Saori Yoshida's niece Chisato wins U17 world gold

Thursday, August 3, 2023 - 18:38 By Vinay Siwach

ISTANBUL (August 3) -- With lessons from last year's loss and advice from 13-time world and three-time Olympic champion Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) -- and her aunt, no less -- Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) won her first U17 world title in Istanbul, Turkiye on Thursday.

She was one of the three champions Japan crowned as it continues to dominate Women's Wrestling in all competitions. The United States won the remaining two finals as the first five gold medals were awarded in Istanbul.

Yoshida, who suffered a 3-1 loss to HARSHITA (IND) at 69kg in Rome last year, changed her tactics this year and upgraded her silver medal to gold.

"I'm going to fight until the very end and score a clean win," Yoshida was quoted as saying after her silver medal in Rome.

In the 65kg final on Thursday, Yoshida did leave it late but managed to win clean against Duygu GEN (TUR). She opted for a desperate slide-by in the final 15 seconds to score the match-winning takedown.

The 16-year-old from the Aichi Prefecture led 1-0 at the break as Gen was called for her inactivity but the Turkish wrestler got the 1-1 criteria lead after Yoshida was warned of the same in the second period. But Yoshida remained calm and scored a slide-by takedown to lead 3-1 before trying to arm-bar Gen which gave her two more points and a 5-1 win.

Yoshida, who stands at just 1.53 meters, celebrated her win by jumping around perhaps overcoming her loss from a year ago.

The daughter of Saori's elder brother Hidetoshi, Yoshida has been training since she was two years old and like Saori, she began training at the wrestling school her late grandfather Eikatsu founded in central Japan's Mie Prefecture.

Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) defended her 57kg gold medal by beating Eylem ENGIN (TUR). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Joining Yoshida on the top of the podium was Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) who defended her gold medal at 57kg in a similar run as she had in Rome. She had outscored her opponents 30-0 in four bouts in Rome and in Istanbul, she outscored her opponents 48-4 with only NEHA (IND) able to score on her.

While the host country Turkiye was hoping for an upset and win for Eylem ENGIN (TUR), Uchida was in no mood to grant that wish. She went to work from the first whistle and scored her first takedown using an outside single. She repeated the sequence with another single to her left and tried to get hold of the arm for the pin. But she managed only a takedown before transitioning into a leg lace to extend her lead 6-0.

With a minute and 32 seconds remaining on the clock, Yoshida completed her 10-0 win over Engin and added a second world title to her name.

Rinka OGAWA (JPN) locked Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) a leg-lace and won the 49kg final 11-0. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The third gold medal for Japan was won by Rinka OGAWA (JPN) at 49kg as she humbled two-time U17 European champion Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) in the final. She needed only a minute and 36 seconds to claim the gold.

Katenka was warned for her passivity and while was trying to evade Ogawa's underhooks, Ogawa came out with a strong snap and scored her first takedown. She then locked up Katenka in a leg lace and finished the bout with four turns.

Morgan TURNER (USA) celebrates after scoring in the final seconds against Mona EZAKA (JPN) to win the 43kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

U.S wins 2 golds

Japan had the chance to have four world champions on Thursday but Morgan TURNER (USA) pulled off a clutch win at 43kg to deny Japan the gold medal.

Turner, who is a U17 Pan-Am champion from 2021, scored an exposure in the dying seconds of the final to beat the clock and Mona EZAKA (JPN) who left the mat in tears.

"I have been waiting for this since winning the world team trials so like six months," Turner said. "But I still want to win the Olympics. I don't want to be known only as the U17 world champ."

While the final was frantic in the second period, it began on a very slow note in the first as Ezaka was called passive and Turner got the first point on the board. Ezaka took the 1-1 criteria lead for Turner's passivity despite the American's effort to score a point in the activity period.

Turner kept her attacks going and in one sequence pushed Ezaka to the danger zone but the Japanese wrestler snuck out to score a stepout and lead 2-1.

"I had to be low because she was shorter than me," she said explaining her strategy for the final. "I knew I had to push the pace of the match."

