#WrestlePontevedra

Ozaki, Elor win third world title in two months

Saturday, October 22, 2022 - 00:09 By Vinay Siwach

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PONTEVEDRA, Spain (October 21) -- Since the U23 World Championships were introduced in 2017, there were only two wrestlers to win all four world titles till Thursday.

In the space of two days, three more have been added to the group which only had Haruna OKUNO (JPN) and Masako FURUICHI (JPN).

After Yui SUSAKI (JPN) won the 'Grand Slam' on Thursday, Nonoko OZAKI (JPN) and Amit ELOR (USA) won their first U23 world titles to complete the haul.

Both Ozaki and Elor have won three world titles in the last two months with the first coming at the U20 Worlds in Sofia. They won the senior gold in Belgrade last month before winning the U23 gold on Friday in Pontevedra, Spain.

As women's wrestling ended at the U23 World Championships, Japan won the team title with 225 points with the USA finishing second with 107 points. Ukraine was third also with 107 points but fell behind the USA as the latter had a gold medalist [Elor] while Ukraine did not.

Apart from Ozaki and Elor, senior world champion Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) won the 62kg gold, former senior and U23 world champion Haruna OKUNO (JPN) won the 53kg gold and Sae NANJO (JPN) won the 57kg gold.

Amit ELOR (USA)Amit ELOR (USA) won the 72kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

While Ozaki and Elor have been very similar in their way of winning the gold at the World Championships, both reflect on their achievements differently.

Ozaki, who has lost only once since her 2018 Inter High School Championships semifinals against Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN), feels that the world titles mean little unless she wins the Olympics.

"I don't really have an actual feeling that I am number one in the world," Ozaki said. "Becoming number one was the goal, but since winning the [senior world] championship, nothing has changed for me. For this tournament, I never thought about my being the world champion. Also, it was my first tournament at U23. I just felt it was a regular international tournament. I didn't feel any pressure."

Ozaki, just 19 years old, spent four minutes and 54 seconds in her four bouts in Pontevedra to win the gold at 62kg. In the final, she defeated Iryna BONDAR (UKR) using the leg lace. She led 8-0 after 37 seconds but dropped the pace of the bout after that and won the final in two minutes and 13 seconds. 

In the semifinal, she defeated returning champion Ana GODINEZ (CAN) via technical superiority.

"My style is to finish it [match] off with a single action," she said. "If it doesn't end there, I go to a counterattack. That happened in the semifinal. It wasn't bad to not finish it off all at once, and overall it was a good match."

Despite a 41-0 result in Pontevedra, Ozaki thinks that there are a lot of areas in which she can improve.

"From a mental point of view, the way I dealt with the matches was really good," Ozaki said. "I was in several tournaments over the past year and there were good things and bad things from a mental aspect. Each match was different, and I had to think about how I can ensure my best performance and what should I think about before the match. Over this year, I feel I found a good way to do that. I think this will be useful from now."

For 18-year-old Elor, the tournament was another learning experience as keeps improving with every gold medal.

"With each world championship I've gone a little bit better," Elor said. "Even this summer, each time I wrestled I gained experience and I felt stronger, mentally and physically."

The USA wrestler was up against Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) in the 72kg finals and won 11-0 in four minutes and 12 seconds. She also defeated returning silver medalist Kendra DACHER (FRA) 13-2 in the quarterfinals.

"I can't believe this summer," she said. "This has been the best summer of my life. [At the start of the year] I would not believe that [winning 3 world titles]. I was injured. I had surgery in January this year. It's unbelieve. That [senior world] medal means the world so far and was an amazing experience for me."

With a lot accomplished, a lot remains for the two. Ozaki and Elor want to be Olympic champions and as the next season approaches, both will have to go through a grinding qualification process.

Ozaki will have to win the Emperor's Cup in December this year before the Meiji Cup in June next year to qualify for the 2023 World Championships which offers 2024 Olympic quotas. A medal there will seal the berth for Ozaki.

"I prepared for this [U23] tournament, but my number one objective is the Olympics," Ozaki said. "I went into this [U23] tournament regarding it as the last one to get ready for the Emperor's Cup. At this tournament, a number of new issues to be addressed came up. I want to use that in my final preparations."

Ozaki's win-loss record reads 60-1 dating back to 2018 with that one loss coming at the 2021 World Championships against Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), her first against a non-Japanese opponent in 11 career international tournaments.

Riding on a 26-0 winning streak, Ozaki will be the favorite at the Emperor's Cup especially since she beat Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN) at the Meiji Cup in June this year to qualify for the 2022 World Championships.

However, Ozaki does not think much of that win.

"I don't think it [win over Kawai] gives me confidence," she said. "More than that, I learned a lot about myself."

Elor will have to first decide which Olympic weight class -- 68kg or 76kg -- she wants to move before attending the Olympic trials for the USA if the country wins the quota for the Paris Olympics.

But she is taking one step at a time and not thinking too much ahead.

