Alizadeh defends Asian title in clash of '21 champs

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 - 16:02 By Ken Marantz

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 19) -- Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) can certainly take pride in winning a second straight gold medal at the Asian Championships. Particularly since he had to beat another champion from 2021 to do it.

Defending champion Alizadeh defeated Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) 3-1 in an intense Greco-Roman 87kg final on the opening day of the six-day tournament at the Buyant Ukhaa Sports Palace in the Mongolian capital.

"I am part of the national team and it’s an honor," said Alizadeh, who was also a world U23 bronze medalist in 2021.

Alizadeh's ability to take advantage of the par terre position, while being able to defend when he was put on bottom, made the difference in beating Berdimuratov, who won the 82kg gold last year in Almaty.

"The final is always tough and I had the point for passivity in the first period. I managed to score from par terre and lead 3-0," Alizadeh said. "In the second period, he got the passivity but I was determined to defend. In my mind, I was thinking that I have to only defend this attack to win."

Alizadeh was somewhat amazed that he could achieve the golden repeat.

"It’s a special feeling to win two Asian gold medals," he said. "Last year and now I am again champion. Incredible."

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) captured his second Asian Championships title. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Kyrgyzstan took two of the four other titles at stake Tuesday, with Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) winning at 77kg and unheralded Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) putting on an impressive run to capture the 63kg gold.

Makhmudov wasn't overly dominant in picking up his second Asian gold but got the job done in notching a 3-1 victory over veteran Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ) in the 77kg final.

Makhmudov, who won the 72kg title on home soil in Bishkek in 2018 as a teenager, scored with a gut wrench in his chance at par terre in the second period to win.

"What's the difference between 2018 and now?" Makmudov said. "I can say that today I am more experienced, I am not a young guy like I was back in 2018."

For his part, Yerezhepov, who will turn 32 years old later this week, added a seventh Asian medal to his collection, which includes gold from 2017.

In another indication of the changing of the guard, Makhmudov had to get by former Olympic champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR), who had won five Asian titles between 2010 and 2019. Makhmudov won their semifinal clash 4-1.

"It's a great honor to me to defeat such a wrestler as Kim, he won the Olympic Games, World Championship, and Asian Games," Makhmudov said.

Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) pinned his three opponents on the way to the 63kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Sharshenbekov earned his first Asian title with his third straight victory by fall of the day, stopping two-time world medalist Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) at 4:06 of the 63kg final.

With a 1-0 lead in the second period, Sharshenbekov pancaked Ainagulov onto his back, although the Kazakh wrestler believed his opponent used his leg inappropriately in the maneuver and all but gave up.

An unsuccessful challenge upheld the initial move, giving Sharshenbekov the gold. Ainagulov, meanwhile, now has five Asian medals, but still no gold.

"Thanks a lot to all my coaches," said Sharshenbekov, whose main claim to fame up to his point was a 2017 Asian junior title and a fifth-place finish at the 2019 World Championships.

"This is my first victory and God bless not the last one. I want to become an Olympic champion and world champion."

Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) defended his 55kg gold medal in Ulaanbaatar. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Shiotani never says die, repeats at 55kg

In other action, young Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) successfully defended his 55kg crown, although the score in the final -- a 13-2 technical fall over Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) -- does not reflect the fact that it was his third come-from-behind victory of the day.

"There was a lot of pressure," Shiotani said of being the defending champion. "I was able to wrestle my way [in the final], so I'm very happy."

Shiotani spotted Bekbolatov an early takedown, then came back with a takedown of his own. From there, he took matters into his own hands, ripping off a pair of his trademark big throws, the first for 4 and the second for 5 to end the match at 2:58.

"At first I gave up points, but I thought I could come back," the 20-year-old Tokyo native said. "I took advantage of my chances and that led to the win."

Shiotani also had to rally late in snatching a 6-5 victory in the first round over Hyeokjin JEON (KOR) after trailing 0-5, then again in the semifinals, where he overcame a 4-point deficit to defeat Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) 10-8.

"I wasn't in very good condition, and that's why all of my wins were come-from-behind," Shiotani revealed, adding that he had trouble making weight.

The victory in the final made Shiotani the first-ever Japanese to win consecutive Asian titles in Greco, and only the second two-time champion after Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), who won the 60kg gold in 2017 and 2020.

