Ozaki, Elor win third world title in two months

Saturday, October 22, 2022 - 00:09 By Vinay Siwach

PONTEVEDRA, Spain (October 21) -- Since the U23 World Championships were introduced in 2017, there were only two wrestlers to win all four world titles till Thursday.

In the space of two days, three more have been added to the group which only had Haruna OKUNO (JPN) and Masako FURUICHI (JPN).

After Yui SUSAKI (JPN) won the 'Grand Slam' on Thursday, Nonoko OZAKI (JPN) and Amit ELOR (USA) won their first U23 world titles to complete the haul.

Both Ozaki and Elor have won three world titles in the last two months with the first coming at the U20 Worlds in Sofia. They won the senior gold in Belgrade last month before winning the U23 gold on Friday in Pontevedra, Spain.

As women's wrestling ended at the U23 World Championships, Japan won the team title with 225 points with the USA finishing second with 107 points. Ukraine was third also with 107 points but fell behind the USA as the latter had a gold medalist [Elor] while Ukraine did not.

Apart from Ozaki and Elor, senior world champion Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) won the 62kg gold, former senior and U23 world champion Haruna OKUNO (JPN) won the 53kg gold and Sae NANJO (JPN) won the 57kg gold.

Amit ELOR (USA) won the 72kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

While Ozaki and Elor have been very similar in their way of winning the gold at the World Championships, both reflect on their achievements differently.

Ozaki, who has lost only once since her 2018 Inter High School Championships semifinals against Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN), feels that the world titles mean little unless she wins the Olympics.

"I don't really have an actual feeling that I am number one in the world," Ozaki said. "Becoming number one was the goal, but since winning the [senior world] championship, nothing has changed for me. For this tournament, I never thought about my being the world champion. Also, it was my first tournament at U23. I just felt it was a regular international tournament. I didn't feel any pressure."

Ozaki, just 19 years old, spent four minutes and 54 seconds in her four bouts in Pontevedra to win the gold at 62kg. In the final, she defeated Iryna BONDAR (UKR) using the leg lace. She led 8-0 after 37 seconds but dropped the pace of the bout after that and won the final in two minutes and 13 seconds.

In the semifinal, she defeated returning champion Ana GODINEZ (CAN) via technical superiority.

"My style is to finish it [match] off with a single action," she said. "If it doesn't end there, I go to a counterattack. That happened in the semifinal. It wasn't bad to not finish it off all at once, and overall it was a good match."

Despite a 41-0 result in Pontevedra, Ozaki thinks that there are a lot of areas in which she can improve.

"From a mental point of view, the way I dealt with the matches was really good," Ozaki said. "I was in several tournaments over the past year and there were good things and bad things from a mental aspect. Each match was different, and I had to think about how I can ensure my best performance and what should I think about before the match. Over this year, I feel I found a good way to do that. I think this will be useful from now."

For 18-year-old Elor, the tournament was another learning experience as keeps improving with every gold medal.

"With each world championship I've gone a little bit better," Elor said. "Even this summer, each time I wrestled I gained experience and I felt stronger, mentally and physically."

The USA wrestler was up against Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) in the 72kg finals and won 11-0 in four minutes and 12 seconds. She also defeated returning silver medalist Kendra DACHER (FRA) 13-2 in the quarterfinals.

"I can't believe this summer," she said. "This has been the best summer of my life. [At the start of the year] I would not believe that [winning 3 world titles]. I was injured. I had surgery in January this year. It's unbelieve. That [senior world] medal means the world so far and was an amazing experience for me."

With a lot accomplished, a lot remains for the two. Ozaki and Elor want to be Olympic champions and as the next season approaches, both will have to go through a grinding qualification process.

Ozaki will have to win the Emperor's Cup in December this year before the Meiji Cup in June next year to qualify for the 2023 World Championships which offers 2024 Olympic quotas. A medal there will seal the berth for Ozaki.

"I prepared for this [U23] tournament, but my number one objective is the Olympics," Ozaki said. "I went into this [U23] tournament regarding it as the last one to get ready for the Emperor's Cup. At this tournament, a number of new issues to be addressed came up. I want to use that in my final preparations."

Ozaki's win-loss record reads 60-1 dating back to 2018 with that one loss coming at the 2021 World Championships against Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), her first against a non-Japanese opponent in 11 career international tournaments.

Riding on a 26-0 winning streak, Ozaki will be the favorite at the Emperor's Cup especially since she beat Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN) at the Meiji Cup in June this year to qualify for the 2022 World Championships.

However, Ozaki does not think much of that win.

"I don't think it [win over Kawai] gives me confidence," she said. "More than that, I learned a lot about myself."

Elor will have to first decide which Olympic weight class -- 68kg or 76kg -- she wants to move before attending the Olympic trials for the USA if the country wins the quota for the Paris Olympics.

But she is taking one step at a time and not thinking too much ahead.

"I really want to grow and learn more techniques and work on new tactics," she said. "I want to see my body feels at training. For now, I will rest for a while. I am excited for the World Cup this summer."

