Weekly FIVE!

Weekly FIVE! March 26, 2018

Monday, March 26, 2018 - 13:18 By Eric Olanowski

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Reviewing dominating performances by Russia at the Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov and Cuba at the Central American and Caribbean Championships. Also looking at Chamizo's second gold at 74kg and the women's development camp in Tokyo. 

1. Russians Win Seven Golds at Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov
With the third continental championship of the year, the European Championships looming, some of Europe’s best wrestlers traveled to Sofia, Bulgaria to compete in the Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov Tournament. This tournament was the final competition for those who will be heading to Dagestan, Russia next month for the European Championships.

Russian wrestlers left Bulgaria with seven gold medals and Bulgaria, Georgia and Italy each departed with a single champion.

In addition to Olympic champion Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS), the Russian gold rush was led by four other wrestlers who won the first freestyle ranking event of the season, the Ivan Yarygin. Those five Yarygin champions who captured gold at this weekend’s Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov were Zaur UGUEV (RUS), Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS), Ilyas BEKBULATOV (RUS), Ahmed GADJIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) and Abdulrashid Sadulaev.

FINAL RESULTS
57 kg - Zaur UGUEV (RUS) df. Zoheir El OURRAQE (FRA), 6-5
61kg - Vladimir DUBOV (BUL) df. Shingo ARIMOTO (JPN), 6-0
65 kg - Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) df. Vasily SHUPTAR (UKR), 9-1
70 kg -  Ilyas BEKBULATOV (RUS) df. Haydar YAVUZ (TUR), 5-4
74 kg - Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), via forfeit
79 kg - Ahmed GADJIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Alan ZASEEV (RUS), 7-5
86 kg -  Arthur NAIFONOV (RUS) df. Taimuraz FRIEV (ESP), via forfeit
92 kg - Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) df. Irakli MITSURI (GEO), 10-0
97 kg - Vladislav BAITSAEV (RUS) df. Riza YILDIRIM (TUR), via forfeit
125 kg - Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) df. Muradin KUSHKHOV (RUS), 5-0

2.Cuba Dominates Central American and Caribbean Championships
Although three-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) did not compete at last weekends Central American and Caribbean Championships as expected, 2016 Olympic champion Ismael BORRERO (CUB) did, picking up where he left off on his gold medal run at the Cerro Pelado.

Photo: Ismael BORRERO (CUB). 

Borrero outscored his opponents 28-0, including the defeat of Luis DE LEÓN (DOM), 8-0 in the gold-medal bout on his way to capturing his third Central American and Caribbean title.

The Cuban wrestlers went on to take first place in five of the six weight categories that were wrestled. Luigi PÉREZ (VEN) was the lone champion that did not hail from Cuba. In the finals, he stopped Cuba from winning their sixth gold medal by beating Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB), 4-0.

It was the Columbian’s who captured half of the women’s wrestling gold medals, winning three of the possible six gold medals. For Jackeline RENTERIA (COL) and Carolina CASTILLO (COL), it was their third Central American and Caribbean Championship gold medal.

Venezuela’s Betzabeth ARGUELLO and Mexico’s Alejandra ROMERO each won their second gold medals, and Andrea OLAYA (COL) and Soleimy CARABALLO (VEN) won their first Central American and Caribbean Championship gold medals.


In Freestyle, Cuba swept the tournament, going six-for-six in the gold-medal bouts. Each of the six Cubans who won Central American and Caribbean Championships titles this weekend will head to Iowa to compete in the 2018 World Cup.

Cuba's World Cup Line-Up (*Notes the Central American and Caribbean Champions)
57kg - Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA*
61kg -Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ
65kg - Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER*
70kg - Franklin MAREN CASTILLO*
74kg - Livan LOPEZ AZCUY
74kg -Yoan Adrian ZULUETA MORALES
86kg -Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA*
86kg - Lazaro Daniel HERNANDEZ LUIS
97kg - Reineris SALAS PEREZ*
125kg - Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ*

3. Post Women’s World Cup Development Training Camp Held in Tokyo
The 2018 Women’s World Cup wrapped up in Takahashi, Japan last weekend with host nation Japan winning their fourth straight title. 

After the conclusion of the World Cup, over 160 athletes from 21 nations took to Japan’s AJINOMOTO National Training Centre to participate in a four-day camp.

For behind-the-scenes photos and videos from the developmental camp, see our Weekly FIVE! In Social Media - Tokyo Edition! 

4. Chamizo wins second 74kg gold
For the second time this year, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), the reigning 70kg world champion not only competed up at 74kg but walked away unscathed with a gold medal.

