#WrestleTokyo

Three Rio Champions Remain on Course to Do Olympic Double

Wednesday, August 4, 2021 - 08:03 By Vinay Siwach

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CHIBA, Japan (August 4) --- Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), Risako KAWAI (JPN) and Helen MAROULIS (USA) remained on course to repeat their gold-winning performance from the Rio Olympics as all three reached the semifinals of their respective weight categories at the Tokyo Olympics.

But for Kawai and Maroulis, only one will get the chance to do the double as both face each other in the semifinal.

On Wednesday, freestyle 57kg and 86kg and women's 57kg weight class were in action which was nothing short of breathtaking. The 2019 world champions Yazdani and Kawai dominated their opponents to make place in the last four.

At 57kg, another 2019 world champion Zaur UGUEV (ROC) survived two agonizingly close bouts to make it to the semifinals against Reza ATRI (IRI). The other semifinal will see 2019 World Championships bronze medalists Ravi KUMAR (IND) and Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ).

The Makuhari Messe Hall A was witnessed a wrestling session worthy of highlight reel with the skills of highest order causing upsets, falls, technical superiority and thrillers.

Zaur UGUEVZaur UGUEV (ROC) defeated Thomas GILLMAN (USA). (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

The first one came in the first round of 57kg when Uguev trailed 2017 World silver medalist Thomas GILLMAN (USA) 4-3 with less than 15 seconds to go. Gillman was defending a single leg attack but as the clock neared the six minute mark, he surrendered the lead, handing a 5-4 win to the ROC athlete.

He followed that with another stunning victory over Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) using an inside trip in the final three seconds to win 6-6. Abdullaev scored a takedown at the edge to lead 6-4 and Uguev had all but given up.

But when the wrestlers came to center, he glanced at the clock to see that there was enough time for him to pull out one more trick. He went for his go-to duck under. With Abdullaev stepping outside to defend that, Uguev transitioned it into an inside trip and two points.

He will face Atri in the semifinal who upset two World medalist in the first two bouts. First was 2019 World silver medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR). Atri scored a 3-2 win over the Turk wrestler. In the second bout, he was in more control, beating Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) 5-1.

Sanayev began with a 7-0 win over Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS) and set up a quarterfinal against 2017 world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN). He led 4-4 on criteria and then decided to defend the lead but Takahashi challenged for a singlet-grab. But the judges did not confirm and he lost the challenge. Interestingly, no point was awarded to Sanayev for the lost challenge.

Kumar from India had two wins by technical superiority. He defeated Oscar TIGREROS URBANO (COL) 13-2 and then won 14-4 against Georgi VANGELOV (BUL).

David TAYLORDavid TALOR (USA) reached the semifinals at 86kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

At 86kg, Yazdani is on the track to face David TAYLOR (USA) in the final as both reached the semifinals. Giving up only three points in two points and scoring 25, Yazdani began with a 13-2 win over Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) and then a 12-1 mauling of Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI).

He will face Artur NAIFANOV (ROC) in the semifinal. Yazdani had pinned Naifanov at the 2019 World Championships. But the ROC athlete looked in different touch in Chiba as he defeated Boris MAKOEV (SVK) 6-0 and then beat Osman GOCEN (TUR) 12-1.

In women's wrestling, Kawai set up a semifinal blockbuster with Rio Olympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA). The two looked in the league of their own as Maroulis knocked off Ningning RONG (CHN) in the opening bout 8-4. She avenged her loss from Poland Open against Tetyana KIT (UKR), beating her 8-0.

Risako KAWAIRisako KAWAI (JPN) will wrestle Helen MAROULIS (USA) in the 57kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The USA wrestler is one of the few who can say they have beaten the legendary Saori YOSHIDA (USA). She achieved that feat in Rio when she stunned the three-time Olympic gold medalist to become USA's first female wrestler to win gold.

This time she has Kawai standing in that path. Kawai had similar victories, beating Fatoumata Yarie CAMARA (GUI) 8-2 and then moving past Khongorzul BOLDSAIKHAN (MGL) 7-0.

From the other side, Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) and Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) emerged as semifinalists.

Kurachkina secured an 8-2 win over Anshu MALIK (IND) and then defeated Rio Olympics silver medalist Valeria KOBLOVA (ROC) 6-3 to reach the semifinal. Her constant pressure and defence made it difficult for the opponents to find an opening from where they could score.

Nikolova was the surprise winner from the side which had Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) and Anastasia NICHITA (MDA). But the Bulgarian showed up in style against Nichita in the quarterfinal and secured a fall over her.

