Weekly FIVE! October 15, 2018

Monday, October 15, 2018 - 10:59 By Eric Olanowski

Reviewing the return of four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO (JPN) and reviewing the Youth Olympic Games. Also looking at this week's #BudaWrestle2018 World Championships.

1. Icho Cruises to Gold, Credits Love of Sport for Return
Four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO cleared the first hurdle on the track to a possible fifth gold medal at Tokyo 2020. At this point, however, her sights are set on a more immediate goal.

Icho, returning to the mat for the first time since winning the gold at Rio 2016, had a few blips but otherwise was back to her dominant self in capturing the 57kg title at the All-Japan Women's Open on Sunday in Mishima, Shizuoka Prefecture.

The 34-year-old Icho scored a 38-second technical fall in her opening match, then won both of her next two by falls to take the title in the second-tier tournament that serves as a qualifier for the national championships in December.

"The one thing I gained by entering this tournament and getting back into the sport was that I feel the joy of wrestling again," Icho said at a 30-minute post-tournament press conference.

Click HERE for full article on Icho's return

Akhmedkhan TEMBOTOV (80kg) uses a leg lace against Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG) in the 80kg final to pick up the 10-0 technical fall. (Photo by Max Rose-Fyne)

2. Russia Nabs 2 Freestyle Golds to Close Wrestling at YOG
Russia, the most titled men’s freestyle nation in the world, seems well-stocked for golden runs in 2024 and 2028 after Akhmedkhan TEMBOTOV (80kg) and Sergei KOZYREV (110kg) capped the competition with back-to-back gold medals in men’s freestyle.

Tembetov wasted little time in disposing of Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG) in the 80kg final, wrapping up the 10-0 technical fall inside the first period.

Zozyrev faced a tougher finals opponent, needing every second to work past Amir Hossein Abbas ZARE (IRI), 6-5. The Iranian had spent the morning rounds dominating the center of the mat, but Zozyrev matched Zare’s gamesmanship and plodded his way to Youth Olympic gold.

Meanwhile, the United States’ Robert HOWARD (55kg) became his country’s first male wrestler to win a Youth Olympic gold, outpacing hometown favorite Hernan ALMENDRA (ARG) by TF, 17-6. Heading into the second period it seemed Howard had the matched handled, but a four-point move by Almendra drew the Argentinian closer to an upset. Howard stayed calm and fought his way for the technical superiority victory.

The final pair of YOG freestyle gold medals went to Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) (65kg) and Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) (48kg).

Click here for full freestyle recap.

RESULTS
Men’s Freestyle, 48kg
GOLD: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB)
SILVER: Giorgi GEGELASHVILI (GEO)
BRONZE: Halil GOKDENIZ (TUR)

Men’s Freestyle, 55kg
GOLD: Robert Kelly HOWARD (USA)
SILVER: Hernan David ALMENDRA (ARG)
BRONZE: Vladyslav OSTAPENKO (UKR)

Men’s Freestyle, 65kg
GOLD: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE)
SILVER: Mohammad Baghi KARIMISEIFABAD (IRI), 6-1
BRONZE: Inayat ULLAH (PAK)

Men’s Freestyle, 80kg
GOLD: Akhmedkhan TEMBOTOV (RUS)
SILVER: Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG) by TF, 10-0
BRONZE: Mukhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB)

Men’s Freestyle, 110kg
GOLD: Sergei KOZYREV (RUS)
SILVER: Amir Hossein Abbas ZARE (IRI), 6-5
BRONZE: Ahmed Mahmoud Elsayed M. KHALIL (EGY)

Mohammad NOSRATI (IRI) celebrates his 92kg gold medal after defeating Osman AYAYDIN (TUR), 3-1 (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

3. Iran Wins Pair, Japan's Sasaki Registers Incredible Comeback
Iran notched their first two gold medals of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games Friday night at the Asian Pavilion at Youth Olympic Park in Buenos Aires, while Japan’s Wataru SASAKI lodged one of the most impressive Olympic comebacks in years.

For the often-dominant Iranian team it was business as usual. Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (45kg) was unstoppable against Jeremy PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU), pressuring the South American wrestler into a series of missteps and racking up a pair of takedowns. After Dehbozorgi found his second takedown, he followed it up with a step out point to win gold, 8-0.

