#ThrowBackThursday

#TBT Ramimi picks up close win against Ramos at 2015 World Cup

By Eric Olanowski

LOS ANGELES, United States (June 30) --- Hassan RAHIMI helped Iran get out to an early 1-0 lead with his one-point win over USA’s Tony RAMOS in the finals of the 2015 World Cup in Los Angeles.

The turning point of the 57kg matchup came in the second frame, when Rahimi and Ramos traded two exposure points. After the action was blown dead, the Iranian world champ led 4-3 on the scoreboard. But Ramos questioned Rahimi’s exposure points and challenged the call. The call was ultimately upheld, giving Rahimi the 5-3 advantage.

With one minute left, Rahimi conceded a caution-and-one, cutting his lead to 6-5. Then, with less than 30 second remaining in the bout, Rahimi jacked up double underhooks and drove Ramos out for the one point. He won the bout and kick-started Iran’s eventual 5-3 over the United States.

Here are the final results:

IRAN 5, UNITED STATES 3
57 kg - Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. Tony RAMOS (USA), 6-5
61 kg - Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 9-7
65 kg - Brent METCALF (USA) df. Masmoud ESMAILPOUR (IRI), 3-1
70 kg - Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. Nick MARABLE (USA), 3-1
74 kg - Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) by TF, 10-0
86 kg - Meisam MOSTAFAJOUKAR (IRI) df.  Clayton FOSTER (USA) by TF, 12-2
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. Mohammad HOSSIEN MOHAMMADIAN (IRI), 3-3
125 kg - Komeil GHASEMI (IRI) df. Zach REY (USA), 3-1

#UWWAwards

Muszukajev, Rosillo, Tosun tabbed Breakout Performers for 2023

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 15) — Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), Bose TOSUN (TUR) and Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) stunned the world with their performances in 2023 and have been named United World Wrestling’s Breakout Performances of the Year in Freestyle, Women’s Wrestling and Greco-Roman respectively.

Muszukajev was a two-time world bronze medalist before 2023 but orchestrated a stunning career turnaround with his performance in Belgrade. The 65kg weight saw Musukajev triumphantly seize the world title, overcoming defending champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and reigning Olympic gold medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN). In a defining moment in Belgrade, Muszukajev became Hungary’s second-ever world champion, bringing an end to a 44-year freestyle world title drought dating back to 1979.

Perhaps the most shocking run to the world title in Belgrade was that of Bose TOSUN (TUR) who captured the 68kg gold in the field that had Irina RINGACI (MDA), Ami ISHII (JPN), Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), Feng ZHOU (CHN), Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), among others. 

Tosun dominated her competition with five resounding victories, including three falls, solidifying her status alongside Yasemin ADAR (TUR) as Turkiye’s only women’s wrestling world champions.

Another top performance in Belgrade was by Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) who defeated two world champions, Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) and Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), in semifinal and final, transforming his 2019 ninth-place finish at the World Championships into a glorious 97kg gold medal.

A U20 world champion in 2019, Rosillo finished 13th at the Tokyo Olympics but has now made himself the top contender for the 97kg title in the Paris Olympics.