#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.

#WrestleTirana

U23 Worlds: Iran, Moldova split Greco golds

Thursday, October 24, 2024 - 05:48 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (October 23) -- Iran and Moldova emerged as the top nations on the third day of the U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania with them winning two gold medals each. Iran won the team title with 149 points with yet another incredible performance. Georgia followed with a second-place finish with 121 points and Armenia was third with 93 points.

Iran's first gold medal of the day came from U20 world champion Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) as he added the U23 world title to his growing resume. He won the U17 world title in 2022.

The 19-year-old was up against European silver medalist Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final but apart from par terre in the first period, he never looked in trouble. Mammadov got two points for a correct throw to lead 3-0 at the break.

Ahmadi Vafa got the par terre in the second period and scored two turns to lead 5-3. He went into defensive soon and was hit with the third passivity. But it proved fatal for Mammadov who was stopped in the middle of a turn from Ahmadi Vafa. With a 7-3 lead, Ahmadi Vafa hit a huge four-pointer on the edge to win the bout 11-3 and his third age-group gold medal.

"It was decided by the coaching staff to compete at the U23 World Championships after the U20 one," Ahmadi Vafa said. "Thank God, I was able to participate and return to Iran with a gold medal"

Ahmadi Vafa credits his training this year and his study of his opponents as the major factors for his improvement after suffering close losses in the age-group World Championships last year. 

"I worked really hard this year," he said. "I spent a full year in training camp and put in a lot of effort. A thorough analysis with the coaching staff made me win. I was able to reap the rewards of all my hard work over the past year."

In the 45-day break between the U20 and U23 World Championships, Ahmadi Vafa trained with the senior team. 

"A few days after we returned to Iran, we went to the senior camp," he said. "We were under a lot of physical strain, so the coaching staff decided to make our training sessions a bit lighter than the others.

"Our bodies responded well. I always felt deep inside that I could do it. I always say that I’m the best in my weight class."

To be on Iran's senior team, Ahmadi Vafa would have had to go through Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) who is the senior team member. However, the Iran federation has asked him to move to the 60kg weight class.

"He has a senior medal, and I have a lot of respect for him," he said. "We are from the same hometown. We’ve trained together several times at the senior camp, and he’s a really good opponent for me, and I might be a good opponent for him too.

"But the decision of the coaches is that I have to move up to the new weight category of 60kg, which will be a lot tougher. But I need to work harder to be able to win the gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."

Multiple-time age-group world champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) added the U23 world title with a dominant run in Tirana. With three technical superiority victories, Hedayati won the final 6-0 against Dmitrii BABORYKO (AIN).

Hedayati, in which typical style, began attacking relentlessly and soon scored a couple of stepouts. He was also awarded the par terre but he could not score any points. After leading 6-0, Hedayati scored a takedown to finish the bout 8-0 but Baboryko challenged. On review, Hedayati was warned for pushing and the score was reversed to 6-0.

The 21-year-old managed to hang on to that lead and win the gold medal.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA)Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) scores two points over Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER) in the 77kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

For Moldova, Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) defended his U23 world title at 77kg and Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) denied Japan's Komei SAWADA (JPN) in the 63kg final to win the gold medal.

Gutu, who has a U17 world title as well, was competing at his fourth U23 World Championships and has won medals in three of them with two golds. Wrestling Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER) in the final on Wednesday, Gutu used his signature front headlock to score exposure. That remained the difference as he clinched a 3-1 victory.

The win gave Gutu something to cherish after a disappointing season in which he failed to qualify for the Olympics and finished with only a bronze medal in four tournaments.

"This championships is very important for me," Gutu said. "As everyone knows, I lost at the Olympic qualifiers. I couldn’t even win the European Championships. This was the last tournament of the year. I needed to show a good performance here. I am really happy that I’ve won."

After dealing with the disappointment of failing just one win short of winning a ticket to the Paris Olympics, Gutu took some time to motivate himself to return to the mat.

"After the qualifiers in Baku, it was difficult to recover," he said. "I can’t even describe it. I was not just one step away, I was one percent away from that spot. It was very disappointing. 

"I’ve always had that motivation. The younger generation looks up to me. My family and my coaches are always there for me. I can’t let them all down. I will keep working until I get what I want."

