#WrestleParis

Paris 2024 Wrestling: Dake dominates, Zare vs Akgul in semis

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

PARIS (August 9) -- The Paris Olympics is closing towards its end but wrestling is still in full swing here at Champs de Mars Arena. Freestyle action in 74kg and 125kg and Women's Wrestling 62kg. In the evening session, Olympic champions will be crowned in Freestyle 57kg and 86kg and Women's Wrestling 57kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 DAY 4

13:23: In the final freestyle 74kg quarterfinal, Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) prevails in a thriller 6-5 when Chermen VALIEV (ALB) is assessed two penalty points for fleeing in the final seconds, the second one coming on an Uzbekistan challenge after time expired. Jamalov leads 3-2 in the second period when Valiev gets a stepout and takedown for a 5-3 lead. Jamalov gets a stepout with 1:05 left, then goes on the offensive, resulting in the first fleeing penalty. That still leaves him behind on big-point criteria, and his late aggressiveness pays off when the challenge gives him the winning point.

13:14: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) had her hands full with Ana GODINEZ (CAN) in their women's 62kg quarterfinal, but once she got the lace lock in the second period, it was all over for the Canadian. Limited to an activity point and running out of time on a late takedown attempt in the first period, Motoki finally struck with a single-leg takedown. She then wrapped up the ankles and reeled off four rolls for an 11-0 win.

13:09: Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) earns his place in the freestyle 74kg semifinals, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and holding on for a 7-4 victory over Feng LU (CHN).

13:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) will not be denied. She starts with a 4-p0int takedown, applies the lace lock and three rolls later, she eliminates Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) with a 10-0 victory in 1:15 to advance to the women's 62kg semifinals.

13:01: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) gets a shot to avenge a loss to Tynybekova in the women's 62kg semifinals in Tokyo when she gets a 4-point takedown in the first period en route to a 7-3 victory over Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL).

12:58: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) glides into the freestyle 74kg semifinals in spectacular fashion, lifting Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) onto his shoulders and executing a balletic 4-point throw to cap a 10-0 victory with :19 left in the first period. Takatani had already scored two takedowns, adding an exposure after the second and nearly ending it with a fall.

12:53: After his high Mason PARRIS (USA), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) cannot hold the fort against Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) and drops 12-2. He will face Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 125kg semifinals.

12:52: Kyle DAKE (USA) looks on a mission as he manhandles Yones EMAMI (IRI), buildling up a 9-1 lead before using a counter lift to put Iranian on his back and securing a fall to advance to the freestyle 74kg semifinals. Dake scored three takedowns with a single leg in which he lits the leg high into the air and trips Emami to the mat.

12:52: Are we seeing another 'miracle' in women's wrestling? Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gets an activity point, then picks up a takedown for a 3-0 lead against 62kg favorite Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ). But adversity brings out the best in Tynybekova, and she cuts the lead with a stepout early in the second period, then gets behind and swings Miracle to the mat for a 4-point takedown. An unsuccessful challenge gives Tynybekova a 6-3 lead, but it's still not over. Miracle gets a stepout, then hits a roll through for an exposure in the final seconds. But the 4-point move holds sway for a 6-6 win on criteria that puts Tynybekova into the semifinals.

12:46: Taha AKGUL (TUR) takes his own time to beat Daniel LIGETI (HUN) and he books a semifinal spot against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI). Both have a 1-1 head-to-head.

12:41: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) gets a stepout with four seconds left, and it's upheld on a challenge to give him a dramatic 4-3 victory over European bronze medalist Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) for the final spot in the freestyle 74kg quarterfinals.

12:40: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) uses four minutes and 16 seconds to beat Amarveer DHESI (CAN) 10-0 and move into the semifinals. He awaits the winner of Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Daniel LIGETI (HUN).

12:39: World silver medalist Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), whose father was an Olympian at Sydney 2000 but did not medal, got her campaign for a place on the women's 62kg podium off to a successful start with a quick fall over Kriszta INCZE (ROU). A takedown and an arm bar and Incze was on her back, with the match ending in 37 seconds.  
      
12:35:
Ana GODINEZ (CAN) defies the home crowd when she holds on for a 5-2 win over Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) at women's 62kg. Godinez gets an activity point and two takedowns in the first period. Douarre energizes the crowd with a second-period takedown, but that will be the end of the scoring.

