#WrestleBudapest

As World Championships approaches, Tynybekova wins #WrestleBudapest gold

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 14) - Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) suffered a shocking defeat at the 2022 Yasar Dogu Ranking Series tournament against Lais NUNES (BRA), the last time they wrestled. This loss came three months after Tynybekova won her second world title in Oslo.

Following her world title victory, she lost in the final of the Asian Championships and sustained a foot injury that required surgery. At the World Championships in Belgrade, she placed fifth and at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series in February of this year, Tynybekova finished 13th. It seemed that Tynybekova's prime, during which she won two world titles, an Olympic silver medal, and multiple Asian titles, was behind her.

But as the World Championships approach, Tynybekova seemed to have regained her lost form. And on Friday, she won her second Ranking Series gold of the year in Budapest, a run which included a victory over Nunes.

"Last year, I couldn't win the Asian championships and I also lost at the World Championships and I couldn't compete at most of the international tournaments," she said. "This year began unsuccessfully but from the second international tournament, I was back on top. Then I won the gold at the Asian Championships, defeating the Japanese wrestler, to whom I lost twice last year [at the Asian and World Championships]."

At the Budapest Ranking Series, Tynybekova pinned Nunes in the 62kg semifinal and followed that up with a 2-1 victory over European champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL).

This victory, along with her Asian title in Kazakhstan and Ranking Series gold in Alexandria, secured her a top-two seed at 62kg for the World Championships, where she aims to qualify for the Paris Games.

Tynybekova was denied gold at the Tokyo Olympics by Yukako KAWAI (JPN) who beat her in the final. Kawai did not qualify for the 2023 World Championships after losing in Japan's domestic qualifiers.

"I am satisfied with my performance [today]," Tynybekova said. "People know that I am in bad shape now. Even in such conditions, I made it to the final and won it. So, I want to thank all those people, who believe and support me."

In the final, Tynybekova scored a takedown and stuck to her defense to deny Dudova any opening. She was called for activity but that cost her only one point.

"You have witnessed how I became a winner of the Ranking Series in Budapest," she said. "Even though my physical condition is not good, I was able to win. Now we start the preparation for the World Championships, where I can win the Olympic quota."

To prepare for World Championships, Tynybekova will be training at home. She did not rule out wrestling at the Asian Games in October.

"Before the World Championships, we will have a training camp back home in Issyk-Kul," she said. "We may also go to the international training camp in Poland and 10 days after the World Championships, we might also go to the Asian Games."

In other significant results at 62kg, Viktoria VESSO (EST) executed a perfect headlock for four points to pin two-time world silver medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) in the pre-quarterfinals. However, she lost to Dudova 9-0 in the quarterfinal.

At 57kg, Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), the reigning 59kg world champion, secured gold in the Ranking Series. This victory marked the beginning of her journey toward the Paris Olympics in Budapest.

Nichita, who wrestled at 57kg in Tokyo, has been a constant at 59kg but has decided to return to the 57kg category in her quest for an Olympic medal. Her performance in Budapest indicates that she is on the right track.

Opening her day with a 7-0 win over Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER), Nichita secured a fall over Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (AIN) in the quarterfinals and then over Hannah TAYLOR (CAN) in the semifinal.

In the final, Kexin HONG (CHN) score two points on the European champion but Nichita held on for a comfortable 8-2 win.

In the 53kg category, Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL), an Olympic bronze medalist, won the gold medal in Budapest after Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) injury defaulted.

Both Bat Ochir and Yepez had impressive victories on their way to the finals. Yepez pinned Vivien MATYI (HUN) in her opening bout and defeated Min ZHANG (CHN) 9-5 to reach the semifinals. Meanwhile, Bat Ochir received a bye in the first round and won 10-0 against Diana WEICKER (CAN) to secure a spot in the semifinals.

Yepez went on to defeat Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) 3-1 in a surprising victory, while Bat Ochir dominated her matches, including a technical superiority win, on her path to the final.

Zhou FENG (CHN), another experienced wrestler, clinched the gold medal in the 68kg category after a 2-1 victory over Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) in the final. Oborududu had previously defeated Forrest MOLINARI (USA) in the semifinals, while Feng won 10-0 against Xinru ZHOU (CHN) in her semifinal match.

Nokhodi confirms Belgrade spot

Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), a two-time World Championships silver medalist, won the gold medal in Budapest at 79kg, earning him a spot on the world team.

Iran entered two wrestlers at 79kg to determine their representative. Nokhodi and Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) were on a collision course to meet in the quarterfinals.

