#WrestleIstanbul

#WrestleIstanbul: Oborududu Wins 68kg Gold; Tynybekova stunned

Friday, February 25, 2022 - 16:12 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 25) -- Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) clearly remembered her Olympic quarterfinal bout against Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ). She won that match, 3-2, but it wasn't as error-free as she wanted it to be. She earned two points for a takedown and a point for Zhumanazarova's inactivity but also surrendered a takedown and was on the verge of losing.

With lessons from that Tokyo bout, Oborududu stepped on the mat for her 68kg final against Zhumanazarova at the Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series in Istanbul, Turkey, with confidence.

"I wrestled her in the quarterfinals in Tokyo, but here, I knew it would be tougher," Oborududu said. "I had to keep myself from attacking too much. My coach told me to move before attacking. I can say it was easy."

Both wrestlers were cautious at the beginning of the match, and the referee warned Zhumanazarova for her inactivity. At the end of the first period, Oburududu led 1-0.

Zhumanazarova was dinged again for passivity at the start of the second period. She became desperate to score, but Oborududu defended her Kyrgyz opponent's shot attempts and gained the 2-0 lead. 

"I was calculating a lot in my mind," she said. "I knew if she scored, then she would get two points. So I needed it to be 3-2."

With 40 seconds remaining, Oborududu managed to score a stepout, which proved crucial in the end. That also gave her a first Ranking Series gold after two silver and a bronze-medal finish.

Comparing the two bouts, the African champion felt that Zhumanazarov might have taken the Istanbul bout a little easy.

"She was a bit better in Tokyo than here because everyone prepares better for the Olympics," she said. "I needed to be careful to get gold. In Tokyo, I attacked to get two points and then one passivity to win, 3-2. That was difficult.

"I am so excited. Now I have African Championships in May and then the Commonwealth Games. I want to win a world medal in September."

Tserenchimed SUKHEETserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) defeated Macey KILTY (USA) in the 62kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Pin to win

Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) had an out-of-favor Olympic cycle before Tokyo. After winning the world title in 2014 and a silver medal in 2015, Mongolia hoped Sukhee would become their country's first Olympic champion. 

Unfortunately, Sukhee failed to qualify for Rio, and after losing in the semifinals of the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Almaty, she could not punch her ticket for the Tokyo Games.

"I was devasted after the loss in Almaty," Sukhee said. "I worked hard on my skill and techniques to improve. I have focused on my condition as well."

That was evident today, as she made her way to the final with three big wins. She pinned Tokyo bronze medalist Tabye YUSEIN (BUL), Rio bronze medalist Sakshi MALIK (IND) and beat Rio bronze Marwa AMRI (TUN), 11-0.

Furthermore, she did so in a bracket that featured two-time world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), who lost in the first bout.

She faced a familiar opponent in the finals. A month back, Sukhee and Macey KILTY (USA) were in the gold-medal bout at the Ivan Yarguin Grand Prix. The Mongolian had no trouble getting past Kilty, winning that match, 12-0. The two made their way back to the final at the Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series events in Istanbul Friday, with Kilty hoping to avenge that loss.

But that dream quickly faded Sukhee bombed three four-point throws inside the first period to win 12-0, a score that mirrored the Yargiun final.

"I have done many camps in the USA and trained with her," she said. "The final from January also helped me prepare for this, and it was easy for me."

TynybekovaLais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) defeated two-time world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Earlier, Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) used her pace to score a pair of stepouts over Tnynbekova, then rallied to score three takedowns to beat the Tokyo silver medalist, 8-0.

Before that, the Brazilian recovered from 8-0 deficit to beat Anastasiia PAROKHINA (RWF), 11-8.

Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) was another wrestler who went on a pinning spree on Friday. She secured four wins via fall, including one in the 57kg final.

The Tokyo bronze medalist began with a quick pin over Ozge FINDIKCI (TUR). She followed that up with a similar pin over Aisha UALISHAN (KAZ) to reach the quarterfinal. It turned out to be a lot closer than she thought but ultimately prevailed over Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), 10-6.

Tokyo silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) thought she had secured a win over Nikolova when she led 6-4 in the semifinal, but Nikolova once again brought out the cradle to secure the win.

Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) had also made her way to the 57kg final after three wins out of four via pin, setting up a finals matchup of big pinners.

The Mongolian was leading 6-0, and it seemed Nikolova might go home with a silver medal, but out of nowhere, she held Khurelkhuu on the back to get the gold.

"I practice the technique a lot, and it has been working," Nikolova said.

