Host Japan Holds Off China for 4th Straight Women's World Cup Title

Sunday, March 18, 2018 - 23:20 By Ken Marantz

Missing one of its world and Olympic champions from the lineup, Japan needed someone among its less heralded members to step up and notch a pivotal win.

Enter Ayana GEMPEI (JPN), whose come-from-behind victory at 65kg clinched host Japan's 6-4 victory over China in the final of the Women's World Cup, giving the host country its fourth consecutive title and 10th overall.

"I was so focused, I didn't really think about that," Gempei said of being in position to give Japan an insurmountable lead. "Anyway, I went out there absolutely determined to win."

Facing TANG Chuying (CHN), Gempei was trailing 3-2 when she scored a takedown and roll in the final 12 seconds to notch a 6-3 victory.

"I was losing, but I thought I could definitely get something somewhere. I believed in what I brought [to the mat]. I went for it with confidence."
Yuki IRIE (JPN) celebrates her 10- technical fall over Olympic bronze medalist SUN Yanan of China (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne).

Yuki IRIE (JPN) got the host country off to a perfect start when she overwhelmed Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist SUN Yanan (CHN), building up a 10-0 lead before scoring a fall with :46 remaining.

Irie, who had beaten world champion Yui SUSAKI at the Japan championships in December, was coming off a disappointing showing at the recent Asian Championships in Bishkek, where she had to settle for a bronze medal in a tournament dominated by China.

But before the packed house of 2,000 at Takasaki Arena and national TV audience, Irie showed what makes her a force to be reckoned with.

"At the start, I was wondering about Irie," Japan head coach Hideo SASAYAMA said. "If we lose there, it could be a problem. But if we win the opener, it gets things rolling. She came up with a fantastic victory and that got the momentum going for Japan."

Paris 2017 world champion Haruna OKUNO (JPN) followed with a victory at 53kg by fall over OUYANG Junling (CHN), in contrast to her labored 7-6 victory the day before over Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA).

"In yesterday's match, I allowed the opponent to work her strategy," Okuno said. "Today, I was able to do what I wanted to do."

Paris 2017 silver medalist Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) kept the ball rolling with a 10-0 technical fall victory in 1:27 over XIE Mengyu (CHN) at 55kg.

While those three victories could be expected, the next few matches would be decisive for China, which was relying on setting the stage for its highly touted trio of heavyweights.

RONG Ningning (CHN) looks for the fall in the finals of the Women's World Cup (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Next up for China was Bishkek 2018 gold medalist RONG Ningning at 57 kg, and it was a surprise to many when Katsuki SAKAGAMI jumped out to a 4-0 lead. But Rong stuffed Sakagami on a double-leg tackle attempt, sending her to her back before ripping off five consecutive rolls---the last of which just beat the first-period buzzer for a 15-4 technical fall.

At 59kg, Yukako KAWAI (JPN) pulled off a key win when she scored a second-period takedown for a 3-1 victory over PEI Xingru (CHN), who, like Rong, was one of five newly crowned Asian champions who took the mat for China on Sunday.

Kawai's older sister, Rio 2016 Olympic and Paris 2017 world champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) lived up to expectations by forging a 10-4 victory over Bishkek 2018 silver medalist LUO Xiaojuan, putting Japan up 5-1.
Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) battles for control in Sunday night's final (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Gempei, a world under-23 champion, scored her decisive victory over the lanky Tang, who was a head taller than the stocky Japanese.

"Whoever the opponent, whatever their body type, I only think about having to fight by using the moves that I know," Gempei said. "So I don't think about that."

With Rio 2016 Olympic and Paris 2017 world champion Sara DOSHO (JPN) skipping the final due to a shoulder injury suffered during the preliminary round, Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) proved no match at 68kg for Bishkek 2018 champion ZHOU Feng, going down to defeat 9-0.

China's two other Asian champions, Yue HAN (CHN) at 72kg and ZHOU Qian (CHN) at 76kg, finished up with wins that only served to slim Japan's margin of victory.

Han, a Paris 2017 bronze medalist, was pushed to the limit by Masako FURUICHI (JPN) and needed two second-period takedowns to notch a 10-7 victory, while Zhou followed by topping Paris 2017 bronze medalist Hiroe SUZUKI (JPN) 7-1.

Mongolia takes bronze for 3rd straight year
In a thrilling third-place playoff that featured a number of late, come-from-behind wins, Tumentsetseg SHARKHUU (MGL) provided the shocker that helped clinch Mongolia's 6-4 victory over the United States for a third consecutive bronze medal.

