#WrestleTunis

Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series preview

Monday, July 11, 2022 - 12:15 By Vinay Siwach

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TUNIS, Tunisia (July 11) -- The final stop of the Ranking Series moves to the Tunisian capital -- Tunis. After wrestlers grabbed ranking points at the continental championships and the three Ranking Series events, the Zouhaier Sghaier is the final event from which wrestlers can earn those all-important points.

The World Championships in September will see the top eight wrestlers from each weight class receive a seed. While some of the seeds have been locked up, a few wrestlers can still move around and change their numbers.

A top-seeded wrestler and defending world champion who will be in Tunisia is Thomas GILMAN (USA). He will be in action for the first time since winning his maiden Pan-Am title in May.

Gilman, who defeated Alireza SARLAK (IRI), in the final in Oslo last year, is likely to face the same opponent in Tunis. Not only Sarlak, but Gilman's semifinal opponent Horst LEHR (GER) will also be eyeing to avenge his loss from last year.

For Sarlak, beating Gilman in Tunis will not be as important as getting past Amhad MOHAMMADNEZHAD (IRI). The two are battling for a spot on the Iran national team.

Sarlak, the silver medalist at World Championships, lost to Mohammadnezhad at the Takhti Cup last month which resulted in the Iran federation going for another selection in Tunisia. Mohammadnezhad will fancy his chances against Sarlak and then pick up other wins over international wrestlers.

Winner of Ranking Series in Almaty, Aman SEHRAWAT (IND) will be hoping to continue his medal run with a third straight Ranking Series medal at 57kg.

Ali SAVADKOUHIAli SAVADKOUHI (IRI) is wrestling at 79kg for a spot on Iran's World Championships team. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

That is not the only weight class in which Iran is trying to finalize its team for Belgrade. At 79kg, a huge battle awaits as World Championships silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) and Asian champion Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) are wrestling for the spot.

While the winner among the two will get the spot, if they do not face each other, the higher positioned wrestler may get a look in. But both will have their task cut out against European champion Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), Asian silver medalist Gourav BALIYAN (IND) who fell agonizingly to Savadkouhi in the Asian final.

Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) has been the second-best for the USA after world champ Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and gold in Tunis can further cement his name as one of the top stars of the weight class.

Iran also has Yones EMAMI(IRI) at 74kg but he has already confirmed his spot on the team along with Asian champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) at 65kg. For all other weight classes, Iran held a selection trial Sunday in Tehran with defending world champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and Amir ZARE (IRI) all set to defend their titles.

None of the three are taking the trip to Tunisia but still, there are some big stars in action at the four-day tournament.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) is eyeing his second straight Ranking Series gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) will be the favorite to win the gold at 125kg. Kazakhstan is sending Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) and Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) with the hope to finalize one name for the World Championships.

Hayden ZILLMER (USA) will also be tested for the first time after making the USA world team over Nicholas Gwiazdowski (USA).

The USA is sending a strong team to the Ranking Series event and Kyle SNYDER (USA) will be their leader as Burroughs and Kyle DAKE (USA) decided to skip the event.

Snyder will have a trio of Turkey wrestlers in Oktay CIFTCI (TUR), Polat POLATCI (TUR) and Burak SAHIN (TUR) on his path to gold. Others entered in the weight class include U20 world bronze medalist Deepak NEHRA (IND), Serik BAKYTKHANOV (KAZ) and Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ).

At 65kg, Kazakhstan is hoping that Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) can cement his place with a good showing in Tunis. But he will have Tokyo Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG), U23 Asian champion SUJEET (IND) and former U17 world champion John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA).

Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA)Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) is entered at 50kg for the USA. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Even in women's wrestling, the USA is sending a full-strength squad with Olympic champion Taymra MENSAH STOCK (USA) and bronze medalists Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) and Helen MAROULIS (USA) leading the charge.

Hildebrandt, who has already locked up the top seed, will have compatriot Emily SHILSON (USA) at 50kg along with European champion Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR) and U23 European champion Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA).

Other world team members of the USA will be in action as well. Dominique PARRISH (USA) will have two Canadians at 53kg in Karla GODINEZ (CAN) and Diana WEICKER (CAN). Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) is also taking the trip to Tunisia to grab some points before the seeds are finalized.

African champion Sarra HAMDI (TUN), who is currently ranked 11 and ninth in seedings, will like to break into the top 10 and hope that she will get the seed for the World Championships.

Maroulis at 57kg will the favorite to win the gold and certain her top seed with a gold medal-winning performance. Trying to stop her will be Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR), Giullia RODRIGUES (BRA), Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) and Mansi AHLAWAT (IND) among others.

