Weekly FIVE!

Weekly FIVE! May 7, 2019

Tuesday, May 7, 2019 - 14:48 By Eric Olanowski

Share this article

Discussing results from Beat the Streets and the 50th Annual Ali Aliyev. Also looking at the latest world rankings and David Taylor suffering a right knee injury. 

1. Burroughs Bullies Askren at Beat the Streets 
A star-studded crowd that featured Kelly Rippa and Neil deGrasse Tyson, among many others, showed up to see Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) bully Ben ASKREN, 11-0 in Beat the Streets’ featured bout of the night at Madison Square Garden’s Hulu Theater in New York City. 

The London Olympic champion Burroughs was up 9-0 after the opening period and used a second-period takedown to close out the match against the 2008 Olympian and current UFC fighter Ben Askren. 

In the co-main event of the night, American youngster Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) pulled off the shocking upset over India’s No. 1-ranked Bajrang PUNIA (IND), 10-8. 

The pair traded takedowns in the opening period, but it was Bajrang who led 2-2 on criteria heading into the second period. In the closing three minutes, the American scored eight points from two takedowns off his own shots, and a pair of counter-offensive maneuvers to stun the reigning world silver medalist by two points.

Another young wrestler who picked up a win over a returning world medalist was Nick SURIANO (USA). Suriano, the third year college student, scored a second-period takedown and grabbed the 3-1 upset victory over Budapest world bronze medalist Joe COLON (USA). 

Other stars that were victorious on the night were J'den COX (USA), James GREEN (USA), Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), and Kyle SNYDER (USA). 

RESULTS
57kg - Jack MUELLER (USA) df. Nick PICCININNI (USA), 11-0
62kg (WW) - Mallory VELTE (USA) df. Linda MORAIS (CAN), 10-0
70kg - James GREEN (USA) df. Anthony ASHNAULT (USA), 8-4 
97kg - Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Nishan RANDHAWA (CAN), 15-1
125kg - Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) df. Derek WHITE( USA), 9-0
57kg (WW) - Becka LEATHERS (USA) df. Diana WEICKER (CAN), 10-6
61kg - Nick SURIANO (USA) df. Joe COLON (USA), 3-1
86kg - Drew FOSTER (USA) df. David TAYLOR (USA), via injury default (0:31)
92kg - J'den COX (USA) df. Patrick BRUCKI (USA), 10-0
65kg - Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) df. Bajrang PUNIA (IND), 10-8
74kg - Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Ben ASKREN (USA), 11-0

Reiniging 57kg world champion Zaur UGUEV (RUS)  made his return to the mat for the first time since his run to a world title and won the 50th Annual Ali Aliyev 57kg gold medal. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

2. 50th Annual Ali Aliyev Wraps up in Dagestan 
The Russian Federation reeled in seven of ten gold medals at the 50th annual Ali Aliyev Memorial tournament - which was held in Kaspiisk, Dagestan at the namesake arena, the Ali Aliyev Palace of Sport and Youth.

The biggest storylines from Russia’s seven-gold-medal performances came at 57kg and 125kg where Zaur UGUEV (RUS) and Vladislav BAITSAEV (RUS) respectively reached the top of the podium. 

Uguev, the reigning 57kg world champion, made his return to the mat for the first time since last October’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, when he went 4-0 and capped off his world title run with a 4-3 win over Kazakhstan’s Nurislam (Artas) SANAYEV (SANAA) (KAZ) in the gold-medal bout. 

In the Ali Aliyev finals, Uguev completed his gold-medal run with a 3-0 win over fellow Russia Azamat TUSKAEV to win his first Ali Aliyev title. His previous highest finish came in 2016 when he finished in fifth place. 

At 125kg, Vladislav Baitsaev easily handled Pavel KRIVTSOV (RUS), 11-1 and also won his first Ali Aliyev title. This was Baitsaev’s first competition up from his normal weight of 97kg. The Russian won the European title last year at 97kg before surrendering his spot to eventual 97kg world champion Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS).

