#Bishkek2018

Iran, Japan Prepped to Reign in Bishkek

Monday, February 26, 2018 - 16:06 By Ken Marantz

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At last year's Asian Senior Championships in New Delhi, Iran swept the titles in the four heaviest Greco-Roman weight classes. Three of those wrestlers will aim for back-to-back crowns in this year's tournament in Bishkek as Iran looks again to dominate the men's competitions.

Hossein NOURI (87kg), Seyedmostafa SALEHIZADEH (97kg) and Behnam MEHDIZADEH (130kg) are among the seven gold medalists from New Delhi 2017 who are listed among the entries for the 2018 edition, although with the adjustments of weight classes in line with expansion from eight to 10, not all with be "defending" their titles. 

In men's freestyle, Paris 2017 world and Rio 2016 Olympic champion Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (92kg) will lead a vastly different Iranian lineup from the team that took three golds and seven medals overall a year ago. 

Iran's lone returning freestyle medalist is Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (57kg), who finished third in New Delhi. But the Asian powerhouse will still present a formidable force, as it includes 2014 Asian champion and two-time world medalist Seyed Ahmad MOHAMMADI (70kg), and Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (74kg), an Asian champion and world bronze medalist in 2016.

Others looking to strike gold for the second straight year are: in freestyle, the Uzbekistan pair of Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (74kg) and Magomed IBRAGIMOV (97kg), and India's Bajrang BAJRANG (65kg); Kazakhstan's Maxat YEREZHEPOV (77kg) in Greco-Roman; and Paris 2017 bronze medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (57kg) of host Krygyzstan in women's wrestling.

In women's wrestling, Japan, which took home five golds from New Delhi, will send none of those winners, nor any of its reigning world and Olympic champions for that matter, opting instead to give their understudies more international experience. Part of the reason is the proximity of the tournament to the Women's World Cup, to be hosted by Japan in mid-March.  

"This tournament is a bit early, as the last Asian [Championships] was in May," Japan Wrestling Federation managing director Hideaki TOMIYAMA said. "There is the factor of the season. Of course [the Women's World Cup] is the main thing."

The spotlight will be on Yuki IRIE (50kg), who won her first national title with an amazing run that included a stunning semifinal victory over Paris 2017 champion Yui SUSAKI. Irie won the 2015 Asian gold, and will head to Bishkek coming off a victory at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix.

While most of the Japan team is filled with runners-up from the Japan championships--including world junior champion Yuzuru KUMANO (59kg)--Irie became a rare case and opted to join the Asian squad.  "I want to enter various international tournaments and gain experience," said Irie, a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces' Physical Training School.

Tomiyama agreed that Irie made the right decision, giving the fierce competition among Japanese women in the lightest weight class that includes Rio 2016 Olympic champion Eri TOSAKA. "She herself decided," he said. "The others at 48 [kg] have had success, and internationally, she has to keep up." 

Meanwhile, the tournament lost the chance to see the return to continental competition of Indian legend Sushil KUMAR, a two-time Olympic freestyle medalist. He had been entered at 74kg, but Indian media reported that the 34-year-old had withdrawn to avoid aggravating a knee injury ahead of the Commonwealth Games in April. 

Kumar had come out of retirement and earned a place on India's team to Bishkek, where 11 years ago he won the second of his three Asian medals. 

In total, 33 medalists from New Delhi will be looking to add to their collection in the Krygyzstan capital for the tournament, which has been extended from five days to six to accomodate the additional weight classes.

Here's a look at some weight classes of particular interest:

Greco-Roman, Feb. 27-28

Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ) will be looking for a second straight Asian gold and fifth medal overall when he takes the mat in the new weight class of 77kg. Standing in his way will be Paris 2017 bronze medalist Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), who warmed up for frigid Bishkek with a victory at the Takhti Cup. YANG Bin (CHN), a New Delhi 2017 bronze medalist, will also aim to be in the medal mix. 

For Japan's Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shinobu OTA (60kg), just getting to Bishkek was a major challenge---he had to beat world and Asian champion Keniichiro FUMITA at the national championships to make the team. Still, he can expect stiff competition from Paris 2017 silver medalist KIM Seunghak (KOR) and Takhti Cup winner Kanybek ZHOLCHUBEKOV (KGZ).