Mohammad NOSRATI (92kg) imposed his size on Turkey’s Osman AYAYDIN, controlling the mat for four minutes to win the final title of the evening, 3-1. The big man was jubilant after the match, speaking to reporters and interacting with fans.

“This was a great event for me,” said Nosrati. “I have to thank my fans and the people of Iran for their support during the Games.”

Cick here for full Greco-Roman recap.

RESULTS

Greco-Roman, 45kg
GOLD: Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI)
SILVER: Jeremy Renzo PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU)
BRONZE: Edmond Armen NAZARYAN (BUL)

Greco-Roman, 51kg
GOLD: Wataru SASAKI (JPN)
SILVER: Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO)
BRONZE: Axel Andre SALAS ESQUIVEL (MEX)

Greco-Roman, 60kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO)
SILVER: Elmirbek SADYROV (KGZ), 9-0
BRONZE: Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM)

Greco-Roman, 71kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA)
SILVER: Stepan STARODUBTSEV (RUS)
BRONZE: Shu YAMADA (JPN)
df. Lam

Greco-Roman, 92kg
GOLD: Mohammad Ghorbanali NOSRATI (IRI)
SILVER: Osman AYAYDIN (TUR)
BRONZE: Mukhammad EVLOEV (RUS)

4. Cuba’s Potrille Upends Machuca; Five Nations Win Gold at YOG
The risers shook, and eardrums ached as Linda MACHUCA (ARG) made her walk to the mat Saturday night for her 73kg gold medal final. The local teen had gone 4-0 in early action and was wrestling for her nation’s first gold on the mats.

Fans at the Asian Pavilion were swaying, dancing, clapping, howling – a moment of pure joy and anticipation for all those in attendance.

But just as enthusiastic as the teens clapping their red thunder sticks, Cuba’s Milaimys MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) was stoic. Taller than Machuca, Potrille glided across the field of play and climbed to the top of the mat. The wrestlers shook hands and as the whistle blew Portrille launched a double leg for four points, landed in a pinning position and put an end to Machuca’s storybook ending.

Meanwhile, Emily SHILSON (USA) and China’s Xinru ZHOU (CHN) each won their nation’s first gold medal in wrestling.

The American opened up a large lead in the 43kg gold-medal bout, but conceded six points late in the match, but managed to escape with the 11-6 win, while Zhou defeated Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) by TF, 10-0 in less than 30 seconds.

The final who golds went to Emma MALMGREN (SWE) and Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)

Sweden’s Emma Malmgren took the 49kg gold medal with a quick pin over Azerbaijan’s Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). The diminutive Swede erupted in emotion on the mat, realizing that she’d won gold in dominant fashion.

Nonoka Ozaki, whose fanbase dressed in gi blue tops adorned with a large flag of Japan on their back, had no problem showing happiness after winning her final. Ozaki dominated Hungary’s Anna Hella SZEL in final, working to a 10-0 technical superiority victory in the second period.

Click here for full women's wrestling recap.

RESULTS

Women’s Wrestling, 43kg
GOLD: Emily SHILSON (USA)
SILVER: imran SIMRAN (IND)
BRONZE: Shahana NAZAROVA (AZE)

Women’s Freestyle, 49kg
GOLD: Emma Jonna Denise MALMGREN (SWE)
SILVER: Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)
BRONZE: Natallia VARAKINA (BLR)

Women’s Freestyle, 57kg
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)
SILVER: Anna Hella SZEL (HUN)
BRONZE: Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER)

Women’s Freestyle, 65kg
GOLD: Xinru ZHOU (CHN)
SILVER: Oksana CHUDYKF
BRONZE: Oyun Erdene TAMIR (MGL)

Women’s Freestyle, 73kg
GOLD: Milaimys MARIN POTRILLE (CUB)
SILVER: Linda Marilina MACHUCA (ARG)
BRONZE: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN)

5. Budapest to Host World Championship October 20
The 2018 Senior Wrestling World Championships are October 20-28 at the Papp Laszlo Arena in Budapest. More than 850 wrestlers from 97 nations are competing to win one of the 30 world titles in freestyle, Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling!

