#WrestleBelgrade

#WrestleBelgrade WW Preview: U23 Stars Ready to Shine at World Championships

Tuesday, October 26, 2021 - 07:00 By Vinay Siwach

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BELGRADE, Serbia (October 25) -- As the current 76kg senior-level landscape sits, it's tough to hand one wrestler supremacy in that weight. A similar situation is arising in the 76kg bracket at the upcoming U23 World Championships. As many as 10 extraordinarily talented and proven wrestlers head into Belgrade eyeing 76kg gold. 

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) stands out with her Tokyo Olympics experience and the bronze medal at the Senior World Championships earlier this month. The former junior world champion is a part of Kyrgyzstan's women's wrestling trio, which is quickly becoming a force to reckon with.

Medet Kyzy lost a close semifinal at the Tokyo Olympics and later at the World Championships in Oslo. But that experience will help her when she takes the mat at the U23 event as one of the top contenders of her weight class, looking for her first world title since 2017.

Kylie WELKERKylie WELKER is a 2021 junior world champion. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Challenging her will be the most recent junior world champion Kylie WELKER (USA). The 18-year-old Welker, who also competed at the Senior Worlds, would like to put her Oslo disappointment behind her and capture her second world title of the year.

Ufa silver medalist BIPASHA (IND) and bronze medalists Kseniya DZIBUK (BLR) and Dilnaz MULKINOVA (KAZ) are also making the trip to Belgrade with the ambition to change the color of their medals.

Another quartet of medalists will be from the U23 European Championships as gold medalist Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RWF), silver medalist Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR), and two bronze medalists Enrica RINALDI (ITA) and Diana VLASCEANU (ROU) try to add a world medal to their continental one.

Zakharchenko, a returning bronze medalist, defeated Ozbege 10-0 in the final of the U23 Euros in Skopje after blanking Rindali 8-0 in the semifinal. From the other side, Ozbege and Blasceanu battled it out in the semifinal with the Turkish wrestler coming out on top 6-5.

Given her exploits from the U23 Euros, Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) can cause a few upsets and reach the podium, which she missed in Skopje.

Emily SHILSONEmily SHILSON (USA) is eyeing her third age-group world title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Another weight class that promises to be highly competitive is the 50kg with a Russian Wrestling Federation-USA rivalry on the cards. Junior world champion Emily SHILSON (USA) and U23 European champion Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RWF) are two of the hottest prospects in the field.

Shilson, a former cadet world champion, showed what she is capable of in Ufa, gut-wrenching her opponents on way to the junior title. She has been to a U23 Worlds before but failed to medal. Tiumerekova too has won a medal at most of the competitions she has entered and can challenge Shilson in Serbia.

Other big names in the weight class are Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR) who was second to Tiumerekova in the Skopje tournament, Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) who wrestled at the Tokyo Olympics and junior world bronze medalist Munkhgerel MUNKHBAT (MGL).

But as a team, Ukraine will be a severe threat to the team title, with most of the medal-winning members from U23 Euros being part of the squad. The list includes 55kg champion Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR), Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) at 62kg and gold medalist at 68kg Oksana CHUDYK (UKR).

Alina AKOBIYA U23 European ChampionshipsAlina AKOBIIA (UKR) is a returning silver medalist in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, the ever-improving Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) is gunning for the gold medal which she missed in 2019 after losing the final to Sae NANJO (JPN). Hrushyna Akobiia, who has a U23 bronze as well from 2017, will be the favorite to win the title in the absence of women's wrestling powerhouses like Japan and China as she has already won the continental tour without giving up a point in the process. The Ukraine wrestler has not competed since May but it's unlikely that anyone will challenge her to the final.

Silver medalist to her in Skopje, Patrycja GIL (POL), and the two bronze medalists from the same event Othelie HOEIE (NOR) and Viktoriia VAULINA (RWF) are also part of the field looking for a U23 medal. Junior world  silver medalist Aurora RUSSO (ITA) can surprise the field, similar to how she did in Ufa.

