#WrestleAlmaty

Bolat Turlykhanov Cup: Yildirim, Kamal star for Turkey on day one

Thursday, June 2, 2022 - 18:05 By Vinay Siwach

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan (June 2) -- Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) thought he passed his toughest test in Almaty as he defeated arch-rival and world champion Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) in a 2-2 comeback. But little did he expect that Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) will hand him a shock defeat in the final at 130kg.

The U23 world champion was the favorite to win the gold at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup, the second Ranking Series event of the year, but Yildrim scored from par terre while Mirzazadeh failed to do the same. That proved to be the difference as the Turkey youngster won his second straight Ranking Series gold. His first was at home in Istanbul where he won gold over Beka KANDELAKI (AZE).

Yildirim scored wins over Anton SAVENKO (KAZ), 5-0, Sulkhan BUIDZE (GEO), 3-0 and Asian champion Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) 3-1 to reach the final.

"I saw that my opponent in the final would be the Iranian wrestler," Yildirim said. "I concentrated a lot to prepare well. I know that the wrestlers from Iran and Georgia are very strong. The match was really tough. I was preparing and glad that it paid off."

Mirzazadeh began the day on a strong note with a 9-0 win over SATISH (IND) before advancing to the semifinal against Yousofi, who defeated Olympic silver Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) 8-0 in the quarterfinal.

Apart from exchanging the passivity points, Mirzazadeh and Yousofi had one stepout each in the semifinal but Mirzazadeh scored the latest point to claim the win.

Osman YILDIRIM (TUR)Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) scored two points from par terre to win against Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI). (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

In the gold-medal bout, Mirzazadeh got the first point for Yildirim's inactivity and led 1-0. But the Iran Olympian gave up a point in the second period and Yildirim got the gut from par terre to lead 3-1 even as a surprised Mirzazadeh tried hard to score. He managed to push Yildirim after the gut wrench but could not score two more points which would have helped him win.

"It was very bad. I can't explain what happened there but I hope that I will be better at the World Championships," Mirzazadeh said.

The Bolat Turlykhanov Cup in Almaty was the first step towards selecting the team for World Championships for Iran but now it may need to find another path.

Although Mirzazadeh defeated Yousofi, missing the gold medal proves that he has the chinks in the armor which may push Iran coaches to rethink their selection.

For Yildirim, it will be a tough road to Belgrade as well as he has to go through four-time world champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR) to earn the spot on the team.

"I am ready to work hard to get the 130kg spot in the national team and I believe I will get it," he said. "We are glad that we have such an amazing wrestler as Kayaalp on our national team. The younger generation can take him as an example."

Kerem KAMAL (TUR)Kerem KAMAL (TUR) won the 63kg gold medal in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Another Turkey star who claimed the gold medal in Almaty was European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR).

The three-time U20 world champ moved up a weight class to 63kg after winning the European Championships and came home with the second gold in two months as he won the 63kg weight class in dominating fashion.

He was drawn on the same side of the bracket as world silver medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and the two clashed in the quarterfinals. Sharshenbekov began on strong and got the first points with a takedown. But Kamal that behind and scored a four-pointer from par terre to lead 5-2 at the break.

Kamal scored four points in the second period to Sharshenbekov's one to claim a 9-3 win his first Ranking Series gold medal this year.

"The Asian wrestlers are the strongest opponents for me and Zholaman [Sharshenbekov] is a very tough opponent as well," Kamal said. "It was a great experience for me to wrestle him at 63kg here."

The two had earlier met five years ago in the U20 World Championships final in Tampere which Kamal won 12-3.

"It was an amazing match against Zholaman," he said. "Five years ago, back in 2017, we wrestled in the U20 World final. I am so happy I won today. With the help of God, I will achieve good results."

In the final, he hammered Bagylan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ) 11-0 after two big throws for four points each from par terre.

With a great start to the year, Kamal now wants to win his first senior world medal and is focused on achieving that result in Belgrade, exactly 100 days from Thursday.

"Today [Thursday] I found out that there are 100 days left for the World Championships, that's why it's important to stay in a good shape, continue the training, and get ready for the World Championships."

Turkey collected its third gold medal through two-time world champion Metehan BASAR (TUR) as he defeated Mahdi FALLAH (IRI) with a first-period fall.

Basar, with the retirement of Cenk ILDIM (TUR), moved up to the 97kg weight class after a decade at 87kg and has begun well with gold at the Ranking Series event.

Abror ATABAEV (UZB)The match winning move from Abror ATABAEV (UZB) against world champion Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) in the 67kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

New star

On a giant-killing spree in Almaty, Abror ATABAEV (UZB) first spoiled the return of Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) and later pinned Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) with ease to win the 67kg gold medal.

The 19-year-old left the arena with a number of new fans as they requested Atabaev for photos after he won his first senior-level gold medal.

