Bishkek Ranking Series entry list

Thursday, May 25, 2023 - 09:57 By Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (May 23) -- An entry list that will put most international tournaments to shame, the Bishkek Ranking Series will be attended by more than 400 wrestlers.

The third Ranking Series of the year will be headlined by 29 continental champions who won gold medals in the recently concluded championships across the world.

In freestyle, Azerbaijan is bringing a solid squad headlined by Haji ALIYEV (AZE) and Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE). The nation has also entered three wrestlers at 74kg -- Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) and Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) -- in a bid to get a clearer picture of its World Championships team.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Georgia are also bringing some of their top names in freestyle while India will see the return of Olympic silver medalist Ravi KUMAR (IND), his first competition since the World Championships.

Women's wrestling will see powerhouse China bring a full squad as it continues to get international competition after missing out on some in the past three years.

Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan and Ukraine will be its biggest opponents as the three countries are also bringing their best teams.

In Greco-Roman, Iran will be the favourite in most weight classes as it has decided to land with a full strength squad for the Ranking Series event. Georgia and Turkiye too have a tough squad for the tournament.

Iran will be led by Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) and it also includes Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), Daniel SHORABI (IRI), Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) among others.

Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan will try to challenge the these countries when the competition begins June 1 in Bishkek.

Ravi KUMAR (IND) will be wrestling for the first time since the World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Freestyle

57kg
Wanhao ZOU (CHN)
Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO)
Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO)
Abzal OKENOV (KAZ)
Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ)
Yerassyl MUKHTARULY (KAZ)
Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ)
Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ)
Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ)
Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ)
Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL)
Suleyman ATLI (TUR)
Nodirjon SAFAROV (UZB)

61kg
Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE)
Shota PHARTENADZE (GEO)
Giorgi GONIASHVILI (GEO)
Ravi KUMAR (IND)
PANKAJ (IND)
AMAN (IND)
Kairat AMIRTAYEV (KAZ)
Nurbolat ABDUALIYEV (KAZ)
Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ)
Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ)
Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ)
Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ)
Ali M M ABURUMAILA (PLE)
Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR)
Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB)

65kg
Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG)
Haji ALIYEV (AZE)
Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE)
Shaohua YUAN (CHN)
Maikai ABULIZI (CHN)
Nuerlaxi BIEKEZHATI (CHN)
Edemi BOLKVADZE (GEO)
Anuj KUMAR (IND)
Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ)
Galymzhan IBADULLA (KAZ)
Ilyas AMANZHOLOV (KAZ)
Aden SAKYBAEV (KGZ)
Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ)
Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ)
Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL)
Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK)
Hamza ALACA (TUR)
Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB)
Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB)

70kg
AGUDAMU (CHN)
Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO)
Davit PATSINASHVILI (GEO)
Mulaym YADAV (IND)
Orts ISAKOV (JOR)
Doszhan ASSETOV (KAZ)
Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)
Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ)
Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ)
Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ)
Turbayar DAVAANYAM (MGL)
Servet COSKUN (TUR)
Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB)

74kg
Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE)
Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE)
Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE)
Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN)
Adam THOMSON (CAN)
Shengsong XIA (CHN)
Nuerlanbieke WURENIBAI (CHN)
AWUSAYIMAN KELAN (CHN)
Amr Reda HUSSEN (EGY)
Otari BAGAURI (GEO)
YASH (IND)
Erzo T ISAKOV (JOR)
Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ)
Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)
Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ)
Alinur TAKIROV (KGZ)
Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ)
Kubat AZIZBAEV (KGZ)
Sumiyabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL)
Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL)
Magomet EVLOEV (TJK)
Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR)
Ilyas BEKBULATOV (UZB)

79kg
Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN)
Hade AYIDUSI (CHN)
Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN)
Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO)
Deepak DEEPAK (IND)
Daulet YERGESH (KAZ)
Zhiger ZAKIROV (KAZ)
Bibarys NURYLLAULY (KAZ)
Myrza ZHYRGALBEK UULU (KGZ)
Adilet MARATBAEV (KGZ)
Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL)
Ermak KARDANOV (SVK)

86kg
Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE)
Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN)
Peilong LI (CHN)
Jumabieke ABAIYI (CHN)
Xiao SUN (CHN)
Taimuraz FRIEV NASKIDAEVA (ESP)
Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO)
Zaur BERADZE (GEO)
Jointy KUMAR (IND)
Deepak PUNIA (IND)
Maksat SATYBALDY (KAZ)
Islyambek ILYASSOV (KAZ)
Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)
Nurtilek KARYPBAEV (KGZ)
Narbek IZABEKOV (KGZ)
Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ)
Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL)
Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL)
Boris MAKOEV (SVK)
Osman GOCEN (TUR)
Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB)
Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB)

