Perfect Japan sweeps 5 golds at U20 Worlds

Thursday, August 18, 2022 - 21:44 By Vinay Siwach

SOFIA, Bulgaria (August 18) -- Japan has won every women's team title at the U20 Worlds they have participated in. But when the USA won the team title in Ufa last year in Japan's absence with Russia finishing second and India third, talks of other nations catching up with Japan were ripe.

But on Thursday, Japan once again reminded the world about the gulf in class between them and other nations in women's wrestling.

In what was a day of utter dominance on the mat, Japan swept all five gold medals on offer on Thursday at the U20 World Championships in Sofia, astonishingly only in 14 minutes and 45 seconds.

While Umi ITO (JPN), Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) and Ami ISHII (JPN) finished their bouts in a total of eight minutes 45 seconds, only Ayano MORO (JPN) wrestled the full six minutes.

Moreover, all five wrestlers did not let any of their opponents score a single attacking point with Moro giving up a passivity point in the final.

U20 Asian champion Ito got it going with a 10-0 technical superiority over Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) in the 50kg final. Like all other of her bouts, she never looked in any kind of trouble.

Ito and Jimenez scrambled for the initial takedown but it was the former who got the upper hand. She then added another before getting a roll to lead 4-0. Two go-behinds got her the win in just two minutes and 22 seconds.

The 2017 U17 world champion was injured in the semifinal loss against world champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) at the Meiji Cup. But Ito said that the injury healed just in the nick of time for the U20 Worlds.

"I had the injury two months ago," Ito said. "But I overcame the injury, so like I did in the final, I was able to move well in my matches. Anyway, I'm relieved."

Wrestling at her first U20 Worlds, Ito did not feel any pressure whatsoever to win the title or begin the session with gold for Japan.

"I didn't feel any pressure," she said. "I was able to stay relaxed and I fought without feeling pressure."

With the win, Ito continued her unbeaten record internationally, extending back to 2017.

Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) scored a 10-0 win over Albina RILLIA (UKR) in the 55kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Returning to Sofia for her second age-group World Championships, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) repeated as the champion, this year at 55kg. Wrestling U20 European bronze medalist Albina RILLIA (UKR), Kiyooka finished the bout in three minutes and 36 seconds.

Aware of how the world looks up to Japan as the gold standard in women's wrestling, Kiyooka wanted to keep it the same way.

"Japan [women], of course, every year in international tournaments wins team titles," Kiyooka said. "Every country looks at Japan as a strong team. More than pressure, I'm aware that my country is strong so I prepare to go out and give everything in matches."

And she had a special motivation all the way from Japan going into the gold medal bout on Thursday.

Kiyooka's brother, Kotaro, won his first national collegiate title for Nippon Sports Science University at freestyle 65kg earlier on Thursday. Before his sister's final, he sent a text saying 'ganbatte', which translates to fight hard.

"It motivated me that my brother was watching," she said. "I heard that my older brother had won the title. I was very happy. It made me want to fight hard and achieve the goal of having us siblings win double gold. It became a source of energy and it made me twice as powerful."

Evident on the mat as she did not let Rillia even come close to finishing an attack. For Kiyooka, the performance was similar to any even if it was not the World Championships.

"No matter the tournament, I go into it thinking I will definitely win the title," she said. "More than being concerned about my opponents, I focus on putting out an effort that makes use of what I did in training up to now, and to have matches that I have no regrets about."

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) secures the fall over Viktoria BORSOS (HUN) in the 59kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Two senior world team members gave a peek into what to expect from them at the senior World Championships in Belgrade as both outclassed their opponents in the final.

At 59kg, Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) secured a fall over Viktoria BORSOS (HUN) using a cradle in just one minute and 11 seconds. After the final, Motoki said she learned the move recently.

"I thought I would try a new technique that I was taught, and it was really good that I did it well," Motoki said.

While she secured a fall in the final, her semifinal was a tight affair as she scraped past Ebru DAGBASI (TUR) 2-2 after a late takedown. Motoki said it was the nervousness of wrestling at a World Championships that got to her.

"I had a very disappointing match [semifinal on Wednesday]," she said. "I had to put that behind me and clear my head [for the final]. I felt the pressure. I'm also going to the [senior] World Championships, so yesterday [Wednesday, the nervousness and anxiety caused me to not wrestle so well."

