Yazdani, in league of his own, wins gold in Almaty

Sunday, June 5, 2022 - 18:03 By Vinay Siwach

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (June 5) -- There had already been a few high-profile finals before Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) stepped on the mat. Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL) had won his first-ever Ranking Series gold, U23 world champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) had been involved in a 16-point final which he won by fall inside the first period, European champion Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) won at 74kg with ease.

But when Yazdani's name was called for the 86kg final, you knew who is the biggest star of the sport. By the time he scored his first takedown against Boris MAKOEV (SVK) in the final, fans had queued up to take a picture with him. The audience had moved towards the athlete's exit to shake his hand. Nothing mattered more than catching a glimpse of Yazdani. A few managed to do it, and some left disappointed.

The world champion was returning to the mat since winning the gold in Oslo seven months back. He had captivated the world by beating David TAYLOR (USA) for the first time in four attempts, a win that relieved some of Yazdani's pain of losing the Tokyo Olympics final to Taylor in the dying moments.

Sunday's final did not have the same stakes on the line. Yazdani was wrestling for a Ranking Series gold against the opponent from the '17 World final which he won. He did not have millions of eyes on him watching and hoping to win against an opponent he has never.

The 27-year-old still put on a show. Like when Makoev got a full shot on a single leg and Yazdani defended it with a stepback and lifted Makoev for exposure for two points. Or when he used his strength to score a double-leg takedown.

"It's been about eight months since I had not taken part in competitions," Yazdani said. "I decided to wrestle at this competition to re-evaluate my weaknesses and keep my body and mind on edge so that I can be fully prepared for the international competitions ahead."

Winning the final 11-0 was just a testimony of how is still in top form and nothing mattered more to any. The fans will forget the comeback from Amir ZARE (IRI) to win the 125kg or how dominant Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) was to win the 92kg. All that matters is a Yazdani win.

He first made it past Fatih ERDIN (TUR) 11-0 in the quarterfinals and was then tested by Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) in the semifinals. The Kazakhstan wrestler was the only one who could wrestle Yazdani for more than four minutes but he ultimately lost 12-1.

The final against Makoev only lasted 4:33 but Yazdani put it on record that he is ready for another season and defend his world title in Belgrade, Serbia.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) returned to competition and captured the 86kg gold in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

"The level of this competition was good," he said. "There some major Asian and a European wrestlers present who were quite good. My main purpose here was to be on the mat and be able to keep my body prepared and these matches helped me with that purpose quite well."

In little more than three months' time, Yazdani will be in Belgrade, Serbia defending his world title at 86kg. While he did not reveal his future competitions, Yazdani did not rule out being part of a couple before Belgrade.

"If my coach sees fit yes, I would like to compete," he said. "However, after so many months of being away from the mat officially, I got the results I was hoping for and now at this point, I will be willing to do so as long as the coach sees competing in a match fitting."

Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) after winning the 92kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

In a similarly dominant fashion, Ghasempour claimed the 92kg gold beating three Kazakhstan wrestlers en route. In his four bouts, the Iran wrestler scored 38 points while not giving up a single one.

Ghasempour had scored a career-defining world title win in Oslo and since then his following has sky-rocketed. In a short time, he has established himself as the top wrestler at 92kg with wins over J'den COX (USA) and Magomedov KURBANOV (RWF).

In Almaty, he started strong with a 10-0 win over Viky CHAHAR (IND) followed by Islyambek ILYASSOV (KAZ) in Round 2 with a fall after scoring 10-0. In the semifinal, he wrestled Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) and moved into the finals with an 11-0.

Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) had entered the final from the other side and he tried stopping Ghasempour from winning the gold but the Iranian wrestler was on a different level.

He quickly led 4-0 with two takedowns and Davlumbayev was already struggling to keep up. It quickly became 9-0 when Ghasempour scored another takedown and rolled the Kazakhstan wrestler for exposure. The corner challenged the two-point call but lost it.

Davlumbayev managed to delay the loss to the second period but Ghasempour was happy to play it easy and finally won the gold with 2:07 remaining.

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) won his first-ever Ranking Series gold. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

European champion Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) won his first Ranking Series gold medal at 74kg. While he did not look the most aggressive on the mat, he did not allow his opponents to go through their attacks as well.

In the quarterfinal, he wrestled Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) and despite numerous attempts from the Uzbekistan veteran, he kept his defense intact and pulled off a 3-0 win. The semifinal against Asian silver medalist Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) was a similar affair as the scoreline was 3-1.