Rodrigues will receive a seed at Worlds if she enters the competition but Paruszewski, currently ranked 16th, needs to break into the top-12 to be certain that she will receive a seed at the World Championships.

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA)Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), red, is returning to competition after nine months. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) will be wrestling for the first time since winning the bronze medal at the Oslo World Championships. She lost her top seed to world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) and can now only move up to second.

But her path to gold will not be easy as U23 world champion Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) and even Forrest MOLINARI (USA) are wrestling at 68kg.

Larroque has been out of action for more than nine months nursing her knee injury. But she will be hoping to return to full form as she battles with Lecarpentier for a spot on France's team for Belgrade.

Two other weight classes in which the USA is hoping to do well are 72kg and 76kg. Pan-Am champion and winner of the Rome Ranking Series event Skylar GROTE (USA) will once again try to win the gold, her second in as many Ranking Series events.

But U17 and U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) will have other ideas. Elor blanked Grote at the World Team Trials in June and a closer battle is expected between the two if they clash in Tunisia.

Despite the two accomplished stars, Buse TOSUN (TUN) will be the favorite to win the gold at 72kg. Ranked fourth in the world, Tosun missed out on a medal in Istanbul and but the world bronze medalist won a silver medal at the European Championships in March.

A medal in Tunis can take her to third in the world, a spot better than world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN).

Yelena MAKOYED (USA)Yelena MAKOYED (USA) dominated the competition to win the 76kg gold in Rome. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The 76kg weight class offers even tougher competition. Canadian veteran Justina DI STASIO (CAN), world bronze medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY), U20 World silver medalist BIPASHA (IND), the USA world team member Precious BELL (USA), Dymond GUILFORD (USA) and star of Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series Yelena MAKOYED (USA) are entered.

Makoyed stunning a top-class field in Rome, winning the gold medal with victories over Martina KUENZ (AUT), world silver medalist Epp MAE (EST), Francy RAEDELT (GER), Catalina AXENTE (ROU) and U23 world champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR).

Once again she will be expected to perform on a similar level but Bell and Guilford will provide more resistance, having wrestled Makoyed domestically.

Top-ranked wrestler in the world at 59kg Sarita MOR (IND) will be wrestling for her second straight Ranking Series gold medal. She is clubbed against Elena BRUGGER (GER) and Siwar BOUSETA (TUN).

Rio Olympic bronze medalists Sakshi MALIK (IND) and Marwa AMRI (TUN) are both entered at 62kg. While Malik won the gold in Almaty, Amri is coming off a golden performance at the African Championships and Mediterranean Games. Both will fancy their chances to win the gold in Tunis with Amri holding the home advantage.

Lais NUNES and Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) are the other contenders for gold at 62kg.

Sunil KUMAR (IND)Sunil KUMAR (IND) is the favorite to win the 87kg gold in Tunis. (Photo: UWW / Assem Shalgumbayeva)

The Greco-Roman field is highlighted by wrestlers from Turkey, India and a few from Africa. Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) is entered at 60kg with Salim HAMDI (TUN) and Ayhan KARAKUS (TUR) also in the field.

India has entered two wrestlers at 67kg in NEERAJ (IND) and Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND). The battle for gold will be played out between the two and Koussay MELKI (TUN) and Volkan CAKIL (TUR).

Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) will be the favorite to win the 77kg weight class. But for that, he will have to wrestle past Joilson DE BRITO (BRA) and Furkan BAYRAK (TUR).

Home star Lamjed MAAFI (TUN) will hope to win the 82kg weight category in front of his home crowd. Trying to stop him will be Harpreet SINGH (IND), Sajan BHANWALA (IND) and Emrah KUS (TUR).

Former Asian champion at 87kg Sunil KUMAR (IND) has his eyes on gold and for that, he has to only beat Mohamed MISSAOUI (TUN).

At 97kg, Adem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG), Igor DE QUEIROZ (BRA), DEEPANSHU (IND), Mohamed JABRI (TUN) and Muhittin SARICICEK (TUR) will be in the Nordic bracket hoping to clinch the top medal.

A similar process will be followed at 130kg as NAVEEN (IND), Amine GUENNICHI (TUN) and Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) hope to claim the gold.

The action begins July 14 with Greco-Roman action and women's wrestling beginning the next day. Freestyle will be on July 16 and 17. All the live-action and highlights will be available on uww.org.

