Who’s In? Greco-Roman Olympic Qualifiers for #Tokyo2020NE

Monday, April 20, 2020 - 12:26 By Andrew Hipps

Cuba’s dominant Greco-Roman program is headed to Tokyo as four qualification events are left with a total of eight licenses in six weight categories remain up for grabs.

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 20) -- In response to the IOC’s decision to postpone the Tokyo Olympic Games until the summer of 2021, United World Wrestling has announced that all Olympic qualification spots already earned will continue to be honored.

For the nations whose wrestlers qualified at the World Championships or Pan Am Qualifiers that means they are done, but for those who haven’t qualified in each weight category there will be events in March and April of 2021 to determine the remaining eight spots in each category.

We’ve broken down “Who’s In,” and which stars still need to qualify.

While seven nations have qualified two wrestlers and a dozen more have qualified one wrestler, the nation-by-nation leaderboard is dominated by Cuba. The small Caribbean island nation has qualified all six Olympic weight categories, a sign that the nation might repeat the unofficial team championship it won at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016.

Cuba will once again be led by Olympic champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (67kg) and three-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (130kg), but look for Russia, Georgia, Ukraine and Iran to all make gains during their respective continental qualification tournaments.

The United States has qualified four weight categories, with all coming at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier this March in Ottawa: 60kg, 67kg, 87kg and 97kg.

American Adam COON captured a world silver medal at 130kg in 2018, but the United States still has yet to qualify there or 77kg.

60kg
Reigning world champion Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) not only has punched his nation’s ticket to their own Games, but has secured the No.1 seed. Russia, Kazakhstan, Iran, Ukraine and Uzbekistan also locked up Olympic licenses in Nur-Sultan.

China will be looking to qualify this weight category for the Olympics at the Asian Olympic Qualifier with either Sailike WALIHAN or Erbatu TUO. Walihan won gold at the Matteo Pellicone.

Another top wrestler still looking to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics is Kerem KAMAL (TUR), who is currently ranked No.3 in the world. After failing to reach a medal match at the 2019 World Championships, Kamal finished fifth at the Matteo Pellicone before capturing a silver medal at the European Championships.

Luis ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB) and Ildar HAFIZOV (USA) qualified their nations in this weight category at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier.

67kg
Borrero, an Olympic gold medalist in Rio, secured Cuba's spot at 67kg for the Tokyo Olympics by winning a world title in Nur-Sultan last September.

In a shock, two-time world champion Hansu RYU (KOR) failed to qualify at the World Championships after he was defeated by Borrero in the quarterfinals before losing to three-time world champion Frank STAEBLER (GER) in repechage. Ryu will have an opportunity to earn his spot in Tokyo at the Asian Olympic Qualifier or World Olympic "Last Chance" Qualifier.

Another world champion still looking to secure a spot in Tokyo at 67kg is Olympic silver medalist Shinobu OTA (JPN). Ota won the 2019 world title at the non-Olympic weight class of 60kg, but will move up to 67kg for his Olympic run.

Julian HORTA ACEVEDO (COL) qualified Colombia for the Olympics in this weight category by winning the Pan American Olympic Qualifier over Alejandro SANCHO (USA).

77kg
Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) not only won his first world title in 2019, he also qualified Hungary for the Olympic Games at 77kg.

Perhaps the biggest storyline in Greco-Roman heading into the final Olympic qualifiers is powerhouse Russia not yet qualifying at 77kg. Two-time Olympic champion Roman VLASOV was upset in the round of 16 at the 2019 World Championships and failed to earn a spot in a medal match.

Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) qualified Iran at 77kg by winning a bronze medal in Nur-Sultan. Cuba and Mexico earned qualification spots at this weight category with Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) and Jose VARGAS RUEDA (MEX) winning gold and silver respectively in Ottawa.

87kg
Olympic silver medalist Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) captured his second world title in Nur-Sultan, beating three-time world medalist Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) in the finals. The two have since flip-flopped in the world rankings, with Lorincz taking over the No.1 ranking.

Germany, Uzbekistan, Belarus and Kyrgyzstan all qualified for the Olympics in Nur-Sultan.

World No.4 Kumar SUNIL (IND) will be looking to qualify at the Asian Olympic Qualifier. He started the year ranked 33rd in the world but climbed 29 spots by winning gold at the Asian Championships and silver at the Matteo Pellicone.