From the other side, Byambadorj BAT-ERDENE (MGL) had made it to the final and tried using his underhook defense against Salkazanov but that did not work. The World silver medalist was wrestling with such high pressure that Bat-Erdene gave up four stepout points. Salkazanov eventually won 8-0.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) won the 70kg gold after beating Rodion ANCHUGIN (KAZ). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In a contrasting final at 70kg, U23 world champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) recovered from a shock start against Rodion ANCHUGIN (KAZ) to secure a fall after a 10-7 score.

But he did have a scare at the start when after getting an arm throw for four, teenager Anchugin scored a reversal and a gut wrench. He went for another attack but Akmataliev was ready and defended it with a cartwheel which resulted in Anchugin going out of bounds.

Before Akmataliev could settle down again, Anchugin added two takedowns to take a 7-5 lead. The bout had seen 12 points inside the first two points and it got the local crowd going.

It was at this moment when Akmataliev took a step back and slowed the pace of the bout. The two got in a scramble and Akmataliev scored an exposure and held Anchugin in a cradle to secure the fall with four seconds remaining in the first period.

Akmataliev was all praise for the Kazakhstan wrestler but said that he expected a final of this sort because he is not familiar with his opponent.

"The Kazakhstan wrestler is quite young," Akmataliev said. "I knew he would do something I wouldn’t expect, so I was ready for everything. As I expected, his wrestling was something new to me, he started at a quite high pace. I made a mistake and he caught me, but later I could score back and finally win. I am sure this wrestler will show himself up and well wrestle each other again."

Akmataliev won silver at 70kg in Oslo but he is focused on converting it to gold in Belgrade.

"I was in very good shape in Oslo," he said. "Unfortunately I couldn’t win the gold medal. As soon as we go back from Almaty, we will start training for Belgrade and I’ll do my best to win the gold."

Before Oslo, he also participated in the Tokyo Olympics at 65kg but suffered a 3-3 loss to eventual bronze medalist Bajrang PUNIA (IND) in the opening round. Akmataliev said that if given a chance, he would like to avenge that loss.

"There isn’t any specific wrestler who is really tough, all of them are," he said. "However, I had a very sad loss to Bajrang at Tokyo Olympics, I would like to wrestler him again and take revenge."

Abbos RAKHMANOV (UZB) defeated Bajrang PUNIA (IND) 5-3 at 65kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Punia's unbeaten run ends

At 65kg, Punia's unbeaten record at five Ranking Series was finally ended as he suffered a shock loss to Abbos RAKHMANOV (UZB) in the opening round. After getting two points for Rakhmanov's negative wrestling, Punia's looked like a shadow of his old self and failed to get going. Rakhmanov kept up the pressure and ended the first period with 2-2 criteria lead after a takedown.

He was hit with passivity in the second period and then Punia decided to defend his 3-2 lead for a full minute. But Rakhmanov scored two points with exposure in the dying moments of the bout to win for the first time against Punia in the third attempt.

He reached the final against world bronze medalist Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL) but could repeat his performance from the morning and lost 6-1, giving the Mongolian his first Ranking Series gold.

Punia won the bronze while the other bronze medalist was former U17 world champion Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB).

India did win a gold in Almaty as Aman SEHRAWAT (IND) mounted an inspiring comeback against Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ) in Round 5 at 57kg.

He trailed 6-0 at one moment but Bazarbayev had little gas left in his tank as Sehrawat continued to attack. He eventually won 10-9 and won gold, an improvement from his bronze in Istanbul.

Kyrgyzstan won the 61kg gold medal after Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) defeated Zhassulan TASKUL (KAZ), 11-0 in a display of high-skilled wrestling.

But the result was reversed at 79kg as Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) beat Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ), 2-1 to win the gold to the home crowds' delight.

The Ranking Series action will now shift Matteo Pellicone to Rome, Italy. The tournament will take place from June 22 to 26.

Results

57kg
Round 5: Aman SEHRAWAT (IND) df. Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ), 10-9
Round 5: Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) df. Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), via inj. def.

Final standings
GOLD: Aman SEHRAWAT (IND)
SILVER: Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ)
BRONZE: Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ)

61kg
GOLD: Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) df. Zhassulan TASKUL (KAZ), 11-0

BRONZE: Yeldos MOMBEKOV (KAZ) df. Ali ABURUMAILA (PLE), 3-0

65kg
GOLD: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB), 6-1

BRONZE: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Komron KHOLOV (TJK), 10-0
BRONZE: Bajrang PUNIA (IND) df. Rifat SAIBOTALOV (KAZ), 7-0

70kg
GOLD: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Rodion ANCHUGIN (KAZ), via fall (10-7)

BRONZE: Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) df. Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND), 8-6
BRONZE: Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) df. Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ), 11-9

