#wrestlenursultan

Borrero Caps Amazing Run to Greco 67kg Title by Dethroning Surkov

Monday, September 16, 2019 - 18:34 By Ken Marantz

Share this article

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept. 16) --- Ismael BORRERO (CUB) had one last world champion to vanquish, and this one happened to be the reigning one. Now it’s the Cuban who occupies the throne again going into an Olympic year. 

Borrero, the Rio 2016 Olympic champion, capped a spectacular run at the World Championships by capturing the Greco-Roman 67kg title with a 3-1 victory in the final over defending champion Artem SURKOV (RUS).

The victims that Borrero left in his wake en route to the gold reads like a Who’s Who of the weight class – three-time world champion Frank STAEBLER (GER), two-time champion and Olympic medalist RYU Hansu (KOR), and rising star Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY).

“So many champions…I wrestled with focus and tried my best to win,” said the 27-year-old Borrero, who lost in the third round at last year’s World Championships in Budapest.

The final offered little respite in the form of Surkov. But Borrero was up to the task, scoring a 2-point exposure in the par terre position in the first period, then holding off Surkov’s attempts when he was placed on bottom in the second period.  

“I’m a lot stronger this year than the last two years,” Borrero said. “I’ve worked on some techniques, but mostly on my strength. The strength is important because of the bigger weight.”

Borrero won his last world championship at 59kg in 2015, then followed that by taking home the gold the following year from the Rio Olympics. That’s a pattern he would like to repeat at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. 

“It was very important [to win tonight],” he said. “I’ve been a champion at 59[kg] and now I’m champion at 67.”

Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) improved on his 2018 world silver medal by edging Viktor LORINCZ (HUN), 2-1, in the 87kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Like Borrero, Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) regained the world title he last won in 2015, as the 2018 silver medalist moved back to the top of the podium at 87kg by grinding out a 2-1 win over Viktor LORINCZ (HUN). 

“It was a difficult match because Viktor Lorincz is a very strong guy,” Beleniuk said. “It was a very hard match for me and I’m so happy I could win because I worked so hard to get first place.”

 All points in the final were scored for passivity, and Beleniuk received the decisive second one in the second period to defeat Lorincz, a two-time world bronze medalist in 2013-14. Earlier in the session, Lorincz saw older brother Tamas advance to Tuesday’s final at 77kg.

With the top six wrestlers in each of the Olympic weight classes earning spots for their country at Tokyo 2020, Beleniuk set a minimum goal of clinching a spot. The “maximum,” naturally, was winning the world gold. 

But that wasn’t the only reason he wanted to capture the title. Beleniuk has been serving as a deputy to Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, advising him on sports matters, and there has been criticism of his splitting time between his government position and his preparation for the world championships. 

“In Ukraine, some people criticize me [about the two roles], so it was very important to win here and show the people that I can do both,” said Beleniuk, a silver medalist at both Budapest 2018 and Rio 2016.

Musa EVLOEV (RUS) won his second consecutive world title with an injury default over Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) in the 97kg finals.(Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Meanwhile, Musa EVLOEV (RUS) retained his world title at 97kg without having to break a sweat, as final opponent Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) was forced to default due a rib injury suffered during the tournament. 

Evloev’s ascendance has heralded a changing-of-the-guard in the weight class, as Aleksanyan had been the dominant force, winning world and Olympic golds from 2014 to 2017.

Evloev beat the Armenian in the semifinals last year in Budapest, avenging a loss to Aleksanyan in their first-ever meeting, in the final of the 2017 World Championships in Paris. 

The Russian said he had been looking forward to their latest clash, and was not aware that he would win by default until the two wrestlers took the mat for the official decision. 

“I didn’t know until the last seconds,” Evloev said. “Artur is a good friend, but on the mat, he is a strong opponent. I was really waiting for this.”

Frank STAEBLER (GER) rebounded to win a bronze medal after falling to eventual champion Ismael BORRERO (CUB). (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

In the third-place matches, Germany and Serbia both came away with a pair of bronze medals. 

Staebler fell behind 5-0 to Elsayed at 67kg, but, helped by a 2-point fleeing penalty, came back for a 6-5 victory that he clinched with a stepout with :49 left. The other bronze went to Mate NEMES (SRB), who overwhelmed Fredrik BJERREHUUS (DEN) by 10-0 technical fall.

