#WrestleSofia

Seven Olympic Medalists Eye #Tokyo2020 Berth in Sofia

Friday, April 30, 2021 - 12:38 By Eric Olanowski

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SOFIA, Bulgaria (April 29) --- More than 400 wrestlers from 84 countries have entered next week's World Olympic Games Qualifier in a final hope to qualify their nation for the Tokyo Olympic Games. Each of the 18 categories will have two tickets up for grabs, with semifinal winners securing their spots. Wrestling will begin May 6th and end May 9th.

While new stars have emerged in the extended five-year cycle, seven Olympic medalists have yet to qualify and will be in Sofia to make sure they have the chance to find Olympic glory once again. A total of seven previous medalists will return headlined by two-time medalists Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) and Jackeline RENTERIA CASTILLO (COL). 

Rio Olympic champion and London silver medalist Vladimir KHINCHIGISHVILI (GEO) withdrew from the tournament this week after testing positive for COVID-19. The Georgian star had planned to compete at 65kg.

"I can just say that in life no one knows what awaits us. I am grateful for everything.' said Khinchigishvili. "I hope that my countryman can still capture the license."

Kim won his Olympic medals at the London and Rio Games, while Renteria Castillo won her medals at the Beijing and London Games.  

Kim, who'll wrestle on Sunday, is on a quest to get back to the Olympic Games to potentially grab a third Greco-Roman medal. From late-’17 to the Nur-Sultan World Championships, the first-ballot Hall-of-Famer reached the podium at nine consecutive competitions – five of which were golds – but is still looking to find his stride in ‘21. Since falling to Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) in his opening match at the ’19 World Championships, and due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Kim has only competed once. That was at last month’s Asian Olympic Qualifiers, where he fell to Asian champion Singh GURPREET (IND), (who is also registered at 77kg) and finished in seventh place. 

The biggest threats stopping Kim from reaching the 77kg finals are world bronze medalists Fatih CENGIZ (TUR) and Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), two-time U23 world champion Daniel CATARAGA (MDA) and newly-minted European champion Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO).  

Two-time Olympic bronze medalist Jackeline Renteria Castillo is trying to join Tonya VERBEEK (CAN) as the only Pan-American woman to win three Olympic medals. The Colombian is registered at 62kg. Other wrestlers entered alongside Renteria Castillo include world silver medalists Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) and Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS). 

Other Olympic Medalists in Action
Greco-Roman Rio gold medalist Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS), and Rio bronze medalists Stig Andre BERGE (NOR) and Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) will all be action on Sunday. 

Chakvetadze will replace Russia’s European Olympic Qualifier and European championship representative Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) at 87kg. Alirzaev took bronze at the European Championships but dropped to a fifth-place finish at the European Olympic Qualifier.  

The World Olympic Qualifier will be Chakvetadze’s first competition back since falling in the finals of December’s Individuals World Cup in Belgrade. Prior to his loss, he picked up convincing victories over defending European champion Semen NOVIKOV (UKR) and world bronze medalist Hossein NOURI (IRI), before running into the red-hot Kiril MASKEVICH (BLR) in the gold-medal match.  

The top threat that’s on Chakvetadze’s radar is Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB), who just last weekend won European gold. Another threat to pay attention to is two-time world champion Metehan BASAR (TUR). 

Berge, the Rio Olympic bronze medalist, is entered at one of Greco-Roman’s most loaded weight classes, 60kg. 

In his two appearances down at the Olympic weight class, the 38-year-old Norwegian has struggled mightily, going 0-2 and dropping his first-round matches to Sailike WALIHAN (CHN) Erik TORBA (HUN). Berge’s loss to Walihan dropped him to a 24th-place finish at the World Championships, and his loss to Torba left him finishing in 14th at the European Olympic Qualifier. 

Some roadblocks that Berge will have to navigate through to reach the finals are world champion Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) and European champions Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) and Victor CIOBANU (MDA). 

