#WrestleIstanbul

Bas cuts down, wins Paris quota; Stadnik suffers setback at World Qualifier

Saturday, May 11, 2024 - 00:41 By Vinay Siwach

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ISTANBUL, Turkiye (May 10) --  The last time Nesrin BAS (TUR) competed in 62kg or less was in 2018 at the U17 level. Since then, as Bas continued wrestling, she moved up to 65kg, then to 68kg and even to 72kg.

But as the Paris Olympics approached, Bas had to leave the 68kg weight category for world and European champion Bose TOSUN (TUR) who qualified for the weight by winning the gold medal at the World Championships. Former world champion and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Yasemin ADAR (TUR) won the spot at 76kg from the European Qualifier. That left Bas with only one option -- to return to 62kg.

Bas, who was not sure if going to 62kg was a good idea, got rewarded for her sacrifices as she qualified 62kg weight class for the Paris Olympics with a thrilling performance in front of her home crowd.

"I cut a lot of weight," Bas said. "First I wasn't that positive that I could endure cutting weight but my coach helped me and believed me to get it done."

In a very first-period dominated bout against Astrid MONTERO (VEN), Bas managed to hang on for a 10-6 win and earn herself a ticket to Paris Olympics. Montero scored the first takedown and got on a single-leg but Bas tossed her to get two points. She used the lace to add three turns to be up 8-2. Montero got on a few attacks but was unable to finish them. The two exchanged exposure points late in the bout but that did not prevent Bas from winning the bout.

Nesrin BAS (TUR)Nesrin BAS (TUR) scores two points over Astrid MONTERO (VEN) in the 68kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

However, the U23 world champion later revealed that she doubted herself to win the match after Montero scored the first takedown.

"My opponent was really strong," she said. "During the match when I lost points first, I became hesitant if I could win. But I overcome on that feeling. 

"I'm very happy. I trained a lot. I had to cut my weight. I'm happy I got the results I wanted. I'm blessed that the coaches believed in me. My goal now is the Olympic medal."

Bas was also pushed by the loud local fans who flocked to the stadium from the morning session. Bas made it a point to acknowledge them after every win. She blanked Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) 6-0 to start her day before scampering through 6-4 against Natalia KUBATY (POL). Bas survived a scare in the quarterfinal against Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) as she eked out a 4-4 criteria win.

She later celebrated her win by making a scowl-like gesture using her hands.

"My gesture of hands is a sign between me and my friends in the same club. I had promised them if I win I show that sign."

Kriszta INCZE (ROU) joined Bas as the other wrestler to win the Paris 2024 quota at 68kg after she defeated Veranika IVANOVA (AIN) 6-1 in the semifinals. Ivanova scored the first stepout which was her only scoring point in the match as Incze defended her shots.

This was Romania's second quota for Paris 2024 in women's wrestling as Andreea ANA (ROU) qualified 53kg from the European Qualifiers in Baku.

Son Hyang KIM (PRK)Son Hyang KIM (PRK) defeated Mariya STADNIK (AZE) in the 50kg Paris qualification bout in Istanbul. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Stadnik suffers setback

Mariya STADNIK (AZE) suffered yet another setback in her journey to qualify for her fifth Olympics after losing the Paris Olympic qualifying bout to Son Hyang KIM (PRK) 10-3 despite leading for the majority of the bout. Stadnik led 3-0 at the break but was put on the activity clock twice in the second period. Kim got a takedown just before the second activity clock expired to put herself in a 4-3 lead. Stadnik, who was struggling with her conditioning, got turned by Kim three times to trail 10-3 with 19 seconds remaining.

Kim kept that lead and earned the Paris 2024 quota which she missed after suffering a painful loss at the Asian Olympic Qualifier as she lost her bout in the final seconds.

Stadnik still has a chance to qualify for her fifth Olympics if she can win the bronze-medal bout tomorrow and follow it up with another win in the playoff bout between the two bronze-medal winners.

