#WrestleIstanbul

#WrestleIstanbul: Freestyle Brackets Breakdown

Friday, February 25, 2022 - 15:38 By Eric Olanowski & Vinay Siwach

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ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 25) -- The freestyle draws were completed Friday in Istanbul, Turkey for the Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series event.

Once again, it's Turkey and Kazakhstan that have the most wrestlers entered. Both countries have 30 wrestlers for the 10 weight classes.

The USA has 15 wrestlers in Istanbul while Iran has 13. India follows with 12 wrestlers of their own. Mongolia has brought 11 wrestlers.

Three countries have 10 wrestlers in the competitions and those are Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Wrestling Federation.

The 65kg category has 26 wrestlers, the most for any weight class in freestyle.

Turkey will have selection bouts before the competition to pick the third wrestler at all 10 freestyle weights.

57kg

57kg (17 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Former Ranking Series event champion Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) and World Championships bronze medalist Horst LEHR (GER) headline a 17-wrestler bracket at 57kg.

Bujiashvili opens up against Seyed AZIMISIYACHEGHAEI (IRI) and he can meet Lehr in the upper side of the bracket.

Lehr, who is also looking to improve his ranking, will have two-time cadet World bronze AMAN (IND) as his biggest test. If he wants to be ranked third after the competition, Lehr needs to win gold.

61kg

61kg (20 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi KUMAR (IND) will a wrestler to follow at 61kg. An exciting class against Suleyman ATLI (TUR) is on the cards if the two can keep winning and reach the semifinals. Kumar begins his campaign against fellow Indian Mangal KADYAN (IND) while Atli starts against Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ).

Atli will also have to go past U23 European champion Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) to reach the semifinals.

The lower side of the bracket is also packed as former U23 world champion Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ), Russian champion Ramiz GAMZATOV (RWF), and Tokyo Olympian Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) are drawn on the same side.

Zholdoshbekov and Gamzatov could clash in the quarterfinals while Abdullaev is favourite to reach the semifinals.

65kg

65kg (26 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

World champion Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) and Russian champion Shamil MAMMEDOV (RWF) are drawn on either side of the bracket and could potentially meet in the final.

But Shakhiev has Joey MCKENNA (USA) and former U23 World silver medalist Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) on his side of the bracket. Shakhiev and Mckenna can meet in the quarters and Askarov has a good chance to make the semifinals.

World number two Shakhiev can overthrow top-ranked Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) with at least a 10th place finish. Currently, the Russian has 45000 points, and with a 10th-place finish, Shakhiev will get 7480 points, bringing his overall total to 58000 points. That'd be enough to overtake Otoguro, who has 51000.

Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) also has a chance to be top-ranked but Shakhiev will have to lose early as well. The Mongolian is at 44500 points and can grab the top-ranking with a 10th-place finish. That will take his tally to 51980 points, while gold will take him to 57500 points.

But he is on the same side as Mammedov, former world bronze medalist Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE), former world champion Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) and World bronze and Tokyo Olympian Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN). Lomtadze and Muszukajev wrestler in the first round and winner is likely to get Gvarzatilov.

Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE) and young star Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) are also on the lower side of the bracket and clash in the first round.

70kg

70kg (21 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

World silver medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Russian champion Viktor RASSADIN (RWF) are expected to meet in the quarterfinal at 70kg. The winner will most likely get two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) in the semifinals but Green will have to overcome fellow American teammate Jordan OLIVER (USA) for that.

Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO), bronze medalist in Oslo, can clash with Oslo silver medalist at 65kg Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) in the semifinals. The two will have to keep their winning streak till then.

In rankings, Akmataliev is ranked second with 37000 points but can go ahead of top-ranked Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), who has 45000 points. For that, he needs to finish at least 8th. 

Iakobishvili sits third with 31000 points. He can move up to the second rank with a tournament win, as that will take him to 44000 points.

74kg

74kg (18 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Asian champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), junior world champion Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) and Turkey veteran Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) all have ended up on the lower side of the bracket at 74kg. Demirtas can claim his lost glory with a win in front of his home fans.

79kg

79kg (21 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Favorite to win the weight class Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) begins against Meiir KOSHKINBAYEV (KAZ). Two wins for him to start and he can wrestle Russian Nationals silver in 2020 Gadzhimurad ALIKHMAEV (RWF).

The five-time world champion can cement his place further at the top of the rankings with a medal-winning performance in Istanbul. Burroughs enters the Yasar Dogu with 45000 points. He can add 13000 points for gold, 11400 points for silver and 10200 points for bronze.

