#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.

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Day 3 Blog: China, DPR Korea shine

Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 08:33 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (March 27) -- Asian Championships enters day three with Women's Wrestling in 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 RESULTS

76kg gold medal bout: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs REETIKA (IND)

14:11: REETIKA (IND) gives India a presence in the finals with a victory by fall over Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at 76kg, giving her a chance to avenge a quarterfinal loss at the Paris Olympics to Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ). Reetika, the 2023 world U23 champion, had an answer for everything Yamamoto attempted. The Indian opened the scoring with a double-leg takedown, getting the points by going over the edge as Yamamoto attempted a counter lift, then added a takedown to go ahead 4-0 at the break. In the second period, Reetika got 2 more with a counter-lift of her own off a scramble, then ended the match when she slammed Yamamoto to the mat for 4 and secured the fall at 4:13.

14:07: Quick movement from Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and she cradles Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) for a fall in the 76kg semifinals! Kim escaped Medet Kyzy's cradle but the Kyrgyz managed to still pin Kim on her back.

68kg gold medal bout: Zelu LI (CHN) vs Sol Gum PAK (PRK)

14:02: In a clash of Paris Olympians, Sol Gum PAK (PRK) gets a pair of stepouts, the second coming with Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) on the activity clock, to take a 3-0 lead in their 68kg semifinal. In the second period, Pak gets 2 when she counters a takedown attempt with a Greco-like back throw. Pak adds another stepout, then scores 2 when she stops a headlock attempt and, despite giving up a late takedown, she's through to the final in her senior Asian debut with an 8-2 win. Enkhsaikhan, a 2023 world silver medalist, will have to be content battling for a fourth career Asian bronze and fifth medal overall.

14:00: Zelu LI (CHN) will clash with Paris fifth-placer Sol Gum PAK (PRK) for the 68kg gold medal after she takes down world U17 champion Mansi LATHER (IND) 10-1 in the semifinal with some brute strength and counters. Li was pretty defensive in the first period and got put on the activity clock. Lather led 1-0 and tried getting a stepout but Li defended and circled to score a takedown. She laced with a bent knee to make it 4-1 at the break. Lather was on the attack in the second period as well but Li's strength was little too much as she fails to finish after a single-leg attack. Li manages to get out of the hold and scores a takedown for a 6-1 lead. A double leg throw for four to make it 10-1 which she defends for the final minute and win.

59kg gold medal bout: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) vs. Pyol HONG (PRK)

13:51: Pyol HONG (PRK), a newcomer onto the international scene, takes it directly to veteran Mengyu XIE (CHN), a former world bronze medalist and Asian champion, in their 59kg semifinal. Hong scores a single-leg takedown in the first period, then adds another in the second. Hong defends against a pair of tackle attempts and she's through to the final with a 4-0 victory. 

13:46: World U20 champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) needs only 42 seconds to beat Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) in the 59kg semifinal. Onishi with a head-outside single and gut-wrenches for a 4-0 lead. She transitions into a lace and gets the 10-0 win to enter the final.

55kg gold medal bout: Yuxuan LI (CHN) vs Kyong Ryong LI (PRK)

13:42: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) will get a chance to improve on her silver medal from last year at 55kg after overwhelming Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB). Oh starts out with a single-leg takedown and adds a lace lock. Matnazarova squirms out of the lock and attempts a switch, but Oh presses forward and stuffs Matnazarova onto her back, then secures a fall at 1:58.

13:42: Yuxuan LI (CHN), who made her international debut at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series 2025, is into the final at 55kg of Asian Championships. A meek surrender by Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) as Li gut-wrenches her way to the final.

50kg gold medal bout: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) vs. Yu ZHANG (CHN)

13:39: Two-time Asian champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) with a strategic win over Myonggyong WON (PRK) in the 50kg semifinal. Won got a 1-0 lead after Yoshimoto was put on the activity clock. But Yoshimoto scores a takedown in the second period when Won is on the clock to lead 3-1. Won tries a arm-throw which is blocked by Yoshimoto and she countries with a go-behind and gets a takedown. She defends her 5-1 lead, never allowing Won to reach her legs.

13:36: World U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN) will battle for her first senior-level gold after sweeping to a 10-0 victory over Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ) in the 50kg semifinals. Zhang starts off with a single-leg takedown, then adds 2 with a high-thigh lock and roll. She spins behind for another takedown to make it 6-0. Ankicheva attempts an inside trip, but Zhang thwarts the effort and spins behind for 2, then hits a regular lace lock to finish her off in 2:43. 

The semifinals will begin at 13:30 local time in Amman

12:47: In the final bout of the session, world U23 bronze medalist Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) scores an opportunistic takedown with :23 left to defeat Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) 4-2 and advance to the 76kg semifinals. Yamamoto opened the scoring with a takedown, but Enkh Amar, the 2023 world silver medalist at 72kg, came back with a takedown at the first-period buzzer. It looked like the Mongolian's defenses would hold in the second period when Yamamoto appeared to stumble. Enkh Amar made a charge at her, but Yamamoto deftly shrugged her aside and spun behind for the winning takedown.

12:38: REETIKA (IND), the 2023 world U23 champion, books her place in the 76kg semifinals with a one-sided 10-0 win over Seoyeon JEONG (KOR). 

12:40: Aiperi MEDEY KYZY (KGZ) passes the Chinese test with ease. She got a point for YANGLA (CHN) passivity and then scored a nice double-leg attack for two points. With a 3-0 lead, Medet Kyzy defends it and wins to enter the 76kg semifinals

12:37: Sol Gum PAK (PRK), fifth at the Paris Olympics, secures her spot in the 68kg semifinals with an 11-4 victory over returning bronze medalist Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ).