The way that Shiotani won the final was reminiscent of his victory over world champion Ken MATSUI (JPN) at last December's All-Japan Championships, where he twice slammed Matsui down with five-point throws.

For Matsui to defend his world title, he now has to win the title at the All-Japan Invitational Championships in June, where he could face Shiotani, then beat Shiotani in a playoff for the spot on the team to Belgrade.

"I might have to face Matsui again in June, but I will do everything I can to win," Shiotani said.

Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) upgraded his silver from Almaty to gold at 130kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

The most one-sided victory of Tuesday's finals came in the last bout of the night at 130kg, with 2021 silver medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) putting away 2020 runner-up Minseok KIM (KOR) by fall in 2:28 after scoring a pair of 4-point moves.

After opening the scoring with a quickfire stepout right off the whistle, Syzdykov used a back lift and roll to increase his lead to 5-0. He then got Kim into a bear hug that sent him back to the mat, where he clamped down for the fall.

Host nation denied

In the bronze-medal matches, host Mongolia had two chances to win its first-ever Asian medal in Greco, but its hopes were dashed by Indian opponents.

At 55kg, Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) was put on his back late in his match by Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL) but had built up enough of a lead to hold on for a 10-7 victory that included five stepouts.

Sunil KUMAR (IND), a 2019 silver medalist, had less trouble adding a bronze to his collection at 87kg in defeating Batbayar LUTBAYAR (MGL) by a 9-1 technical fall.

NEERAJ (IND) also picked up a bronze for India at 63kg, jumping out to a seven-point lead before holding on for a 7-4 win over Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), the 2019 champion at 60kg and a three-time Asian medalist.

Uzbekistan came away with two bronze courtesy of Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) at 55kg and Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) at 130kg, the latter scoring a 35-second fall over Timothy LOH (SGP), Singapore's first-ever entry in Greco at an Asian Championships.

Iran also had two bronze medalists in Iman KHOONMOHAMMADI (IRI) at 63kg and Aref HABIBOLLAHI (IRI) at 77kg, both of whom were awarded victories by default.

Kodai SAKURABA (JPN), the 2019 world U23 silver medalist, captured the other bronze at 77kg with an 11-1 technical fall over Sajan BHANWALA (IND) that included two 4-point throws.

At 87kg, Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ), a former Asian champion and runner-up, picked up a first bronze with a 7-2 victory over Melis AITBEKOV (KGZ). Tursynov scored all of his points from the par terre in the first period, when he reeled off three consecutive rolls.

Roman KIM (KGZ) took the other bronze at 130kg when Arata SONODA (JPN) defaulted due to a knee injury.

Asian Championships: See all photos

Day 1 Results

Greco-Roman

55kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) df. Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) by TF, 13-2, 2:58

BRONZE: Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) df. Hyeokjin JEON (KOR) by TF, 8-0, 2:22
BRONZE: Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) df. Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL), 10-7

63kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) by fall, 4:06 (5-0)

BRONZE: NEERAJ (IND) df. Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), 7-4
BRONZE: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. Ahmad AL NAKDALI (SYR) by def.

77kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ), 3-1

BRONZE: Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) df. Sajan BHANWALA (IND) by TF, 11-1, 2:39
BRONZE: Aref HABIBOLLAHI (IRI) df. Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) by inj. def.

87kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) df. Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 3-1

BRONZE: Sunil KUMAR (IND) df. Batbayar LUTBAYAR (MGL) by TF, 9-1, 3:58
BRONZE: Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) df. Melis AITBEKOV (KGZ) 7-2

130 kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) df. Minseok KIM (KOR) by fall, 2:28 (9-0)

BRONZE: Roman KIM (KGZ) df. Arata SONODA (JPN) by inj. def.
BRONZE: Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) df. Timothy LOH (SGP) by fall, :35 (4-0)

#WrestleParis

Women's Wrestling at Olympics: 20 years strong

Monday, July 8, 2024 - 15:09 By United World Wrestling Press

PARIS (July 8) -- Inside an academy located in the middle of a farm at a village in Haryana, the northern Indian state that’s the country’s wrestling capital, a bunch of teenage girls had scribbled the name of their hero on a wall – Helen MAROULIS (USA).

