Bullen Gets Revenge to Win U23 World Championship

Thursday, November 15, 2018 - 21:20 By Taylor Miller

BUCHAREST, Romania – Grace BULLEN (NOR) stunned 2018 Senior World champion Ningning RONG (CHN) in the final seconds of the 59 kg gold match of the 2018 U23 World Championships in Bucharest, Romania.

“I’m so thrilled. The last two days have been really amazing with how I’ve technically done in the matches and not only using my physical strength all the time,” Bullen said. “[Beating Rong] means more than winning gold. If I had faced her earlier in the bracket and won that way, I think it would feel as amazing as it does right now.”

Two weeks ago, Bullen and Rong met up in the 57 kg semifinals of the Senior World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, with Rong taking a 12-2 win. This time, Bullen came out on top.

Down 2-1 with 12 seconds left, Rong had Bullen’s leg in the air and the Norweigan whipped her opponent to her back for four points to steal the match, 5-2, and bring the crowd to its feet in the exciting finish.

In addition to her World crown, Bullen now owns a 2014 Cadet World gold, 2014 Youth Olympic Games gold and a 2017 Junior World bronze.

Making history for her country was Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUEZ (CUB), who became the first World champion in women’s freestyle in any age group for Cuba.

Sanchez, a 2017 Junior World silver medalist and 2017 U23 World bronze medalist, won the crown at 68 kg, taking out Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN). Morikawa is a 2018 Junior World bronze medalist and 2016 Cadet World silver winner.

The Cuban shut down Morikawa’s offense and produced a 6-2 decision for the gold medal.

Japan won a pair of World titles on Thursday night.

At 50 kg, Miho IGARASHI (JPN) won her second-consecutive U23 World title, rolling past 2011 Cadet World champion Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RUS) with a 10-0 win.

Miho adds another gold medal to her already impressive resume. She is now a two-time U23 World champion, two-time Junior World champion and 2014 Cadet World champion.

Sokolova earned her fifth World medal, finishing with silver.

Following in her sister’s footsteps, Saki IGARASHI (JPN) won Japan’s second gold medal of the night, defeating 2018 China Open bronze winner Junling OUYANG (CHN) in the 55 kg finals with an 11-1 technical fall.

The win is Saki’s second World championship of the year as she won the Junior World title in Trnava, Slovakia, in September. Saki is also a 2015 Cadet World silver medalist.

Earlier in the night, Japan pushed four other wrestlers into tomorrow’s finals.

Closing out the night was a dominant performance from Paliha PALIHA (CHN), who shut out Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR) with an 11-0 technical fall for the U23 World title at 76 kg.

Finals results

50 kg
GOLD – Miho IGARASHI (JPN) df. Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RUS), 10-0
BRONZE – Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL) df. Turkan NASIROVA (AZE), 10-0
BRONZE – Stefania Claudia PRICEPUTU (ROU) df. Lisa ERSEL (GER), 2-1

55 kg
GOLD – Saki IGARASHI (JPN) df. Junling OUYANG (CHN), 11-1
BRONZE – Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) df. Marina SIMONYAN (RUS), fall
BRONZE – Elena BRUGGER (GER) df. Dominique PARRISH (USA), 14-3

59 kg
GOLD – Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Ningning RONG (CHN), 5-2
BRONZE – Yuzuru KUMANO (JPN) df. Katarzyna MADROWSKA (POL), fall
BRONZE – Olena KREMZER (UKR) df. Alejandra ROMERO BONILLA (MEX), 7-2

68 kg
GOLD – Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), 6-2
BRONZE – Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) df. Khishigmaa MUNKHBAT (MGL), 7-5
BRONZE – Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) df. Chuying TANG (CHN), 2-0

76 kg
GOLD – Paliha PALIHA (CHN) df. Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR), 11-0
BRONZE – Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) df. Catalina AXENTE (ROU), 9-0
BRONZE – Korinahe Jacquia BULLOCK (USA) df. Gracelynn DOOGAN (CAN), 4-1

Semifinal results

53 kg
Momoka KADOYA (JPN) df. Andreea Beatrice ANA (ROU), fall
Milana DADASHEVA (RUS) df. Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR), fall

57 kg
Alexandria Rebekkah TOWN (CAN) df. Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), 15-3
Akie HANAI (JPN) df. Qi ZHANG (CHN), 6-2

62 kg
Yukako KAWAI (JPN) df. Kriszta Tunde INCZE (ROU), 11-0
Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 11-0

65 kg
Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) df. Moa Lena Maria NYGREN (SWE), 8-4
Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) df. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), 13-0

72 kg
Alexandra Nicoleta ANGHEL (ROU) df. Xiaoqian WANG (CHN), 5-3
Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), fall

Team standings
1. Japan – 91
2. China – 75
3. Russia – 57
4. USA – 48
5. Kazakhstan – 36

#WrestleTirana

Paris Olympic medalists in Tirana: An overview

Saturday, February 22, 2025 - 14:24 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (February 22) -- Tirana is quickly becoming a wrestling puller. After the thrilling World Championships in October, the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series will also prove to be a fan-favorite with the depth of field that in taking the mats in Tirana.

