#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.

#WrestleMonterrey

Pan-American Championships 2025 Preview

Wednesday, May 7, 2025 - 08:11 By Vinay Siwach

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MONTERREY, Mexico (May 6) -- The Pan-American Championships 2025 in Monterrey can be a different story from the past as the United States is sending a much depleted squad for the tournament.

Will other countries rise up this year?  The Pan-American Championships will be live on UWW+ on uww.org and the UWW+ [FloWrestling for the U.S. and Canada] from May 8 to 11. Follow United World Wrestling on Instagram, Facebook, X, YouTube and TikTok.

DOWNLOAD/READ THE FULL PREVIEW HERE

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Greco-Roman

The biggest stars in Greco-Roman will be the three entries of Cuba. The nation has both of its Paris Olympic bronze medalists making a return to competition. World champions Luis ORTA (CUB) and Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) will be in action at 67kg and 97kg respectively and will be the favorite to win the gold medal. It also has Oscar PINO (CUB) at 130kg, who won the Pan-Am gold a couple of years ago.

The U.S. is banking on a mix of youth and experience. Young star Jayden RANEY (USA), who won U17 world title in 2024, is at 55kg, Maxwell BLACK (USA) is making his Pan-Ams debut at 60kg while veteran Ellis COLEMAN (USA) is returning to this tournament after six years.

Former champion Alejandro SANCHO (USA) has moved up a weight class to 72kg, big-throwing Kamal BEY (USA) is at 77kg and history-maker at the U23 World Championships with a silver medal Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) will be the favorite at 82kg. Paris Olympian Payton JACOBSON (USA) will be at 87kg and former U17 world champion Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA) is at 130kg.

For Orta, the path to gold appears simple but he has returning silver medalist Andres MONTANO (ECU) and bronze medalist Nestor ALMANZA TRUYOL (CHI). However, it is unlikely that Orta will be challenged in the bracket. Rosillo will be the favorite at 97kg despite the presence of Paris Olympian and defending champion Kevin MEJIA (HON).

Pino, who won the gold at 130kg in 2023, has Eduard SOGHOMONYAN (BRA) and Schultz in the bracket but has experience and quality on his side.

He has been Cuba’s mainstay at 130kg for long but never competed at the Olympics due to the presence of Mijain LOPEZ (CUB). With Lopez retired after winning a record fifth Olympic gold in Paris, the doors to compete at Olympic have opened up for Pino.

The other weight classes will be evenly contested with the absence of Cuba. At 87kg, Sosruko KODZOKOV (BRA) will look to win his second Pan-Am title as he won the 82kg gold medal last year. He has Paris Olympian Payton JACOBSON (USA) and returning silver medalist Luis AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN) as the other big names in the bracket.

The U.S. will bank on Melelashvili to win the 82kg as he has only two other competitors in the weight class. Melelashvili became the first-ever U.S. Greco-Roman wrestler to win a silver medal at the U23 World Championships last year. Former silver medalist David CHOC HUOC (GUA) and returning bronze medalist Diego MACIAS TORRES (MEX) are entered at 82kg.

At 77kg, former Pan-Am champion Bey will be looking for his second title. Former world champion and veteran Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARG), wrestling perhaps for the last time, will be his biggest challenger. The two were involved in a thrilling contest in the 2024 Pan-Am Olympic Qualifier last year but Bey hit a clutch throw to beat Julfalakyan 4-2.

Sancho, who won the gold medal at 67kg last year, is at 72kg and will be the best bet to win the gold medal. Former bronze medalist Cristian MEJIA TEPEN (GUA and recently crowned 2025 U23 Pan-Am champion Jorge GOMEZ GARCIA (MEX) will be his biggest tests.

Another one of Mexico's 2025 U23 Pan-Am champion Diego TERRIQUEZ IBARRA (MEX) will be hoping to win the gold at 60kg. But Patrick RODRIGUEZ QUINTO (ECU), who lost to Ibarra in the final last month will look to avenge that loss and upgrade to gold. Yonaiker MARTINEZ CRAVO (VEN), who has multiple age-group Pan-Am medals, will look to make a mark at the senior level.

Angel SEGURA TELLEZ (MEX) won the gold medal at U23 Pan-Ams at 63kg but the senior competition can prove tougher. He has Coleman, a 2012 Olympian for the U.S. and who recently won a bronze medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

Jeremy PERALTA GONZALEZ (ECU), a silver medalist from 2023, will look to win his first-ever gold medal.

At 55kg, Raney has just Isaac MARIN MATA (MEX) as the only other competitor entered while Colombia's absence from the tournament has offered a chance to a few others to be on the podium in Monterrey.

Women's Wrestling

Three silver and one bronze medalist from the 2024 Paris Olympics are entered in the field for Women's Wrestling. Kennedy BLADES (USA), Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and Yusneylis GUZMAN (CUB) won silver medals in Paris while Milaimy MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) won bronze.

But the big question will be if the U.S. can dominate Women's Wrestling like it has in recent years.

Undoubtedly, the 76kg weight will be the toughest in Monterrey. Defending champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) has a big task ahead of her with Olympic bronze medalist Marin and world bronze medalist Kylie WELKER (USA) entered in the competition.

Reasco defeated Adeline GRAY (USA), 10-0, last year on her way to the gold. But Marin enjoys a better head-to-head record against Reasco which can put the latter under pressure.