A schedule shake-up from last year means freestyle kicks off the World Championships on October 20.

The 2017 world champion’s team race in men’s freestyle came down to the last match of the tournament, featuring Russia’s Abdulrashid SADULAEV and the United States’ Kyle SNYDER competing for 97kg gold. That match, dubbed “Snyderlaev,” captivated the world not only because the two big men were defending Olympic champions, but whoever won would secure the team title for their nation.

Snyder ultimately won the match and secure Team USA’s first freestyle team title since 1995, sparking a rivalry between wrestlers and nations that has continued through 2018. With both squads fully reloaded the team race may once again come down to the final day of competition.

With all the noise surrounding the top two teams, Georgia quietly won a pair of gold medals and edged Turkey by one point, claiming third-place in the freestyle team race.

Women's wrestling follows, beginning on October 22.

Japan won the 2017 team title with four champions and six overall medals. They return three champions in 2018, with world and Olympic gold medalist, Sara DOSHO (JPN) sitting out due to injury. The Japanese have shown some weakness in 2018, failing to win a single gold medal at the Asian Games in Indonesia and looking lackluster at certain weights throughout the year.

However, the sheer number of medalists the Japanese can - and likely will - produce is tough for any nation to overcome. If a nation is poised for the upset, it might be Belarus who will be wrestling close to home and has been competing well all season.

Another upset-minded nation could be fellow 2017 second-place team title holder United States will being a roster of established superstars and unproven, but highly touted, newcomers that head coach Terry Steiner believes will make the medal stand in Budapest.

The Canadians, Russians, Swedes, and Mongolians bring veteran teams who under the right conditions would make their way onto the team medal stand.

Finally, Greco-Roman closes out the competition, starting on October 24.

Though Russia failed to win a gold medal at the 2017 World Championships, they still managed to win the Greco-Roman team title - capping off their run to a team title with a silver medal and a pair of bronze medalist. They also used points from a pair fifth-place finishes to edge Turkey by one point - pushing them to the top of the Greco-Roman field.

Russia’s 2017 medalists Musa EVLOEV (RUS), Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) and Artem SURKOV (RUS) will make the trip to Budapest with hopes of improving on their respective medals from a year ago.

Meanwhile, Turkey’s duo reigning world champions, Metehan BASAR (TUR) and Riza Kayaalp (TUR), will also return to the world championships. But instead of improving on last year’s performances, they’ll try to defend their world titles, while teammates Atakan YUKSEL (TUR) and Fatih CENGIZ (TUR) try to better their third-place finishes from Paris.

Iran, who finished in third-place, return each of their three bronze medalists. Their trio 2017 third-place finishers are Saeid ABDVALI (IRI), Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), and Hossein NOURI (IRI).

Click here for the full World Championship schedule.

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media

1. The United States men’s freestyle team came together in 2017 to win their first team title in 22 years. Will they repeat in 2018? Or will Sadulaev and Team Russia get their revenge? Find out more about Team USA’s journey on October 15th with the release of “From Many, One” the first short film in our Wrestling 360 documentary series. - #wrestling #usawrestling #uww #wrestling360 #usa #freestyle

2. Photo from day one of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games! We are ready for day two. Women’s wrestling today!!!
#unitedworldwrestling #wrestling #youtholympics2018

3. Great action on the first day of the 2018 Youth Olympic Games @maxrosefyne

4. Amazing Freestyle wrestling today at the 2018 Youth Olympic Games
#buenosaires2018 #uww #unitedworldwrestling

5. Being wrestling girl is like...Rate the video, please. Оцените видео, пожалуйста.?? @bravewoman__
#wrestlinggirl #wrestling #training #sport #борьба #спорт

#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships Freestyle Finals Set

Friday, April 12, 2024 - 04:33 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 12) -- The Asian Championships enters day two with five more Freestyle weights. World champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) will lead the competition at 125kg as Iran looks to build on its three gold medals won on day one.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 REPORT

14:32: Amir ZARE (IRI) is safely into the 125kg final with a 5-0 victory over Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN). Zare combined three stepouts with two activity clock points and was never in danger himself as the reigning world champion earned a chance for gold in his senior Asian Championships debut.

