#WrestleHammamet

Oborududu leads Nigeria to six golds at African Championships

By Vinay Siwach

HAMMAMET, Tunisia (May 19) -- For a brief period in the evening session of the African Championships in Hammamet, the local Tunisian fans believed that the nation can win the women's wrestling team title.

Led by Olympic bronze medalist Marwa AMRI (TUN), Tunisia remained at the heels of Nigeria in the race with three gold medals after seven weight classes were finished.

But as the session progressed, Nigeria continued to assert its dominance and defended its team title from last year with 230 points, 51 points more than second-placed Tunisia.

Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) won a record-extending 13th African title at 68kg and helped her team to the top of the podium, even as three-time world medalist Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) skipped the tournament.

Oborududu, who had not wrestled since the World Championships, was in a Nelson bracket. She wrestled four bouts Friday and won all four without giving up a point. She began with a 10-0 thrashing of Samah ABDELLATIF (EGY), followed by a win by the same scoreline against Nassma ESSATOURI (MAR). After pinning Nour JELJELI (TUN) in her third bout, Oborududu received a walkover to claim the gold medal.

Joining her as gold medalists were five other Nigeria wrestlers with Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) at 50kg, Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) at 53kg, Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR) at 55kg, Mercy ADEKUORIYE (NGR) at 57kg, and Ebi BIOGOS (NGR) at 72kg.

Genesis captured her fourth African title and first since 2019 as she had skipped the previous three editions. With only four wrestlers entered at 50kg, Genesis wrestled in three bouts and outscored her opponents 31-0, all three wins being technical superiority.

Wrestling at her first senior championships, Ogunsanya impressed all in Hammamet as she won the gold medal with three dominant victories. She began with an 11-0 win over Ibtissem DOUDOU (ALG) in the quarterfinals followed by a 10-2 win over Shaimaa ABDELZAHER (EGY) in the semifinal.

From the other side of the bracket Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV), reached the 53kg final for the second straight year. But she had no answers to Ogunsanya's attack in the final and lost 11-0.

At 55kg, Adekoye defended her gold medal from El Jadida as she navigated through a Nelson bracket. She first wrestled Zineb HASSOUNE (MAR) and won 13-2. Lobna ICHAOUI (TUN) gave her best to deny Adekoye in Round 2 but she fell short and lost 6-3. In the Round 3 bout, Adekoye hammered Achouak TEKOUK (ALG) 11-0 to win the gold medal.

Last year in El Jadida, Adekuoroye won the 53kg gold medal but she jumped two weight classes to 57kg for Hammamet. However, there was no change in the color of the medal as she won the gold in the new weight class as well.

Despite a big change in weight, Adekuoroye looked in no trouble as she dispatched Veronica AYO (UGA) 11-0, Louji YASSIN (EGY) via fall and Rayane HOUFAF (ALG) 10-0 in the morning. In the semifinal, Adekuoroye continued her strong performance and defeated Bachir FALMATA SALI (CMR) via fall.

Faten HAMMAMI (TUN), who won three of her four bouts via fall, was expected to give a fight in the final but Adekuoroye was in a league of her own and won the gold medal with an 11-0 thrashing.

At 72kg, Biogos pulled off two incredible wins to capture the gold. She upset home favorite Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) 4-1 in Round 1 and Menatalla BADRAN (EGY) 5-0 in the decisive Round 5 battle.

3 golds for Tunisia

Amri defended her 62kg title for Tunisia, beating Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), 7-1, in the gold medal bout, a stunning reversal from the morning Round 1 bout in which Kolawole defeated Amri 4-3. Perhaps taking lessons from that loss, Amri changed her strategy in the final and controlled it for six minutes to win 7-1.

At 59kg, Siwar BOUSETA (TUN) held off Patience OPUENE (NGR) 8-3 in the final to win her first African title. She had reached the final of the 59kg weight class last year as well but lost to Odunayo to finish second.

But there was no stopping Bouseta this year as she won four of her bouts via fall and then remained calm against Opuene who did threaten to deny Bouseta of the gold. However, Bouseta managed to win in front of her home crowd.

Only three wrestlers were entered at 65kg and Khadija JLASSI (TUN) made sure she emerges as the best among them.

The 21-year-old began her day with a 10-0 win over Eunice MBURU (KEN) in Round 1 and looked in trouble against Ebipatei MUGHENBOFA (NGR) who led 5-0 in the Round 2 bout.

But Mughenbofa was not aware of Jlassi's ability to pull off big throws. Jlassi, like many times in her career, unleashed a big throw and put Mughenbofa to her back to secure the fall and capture the gold medal.

