#WrestleIstanbul

#WrestleIstanbul: Women's Wrestling Bracket Breakdown

Thursday, February 24, 2022 - 14:34 By Eric Olanowski & Vinay Siwach

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ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 24) -- The 10 weight classes of women's wrestling received their draws Thursday at the Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series event in Istanbul, Turkey.

Home country Turkey has the most wrestlers entered at 28 wrestlers followed by the Russin Wrestling Federation which has 27 wrestlers. Kazakhstan is third with 22 wrestlers.

The USA has brought 13 wrestlers while India is here with 12 of them. Poland also has 10 wrestlers entered.

Like Greco-Roman, Turkey will have a few selection bouts at four weights -- 50kg, 59kg, 65kg and 76kg -- to decide the third wrestler at these weights.

50kg

50kg (23 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

The women's 50kg bracket has former European champion Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) and senior World Championships bronze medalist Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RWF) on the upper side and the two can collide in the semifinals if no upsets are seen.

The lower side of the bracket has more firepower as Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL), the bronze medalist from Oslo, will be trying to get past U23 Worlds silver medalist Shivani PAWAR (IND) and two-time Worlds silver medalist Emilia VUC (ROU).

She can wrestle Pawar in the quarterfinals and the winner of that bout is likely to face Vuc in the semifinal.

As far as rankings are concerned, the top three positions will remain unchanged, but Selishka [31700 points], Dolgorjav [31000 points] and Sokolova [31000 points] have a chance to replace SUN Yanan (CHN) [41400 points] at the fourth place with at least a silver medal.

Depending on how the aforementioned trio of wrestlers finish, Vuc could move up to fourth as well. She has 29600 points and is ninth in the rankings.

53kg

53kg (18 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

A big bout awaits in the upper side of the 18-wrestler bracket at 53kg as junior world champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE) and world silver medalist Iulia LEORDA (MDA) can clash in the pre-quarterfinals. But the path to the final is difficult as former U23 Worlds silver Milana DADASHEVA (RWF) is also drawn in the upper bracket.

An electric first-round bout on the lower side will see Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) take on former U23 World silver medalist Pooja GEHLOT (IND).

Bat Ochir will look to go deep in the tournament to topple Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) from the top spot in the rankings. She has to finish eighth or better to do so. As of now, she has 43200 points. In any case, she will replace second-placed Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), who has 45000 points.

Leorda can also improve from sixth to second if she wins the gold. But that's a long shot, as Bat Ochir would have to finish outside the top-10. Leorda currently has 37000 points.

55kg

55kg (14 entries)

Gold: 11000 points
Silver: 9400 points
Bronze: 8200 points

It should have been the final but multiple-time Ranking Series winner Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) and former 55kg world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) are drawn on the upper side of the 14-wrestler bracket. Vinesh has to win two bouts to be in the semis while Winchester has to win three. However, Anju PANGHAL (IND) will like to upset the USA wrestler and set up a semifinal against Phogat.

World bronze medalist at 53kg Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) looks like a clear favorite to reach the final from the lower side of the bracket.

57kg

57kg (22 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Two Tokyo Olympic medalists may clash in the semifinal at 57kg as silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) and bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) ended on the upper side of the bracket. Kurachkhina begins her campaign against Alicja CZYZOWICZ (POL) while Nikolova is up against Ozge FINDIKCI (TUR).

In rankings, Nikolova will consolidate her second position in the ranking. She has 51200 points, but cannot move past Helen MAROULIS (USA) [79200 points] even if she wins a gold medal.

Kurachkina is currently fifth with 41400 points. She can jump up to the third spot if she finishes with a medal in Istanbul.

The lower side is even more packed as U23 world champion Anhelina LYSAK (POL), Tokyo Olympian at 53kg Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RWF) and junior world champion Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) are on the same side. Furthermore, Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RWF), Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) and Asian silver medalist Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) are also wrestling.

59kg

59kg (16 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Multiple-time age-group European and World medalist Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is making a comeback after the Tokyo Olympics. While she is not ranked, she is expected to reach the final at 59kg from the upper side of the 16-wrestler bracket.

