#WrestleOslo: Vlasov Makes Up for Tokyo Snub with 1st World Title Since 2015

Friday, October 8, 2021 - 19:49 By Ken Marantz

OSLO, Norway (October 8) -- Denied a chance to go for a third Olympic gold earlier this year, Roman VLASOV (RWF) made sure he would not miss out on a third world title and first in six years.

Vlasov chalked up a meticulous and hard-fought 2-1 victory over 2020 European champion Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) to take the 77kg gold in one of four Greco-Roman finals on the seventh day of the World Championships in Oslo on Friday night.

"I was super tired, I couldn't even celebrate as I usually do," Vlasov said. "I left all my power and energy on the mat."

Olympic bronze medalist Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) made a successful return to his natural weight of 82kg to take an elusive first world gold, while Armenia ended a four-year gold drought with a victory at 82kg and a Japanese took the lightest 55kg title.

Vlasov, a gold medalist at the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympics, was left devastated when he was passed over for a place on the Russian Olympic Committee team at the Tokyo Olympics after losing in the semifinals of the Poland Open in June.

Roman VLASOV (RWF) won his third world title in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

He had considered ending his career. But the desire to achieve his dream of matching the legendary Alexander KARELIN (RWF) with three Olympic golds inspired him to reset his sights for the 2024 Paris Olympics. Like his hero Karelin, Vlasov is a native of Novosibirsk in southwestern Siberia and was mentored by the great coach Viktor KUZNETSOV.

Oslo would be the first stop on the long road to Paris, as it would provide confirmation that he could live up to his own expectations. A world champion in 2011 and 2015, he finished out of the medals in 2017 and 2019.

"The last time I won the world championships was in 2015, before in 2011. It’s been a long time," Vlasov said. "I missed these emotions. To be the best in the world is the thing I’ve been dreaming about. It’s the thing I think about when I wake up in the morning before going to training."

After barreling through the rounds, winning each of his four matches by at least seven points, Vlasov found a formidable foe in Suleymanov, this year's 2021 European bronze medalist and the 2019 world U23 silver medalist.

Vlasov, a four-time European champion who turned 31 on Wednesday, had the first chance in par terre, but could only get a 1-point stepout after walking the airborne Suleymanov over the edge.

But Suleymanov had no answer when the roles were reversed in the second period, and Vlasov clinched the win when he deftly evaded a stepout attempt in the final 20 seconds.

"The final match did not go as planned," Vlasov said. "I had to wrestle super hard to keep that one point scored. Patience brought the gold."

Patience and appreciation of each victory along the way are what will look to get him to the Paris Games, a lesson he learned from the Tokyo debacle.

"The last Olympic cycle I made the mistake of counting down the days to the Olympics," Vlasov said. "This time I just enjoy every title. Today I am the happiest man on Earth, tomorrow we’ll be the new day, the new qualification for the new world championships.

"The Olympics are the dream of every athlete. I’ve been there twice, and I want to become a three-time Olympic champion. But it’s better not to go ahead of time."

Rafiq HUSEYNOV (AZE) is now a three-time World medalist. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Huseynov had dropped down to 77kg to take a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, but returned to 82kg and improved on his silver medal at the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan.

In an intense defensive struggle, Huseynov held on for 2-1 victory over 2017 world U23 champion Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) in which an unsuccessful challenge provided the margin of victory.

"Finally, I am world champion," said Huseynov, the 2020 European champion. "I [said] two months ago that I wanted to create history, become world champion and I did it. Now I can wrestle to enjoy, like a hobby."

Both wrestlers received passivity points, Akbudak in the first period and Huseynov in the second. But Akbudak made a tactical error in the par terre position when he had Huseynov in the air at the edge, but failed to throw him before the two tumbled out of bounds.

The Turkish side made a challenge of the call, but it stood and Huseynov was awarded a point that would prove costly to Akbudak.

It was third straight one-point victory of the tournament for Huseynov, who also had a 2-1 in the semifinals the previous day over Adlan AKIEV (RWF).