"I really want to grow and learn more techniques and work on new tactics," she said. "I want to see my body feels at training. For now, I will rest for a while. I am excited for the World Cup this summer."

Three other Japanese wrestlers won gold with Morikawa adding a U23 world gold to her U20 and senior world titles. She also has two U17 silver medals. In the final, Morikawa defeated Nigar MIRZAZADA (AZE) 10-0 and won the gold to join her Japanese teammates as the world champion. But like Elor, Morikawa has to quickly make a decision to switch to an Olympic weight class as the Emperor's Cup approaches in two months.

At 57kg, Nanjo added to her 2019 U23 world gold after beating Patrycja GIL (POL) 13-1 in the final. In the quarterfinals, Nanjo defeated senior world bronze medalist and returning champion Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) 10-0.

But Okuno, the first wrestler to win all world titles, won her third U23 world title with another dominant performance. She defeated defending champion Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) 10-0 in the 53kg final.

Okuno was a late replacement for Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) who pulled out due to cellulitis in her knee. Fujinami had to skip the senior World Championships as well due to injury.

The 18-year-old will try to be ready for the Emperor's Cup. Okuno will be one of her competitors along with Olympic champion Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN).

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RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) df. Lucia YEPEZ (ECU), 10-0 

BRONZE: Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) df. Felicity TAYLOR (USA), 3-3
BRONZE: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) df. Meng HSIEH (TPE), 7-0

57kg
GOLD: Sae NANJO (JPN) df. Patrycja GIL (POL), 13-1

BRONZE: Alexandra HEDRICK (USA) df. Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ), 13-2
BRONZE: Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) df. Siwar BOUSETA (TUN), via fall (9-2)

62kg
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Iryna BONDAR (UKR), 11-0

BRONZE: Astrid MONTERO (VEN) df. Ameline DOUARRE (FRA), 3-1
BRONZE: Ana GODINEZ (CAN) df. Paulina DANISZ (POL), 11-0

65kg
GOLD: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Nigar MIRZAZADA (AZE), 10-0 

BRONZE: Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR) df. Asli DEMIR (TUR), via fall 
BRONZE: Elena ESPOSITO (ITA) df. Dariga ABEN (KAZ), 5-5

72kg
GOLD: Amit ELOR (USA) df. Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL), 11-0

BRONZE: Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) df. Iryna ZABLOTSKA (UKR), 8-1
BRONZE: Kendra DACHER (FRA) df. Maria NITU (ROU), 12-2

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) vs. AMAN (IND)

SF 1: Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) df. Giorgi GEGELASHVILI (GEO), 10-0
SF 2: AMAN (IND) df. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), 10-4 

65kg
GOLD: Hamza ALACA (TUR) vs. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Hamza ALACA (TUR) df. Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR), 14-8 
SF 2: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ), 7-6

70kg
GOLD: Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) vs. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO)

SF 1: Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) df. Yahya THOMAS (USA), 4-2
SF 2: Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 10-0

79kg
GOLD: Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) vs. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO)

SF 1: Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) df. Carter STAROCCI (USA), 8-7
SF 2: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 9-6

97kg
GOLD: Tanner SLOAN (USA) vs. Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)

SF 1: Tanner SLOAN (USA) df. Islam ILYASOV (AZE), 10-2
SF 2: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. Ertugrul AGCA (GER), 8-0

#UnitedWorldWrestling

A decade since wrestling’s grapple back into Olympics

Friday, September 8, 2023 - 06:16 By United World Wrestling Press

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From left to right: Jim SCHERR (USA), Daniel IGALI (CAN), Lise LEGRAND (FRA), Carol HUYNH (CAN) and UWW President Nenad LALOVIC at the press conference during the 125th IOC Session in Buenos Aires in 2013. (Photo: IMAGO/AFLOSPORT)

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 8) -- Wrestling's World Championships enters the 102nd year next week and next year will mark another Olympic Games that will feature wrestling. But 10 years ago, wrestling was removed from the Olympic Programme.

In February 2013, the International Olympic Committee voted to remove wrestling from the 2020 Olympics. It took wrestlers from different nations coming together, led by Serbia's Nenad LALOVIC, to reverse an unthinkable result and to 'Save Olympic Wrestling'.

On September 8, 2013, in Buenos Aires, Argentina, the full IOC membership welcomed the sport back to the programme with a first-round vote that left no doubt that wrestling belonged in the Olympic Games.

Wrestling's journey of finding itself back in the Olympics was marked by twists and turns, and, fittingly, resiliency.

 

The Decision

One of the original sports in the ancient Olympic Games, wrestling faced the critical assessment of the IOC which had expressed concerns about the growing size of the Summer Games and aimed to cap the number of athletes at approximately 10,500. The IOC also wanted to attract younger viewers to broaden the international television audience. There was also discontent over the lack of gender equality, having only introduced women's freestyle competitions in 2004.

When the decision of wrestling being dropped from the Olympic Gamesheadlined, United World Wrestling, then FILA, put in all efforts to revamp the sport. In a FILA Bureau meetingin Phuket, Thailand, Raphael Martinetti resigned as president and after a vote of the Bureau members. The Bureau nominated Lalovic as acting President.