92kg
Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)
Jumabayi AERGEN (CHN)
Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO)
Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO)
Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ)
Nurdaulet BEKENOV (KAZ)
Yeskali DAULETKAZY (KAZ)
Stambul ZHANYBEK UULU (KGZ)
Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL)
Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR)
Rustam SHODIEV (UZB)

97kg
Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE)
Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)
Awusayiman HABILA (CHN)
Reheman RUSIDANMU (CHN)
Tuerxunbieke MUHEITE (CHN)
DEEPAK (IND)
Nursultan AZOV (KAZ)
Serik BAKYTKHANOV (KAZ)
Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ)
Arslanbek TURDUBEKOV (KGZ)
Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)
Radoslaw BARAN (POL)
Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK)
Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR)
Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB)
Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB)

125kg
Catriel MURIEL (ARG)
Zhiwei DENG (CHN)
BUHEEERDUN (CHN)
Benxin DUAN (CHN)
Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)
Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO)
Anirudh KUMAR (IND)
Omar EYUBOV (KAZ)
Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)
Muzafar ZHAPPUEV (KGZ)
Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ)
Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL)
Robert BARAN (POL)
Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB)
Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB)

Grace BULLEN (NOR) will be competing in the 62kg weight class in Bishkek. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
Kamila BARBOSA (BRA)
Madison PARKS (CAN)
Ziqi FENG (CHN)
Jiang ZHU (CHN)
Meng FAN (CHN)
Nada MOHAMED (EGY)
NEELAM (IND)
Gulzhazira AMANTAYEVA (KAZ)
Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ)
Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR)
Oksana LIVACH (UKR)
Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB)

53kg
Karla GODINEZ (CAN)
Samantha STEWART (CAN)
Li DENG (CHN)
Qianyu PANG (CHN)
Yongxin FENG (CHN)
Lucia YEPEZ (ECU)
Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN)
POOJA (IND)
Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ)
Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL)
Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL)
Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL)
Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR)
Liliya HORISHNA (UKR)
Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)
Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)

55kg
SITO (IND)
Zulfiya YAKHYAROVA (KAZ)
Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ)
Melda DERNEKCI (TUR)
Mariia VYNNYK (UKR)

57kg
Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)
Giullia PENALBER (BRA)
Qi ZHANG (CHN)
ZHUOMALAGA (CHN)
Luisa VALVERDE (ECU)
Kexin HONG (CHN)
Emma TISSINA (KAZ)
Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR)
Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR)
Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB)

59kg
Sarita SARITA (IND)
Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ)
Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL)
Othelie HOEIE (NOR)
Ebru DAGBASI (TUR)
Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)
Yuliia TKACH OSTAPCHUK (UKR)
Yuliia LESKOVETS (UKR)

62kg
Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
Lais NUNES (BRA)
Ana GODINEZ (CAN)
Xiaojuan LUO (CHN)
Jia LONG (CHN)
Lydia PEREZ (ESP)
Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)
SONAM (IND)
Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)
Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL)
Grace BULLEN (NOR)
Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR)
Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB)

65kg
MANISHA (IND)
MUKATAY (KAZ)
Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ)
Purevsuren ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)

68kg
Olivia DI BACCO (CAN)
Feng ZHOU (CHN)
Qian JIANG (CHN)
NISHA (IND)
Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ)
Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)
Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL)
Nesrin BAS (TUR)
Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB)
Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB)

72kg
REETIKA (IND)
Dalma CANEVA (ITA)
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)

76kg
Martina KUENZ (AUT)
Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN)
Juan WANG (CHN)
QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN)
Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU)
Samar HAMZA (EGY)
Epp MAE (EST)
Cynthia VESCAN (FRA)
PRIYA (IND)
Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ)
Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)
Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTOVA (UKR)
Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR)

Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) will be at his second Ranking Series event of the year at 72kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman

55kg
Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
Rupin RUPIN (IND)
Poya DAD MARZ (IRI)
Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ)
Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ)
Yersin ABYIR (KAZ)
Taalaibek BEISHENBEK UULU (KGZ)
Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB)
Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB)

60kg
Liguo CAO (CHN)
Haodong TAN (CHN)
Erbatu TUO (CHN)
Haithem MAHMOUD (EGY)
Pridon ABULADZE (GEO)
SUMIT (IND)
Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI)
Aibek SABYRBEKOV (KAZ)
Nursultan BAZARBAYEV (KAZ)
Olzhas SULTAN (KAZ)
Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ)
Aftandil TAALAIBEK UULU (KGZ)
Balbai DORDOKOV (KGZ)
Razvan ARNAUT (ROU)
Umit DURDYYEV (TKM)
Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB)

