Weekly FIVE!

Weekly FIVE! February 4, 2019

By Eric Olanowski

Reviewing results from the Indian Pro League, the Hentri Deglane, and Swedish Nationals. Also looking at this season's first set of rankings and Saturday's Ranking Series event, the Zagreb Open. 

1. Haryana Hammers Nail Down 6-3  Win Against Punjab Royals in Indian Pro League Finals
The fourth edition of the Indian Pro League came to a close and the Haryana Hammers nailed down the 6-3 victory against the Punjab Royals in the finals. The Haryana Hammers won their second PWL title and made their fourth consecutive finals appearance.

The Haryana Hammers were defeated by the Punjab Royals in last years finals, 6-3, but returned their favor by flipping the script, winning six of the nine bouts at the Greater Noida Arena. 

The Haryana Hammers jumped out to a 5-0 lead and sealed up the Season 4 team title after the first five matches. The NCR Punjab Royals tallied off three straight wins, cutting the Hammers lead to 5-3 before Tayana OMELCHENKO closed out the finals, dismantling Anita ANITA, 13-0.  Omelchenko's win gave the Hammers their sixth win of the dual and their second team title in the last four years. 

Finals Results
FS 125kg - Aleksander KHOTSIANIVSKI (Haryana Hammers) df. Korey JARVIS (NCR Punjab Royals), 3-0 
FS 86kg – Ali SHABANOV (Haryana Hammers) df. Dato MARSAGISHVILI (NCR Punjab Royals), 8-4 
WW 76kg – Kiran KIRAN (Haryana Hammers) df. Cynthia VESCAN (NCR Punjab Royals), 3-2 
FS 57kg - Ravi KUMAR (Haryana Hammers)  df. NITIN RATHI (NCR Punjab Royals), 14-0 
WW 57kg – Anastasia NICHITA (Haryana Hammers)  df. Mimi HRISTOVA (NCR Punjab Royals), 8-4
FS 65kg – Bajrang PUNIA (NCR Punjab Royals) df. Rajneesh RAJNEESH (Haryana Hammers), 15-0 
FS 74kg – Amit DHANKAR (NCR Punjab Royals) df. Parveen RANA (Haryana Hammers), 7-2 
WW 53kg – Anju ANJU (NCR Punjab Royals) df. Seema SEEMA (Haryana Hammers), 20-9 
WW 62kg – Tayana OMELCHENKO (Haryana Hammers) df. Anita ANITA (NCR Punjab Royals), 13-0  

Indian Pro League Champions 
Season 4 - Haryana Hammers
Season 3 - NCR Punjab Royals
Season 2 - Haryana Hammers
Season 1 - Revanta Mumbai Garuda  

2. United World Wrestling Releases January Rankings 
United World Wrestling released January's rankings after the conclusion of the first Ranking Series event for freestyle and women’s wrestling, the Ivan Yariguin. 

Most Notable Changes in Freestyle: 
57kg - Thomas GILMAN (USA) (32 points) jumped 2018 world bronze medalists, Suleyman ATLI (TUR) (25 points) and Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) (25 points), after his bronze-medal performance in Krasnoyarsk. 

65kg - Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) (41 points) took the No. 2 spot from 2018 world runner-up Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) (40 points) after winning the Yariguin gold medal. 

86kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) (36 points) commands the No. 3 spot after winning the 2019 Ivan Yariguin. Kurugliev jumped 2018 world bronze medalists Taimuraz FRIEV NASKIDAEVA (ESP) (25 points) and Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI) (25 points).

97kg - Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) (26 points) moves behind Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) (60 points) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) (40 points) and takes over the third spot in the rankings after a fifth-place finish in Siberia. 

125kg - Anzor  KHIZRIEV (RUS) and Taha AKGUL (TUR) took over the third and fourth ranking after finishing first and second respectively at the Ivan Yariguin.