The U.S. had cut Mongolia's lead to 4-3 with victories over two of its top wrestlers when Bishkek 2018 silver medalist Sharkhuu faced Tamrya MENSAH (USA) in a pivotal bout at 68kg.

Mensah stormed to a 5-0 lead, but in the second period, Sharkhuu used an inside trip to send the American to her back, then finished off the match with a fall with 1:56 left.

"Our team, we all supported each other and were saying, 'You can do it,'" Sharkhuu said. "I was just thinking about the team and thinking 'I have to win.'"

Regarding her winning move, Sharkhuu said, "That technique is not my technique, but for the last month I have been trying it."

After Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) at 55kg and Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) at 59kg pulled off last-second victories, the U.S. got back into the match with two big wins.

Mallory VELTE (USA) held on for an 11-9 victory at 62kg over Paris 2017 world champion Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), who was not at 100 percent and had defaulted two group stage matches.

Then, Forrest MOLINARI (USA) ended a close battle at 65kg with former world champion Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL) with a first-period fall.

"Orkhon was injured, but she tried her best," Sharkhuu said. "I really appreciate her [effort]. We are all one team."

Mongolia coach Byambajov BATTULGA said the team is improving as younger wrestlers start to step up.

"We have a good mix with young wrestlers getting better," Battulga said. "We're more confident. Two champions lost, we were shocked. But Sharkhuu came up with a big win."

High drama for the lower places
Meanwhile, there was drama in the morning as both of the playoffs for lower places were split evenly 5-5 between the competing teams, and had to be decided on classification points.

Canada held on to edge Belarus 24-21, with the main difference coming from the fact that Belarus had one more victory by default or forfeit than Canada.

The outcome was not decided until the final match at 76kg, when Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), needing to win by fall, could only manage a 6-4 victory over Justina DI STASIO (CAN).

With the score 2-2 and less than minute left, Marzaliuk pressed to lock up di Stasio's arms to set up a throw. The Canadian resisted but was flipped over as they went out of bounds for a 4-point move.

"I think I was trying so hard to not step out of bounds that I overcompensated and drove so hard," di Stasio said. "I don't know how I got flipped over."

Adding to the drama, di Stasio was injured on the play and needed medical attention. "I've got a little neck thing going on," she said. "I don't know why I landed on my head in the last two matches."

A default would have given Belarus the victory---a detail that the Canadian said she was not aware of.

"No, I had no idea---which I'm happy about," said di Stasio, who added she never thought about stopping the match.

For Sweden, splitting the matches with Romania in the seventh-place playoff but losing on classification points 24-22 was a moral victory of sorts, given the young squad's bleak results in the group stage when it won just two matches overall.

"Yesterday was really tough for the whole team," said veteran Jenny FRANSSON (SWE), the Rio 2016 bronze medalist who beat Catalina AXENTE (ROU) by technical fall at 72kg. "When I was almost the last match, I could feel everyone was so sad. It was hard. But it's a good experience."

Final Day Results
1st-2nd Place
JAPAN 6 CHINA 4
50 kg: Yuki IRIE (JPN) df. SUN Yanan (CHN) by Fall, 0:46 (10-0)
53 kg: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) df. OUYANG Junling (CHN) by Fall, 4:33 (4-0)
55 kg: Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) df. XIE Mengyu (CHN) by TF, 10-0, 1:15
57 kg: RONG Ningning (CHN) df. Katsuki SAKAGAMI (JPN) by TF, 15-4, 3:00
59 kg: Yukako KAWAI (JPN) df. PEI Xingru (CHN), 3-1
62 kg: Risako KAWAI (JPN) df. LUO Xiaojuan (CHN), 10-4
65 kg: Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) df. TANG Chuying (CHN), 6-3
68 kg: ZHOU Feng (CHN) df. Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), 9-0
72 kg: HAN Yue (CHN) df. Masako FURUICHI (JPN), 10-7
76 kg: ZHOU Qian (CHN) df. Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN), 7-1

3rd-4th Place
MONGOLIA 6 UNITED STATES 4
50 kg: Victoria ANTHONY (USA) df. Narangerel ERDENESUKH (MGL) by Fall, 3:49 (8-2)
53 kg: Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL) df. Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), 10-6
55 kg: Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) df. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), 9-6
57 kg: Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL) df. Allison RAGAN (USA) by TF, 10-0, 1:38
59 kg: Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) df. Kayla MIRACLE (USA), 5-4
62 kg: Mallory VELTE (USA) df. Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), 11-9
65 kg: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) df. Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL) by Fall, 3:22 (4-4)
68 kg: Tumentsetseg SHARKHUU (MGL) df. Tamyra MENSAH (USA) by Fall, 1:56 (4-5)
72 kg: Nasanburmaa OCHIRBAT (MGL) df. Victoria FRANCIS (USA), 11-3
76 kg: Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Chantsalnyamaa AMGALANBAATAR (MGL) by TF, 10-0, 3:59