The other 50kg quota was secured by Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) as she defeated Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) 6-1 to give Germany its third Paris quota in women's wrestling. Blayvas countered Genesis' attacks with ease and turned them into takedowns for herself.

Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) and Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL)Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) and Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) earned the Paris 2024 spots for Moldova and Mongolia respectively. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 53kg, Moldova and Hungary earned a Paris spot each with Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) and Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) respectively. Dragutan was dominant in her semifinal against Sztalvira ORSOS (HUN), scoring 11 points before securing the fall with five seconds remaining.

Batkhuyag, a world silver medalist, was much quicker in her fall over Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) in the other semifinal, finishing the bout in just a minute and 43 seconds. She did give up the initial takedown but Batkhuyag rocked back with takedowns and ultimately getting the fall.

Yetgil and Orsos will return tomorrow in a bid to qualify for the Olympics through the bronze-medal playoffs.

Two-time European champion Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) will also have to go through that path after she lost her Paris qualifying bout to Tokyo Olympian Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (AIN) on criteria. The Ukrainian led 5-3 with 30 seconds on the clock but Khoroshavtseva scored a takedown to earn a spot to Paris. 

Giullia PENALBER (BRA) denied Uzbekistan its second women's wrestling quota by beating Asian Games bronze medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) 7-5 in the other bout. This was the first Paris 2024 quota for Brazil in women's wrestling.

NISHA (IND)NISHA (IND) celebrates after winning the 68kg Paris qualification bout against Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 68kg, India and China added their fifth women's wrestling spot as NISHA (IND) and veteran Feng ZHOU (CHN) won their respective qualification bouts. Nisha defeated Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) 8-4 while Zhou won 13-2 over Mimi HRITSOVA (BUL).

Zhou was surprised by an early attack from Hritsova but she composed her to score a takedown before using the trademark high chest wrap to score six turns over Hritsova and win 12-2. Bulgaria challenged that number of turns but lost, giving a point more to Zhou.

Jia LONG (CHN) will have an opportunity to make it six out of six for China for Paris at 62kg. She lost to Incze but with Incze winning the semifinal, Long is pulled back in repechage. She will have to win a bronze medal and then beat the other bronze medalist in the playoff to earn the spot.

Nisha got on the charge against Anghel with a takedown in the first 30 seconds before adding another and a gut wrench to lead 6-0. Soon she made it 8-0 as Anghel rolled over as Nisha was trying to lock a cradle. Anghel gave herself a chance in the second period when she threw Nisha with a head lock for two before adding two more to cut Nisha's lead to 8-4. But Nisha survived the 1:50 left on the clock to win India's fifth spot.

India will now be sending five women wrestlers to the Olympics, its highest-ever qualifications in women's wrestling. MANSI (IND) lost to Ivanova at 62kg and will not be able to qualify India for all six wrestlers.

"It feels great to win five quotas," Nisha said. "I thought we would get six quotas but Mansi's luck has been bad. But feels great that we will travel with a big team."

Nisha was the Asian qualifier in a round-robin in which she won two bouts and lost one. Two other wrestlers had the same number of wins but more classification points, denying Nisha a spot in the semifinal. 

"At the Asian Qualifier, we had a cross semifinal and I thought I would reach semis but I failed on [classification] points," she said. "I knew that I would qualify, if not in Asia then at the World Qualifier. I never doubted myself. The day I lost in Bishkek, I started writing the names of wrestlers who would be coming to Istanbul. I never felt sad and continued training as I was confident of qualifying."

Nisha was close to qualifying India for the Tokyo Olympics but fell one win short. She later contracted COVID-19 and missed out on going to the Olympics.

"During the Tokyo cycle, I lost the Olympic qualification bout [62kg] and later got COVID-19," she said. "I lost trials in India and when I lost the trials for the Asian Games, I wanted to leave wrestling because I got another injury. But when I got better, I told myself that I could also step away after winning a medal."