When women’s wrestling made its Olympic debut, some of these girls were not even born. There were no roads leading up to the academy where they trained until a few years ago — the best way to reach the academy was on foot from the nearest highway exit point roughly a couple of miles away. And internet connectivity was patchy at best.

Yet, the story of Maroulis’s dominance had traveled to this far-flung village and became a part of the folklore. Few stories illustrate better the impact and the reach of women’s wrestling.

In less than three weeks, the eyes of the entire sporting – and wider – world will be fixed on Paris when the Olympic Games get underway. On the mat at the Grand Palais Éphémère in Champ de Mars, more stories of inspiration will unfold, paving the way for many young wrestlers to follow in the footsteps of their heroes.

At the Paris Olympics, women's wrestling will celebrate its 20th year of being at the Games. Back in 2004, when it was included in Athens, there were only four categories. In Paris, as was the case in Tokyo, there will be six — the same as Freestyle and Greco-Roman.

The 2024 Games will also be significant for the officials. As many as 11 female referees will be part of the officials. Back in 1988, it was only one.

Athens Women's Wrestling at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Martin Gabor)

Wrestling at the Paris Olympics will also be a symbolic occasion given the key role France played in the evolution of the women’s game. It was at Pas-de-Calais where women’s wrestling took one of its first steps. A club in Calonne-Ricouart was the first to open its doors to women in 1971.

From this tiny space in a region roughly three hours from Paris, women’s wrestling spread in other parts of France before it became a popular activity in the rest of the world.

The seeds that were sown in France have blossomed in countries across the world. As women’s wrestling traveled to Beijing, London, Tokyo and now arrives in Paris – following the journey that began in Athens – it left behind immaculate footprints for young, aspiring children to follow.

Tayla FORD (NZL) is the first wrestler from New Zealand who will compete at the Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Next month, when the competition gets underway in the French capital, history will be in the offing as Tayla FORD (NZL) will become the first female wrestler from her country to make it to the Olympics.

Ford’s story is one of sheer perseverance, not just hers but even of those around the wrestler. Her father, a high school wrestler, got Ford into wrestling after it was included in the Olympics programme. He had a mat installed in their garage and every day, the father and daughter trained.

In a way, Ford’s story is similar to the wrestlers from the Olympic women’s wrestling’s undisputed powerhouse, Japan.

The queen of wrestling, Saori YOSHIDA (JPN), began her journey in the same way. Before she went on to win every title there was to win – three Olympic gold medals, 13 World Championship titles, four Asian Games and Asian Championship gold medals each – Yoshida learnt the art at home.

Her father built a dojo at home where Yoshida, began to wrestle before she could even run properly. The rest, as they say, is history. The rise of Kaori ICHO (JPN), who went 13 years without a loss, followed a similar arc. And so do the stories of the other Japanese women, from Risako KAWAI to Yui SUSAKI.

Not to forget Icho, who won four gold medals at the Olympics, becoming the first Olympic athlete to win four golds in the same individual sport.

In Athens 20 years ago, Japan won only 2 gold medals. Since then, they have won 13. This level of dominance is rare to see in any sport. One of the few countries that’s consistently come close to challenging Japan’s dominance, and been a thorn in their flesh when it comes to a clean sweep of gold medals, is the USA.

Remarkably, the USA did not even compete at the World Championships until 1989, two years after the first edition for women took place. But once they landed on the scene, they took everyone by storm.

Afsoon JOHNSTON (USA) – who won a bronze medal – Asia DEWEESE (silver) and Leia KAWAII (silver) finished on the podium in 1989 and became sort of the pioneers of women’s wrestling in the US. Since then, there hasn’t been a time when the athletes from the Olympic powerhouse haven’t been among the medals.

The rise of women’s wrestling in the US is also a fascinating story, with nearly 50,000 girls competing in high school championships last year. Those young girls saw the wrestling stars from the country on television and decided to tread the same path they’d chosen.

A major reason for the surge in popularity in the US has been wrestlers like Maroulis. Her gold medal at the Rio Olympics in 2016 – the first American woman to achieve that feat – is seen as one of the big milestones that gave the sport a massive push.

Maroulis’s feat didn’t just inspire children in the US. The story traveled the world over, including a remote village in India. If anything, it showcased the sport’s transcending influence.

Alizadeh defends Asian title in clash of '21 champs

Comments

Women's Wrestling at Olympics: 20 years strong