Jlassi had missed out on the gold medal last year, winning silver at 65kg. But she has begun this year on a good note, winning the bronze medals at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series and Dan Kolov international tournament.

Hamza defends

World silver medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) managed to defend her 76kg gold medal in Hammamet after a close 4-2 win over Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) in the final.

This was Hamza's sixth African title as she continues to chase Doaa MAHER (EGY) who won a record seven gold medals for Egypt at the event.

In the first bout of the day, Hamza humbled Amy YOUIN (CIV) 11-0 but faced a stern test against Anta SAMBOU (SEN) in Round 2. She survived, barely, to win 3-2.

Hamza pinned Ranim SAIDI (TUN) in the semifinal before winning the gold medal over Rueben.

dg

RESULTS

Women's wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR)
SILVER: Cheima CHEBILA (ALG)
BRONZE: Emma WANGILA (KEN)

53kg
GOLD: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV), 11-0

BRONZE: Ibtissem DOUDOU (ALG) df. Shaimaa ABDELZAHER (EGY), via fall
BRONZE: Abir ZARROUKI (TUN) df. Elisa NOMENJANAHARY (MAD), via inj. def.

55kg
GOLD: Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR)
SILVER: Achouak TEKOUK (ALG)
BRONZE: Lobna ICHAOUI (TUN)

57kg
GOLD: Mercy ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Faten HAMMAMI (TUN), 11-0

BRONZE: Rayane HOUFAF (ALG) df. Bachir FALMATA SALI (CMR), via fall (6-8)

59kg
GOLD: Siwar BOUSETA (TUN) df. Patience OPUENE (NGR), 8-3

BRONZE: Farah HUSSEIN (EGY) df. Chaimaa AOUISSI (ALG), 5-0

62kg
GOLD: Marwa AMRI (TUN) vs. Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), 7-1

BRONZE: Fatoumata CAMARA (GUI) df. Mastoura SOUDANI (ALG), via inj.

65kg
GOLD: Khadija JLASSI (TUN)
SILVER: Ebipatei MUGHENBOFA (NGR)
BRONZE: Eunice MBURU (KEN)

68kg
GOLD: Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)
SILVER: Samah ABDELLATIF (EGY)
BRONZE: Nour JELJELI (TUN)

72kg
GOLD: Ebi BIOGOS (NGR)
SILVER: Menatalla BADRAN (EGY)
BRONZE: Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN)

76kg
GOLD: Samar HAMZA (EGY) df. Hannah RUEBEN (NGR), 4-2

BRONZE: Anta SAMBOU (SEN) df. Ranim SAIDI (TUN), via fall

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 8: GR 63kg, 67kg, 87kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 20) -- The World Championships are close to its end with the final full day of action on Saturday. Three packed weight classes -- 63kg, 67kg and 87kg -- go on the mat.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 7 RESULTS

67kg semifinals
SF 1: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) vs Daniial AGAEV (UWW)
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)

14:28: Daniial AGAEV (UWW) ends the bid of former Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) for a second world title when he gets a 2-point lift and dump from par terre -- after being given more than ample time to complete the move -- in the second period for a 4-2 win at 67kg. Agaev will face Esmaeili for a place in the final.

14:27: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) completes a correct throw from par terre which gives him a 4-3 lead and ultimately the victory over Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) in the 67kg quarterfinals. Galstyan threaten to upset the world silver and Olympic bronze medalist as he turned him when he got the par terre. However, Jafarov scored a stepout to make it 3-1 at the break.

14:23: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) remains on fire, chalking up his third straight victory by technical superiority without giving up a point as he annihilates Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) 8-0 at 67kg. Esmaeili comes out of the blocks with quick 4-point arm throw. Set up in par terre, he then executes a roll, then charges Joergensen out for a stepout. The final point was awarded on challenge, ending the match at 1:54.

14:21: Host Croatia's quest for a world finalist ends as Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) drops his quarterfinal at 67kg 10-0 to Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) who absolutely manhandled Etlinger. A reverse lift throw for four and suplex for four in his win.

63kg semifinals
SF 1: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) vs. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI)
SF 2: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) vs. Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA)

14:15: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) puts Moldova in the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) at 63kg. A two-point turn from par terre is difference between the two wrestlers.

14:14: Seven years after winning his lone world title, Sergey EMELIN (UWW) sees his quest end in Zagreb due to the newest rule change in the sport, as three-time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) gains the first of two passivity points to win 1-1 on "first-point" criteria and advance to the 63kg semifinals.

14:13: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), the world U20 and senior Asian champion, reaches the semifinals at 63kg with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ). Unreal forward pressure from Khalmakhanov.