Romania and Bulgaria did get the Paris 2024 quota but at 76kg, Catalina AXENTE (ROU) defeated Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (AIN) 6-3 while Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) stopped Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) 4-1.

 

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RESULTS

50kg Paris Qualification Bouts
Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) df. Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR), 6-1
Son Hyang KIM (PRK) df. Mariya STADNIK (AZE), 10-3

53kg Paris Qualification Bouts
Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) df. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), via fall (8-3)
Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) df. Sztalvira ORSOS (HUN), via fall (11-2)

57kg Paris Qualification Bouts
Giullia PENELBAR (BRA) df. Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB), 7-5
Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (AIN) df. Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR), 5-5

62kg Paris Qualification Bouts
Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Astrid MONTERO (VEN), 10-6
Kriszta INCZE (ROU) df. Veranika IVANOVA (AIN), 6-1

68kg Paris Qualification Bouts
Feng ZHOU (CHN) df. Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL), 13-2
NISHA (IND) df. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), 8-4

76kg Paris Qualification Bouts
Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) df. Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL), 4-1
Catalina AXENTE (ROU) df. Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (AIN), 6-3

#WrestleParis

Wrestling at Paris 2024: Lopez beats Mirzazadeh, Ozaki falls

Monday, August 5, 2024 - 12:41 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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PARIS (August 5) -- Welcome to wrestling at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Day one here at the Champs de Mars Arena with Greco-Roman in 130kg and 60kg and Women's Wrestling in 68kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 NEWS

What a session of wrestling! Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) marches towards a fifth Olympic gold medal after reaching the semifinals at 130kg. He downed world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) 3-1. At 60kg, Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) vs Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) in the semifinal. 

In women's wrestling, Amit ELOR (USA) has Sol Gum PAK (PRK) while Blessing OBURODUDU (NGR) wrestles Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)

17:20: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) looks like a man on a mission as he puts away Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) on his first chance of par terre, going back and forth for four exposures and a 9-0 win in 1:43 at Greco 60kg. That sets up a mouth-watering encounter with Sharshenbekov for a place in the finals.

17:17: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) pulls off one of the biggest victories of her career, scoring a takedown with seven seconds left to stun Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) 8-6 at women's 68kg after squandering a six-point lead. Zhumanazarova counters a single leg for a takedown and adds a roll, then picks up a second takedown to go up 6-0 at the break. Ozaki comes back in the second period with a takedown and gut wrench, then goes ahead on criteria with a takedown with 1:10 left. But Zhumanazarova still has some fight left in her, and gets behind on a single for the win.

17:15: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) rides a 4-point throw from par terre to a 9-0 victory over Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) to secure his place in the Greco 60kg semifinals.

17:07: Liguo CAO (CHN) gets a 4-point throw from par terre and that makes the difference in a 5-3 victory over a gutsy Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) to advance to the Greco 60kg semifinals.

17:06: Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) relied on her wits and experience to defy the home crowd and get past Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) 6-2 and advance to the women's 68kg semifinals. Oborududu trailed 2-1 in the second period when she scored a takedown with 1:10 left. With Larroque pressing for the winning score, it was Oborududu who came up with a takedown to clinch the win.

17:03: A semifinal for Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) as he hangs on for a 2-1 win over Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) at 130kg. He will wrestle Lingzhe MENG (CHN) for a spot in the final

16:53: Teenager Sol Gum PAK (PRK) and a right shoulder injury prove too much for NISHA (IND), who can't hang on and is eliminated with a 10-8 loss at women's 68kg. Nisha was the dominant force, building up an 8-2 lead when she injured her shoulder during a Pak takedown. She could offer little resistance as Pak continued to score points until getting the winning takedown with 8 seconds left to earn a semifinal clash with Elor.