Last weekend, Chamizo bumped up a weight and went 4-0 and captured the 74kg Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov Tournament gold medal. Chamizo went 3-0 on the day before receiving a forfeit in the finals over Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR). The Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov Tournament gold is his second gold medal of the year at 74kg, as he also won the Outstanding Ukrainian Memorial where he defeated 2011 world silver medalist, Franklin GOMEZ in the finals, 4-0.

After the tournament, Chamizo said “I didn’t think it was going to be easy to win this competition, but this will be the last time I compete until the European Championships” which will be held in Dagestan, Russia April 30 - May 6.

5. Freestyle World Cup
United World Wrestling released the schedule for Freestyle World Cup which kicks off April 07-08. The dual-meet based events is an annual highlight of the international wrestling calendar which will take place next weekend in Iowa City, Iowa, United States.

The eight participating teams have been separated into two pools with the top-two teams, the United States and Russia leading groups A and B.

Also of note, NBC has announced that television coverage will be provided for multiple World Cup duals throughout the weekend. Coverage of the first dual begins Saturday, April 7, at 2:30 p.m. for the dual between defending world champions, the United States and the third-place finishers at the 2017 World Championships, Georgia. Additionally, NBC will air the gold medal bout on Sunday, April 8, at 4:00 p.m.

SCHEDULE
Session I - Saturday, April 7 - 10:00 AM - 12:30 PM (CST) 
10:00 AM: United States v. Japan (Mat A) // Russia v. Cuba (Mat B) 
11:15 AM: Georgia v. ____  (Mat A) // Azerbaijan v. Kazakhstan (Mat B)

Session II - Saturday, April 7 - 2:00 PM - 7:00 PM (CST) 
2:00 PM: Opening Ceremonies
2:30 PM: United States v. Georgia (Mat A)
4:30 PM: Russia v. Azerbaijan (Mat B)
5:45 PM: Japan v. ____ (Mat A) // Cuba v. Kazakhstan (Mat B)

Session III - Sunday, April 7 - 10:00 AM - 6:00 PM (CST) 
10:00 AM: United States v. ____ (Mat A) // Russia v. Kazakhstan (Mat B)
11:15 AM: Georgia v. Japan (Mat A) // Azerbaijan v. Cuba (Mat B)
12:30 PM: 7th Place Match (Mat A) // 5th Place Match (Mat B)
2:15 PM: 3rd Place Match (Mat A)
4:00 PM: Gold Medal Match (Mat A)

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media - Tokyo Edition 

1. Train Hard, Play Hard // Things are getting very strange at the Women's Development Camp in Tokyo, Japan // We have so much great footage to share! // @mensahtamyrastock @adelinegray
@__malpal__ @yui106301susaki@jennyfransson @eweebz @m.miwa0722

2. Japan training camp ??

3. No shoes, no problem! Defending world champion @yui106301susaki poses for a photo after this mornings workout at the women’s wrestling development camp in Tokyo! ?: @tr.foley

4.Meet one of China’s up-and-coming stars of women’s wrestling, Paliha! She’s a 76kg grappler from western China with an outgoing personality and great work ethic. Also, a bit of a comedian. #wrestlelikeagirl ? @tr.foley

5. More images from the 2018 UWW Women’s Wrestling Development Clinic. More than 160 wrestlers from 21 countries showed up to the camp! #wrestlelikeagirl

#WrestleSamokov

Iliasov levels up to win 130kg gold; Iran Greco champ again

Sunday, August 24, 2025 - 19:38 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 24) -- Ali ILIASOV (UWW) made his international wrestling debut at the European U20 Championships in July and won a silver medal. Two months later, the 18-year-old is a world champion.

Wrestling at his career first World U20 Championships on Sunday, Iliasov emerged at the champion in the 130kg weight with victories over rivals more experienced and heavier, literally, than him.

Weighing only 115kg for the 130kg final, Iliasov defeated returning silver medalist Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI) in the semifinals and on Sunday, he managed to humble two-time world U17 champion Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) in the final and win the gold medal.

"I’m underweight for the class but I feel a kind of relief," Iliasov said. "I’ve fulfilled a small dream of mine. I still haven’t fully realized that I’ve become a world champion."

Overall, Iran became the team champions with 117 points. Armenia managed second-place finish with 98 points and Azerbaijan was third with 90 points. This was Iran's fourth straight team win in Greco at the World U20 Championships.

Ali ILIASOV (UWW)Ali ILIASOV (UWW) turns Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) for two points during the 130kg final at the World U20 Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iliasov was only 10 seconds into the final against Bakir when he used an arm-drag and had Bakir in trouble. Bakir managed to stop the takedown but he stepped out and was cautioned for fleeing as well. Iliasov led 2-0 after this sequence.

A similar arm drag brought down Bakir to the mat and Iliasov scored his first takedown. A stepout made the score 5-0. Iliasov remained relesntless in his attacks and a snapdown helped him score another takedown on Bakir. He then turned Bakir for the match-winning gut-wrench.