Most Notable Changes in Women’s Wrestling:
57kgGrace BULLEN (NOR) (30 points) leaped 2018 world bronze medalists, Emese BARKA (HUN) (25 points)  and Pooja DHANDA (IND) (25 points), after her bronze medal finish at the Yariguin.

59kg - Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) (32 points) takes over the third-ranking with her runner-up finish at the first Ranking Series event. 

65kg - Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS) (26 points) moves up six spots to No. 4 after winning the Yariguin title at 65kg.

68kg - SORONZONBOLD Battsetseg (MGL) (32 points) moves from seventh to No. 3 in the rankings after her gold-medal performance at the Yariguin. 

76kg - Hiroe MINAGAWA SUZUKI (JPN) (41 points) overtook the No. 2 spot from 2017 world champion and 2018 world runner-up Yasemin ADAR (TUR) (40 points) with her title-winner performance in Krasnoyarsk. 

Click here for January's rankings

3. Hentri Deglane Concludes in France 
The 45th Annual Hentri Deglane wrapped up in Nice, France and more than 300 wrestlers from 30 different nations competed in freestyle, Greco-Roman, and women’s wrestling. 

In freestyle, six different nations claimed a gold medal, but Georgian wrestlers led the way, winning four of the ten gold medals. Six different nations also claimed a Greco-Roman gold medal, but Armenia, led by 2012 Olympic runner-up Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARM), won four gold medals. In women’s wrestling, there were only six gold medals up for grabs. Kyrgyzstan and Azerbaijan won a pair of golds, while Argentina and Romania won the remaining two titles. 

RESULTS 
Freestyle 
57kg - Otar GOGAVA (GEO)
61kg - Beka LOMTADZE (GEO)
65kg - Bekkhan GOIGEREEV (RUS) 
70kg - Zurab IAKOBISHIVLI (GEO) 
74kg - Thomas GANTT (USA) 
79kg - Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) 
86kg - Samuel BROOKS (USA) 
92kg - Istvan VEREB (HUN) 
97kg - Valerii ANDRIITSEV (UKR) 
125kg - Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) 

Greco-Roman 
55kg - Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) 
60kg - CHUNG Han Jae (KOR) 
67kg – Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) 
72kg - HRANT KALACHYAN (ARM) 
77kg – Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARM) 
82kg - Hakim TRABELSI (TUN) 
87kg - Alan OSTAEV (RUS) 
97kg - Mélonin NOUMONVI (FRA) 
130kg -  Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) 

Women’s Wrestling Gold Medalists 
50kg - Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) 
53kg - Andrea Beatrice ANA (ROU) 
57kg - Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) 
62kg - Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
65kg - Iryna NETREBA (AZE) 
76kg - Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) 

Click here for full results

4. Swedish Nationals Wrap Up in Sundsvall  
The Swedish Greco-Roman and Women’s Wrestling National Championships wrapped up in Sundsvall, Sweden last weekend, and the duo of Olympic bronze medalist Sofia MATTSON and Jenny FRANSSON claimed titles at 55kg and 72kg respectively. 

For most nations, a national title means you've locked in your spot for the continental and world championships, but that's not the case for Sweden. According to Fransson, the results from this past weekend are essential, but the results from the Klippan Lady Open and the second women's wrestling Ranking Series event, the Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov, will hold weight when it comes to the selection process for the 2019 European and World Championships. 

In Greco-Roman, Sweden will use the Zagreb Open, the Hungarian Grand Prix and the Thor Masters as qualification tournaments for the 2019 European and World Championships.  

RESULTS

Greco-Roman Champions
55kg - Abulfazeil HASHIMY 
60kg - Niklas ÖHLEN 
63kg - Ardit FAZLJIJA 
67kg - Danielo DI FEOLA 

72kg - Simon ERLANDSSON 
77kg - Alex KESSIDIS 
82kg - Bogdan KOURINOI 
87kg - Zakarias BERG 
97kg - Leon KESSIDIS 
130kg - Albin SODERSTJERNA 

Women’s Wrestling Champions
53kg - Fredrika PETTERSSON 
55kg - Sofia MATTSON 
57kg - Johanna LINDBORG 
59kg - Emma JOHANSSON 
62kg - Moa NYGREN
65kg - Elin FORSBERG 
68kg - Henna JOHANSSON 
72kg - Jenny FRANSSON 
76kg - Denise MAKOTA STROM 

Click HERE for full results.