Instead of trying to upend “The Russian Tank,” Baitsaev will move up to 125kg with hopes of making the Russian World Team for the first time in his career. To represent the Russian Federation in Nur-Sultan, Baitsaev will have to beat two-time world fifth-place finisher Anzor KHIZRIEV, who has held the 125kg spot since 2017. 

The three non-Russian gold medals weight to Bajrang PUNIA (IND), Sharip SHARIPOV (AZE), and Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB). 

Bajrang scored a 13-8 come-from-behind win over Viktor RASSADIN (RUS) in the 65kg finals. 

Azerbaijan’s Olympic champion Sharip Sharipov picked up a 7-4 victory over Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) in the 92kg finals, and Uzbekistan’s Magomed Ibragimov stuck Cuba’s Reineris SALAS PEREZ to win the 97kg title. 

RESULTS 
57kg – Zaur UGUEV (RUS) df. Azamat TUSKAEV (RUS), 3-0
61kg – Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (RUS) df. Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS),4-0
65kg – Bajrang PUNIA (IND) df. Viktor RASSADIN (RUS), 13-8
70kg – Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) df. Gitinomagomed GADZHYEV (AZE), 8-0 
74kg – Darsan DSHAPAROV (RUS) df. Akhmed USMANOV (RUS), 5-2
79kg – Magomed RAMAZANOV (RUS) df. Artur BICHENOV (RUS), via fall
86kg – Artur NAIFONOV (RUS) df. Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS), 2-2
92kg –Sharip SHARIPOV (AZE) df. Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS),7-4
97kg – Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) df. Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB), via fall
125kg – Vladislav BAITSAEV (RUS) df. Pavel KRIVTSOV (RUS),11-1

3. Punia and Atli Ascend to Top of Freestyle World Rankings After Continental Title Runs
Six European wrestlers own a No. 1-ranking in the latest set of United World Wrestling’s point-based freestyle world rankings. Pan-American countries boast a trio of wrestlers who are ranked No. 1, while Asia has the remaining wrestler sitting atop of the world rankings heading into the final set of freestyle Ranking Series events.

The most significant changes atop this month’s rankings came at 57kg and 65kg where Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) respectively gained control of the world No. 1 ranking with their continental title-winning performances.

Click HERE for a full breakdown of freestyle world rankings. 

4. Nine World Champions Hold onto Top Ranking
In the lastest women’s wrestling rankings nine gold medalists from last year’s Budapest World Championships sit atop of their respective weight classes. Asia has four top-ranked wrestlers, while Europe and Pan-American countries each have three. 

Japan has three of the four top-ranked Asian wrestlers. Their trio of No.1’s are Yui SUSAKI (JPN) (50kg), Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) (55kg), and Risako KAWAI (JPN) (59kg). The fourth Asian wrestler who owns a top ranking is China’s RONG Ningning (CHN)(57kg). 

Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) (62kg), Petra Maarit OLLI (FIN) (65kg), and Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) (68kg) are the three European No.1-ranked wrestlers. 

Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) (86 points), Justina DI STASIO (CAN) (72kg), and Adeline GRAY (USA) (76kg), who are all from Pan-American nations, round out the first-ranked wrestlers in this month’s rankings. 

Of the ten wrestlers sitting atop of the rankings, the lone non-returning world champion that owns a No.1-ranking is the United States’ Sarah Hildebrandt. She started the season with 40 points from her world silver medal, then earned 20 points for her Pan-American gold, 14 points for her Ivan Yariguin title, and 12 points for her third-place finish at the Dan Kolov. 

Click HERE for a full breakdown of women's wrestling world rankings. 

5. Taylor Goes Down at Beat the Streets 
The reigning 86kg world champion and one of the pound-for-pound best wrestlers in the world David TAYLOR (USA) injury defaulted out of his Beat the Streets match against Drew FOSTER (USA) after going down with an apparent right knee injury, 31 seconds into the match. 

In the opening sequence of the bout, Foster got to a low-level shot to the right leg of Taylor and came up through the middle. Foster peaked out the back door and isolated the right leg of Taylor. Foster, who was posted on his right hand, threw his left hip to the mat, which is when Taylor stopped wrestling and immediately grabbed his right knee. 