#WrestleSamokov

U20 World Championships Freestyle Day 1 Results and Highlights

Sunday, August 17, 2025 - 06:36 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 17) -- The U20 World Championships kicks off in Samokov, Bulgaria on a Sunday. Four weight classes will be in action -- 70kg, 74kg, 97kg and 125kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | U20 WORLD PREVIEW

19:22: In the final match of the day one of the U20 World Championships, Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) manages to hang on to his 1-1 criteria lead against former world U17 champion Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE). Mohmmad Nezhad got the one point for passivity in the second period which gave him the criteria.

19:15: A mini-upset in the 125kg semifinal as Asian U20 Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) beats Cole MIRASOLA (USA), 11-0, inside the first period. Two excellent counter takedowns from Kassimbek and then a locks Mirasola's legs around his head and turns him twice. A double-leg to finish things.

19:10: Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) gets the better of European U20 champion Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO). Rademacher led 4-3 at the break but then scores a takedown for two points to start the second period, add another go-behind and another single-leg to takedown to lead 10-3. Petriashvili gets an attack for  two points but Rademacher is relentless in his wrestling and three more takedowns to win 16-5 and reach the final.

18:55: Magomedgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (UWW) hangs on for an 11-9 win over VISHAL (IND) who had Magomedov in all sorts of trouble. Magomedov led 10-4 when Vishal mounted a comeback against absolutely broken Magomedov. He scored a takedown and Magomedov was cautioned for a singlet foul which made it 10-7. As the bout was restart in par terre, India challenged for two more points but the referee had blown the whistle before control from Vishal. That challenge gave enough breathing time to Magomedov to managed to hang on to his lead and win 11-9 at 97kg.

18:40: Raul CASO (ITA) cannot repeat his heroics in the semifinal against Adilet AKYLBEKOV (KGZ) at 74kg. Caso was down 3-2 and almost got a takedown but Akylebkov sneaks out and then Caso jumps over for control but the Kyrgyz wrestler is stands up quickly. Akylebkov wins 3-2. Italy challenge for two points but never there. One more point for Akylebkov

18:30: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) survives a scare against Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) in the 74kg, pulling off a 7-3 win. However, it was Yamaguchi who threatened to score in the final 25 seconds when Khaniev was leading 3-3 on criteria. Yamaguchi hit a double-leg attack and planed Khaniev who did not landed in danger and exposed Yamaguchi for two points. Yamaguchi tried a desperate throw in the final 15 seconds but Khaniev blocked it for two more points to win and enter the final at 74kg.

18:20: Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) has had a dream run in Samokov and he has made it to the 70kg finals after beating Nurlan AGHAZADA (AZE) in the semifinals. What a turnaround after finishing 18th last year at the World U20 Championships. He rallies with three takedowns in the second period against Aghazada to win 7-4.

18:10: PJ DUKE (USA) is into the final! He beats Erfan ELAHI (IRI) 2-2 on criteria. Elahi gets the first point after Duke is put on activity clock but Duke gets a takedown when Elahi tries a stepout and lead 2-1. A stepout in the second period for Elahi to make it 2-2 but Duke leads on criteria. Elahi does not realize that he is down on criteria and doesn't really attack in the final minute. Duke beats Elahi 2-2 and enters hte final at 70kg

The semifinals will begin at 18:00 hours local time

13:40: Cole MIRASOLA (USA) downs Inal GAGLOEV (UWW) in the final bout of the session. Mirasola with a takedown to start off the scoring in the bout. he He added a stepout to lead 3-0 at the break. No more action in the second period and Mirasola wins 3-0 and enter the 125kg semifinal against Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ).

13:30: Ashab DADAEV (FRA) thought he is winning against Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 97kg quarterfinals but he was down 3-2. Petriashvili had a takedown and stepout while Dadaev scored a stepout and a point for lost challenge from Petriashvili.

13:20: Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) beats Levan LAGVILAVA (FRA) 11-4 at 125kg and storms into the semifinals in which he will face Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) who defeated Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO) 5-0 in the quarterfinals

13:15: Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), the Asian U20 champion, pins Baejoon JANG (KOR) in the 125kg quarterfinals. Kassimbek has lost two world U17 finals and now has a chance to win at U20 level.

13:10: European fifth-placer Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) hands Islam KAZHAROV (UWW) a 8-3 loss. Big win for Gaidarli who finished 18th last year but has a silver medalist from 2024 European U20 Championships.

13:05: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI) keeps a strong defense after taking a 4-1 lead against Sungkar SEIDAKHMET (KAZ) at 70kg and wins 4-2. Elahi will face PJ DUKE (USA) in the semifinals after the U.S. wrestler defeated Abdoullah NAKAEV (FRA), 14-4, in the quarterfinals. This was Duke's third victory via fall or technical superiority. Nakaev had some good scrambles but Duke managed to finish better.

