Grappling

Russia Looks to Repeat at World Grappling Championships in Astana

Monday, September 3, 2018 - 23:48 By Marc Berman

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Eldar Eilovs (RUS) 84kg

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (September 6th) -- The 2018 World Grappling Championships start next week in Astana with wrestlers from 16+ nations expected to compete in Grappling and Grappling Gi in both men’s and women’s divisions.

In the senior division defending champion Russia will have a difficult path to repeating as Brazil has entered a variety of ex-pat countrymen into the competition, including grappling superstars the Miyao brothers. Poland will also look to challenge the European champions for the world title having taken double bronze at the continental championships.

Ukraine (silver in Grappling-Gi) and France (silver in Grappling) will bring veteran lineups to Astana and are front runners to take home team medals.

The championships will be streamed on FloGrappling.com in the United States and internationally on United World Wrestling.

Men’s Grappling

62kg (Saturday)

Magomedbek TEMEEV (RUS), who won the 2017 world championships, will not be defending his title this year. Also out is this year’s European champion Magomedov MAKHACH (RUS). Adriano  Andrè COLAZINGARI (ITA) who finished with Bronze in April at the European Championships is one to watch.

66kg (Saturday)

Gairbeg IBRAGIMOV (RUS) will be in the mix to defend his title. He is poised to do so after a first place finish in Kaspiysk earlier this year.

71kg (Saturday)

This division is without an medalists from last year’s world championships. Mikhail FRANKLIN (PAN) is a veteran grappler who will certainly be in the mix for gold.

77kg (Saturday)

Watch for Steven RAMOS (USA), he is a 5th place finisher from 2017 who has shown steady improvement in a variety of competitions. He comes to Astana be the highest placed finisher from last year’s competition.

84kg (Saturday)

With 15 competitors in the division anything can happen. Shamil MAGOMEDEV (RUS) will be favorite after a strong performance at the Europeans this year.

92kg (Saturday)

Another division without a returning medalist, seasoned competitor Avraham IBRAGIMOV (ISR) could have a medal in his future and is always in the mix for the podium. Isichko YAROSLAV (UKR) is another veteran with experience at the international level.

100kg (Saturday)

MMA fighter Nurbek ISAMILOV (KGZ) is in the hunt for the top spot on the podium. Kamil UMINSKIi (POL) is in the way with a 2nd place finish at the European championships this year and 3rd place at the World Championships last year.

100+kg (Saturday)

Last year’s champion Ruslan ABDULAEV (RUS) will not be defending his title. Watch big man Denis SUKOL (LTU) to be a potential champion.

Women’s Grappling

53kg (Saturday)

Laetitia BOES (FRA) will be present to defend her title at 53 kg is the largest women’s division in both styles, Watch for last year’s bronze medalist Svitrlana SKYYPNK (UKR) to be a potential roadblock.

58kg (Saturday)

Kateryna SHAKALOVA (UKR) and Breanna STIKKELMAN (USA) seemed destined for a rematch of the 2017 world finals. Shakalova came out on top last year but, the American will look to stand in the way of any plans to repeat.

64kg (Saturday)

Lulia TORIANSKAIA (RUS) is a favorite after coming off a gold medal performance at Europeans. We could see a finals rematch from Europeans with Irina GROMOVA (RUS). Both would need to get past defending champion Hrynko TETIANA (UKR).

71kg (Saturday)

Rimma ANUFRIEVA (RUS) finished with Bronze in Baku and reached the top spot at this year’s Europeans. Rival Irene MUNGAI (ITA) shared the 3rd place spot last year with her in Baku and fell short in the finals at Europeans. This could be a finals matchup.

71+kg (Saturday)

Veronika KORENIUGINA (UKR) is not in the mix to defend her title. Chloe BARRE (FRA), who finished second last year, is a good bet to be one of the finalists in Astana.

Men’s Grappling- GI

62kg (Sunday)

This weight features Magomedbek TEMEEV (RUS) who won gold without the Gi last year and defending champion Baranov DMYTRO (UKR).

Cristofer BARRIOS (ESP) took 3rd at Europeans this year is in the mix.

66kg (Sunday)

Gairbeg IBRAGIMOV (RUS) is a favorite at a gold metal at this year's Europeans. America Luis QUINONES (USA) returns to his second worlds team. After a strong performance at the team trials this year, Luis is on the hunt for a podium spot.

71kg (Sunday)

Alibekov GADZHIMURAD (RUS) and Francisco ALCALDE (ESP) are two likely to be vying for the top podium position. Gadzhimurad was unstoppable at Europeans this year, earning gold. While Alcalde was runner up in Baku last year.

77kg (Sunday)

In a very competitive division, Yusef KADDUR (ESP) will be defending his title. Rene KARAMANITES (PAN) is seeking revenge after falling short to Kaddur last year.