Taking lessons from the U20 Worlds, Motoki, whose father Yasutoshi competed in Greco-Roman 63kg at the 2000 Sydney Olympics, will now train for Belgrade.

"In my training, I want to add new moves and develop more patterns of attack," she said.

The four medalists at 68kg including gold winner Ami ISHII (JPN), second from left. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Ami ISHII (JPN) was the second senior world team member to win the gold on Thursday. She was the quickest of the lot to finish her final, taking just a minute and 36 seconds. She pinned Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) for the gold.

The former U17 Asian champion had to beat world silver medalist Rin MIYAJI (JPN) in the semifinal of the Meiji Cup and Naruha MAYSUYUKI (JPN) in the final and playoff to make the senior world team.

"Yes, there was [pressure]. I am going to the [senior] World Championships, so I thought that I absolutely have to win this tournament," she said.

Ishii is aware that the competition in Belgrade will be much tougher, especially at 68kg. Olympic champion Taymra MENSAH STOCK (USA), world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), Olympic silver Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), 65kg world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA), Feng ZHOU (CHN), and Alla BELINSKA (UKR) are expected to be in Belgrade. But Ishii is up for the challenge.

"I know that the matches will be a lot tougher, so in the short time remaining until then, I will do everything that I need to do to be prepared," she said.

Ayano MORO (JPN) extending her unbeaten streak to 35 bouts. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The final gold was won by Ayano MORO (JPN) who had to work hard for a 3-1 win against two-time U17 world champion Priya MALIK (IND) in the 76kg final.

Moro was called passive in the first period but she scored a stepout to lead 1-1 on criteria at the break.

Malik shot for Moro's legs on a few occasions in the second period but failed to score. Moro, however, hit a low double and scored a takedown and defended her 3-1 lead till the time expired.

With the win, she extended her unbeaten record to 35 bouts, a streak that began in 2017. Her last loss was to Ishii in the 57kg final at the National Junior High School Invitational 2017.

Out of her 35 wins, the bout against Malik was only the second in which she did not secure a fall or technical superiority. The final did leave Moro in tears as she was surprised that it took her six minutes to win the gold medal in Sofia.

"These tears are not for winning gold but for not dominating the final," Moro said. "I want to be at the Olympics and win it but not with this performance. I wrestled very poorly here."

ANTIM (IND) ended Japan's winning run in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Antim stops Japan

Japan had the chance to put all 10 of its wrestlers in the final but ANTIM (IND) pinned Ayaka KIMURA (JPN) in the 53kg quarterfinals to dash its hopes. Japan, however, still has the chance to win 10 medals as Antim reached the final by beating Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA (UKR), 11-2, in the semifinal.

Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) will try to stop Antim from becoming India's first woman to be U20 world champion after she defeated Shaimaa MOHAMED (EGY) via fall. The bout was closer than the scoreline shows as Shagayeva was almost pinned by Mohamed when the referees stopped the bout as the Egypt wrestler pulled Shagayeva's singlet.

The bout began in par terre and the Kazakhstan wrestler got the gut wrench to make it 5-1 before a final-second fall.

Sofia MACALUSO (USA) reached the final at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, Sofia MACALUSO (USA) entered the finals after three wins via fall. She defeated two returning medalists and Melda DERNEKCI (TUR) in the semifinals.

Macaluso will have Ruka NATAMI (JPN) in the final. The Japanese wrestler defeated Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ), 7-1 after trailing for most of the bout. Bayanova kept 1-1 criteria lead and Natami was called passive for the second but she scored an underhook for four.

The second USA wrestler to reach the final was returning U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA), who moved past REETIKA (IND) 12-1 with ease. With a win away from her second U20 title, Elor will face Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ) in the final.

Panassovich was the second wrestler to beat a wrestler from Japan in a thrilling semifinal. Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) led 6-5 with just 15 seconds but Panassovich hit a double leg and scored a takedown to win 7-6. A lost challenge added one more point.

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) is a win away from becoming a U20 world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

A battle between two former U17 world champions will be seen in the 62kg final as Asian champion and senior world bronze medalist Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) reached the final and Tokyo Olympian Sonam MALIK (IND) made it to the gold bout from the other side.

Ozaki defeated Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE), 10-0, using a leg lace while Malik scored a fall over Bermet NURIDIN KYZY (KGZ).

