As World Championships approaches, Tynybekova wins #WrestleBudapest gold

Saturday, July 15, 2023 - 11:58 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

#WrestleBucharest

Bullen brims with confidence after third European gold

Saturday, February 17, 2024 - 00:48 By Vinay Siwach

BUCHAREST, Romania (February 17) -- "Desperation."

Grace BULLEN (NOR) doesn't mince her words when asked about what forced her to switch training base from Norway to Georgia. For the past two years, Bullen has been training in Georgia and former world champion Zurabi IAKOBASHVILI (GEO) has been training her.

"I wanted to be great in wrestling," Bullen said. "I wanted to do good and not quit without knowing that I've done my full potential. And knowing that, it was not hard for me to pack my bag and move to another country."

Since that move, Bullen has changed weight classes, won two World Championships medals and now a European gold medal after four years.

In Bucharest for the European Championships, Bullen claimed her third European Championships gold medal and first since 2020 to continue her impressive return to the mat. Bullen had failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, lost in the first round in the Oslo World Championships and was slowly fading away.

"I needed to be surrounded by people who love what I do as much as I do and see the potential in me as well that I know that I have. Today was the place that you can see that I can do good even though I am not at my 100 [percent]," she said.

Grace BULLEN (NOR) takes down Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) in the 62kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

On Thursday, Bullen destroyed her opponents with three falls in as many matches. Though there was no fall in the final on Wednesday, she held on to a 5-4 win over Luisa NIEMESCH (GER).

"Luisa is a tough opponent. She wrestled good," she said. "I see how she wrestled in her bracket with good wrestlers. Everyone knows that I love to attack and love my double legs. So she was very low. It was just for me to be patient with my attacks and just take the easy point instead of doing the risky and big one. Because those can be easy for her to counter and just being on my offense but still not being too passive with my wrestling."

The 62kg final was sort of similar to how Bullen had planned it. She kept her attacks going and even got a stepout. She used her double-leg attacks to score a takedown. It was only towards the end of the match that Neimesch caught her off guard and scored a takedown, exposure and tried a pin. However, it was too little too late.

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"All worth it at the end," Bullen said. "It's good to get this type of competition, especially in this important year that we have ahead of us. This is my first competition back after the World Championship last year. So just getting the feeling of being back on the mat and especially in a big competition like this."

Bullen decided to wrestle at the Olympic weight class of 62kg at the World Championships and won a bronze medal which also gave her the Olympic quota for Paris. Now, she has a European title in the same weight class. She now hopes to become an Olympic medalist for Norway in Paris.

"It will be some tough six months," she said. "It's already been tough four years for me just getting to the spot of having a ticket to the Olympics. I'm looking forward to enjoying every moment that I have on the training mat. Then I want to work on the small stuff because I just changed weight class. It's been one year and I've done great things in a new place with new athletes that I haven't wrestled when I'm in this weight class. Just getting the opportunity to feel myself and being the Grace that I know I can be and my coaches have the confidence in me to be. Having that in mind, I think we will do good stuff this year just wrestling-wise."

Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) denied Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) her third Euro title by winning the 53kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

World silver medalist Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) earned her third European title as she won the gold medal at 53kg, denying Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) her third straight European title.

Kaladzinskaya defeated Malmgren 9-6 at the World Championships but was more dominant in Bucharest, beating her 10-2. Malmgren attempted her big throws and caught Kaladzinskaya in an arm spin twice but failed to score any points.

As soon as Kaladzinskaya was put on the activity clock in the first period, she scored a stepout and scored a takedown to lead 3-0 at the break. Malmgren tried hitting an arm spin but Kaladzinskaya blocked it and went behind to get two points. She hit a double-leg takedown to finally score and cut the lead to 5-2.

With 19 seconds left in the bout, Malmgren tried going deep on Kaladzinskaya's leg but she blocked Malmgren middle of the attack and flung Malmgren to her back for four points. While the pin was not secured as the time ran out, Kaladzinskaya won 10-2, securing her third European title.

Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) celebrates after beating Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) for the 57kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In a battle of two Tokyo Olympic medalists, Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) defeated Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) 7-2 to claim her third European title as well.

The final was off to a slow start to the final, there was only an activity point awarded to Kurachkina who scored a takedown in the second period. Her powerful snaps would trouble Nikolova as she scored her second takedown, and added a third with an ankle pick to lead 7-0. Kurachkina went a little inactive in the final minute of the final which cost her a stepout and a point for fleeing. But it was not enough to stop her from winning the gold medal at 57kg.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) won her second straight European title and third overall. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 65kg, Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), who was wrestling a weight class up than last year, also won her third European Championships after she defeated Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU), a former Ukrainian wrestler in the final.

After a few scrambles in the opening minute, Zelenykh was put on the activity clock and as she tried to a big move on Koliadenko, the Ukrainian blocked the move and scored exposure, getting two points. As the activity period expired, her lead extended to 3-0.

Koliadenko added another takedown to make it 5-0 at the break and a stepout in the second period gave her another point. No more points were scored as Koliadenko won 6-0.

Nesrin BAS (TUR) stepped up and won the 72kg gold medal for Turkiye. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Nesrin BAS (TUR) earned her first senior European gold medal, defeating defending champion and home favorite Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) in a dramatic 72kg final.

Bas blocked Anghel when the Romanian was trying a front roll and then put her back on the mat. The fall was confirmed but Romania challenged as it appeared that the time had expired. A pin can be challenged only for technical reasons such as expiration of time or a foul. The jury confirmed that the fall was called after the time expired. But that delayed the final result as Bas would go on to beat Anghel 5-1.

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) df. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE), 10-2

BRONZE: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) df. Sztalvira ORSUS (HUN), 3-1
BRONZE: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) df. Natalia MALYSHEVA (AIN), via fall (6-11)

57kg
GOLD: Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) df. Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL), 7-2

BRONZE: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR), 10-6
BRONZE: Anhelina LYSAK (POL) df. Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA), via fall

62kg
GOLD: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 5-4

BRONZE: Yuliia TKACH (UKR) df. Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), 8-6
BRONZE: Veranika IVANOVA (AIN) df. Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE), 9-6

65kg
GOLD: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU), 6-0

BRONZE: Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) df. Anne NUERNBERGER (GER), 2-1
BRONZE: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Kadriye AKSOY (TUR), 10-4

72kg
GOLD: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), 5-1

BRONZE: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) df. Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Viktoryia RADZKOVA (AIN), 6-2

As World Championships approaches, Tynybekova wins #WrestleBudapest gold

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Bullen brims with confidence after third European gold