"My semifinal was much harder than this because the Russian guy is the European champion," Huseynov said. "I think that the final was not as hard for me as the semifinal. It was easy for me. I won and I am very happy."

The multilingual Huseynov, who was born in Tashkent, said he had considered making a farewell to the sport at the Oslo worlds, but was told by his father to give it more time before making a decision.

"Before this match, I spoke to my father yesterday and I told him that I want to finish and get out the wrestling shoes," said Huseynov, referring to the tradition of a wrestler leaving their shoes on the mat after their last match. "But he says, hey man you will rest for five or six months, but after that you may want to wrestle.

"I understand that he doesn't want me to finish and that's why he said that. I don't know. I want to be the coach of the Azerbaijan team, but if the federation wants me to wrestle until the Olympic Games, I will wrestle. I love wrestling. It's not my job but my lifestyle."

Ken MATSUI (JPN) won the 55kg world title in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 55kg, Ken MATSUI (JPN) won the gold in his senior world debut with a masterful 7-1 victory over European champion Emin SEFERSHAEV (RWF) that left no one more surprised than the Japanese collegian himself.

"I never thought I could win the title, I'm the most surprised," Matsui said. Asked why, he replied, "I watched YouTube video of my opponent, and he was someone I looked up to, but I was still able to compete with him."

Given, however, Japan's recent history in the lightweights and the tradition of his university to produce them, his triumph might not be so shocking after all.

Matsui is a student at Nippon Sports Science University, which counts among its alumni Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) and Shinobu OTA (JPN), both 2019 world champions and both Olympic silver medalists.

"NSSU provides a great environment for training," Matsui said. "The people around me are great, my teammates and coaches, and I am taught well. That's why I believe I was able to win."

Fumita won his silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics (Ota's came in Rio), but like all of the Japanese Olympians, he did not enter the two domestic qualifying tournaments used for the Oslo worlds, the Meiji Cup and Emperor's Cup. That opened the door for younger wrestlers to gain valuable experience.

Ken MATSUI (JPN) defeated 2020 Individual World Cup winner Emin SEFERSHAEV (RWF). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The 20-year-old Matsui made the team by default after he won the Meiji Cup, and three-time national champion Hiromu KATAGIRI (JPN), the winner of the Emperor's, decided to retire after graduating from college and entering a company without a wrestling connection.

But Matsui was not a complete international novice, having won the 2017 world cadet title and finishing third at the 2019 world juniors.

"I know that the lightweight class is one that a Japanese can win," Matsui said of his thoughts before the final. "It's rare, but I thought I could become the one who won."

Matsui got a break when Sefershaev twice threw him from the par terre, but in both instances the points were waived off because his grip had slipped below the waist.

"In the ground position, [his throws] got called for legs, so that was lucky," Matsui said. "To keep him to no points on the ground was the key to the victory."

Down by a point in the second period, Matsui took advantage of the par terre and scored with a reverse lift for a 3-1 lead.

After Sefershaev had his second throw annulled, he tried a desperation over-the-top leap with a minute left, but Matsui reacted well and dumped him to the mat for another 2. A spin behind in the final seconds finished the scoring.

Asked if he felt pressure appearing in the final of his senior world debut, Matsui replied, "I thought just keep it simple and enjoy it, but it actually wasn't much fun. But it was good."

Following in Fumita's footsteps as a world champion only adds to the thrill. He has already surpassed the star in one aspect -- at 20 years 8 months, he becomes Japan's youngest-ever world Greco champion, exactly one year younger than Fumita was when he won the first of his two world titles in 2017.

"I've always thought he's so amazing, and to think I might be a little closer to him, I'm happy," Matsui said.

Malkas AMOYAN Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) claimed the 72kg after beating Sergei KUTUZOV (RWF). (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

At 72kg, European U23 champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) scored all of his points in the first period in the par terre position and made that lead stand up in a 3-0 victory over Sergei KUTUZOV (RWF).

