#WrestlePontevedra

Russia Edges Ukraine by 10 Points, Wins Women's Wrestling Team Title

Friday, June 7, 2019 - 18:32 By Eric Olanowski

Share this article

PONTEVEDRA, Spain (June 7) – Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) and Mariia LACHUGINA (RUS) joined teammates Daria KHVOSTOVA (RUS) and Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS) as European champions and helped Russia (154 points) edge Ukraine (145 points) in the women’s team race by 10 points. 

In the 53kg finals, Mariia Tiumerekova, one of the most decorated age-level wrestlers competing at this year’s European Championships, outscored defending U23 and junior champion European Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), 4-1 in the second period to win the gold medal. 

Tiumerekova, the four-time age-level world medalist, trailed 1-0 after she gave up an inactivity point. Then, the Russian stopped a headlock attempt and picked up a point from a failed Turkish challenge to control the 3-1 lead late into the second period. She tacked on a step out point before the ending whistle and captured her second career European title and first since winning the 2017 cadet European title at 49kg. 

Mariia LACHUGINA (RUS) trailed 6-2 but pancaked Irina RINGACI (MDA) to her back for the fall and the 62kg title. (Photo: Gabor Martin) 

In the 62kg finals, Mariia Lachugina scored the bout’s first takedown, but Irina RINGACI (MDA) quickly exploded to her feet and scored a takedown of her own to gain the 2-2 lead on criteria. In the second period, Lachugina got bulldozed over and surrendered a four-point double leg. Planted on her back, the Russian was able to sneak out of bounds and get a fresh start. When the action resumed, Lachugina returned the favor and pancaked Ringaci to her back, and picked up the fall, giving Russia their second gold medal of the day. 

This was Lachugina’s second time wrestling in the continental finals, but an improvement on her runner-up finish from back in 2015. 


Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) captured the 57kg title after sticking Maryia HULIDA (BLR). (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Second place Ukraine, who finished with seven medalists, finally got their champion on Day 6 when Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) captured the 57kg title. 

In the finals, 2017 U23 world bronze medalist Alina Akobiia quickly dismantled Maryia HULIDA (BLR), picking up the fall after leading 8-0. Akobiia dominated the match with her front headlock, picking up a pair of takedowns against her Belarusian opponent. She also scored a four-point throw with a cross ankle pick which resulted in her picking up the fall with 45 seconds left in the first period. 

This was Akobiia’s fourth appearance in the European finals but got back to her winning ways after dropping two consecutive continental gold-medal matches. 

Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR) ended Maria NITU’s (ROU) magical European run with a convincing 7-1 victory in the 72kg finals, locking up Belarus’ third place team finish. Belarus also had a champion in Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR), and two other medalists and finished with 126 points. 

Freestyle takes over tomorrow morning. Wrestling begins at 11:00 (local time) with the Day 6 finals starting at 18:00. All the action can be followed live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org. 

RESULTS 

GOLD – Russia (154 points)
SILVER – Ukraine (144 points)
BRONZE – Belarus (126 points)
Fourth – Hungary (105 points) 
Fifth – Poland (94 points) 

53kg 
GOLD - Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) df. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), 4-2
BRONZE - Emma Jonna Denise MALMGREN (SWE) df. Tetiana PROFATILOVA (UKR), via fall 
BRONZE - Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Emma Solange Irène LUTTENAUER (FRA), 6-0 

57kg 
GOLD - Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) df. Maryia HULIDA (BLR), via fall
BRONZE - Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) df. Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (RUS), via fall 
BRONZE - Maria Victoria BAEZ DILONE (ESP) df. Gaëlle Paquita Maravilla RUIZ (FRA), 7-2 

62kg 
GOLD - Mariia LACHUGINA (RUS) df. Irina RINGACI (MDA), via fall 
BRONZE - Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR) df. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), 9-6
BRONZE - Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) df. Ramina MAMEDOVA (LAT), via fall 

65kg 
GOLD - Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Anastasiia LAVRENCHUK (UKR), 5-3 
BRONZE - Amina Roxana CAPEZAN (ROU) df. Viktoria VESSO (EST), 8-8 
BRONZE - Noémi SZABADOS (HUN) df. Elena ESPOSITO (ITA), 3-2 

72kg 
GOLD - Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (BLR) df. Maria NITU (ROU), 7-1
BRONZE - Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS)  df. Ariadna IBORRA QUINONES (ESP), 10-0 
BRONZE - Kamila Czeslawa KULWICKA (POL) df. Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), 11-0 

#WrestleTirana

Interview: Iran Greco-Roman coach Hassan Rangraz

Sunday, February 16, 2025 - 10:38 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 14) -- Iran won its first Olympic gold medal in Greco-Roman at the 2012 London Games. Rio 2016 was a blank but Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) won at the Tokyo Olympics. Soon, Iran changed the coaching staff and brought in Hassan RANGRAZ to lead the Iran team.

