After 623 Days, World Championships Return with Cadets' in Budapest

Saturday, July 17, 2021 - 18:50 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 18) --- When the wrestlers take the mat Monday in Budapest, Hungary, it will mark the start of a World Championships for United World Wrestling after a gap of 623 days. The last time wrestlers descended for a World Championships was back in October, 2019, incidentally in Budapest.

Though the event in Budapest will be a cadet level, more than 500 wrestlers will fight for 30 gold medals on offer in the Hungarian capital from July 19 to 25.

With the Tokyo Olympics beginning in the middle of the cadet Worlds, it may serve as extra motivation for a few who will go on to represent their respective countries in the Olympics in Paris or Los Angeles over the next two Olympic cycles.

Since the start of this year, United World Wrestling has successfully conducted international events including four Olympic qualifying tournaments, three senior continental championships, and two continental championships at the cadet level. The World Championships will only add to the success story of wrestling competitions being organized with highest preventive measures in place during the pandemic.

Six countries are bringing a full squad for 30 wrestlers each for the tournament with defending team champion in freestyle Russian Federation leading the way. Greco-Roman champions from the 2019 tournament in Sofia, Iran will look to defend their title as well.

Two international women's powerhouses Japan and China decided to give the tournament a skip owing to COVID-19 related restrictions around the world. But this gives teams like USA, third in Sofia, Russia, India and others to lay their claim for the team title.

This tournament will also see two wrestlers from the United Arab Emirates competing at the cadet Worlds for the first time after one each at the 2015 and 2016 editions.

A special condition will see Musza ARSUNKAEV (UWW) wrestling at 80kg in men's freestyle. under the United World Wrestling flag.

While the dull of 2020 saw many cadet stars shift to junior and senior groups and continue their careers, a few medalists from Sofia landed in Budapest to repeat their achievement from two years ago.

The field will be led by the only returning world champion KOMAL (IND) who won the gold medal at 40kg two years back. She will be jumping up to 46kg in Budapest.

Amit ELOR USA Amit ELOR (USA) won a bronze medal at 69kg at the cadet World Championships in 2019. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Amit ELOR (USA), a bronze medalist at 69kg from Sofia, will look to improve on her result from two years ago. She will once again wrestle at 69kg. She had lost in the semifinal last time.

With Japan and China missing from the field, the fight for the team title will be interesting especially with Ukraine women's wrestling seeing an unprecedented rise in recent times.

For that reason, all four medalists from five weight classes of cadet Euros are wrestling in Budapest. 33 medalists out of the 39 in Samokov will be in action in Hungary. All 10 gold medalists are entered.

At 40kg, Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR) won the gold at cadet Euros while her teammates from Ukraine -- Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR)) and Iryna BONDAR (UKR) – won the top medals at 49kg and 61kg respectively .

Russia also had a few gold medalists as Millena VINOGRADOVA (RUS) won at 43kg, Natalia KHRAMENKOVA (RUS) won at 53kg and Mariia AKULINCHEVA (RUS) won at 73kg.

Belarus is sending 49kg gold medalist Sviatlana KATENKA (BLR) in a hope that she repeats her feat at the world level. The same will be expected from Viktoryia RADZKOVA (BLR) at 69kg.

Georgiana LIRCA (ROU) and Angelina PERVUKHINA (RUS) will hope for a rematch at 57kg as the Romanian came out on top in the last month's tournament.

The home country has pinned their hopes for a gold medal on Eniko ELEKES (HUN) who stunned the field at 65kg in Samokov to win the gold medal.

Kamronbek KADAMOV UZB Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) won a silver medal at the 2019 cadet World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In freestyle, the two biggest names are Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) who won a silver medal at 48kg at the Sofia Worlds but has jumped to 60kg now. The other name is Javid JAVADOV (AZE). He finished fifth in Sofia but he was a young cadet that year. Just a month ago, Javadov won the silver medal at the cadet European Championships at 51kg and will perform at 55kg in Budapest.

Out of the 40 medalists at the cadet Euros in May, 29 are entered to wrestle in Budapest with all four medalists at 80kg and 110kg sending their names.

Andranik AVETISYAN (ARM), who won the gold medal at cadet Euros will look to repeat that success at the world level as well at 55kg. Another Armenian Aren ISRAYELYAN (ARM) will be looking to do the same at 71k.

At 80kg, Oleksandr MAMROSH (UKR) will have challenges from his fellow podium finishers from Samokov, Bulgaria and a chance of rematch against Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO) as the two in the finals in Samokov.

Levan LAGVILAVA (FRA) will be out to prove that his cadet Euro gold at 110kg was no fluke as he also has his fellow podium finishers in the field. Add to them the champion from Pan Am Championships James MULLEN (USA).