16:52: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) survived a second passivity call against himself to beat Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) 1-1 and enter the semifinal at 130kg in Greco-Roman

16:47: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), who ended the Tokyo Olympics in tears after losing to a Cuban in the Greco 60kg, showed no mercy for Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB) as he cruised to an 11-1 victory. Fumita gets three rolls from par terre in the first period, then finishes off the proceedings with a 4-point headlock throw in the second.

16:39: Three-time Asian medalist Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) makes short work of Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG), reeling off a series of gut wrenches for a 9-0 victory in 1:48 at Greco 60kg.

16:40: Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) gets both the par terre to lead 2-0 against Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ). The Kazakh is then docked two points for his aggressive open hand. Shariati wins 4-0 to enter the semifinals against Lopez

16:37: Amit ELOR (USA) proves too much for Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) and she's comfortably into the women's 68kg semifinals with an 8-0 victory. Elor gets two takedowns and a stepout in the first period, then adds an activity point and takedown in the second.  

16:35: Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) uses a nice arm drag for a first-period takedown, then adds a second 2-point in the second in a 4-2 win over Enes BASAR (TUR) at Greco 60kg. Basar used the over-the-top jump to score a late takedown, but the clock ran out before he completed a turn.

16:30: Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) in the 130kg quarterfinal. Lopez defeated the Iranian in the Tokyo Olympics. In Paris, he gets the first par terre advantage and, hold your breath, gets a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break! What a moment in the match. Three minutes to wrestle. Mirzazadeh used a much more aggressive approach in the second period. Lopez is called for passivity and is now in par terre. Mirzazadeh needs a turn to take the criteria lead. Mirzazadeh wants to resume in standing. That strategy from Iran will need three points for a win. Lopez is still standing tall over Mirzazadeh. Mijain LOPEZ beats Mirzazadeh 3-1 and moves into the semifinal

16:27: Like her compatriot minutes before Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) needs a comeback to get by Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 8-3 at women's 68kg. Zhumanazarova trails 3-0 going into the second period when she hits a 4-point takedown, then tangles up Enkhsaikhan's legs and scores a pair of rolls. She will next face Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) for a place in the semifinals later tonight.

16:21: Two-time reigning world champion and top seed Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), aiming to become his country's first-ever gold medalist, survives a tough first test from neighbor Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), scoring two takedowns in the second period for a 6-3 win at Greco 68kg.

16:20: World bronze medalist Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) pins age-group world champion Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) at 130kg. He moves into the quarterfinals. But it's time for the big one. Lopez vs Mirzazadeh

16:16: World 65kg champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) needs just 32 seconds to get past Soleymi CARABALLO (VEN) 10-0 to start her quest for the women's 68kg gold after missing out on Japan's place at her usual weight at 62kg.

16:14: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) spotted former world champion Linda MORAIS (CAN) an early takedown, but came back with three of her own in the second period for an 8-2 victory at women's 68kg. 

16:10: Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) hangs on to a 1-1 win over Kiril MILOV (BUL) at 130kg. Acosta got the passivity advantage in the second period which was enough for him to win 1-1. Milov, a regular at 97kg, moved to 130kg after Bulgaria was awarded a quota.

16:07: World bronze medalist Liguo CAO (CHN) hits a 4-point throw from par terre in the second period to secure a 6-2 victory over Moamen MOHAMED (EGY) at Greco 60kg. Cao was trailing 2-1 when he received the passivity point with 1:47 left to put him ahead on criteria, but sealed the deal with his big throw at the edge.

16:01: World bronze medalist Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), urged on by a loud partisan crowd in the Champs de Mars Arena, scores two takedowns in the first period and one in the second in a 6-0 victory over Tayla FORD (NZL).

15:59: Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) gets the par terre and never allows to Oussama ASSAD (MAR) to defend. He scores four turns and wins 9-0 to enter the quarterfinals at 130kg in Greco-Roman.