Earlier, Nichita stunned Adekuoroye with a fall despite trailing 0-8. That win should have made Nichita the favourite but she suffered a fall in the next bout.

#WrestleParis

Wrestling at Paris 2024: Susaki, Makhmudov stunned; Aleksanyan vs Rosillo rematch

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - 08:35 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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PARIS -- The Olympic Games enter day two of wrestling at the Champs de Mars arena with Greco-Roman 77kg and 97kg and Women's Wrestling 50kg. Yui SUSAKI (JPN) is hoping to defend her title from Tokyo which she won without conceding a point. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) is looking for his second title as well with the first coming in Rio.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 DAY 1

13:30: That is the end of the morning session! Mohamed GABR (EGY) is into the semifinal by beating Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) 4-1. On a day of upset, count that one as well.

13:19: The shocks continue as Mariya STADNIK (AZE) sees her bid for an elusive Olympic gold end when two-time world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) scores a pair of takedowns in the final minute for a stunning 4-4 victory on big-point criteria. Dolgorjav went into the match a bit fresher after receiving a first-round forfeit from Emanuela LIUZZI (ITA), and she used her reserves to secure what proved to be the winning takedown with 28 seconds left. Stadnik challenged for eye poke which was confirmed on challenge but Dolgorjav still had criteria

13:18: Returning bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) with a technical superiority win over Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) and he is moving into the semifinal at 97kg.

13:15: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) is into the Greco 77kg semifinals after beating Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) 1-1 on last-point criteria. Levai was put in par terre first, then held out when on the bottom in the second.

13:08: Tokyo bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) scrapes out a well-earned 7-4 victory over Ziqi FENG (CHN) to advance to the women's 50kg semifinals. Feng opens with a double-leg takedown that Hildebrandt reverses for 1, then goes ahead with shrug-by takedown. The two trade takedowns as the American goes into the break with a slim 5-4 lead. In the second period, she clinches the win with a takedown with :40 left.

13:05: Another star has fallen! World champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) saw his bid to become his country's first-ever gold medalist end with a 3-1 loss to Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ). Makhmudov got the chance in par terre first, but a series of rolls were nullified on challenge for leg use. In the second period, Zhadrayev applied a vicious front headlock from par terre and threw the Tokyo silver medalist for 2.

13:08: World champion Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) was in some trouble against Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) but managed to hold his lead and scored a takedown on the counter in the dying seconds of the bout to win 5-2. He moves into the semifinal at 97kg

12:58: Never count out Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM)! He was down 5-5 on criteria after Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) used two front headlocks to score exposure. But Aleksanyan got behind and threw Assakalov for four to win 9-5

12:57: Yusneylis GUZMAN (CUB) storms into the women's 50kg semifinals with a 10-0 win over Gabija DILYTE (LTU). Guzman arm drags behind for a takedown, then reels off three rolls for an 8-0 lead. Another takedown ends the match with nine seconds left in the first period.

12:49: Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) follows up her monumental win over Yui SUSAKI (JPN) by holding off Oksana LIVACH (UKR) 7-5 in a scrappy women's 50kg quarterfinal. Phogat gets two takedowns and leads 5-2 when Livach puts on a late surge, cutting the gap to 1 with a stepout and a lost challenge. With the clock winding down, Phogat shrugs off a throw attempt for 2, and Livach adds a late stepout.

12:48: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) gets a 2-point throw from par terre in the first period and that holds up for a 3-0 victory over Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) and a spot in the Greco 77kg semifinals.

12:45: Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) gets the par terre the second time and turns Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO), adds a four-pointer and finishes the bout 9-1 at 97kg

12:38: Top seed Nao KUSAKA (JPN) finishes off a 12-2 victory over Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) with a 4-point pancake to snatch his place in tonight's Greco 77kg semifinals.

12:34: Veteran Mariya STADNIK (AZE) begins her quest for a fifth Olympic medal -- hopefully a first gold -- with a 6-2 victory over world bronze medalist Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER). The 35-year-old mother of two gets a takedown-roll combination for a 4-0 lead in the first period, then gets 2 more when she rolls through a headlock attempt in the second.

12:30: Mohamed GABR (EGY) gave no chance to Mihail KAJAIA (SRB). Gabr took a 6-0 lead and then defended the par terre position to win 6-1 and advance at 97kg.

12:25: 2021 world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) gets the passivity points and fights off Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) and an apparent left hamstring injury for a 2-0 victory at Greco 77kg.