Individual World Cup winner Rizhko will be trying to win her first world title in her long career, which began with a cadet European title back in 2013 when she was 15. In Skopje, she manhandled everyone, winning her four bouts via fall or technical superiority, including the final against Tatsiana PAULAVA (BLR). The Belarusian will try to avenge that loss if the two meet in Belgrade.

At 55kg, Demko will be making her third trip to the U23 Worlds but is yet to win a medal. In 2019, she lost the bronze medal bout while finishing eighth in 2018. This year, Tokyo Olympian Andreea ANA (ROU) will be her toughest challenge, along with Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RWF), who finished second to Demko at the U23 Euros. Both were dominant at the Skopje event, but the final was one-sided, with Demko winning 12-1.

With two European titles under her belt this year at 68kg, Chudyk is in red-hot form and is expected to continue that when she wrestles at her first U23 Worlds. But it won't be a cakewalk for her, especially with Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RWF) and Nesrin BAS (TUR) waiting to avenge their losses from Skopje. This will be the second U23 Worlds for Parfianovich, but she can bank on her silver medal-winning run at the U23 Euros to turn around her performance.

Another team looking for a place on the podium is the Russian Wrestling Federation. They'll bring a few future stars, too. Ekaterina VERBINA (RWF), the U23 European gold, will try to make this opportunity count after losing in the bronze medal bout at the 2019 U23 Worlds. No one was able to score a point on her during the Skopje tournament. In the final, Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) conceded an injury default.

If Yetgil, a returning bronze medalist, can repeat her performance from Euros, a thrilling bout is expected against Verbina. The Turkey wrestler placed seventh at the Senior World Championships in Oslo but not before shocking Tokyo bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL).

Mariia VYNNYK (UKR) is also in contention, given that she only lost to Yetgil 3-3 in Skopje.

At 72kg, Marina SUROVTSEVA (RUS) will use her Oslo experience to win a medal in Belgrade. The silver medalist from U23 Euros juggled 76kg and 72kg, but after a ninth-place finish in Oslo, she moved back to the lower division.

But two-time Asian champion Divya KAKRAN (IND) and junior Worlds silver Lilly SCHNEIDER (GER) will be her biggest threats, along with Anastasiya ZIMIANKOV (BLR), the bronze medalist from U23 Euros.

Anastasia NICHITAAnastasia NCHITA (MDA) is looking to her first U23 World title. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Though there is no doubt that Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) will be the clear favorite to win the 59kg weight class, junior world champion Anastasia SIDELNIKOVA (RWF), returning bronze medalist Anhelina LYSAK (POL) and Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR) can stop the Moldovan.

Nichita has European titles at all levels, including the senior one, which she won in 2020 after beating 2021 world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL). Her performance at the gold-winning Individual World Cup and later at the U23 Euros confirm the fact that it will be near impossible to get past her in Belgrade.

Koumba LARROQUEKoumba LARROQUE (FRA), blue, is a U23 world champion from 2017. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

A similar story can run in the 65kg weight class in which two-time senior World medalist Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) begins her quest to capture the second U23 World title. The 2017 champion has been struggling with a knee injury which makes it even more difficult to make a comeback since that silver medal at the 2018 senior Worlds.

She did win the senior European title this year, but the chink in her armor -- to give up points late in the bouts -- could be a cause of concern for her. At the Individual World Cup, Olympics Games and even the Oslo World Championships, Larroque suffered heartbreaking losses.

One wrestler who can cause an upset is Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR), a silver medalist from U23 Euros. Zlenykh was unstoppable at that tournament and it was only in the final that she met Irina RIGACI (MDA) and lost 5-9. But her ability to chalk out a big throw from nowhere did catch a lot of her opponents and she used it well to claim falls.

Women's wrestling begins Wednesday, November 3, with five weight classes followed by the qualification rounds of the remaining five weights on Thursday at the Belexpocentar arena.