Nokhodi defeated Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) 10-0 in his first bout, while Savadkouhi lost 5-4 to Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) after giving up exposure in the dying moments., denying a direct match against Nokhodi.

Nokhodi secured a 6-2 victory over Kentchadze in the semifinals and went on to win 3-0 against Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) in the final.

Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) also secured his place on Iran's world team at 70kg despite not winning the gold medal.

In the 70kg quarterfinals, Joseph MC KENNA (USA) defeated Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) to set up a semifinal against Yazdani who won his quarterfinal 7-7 against Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ).

On the other side of the bracket, Amr HUSSEN (EGY) defeated Mohammad BAKHSHISHIRKOLAEI (IRI) 11-7, and Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) secured a fall against Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ).

Yazdani looked comfortable in the semifinal after taking a 6-0 lead but McKenna stormed back with a big four-pointer. Yazdani scored a two to lead 8-4. But the final 40 seconds saw McKenna get five points, two via challenges, to win 9-8.

Nykyforuk pinned Hussen in the semifinal and went on to win the gold with a 4-2 victory over McKenna.

Yazdani lost his bronze medal bout but Iran's coaching staff decided to conduct a wrestle-off between Yazdani and Bakshishirkolaei which the former won to confirm his spot for Belgrade.

At 61kg, Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), the world champion at 57kg, won the gold with a 4-1 victory in the final over Ossimzhan DASTANBEK (KAZ).

RESULTS

Women's wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) df. Ziqi FENG (CHN), 4-2

BRONZE: Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) df. Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (AIN), 16-5
BRONZE: Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) df. Jiang ZHU (CHN), via inj. def.

53kg
GOLD: Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) df. Lucia YEPEZ (ECU), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Diana WEICKER (CAN) df. Dominique PARRISH (USA), 10-0
BRONZE: Qianyu PANG (CHN) df. Min ZHANG (CHN), 10-0

57kg
GOLD: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Kexin HONG (CHN), 8-2

BRONZE: Hannah TAYLOR (CAN) df. Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER), 11-2
BRONZE: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Giullia OLIVEIRA (BRA), 11-0

62kg
GOLD: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), 2-1

BRONZE: Alina KASABIEVA (AIN) df. Lais NUNES (BRA), 7-0
BRONZE: Xiaojuan LUO (CHN) df. Viktoria VESSO (EST), via fall (9-1)

68kg
GOLD: Feng ZHOU (CHN) df. Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), 2-1

BRONZE: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) df. Olivia DI BACCO (CAN), 8-7
BRONZE: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) df. Xinru ZHOU (CHN), via fall

Freestyle

61kg
GOLD: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df. Ossimzhan DASTANBEK (KAZ), 4-1

BRONZE: Assylzhan YESSENGELDI (KAZ) df. Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO), 19-9
BRONZE: Vitali ARUJAU (USA) df. Vladimir KUDRIN (KAZ), via inj. def.

70kg
GOLD: Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) df. Joseph MC KENNA (USA), 4-2

BRONZE: Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ) df. Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI), 5-0
BRONZE: Amr HUSSEN (EGY) df. Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 9-8

79kg
GOLD: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 3-0

BRONZE: Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) df. Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ), 7-4
BRONZE: Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) df. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), 4-3

#WrestleAlexandria

Olympians gear up for African & Oceania qualifiers for Paris 2024

By Vinay Siwach

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (March 19) -- Wrestlers from two continents will battle on the mat for 18 Paris Olympic spots at the African & Oceania OG Qualifiers in Alexandria on March 22-24.

All eyes will be on Tokyo Olympic medalists Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) at 68kg in Women's Wrestling and Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY) at 67kg in Greco-Roman. The two failed to earn a Paris quota at the World Championships in September but will be the favorite to claim the spot in Alexandria.

The tournament will follow a bracket system and two winners of the semifinals will earn the Paris spot. There will be no gold medal bouts and repechage.

Oborududu won the African Championships on Monday in dominating fashion and has the best chance to qualify. Samah ABDELLATIF (EGY), Tayla FORD (NZL) and African medalist Khadija JLASSI (TUN) will try to stop her and earn a quota for themselves.

For Elsayed, Ishak GHAIOU (ALG) will be the biggest test as he will be randomly drawn in the 67kg bracket. Japan-born Gaku AKAZAWA (SAM) will be seeded number two and cannot face Elsayed.

In other Women's Wrestling weight classes, African champion Mercy GENESIS (NGR) will be primed to win the semifinal at 50kg. Traditional powerhouses in Africa Egypt and Tunisia will be represented by Nada MOHAMED (EGY) and Nourhene HEDHLI (TUN) respectively.

At 53kgm Nigeria will see Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) going for the Paris spot. She won the African Championships gold medal on Monday but the addition of Oceania wrestlers can make things interesting. 

