#BudaWrestle2018

Surkov Dominates Stefanek to Win Gold, Basar Repeats

By Andrew Hipps

BUDAPEST, Hungary (October 27) -- Artem SURKOV (RUS) capped off a strong year by winning his first Greco-Roman world title with dominating victory over Olympic champion Davor STEFANEK (SRB) on Saturday at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. 

The 25-year-old Russian scored his first two points off passivity calls -- one in each period -- before executing a side lift throw for points in the second period. A failed challenge would give Surkov his seventh point for a 7-0 shutout victory over Stefanek.

This year, Surkov claimed gold medals at several events, including the European Championships, Ljubomir Ivanovic Gedza International, Kristjan Palusalu Memorial and Ivan Poddubny Tournament. 

Surkov was one of two gold medalists for Russia on Saturday. The other Russian to win gold in Greco-Roman on Saturday was Sergey EMELIN (RUS) at 60kg. 

Emelin, like Surkov, was dominant in the finals. He used two four point moves on his way to a 10-1 technical fall over Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in the gold-medal match at 60kg. 

The Russian threw Ciobanu for four points just 15 seconds into the match to grab an early 4-0 lead. In the second period, after the Moldovan scored with a step out, Emelin used a pinch headlock to score four more points. He then ended the match with a gut wrench. 

Emelin was unchallenged throughout the competition, outscoring his opposition 44-1 in five matches. 

Metehan BASAR (TUR) repeated as a world champion by defeating 2016 Olympic silver medalist Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) 2-1 at 87kg in the final gold-medal match on Saturday. 

All three points scored in the 87kg gold-medal match came from passivity calls. Beleniuk scored the first point and led 1-0 at the break. But Basar controlled the action in the final period, scoring two passivity points to take the victory. 

Bronze medals at 60kg were won by Sailike WALIHAN (CHN) and Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ). Walihan rolled to a 9-0 technical fall over Kristian FRIS (SRB) After a scoreless first minute, Walihan finished the match with a five-point throw. Sultangali edged Se Ung RI (PRK) 1-1.

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) showcased a strong par terre game as he cruised to a 9-0 technical fall in the first bronze-medal match at 67kg. Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) blanked Danijel JANECIC (CRO) 7-0 for the other bronze medal at 67kg. 

At 87kg, Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) won his second straight world bronze medal by topping Bekkhan OZDOEV (RUS). Artur SHAHINYAN (ARM) pulled away late to defeat Islam ABBASOV (AZE) 7-1 for the other bronze medal at 87kg. 

Russia leads in the Greco-Roman team standings with 103 points, while Turkey sits in second place with 75 points. Azerbaijan (54), Hungary (53) and Armenia (46) round out the top five teams.

Finals Results

Greco-Roman

60kg
GOLD: Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df. Victor CIOBANU (MDA) by VSU1, 10-1
BRONZE: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) df. Se Ung RI (PRK) by VPO1, 1-1
BRONZE: Sailike WALIHAN (CHN) df. Kristian FRIS (SRB) by VSU, 9-0

67kg
GOLD: Artem SURKOV (RUS) df. Davor STEFANEK (SRB) by VPO, 7-0
BRONZE: Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) df. Danijel JANECIC (CRO) by VPO, 7-0
BRONZE: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) df. Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA) by VSU, 9-0

87kg
GOLD: Metehan BASAR (TUR) df. Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) by VPO1, 2-1
BRONZE: Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) df. Bekkhan OZDOEV (RUS) by VPO1, 4-2
BRONZE: Artur SHAHINYAN (ARM) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE) by VPO1, 6-1
 

#WrestleSamokov

Japan defends U20 Worlds women's team title

By Vinay Siwach

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 22) -- Japan defended its Women's Wrestling team title at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria with two more gold medals on Friday.

The Women's Wrestling competition came to a close in Bulgaria with three weight classes, 50kg, 53kg and 72kg, and Japan won the first two gold medals while India won 72kg. India finished second in the team race with 140 points, 25 less than Japan which had 165 points.

Rinka OGAWA (JPN) won the 50kg gold medal with 9-3 win over three-time age-group world medalist Audrey JIMINEZ (USA) in the final. Ogawa gave up the first takedown but she hit a single-leg and turn to lead 4-2 at the break.

The second period was more scrappy but Ogawa gave up just a reversal while four points to win 8-3. The United States challenged at the end of match but there was no points for Jiminez and one more point to Ogawa's score for the lost challenge.

This was Jiminez's third loss to a Japanese wrestler in finals of World Championships. She lost to Umi ITO (JPN) in the World U20 and U23 finals in 2022 and 2023 respectively. Her one other loss came to Yanrong LI (USA) in 2023 at the World U20 Championships. She will now look to change her fortunes at the senior World Championships in Zagreb next month.

Japan's second gold cane with Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) who defeated European U20 champion Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) in controlled 6-0 final. She scored three takedowns in six minutes for the win and earn herself the gold medal.

At 72kg, world U17 silver medalist last month, KAJAL (IND) managed to survive a fall attempt and a threating Yuqi LIU (CHN) in the final and win her first world U20 title to go with her world U17 gold from 2024.

Kajal used snapdowns to pressure Liu and score three takedowns and lead 6-0 but as the match progressed Liu hit a leg-attack and scored a takedown, and cradle Kajal who barely managed to get out off the lock and keep the 6-4 lead.

Both traded a takedown each in the remainder of the bout but Kajal held on for an 8-6 lead and win the gold medal.

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD: Rinka OGAWA (JPN) df. Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), 9-3

BRONZE: SHRUTI (IND) df. Josephine WRENSCH (GER), 6-0
BRONZE: Na HU (CHN) df. Diana RYSOVA (UKR), 7-5

53kg
GOLD: Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) df. Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR), 6-0

BRONZE: SAARIKA (IND) df. Ilona VALCHUK (POL), 11-0
BRONZE: Kseniya KOSTSENICH (UWW) df. Abigale COOPER (USA), 11-10

72kg
GOLD: KAJAL (IND) df. Yuqi LIU (CHN), 8-6

BRONZE: Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW) df. Haticenur SARI (TUR), 17-12
BRONZE: Kaiyrkul SHARSHEBAEVA (KGZ) vs. Jasmine ROBINSON (USA), via inj. def.