Three other Japanese wrestlers won gold with Morikawa adding a U23 world gold to her U20 and senior world titles. She also has two U17 silver medals. In the final, Morikawa defeated Nigar MIRZAZADA (AZE) 10-0 and won the gold to join her Japanese teammates as the world champion. But like Elor, Morikawa has to quickly make a decision to switch to an Olympic weight class as the Emperor's Cup approaches in two months.

At 57kg, Nanjo added to her 2019 U23 world gold after beating Patrycja GIL (POL) 13-1 in the final. In the quarterfinals, Nanjo defeated senior world bronze medalist and returning champion Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) 10-0.

But Okuno, the first wrestler to win all world titles, won her third U23 world title with another dominant performance. She defeated defending champion Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) 10-0 in the 53kg final.

Okuno was a late replacement for Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) who pulled out due to cellulitis in her knee. Fujinami had to skip the senior World Championships as well due to injury.

The 18-year-old will try to be ready for the Emperor's Cup. Okuno will be one of her competitors along with Olympic champion Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN).

RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) df. Lucia YEPEZ (ECU), 10-0

BRONZE: Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) df. Felicity TAYLOR (USA), 3-3
BRONZE: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) df. Meng HSIEH (TPE), 7-0

57kg
GOLD: Sae NANJO (JPN) df. Patrycja GIL (POL), 13-1

BRONZE: Alexandra HEDRICK (USA) df. Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ), 13-2
BRONZE: Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) df. Siwar BOUSETA (TUN), via fall (9-2)

62kg
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Iryna BONDAR (UKR), 11-0

BRONZE: Astrid MONTERO (VEN) df. Ameline DOUARRE (FRA), 3-1
BRONZE: Ana GODINEZ (CAN) df. Paulina DANISZ (POL), 11-0

65kg
GOLD: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Nigar MIRZAZADA (AZE), 10-0

BRONZE: Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR) df. Asli DEMIR (TUR), via fall
BRONZE: Elena ESPOSITO (ITA) df. Dariga ABEN (KAZ), 5-5

72kg
GOLD: Amit ELOR (USA) df. Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL), 11-0

BRONZE: Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) df. Iryna ZABLOTSKA (UKR), 8-1
BRONZE: Kendra DACHER (FRA) df. Maria NITU (ROU), 12-2

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD: Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) vs. AMAN (IND)

SF 1: Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) df. Giorgi GEGELASHVILI (GEO), 10-0
SF 2: AMAN (IND) df. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), 10-4

65kg
GOLD: Hamza ALACA (TUR) vs. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Hamza ALACA (TUR) df. Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR), 14-8
SF 2: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) df. Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ), 7-6

70kg
GOLD: Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) vs. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO)

SF 1: Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) df. Yahya THOMAS (USA), 4-2
SF 2: Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 10-0

79kg
GOLD: Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) vs. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO)

SF 1: Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) df. Carter STAROCCI (USA), 8-7
SF 2: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 9-6

97kg
GOLD: Tanner SLOAN (USA) vs. Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)

SF 1: Tanner SLOAN (USA) df. Islam ILYASOV (AZE), 10-2
SF 2: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. Ertugrul AGCA (GER), 8-0

#WrestleZagreb

Bisultanov stamps authority at 87kg with Zagreb Open gold

Saturday, February 8, 2025 - 20:19 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 9) -- David LOSONCZI (HUN) must have thought that Saturday was a perfect chance to avenge his Paris 2024 loss to Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) at the Zagreb Open.

Bisultanov, however, wasn't keen on that.

READ MORE: Zagreb Open Day 4 Results

The Paris bronze medalist put on an even better show than the one six months ago and beat Losonczi in a more dominant fashion, winning the gold medal at the 87kg weight class in Zagreb, claiming his first-ever Ranking Series gold.

"I'm not even in good shape," Bisultanov said. "It's crazy because after the [U23] World Championships, my coach and me were talking about how I can just enjoy my wrestling. Before it was like, I had to make the results. Now, I have all the results. At every tournament, I just have to enjoy, be calm, wrestle, and then go back."

While Paris was a dull affair with Bisultanov pulling off a 2-1 one, Zagreb saw him hit all the right notes despite falling behind early against the 2023 world champion.

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Losonczi got the first par terre advantage and Bisultanov, who has struggled with his ground defense in the past, gave up a gut wrench but did not let Losonczi run away with it.

The former European champion roared back after being 3-0 down, first with a stepout, then a counter body throw for two. Losonczi was docked two points for fleeing and asked to restart in par terre. However, Bisultanov did not score from there.

With a 5-3 lead at the break, Bisultanov kept the pressure on Losonczi who seemed to be tiring out as the final went on. After some failed attempts, Losonczi did score a stepout in the final few seconds but Bisultanov was well in control of the final and won 5-4.

"I'm so happy because this is my first ranking series gold and I beat very good guys," he said.