74kg
GOLD: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Byambadorj BAT-ERDENE (MGL), 8-0

BRONZE: Amr Reda HUSSEN (EGY) df. NAVEEN (IND), 5-1
BRONZE: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB), 17-9

79kg
GOLD: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) df. Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ), 2-1

BRONZE: Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) df. Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), 4-4
BRONZE: Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) df. Zhiger ZAKIROV (KAZ), 6-6

86kg
GOLD: Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 11-0

BRONZE: Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) df. Nurzhan ISSAGALIYEV (KAZ), 13-2
BRONZE: Fatih ERDIN (TUR) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 4-2

92kg
GOLD: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ), 11-0

BRONZE: Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) df. Islyambek ILYASSOV (KAZ), 4-2

#WrestleAlmaty

Sarita Defends 59kg Crown to Become India's 1st Two-Time Asian Women's Champion

Thursday, April 15, 2021 - 16:59 By Ken Marantz

Sarita SARITA (IND) became the first Indian woman in history to win a second Asian gold medal when she defeated an opponent who had beaten her earlier in the day.

And she did it after coming back from a five-point hole.

Sarita defended her 59kg crown by rallying to a 10-7 victory in the final Thursday night over two-time world bronze medalist Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) on the third day of the six-day Asian Championships in Almaty.

"I had won the gold medal in 59 in Delhi and I am the first Indian to defend my title," said Sarita, who turns 26 on Friday. "Last year as well, I had beaten a Mongolian wrestler and now also I did the same. To get my country's flag on the top in a foreign country is the proudest moment."

With the women's tournament at the spectator-less Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports missing powerhouses Japan and China, limited entries means all weight classes are conducted in round-robin formats.

Sarita and Baatarjav were drawn in the same group, with the Mongolian winning their first encounter 5-4 before they set up the rematch in the final with one-sided wins in the semifinals.

Sarita was familiar with Baatarjav even before the afternoon match. The Mongolian had beaten her 10-0 in the quarterfinals at the 2018 World Championships en route to the first of consecutive bronze medals.

"I had that in mind, but I also wanted to win the gold medal for myself and India," Sarita said.

In the final, Sarita scored with a stepout before Baatarjav replied with a double-leg takedown for a 2-0 lead. Early in the second period, Baatarjav launched a hip throw at the edge that was awarded 2 points and was challenged by the Indian side -- only to have the points revised to 4, with a lost-challenge point added, to give the Mongolian a 7-2 lead.

"When she scored a 4-pointer, I thought that's big," Sarita said. "I don't think it was 4. But it was okay, and I thought I have to cover that if I want to win.

"Even in the morning I had thought that I have to wrestle hard for six minutes if I want to win. There is nothing left once the bout finishes. I had to keep wrestling."

Undaunted, Sarita closed the gap with a takedown and 2-point tilt. As the end of the match neared, Sarita caught Baatarjav with a back trip for 4 with :15 left to go ahead. An unsuccessful challenge finalized the score at 10-7.

Heading into the final, Sarita said she brainstormed with her coaches to come up with a strategy to finally vanquish her nemesis.

"I learned about her weak areas and my mistakes after [the first] bout and the coaches had a word with me to correct all that," Sarita said. "We had to improve certain things and attack in a different manner. I did all that and won."

In other action, world bronze medalist Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) made the most of the missing East Asians by storming to her first Asian gold with a 10-0 technical fall in the 50kg final over Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB).

The Russian-born Islamova Brik, who secured a berth at the Tokyo Olympics with her third-place finish at the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan, scored an early takedown, then clamped down countering an arm throw attempt by Immaeva and rolled her back-and-forth four times to end the match in 1:43.

"I am feeling wonderful because this is the first time I became the Asian champion, and at home, too, so it's exciting," said the 29-year-old Islamova Brik, the mother of a 7-year-old son who won consecutive Asian bronzes in 2019 and 2020.

"Before the final, I was very nervous because I was under pressure to wrestle at home and win here. Thankfully I did it. This medal I will celebrate with my husband who is also my coach."

Asked which she treasures more, her world bronze or newly won Asian gold, Islamova Brik replied, "Both medals are very important and I can't answer that question. But if I had to choose one, it will be world bronze because it gave me a chance to go to Olympics."

Two wrestlers who earned Tokyo Olympic spots at the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament, which preceded the Asian Championships at the same venue, both made it to the finals, but only one joined Greco-Roman star Hansu RYU (KOR) by achieving an Almaty double and adding the Asian gold.

Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), who secured a ticket to Tokyo at 68kg, added the Asian senior title to three golds she won on the junior level by calmly defeating Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 6-1 in the final.