12:35: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), the returning silver medalist, opens his day with an 11-0 dominance of Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR).

12:29: Razembek JAMALOV (UZB) charges to a 6-0 lead, then holds off four-time reigning European champion Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) for an 11-3 victory in a testy match at freestyle 74kg. It was only 6-3 when Jamalov added a bunch of points in the final seconds.  

12:25: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) gets going with a 4-0 win over Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY) and he books his spot in the quarterfinals. In the next match, Robert BARAN (POL) holds off Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) 4-1.

12:25: European silver medalist Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) grinds out a 3-0 victory at women's 62kg over Hanbit LEE (KOR), a last-minute reallocation entry into the field. Niemesch scores a takedown while on the activity clock, then adds an activity point in the second. 

12:15: European champion Grace BULLEN (NOR) gets her Olympic debut off to a good start, capping a 12-2 win over Siwar BOUSETA (TUN) with a 4-point takedown at women's 62kg.  

12:15: Feng LU (CHN) allows Amr HUSSEN (EGY) to tie their freestyle 74kg match at 4-all in the first period, but breaks it open in the second with a 10-point surge for a 14-4 victory.

12:08: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), back in Paris where she won world gold in 2017, won't be leaving with the women's 62kg gold this time. Tokyo bronze medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) rallies from a 4-0 deficit in the second period, scoring a takedown and two exposures, then adding another takedown to go ahead 8-4. But it is not over. Purevdorj gets a stepout, then a counter lift with :20 left to cut the gap to one, but Koliadenko holds out for an 8-7 win.

12:04: Former world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) brings out a huge second period to score a four-pointer and then break Mason PARRIS (USA) in the 125kg 1/8 finals. He beats Parris, who won bronze at the World Championships in 2023, 10-5 and moved into the quarterfinals.

12:03: Russian-born Asian silver medalist Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), looking to give Tajikistan just its second-ever Olympic medal, scores four takedowns in an 8-2 win over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) at freestyle 74kg.

11:56: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), the 2021 world champion at 59kg, is nursing a tentative 3-2 lead in the second period against Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at women's 62kg. Lindborg shoots for the winning takedown, but Dudova hits a 4-point counter. Lindborg forces her out for one, then loses a challenge over the exchange and Dudova walks off an 8-3 winner.

11:53: Yones EMAMI (IRI) needs to expend little energy following his tough preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg with Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), getting the takedown against Bacar NDUM (GBS) and executing four back-and-forth rolls for a 10-0 win in 1:34.

11:50: Rio Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) begins his quest for his third Olympic medal with an 11-0 win over Jonovan SMITH (PUR). Akgul will take on Ligeti in the quarterfinals of 125kg

11:44: World bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) scores a takedown right to a roll to finish up a 10-0 victory over Geandry GARZON (CUB) at freestyle 74kg. Takatani is trying to get the medal that eluded older brother Sohsuke in three trips to the Olympics.

11:44: Two-time world silver medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gives up an early takedown to world U23 champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) at women's 62kg, but comes back with four takedowns of her own, capping the final one with a 2-point exposure for a 10-2 lead. She then adds a creative 2-point roll while under Bas on a takedown attempt. Next up for the American is Tynybekova.

11:42: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) makes it to the quarterfinal at 125kg with a top 10-0 technical superiority win over Ashton MUTUWA (NGR).

11:40: World bronze medalist Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) finishes off a 10-0 victory at freestyle 74kg with his second takedown-gut wrench combo, knocking out Refugee Team member Iman MAHDAVI (EOR) in 2:49.

11:33: Tokyo bronze medalist Kyle DAKE (USA) makes short work of Anthony MONTERO (VEN) in his bid for an elusive gold at freestyle 74kg, combining takedowns with gut wrenches for a 10-0 win in 2:20.

11:33: Top seed and reigning world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) gets her campaign started at women's 62kg Tokyo Olympic silver medalist has her hands full with Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), but comes away with a 5-3 victory. Tynybekova falls behind 1-1 on criteria early in the second period when she gives up a stepout. She comes back with a stepout of her own, then uses a cradle to secure a takedown. Kolawole scores a takedown in the last seconds, then loses a dubious challenge to give Tynybekova her final point.