The 16-year-old then went for a final attempt and tried a go-behind before switching to an arm-bar, turning Ezaka's shoulders more than 90 degrees and scoring two points. The officials did not score the points initially but the United States challenged and on review, two points were awarded to Turner, making her a 3-2 winner and a world champion.

"I knew I had to keep wrestling, keep pushing no matter the circumstances," she said. "She [Ezaka] is a great competitor. They train very well and I don't see any team like Japan. I don't think I will endure a practice like they do."

Turner's win over Ezaka, who lost her second straight U17 Worlds final, was the first time since 2015 that a wrestler from the U.S. managed to beat a Japanese wrestler, on the seventh attempt, in a gold medal bout.

Piper FOWLER (USA) defeated Lotta ENGLICH (GER) in the 73kg final to win the U17 World Championships gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Though she did not beat a Japanese wrestler in the final, Piper FOWLER (USA) defeated returning bronze medalist Lotta ENGLICH (GER) to win the gold medal at 73kg, marking the first time an American wrestler has won the highest weight class at this age-group.

"It's always been a dream of mine [to win world title]," Fowler said. "It's hard work and you have to have confidence in yourself to be able to win big tournaments."

In the final, Fowler got the advantage as she was the aggressor and Englich was put on the activity clock. After being 1-0 up, Fowler countered an Englich attack by getting on a double-leg before going head-outside for a takedown. That gave her a 3-0 lead at the break

In the second period, Fowler planted her underhooks each time Englich tried going for attacks. While that put her on that activity clock late in the bout, she scored exposure from a cradle two seconds before the clock expired and extended her lead to 5-0. Englich scored a counter exposure but it was too little too late as Fowler won 5-2 to give the United States its second gold of Women's Wrestling.

On Wednesday, Fowler had defeated Ako UCHIYAMA (JPN) 6-0 in the opening bout, Laia HORTA (ESP) 13-0 in the quarterfinals and Aliaksandra KAZLOVA (AIN) 10-2 to reach the final against Englich who was trying to become only the third female from Germany to win a U17 world title.

"It was a hard match," she said. "I knew what I needed to do [to win] and stay out of positions. Getting a takedown always puts you ahead as you get points and then be steady after that, get to ties and get to attacks."

Fowler has now joined a growing list of U.S. women's wrestlers with a world title at the heaviest weight class. She said that she has looked up to all the wrestlers who have been at this stage before her.

"I have always looked up to those women, especially Adeline GRAY (USA)," she said. "It's incredible to see the things they do. I am just here to continue what they started.

MUSKAN (IND) will try to win her second U17 Worlds gold after she reached the 46kg final. (Photo: UWW / Ulug Han)

Japan, India enter 4 in WW finals

Japan managed to send four more wrestlers into the final on Thursday as it had done on Wednesday. India, after a disappointing start to Women's Wrestling on Wednesday, bounced back and placed four wrestlers in the final as well.

At 40kg, Koharu AKUTSU (JPN) rode on a second-period takedown against U17 European champion Klara WINKLER (GER) after the two wrestlers exchanged passivity points to confirm her spot in the final against RACHANA (IND). The Indian wrestler was involved in a thriller against Jaclyn BOUZAKIS (USA) but secured exposure in the final 10 seconds to win 5-4.

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) tries to pin Karlee BROOKS (USA) on her way to the 53kg final. (Photo: UWW / Ulug Bugra Han)

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) made it to her second straight U17 Worlds final as she defeated Fabiana RINELLA (ITA) 11-0 in the 53kg semifinal. Last year, Onishi suffered a heartbreaking loss to Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) and finished with a silver medal. To win her first U17 world title, she will wrestle Olga OVCHINNIKOVA (AIN) who pinned Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) in the other semifinal at 53kg.