Junior Worlds bronze Gourav BALIYAN (IND) and Asian bronze medalist Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) can put on a show before likely making a semifinal against Burroughs.

Former world champion Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) and Asian champion Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) are on the lower side of the bracket. One of the two is likely to make the final.

86kg

86kg (20 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

74kg Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) is making the jump up to 86kg. He begins his campaign against Maksat SATYBALDY (KAZ).

Two-time junior world champion Mark HALL (USA) is also on the same side and the two can meet in the quarterfinals.

Former U23 Worlds silver medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and former world number Fatih ERDIN (TUR) can clash in the pre-quarterfinals.

Dauletbekov can be the biggest mover in rankings as well if he wins gold. The Kazak wrestler is currently in the seventh spot with 25000 points, and a medal in Istanbul can move him to the fourth spot.

92kg

92kg (13 entries)

Gold: 11000 points
Silver: 9400 points
Bronze: 8200 points

India’s Deepak PUNIA highlights the top side of the chart at 92kg. He’s moving up from his normal weight of 86kg where he finished in second place at the ’19 World Championships. He’ll likely get Iran’s Asian runner-up from a season ago Ahmad BAZRIGHALEG (IRI) if he wins his opening round match against Shamil ZUBAIROV (AZE).

On the lower side, Erhan YAYLACI (TUR), the U23 world bronze medalist from a season ago, will square off with Ahmed BILICI (TUR). The winner of that match will likely get Ivan Yariguin champion Guram CHERTKOEV (RUS) for a spot in the finals.

97kg

97kg (14 entries)

Gold: 11000 points
Silver: 9400 points
Bronze: 8200 points

Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) enters Turkey looking for a third consecutive Ranking Series title. Over the last two seasons, he’s claimed golds at the Matteo Pellicone and the Poland Open. He’s most known for his incredible run at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event where he pinned Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) en route to winning gold.

Mohammadian is on the bottom side of the 97kg bracket, where he’ll kick off his day against Uzbekistan youngster Muhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB). If he remains unbeaten until the semifinals, he’ll likely get Mongolia’s No. 11 Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL), who can move into the top ten with a medal in Istanbul. 

On the top side of the bracket, Russia’s European championship wrestle-off between Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF) and Shamil MUSAEV (RWF) could happen in the second round if they get past their opening round opponents. The winner of that match virtually earns a 97kg berth to Budapest.

125kg

125kg (21 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

All eyes will be on Turkish legend Taha AKGUL (TUR). The Rio Olympic champion is on a quest to win his seventh Yasar Dogu title.

Akgul is on the top side of the bracket. His toughest competition will likely come in the quarterfinals against reigning Asian champion Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ).

On the bottom side, Tokyo Olympian Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) opens up his day against reigning world bronze medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL). Whoever wins that bout will likely square off against Olympian Gennadji CUDINOVIC (GER) or Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), who is moving up from his Tokyo Olympic weight of 97kg.

#WrestleBudapest

Ranking Series: Maroulis, Blades lead strong U.S. team to Budapest

Saturday, July 12, 2025 - 09:46 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 11) -- Although it will a Ranking Series by name, Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial tournament starting on Thursday in Budapest will serve more than just that for many wrestlers.

For some it will be about the ranking points, for other it is a preparatory tour for the World Championships. The United States is bringing its world team, almost while some others will test this event to select their representatives for the World Championships, to be held in September in Zagreb.

Helen MAROULIS (USA), who has not wrestled since winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in August 2024, will be leading the team which also has Paris Olympics silver medalist Kennedy BLADES (USA), who continues to shine at 68kg, a weight class she moved from 76kg at the start of the season.

Turkiye, Canada, India, Kazakhstan and a few United World Wrestling wrestlers will light up Budapest from July 17 to 20. Women's Wrestling will be held on 18 and 19. 

A few other individual stars will be making an appearance, namely, Irina RINGACI (MDA), Grace BULLEN (NOR), Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ).

Here's a breakdown of all 10 weight classes for Women' Wrestling in Budapest:

For Maroulis, who booked her World Championships spot on the U.S. team in June, the Budapest Ranking Series will pose a challenge as she returns to the mat. Having dominated the 'Final X' competition in the U.S., Maroulis will now look to show her dominance at the international stage. The U.S. has also entered Amanda MARTINEZ (USA) to the competition at 57kg.

Tokyo silver medalist and former European champion Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) and 2025 European champion Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) look to be the toughest challenge for Maroulis in the bracket. 

