Tokyo 2020 Test Event Starts with Minor Kinks, Vengeance for Japan’s Sakano

Thursday, October 3, 2019 - 13:17 By Ken Marantz

CHIBA, Japan (Oct. 3)---The wrestling venue for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics got its first taste of action with the start of a three-day women’s tournament, with the competition on the mat overshadowing the kind of technological glitches that often pop up in a test event.

Yui SAKANO (JPN) provided the surprise of the day in Hall 5 of Makuhari Messe, a sprawling convention center in western Chiba city down the coast from Tokyo, when she avenged a loss from three years ago to newly minted world bronze medalist PEI Xingru (CHN) in the 62kg semifinals.

Venue manager Yasukazu FUJIMORI, assessing the first day of the three-day test event in the six Olympic weight classes for women, said, “The training for the staff and volunteers went well. The problem was with the technology.”

He pointed out bugs with the printer and scoreboards, the type that come out during operational trials and are fixable as the UWW and Olympic systems are integrated.

Of bigger concern for Fujimori was the low number of wrestlers drawn to the tournament. Coming so close to the recently completed World Championships in Kazakhstan, only half the countries who had expressed interest in participating actually made the trip.

“It’s a bit of a lonely tournament,” Fujimori said. “We wanted 16 entries [per weight class] but only have eight [or nine],” adding that reductions in the budget by the Tokyo 2020 Organizing Committee for its “Ready Steady Tokyo” series of test events also was a factor.

Fujimori expressed his gratitude to China, which, among the six nations here, sent several top wrestlers, including five medalists from Nur-Sultan.

ZHOU Qian (CHN) defeated 2018 world champion Justina DI STASIO (CAN), 2-2, and will wrestle for gold at 76kg. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

“I wanted to get a feel for the atmosphere of this venue and the weather in Japan,” ZHOU Qian (CHN), a two-time former world medalist, said after making the 76kg final. “Maybe there will be some difference [next year], but it will help a lot to prepare next time.”

When the wrestlers got on the mat, of course, they put aside the external factors and focus on the task at hand, just as they would for any tournament.

Sakano, the 2017 world U23 champion at 60kg, was only offered a place at the tournament 10 days ago. And when she saw who was among her competition at 62kg, she became extra motivated.

Three years ago at the World Championships for non-Olympic weights, Sakano lost 8-6 in the semifinals to China’s Pei, who went on to win that title. Pei would add bronze medals at 59kg last year in Budapest and last month at Nur-Sultan.

On Thursday, Pei scored a go-behind takedown to take a 2-0 lead into the second period. But Sakano used a nifty barrel roll to go ahead 4-2 and came very close to ending the match with a fall.

“I wanted to use a different move, but the chance came up,” Sakano said. “I was losing anyway so I just went for it.”

Pei escaped the predicament, but could only gain a point for fleeing in the closing seconds and came out on the short end of a 4-3 score.

“I remember it,” Sakano said of the 2016 loss to Pei. “When I saw the draw, I thought this was a good chance for revenge as I hadn’t faced her in the three years [since the world championships].”

In the final on Saturday, Sakano will be looking for another measure of revenge. She will be facing 2018 world junior champion Atena KODAMA (JPN), who defeated her at last year’s All-Japan Championships.

Kodama advanced with a 5-3 victory over Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) after scoring all of her points in the second period, mainly with a deadly low single.

Yui SAKANO (JPN) scored a stunning 4-3 win over world bronze medalist PEI Xingru (CHN) in the 62kg semifinals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

In the morning session, Sakano scored a victory by fall over LUO Xiaojuan, this year’s Asian champion at 65kg. Pei, meanwhile, had her hands full with Mallory VELTE (USA) in a clash of current and former world bronze medalists before coming away with a 4-1 victory.

Kodama, a 2018 world junior champion, defeated Yarygin Grand Prix runner-up Anna SHCHERBAKOVA (RUS) 8-1, twice fighting off whizzer attempts that ended up with the Russian on her back.

The 76kg final will be an all-China affair between Paliha PALIHA (CHN) and Zhou, who each advanced with very different wins.