63kg
Ainiwaer AIKEREMU (CHN)
Geminghan REHETI (CHN)
Ahmed BAGHDOUDA (EGY)
Leri ABULADZE (GEO)
Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI)
Madiyar MALTEKBAYEV (KAZ)
Dastan ZARLYKHANOV (KAZ)
Mukhamedali MAMURBEK (KAZ)
Baiaman KARIMOV (KGZ)
Dastan KADYROV (KGZ)
Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB)

67kg
HUSIYUETU (CHN)
Lei LI (CHN)
Sailike WALIHAN (CHN)
Luis ORTA (CUB)
Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO)
NEERAJ (IND)
ASHU (IND)
Danial SOHRABI (IRI)
Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ)
Daniyar KALENOV (KAZ)
Merey BEKENOV (KAZ)
Amanat SAMAT UULU (KGZ)
Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)
Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ)
Mihai MIHUT (ROU)
Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB)
Abror ATABAEV (UZB)

72kg
Jian TAN (CHN)
Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO)
Otar ABULADZE (GEO)
VIKAS (IND)
Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI)
Yerassyl NURBOSSYNOV (KAZ)
Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ)
Khabibullo TYNCHTYK UULU (KGZ)
Selcuk CAN (TUR)
Abdullo ALIEV (UZB)

77kg
Rui LIU (CHN)
Halishan BAHEJIANG (CHN)
Yesitai ZIYINI (CHN)
Sachino DAVITAIA (GEO)
Iuri LOMADZE (GEO)
Sajan SAJAN (IND)
Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI)
Kaharman KISSYMETOV (KAZ)
Azat SADYKOV (KAZ)
Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ)
Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ)
Alibek BERDIEV (KGZ)
Renat ILIAZ UULU (KGZ)
Jeyhun OVEZDURDYYEV (TKM)
Yunus BASAR (TUR)
Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR)
Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB)

82kg
Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO)
Rohit DAHIYA (IND)
Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI)
Dias KALEN (KAZ)
Shamil BATYROV (KAZ)
Ruslan TSAREV (KGZ)
Beksultan NAZARBAEV (KGZ)
Temirlan BEKTURDIEV (KGZ)
Alperen BERBER (TUR)
Nurbek KHASHIMBEKOV (UZB)
Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB)

87kg
Chengwu WANG (CHN)
Yi YANG (CHN)
Talimubieke AYIDINGBIEKE (CHN)
Gurami KHETSURIANI (GEO)
Kumar SUNIL (IND)
Naser ALIZADEH (IRI)
Baurzhan MUSSIN (KAZ)
Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ)
Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ)
Melis AITBEKOV (KGZ)
Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ)
Azat SALIDINOV (KGZ)
Shyhazberdi OVELEKOV (TKM)
Ali CENGIZ (TUR)
Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)

97kg
Yan LIU (CHN)
Yiming LI (CHN)
Maimaiti KAISAIER (CHN)
Artur OMAROV (CZE)
Narinder CHEEMA (IND)
Mehdi BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI)
Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)
Zhantas NURGALI (KAZ)
Yerulan ISKAKOV (KAZ)
Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ)
Arkyt OROZBEKOV (KGZ)
Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)
Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ)
Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM)
Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB)

130kg
Lingzhe MENG (CHN)
Di XIAO (CHN)
Teliuhan HAIYISHAOER (CHN)
Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB)
Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY)
Sulkhan BUIDZE (GEO)
Sahil SAHIL (IND)
Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)
Mansur SHADUKAYEV (KAZ)
Anton SAVENKO (KAZ)
Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)
Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU)
Fatih BOZKURT (TUR)
Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB)

#WrestleParis

Paris Olympics in Photos: Japan show, Lopez retirement and shockers

Wednesday, December 18, 2024 - 12:55 By Vinay Siwach

PARIS (December 18) -- The 2024 Paris Olympic Games turned out to be history in wrestling. From surprise winners to retirements, there was a lot. The legend of Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) grew, first-time Olympians made it to the podium and a few medal hopefuls went empty-handed.

Here's a trip down the memory lane with photos:

Mijain LOPEZ (CUB)

In the 128-year history of the Summer Olympics, no athlete had ever won five gold medals in the same event in any sport. Until Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) did it in Paris. The Greco-Roman legend put on a show in Paris and won four bouts to win the gold medal.

The 41-year-old went around the Champs de Mars Arena celebrating with anyone and everyone. There will be no sixth gold as Lopez took off his wrestling shoes and left them in the middle of the mat, the universal sign of a wrestler's decision to end his career. Lopez was at his best at describing his five gold medals: "Beijing: youth. London: transcendence. Rio: effort. Tokyo: sacrifice. Paris: joy."