The reigning world champion tried to continue, but his right knee buckled the first time he put his body weight on it, and ultimately forced him to injury default out of the match. 

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media 
1. Big Move Monday -- TASMURADOV E. (UZB) -- 2015 Senior Asian C'ships
2. Reigning world champion @magomedrasul_gazimagomedov70(92 points) has locked up the 70kg No.1 seed at the #WrestleNurSultanWorld Championships after building a commanding 52 point lead over the rest of the weight class. ?: @sachikohotaka
3. @sadulaev_abdulrashid (80 points) and @snyderman45 (78 points) are guaranteed a top-three seed (97kg) at the #WrestleNurSultan World Championships.
4. Bajrang Never Stops Wrestling!
5. Saturday smiles with SUN Yanan ?? during her visit to Switzerland ??for the UWW Athletes Commission. ?: @flo_wrestling_uww

#WrestleBratislava

Prevolaraki steps closer to historic European gold; Bullen vs Ringaci final at 65kg

Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 08:31 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 10) -- Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) has got a chance to end her search for the elusive European gold medal. 

The 33-year-old entered her fifth European Championships final and with a hope of becoming the second wrestler from Greece to win the gold medal in Women's Wrestling. The four-time Olympian made her first finals' appearance in 2013 but finished with a silver medal. She earned the same medal in 2014, 2021 and 2022.

Prevolaraki defeated Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) via fall after building a 12-4 in the 53kg semifinal and booked her spot against former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU).

Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) gave Ana a big scare in the other semifinal, leading 3-2 with just 15 seconds remaining. But Ana hit a takedown for two points and got the lead back. Malysheva tried getting a reversal but the time ran out.

Sweden made sure it has one finalists in Women's Wrestling, a streaking dating back to 2022. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) made it to three successive finals, winning two golds and a silver last year.

On Thursday, it was Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) who reached the final at 62kg with a dominant win over Paris Olympian Lucia NIEMESCH (GER). Lindborg has a bronze medal from 2020 but finished fifth in 2023 and 2024.

Against Niemesch, Lindborg scored a stepout and takedown to lead 3-0 before she blocked a headthrow from Niemesch for two points, added a turn to lead 7-0. Germany challenged the call for a slip throw but lost, making it 8-0 for Lindborg.

Niemesch completed an attack in the second period and scored two points but Lindborg defended her 8-2 lead for the win.

Standing between her and the gold medal is world U23 champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) who survived a late attack from Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) and won her semifinal 8-4. Bondar, who has almost won everything at the age-group level, is making her senior European debut.

At 65kg, two Paris Olympic medalists from 62kg were entered. However, only one made it to the final.

Paris bronze medalist Grace BULLEN (NOR) pinned her way to the gold medal bout, spending only eight minutes on the mat of her 18 for three bouts. In the semifinal, she pinned Olha PADOSHYK (POL) after a 6-0 lead.

In the other semifinal, Paris silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) was no match for former world and European champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) who once again countered the leg-attacks with ease. Ringaci moved into the final with an 11-0 win.

Returning champion at 72kg Nesrin BAS (TUR) will defend her title against Alla BELINSKA (UKR) on Friday. Bas defeated Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3, in the semifinal while Belinksa took out Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2.

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)

SF 1: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) df. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), via fall (12-4)
SF 2: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW), 5-3

57kg
GOLD: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW)

SF 1: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) df. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), 9-4
SF 2: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) df. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), via inj. def. (4-2)

62kg
GOLD: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Iryna BONDAR (UKR)

SF 1: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 8-4
SF 2: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), 8-4

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), 11-0
SF 2: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Olha PADOSHYK (POL), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Nesrin BAS (TUR)

SF 1: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2
SF 2: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3

Qualification bouts blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

The semifinals will begin at 16:45

53kg
SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) vs. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)

57kg
SF 1: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)
SF 2: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) vs. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)

62kg
SF 1: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) vs. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)

65kg
SF 1: Olha PADOSHYK (POL) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)
SF 2: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) vs. Irina RINGACI (MDA)

72kg
SF 1: Nesrin BAS (TUR) vs. Daniela TKACHUK (POL)
SF 2: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)

12:30: Paris Olympic silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) led 10-3 and was lacing Beyza AKKUS (TUR) when the Turkiye wrestler called for medical and was announced injured, giving Koliadenko the win and a spot in the 65kg semifinals.