Paliha, a world bronze medalist at 72kg, overwhelmed high schooler Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN) by 12-2 technical fall, while Zhou needed a spin-behind takedown with five seconds left to stun 2018 world 72kg champion Justina DI STASIO (CAN) 2-2 on criteria.

Asked what she was thinking as the clock ticked down, Zhou smiled and said in English, “I want to win.”

At 68kg, WANG Xiaoqian (CHN) stormed into the final with the most dominant performance of the day, and will face Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN) for the gold.

Wang, a world bronze medalist at 65kg, needed just 30 seconds to dispose of Alina RUDNYTSKA LEVYTSKA (UKR), a 2018 world junior bronze medalist, by 10-0 technical fall, then defeated Alexandra GLAUDE (USA) by fall.

Matsuyuki, one of twin sisters in the tournament, pancaked Alena STARODUBTSEVA (RUS) for two points early in their semifinal before holding on for a 3-0 win.

Day 1 Results

Women’s Wrestling

62kg (8 entries)
Semifinal – Yui SAKANO (JPN) df. PEI Xingru (CHN), 4-3
Semifinal – Atena KODAMA (JPN) df. Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR), 5-3

68kg (8 entries)
Semifinal – WANG Xiaoqian (CHN) df. Alexandra GLAUDE (USA) by Fall, 2:50 (6-0)
Semifinal – Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN) df. Alena STARODUBTSEVA (RUS), 3-0

76kg (9 entries)
Semifinal – Paliha PALIHA (CHN) df. Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN) by TF, 12-2, 4:35
Semifinal – ZHOU Qian (CHN) df. Justina DI STASIO (CAN), 2-2

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 7 GR 60kg, 72kg, 97kg Highlights

Friday, September 19, 2025 - 08:37 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 19) -- The World Championships day seven will see three Greco-Roman weight classes -- 60kg, 72kg and 97kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 6 RESULTS

60kg semifinals
SF 1: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) vs. Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO)
SF 2: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) vs. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB)

14:15: World 63kg champion will not be able to add another gold to his name as he drops his quarterfinal against Alisher GANIEV (UZB) at 60kg. Ganiev with beautiful whizzer counter when Mammadli was tried an arm-drag. He managed to turn him as well for a 6-0 lead. Ganiev gets the par terre but there is no score. There is no par terre in the second period but Mammadli gets a four-point throw. However, that is all the action in the match. A lost challenge from Azerbaijan gives Ganiev one more point as he wins 8-4.

14:11: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), a two-time world bronze medalist, stayed on a track for a better medal when he defeated Se Ung RI (PRK) 1-1 in their 60kg quarterfinal by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points.

14:10: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) books his place in the 60kg semifinals with a solid 4-1 victory over SURAJ (IND). Tibilov opens with a stepout, then pads his lead with a gut wrench from par terre to lead 4-0 at the break. He resists when put on bottom in the second period, and holds on for the victory.

14:09: Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO) with a beautiful headlock throw four points to beat Enes BASAR (TUR) 10-0 at 60kg. Shavadze scored a gut-wrench from par terre to lead 3-0 before the throw. Basar commits a defensive four and gets a penalty for two points. A lost challenge from Turkiye to give one more point.

97kg Semifinals
SF 1: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) vs. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW)
SF 2: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) vs. Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE)

14:00: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) avoids the upset bug, but it is anything but easy in forging a 1-1 victory over Giorgi MELIA (GEO) to advance to the 97kg semifinals. Saravi gets the first of the two passivity points, and that makes the difference. He gets a second chance at par terre in the second period, but can't turn the Georgian.

13:59: The shocks continue at 97kg as Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) pulls off a stunning 7-4 victory over Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) to advance to the semifinals. Maskevich leads 2-0 after getting a passivity point and stepout in the first period. In the second, Rosillo uses his amazing speed and tries to spin behind for a takedown. But as they spin around like cats, Maskevich reaches over and pancakes Rosillo over for a 4-pointer. An unsuccessful challenge puts Maskevich ahead 7-0. Rosillo comes back with a takedown, and gains 2 on a leg foul, which gives Rosillo a chance in par terre. But he can't turn, and Maskevich advances.

