#WrestleIstanbul

#WrestleIstanbul: Women's Wrestling Bracket Breakdown

Thursday, February 24, 2022 - 14:34 By Eric Olanowski & Vinay Siwach

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ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 24) -- The 10 weight classes of women's wrestling received their draws Thursday at the Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series event in Istanbul, Turkey.

Home country Turkey has the most wrestlers entered at 28 wrestlers followed by the Russin Wrestling Federation which has 27 wrestlers. Kazakhstan is third with 22 wrestlers.

The USA has brought 13 wrestlers while India is here with 12 of them. Poland also has 10 wrestlers entered.

Like Greco-Roman, Turkey will have a few selection bouts at four weights -- 50kg, 59kg, 65kg and 76kg -- to decide the third wrestler at these weights.

50kg

50kg (23 entries)

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

The women's 50kg bracket has former European champion Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) and senior World Championships bronze medalist Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RWF) on the upper side and the two can collide in the semifinals if no upsets are seen.

The lower side of the bracket has more firepower as Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL), the bronze medalist from Oslo, will be trying to get past U23 Worlds silver medalist Shivani PAWAR (IND) and two-time Worlds silver medalist Emilia VUC (ROU).

She can wrestle Pawar in the quarterfinals and the winner of that bout is likely to face Vuc in the semifinal.

As far as rankings are concerned, the top three positions will remain unchanged, but Selishka [31700 points], Dolgorjav [31000 points] and Sokolova [31000 points] have a chance to replace SUN Yanan (CHN) [41400 points] at the fourth place with at least a silver medal.

Depending on how the aforementioned trio of wrestlers finish, Vuc could move up to fourth as well. She has 29600 points and is ninth in the rankings.

53kg

53kg (18 entries)

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

A big bout awaits in the upper side of the 18-wrestler bracket at 53kg as junior world champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE) and world silver medalist Iulia LEORDA (MDA) can clash in the pre-quarterfinals. But the path to the final is difficult as former U23 Worlds silver Milana DADASHEVA (RWF) is also drawn in the upper bracket.

An electric first-round bout on the lower side will see Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) take on former U23 World silver medalist Pooja GEHLOT (IND).

Bat Ochir will look to go deep in the tournament to topple Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) from the top spot in the rankings. She has to finish eighth or better to do so. As of now, she has 43200 points. In any case, she will replace second-placed Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), who has 45000 points.

Leorda can also improve from sixth to second if she wins the gold. But that's a long shot, as Bat Ochir would have to finish outside the top-10. Leorda currently has 37000 points.

55kg

55kg (14 entries)

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

It should have been the final but multiple-time Ranking Series winner Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) and former 55kg world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) are drawn on the upper side of the 14-wrestler bracket. Vinesh has to win two bouts to be in the semis while Winchester has to win three. However, Anju PANGHAL (IND) will like to upset the USA wrestler and set up a semifinal against Phogat.

World bronze medalist at 53kg Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) looks like a clear favorite to reach the final from the lower side of the bracket.

57kg

57kg (22 entries)

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

Two Tokyo Olympic medalists may clash in the semifinal at 57kg as silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) and bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) ended on the upper side of the bracket. Kurachkhina begins her campaign against Alicja CZYZOWICZ (POL) while Nikolova is up against Ozge FINDIKCI (TUR).

In rankings, Nikolova will consolidate her second position in the ranking. She has 51200 points, but cannot move past Helen MAROULIS (USA) [79200 points] even if she wins a gold medal.

Kurachkina is currently fifth with 41400 points. She can jump up to the third spot if she finishes with a medal in Istanbul.

The lower side is even more packed as U23 world champion Anhelina LYSAK (POL), Tokyo Olympian at 53kg Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RWF) and junior world champion Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) are on the same side. Furthermore, Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RWF), Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) and Asian silver medalist Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) are also wrestling.

