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Nur-Sultan Mats Ready for Action as Worlds Kick Off with Greco Competition

Friday, September 13, 2019 - 13:30 By Ken Marantz

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NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (September 13) --- The road to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics makes its first stop in Nur-Sultan over the next nine days, where the first Olympic berths will be allotted in the Kazakh capital to the nations of the top six finishers in each weight class. 

The first whistle will be blown Saturday at the gleaming Barys Arena, when the tournament starts with competition in Greco-Roman. Russia will look to exceed its showing from a year ago in Budapest, when it took home six of the 10 golds.

From there, Greco-Roman keeps the stage through Tuesday (Sept. 17), when it will share it with the women, who get started with qualification rounds in four weight classes. How many of the powerful Japanese women can clinch berths for the Olympics in their home country will be the main focus of interest.

The women will continue through the seventh day, Friday (Sept. 20), when the freestylers take to the mat in two weight classes, then close the tournament with four each over the final two days. The final day on Sunday could see the highly anticipated clash at 97kg between titans Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Kyle Snyder (USA).  

The opening day Saturday will see action in the four non-Olympic weight classes (55kg, 63kg, 72kg, and 82kg) in Greco-Roman. While Olympic berths will not be stake and the weight classes lost some top wrestlers who moved to Olympic divisions, that doesn’t mean they will be any less competitive.

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) is one of two returning world champions who kick off their day on Saturday morning. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) and Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) return to defend their world titles at 55kg and 63kg, respectively, while Maryanyan will be one of four European champions in action along with Vitali KABALOEV (RUS) at 55kg, Abuyazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) at 72kg and Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN) at 82kg. 

Bilsutanov will have to contend with Budapest 2018 silver medalist Emrah KUS (TUR) and bronze medalists Viktor SASUNOVSKI (BLR) and Maksim MANUKYUAN (ARM). And that’s not to discount Asian champion Saeid ABDVALI (IRI).

Advali is one of four Asian gold medalists in action Saturday. The brother combination of Ilkhom and Islomjon BAKHROMOV (UZB) took the 55kg and 60kg, respectively, at Xi’an 2019, but Islomjon has moved up to 63kg, so the two will be competing on the same day this time. 

Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) has remained unbeaten during his 2019 campaign after claiming world gold in a season ago. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

The 63kg field, led by Maryanyan, includes Asian champion Erbatu TUO (CHN) and bronze medalist JUNG Jinwoong (KOR). Also entered is Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shinobu OTA (JPN), who moved up to 63kg when he failed to beat 2017 world champion Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) for the place on Japan’s team at 60kg.  

At 72kg, Budapest champion Frank STABLER (GER) has moved down to 67kg, but runner-up Balint KORPASI (HUN) and bronze medalist Aik MNATSAKANIAN (HUN) look to be the top contenders along with Mantsigov and Asian silver medalist ZHANG Hujun (CHN). 

Tournament Schedule   
Saturday, September 14
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds GR 55-63-72-82kg  
18:00-19:30 Semifinals GR 55-63-72-82kg

Sunday, September 15
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds GR 67-87-97kg
11:00-16:00 Repechage GR 55-63-72-82kg
16:45-17:30 Opening Ceremony
18:00-18:45 Semifinals GR 67-87-97kg
19:00-22:00 Finals GR 55-63-72-82kg

Monday, September 16
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds GR 60-77-130kg
11:00-16:00 Repechage GR 67-87-97kg
17:00-17:45 Semifinals GR 60-77-130kg
18:00-20:30 Finals GR 67-87-97kg

Tuesday, September 17
11:00-15:00 Qualification Rounds WW 50-53-55-72kg 
11:00-15:00 Repechage GR 60-77-130kg      
16:45-17:45 Semifinals WW 50-53-55-72kg
18:00-20:30 Finals GR 60-77-130kg

Wednesday, September 18
11:00-15:00 Qualification Rounds WW 57-59-65-76kg
11:00-15:00 Repechage WW 50-53-55-72kg
16:45-17:45 Semifinals WW 57-59-65-76kg
18:00-21:00 Finals WW 50-53-55-72kg

Thursday, September 19
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds WW 62-68; FS 57-65
11:00-16:00 Repechage WW 57-59-65-76kg
16:45-17:45 Semifinals WW 62-68; FS 57-65
18:00-21:00 Finals WW 57-59-65-76kg

Friday, September 20
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds FS 70-74-92-125kg
11:00-16:00 Repechage WW 62-68; FS 57-65
16:45-17:45 Semifinals FS 70-74-92-125kg
18:00-21:00 Finals WW 62-68; FS 57-65

Saturday, September 21
11:00-16:00 Qualification Rounds FS 61-79-86-97kg 
11:00-16:00 Repechage FS 70-74-92-125kg
16:45-17:45 Semifinals FS 61-79-86-97kg
18:00-21:00 Finals FS 70-74-92-125kg

Sunday, September 22
15:30-17:30 Repechage FS 61-79-86-97kg
18:00-21:00 Finals FS 61-79-86-97kg

#WrestleBudapest

Budapest Ranking Series 2026 Day 4 Highlights

Saturday, July 18, 2026 - 08:27 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 18) -- The fourth day of the Budapest Ranking Series will see four Women's Wrestling - 53kg, 57kg, 72kg and 76kg and two Greco-Roman weight classes - 72kg and 87kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

GR 87kg semifinals - An all Russian final is set at 87kg after Islam ALIEV (RUS) beats Beka MELELASHVILI (USA), 6-1, and Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) gets a walkover from injured Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ).