14:10: Asian silver medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) continued his quest for a world gold with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) to make the 63kg semifinals. Keshtkar powers Mammadov down for a takedown, then unleashes a 2-point throw, which gets a 2-point foul attached. That puts Keshtkar on top of par terre, and he takes advantage with another 2-point throw to end the match at 2:07.

87kg Semifinals
SF 1: David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI)
SF 2: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) vs. Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW)

14:02: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) somehow manages to defend against a throw from par terre by Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) even after being lifted in the air, landing on top for two points, which are awarded on challenge. Alirzaev then puts the match away when he goes on top in par terre in the second period, scoring two rolls for a 7-1 victory and a place in the 87kg semifinals.

14:02: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) got the first priority Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) but he fails to score any points from par terre and leads 1-0 at the break. Mohmadi gets the two points from par terre and a stepout to lead 4-1. Zhanyshov cannot break the defense of Mohamadi who wins with that scoreline.

1401: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) gets the par terre and a stepout to lead David LOSONCZI (HUN) 2-0 at the break. In the second period, Losonczi trips to grip Filchakov who is cautioned for fleeing and the bouts restarts in par terre. Losonczi with a four-pointer to lead 6-2. He defends that lead to enter the semifinals at 87kg.

14:00: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets the first of the two passivity points awarded, and that makes the difference in a 1-1 victory over Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) that puts him into the 87kg semifinals later today.

Quarterfinals begin at the same time.

13:34: Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) turns Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) from par terre to take a 3-0 lead in the first period but the Armenian unleashes a strong gut-wrench in the second period and scores four turns for eight points to lead 9-3 and win the bout at 67kg.

13:30: Former European champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) manages to turn Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) just enough to get the two points from par terre to lead 3-1. Qatar challenges against the scoring but that is lost and Eriomenco wins 4-1 at 63kg.

13:28: Host Croatia's long-shot hopes of winning a gold medal remained alive when Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) scored all of his points in the second period to knock off No. 2 seed Valentin PETIC (MDA) 7-4 at 67kg. Etlinger reeled of two rolls from par terre, then twice stopped throw attempts for 2-point counters. Of concern is that Etlinger was holding his left arm after the match, indicating a possible injury.

13:22: Luis ORTA (CUB) into the 67kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) as he gets the criteria according to the new Greco-Roman rules which gives the victory to the first scorer if the bout ends 1-1. As has become the norm, Turkiye challenge after the match which changes the score to 2-1 but Orta remains the winner.

13:13: A clutch takedown from Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final 8 seconds as he upsets European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-3. Kamal was leading 3-3 on criteria after both score two-point turns from their par terre position. However, Mammadov managed to find an opening in the final moments to hand Kamal his first loss of this year when he would have least liked it.

13:12: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) finishes off a victory over Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) with a spectacular 5-point throw to earn a spot in the 67kg quarterfinals. Put on top in par terre, Jafarov gets two points for a penalty when Shimoyamada blocks his throat while in the air. Australia challenges, but is unsuccessful, putting Jafarov up 4-0. It also puts Shimoyamada, the former Japan national champ, on bottom again, and he is helpless to stop Jafarov's big throw.

13:08: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) was sailing to  victory with a 5-0 lead over Damian VON EUW (SUI) but the Swiss wrestler slammed him for four to make it interesting in the last minute but Alirzaev with a reversal and he wins 6-4 at 87kg.

13:05: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) continues his devastating form, easily putting away Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB) 8-0 to advance to the 67kg quarterfinals. Esmaeli gets a roll from par terre, then picks up a takedown to go ahead 5-0 at the break. Another takedown followed by a stepout ends the match at 4:05.

13:01: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) keeps the winning streak of Iran going after beating Baosheng HUANG (CHN), 2-1, at 63kg.

12:57: Veteran Sergey EMELIN (UWW) uses a reverse head lock from standing to slam Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) to mat for 4 in the second period, paving the way for a 7-3 victory at 63kg that ends testily. Emelin's final points came on a 2-point penalty, and Aslanyan had some words for Emelin, although they ended up with a final hug as they exited the mat.

12:56: World U20 and Asian senior champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) gets a roll and exposure from par terre in the first period and he's through to the 63kg quarterfinals with a 5-1 victory over two-time European medalist Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR).

12:50: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), Paris Olympic bronze medalist, gets both par terre positions in his match against Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) and he adds a stepout plus a correct throw to win 5-0 and advance to the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:42: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gives up the first passivity point to Payton JACOBSON (USA) at 87kg, but does not allow a turn in par terre. When his chance comes in the second period, Komarov takes advantage and gut wrenches Jacobson over. An unsuccessful challenge for who-knows-what gives Komarov another point, and he gains a late stepout to win 5-1.

