#WrestleTokyo

Youngsters Shine in Greco-Roman; Tynybekova, Kawai Reach Semifinals

Tuesday, August 3, 2021 - 07:45 By Vinay Siwach

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CHIBA, Japan (August 3) --- Out of the 49 wrestlers that took the mat Tuesday at the Makuhari Messe Hall in Chiba, 22 were world champions at the senior or age group level. By the end of the morning session eight remained in the hunt for the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics.

Wrestling saw action in 67kg and 87kg in Greco-Roman and 62kg in women's wrestling as it entered day three of the Olympics in Chiba Prefecture, 20 kilometers from downtown Tokyo. Semifinals were decided in all three of the weight categories.

A host of upsets in the morning sessions gave way to young blood in the 67kg semifinals. Former cadet world champion Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) reached the semifinal after dumping Rio Olympic gold medalist Ismael BORRERO (CUB) in the opening round. Borrero was trailing 1-1 on criteria after giving up passivity in the second period. He went for a head pinch to get two points but instead gave up a takedown to trail 1-3. A late step out point was not enough as the defending champion lost 3-2.

Zoidze will face will face U23 world champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) in the semifinals as he upset three-time world champion Frank STAEBLER (GER) 5-5 in the quarterfinals. Staebler was leading 5-3 when the referees called for a leg-foul and it was awarded to Geraei. The two had one caution each and a similar scoring pattern but the Iran wrestler had the last point and was declared the winner.

ElsayedMohamed ELSAYED (EGY) is one of the two wrestlers from his country to make the semifinalists in Tokyo. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The other semifinal will also see young guns Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) take on Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY). Multiple times age-group world medalist Nasibov claimed 2018 world champion Artem SURKOV (ROC) with a 1-1 score. The two had a passivity each but it was the Ukrainian who had it in the second period.

Elsayed had a frantic first bout against two-time world champion RYU Hansu (KOR) but hung in for a 7-6 win. In the quarterfinals he was in deep water against former junior world champion Karen ASLANYAN (ARM), but pulled out a 7-7 victory to reach the semifinals.

While it was youngsters who shone in 67kg, veterans ruled the 87kg weight class. In the final lap of his career, world champion Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) reached the semifinal and will take on Mohamed METWALLY (EGY). He defeated Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ) 6-1 in the first bout before he stopped Rio bronze medalist Denis KUDLA (GER) 1-1 in the quarterfinal.

Metwally was the surprise entry in the list as he won by technical superiority 9-1 over Individual World Cup winner Kiril MASKEVICH (BLR). He then pulled out a fall over Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) to reach the semifinal.

Rio silver medalist and world champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) will take on Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) in the other semifinal at 87kg. Beleniuk continued his well planned strategy of trying to attack more in the second period, resulting in him winning the criteria lead.

Zhan BELENIUKZhan BELENIUK (UKR) reached the 87kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In the first bout, he wrestled European champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) and won 3-1 after a big gut from par terre. Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) kept the match tighter, but it was Beleniuk gutting out the 1-1 win and trip to the semifinals.

Huklek removed Rio Olympic bronze medalist Rustam ASSAKOLO (UZB) in the quarterfinal with a 4-1 win. He began with a 5-3 win over John STEFANOWICZ (USA).

On the women's side, world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) booked her spot in the second straight Olympic semifinal and will take on Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR). In 2016, Tynybekova lost her semifinal and later the bronze medal bout.

But she looked a wrestler on a mission as she defeated Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT) 8-0 with those trademark double-leg takedowns. And just when it seemed that Kriszta INCZE (ROU) will be a problem, she exposed the Romanian to her back and won via fall.

AIsuluu TynybekovaAisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) is in the 62kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Koliadenko also looks like the one to cause the upset as she won both her bouts via fall. First was Aminat ADENIYI (NGR) who was up 4-0 but the Ukrainian smashed her to the mat and the referee took their time but finally called it a pin. LONG Jia (CHN) was her next victim as she also suffered a fall in the first period itself.