Chunayev, who will compete at 67kg, will be making his first appearance since falling to two-time world champion RYU Hansu (KOR) at the ’19 World Championships. Other wrestlers that Chunayev will have to get past included four-time world medalist Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ), world bronze-medal winner Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) and European champion Morten THORESEN (NOR).  

Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) and Albert SARITOV (ROU) are the pair of freestyle Olympic medalists registered for Sofia. 

Demirtas will wrestle in freestyle's cant-miss weight-to-watch, 74kg. 

To earn an Olympic berth, Demirtas will have to put an end to Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV’s (SVK) hot streak that he’s looking to carry over from last weekend’s European Championships. The Slovakian became his nation’s third-ever European champion. Salkazanov defeated two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO, world runner-up Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) and U23 world champion Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) en route to winning the 74kg title. 

Other guys who can make some noise at 74kg are former Russian-turned Serbian world champion Hetik CABOLOV (SRB), African champion Ogbonna JOHN (NGR) and European champion Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (BLR) 

Albert SARITOV (ROU) is the final Olympic medalist that’ll be in action. It’ll be his third competition of the season. He’s wrestled at the International Ukrainian Tournament, European Olympic Qualifier and European Championships and finished with a bronze medal in Ukraine. 

The Rio Olympic bronze medalist finished with a bronze medal at the International Ukrainian Tournament. In addition to Erik THIELE (GER), the guy who beat Saritov for bronze at the European Olympic Qualifier, world bronze medalist Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), is another guy the Romanian will have his eyes on.  

Freestyle 
74kg - Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR): Rio bronze medalist 
97kg - Albert SARITOV (ROU): Rio Olympic bronze medalist 

Greco-Roman  
60kg - Stig Andre BERGE (NOR): Rio Olympic bronze medalist 
67kg - Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE): Rio Olympic bronze medalist  
77kg - Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR): London gold and Rio bronze medalist  
87kg - Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS) - Rio Olympic gold medalist 

Women’s Wrestling  
62kg - Jackeline RENTERIA CASTILLO (COL): Beijing and London Olympic bronze medalist  

#WrestleHangzhou

Asian Games Wrestling: Amouzad beats Bajrang, Ozaki beats Tynybekova

Friday, October 6, 2023 - 01:47 By Vinay Siwach

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LIN'AN, Hangzhou, China (October 5) -- The Asian Games will see Freestyle action on Friday as 57kg and 65kg wrestlers take the mat. Women's Wrestling will continue with 62kg, 68kg and 76kg weight classes.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | BRACKETS | DAY 2 RESULTS

Here are the finals for the evening session

WW 62kg
Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) vs. Nonoka OZAKI (PRK)

WW 68kg
Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) vs. Feng ZHOU (CHN)

WW 76kg
Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)

FS 57kg
Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) vs. Chongsong HAN (PRK)

FS 65kg
Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) vs Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)

13:20: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) uses two big four-point moves to beat BAJRANG 8-1 in the 65kg semifinal. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR with a big fall over Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) to enter the final at 65kg. Rahman AMOUZAD vs Tulga TUMUR OCHIR for the gold medal.

13:00: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) with a fall over Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) to reach the 62kg final while Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) pins KIRAN to enter the 76kg final. She will wrestle returning bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)

12:50: Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) pins SONAM to reach the final at 62kg while in Freestyle 57kg, Chongsong HAN (PRK) with a final second takedown to beat Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) 3-2. He will face Hasegawa in the final.

12:45: AMAN's comeback in the semifinal falls short as Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) closes out the match 12-10. Hasegawa led 6-1 but Aman made it 8-5. But a seatbelt move gave Hasegawa four points as he won 12-10.

12:30: Defending champion BAJRANG with a controlled 4-0 victory over Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) to enter the semifinal against Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI). It will be a rematch of the 2022 Asian Championships final which Amouzad won 3-1

12:15: Defending Asian Games champion at 68kg Feng ZHOU (CHN) with a quick 10-0 win over KANHA CHEA (CAM). On Mat B, Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE) pins Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) at 76kg. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR won 6-0 to advance to the 65kg semifinals. 