"I managed to beat my opponent so decisively was because I was extremely confident in myself, even more confident than he was," he said.

While he blanked Bakir in the final, Iliasov did have his share of close bout in Samokov. In his opening bout, Iliasov had a close 7-6 victory over Viachaslau FEDARYNA (UWW). He scored a technical superiority win over Leonhard JUNGER (AUT) in the second match before facing Fathitanzangi in the semifinals.

"I would say I was warming up, a little nervous [in the first bout]," he said. "After that first match I completely opened up."

In the semifinals, Iliasov led 3-0 when Fathitanzangi went for a pushout. Iliasov tried to stop it by throwing Fathitanzangi but he landed on his back and the Iranian wrestler was given two points.

As Fathitanzangi was awarded par terre position in the second period, he also got the 3-3 criteria lead over Iliasov. The Iranian tried defending his lead for the win but Iliasov managed to circle around and bring him down for two points. Fathitanzangi pulled one back with a stepout but that was all as Iliasov entered the gold-medal bout with a 5-4 win.

"My performance can be rated 9 out of 10," he said. "Because in the semifinal I strayed a bit from my tactics, lost focus, and almost gave away points."

With experience from this World U20 Championships, Iliasov now wants to switch to senior level as early as next year.

"I’ll try at the senior level," he said. "Of course, that’s another level, wrestler with much more experience. But I’ll do my best to test myself."

Georgia double

Georgia earned two gold medals on the final day of the World U20 Championships, a feat the country has not achieved since 2016.

Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) and Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) came out with dominant performances in the 77kg and 87kg finals respectively to bring home two golds for Georgia.

Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO)Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) hits a counter attack against Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) during the 77kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 77kg, Putkaradze was up against Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) in the final and got the par terre position. He managed to turn Bouveiri two times for a 5-0 lead. In the second period Bouveiri had the chance to turn it around when he the top position in par terre.

Things, however, did not go that way. As Bouveiri was trying lift Putkaradze, the Georgian countered with a bodylock and then slammed him for two-point takedown. He then turned the Iranian for two more points and won the gold medal, 9-1. Iran challenged for a foul but there was none and one more point was added to his score to make it 10-1.

Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO)Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) celebrates with his coach after winning the 87kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The second gold came from Kochalidze as he pinned Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW) in the 87kg final. In a rematch of the European U20 Championships final at 87kg, Abdulkadyrov was hoping to avenge his loss from Carole, Italy.

He was given the par terre advantage in the first period and he tried turning Kochalidze, who blocked the turn but lost his grip as well and the turns were called neutral. As Abdulkadyrov was back on top, he again tried to turn Kochalidze who managed stop Abdulkadyrov and kept him on the mat till the fall was called.

Georgia was the only country to win two gold medals in this competition in Greco-Roman.

At 63kg, senior Asian champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) proved why he will be medal threat in Zagreb with a dominant run to gold-medal. He defeated Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM), 12-2, with two big four-point throws.

Khalmakhanov began with a underhook throw for a takedown in the first 20 seconds. He tried the same move again but Margaryan blocked and scored a takedown for a 2-2 criteria lead. Late in the first period, Khalmakhanov was awarded the par terre position for one point but he failed to score and led 3-2 at the break.

If Margaryan hoped for a better second period, Khalmakhanov had no such idea. He slammed Margaryan from standing using the underhook for four points. He continued the sequence and lifted Margaryan and slammed him forward for four more points.

The two big throws for Khalmakhanov were enough for him for the win despite a challenge from Armenia. The lost challenged made his score 12-2.

RESULTS

63kg
GOLD: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM), 12-2

BRONZE: Mohammad ABOUTALEBI (IRI) df. Kristiyan MILENKOV (BUL), 9-0
BRONZE: Igor PUNCHENKO (UWW) df. Damir IBRASHOV (KAZ), 5-1

77kg
GOLD: Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) df. Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI), 10-1

BRONZE: Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW) df. Raatbek PAIAZBEKOV (KGZ), 8-0
BRONZE: Kiryl VALEUSKI (UWW) df. Leister BOWLING (USA), 9-0

87kg
GOLD: Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) df. Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW), via fall

BRONZE: Erik TER MATEVOSYAN ( ARM) df. Elias LYYSKI (FIN), 1-1
BRONZE: Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ) df. Orkhan HAJIYEV (AZE), 4-4

130kg
GOLD: Ali ILIASOV (UWW) df. Yusuf BAKIR (TUR), 9-0

BRONZE: Ivan YANKOVSKYI (UKR) df. Mazaim MARDANOV (AZE), 8-0
BRONZE: Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI) df. Viachaslau FEDARYNA (UWW), 5-1