"The world of wrestling is understandably disappointed by the IOC Executive Board’s recommendation to remove wrestling from the 2020 Olympic Games Programme," Lalovic said. "We see this as an opportunity which could be a positive turning point for our sport. One thing is for certain: it is our responsibility alone to address the issues that led to this situation. We are listening to the IOC’s concerns and learning from their guidance. We must strive to improve our sport’s Olympic offering in order to retain our position on the Olympic Programme and evolve with the times.

The Fight

What followed was an immediate and impassioned campaign that stretched from the United States and Russia to Iran and Japan. 

Armen NAZARYAN (ARM) and Sagid MURTAZALIEV returned their gold medals in protest, with Nazaryan also engaging in a hunger strike. London gold-medallist Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) used numerous public speaking appearances, countless interviews, and his Twitter account to promote the cause.

To address the concerns, UWW removed two men's weight classes and introduced two new classes for women starting from the 2016 Rio Olympics. This adjustment led to six weight classes each for Freestyle and Women's Wrestling while maintaining six in Greco-Roman.

Rule changes were also implemented to make the sport more engaging and dynamic. Instead of the previous format of three two-minute rounds, matches now consist of two three-minute rounds. This new structure aims to reward aggressive wrestling; takedowns, for example, are now worth two points instead of one. Additionally, matches are decided based on accumulated points, further encouraging active competition.

Campaigns were held in Russia, Iran, the United States and Japan. The first three countries came to New York City, united and determined to prove to the world that Wrestling belongs in the Olympics. The three competed in the “Rumble on the Rails” in the world-famous Grand Central Station.

While in New York, Lalovic attended a press conference at the United Nations. “We are dedicated to reforming our sport and making FILA a more proactive and responsible organization. We will do everything we can to address the IOC’s concerns and ensure that wrestling remains a part of the Olympic Games," he said.

Wrestlers from around the world also took a trip to – Olympia, Greece – the birthplace of the Olympic movement. Wrestlers from Albania, Brazil, Germany, Great Britain, Greece, Iran, Russia and the United States, competed in the international tournament, which was run under the new rules passed by FILA.

IOC took notice and in its session in Buenos Aires, Argentina, it confirmed wrestling's spot in the Olympics.

"I want to offer my sincere gratitude to each member of the International Olympic Committee that voted to save Olympic wrestling today," Lalovic said. "With this vote, you have shown that the steps we have taken to improve our sport have made a difference. I assure each of you that our modernization will not stop now. We will continue to strive to be the best partner to the Olympic Movement that we can be."

In Ten Years

In the decade since wrestling's reinstatement to the Olympic Games, the sport has seen remarkable progress in its structure and reach. The governance of the sport underwent significant changes, with rule amendments aimed at making matches even more dynamic and engaging.

In 2016, there were ten weight classes for women in wrestling, up from four in 2004. This was a major step forward for the sport and has helped increase the visibility and popularity of Women's Wrestling. Who can forget Kaori ICHO’s (JPN) historic accomplishment of being the first ever wrestler, women or men, to obtain four Olympic gold medals!

Over the years, many countries have emerged as the best performers in Women's Wrestling including Japan, Kyrgyzstan, China, Moldova, India, Estonia, Kazakhstan, Turkiye and even Pan-Am countries.

The focus on gender equality has extended beyond merely adding women’s weight classes, as witnessed by UWW's projects and programs, such as special funding for female coaches and wrestlers and quotas for female referees and women working in key administrative positions.

Off the mat, there has been a concerted effort to globalize wrestling, and marketing and social media campaigns have effectively changed the sport's image and engaged younger fans. High-profile wrestlers have taken on ambassadorial roles, visiting schools, appearing on talk shows, and participating in public events to promote the sport. Online platforms are being utilized for live-streaming events and tutorials, making the sport more accessible.

Wrestling's growth is further marked by the acceptance of Beach Wrestling and more than 100 countries participating in the World Championships.

The athlete-focused approach aligned with the IOC's vision of the Olympic movement has allowed fans to be more connected to the sport. Wrestling has established itself as a leader in terms of engagement and continues to be ranked within the top ten in social media amongst all other International Federations.

The 10-year journey from near-elimination to triumphant return is a microcosm of the sport: a physical and metaphorical tussle where resilience is the key to victory. As a wrestler grapples, twists, and turns to win, the sport has shown its mettle by overcoming near defeat, reforming, and returning stronger.

Here’s to wrestling — a sport as ancient as it is contemporary, as diverse as it is specialized, and, most importantly, as resilient as the athletes who partake in it. Wrestling knows how to fight back and fight back it did.

Wrestling’s reinstatement to the Olympic Programme was a collective effort of the wrestling family all across the world. The dedication and tremendous work of key individuals that went into this result will never be forgotten by the wrestling community and will forever live on in wrestling folklore as some of the greatest stewards the sport has ever seen. Thank you.