Jessica LAVERS MCBAIN (AUS) will be at 53kg for Australia while Guam has Mia AQUINO (GUM). Shaimaa MOHAMED (EGY) and Lobna ICHAOUI (TUN) will also look to win as well.

Nigeria already has won the quota at 57kg through world bronze medalist Odunayo ADEKOUROYE (NGR), leaving others to earn a Paris spot. Irene SYMEONIDIS (AUS), Natacha NABAINA (CMR), Louji YASSIN (EGY), Rckaela AQUINO (GUM) and Faten HAMMAMI (TUN) will have to fight it out for the two spots.

Marwa AMRI (TUN) usually locked the 62kg for Tunisia but the now-retired wrestler will be coaching Siwar BOUSETA (TUN) as she tries to fill the shoes. Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) will be a big test for everyone in this weight class as she won the African Championships.

Two-time world medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) will be looking for a second trip to the Olympics if she can win the 76kg spot in front of the home crowd. It could go three-way as African silver medalist Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) and now African champion Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) are also entered.

Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY)Tokyo bronze medalist Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY) is the favorite at 67kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan) 

Greco-Roman

Tokyo Olympian Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) will be tested by Moamen MOHAMED (EGY) and Mohamed HKIRI (TUN) as the three look to win the two spots available at 60kg in Greco-Roman.

Egypt and Algeria usually dominate Greco-Roman in Africa which will add pressure on Abd OUAKALI (ALG) and Mahmoud ABDELRAHMAN (EGY) who will be the favorite to win the Paris spot at 77kg. Sheng ZHANG (AUS) will be representing Australia.

Two Tokyo Olympians will have a chance to earn another trip to the Olympics as Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) and Mohamed METWALLY (EGY) gear up for a battle in 87kg. Both skipped the African Championships to prepare for the qualifiers.

At 97kg, Fadi ROUABAH (ALG), Mohamed GABR (EGY) and Mohamed MISSAOUI (TUN) have the best chance to win a spot while top seed Maulalo ALOFIPO (SAM) will look to get one through as only six wrestlers are entered in the weight category.

As Egypt already has a quota at 130kg, four wrestlers will battle for the two quotas in this weight class. Hemza HALOUI (ALG), Oussama ASSAD (MAR), Marcus CARNEY (NZL) and Tokyo Olympian Amine GUENNICHI (TUN) will face each other in a round-robin format to decide the two spots.

Amr REDA (EGY)Amr REDA (EGY) will look to repeat as an Olympian. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Freestyle

Egypt will hope to get all six Freestyle spots for Paris as it fields a strong team. Tokyo Olympian Amr REDA (EGY), backed by the home crowd in Alexandria, has his eyes set on the Paris spot in the 74kg weight class. Reda has proved on several occasions that he is a notch up the field in Africa. However, Bacar NDUM (GBS), a former African Championships silver medalist, will hope to get a spot even if he falls in the same bracket as Reda.

At 57kg, African champion Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS) will be the favorite to win the spot along with Tokyo Olympian Abdelhak KHERBACHE (ALG). Gamal MOHAMED (EGY), Thomas SANTIAGO (GUM) and Suraj SINGH (NZL) will also fancy their chance to win a Paris spot.

Oceania Championships silver medalist Ethan AGUIGUI (GUM) pulled out of the qualifiers at 65kg. But Oceania champion Georgii OKOROKOV (AUS) will be a huge favorite to earn a quota. Omar MOURAD (EGY), Gaku AKAZAWA (SAM), who is also competing in Greco-Roman, and Sylvio DIATTA (SEN) can prove to be dark horses.

Australia can have a second Olympian from Alexandria if Jayden LAWRENCE (AUS) can bring out his best performance and earn a spot at 86kg. He also needs Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG) to fall on the other side of the bracket.

Tokyo Olympian and African champion Benferdjallah has dominated the weight class in Africa and will look to earn a Paris quota for himself. Other names include Ahmed MAHMOUD (EGY) and Imed KADDIDI (TUN).

Mohamed SAADAOUI (TUN) was in Tokyo and has a chance to be in Paris if he can earn a quota at 97kg in Alexandria. It will be a similar case for South Africa as former African silver medalist Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA) hopes to win a quota.

Wali KEBIR (ALG), Mostafa ELDERS (EGY) and Anas SAMIR (MAR) will also hope to finish in the top two to earn a ticket.

The two wrestlers who won the 125kg quotas for Tokyo from continental qualifiers are back at it. Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY) and Hamza RAHMANI (TUN) will be the favorite to win the two spots again.