"Honestly speaking, I don’t feel anything yet," said Amoyan, a 2018 world junior champion. "I’ve done it for my family, for my coaches, for my friends, for all those people who support me."

The victory, a repeat of Amoyan's 4-1 win over Kutuzov in the semifinals at the Euro U23 in May, gave Armenia its first world title since the legendary Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) won the last of his four straight at 98kg in 2017.

"The Russian wrestler is really strong," Amoyan said. "I wrestled him at the European U23 championship, I know his wrestling style. I talked to the coaches before the final match, they told me to be ready to wrestle for six minutes for my dream. I have done so and won."

Amoyan, a self-professed fan of Vlasov, credited losses in the finals at this year's European Championships and last year's Individual World Cup as providing the motivation to get him over the top.

"I lost 2 tournaments, the finals of the European championships and World Cup. If I hadn’t lost those finals, I wouldn’t win today’s final."

Amoyan said he plans to move up to the Olympic weight of 77kg. "My dream is to become an Olympic champion," he said.

In the bronze-medal matches, 2019 world champion Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) shook off his first-round loss to Sefershaev by taking home his third world medal at 55kg with a 9-0 technical fall over Norayr HAKHOYAN (ARM).

Tsurtsumia led 3-0 off the par terre before scoring an arm drag takedown, which he followed with a 4-point lift and dump to end the match at 2:21 and relegate Hakhoyan to a second world fifth-place finish.

The 24-year-old Tsurtsumia, the 2018 world U23 champion, also took a bronze at the 2018 senior worlds, and is a two-time European bronze medalist.

Azizli Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), left, won a bronze medal at 55kg. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

In the other 55kg match, 2018 world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) scored a roll off the par terre in the first period and added a spin-behind takedown in the second to defeat European silver medalist Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) 5-2.

Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) gave Lithuania its fourth world Greco medal in history and first since 2014 with an amazing array of throws in a 10-1 technical fall of Mohammad MOKHTARI (IRI) at 72kg.

Sleiva, a 2020 European 67kg bronze medalist, opened with an arm throw for 2, then added a front headlock lift for 2 more. Then, with the Iranian pressing forward, he launched a 4-point lateral drop before finishing off the match in 1:40 with a takedown off a flurry.

The other 72kg match was a much more staid affair, with Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) winning 1-1 on last-point criteria against Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR) after each scored a passivity point.

At 77kg, Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) took a page from the playbook that Shohei YABIKU (JPN) used to beat him for the bronze at the Tokyo Olympics, flipping Tamas LEVAI (HUN) over for the first of two 4-point moves in quick 9-0 technical fall.

Geraei picked up his third world bronze, adding to the ones he took home in 2017 and 2019, by overwhelming Levai, the 2019 European champion and two-time European U23 silver medalist.

The other 77kg bronze went to 2019 European silver medalist Roland SCHWARZ (GER), who battled back from an 0-5 deficit to defeat Tsimur BERDYIEU (BLR) 10-5.

Schwarz scored six points with a pair of throws from the par terre in the second period to deny Berdyieu, who also finished fifth at the 2015 worlds.

The strangest ending to a match came at 82kg, when Adlan AKIEV (RWF) finished off an 8-0 technical fall when 2019 world silver medalist Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) was assessed a 2-point penalty for improper arm positioning on the bottom of par terre.

Akiev, this year's European champion, scored half of his points on penalties, as Kessidis was flagged for using the legs as he tried to defend against a throw by Akiev.

In the other 82kg match, Pejman POSHTAM (IRI) gave Iran a second bronze of the night when the Asian 77kg champion scored an early arm drag takedown, then received a pair of passivity points to down 2016 world bronze medalist Laszlo SZABO (HUN) 4-0.

