Russia Puts All 3 Women Into Semis; Renteria's Quest for More Olympic Glory Ends

Friday, May 7, 2021 - 13:22 By Ken Marantz

SOFIA, Bulgaria (May 7) -- A day after Russia assured it would send a full men's freestyle team to the Tokyo Olympics, the women have a chance to do the same with a task three times as hard.

All three Russian women advanced to the semifinals at the final world Olympic qualifying tournament on Friday in Sofia, Bulgaria, putting them one win away from securing berths at the Tokyo Games.

For two-time Olympic bronze medalist Jackeline RENTERIA (COL), the door to another Olympics was slammed shut when she fell 7-2 in the second round at 62kg to Kriszta INCZE (ROU).

Should Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) at 53kg, Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) at 57kg and Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) at 62kg be successful in the night session at the Arena Armeec Sport Hall, it will allow Russia to join Olympic host Japan, China and the United States as countries entered in all six women's weight classes in Tokyo.

Mongolia also has a chance to become a member of that elite group after Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) made it to the last four at 62kg, and did it in dramatic fashion.

Khurelkhuu was trailing 6-1 against Nathaly GRIMAN (VEN) with 1:14 left in their quarterfinal match when she used an arm drag to get behind, then levered her opponent over with a chicken wing to record a fall.

In the semifinal, Khurelkhuu will face Veranika IVANOVA (BLR), who stormed to an 11-0 technical fall over Mariana CHERDIVARA (MDA).

The other semifinal will pit Ovcharova, the 2019 world silver medalist at 59kg, against Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), who forced a stepout with :11 left to upend Berthe ETANE (CMR) 2-2 in the quarterfinals.

Ovcharova advanced with a victory by fall over Incze, this year's European bronze medalist at 65kg who couldn't replicate her giant-killing ways.

On Thursday, the Russian men completed the Olympic set in freestyle by filling the lone hole in the lineup at 125kg. The women came to Sofia with three places to fill, and their entrants have stepped up so far to the challenge.

Facing arguably the toughest task will be Chumikova at 57kg, as she has to face Grace BULLEN (NOR), who has been completely dominant in her quest to become just the second Norwegian woman in history to qualify for the Olympics.

Bullen, the 2020 European gold medalist and 2018 world U23 champion, opened her run by tearing apart Linda MORAIS (CAN), the 2019 world champion at 59kg. She then followed that with a 10-0 rout of 2020 European bronze medalist Sara LINDBORG (SWE).

Chumikova, this year's European silver medalist at 59kg, followed a technical fall with a 7-2 victory in the quarterfinals over 2019 European champion Emese BARKA (HUN).

"What can I say, today was great. I wrestled good," Chumikova said.

In the other 57kg semifinal, Giullia OLIVEIRA (BRA) will take on Mathilde RIVIERE (FRA). Oliveira advanced with a 16-5 technical fall over Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ), while Riviere won her opening match 5-0 then received a bye in the semis because of a double forfeit in the other half of her quarterfinal bracket.

"I am very happy with my performance today and I really believe that all the work I have done until now will give me the result that I have always dreamed for," Oliveira said. "I have really wanted to go to the Olympics since I was a kid."

While Russia was putting three wrestlers into the quarterfinals, Venezuela, which has no places yet at Tokyo, became the only other country with more than one, with Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) advancing at 53kg and Maria ACOSTA (VEN) at 76kg. Nineteen other countries have a single semifinalist.

Arguello defeated Sezen BELBEROVA (BUL) by fall to set up the showdown with Khoroshavtseva, who shrugged off giving up an early 4-point move before securing a lace lock and rolling to a 15-4 technical fall over Zeynep YETGIL (TUR).

The other 53kg semifinal will pit Samantha STEWART (CAN) against Andreea ANA (ROU).

Stewart, a bronze medalist at the Matteo Pellicone tournament earlier this year, chalked up a pair of technical falls, the second over Hilary HONORINE (FRA) to advance to the semifinals.

"Today has been really good and I am excited for this opportunity," Stewart said. "I have been training really hard for this. I am very focused on the next bout and I am planning like one takedown at the a time."

