Amine Makes History by Qualifying San Marino for Tokyo 2020 by Making 86kg Semis

Saturday, September 21, 2019 - 10:10 By Ken Marantz

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept. 21)--- Having become San Marino’s first wrestler in history to qualify for the Olympic Games, Myles AMINE (SMR) certainly achieved his goal of making his grandfather back in the small European enclave proud.

Amine, who was born and raised in the U.S. state of Michigan and holds dual citizenship, clinched a place in the Tokyo 2020 Olympics for San Marino in freestyle 86kg when he advanced to the semifinals on Day 8 of the World Championships.

“It just feels incredible,” Amine said. “I know the amount of work I put in, year-round these past few years….I decided my goal was to get to the Olympics here. At first, I went to the European Championships and I had a pretty good tournament, breakout, but I knew I had a lot of work to do. I put all that work in the summer, and it paid off.”

The 22-year-old Amine who finished ninth at the European Championships in April, defeated Ahmed DUDAROV (GER) 4-2 in the quarterfinals to set up a monster task to earn a place in the finals.

His semifinal opponent will be 2017 world and 2016 Olympic champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), who bulldozed his way into the last four with a technical fall and two falls. Amine looks forward to the challenge.

“I live for this kind of stuff,” he said. “To wrestle these guys that I look up to at a point in time. Even now, I still watch a lot of his technique and study him. To be able to go up and compete against a guy like that, that’s a dream of mine. I’m stoked.”

Amine’s run nearly got derailed in the previous round, when he literally scored a takedown off a counter in the last second for a 5-2 victory over 2014 world silver medalist Sosuke TAKATANI (JPN)

“I don’t know what happened there,” Amine said with a smile. “I kind of just took a bad shot and he got in. I honestly thought it would be a miracle to win that match.

Amine, who is part of the group of wrestlers in Nur-Sultan with dual citizenship who trained at the University of Michigan under Russian legend Sergey BELAGLAZOV, said growing up in the United States and competing in the folkstyle paid off that situation.

“I’m really good in those scramble positions,” he said. “Wrestling in the United States you learn to scramble really well and it came up big. It’s the reason why I’m going to the Olympics.”

Competing for San Marino, a country with a population of 33,000 completely surrounded by Italy, certainly can be a conversation starter for Amine, who takes great pride in his heritage.

“I don’t think most people know what San Marino is,” he said. “It’s my heritage and my grandpa is really proud to be from there and talks about it all the time. I just talked to him last night and told him I’d try to make him proud. For this to happen, it’s surreal.”

The other semifinal at 86kg will pit Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI) against Deepak PUNIA (IND), the recently crowned world junior champion.

The day session featured qualification rounds in the final four freestyle weights, with those advancing to the semifinals clinching berths for their country at Tokyo 2020.

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) both made it to the semifinals and are one match away from wrestling for the 97kg for the third consecutive year. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

The highly-anticipated showdown between 97kg titans Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) remained on course as the two advanced to the semifinals in separate brackets.

Sadulaev, winner over Snyder in last year’s world final in Budapest, will face Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), while Snyder faces a stiff test in European champion and Rio 2016 bronze medalist Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE).

In the quarterfinals, Snyder fell behind against Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) before getting into gear and storming to a 13-3 technical fall. Sadulaev, who won by technical fall in his opening match, knocked off Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) 6-0.

Defending champion Kyle DAKE (USA) advanced to the semifinals of the non-Olympic 79kg division, gaining a stepout and a takedown over the final minute to secure a 5-1 victory over Gadzhi NABIEV (RUS).

He will face Rashid KURBANOV (UZB), while the other semifinal will be a clash between Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) vs Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE)

In the non-Olympic 61kg class, Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) emerged from a wild-and-wooly encounter with Akhmednabi GVARTZATILOV (AZE) with a 13-12 victory, and will face Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS) for a place in the final.

Gvartzatilov had handily ousted defending champion and top seed Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUES (CUB) 7-0.

Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) will square off with Rahul AWARE (IND) in the 61kg semifinals. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

The other semifinal will be a clash between 2016 world silver medalist Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) and Asian bronze medalist Rahul AWARE (IND). Aware prevailed 10-7 in a back-and-forth quarterfinal over Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ).

In the repechage rounds to fill the bronze-medal matches in the four weight classes that started competition on Friday, Mao OKUI (JPN) secured a place for the host country at Tokyo 2020 at 74kg when he scored a takedown and two rolls in the last 30 seconds to defeat Kamil RYBICKI (POL) 6-2.

Okui, who defeated 2017 world 70kg bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) to make the Japanese team to Nur-Sultan, will face a tall task in his bid to win a bronze medal, which would have further ramifications for the 2018 world university silver medalist

A victory would clinch the Olympic spot for himself without further domestic qualifying, according to Japan federation criteria. His opponent in the third-place playoff? Four-time world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), who will be aiming for his seventh world medal overall.