Even if Tynybekova clears the semifinals, she will meet one of the two main rivals in the Olympic finals as KAWAI Yukako (JPN) and Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) made it to the semifinal from the other side of the bracket at 62kg.

Kawai, wrestling at her first Olympics, got her lace going against Liubov OVCHAROVA (ROC) to win 10-0 before she won 10-2 against a tiring Henna JOHANSSON (SWE). The Swede did give up a point for passivity but managed a takedown but Kawai came back stronger with a four pointer as well to win.

Yusein was also dominant in her two bouts as she got Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) in a arm-to-chest wrap and got the rolls for a 10-0 win in no time. But her opening win was 4-1 against Lais NUNES (BRA).

The semifinals will be followed by the medal bouts of the Greco-Roman 77kg and 97kg and women's 68kg weight classes.

#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships WW 50kg, 57kg, 65kg, 76kg semis set

Tuesday, September 19, 2023 - 08:26 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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BELGRADE, Serbia (September 19) -- The World Championships will see the first women's wrestling Olympic weight classes in action with 50kg, 57kg and 76kg. A non-Olympic weight is also in action -- 65kg. Yui SUSAKI (JPN), Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), Helen MAROULIS (USA), Adeline GRAY (USA), Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) are some names in action.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER | SADULAEV UPDATE

14:54: Literally seconds apart, Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) and Helen MAROULIS (USA) set up a rematch of last year's final at 57kg, this time in the semifinals. Sakurai, aiming for her third straight world title and second in a row at 57kg, disposed of 2022 bronze medalist Anhelina LYSAK (POL), scoring three takedowns in a 7-0 victory. On the adjacent mat, Maroulis had one blip against European silver medalist Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), getting stuffed on a gut-wrench attempt to give up 2, but otherwise was in control in an 8-3 victory. Sakurai beat Maroulis 3-0 in last year's final.

14:50: A 1-1 criteria victory for Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) over Ramona GALAMBOS (HUN) in the 57kg. Kamaloglu held on to her passivity lead if her life depended on it.

14:45: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) gets Odunayo ADEKUROYE (NGR) in an arm trap and turns her until the referee blows the whistle. Nichita, who pinned Adekuroye in the Tokyo Olympics after being 8-0 down, has looked extremely dominant so far.

14:40: Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL), the losing finalist last year to Susaki, manhandles two-time European bronze medalist Kseniya STANKEVICH (AIN) 12-1 to advance to the 50kg semifinals. She will face Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), a wrestler the Mongolian beat in the semis a year ago. The American has since avenged that loss with a technical superiority win in the Budapest Ranking Series.

14:40: Marquee match-up on Mat D. Four-time Olympic medalist Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is wrestling Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA). The two exchange takedowns with Hildebrandt leading 4-3. But Stadnik feels the heat and gives up easy takedowns and Hildebrandt builds a 12-3 lead before a lace to finish 12-3.

14:33: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) a fall over Emilia VUC (ROU) and she moves to the 50kg semifinals. On a different level.

14:30: Another one of the sport's titans has fallen! Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) scores a takedown in each period and never gives six-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) an opening to win 4-1 for the biggest victory of her young career. Gray's lone point comes on the activity clock.

14:27: Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) was looking for a fall over Milaimys MARIN (CUB) but the Cuban survives but Alpeyeyeva holds a 2-2 lead. But Marin with a buzzer-beater to win and book a spot in the 76kg semifinal 

14:23: Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) with a high lift and feet to back to get the fall over Samar HAMZA (EGY). Egypt challenged the call for a stepout but it was continuous action and Renteria won.

14:14: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), deprived of a chance to defend her 62kg title when she lost out at the Japan trials, moved closer to the consolation prize of a 65kg gold by moving into the semifinals with a one-sided 9-0 victory over Kadriye AKSOY (TUR). Ozaki showed she could handle the extra weight of three powerful takedowns in the first period. She scores a stepout the second, then spends the rest of the period locked up with Aksoy, who gets underhooks and futilely attempts back trips. Ozaki thwarts a desperation lateral drop at the end for her final 2 points.