5. Zagreb Open Begins Saturday 
The first Greco-Roman Ranking Series event of the year, the Zagreb Open, kicks off this Saturday (February 9) in Zagreb, Croatia. 

Right now, according to the unofficial pre-registration list, there are nearly 40 past age-level and senior-level world medalists that will be in action. Most notably, London Olympic champion KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR), two-time Olympic medalist and three-time world champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR), and Rio Olympic bronze medalist Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) are all set to compete. 

The qualification and elimination rounds for all ten weight classes will be wrestled on Saturday, and the championship rounds will be on Sunday. 

Schedule 
Saturday (February 9) 
8:00 - 1st-day Medical examination & Weigh-in, all weight categories (No weight tolerance!) Sport Hall
10:30 - Qualification and elimination rounds, all weight categories (on 3 wrestling mats)

Sunday (February 10)
8:00 - 2nd-day weigh-in, all weight categories (No weight tolerance!) Sport Hall
10:30 - Repechage bouts and bronze medal matches (all categories)
17:30 - Opening ceremony and Final matches (all categories)

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media 

1. Big Move Monday -- PYSHKOV D. (UKR) -- 2018 Dan Kolov #grecoromanwrestling #ukrainian #wrestler#suplex #throw #takedown #olympic #wrestling
2. #SundaySmiles ?
3. @wrestlerviktor, the 2017 world champion, will wrestle at the first Greco-Roman Ranking Series event of the year, the Zagreb Open (February 9-10). He's entered at 77kg.
4. Miss the #Yariguin2019 finals? Don't stress. Here's every takedown from the freestyle finals. You’re welcome in advance ?!
5. How about the timing by @rasul_gazimagomedov70 on this outside trip? #Yarigyin2019#ThursdayTrips

#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships Day 4 Women's Wrestling Finals Set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 14) -- Women's Wrestling will continue at the Asian Championships on day four with world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) wrestling in front of the home crowd for the first time. Japan will look to build on its three gold medals from day three.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 REPORT

14:27: Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ) was frantic at the start of the 72kg semifinal against HARSHITA (IND) but the Indian remained calm. Harshita with a double-leg and gets the four-pointer. Panassovich is put on the activity clock in the second period, making it 5-0 for Harshita. No more points in the semifinal as Harshita enters the 72kg final with a 5-0 win.

14:24: Qian JIANG (CHN), an Asian junior champion in 2019, will get a chance for a first senior gold by advancing to the 72kg final with a victory by fall over Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL). Jiang had a pair of 4-point takedowns in the match. First, she used a single-leg tackle to send Zoright directly to her back, although the Mongolian rolled through to get 2 points of her own. Jiang then used a 2-on-1 to whip Zorigt down for 4, but finished her off with the fall in 1:08.

14:07: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) with a fall over Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) in the 65kg semifinal with 3:33 left on the clock. In a dramatic turn of events, Kazakhstan challenged for a stepout at 4:14. The result is reversed and Kazakhstan is given a point for stepout and the pin is canceled. Kazyulina with a takedown and a 4-0 lead at the break. Tuvshinjargal gets exposure in the second period to cut the lead to 4-2 and a go-behind soon to lead 4-4 on criteria. Kazyulina is out of steam and Tuvshinjargal has another takedown to lead 6-4. No more scores in the bout and Tuvshinjargal heads into the 65kg final with a 6-4 win.

14:06: Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) will get a chance to improve on her silver-medal performance from a year ago when she barged to a first-period fall over teenager ANTIM (IND) in their 65kg semifinal. Yoshitake, a 2022 world U20 champion, scores a takedown and exposure for a 4-0 lead. She keeps the pressure on and flips Antim onto her back and records the fall at 1:31.