11:36: Amarveer DHESI (CAN) manages to get two technical points over Zhiwei DENG (CHN) and win his 125kg bout 2-1 and book a place in the quarterfinals against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

11:28: World champion and returning bronze medalist Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) begins his day with a 5-0 win over Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ). Not much troubled Zare in that bout.

11:27: Razambek  JAMALOV (UZB) breaks open a close match at freestyle 74kg to knock off Tokyo silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) 8-0. With a 2-0 lead heading into the second period, Jamalov gets in deep on a double, lifts up and back to put Kadzimahamedau onto his back for 2. He then adds a takedown and gut wrench for good measure.  

11:21: In the two repechage bouts on Mat C, Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) takes out Alexander MOORE (CAN) 6-1 and Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) wins 10-0 against Jayden LAWRENCE (AUS). Both Shapiev and Kurugliev book spots in the bronze medal bouts.

11:20: Giullia PENALBER (BRA) fills the final place in the women's 57kg bronze-medal matches with a 7-0 victory over Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER). Penalber gets a 4-point takedown and a regular takedown in the second period. She will face Kexin HONG (CHN) for the bronze.

11:18: Fans get an early treat with a clash between veteran and two-time former world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and two-time world medalist Yones EMAMI (IRI) in a preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg, which has 18 entries. Chamizo, a bronze medalist at Rio 2016, takes a 4-3 lead in the first period with a pair of scores of some wild scrambles. But Emami charges back, getting a 4-point takedown off a single-leg and adds another takedown for a 9-4 win.

11:10: In the opener on Mat B, Hannah TAYLOR (CAN) is in control all the way in rolling to a 13-0 victory over Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) in a women's 57kg repechage, clinching it with a 4-point takedown.  She will try to win her first Olympic medal by keeping Helen MAROULIS (USA) from winning her third in the bronze-medal match.  

11:06: The action on Mat A opens with the lone repechage match at freestyle 57kg. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) spots Wanhao ZOU (CHN) a four-point lead, but catches him with a pancake to get the fall with :24 left in the first period. He will face Golomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) for the bronze later tonight.

10:55: Welcome to day five of wrestling at the Paris Olympics. We advise you to click on the match order of the day and have your minds blown!

#JapanWrestling

Fumita Earns Ticket to Worlds, Higuchi Surprisingly Takes a Pass

By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (May 22) -- Having followed nearly identical paths up to and after their triumphs at the Paris Olympics, Rei HIGUCHI suddenly diverged from Kenichiro FUMITA on an issue that no one had seen coming.

Higuchi captured the Freestyle 61kg title at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Championships in Friday in Tokyo, only to then make the stunning announcement that he would take a pass on a playoff for Japan's team to this year's World Championships.

Fumita earned a chance at a third world title and first since 2019 when he claimed the Greco-Roman 63kg gold, then handily defeated Asian bronze medalist Kaisei TANABE 9-1 in a playoff.

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) defeated Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), 3-0, in the 61kg final for Meiji Cup. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Takeo Yabuki)

Higuchi, the Paris gold medalist at 57kg, cited a single-minded desire to become a repeat Olympic champion as being behind his lack of interest in trying to add a world title to the one he claimed in 2022.

"In December, the qualifying process at 57kg starts for [the 2028] Los Angeles [Olympics]," Higuchi said. "There is the World Championships, but all I am thinking of is a second straight title in Los Angeles.

"Strategically speaking, I have six months from now to get my body ready and drop to 57kg, and I want to give that priority. That's how I came to this decision."

Fumita, a former teammate of Higuchi's at Nippon Sports Science University who now shares the same corporate sponsor, was neither critical nor surprised by the move.

"He has his own way of thinking," said Fumita, the Paris gold medalist at Greco 60kg. "To tell the truth, before the Meiji Cup, he continually said how he was not aiming for the World Championships. I thought, that's just like him."

"I'm the type who gets into the position where I earn the ticket first, then consider what I want to do. For him to be able to just make such a decision on the spot, I think is actually pretty cool."

The Meiji Cup is serving as the second of two qualifiers for the Asian Games (in the Olympic weights) and World Championships, both of which will be held in the fall. A wrestler who wins the first qualifier -- the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships held in December -- and the Meiji Cup earns the national team place outright; a playoff is held when the winners are different.

Higuchi set up the playoff, that he eventually spurned, by defeating Emperor's Cup champion Toshihiro HASEGAWA 3-0 in the 61kg final, scoring a spin-behind takedown and stepout in the first period.