At 63kg, Paris 2017 silver medalist Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) will attempt to improve on his runner-up finish from New Delhi, where he lost in the 59kg final to Fumita. Look for challenges from Rio 2016 bronze medalist Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB), world junior champion Keramat ABDEVALI (IRI) and Takhti Cup winner Kaly SULAIMANOV (KGZ).

Women’s Wrestling, March 1-2

The absence of the top Japanese leaves the fields a bit more open, while providing a good test of the depth of the Far East powerhouse. That's not to say it's a completely inexperienced team. Yu MIYAHARA, a 2014 Asian champion and winner at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix in January, can certainly be considered among the favorites at 53kg, in which Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) will look to improve on her runner-up finish from 2017.

Paris 2017 champion PUREVDORJ Orkhon (MGL) will make her senior continental debut at 62kg, having gone unbeaten in individual events in 2017 and opening this year with a victory at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix. Tasked with stopping her will be 2014 Asian and former world junior champion Yurika ITO (JPN) and New Delhi 2017 bronze medalist Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ).

In the upper weights, Paris 2017 bronze medalist HAN Yue (CHN) heads the field at 72kg that includesz New Delhi 2017 silver medalist Masako FURUICHI (JPN), while at 76kg, Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) and world bronze medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) look to be the ones to beat. Minagawa will be looking to give herself a wedding present--she formerly competed at Hiroe SUZUKI.

Freestyle, March 3-4

Only two of the 30 weight classes could feature a rematch of a final from New Delhi 2017, and both are in freestyle. 

Last year, Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) thrilled the hometown crowd when he defeated LEE Seungchul (KOR) for the 65kg gold, but the two will be on neutral ground if they set up a rematch in Bishkek. Look for Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ), a New Delhi 2017 bronze medalist at 61kg, to try to crash the party.

At 74kg, Muslim EVLOEV (KGZ) will have the home mat advantage if he earns another shot at Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB), who defeated him in the final a year ago. Also challenging for the gold will be Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI), a two-time world medalist and 2014 Asian champion. 

Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) will look to improve on his silver medal from New Delhi at 70kg, with opposition from double world medalist Seyed Ahmad MOHAMMADI (IRI), who will aim to add to his Asian gold from 2014. 

Schedule 

Monday, Feb. 26
16:30 - Draw: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg 

Tuesday, Feb. 27
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg 
13:30 -  Draw: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg 
17:30-18:00 - Opening Ceremony 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg 

Wednesday, Feb. 28
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg 
13:30 - Draw: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg 

Thursday, March 1 
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg 
13:30 - Draw: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg 

Friday, March 2 
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg 
13:30 - Draw: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg 

Saturday, March 3 
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg 
13:30 - Draw: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg 

Sunday, March 4 
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg 
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg 
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg 
20:30 - Official Banquet

#WrestleTirana

World Championships: Sadulaev tops two world champs en route 92kg final

Wednesday, October 30, 2024 - 17:14 By Ken Marantz

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TIRANA, Albania (October 30) -- The paths of two of the greatest wrestlers of the past decade-plus crossed for the first and only time, and it was Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) who swatted aside David TAYLOR (USA) to stay on course for a sixth world medal.

Sadulaev put up an impregnable defense in posting a 7-0 victory after the luck of the draw pitted the superstars against each other in the first round at freestyle 92kg at the Non-Olympic Weight Categories World Championships on Wednesday in Tirana.

Two-time Olympic champion Sadulaev, who was left off the list of Russian and Belarussian wrestlers eligible for the Paris Olympics, later advanced to Thursday's final with a dramatic, last-second 5-3 victory over 2021 and 2022 world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI).

Two other big names in the tournament did not fare so well, as Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) saw his bid for a seventh career world title end with a quarterfinal loss at 79kg, while Tokyo Olympic and two-time world champion Zavur UGUEV (AIN) fell at the first hurdle at 61kg.

In the most anticipated match of the tournament, Sadulaev was content to sit back and let Taylor go on the offensive, fending off each attack and twice scoring go-behind takedowns, while also adding a counter lift for 2. He also scored a stepout, but otherwise made no legitimate tackle attempts.