15:55: Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) gives South America a rare victory by holding on to defeat two-time world medalist Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) 6-5 at Greco 60kg. Rodriguez, helped by a leg penalty, leads 6-1 before Mammadov scores a takedown with :45 left and adds a gut wrench to cut the gap to 1. Rodriguez then squirms out of a late takedown attempt to clinch the win and a place in the quarterfinals.

15:55: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) has a good warmup win over Jello KRAHMER (GER) at 130kg. He moves into the quarterfinals with a 4-1 win.

15:48: Sol Gum PAK (PRK) showed again how her country's wrestlers can never be underestimated when she outdueled former world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) in a 10-6 thriller at women's 68kg. The two traded takedowns throughout the bout and Ringaci led 6-4 when Pak went ahead on criteria with a takedown with :58 left. She then put the matter to rest with a late 4-point takedown.

15:42: Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) with a takedown in the second period to beat Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) 3-1 at 130kg. Both exchanged passivity points but Syzdykov kept the pressure up and got the takedown with just over a minute left in the bout.

15:39: World bronze medalist Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) gets started at Greco 60kg with a comfortable 9-0 victory over Refugee Team member Jamal VALIZADEH (EOR). Bakhramov was just unstoppable with his gut wrenches from par terre in ending the match at 3:52.

15:37: Asian bronze medalist NISHA (IND) bounces back after giving up an early 4-point takedown to Tatiana SOVA RIZHKO (UKR) at women's 68kg, scoring two takedowns in the second period for a 6-4 victory. Sova Rizhko used a nice reverse headlock-back trip combination for her 4 points. 

15:32: Victor Ciobanu (MDA), the 2021 world champion who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, falls at the first stage at Greco 60kg to Se Ung RI (PRK). From par terre, Ciobanu gets a reverse lock and pulls Ri back and over his head for 2, but Ri responds with a front headlock roll for 4 that was originally given 2 but upgraded on a challenge. Ri then catches Ciobanu when he tries the desperation over-the-head jump, throws him to his back and records the fall with 1:02 left.

15:30: Two veterans at 130kg. 2012 London Olympic silver medalist Heiki NABI (EST) and Rio bronze medalist Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) on Mat C. Nabi gets the first par terre advantage and leads 1-0. Shariati gets the par terre in the second and leads 1-1 on criteria. Shariati maintains the lead and wins 1-1 on criteria

15:22: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) pulls a surprise at women's 68kg, knocking off Zagreb Open champion Feng ZHOU (CHN) 10-3. Choluj uses a beautiful fireman's carry to take a 4-1 lead into the second period. The match hits a key point when Choluj gets in deep for a takedown and Zhou tries a counter lift. That gives both 2 points, but Choluj rolls through it and lands on top for 2 more to go ahead 8-3. 

15:22: Four-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) sets up a quarterfinal against world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg. He looks formidable in his 7-0 win over Seungchan LEE (KOR).

15:13: Beginning the action at Greco 60kg on Mat A, Enes BASAR (TUR) puts together an amazing rally to defeat Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) 8-7 in a battle of the world 63kg bronze medalists. Tibilov storms to a 7-0 lead in the first period, but Basar turns the tide in the second, scoring a takedown and gut wrench, then getting another gut wrench from par terre. An unsuccessful challenge of a late takedown attempt gives Basar his final point.

15:12: The women's 68kg competition gets started on Mat B with a clash of reigning world champions. Amit ELOR (USA), the gold medalist at 72kg, had little problem putting away the top-seed and world 68kg champion Buse TOSUN (TUR), scoring four takedowns in a 10-2 victory.

15:09: World champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) gets his first win as he beats Adam COON (USA) with no trouble. He scores a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break. Coon gets the par terre in the second period but no turn for him. Mirzazadeh wins 3-1 and enters the quarterfinals.

15:00: Wresting at the 2024 Paris Games could not have had a better story to follow on day one. Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) is going for his fifth Olympic gold medal at the Olympics. No athlete has done that before.