#WrestleAmman

U20 World Championships Day 4 semifinals set

By Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (August 17) -- Women's wrestling will continue on the fourth day of the U20 World Championships in Amman. 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg will be in action on Thursday before the evening session sees five new women's wrestling world champions.

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Women's wrestling semifinals for the evening session

53kg
Katie GOMEZ (USA) vs. Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR)
ANTIM (IND) vs. Polina LUKINA (AIN)

57kg
Ichika ARAI (JPN) vs. Gerda TEREK (HUN)
Shugyla OMIRBEK (KAZ) vs. Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR)

62kg
SAVITA (IND) vs. Iris THIEBAUX (FRA)
Melanie JIMENEZ (MEX) vs. Astrid MONTERO (VEN)

65kg
Ekaterina KOSHKINA (AIN) vs. ANTIM (IND)
Khadija JLASSI (TUN) vs. Eniko ELEKES (HUN)

72kg
HARSHITA (IND) vs. Bukrenaz SERT (TUR)
Yuka FUJIKURA (JPN) vs. Amit ELOR (USA)

13:40: Yuka FUJIKURA (JPN) ends the session on a high for Japan, making her way to the 72kg semifinal after beating Kaiyrkul SHARSHEBAEVA (KGZ) 6-0. 

13:30: The semifinals line-up for 53kg is insane. Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR), an unbeaten wrestler internationally, will take on former U17 world champion and returning bronze medalist Katie GOMEZ (USA). In the other semifinal, defending U20 world champion and senior Asian silver medalist ANTIM (IND) will square off against Polina LUKINA (AIN) who has senior-level experience including a silver medal at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series in 2022.

13:20: Returning bronze medalist at 62kg Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) thought she has a foot in the semifinals, leading 5-4 against Melanie JIMENEZ (MEX). But the Mexican U20 Pan-Am champion launches Nwachukwu for a big throw for four with 5 seconds remaining. The United States challenged the call but it stood, giving Jimenez a 9-5 win.

13:15: If there is a secret to beating Amit ELOR (USA), no one has been able to find it. The latest in that attempt was Patrycja CUBER (POL) in the 72kg quarterfinals but Elor pins her inside the first period.

13:10: Suzu SASAKI (JPN) had hoped to avenge her 2022 U17 world final loss to SAVITA (IND) when she booked her spot on the Japan U20 team. It was going well as she led 6-4 but Savita cradled her for a fall in the 62kg quarterfinals. Sasaki left the mat overwhelmed with emotions.

13:07: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) with another fall. She moves into the 53kg after pinning Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE). It will be interesting to see how she responds to wrestlers with extra experience.     

13:05: Returning U20 world champion ANTIM (IND) returns to the semifinals after a 12-2 technical superiority win over Xuejing LIANG (CHN). Total domination from the Indian wrestler.

13:00: Polina LUKINA (AIN) with a clutch performance. She scores four points in the final 10 seconds to beat Nagisa HARADA (JPN) 8-7 at 53kg. Lukina moves into the semifinals.

12:50: Katie GOMEZ (USA) avenges her loss from last year against Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) as she leg laces her for a 10-0 victory and moves into the 53kg semifinals. Can the former U17 world champion add a U20 world title?

12:45: Khadija JLASSI (TUN) will cherish this win for some time. She hangs on for a 6-5 win over Momoko KITADE (JPN) in the 65kg quarterfinals. Jlassi got a four-pointer from a cradle which kept her in the match which she ultimately won with Kitade straggling with her conditioning.

12:30: As if there ever any doubts! Senior, U23 and U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) takes 29 seconds to roll over Shamshiyabanu TASTANBEK (KAZ) using a leg lace and move into the semifinals at 72kg.

12:25: Two U17 world champions from India, SAVITA (IND) and HARSHITA (IND), also pin their campaign with wins at 62kg and 72kg respectively. Amit ELOR (USA) is coming up on Mat B shortly 

12:10: A fall for returning champion at 53kg ANTIM (IND)! Nikola WISNIEWSKA (POL) scored two points but was easily overpowered by Antim who secured a first-period fall

12:00: Returning bronze medalist Katie GOMEZ (USA) runs away to a 10-0 win over Carla JAUME (ESP) at 53kg. Gomez has to be one of the best technical wrestlers out there at this age level.

11:45: Two-time U17 world champion Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) begins her U20 world journey with a fall. An easy win over Nikol KRUMOVA (BUL) at 53kg.

11:25: A better for Japan today after a mixed day on Wednesday. Momoko KITADE (JPN) at 65kg and Ichika ARAI (JPN) at 57kg have both won their respective bouts and moved into the pre-quarters.

11:00: At 62kg, Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) was relentless in her attacks against Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) to win 14-4 and advance to the pre-quarterfinals.

10:45: Gerda TEREK (HUN) hangs on for a 5-4 win over Aitolkun MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and advances to the pre-quarterfinals. She will wrestle Ulmeken ESENBAEVA (UZB) next. 

