#WrestleOslo

#WrestleOslo Day One Preview: Freestyle 61kg, 74kg, 86kg and 125kg

Friday, September 17, 2021 - 17:27 By Eric Olanowski

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 17) – Superstars David TAYLOR (USA) and Hasan YAZDANI (IRI), and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Taha AKGUL (TUR) could see their rivalries renewed after the first day of wrestling at the 2021 World Championships.

Three Olympic gold medalists and 11 world titleholders headline the fully loaded opening day of wrestling in Oslo, Norway. 

Taylor, Yazdani and Akgul are the three Olympic gold medalists that'll wrestle on October 2. They'll share the limelight with three-time world champ Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and two-time world champ Kyle DAKE (USA).

Wrestling fans will be hard-pressed to find an opening where a star isn't on the mat on October 2, but the conversation will indeed be on the potential fourth meeting between Olympic champions Taylor and Yazdani 86kg.

The pair of superstars are seeded first and second, respectively, at 86kg. If the seeds hold true, they two are on a collision course for a second blockbuster meeting in the last two months. 

Taylor and Yazdani met on August 5 in the 86kg Tokyo Olympic gold-medal match. 'The Magic Man' trailed 'The Greatest' for the entirety of the match before he caught the Iranian on his heels with less than 10 seconds left and scored the match-deciding takedown. Taylor's win in Tokyo was his third consecutive win over the two-time world champ and Rio Olympic gold medalist.

Taylor's latest victory came four years after securing his first win over the then-reigning Olympic champion. He pinned Yazdani at the '17 World Cup in Kermanshah, Iran. He extended his win streak to 2-0 with a five-point win over Yazdani in their first-round match at the '18 Budapest World Championships.

Another guy to pay attention to at 86kg that rarely gets the credit he deserves is Artur NAIFONOV (RWF). 

Since '19, Naifonov has competed in 11 competitions and finished atop the podium eight times. During his impressive stretch, he's only dropped three matches en route to claiming golds at the European and Russian Wrestling Federation Championships twice, a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympic Games and '19 World Championships, and a silver medal at the Russian Wrestling Federation Nationals. His losses came at the hands of Taylor at the Olympic Games, Yazdani at the World Championships and Dauren KURUGLIEV (RWF) in the '20 Russian Wrestling Federation National finals.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) looks to finish a shot on Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) during their meeting in the world finals. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

The second can't-miss October 2 rivalry to spotlight is between Petriashvili and Akul. They are seeded first and second, respectively, at 125kg.

Collectively, their trophy cases include four Olympic medals -- including a Rio Olympic gold -- five world titles and eight European golds.

Petriashvili, of course, is coming off his heartbreaking last-second loss in the Olympic finals to the young American upstart Gable STEVESON (USA), while Akgul is coming off closing his Tokyo campaign on the winning end of the bronze-medal match.

 "It was so difficult for me to lose the Olympic finals in such a dramatic way," said Petriashvili. "I came back from Tokyo disappointed because I wanted to win a gold medal, and unfortunately, I could not make that happen. After losing in the finals of the Olympic Games, I set a new plan with a new goal: become the world champ in Oslo."

After a month off, Geno's biggest rival Akgul said he's also ready to put the Olympic in his rear-view mirror and has his sights on winning another world title, too. 

 "I took a month off and rested. I got rid of the stress of the Olympics. Now, I feel good," said Akgul. "I want to forget the defeat at the Olympics. I'll have good opponents at the World Championship, but I can win if I am ready and concentrate. It will be tough to become a world champion again, but I will try my best."

He'll undoubtedly have to put his best foot forward when he squares off against No. 3 Amir ZARE (IRI) in a likely semifinal meeting between 125kg Tokyo Olympic bronze medalists. It'd be the first meeting between the two. 

"Outside of Geno, Zare, who was third at the Olympics, is an outstanding athlete. He is a very good and young athlete -- just like Gable Steveson," said the Turkish giant. "I have never wrestled him before, but I think it will be a really good competition. It takes a lot of conditioning and strength to beat Zare, and it's necessary to wrestle until the last minute of the match."

The 21-year-old Iranian, backed by his impressive gas tank and signature underhook, is fresh off winning Olympic bronze after securing three imposing wins in Tokyo. Similar to his fellow Tokyo medalists, Zare moved on from his Tokyo success and readjusted his sights to Oslo. 

His goal heading into Norway is to win a world title – even if that means going through Akgul first.

"Taha is a great wrestler and has become a world and Olympic champion many times! First of all, I am happy that I will wrestle against him for the first time. But, my goal in Norway is  to win a gold medal and I am following my training because of this."