Mijain LOPEZ (CUB)

The only time Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) looked troubled in Paris was when Sahab SHARIATI (AZE), a veteran himself at 35, managed to lift the Cuban off the mat. No one else managed to do this. Even world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), who lost to Lopez in the quarterfinals, decided not to force the par terre and resume the bout in standing. Shariati, however, could not score. Lopez put on a stiff resistance and when Shariati tried to force a roll, Lopez nimbly stepped over and gained control for a one-point reversal.

Vinesh PHOGAT (IND)

The Paris Olympics had not thrown any big surprises on day one. However, day two could not have had a more chaotic start. Yui SUSAKI (JPN), unbeaten internationally and going for her second straight Olympic gold, was stunned in the opening round itself. Susaki had not given up a single point in Tokyo. However, VINESH (IND) secured a 3-2 win in 50kg. The shock in Susaki's eyes and Vinesh's disbelief tell the story of the match, Susaki's first-ever loss.

Susaki would come back to win a bronze medal but the situation changed dramatically for Vinesh as she failed to make the 50kg weight on second day and was disqualified.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)

As far as heartbreaks go, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and Iran suffered a big one. For long, Yazdani was troubled by his shoulder, and he got it operated three months before the Olympics. He seemed well at the Budapest Ranking Series and was the favorite to win gold in Paris. All seemed well for Yazdani as he reached the final. But that was it.

Wrestling Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) in the 86kg final, Yazdani dislocated his shoulder moments after the start of the final. Throughout the final, Yazdani took several medical timeouts and could not wrestle to his potential. He ended up with another silver, his second in two successive Olympics.

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) could not but Paris was Japan's Olympics in wrestling. One of its biggest stars was Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), who won the gold medal at 53kg at the age of 20 years. When she won the final, she had a 137-bout winning streak. She gave up only two points in the tournament. Fujinami is the phenom.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN)

Japan won eight gold medals at the Paris Olympics. Kiyooka KIYOOKA (JPN), who won gold at 65kg, started wrestling at age three at a kids wrestling club in Kochi City on the central island of Shikoku. It was there he first met the two-year-old daughter of the club's coach. Her name is Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), and she won the women's 57kg gold the previous day.

Japan finished its best-ever tournament with a total of eight golds, one silver and two bronzes from the 13 weight classes in which the country had qualified. With Kiyooka's victory, Nippon Sports Science University students and alumni combined for five golds, more than double any other country.

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) also won gold. But at one point she was in trouble of losing her semifinal. Trailing against Grace BULLEN (NOR), Motoki was stuck in a trip from outside. A throw would have ended her dream of winning gold. Bullen was ready to create history...

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)

... But Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) countered it. And did it in a way that stunned the arena. As Grace BULLEN (NOR) was putting forward pressure, Motoki locked her arms and threw her over. Bullen landed on her back and Motoki kept her on the mat to secure a fall. When all was looking good for Bullen, Motoki found a way to upset her.

Grace BULLEN (NOR)

Grace BULLEN (NOR) did create history eventually. She defeated Ana GODINEZ (CAN) in the 62kg bronze medal and became Norway's first Olympic medalist in women's wrestling. Bullen always had the potential to be an Olympic medalist, but it took a change of environment, coaches, and weight classes to finally be one.

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

Moldova also had some Olympic history in wrestling. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) was all but out of her semifinal against Kexin HONG (CHN) who was gut-wrenching Nichita and led 7-0. But Nichita stepped over and stopped another attempt of Hong's turn. And that's when she pinned Hong and entered the 57kg final, becoming Moldova's first-ever Olympic medalist.

Islam DUDAEV (ALB)

In Freestyle, there was more history. Islam DUDAEV (ALB) won a bronze medal at 65kg a day after Cherman VALIEV (ALB) won the same medal at 74kg. While Valiev was the first-ever Olympic medalist for Albania in any sport, Valiev too was part of this history. And he won the bronze medal with a stunning last-second win over world champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).

Zhan BELENIUK (UKR)

There were a slew of retirements as well in Paris. Apart from the aforementioned Lopez's retirement, another major one was that of Zhan BELENUIK (UKR). He won a bronze medal at 87kg in Greco-Roman, completing his set of medals. Beleniuk won a silver medal in 2016 Rio Games, improved to gold medal in Tokyo 2020 and capped off his career with bronze. His name will forever be etched in the Ukrainian history.