At 70kg, Nicolae COJOCARU (GBR) will try to give his country its first-ever men’s world medal when he faces Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI). The Romanian-born Cojocaru defeated Joshua RILEY (AUS) by fall in the repechage.

Two wrestlers from the host country earned chances to add to its medal haul when Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) advanced at 74kg and Nurgali NURGAIPULY (KAZ) at 92kg.

Badzha KHUTABA (SYR) assured he would have the highest finish in freestyle in Syrian history when he advanced at 125kg. He will look to become the first medalist when he faces Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR).

Day 8 Pairings

Freestyle

61kg (25 entries)
Semifinal – Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) vs Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS)
Semifinal – Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) vs Rahul AWARE (IND)

70kg (30 entries)
Gold – David BAEZ (RUS) vs Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)
Bronze –Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) vs Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL)
Bronze – Nicolae COJOCARU (GBR) vs Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI)

74kg (39 entries)
Gold – Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) vs Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS)
Bronze –Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) vs Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA)
Bronze – Mai OKUI (JPN) vs Jordan BURROUGHS (USA)

79kg (23 entries)
Semifinal – Kyle DAKE (USA) vs Rashid KURBANOV (UZB)
Semifinal – Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) vs Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE)

86kg (43 entries)
Semifinal – Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI) vs Deepak PUNIA (IND)
Semifinal – Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) vs Myles AMINE (SMR)

92kg (18 entries)
Gold – J’den COX (USA) vs Alireza KARAMIMACHIANI (IRI)
Bronze –Nurgali NURGAIPULY (KAZ) vs Irakli MTSITURI (GEO)
Bronze – Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) vs Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS)

97kg (26 entries)
Semifinal – Kyle SNYDER (USA) vs Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE)
Semifinal – Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) vs Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS)

125kg (28 entries)
Gold – Geno PETRAIASHIVILI (GEO) vs Taha AKGAL (TUR)
Bronze –Badzha KHUTABA (SYR) vs Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR)
Bronze – Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) vs DENG Zhiwei (CHN)

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Oh Beats Kiyooka in Battle of World Champs in Ulaanbaatar

Friday, June 5, 2026 - 15:43 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 5) -- Soon after winning the 53kg gold medal the Meiji Cup two weeks ago, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) said that she will be travelling to Ulaanbaatar for the third Ranking Series.

It's rare for a Japanese wrestler to compete in Ranking Series especially close to the Meiji Cup. Kiyooka explained her participation in the Ulaanbaatar Open as more of a necessity to gain more experience competing against international wrestlers as she continues to find a firm footing at 53kg.

After all, the 22-year-old had secured her spot on the Japan team for the World Championships and Asian Games by winning the gold medal at the Meiji Cup.

The experience came in the form of a showdown with reigning 55kg world champion Kyong Ryong OH (PRK), who rallied from a four-point deficit to defeat Kiyooka, 10-6, and win the 53kg gold medal on Friday at the third Ranking Series.

The final pitted two world champions against each other, with Kiyooka, a former 55kg world champion, also moving down to 53kg. Despite leading by four points midway through the second period, Kiyooka was unable to hold off Oh's comeback.

Oh's gold medal was the second of the night for the DPR Korea. India also won two gold medals while Poland took home the fifth gold medal.

Greco-Roman also concluded in Ulaabaatar with three weight classes with Iran, Kyrgyzstan and South Korea winning gold medal each.

Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) turns Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) using the leg lace in the 53kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the marquee match-up of the night between Kiyooka and Oh, the former struck first with a single-leg takedown that Oh failed to defend, opening a 2-0 lead. She maintained control for the remainder of the first period. Oh, who was warned for passivity in the first period, showed little urgency at the start of the second.

Kiyooka capitalized again with a single-leg attack and stepped over for two points, but surrendered a reversal in the same sequence. Oh immediately took advantage, scoring a gut wrench and a lace turn to move ahead 5-4 with 1:26 remaining.

Twenty seconds later, Oh added a stepout to extend her lead to 6-4. Kiyooka responded in the next exchange, regrouping after an initial attack was defended and finishing a takedown to regain the lead on criteria at 6-6 with 53 seconds left.

A heavy snap from Oh squared Kiyooka, and the DPR Korea wrestler quickly converted a takedown before adding a lace turn to surge ahead 10-6. Kiyooka had 18 seconds remaining to find four points but was unable to break through as Oh closed out the victory.

Asian silver medalist Son Hyang KIM (PRK) secured DPR Korea's second gold medal of the evening, needing just 1 minute and 35 seconds to defeat Anqi BAO (CHN), 10-0, in the 50kg final. Kim scored an early takedown and followed with four gut-wrench turns to complete the technical superiority victory.

MANISHA (IND) pins Il Sim SON (PRK) in the 57kg final at the Ulaanbaatar Open. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Despite claiming two gold medals, DPR Korea suffered defeats in two other finals, both against Indian wrestlers.

