Freestyle World Cup

Snyder Clinches USA's First World Cup Title Since 2003

By United World Wrestling Press

IOWA CITY (April 8) - Seven and half months ago, Kyle SNYDER clinched a world title for the United States of America. On Sunday, the Olympic champion and multiple-time world champion clinched a Freestyle World Cup title for USA.

With USA leading 5-3 against Azerbaijan in the gold-medal match, Snyder came through with a dominant 14-3 victory over Roman BAKIROV (AZE) at 97kg. After Snyder built his lead to 4-1 with two takedowns he blew the match wide open with several consecutive tilts. He led 12-3 at the break and put the match away early in the second period with another takedown. 



"It was another opportunity to seal it up for the United States," said Snyder. "I would always pick myself to go out there and wrestle when it comes down to a team win. We have a lot of good guys, but I feel real confident in my ability to wrestle under those kinds of circumstances."

It is USA's 14th World Cup title and first since 2003. 

"This is a great team and they performed really well this weekend," USA freestyle coach Bill Zadick said. "It was really exciting to win a heated finals match against a very good team from Azerbaijan."


USA won two of the first three matches, highlighted by 2016 world champion Logan STIEBER (USA) knocking off three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) 6-3 at 65kg.  Stieber led 2-1 at the break after a first-period takedown. He added to his lead early in the second period with another takedown. Aliyev responded with a takedown of his own to make the score 4-3. Stieber then closed out the victory with a takedown in the final 10 seconds to win by three.

At 70kg, Joshgun AZIMOV picked up a key win for Azerbaijan, edging multiple-time world bronze medalist James GREEN (USA) 4-4 on criteria at 70kg. 

But Jordan BURROUGHS, a 2012 Olympic champion and four-time world champion, would help ignite a string of three consecutive wins for the Americans. Burroughs, who is now 27-0 in World Cup competition, earned a second-period fall over U23 European champion Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) at 74kg. 

Kyle DAKE followed up Burroughs' victory with a 5-3 win over Olympic bronze medalist Jabrayil HASANOV to put USA up 4-2 after six matches. 

American David TAYLOR gave the United States its fifth victory by beating world fifth-place finisher Aleksandr GOSTIYEV 12-2 at 86kg. Taylor built a 6-2 lead after the opening period, and then added two more takedowns and a late exposure to get the technical fall.


World bronze medalist Aslanbek ALBOROV kept Azerbaijan's hopes alive by edging another world bronze medalist, J'den Cox, 4-4 on criteria. 

After Snyder clinched the title for the United States at 97kg, Azerbaijan won the final match as Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV used a late takedown to defeat returning world bronze medalist Nick GWIAZDOWSKI 4-3 at 125kg.


Japan captured the bronze medal by defeating Cuba 6-4. Japan won five of the first six matches, before Cuba had late surge, winning three consecutive matches from 86kg to 97kg. Japan led by one going into the final match before Taiki YAMAMOTO topped Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ 6-5 in a back-and-forth match at 125kg to give Japan the victory. 

Georgia came in fifth place with a 6-4 victory over Mongolia. After Mongolia won the first two matches, Georgia reeled off four consecutive wins to go up 4-2. Mongolia picked up a win at 86kg, but wins by Dato MARSAGISHVILI (92kg) and Givi MATCHARASHVILI (97kg) sealed the victory for Georgia. 

Kazakhstan finished in seventh place by shutting out India 10-0. 

1st place: United States 6, Azerbaijan 4
57kg: Giorgi Edisherashvili (Azerbaijan) dec. Thomas Gilman (USA), 8-7
61kg: Kendric Maple (USA) dec. Afghan Khashalov (Azerbaijan), 6-2
65kg: Logan Stieber (USA) dec. Haji Aliyev (Azerbaijan), 6-3
70kg: Joshgun Azimov (Azerbaijan) dec. James Green (USA), 4-4
74kg: Jordan Burroughs (USA) pin Gasjimurad Omarov (Azerbaijan), 3:15
79kg: Kyle Dake (USA) dec. Jabrayil Hasanov (Azerbaijan), 5-3
86kg: David Taylor (USA) tech. fall Aleksander Gostiev (Azerbaijan), 12-2
92kg: Aslanbek Alborov (Azerbaijan) dec. J’den Cox (USA), 4-4
97kg: Kyle Snyder (USA) tech fall Roman Bakirov (Azerbaijan), 14-3
125kg: Jamaladdin Magomedov (Azerbaijan) dec. Nick Gwiazdowski (USA) 4-3

