#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

Olympic silver medalist Oborududu announces retirement

By Vinay Siwach

NIGERIA (June 6) -- Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) announced her retirement last week, ending a memorable career in wrestling.

The 36-year-old called it quits at the National Sports Festival in Abeokuta, a tournament she made her first appearance as a young wrestler in 2006.

In a career spanning 19 years, Oborududu won the African Championships 13 times, became the first African wrestler to win Olympic silver medal in Women's Wrestling and finished fifth at the Paris Olympics.

Oborududu participated won her first gold at the African Championships in 2010 and maintained her winning streak at the tournament for 15 years. 

“I want to thank everyone who has been part of my journey: the Nigeria Wrestling Federation led by Daniel IGALI, the board members, my teammates, and my family,” Oborududu was quoted as saying by the Nigeria media. "I created a lot of memories, but my most memorable one was the Tokyo Olympics, which ignited hope across Africa. It was the first-ever medal by an African woman in wrestling at the Olympics, and I hope more will come for future wrestlers."

At the sports festival, Oborududu helped Team Bayelsa clinch gold medal in her final bout at the ongoing 22nd National Sports Festival. He later received a farewell from teammates, officials and fans.