Rangraz enjoyed success at various levels but the 2024 Paris Olympics was one of the best that Iran had. Two gold medals, one silver and one bronze made it the most successful Olympics for Iran.

The 44-year-old soft-spoken former world champ has a different personality while coaching. He rarely takes the role of first coach during the bouts. But he is always animated in the corner, shouting instructions to his wrestlers and sometimes reacting to the referee's decisions.

As the new Olympic cycle for the 2028 Los Angeles Games begins, United World Wrestling caught up with Rangraz at the season opening Zagreb Open Ranking Series. Rangraz explained the success of Iran's Greco-Roman team, training in Tehran, defended the selection process and the fans who have a say on everything in Iran wrestling.

Hassan RANGRAZ (IRI)Iran's national Greco-Roman coach Hassan RANGRAZ during the 2024 Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Excerpts:

- How do you see the success of Iran Greco-Roman team at the Paris Olympics?

Rangraz: In my opinion, the result of the Paris Olympics, with four medals, two of them gold, was a remarkable achievement in the history of Greco-Roman wrestling for Iran. This success was primarily due to the six years of planning by the federation, the efforts of former head coaches and previous coaches. I played a very small part in this journey.

- What is it like in the national camp for Iran?

Rangraz: Right after the Olympics, with a very short break, we began our planning. From the Olympics to the 2025 World Championships, we will have 22 training camps, totaling 220 days. We will also be competing for nearly 80 days. Out of the 365 days in a year, our wrestlers will be under direct supervision of the coaching staff for about 300 days. They will follow intense training programs and preparation matches. Even during the remaining 60 days, they will still be monitored indirectly through technical and strength training programs provided by the coaching staff.

- Iran's selection process often comes under scrutiny. Despite that, it keeps producing results. What are you thoughts on the current selection process in Iran?

Rangraz: We have a process and young wrestlers can enter this cycle to compete and prove their worth. The prime examples of this process are Esmaeili and Mohammadi. They shone in domestic and international tournaments, competed with top wrestlers in their weight classes. They performed and won Olympic medals. We are committed to implementing the national team’s selection process and giving talented young wrestlers the opportunity to prove themselves. This way, we can execute the talent identification process in the best possible way.

- What are the responsibilities and challenges as the national coach?

Rangraz: Wrestling is the number one sport in Iran and our national, patriotic, and traditional sport. Wrestling is part of Iran’s culture. Therefore, taking on the technical responsibility as the head coach primarily brings stress, anxiety, and immense pressure. On top of that, you have to be accountable for the results and take responsibility for the team’s performance. In terms of difficulty, I can confidently say that considering the intense scrutiny, being the head coach of the national team is so challenging it’s like working in a mine.

- The fans of Iranian wrestling are always involved. How do you see this and does it affect you in any way?

Rangraz: As I mentioned earlier, 80 million Iranians have a deep love for wrestling. Perhaps that’s why a tournament that may not hold much significance for people from other countries is so important to our people. They follow it closely, they care about it, they rejoice in victories and worry about defeats. This immense passion and support from fans is the greatest strength and asset for wrestling in our country.

- What is the roadmap for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics?

Rangraz: We believe that the Olympic Games are just around the corner. Four years go by very quickly. To succeed in the Olympics, you need to work hard, but also work smart. You can’t afford to miss a single training session or day. With this mindset and determination and knowing how high and legitimate the expectations are, we continue on our path with great strength, despite all the pressures we feel in every competition.

I believe the future of Iranian wrestling is very bright. Iran is passionate about wrestling. One of my dreams is that, just like in 1998 and 2002, we can once again host the World Wrestling Championships in Iran. The main reason for this is that nowhere else in the world will you find such passionate and numerous fans. These fans are the greatest asset of world wrestling, not just Iranian wrestling, and their expectation is to host a World Championship event.