Another India-Japan final will take place as PRIYANKA (IND) booked the spot against Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) at 65kg.

Priyanka used an armbar to pin Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ) while Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) defeated Khadija JLASSI (TUN), 10-0.

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD: Umi ITO (JPN) df. Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), 10-0

BRONZE: Priyanshi PRAJAPAT (IND) df. Munkhgerel MUNKHBAT (MGL), via fall
BRONZE: Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE) df. Natalia WALCZAK (POL), 10-0

55kg
GOLD: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Albina RILLIA (UKR), 10-0

BRONZE: Roza SZENTTAMASI (HUN) df. Pei LIAO (TPE), via fall
BRONZE: Tuba DEMIR (TUR) df. MANJU (IND)

59kg
GOLD: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) df. Viktoria BORSOS (HUN), via fall

BRONZE: Ebru DAGBASI (TUR) df. Bhagyashree FAND (IND), 3-1
BRONZE: Madina AMAN (KAZ) df. Aleksandra WITOS (POL), 4-1

68kg
GOLD: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), via fall

BRONZE: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. ARJU (IND), 6-4
BRONZE: Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER) df. Luciana BEDA (MDA), 5-1

76kg
GOLD: Ayano MORO (JPN) df. Priya MALIK (IND), 3-1

BRONZE: Veronika NYIKOS (HUN) df. Melisa SARITAC (TUR), 7-5
BRONZE: Tristan KELLY (USA) df. Daniela TKACHUK (POL), via fall

Semifinals

53kg
GOLD: ANTIM (IND) vs. Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ)

SF 1: ANTIM (IND) df. Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA (UKR), 11-2
SF 2: Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) df. Shaimaa MOHAMED (EGY), via fall (7-1)

57kg
GOLD: Ruka NATAMI (JPN) vs. Sofia MACALUSO (USA)

SF 1: Ruka NATAMI (JPN) df. Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ), 7-1
SF 2: Sofia MACALUSO (USA) df. Melda DERNEKCI (TUR), via fall (12-3)

62kg
GOLD: Sonam MALIK (IND) vs. Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)

SF 1: Sonam MALIK (IND) df. Bermet NURIDIN KYZY (KGZ), via fall (8-0)
SF 2: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE), 10-0

65kg
GOLD: PRIYANKA (IND) vs. Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN)

SF 1: PRIYANKA (IND) df. Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ), via fall (5-0)
SF 2: Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) df. Khadija JLASSI (TUN), 10-0

72kg
GOLD: Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ) vs. Amit ELOR (USA)

SF 1: Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ) df. Sumire NIIKURA (JPN), 8-6
SF 2: Amit ELOR (USA) df. REETIKA (IND), 12-1

#WrestleZagreb

Olympic champ Saravi reclaims world title in stacked 97kg division

Sunday, September 21, 2025 - 00:52 By Ken Marantz

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 19) -- Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) ended a four-year wait to regain the title of world champion. He had his share of triumphs in the meantime -- a gold at the Paris Olympics, to say the least -- just not on this stage.

Saravi ended the drought by scoring an early takedown and going on to defeat Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) 3-1 in the 97kg final at the World Championships in
Zagreb on Saturday night, when three Greco titles were decided.

"In my opinion, this tournament wasn’t easy at all; it was one of the most exciting and diverse competitions I’ve ever been part of," Saravi said. "There were new opponents, and some wrestlers reached the finals and repechage rounds that I honestly hadn’t expected. The level was much higher than I thought it would be."

In other finals, Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) gave Kazakhstan its first Greco world champion since 1999 with a quick victory at 60kg, while Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) defeated Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) in a headache-inducing clash at 72kg that was a repeat of the 2024 world final.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) scores a takedown on Artur SARGASIAN (UWW) in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

After winning the world gold in Oslo in 2021, Saravi had to settle for bronze medals at the 2022 and 2023 worlds in Belgrade, falling in the semifinals both times.

But he righted the ship for the Paris Olympics, where he defeated long-time rival Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) in the final to add the gold to the Olympic bronze he won at Tokyo in 2021. And from 2023 to this year, he three-peated as Asian champion.

In Zagreb, while Aleksanyan and Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB), who defeated Saravi in the 2023 world semifinals, fell by the wayside, Saravi marched into the final without pomp or drama, winning his matches by such scores as 4-0, 1-1 and 3-1.