"It was fun being back in competition for the first time in awhile, and I was excited and nervous," Higuchi said. "I didn't really feel much pressure.

"As the Olympic champion, I think there were some people expecting an upset. But win or lose, it's not going to change that I am the Olympic gold medalist. In that way, I paid no mind and could enjoy my wrestling."

Powering the 30-year-old Higuchi's quest for gold at Los Angeles is a desire to etch his place among -- or at the top -- of the greats in Japanese wrestling history. He wants to join the legendary Yojiro UETAKE, who won the Freestyle 57kg gold at the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City Olympics, as the only Japanese males to win consecutive Olympic titles.

"In Japanese wrestling history, there has been only one [male] who has won back-to-back Olympic titles," Higuchi said. "My goal is to become the strongest wrestler in Japan history. There are many greats who came before me, and I want to top their records by ending with a second gold in Los Angeles."

With Higuchi stepping aside, Hasegawa automatically gained a chance to improve on the bronze medal he won at the 2021 World Championships.

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN)Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) battles it out during his 63kg final against Manato NAKAMURA (JPN). (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Takeo Yabuki)

Unlike Higuchi, Fumita had planned to return to action at the Emperor's Cup, but was forced to withdraw due to injury. His dominant run to his fifth career Meiji Cup gold and first since 2022 made victory all the sweeter.

"Being in the position of winning again makes me realize how great it is. Winning really is great," Fumita said. "I really kept my focus. From the time Paris was over to now, I thought quite a lot about my wrestling and how I wanted to approach it, and in the final and the playoff, I was able to bring out what I had imagined."

In the 63kg final, Fumita used a high chest wrap from par terre to score three exposures and finished off Manato NAKAMURA 9-0 in just over two minutes.

That put him into the playoff, held a few hours later following the medal ceremony. Tanabe, who nearly completed a rare Freestyle-Greco double at the Emperor's Cup, had defaulted his first-round match, ensuring he would be fresh for the playoff.

As impressive as Tanabe has been in his "side" job in Greco, he proved no match for the powerful and wily Fumita, who also has a Olympic silver and two other world medals to his credit.

From par terre, Fumita relied on the high chest wrap again, rolling Tanabe twice to take a 5-0 lead into the second period. Tanabe had his chance at par terre, only for Fumita to step over on a roll attempt for 2, then gain control and end the match with a gut wrench in 3:15.

"After taking a little rest, I was able to turn the switch back on," Fumita said. "Getting the ticket [to the World Championships] was my No. 1 objective, and first off, I was able to clear that. But I intend to eventually go back down to 60kg."

Tanabe, who is also part of the training group of past and current NSSU students, will attempt to win the Freestyle 65kg title over the next two days.

"Normally, he practices Freestyle, but sometimes joins in Greco," Fumita said. "He has entered competitions in Greco and even won a medal in Asia, so he definitely has the ability. As such, I had to dig deep and fight and stay aware of not giving him any openings.

"He's preparing to compete in Freestyle at 65kg tomorrow and the day after and I will switch over to his side and give him my total support."

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) scores upon Noah LEIBOWITZ (JPN) during 97kg final. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.com / Takeo Yabuki)

Yoshida Secures Return Trip to Worlds

In other action, world bronze medalist Arash YOSHIDA, coming off a second consecutive gold-medal run at the Asian Championships, won a second straight title at Freestyle 97kg with a 11-0 victory over up-and-coming teenager Noah LEIBOWITZ.

The result was a repeat of the final at the Emperor's Cup, thus clinching Yoshida's spot on the national team to the Worlds.

"Along with aiming to win, my objective was to use what I worked on in practice," Yoshida said. "But looking at it that way, there were more things I didn't use, so I need to practice so that they come out in matches.

"My opponent has a strong attack, and that makes it easy to wear yourself out. So my plan to was to let him shoot, stop it and get behind, and that's just how it went."

At Freestyle 70kg, Yuma TOMIYAMA received a victory by default over Taishi NARIKUNI, who suffered a severe facial injury earlier in the day in a Greco match.

Narikuni, who completed the Freestyle-Greco double at the Emperor's Cup that eluded Tanabe, was hospitalized and will undergo surgery on a broken eye socket, according to family members.