Bisultanov's run in Zagreb included a few impressive victories at 87kg. He began with a 5-0 win over U20 world champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), blanked Islam ABBASOV (AZE) 4-0 and planned out a 1-1 victory over Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN).

Earlier in his career, Bisultanov conceded points from par terre but he brought out his best defense in Zagreb, giving up two points only in the final.

"I am more happy because I wanted to try some things out here that I will be better at for the World Championships like improving my par terre," he said. "I am definitely more confident with my wrestling after Paris Olympics. Normally, maybe I would panic after a gut wrench. [In the final], I was behind 3-0 against a very tough guy. But I started immediately and then got five points very quickly."

The only gut wrench Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) gave up was in the final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

A few of those changes include score stepouts when he gets a chance. Undoubtedly, Bisultanov uses his short stature against taller wrestler to get under their shoulders and push them out.

"It's good for my style because I want to move forward all the time, so my shoulder is below their shoulder," he said. "I'm smaller than them, then it's easier to get down on the hook. It's the small things that make a big difference."

The former European champion will skip this year's European Championships in April and participate in two more Ranking Series events, in Tirana and Budapest, before the World Championships in September.

"I will skip Europeans," he said. "The main goal is World Championships. For Europeans, you have to prepare to be 100 percent and I have already won it before. I need to get some [ranking] points for the World Championships and not think too much about it."

Sergei STEPANOV (AIN), left, defeated Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) 4-3 in the 77kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 77kg, Sergei STEPANOV (AIN) ran through a top field and won the gold medal by beating former world silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) 4-3 in the final.

Stepanov was last in action at the 2021 U23 World Championships in which he won a bronze medal. For the last four years, Stepanov has been away from international wrestling.

Returning to the mat for the first time since 2021, Stepanov scored wins over Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) 4-0 in the quarterfinal and then destroyed Sergei KUTUZOV (AIN) in the semifinal, winning 8-0. He performed a spectacular back lift throw from par terre for five points against Kutuzov that got the applaud from the crowd.

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) defeated Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) 7-4 in the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Women's Wrestling

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) survived a late headlock throw from U23 world champion Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) in the 57kg final to win the gold medal 7-4. Winchester and Aliyeva were the only two wrestlers competing in the weight class and the final lived up to the expectations.

Winchester led 7-2 and Aliyeva kept trying to succeed in a 2-on-1. She managed to score a takedown with 20 seconds on the clock to cut the lead to 7-4 and then headlocked Winchester for a big throw and was awarded four points for it as she claimed a 8-7 win.

But the United States challenged and on review, the move was cancelled as it was not finished as the clock expired.

"It was kind of a dual meet match but a good match," Winchester said. "I have a lot stuff to take from the match. I figured that I was going to win from how the match was going, but just the mindset of finishing it. I know I got the experience. No matter if it is one match, five matches or 10, you still got be present in the moment and not look ahead."

Skylar GROTE (USA) wrestles Veronika VILK (CRO) in 72kg round-robin bout. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The U.S. won two more gold medals at 72kg and 76kg as Skylar GROTE (USA) and Yelena MAKOYED (USA) dominated their weight classes for the top medal.

Grote, competing in a Nelson bracket, had four wins out of four bouts with three technical superiorities. In the Round 5 bout against Paula LECARPENTIER (FRA) Grote settled for a 2-0 win.

The bronze medal in this weight class was claimed by Veronika VILK (CRO) to a loud cheer from the home fans. Vilk pinned Noemi OSVATH NAGY (HUN) to claim the medal. In 2022, Vilk became Croatia's first-ever wrestling world champion at any level or style.

"I feel amazing and so proud of myself," Vilk said. "I don't know how to explain this. In my home, in my country, amazing."

The 18-year-old hails from Slatina, a city in north-east Croatia but trains in Koprivnica, a city in north Zagreb, where she also attends high school.

"For my weight category, it's difficult to get partners," she said. "I train with boys which is very hard. When I have camps, I train with other girls."

Makoyed, a U23 world champion, claimed gold medal at 76kg after winning all three bouts that she competed in a four-wrestler bracket. Makoyed pinned two of her opponents and won the third via superiority.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

57kg
GOLD: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), 7-4

72kg
GOLD: Skylar GROTE (USA)
SILVER: Paula LECARPENTIER (FRA)
BRONZE: Veronika VILK (CRO)

76kg
GOLD: Yelena MAKOYED (USA)
SILVER: Valeria TRIFONOVA (AIN)
BRONZE: Kamile GAUCATE (LTU)

Greco-Roman

77kg
GOLD: Sergei STEPANOV (AIN) df. Zotlan LEVAI (HUN), 4-3

BRONZE: Sergei KUTUZOV (AIN) df. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) df. Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), 3-1

87kg
GOLD: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) df. David LOSONCZI (HUN), 5-4

BRONZE: Islam ABBASOV (AZE) df. Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN), 5-5
BRONZE: Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) df. Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB), 5-0

Ozaki, Elor win third world title in two months

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Bisultanov stamps authority at 87kg with Zagreb Open gold