84kg (Sunday)

World silver medalist Shamil MAGOMEDOV (RUS) moves up a weight this year. Purtiyev  HAJIMURAD (AZE) took gold this year at Europeans and will be challenging for gold.

92kg (Sunday)

Piotr BAGINSKI (POL) finished with Bronze in Baku with both finalists not present this year, it could be his year.

100kg (Sunday)

Isa UMAROV (RUS) was a runner-up at the Europeans this year, he is one to watch as a potential finalist.

100+kg (Sunday)

Abdulaev RUSLAN (RUS) will be present to defend his title. Sheraz Mohammad Ahmed KHAN (PAK) is a dark horse ready to make a run at gold.

 

Women’s Grappling GI

53kg (Sunday)

Polina KRUPSKAIA (POL) is ready to take gold back to back years. Laetitia BOES (FRA) could be her biggest challenge this year.

58kg (Sunday)

Kateryna SHAKALOVA (UKR) is defending GI and No Gi titles this year. She could make it back to back years with double gold.

64kg (Sunday)

Last years champion Breanna STIKKELMAN (USA) moved down a weight category, fellow finalist last year Hrynko TETIANA (UKR) will be looking to step up to the top position on the podium this year.

71kg (Sunday)

Silver medalist Irene MUNGAI (ITA) is a favorite to take gold this year. Olena SUSHKO (UKR) can not be counted out either.

71+kg (Sunday)

Chloe BARRE (FRA) was a finalist last year and has the stuff to challenge for gold this year. Poland’s Magdalena ZASZCZUDLOWICZ (POL) is in the mix also for the top position.

SCHEDULE

Thursday, Sept 6th:

11:00-14:00 Elimination rounds & repechage (Grappling- Novice and Schoolboys/girls)

15:00-19:00 Elimination rounds & repechage (Grappling-Cadets, Veterans and Juniors)

19:00-20:00 Finals (All categories)

Friday, Sept 7th:  

11:00-14:00 Elimination rounds & repechage (Grappling GI- Novice and Schoolboys/girls)

15:00-19:00 Elimination rounds & repechage (Grappling GI-Cadets, Veterans and Juniors)

19:00-20:00 Finals (All categories)

Saturday, Sept 8th:

11:00-12:00 Elimination rounds & repechage (Grappling-Men 62, 66, 71, 77kg, Women 53, 58, 64kg)

12:00-13:00 Elimination rounds & repechage (Grappling-Men 84, 92, 100 +100kg, Women 71, +71kg)

18:00-19:00 Finals (All categories)

Sunday, Sept 9th:

11:00-12:00 Elimination rounds & repechage (Grappling GI-Men 62, 66, 71, 77kg, Women 53, 58, 64kg)

12:00-13:00 Elimination rounds & repechage (Grappling GI- Men 84, 92, 100 +100kg, Women 71, +71kg)

17:00-19:00 Finals (All categories)

#WrestleAthens

China wins two golds; India defends women's team title

Friday, August 1, 2025 - 19:07 By Vinay Siwach

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ATHENS, Greece (August 1) -- India managed to win its second straight women's team title at the World U17 Championships in Athens, Greece on Friday. India finished with 151 points, thanks to its two gold, three silver and one bronze medal in 10 weight class.

The United States, which did not finish on the podium last year, bounced back in style and finished second, just nine points behind India with 142 points. Japan was third with 113 points. The U.S. and Japan both had two champions as well.

China had three champions in Athens and a silver medalist. However, it only had nine wrestlers and three of them did not contribute any points to the team total. It finished fourth with 107 points. Third-placer in 2024 Kazakhstan managed to earn itself a top-five finish with 69 points.

After the 73kg gold medal on Thursday, China added two more on Friday through Min ZHAO (CHN) at 69kg and Jiaqing JIANG (CHN) at 53kg after the two won their respective finals in contrasting fashion.

Zhao, wrestling at her first international tournament, did not have much trouble seeing off European 17 champion Ayla SAHIN (GER), 13-2, in the 69kg final.

The 15-year-old managed to open the scoring by a ankle pick of the far foot of Sahin and then turned her for two more points. Sahin scored two points when she tried to cradle Zhao but that was the only dominating move of the match for her.

Sahin tried a leg attack but Zhao countered hit with a headpinch and got four points. She hit another one for two points to lead 10-2. A deep single gave her another takedown for a 12-2 technical superiority win. Germany challenged but there was nothing to be reviewed. A lost challenge awarded Zhao another point to make her score 13-2.

Jiaqing JIANG (CHN)Jiaqing JIANG (CHN) defeated Epenesa ELISON (USA) in the 53kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The second gold medal for China came from Jiang who had to defend with all might to beat Epenesa ELISON (USA) in the 53kg final and win the world title.