GR 72kg semifinals - Rabil ASKEROV (RUS) starts with a stepout and then an arm-throw for four points gives him a 5-0 lead against Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO). Askerov then adds a takedown to lead 7-0 which he defends till the end of the clock and advance to the final. He will face another Georgian in the final after Nika BROLADZE (GEO) beats compatriot Mishiko ALEKSANDRIA (GEO), 4-2.

WW 76kg semifinals - Dymond GUILFORD (USA) scored a takedown and then turned Wenji LI (CHN) three times to win 8-0, a scoreless second period. Guilford will take on KAJAL (IND) after she defeated Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU). Kajal got the lead when Anghel was called passive before she scored two takedowns and extend it to 5-0. A feet-to-back for four points gave her a 9-0 win.

WW 57kg semifinals - Kexin HONG (CHN), the Asian champion, takes no time in completing a 10-0 technical superiority over Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE). Due to the long challenge review on Mat C, the other semifinal was delayed. Neha SHARMA (IND) scores two takedowns in the first period against Giullia PENALBAR (BRA) and then holds on to that lead for the win.

WW 53kg semifinals - Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) comes back in the second period with a big throw and pins Andreea ANA (ROU) to reach the final. On the other mat, Asian champion Jin ZHANG (CHN), down 6-0 against ANTIM (IND) also tried a fall but Antim defends for two points and then reverses the position for a point. When the time finishes, Antim leads 7-4 for the win but China challenges. On review, they add a point for Zhang's reversal but Antim still a 7-5 winner

Semifinals will begin at 13:30 hours local time

13:15: Asian champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) and Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) both score turns from par terre but the former scores it after Huklek to take the last-point criteria to complete a 3-3 win and enter the 87kg semifinals.

12:55: KAJAL (IND) with a snap and go-behind for a takedown against Shuiyan CHENG (CHN) after the China wrestler was put on activity clock. With a 3-0 lead, Kajal plays out the second period to win the 76kg bout 3-0

12:42: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) with a sweet pin over Madison PARKS (CAN) at 53kg. Malmgren witha takedown and then holds Parks on the mat with a turn to secure the fall.

12:33: ANTIM (IND) with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA) at 53kg. She scores all of her takedowns by pressuring the U.S. wrestlers out of position. Rodriguez fails to find any answers to Antim.

12:27: Tamas LEVAI (HUN) advances to the 87kg quarterfinals after a 7-0 win over Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ). Levai's par terre in the second period gave him a 3-0 lead from which he scored two turns to complete the win

12:25: After a long challenge review, Islam ALIEV (RUS) is the winner against Ali CENGIZ (TUR) at 87kg. Aliev with a takedown and turn to lead 4-0 and then gets par terre in the second period to make it 5-0. He throws Cengiz out of bounds for one points. Cengiz locks Aliev around the waist but the Russian counters with a front headlock throw for two points. Turkiye challenge that but lose and Aliev wins 9-0   

12:15: Milad ALIRZAEV (RUS) with three points in the second period to beat Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 4-3, in a tough 87kg bout. He got the par terre and a turn to build his lead in the match.

12:02: World and Asian silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) tried to hold on to her 1-1 criteria lead against Wenji LI (CHN) but the China wrestler gets to her legs, elevates it and pushes out Medet Kyzy with 2 seconds left and complete a 2-1 victory at 76kg.

11:58: Excellent pressure wrestling from ANTIM (IND) and she scores five takedowns with ease against Yuxuan LI (CHN) to complete a 10-0 technical superiority win and advance to the quarterfinals at 53kg in which she will face Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA)

11:50: Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA), who will be the United States representative at the World Championships, completes a 6-0 win over Nargiz SAMADOVA (AZE) with four points in first period and two in the second at 53kg.

11:37: Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) is looking solid as ever. The former European champion hits a double leg blast for four points and complete a 12-1 victory over Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) at 57kg

11:35: Asian champion Jin ZHANG (CHN) pins Asmar JANKURTARAN (AZE) after building an 8-0 lead and enter the quarterfinals at 53kg. Zhang uses both her leg lace and gut-wrench to score her points

11:30: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) chips away with three takedowns against NISHU (IND) to complete a controlled 6-2 victory and advance at 53kg.

11:20: Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) got the first par terre against Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) and then defended the par terre position when Bolkvadze got it in the second period. Down 1-1 on criteria, Bolkvadze challenged for a foul from Huklek during defense but none was confirmed on review, making Huklek a 2-1 winner at 87kg

11:05: In a Hungarian wrestle-off at 87kg, Istvan TAKACS (HUN) hangs on for a 2-1 victory over Tamas LEVAI (HUN) and takes a step towards making the team for the World Championships.

11:00: Tokyo Olympic medalist and former European champion Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) blanks Asian champion Mengyu XIE (CHN), 5-0, at 57kg.   

10:50: Asian champion at 67kg Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) falls to Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) after a 1-1 criteria loss. Khetsuriani with an escape when Beishekeev was working on par terre.

10:40: Early fireworks in Budapest. NISHU (IND) and Natia SVANIDZE (RUS) in a 21-point barn-burner. Svanidze raced to a 10-3 lead but Nishu with a stepout to add one point. Nishu then hits a four-pointer to close it to 10-7. With 14 seconds remaining, she adds a takedown on the edge before conforming an 11-10 with double-leg takedown in  last 5 seconds.