#BudaWrestle2018

Sidakov Stuns Burroughs and Chamizo; Deng Notches One for China

Saturday, October 20, 2018 - 17:52 By Eric Olanowski

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BUDAPEST, Hungry (October 20) – On a day that saw three Olympic champions stumble it was youngsters from Russia and Georgia who proved to be the stabilizing antidote to chaos on the first day of wrestling at the 2018 Wrestling World Championships at the Papps Laszlo SportArena in Budapest.

Leading the way for Russia were wunderkinds Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (57kg) and Zaurbek SIDAKOV (74), both only 22 years old. While Rashidov was dominant throughout the day, Sidakov had arguably the toughest road to the finals, needing to defeat four-time world champion and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS in the quarterfinals and then defeated two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) in the semifinals.

The Georgian effort was spearheaded by defending world champion Geno PATRIASHVILI (125kg) who battled through back-to-back tense matches with Anzor KHIZRIEV (RUS) and Parviz HADI (IRI) to earn his second straight trip to the world finals. His finals compatriot, Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), 22, breezed through the semifinals, earning a chest lock and fall in the second period against 2018 European Champion Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR).

DENG Zhiwei made history at 125kg, becoming the first freestyle wrestler from China to make the world finals. 

“I’m always having dreams about wrestling, and I’ve dedicated my life to the sport for the past 16 years…Now I get to bring honor to my country,” said Deng. 

Russia would have placed a third in tomorrow night’s finals were it not for an unlikely series of comebacks by David TAYLOR (USA). The fast-paced, rubber-kneed American had a career day, starting with an 11-6 decision over 2016 Olympic Champion Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI). Taylor trailed 6-2 at the end of the first period before rattling off nine unanswered points to earn the win. 

Taylor faced Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) the semifinals, where early in the match he took a swinging heel to the lower jaw, unbalancing him and briefly stopping the match. Rattled, but undeterred, Taylor fought on, but trailed 5-1 heading into the second period. But as he did against Yazdanicharati, Taylor found another level and immediately began attacking, eventually securing three takedowns and a pushout for the 7-5 victory. 

After the match, Taylor said, “I’d trade a kick in the face for a world championship any day.”  He then dedicated his victory to a training partner and teammate who was severely injured last month during a training session in the United States.

“Perry Strong. Strong like Rich Perry. He’s a fighter.” said Taylor. 

Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) throws Joseph COLON (USA) in the 61kg world semifinals. (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne) 

When fan-favorite and two-time world bronze medalist BONNE-RODRIGUEZ (CUB) made his international debut at the 2005 Pan-American Championships, Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) was only 9 years old. 

They’ll meet tomorrow night for the 61kg gold medal.

Sunday night’s finals will be the first time that the 34 year old Cuban has made a gold-medal bout, while Rashidov is looking to rebound from his silver medal performance from last year's World Championships.  

Tomorrow’s wrestling action starts at 10:30 am with championship action in 57kg, 65kg, 79, g and 92kg along with repechage from today’s weight categories. 

Finals will start at 7 pm local.

RESULTS 

61kg 
GOLD - Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) vs. Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB)

SEMIFINAL - Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) df. Beka LOMTADZE (GEO), 10 - 0
SEMIFINAL - Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. Joseph Daniel COLON (USA), 9-4

74kg 
GOLD - Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) vs. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO)

SEMIFINAL - Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), 8 - 1
SEMIFINAL - Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) df. Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA), 3-2 

86kg
GOLD - David Morris TAYLOR III (USA) vs. Fatih ERDIN (TUR)

SEMIFINAL - David Morris TAYLOR III (USA) df. Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS), 7 - 5
SEMIFINAL - Fatih ERDIN (TUR) df. Taimuraz FRIEV NASKIDAEVA (ESP)

125kg 
GOLD - Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) vs. Zhiwei DENG (CHN)

SEMIFINAL - Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Parviz Khodavirdi HADIBASMANJ (IRI), 13 - 6
SEMIFINAL - Zhiwei DENG (CHN) df. Sumit SUMIT (IND)

#WrestleTirana

Sadulaev shuts down Taylor in World Championships showdown

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - 11:59 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (October 30) -- Two-time world champion at 92kg Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) would have expected his return to the World Championships to make all the noise in Tirana. After all, it had been two years since he last competed at the World Championships.

Enter Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) and David TAYLOR (USA). The former, who last won the world title in 2021, was not able to compete at the Paris Olympics and was injured during the semifinal of the 2023 World Championships.

Taylor, world champion in 2023, missed the Paris Olympics after losing the trials in the United States, announced his retirement and took a coaching job. He came out of retirement and decided to compete at the World Championships and retire.

Both are not 92kg wrestlers. Sadulaev has been a true 97kg for eight years now. Taylor is competing at this weight for the first time after dominating 86kg for years. But the two were pitted against each other in the opening round of the World Championships in Tirana at 92kg.

The small Feti Borova Sports Hall in Tirana did not have space to sit. So where one could, they stood to watch the two wrestle. Saudulaev in a singlet not meant for his 92kg body. Taylor, in his customary elbow on the thigh and waiting for his opponent.

No one knew what was going to happen. Sadulaev was reducing weight, and Taylor was gaining. How would the two match up? It was this lack that prompted the fans to cheer for both. But after the first period, the picture became much clearer. Sadulaev shut down Taylor's offense and came out of the pressure bout 7-0.

After the initial collar ties, Taylor went for the offense. He got on Sadulaev's leg and tried the lift but Sadulaev was swift to get out of the hold. Taylor continued his attack. That's the only way he knows wrestling. Taylor took another offensive shot and Sadulaev, with lessons from the previous attack, pressured forward to neutralize the attack and scored a go-behind for two. Sadulaev resorted to heavy snapdowns and Taylor wasn't able to defend the second one. Within two minutes, Sadulaev was up 4-0.

The speed and power was Sadulaev was impressively superior to that of Taylor who decided to change a little in the second period. He went for the far leg of Sadulaev. But Sadulaev was quick and spun behind Taylor and scored a takedown with less than two minutes left.

By this time, Ghasempour had finished his bout on the other mat. He defeated Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) 6-0 in a rather slow bout.

Sadulaev now had to defend his 5-0 lead. Taylor continued his aggressive approach and got on Sadulaev's right leg. What he did not expect was the quick counter from Sadulaev who pushed Taylor and scored an exposure for two. It was evident that Taylor could not match Sadulaev.

David TAYLOR (USA)David TAYLOR (USA) in the warm-up hall after his bout against Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) at 92kg in Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

"I did not score on the two times I shot and he did," Taylor said after the bout. "That was the difference. I needed to score on those two occasions."

Taylor and Sadulaev went to the warm-up hall but the former sat for more than 45 minutes in silence. He finally broke his silence and talked to the United States coaches after his leg attacks. After spending 30 more minutes gathering his thoughts, Taylor packed his bags and left.

On the training mats, Ghasempour and Sadulaev jogged before cooling down after their bouts. If both continue to win, they are expected to meet in the semifinals.

The match will be rather important for Taylor as well. He will hope for a Sadulaev win which will give him the chance to wrestle for the bronze medal.

"I expect him to make the finals and come back tomorrow," Taylor said. "I need to wrestle better that is my focus for now."

If he does wrestle Thursday, fans will only be treated to another blockbuster. A Ghasemoour-Taylor bout. The only downside will be that one will go home empty-handed.