Kyle DAKE (USA) finishes a shot on Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) during their meeting in the Olympic bronze-medal match. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

At 74kg, two-time 79kg world champ Kyle Dake will make his world debut at the Olympic weight of 74kg. Despite being Oslo's lone Tokyo Olympic medalist entered at 74kg, Dake will still have his hands full with the rest of the field. 

In addition to fellow Tokyo Olympians Yones Aliakbar EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI), Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), Kamil RYBICKI (POL), other credible threats that'll compete in the weight are Razambek ZHAMALOV (RWF), Tajmuraz Mairbekovic SALKAZANOV (SVK) and Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ).

Zhamalov, a U23 world champion and '20 Russian Wrestling Federation National gold medalist, will compete in his first competition since he underwent shoulder surgery. He suffered the injury at the European Championships and had surgery in May. 

Despite falling one match short of reaching the Olympic Games, Salkazanov will look to rebuild the hype around his name that stemmed from his improbable April run to a European. During that Warsaw run, Salkazanov threw two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) to his back with less than 10 seconds left and won, 6-2. That set up a quarterfinals match against ’18 world silver medalist Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO). With a spot in the semifinals on the line, Salkazanov trailed Kentchadze, 5-0, but scored six unanswered points in the second period and upset the Georgian Tokyo Olympian, 6-5. He then erased a five-point deficit for a second consecutive match and moved into the finals with a surprising 6-5 win over tournament-favorite and Individual World Cup champion Zhamalov. In the finals, the Slovakian only needed five minutes to uproot Miroslav KIROV (BUL), 10-0.

After his European title run, Salkazanov finished with bronze medals at the World Olympic Qualifier and Aleksandr Medved.

Also of note at 74kg, former Russian world champion Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) will compete under the Serbian flag for the third time. He finished in tenth and 14th place at the European Championships and European Olympic Qualifier, respectively. 

At 61kg, the two favorites to vie for gold are world champ Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) and European gold medalist Arsen HARUYUNYAN (ARM), but Iran's rising star Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) is a guy who could blow up the bracket.

Three weeks ago, the lengthy youngster dominated his way to a third age-group world title. Next, he'll make his third appearance on the senior level. He reached the podium in his two previous senior showings. Most recently, he won 61kg gold at the Yasar Dogu. He also won a bronze at the '20 Individual World Cup, but that was down at 57kg.

The action on October 2 kicks off at 10:30 am (local time) and can be followed live on www.uww.org.

#JapanWrestling

Paris champ Kiyooka sets up clash with Tanabe, Motoki faces Ozaki

Saturday, June 21, 2025 - 12:44 By Ken Marantz

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TOKYO (June 21) -- Before his astonishing run to an unlikely Olympic title, Kotaro KIYOOKA was the one doing the chasing. Now at the forefront and looking over his shoulder, he sees a familiar face bearing down on him whom he now has to confront.

Paris Olympic champion Kiyooka advanced to the freestyle 65kg final at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Championships on Saturday, where he will face former Nippon Sport Science University teammate Kaisei TANABE with a ticket to this year's World Championships on the line.

Kiyooka is one of three Paris gold medalists, along with Sakura MOTOKI at women's 62kg and Nao KUSAKA at Greco 77kg, who are making their full-fledged returns to the mat at the Meiji Cup, the second of Japan's two domestic qualifiers for the World Championships in Zagreb in September.

Both Motoki and Kusaka advanced with little trouble to Sunday's finals at Tokyo Metropolitan Gym, with Motoki setting up a highly anticipated clash with Paris 68kg bronze medalist Nonoka OZAKI -- whom she beat out for the spot in Paris at 62kg but is intent on reclaiming that weight class.

Kotaro KIYOOK (JPN)Kotaro KIYOOKA, left, ended up scoring 4 points off this scramble in his semifinal match at freestyle 65kg with Yuto NISHIUCHI. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

Unlike the other two, Kiyooka has never been to a senior World Championships. Standing in his way is a formidable opponent in Tanabe, two years his junior who is coming off an impressive victory at the Asian Championships in March in Amman, Jordan. Tanabe only moved up to 65kg last year, and the two had not crossed paths before.

Following the Olympics, Kiyooka spent some time (with Kusaka) competing in the German Bundesliga. But the Meiji Cup marks his first high-level competition since Paris.

"It's been awhile since I've been in an official tournament," the 24-year-old Kiyooka said. "Looking ahead to the Los Angeles Olympics, I'm still a long way away. What's important at this tournament is to come out with a victory.