5th-6th Place
CANADA 5 BELARUS 5
(Canada won 24-21 on classification points)
50 kg: Jessica MACDONALD (CAN) df. Kseniya STANKEVICH (BLR) by Fall, 3:12 (6-2)
53 kg: Diana WEICKER (CAN) df. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) by Default
55 kg: Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) df. Jade PARSONS (CAN), 10-4
57 kg: Samantha STEWART (CAN) df. Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR), 7-0
59 kg: Katsiaryna HANCHAR YANUSHKEVICH (BLR) df. Emily SCHAEFER (CAN) by TF, 12-2,2:15
62 kg: Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) df. Jessica BROUILLETTE (CAN) by Fall, 5:34 (4-0)
65 kg: Krystsina FEDARASHKA (BLR) df. Braxton STONE (CAN) by Default
68 kg: Olivia DI BACCO (CAN) df. Hanna SADCHANKA (BLR), 5-2
72 kg: Erica WIEBE (CAN) by Forfeit
76 kg: Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) df. Justina DI STASIO (CAN), 6-4

7th-8th Place
ROMANIA 5 SWEDEN 5
(Romania won 24-22 on classification points)
50 kg: Alina VUC (ROU) df. Malin LJUNGSTROEM (SWE) by Fall, 3:56 (8-0)
53 kg: Estera TAMADUIANU DOBRE (ROU) df. Linn LUNDSTROEM (SWE) by TF, 10-0, 1:37
55 kg: Simona PRICOB (ROU) df. Liliana JUAREZ ANDINO (SWE) by TF, 10-0, 2:15
57 kg: Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU) df. Sara LINDBORG (SWE) by Fall, 2:23 (10-3)
59 kg: Emma JOHANSSON (SWE) by Forfeit
62 kg: Kriszta INCZE (ROU) df. Therese PERSSON (SWE) by Default
65 kg: Moa NYGREN (SWE) df. Adina POPESCU (ROU) by Fall, 1:35 (6-2)
68 kg: Alexandra SANDAHL (SWE) df. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), 9-2
72 kg: Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) df. Catalina AXENTE (ROU) by TF, 10-0, 1:17
76 kg: Denise MAKOTA STROEM (SWE) by Forfeit

#WrestleRome

Putkaradze upgrades silver to U17 world gold; Iran wins GR team title

Wednesday, July 27, 2022 - 19:58 By Vinay Siwach

ROME, Italy (July 27) -- Over the last year, Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) has suffered a few heartbreaks. Out of them, the biggest was his 6-6 loss to Imed KHUDZHADZE (UKR) in the 65kg final at the '21 U17 World Championships in Budapest.

Last month, Putkaradze was the favorite to win the gold at the U17 European Championships but was shocked in the pre-quarterfinals as he suffered a 7-6 loss to Antal VAMOS (SRB).

In Rome, when the draw for 71kg at the U17 World Championships was released, he was in for some tough bouts. European champion Ibrahim OZDEMIR (TUR), Arvin KHOSRAVY (USA) and even Vamos were drawn on the same side of the bracket. As he navigated his way to the quarterfinals, his first big test came against Khosravy. He won the bout 10-0 to set up a semifinal against Ozdemir. The first 20 seconds witnessed Putkaradze getting a four but Ozdemir recoved with a reversal and gut wrench. Putkaradze led 6-3 at the break. Just when it seemed that Ozdemir will make a comeback, Putkaradze flung a body lock throw for four and secured the fall to enter the final for the second straight year.

A day later, Putkaradze wrestled European silver medalist Davud MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final. Putting his past heartbreaks behind and wrestling with some tactics, Putkaradze won the gold medal, the first of his career, with a 3-1 win against Mammadov.

The 17-year-old got the advantage when Mammadov was called passive in the first period. He then managed to roll the Azerbaijan wrestler and lead 3-0 at the break. Putkaradze had to defend his lead for two minutes.

In his previous finals, he had failed to do so but in Rome, Putkaradze gave up a point for passivity but defended from par terre to win the gold 3-1.