Oslo Worlds The four medalists at the 82kg weight class in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Day 7 Results

Greco-Roman

55kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Ken MATSUI (JPN) df. Emin SEFERSHAEV (RWF), 7-1

BRONZE: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df. Norayr HAKHOYAN (ARM), by TF 9-0, 2:21
BRONZE: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), 5-2

60kg (19 entries)
Semifinal: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) df. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), 9-7
Semifinal: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mehrdad MAMMADOV (AZE), 4-2

72kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Sergei KUTUZOV (RWF), 3-1

BRONZE: Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) df. Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR), 1-1
BRONZE: Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) df. Mohammad MOKHTARI (IRI) by TF, 10-1, 1:40

77kg (31 entries)
GOLD: Roman VLASOV (RWF) df. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Roland SCHWARZ (GER) df. Tsimur BERDYIEU (BLR), 10-5
BRONZE: Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) df. Tamas LEVAI (HUN) by TF, 9-0, 1:58

82kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) df. Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), 2-1

BRONZE: Adlan AKIEV (RWF) df. Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) by TF, 8-0, 2:11
BRONZE: Pejman POSHTAM (IRI) df. Laszlo SZABO (HUN), 4-0

97kg (27 entries)
Semifinal: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Nikoloz KAKHESLASHVILI (GEO), 5-0
Semifinal: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Gangelo HANCOCK (USA), 4-4

130kg (22 entries)
Semifinal: Zurabi GEDEKHAURI (RWF) df. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO), 2-1
Semifinal: Aliakbar YOUSOFIAHMADCHALI (IRI) df. Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI), 2-1

#wrestlebishkek, #WrestleParis

Rising star Sogabe survives scare to gain Paris 2024 ticket

Sunday, April 21, 2024 - 13:01 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 21) -- For all the young wrestlers who wonder why they do so much bridging in practice, Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) showed how it can all pay off in that future situation when the stakes are at their highest.

Sogabe, about to see his Olympic dream ended, fought tenaciously off his back before going on to defeat Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) 11-2 and earn a ticket to the Paris Olympics at Greco 67kg on the final day of the Asian Olympic Qualifier on Sunday in Bishkek.

"If I had lost by fall there, my life would have been over," said the 22-year-old Sogabe, the 2023 Asian silver medalist who has long been touted in Japan as a star of the future. "All I've ever thought deep in my heart is that I will definitely win the gold medal in Paris.

"I asked myself, 'Are you going to give up now?' and that really got me going. I was so strongly determined not to lose by fall that I was able to escape."

Iran became the first country to complete the full set of six Greco quotas when Amin KAVIYANI (IRI) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) won their respective bouts at 77kg and 87kg, although neither victory came easy.

Also notably qualifying for Paris was Asia's "greybeard" Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), the 39-year-old wonder who earned his third trip to the Olympics with a victory at 97kg.

Kazakhstan came away with three Paris berths, while Korea won two along with Iran. The DPR Korea, which was shut out in freestyle before winning three spots in women's wrestling, gained its first and only ticket in Greco.

Three countries saw bids for historic victories quashed, as Jordan and Saudi Arabia were left still waiting for their first-ever Olympians in wrestling, while Chinese Taipei remains without ever having a male wrestler make the Olympics.

Combined with the results from last year's World Championships in Belgrade, where five quotas per weight class were available, Kazakhstan now has four, Kyrgyzstan, Japan and China three each, Korea and Uzbekistan two apiece and the DPR Korea one. The last chance will be at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul on May 9-12, where three final places will be up for grabs.

Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) with the 'qualified athlete' ticket for Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

For Japan's Sogabe, his victory made up for a controversial loss in the quarterfinals in Belgrade to Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), which he lost 11-10 but had the crowd fully on his side as the Iranian waned in the final moments. It also made him determined to leave Bishkek with the ticket to Paris.

"The World Championships last year was devastating, and I have practiced every day with the determination to win the gold medal in Paris," said Sogabe, a 2022 world U23 bronze medalist. "Keeping that tough experience in my head, I worked on fixing things that weren't working well and was able to win here."

Asked about getting the chance to avenge the loss to Geraei in Paris, Sogabe expressed more concern with just winning the gold, regardless of who he faces.