At 76kg, Acosta's path to Tokyo is currently blocked by Alla BELINSKA (UKR), the European champion at 72kg who will be aiming to give Ukraine a fifth women's berth. Acosta advanced with a 7-2 win over Patrycja SPERKA (POL), while Belinska topped Catalina AXENTE (ROU) 5-0.

Yasemin ADAR (TUR), the 2020 European silver medalist and 2019 champion, pinned 2019 world U23 and junior champion Milaimys MARIN (CUB) to make the other 76kg semifinal, where she will face Martina KUENZ (AUT), a 4-1 winner over Zsanett NEMETH (HUN).

That will be a rematch of their clash in the quarterfinals at the European Olympic qualifier in Budapest, which Kuenz won by fall after leading 9-5. That avenged two previous losses to Adar.

"I am here for the ticket and in the end it doesn't matter how I win the matches as long as I win them," Kuenz said. "Now I am wrestling in the Tokyo qualifying match. I am ready for it. Same thing, as long as I keep winning, I will be happy."

Kuenz said she does not feel pressure. "My mentality is my strength so I am just excited to fight again against the Turkish girl," she said. "In the last bout at European qualifier I won the match, and I am sure she is not excited about wrestling against me."

At 68kg, Rio 2016 Olympian Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) has a chance to become the lone wrestler in Tokyo from her country when she faces 2020 European champion Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL).

Hanzlickova defeated Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) 8-0, while Hristova followed an opening match fall with a 12-2 technical fall over Nisha DAHIYA (IND).

"I was nervous before my matches because this finger [left index] was injured before," Hanzlickova said. "And before the quarterfinal, I injured another one. I was nervous because of that.

"But right before the matches I felt good and confident and it went well. The quarterfinal was tough, but I was in control so I was able to win."

India will get a chance to pick up a fourth Olympic women's spot when Seema BISLA (IND) faces Anna LUKASIAK (POL) in the 50kg semifinals in a clash of continental bronze medalists.

The other berth will go to the winner between Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG).

Day 2 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg
Semifinals
Anna LUKASIAK (POL) vs Seema BISLA (IND)
Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) vs Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG)

Quarterfinals
Seema BISLA (IND) df. Emma MALMGREN (SWE) by Fall, 5:16 (10-2)
Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) by TF, 11-0, 4:22
Anna LUKASIAK (POL) df. Dauletbike YAKHSHIMURATOVA (UZB), 2-0
Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) df. Julie SABATIE (FRA), 4-2

53kg
Semifinals
Andreea ANA (ROU) vs Samantha STEWART (CAN)
Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) vs Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS)

Quarterfinals
Samantha STEWART (CAN) df. Hilary HONORINE (FRA) by TF, 10-0, 2:49
Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) df. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) by TF, 15-4, 3:32
Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Luisa VALVERDE (ECU), 7-0
Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) df. Sezen BELBEROVA (BUL) by Fall, 4:21 (6-1)

57kg
Semifinals
Giullia OLIVEIRA (BRA) vs Mathilde RIVIERE (FRA)
Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) vs Grace BULLEN (NOR)

Quarterfinals
Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Sara LINDBORG (SWE) by TF, 10-0, 3:51
Giullia OLIVEIRA (BRA) df. Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ) by TF, 16-5, 4:36
Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) df. Emese BARKA (HUN), 7-2
Mathilde RIVIERE (FRA) won by default

62kg
Semifinals
Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) vs Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL)
Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) vs Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)

Quarterfinals
Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) df. Nathaly GRIMAN (VEN) by Fall, 5:03 (5-6)
Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) df. Berthe ETANE (CMR), 2-2
Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) df. Mariana CHERDIVARA (MDA) by TF, 11-0, 1:57
Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) df. Kriszta INCZE (ROU) by Fall, 3:17 (6-0)

68kg
Semifinals
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) vs Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE)

Quarterfinals
Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) df. Nisha DAHIYA (IND) by TF, 12-2, 2:13
Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) df. Luz VAZQUEZ (ARG), 2-2
Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) df. Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU), 8-0
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA) by TF, 10-0, 3:42

76kg
Semifinals
Yasemin ADAR (TUR) vs Martina KUENZ (AUT)
Maria ACOSTA (VEN) vs Alla BELINSKA (UKR)