Gor AYVAZYAN (GEO) celebrates after winning the 92kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Another Georgian wrestler who made amends from last year's medalless finish was Gor AYVAZYAN (GEO). He gave the nation a second gold of the night by winning the 92kg final. He was pinned despite leading in Budapest last year and finished eighth.

But he made sure there were no slip-ups in this edition. Wrestling European Championships bronze medalist Darius KIEFER (GER) in the final, Ayvazyan showed the gulf in class, finishing the bout with gut wrenches inside the first period.

He used the same technique to win his semifinal against Asian bronze medalist Hamidreza KESHTKAR (IRI) 5-3. After giving up a turn from par terre in the first period, Ayvazyan got two when Keshtkar was put in par terre.

Overall, the Georgian outscored his opponents 34-5 in four bouts.

Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) pinned Mohammadreza GHOLAMI (IRI) in the 51kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Despite the two gold medals Wednesday, Georgia failed to defend its team title and finished third with 121 points. Iran won the top honors with 135 points while Europe's best team Azerbaijan finished second with 130 points.

Iran had one finalist Wednesday and could have locked up the team title if Asian champion Mohammadreza GHOLAMI (IRI) had defeated Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB). Instead, he got pinned when Khalmakhanov stopped his bearhug throw and kept him on the mat. Gholami tried to escape the fall but Khalmakhanov had perfect control with both hands behind his opponent's back.

This was Uzbekistan's fifth Greco-Roman title and first in four years at the U17 World Championships. Khalmakhanov has now joined Abror ATABAEV (UZB), Lazizkhon UZBEKOV (UZB), Elbek ERGASHEV (UZB) and Turabek TIRKASHEV (UZB) as the nation's U17 world champs.

Yevhen PKOVBA (UKR) added a U17 World gold to his European gold. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Uzbekistan could have had a second world champion in Rome but European champion Yevhen POKOVBA (UKR) had different ideas.

Asian champion Shakhzod RUZIOKHUNOV (UZB) tried all he could but was unable to break the defense of Pokovba in the 45kg final, as the Ukrainian won the gold with a thumping 9-0 win.

Pokovba got the advantage in the first period when Ruziokhunov was called passive. He got two turns from par terre to lead 5-0 at the break.

Seeing no other option, Ruziokhunov tried an arm throw but Pokovba stopped him midway and converted it into a takedown. He then got another turn to finish the bout with 1:29 remaining.

The final may have turned out to be easy for Pokovba but he was made to work hard to reach the gold medal bout.

Wrestling Asian silver medalist Payam AHMADI (IRI) in the semifinals, Pokovba was trailing 3-0 when he got a lucky chest wrap and two turns to lead 6-5 at the break. Ahmadi got the head-pinch for two but opened his hands at the last moment which resulted in two for Pokovba as well. Ahmadi's final attack came a second too late as Pokovba won 9-7.

Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) became only the third U17 Greco-Roman world champ from Armenia. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

The fifth gold of the night when to Armenia as Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) became the nation's third-ever U17 Greco-Roman world champion.

Karen KHACHATARYAN (ARM) won the title in 2018, ending a 25-year wait for the nation. Terteryan's gold also helped Armenia put behind a medalless show in Budapest.

While it was a moment to savor for Terteryan, he denied France a piece of history. Lucas LO GRASSO (FRA), the first-ever Greco-Roman U17 World finalist for France, was aiming to become the nation's first-ever world champion but fell short.

In the 60kg final, Lo Grasso was called passive and Terteryan managed to get a turn to lead 3-0 at the break. Lo Grasso went for the arm throw in the second period but had an awkward fall which did not count as a slip and Terteryan was awarded two points. He added another turn to make it 7-0.

Between the two moves, France had challenged for a slip but they lost the challenge and Terteryan got the winning point in the 8-0 win.

Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) reached the 57kg final with 3 technical superiority wins and one fall. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Japan sends 3 in WW finals

Women's wrestling also began at the U17 Worlds with gold medal bouts of five weight classes set. Japan, returning to the competition after skipping the previous edition, managed to enter three wrestlers in the gold medal bouts.

Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) led the way for Japan as she destroyed her opponents to make the 57kg final. She is yet to give up a single point after four bouts as her wins include three technical superiority and one fall.

In the final, she will face European silver medalist Gerda TEREK (HUN) who avenged her Bucharest final loss to Tuba DEMIR (TUR) with a fall.

At 49kg, Mihoko TAKEUCHI (JPN) set up a gold medal bout with returning bronze and European champion Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE).

Like Uchida, Takeuchi has also dominated the show with three technical superiority wins. But Mammadova may prove to be a tough opponent in the final.