13:52: A 1-1 victory for Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) over Alex SZOKE (HUN) at 97kg! Sargsian beneficiary of the new rule in which the criteria remains with the wrestler who gets the first point in a 1-1 finsih.

13:50: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) is pinned! The bad run for Aleksanyan continues as Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) blocks Aleksanyan during the gut-wrench and holds him in danger position till the fall is confirmed. Ahmadiyev moves into the 97kg semifinals.

72kg Semifinals
SF 1: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) vs. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)
SF 2: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) vs. Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ)

13:42: That has to be a first in wrestling as Danial SOHRABI (IRI), who had multiple bleeding stoppages, is medically timed out as the four minutes allotted for bleeding finish. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA), who was leading 4-2 at that moment, wins and advances to the 72kg semifinals.

13:41: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) survives a tough test from Yeonghun NOH (KOR) to advance to the 72kg semifinals as he pursues a second straight gold. Noh surprises Ganizade with a headlock throw attempt right off the whistle, which is good for 2 points. A passivity point puts the Korean up 3-0 at the break. Ganizade calmly goes ahead in the second period on criteria with a throw from par terre. At the end, the Korean is denied a potential takedown due to a foul, and in the final seconds, leaps over the top in a flying squirrel attempt, but Ganizade plants him on the mat for 5 and an 8-3 victory.

13:40: For two-time Olympic medalist, Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) saw his bid for an elusive world medal dealt a serious setback when he fell 4-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ) in the 72kg quarterfinals. Nasibov started well with a throw from par terre, but gave up a soft takedown at the end of the first period. Maulitkanov received a passivity point in the second period to go ahead on criteria. At the end, a Nasibov challenge for an imaginary foul was denied.

13:35: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) with a feet-to-back five points and a stepout to beat Michael PORTMANN (SUI) 8-0 at 72kg. He enters the semifinal for Uzbekistan.

Quarterfinals begins at the same time

13:19: Two-time European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), looking to add to the world title to the one he won last year at 63kg, needs just 33 seconds to overwhelm Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) 8-0 and advance to the 60kg quarterfinals.

13:13: European and former world bronze medalist Alex SZOKE (HUN) ends his long wait to take the mat by grinding out a 1-1 victory over Artur OMAROV (CZE) at 97kg by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points. Both wrestlers had to receive treatment for a head cut and wrestled with their head bandaged.

13:10: A huge win for world U20 bronze medalist SURAJ (IND) over former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA). He defended the par terre position which sealed the deal for him in a 3-1 victory at 60kg.

13:02: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Ung RI (PRK) gets the benefit of the doubt in a 4-point takedown in defeating Kaito INABA (JPN) 8-0 at 60kg, with the winning point coming on an unsuccessful challenge. After Ri receives a passivity point, the two are on their feet when Ri pancakes Inaba to the mat -- although it appears he used his foot to trip the Japanese -- then adds a gut wrench. The Japanese side challenges, but the judge says the move was valid, ending the match.

13:01: Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) makes short work of Richard KARELSON (EST), launching a 4-point throw from par terre than scoring a 4-point takedown to advance to the 97kg quarterfinals with a 9-0 win in 2:39.

13:00: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) uses his incredible gut-wrench to finish his bout 9-0 against Zegang WANG (CHN). However, China challenges for a leg-foul. On review, Aleksanyan's two turn are validate and the third and fourth are cancelled for foul. Wang gets par terre in second period but Aleksanyan defends well to win 5-1 at 97kg.

12:56: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) advances to the 72kg quarterfinals with a 5-0 victory over Gor KHACHATRYAN (ARM). After a stepout, Ghanem gets an exposure from par terre for a 4-0 lead at the break, then gets a second passivity point in the second.

12:54: European silver medalist Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) gets off to a good start at 60kg, putting together an 8-0 victory over Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL). Tibilov gets two turns from par terre, then counters an attack by Skrzypczak for another 2 to lead 7-0 at the break. He ends the match with a stepout. 24 seconds into the second period.

