#ChinaOpen2018

Three-Time Olympian and World Champion Tkach Cruises to China Open Finals

Saturday, June 23, 2018 - 06:28 By Eric Olanowski

Share this article

TAIYUAN, China (June 23) - In her first competition back since missing the European Championships in Dagestan, Russia, three-time Olympian and 2014 world champion Yuliia TKACH (UKR) cruised to the 62kg China Open finals with three dominant wins. 

In her opening round match-up, Tkach stuck Fengfeng CUI (CHN) in the second period while leading 1-0. “Against the Chinese wrestler, I wasn’t happy only scoring one point in the first period. She was smart and waited for me to attack, and it slowed me down.” 

Tkach followed that win up with another second-period fall, but this time it was over Russia’s Elizaveta SOROKINA. 

In the semifinals, Tkach blanked HANG Jungwon (KOR), 8-0, locking up her spot in tonight’s finals, which begin at 5:30 pm local time. 

The Ukrainian wrestler will take on BAO Lingling (CHN) in the 62kg championship bout.

“I know she’s a smart wrestler and likes to attack legs. I have to wrestle my match, use my technique, be quick and I think I can win,” said Tkach after being asked about her Chinese opponent. 

Tkach, the Klippan Lady Open silver medalist said “This is my second finals of the year. I lost in the Klippan Open finals, but I learned from that loss. I didn’t wrestle smart – I wrestled stupid, and I can’t do that in tonight’s finals.” 

#ChinaOpen2018 Medal Matches 
62kg 
GOLD - Yulia TKACH (UKR) vs. BAO Lingling (CHN)

BRONZE - HANG Jungwon (KOR) vs. CUI Fengfeng (CHN)

65kg
GOLD -  Chuying TANG (CHN) vs. Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS) 

BRONZE - Na LU (CHN) vs. Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN)

68kg
GOLD -  Xiaoqian WANG (CHN) vs. Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) 

BRONZE - Suning QIN (CHN) vs. Jiao WANG (CHN)

72kg
Round Five 
Juan WANG (CHN) vs. Duishan ALEDAGULI (CHN) 
Kunming WANG (CHN) vs. Kristina EREMINA (RUS)

76kg
GOLD - Xiaoqian WANG (CHN) vs. Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR)

BRONZE - Suning QIN (CHN) vs. Jiao WANG (CHN)

#WrestleBudapest

Sharipov Sets His Sights on Dominating 125kg One Gold at a Time

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 - 21:01 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 14) -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) have just spent a couple of hours training on the eve the eve of Budapest Ranking Series. By the end of it, Sharipov has dictated the sparring. The 125kg wrestler clearly has edge over Tazhudinov due to his weight but he clearly looks more physically fit than his compatriot.

The two will step on the mat on Thursday at the Ranking Series tournament where medals will bring them vital ranking points for the World Championships. A year ago, Tazhudinov would have walked into any tournament as the favorite to win. In Budapest, that status has changed.

Sharipov, on the other hand, has quickly become the second best 125kg wrestler in the world and is the firm favorite to win gold on Thursday.

"I won the first ranking series and I want to repeat that result now in Budapest," Sharipov said.

After the official draw, Sharipov will open his campaign against Ulaanbaatar Open winner DINESH (IND) and a likely quarterfinal against Kazakhstan's young star Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ). European champion Giorgi MESHDESHVILI (AZE) will likely be the semifinal opponent.

Sharipov knows that a good run in Budapest will make him one of the favorites for the World Championships and more opponents will be keeping an eye on him. But the Asian silver medalist is waiting to get to his hands on Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

"As you said, I am now one of the leaders of this weight class so people are learning about me but I am ready," he said. "One of my tough opponents is Zare and when the World Championships comes closer, I will plan and find a way to wrestle him."

For Tazhudinov, it will be an opportunity to get a win back over Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), who defeated the Bahrain wrestler at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Maintaining that he has fully recovered from his injuries, Tazhudinov is locked in for the tournament and later for the World Championships where he will look to win the title he lost last year.

"My goal is always the same. I come to win and this ranking series is not an exception. We have been through a good camp and the mat will show," Tazhudinov said. "I need to get 100 percent for the World Championships."