Mammadov had a tough quarterfinal against Sevval CAYIR (TUR), an opponent she beat in Euros semifinal. A month ago, the score was 8-5 but Wednesday, Cayir closed the gap to one point, losing an extremely close bout 3-2.

Anju SATO (JPN) would consider her lucky to reach the final at 65kg against Maria PANTIRU (ROU). Sato was awarded points for a leg lace when Zharkynai NURLAN KYZY (KGZ) was well outside the zone in the semifinal. Sato won 6-5.

Pantiru avenged her European lost to Reka VAN OS (NED) with a fall and then made her way to the semifinal against Viktoria FOELDESIOVA (SVK). She controlled the bout and won 8-2.

Erica PASTORIZA (USA), red, is one win away from her second world title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 43kg, returning world champion Erica PASTORIZA (USA) will be eyeing her second world title. Just one win away, she will face Asian champion RITIKA (IND) in the final.

Ritika's semifinal against Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) was the only time she could not get a victory via fall. She won 7-0 to enter the final.

Pastoriza used the ankle-pick to great effect throughout the day to reach her second straight U17 World final.

The defending champion at 73kg Priya MALIK (IND) will try to win her second straight gold after reaching the final. But she will have to beat European bronze medalist Mariia ZENKINA (UKR) for that.

Zenkina pinned Makoto KOMADA (JPN) to reach the final and will now hope to upset Malik.

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

45kg
GOLD: Yevhen POKOVBA (UKR) df. Shakhzod RUZIOKHUNOV (UZB), 9-0

BRONZE: Huseyn SAVADOV (AZE) df. Ionut MEREUTA (ROU), 9-0
BRONZE: Payam AHMADI BALOOTAKI (IRI) df. Beknur MUKAN (KAZ), 9-0

51kg
GOLD: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Mohammadreza GHOLAMI (IRI), via fall

BRONZE: MANISH (IND) df. Ali SUMBUL (TUR), 8-0
BRONZE: Vadat GASIMLI (AZE) df. Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), 4-3

60kg
GOLD: Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) df. Lucas LO GRASSO (FRA), 8-0

BRONZE: Omar MOURAD (EGY) df. Emirlan DUISHENALIEV (KGZ), 7-2
BRONZE: Yussuf ASHRAPOV (KAZ) df. Abolfazl MIRSHEKAR (IRI), via fall (11-10)

71kg
GOLD: Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) df. Davud MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: Maksym RADYK (UKR) vs. Ararat VARDERESYAN (ARM), 12-1
BRONZE: Ibrahim OZDEMIR (TUR) df. Arvin KHOSRAVY (USA), 5-3

92kg
GOLD: Gor AYVAZYAN (GEO) df. Darius KIEFER (GER), 9-0

BRONZE: Cody MERRILL (USA) df. Marcell GYURICZA (HUN), 3-1
BRONZE: Hamidreza KESHTKAR (IRI) df. Riccardo BUFIS (ITA), via fall

Women's wrestling

43kg
GOLD: Erica PASTORIZA (USA) vs RITIKA (IND)

SF 1: Erica PASTORIZA (USA) df. Arina ABDULLINA (KAZ), 12-2
SF 2: RITIKA (IND) df. Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR), 7-0

49kg
GOLD: Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) vs Mihoko TAKEUCHI (JPN)

SF 1: Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) df. Aiymgul ABYLOVA (KAZ), 10-0
SF 2: Mihoko TAKEUCHI (JPN) df. Fabiana RINELLA (ITA), 12-1

57kg
GOLD: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) vs Gerda TEREK (HUN)

SF 1: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) df. Ulmeken ESENBAEVA (UZB), via fall
SF 2: Gerda TEREK (HUN) df. Tuba DEMIR (TUR), via fall

65kg
GOLD: Anju SATO (JPN) vs Maria PANTIRU (ROU)

SF 1: Anju SATO (JPN) df. Zharkynai NURLAN KYZY (KGZ), 6-5
SF 2: Maria PANTIRU (ROU) df. Viktoria FOELDESIOVA (SVK), 8-2

73kg
GOLD: Mariia ZENKINA (UKR) vs Priya MALIK (IND)

SF 1: Mariia ZENKINA (UKR) df. Makoto KOMADA (JPN), via fall
SF 2: Priya MALIK (IND) df. Alina YERTOSTIK (KAZ), via fall

Host Japan Holds Off China for 4th Straight Women's World Cup Title

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Putkaradze upgrades silver to U17 world gold; Iran wins GR team title