Welker won the gold medal at the World U23 Championships last year and followed it up with a bronze medal at 72kg at the senior level but Pan-Ams will be a huge test for her at a heavier weight category. Reasco had defeated Welker 9-7 at Pan-Am Games in 2023.

Blades, who won silver in Paris at 76kg, continues her new season at 68kg. She will be making her Pam-Am debut and will be the favorite to win the gold medal at 68kg.

At 65kg, world bronze medalist Macey KILTY (USA) will be the favorite to win the gold medal. Former silver medalist Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) is also entered.

Former world U20 and U23 silver medalist and returning bronze medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) will hope to improve on her past result at 50kg. For that, she will have to go through Olympic silver medalist Guzman, defending champion Jacqueline MOLLOCANA (ECU), Kamila BARBOSA (BRA) and Madison PARKS (CAN) among others.

53kg has defending champion Yepez who will be the favorite as she returns to competition for the first time since winning the silver medal in Paris. World U20 silver medalist Serena DI BENEDETTO (CAN) and former Pan-Am U20 silver medalist Jaslynn GALLEGOS (USA) are among the challengers.

Canada will be hoping for at least two gold medals, and the Godinez sisters will be the biggest reason. Karla GODINEZ (CAN) at 55kg and Ana at 62kg seem to have a relatively easy path to gold and will be favored to add to their past Pan-Am titles.

Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN), another former Pan-Am champion, can add to the count for Canada.

At 57kg, veteran Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) will look to win a gold medal but she will have to see off Mia FRIESEN (CAN) and Amanda MARTINEZ (USA) among other wrestlers.

Freestyle

The United States won all 10 gold medals last year. Will that be the case this time around? Possible.

The country is counting on a young line-up led by Zahid VALENCIA (USA) to retain their supremacy in the continental championships.

Valencia, who recently defeated Kyle DAKE (USA), will be at 86kg and the favorite to repeat. Veteran Ethan RAMOS (PUR), returning medalist Jorge LLANO (ARG and Steven RODRIGUEZ (VEN) are also there but Valencia clearly has an edge over the field.

At 125kg, former world U23 champion Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) will challenge the field. Hendrickson recently made global headlines after beating Gable STEVESON (USA) to win the NCAA title. Hendrickson will look to complete a U.S. hat-trick of gold at this weight class.

Other U.S. young stars include Jaxen FORREST (USA) at 61kg, Ladarian LOCKETT (USA) at 74kg, Trent HIDLAY (USA) at 92kg, and Justin RADEMACHER (USA) at 97kg. Joseph MCKENNA (USA) is one of the relatively experienced wrestlers at 65kg.

Forrest, who is known for his attacking style, will have his task cut out in his first-ever senior tournament. The 2022 world U17 silver medalist can face tough competition from Joseph SILVA (PUR), a three-time consecutive silver medalist at 61kg, losing all finals to American wrestlers.

Lockett won the world U17 gold in 2023 but ended up with a silver medal at the world U20 in 2024. He will be making his senior-level debut at the Pan-Am Championships. It will be a surprise if he misses out on the gold medal in Monterrey despite his young age.

The 92kg weight class has five wrestlers entered and Hidlay will have to beat everyone to win the gold medal. Given his experience, Hidlay shouldn't have a problem navigating the field which has Andrew JOHNSON (CAN), Miguel LAVIELLE RAMIREZ (MEX), Eduardo VEGA GARCIA (PAN), and Edwin MORALES (PUR).

Paris Olympian Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) has emerged as the favorite to win the gold medal at 57kg. Bronze medal at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series event, Bravo Young had an exceptional performance at the 2024 Pan-Am Olympic Qualifying tournament in which he defeated Zane RICHARDS (USA). He will hold the key to denying the U.S. a clean sweep as he has Liam CORNIN (USA) in his weight class.

Eduardo PALAS SEQUEIROS (PER) will be returning to wrestling at 13 years. He last wrestled at the Pan-Am U20 Championships in 2012 in Greco-Roman.

Mexico's other Paris Olympian in Freestyle -- Austin GOMEZ (MEX) -- is at 70kg and has a good chance to win the gold medal as well over the U.S.

Argentina can finally end its drought of a gold medal at the Pan-Am Championships if Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG) can bring out a performance like last year in which he finished with a silver medal.

This year, he will be among the favorites, along with Peiman BIABANI (CAN) who continues to try and make a mark since switching from Iran to Canada. McKenna is another wrestler who can stop Destribats.

The 97kg weight class can also throw a different winner as returning silver Arturo SILOT (CUB) hopes to upgrade his medal. Former silver medalist Nishan RANDHAWA (CAN) will be among the favorites for gold as well.

The U.S. has Rademacher, a bronze medalist at the 2024 World U20 Championships. He can surely surprise all to win the gold medal and continue the U.S. dominance at this weight class, all thanks to Kyle SNYDER (USA).

Returning bronze medalist Cristian SARCO COLMENAREZ (VEN) and multiple-time medalist Jose DIAZ ROBERTTI (VEN) are also entered at the weight.

At 79kg, Evan WICK (USA) will have his task cut out in the round-robin bracket as his weight class has only five wrestlers. Apart from Wick, Jasmit PHULKA (CAN), Victor HERNANDEZ LUNA (MEX), Jose AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER) and Shane JONES (PUR) are registered.