#WrestleSofia

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

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

#WrestleAthens

Uzbekistan closer to Women's Wrestling history at U17 Worlds

By Vinay Siwach

ATHENS, Greece (July 30) --  Mukhayyo RAKHIMJONOVA (UZB) is on the verge of creating history for Uzbekistan in Athens.

Wrestling at the World U17 Championships on Wednesday, Rakhimjonova became the first wrestler from Uzbekistan to reach the final of U17 Worlds.

 On Thursday, she will try to become the first wrestler to win a gold medal at any World Championships for Uzbekistan in Women's Wrestling.

She reached the 65kg final after beating European silver medalist Feenja HERMANN (GER), 6-1. In her earlier bouts, she had defeated Zuzanna HORBIK (POL), 6-4, and Alexandra MOISEI (MDA), 12-1.

Standing between her and the historic gold medal is Asian U17 champion Ashvini VISHNOI (IND), who was one of India's four finalists on Wednesday.

Vishnoi, who outscored her opponents 41-0 in four bouts, defeated European U17 champion Lilia ERMOKHINA (UWW), 7-0, in the semifinal. After a slow start, Vishnoi got two takedowns in the second period, adding to her two stepouts and one passivity point in the match.

Former world U17 champion KAJAL (IND) will get a chance to avenge her loss from Asian Championships after she reached the final against Asian champion Wenjin QIU (CHN) at 73kg.

Qiu had humbled Kajal 10-0 in the final of the Asian U17 Championships a month ago in Vietnam. But if Kajal is in the form she showed on Wednesday, her chances to avenge that loss are high.

She defeated Pan-Am champion Ella Jo POALILLO (USA), 11-0, giving no chance to Poalillo. Kajal hit a couple of double-leg as counters to take down Poalillo.

Qiu pinned Deborah GARCIA (MEX) in the other semifinal when the Mexican tried to outside trip her. Qiu stood her ground and slammed Garcia before securing the fall.

Another Asian U17 Championships final will be replayed on Thursday, at 57kg, as champion MONI (IND) and silver medalist Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ) won their respective semifinals and book their spots in the gold-medal bout.

Usmanov used a four-pointer against Sayuki TANADA (JPN) and secured the fall in two minutes and 36 seconds. With the loss of Tanada, Japan was left with only one finalist on Wednesday when five weight classes were in action.

Moni, like she had done all day, kept her defense and scored takedown whenever she could find an opening. After a passivity point, Moni scored three takedown to beat Alina BAROEVA (UWW), 7-0, in the semifinal.

At 43kg, RACHNA (IND) and Xin HUANG (CHN) made it to the final after contrasting wins. Rachna defended her 1-1 criteria lead over Madison HEALEY (USA) to win and make the final, Huang put on a takedown masterclass to beat European champion Raniia RAKHMANOVA (UWW) 8-0.

Turner closer to second world title

She is already a world U17 champion but there has been no lack of motivation for Morgan TURNER (USA) as she chases another at U17 level.

Morgan spent only two minutes and 24 seconds on the mat to win her three bouts on Wednesday and reach the final at 49kg in Athens.

A gold medalist from 2023 and bronze medalist from 2024, Morgan will face Yu KATAOKA (JPN) for the gold on Thursday. Like in typical Japanese style, Kataoka used five different takedowns to win 10-0 in her semifinal against Polina BOCHKAREVA (UWW).

Morgan used a cradle to secure a fall over Polina BOCHKAREVA (UWW), a returning bronze medalist and European champion.

RESULTS

43kg
GOLD: RACHANA (IND) vs. Xin HUANG (CHN)

SF 1: RACHANA (IND) df. Madison HEALEY (USA), 1-1
SF 2: Xin HUANG (CHN) df. Raniia RAKHMANOV (UWW), 8-0

49kg
GOLD: Morgan TURNER (USA) vs. Yu KATAOKA (JPN)

SF 1: Morgan TURNER (USA) df. Anhelina BURKINA (UWW), via fall (8-0)
SF 2: Yu KATAOKA (JPN) df. Polina BOCHKAREVA (UWW), 10-0

57kg
GOLD: Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ) vs. MONI (IND)

SF 1: Madkhiya USMANOVA (KAZ) df. Sayuki TANADA (JPN), via fall (5-0)
SF 2: MONI (IND) df. Alina BAROEVA (UWW), 7-0

65kg
GOLD: Mukhayyo RAKHIMJONOVA (UZB) vs. Ashvini VISHNOI (IND)

SF 1: Mukhayyo RAKHIMJONOVA (UZB) df. Feenja HERMANN (GER), 6-1 
SF 2: Ashvini VISHNOI (IND) df. Lilia ERMOKHINA (UWW), 7-0

73kg
GOLD: KAJAL (IND) vs. Wenjin QIU (CHN)

SF 1: KAJAL (IND) df. Ella Jo POALILLO (USA), 11-0 
SF 2: Wenjin QIU (CHN) df. Deborah GARCIA (MEX), via fall