3rd place: Japan 6, Cuba 4
57kg: Yuki Takahashi (Japan) dec. Reineri Andreeu Ortega (Cuba), 7-5
61kg: Kazuya Koyanagi (Japan) dec. Yowlys Bonne Rodriquez (Cuba), 9-6
65kg: Daichi Takatani (Japan) dec. Alejandro Enrique Valdes Tobier (Cuba), 10-8
70kg:  Franklin Maren Castillo (Cuba) dec. Keisuke Otoguro (Japan), 8-4
74kg: Yuhi Fujinami (Japan) tech. fall Livan Lopez Azcuy (Cuba), 16-5. 
79kg: Sohsuke Takatani (Japan) tech. fall Yoan Zulueta Morales (Cuba), 10-0
86kg: Yurieski Torreblanca Queralta (Cuba) dec. Shota Shirai (Japan), 4-1
92kg: Lazaro Hernandez Luis (Cuba) dec. Takashi Ishiguro (Japan), 4-4
97kg: Reineris Salas Perez (Cuba) tech. fall Taira Sonoda (Japan), 12-0
125kg: Taiki Yamamoto (Japan) dec. Yudenny Alapajon Estevez (Cuba), 6-5

5th place: Georgia 6, Mongolia 4
57kg: Bekhbayar Erdenebat (Mongolia) dec. Teimuraz Vanishvili (Georgia), 4-0
61kg: Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (Mongolia) tech. fall Lasha Lomtadze (Georgia), 11-0
65kg: Magomed Saidovi (Georgia) by forfeit
70kg:  Levan Kelekhsashvili (Georgia) dec. Ganbayar Sanjaa (Mongolia), 2-1
79kg: Tarzan Maisuradze (Georgia) dec. Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (Mongolia), 7-1
79kg: Tariel Gaphrindashvili (Georgia) dec. Gantulga Iderkhuu (Mongolia), 22-17
86kg:  Uitumen Orgodol (Mongolia) dec. David Khutsishvili (Georgia), 12-5
92kg:  Dato Marsagishvili (Georgia) inj. dft. over Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (Mongolia), 0:45
97kg: Givi Matcharashvili (Georgia) tech. fall Batzul Ulziisaikhan (Mongolia), 10-0
125kg: Zolboo Natsagsuren (Mongolia) dec. Zviadi Metreveli (Georgia), 6-0

7th place: Kazakhstan 10, India 0
57kg: Mukhambed Kuatbek (Kazakhstan) by forfeit
61kg: Rassul Kaliyev (Kazakhstan) dec. Sandeep Tomar (India), 10-6
65kg: Sayatbek Okassov (Kazakhstan) tech. fall Sharvan (India), 10-0
70kg:  Meirzhan Ashirov (Kazakhstan) dec. Arun Kumar (India), 6-0
74kg: Daniyar Kaisanov (Kazakhstan) dec. Vinod Kumar Omprakash (India), 13-7 
79kg: Saken Aitzhanov (Kazakhstan) pin Sachin Giri (India), 1:31
86kg:  Elkhan Assadov (Kazakhstan) dec. Pawan Kumar (India), 3-0
92kg: Iliskhan Chilayev (Kazakhstan) dec. Deepak Punia (India), 10-3
97kg: Mamed Ibragimov (Kazakhstan) tech. fall Viky (India), 10-0
125kg: Daulet Shabanbay(Kazakhstan) tech. fall Pushpender Singh (India), 10-0
 

#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open: Gray, Nichita lose; Jafarov pinned

By United World Wrestling Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (January 13) -- More Women's Wrestling action on day four of the Zagreb Open. 53kg, 57kg, 72kg and 76kg wrestlers will be on the mat. In Greco-Roman, wrestlers from 63kg and 67kg will be in action.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

14:50: A top semifinal to session the morning session as Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) pins world silver medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE). Jafarov failed to score from par terre and challenged for leg foul. It was called clean, giving Nasibov a 1-1 criteria lead. Jafarov scored a stepout to lead 2-1 at the break. Nasibov gets the criteria back in the second period as Jafarov is called passive. Nasibov was happy to hold the criteria but referee calls for third passivity and Nasibov is put in par terre. As Jafarov tries the guy wrench, Nasibov stopped him and held to secure the pin

14:35: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) into the final at 76kg. She will take on Juan WANG (CHN) for the gold medal. At 53kg, Qianyu PANG (CHN) with a superb arm throw and then pins Min ZHANG (CHN).