World bronze medalist Sarita MOR (IND) will be the favorite from the lower side of the bracket. She will also look to improve her ranking as she is currently ranked third with 31000 points. A finish in the top-10 in Istanbul will help her overtake Akie HANAI (JPN) for the second spot. She, however, won't be able to replace Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) from the top even if she finishes with gold.

62kg

62kg (22 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Two-time world champion and Tokyo Olympic silver Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) has a chance to win yet another Ranking Series gold. She is drawn with fellow Tokyo medalist Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), Rio bronze medalists at 58kg Sakshi MALIK (IND) and Marwa AMRI (TUN), Tokyo Olympian Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) and U23 Worlds bronze medalist Anastasiia PAROKHINA (RWF) on the upper side of the bracket.

To make the final she will have to go past three high-class wrestlers. But a likely semifinal against Yusein could be her toughest test. A gold medal win will add 13000 points to her current 86400 points to better her first spot.

Yusein, who has 34200 points, can jump to third place from fifth if she manages to at least reach a medal bout at the Yasar Dogu while Nunes de Oliveira,  ranked eighth with 29600 points, can jump to fourth if she wins the gold and hope that Yusein fails to finish in top-seven.

The lower side has 59kg world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) and Asian silver medalist Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ). Dudova would like to reach the final and test herself at the new weight. But Individual World Cup winner Svetlana LIPATOVA (RWF) will also be in her path to the gold bout.

65kg

65kg (17 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

World bronze medalist Forrest MOLINARI (USA) and her fellow USA teammate Emma BRUNTIL (USA) are once again likely to wrestle as the two are drawn on the same side of the bracket. The two wrestled in the final of Ivan Yarguin Grand Prix in January, a bout Bruntil won. They could meet as early as the quarterfinals. 

Tokyo Olympian Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) could make the semifinals at the weight and face one of Molinari or Bruntil.

Molinari has a chance to be ranked second if she finishes in the top-10. She currently has 31000 points and can overtake Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN). Top-ranked Irina RINGACI (MDA) won't be affected.

U23 bronze medalist Nisha DAHIYA (IND) is drawn on the upper side of the bracket. But Mallory VELTE (USA) will also try to reach the semifinal by beating Dahiya.

68kg

68kg (11 entries)

Gold: 8000 points
Silver:  6400 points
Bronze: 5200 points

One of the most intriguing matchups that wrestling fans chalked up when the entry list came out was the potential matchup of Olympic medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

After Friday, Zhumanazarova, who won world gold in Oslo, will take over the top spot in the rankings just by stepping on the mat. Currently, she's ranked second at the weight with 77200 points, but will overtake Olympic champion Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA), who has 80000 points.

Zhumanazarova’s toughest foe on the top side will be European champion and reigning world bronze-medal winner Khanum VELIEVA (RWF).

Olympic runner-up Oborududu comes into the tournament ranked third with 56400 points. Her toughest competition on the bottom side is ’20 Individual World Cup runner-up Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE). If they remain unbeaten, that matchup would happen in the semifinals.

72kg

72kg (10 Entries)

Gold: 8000 points
Silver:  6400 points
Bronze: 5200 points

A trio of top-five ranked wrestlers is entered at 72kg. Second-ranked Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) sits alone on the top side, while the third and fourth-ranked wrestlers, respectively, Anna SCHELL (GER) and Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) could clash in the second round.

Schell, a ’19 world bronze medalist, will wrestle Romania’s Alexandra ANGHEL in the opening round. Her Romanian opponent lost to Cavusoglu Tosun in the finals of the ’18 U23 World Championships.

Cavusoglu Tosun will wrestle Aleksandra ZAITSEVA (KAZ) in her first round match.

Both Schell and Cavusoglu Tosun enter Turkey with 29000 points, which means the winner of the likely second-round match-up will move up into the third spot in the rankings.

