#BudaWrestle2018

USA Puts 2 in Finals, Otoguro Halts Chakaev's Run

Sunday, October 21, 2018 - 17:23 By Andrew Hipps

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BUDAPEST, Hungry (October 21) -- The United States of America went 2-for-3 in the semifinals on Sunday, advancing Kyle DAKE and J'den COX to the gold-medal finals.

Dake, competing in his first World Championships, continued his dominance in the 79kg weight class with an 11-0 technical fall over Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) in the semifinals. 

Dake used a four-point throw to open up the scoring early and continued to build his lead. He eventually put the match away with a big throw on the edge of the match to secure the technical fall. Gadzhimagomedov defeated Dake in their previous meeting. 

Dake will now face Olympic bronze medalist Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE), who came from behind late to defeat Ezzatollah AKBARIZARINKOLAEI (IRI) 3-3 on criteria. The Iranian appeared to be in control until Hasanov took a shot in the final 20 seconds and converted it to a takedown. He then held on for the win.

Cox, an Olympic and world bronze medalist, advanced to the finals with a 5-2 victory over world bronze medalist Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI). Cox went up 2-0 before the Iranian took the lead on criteria after a takedown. The lead, though, was short lived as Cox scored a reversal and added another takedown to win by three.

The American will now face Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) in the gold-medal match at 92kg. Yankouski used two arm throws in the first minute of the match to cruise to a first-period technical fall shutout (11-0) over Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN).

At 65kg, Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) halted the run of Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS). The two wrestlers went back-and-forth in a high-scoring affair. The match was filled with action, as well as stoppages for injuries and challenges. 

The first period saw a wild exchange, which resulted in Chakaev taking a 4-3 lead. The first period would end 6-5 in favor of Chakaev. Otoguro turned it up in the second period, taking the lead and building it to 10-6. But Chakaev stayed offensive and cut the deficit to two late. Otoguro, though, was not going to be denied and pulled away for a 15-10 victory and spot in the finals. 

In the other 65kg semifinal match, Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) held on to defeat returning world bronze medalist Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) 4-3 at 65kg. He becomes India's first world finalist since Amit KUMAR made the world finals in 2013.

At 57kg, both returning world finalists fell in the semifinals.

Zavur UGUEV (RUS), a two-time cadet world champion, topped 2017 world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) 7-2, while Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) claimed an 11-0 technical fall over 2017 world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA).

Takahashi scored the first point of the semifinal match off the shot clock, but Uguev dominated the rest of the way. The Russian used a takedown and exposure to go up 4-1. He then tacked on to his lead in the third period to win by five. 

Sanayev led Gilman 2-0 after the first period before breaking the match open in the second period. He scored with a double leg takedown to go up 4-0 and converted it a lace and quickly built the lead to 9-0. Sanayev then put the match away with another takedown. 

Semifinal Results

57kg 
Zavur UGUEV (RUS) df. Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) by VPO1, 7-2
Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) df. Thomas GILMAN (USA) by VSU, 11-0

65kg 
Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) df. Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) by VPO1, 15-10
Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) df. Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) by VPO1, 4-3

79kg 
Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) by VSU, 13-0
Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) df. Ezzatollah AKBARIZARINKOLAEI (IRI) by VPO1, 3-3

92kg 
Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) df. Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN) by VSU, 11-0
J'den COX (USA) df. Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) by VPO1, 5-2

#WrestleAthens

U17 Worlds: Kostiuk ends Ukraine's wait for gold; Okonogi, Ismayilov upgrade

Saturday, August 2, 2025 - 18:21 By Vinay Siwach

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ATHENS, Greece (August 2) -- Artur KOSTIUK (UKR) ended a nine-year wait for a gold medal at World U17 Championships for Ukraine as he won the 80kg title in Athens, Greece on Saturday.

Ukraine has not had a world U17 champion since 2016 and a world champion in Freestyle since 2021. Kostiuk's gold was a double delight as he had won gold at European U17 Championships in June as well.

In the final facing Mohammadparsa KARAMI (IRI), Kostiuk was called passive and put on activity clock. He did not score in those 30 seconds but managed to get a takedown just before the break and led 2-1.

Karami was put on the activity clock in the second period and as he failed to score, Kostiuk's lead swelled to 3-1. Karami had 25 seconds to score two points but Kpstiuk kept his defense and captured the gold with a 3-1 score.