"Today was really enjoyable, and I realized that in the end, having fun is the best way to do wrestling," he said. "I have to think about how I can become the strongest wrestler I can be so I can win at the Olympics. My goal is the gold medal, and I want to win it by being the strongest of all and in an enjoyable way."

Sogabe's victory came two days after Nippon Sports Science University teammate Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) earned his Paris ticket at freestyle 65kg. The two are both from the central island of Shikoku, and have been friendly rivals since their elementary school days.

"We are in the same class, and ever since we were young, I have not wanted to lose to him," Sogabe said. "'If I lose here, I'll be a step behind [Kotaro],' I thought. We are rivals, but we push each other and make each other better. I want us to win gold medals in Paris together."

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Sogabe saw how quickly fortunes can turn in the sport in his clash with Asian Games silver medalist Sharmankhanbet, the 2021 Asian champion and a 2018 world bronze medalist.

Sogabe secured a body lock on Sharmankhanbet and slammed him down for four points -- only to have Sharmankhanbet roll Sogabe onto his back and secure a tight front headlock. A fall seemed imminent, but Sogabe's bridge kept his shoulders off the mat, and after a few tense seconds, he managed to extricate himself from the danger.

The Kazakh side made a seemingly dubious challenge for a suspected hand block of the leg, which was not only denied to give Sogabe a 5-2 lead but would work against them when an actual challenge situation arose later on and they could not contest it.

While his aggressiveness got him into trouble, Sogabe said he has no plans to change his style. "I have used attacking wrestling all this time, so I'm definitely not going to veer away from it," he said. "I will continue attacking right up to the very end."

In the second period, Sogabe drove Sharmankhanbet down for a takedown, although it looked like he may have stepped on his opponent's foot. But because the Kazakh side could not challenge, the points stood and Sogabe had a comfortable 7-2 lead. He stopped a desperation throw for 4 in the final seconds to make it officially a technical fall.

Among the crowd at Bishkek Arena were Sogabe's family and Nippon Sports Science University head coach Shingo MATSUMOTO, who flew in for the occasion. "For my whole family to come all this way, and coach Matsumoto here to support me, I'm really happy that I was able to get the job done," said Sogabe, who had to beat Asian Games champion and senior training partner Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) to earn the right to compete in Bishkek.

Sogabe's path to the final started with an 8-0 victory over 36-year-old Hansu RYU (KOR), a two-time Olympian and two-time former world champion, which may have marked a generational change in the weight class.

Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) tries to pin HUSIYUETU (CHN) in 67kg semifinals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The other Paris berth at 67kg went to Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), who thrilled the home crowd with a second-period surge that gave him a 9-1 victory over HUSIYUETU (CHN).

Leading 1-0 off a passivity point in the first period, Ismailov started the second by fighting off a throw for a takedown, then charged ahead with a reverse body lift for a 2-point exposure. China challenged the original takedown, only to see it not only affirmed, but Husiyuetu assessed a 2-point penalty for touching the leg while he was being sent to his back.

The penalty, while giving Ismailov a 7-1 lead, also put him on the top in par terre, and he turned Husiyuetu over to end the match at 3:58.

Amin KAVIYANI (IRI) celebrates after winning the Paris Olympic 77kg quota for Iran. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 77kg, Iran's Asian Games silver medalist Kaviyani was made to work hard for his Paris ticket, clinching a tense 6-5 victory over Rui LIU (CHN) by scoring the last of three consecutive stepouts with 49 seconds left.

Liu got off to a good start in his bid to avenge a 1-1 semifinal loss at last October's Asian Games in China when he completed a roll from par terre, and had a 2-point leg blocking penalty tacked on for a 5-0 lead. Kaviyani cut the gap with a counter takedown before the break.

"Everything was under control, but unfortunately I got a two-point warning," Kaviyani said. "In my opinion, there was no foot fault but it made the fight more difficult for me."

In the second period, Kaviyani received a passivity point but allowed Liu to pop out from par terre, leaving him trailing 5-3. But then the three-time Asian medalist launched his succession of stepouts to march to victory and a likely trip to Paris.