"In this weight class, the champions are among the greats of wrestling: Artur Aleksanyan, the Cuban Rosillo, and of course, my final opponent, Artur Sargsian, who is a very well-known and skillful wrestler," Saravi said. "But with my preparation, I was able to execute my plans and win."

His meeting with Sargsian in the final was a rematch of their first-round match at the 2021 World Championships, which Saravi won 6-4 en route to his first world gold. Sargsian took a bronze.

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On Saturday, the 27-year-old Saravi drew early blood when he used an arm drag to get behind and force Sargsian down at the edge for a 2-0 lead. He made it 3-0 with a passivity point, but was unable to turn Sargsian from par terre.

That left the door open for Sargsian, the winner of the Zagreb Ranking Series event in the same arena in February, when he was put in par terre in the second period. But he also could not budge the Iranian, who then ran out the clock for the win.

"As we had planned with my coaches, even though some of my expected rivals didn’t make it to the later rounds, with the analysis we had done we were able to plan well and make it to the final," Saravi said.

"I had wrestled [Sargsian] twice before, and with the strategies we had, I managed to beat him. Thankfully, this time, too, I was able to execute my plans perfectly on
the mat and win the match."

Saravi reflected on coming up short at the two previous World Championships.

"I think in the two World Championships where I won bronze, I had some technical weaknesses," Saravi said. "I was able to fix those before the Olympics and
keep that level through this year’s worlds.

"I hope I can keep improving for the upcoming tournaments and continue winning big medals."

Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) scores a four-pointer on Alisher GANIEV (UZB) in the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

At 60kg, Sultangali, who won two world bronze medals over the five-year span between 2018 and 2022, snared his first gold with a masterful 9-0 win over Asian silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB).

"Today is a historic day for our country because the last gold medal for Kazakhstan came in 1999, 26 years ago," said Sultangali, who also beat the reigning Asian
champion, Se Ung RI (PRK), in the quarterfinals. "I am happy that my country is happy."

Sultangali started the rout in the final by spinning behind for a takedown against Ganiev, then adding a roll for a 4-0 lead.

He used an arm drag to great effect to score two more takedowns to finish off the victory in 1:07. The Uzbekistan challenged the final move, but it failed, making the
final score 9-0.

"I didn’t plan to win the final match so easily and quickly," Sultangali said. "But it happened."

It was a much more fortuitous outcome for Sultangali than in their previous meeting at the Budapest Ranking Series event in July. Ganiev was leading that match 5-1 when Sultangali hit an arm throw, then continued to spin while clamping on the arm. That caused an injury to Ganiev's shoulder and got Sultangali automatically disqualified.

The 72kg final evolved into a messy affair when Ganizade was head-butted by Ghanem in the second period, a painful clash that not only drew blood, but induced a 2-point penalty that would be instrumental in the Ganizade's 4-2 victory.

The Egyptian-born Ghanem received the first passivity point in the first period, but could not score. In the second period, Ganizade was put on top in par terre, but he missed on an attempted throw, then was low on a second attempt at the edge.

The Azerbaijan side challenged the call on the second throw, but it was deemed "not a total lift," giving Ghanem a point for a 2-1 lead.

Had Ghanem just rode out the rest of the match, the gold would have been his. Instead, with :42 left, he rammed Ganizade's head, sending Ganizade sprawling to the mat in pain with blood spurting from the cut. The 2-point penalty gave him a 3-2 lead.

As if to add insult to injury, at the restart Ghanem flopped backwards, allegedly from a head to the chin from Ganizade. He challenged, but the match chairman was having none of his shenanigans, saying there was no contact and nixing the challenge to put Ganizade up 4-2.

"The competition was very tough," said Ganizade, a four-time European medalist. "Even though it was difficult, we had prepared a lot for this event and had attended many training camps. Because of the effort I put in, I believed I could become the champion at this competition -- and that is how I became champion."

It was Ganizade's third straight win in four career meetings with Ghanem, who won the world title in 2023. Previous to last year's 3-2 win in the world final, Ganizade pulled out a close 7-7 victory in the final at the 2023 European Championships.

In their first meeting, Ghanem came out on top, winning 2-1 in the first round of the Individual World Cup in 2020, a tournament set up during the pandemic.

"I have now become world champion for the second time," Ganizade said. "I also hope that after this, I will become world champion a third time and make our nation and people proud. For that reason, I will do my best."