U17 world champion at 43kg, MUSKAN (IND) reached another U17 world final after she pinned Meiramgul AKHMETZHAN (KAZ) in the 46kg semifinals. Muskan was dominant throughout the day and will take on Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) for the gold medal. Masuda survived a scare against Daniella BEKY (NOR) when the Norway wrestler had Masuda locked in a double-arm and was looking for a pin. After scraping out of that position, Masuda finished the semifinal 12-2.

In another Japan vs. Norway semifinal, Konami ONO (JPN) pinned Leah SAMSONSEN (NOR) in the 61kg semifinal and she will now take on returning champion SAVITA (IND) who defeated Haylie JAFFEE (USA) 10-0, using five takedowns via her quick attacks.

An all-Balkan semifinal was held at 69kg as returning bronze medalist and U17 European champion Veronika VILK (CRO) defeated Evelin UJHELJI (SRB), 6-2, to reach the final as she tries to win a historic world title for Croatia. She will have to go past SRISHTI (IND) to do that as the Indian reached the final from the other side of the bracket after beating Jasmine ROBINSON (USA), 8-5, in a close semifinal.

RESULTS

43kg
GOLD: Morgan TURNER (USA) df. Mona EZAKA (JPN), 3-2

BRONZE: Nilufar NURMUKHAMMADOVA (UZB) df. Alina MAZHAROUSKAYA (AIN), 10-0
BRONZE: Aleksandra BEREZOVSKAIA (AIN) df. Maria GKIKA (GRE), 5-1

49kg
GOLD: Rinka OGAWA (JPN) df. Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN), 11-0

BRONZE: Tana TIULIUSH (AIN) df. DRISHTI (IND), 4-4
BRONZE: Heather CRULL (USA) df. Lonisa REKA (KOS), 10-0

57kg
GOLD: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) df. Eylem ENGIN (TUR), 10-0

BRONZE: Viktoria BOYNOVA (BUL) df. Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ), 5-4
BRONZE: NEHA (IND) df. YeoJin MIN (KOR), 10-0

65kg
GOLD: Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Duygu GEN (TUR), 5-1

BRONZE: Margarita SALNAZARIAN (AIN) df. Mukhayyo RAKHIMJONOVA (UZB), via fall (5-0)
BRONZE: Mouda HAMDOUN (EGY) df. Maryia MAKARCHANKA (AIN), via fall (10-4)

73kg
GOLD: Piper FOWLER (USA) df. Lotta ENGLICH (GER), 5-2

BRONZE: Aliaksandra KAZLOVA (AIN) df. Ako UCHIYAMA (JPN), 2-0
BRONZE: Elmira YASIN (TUR) df. Asaloy AMANGELDIEVA (UZB), 6-0

Veronika VILK (CRO) will try to win Croatia's first-ever wrestling world title on Friday. (Photo: UWW / Ulug Bugra Han)

Semifinals

40kg
GOLD: RACHANA (IND) vs. Koharu AKUTSU (JPN)

SF 1: RACHANA (IND) df. Jaclyn BOUZAKIS (USA), 5-4
SF 2: Koharu AKUTSU (JPN) df. Klara WINKLER (GER), 4-1

46kg
GOLD: Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) vs. MUSKAN (IND)

SF 1: Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) df. Daniella BEKY (NOR), 12-2
SF 2: MUSKAN (IND) df. Meiramgul AKHMETZHAN (KAZ), via fall

53kg
GOLD: Olga OVCHINNIKOVA (AIN) vs. Sakura ONISHI (JPN)

SF 1: Olga OVCHINNIKOVA (AIN) df. Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB), via fall
SF 2: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) df. Fabiana RINELLA (ITA), 11-0

61kg
GOLD: Konami ONO (JPN) vs. SAVITA (IND)

SF 1: Konami ONO (JPN) df. Leah SAMSONSEN (NOR), via fall
SF 2: SAVITA (IND) df. Emma JAFFEE (USA), 10-0

69kg
GOLD: Veronika VILK (CRO) vs. SRISHTI (IND)

SF 1: Veronika VILK (CRO) df. Evelin UJHELJI (SRB), 6-2
SF 2: SRISHTI (IND) df. Jasmine ROBINSON (USA), 8-5

#WrestleTirana

World Championships: Kinjo wins fourth world gold as Japan wins three

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - 23:55 By Ken Marantz

TIRANA, Albania (October 30) -- For two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (JPN), it wasn't just winning a fourth world title and first in five years that made her latest triumph so special. It was because of where she is at in her life at the moment.