97kg
Multiple-time world champion Musa EVLOEV (RUS) and Olympic gold medalist Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) finished first and second respectively at the World Championships in Nur-Sultan. The duo have created one of the best rivalries in the sport, which fans expect to extend to Tokyo in 2021.

Cenk ILDEM (TUR) has also qualified the weight and will be looking for his second Olympic medal. The Turkish youth qualified for Tokyo by earning a bronze medal at the World Championships.

World No.4 Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), a 2018 junior world champion, won the Asian Championships this year and will be among the favorites to qualify for the Tokyo Games at the Asian Olympic Qualifier.

This year’s European silver medalist Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), currently ranked No.5 in the world, will attempt to punch his nation’s ticket at the European Olympic qualifier. Another wrestler to keep an eye on at the European Olympic Qualifier is Mélonin NOUMONVI (FRA). The 2014 world champion will be chasing his French-record fourth Olympic appearance.

130kg
Four-time world champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR) is the reigning world champion and entering the Tokyo 2021 Games as the top seed. But his path to gold will be Olympic gold will be difficult since Oscar PINO HINDS qualified Cuba for the Olympics at 130kg by winning a silver medal at the World Championships in Nur-Sultan. However, it’ll be three-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) competing next summer in Tokyo.

Heiki NABI (EST) will be looking to win his second Olympic medal after winning a silver at the London Olympics in 2012. The 34-year-old Estonian qualified for Tokyo by winning a bronze medal in Nur-Sultan. Georgia, Iran and Germany also secured 130kg Olympic licenses at the World Championships.

Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI) and Eduard SOGHOMONYAN (BRA) qualified for the Olympics by claiming gold and silver respectively at the Pan American Olympic Qualifier.

Ahmed MOHAMED (EGY) has had a strong year, climbing to No.3 in the world. He will attempt to qualify Egypt for the Olympics at the African/Oceania Olympic Qualifier. World No.4 Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) earned a bronze medal at the Matteo Pellicone and will look to earn an Olympic license at the Asian Olympic Qualifier.

#WrestleBudapest

Long Tops Stacked 68kg Field for Budapest Ranking Series Gold

Friday, July 17, 2026 - 21:46 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 17) -- In hindsight, Jia LONG's (CHN) failure to qualify for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games looks even more surprising. She was at the Tokyo Olympics, won a world silver in 2022 and was an Asian champion in 2023. Yet, she failed to book a ticket to Paris.

However, since missing the Paris Games, Long has put together one of the strongest runs in Women's Wrestling with a world title, a world bronze and an Asian title.

Entering the Budapest Ranking Series at 68kg, Long was among the favorites. The field, however, was one of the toughest assembled for a Ranking Series event, featuring European silver medalist Alina SHAUCHUK (BLR), Olympic silver medalist and Asian champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), European bronze medalist Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU), European champion Nesrin BAS (TUR), among others.

Jia LONG (CHN) won gold at 68kg in Budapest. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Long opened with a 10-0 win over compatriot Zelu LI (CHN) but was quickly tested by young Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER), escaping with a close 4-2 win. Shauchuk awaited her in the quarterfinals and the Belarus wrestler got the first takedown to lead 2-0. However, Long used her powerful gut-wrench to complete an 8-2 win.

European champion Bas also managed to score two points on Long but could not sustain the pressure as Long won 7-2 to set up a final against Zhumanazarova, who had a simpler path to the final.

Aptly, the marquee match between Zhumanazarova and Long, Asian champions at 68kg and 72kg respectively, was scheduled as the last match of the session.

Long was aware of Zhumanazarova's defensive tactics but gave a taste of her own medicine in the gold medal bout. In the first period, Long got on a single leg attack and finished with a takedown. She then used her trademark high gut-wrench to expose Zhumanazarova and open up a 4-0 lead.

The second period went scoreless as Long shut down Zhumanazarova's offense, whatever little there is, keeping her lead for the win as the clock expired.

The gold medal capped an impressive campaign for Long as she builds towards 2026 World Championships and the 2028 Olympic Games, the only major event at which she is yet to win a medal.

Neha Strikes Gold

NEHA (IND) captured her second straight Ranking Series gold medal at 59kg, edging Abigail NETTE (USA), 6-4, in the final. Nette struck first with a stepout to take a 1-0 lead, but it was short-lived as Neha responded with a double-leg takedown for two points.

Just before the break, Neha used a snap to score a go-behind before adding a turn. Although Nette managed a reversal, Neha still carried a 6-2 lead at the break. Nette completed a single-leg takedown in the second period to cut the lead to 6-4, but Neha closed out the bout without giving her another opening, upgrading the silver medal she won in Budapest last year to gold.