Bakberganova comes into the Yasar Dogu ranked second in the world with 35000 points. If she wins gold on Friday, she'd win 8000 points, which would tie her with top-ranked Masako FURUICHI (JPN). But, Furuichi defeated Bakbergenova in Oslo which means the Kazak wrestler will remain at the second spot.

76kg

76kg (20 Entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

There are a pair of top-five ranked wrestlers entered at 76kg. No. 4 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) No. 5 Samar HAMZA (EGY) will take the mat in Turkey but will sit on opposite sides of the bracket from each other.

Hamza sits on the top of the chart. She enters the competition has 43300 points and is on a quest to overtake Olympic champion Aline FOCKEN (GER) for the fourth spot. She can do so by finishing in ninth place or better.

She’ll likely take on fellow world bronze medalist Martina KUENZ (AUT) who will have to get past America’s Victoria FRANCIS (USA) who is moving up from 72kg to 76kg after Adeline GRAY’S (USA) recent pregnancy announcement.

On the bottom side, Rio Olympic bronze medalist Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS) returns to the Russian lineup after losing her Tokyo spot to Olympic champion Natalia VOROBIEVA (RUS). 

Bukina will have her hands full in the third round, as she’ll likely take on Tokyo Olympic fifth-place finisher and world bronze medalist Apieri MEDET KYZY (KGZ) in the quarterfinals.

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 7 GR 60kg, 72kg, 97kg Highlights

Friday, September 19, 2025 - 08:37 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 19) -- The World Championships day seven will see three Greco-Roman weight classes -- 60kg, 72kg and 97kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 6 RESULTS

60kg semifinals
SF 1: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) vs. Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO)
SF 2: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) vs. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB)

14:15: World 63kg champion will not be able to add another gold to his name as he drops his quarterfinal against Alisher GANIEV (UZB) at 60kg. Ganiev with beautiful whizzer counter when Mammadli was tried an arm-drag. He managed to turn him as well for a 6-0 lead. Ganiev gets the par terre but there is no score. There is no par terre in the second period but Mammadli gets a four-point throw. However, that is all the action in the match. A lost challenge from Azerbaijan gives Ganiev one more point as he wins 8-4.

14:11: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), a two-time world bronze medalist, stayed on a track for a better medal when he defeated Se Ung RI (PRK) 1-1 in their 60kg quarterfinal by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points.

14:10: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) books his place in the 60kg semifinals with a solid 4-1 victory over SURAJ (IND). Tibilov opens with a stepout, then pads his lead with a gut wrench from par terre to lead 4-0 at the break. He resists when put on bottom in the second period, and holds on for the victory.

14:09: Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO) with a beautiful headlock throw four points to beat Enes BASAR (TUR) 10-0 at 60kg. Shavadze scored a gut-wrench from par terre to lead 3-0 before the throw. Basar commits a defensive four and gets a penalty for two points. A lost challenge from Turkiye to give one more point. 

97kg Semifinals
SF 1: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) vs. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW)
SF 2: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) vs. Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE)

14:00: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) avoids the upset bug, but it is anything but easy in forging a 1-1 victory over Giorgi MELIA (GEO) to advance to the 97kg semifinals. Saravi gets the first of the two passivity points, and that makes the difference. He gets a second chance at par terre in the second period, but can't turn the Georgian.

13:59: The shocks continue at 97kg as Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) pulls off a stunning 7-4 victory over Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) to advance to the semifinals. Maskevich leads 2-0 after getting a passivity point and stepout in the first period. In the second, Rosillo uses his amazing speed and tries to spin behind for a takedown. But as they spin around like cats, Maskevich reaches over and pancakes Rosillo over for a 4-pointer. An unsuccessful challenge puts Maskevich ahead 7-0. Rosillo comes back with a takedown, and gains 2 on a leg foul, which gives Rosillo a chance in par terre. But he can't turn, and Maskevich advances.

13:52: A 1-1 victory for Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) over Alex SZOKE (HUN) at 97kg! Sargsian beneficiary of the new rule in which the criteria remains with the wrestler who gets the first point in a 1-1 finsih. 