Ariah MILLS (USA)Ariah MILLS (USA) won the 48kg gold medal for the United States. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

That was the second loss in the final for Iran as it had suffered a loss at the 48kg weight class. That was the first final of the night on Saturday and Ariah MILLS (USA) gave no chance to Sina BOUSTANI (IRI) in the gold-medal bout.

While he was the one put on activity clock in the first period, Mills wasn't the one to defend. He had some fast re-attacks to stun Boustani. Mills gave up that activity clock point and as Boustani was setting up leg attack, Mills hit a counter and scored the takedown to lead 2-1 at the break.

Boustani had his chance to score reclaim the lead but Mills, who kept his distance, perhaps to have space to counter, got another takedown after a scramble. The U.S. wrestler managed to score a go-behind and two turns to win 12-1 and get the first gold medal in Freestyle for the U.S. 

Jinnosuke OKONOGI (JPN), a returning bronze medalist, upgraded his medal to gold and in style. Down 4-0 against Abdumalik JALOLDINOV (UZB) in the final, he scored one of the perfect five-pointers using the headpinch and over the head throw to lead 5-4 in the final minute.

This was not the only time Okonogi had to make a big comeback in Athens. In his quarterfinals, he defeated Zhakshylyk BOROBAEV (KGZ), 9-8, after scoring a takedown and turn in last 10 seconds.

Okonogi had a 4-1 win over Mohammadreza BARARI (IRI) in his opening match and an 8-2 domination of Greyton BURNETT (USA) in the semifinals.

Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE)Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Silver medalist from 2024 Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) got a anti-climatic 1-1 victory over Arseni KIKINIOU (USA) in the 65kg final and won his first gold medal after finishing with three silvers in three different championships.

Kikiniou was the first to get a point on board as Ismayilov was called passive. He failed to score in the 30 seconds and the U.S. wrestler got a point.

In the second period, Kikiniou was called passive and Ismayilov got a point and the 1-1 criteria lead. He had a minute left in the bout to defend his lead and Kikiniou threw every thing at him. However, Ismayilov defended with determination and won the gold medal.

Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW)Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) held on to his 6-4 lead to win the 110kg final against LACKY (IND). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The 110kg gold medal went to Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) who defeated LACKY (IND), 6-4, in the final. Omarov was down 2-2 on criteria at the break but he hit a stepout and Lacky was cautioned for fleeing, giving one more point to Omarov who now led 4-2.

Lacky tried to finish his leg-attacks but Omarov was quick to either defend or escape. During one of those attacks, Omarov managed to score a go-behind and got two points which made his lead 6-2. Lacky, with 17 seconds left in the bout, went for one final attack and scored a takedown. However, he was not able to turn Omarov which could have given him the criteria win.

Omarov defended the gut-wrench attempt and despite being in the air, did not turn more than 90 degrees. The win made Omarov an European and world champion in the same year.

RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: Ariah MILLS (USA) df. Sina BOUSTANI (IRI), 12-1

BRONZE: Islam RABADANOV (UWW) df. Ravan HASANZADE (AZE), 11-9
BRONZE: Dovudbek BAKHADIROV (KGZ) df. Masamune USHIMADO (JPN), 12-0

55kg
GOLD: Jinnosuke OKONOGI (JPN) df. Abdumalik JALOLDINOV (UZB), 5-4

BRONZE: Greyton BURNETT (USA) df. Mohammadreza BARARI (IRI), 4-0
BRONZE: Chingis SARYGLAR (UWW) df. Jovanni TOVAR (COL), 8-2

65kg
GOLD: Huseyn ISMAYILOV (AZE) df. Arseni KIKINIOU (USA), 1-1

BRONZE: Morteza HAJ (IRI) df. Gourav PUNIA (IND), 8-8
BRONZE: Adisbek ALTYNBEKOV (KGZ) df. Yeraly ASKERBEK (KAZ), 7-1

80kg
GOLD: Artur KOSTIUK (UKR) df. Mohammadparsa KARAMI (IRI), 3-1

BRONZE: Dinmukhammed KASSYMBEK (KAZ) df. Ivan PASLARI (MDA), 5-4
BRONZE: Issa ZANGIEV (UWW) df. Berat ERTURK (TUR), 5-2

110kg
GOLD: Magomedrasul OMAROV (UWW) df. LACKY (IND), 6-4

BRONZE: Hakim TAGHIYEV (AZE) df. Stefan STEFANOV (BUL), 1-1
BRONZE: Amirhossein NAGHDALIPOUR (IRI) df. Murtaz BAGDAVADZE (GEO), 11-0