12:23: Tokyo bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA)  goes out the backdoor for a takedown against Ibtissem DOUDOU (ALG), then transitions to the lace lock and reels off four rolls for a 10-0 win in 1:34 for a place in the women's 50kg quarterfinals.

12:18: World bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) uses an effective barrel roll for two takedowns of Nada MOHAMED (EGY), scoring a fall after the second one to advance to the women's 50kg quarterfinals.

12:19: Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) with a big four-pointer as he moves past Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU) 5-1 and enters the 97kg quarterfinals.

12:14: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), the world silver medalist in 2022, gets a second-period stepout and that's enough for a 2-1 victory at Greco 77kg over Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), the 2022 world champ at 82kg.

12:08: Yusneylis GUZMAN (CUB) pulls off a thrilling 7-6 victory over Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) at women's 50kg with an exposure during a scramble in the final seconds that took the mat chairman a long time to sort out on challenge. Both wrestlers scored takedowns, only to give up 2-point counters down the stretch.

12:00 Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) with a controlled 4-0 win over Fadi ROUABAH (ALG) and moves into the quarterfinal. He will take on world champion Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) who was not the best off the block but managed to beat Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER) 7-5.

11:56: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), aiming to improve on his silver medal in Tokyo three years ago at Greco 77kg, can't get the turn in par terre, but rides a series of second-period stepouts to a 4-1 victory over Kamal BEY (USA)

11:53: Gabija DILYTE (LTU) uses a 2-on-1 to slam Alisson CARDOZO (COL) to her back and secures the fall at 4:14 to advance at women's 50kg.

11:45: Four-time world medalist Maklhas AMOYAN (ARM) tosses his way to an 8-0 victory at Greco 77kg over Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN). The winning point comes on a lost challenge by the Finnish side.

11:44: Oksana LIVACH (UKR), fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, scores a pair of 4-point takedowns and she advances at women's 50kg with a 10-0 victory over Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB).

11:37: Asian silver medalist Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) gets the second of the passivity points and that's enough to defeat Yosvanys PENA (CUB) 1-1 at Greco 77kg.

11:33: Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Olympic wrestling history, scoring a takedown in the final seconds to stun defending women's 50kg champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) 3-2. It is Susaki's first loss ever in 95 matches against non-Japanese opponents. Phogat stays completely on the defensive throughout the match, giving Susaki both of her points from the activity clock. With the clock running down, Phogat goes on the offensive and knocks Susaki off balance and onto her bottom, then charges ahead for a takedown with :05 left. Japan challenges, but the takedown stands and Susaki is out. 

11:26: Former world silver medalist Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) storms into the quarterfinals at Greco 77kg with a workmanlike 9-0 victory over  Mahmoud ABDELRAHMAN (EGY).

11:24: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) bounces back from her quarterfinal loss to Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) to earn a chance for a bronze medal by defeating Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 6-0 in their women's 68kg repechage match. Ozaki scores two takedowns and a 2-point exposure, but the former 62kg world champion still seems to be struggling with the extra weight.

11:22: A minute and 44 seconds is all Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) needed to get over Seungjun KIM (KOR) at 97kg opening round. He gets four gut wrenches from par terre to win 9-0.

11:20: Top seed Nao KUSAKA (JPN) begins his campaign at Greco 77kg with an impressive 9-0 win over Abd Elrim OUAKALI (ALG). After an early takedown, Kusaka gets a 4-point lift and throw from par terre. Ouakali comes near to scrambling for a takedown, but Kusaka reverses the momentum to score a match-ending takedown.

11:16: Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) uses a four-point throw in his 6-4 win over Kiril MILOV (BUL) at 130kg. He will wrestle for bronze later tonight against Lingzhe DENG (CHN).

11:15: Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) makes short work of Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB) in the other Greco 60kg repechage, rolling to a 10-0 victory. He will take on world champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) for the bronze.

 

11:14: World champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) wins a battle of stepouts in the women's 68kg repechage against Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL), earning a place in the bronze-medal match with a 4-3 win. Both wrestlers had three stepouts, with the deciding point coming when Poland unsuccessfully challenged Tosun's third stepout.

11:10: The action on Mat A gets underway with the first of the two Greco 60kg repechage matches. Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) will get a chance to give Venezuela its first-ever Olympic wrestling medal after scoring two 4-point takedowns in a 12-1 victory over Moamen MOHAMED (EGY). Rodriguez will face Se Ung RI (PRK) for the bronze later tonight. 

11:00:The day two will begin with repechage in GR 60kg and 130kg and WW 68kg. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) is on the mat to wrestle Seungchan LEE (KOR). He wins via technical superiority 9-0 and moves into the bronze medal bout for the evening.