"Many people have told me that I am always relaxed and don't feel any emotions," Zhumanazarova said. "My coach is a very relaxed person, so maybe I copy him and am relaxed as well. When I am going for something big, I always try to be relaxed and not worry."

Zhumanazarova, a 2019 world junior champion, had a 1-0 lead when she was put on the activity clock. But she kept her composure and scored a lift-and-drop takedown, then padded her lead with a second takedown and a stepout.

Any celebrating, however, is on hold for now.

"For me, it's the mat and then we eat and sleep, and that's all. I don't do anything else," Zhumanazarova said. "There is no party or anything until I win the Olympics gold. That's my main goal.

"Yes, there are strong opponents in 68kg, but in sports, anything can happen and we have seen it in history that any strong sportsperson can lose. I think anyone who is in strong physical form will win in Olympics."

Olympic qualifier Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) saw her bid for an Almaty double at 76kg quashed when Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) used the move-of-the-day to score a victory by fall in the final.

Medet Kyzy had Syzdykova's leg in the air when the Kazakh suddenly jumped and kicked out a leg while rolling back, which flipped Medet Kyzy onto her back. Syzdykova then clamped down for a fall in 1:48.

"The final was a tough bout as I had only three weeks of training and we were helping the Kazakhstan team to qualify for Olympics," Syzdykova said. "But my coach said that we have to go for it and win. I was wrestling only tactically and next time I’ll do better."

For Syzdykova, the victory avenged a 6-1 loss to Medet Kyzy in the group stage, and gave her a first gold among six career Asian medals. It was also her first major title since moving up to 76kg in 2018.

"I won the Olympic medal at 69, but now cutting the weight is not good for me so I changed," she said. "I have been wrestling for 16 years and I don’t know what else to do. I love it."

Dulguun MUNKHBOLD (MGL), who had already clinched the 55kg title with a pair of falls in the afternoon session, capped her run to a first Asian gold with a third pin, decking Hyungjoo KIM (KOR) at 2:41 after leading 5-0.

Munkhbold, in progressing from Asian bronze medalist in 2019 and silver medalist last year, sprawled at the edge to counter a Kim tackle, then reversed gears and bulled her onto her back.

With that result, the final match of the 55kg round-robin suddenly became a showdown for the silver and bronze medals, and Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB) came away with the glitzier hardware.

Usmonjonova twice stuffed a front headlock throw attempt by Aisha UALISHAN (KAZ), and clamped down after the second one to secure a fall with :36 left in the match and a 4-1 lead.

India came away with two bronze medals, with Seema SEEMA (IND) winning at 50kg -- the day after turning 29 -- with a 10-0 technical fall over Yung Hsun LIN (TPE), and Pooja POOJA (IND) beating Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) 5-2 at 76kg in a repeat of their match at the Asian Olympic qualifier, where neither finished in the top two.

Nine years after winning an Asian junior bronze, Eun Sun JEONG (KOR) earned a senior one with a 7-2 win at 68kg over Azoda ESBERGENOVA (UZB).

Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ), a 2019 world junior bronze medalist, took the 59kg bronze by beating Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB) 7-0.

The women's tournament finishes up Friday with competition in the 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg divisions.

The day will see a clash between reigning champions, as Divya KAKRAN (IND), the 2020 champion at 68kg, has moved up to 72kg and is looking to dethrone Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ). The two will face each other in the second round of the four-woman round-robin.

Day 3 Finals

Women's Wrestling

50kg (6 entries)
GOLD - Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) df. Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 1:43
BRONZE - Seema SEEMA (IND) df. Yung Hsun LIN (TPE) by TF, 10-0, 2:17

55kg (4 entries)
GOLD - Dulguun MUNKHBOLD (MGL), 3-0
SILVER - Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB), 2-1
BRONZE - Aisha UALISHAN (KAZ), 1-2
Key match: Dulguun MUNKHBOLD (MGL) df. Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB) by Fall, 5:23 (14-0) in Round 1

59kg (6 entries)
GOLD - Sarita SARITA (IND) df. Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL), 10-7
BRONZE - Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ) df. Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB), 7-0

68kg (6 entries)
GOLD - Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), 6-1
BRONZE - Eun Sun JEONG (KOR) df. Azoda ESBERGENOVA (UZB), 7-2

76kg (6 entries)
GOLD - Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) by Fall, 1:48 (4-0)
BRONZE - Pooja POOJA (IND) df. Seoyeon JEONG (KOR), 5-2

Yazdani, in league of his own, wins gold in Almaty

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Sarita Defends 59kg Crown to Become India's 1st Two-Time Asian Women's Champion