India's world U17 champion and world U20 medalist NEHA (IND) has made a few headlines by winning the Mongolian Open Ranking Series and followed that up with a gold medal at Yasar Dogu. Budapest will be a stern test for the youngster.

European silver medalist Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) is also in the mix to get Ranking points and get a seed for the World Championships.

Blades should run through the 68kg bracket in Budapest. She has the likes of world champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) and European champion Alina SHEVCHENKO (UWW) in the draw but Blades is a level above the field entered for the competition.

Blades won the Zagreb Open Ranking Series in February and also her first Pan-Am title in May. She is currently 12th in the rankings but has a chance to jump as high as sixth with a gold medal.

Tosun won a bronze medal at the European Championships in her first competition since the Paris Games and looked in good form, something she would love to carry to Budapest as well. An appearance in the final and she can well become the top ranked wrestler at 68kg.

Shevchenko made a great impression by winning the European gold in a tough bracket and has a consolidate on that win with a good show in Budapest.

Other names include Kendra DACHER (FRA), Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) and Brooklyn HAYS (USA).

Dymond GUILFORD (USA)Both Dymond GUILFORD (USA) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) are entered at 76kg which could give us a rematch of Tirana final from February. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 76kg, a rematch of the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series final is on the cards as both Medet Kyzy and Dymond GUILFORD (USA) are entered. Guilford managed to beat Medet Kyzy in the final in Tirana but Medet Kyzy has since won the Asian Championships and Yasar Dogu golds.

Two young stars in the bracket include PRIYA (IND) and Elmira YASIN (TUR), both have multiple age-group continental and world medals. Former Asian champion Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) is also entered.

The 62kg and 65kg weight classes can throw some interesting match-ups, especially with Bullen and Rigaci continuing their season at 65kg. Bullen is a regular 62kg while Ringaci was at 68kg at Olympics and World Championships.

Ringaci and Bullen met in the 65kg final of the European Championships this year and the latter managed to beat Ringaci to capture the gold medal. Both can meet again in Budapest.

World bronze medalist Macey KILTY (USA), who will be in Zagreb for the U.S., will look to win gold and throw her hat in the ring as a contender for world title in Zagreb.

Dudova, Ana GODINEZ (CAN), MANISHA (IND), Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA), Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) and Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) are some of the names that highlight 62kg.

Dudova won bronze at the European Championships while Godinez won the Pan-Am gold in May. Manisha was the Asian champion in April but lost at the Mongolian Open in June and will be keen on returning to winning ways.

Kolawale is the African champion while Nwachukwu won the 'Final X' and will be in Zagreb for the World Championships. Kasabieva has blown hot and cold so far, but had good wins at the Mongolian Open to build some momentum in the season.

Tandelova, the youngster with medals at Zagreb Open and European U23s, finished fifth at the senior Europeans but has the potential to be on the podium in Budapest.

At 53kg, world and Asian bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) will start as the favorite in the bracket, especially after her domination at the Mongolian Open. She won gold in Mongolia without giving up a point in four bouts.

European medalist Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), Felicity TAYLOR (USA) and Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) will look to finish on the podium as well.

In what will be one of the biggest brackets in Budapest, the 50kg will see European silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), Mongolia Open winner Natalia PUDOVA (UWW), European bronze medalist Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (UWW), multiple world age-group medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), Madison PARKS (CAN), Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA) among others.

Pudova and Demirhan put on a stunning 50kg final in Ulaanbaatar which the former managed to win 7-6 despite comebacks from Demirhan. A medal in Budapest will put Pudova as one of the contenders for a podium-finish in Zagreb.

Pan-Am champion Karla GODINEZ (CAN), European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) and the U.S. rep for Zagreb Worlds Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA) and Turkiye's young sensation Tuba DEMIR (TUR) will be the key names at 55kg.

At 59kg, world bronze medalist Othelie HOEIE (NOR) will look to win her first Ranking Series medal but has a tough road to medal bouts. She will have Elena BRUGGER (GER), Erika BOGNAR (HUN), Bediha GUN (TUR), Abigail NETTE (USA) and Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) in the same bracket.

Gun suffered a heartbreaking loss in the European finals but won Yasar Dogu tournament and will likely finish on podium in Budapest. Nette and Sidelnikova are strong contenders for a place in the final.

Three-time world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) should have an easy path to 72kg gold unless Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) or HARSHITA (IND) spring a surprise to deny her.