14:27: Two-time Olympian Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) enters the 125kg final after beating Odgerel BATKHISHIG (MGL) 10-0 in the semifinal. This is Lazarev's 10th Asian Championships, first being in 2009, and third final. He won gold in 2015 and was silver medalist in 2021.

14:22: At 74kg, Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) notches perhaps the biggest win of his young career, scoring a takedown in each period to knock off Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI) 4-2 and earn a place in the final in his international senior debut. The 20-year-old Takahashi opens with a textbook double-leg takedown, but gives up a single-leg takedown to trail 2-2 on criteria. In the second period, the Japanese gets the winning takedown, and then fends off all desperate attacks by Abouzari.

14:20: Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) becomes the second wrestler from Tajikistan to enter the finals at the Asian Championships after he defeated Alp BEGENJOV (TKM) 14-4 in the 74kg semifinal. Incidentally, the first finalist -- Yusup ABDULSALAMOV (TJK) -- won at 74kg as well back in 2003.

14:10: Another heartbreak for Kyrgyzstan as Nurtilek KARYPBAEV (KGZ) goes down 5-3 against Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) in the 92kg semifinal. Karypbaev could not keep up with the pace of the bout and broke down.

14:08: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) gets a chance to add to his 2022 gold after bulling to a 10-0 victory over Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) in the 92kg semifinals. Sharipov just couldn't stop the charge of Firouzpour, who had six stepouts, two of which got a caution point tacked on. Firouzpour's lone takedown of the match, off a single leg, ended it at 4:14.

13:57: Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) scored a takedown in the first period and held on that 2-0 lead against Atai IZABEKOV (KGZ). He was cautioned for open fingers on Izabekov's face but that didn't stop Shapiev from winning 2-1 and entering the 86kg final against defending champion Azamat DALUETBEKOV (KAZ). Both wrestled in the 86kg bronze-medal bout at the World Championships which the Kazakh won. But Shapiev won the Asian Games quarterfinal in October.

13:55: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) will get a shot at a third straight Asian gold at 86kg after putting on an arm drag clinic in an 11-0 victory over Peilong LI (CHN). Dauletbekov used the arm drag to set up five takedowns, the final one coming 27 seconds into the second period to end the match.

13:47: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) pulled off a miracle victory over Reza ATRI (IRI) in the 61kg semifinals, scoring a 4-point back trip in the final second for an 11-7 victory. Atri came back from a 5-point deficit to lead 7-6, mainly with a 4-point counter lift. A fleeing point tied the score, but Atri still led on criteria. Zhumashbek Uulu did little to build up his 5-0 lead in the first period, gaining an activity point, a penalty point for a hand to the face, a takedown while countering a throw, and then a point for an unsuccessful challenge after the Iranians thought the takedown should have been called a missed throw.

13:35: Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ) enters the 61kg final after beating Akash DAHIYA (IND) 11-0. A slow start to the semifinal but Aitakyn used a takedown and two turns in the second period to claim the victory.

The semifinals will begin at 13:30 local time

13:20: In the last quarterfinal of the morning session, Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) blanks YASH (IND) 11-0. After a 4-0 lead in the first period, Takahashi scored a stepout in the second period and countered Yash's attack. He scored two exposures to enter the 74kg semifinal.

13:15: Local star Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) breaks BUHEEERDUN (CHN) in the second period and overcomes a three-point deficit and wins the 125kg quarterfinal 10-6.

13:10: Either Turkmenistan or Tajikistan will be assured of taking home a medal after Alp BEGENJOV (TJM) and Viktor RASSIDIN (TJK) advanced to a semifinal clash against each other at 74kg. Begenjov recorded a fall over Fierre AFAN (PHI), and Rassidin followed with a 9-0 victory over Kanat KERIMBEKOV (KGZ) in their respective quarterfinal matches.

13:02: Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI) stays on track to the final by crushing Yong Nam SO (PRK) 12-1 in the 74kg quarterfinals.

12:57: World champion Amir ZARE (IRI) begins his campaign with a 10-0 victory over Anirudh KUMAR (IND) in the 125kg quarterfinals. Zare took a 6-0 lead into the second period and wasted little time finishing up the technical fall.

