#WrestleBelgrade

WW preview: Japan faces new challenges in Belgrade

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

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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.

OsloHelen 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.

Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR)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)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)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)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).

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA)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

Baev marks international return with European gold

Tuesday, April 8, 2025 - 19:51 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 8) -- David BAEV (UWW) began his international career in Slovakia when he won the cadet [U17] world gold medal in 2014 in Snina, a small town in west Slovakia. Who would have thought that Baev's long awaited international return will also be in the same country.

Read More: Sidakov vs Valiev set for European gold

Baev returned to Slovakia after 11 years, ending his six-year absence from international competitions, winning the gold medal at 70kg at the European Championships, his first-ever.

"Honestly, I’ve been waiting for this moment for a very long time, and I enjoyed every second of it," Baev said after the final "I’ve so badly wanted to see those blue and purple banners from UWW Worlds and Europeans [respectively]."

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) at the podium of the U17 World Championships in 2014. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Read More: Remembering Saitiev, the master on mat who inspired many

The 28-year-old last competed internationally at the 2019 World Championships in Astana where he won the 70kg gold medal. He tried moving to the 74kg weight class with a hope to make Olympic but with little success.

He moved back to 70kg and began winning again. On Tuesday, despite his long layoff from international scene, Baev hardly made it look like he was away for long.

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) wrestles Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) in the 70kg final at the European Championships in Bratislava. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev denied Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) his second straight title at 70kg, beating the Armenian 4-1 in the final at his first international competition since winning the gold medal at the 2019 World Championships.

The first point of the bout was from Andreasyan's passivity and Baev scored a takedown in the second period for a 3-0 lead. A stepout made it 4-0 before he gave up a stepout for one point.

Baev celebrated winning his gold medal by spreading his arms and looking up to the skies with a sigh of relief. He later said that he did the same celebration when he won the gold in 2014 and decided to stay with the that celebration since then.

"My first victory where I celebrated was 11 years ago, also in Slovakia," he said. "Since then, after every win — and even after losses — I do the same celebration."

He recalled his first visit to Slovakia in 2014 and called the country in which he only has good memories.

"I was 16 years old when I traveled abroad for the first time — it was Slovakia," he said. "My first international competition [U17 Worlds], at 58 kilograms. I won, so I have only good memories of Slovakia. I have friends here, and some of my close friends even compete for the Slovak national team. I’ve visited them here, stayed with them."

David BAEV (UWW)David BAEV (UWW) on the podium after receiving his gold medal at the European Championships. (Photo: Untied World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Baev wore a "Buvaisar SAITIEV" tee shirt after his bouts and dedicated his gold medal to the three-time Olympic champion who passed away in March aged 49.

"Saitiev is a legendary wrestler," he said. "His name has practically become symbolic. It’s like when someone talks about basketball, they mention Jordan. Or when it’s football, they bring up Ronaldo or Maradona. In wrestling, it’s Saitiev. What he showed on the mat… no one has ever shown before, and probably no one ever will."

Remembering Saitiev, Baev said he met Saitiev once when he was four years old. However, he never got a chance to meet him again.

"I actually met him once as a kid," he said. "My father’s friends took me to the Akhmat Kadyrov Memorial tournament. I was very young, but I remember sitting at the same table with him — I even have a photo.

"Honestly, I’ve always wanted to ask him if he remembers that little boy sitting at the table with him in that café… But sadly, I never got the chance."

Baev was not the only one wearing the Saitiev shirt. Three other "UWW" wrestler won gold on Tuesday and dedicated their medals to Saitiev.

Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW)Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW), blue, defends against Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) in the 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

At 57kg, Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) earned his first-ever European gold medal after he defeated Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4, a closely contested final.

Tuskaev, hoping to become Serbia's first-ever European champion in Freestyle, fell behind early with a point for his passivity and then a stepout. Mongush added a takedown to make it 4-0.

With time running out, Tuskaev made desperate attempts and got two for a takedown. A scramble was awarded two points each with Mongush still leading 6-4. In the final 10 seconds, Tuskaev was about to score a go-behind but Mongush blocked him and secured the win and his first-ever European gold.

France was looking for its first Freestyle European champion as it had two finalists on Tuesday but the drought is set to continue as both wrestlers failed to cross the hurdle to win gold.

At 65kg, Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) suffered a 3-0 defeat to Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) who had a dominant run to the gold medal. Ibragimov's win was similar to his 6-2 win over Arsamerzouev in the 2024 European U23 Championships final.

Arsamerzouev was hit with a passivity call in the first period and he failed to score, giving Ibragimov a 1-0 lead. While the French wrestler did make some inroads in the second period, Ibragimov managed to score a takedown for a 3-0 lead.

Two-time European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) will have to wait for his gold medal as former world champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) posted a 9-1 win in the 79kg final which also included a massive front headlock throw for four.

Usmanov now has back-to-back European gold medals while Khadjiev has third silver as had finished with silver medals at the 2018 and 2019 European Championships. 

Matcharashvili hat-trick

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) completed a hat-trick of European gold medals after he defeated Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) in the 97kg final.

Maintaining his perfect record of wins at European Championships, Matcharashvili pulled out his signature move of front headpinch and scored two points against Kurbanov to win 3-2, making a comeback after giving up a activity clock point and a stepout.

"This European Championships is important for me," Matcharashvili said. "I am a three-time champion now. I love wrestling and wrestling is my life."

Asked about his comeback against Kurbanov using a front chest wrap throw to take the lead, Matcharashvili said he knows that he will aways win that position

"This is my personal move," he said. "When I am in this position, 100 percent I will win the points."

Last year after winning the gold in Bucharest, Romania, Matcharashvili called out all 97kg wrestlers. This year, he was more humble in his message.

"The message is the same." he said. "This is my job and I am ready for every, anytime. When I am standing on the podium with our flag going up, that's what matters."

Matcharashvili's third gold puts him tied second the list of Georgians with most European titles in Freestyle with Rio 2016 Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO).

Eldar KURTANIDZE (GEO) still holds the record of most European titles for Georgia in Freestyle with five which he won in 1996, 1997, 1998, 2001 and 2005.

Photo

RESULTS

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Nachyn MONGUSH (UWW) df. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 7-4

BRONZE: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Ivaylo TISOV (BUL), 12-2
BRONZE: Aryian TIUTRIN (UWW) df. Niklas STECHELE (GER), 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), 3-0

BRONZE: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO), via forfeit
BRONZE: Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE) df. Andrii SVYRYD (UKR), 4-0

70kg
GOLD: David BAEV (UWW) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 4-1

BRONZE: Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO) df. Oleksii BORUTA (UKR), 6-2
BRONZE: Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) df. Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), 5-2

79kg
GOLD: Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) df. Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA), 9-1

BRONZE: Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Ion MARCU (MDA), 3-0
BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP), 4-1

97kg
GOLD: Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) df. Magomed KURBANOV (UWW), 3-2

BRONZE: Richard VEGH (HUN) df. Radoslaw BARAN (POL), 10-6
BRONZE: Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) df. Radu LEFTER (MDA), 11-0

Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Zavur UGUEV (UWW)

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 5-2
SF 2: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW), 10-0

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) df. Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 6-0
SF 2: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 2-0

86kg
GOLD: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) vs. Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW)

SF 1: Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) df. Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL), via fall (9-0)
SF 2: Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) df. Artur NAIFONOV (UWW), 6-3

92kg
GOLD: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE)

SF 1: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-2
SF 2: Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) df. Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR), 3-3

125kg
GOLD: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) vs. Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW), 8-5
SF 2: Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 8-3