"At the Asian Games where the Chinese were the hosts, against the Chinese wrestler who is powerful, I won the match with a 1-1 score, but today I was able to get more technical points in this match," Kaviyani said. "I was under a bit of pressure and I had to get the best result. I’m thankful that I could get that result and the Olympic quota."

Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) defeated Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) to win the 87kg quota for Iran. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

A short time later at 87kg, Mohmadipiani was also taken to the limit in securing Iran's sixth Olympic quota with a 3-2 victory over Asian Games champion Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB).

Berdimuratov was only able to gain a 1-point stepout from a throw attempt out of par terre in the first period, and that would make the difference when Mohmadpiani, the world silver medalist at 82kg, got 2 from a throw in the same situation in the second period.

"I’m thankful that I could get the Olympic quota one year after the World Championships, especially when I was able to go from 82kg to 87kg," Mohmadpiani said. "I feel really good that I could keep this weight and I hope I can defeat my opponents in the Olympics."

Looking toward Paris, Mohmadpiani added, "My plan for the Olympics is to fix my flaws and add some new techniques so I can wrestle some mistake-free matches in the Olympics and shine."

Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) celebrates after beating Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) to win the Paris 2024 quota. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 97kg, the ageless Assakalov rumbled to another Olympics with a 3-1 victory over Tokyo Olympian Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ), who was his own worst enemy by committing a 2-point penalty for grabbing the singlet.

Assakalov, coming off a bronze-medal performance at the Asian Games, was put in par terre first, but was unable to add points against Dzhuzupbekov, a five-time Asian medalist and 2019 champion.

In the second period, Assakalov initiated a challenge to get Dzhuzupbekov tagged for grabbing the singlet that had gone unnoticed by the referee. The challenge worked, and Assakalov now had a 3-0 lead.

All he had to do was survive a stint on the bottom of par terre, which he did, and then used his vast experience to hold off Dzhuzupbekov while avoiding a passivity caution.

Assakalov, whose longevity is a testament to his love of the sport, has a long list of career achievements. He finished eighth at both the 2016 Rio and 2021 Tokyo Olympics, won a world silver in 2015 and bronze in 2017, and has eight Asian medals, including three golds.

It was singlet-grabbing that also proved the downfall for Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA) in the other 97kg match, in which he lost 5-1 to Seungjun KIM (KOR) to fall short of becoming Saudi Arabia's first-ever wrestler in the Olympics.

Fallatah was hit with a 2-point penalty for grabbing the singlet in each period, while both wrestlers received a passivity point but were unable to score in par terre.

The loss by Sultan EID (JOR) to Haitao QIAN (CHN) in the other 87kg match was much more straightforward, as the Chinese held the upper hand throughout in a 7-0 victory in denying Jordan its first-ever Olympic wrestler.

Qian, a 2019 world bronze medalist at 82kg, was put in par terre in the first period and took advantage with a pair of gut wrenches for a 5-0 lead. In the second period, he used an underhook for a driving takedown to put the victory on ice.

Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) scores a match-winning takedown against Dowon LEE (KOR) at 77kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the other 77kg match, veteran four-time Asian medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) seemed to be heading straight to defeat when his opponent Dowon LEE (KOR) suddenly crumbled late in their bout, giving Zhadrayev a 5-2 victory and a possible second trip to the Olympics.

Lee began brightly with a nice arm drag for a takedown that gave him a 2-0 lead at the break. And when he gave up a passivity point and was put on bottom, he kept a one-point lead by slipping out of a roll attempt for no points.

But with Zhadrayev viciously pressing ahead at the edge, Lee was holding out quite well until he suddenly ran out of gas and was crushed to the mat for a takedown with 30 seconds to go. Lee then limply went over for a 2-point exposure.

For the wrestlers at 60kg, the tournament provided a golden opportunity for an Olympic place, as Asian nations swept all five places in the weight class in Belgrade -- the only region to do so in any of the three styles.

Two-time world bronze medalist Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) came out the winner in the opening match of the night session with a victory by fall over Jui Chi HUANG (TPE).

