like the Mongolian's defenses would hold in the second period when Yamamoto appeared to stumble. Enkh Amar made a charge at her, but Yamamoto deftly shrugged her aside and spun behind for the winning takedown.

12:38: REETIKA (IND), the 2023 world U23 champion, books her place in the 76kg semifinals with a one-sided 10-0 win over Seoyeon JEONG (KOR). 

12:40: Aiperi MEDEY KYZY (KGZ) passes the Chinese test with ease. She got a point for YANGLA (CHN) passivity and then scored a nice double-leg attack for two points. With a 3-0 lead, Medet Kyzy defends it and wins to enter the 76kg semifinals

12:37: Sol Gum PAK (PRK), fifth at the Paris Olympics, secures her spot in the 68kg semifinals with an 11-4 victory over returning bronze medalist Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ).

12:36: In an unexpected twist, Mansi LATHER (IND) is awarded a victory by forfeit in her 68kg quarterfinal when world 72kg champion and tournament favorite Ami ISHII (JPN) becomes a late withdrawal due to injury. 

12:34: Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) ends 33-year-old Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ)'s bid for a third Asian gold at 76kg when she wears down the eight-time Asian medalist and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist before securing a 12-0 victory at 5:16. 

12:30: World silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) keeps hitting double-leg attacks and scores two takedowns and a stepout for a 5-0 lead against Miju KIM (KOR). Another takedown and turn for a 9-0 lead before Enkhsaikhan holds Kim on the mat and secures the fall inside first period and reach the 68kg semifinals.

12:25: China puts another wrestler into the semifinals when Mengyu XIE (CHN), a 2022 world bronze medalist at 55kg and former Asian champion, storms to a 10-0 victory over Hyeonju KWON (KOR) at 59kg. 

12:25: Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) led 2-1 at the break against Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ) but she changes levels in the second period and adds takedowns on counter to win 8-2 and advance to the semifinals.

12:22: It's simultaneous wins for China wrestlers named Li on Mats B and C. On Mat B, Zelu LI I(CHN) secures a quick fall over Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) to advance to the 68kg semifinals, and seconds later, Yuxuan LI (CHN) completes a 2-0 victory in the 55kg quarterfinals over Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE).

12:19: In one of the feature matches of the afternoon session, it's multi-world champion Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) up against Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) for a place in the 55kg semifinals. Murayama Okuno gets an activity point, but Oh responds with a single-leg takedown to lead 2-1 at the break. In the second period, Murayama Okuno scores a takedown after she finally gets behind Oh, who looks like a U.S. collegiate wrestler doing sit-outs. Then things get real interesting, as Oh scores a takedown, but Murayama Okuno responds with one of her own with :35 to go for a 5-4 lead. But with :10 left, Oh gets behind for a takedown for a dramatic 6-5 win. Whew!

12:15: World U20 champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN), making her Asian Championships debut, is tested by MUSKAN (IND). Onishi scores two takedowns but cannot finishes her lace. Muskan fakes a couple of attempts and scores a go-behind to make it 4-2. Onishi keeps her calm, comes back for another takedown to lead 6-2. No more trouble for Onishi as she laces her way to a 12-2 win at 59kg.

12:13: Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) is into the 55kg semifinals with an 11-0 win over Zulfiya YAKHYAROVA (KAZ). Leading 3-0 in the second period, Bayanmunkh twice scores a double-leg takedown and adds a 2-point exposure.

12:12: Myonggyong WON (KOR) makes it two wins out of two and enters the 50kg semifinals! She needs 19 seconds in the second period against Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) to finish the bout 11-0.

12:08: Yu ZHANG (CHN) gets a takedown, uses a grapevine and cross-face to put Nipuni WASANA (SRI) on her back, then secures a fall in 1:02 to secure a spot in the 50kg semifinals.

12:05: YANGLA (CHN) too unleashes the strong gut-wrench before pinning Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB) at 76kg. Yangla had a 10-0 lead but decided to secure the fall.

12:04: Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ) gets creative in her 50kg quarterfinal with Yi Hui LIN (TPE), locking up an arm and a leg with her back to Lin to score a takedown and gain two 2-point exposures. In the second period, Ankicheva uses an inside trip to slam Lin to back and secures the fall.

12:00: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) gets another technical superiority win at 50kg. Miran CHEON (KOR) tried a few tricks but Yoshimoto has the arm-bar which gets her a 4-0 lead before she finishes 11-0, including a lost challenge from Korea.

11:57: Layal SUKKAR (JOR) makes history when she takes the mat against Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB) for her 55kg quarterfinal match, becoming the first-ever Jordanian woman to compete at the senior Asian Championships. Matnazarova works a 2-on-1 and Sukkar is put on the activity clock, during which Matnazarova scores a takedown for a 3-0 lead. She adds another takedown before the break. In the second period, Matnazarova gets a quick takedown and ends the match by fall.  

11:55: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) shows why you never give up, coming back to defeat Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) by fall while trailing 8-0 at 68kg. 

11:51: Another big win for the DPR Korea as Pyol HONG (PRK) cruises to a 10-0 victory over Sarbinaz JIENBAEVA (UZB) at 59kg. 

11:47: Yuxuan LI (CHN) adds to India's loss column. She gets the takedown on NISHU (IND) and then enforces the lethal gut-wrench that Chinese wrestlers have mastered to win 10-0 at 55kg.

11:46: Two-time Asian U23 champion Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) has no trouble putting away Hyerim LEE (KOR) 10-0 to advance to the 55kg quarterfinals. 

11:44: Two-time Asian champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) got the arm-bar to pin ANKUSH (IND), who managed to roll over and survive. But she failed to defend Yoshimoto's lace. Yoshimoto wins 10-0 at 50kg

11:42: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK), last year's losing finalist at 55kg, gives up a 2-point counter against Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ) in their 50kg match, but comes back with a pair of deep double-leg takedowns, then turns her opponent over enough times for a 13-2 win. She will next face three-time world champion and top seed Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN). 

11:40: Yi Hui LIN (TPE) was made to work hard for her 8-1 win over Thi Nga DUONG (VIE) in the opening bout at 50kg. Duong kept going for attacks while Lin countered them perfectly to score four different takedowns.

11:37: Myonggyong WON (PRK), an Asian U20 bronze medalist back in 2019, needs some time to get Gozel KURBANOVA (TKM) to hit her knees to the mat in their 50kg opener. But once she does, Won goes immediately to a lace lock, rolls four times and the match is over 10-0 in 45 seconds. 

11:35: World U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN), competing in her second senior international tournament, gets off to a strong start with a 10-0 victory over Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) at 50kg.