14:30: Not to be for Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)! The world silver medalist at 57kg falls to Asian Games bronze medalist Kexin HONG in a close 3-2 semifinal. Leading 1-1 on criteria, Nichita wasn't able to stop Hong from a late takedown.

14:20: 63kg world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) survives a tough semifinal against TIBILOV (SRB). Abuladze led 5-1 after two turns from par terre but was cautioned for blocking and a stepout from Tibilov made it 5-3. Tibilov scored a takedown with a second left to make it 5-5 but Abuladze had the criteria.

14:15: Juan WANG (CHN) upsets another American wrestler! Kennedy BLADES (USA) was leading 3-1 with 20 seconds left on the clock but Wang sprung into action and scored a takedown to win 3-3 at 76kg.

14:00: Adeline GRAY (USA) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) coming out on Mat B for their quarterfinal at 76kg. Medet Kyzy on a single and trips Gray for four! Another single-leg attack for a takedown. Medet Kyzy makes it look so easy. A 10-0 technical superiority for the world silver medalist over the bronze medalist

13:45: Juan WANG (CHN) with a top win over Kylie WELKER (USA). She built an early lead and scored a takedown late in the match to rule out Welker who scored five points. Wang moves into the semis with an 8-5 win.

13:30: Qianyu PANG (CHN) has been on a roll today. She is into the 53kg semifinals with an 8-0 win over Annika WENDLE (GER). Up next is Min ZHANG (CHN) who, incidentally, also defeated a German wrestler, Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER), via fall to reach the semis. 

13:05: Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) with a 10-0 win over NEERAJ (UWW). That match is followed by Danial SOHRABI (IRI) falling to Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) 7-1. He failed to score from two par terre advantages he got. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) blanks Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) 9-0.

12:45: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) with another fall. She moves into the quarterfinals after pinning Justina DI STASIO (CAN). Next up is Adeline GRAY (USA).

12:35: Adeline GRAY (USA) looks like returning to her best since her comeback at the World Championships. She holds off Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN) 4-0 to move into the quarterfinals at 76kg.  

12:15: Karla GODINEZ (CAN) and Dominique PARRISH (USA) moving on at 53kg. Godinez with a win over Haley AUGELLO (USA) while Parrish gets a walkover from Lucia YEPEZ (ECU)

WW - 53 kg1/8 Final455(SRI) Nethmi Ahinsa Fernando PORUTHOTAGE (18)(CHN) Min ZHANG (19)

11:50: U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) with a big throw in the second period to beat Morten THORESEN (NOR) 4-1 at 67kg and move to the next round

11:45: Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) and Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) get going with easy wins. Nasibov got the better of HUSIYUETU (CHN) while Jafarov beat Alejandro SANCHO (USA) at 67kg. 

11:10: Danial SOHRABI (IRI) has made it a habit of living on the edge. Put in par terre, he gave up three turns as Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) led 7-1 at the break. Sohrabi didn't score any points when Joergensen was put in par terre but the Norweigen's conditioning was not up to the mark for the six minutes as Sohrabi five stepouts in the last 90 seconds to win 8-7.

10:45: Samar HAMZA (EGY) suffers a shock 3-2 loss to Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) at 76kg. Just could not get going in her attacks. World silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) with a fall over Rita TALISMANOVAAA (AIN)

10:30: Down goes the European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) as Min ZHANG (CHN) builds a strong 8-2 lead before winning 12-6. On Mat C, young prodigy Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) with a 10-6 win over Ekaterina VERBINA (AIN).

10:15: Electric start to the day as world bronze medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and Nina HEMMER (GER) put on a show. Yepez pulls off an 11-9 win at 53kg. Little later, Qianyu PANG (CHN) pins Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR).

10:00: Welcome to the fourth day of the Zagreb Open Ranking Series. Adelaine GRAY (USA),