14:02: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) sets up the highly anticipated clash in the 62kg final with Motoki, after using her counter lifts to great effect to build a big lead in a 13-3 victory over Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL). Her lone takedown in the second period led to a pair of rolls that ended the match.

13:56: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) was slow off the blocks but she pins MANISHA (IND) after the Indian was called for fleeing and was put in forced par terre. An arm-bar and pin for the victory.

13:51: Three-time world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) is taken into the second period by Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ) in their 57kg semifinal, but the outcome is as expected as the Japanese records a fall with just over two minutes left. Sakurai gets an activity point, then fights through Almaganbetova's defenses late in the first period to score a takedown and two exposures for a 7-0 lead. In the second period, she gets a single-leg takedown and gains a lace lock. But instead of rolling, she lifts and pressures Almaganbetova onto her back for the fall.

13:44: Yongxin FENG (CHN) with that super strong Chinese gut wrench to take out Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) 10-0 in just 30 seconds. Feng will wrestle for the 57kg gold medal.

13:42: ANJU (IND) into the 53kg final! A stepout and fleeing from Chun LEI (CHN) gives Anju a 2-0 lead. But Lei answers with a low single and gut wrench to take a 6-2 lead at the break. Anju gets a stepout and another point for Lei's passivity in the second period to close the gap to 6-4. With 20 seconds left, Anju hits a cradle for two and two and holds Lei in danger as the clock expires. China challenged the call but lost and Anju won 9-6.

13:37: Ji Hyang KIM (PRK) is into the 53kg final with a victory by fall over Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE). Kim, a 2019 Asian cadet champion, gets a pair of takedowns, adding a gut wrench after the first one. Kim then uses a fireman's carry to put Nguyen directly to her back, transitions to a headlock and secures the fall at 2:44.

The semifinals begin at 13:30 local time. Mongolia and India lead with four wrestlers in the semifinals. Japan, China and Kazakhstan have three each in the semifinals. Kyrgyzstan, Vietnam and DPR Korea enter one each.

12:58: Returning silver medalist Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) takes back the lead in the second period, only to lose it and suffer a 10-6 defeat by Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) in their 72kg quarterfinal. Niikura led 4-4 on criteria going into the second period when Zorigt scored a takedown with 1:12 left. Niikura came back with a stepout, and a fleeing point tacked on made it 6-6, her advantage. With :24 on the clock, Niikura loses her balance and Zorigt takes advantage to score the go-ahead takedown. A stop on a desperation throw accounts for the final score.

12:50: Qian JIANG (CHN) defies the home crowd and hangs on for a 10-8 victory in her 72kg quarterfinal over Asian Games 68kg silver medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA.

12:47: Paris-bound two-time world medalist Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) gets started at 62kg with a 10-0 victory over Arian CARPIO (PHI) to advance to the semifinals. Motoki opens with a double-leg takedown. She then uses a nice ankle pick for 2, then applies the lace lock and ends the match with three quick rolls.

12:41: Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), a three-time bronze medalist and 2015 world silver medalist, is into the 62kg semifinals with a 5-0 victory over LILI (CHN), a world bronze medalist last year at 65kg.

12:40: A U20 world bronze medalist HARSHITA (IND) rolls to a 13-3 win over Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB) to enter the 72kg semifinals.

12:36: In a battle of 2021 world bronze medalists (in different weight classes), Gantunya ENKHBAT (MGL) used a whizzer counter to great effect to defeat SARITA (IND) 8-4. Ehkhbat's 4-point throw off a whizzer in the first period had her ahead on criteria when Sarita tied the match in the second period. As Sarita pressed for a go-ahead point, Ekhbat hit another whizzer for 4 at the buzzer.