At 87kg, Rio 2016 bronze medalist Denis KUDLA (GER) and Asian champion Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) both added bronzes to world silvers they had previously won. Kudla edged Mikalai STADUB (BLR), while Assakalov defeated Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ) 6-2.

Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) and Cenk ILDEM (TUR) earned the bronzes at 97kg, with the former topping Tadeuz MICHALIK (POL) by 9-1 technical fall and the latter beating Giorgi MELIA (GEO) 4-1.

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN).will take on returning world champion Sergey EMELIN (RUS) in the60kg finals on Tuesday night. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Emelin, Fumita set up clash between current, former champs in 60kg final 
Earlier in the night session, the semifinals were held in the remaining three Greco weight classes, and defending champion Sergey EMELIN (RUS) set up a battle for the 60kg gold with his predecessor, Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN).

Emelin capped a near-perfect performance with his fourth straight technical fall of the day, easily beating Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) by 8-0 in 4:30. That was only three seconds longer than the time it took for Fumita to oust Alireza NEJATI (IRI) by a 10-1 score. 

Fumita, coming off a disappointing third-place finish at the Asian Championships, scored eight points from the par terre position in the second period in his latest solid performance of the tournament. 

“I didn’t allow him to lock me up [from the standing position], and I was able to resist being rolled [from par terre], so it was a good showing,” Fumita said. 

For Fumita, by being assured of at least a silver medal, clinched a place for himself at the Olympics in his homeland. The Japan federation has decreed that any wrestler winning a medal in Nur-Sultan in an Olympic weight class automatically fills that spot at Tokyo 2020, without any further qualification process. 

“I’m really riding high right now, but I need to overcome this joy with a full effort in tomorrow’s match,” he said.

Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) will try to outperform his brother, who fell in the Greco-Roman finals on Monday night when he wrestles Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) for world gold on Tuesday night.

The 77kg final will pit Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) against Alex KESSIDIS (SWE). Lorincz broke some Kazakhstan hearts when he ousted Ashkat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ), 1-1, as his passivity point came last. Kessidis scored a 4-point throw with 1:25 left to stun Karapet CHALYAN (ARM) 5-2.

At 130kg, Riza KAYAALP (TUR) will add to his extensive world medal collection after advancing to the final with an untroubled 4-1 win over Eduard POPP (GER). He will face Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB), who defeated Amir GHASEMI (IRI), 6-2.

Dating back to 2009, Kayaalp has three world golds, two silvers and two bronzes. That’s not to mention his two Olympic medals---a silver in 2016 and bronze in 2012.

Day 3 results

Greco-Roman

60kg (39 entries)
Semifinal – Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df, Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) by TF, 8-0, 4:30
Semifinal – Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) df. Alireza NEJATI (IRI) by TF, 10-1, 4:27

67kg (41 entries)
Gold – Ismael BORRERO (CUB) df. Artem SURKOV (RUS), 3-1 
Bronze –Mate NEMES (SRB) df. Fredrik BJERREHUUS (DEN) by TF, 10-0, 1:47
Bronze – Frank STAEBLER (GER) df. Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY), 6-5

77kg (38 entries)
Semifinal – Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) df. Karapet CHALYAN (ARM), 5-2
Semifinal – Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) df. Ashkat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ), 1-1

87kg (39 entries)
Gold – Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) df. Viktor LORINCZ (HUN), 2-1  
Bronze – Denis KUDLA (GER) df. Mikalai STADUB (BLR), 2-1 
Bronze – Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) df. Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ), 6-2 

97kg (37 entries)
Gold – Musa EVLOEV (RUS) df, Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) by DEF.
Bronze – Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) df. Tadeuz MICHALIK (POL) by TF, 9-1, 4:40 
Bronze – Cenk ILDEM (TUR) df. Giorgi MELIA (GEO), 4-1

130kg (31 entries)
Semifinal – Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) df. Amir GHASEMI (IRI), 6-2 
Semifinal – Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Eduard POPP (GER), 4-1

#WrestleParis

Wrestling at Paris 2024: Susaki, Makhmudov stunned; Aleksanyan vs Rosillo rematch

Tuesday, August 6, 2024 - 08:35 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

Share this article

PARIS -- The Olympic Games enter day two of wrestling at the Champs de Mars arena with Greco-Roman 77kg and 97kg and Women's Wrestling 50kg. Yui SUSAKI (JPN) is hoping to defend her title from Tokyo which she won without conceding a point. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) is looking for his second title as well with the first coming in Rio.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 DAY 1

13:30: That is the end of the morning session! Mohamed GABR (EGY) is into the semifinal by beating Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) 4-1. On a day of upset, count that one as well.

