WW preview: Japan faces new challenges in Belgrade

Tuesday, August 30, 2022 - 17:44 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (August 29) -- A year after the Olympics, 13 medalists from Tokyo will descend upon Belgrade. The 13 include Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN), Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) and Taymra MENSAH STOCK (USA) as they begin as favorites to win the titles in the Serbian capital.

The 216 wrestlers in women's wrestling for the World Championships will try to win a medal for their countries but as far as the favorites go, Japan, the USA, China and Ukraine are bringing strong teams for the mega event.

However, more than the Tokyo Olympics, Belgrade will serve as the introduction to the Paris Olympics which is less than 24 months away and the qualification cycle begins in less than one year.

Susaki leads a strong Japanese team that includes defending world champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) at 53kg, Mukaida, who moved up to 55kg for Belgrade, world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) who moved from 55kg to 57kg, returning silver medalist at 65kg Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) and 72kg world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN).

A trio of recently crowned U20 world champions finishes the lineup with returning bronze medalist Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) at 62kg, Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) at 59kg and Ami ISHII (JPN) at 68kg. Asian Championships silver medalist Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) will wrestle at 76kg.

Oslo Helen MAROULIS (USA), right, and Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) are the defending champions at 57kg and 53kg respectively. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

In a similar star-studded lineup, the USA has Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) at 50kg, defending champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) at 57kg, returning silver at 62kg Kayla MIRACLE (USA), Olympic champion Mensah, U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) at 72kg and Dymond GUILFORD (USA) at 76kg. Former world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) will be returning to 55kg.

Maroulis will be eyeing a fourth world title while Hildebrandt and Mensah will like to rise to the top of the podium after missing the chance in Oslo.

At 53kg, the USA has Dominique PARRISH (USA) who won the Pan-Am Championships in May. Abigail NETTE (USA) at 59kg and Mallory VELTE (USA) at 65kg complete the 10-member team.

European champion Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) will be wrestling at her first World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Ukraine won only one medal in Oslo but a number of stars will be returning to the mat after a long break.

European champion at 57kg Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) will be leading the pack along with other European champions Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) at 62kg and Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) at 65kg. Tokyo Olympian Oksana LIVACH (UKR) will wrestle at 50kg.

Returning bronze medalist at 55kg Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) will try to change her medal color, Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) will be at 53kg, Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) at 59kg. Alla BELINSKA (UKR), U23 world champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) and Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR) complete the squad.

Feng ZHOU (CHN) China will return to the World Championships after three years. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

China will be returning to the competition after three years as it was forced to miss last year's edition due to the pandemic.

Two Tokyo Olympians will be in action in Belgrade for China with Jia LONG (CHN) wrestling at 65kg and multiple world medalist Feng ZHOU (CHN) at 68kg. Former U23 world silver medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) is back at 50kg as is '17 world U23 silver Qi ZHANG (CHN) at 59kg.

Asian champion at 55kg in 2019 Mengyu XIE (CHN) will return in a long time. 31-year-old Xiaojuan LUO (CHN) will be taking a third trip to the World Championships in her long career.

At 76kg, Juan WANG (CHN) may prove to be the dark horse as she wrestles with an experience of international events. At the 2019 World Cup, she defeated Kagami convincingly.

Completing the squad are Yuhong ZHONG (CHN) at 53kg, Yongxin FENG (CHN) at 57kg and QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN) at 72kg.

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) is one of the favorites to win the 76kg title. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Apart from the powerhouses, Kyrgyzstan and Moldova also have multiple medal hopes wrestling in Belgrade.

Defending champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) is running for her third world title at 62kg. She finished with a silver in Tokyo but defeated Ozaki at the Oslo World Championships in the opening round before securing the gold over Miracle.

Another world champion for Kyrgyzstan is Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) as she battles it out at 68kg. She will be in a minefield but will surely be a big threat for the gold medal.

Asian champion and returning bronze Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) has the potential to rise to the top of the podium but she has a star-studded bracket to deal with a 76kg.

Irina RINGACI (MDA) pinned Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) in Rome in June. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

For Moldova, the eyes will be on 65kg world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) who is moving up to 68kg as it is an Olympic weight class. She will try to be on the podium in what can be considered the deepest weight class in women's wrestling.

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) at 59kg, Iulia LEORDA (MDA) at 53kg and Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) at 55kg are all medal hopes for the nation.

Mongolia won four bronze medals in Oslo and it will hope that the women can outdo their last performance. Three medalists from Oslo -- Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) at 50kg, Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) at 57kg and Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) at 59kg -- are returning while Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) is at 62kg.

For India, which set the competition on fire at U17 and U20 World Championships, 53kg Tokyo Olympian Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) leads a young group of wrestlers. 59kg top seed and bronze medalist Sarita MOR (IND) is dropping down to 57kg while U23 Asian champion Mansi AHLAWAT (IND) is at 59kg.

ANKUSH (IND) will wrestle at 50kg, Sushma SHOKEEN (IND) at 55kg, U20 world silver medalist Sonam MALIK (IND) at 62kg, SHEFALI (IND) at 65kg, U23 world bronze Nisha DAHIYA (IND) at 68kg, U20 world silver REETIKA (IND) at 72kg and PRIYANKA (IND) at 76kg.

Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is going for her third world title. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

A few other stars to look out for will grace the mats. At 50kg, four-time Olympic medalist Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is going for her third world title. Former European champion Miglena SELISHKA (BUL), world finalist Emilia VUC (ROU) and European champion Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) are also entered.

At 53kg, U23 world champion Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU), European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE), Euro silver Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), returning bronze Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) and former U20 world silver Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) are entered.

55kg will see Pan-Am champion Karla GODINEZ (CAN), returning silver Nina HEMMER (GER), and Andreea ANA (ROU) trying to make it to the podium.

Olympic medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) will be at 57kg along with U23 world champion Anhelina LYSAK (POL)

The 62kg weight class has some of the big names including Lais DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) who defeated Tynybekova earlier this year. 59kg world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) is also moving up and Canada will have U23 world champion Ana GODINEZ (CAN).

U23 world champion Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) will be wrestling at 65kg in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Former world finalist Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) will return to Serbia after winning the gold at U23 Worlds last year. European silver medalist Kriszta INCZE (ROU) and Asli DEMIR (TUR) are also entered.

Apart from the aforementioned stars at 68kg, Olympic silver Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) will be a favorite to win the gold. Former world champion at 59kg Linda MORAIS (CAN) will be in the same category as will be Asian champion Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ).

Returning silver Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), bronze medalist Buse TOSUN (TUR), U23 world champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) and silver medalist Kendra DACHER (FRA) hype up the 72kg weight class.

The 76kg remains a tough weight category as returning silver medalist Epp MAE (EST), Martina KUENZ (AUT), former world champion Justina DI STASIO (CAN), U23 world champion Tatiana RENTERIA (COL), Youth Olympic champion Milaimys POTRILLE (CUB), returning bronze medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY), former world champion and Olympic bronze Yasemin ADAR (TUR) and Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR) are entered.

Women's wrestling begins September 12 and runs till September 15 at the Stark Arena. All the action will be live on uww.org.

#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

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.

WW preview: Japan faces new challenges in Belgrade

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