In the semifinal against Dalkhani, Atabev was trailing 3-1 with five seconds left when he locked the world champion and pulled off a throw to get two points and win 3-3. Dalkhani had his arms locked in an uncomfortable position and landed on his left arm which got injured during the move.

"I am still at the U20 level so this is completely different," Atabaev said. "The wrestling style of the opponents, their technique and strength are completely different. But I could win today."

The 2018 U17 world champion, who was introduced to wrestling by his father when he was four years old, said that he had prepared well for the bout against Dalkhani and remembered to wrestle until the end.

"He is a World champion and is very strong," he said. "I was getting ready for the match as the one who wasn't expected to win. But I proved to everyone that I deserve it. My coaches helped me to understand his wrestling, so I could win at the last second because I always wrestle till the very end."

Poya DAD MARZ (IRI)Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) won the 55kg gold medal in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran did collect three gold medals out of the seven that were on offer on day one of the competition.

Another junior world champion from 2017 Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) secured the first gold of the night as he defeated Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) 4-2 in a tense final at 55kg. The U23 World silver medalist got the first point for Mukashev's passivity and then got a gut wrench from par terre.

However, when he was trying a second gut wrench, Dad Marz got stuck midway through the roll and Mukashev tried securing a fall via headlock. But Dad Marz quickly got to safety. In the second period, Mukashev was again called passive but instead of asking for a par terre, Dad Marz was happy to resume the bout from standing. He defended his 4-2 lead till the clock expired.

Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI)Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) outscored his opponents 27-0 to win the gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The second gold was secured by Ali Reza NEJATI who won the 60kg weight class.

In an all-Iran final, Nejati dominated compatriot Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) to win the gold medal. He pulled off a four-point throw from par terre after getting a point for Naserpour's passivity. He later scored a stepout to lead 6-0 at the break.

In the second period, he was awarded another point for inactivity and finished the bout with an exposure throw for two points. The Tokyo Olympian competed for the first time since finishing with a bronze medal at the U23 World Championships in November last year.

Overall, he outscored his opponents 27-0 in the three bouts he wrestled to win the gold.

Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI)Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI) won the 87kg gold in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

The final gold for Iran was won by Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI) as he defeated Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO) 2-1 in the 87kg final.

The bout began with some aggressive wrestling by the two but the Iranian was called passive and as Rikadze tried to get a roll going, he got caught on his back which gave Taherisartang the two points. The second period saw a lot of action but no scoring move as Rikadze suffered a close loss.

Results

55kg
GOLD: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) df. Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ), 4-3

BRONZE: Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) df. Arjun HALAKURKI (IND), 13-4
BRONZE: Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) df. Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO), 14-5

60kg 
GOLD: Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) df. Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI), 9-0

BRONZE: Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) df. Firuz MIRZORADZHABOV (TJK), 4-2
BRONZE: Mukhammadkodir YUSUPOV (UZB) df. Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB), via fall

63kg
GOLD: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df Bagylan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ), 11-0

BRONZE: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ), via inj. def.
BRONZE: NEERAJ (IND) df. Ahmet UYAR (TUR), via fall

67kg
GOLD: Abror ATABAEV (UZB) df. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO), via fall

BRONZE: Madiyar MALTEKBAYEV (KAZ) df. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), 9-6
BRONZE: Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) df. Meysam DALKHANI (IRI), via inj. def.

87kg
GOLD: Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI) df. Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO), 2-1

BRONZE: A. AZISBEKOV (KGZ) df. Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ), 6-5
BRONZE: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) df. Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ), 3-1

97kg 
GOLD: Metehan BASAR (TUR) df. Mahdi FALLAH (IRI), via fall

BRONZE: Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) df. Umalt DAUDOV (KAZ), 10-2
BRONZE: Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) df. Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), 7-4

130kg
GOLD: Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) df. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), 3-2
 
BRONZE: Aliakbar YOUSOFI (IRI) df. SATISH (IND), 9-0
BRONZE: Anton SAVENKO (KAZ) df. Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ), 6-1

#WrestleParis

10 seeded showdowns we need to see at Paris 2024 (No. 6-10)

Wednesday, July 17, 2024 - 14:29 By Eric Olanowski

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PARIS, France (July 17) – We’re still a few weeks out from the Paris 2024 draws taking place on August 4. However, with the release of the top eight seeds per style, we can start to project potential matches that could take place as early as the quarterfinals.

SCHEDULE | PARIS 2024 EVENT PAGE 

The top eight Ranking Series point collectors from the 2023 World Championships, 2024 Continental Championships, and the Croatian and Hungarian Ranking Series events earned a top eight seed. The remaining eight wrestlers will be randomly drawn into their respective brackets.

Here are the top ten matches that we could see between seeded wrestlers from the quarterfinals on:

10. WW 68kg QUARTERFINAL - No. 3 Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) vs. No. 6 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)
Koumba Larroque has been a prominent figure in French wrestling since her bronze medal at the 2017 World Championships at just 19 years old. Now in the prime of her career, she’s France’s best shot at a medal.