Quarterfinals
Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Catalina AXENTE (ROU), 5-0
Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Milaimys MARIN (CUB) by Fall, 1:40 (2-0)
Maria ACOSTA (VEN) df. Patrycja SPERKA (POL), 7-2
Martina KUENZ (AUT) df. Zsanett NEMETH (HUN), 4-1

#WrestleSofia

Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan send talented stars for U20 Worlds

Friday, August 12, 2022 - 10:26 By Vinay Siwach

SOFIA, Bulgaria (August 11) -- Before they take over the senior level in the coming years, a host of young Greco-Roman stars will land in Sofia to announce themselves at the U20 World Championships. The classic style will be in action in the Bulgarian capital from August 19, after the freestyle and women's wrestling.

While some of them have already participated in senior competitions, a few have burst into the scene by winning the continental tiles this year. And some others will resume their growing rivalries.

Emre MUTLU (TUR) is a U23 European champion. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The 55kg is a prime example of the quality of the wrestlers that are entered for the tournament. U23 European champion and bronze medalist at the senior level Emre MUTLU (TUR) is eyeing a world title after impressive runs at continentals.

But he is not the favorite. After winning the U23 Euros in February, he suffered a 3-1 loss against Denis MIHAI (ROU) at the U20 Euros.

Mihai reached the final but could not move past Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), a U23 world bronze medalist, who will now hope to get the U20 world title in Sofia.

But U20 Asian champion Seyedarash NEGAHDARI (IRI) looked in solid form in Bahrain and will be a threat at 55kg along with '21 U17 world champion Luka JAVAKHADZE (GEO).

Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM), red, won the U20 European title by beating Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO) in the final. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Azerbaijan has a returning bronze medalist at 60kg in Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) who also won the same medal at the U20 European Championships which was won by Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM).

The Armenian finished 15th at last year's U20 Worlds but has since improved and won the continental title over Mammadali and Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO).

But Saeid Morad ESMAEILI (IRI) will be the favorite to win the gold as he looks to make amends from last year. While he was not on the Iran team for U20 Asians, Esmaeili is a silver medalist from Ufa.

He is joined by Mert ILBARS (TUR) who was a bronze medalist and a former U17 world silver medalist. Ilbars suffered a shock 4-2 loss to Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL) at the U20 Europeans.

Pan-Am champion Ronaldo RAMIREZ (COL) will be making the long trip to Sofia as well. He won the gold medal over Jeremy PERALTA (ECU) after a wild 14-10 final. Peralta's semifinal against Edwin MIRANDA (PER) ended with a 21-19 scoreline.

Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) will be hoping to add a world title to his continental one. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

At 63kg, former U17 world bronze Arman VARDANYAN (ARM) and U23 European silver Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) will look to make the run to the final. The two have the experience to outclass their opponents.

Another wrestler who has impressed in the past year is U20 Asian champion Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) who also won the bronze medal at the senior Asians in May.

Pan-Am champion Haiden DRURY (USA) was dominant in Mexico and will be the USA's medal hope.

Bulgaria would have liked U20 European champion Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) to enter the home tournament but the senior European silver medalist has decided to sit out.

Two continental champions are likely to clash at 67kg as U20 European champ Nika BROLADZE (GEO) and Asian champ Seyed SOHRABI (IRI) are entered. Broladze won the gold in Rome to add to his U17 world bronze medal from 2019 while Sohrabi is yet to win a world medal. He suffered a first-round loss in Ufa.

Trying to stop them are Kanan ABDULLAZADE (AZE) who won a bronze medal at U20 Euros, Ufa ninth-placer Din KOSHKAR (KAZ), Erlan MARS UULU (KGZ) who won silver at U20 Asians at 72kg and Asia and U17 world bronze medalist Ankit GULIA (IND).

Attila TOESMAGI (HUN) is the favorite to win the 72kg weight class in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Hungary can hope to crown a world champion as U20 European gold medalist Attila TOESMAGI (HUN) is registered at 72kg. He won the title by beating Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) 2-1 in a close final. Gurbanov will look to avenge that loss and add to his two previous world medals, both at the U17 level.

U20 Asian champion Amir ABDI (IRI) would be itching to win a World Championships medal after finishing fifth in Ufa and later at the U23 Worlds in Belgrade. He won the Asian title without conceding a single point and will hope to continue the same form in Sofia.