Aiperi MEDETKYZYAiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) used two exposure to win over Martina KUENZ (AUT). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The last gold medal of the day went to U23 world champion Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), who fell behind 4-2 in the finals against Martina KUENZ (AUT), but with 40 seconds remaining, hit two crotch lifts. That turned the bout on its head and gave the Kyrgyzstan wrestler a 6-4 win.

Turkey Wins GR Team Title

Turkey grabbed the Greco-Roman team title after three gold medals on the second day. Selcuk CAN (TUR) won the 72kg gold, Yunus BASAR (TUR) won at 77kg and Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) claimed the gold at 82kg.

This was after two gold Thursday and Turkey finished on the top with 205 points. Kazakhstan finished second with 131 points, while Azerbaijan finished in third with 127 points.

At 77kg, Basar held off world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 2-1. The two exchanged inactivity points, but Basar secured the one-point win with a late step out.

In the 82kg finals, Akbudak won with a similar scoreline, as he beat Mihail BRADU (MDA), 2-1.

More than the final, it was the semifinal that mattered more. In an anti-climatic rematch of Oslo's 82kg world final, Akbudak stunned Rafiq HUSEYNOV (AZE), 9-0, after rolling the Azeri with four exposures.

At 72kg, Can got a walkover after Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) pulled out injured.

Evelina NIKOLOVAEvelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) won the 57kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

GR RESULTS

72kg
GOLD: Selcuk CAN (TUR) df Kristupas SLEIVA (LAT), via injury default 

BRONZE: Murat DAG (TUR) df Ensar KARABACAK (TUR), 8-5
BRONZE: Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) df Mikko PELTOKANGAS (FIN), 5-2

77kg
GOLD: Yunus BASAR (TUR) df Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) df Viktor NEMES (SRB), 1-1
BRONZE: Furkan BAYRAK (TUR) df Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), 6-5

82kg
GOLD: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df Mihail BRADU (MDA), 2-1 

BRONZE: Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) df Ilimdor SATAYEV (KAZ), 11-0
BRONZE: Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE) df Rakhmet SAPIYEV (KAZ), 7-1

WW RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) df Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL), via fall

BRONZE: Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) df Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), 8-3
BRONZE: Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RWF) df Anhelina LYSAK (POL) , 7-6

62kg
GOLD: Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) df Macey KILTY (USA), 11-0

BRONZE: Marwa AMRI (TUN) df Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), 5-4
BRONZE: Svetlana LIPATOVA (RWF) df Veranika IVANOVA (BLR), 6-5

68kg
GOLD: Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) df Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), 3-0

BRONZE: Khanum VELIEVA (RWF) df Tatiana SMOLIAK (RWF), 10-0
BRONZE: Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) df Albina KAIRGELDINOVA (KAZ), 11-0

76kg
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df Martina KUENZ (AUT), 6-4

BRONZE: Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) df Victoria FRANCIS (USA), 5-1
BRONZE: Francy RAEDELT (GER) df Ekaterina BUKINA (RWF), 13-11

#WrestleSamokov

Onishi, Blaze reach final at U20 World Championships

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 06:38 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 18) -- Japan and India emerged as the two countries with two finalists each in Women's Wrestling at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Defending champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) will look to become a two-time world U20 champion after she reached the 59kg final and 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) made it to the 68kg final.

India had two wrestlers in action and both made the final. TAPSYA (IND) shocked returning champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) at 57kg while returning bronze medalist SRISHTI (IND) made it to the final after beating Laura KOEHLER (GER).

Onishi, a senior Asian champion, completed his third technical superiority of the day as she defeated Aubre KRAZER (USA), 10-0, in the semifinals. Onishi used a leg lace to lead 8-0 before an exposure finished the bout 10-0.

For the gold medal, she will face Karin SAMUELSSON (SWE) who earned the chance at the expense of European U20 and U23 champion Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), who was handed her first defeat of the year.

Samuelsson needed a challenge and some extra-ordinary defense in the final 10 seconds to win the bout 8-7 against Hurbanova. The match hung in balance when Samuelson had a 6-5 lead but Hurbanov managed to hit a leg-attack score a takedown. As Samuelson tried to attack, Hurbanova pulled the Sweden wrestler's hair and was cautioned after a challenge, giving a 7-7 criteria lead to Samuelson.

Hurbanova bodylocked Samuelson in the final seven seconds and tried to drive her out but Samuelson stood taller on her toes to overpower that attempt and win. Azerbaijan challenged but it was for no gain.

Another Nordic country made history as Norway got a finalist in Women's Wrestling. Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) rallied to beat Anna STRATAN (KAZ), 12-2, and became the first Norway wrestler to enter the World U20 Championships final in Women's Wrestling in 15 years.

She will now try to become the first world U20 champion from Norway in 37 years on Wednesday when she faces Tapsya in the final after the Indian defeated Uchida in the semifinal 4-3 with a takedown in the final 10 seconds.