12:52: Olympic champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) gets both the passivity points in his 4-0 victory over NITESH (IND) and enters the quarterfinals at 97kg. He is looking for his second world title.

12:50: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) brings down Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) with a 5-1 victory at 97kg. Ahmadiyev defends the gut-wrench attempt from the Kyrgyzstan wrestler.

12:46: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) gets the first passivity point and then defends while on the bottom, putting him into the 97kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 win over Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER).

12:45: Reigning world champion Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) clears his first hurdle at 72kg, easily handling Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG) in a 6-0 victory. Ganizade opens with a stepout and a passivity point and, although he can't turn Merabet, he scores a takedown to go up 4-0 at the break. Ganizade spins behind for a takedown in the second to cap the win.

12:32: Former world champion and three-time world medalist Ali ARSALAN (SRB) tumbles out in his opening match at 72kg, falling 5-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ). Maulitkanov jumps out to a 4-1 lead when Arsalan cuts the gap with a takedown to end the first period. Late in the second period, Arsalan in on the verge of getting a takedown but can't finish it off. On challenge, it is discovered he not only did not score points, but committed a leg foul.

12:20: Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) steps closer to his first world medal as he beats Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW), 5-0, at 72kg. Both par terre positions to Nasibov in that match

12:15: Michael PORTMANN (SUI) continues his winning run as he now defeated Selcuk CAN (TUR), 8-2, at 72kg.

12:07: Kaito INABA (JPN), Asian medalist, begins his quest for a world medal with a 5-5 criteria win over Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) at 60kg.

12:01: It takes a while to sort out an interesting exchange between Olympic bronze medalist and five-time Asian medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) and Mohamed GABR (EGY) at 97kg. Dzhuzupbekov tries to spin behind off an arm drag, but Gabr catches the arm and steps over. On challenge, both are given a 2-point exposure, with Dzhuzupbekov having the last-point criteria. That gives him the win when there is no scoring in the second period, with the customary late challenge only making the score 3-2.

11:50: Former world silver medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) loses the advantage by giving up the first passivity point against Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) at 97kg, but he doesn't need it. Put on top in par terre in the second period, he hits a 2-point throw, which he quickly follows with a gut wrench. He gets an added bonus of a 2-point fleein penalty, and is put back on top. But his bear hug throw attempt goes awry and he only gets a stepout. No matter, he walks away an 8-1 winner.

11:25: Olympic bronze medalist and 2023 world champion Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) picks up a quick 4 against Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE), then uses his speed to get behind for two takedowns to advance at 97kg with an 8-0 victory in 2:17.

11:24: Asian champion Danial SOHRABI (IRI) gives up a quick stepout to Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), but responds with one himself. Put on top in par terre, Sohrabi wastes no time, firing off four rolls for a 10-1 win in just over two minutes at 72kg.

11:24: Host Croatia loses its presence in a span of minutes, when Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO) falls 4-1 to Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) at 72kg on Mat C, and shortly after on Mat B, NITESH (IND) gets a late gut wrench to oust Filip SMETKO (CRO) 3-2 at 97kg.

11:17: Two-time Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), searching for his first world medal, begins with an 8-0 superiority win over Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) at 72kg.

11:08: European champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) bulls his way to three stepouts in the second period and a 4-0 victory over Alejandro SANCHO (USA) at 72kg.

11:08: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), winner of the Ranking Series events in Budapest and Tirana, gets the first chance in par terre against two-time world bronze medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) at 72kg, but his roll is annulled on challenge for a leg foul. Can fares much better when he gets the chance, throwing Lomadze for 2 and holding on for a 3-1 win.

11:00: Not to be for Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) at 72kg. The Japanese was trying to win a medal in Greco-Roman, two years after he won the world gold medal in Freestyle 70kg. But Michael PORTMANN (SUI), he drops his opening bout 2-1. Portmann scored a stepout apart from the par terre points.

10:30: The World Championships will continue with Greco-Roman with 60kg, 72kg and 97kg in Zagreb

Tokyo 2020 Test Event Starts with Minor Kinks, Vengeance for Japan’s Sakano

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World Championships 2025 Day 7 GR 60kg, 72kg, 97kg Highlights