13:19: The shocks continue as Mariya STADNIK (AZE) sees her bid for an elusive Olympic gold end when two-time world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) scores a pair of takedowns in the final minute for a stunning 4-4 victory on big-point criteria. Dolgorjav went into the match a bit fresher after receiving a first-round forfeit from Emanuela LIUZZI (ITA), and she used her reserves to secure what proved to be the winning takedown with 28 seconds left. Stadnik challenged for eye poke which was confirmed on challenge but Dolgorjav still had criteria

13:18: Returning bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) with a technical superiority win over Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) and he is moving into the semifinal at 97kg.

13:15: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) is into the Greco 77kg semifinals after beating Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) 1-1 on last-point criteria. Levai was put in par terre first, then held out when on the bottom in the second.

13:08: Tokyo bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) scrapes out a well-earned 7-4 victory over Ziqi FENG (CHN) to advance to the women's 50kg semifinals. Feng opens with a double-leg takedown that Hildebrandt reverses for 1, then goes ahead with shrug-by takedown. The two trade takedowns as the American goes into the break with a slim 5-4 lead. In the second period, she clinches the win with a takedown with :40 left.

13:05: Another star has fallen! World champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) saw his bid to become his country's first-ever gold medalist end with a 3-1 loss to Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ). Makhmudov got the chance in par terre first, but a series of rolls were nullified on challenge for leg use. In the second period, Zhadrayev applied a vicious front headlock from par terre and threw the Tokyo silver medalist for 2.

13:08: World champion Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) was in some trouble against Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) but managed to hold his lead and scored a takedown on the counter in the dying seconds of the bout to win 5-2. He moves into the semifinal at 97kg

12:58: Never count out Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM)! He was down 5-5 on criteria after Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) used two front headlocks to score exposure. But Aleksanyan got behind and threw Assakalov for four to win 9-5

12:57: Yusneylis GUZMAN (CUB) storms into the women's 50kg semifinals with a 10-0 win over Gabija DILYTE (LTU). Guzman arm drags behind for a takedown, then reels off three rolls for an 8-0 lead. Another takedown ends the match with nine seconds left in the first period.

12:49: Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) follows up her monumental win over Yui SUSAKI (JPN) by holding off Oksana LIVACH (UKR) 7-5 in a scrappy women's 50kg quarterfinal. Phogat gets two takedowns and leads 5-2 when Livach puts on a late surge, cutting the gap to 1 with a stepout and a lost challenge. With the clock winding down, Phogat shrugs off a throw attempt for 2, and Livach adds a late stepout.

12:48: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) gets a 2-point throw from par terre in the first period and that holds up for a 3-0 victory over Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) and a spot in the Greco 77kg semifinals.

12:45: Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) gets the par terre the second time and turns Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO), adds a four-pointer and finishes the bout 9-1 at 97kg

12:38: Top seed Nao KUSAKA (JPN) finishes off a 12-2 victory over Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) with a 4-point pancake to snatch his place in tonight's Greco 77kg semifinals.

12:34: Veteran Mariya STADNIK (AZE) begins her quest for a fifth Olympic medal -- hopefully a first gold -- with a 6-2 victory over world bronze medalist Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER). The 35-year-old mother of two gets a takedown-roll combination for a 4-0 lead in the first period, then gets 2 more when she rolls through a headlock attempt in the second.

12:30: Mohamed GABR (EGY) gave no chance to Mihail KAJAIA (SRB). Gabr took a 6-0 lead and then defended the par terre position to win 6-1 and advance at 97kg.

12:25: 2021 world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) gets the passivity points and fights off Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) and an apparent left hamstring injury for a 2-0 victory at Greco 77kg.

12:23: Tokyo bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA)  goes out the backdoor for a takedown against Ibtissem DOUDOU (ALG), then transitions to the lace lock and reels off four rolls for a 10-0 win in 1:34 for a place in the women's 50kg quarterfinals.

12:18: World bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) uses an effective barrel roll for two takedowns of Nada MOHAMED (EGY), scoring a fall after the second one to advance to the women's 50kg quarterfinals.