10:30: U20 bronze medalist Sevval CAYIR (TUR) tried challenging U20 European champion Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR) but could not fight for long. Filipovych won 14-2

10:00: Welcome to the fourth day of the U20 World Championships. The action continues with women's wrestling as Amit ELOR (USA), ANTIM (IND), Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) are among the stars who will wrestle.

#WrestleBudapest

Kusaka, Losonczi shine on final day of Budapest Ranking Series

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 9) -- The final day of the Ranking Series with seven Greco-Roman weight classes. Four Olympic weights will be in action -- 67kg, 77kg, 87kg and 97kg -- with ranking points to be earned.

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Incredible session of wrestling. The finals are set and Iran is likely to have a few wrestle-offs for the Paris Olympics

14:30: Ali CENGIZ (TUR) and David LOSONCIZ (HUN) wrestle in the 87kg semifinal. Cengiz and Losonciz shared the World Championships gold after Losonciz won an appeal for a judge's error. But in the rematch here, Losonciz pins Cengiz in the second period after racing to a 5-0 lead. He knows what it means! This is the first time the two have wrestled after that World Championships final

14:10: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) with a stepout in the second period to beat world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) 2-1 and enter the 77kg final against Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) who defeated Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) 1-1 

13:50: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) has defeated world champion Luis ORTA (CUB)! OH WAIT WHAT?! What did we just witness here! Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) was clearly the better wrestler for five minutes and 58 seconds. He led 6-0 at the break but gave up a four pointer in the second as Orta closed the gap to 6-4. Iran challenged the call asking for two points for counter but lost to make the score 6-5. Esmaeili did well to keep the lead but for the last two seconds. As Orta dropped his guard, Esmaeili began celebrating but Orta launched a massive throw for four. It was originally not scored as the clock expired but Cuba challenged the call. On review, the move was completed with 0.1 seconds remaining on the clock. Esmaeili is inconsolable.

13:35: 63kg world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) hands Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) a 6-1 loss at 67kg. A big setback for Geraei and his Olympic dreams. He would now hope that Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) fails to win the gold medal here and the two get to have a playoff later in the evening.

13:25: David LOSONCZI (HUN) gives up a turn from par terre in the second period but that is not enough for Mohammadhossein MAHMOODI (IRI) to win their 87kg bout. Losonczi had a 5-0 lead from the first period and he looked in control of the bout.

13:22: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) has given a walkover to Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) in their 77kg quarterfinal. Akbudak will now wrestle Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) for a spot in the final.

13:00: Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) may feel he has been hard done here against Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg. Geraei defended two par terre positions and led 1-1 on criteria with 23 seconds left on the clock. He made an arm throw but had no contact with Suleymanov who was awarded two points and two more for a turn. Geraei was not defending thinking the referees would call it a risk. Iran challenged for the same but it called points and Geraei dropped his bout 6-1.

12:55: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) beats Mohammad Reza MOKHTARI (IRI) at 77kg to enter the semifinals. He will now wait for the winner of Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) and Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI). 

12:40: World champion Luis ORTA (CUB) and Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) now wrestling at 67kg. Orta launches a big four-pointer on the edge for the early lead. He then is then awarded a point for Sogabe's passivity. No turn in par terre but he scored a takedown to lead 7-0 at the break. Sogabe is unable to break Orta's defense in the second period. Orta closes out the match 7-1.

12:00: A tough opening round for world champion Ali CENGIZ (TUR) as he needs six minutes to beat Payton JACOBSON (USA) 6-1 at 87kg. He is on his way for a clash with David LOSONCIZ (HUN). Both were awarded the World Championships gold medal after Hungary won an appeal for a referee error in the final

11:40: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) continues to chip away at 77kg. He beats Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) 6-0 to advance to the 1/8 finals. In the same weight class, Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) has set up a 1/8 final with Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE).

11:30: A minute and 29 seconds is all Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) needs to win 8-0 against Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) in their round two bout at 55kg. Azizli looking absolutely dominant so far.

11:05: Mohmmadreza GERAEI (IRI) did not look his best in his opening match against Souleymen NASR (TUN) at 67kg as he failed to perform his throw from par terre. Nasr was called for negative wrestling twice which gave Geraei a 4-0 lead. But a lost challenge from Gereaei and par terre in the second period made it 4-2. Geraei holds on to that score to win. Iran's second wrestler at 67kg, Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) rolls to a 10-0 win over Nestor ALMANZA (CHI) in no time.

10:55: World champion Luis ORTA (CUB) shows up and rolls over David MANYIK (HUN) for a technical superiority win at 67kg. He earns a quarterfinal date with Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN).

10:50: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) dominates his first bout over Abd Elkrim OUAKALI (4), winning 11-3 and marching on at 77kg. He will face Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) next. In the same weight class, a quick finish as Zoltán LEVAI (HUN) pins Levente LEVAI (HUN).

10:40: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) has been trying to get the better of Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) at 55kg but he will have to wait another day for that as Azizli beats Dad Marz in the first bout at 55kg. On Mat A, Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) beats Marat GARIPOV (BRA).

10:30: Long day ahead in Budapest with some top matches scheduled. Nao KUSAKA (JPN), Geraei brothers, Ali CENGIZ (TUR), David LOSONCIZ (HUN), Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) are among the stars to be on the mat.