Sultangali got four points by driving Huang onto his back in defense of an awkward arm throw, then added a gut wrench and a throw that ended up being ruled a stepout. A challenge by the Chinese Taipei downgraded the original 4-pointer to two, leaving Sultangali with a 5-0 lead.

Sultangali, the 2021 Asian champion, went right back to work, sticking Huang with a textbook-perfect headlock throw and securing the fall at 2:28.

Huang was attempting to become Chinese Taipei's first-ever male wrestler to qualify for the Olympics. The nation has had just one wrestler in the Olympics, Wen-Ling CHEN (TPE), who appeared in women's 69kg at the 2016 Rio Games.

Se Ung RI (PRK) won the DPR Korea's first Greco-Roman quota for Paris Olympics at 60kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the other match at 60kg, Se Ung RI (PRK) scored a first-period takedown and held on for a 3-0 victory over Dahyun KIM (KOR), who was thrown off his feet twice in the match but somehow managed to keep the moves from scoring points.

Ri looked like he would take an early lead when he hit Kim with a hip throw, but the Korean cartwheeled out of it and landed on his feet for no points. When Ri received a passivity point and was put on top of par terre, he lifted Kim off the mat but was unable to get enough height for points.

Ri got on the scoreboard again with a nice duck-under takedown for a 3-0 lead at the break, and in the second period, he kept the pressure on to avoid giving Kim a chance in par terre.

Korea picked up its second victory of the night at 130kg, when Seungchan LEE (KOR) cruised to a 9-0 win over surprise semifinalist Sota OKUMURA (JPN). Lee gained a passivity point and proceeded to reel off four straight rolls to win in 1:36, the shortest bout of the night.

Okumura, who was looking to become the first Japanese heavyweight in Greco to make the Olympics since 1996, had never won a match in eight previous international tournaments before he rallied to defeat Tamurbek NASIMOV (UZB) 12-6 to move one step away from Paris. That had avenged a loss to Nasimov at the Asian Games.

Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) hung on for a 7-7 victory over Roman KIM (KGZ) at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Asian Games bronze medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) capped the tournament by fighting off fatigue and home favorite Roman KIM (KGZ) to eke out a 7-7 win in the other 130kg match.

The match between the three-time Asian medalists started with a bang, or a slap as it were. After scoring a stepout, Syzdykov was awarded two points when Kim lashed him with a sharp slap to the ear like the type seen more in sumo wrestling. Kim then spun behind for a takedown to cut Syzydkov's lead to 3-2 at the break.

Syzydkov padded the lead to 7-2 with a takedown and gut wrench, but after that, it was obvious he was running on fumes. Kim put the pressure on and scored a pair of stepouts, with a fleeing point tacked onto the second one to make it 7-5, before Syzydkov was assessed a 2-point penalty for inactivity.

Leading 7-7 on criteria, Syzydkov dropped to the mat at one point complaining of knee pain and received treatment much to the chagrin of the partisan crowd. But Kim had little left in the tank himself and was unable to muster enough energy for a final push.

Paris 2024 Qualification Matches

Greco-Roman

60kg
Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) df. Jui Chi HUANG (TPE) by Fall, 2:28 (10-0)
Se Ung RI (PRK) df. Dahyun KIM (KOR), 3-0

67kg
Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) df. HUSIYUETU (CHN) by TF, 9-1, 3:58
Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) df. Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) by TF, 11-2, 6:00

77kg
Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) df. Dowon LEE (KOR), 5-2
Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) df. Rui LIU (CHN), 6-5

87kg
Haitao QIAN (CHN) df. Sultan EID (JOR), 7-0
Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) df. Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 3-2

97kg
Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) df. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ), 3-1
Seungjun KIM (KOR) df. Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA), 5-1

130kg
Seungchan LEE (KOR) df. Sota OKUMURA (JPN) by TF, 9-0, 1:36
Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) df. Roman KIM (KGZ), 7-7

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Rising star Sogabe survives scare to gain Paris 2024 ticket