12:19: Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) with a big four-pointer as he moves past Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU) 5-1 and enters the 97kg quarterfinals.

12:14: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), the world silver medalist in 2022, gets a second-period stepout and that's enough for a 2-1 victory at Greco 77kg over Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), the 2022 world champ at 82kg.

12:08: Yusneylis GUZMAN (CUB) pulls off a thrilling 7-6 victory over Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) at women's 50kg with an exposure during a scramble in the final seconds that took the mat chairman a long time to sort out on challenge. Both wrestlers scored takedowns, only to give up 2-point counters down the stretch.

12:00 Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) with a controlled 4-0 win over Fadi ROUABAH (ALG) and moves into the quarterfinal. He will take on world champion Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) who was not the best off the block but managed to beat Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER) 7-5.

11:56: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), aiming to improve on his silver medal in Tokyo three years ago at Greco 77kg, can't get the turn in par terre, but rides a series of second-period stepouts to a 4-1 victory over Kamal BEY (USA)

11:53: Gabija DILYTE (LTU) uses a 2-on-1 to slam Alisson CARDOZO (COL) to her back and secures the fall at 4:14 to advance at women's 50kg.

11:45: Four-time world medalist Maklhas AMOYAN (ARM) tosses his way to an 8-0 victory at Greco 77kg over Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN). The winning point comes on a lost challenge by the Finnish side.

11:44: Oksana LIVACH (UKR), fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, scores a pair of 4-point takedowns and she advances at women's 50kg with a 10-0 victory over Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB).

11:37: Asian silver medalist Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) gets the second of the passivity points and that's enough to defeat Yosvanys PENA (CUB) 1-1 at Greco 77kg.

11:33: Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) pulls off one of the greatest upsets in Olympic wrestling history, scoring a takedown in the final seconds to stun defending women's 50kg champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) 3-2. It is Susaki's first loss ever in 95 matches against non-Japanese opponents. Phogat stays completely on the defensive throughout the match, giving Susaki both of her points from the activity clock. With the clock running down, Phogat goes on the offensive and knocks Susaki off balance and onto her bottom, then charges ahead for a takedown with :05 left. Japan challenges, but the takedown stands and Susaki is out. 

11:26: Former world silver medalist Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) storms into the quarterfinals at Greco 77kg with a workmanlike 9-0 victory over  Mahmoud ABDELRAHMAN (EGY).

11:24: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) bounces back from her quarterfinal loss to Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) to earn a chance for a bronze medal by defeating Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 6-0 in their women's 68kg repechage match. Ozaki scores two takedowns and a 2-point exposure, but the former 62kg world champion still seems to be struggling with the extra weight.

11:22: A minute and 44 seconds is all Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) needed to get over Seungjun KIM (KOR) at 97kg opening round. He gets four gut wrenches from par terre to win 9-0.

11:20: Top seed Nao KUSAKA (JPN) begins his campaign at Greco 77kg with an impressive 9-0 win over Abd Elrim OUAKALI (ALG). After an early takedown, Kusaka gets a 4-point lift and throw from par terre. Ouakali comes near to scrambling for a takedown, but Kusaka reverses the momentum to score a match-ending takedown.

11:16: Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) uses a four-point throw in his 6-4 win over Kiril MILOV (BUL) at 130kg. He will wrestle for bronze later tonight against Lingzhe DENG (CHN).

11:15: Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) makes short work of Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB) in the other Greco 60kg repechage, rolling to a 10-0 victory. He will take on world champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) for the bronze.

 

11:14: World champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) wins a battle of stepouts in the women's 68kg repechage against Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL), earning a place in the bronze-medal match with a 4-3 win. Both wrestlers had three stepouts, with the deciding point coming when Poland unsuccessfully challenged Tosun's third stepout.

11:10: The action on Mat A gets underway with the first of the two Greco 60kg repechage matches. Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) will get a chance to give Venezuela its first-ever Olympic wrestling medal after scoring two 4-point takedowns in a 12-1 victory over Moamen MOHAMED (EGY). Rodriguez will face Se Ung RI (PRK) for the bronze later tonight. 

11:00:The day two will begin with repechage in GR 60kg and 130kg and WW 68kg. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) is on the mat to wrestle Seungchan LEE (KOR). He wins via technical superiority 9-0 and moves into the bronze medal bout for the evening.