#WrestleAmman

Asian C'ships 2025 Day 4 Women's Wrestling Finals Set

Friday, March 28, 2025 - 08:28 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (March 28) -- After five Women's Wrestling weight classes, it's turn for the remaining five -- 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg -- at the Asian Championships which enters day four.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 REPORT

72kg gold medal bout: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs Yuqi LIU (CHN)

14:17: Yuqi LIU (CHN) earns a shot at adding the senior Asian 72kg gold to the U20 one she won last year when she notches a 5-2 victory over Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB). Early in the first period, Liu misses an opportunity when she gets Oknazarova's leg into the air, only to see the Uzbek twist herself free. Liu gets an activity point and that accounts for the lone score of the first period. The action opens in the second period, and Liu scores with a single-leg takedown, but Oknazarova responds with a double-leg that puts Liu onto her back, but is scored only as a 2-pointer. Liu adds an insurance takedown on a counter. 

14:15: Former world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) and four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) battle it out in the 72kg semifinals and it's a snoozefest. Bakbergenova gets the 1-0 lead after Furuichi fails to score when put on activity clock in the first period. Furuichi gets the 1-1 criteria lead when Bakbergenova fails to score in the second. Bakbergenova is hit with another passivity in the second period and Furuichi leads 2-1 with 43 seconds on the clock. Bakbergenova gets Furuichi out of bounds but she is on her knees and it's called no points. Furuichi defends with all might but Bakbergenova scores the stepout this time to win 2-2. Bakbergenova with the win with 0.6 seconds left despite Japan's challenge.

65kg gold medal bout: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL)

14:02: World 59kg champion Qi ZHANG (CHN) manages to cut Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) lead to 4-2 with a takedown but Morikawa gets two takedowns in the final minute and Zhang gets one. Morikawa wins 8-4 to enter the final at 65kg. In her only other Asian Championships appearance in 2022, Morikawa won gold but it was a round-robin bracket in which she did not get to celebrate the win in final, a fact she rued that year. 

13:58: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) will get a chance to improve on her silver from last year, advancing to the 65kg final with victory by fall over Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB). Tuvshinjargal gets in deep on a double, and when Allaniyazova goes over the top in defense, Tuvshinjargal twists backward for a 2-point exposure. She then works her way up to fall position and pins Allaniyazova down at 1:59.

62kg gold medal bout: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) vs MANISHA (IND)

13:54: After three consecutive bronze medals, MANISHA (IND) will finally be fighting for the gold when she chalks up a 5-1 victory at 62kg over Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ). Limited to an activity point in the first period, Manisha starts the second period with a stepout, then adds a snap-down takedown. She scores another stepout with a minute to go, then inadvertently gives up one when she goes out spinning behind for a takedown.

13:50: In perhaps the match of the semifinal session, Ok Ju KIM (KIM) secures the fall over Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) at 62kg. Kim tried the cradle, then went for the half-nelson before pinning Ozaki and make it to the 62kg final on international debut for the 24-year-old.

57kg gold medal bout: Il SIM SON (PRK) vs Sara NATAMI (JPN)

13:42: Il Sim SON (PRK) follows Natami by also bringing an early end to her 57kg semifinal, using a barrel roll to put Youngjin KWON (KOR) onto her back, then moving to a headlock and leg wrap to secure the fall in 2:08.

13:41: Kexin HONG (CHN) can't catch a break getting pinned via step overs from her opponents. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) did it in the semifinals at the Paris Olympics now at the Asian Championships, Sara NATAMI (JPN) gets the fall.

53kg gold medal bout: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Hyogyong CHOE (PRK)

13:40: In a much-anticipated clash between young stars, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) goes on the offensive as expected in their 53kg semifinal and ANTIM (IND) does what she does best, fending off. For one period at least. Kiyooka, limited to an activity point in the first period, breaks through with Antim on the activity clock for a single-leg takedown, then adds a thigh-lock roll. The world 55kg champion then repeats the process to end the match with a 10-0 win in 4:10.

13:35: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) takes only a minute and 13 seconds to complete her leg lace and win 10-0 against Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) and reach the 53kg final.

Semifinals will begin 13:30 Amman time.