Uchida had a 3-2 lead with a takedown in the second period but struggled with injury in her ankle and needed medical timeout with 15 seconds left in the match. Tapysa waited for the final five seconds before she went for the far and cradled Uchida for two points as time finished and she won 4-3.

At 68kg, Hoshino was in trouble in her semifinal, falling behind 5-0 at the break against Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) but she scored a quick takedown to cut it to 5-2. Another takedown later, she used the arm-bar to pin Erdenebat and win the semifinal.

Srishti scored a huge four-pointer in her semifinal against Kuehler and three setpout to complete a 7-3 win and set up a clash with Hoshino.

U.S. gets 2 more finalists

The United States had two more finalists in Freestyle as returning bronze medalist Marcus BLAZE (USA) and Maxwell MCENELLY (USA) won their respective semifinals at 61kg and 86kg respectively.

In the 61kg semifinals, Blaze rolled to a 15-4 technical superiority against Magomedkhan MAGAMEDKHANOV (UWW). The match began with Magamedkhanov chestwrap for two but Blaze planted him for two as well to take criteria lead.

The bout then turned one-sided as Blaze scored a takedown and Magamedkhanov was cautioned for locking hands with Blaze. The bout began in par terre with Blaze leading 5-2. Blaze scored four points by turning Magamedkhanov twice before a lost challenge added one more point to his score for a 10-2 lead at the break.

Blaze got another takedown when Magamedkhanov missed a shot and then a turn finished the bout 15-4.

The 2023 world U17 champion Blaze will now take on another former world U17 champion in Ahora KHATERI (IRI) who wrestled an almost perfect semifinal against Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), winning 3-1.

Saitiev opened the scoring when he was given a point for Khateri's passivity. But the Iranian scored a takedown and then was given a point for Saitiev's passivity in the second period.

At 86kg, Mcenelly needed a late takedown to overcome senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) and earn himself a chance to win gold medal. Rahmani was slow to pick up pace in the match and Mcenelly built a 3-1 lead.

But Rahmani did show more speed in the second period and he scored a takedown using a beautiful duck under to lead 3-3 on criteria. A stepout made it 4-3 for Rahmani.

With 30-seconds left on the clock, Rahmani planted one foot in the center with no position and Mcenelly pounced on him in a split second scoring a takedown after some effort and led 5-4.
Rahmani got a point for Mcenelly's fleeing but kept the criteria for a 5-5 win. He will now try to beat Bozigit ISLAMGEREEV (UWW) who defeated Ahmet YAGAN (TUR), 5-1, to enter the final.

The morning session updates follow

14:00: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) with a 12-2 win over Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR) at 68kg and then defending 59kg champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) completes a 10-0 win over Yifan ZHU (CHN) to enter the semifinal at 59kg.

13:54: No problems for Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) as she sees off ALIMOVA (LTU) 10-0 and reaches the semifinal at 57kg against TAPSYA (IND). In the other semifinal, European U20 champion Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) will take on Anna STRATAN (KAZ), a former world U17 bronze medalist 

13:45: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) with a fall over Mohammad UMKHADJIEV (FRA) at 86kg and moves into the semifinal. He is looking to upgrade his bronze medal from 2024.

13:40: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) gave up four stepouts and was cautioned once as Allan ORALBEK (KAZ) led 5-0. One stepout for Khateri before the break to make it 5-1. The second period is better for Khateri who begins with a takedown to cut the lead to 5-3. A point for passivity from Oralbek make it 5-4. Khateri with a leg attack and drives Oralbek out with takedown and scores two points to lead 6-5 and win the bout.

13:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is on a different level than the field at 61kg in Samokov. He gets his positions, waits for other wrestlers move and then launches his own. That's what Asian U20 champion Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) got in the 61kg quarterfinals. Blaze got the point for passivity first and then an ankle pick and turn made it 5-0. In the second period, Blaze waited for almost two minutes but got a cradle and then a turn to make it 9-0. A reversal point for Toktomatov but Blaze finishes with a takedown and wins 11-1.

13:22: Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), European U20 champion and unbeaten this year, gets an easy 6-0 win over Rahma BEDIWY (EGY) and moves into the quarterfinals at 59kg.

13:18: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) hangs on for a desperate 17-9 win at 61kg and makes the semifinals! Saitiev got good laces to lead 14-5 at the break against Ajay KAPADE (IND) who began with some good forward pressure in the second period and gets a takedown. Saitiev was struggling with conditioning but he scored one takedown in the second period as well the 9 point lead was too much to cover for Kapade.