At 57kg, world silver medalist Il Sim SON (PRK) was stunned by former Asian champion MANISHA (IND) in the final as the Indian secured a fall to claim the gold medal.

As has often been the case for Manisha, she was called passive in the first period and Son led 1-0 at the break after Manisha failed to score any points in the 30-second activity clock.

Manisha began the second period with a stepout to lead 1-1 on criteria which forced Son to attack again. She attempted a throw, but Manisha rotated through the action and avoided conceding points.

Son, still holding onto Manisha during the scramble, lost her balance and rolled onto her back. Manisha was quick to return on top and pushed Son's shoulders on the mat to get the pin with 2:02 left in the final.

NEHA (IND) scores a takedown on Pyol HONG (PRK) during the 59kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

NEHA (IND) also defeated a DPR Korea wrestler in the 59kg final to capture the second gold medal for India in Ulaanbaatar. Taking on Pyol HONG (PRK) for the gold medal, Neha opened the scoring with a stepout and then added two takedowns to lead 5-0 at the break.

Hong opened the second period with a stepout to get on board before adding a takedown to cut Neha's lead to 5-3. However, Neha controlled the remaining bout to clinch the gold medal.

The two-point victory of Neha contrasted her earlier meeting with Hong in the Nordic bracket, when Neha dominated and won 10-2 in Round 2.

The fifth gold medal on offer on Friday in Women's Wrestling went to European silver medalist Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) who ran through Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) for a 12-2 technical superiority win.

Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI), blue, loads for a throw even as Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) commits a leg foul during the 63kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Keshtkar Beats Sharshenbekov

In Greco-Roman action, Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) spoiled the return of former world champion and Paris 2024 bronze medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) at 63kg.

Sharshenbekov was return to international wrestling after a gap of almost two years. He began with two strong victories, first over Erfan JARKANI (IRI) and then over Sunny KUMAR (IND).

In Round 3 of his Nordic bracket, Sharshenbekov faced Keshtkar having already made his place in the semifinals. Keshtkar was put in par terre first but Sharshenbekov failed to score any points from the position and led 1-0 at the break.

Keshtkar was given the par terre in the second period and he scored two points for exposure. As Keshtkar tried to pin Sharshenbekov, the latter committed defensive foul and was docked two points.

As the bout restarted in par terre, Keshtkar lifted Sharshenbekov and threw him for two points. Sharshenbekov again committed a foul, this time using his legs, and was docked another two points, essentially finishing the bout 9-1.

Kyrgyzstan challenged for no foul but the review confirmed leg foul from Sharshenbekov whose lost challenge added one more point to Keshtkar's score.

Both wrestlers advanced from Group A and won their respective semifinals to set up a clash in the final. However, Keshtkar defaulted the final, giving Sharshenbekov the gold medal.

Iran won gold as 60kg as well as Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) humbled Yu Chol RO (PRK), 10-0, in the final. Ro, who was moving up from 55kg to 60kg, had no chance against Ahmadi Vafa who threw Ro for two four-point throws from par terre to accumulate nine points. A lost challenge from Ro added the last point.

The 130kg gold medal was won by Minseok KIM (KOR) who defeated Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL), 8-0, in the final. Kim's gold medal was the first for Korea internationally in Greco-Roman since 2021 when Hansu RYU (KOR) won the Asian Championships gold medal at 72kg in Almaty.

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

60kg
GOLD: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) df. Yu Chol RO (PRK), 10-0

BRONZE: Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) df. Seunghak KIM (KOR), 9-0
BRONZE: SAHIL (IND) df. SUMIT (IND), via inj. def.

63kg
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Yerkebulan ARDAKOV (KAZ) df. Hyunwoong CHOI (KOR), 7-4

130kg
GOLD: Minseok KIM (KOR) df. Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL), 8-0

BRONZE: Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) df. Joginder RATHEE (IND), 10-0

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Son hyang KIM (PRK) df. Anqi BAO (CHN), 10-0

BRONZE: Miyu NAKAMURA (JPN) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), 4-0
BRONZE: NEELAM (IND) df. Maral TANGIRBERGENOVA (KAZ), 10-0

53kg
GOLD: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) df. Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), 10-6

BRONZE: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) , 6-6
BRONZE: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL), via fall (11-0)

57kg
GOLD: MANISHA (IND) df. Il Sim SON (PRK), via fall (3-1)

BRONZE: Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) df. Danielle LIM (SGP), 10-0
BRONZE: Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) df. Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), via forfeit

59kg
GOLD: NEHA (IND) df. Pyol HONG (PRK), 5-3

BRONZE: Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), via fall (4-1)

72kg
GOLD: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL), 12-2

BRONZE: Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), via inj. def.

Amine Makes History by Qualifying San Marino for Tokyo 2020 by Making 86kg Semis

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Oh Beats Kiyooka in Battle of World Champs in Ulaanbaatar