13:50: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) is pinned! The bad run for Aleksanyan continues as Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) blocks Aleksanyan during the gut-wrench and holds him in danger position till the fall is confirmed. Ahmadiyev moves into the 97kg semifinals.

72kg Semifinals
SF 1: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) vs. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE)
SF 2: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) vs. Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ)

13:42: That has to be a first in wrestling as Danial SOHRABI (IRI), who had multiple bleeding stoppages, is medically timed out as the four minutes allotted for bleeding finish. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA), who was leading 4-2 at that moment, wins and advances to the 72kg semifinals. 

13:41: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) survives a tough test from Yeonghun NOH (KOR) to advance to the 72kg semifinals as he pursues a second straight gold. Noh surprises Ganizade with a headlock throw attempt right off the whistle, which is good for 2 points. A passivity point puts the Korean up 3-0 at the break. Ganizade calmly goes ahead in the second period on criteria with a throw from par terre. At the end, the Korean is denied a potential takedown due to a foul, and in the final seconds, leaps over the top in a flying squirrel attempt, but Ganizade plants him on the mat for 5 and an 8-3 victory.

13:40: For two-time Olympic medalist, Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) saw his bid for an elusive world medal dealt a serious setback when he fell 4-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ) in the 72kg quarterfinals. Nasibov started well with a throw from par terre, but gave up a soft takedown at the end of the first period. Maulitkanov received a passivity point in the second period to go ahead on criteria. At the end, a Nasibov challenge for an imaginary foul was denied.

13:35: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) with a feet-to-back five points and a stepout to beat Michael PORTMANN (SUI) 8-0 at 72kg. He enters the semifinal for Uzbekistan.

Quarterfinals begins at the same time

13:19: Two-time European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), looking to add to the world title to the one he won last year at 63kg, needs just 33 seconds to overwhelm Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) 8-0 and advance to the 60kg quarterfinals.

13:13: European and former world bronze medalist Alex SZOKE (HUN) ends his long wait to take the mat by grinding out a 1-1 victory over Artur OMAROV (CZE) at 97kg by virtue of receiving the first of the two passivity points. Both wrestlers had to receive treatment for a head cut and wrestled with their head bandaged.

13:10: A huge win for world U20 bronze medalist SURAJ (IND) over former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA). He defended the par terre position which sealed the deal for him in a 3-1 victory at 60kg.

13:02: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Ung RI (PRK) gets the benefit of the doubt in a 4-point takedown in defeating Kaito INABA (JPN) 8-0 at 60kg, with the winning point coming on an unsuccessful challenge. After Ri receives a passivity point, the two are on their feet when Ri pancakes Inaba to the mat -- although it appears he used his foot to trip the Japanese -- then adds a gut wrench. The Japanese side challenges, but the judge says the move was valid, ending the match.

13:01: Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) makes short work of Richard KARELSON (EST), launching a 4-point throw from par terre than scoring a 4-point takedown to advance to the 97kg quarterfinals with a 9-0 win in 2:39.

13:00: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) uses his incredible gut-wrench to finish his bout 9-0 against Zegang WANG (CHN). However, China challenges for a leg-foul. On review, Aleksanyan's two turn are validate and the third and fourth are cancelled for foul. Wang gets par terre in second period but Aleksanyan defends well to win 5-1 at 97kg.

12:56: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) advances to the 72kg quarterfinals with a 5-0 victory over Gor KHACHATRYAN (ARM). After a stepout, Ghanem gets an exposure from par terre for a 4-0 lead at the break, then gets a second passivity point in the second.

12:54: European silver medalist Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) gets off to a good start at 60kg, putting together an 8-0 victory over Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL). Tibilov gets two turns from par terre, then counters an attack by Skrzypczak for another 2 to lead 7-0 at the break. He ends the match with a stepout. 24 seconds into the second period.

12:52: Olympic champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) gets both the passivity points in his 4-0 victory over NITESH (IND) and enters the quarterfinals at 97kg. He is looking for his second world title.