12:40: European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) uses his early 4-0 lead as a cushion to beat local favorite Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 4-3 at 87kg. He scored a turn from par terre and stepout to get the 4-0 lead before defending that in the second period.

12:34: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) gets the roll in par terre against Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) in the first period of their 87kg clash, then holds steady in the bottom in the second period. That puts last year's world U20 champion into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win.

12:25: Paris Olympic and 2023 world silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) trails 3-1 going into the second period against Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL). But he rectifies the situation quickly, getting behind and then launching a beautiful 4-point throw. Mohmadi gets a chance at par terre and repeats the 4-pointer. Another throw is not executed as well, but gives him a 1-point stepout and an 11-3 win and a spot in the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:15: Asian silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) sticks Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) to his back off the whistle for a 4-point takedown at 67kg. As he works for a fall, Beishekeev stands up and slams Sogabe down for a 4-point throw, ending the match 8-0 in 1:30. That avenged a loss by fall to Sogabe in the first round at the 2023 Asian Championships, where Sogabe took the silver.

12:14: Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS), a former Asian champion who has made the rare move for a Japanese of changing his national affiliation to Australia, shows he's still got it. The 30-year-old takes Gjete PRENGA (ALB) down to his back for 4, then sends him flying for a 4-point throw to win their 67kg clash 8-0 in 39 seconds.

12:10: European champion and Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is taken into the second period by Neiser MARIMON HIDALGO (VEN) at 67kg, albeit with a 3-0 lead, but ducks under for a takedown, then launches a slick 4- point throw for a 9-0 win in 3:52.

12:07: Luis ORTA (CUB), after a four-pointer, gets the par terre and two turns to win Maksym LIU (UKR) to win 9-0. Ukraine corner challenges asking for the last turn to be cancelled but it is valid and the challenge is lost, giving another point to Orta.

12:03: Daniial AGAEV (UWW), a 2024 world U23 bronze medalist,  has a 2-point throw after a takedown annulled on challenge, but comes back in par terre with a trap-arm roll for a 5-0 lead over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) at 67kg. In the second period, Khetsuriani charges to a stepout. then gets a chance at par terre. but Agaev resists, and he walks off a 5-2 winner.

11:51: Paris Olympic 67kg champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI), who added a second straight Asian title earlier this year and is aiming for his first senior world title, has a challenging opening match in former world champion Sebastian NAD (SRB). Esmaeili scores first by successfully challenging for a singlet-grabbing foul, then muscles Nad down for a takedown. A passivity point gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. In the second period, Esmaeili spins behind for a takedown, then quickly gut wrenches for a 9-0 win.

11:35: Former world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) drops his opening bout to Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sergey EMELIN (UWW), 1-1, on the basis of first-point criteria.

11:27: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) with a controlled 4-0 victory over Jianwen LUO (CHN) at 87kg. A position in par terre, a turn for two points and a stepout in his win.

11:21: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), world U20 champion in 2024, lifts Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) from par terre for a fine suplex for four points. Gobadze is cautioned for two points for a leg foul and the bout restarts in par terre. Yevloyev with a correct throw to finish the bout 9-1

11:17: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) held off an aggressive Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the final minute to win 1-1 at 87kg. Nazaryan got the first-point criteria

11:11: Paris Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) needed a correct throw and a bodylock to takedown for a 5-1 victory over Hannes WAGNER (GER) at 87kg

11:07: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), a world U23 silver medalist, starts his senior World Championships with a 4-1 victory over Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB). He scored a stepout to make it 1-1 before getting the par terre and leading 2-1. A turn from par terre extended his lead to 4-1, also the winning score.

11:05: Former European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets a bloody lip early in his 87kg match with Soh SAKABE (JPN), but is otherwise untroubled in rolling to a 5-2 win. Two rolls from par terre gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. Sakabe gets a chance at par terre in the second period but hardly budges Komarov, although he gets a stepout in the final seconds.

11:00: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) comes from 5-1 down to beat Hasan KILINC (TUR), 6-5, at 87kg. Kilic got a reverse lift throw for four points from par terre in the second period to lead 5-1 but Zhanyshov with setpouts and cautions against Kilinc to win.

10:55: Two-time world bronze medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) has little trouble disposing of Erion RAMLJAK (AUS) with an 8-0 victory at 87kg. Filchakov starts with a stepout, then reels off three exposures from par terre to end the proceedings in 1:46.

10:50: After Karlo KODRIC (CRO) ended the 11-year wait for a world medal for hosts Croatia, Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) is looking to add to that bronze medal. He wins with a 9-0 win over Patrik GORDAN (ROU) at 87kg

10:30: The 63kg, 67kg and 87kg wrestlers are set to take the mat on day eight of the World Championships in Zagreb.