12:25: Big four and a fall for Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) over Amina CAPEZAN (ROU) at 62kg. Capezan took a 6-5 lead but Lindborg answered with a double-leg attack and the fall to enter the semifinal.

12:22: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) takes out Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) at 62kg. Bondar with a takedown before Dudova tried to bounce back but Bondar counters and turns Dudova for a 7-1 lead. A lost challenge from Dudova which gives Bondar a 8-1 lead which is the final score.

12:14: No time wasted by world U23 champion Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) who pancakes Magdalena GLODEK (POL) for a fall at 57kg and enter the semifinal.

12:12: A heartbreak for the local fans! Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK) had it all under control, leading 5-3 and about to pin Daniela TKACHUK (POL). But the Polish wrestler reverse the fall position and scores two points in the final second to win 5-5 on criteria.

12:10: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) survives a final second scare and wins 5-2 over Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) at 53kg. Yetgil led 4-0 and attempted for the leg hold to defend the lead in the final five seconds. But Krawczyk spun behind and added a roll but it was after the time.

12:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) books her spot in the 65kg semifinals with an 11-0 win over Dinara KUDAEVA (UWW). A big four-pointer to finish off the bout.

12:00: Defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) hangs on for 2-1 win against returning silver medalist Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) in what was a rematch of the final from last year. Bas led 2-0 at the break before being called passive in the second period. But Anghel failed to score one more point for win.

11:55: Andreea ANA (ROU) and Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) in a tense battle at 53kg. Malanchuk with an early takedown to take a 2-0 lead but Ana answers with a takedown and leads 2-2 on criteria. Single leg takedown in the second period for a 4-2 lead for Ana. Malanchuk fires double-leg attack and claim a 4-4 criteria lead with a minute and 40 seconds left. With 15 seconds left, Malanchuk gets cautioned for hair pulling and point for Ana who wins 5-4.

11:48: How did Irina RINGACI (MDA) tangle Eniko ELEKES (HUN) and secure the fall there? Ringaci blocks the lower part of Elekes with her leg and has her arm locked. There is no way Elekes can move. Ringaci wins inside one minute.

11:40: Veteran Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), searching for her first European title, has a good start with a 5-0 win over Viyaleta REBIKAVA CHYRYK (UWW) at 53kg. She get a point for Rebikava's passivity before adding a takedown and two more points in the second period.

11:30: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) is into the semifinals at 57kg! She works up a 6-0 win over Evelina HULTHEN (SWE) and will wrestle for a spot in the final later tonight

11:20: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) gets the benefits of Lydia PEREZ (ESP) who is passive and Dudova wins 3-0 at 62kg. The four-time champion moves a step closer to her fifth title.

11:14: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) gives Sweden its first win of the day! She works hard for her 11-2 win over Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) at 62kg but controls it throughout the six minutes.

11:12: Grace BULLEN (NOR) needs only 40 seconds to roll over Marta OJEDA NAVARRO (ESP) and win her first bout at 65kg. Great start for the Paris Olympic bronze medalist

11:00: World U23 champion and senior European debutant Iryna BONDAR (UKR) starts off at 62kg with a 10-0 technical superiority over Nikolett SZABO (HUN).

10:55: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) scores seven points in the second period and beats world U20 champion Aryna MARTYNAVA (UWW) 7-1 at 57kg.

10:50: Quick finish on Mat B as defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) pins Elvira ERSSON (SWE) and moves on at 72kg. Bas recently on the European U23 gold medal at 68kg but she is going at 72kg here in Bratislava.

10:45: Age-group European champion Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) with a 10-0 victory over Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA) in just over two minutes to start her campaign at 57kg.

10:30: The fourth day at the European Championships in Bratislava and its all women's wrestling. Paris Olympic medalists Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) and Grace BULLEN (NOR) are both in 65kg and competing for gold.