Reese LARRAMENDY (USA) defeated compatriot Jennifer PAGE ROGERS (USA), 7-1, in the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The United States secured the 65kg gold medal after an all-American final. Unheralded Reese LARRAMENDY (USA) upset her senior teammate Jennifer PAGE ROGERS (USA), 7-1, to claim her first international medal.

The two were involved in an early scramble, with Larramendy emerging on top for the opening takedown and a 2-0 lead. Page was then put on the activity clock but failed to score, giving Larramendy a 3-0 advantage at the break.

Page opened the second period with a stepout to cut the deficit to 3-1 and continued to pressure Larramendy toward the zone. During one exchange, Page appeared to force Larramendy out of bounds, but the action was allowed to continue as the officials did not award a stepout. Larramendy capitalized by scoring a takedown to extend her lead to 5-1.

Larramendy sealed the victory when Page attacked the legs but was countered for two points, completing a 7-1 victory and earning the first international medal of her career.

Ana GODINEZ (CAN) pulled off a thrilling 7-6 victory over Grace BULLEN (NOR). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Godinez Stuns Bullen

Ana GODINEZ (CAN) claimed the 62kg gold medal after MANSI (IND) was forced to withdraw through injury in the final. However, her toughest test came much earlier against European champion Grace BULLEN (NOR), who had defeated Godinez, 11-0, in the bronze medal bout at the Paris Olympics.

Trailing 6-4, Bullen scored a takedown and secured the fall but Godinez challenged the call. While the takedown was upheld, the fall was overturned after it was evident that Bullen had locked her hands behind Godinez's head.

Bullen held a 6-6 criteria advantage and needed only to protect it for the final 12 seconds. Godinez, however, scored a late stepout to secure a 7-6 victory and advance to the semifinals, where she defeated Veranika IVANOVA (BLR), 13-7.

Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) made a successful run at 77kg and won the gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Alameldin Shines at 77kg

The two Greco-Roman finals on Friday both ended in 1-1 criteria victories, with Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS) winning at 67kg and Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) taking the 77kg title.

In Greco-Roman, when a wrestler is called passive, his opponent receives one point and a par terre opportunity. If both wrestlers score only from passivity and the bout ends 1-1, the wrestler who scored first wins on criteria.

Alameldin, the 2024 U20 world champion at 67kg, completed a successful move up to 77kg. He claimed a 1-1 criteria victory over former U17 world champion Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) in the final. But before the final, Alameldin completed a stunning 8-0 victory over Levente LEVAI (HUN) in the quarterfinals and then held off Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS), 2-2, in the semifinals.

At 67kg, Bammatov faced U23 world champion Mohamed ABDELREHIM (EGY) in the final and earned the first passivity point. Abdelrehim received par terre in the second period, but neither wrestler scored from the position, allowing Bammatov to retain the criteria advantage and secure the title.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

59kg
GOLD: NEHA (IND) df. Abigail NETTE (USA), 6-4

BRONZE: Othelie HOEIE (NOR) df. Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ), 3-3
BRONZE: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Alexis JANIAK (USA), 8-1

62kg
GOLD: Ana GODINEZ (CAN) df. MANSI (IND), via inj. def.

BRONZE: SAVITA (IND) df. Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ), 14-5
BRONZE: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Veranika IVANOVA (BLR), 6-4

65kg
GOLD: Reese LARRAMENDY (USA) df. Jennifer PAGE ROGERS (USA), 7-1

BRONZE: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Virginia JIMENEZ (CHI), 8-2
BRONZE: Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE) df. Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN), via fall (10-0)

68kg
GOLD: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), 4-0

BRONZE: Noémi SZABADOS (HUN) df. Alina SHEVCHENKO (RUS), 5-3
BRONZE: Zelu LI (CHN) df. Nesrin BAS (TUR), 5-4

Greco-Roman

67kg
GOLD: Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS) df. Mohamed ABDELREHIM (EGY), 1*-1

BRONZE: Ruslan BICHURIN (RUS) df. Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADAA (AUS), 13-6
BRONZE: Din KOSHKAR (KAZ) df. Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM), via inj. def.

77kg
GOLD: Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) df. Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), 1*-1

BRONZE: Danil GRIGOREV (RUS) df. Aleksa ILIC (SRB), 1*-1
BRONZE: Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS) df. Levente LEVAI (HUN), 6-2