12:40: Raul CASO (ITA) with a takedown in the final second to beat Parvinder SINGH (IND) at 74kg. Caso had just six seconds to score two points to win 5-4.

12:37: European U20 silver medalist Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) with a quick fall over Ruije LI (CHN) at 125kg. The former world U17 champion is looking for a U20 world title.

12:35: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) got on board with a passivity point against Manuel WAGIN (GER) in their 74kg quarterfinal. Wagin could not get his duckunders going in that match as Khaniev underhooks were solid. Khaniev avenges his European U20 semifinal loss by beating Wagin 10-0

12:27: Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO), with his brother and Olympic champ Geno cheering from the stands, works a good 10-0 win over Andriyan VALKANOV (BUL) at 97kg.

12:20: Incredible comeback from Asian U20 champ Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) against Narantulga DARMAABAZAR (MGL) at 125kg. In a rematch of the Asian U20 final which the Kazakh wrestler won, Kassimbek breaks Darmaabazar and wins 15-12 after being down 12-5 at the break.

12:15: A third U.S. vs Turkiye head-to-head match today. Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) is countered by Ibrahim BENEKLI (TUR) a couple of times in the first period but he holds a 6-6 lead for his four-pointer. The second period is very straightforward as Rademacher gets the leg lace to lead 10-6. Benekli gets two points on board but Rademacher ultimately gets the fall with a 17-8 score. The head-to-head score is 3-0 for U.S.

12:05: Returning fifth-place Nikolaos KARAVANOS (GRE) brings down Asian U20 champion Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI), beating the Iranian 7-5. He led 5-5 on criteria and Alizadeh tried to hit a takedown but Karavanos counters with a takedown and wins at 97kg.

11:40: Noah LEIBOWITZ (JPN) begins with a 5-0 win over Aitenir MAKSATOV (KGZ) at 97kg. Leibowitz is one of the more exciting talents in Japan heavyweight and right behind Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)

11:30: Unlikely that PJ DUKE (USA) will be stopped in Samokov! He pins Gabriel SANCHEZ (MEX) in his second bout and has stormed to the quarterfinals at 70kg.

11:20: European U20 silver medalist Raul CASO (ITA) hangs on for a 9-8 wins at 74kg over Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IR). A four-pointer at the start of the match keeps him ahead. 

11:10: A potential final but we have it in 1/8 as returning silver medalist Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) takes on European U23 champion Ismail KHANIEV (UWW). Both trade stepout and Lockett leads 1-1 at the break. Khaniev gets another stepout for a 2-1 lead. Lockett is called for aggressive push and gets caution. Khaniev gets another point to make it 3-1. Khaniev is given another stepout but U.S. challenges the call. But clear stepout from Lockett and challenge is lost. A 5-1 lead for Khaniev with 24 seconds remaining. A stepout is all Lockett gets and Khaniev wins 5-2.

10:55: Big match at 74kg! European U20 champion Manuel WAGIN (GER) takes on senior European bronze medalist Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) at 74kg. Novruzov put on the shot clock but he scores a takedown after breaking Wagin's chest wrap and lead 2-0 at the break. Wagin gets on the leg in the second period but gets only a stepout. He adds another and a fleeing caution for Novruzov for Wagin to lead 3-2. Two beautiful duckunders from Wagin and earned two takedowns to lead 7-4. He wins the bout 7-2.

10:40: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI), a former world U17 champion, almost made a mess of his first bout at 70kg against SAGAR (IND). He led 6-1 before Sagar tries to make a comeback against a tiring Elahi. A stepout for Sagar makes it 6-3 but only 13 seconds left. Elahi gives up another stepout and docked a point for fleeing, score changes to 6-5. But Sagar can't get two points to win in the final three seconds.

10:25: PJ DUKE (USA) hits the leg lace over Umut USLU (TUR) in his first bout to win 11-0 at 70kg. Duke will be on the senior U.S. team as well for the World Championships, a spot he won after beating Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) in the trials.

10:20: Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) leg laces Catalin SPINU (MDA) to get the win at 74kg, a weight class which has good wrestlers on the same side. Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IRI) breaks Aliaksandr VIARBITSKI (UWW) to win 9-2, eight of his points were scored in the second period.

10:10: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) and Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) roll to 10-0 win over Vatan ANNAORAZOV (TKM) and Tolui MUNKHBAT (MGL) respectively. Novruzov has to work little harder but wins against Stiliyan DZHOROV (BUL)

10:00: What a line-up to start the day in Samokov! Ismail KHANIEV (UWW), Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) and Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) all in action on three actions at 74kg.