13:10: A 27-second finish for defending champion at 59kg Sakura ONISHI (JPN). She leg laces Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR) to advance to the quarterfinals

12:57: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) overpowers Jordyn FOUSE (USA) in their 68kg bout and wins 13-2. Fouse failed to get past Hoshino in those scrambles.

12:55: Aubre KRAZER (USA) mounts a comeback after being 3-0 down against Erdenebolor LKHAGVASUREN (MGL) at 59kg and wins 10-3 and advance to the quarterfinals.

12:50: Defending 57kg champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) looks so comfortable. She warms up with a 10-0 win over Anna KOEBLO (HUN)

12:45: That is history for Angola! Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG), the first-ever woman enter for a World Championships from the country, pulls off a fall over Ilinka STEFANOVA (BUL) in a back-and-forth bout at 68kg. First win at the world level for Angola in women's wrestling.

12:32: Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) gets the fall over world U17 champion Wenjin QIU (CHN) at 68kg! Erdenbat reached the far leg of Qiu and picked her for four-points before finishing the bout 11-0 and advance

12:15: In a rematch of the European U20 final at 57kg, Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) once again beats Tindra DALMYR (SWE). Domajeva got a takedown and a point for passivity and hung to her 3-1 lead for the win at 57kg.

12:05: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) must thank his luck that he managed to hang on for an 8-6 victory over Omar AYOUB (PUR) at 61kg. Ayoub had a 6-1 lead at the break but a takedown and stepout made it 6-4 for Khateri. Ayoub then gave a point for passivity and takedown in final seconds and drop the bout against the Iranian who is former world U17 champ.

11:55: Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) tried pinning Takuto OSEDO (JPN) but the Japanese managed to survive. Toktomatov hit the same cut-back for four points again in the second period and pinned Osedo at 61kg and book a place in the quarterfinal against Marcus BLAZE (USA)

11:46: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) scores two takedowns in his 61kg bout against Andrii SHOKALIUK (UKR) and wins 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals.

11:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is into the quarterfinals at 61kg after European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) is given three cautions and is out. In typical Blaze style, he is on a relentless attacking spree and Begoyan keeps evading. But a takedown right at the break makes it 3-0 for Blaze. They offered one for fleeing but not given. Begoyan gets on board in the second period with a head-outside finish for a takedown and makes it 3-2. A flurry of action and Blaze gets a stepout which Armenia challenges but lost which makes it 5-2 for Blaze with over a minute left in the bout. Blaze gets another point for open hands from Begoyan to lead 6-2. A caution for for Blaze for not engaging and one point for Begoyan. But two cautions against Begoyan for aggressive open hands and he is cautioned out of the match. 

11:20: That match felt like it went on for ages! European U20 silver medalist Sevim AKBAS (TUR) falls to Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR), 7-5, at 59kg. Miziurko had a big four-pointer which proved to be the difference. 

11:07: Returning bronze medalist at 68kg SRISHTI (IND) with a big double-leg for four to get a 10-0 win over Pan-Am U20 champion Eduarda RODRIGUES (BRA). Srishti is also the Asian U23 champion this year.

11:05: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ), the Asian U20 champion at 68kg, scores a 10-0 win over Sheng Fang CAI (TPE) at 68kg. While she has frequently won medals at the Asian level, Tashtanbekova is looking for her first world medal.

10:55: Sabina TOREY (KAZ) with a quick fall over Michaela SEBOEKOVA (SVK) at 68kg to begin her international debut for Kazakhstan.

10:53: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) was in all sorts of trouble as returning silver medalist Ayse ERKAN (TUR) got her pinned on the mat in the 68kg bout. But Hoshino managed to move her head outside. Erkan had built a 6-0 lead before Hoshino scored a go-behind and then used an arm-bar to pin Erkan. All that in just two minutes.

10:50: Returning bronze medalist and senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) puts a takedown clinic and beats Grigor CHERNAKOV (BUL) at 86kg. Rahmani is one of the favorites to win the gold in Samokov.

10:35: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), who failed to medal last year, begins with a 10-1 win over Danoush JOWKAR (GBR) at 61kg. He won a silver medal at the European U20 Championships and now hoping for a world medal as well.

10:20: European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) completes a first-period technical superiority win over Haci ZADE (TUR) at 61kg. Begoyan is looking to a world medal to his resume after the bronze he won in 2022 world U17.

10:15: Marcus BLAZE (USA) has to be one of the most exciting talents in Freestyle out there. The returning bronze medalists takes only 87 seconds to gut-wrench Sandro HUNGERBUEHLER (SUI) and 10-0 at 61kg.

10:00: The U20 World Championships will see the final two Freestyle weight classes, 61kg and 86kg, in action on Tuesday and the start of Women's Wrestling with 57kg, 59kg and 68kg.