"This is my fourth world title, but the first since I became a mother," Kinjo said after winning the women's 59kg gold at the Non-Olympic Weight Categories World Championships on Wednesday in Tirana. "So it makes me happier than at any other tournament."

Kinjo was one of three Japanese to take one of the four women's golds up for grabs, as Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) became the sixth wrestler in history to win world titles on all four age-group levels when she triumphed at 55kg, and Ami ISHII (JPN) claimed the 72kg title to add to the world U23 gold at 68kg she won a week ago in the same venue.

Jia LONG (CHN) captured the other title at stake with a victory by fall in the 65kg final to improve on her silver medal from 2022.

Kinjo, who got married and gave birth to her first child after winning the gold at the Tokyo Olympics under her maiden name of KAWAI, missed out on qualifying for the Paris Games, but decided against retiring and was content to seek further success in the non-Olympic weight.

It hasn't been an easy journey, as her time away from the mat left her quite rusty. Just to get to Tirana, she had to score a last-second victory in the domestic qualifier over teenager Sakura ONISHI (JPN).

Now 30 and having to juggle training with the responsibilities of motherhood, Kinjo tries to get the most out of her body in the most efficient way. There are no wasted motions, and that came out during her 4-2 victory in the final against Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL).

"I get help from my family and make the best use of my time," Kinjo said. "Every day, I put together a schedule that allows me to sufficiently train."

Kinjo fell behind when Sukhee scored a stepout off Kinjo's takedown attempt in the first period. An activity point for Kinjo put her ahead on criteria in the second period, and then she scored a stepout countering a rare attack by Sukhee.

Kinjo remained patient and forced Sukhee to take the initiative. And when she did, Kinjo was ready with a quick counter to spin behind for a takedown. Sukhee added a late stepout that was too little, too late. Her points were the only ones scored on Kinjo in three matches.

Asked to assess her performance, Kinjo replied, "I've done everything I could do and I'm at my strongest right now, so I'm satisfied."

Kinjo and Sukhee had met once before, with Kinjo winning 10-0 in their first-round match at the 2019 World Championships, where she won the last of three consecutive golds. She also has a world silver from 2015.

While Japan did not sweep the women's golds here nor at the Paris Olympics (where the country won four of six), Kinjo sees that as a good thing. "The fact that we don't monopolize all of the golds, I think that shows that the level of women's wrestling is getting better, and I think that's great."

Kiyooka came into Tirana with a slight chip on her shoulder. The 21-year-old had watched with mixed emotions as her older brother Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) and her Ikuei University teammates Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) and Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) took home gold medals from the Paris Olympics.

"I really supported my brother and was happy when he won, but half of me was thinking that I too am an athlete who is aiming for the Olympics, so it was tough to take," Kiyooka said. "I want to quickly catch up to my brother, and he gives me good motivation. I practice with the feeling that the next time will be my time."

In the final, Kiyooka never took her foot off the gas as she stormed to a 10-0 technical fall over world U20 champion Jin ZHANG (CHN).

Kiyooka took an 8-0 lead in the first period, scoring three takedowns and adding a 2-point roll after the first. In the second period, she spun behind for a fourth and decisive takedown to end the match at 4:22 and complete a run of outscoring four opponents 32-0.

With her first senior championship, Kiyooka joined the elite group that has achieved the "Grand Slam" of world titles, having won the cadet (U17) gold in 2019 and adding both the U20 and U23
crowns in 2022. She was preceded by Haruna OKUNO (JPN), Masako FURUICHI (JPN), Yui SUSAKI (JPN), Amit ELOR (USA) and Nonoka OZAKI (JPN).

