#WrestleAlmaty

Watch: 10 Greco-Roman finals from #WrestleAlmaty

Friday, June 10, 2022 - 10:50 By Vinay Siwach

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan (June 10) -- Bolay Turlykhanov Cup in Almaty saw some of the biggest Greco-Roman stars in action. The field was highlighted by world and Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI).

Iran did send a strong team but so did Kyrgyzstan and Kazakhstan. Turkey too had entered a few of their star wrestlers and ended up winning three gold medals.

Watch the 10 Greco-Roman finals from the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup.

55kg: GOLD - Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) vs. Poya DAD MARZ (IRI)

 

60kg: GOLD - Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) vs. Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI)

 

63kg: GOLD - Kerem KAMAL (TUR) vs. Bagylan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ)

 

67kg: GOLD - Abror ATABAEV (UZB) vs. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO)

 

72kg: Round 3 - Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) vs. Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI)

Shermakhanbet injury defaulted against Geraei in the final but had defeated the Olympic champ in Round 3. Here's the bout.

 

77kg: GOLD - Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) vs. Kaharman KISSYMETOV (KAZ)

 

82kg: GOLD - Pejman POSHTAM (IRI) vs. Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)

 

87kg: GOLD - Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI) vs. Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO)

 

97kg: GOLD - Metehan BASAR (TUR) vs. Mahdi FALLAH (IRI)

 

130kg: GOLD - Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) vs. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)

Olympic silver medalist Oborududu announces retirement

Saturday, June 7, 2025 - 07:10 By Vinay Siwach

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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.