Eriomenco added to the party with the 63kg gold as he defeated Swada in a very one-sided final. He got two turns from par terre to lead 5-0 at the break. Swada opened the second period with a stepout and then a point for par terre. As he was trying the gut-wrench, Eriomenco got out of the hold and scored a reversal to make it 6-2. Two easy turns made it 10-2, ending the match with technical superiority.

"I’ve been working so hard to reach this," Eriomenco said. "I’ve finished third three times at the European Championships and last year I was third at the Worlds. I was motivated to win this gold. I’ve never won even the European championships, but now I have won the World gold. I came here only for gold."

The difference between the physicality of the two wrestlers stood out and Eriomenco acknowledged that it worked to his advantage.

"From the beginning, I could feel that I was physically stronger," he said. "That’s when I got the confidence that I could win. The first match was the toughest one, then it was a bit easier. The final match was the most difficult. It was mentally tough to get ready for that match, because I really wanted the gold medal and no less."

Eriomenco is scheduled to compete at the Non-Olympic Weight Classes World Championships and is keen to leave an impression.

"It’s definitely going to be difficult to compete at two competitions in a raw," he said. "I won’t let the weight go up a lot. I will keep it down. I think everything is going to be ok. I know all my competitors. We’ve been training together at camps, we’ve been wrestling each other at competitions."

Fellow gold medalist Gutu also praised his compatriot and friend for his gold medal. 

"Eriomenco is my best friend," Gutu said. "I am so happy for him, because he was always so close, but he could never win. He became the World champion, I am really happy for him and it motivated me a lot to win my gold medal as well."

Anes GONIBOV (AIN)Anes GONIBOV (AIN) defeated Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) in the 87kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) had the chance to add a second title to his U20 one from 2021. However, he fell short and dropped his 87kg final against Anes GONIBOV (AIN) 4-0.

Gonibov got par terre position in both the periods which made his lead 2-0. Sterkenburg tried desperately for a takedown but failed and Gonibov managed to score and lead 4-0. The win for Gonibov gives him his second world tittle to along with his gold medal at the U23 World Championships at 82kg.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) df. Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE), 11-3

BRONZE: Vishvajit MORE (IND) df. Adam ULBASHEV (AIN), 14-10
BRONZE: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) df. William SULLIVAN (USA), 11-1

63kg
GOLD: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df. Komei SAWADA (JPN), 10-2

BRONZE: Erfan JARKANI (IRI) df. Arman VARDANYAN (ARM), 8-0
BRONZE: Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) df. Bekir ATES (TUR), via fall

77kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER), 3-1

BRONZE: Khasay HASANLI (AZE) df. Temuri ORJONIKIDZE (GEO), 
BRONZE: Ali OSKOU (IRI) df. Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB), 6-4

87kg
GOLD: Aues GONIBOV (AIN) df. Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), 4-0

BRONZE: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) df. Payton JACOBSON (USA), 9-0
BRONZE: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Yasin YAZDI (IRI), 4-4

130kg
GOLD: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) df. Dmitrii BABORYKO (AIN), 6-0

BRONZE: Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) df. Albert VARDANYAN (ARM), 1-1
BRONZE: Koppany LASZLO (HUN) df. Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN), 9-1

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Natalia PUDOVA (AIN) vs. Sage MORTIMER (USA)

SF 1: Natalia PUDOVA (AIN) df. Natallia VARAKINA (AIN), 8-2
SF 2: Sage MORTIMER (USA) df. Umi ITO (JPN), via fall (4-12)

55kg
GOLD: Zeltzin HERNANDEZ GUERRA (MEX) vs. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)

SF 1: Zeltzin HERNANDEZ GUERRA (MEX) df. Amani JONES (USA), via fall (4-5)
SF 2: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) df. Ekaterina KARPUSHKINA (AIN), 7-0

59kg
GOLD: ANJLI (IND) vs. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)

SF 1: ANJLI (IND) df. Aurora RUSSO (ITA), via fall (4-0)
SF 2: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN), 5-2

68kg
GOLD: Aues GONIBOV (AIN) vs. Marcel STERKENBURG (NED)

SF 1: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Alina SHAUCHUK (AIN), via fall (3-0)
SF 2: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Xinze DU (CHN), 10-0

76kg
GOLD: Shuiyan CHENG (CHN) vs. Yelena MAKOYED (USA)

SF 1: Shuiyan CHENG (CHN) df. Zsofia VIRAG (HUN), 10-0
SF 2: Yelena MAKOYED (USA) df. Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN), via fall (13-2)