12:10: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) and Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) going for their fifth encounter in two years. Both wrestlers have won two bouts each. Tynybekova is put on the activity clock and Ozaki will go into the break leading 1-0. Tynybekova has a solid defense to Ozaki's double-leg shot. Ozaki put on the activity clock. She scores a takedown as soon as the activity clock expires to lead 3-1. Tynybekova tries to score a takedown for the win but Ozaki defends the 3-1 lead to win.

12:00: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) with a fall over Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL) at 76kg. The two-time world silver medalist at 72kg is making her debut at 76kg at an international competition.

11:50: AMAN up on Mat B against Ebrahim KHARI (IRI) in the 57kg quarterfinals. Khari with the first takedown but Aman scores a reversal. Khari with the second takedown to make it 4-1. Solid underhook from Khari and he manages to make it 6-1 as Aman struggles with his defense. A slip from Aman and Khari goes behind to score another takedown 8-1. Aman with an outside single to close the gap 8-3 at the break. An exposure to start the second period and then a double leg counter from Aman. He comes out with a lace to lead 9-8. Another takedown for Aman 11-8. A medical break for Khari and he comes out blazing but he can't score. Aman will get the takedown to make it 13-8. Aman now making Khari pay for the high-pace of wrestling. Aman will come back from 8-1 down to win 19-8 at 57kg.

11:40: After the mini break, quarterfinal action resumes. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), world silver medalist, pins Thi Linh DANG (VIE) at 76kg while Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN) with a fall over Hyeonyeong PARK (KOR) at 68kg

11:20: KIRAN holds on to a 3-0 win over former U20 Asian champion Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) to move to the 76kg semifinals.

11:10: Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL) with another 10-0 win. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) manages to see off Kaiki YAMAGUCHI (JPN) 2-1 in an absolutely no-action bout. He will move into the quarterfinals. On Mat B, BAJRANG, wrestling in his first bout in over a year, starts with a 10-0 win over RONIL TUBOG (PHI). He will take on Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) in the 65kg quarterfinals.

10:47: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) with a fall at 76kg, Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) with a 10-0 win at 62kg and U20 Asian champion Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) wins 11-0 against Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) at 65kg. Things moving so fast here.

10:45: A DPR Korea wrestler advancing at the expense of a Chinese wrestler, again! Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) led 3-1 against Jia LONG (CHN) before using an underhook throw to pin Long and advance at 62kg.

10:40: SONAM with a quick fall over Sushila CHAND (NEP) at 62kg but world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) is even quicker to pin SALINEE SRISOMBAT (THA)

10:35: Asian champion AMAN takes full six minutes to go past Sunggwon KIM (KOR) at 57kg. He scored two takedowns in his 6-1 win.

10:25: Former U23 world champion Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) starts his 57kg campaign with a 7-0 win over Minghu LIU (CHN). A solid warm-up for the Japanese.

10:10: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) with a stepout before Abbos RAKHMANOV (UZB) scored a takedown and roll. Amouzad gets a reversal. A takedown to make it 4-4 with Rakhmonov leading on criteria. Amouzad with another takedown to take a 6-4 lead. Rakhmonov with a single leg and takedown to reclaim the criteria lead 6-6 with two minutes still on the clock. Amouzad with a cross double leg finish, 8-6 lead for Amouzad. Rakhmonov shoots but Amouzad jumps and comes behind to increase the gap to four points. Rakhmonov with some desperate attempts but Amouzad hangs on for a 12-6 win.

10:12: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) has no trouble in beating Sanzhar MUKHTAR (KAZ) 10-0 with 36 seconds left on the clock. The underhook supremacy!

10:05: The first win of the day goes to Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) as he takes three minutes and 30 seconds to beat Nattawut KAEWKHUANCHUM (THA) 10-0 at 57kg.

10:00: Welcome to day three of the Asian Games. Five weight classes, two in Freestyle and three in Women's Wrestling highlight the day. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI), Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), Bajrang PUNIA, AMAN, Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), Feng ZHOU (CHN), Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) are some of the stars in action.