Taha AKGUL (TUR)

Taha AKGUL (TUR) also retired. The 2016 Rio Olympic champion in Freestyle 125kg added bronze in Tokyo and Paris before leaving his shoes on the mat. In a rare event, Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ), Akgul's opponent in the bronze medal bout, also removed his shoes. A double retirement at Olympics.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO)

A few moments after the double retirement at 125kg, the final of the weight class was pure drama and thrill. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) was up against world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) for the gold medal. Petriasvhili had lost the Tokyo final to Gable STEVESON (USA) in the final second when the American scored a takedown to beat the Georgian.

Petriashvili was so determined this time that he came out all guns blazing. He scored a takedown and got Zare in par terre and rolled him for a 10-0 superiority win. Zare was stunned and so was everyone in the arena. Iran challenged the final turn and as it turned out, Zare's head was indeed outside the zone before the final turn. The score was changed to 8-0 and now Petriashvili had to do it again.

Zare, with his high-paced wrestler, troubled Petriashvili who was warned for fleeing and passivity. But call it destiny if you may, Petriashvili won the final 10-9 and the gold medal which eluded him and left a giant like Petriashvili crying at the podium in Tokyo.

He celebrated, as seen in the photo, gesturing towards Zare as if he is wearing the crown, a celebration made popular by Zare himself.

Taha AKGUL (TUR)

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) had long been one-half of an elite duo in the 125kg class with rival Taha AKGUL (TUR). The two had a stranglehold on the global title from 2014 to 2019, until Gable STEVESON (USA) broke the streak at the Tokyo Olympics and Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) won the world title in 2021. There will be no more battles between the two. Akgul retired after winning the bronze medal at the Paris Olympics in August. Akgul celebrated his 15-year rivalry with Petriashvili and said that both of them are 'legends'. Here's Petriashvili giving a send off to Akgul on the podium.

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)

More podium stories from Paris. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), Bahrain's first-ever wrestling champion, proudly stands on top after winning gold at 97kg. Two of the biggest names at 97kg are missing from this. We will let you take a guess.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)

That's Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) after winning the gold medal in Greco-Roman 97kg. But his coach Hassan HOSSEIN ZADEH sneaked past the security and joined him on the podium.

Parviz NASIBOV (UKR)

Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), with one open eye, won silver in GR 67kg weight class and at the podium, he brought the cutest singlet. He dedicated his medal to his newborn son. Things that matter!

Podium

That's a selfie from the Greco-Roman 77kg podium. Maybe a retake?

Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ)

The Greco-Roman 77kg weight class was wild. Nao KUSAKA (JPN) won gold but no one expected Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) to his opponent in the final. But Zhadrayev pulled out a performance of lifetime to reach there. His biggest win was over world champion and returning Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ). Here he is throwing Makhmudov using the front lock which sealed the bout for him.

Razambek JAMALOV (UZB)

Another top move from Paris and what courage from Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) to pull it off. Wrestling in the 74kg final, Jamalov got Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) in the cradle and secured a first-period fall to win the gold medal.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)

There are always some great camaraderie among wrestlers. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) displayed that when he carried Sabah SAHRIATI (AZE) on his shoulders after the latter retired.

The 130kg wrestler won bronze after beating Shariati. Instead of celebrating, he saw Shariati, a bronze medalist from 2016 Rio Olympics, leave his shoes on the mat to mark his retirement from the sport. As he was about to leave the mat, Mirzazadeh congratulated Shariati and lifted him on his shoulder for a lap on the mat. As the crowd cheered, Mirzazadeh moved swiftly in a circle, carrying an over 130kg wrestler to give a fitting end to a long career. But Mirzazadeh's gesture towards Shariati has a deeper reason. Shariati was born in Kurdistan, Iran and wrestled for Iran before wrestling for Azerbaijan from 2013. Soon after the first lap, even the Iranian coaches joined them and all of them completed another lap as the Champs de Mars Arena crowd gave them thunderous applause.

DPR Korea

Two DPR Korea wrestler congratulating each other after they won their respective bouts. Sol gum PAK (PRK) had defeated Nisha DAHIYA (IND) at 68kg while Se ung RI (PRK) had stunned Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in Greco-Roman 60kg and both met as they got off the mat. The two would later go on two win bronze medals in their respective weight classes as Pak became the first woman from DPR Korea to win an Olympic wrestling medal.

Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL)

Olympics are hard. Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL) gives an example.

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Paris Olympics in Photos: Japan show, Lopez retirement and shockers