12:50: Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) brings down Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) with a 5-1 victory at 97kg. Ahmadiyev defends the gut-wrench attempt from the Kyrgyzstan wrestler.

12:46: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) gets the first passivity point and then defends while on the bottom, putting him into the 97kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 win over Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER).

12:45: Reigning world champion Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) clears his first hurdle at 72kg, easily handling Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG) in a 6-0 victory. Ganizade opens with a stepout and a passivity point and, although he can't turn Merabet, he scores a takedown to go up 4-0 at the break. Ganizade spins behind for a takedown in the second to cap the win.

12:32: Former world champion and three-time world medalist Ali ARSALAN (SRB) tumbles out in his opening match at 72kg, falling 5-3 to Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ). Maulitkanov jumps out to a 4-1 lead when Arsalan cuts the gap with a takedown to end the first period. Late in the second period, Arsalan in on the verge of getting a takedown but can't finish it off. On challenge, it is discovered he not only did not score points, but committed a leg foul.

12:20: Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) steps closer to his first world medal as he beats Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW), 5-0, at 72kg. Both par terre positions to Nasibov in that match

12:15: Michael PORTMANN (SUI) continues his winning run as he now defeated Selcuk CAN (TUR), 8-2, at 72kg. 

12:07: Kaito INABA (JPN), Asian medalist, begins his quest for a world medal with a 5-5 criteria win over Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) at 60kg. 

12:01: It takes a while to sort out an interesting exchange between Olympic bronze medalist and five-time Asian medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) and Mohamed GABR (EGY) at 97kg. Dzhuzupbekov tries to spin behind off an arm drag, but Gabr catches the arm and steps over. On challenge, both are given a 2-point exposure, with Dzhuzupbekov having the last-point criteria. That gives him the win when there is no scoring in the second period, with the customary late challenge only making the score 3-2.

11:50: Former world silver medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) loses the advantage by giving up the first passivity point against Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) at 97kg, but he doesn't need it. Put on top in par terre in the second period, he hits a 2-point throw, which he quickly follows with a gut wrench. He gets an added bonus of a 2-point fleein penalty, and is put back on top. But his bear hug throw attempt goes awry and he only gets a stepout. No matter, he walks away an 8-1 winner.

11:25: Olympic bronze medalist and 2023 world champion Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) picks up a quick 4 against Aleksandar STJEPANETIC (SWE), then uses his speed to get behind for two takedowns to advance at 97kg with an 8-0 victory in 2:17.

11:24: Asian champion Danial SOHRABI (IRI) gives up a quick stepout to Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), but responds with one himself. Put on top in par terre, Sohrabi wastes no time, firing off four rolls for a 10-1 win in just over two minutes at 72kg.

11:24: Host Croatia loses its presence in a span of minutes, when Pavel PUKLAVEC (CRO) falls 4-1 to Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) at 72kg on Mat C, and shortly after on Mat B, NITESH (IND) gets a late gut wrench to oust Filip SMETKO (CRO) 3-2 at 97kg.

11:17: Two-time Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), searching for his first world medal, begins with an 8-0 superiority win over Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) at 72kg.

11:08: European champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) bulls his way to three stepouts in the second period and a 4-0 victory over Alejandro SANCHO (USA) at 72kg.

11:08: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), winner of the Ranking Series events in Budapest and Tirana, gets the first chance in par terre against  two-time world bronze medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) at 72kg, but his roll is annulled on challenge for a leg foul. Can fares much better when he gets the chance, throwing Lomadze for 2 and holding on for a 3-1 win.

11:00: Not to be for Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) at 72kg. The Japanese was trying to win a medal in Greco-Roman, two years after he won the world gold medal in Freestyle 70kg. But Michael PORTMANN (SUI), he drops his opening bout 2-1. Portmann scored a stepout apart from the par terre points.  

10:30: The World Championships will continue with Greco-Roman with 60kg, 72kg and 97kg in Zagreb