Jiang got a 6-0 lead against Elison but the U.S. wrestler mounted a comeback in the second period. She scored a takedown to cut the score to 6-2. Another takedown helped her make it 6-4. Jiang got one point for reversal and extended her lead to 7-4. Elison got Jiang for a big throw but the referees called it a foot-stomp, a second earlier, and did not score any points.

There was one more sequence where it seemed that Jiang had her three points touch on the mat but neither referees score nor the U.S. corner challenged. She eventually won 7-4.

Fernandez repeats

The U.S. did get one gold medalist on Friday. After Morgan TURNER (USA) became a two-time world champion on Thursday for the U.S., Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) also achieved the feat as she defended her 61kg title against YASHITA (IND) in the final.

Fernandez was never slow to start and Yashita was on the backfoot straightaway. Yashita was put on the activity clock and Fernandez did not wait for it to end and got the takedown. She led 3-0 before another takedown made it 5-0. She turned Yashita using a leg-lace and made it 9-0.

There is no waiting game for Fernandez as she performed one more leg attacked for a takedown and finished the bout 11-0.

"A little pressure [as I] went into it," Fernandez said. "I just want that really bad. It just come together. I was just keep on wrestling. I could just keep on wrestling and test myself and just see what things I need to get better to be the best of myself. I just love to wrestle so. Every opportunity again, I want to think it."

Fernandez, who is still 16 and eligible for the U17 competitions next year as well, can became the first U.S. wrestler to win three gold medals at the World U17 Championships.

"All you can say is that next year, that's my goal," she said.

Hanano OYA (JPN)Hanano OYA (JPN) won the 46kg gold medal in Athens. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Japan also claimed a gold medal Thursday to win its first gold medal of the tournament.

Hanano OYA (JPN) put on a defensive masterclass in the 46kg final against Janka SILLEI (HUN) and won the gold medal with a 3-0 score line. Oya got her first point when Sillei was put on activity clock but the Hungarian failed to score in the 30 seconds.

In the second period, a hard-fought takedown gave Oya two more points and then she locked Sillei and held her position in the final seconds to avoid any upset.

"I can't believe I actually won, but when I stood on the podium and sang the national anthem at the end, I was so happy," Oya said. "I'm really grateful to my teachers and everyone who supported me."

Talking about the final, Oya said that while she was not able to score many points, she was content that she did not let her opponents score on her as well, especially in semifinal and final.

"The opponent in the final [Sillei] was very strong, and there were no opportunities to score. It turned into a very close match," she said. "I don't know how to describe it. The same was true for the [bout against] United States in the semifinals. The Hungarian wrestler in the final were also very strong, so I realized that I need to practice even harder and aim for higher goals."

History for Uzbekistan

No woman from Uzbekistan has ever been a world champion in wrestling but Friday will be registered as a historic day in Uzbekistan's history.

Shokhista SHONAZAROVA (UZB), the Asian U17 champion, became the first-ever women's world champion in wrestling from Uzbekistan. She defeated An NAKANISHI (JPN), 11-0, in the 40kg final and created history for her country.

Before Shonazarova, three other Uzbekistan wrestler had reached the final of Women's Wrestling at different World Championships but no one was able to win gold until Shonazarova changed that.

RESULTS

40kg
GOLD: Shokhista SHONAZAROVA (UZB) df. An NAKANISHI (JPN), 11-0

BRONZE: Asema ASANGARYEVA (KGZ) df. Valia HARSAN (ROU), 2-0
BRONZE: Maisie ELLIOTT (USA) df. Finja STRAUCH (GER), 6-0

46kg
GOLD: Hanano OYA (JPN) df. Janka SILLEI (HUN), 3-0

BRONZE: Jaclyn BOUZAKIS (USA) df. Irina TSYDEEVA (UWW), 12-2
BRONZE: Maria GKIKA (GRE) df. Kamila KUCHMA (UKR), 4-3

53kg
GOLD: Jiaqing JIANG (CHN) df. Epenesa ELISON (USA), 7-4

BRONZE: Rion OGAWA (JPN) df. Margarita IARYGINA (UWW), 8-0
BRONZE: Mariia ZHYTOVOZ (HUN) df. Farida ABDRAKHMANOVA (KAZ), via fall (10-0)

61kg
GOLD: Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) df. YASHITA (IND), 11-0

BRONZE: Barbara BAGER (HUN) df. Varvara ALISEYENKA (UWW), 3-0
BRONZE: Zalina TOTROVA (UWW) df. Miranda KAPANADZE (GEO), 8-0

69kg
GOLD: Min ZHAO (CHN) df. Ayla SAHIN (GER), 13-2

BRONZE: Solomiia PETRIV (UKR) df. MANISHA (IND), 5-2
BRONZE: Shakhizada DAULETZHAN (KAZ) df. Linda MARTINEZ (MEX), 4-1