59kg

59kg (16 entries)

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

Multiple-time age-group European and World medalist Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is making a comeback after the Tokyo Olympics. While she is not ranked, she is expected to reach the final at 59kg from the upper side of the 16-wrestler bracket.

World bronze medalist Sarita MOR (IND) will be the favorite from the lower side of the bracket. She will also look to improve her ranking as she is currently ranked third with 31000 points. A finish in the top-10 in Istanbul will help her overtake Akie HANAI (JPN) for the second spot. She, however, won't be able to replace Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) from the top even if she finishes with gold.

62kg

62kg (22 entries)

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

Two-time world champion and Tokyo Olympic silver Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) has a chance to win yet another Ranking Series gold. She is drawn with fellow Tokyo medalist Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), Rio bronze medalists at 58kg Sakshi MALIK (IND) and Marwa AMRI (TUN), Tokyo Olympian Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) and U23 Worlds bronze medalist Anastasiia PAROKHINA (RWF) on the upper side of the bracket.

To make the final she will have to go past three high-class wrestlers. But a likely semifinal against Yusein could be her toughest test. A gold medal win will add 13000 points to her current 86400 points to better her first spot.

Yusein, who has 34200 points, can jump to third place from fifth if she manages to at least reach a medal bout at the Yasar Dogu while Nunes de Oliveira,  ranked eighth with 29600 points, can jump to fourth if she wins the gold and hope that Yusein fails to finish in top-seven.

The lower side has 59kg world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) and Asian silver medalist Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ). Dudova would like to reach the final and test herself at the new weight. But Individual World Cup winner Svetlana LIPATOVA (RWF) will also be in her path to the gold bout.

65kg

65kg (17 entries)

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

World bronze medalist Forrest MOLINARI (USA) and her fellow USA teammate Emma BRUNTIL (USA) are once again likely to wrestle as the two are drawn on the same side of the bracket. The two wrestled in the final of Ivan Yarguin Grand Prix in January, a bout Bruntil won. They could meet as early as the quarterfinals. 

Tokyo Olympian Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) could make the semifinals at the weight and face one of Molinari or Bruntil.

Molinari has a chance to be ranked second if she finishes in the top-10. She currently has 31000 points and can overtake Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN). Top-ranked Irina RINGACI (MDA) won't be affected.

U23 bronze medalist Nisha DAHIYA (IND) is drawn on the upper side of the bracket. But Mallory VELTE (USA) will also try to reach the semifinal by beating Dahiya.

68kg

68kg (11 entries)

Gold: 8000 points
Silver:  6400 points
Bronze: 5200 points

One of the most intriguing matchups that wrestling fans chalked up when the entry list came out was the potential matchup of Olympic medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

After Friday, Zhumanazarova, who won world gold in Oslo, will take over the top spot in the rankings just by stepping on the mat. Currently, she's ranked second at the weight with 77200 points, but will overtake Olympic champion Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA), who has 80000 points.

Zhumanazarova’s toughest foe on the top side will be European champion and reigning world bronze-medal winner Khanum VELIEVA (RWF).

Olympic runner-up Oborududu comes into the tournament ranked third with 56400 points. Her toughest competition on the bottom side is ’20 Individual World Cup runner-up Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE). If they remain unbeaten, that matchup would happen in the semifinals.

72kg

72kg (10 Entries)

Gold: 8000 points
Silver:  6400 points
Bronze: 5200 points

A trio of top-five ranked wrestlers is entered at 72kg. Second-ranked Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) sits alone on the top side, while the third and fourth-ranked wrestlers, respectively, Anna SCHELL (GER) and Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) could clash in the second round.

Schell, a ’19 world bronze medalist, will wrestle Romania’s Alexandra ANGHEL in the opening round. Her Romanian opponent lost to Cavusoglu Tosun in the finals of the ’18 U23 World Championships.

Cavusoglu Tosun will wrestle Aleksandra ZAITSEVA (KAZ) in her first round match.

Both Schell and Cavusoglu Tosun enter Turkey with 29000 points, which means the winner of the likely second-round match-up will move up into the third spot in the rankings.