12:36: In an unexpected twist, Mansi LATHER (IND) is awarded a victory by forfeit in her 68kg quarterfinal when world 72kg champion and tournament favorite Ami ISHII (JPN) becomes a late withdrawal due to injury. 

12:34: Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) ends 33-year-old Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ)'s bid for a third Asian gold at 76kg when she wears down the eight-time Asian medalist and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist before securing a 12-0 victory at 5:16. 

12:30: World silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) keeps hitting double-leg attacks and scores two takedowns and a stepout for a 5-0 lead against Miju KIM (KOR). Another takedown and turn for a 9-0 lead before Enkhsaikhan holds Kim on the mat and secures the fall inside first period and reach the 68kg semifinals.

12:25: China puts another wrestler into the semifinals when Mengyu XIE (CHN), a 2022 world bronze medalist at 55kg and former Asian champion, storms to a 10-0 victory over Hyeonju KWON (KOR) at 59kg. 

12:25: Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) led 2-1 at the break against Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ) but she changes levels in the second period and adds takedowns on counter to win 8-2 and advance to the semifinals.

12:22: It's simultaneous wins for China wrestlers named Li on Mats B and C. On Mat B, Zelu LI I(CHN) secures a quick fall over Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) to advance to the 68kg semifinals, and seconds later, Yuxuan LI (CHN) completes a 2-0 victory in the 55kg quarterfinals over Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE).

12:19: In one of the feature matches of the afternoon session, it's multi-world champion Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) up against Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) for a place in the 55kg semifinals. Murayama Okuno gets an activity point, but Oh responds with a single-leg takedown to lead 2-1 at the break. In the second period, Murayama Okuno scores a takedown after she finally gets behind Oh, who looks like a U.S. collegiate wrestler doing sit-outs. Then things get real interesting, as Oh scores a takedown, but Murayama Okuno responds with one of her own with :35 to go for a 5-4 lead. But with :10 left, Oh gets behind for a takedown for a dramatic 6-5 win. Whew!

12:15: World U20 champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN), making her Asian Championships debut, is tested by MUSKAN (IND). Onishi scores two takedowns but cannot finishes her lace. Muskan fakes a couple of attempts and scores a go-behind to make it 4-2. Onishi keeps her calm, comes back for another takedown to lead 6-2. No more trouble for Onishi as she laces her way to a 12-2 win at 59kg.

12:13: Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) is into the 55kg semifinals with an 11-0 win over Zulfiya YAKHYAROVA (KAZ). Leading 3-0 in the second period, Bayanmunkh twice scores a double-leg takedown and adds a 2-point exposure.

12:12: Myonggyong WON (KOR) makes it two wins out of two and enters the 50kg semifinals! She needs 19 seconds in the second period against Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) to finish the bout 11-0.

12:08: Yu ZHANG (CHN) gets a takedown, uses a grapevine and cross-face to put Nipuni WASANA (SRI) on her back, then secures a fall in 1:02 to secure a spot in the 50kg semifinals.

12:05: YANGLA (CHN) too unleashes the strong gut-wrench before pinning Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB) at 76kg. Yangla had a 10-0 lead but decided to secure the fall.

12:04: Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ) gets creative in her 50kg quarterfinal with Yi Hui LIN (TPE), locking up an arm and a leg with her back to Lin to score a takedown and gain two 2-point exposures. In the second period, Ankicheva uses an inside trip to slam Lin to back and secures the fall.

12:00: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) gets another technical superiority win at 50kg. Miran CHEON (KOR) tried a few tricks but Yoshimoto has the arm-bar which gets her a 4-0 lead before she finishes 11-0, including a lost challenge from Korea.

11:57: Layal SUKKAR (JOR) makes history when she takes the mat against Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB) for her 55kg quarterfinal match, becoming the first-ever Jordanian woman to compete at the senior Asian Championships. Matnazarova works a 2-on-1 and Sukkar is put on the activity clock, during which Matnazarova scores a takedown for a 3-0 lead. She adds another takedown before the break. In the second period, Matnazarova gets a quick takedown and ends the match by fall.  

11:55: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) shows why you never give up, coming back to defeat Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) by fall while trailing 8-0 at 68kg. 

11:51: Another big win for the DPR Korea as Pyol HONG (PRK) cruises to a 10-0 victory over Sarbinaz JIENBAEVA (UZB) at 59kg. 

11:47: Yuxuan LI (CHN) adds to India's loss column. She gets the takedown on NISHU (IND) and then enforces the lethal gut-wrench that Chinese wrestlers have mastered to win 10-0 at 55kg.

11:46: Two-time Asian U23 champion Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) has no trouble putting away Hyerim LEE (KOR) 10-0 to advance to the 55kg quarterfinals. 

11:44: Two-time Asian champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) got the arm-bar to pin ANKUSH (IND), who managed to roll over and survive. But she failed to defend Yoshimoto's lace. Yoshimoto wins 10-0 at 50kg

11:42: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK), last year's losing finalist at 55kg, gives up a 2-point counter against Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ) in their 50kg match, but comes back with a pair of deep double-leg takedowns, then turns her opponent over enough times for a 13-2 win. She will next face three-time world champion and top seed Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN). 

11:40: Yi Hui LIN (TPE) was made to work hard for her 8-1 win over Thi Nga DUONG (VIE) in the opening bout at 50kg. Duong kept going for attacks while Lin countered them perfectly to score four different takedowns.

11:37: Myonggyong WON (PRK), an Asian U20 bronze medalist back in 2019, needs some time to get Gozel KURBANOVA (TKM) to hit her knees to the mat in their 50kg opener. But once she does, Won goes immediately to a lace lock, rolls four times and the match is over 10-0 in 45 seconds. 

11:35: World U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN), competing in her second senior international tournament, gets off to a strong start with a 10-0 victory over Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) at 50kg.