12:55: The home crowd seems to spur on 2022 Asian U23 silver medalist Nurtilek KARYBAEV (KGZ) in the second period, when he scores three takedowns to forge a 6-1 victory over Issa AL OBAIDI (IRQ) and advances to the 92kg semifinals.

12:55: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) manages to keep himself from touching the mat on three points and avoids being taken down. He beats Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) 7-4 to advance to the semifinals at 92kg.

12:45: Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB), an Asian Games bronze medalist and fifth-place finisher at both the Olympics and World Championships, holds on for a 4-1 victory over Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) to advance to the 86kg semifinals. Shapiev scored a first-period takedown, and Shirai cut the gap with a stepout a minute into the second period. Shapiev clinches the win with a takedown in the final seconds off a counter from a desperate attack by the Japanese.

12:44: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) books his place in the 92kg semifinals with an 11-0 rout of Suhe GANG (CHN).

12:34: In one of the featured matches of the midday session, defending champion and two-time world bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) scores an early single-leg takedown against Hadi VAFAEIPOUR (IRI) in their 86kg quarterfinal, but the Iranian responds with a stepout. That is where the scoring ends, although Vafaeipour ended the match in deep on a single that he just couldn't finish off. The Iranians naturally challenged, but it was denied to give Dauletbekov a 3-1 win and the Iranian side its first loss of the day.

12:25: Reza ATRI (IRI) moves a step closer to his third career Asian medal and possibly second gold with a workmanlike 5-0 victory over Dzhamashed SHARIFOV (TJK) in the 61kg quarterfinals.

12:00: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) with a takedown in the final 10 seconds to claim a 9-9 criteria win over Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) at 74kg.

11:58: Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI) scores his fourth takedown with 13 seconds left to complete a 10-0 win over Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) at 74kg to become Iran's fifth wrestler out of five in the quarterfinals. Otakhonov was the silver medalist a year ago at 70kg.

11:52: Returning bronze medalist BUHEEERDUN (CHN) moves on at 125kg with a 5-2 win over Koki YAMAMOTO (JPN). Apart from the one time he got stuck in a fall position, Buheeerdun controlled the bout.

11:48: Anirudh KUMAR (IND), a returning bronze medalist at 125kg, has no trouble in posting a safe 3-0 victory over Zaman ANWAR (PAK). He will next face world champion Amir ZARE (IRI).

11:38: Another Iranian is over the first hurdle as 2022 champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) cruises to an 11-0 victory over Satoshi MIURA (JPN) at 92kg.

11:36: Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN), the world U23 silver medalist after winning the gold in 2022, scores four stepouts in muscling to a 5-0 victory over Sandeep MANN (IND) at 86kg.

11:30: Not to be for Mustafa AL OBAIDI (IRI) as Peilong LI (CHN) storms back after trailing 3-3 on criteria. Li pins Al Obaidi to win the 86kg bout.

11:28: Hadi VAFAEIPOUR (IRI), making his debut in a major tournament for Iran, easily gets past VUTHY HENG (CAM) in his opening match at 86kg, scoring a 10-0 win in 2:39. Among Vafaeipour's accolades is a victory last year on the Beach Wrestling circuit.

11:20: In a thriller at 61kg, Akash DAHIYA (IND) twice scored exposure points in the second period while Dzhamshed SHARIFOV (UZB) was trying to turn him over, the final time to clinch a 10-8 victory.

11:12: Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ), a two-time world U23 bronze medalist, starts the action on Mat B with a 7-0 victory over Ali ABURAMAILA (PLE) at 61kg.

11:10: Kaisei TANABE (JPN), whose father Chikara was a bronze medalist in 55kg at the 2004 Athens Olympics, squanders a 4-0 lead and drops his bout against Reza ATRI (IRI) 4-4.

11:04: In the opening match on Mat A, Kum Chol Ri (PRK), an Asian cadet champion in 2014, marks his return to the international scene with a quick 10-0 win over Ibrahim GUZAN (YEM) at 61kg

11:00: Another Freestyle day at the Asian Championships in Bishkek. Wrestlers in 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg to wrestle for the five gold medals on offer.

Weekly FIVE! October 15, 2018

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Asian Championships Freestyle Finals Set