Bakberganova comes into the Yasar Dogu ranked second in the world with 35000 points. If she wins gold on Friday, she'd win 8000 points, which would tie her with top-ranked Masako FURUICHI (JPN). But, Furuichi defeated Bakbergenova in Oslo which means the Kazak wrestler will remain at the second spot.

76kg

76kg (20 Entries)

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

There are a pair of top-five ranked wrestlers entered at 76kg. No. 4 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) No. 5 Samar HAMZA (EGY) will take the mat in Turkey but will sit on opposite sides of the bracket from each other.

Hamza sits on the top of the chart. She enters the competition has 43300 points and is on a quest to overtake Olympic champion Aline FOCKEN (GER) for the fourth spot. She can do so by finishing in ninth place or better.

She’ll likely take on fellow world bronze medalist Martina KUENZ (AUT) who will have to get past America’s Victoria FRANCIS (USA) who is moving up from 72kg to 76kg after Adeline GRAY’S (USA) recent pregnancy announcement.

On the bottom side, Rio Olympic bronze medalist Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS) returns to the Russian lineup after losing her Tokyo spot to Olympic champion Natalia VOROBIEVA (RUS). 

Bukina will have her hands full in the third round, as she’ll likely take on Tokyo Olympic fifth-place finisher and world bronze medalist Apieri MEDET KYZY (KGZ) in the quarterfinals.

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Day 3 Live: Sukhee vs Purevdorj in WW, Yazdani vs Emami at 74kg

Saturday, May 31, 2025 - 02:49 By Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (May 31) -- The Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 continues on day three with five Women's Wrestling and three Freestyle weight classes will be in action.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

14:05: Yones EMAMI (IRI) will wrestle for gold against Amirhommad YAZDANI (IRI) at 74kg. Emami humbles JAIDEEP (IND), 5-3, in the semifinal. Emami scored a bodylock takedown and then a turn to lead 4-0. In the second period, Jaideep gets stepout but is also warned for finger-grabbing which give Emami another point. A late takedown for Jaideep but he can't turn Emami and he goes down 5-3 to book a place in final against Yazdani.

14:00: Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) gets his first action of the day in the 74kg semifinal against Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) and it's a thrilling display of wrestling. Yazdani hits a double and turn for 4-0 before a reversal for Toktomambetov for a point. Yazdani tries to chest wrap and throw but Toktomambetov has control and gets the two points to cut the lead to 4-3. Both wrestlers in in par terre but Yazdani gets out first and it's a point for Toktomambetov. Yazdani leads 4-4 on criteria at the break. Yazdani tries to score a takedown but fails to control his opponent who scores a stepout. Iran challenge but it's only a point and challenge is lost, making it 6-4 for Toktomambetov. Yazdani with a burst of attack in the final 15 seconds and Toktomambetov tries to avade but Yazdani manages to go-behind and a turn just on the edge to get two points. He leads 6-6 on criteria and wins the bout. He had three actions of two point each while Toktomambetov was two actions of two points each and two of one point which makes Yazdani's scoring higher, hence the win.

13:46: Osman GOCEN (TUR) with a pin in the semifinal at 86kg against Dayanbileg GAN OCHIR (MGL)! Gocen got on a single leg attempt before Gan Ochir threw himself on the mat and Gocen was happy to keep Gan Ochir on the back secure the fall.

13:43: In the first 86kg semifinal, Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) with a fall in the second period over Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL) to secure his place in the final.

13:30: We will see an all-Mongolian final at 62kg as Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) wins a wild 15-11 bout against Ekaterina KOSHKINA (UWW) while Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) pins Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) in their respective semifinals.

Purevdorj kept coming at Koshkina who countered her attacks as well. At one point, Purevdorj was lead 9-7 before a series of attacks saw her make it 15-9 but Koshkina also got exposure point but fell short.