Larroque’s path to an Olympic medal will be bumpy, to say the least. She’s the third-seeded athlete in a bracket with six world champions and includes a potential quarterfinal clash with  familiar foe No. 6 Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR).

Larroque and Oborududu met twice in their career, splitting their pair of previous encounters.

Oborududu won their opening meeting at the 2020 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event, but Larroque returned the favor a year later at the Poland Open, evening the score at 1-1.

If Larroque and Oborududu win their first match, their third career meeting would take place August 5 in the 68kg quarterfinals.

9.  FS 65kg SEMIFINAL –  No. 2 Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) vs. No. 3 Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN)
Amouzad and Musukaev are nightmare opponents for each other and are stylistically opposites.

Amouzad, the 65kg world champ from two years ago, is a guy who wants to close the gap with his right-side underhook and fill as much space as possible. Conversely, Musukaev, the reigning 65kg world champion, wants as much space as possible to flow freely.

In their first meeting—the semifinals of the 2022 World Championships-- Musukaev fell victim to Amouzad’s pace and was shut out 6-0. In their second matches—the semifinals of the 2023 World Championships—Musukaev weathered the first period storm, saved enough energy for a last-ditch effort and stole the world finals spot, 6-5, with less than 10 seconds remaining.

If Amouzad and Musukaev meet for a third time, it’ll be on August 10 in 65kg semifinals.

8. 57kg SEMIFINAL – No. 2 Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) vs. No. 3  Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR)
The Nichita and Adekuoroye rivalry is one that dates back to the 2019 World Championships but has since changed hands from their pre-COVID meeting.

The seasoned vet Adekuoroye is an anomaly in the wrestling world. Her style can’t be mimicked or replicated. She’s the tallest and lengthiest 57kg wrestler in the world but has also learned to use her leverage to become one of the most powerful wrestlers in the weight.

Adekuoroye’s unique style gave Nichita fits in their first meeting, as the four-time world medalist opened their three-match series with a dominant 10-0 win.

But Nichita carried what she learned from their first meeting into their next matches and had her hand raised on subsequent occasions.

In Tokyo, Nichita fell behind early but capitalized on an uncharacteristic Adekuoroye’s mistake and picked up a dramatic come-from-behind fall while trailing 8-2. Their next meeting came at the 2023 World Championships, where Nichita doubled Adekuoroye before ending the match in the first period with a left-sided trap arm gut, 10-0.

The fourth meeting between Nichita and Adekuoroye will take place August 8 in the 57kg semifinals.

7. GR 67kg QUARTERFINAL – No. 2 Luis ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB) vs. No. 7 Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI)
If there were ever a lesson from losing a match, Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) certainly learned it the hard way.

Earlier this year at the Hungarian Open Ranking Series event, Esmaelil led reigning Olympic champion Orta, 7-5, with 0.4 seconds left in the match.

But before we get to the ending of the match, it’s important to note that Esmaeili was in a domestic battle with reigning Olympic gold medalist Reza GERAEI (IRI) for Iran’s 67kg Paris Olympic spot. If Esmaeili beat Orta, he cemented his spot on Iran’s Olympic team. If he lost, Esmaeili and Geraei would go to a three-match wrestle off and the winner goes to Paris.

Now, circling back to the match: With less than a second to go in the match, Esmaeili began celebrating as he thought the clock expired.

During Esmaeili’s lapse of judgement, Orta, being the experienced guy, continued to wrestle through the whistle. Orta took a peek at the clock, saw there was still time left, locked up a throw and picked up four points, stealing the match, 9-7.

Esmaeili will try to get his revenge on Orta August 7 in the 67kg quarterfinals.

*Esmaeili ended up beating Geraei in two straight matches to earn the Olympic spot.

6. WW 57kg SEMIFINAL - No. 1 Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) vs. No. 5 Helen MAROULIS (USA)
Through the first two meetings between Sakurai and Maroulis, it’s been a one-sided affair. Sakurai is 2-0 against Maroulis, outscoring the Rio Olympic champion, 9-0, while picking up four offensive takedowns and not surrendering a single point.

Sakurai and Maroulis’ meeting at the 2022 World Championships was a slow-paced match, where the Japanese wrestler did enough to win but didn’t really establish her dominance.

That came in the second match.

In their second meeting, the biggest difference was Sakurai’s tatical use of her right hand when tied up with Maroulis. She used it to score three takedowns—one from an underhook front headlock, one from a underhook throw-by and the final one coming from a two-on-one—besting the American, 6-0.

The third meeting between Sakurai and Maroulis would take place August 8 in the 57kg semifinals.

Wrestling at the Paris Olympic Games starts Agust 5-11 and can be followed on www.uww.org.