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.

#WrestleBratislava

Prevolaraki steps closer to historic European gold; Bullen vs Ringaci final at 65kg

Thursday, April 10, 2025 - 08:31 By Vinay Siwach

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 10) -- Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) has got a chance to end her search for the elusive European gold medal.

The 33-year-old entered her fifth European Championships final and with a hope of becoming the second wrestler from Greece to win the gold medal in Women's Wrestling. The four-time Olympian made her first finals' appearance in 2013 but finished with a silver medal. She earned the same medal in 2014, 2021 and 2022.

Prevolaraki defeated Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) via fall after building a 12-4 in the 53kg semifinal and booked her spot against former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU).

Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) gave Ana a big scare in the other semifinal, leading 3-2 with just 15 seconds remaining. But Ana hit a takedown for two points and got the lead back. Malysheva tried getting a reversal but the time ran out.

Sweden made sure it has one finalists in Women's Wrestling, a streaking dating back to 2022. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) made it to three successive finals, winning two golds and a silver last year.

On Thursday, it was Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) who reached the final at 62kg with a dominant win over Paris Olympian Lucia NIEMESCH (GER). Lindborg has a bronze medal from 2020 but finished fifth in 2023 and 2024.

Against Niemesch, Lindborg scored a stepout and takedown to lead 3-0 before she blocked a headthrow from Niemesch for two points, added a turn to lead 7-0. Germany challenged the call for a slip throw but lost, making it 8-0 for Lindborg.

Niemesch completed an attack in the second period and scored two points but Lindborg defended her 8-2 lead for the win.

Standing between her and the gold medal is world U23 champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) who survived a late attack from Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) and won her semifinal 8-4. Bondar, who has almost won everything at the age-group level, is making her senior European debut.

At 65kg, two Paris Olympic medalists from 62kg were entered. However, only one made it to the final.

Paris bronze medalist Grace BULLEN (NOR) pinned her way to the gold medal bout, spending only eight minutes on the mat of her 18 for three bouts. In the semifinal, she pinned Olha PADOSHYK (POL) after a 6-0 lead.

In the other semifinal, Paris silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) was no match for former world and European champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) who once again countered the leg-attacks with ease. Ringaci moved into the final with an 11-0 win.

Returning champion at 72kg Nesrin BAS (TUR) will defend her title against Alla BELINSKA (UKR) on Friday. Bas defeated Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3, in the semifinal while Belinksa took out Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2.

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)

SF 1: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) df. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), via fall (12-4)
SF 2: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW), 5-3

57kg
GOLD: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW)

SF 1: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) df. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), 9-4
SF 2: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) df. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), via inj. def. (4-2)

62kg
GOLD: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Iryna BONDAR (UKR)

SF 1: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 8-4
SF 2: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), 8-4

65kg
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)

SF 1: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), 11-0
SF 2: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Olha PADOSHYK (POL), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Nesrin BAS (TUR)

SF 1: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 8-2
SF 2: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Daniela TKACHUK (POL), 11-3

Qualification bouts blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

The semifinals will begin at 16:45

53kg
SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) vs. Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) vs. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)

57kg
SF 1: Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) vs. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)
SF 2: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) vs. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)

62kg
SF 1: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) vs. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW)
SF 2: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) vs. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)

65kg
SF 1: Olha PADOSHYK (POL) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)
SF 2: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) vs. Irina RINGACI (MDA)

72kg
SF 1: Nesrin BAS (TUR) vs. Daniela TKACHUK (POL)
SF 2: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) vs. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA)

12:30: Paris Olympic silver medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) led 10-3 and was lacing Beyza AKKUS (TUR) when the Turkiye wrestler called for medical and was announced injured, giving Koliadenko the win and a spot in the 65kg semifinals.

12:25: Big four and a fall for Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) over Amina CAPEZAN (ROU) at 62kg. Capezan took a 6-5 lead but Lindborg answered with a double-leg attack and the fall to enter the semifinal.

12:22: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) takes out Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) at 62kg. Bondar with a takedown before Dudova tried to bounce back but Bondar counters and turns Dudova for a 7-1 lead. A lost challenge from Dudova which gives Bondar a 8-1 lead which is the final score.

12:14: No time wasted by world U23 champion Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) who pancakes Magdalena GLODEK (POL) for a fall at 57kg and enter the semifinal.

12:12: A heartbreak for the local fans! Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK) had it all under control, leading 5-3 and about to pin Daniela TKACHUK (POL). But the Polish wrestler reverse the fall position and scores two points in the final second to win 5-5 on criteria.

12:10: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) survives a final second scare and wins 5-2 over Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) at 53kg. Yetgil led 4-0 and attempted for the leg hold to defend the lead in the final five seconds. But Krawczyk spun behind and added a roll but it was after the time.

12:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) books her spot in the 65kg semifinals with an 11-0 win over Dinara KUDAEVA (UWW). A big four-pointer to finish off the bout.

12:00: Defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) hangs on for 2-1 win against returning silver medalist Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) in what was a rematch of the final from last year. Bas led 2-0 at the break before being called passive in the second period. But Anghel failed to score one more point for win.

11:55: Andreea ANA (ROU) and Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) in a tense battle at 53kg. Malanchuk with an early takedown to take a 2-0 lead but Ana answers with a takedown and leads 2-2 on criteria. Single leg takedown in the second period for a 4-2 lead for Ana. Malanchuk fires double-leg attack and claim a 4-4 criteria lead with a minute and 40 seconds left. With 15 seconds left, Malanchuk gets cautioned for hair pulling and point for Ana who wins 5-4.

11:48: How did Irina RINGACI (MDA) tangle Eniko ELEKES (HUN) and secure the fall there? Ringaci blocks the lower part of Elekes with her leg and has her arm locked. There is no way Elekes can move. Ringaci wins inside one minute.

11:40: Veteran Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), searching for her first European title, has a good start with a 5-0 win over Viyaleta REBIKAVA CHYRYK (UWW) at 53kg. She get a point for Rebikava's passivity before adding a takedown and two more points in the second period.

11:30: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) is into the semifinals at 57kg! She works up a 6-0 win over Evelina HULTHEN (SWE) and will wrestle for a spot in the final later tonight

11:20: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) gets the benefits of Lydia PEREZ (ESP) who is passive and Dudova wins 3-0 at 62kg. The four-time champion moves a step closer to her fifth title.

11:14: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) gives Sweden its first win of the day! She works hard for her 11-2 win over Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) at 62kg but controls it throughout the six minutes.

11:12: Grace BULLEN (NOR) needs only 40 seconds to roll over Marta OJEDA NAVARRO (ESP) and win her first bout at 65kg. Great start for the Paris Olympic bronze medalist

11:00: World U23 champion and senior European debutant Iryna BONDAR (UKR) starts off at 62kg with a 10-0 technical superiority over Nikolett SZABO (HUN).

10:55: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) scores seven points in the second period and beats world U20 champion Aryna MARTYNAVA (UWW) 7-1 at 57kg.

10:50: Quick finish on Mat B as defending champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) pins Elvira ERSSON (SWE) and moves on at 72kg. Bas recently on the European U23 gold medal at 68kg but she is going at 72kg here in Bratislava.

10:45: Age-group European champion Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) with a 10-0 victory over Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA) in just over two minutes to start her campaign at 57kg.

10:30: The fourth day at the European Championships in Bratislava and its all women's wrestling. Paris Olympic medalists Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) and Grace BULLEN (NOR) are both in 65kg and competing for gold.

WW preview: Japan faces new challenges in Belgrade

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Prevolaraki steps closer to historic European gold; Bullen vs Ringaci final at 65kg