13:00: ANTIM (IND) with a low single as soon as the whistle goes for the 53kg quarterfinal against world U20 champion and senior world silver medalist Jin ZHANG (CHN). She adds a takedown to make it 4-0 inside the first minute. Zhang with a double hand lock throw but Antim survives the pin attempt. Another takedown for Antim and she leads 6-2 at the break. Antim adds another takedown with snapdown for an 8-2 lead. Her double underhooks help her defend whatever Zhang is throwing at her. Zhang gets two points after Antim defends with a chestwrap but Zhang exposes her. She adds another to cut the lead to 8-6. Both wrestlers in a tangle and referees call for a consultation. It is scored two for Antim, two for Zhang, giving Antim a 10-8 win. China challenge the decision. On review it is Antim is awarded two points twice and she wins 10-6

12:47: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) with a fall over Jeongae BARK (KOR) in the 65kg quarterfinal. Perfect headlock for the fall

12:44: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) had to launch a big four-pointer to lead 4-2 against Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) in the 65kg quarterfinal.. Mukatay had countered the first attack secured a 2-0 lead. Morikawa begins the second period with a stepout. Step over defense from Morikawa to make it 9-2 before securing the fall with 1:46 left on the clock.

12:41: MANISHA (IND) muscles her way into the 62kg semifinals with a victory by fall over Hanbit LEE (KOR). As she receives an activity point, Manisha uses double underhooks on the mat to leverage Lee over and gains the fall in 2:25.

12:38: Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) explodes for nine points in the second period to notch a 10-4 victory over Miyasar KUSHMURATOVA (UZB) and advance to the 62kg semifinals

12:36: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) gets over a major hurdle in her quest for a third Asian gold when she grinds out a 4-1 victory over Lili LILI (CHN) to make the 62kg semifinals. Ozaki gets an activity point in the first period and early in the second to lead 2-0. She gets in on a single-leg and gets the leg into the air, only for Lili to mule-kick her way out of the predicament. Lili receives an activity point, adding to the tension as the clock ticks down. With :10 left, Lili attempts a last-ditch front headlock roll, but Ozaki stuffs it for a final 2.

12:33: Sara NATAMI (JPN) puts on a technical masterclass of takedowns and wins 11-0 against Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) to enter 57kg semifinals.

12:27: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), last year's world and Asian champion at 55kg who has moved down to 53kg, puts on a takedown clinic in cruising to a 10-0 victory over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE). She topped off her fourth takedown with a quick lace lock to end the match in 1:58.

12:25: Youngjin KWON (KOR) did not let Danielle LIM (SGP) from the headlock and secures the fall after a 7-0 lead to advance to the 57kg semifinals.

12:24: Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) loses a challenge for a counter to a counter-lift by Maysa YUSUPJANOVA (TKM) that would have ended the match on a technical fall, but goes on to pancake her opponent to mat and score an actual fall to advance to the 65kg semifinals. 

12:21: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) needs just 46 seconds to get a takedown against Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ), rip off four lace-lock rolls and secure her spot in the 53kg semifinals with a 10-0 win.

12:20: Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) begins the 72kg quarterfinal with the typical Mongolian headlock throw for four against Yuqi LIU (CHN). Liu answers with a takedown but Zorigt leads 4-2. With just over a minute remaining, Liu gets Zorigt on her back to the mat and secures a fall and enter the semifinals.

12:20: Qi ZHANG (CHN) builds up a 7-2 lead in the first period against Asian U23 silver medalist Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ). The two trade stepouts in the second period before Zhang adds a late takedown for a 10-3 win and a possible semifinal clash with Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN). 

12:12: Il Sim SON (PRK) is into the semifinals at 57kg with a victory by fall over Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

12:10: Four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) begins her quest for a third Asian gold and sixth medal overall with a 10-0 victory over Sehee KIM (KOR) to advance to the semifinals at 72kg. After her third takedown, Bakbergenova rolls Kim twice to end the proceedings. 