In Women's Wrestling, two Asian silver medalists earned their first trips to the senior Worlds, one outright and the other through the playoff route.

At 65kg, Nana IKEHATA, the 2024 world U20 champion, followed up her triumph at the Emperor's Cup with a 9-2 victory over Hiyori MOTOKI.

Mahiro YOSHITAKE avenged a loss in the semifinals to eventual 72kg champion Shirin TAKEMOTO, winning their playoff 5-1. Earlier, Takemoto defeated Chisato YOSHIDA 11-0 in the final.

One of the day's bronze-medal matches took sibling rivalry to the extreme, as Daizo TANIZAKI got the better of younger brother Konosuke at Greco 82kg. Daizo used a front headlock for a 4-point throw, then kept hold to add two rolls to win 8-0 in 1:14.

Day 2 Results

Freestyle

61kg
GOLD: Rei HIGUCHI df. Toshihiro HASEGAWA, 3-0

BRONZE: Rikito SASAKI df. Kosei KANEKO, 8-2
BRONZE: Akito MUKAIDA df. Meiryu AKAMINE, 4-1

70kg
GOLD: Yuma TOMIYAMA df. Taishi NARIKUNI by Inj. Def.

BRONZE: Taichi YAMAGUCHI df. Kaito MORITA, 9-5
BRONZE: Shina YASUMI df. Taishin HONNA, 2-1

92kg
GOLD: Sorato KANAZAWA df. Ryogo ASANO, 6-5

BRONZE: Takeru TAKESHIGE df. Yuya YOSHIDA, 12-4
BRONZE: Takato UCHIDA df. Ryuki NOSE, 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA df. Noah LEIBOWITZ by TS, 11-0, 5:33

BRONZE: Satoshi MIURA df. Daiki ITO by TS, 14-1, 5:48
BRONZE: Toyoki HAMADA df. Yuto UEKI by Fall, 3:41 (4-1)

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Kagetora OKAMOTO df. Keidai ITO, 6-5

BRONZE: Mizuki ARAKI df. Hiro SAKAMOTO by Inj. Def.
BRONZE: Sanshiro TAKAHASHI df. Taketo NINOMIYA, 6-4

63kg
GOLD: Kenichiro FUMITA df. Manato NAKAMURA by TS, 9-0, 2:03

BRONZE: Kensho NATAMI df. Rikito SASAKI, 7-3
BRONZE: Shoya ITO df. Ryota Koshiba, 2-1

World team playoff: Fumita df. Kaisei TANABE by TS, 9-1, 3:15

82kg
GOLD: Tatsuya FUJII df. Tesshin HIGUCHI by TS, 10-1, 4:15

BRONZE: Yahiro MOTOHASHI df. Isshin ONITSUKA, 4-2
BRONZE: Daizo TANIZAKI df. Konosuke TANIZAKI by TS, 8-0, 1:16

130kg
GOLD: Sota OKUMURA df. Yuta NARA, 1-1

BRONZE: Koei YAMADA df. Tsubasa HARUKAZE by Fall, :19 (2-0)
BRONZE: Kosei MIYAKE df. Shion OBATA by Fall, 2:00 (2-1)

World team playoff: Nara df. Okumura, 2-1

Women’s Wrestling

55kg
GOLD: Nagisa HARADA df. Konami ONO, 7-7

BRONZE: Yuna SAWATANI df. Narumi NAKAMURA, 3-0
BRONZE: Ruka NATAMI df. Haru UCHINO, 6-5

59kg
GOLD: Natsuki YAMAGUCHI df. Nagisa ITO, 3-2

BRONZE: Himeka HASEGAWA, no match
BRONZE: Miuna KIMURA df. Risa MOTOHARA, 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Nana IKEHATA df. Hiyori MOTOKI, 9-2

BRONZE: Misuzu ENOMOTO df. Kotone HIRATA by TS, 10-0, 4:34
BRONZE: Momoko KITADE df. Haruka KOBARU, 1-1

72kg
GOLD: Shirin TAKEMOTO df. Chisato YOSHIDA by TS, 11-0, 5:26

BRONZE: Mahiro YOSHITAKE df. Makia KIMURA by Fall, 1:34 (6-0)
BRONZE: Kaede MATSUYAMA df. Ai SAKAI, 4-0

World team playoff: Yoshitake df. Takemoto, 5-1