The closest Taylor came to scoring came on his first shot, when he got in deep on a single and tried to come out the back door, only for the surprisingly nimble Sadulaev to escape the hold.

Sadulaev and Taylor both won Olympic golds at Tokyo 2021, at 97kg and 86kg, respectively, and Wednesday's match saw them meeting in the middle. It's the first time Sadulaev is wrestling below 97kg since moving up to that weight after winning the 86kg gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Taylor, who won his third world title in 2023 but retired after losing at the U.S. Olympic Trials to Aaron BROOKS (USA), had taken the head coaching job at powerhouse Oklahoma State University but returned to the mat for one last go-round.

Sadulaev followed up his win over Taylor by beating Aslan ABAKAROV (AZE) 3-1 and Lars SCHAEFLE (GER) by a 10-0 technical fall to set up his clash with Ghasempour that turned into another classic victory by the Russian great.

Sadulaev had gone ahead 1-1 on criteria after each received an activity point when Ghasempour finally broke through the defenses and scored a double-leg takedown with 30 seconds left. But with the final seconds ticking down, he snapped the Iranian down, spun behind, then managed to fling him to the mat for a 4-point takedown.

In the final, he will face 2022 world bronze medalist Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), who won an at-times tempestuous semifinal over surprising Benjamin HONIS (ITA) 9-2.

At 79kg, the 36-year-old Burroughs was unable to turn back the clock and fell 6-4 in the quarterfinals to Asian champion and two-time world medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI).

Burroughs' hopes for a 10th world medal overall, however, ended when Nokhodi was dealt a tough 14-8 loss in the semifinals by four-time European bronze medalist Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO).

Nokhodi looked to be cruising to victory when he built up a 6-0 lead in the second period. But Kentchadze secured a takedown that allowed him to wrap up Nokhodi's legs and he ripped off three lace-lock rolls. Nokhodi halted the flow for a moment for a 2-point exposure, but he also appeared to injure his knee during the exchange and the Georgian was able to easily add a pair of late takedowns.

Kentchadze will look to improve on the silver medal he won at 74kg in 2018 when he faces 2023 and 2021 world U23 champion Magomed MAGOMAEV (AIN), who defeated 2021 European champion Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) in the other semifinal.

Earlier, Uguev tumbled out at the hands of world U20 champion Masanosuke ONO (JPN), who rode the momentum of that victory into the 61kg final.

Uguev, seemingly hampered by an ankle injury, had no answer for the lightning-quick speed of Ono, who chalked up two takedown-gut wrench combinations in the first period en route to a 10-2 victory.

Ono never let up after the victory, chalking up three straight technical falls without giving up a point, capped with a dominating 12-0 victory in the semifinals over defending champion Vitali ARUJAU (USA). Ono sealed the victory with a slick 4-point front headlock throw.

In Thursday's final, Ono will face Ahmet DUMAN (TUR), the 2022 world U23 silver medalist at 57kg who edged Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) 3-1 in the other semifinal.

Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) joined Ono -- his former teammate at Yamanashi Gakuin University -- in the gold-medal matches when he avenged a loss in last year's world U23 final to Inalbek SHERIEV (AIN) with a 6-1 victory in the 70kg semifinals.

Aoyagi, who won a bronze at this year's World U23 Championships held last week at the same Tirana venue, will face 2019 world bronze medalist Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) in an all-Asian final.

Kaipanov rolled to a 13-2 victory over Russian-born Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), who will still get a chance to become just the second world medalist in any style from Tajikistan.

Freestyle Results

61kg (27 entries)
SF: Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) df. Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL), 3-1
SF: Masanosuke ONO (JPN) df. Vitali ARUJAU (USA) by TF, 12-0, 4:20

70kg (25 entries)
SF: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Inalbek SHERIEV (AIN), 6-1
SF: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) by TF, 13-2, 3:47

79kg (33 entries)
SF: Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), 14-8
SF: Magomed MAGOMAEV (AIN) df. Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK), 9-3

92kg (29 entries)
SF: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) df. Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), 5-3
SF: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Benjamin HONIS (ITA), 9-2