12:08: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), former Asian champion and Paris bronze medalist at 68kg, is back to 62kg. She had to make the desperate move to 68kg but losing the domestic qualifiers at 62kg in Japan. She defeated Ami ISHII (JPN) to get the spot at 68kg for Paris. She returned to 62kg at the Emperor's Cup and won the gold to qualify for Asian Championships. Up against Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), Ozaki opens up a 4-0 lead before takedowns are exchanged and Ozaki leads 6-2 at the break. The second period starts with a single-leg attack from Ozaki for two. Sukhee is quick with her attacks as well but Ozaki resets and defends to score takedwon. Sukhee keeps shooting on the legs and score a stepout as Ozaki is feeling the heat of the weight cut. Another sweep single from Sukhee, Ozaki defends for a while but gives up another takedown as Sukhee cuts her lead to 10-5 with 25 seconds remaining. Sukhee attempts a big throw but Ozaki with a whizzer and secures a 12-5 win.

12:06: Masako FURUICHI (JPN), one of the few wrestlers on the planet who has completed the "Grand Slam" of all four world age-group titles, faces a rising star in her opening match at 72kg in Jyoti BERWAL (IND), the world U20 champion at 76kg. An actionless first period sees Berwal take a 1-0 lead into the second. It's more of the same, as Berwal gets an activity point, but gives up a penalty point. In the final 20 seconds, Furuichi comes to life and completes a single-leg takedown with :10 left for a 3-2 win. 

12:05: Asian U23 bronze medalist Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) is trailing 2-0 when she slams Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) to her back for a fall at 72kg.  Nurtaeva was last year's Asian U23 champion at 68kg.

12:02: Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE), a silver medalist from 2021, with a buzzer-beating exposure to beat Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) at 53kg! Akhmedova was leading 5-3 but allowed Hsieh the leg attacks and while backtracking on her hips, there was exposure. Uzbekistan challenged but the decision was upheld as Hsieh won 6-5

11:57: Another historic first at these Asian Championships as Aylah MAYALI (PLE) becomes the first-ever female participant from Palestine when she faces Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) in a qualification-round match at 65kg. Allaniyazova opens the scoring with a double-leg takedown, then counters a Mayali shot to a stalemate. Allaniyazova adds another takedown at the edge to lead 4-0 at the break. In the second period, Allaniyazova gets a takedown and gut wrench, but Mayali reverses for her first points. In the end, the Uzbek proves too much and comes away with a 12-2 win, but not a bad effort for the debutante.

11:56: MANISHA (IND), last year's champion at 65kg, has dropped down to 62kg and starts strong with an 11-0 win over Asian U23 silver medalist.  Tynys DUBEK (KAZ).

11:49: Il Sim SON (PRK), looking to do her part for DPR Korea in the team standings, starts off with a nice fireman's carry and never lets off the gas in posting an 11-0 win over Pei Ying LIAO (TPE) at 57kg in just under two minutes.

11:50: Jordan had its first wrestler in women's wrestling at the senior Asian Championships on Thursday and today Balqis TAAIBIN (JOR) is the second. However, she cannot produce a win for the hosts as Jeongae BARK (KOR) beats her 12-2 at 65kg.

11:45: Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) with a headlock to fall over Dieu Thuong LAI (VIE) at 65kg. Lai was leading 6-0 but Mukatay with a reversal to get the fall.

11:42: World U23 bronze medalist Neha SHARMA (IND) advances at 57kg with an 8-1 victory over Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), a 2023 Asian bronze medalist.

11:39: Qi ZHANG (CHN), last year's champion and the 2023 world chamipion at 59kg, gets her campaign at 65kg started with lightning quick 10-0 rout of MONIKA (IND).

11:38: Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) only got going in the second but she did well and secured a fall over Thi Hien DANG (VIE) after building a 14-7 lead.

11:38: In the opening match on Mat B, Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) seemed on the road to a rare victory for Sri Lanka, using an impressive double-leg takedown in taking leads of 6-0 and 8-4, only to get caught in a cradle by Youngjin KWON (KOR) and lose by fall at 57kg.