12:31: In one of the wildest bouts of the session with the unlikeliest of finishes, MANISHA (IND) came out a winner on cautions over Su Gyong CHOE (PRK) in their 62kg quarterfinal. Manisha overcame an 8-2 deficit to lead 10-8, and then a flurry of action, including a 4-point takedown by Choe, put the Korean up 13-12. With 10 seconds left, Manisha charged Choe out of the ring, gaining a stepout point and a fleeing point to lead 14-13. But that was the third caution on Choe, ending the match.

12:30: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) may be donning a new hairstyle but her dominance on the mat is still old. The world champion entertains the home crowd with a victory by fall over Subeen JO (KOR) and enters the 62kg semifinal.

12:25: Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ), a bronze medalist back in 2018, hangs on for a 4-3 victory over Dinora RUSTAMOVA (UZB) to advance to the 65kg semifinals.

12:23: A stepout to start but ANTIM (IND) gets a flurry of takedowns and counters to beat Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ) 11-0 in four minutes and 19 seconds and advance to the 65kg semifinals.

12:19: Two-time reigning world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) opens her campaign at 57kg for a second Asian gold (she also won in 2022) with a 37-second victory in the quarterfinals over Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ). A takedown to a lace lock, four rolls and that was it.

12:17: Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE), a U17 Asian bronze medalist, moves into the semifinals of 53kg with a 4-1 win over Yi Jing CHEN (TPE).

12:17: ANJU (IND) has her hands full with Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) in their 53kg quarterfinal and trails in the second period. But a 4-point takedown opens the floodgates and the Indian posts a 14-4 victory.

12:08: Yongxin FENG (CHN) with a quick 10-0 win over Hyon Ju YUN (PRK). A strong gut wrench to finish the bout at 57kg.

12:06: Ji Hyang KIM (PRK) is looking impressive at 53kg, rolling to a 12-2 victory over two-time Asian U20 silver medalist Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB).

12:05: A mixed result for Korea and Kazakhstan on MAt C. In the 62kg bouts, Subeen JO (KOR) pins Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) but in the 57kg bout, Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ) pins Bogyeong KIM (KOR).

11:59: A sad end for Soobin KIM (KOR) in her 65kg quarterfinal match with Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN). Yoshitake gets in on single second into the match and wrenches Kim's knee inward, causing her to cry out in pain. She is taken off the mat on a stretcher.

11:55: A quick pin for Qian JIANG (CHN) over Oguljan EGEMBERDIYEVA (TKM) at 72kg.

11:54: Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), 2021 world junior bronze medalist, goes ahead with a takedown and gut wrench midway through the second period, then adds a pair of late takedowns for a 10-4 victory over Ulmeken ESENBAEVA (UZB) at 57kg.

11:51: To the thrill of the home crowd Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ) with a 12-0 win over Naziya JORAYEVA (TKM) at 65kg. Great start for the home wrestlers today.

11:45: Unheralded Nagisa HARADA (JPN), a late replacement on the Japan squad at 53kg for injured world champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), falls at the first hurdle, losing 4-0 to 2018 champion Chun LEI (CHN). In the first period, Lei uses an underarm spin for a takedown, adds a gut wrench, and fends off the attacks from Harada, a silver medalist at the 2023 Klippan Lady Open.

11:43: A rare and impressive victory for Sri Lanka on Mat B, as Nethmi AHINSA (SRI) chalks up a 12-1 victory over Ayazhan MARKASHEVA (KAZ) at 53kg. Sri Lanka is still looking for its first-ever senior Asian Championships medal.

11:36: In the opening match on Mat A, 2019 Asian cadet champion Ji Hyang KIM (PRK) scores a pair of takedowns in the first period, with a 2-point exposure after the second one, to lead 6-0 against Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL), the silver medalist last year at 55kg. Kim gains another takedown and exposure combination to end the match 10-0 with 25 seconds to spare.

11:30: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) will be wrestling in Bishkek and she will renew her rivalry with Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) at 62kg. Tynybekova has won both the matches the two have wrestled. A potential third meeting in the final is on the cards.