"From U17, I went up one level at a time and now I was able to win as a senior," Kiyooka said. "I feel that all I have left [to accomplish] is the Olympics."

Ishii, also a teammate of Kiyooka's at Ikuei University, earned her first senior world title when she rallied to an 8-6 victory over three-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) in the 72kg final.

Ishii, who finished second at 68kg in 2022, scored an opening takedown in the first period, but got sloppy on an attempt in the second period and Bakbergenova scored 4 with a counter lift.

Ishii spun behind for a takedown, but then allowed the Kazakh to score again off her attack with a counter, this time for 2 to fall behind 6-4.

Ishii, who missed out on the Paris Olympics when she lost in the last second of a playoff at 68kg to Ozaki, was not about to give up the fight and scored a takedown and a go-ahead 2-point exposure with 50 seconds left to seal the victory.

In the 65kg final, Long took down European silver medalist Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) with a double-leg lift to her back and secured a fall in 1:19.

It was the same outcome as in their only previous meeting, but could not have been more different. The two put on quite a show in the final of the 2022 Women's World Cup, when Zelenykh was competing for Ukraine. In that match, Zelenkyh led 8-2 at one point when Long launched an amazing comeback, tying the score at 12-all (but trailing on criteria) when she secured a fall with :02 left.

American pair add senior bronzes to U23 medals
In the bronze-medal matches, Macey KILTY (USA) and Kylie WELKER (USA) added senior medals to the ones they won at the last week's World U23.

Kilty, who won the world U23 silver at 65kg, picked up a bronze in that weight class when she stormed back from a five-point deficit to defeat Valeriia DONDUPOVA (AIN) 16-5.

Welker, the world U23 champion at 72kg, stayed at that weight and scored a takedown in each period to defeat 2023 world bronze medalist Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) 5-2.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), the world 65kg champion in 2022, picked up her fourth world medal by taking the other bronze in that weight class with an 8-2 victory over MANISHA (IND).

Morikawa took a 4-0 lead into the second period and, after Manisha cut the gap with two stepouts, came back with a stepout and takedown to clinch the victory as she rebounded from a loss in the semifinals to Long that avenged a defeat in the 2022 final.

The other bronze at 72kg went to Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), who scored a victory by fall over Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL). Hanzlickova shot in on a takedown and, as Zorigt defended, the Czech locked her arms and twisted her over onto her back.

At 55kg, Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) secured her third career bronze medal and first since 2019 by defeating Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN) 5-3. Kurachkina scored two takedowns in the first period and held on for the win.

The other 55kg bronze was won by 2023 European bronze medalist Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA), who picked up her first world medal at age 33 when she scored the second of two second-period takedowns with 25 seconds left for a 4-3 victory over Areana VILLAESCUSA (USA).

At 59kg, 2022 world U23 bronze medalist MANSI (IND) became the eighth Indian woman in history to win a senior world medal when she scored a takedown in each period in a 5-0 victory over Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN).

Elena BRUGGER (GER) won a battle between two-time European bronze medalists when she got two lace-lock rolls off a takedown in the second period to down Svetlana LIPATOVA (AIN) 6-3 for the other bronze at 59kg.

Women's Results

55kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Jin ZHANG (CHN) by TF, 10-0, 4:22

BRONZE: Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) df. Areana VILLAESCUSA (USA), 4-3
BRONZE: Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) df. Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN), 5-3

59kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Risako KINJO (JPN) df. Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), 4-2

BRONZE: MANSI (IND) df. Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN), 5-0
BRONZE: Elena BRUGGER (GER) df. Svetlana LIPATOVA (AIN), 6-3

65kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) by Fall, 1:19 (2-1)

BRONZE: Macey KILTY (USA) df. Valeriia DONDUPOVA (AIN) by TF, 16-5, 3:53
BRONZE: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. MANISHA (IND), 8-2

72kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), 8-6

BRONZE: Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) df. Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) by Fall, 1:56 (2-0)
BRONZE: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), 5-2

Saori Yoshida's niece Chisato wins U17 world gold

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World Championships: Kinjo wins fourth world gold as Japan wins three