The field also has '21 U17 world champion Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), European bronze medalists Omer DOGAN (TUR) and Temuri ORJONIKIDZE (GEO), and Pan-Am champion Richard FEDALEN (USA).

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) is returning bronze medalist at 77kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

U23 European champion Khasay HASANLI (AZE) had a disappointing U20 tournament as he lost 3-1 to Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR) and will be hoping to bounce back for the U20 Worlds at 77kg.

Returning bronze medalist Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) defended his U20 European title and will now hope to add a world title to his U17 one which he won in 2018. Overall, Gutu has had a mixed career since 2018, failing to enter the finals of four World Championships since then.

In Sofia, he may have to go past familiar opponents in Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO) and European bronze medalists Deni NAKAEV (GER) and Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR).

U20 Asian champion Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB) and silver to him Masoud KAVOUSI GHAFI (IRI) are also entered along with Pan-Am champion Guilherme DE ARRUDA (BRA) who outscored his opponents 50-1 in the five bouts in Mexico.

Alperen BERBER (TUR) was crowned the U17 world champion in July. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Former U17 world champ and U20 European champion Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) will start as the favorite to win the gold at 82kg. He defeated Rauf ALIYEV (AZE), Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR), Hamza SERTCANLI (SWE) and Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN) to win the gold in Rome. All but Sertcanli are entered for the Sofia Worlds.

Sarkkinen will be hoping for a rematch so he can avenge his 9-4 loss in the final. If he manages to win the title in Sofia, Sarkkinen will be Finland's fifth U20 world champion and first since 2018.

But recently crowned U17 world champion Alperen BERBER (TUR) can prove to be the dark horse of the weight class as he tries to win a second world title in three weeks.

European bronze medalists Abdiiev and Ilia CERNOVOL (MDA) along with U20 Asian champion Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) will be the other names to follow.

U20 European champion Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) finished fifth in Ufa. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Wrestling at his final U20 World Championships, Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) will like to sign off on a winning note in the 87kg weight class. He won the U20 European title last month and has a U17 world title from 2019 but since failed to medal at the two U20 Worlds, finishing fifth in Ufa.

Another wrestler who won the continental title and is returning from Ufa is Maksat SAILAU (KAZ), who finished eighth last year.

Both European bronze medalists Nikolaos IOSIFIDIS (GRE) and Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) are entered along with Asian silver Azamatjon ABDUBANNOBOV (UZB).

Gabriel LUPASCO (MDA) and U20 European silver Patrik GORDAN (ROU) can upset any wrestler in the field and will be big threats to win a medal.

Richard KARELSON (EST) can become Estonia's first-ever medalist at U20 Worlds. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Estonia has never won a medal at the U20 Worlds but Richard KARELSON (EST) may change that as the U20 European champion enters the competition carrying the responsibility of ending the drought. In Rome, he became the first Estonia wrestler to win the continental title at the U20 level and the second to enter the final.

Incidentally, the first ever Estonian to reach the U20 European final was also named Richard KARELSON (EST), who achieved the feat in 1981.

But to create history, Karelson will have a strong field of European and Asian wrestlers. U20 Asian Championships finalists Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) and Nurmanbet RAIMALY UULU (KGZ) are hoping to win a title as well.

Add U20 European silver Connor SAMMET (GER) who is hoping to avenge his final's loss to Karelson and both bronze medalists Maans KLOSTERMANN (SWE) and Oktay DEMIR (TUR).

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) is the U20 Asian champion. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

The 130kg weight class has more than one contender eyeing world glory. U20 European champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) and silver medalist Adolf BAZSO (HUN) may have a rematch in Sofia with Bazso hoping to reverse the result from the continentals.

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) won the Asian title over Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) and both are entered. Nasimov has the experience of wrestling at last year's Worlds.

European bronze medalists Albert VARDANYAN (ARM) and Dominik KRAWCZYK (POL) would like to upset the two European finalists after missing out on in Rome.

Russia Puts All 3 Women Into Semis; Renteria's Quest for More Olympic Glory Ends

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Iran, Georgia, Azerbaijan send talented stars for U20 Worlds