"I have to make adjustments and prepare mentally for tomorrow. It's not just a one-and-done final, there is also a playoff so I can make it to the World Championships."

Tanabe, the son of NSSU coach and 2004 Olympic bronze medalist Chikara TANABE, captured the title at the first domestic qualifier for the world team, the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships in December, in Kiyooka's absence.

As such, Kiyooka will not only have to beat him on Sunday in the final, but again in a playoff to be held at the end of the session.

As an indication of the depth of Japan in the weight class, even with the retirement of Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO, both Kiyooka and Tanabe had to get over tough hurdles to make the championship match.

In the semifinals, Kiyooka struggled to break through the defenses of two-time world U20 champion and current NSSU star Yuto NISHIUCHI. In the end, he used counters to great effect in an 8-1 win, scoring 4 by stepping over during a scramble and 2 more defending against a single leg.

"I'm not usually the type who scores big points," Kiyooka said. "But I have built myself up physically after the Olympics and I think the result was that I could get the big point."

In his opening match, Tanabe needed a stepout with 20 seconds left to get past Shinnosuke SUWAMA 5-4, before topping Ryuto SAKAKI 5-0 to make the final.

While Kiyooka is a bit unsettled about having a target on his back, he seems ready to face whatever comes his way.

"Up to now, it's always been the reverse situation," he said. "I never had the feeling that I was being chased. But I don't want to lose. As being among those who is aiming for the Los Angeles Olympics, I want to be a big barrier for the others. If you give them an opening, they will use it. I don't want to show them any gaps."

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)Sakura MOTOKI pries over Shirin TAKEMOTO en route to a 10-0 win in their women's 62kg semifinal. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

As surprising as Kiyooka's run to gold in Paris was, the bigger shock likely came during the qualifying process when an underrated Motoki, who was "only" a world bronze medalist at 59kg, had the audacity to move up and challenge the highly touted Ozaki at 62kg.

But the 2022 world U20 champion believed in herself, and keeps making believers of others. She returned to competition earlier this year in order to qualify for the World U23 Championships.

Victories at the U23 and senior worlds will make her just the third person in history to achieve the "Golden Grand Slam" of Olympic gold combined with all four world age-group titles.

On Saturday, Motoki's toughest test in advancing to the final came in the opener, when she used a low single to score a takedown in each period of a 5-0 win over two-time world U23 champion Yuzuku INAGAKI.

"She has a good defense," Motoki said. "Being able to get through a tough match really boosts my confidence. When you're an Olympic champion, it's only natural that [opponents] try to come up with a strategy against you.

"In that light, I have to figure out a way to become stronger from the start of Olympic qualifying. That's still under development."

Like Kiyooka, Motoki will have to beat the Emperor's Cup champion twice to secure a place on the world team, and Ozaki won't make it easy.

"She's a really strong wrestler," Motoki said. "I will have to summon up all of my power and try my best."

Nao KUSAKA (JPN)Nao KUSAKA sets up a 4-point overhead lift of Naoki KADODE during their semifinal at Greco 77kg. (Photo: Takeo Yabuki / wrestling-spirits.jp)

At Greco 77kg, Kusaka chalked up a pair of technical falls to advance to the final, where he will face the Emperor's Cup champion in Kodai SAKURABA, a 2022 Asian bronze medalist whom he aced out in the qualifying for Paris.

In the semifinals, Kusaka romped to a 12-1 victory over Naoki KADODE. After giving up a stepout, he came back with three of his own. Then he got behind and dropped backwards for 4, then ended the match with a 4-point lift at 2:04.

In other weight classes that will finish with medal matches on Sunday, longtime rivals and former NSSU teammates Katsukai ENDO and Kyotaro SOGABE set up their latest clash in the final at Greco 67kg.

Asian bronze medalist Endo, the Emperor's Cup champion, defeated 2021 world bronze 63kg medalist Kensuke SHIMIZU 7-3 in the semifinals, while Paris Olympian Sogabe rallied for a 13-6 win over 2023 world U23 bronze medalist and fellow NSSU alum Haruto YABE.

With Paris bronze medalist Yui SUSAKI still on post-Olympic hiatus, Remina YOSHIMOTO remained on track for a shot at a second world title at women's 50kg when she stormed to 10-0 victories over a pair of teenagers. She will face Umi ITO in a repeat of the Emperor's Cup final, which she won 3-2.

Emperor's Cup champion Rin SAKAMOTO, who has taken the rare collegiate path of going to the United States to compete at Oklahoma State University, advanced to the final at Freestyle 57kg and a showdown with Kento YUMIYA.