In other semifinal, Sukhee was down 5-0 but got Kasabieva in on a leg attack and then put her on the mat before securing the fall.

The semifinals begin now.

13:07: In the final match before the semifinals, Yones EMAMI (IRI) closes out the session with a tense win over Tugsjargal ERDENEBAT (MGL) that was ultimately a pin. Emami needed a takedown in the second period to lead 3-1 as a tiring Erdenbat failed to keep up with the Iranian and faded away. Emami used a duck under for another takedown before Erdenebat did not try to defended and gave up the fall. Emami to face Jaideep in the 74kg semifinal. 

12:56: Gantsetseg BATSUKH (MGL) with some solid counterattacking wrestling as she beats MONIKA (IND) 14-3 in the 68kg Round 4 bout. Top moves from the Mongolian

12:51: Noorali ABOUZARI (IRI) gets on a single leg attack and finishes it with a leg lace during activity lock time for JAIDEEP (IND) to lead 5-0 at the break in their 74kg quarterfinal. Jaideep begins the second period with scramble and comes out with two points to cut the lead to 5-2. Another single leg attack but Jaideep defends and then cradles a tiring Abouzari for the fall and enter the semifinal.

12:47: Asian silver medalist Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) takes his time to pull off a 10-0 technical superiority win over Deleg SHINEBAYAR (MGL)  and enter the semifinal.

12:45: What could have been the big match of the tournament between Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) and Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) at 74kg is not happening as the Turkish wrestler pulls out injured. Yazdani into the semifinals at 74kg.

12:30: Osman GOCEN (TUR) was tested by Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) but the European medalist keeps his calm and wins 15-4 at 86kg. He will wrestle in the semifinal now against Dayanbileg GAN OCHIR (MGL).

12:15: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) may have done herself a huge favor by pinning MANISHA (IND) in the Round 3 bout. Purevdorj, who lost to Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), gets five classification points, Kasabieva has four and Manisha has three which means Asian champion Manisha is out of semifinal contention.

11:50: Deepak PUNIA (IND) has to work hard for his next win over Bat-Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL). Punia trailed 1-0 at the break but he gets two passivity points and a takedown in the second to win 4-1 at 92kg.

11:45: PUSHPA (IND), who had earlier lost in her group bout, makes sure to win by technical superiority Dulguun BOLORMAA (MGL) at 55kg and improve her chance to be in the semifinals from the group.

11:40: Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) with stunning win over Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) at 62kg. She first hits a four-pointer over Purevdorj before turning her for two points. When Purevdorj tries a big throw, Kasabieva with a cutback to get four and win. Purevdorj is not eliminated though as it is round-robin category.

11:15: World silver medalist Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) pins compatriot Tselmuun OTGONBAT (MGL) inside the first period to start with a win at 68kg, a weight class she is favorite to win here.

11:10: Askhab SAADULAEV (UWW) with a crafty whizzer for four points to deny Bat-Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) any chance of a comeback and he wins 7-2 at 92kg. 

11:05: Dayanbileg GAN OCHIR (MGL) gets ASHISH (IND) in a tangle and then secures the fall to win at 86kg. The 86kg weight class also has Nelson bracket and will be wrestled in two groups.

11:00: Asian silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) with his typical forward pressure wrestling and scores 10 points to Demchigdorj TUMURBAATAR (MGL) zero win 10-0 at 92kg.

10:50: Asian champion MANISHA (IND) scores two takedowns in her 5-0 win over  Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) begin with a win at 62kg. As it is Nelson bracket, the two can meet again in the final

10:40: Great start to the day for Mongolia as Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) pins PUSHPA (IND) at 55kg and Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) wins 11-0 against Ekaterina KOSHKINA (UWW) at 62kg.

10:30: The Ulaanbaatar Open will see Freestyle from today and Women's Wrestling will continue in the Mongolian capital. Freestyle will be in 74kg, 86kg and 92kg while WW will be 55kg, 62kg, 65kg, 68kg and 76kg.