Other Pan Am champions who are entered in the freestyle field in Budapest are Bowen BASSETT (USA) at 45kg, Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) at 48kg and Beau MANTANONA (USA) at 60kg.

A similar situation awaits in Greco-Roman. However, there is only one returning medalist from Sofia -- Tamazi GLONTI (GEO) who won a bronze at 45kg and will now compete at 55kg.

Tamazi GLONTI GEO Tamazi GLONTI (GEO) won a bronze at 45kg at cadet World Championships 2019. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

While Iran has no returning medalist, the new team can still show why they are dubbed as the powerhouse of Greco-Roman wrestling. Along with Iran, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will also be challenging the world.

But a host of medalists from cadet Euros will be in action. Four weight classes have all the four medalists competing in Budapest and a total of 31 medalists out of 40 from Samokov.

Rahim HASANOV (AZE) will be looking to win a world gold as well after winning the Euro gold medal. But in his path will be the three other medalists from the same tournament and Bassett from USA who also won the 45kg Greco-Roman gold in Mexico.

Azerbaijan entered European champ Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) at 48kg and he will also look for his second gold medal of the year. At 51kg, Borislav KIRILOV (BUL) is the continental champion looking for world glory.

Another Azerbaijani, Farid KHALILOV (AZE) is the European champ entered in Budapest but so is Brock BOBZIEN (USA) who is the champion of Pan Ams at 60kg.

Ukraine will have their Euro champ at 65kg Imed KHUDZHADZE (UKR) looking to win a gold medal at Worlds but Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO), a silver medalist from Samokov, is also entered.

71kg European champion Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) is joined by Alperen BERBER (TUR) and Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE), silver and bronze medalist from Samkovo respectively.

The field at 80kg makes Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) and his fellow medalist -- Mihai GUTU (MDA), Ivan TSYBANEV (UKR) and Maksim MASIUKEVICH (BLR) – face each other again in less than a month's time. Ryder ROGOTZKE (USA), the Pan Am champ will also try to spring a surprise.

At 92kg, a rematch of the Euros is a possibility as gold medalist Vladyslav LUB (UKR) and silver medalist Timur CHERNYSHEV (RUS) are entered along with the two bronze medalists

Two continental champions -- Daniil CHASOVNIKOV (RUS) and Mullen – are entered at 110kg along with other medalists from Europe.

Wrestling will begin Monday with freestyle action in 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg and 110kg and run through to Sunday with Greco-Roman capping off things.

#WrestleZagreb

Valencia stuns Ghasempour in semis; Uguev returns to final

Saturday, September 13, 2025 - 21:05 By Ken Marantz

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 13) -- It was supposed to be the anointing of Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) as the successor to legendary compatriot Hassan YAZDANI at freestyle 86kg. Instead it turned out to be the introduction of Zahid VALENCIA (USA) as a new force on the scene.

In a battle between wrestlers who moved down this year from 92kg, Valencia put on a stunning display of disciplined wrestling to knock off Ghasempour 7-0 in the semifinals on Saturday, the opening day of the World Championships in Zagreb.

"I was prepared," Valencia said. "I felt comfortable knowing I did everything I could to prepare for this World Championships.

"If I wrestle like that, I'm the best in the world. No one can score like me. No one could shut out defense like me. I could score from anywhere. So I'm very confident in myself."

Iran, along with Japan, still put two wrestlers into Sunday's finals of the four weight classes in action, while it took a former Olympic champion to finally end the amazing run of an American high schooler who stole the show during the morning session.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) defeated Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) 7-0 in the 86kg semifinals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Ghasempour had long been biding his time at 92kg, winning back-to-back world titles at that weight in 2021 and 2022 while Yazdani dominated 86kg in a fierce rivalry with David TAYLOR (USA). With Yazdani sidelined following his injury-hit loss in the Paris Olympic final, Ghasempour was ready to seize the chance to shine at the Olympic weight.

Not so fast, said Valencia, who had a world bronze at 92kg from 2023 to his credit. Both wrestlers prepped for Zagreb with victories at 86kg at the Ranking Series events this year, Khasempour in Tirana and Valencia in Zagreb.

Back in the same Arena Zagreb on Saturday, Valencia earned an activity point before chalking up two takedowns to take a 5-0 lead into the break. He added two stepouts in the second period while twice wiggling out of low singles by the Iranian to clinch the victory.

"I'm out there moving fake and snap, and there's just no time for my opponents to grab a hold of me taken in a shot," Valencia said. "And even when they do, it's one thing getting in, it's another thing finishing. I don't do anything fancy, just stop the shot and move on to the next thing."

Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) reached the 86kg final after beating Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the final, Valencia will face Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), who rallied to a 17-7 victory over Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) in the other semifinal.

Ishiguro, an 2023 Asian bronze medalist, fell behind 7-1 early on when he got caught in a lace lock. After chipping away at the lead with a pair of takedowns, he wrapped up the ankles and, with Magamadov apparently injuring a knee as he tried to resist, reeled off six rolls to end the match and make his first global final since winning the world U20 title in 2018.

Valencia and Ishiguro have met before, with the Japanese scoring an 11-0 victory in the semifinals of the 2023 Zagreb Open. But, Valencia said, that was then and this is now.

"I'm like, I don't even remember wrestling him," he said. "I know probably I've heard it from you guys that I lost, so I'm just going out there and wrestle how I've been wrestling. I just, I don't think anyone could stop me."

Zavur UGUEV (UWW) scores two points against Jaxen FORREST (USA) in the 61kg semifinals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 61kg, it was experience over a very determined youth when Tokyo Olympic 57kg champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) forged a 10-3 victory over teen phenom Jax FORREST (USA) to earn a shot at a third career world title.

The 30-year-old Uguev used his wits to defend against everything the long-limbed high schooler threw at him, particularly when he pulled away with an eight-point second period.

Uguev gained the kind of 2-point exposures that come with international experience, once putting Forrest onto his back when the American got too high as he tried to go up and over on a counter. Another time, he masterfully caught the 18-year-old in a cradle.

"Many people were betting on the American -- he’s young, promising," Uguev said. "As they say, we’re already battle-tested wolves, we can feel the mat, we wrestle with experience. But I wish him good luck, he’s just at the beginning of his journey."

Uguev, who won back-to-back world golds at 57kg in 2018 and 2019 but finished fifth at the last two World Championships, was relieved to be back in a world final.

"I’m very happy, I’ve been working toward this medal, toward this World Championships, for a long time," Uguev said. "Tomorrow I’ll do everything possible to take the gold medal at this championships."

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In Sunday's final, Uguev will face Asian bronze medalist Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), who pulled a rabbit out of the hat by scoring a takedown with :03 left to stun Kum Hyok KIM (PRK) 3-2 in the second semifinal.

After giving up a stepout in the first period, Kim came back with a double-leg takedown to head into the break up 2-1. In the second period, Javan got Kim's leg up in the air, but was unable to finish the move and Kim continually fended off any further attempts.

But with the time ticking down, Javan snapped Kim down and spun behind for the winning takedown, setting off a roar of delight from the raucous Iranian supporters.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) reached the final at 125kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Iran earned a second spot in the finals when two-time Olympic medalist Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) outclassed Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) 7-3 at 125kg in the final bout of the evening, giving him a chance to add to his world titles from 2021 and 2023.

It was the third time Zare has beaten Sharipov in two years, most recently a 3-0 triumph in the quarterfinals at the Tirana Ranking Series tourney in February.

In the final, Zare will take on European champion Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), who scored an activity point in the first period and a stepout in the second to defeat Robert BARAN (POL) 2-0.

Returning silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), red, reached the 70kg final for a second year in a row. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 70kg, a rematch of the final at last year's Non-Olympic World Championships was spoiled when Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) knocked off defending champion Nurkosha KAIPANOV (KAZ) 5-2, setting up an all-Asian final with silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN).

Tumur Ochir, a 2021 world bronze medalist at 65kg, took a 2-0 lead in the first period with an activity point and a stepout, only to fall behind on criteria when Kaipanov opened the second period with a takedown. But the Mongolian went on the attack and came away with a stepout and takedown to complete a well-earned victory.

Earlier, Aoyagi repeated his victory in the final of the Budapest Ranking Series tournament over Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), right down to the final score of 8-0 thanks to a superfluous challenge at the end.

Aoyagi was leading 3-0 and well on the way to victory when Andreasyan tried to get behind and the Japanese locked his arms and dropped backwards for a 4-point throw. The Armenian side challenged, but to no avail.

Day 1 Results

Freestyle

61kg (26 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Jax FORREST (USA), 10-3
SEMIFINAL - Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) df. Kum Hyok KIM (PRK), 3-2

70kg (29 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 8-0
SEMIFINAL - Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Nurkosha KAIPANOV (KAZ), 5-2

86kg (29 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), 7-0
SEMIFINAL - Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) df. Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) by TF, 17-7, 3:50

125kg (27 entries)
SEMIFINAL - Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df Robert BARAN (POL), 2-0
SEMIFINAL - Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN), 7-3

After 623 Days, World Championships Return with Cadets' in Budapest

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Valencia stuns Ghasempour in semis; Uguev returns to final