As for what lies ahead, he said, "I’m not thinking about anything else yet. I plan to go rest first. After resting, I’ll decide what comes next."

Se Ung RI (PRK) won a bronze medal at the 60kg weight class. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Ri earns 1st Greco medal since 2015 for DPR Korea

In the bronze-medal matches, Paris Olympic bronze medalist Se Ung RI (PRK) gave the DPR Korea its first world Greco medal since 2015 and fourth overall with a victory by fall at 60kg over Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO).

Ri scored a takedown and 2-point throw for a 4-0 lead, then got in deep on a bear hug. When Shavadze tried to counter by lifting up and back, Ri just pressed forward and drove Shavadze to his back for a 4-pointer that would have ended the match anyway by technical superiority. The end came at 2:11 and the scenario was confirmed on challenge.

The other 60kg bronze went to Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM), a two-time world U23 bronze medalist who outlasted Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), winning 1-1 by earning the first of the two passivity points awarded in the match.

Both 72kg bronze-medal matches came to early and similar conclusions, with two-time Asian medalist Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) and reigning Asian champion Danial SOHRABI (IRI) both cruising to 8-0 victories for their first senior world medals.

Aliev defeated Yeonghun NOH (KOR), with the decisive points coming from an odd twist in a challenge following a 4-point throw by Aliev.

After scoring an early stepout, Aliev launched his 4-point throw from par terre. The Korean side issued a challenge, which it won -- except that the change was a 2-point leg foul against Noh, which made it an 8-point difference and ended the match at 1:40.

Sohrabi went the more traditional route in defeating Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ). The Iranian scored only a stepout on a throw attempt while in par terre, but rebounded to put on a six-point spree, finishing with a gut wrench to win in 2:51.

The 97kg bronze-medal matches proved to be wild affairs, with one having the rare occurrence of a fall being nullified on challenge, while the other had a fall confirmed.

Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) came out on top in a 5-5 decision over Alex SZOKE (HUN) in which the Azeri thought he had reversed to a fall, but was instead flagged for a foul that kept the bout going.

Ahmadiyev started the match with a 4-point arm throw, then stepped over to keep Szoke on his back and nearly secure a fall. The Hungarian side challenged, it was denied and Ahmadiyev led 5-0 going into the second period.

Szoke put the pressure on and gained an activity point, then executed a roll from par terre. But as he tried another, Ahmadiyev suddenly turned to face him and knocked him backward to the mat.

The referee called a fall, but on challenge, a leg foul was detected and Szoke was awarded a 2-point penalty that tied the score, but left him trailing on criteria. Due to the caution, Szoke got another chance at par terre, but couldn't turn Ahmadiyev.

Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) saw his fall of Giorgi MELIA (GEO) in the other 97kg bronze-medal match held up after, like Ahmadiyev, he used a stepover to get Melia onto his back.

Melia was on top in passivity, but when he attempted a roll, Maskevich stepped over to put him into a danger position. Melia temporarily spun out, but Maskevich reeled him back in and secured the fall in 1:54. The action was all upheld on challenge.

Day 8 Results

Greco-Roman

60kg (25 entries)
GOLD: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) df. Alisher GANIEV (UZB) by TF, 9-0, 1:07

BRONZE: Se Ung RI (PRK) df. Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO) by Fall, 2:11 (9-0)
BRONZE: Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) df. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), 1-1

63kg (26 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) df. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI), 5-3
SEMIFINAL: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) by TF, 8-0, :36

67kg (34 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Daniial AGAEV (UWW) by TF, 10-0, 1:44
SEMIFINAL: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), 3-1

72kg (30 entries)
GOLD: Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) df. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA), 4-2

BRONZE: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) df. Yeonghun NOH (KOR) by TF, 8-0, 1:40
BRONZE: Danial SOHRABI (IRI) df. Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ) by TF, 8-0, 2:50

87kg (30 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI) df. David LOSONCZI (HUN), 6-3
SEMIFINAL: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) df. Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW), 1-1

97kg (29 entries)
GOLD: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Artur SARGSIAN (UWW), 3-1

BRONZE: Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) df. Giorgi MELIA (GEO) by Fall, 1:54 (5-1)
BRONZE: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) df. Alex SZOKE (HUN), 5-5

Perfect Japan sweeps 5 golds at U20 Worlds

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Olympic champ Saravi reclaims world title in stacked 97kg division