14:00: Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) holds on to a 6-4 lead over SARITA (IND) in the 57kg 1/8 final and moves to the quarterfinals in which she will face Anastasia NICHITA (MDA).

13:34: Helen MAROULIS (USA) remains laser-focused in her mission to regain the 57kg title, making short work of Graciela SANCHEZ DIAZ (ESP) in a 10-0 victory in 2:13 to advance to the quarterfinals, where European silver medalist Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) awaits.

13:30: NEELAM (UWW) stops Oksana LIVACH (UKR) in the 50kg 1/8 finals with a 4-2 win. She will however have Ziqi FENG (CHN) in the quarterfinal

13:06: A dream match has been set up in the 50kg quarterfinals, where ageless Mariya STADNIK (AZE) and Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) will square off after victories by technical superiority. Stadnik finds various ways to score in beating Polinia LUKINA (AIN) 12-1, and Hildebrandt follows with a takedown-lace lock 10-0 win over Miseon KWON (KOR).

12:57: Returning 76kg bronze medalist Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) scores a takedown while on the activity clock, then adds two more in a 6-0 win over Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN). Her reward? A shot at Adeline GRAY (USA) in the quarterfinals.

12:50: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) gave up a point but then punished Alisson CARDOZO (COL) with a lace and won her first bout at 50kg 12-1.

12:35: Adeline GRAY (USA) with an 11-0 technical superiority over returning bronze medalist Epp MAE (EST). Gray is returning to international competition after two years and looking to become a seven-time world champion which will make her the most successful wrestler from the United States

12:19: Helen MAROULIS (USA) gets her bid for a fourth world title at 57kg off to a rousing start, scoring 4 with nifty fireman's carry against Nes RODRIGUEZ (PUR). She builds up a 10-point lead as she stacks up her opponent and ends the match with a fall.

12:14: Olympic silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) snatches a victory from the jaws of defeat at 57kg in an ill-tempered clash between neutral athletes. She had just given up a takedown to fall behind 4-0 against Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (AIN) when she went to a cradle off a takedown and secured a fall at 4:10.

12:05: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), who became Moldova's first-ever female world champion when she won the 59kg gold last year, got off to a good start at the Olympic weight of 57kg by whipping Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL). Nichita charged to an 8-0 lead, then threw Nikolova to her back for a fall in just over two minutes.

11:52: In a freestyle 97kg repechage match, three-time champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) bounces back from his stunning quarterfinal loss to Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) by defeating Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) 10-6 to advance to the bronze-medal match later today. Snyder gave up a 4-point counter lift, but had a 4-point cradle of his own to put away the two-time Asian champion.

11:34: Anna LUKASIAK (POL), a bronze medalist a year ago at 50kg, gives up a pair of stepouts and that proves the difference in a 2-1 loss to European silver medalist Oksana LIVICH (UKR)

11:25: Returning bronze medalist Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) starts with a pin over Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) at 76kg. She lost to Yasemin ADAR (TUR) last year but Adar is not wrestling this year.

11:07: Two years away from the world stage to get married and have twins, and six-time champion Adeline GRAY (USA) spends just 31 seconds in her opening match at women's 76kg. A takedown to lace lock, four spins and that's it for Jimin BAEK (KOR). The unseeded Gray will next face longtime foe Epp MAE (EST) in a rematch of the 2021 world final.

11:05: A takedown to a lace lock and 2021 world bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) finishes off an 11-0 rout of Catalina AXENTE (ROU) at women's 76kg.

11:00: Macey KILTY (USA) channels the Greco wrestlers when she hits a 4-point back suplex to cap a 10-0 win over Valeriia DONDUPOVA SUVOROVA (AIN) in the qualification round at women's 65kg

10:30: Welcome to day four of the World Championships. A big breaking news to start the day as Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) has forfeited his repechage bout which means that Japan will remain without an Olympic quota here.