Given no further drop outs, 10 Paris Olympic medalists are expected to participate in Tirana including one champion -- Semen NOVIKOV (BUL).

Overall, five medalists are in Freestyle and three in Greco-Roman while two medalists are in Women's Wrestling. Here's a deep dive into the 10 Paris medalists heading to Tirana for the February 26 to March 3 event.

Greco-Roman

Semen NOVIKOV (BUL): Stuck behind Ukraine's legend Zhan BELEBIUK (UKR) at 87kg in Ukraine, Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) switched to Bulgaria. The change of countries brought change of fortunes for Novikov.

A world medal, Olympic qualification and a gold medal in Paris all gave Novikov a just reason to explain his switch. And the run in Paris included wins over David LOSONCIZ (HUN), Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI).

Tirana will test Novikov as some of the biggest names at 87kg are wrestling at the Muhamet Malo and the Olympic champion will be up for it.

Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI) won a silver medalist in his debut Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI): One of the top prospects in Greco-Roman for Iran is Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI). He may have lost the World Championships and Olympic finals but Mohmadipiani should be well settled at 87kg till Los Angeles 2028.

He will get a chance to wrestle Novikov in Tiran, depending on the draw. And a win for Mohmadipiani over Novikov will boost his confidence.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) won a bronze medal at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI): Sometimes the bracket it out like that. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) was stuck behind Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in Tokyo at 130kg. He defeated Kayaalp at the World Championships. But in Paris, he ran into Lopez again.

While he lost, Mirzazadeh captured the bronze medal that he missed in Tokyo. With Lopez retired and Kayaalp unclear about future, Mirzazadeh is undoubtedly the best 130kg wrestler. That is if Fardin HEYDAYATI (IRI) doesn't take his spot.

Tirana will be his first test and Heydayati the second when the two meet domestically.

Grace BULLEN (NOR) won the first wrestling medal at Olympics for Norway. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Women's Wrestling

Grace BULLEN (NOR): At 62kg, Grace BULLEN (NOR) has finally found her mojo. After struggling to qualify at 57kg, she not only qualified but won a bronze medal at 62kg in Paris. She could have well been in the final but Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) produced the move of the tournament to flip over and pin Bullen.

Bullen is also the European champion at this weight and will begin her season in Tirana with a lot of expectations. There will be a few challenges but Bullen will be favorite to win this weight class.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) is a two-time Olympic medalist. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR): Silver medalist at 62kg in Paris, Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) will at 65kg in Tirana. Koliadenko is an underrated wrestler in the world. She has bronze from Tokyo and silver from Paris, a European gold medal and world medals as well. Koliadenko will no doubt be the top wrestlers in Tirana.

In the new Olympic cycle, Koliadenko will take her own time to lean towards 62kg or 68kg as Ukraine's superstar Iryna BONDAR (UKR) is making quick strides. Tirana will give some idea which way Koliadenko leans.

Islam DUDAEV (ALB) won a bronze medal at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Freestyle

Islam DUDAEV (ALB): Albania's history-maker in Paris is wrestling at home. Dudaev won the first-ever medal for Albania in Olympic history in any sport in a thrilling bronze medal bout against Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), pulling off a 13-12 win.

Dudaev had an incredible 2024 in which he also became the European champion at 65kg, qualified for the Paris Games in Istanbul, and etched his name in history.

However, he will have his task cut out in Tirana. Also entered in the field in Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI).

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) is a silver medalist at 65kg from Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI): Among the many superstars that Iran produces, 65kg had to endure a wait long. Amouzad changed that in 2022 when he won the World Championships. He qualified for the Paris Games from the 2023 World Championships but his run was dismal as he did not win a medal.

But come Paris, Amouzad was in red-hot form. He blanked Dudaev and Muszukajev. The final did not go his way as he lost to Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) as his comeback was cut short. Amouzad-Dudaev rematch will be one bout to watch out for.

Chermen VALIEV (ALB) won bronze in a tough 74kg bracket in Paris. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Chermen VALIEV (ALB): Along with Dudaev, Valiev was the other Olympic medalist for Albania. He too will be wrestling at home at 74kg. Valiev had a remarkable run in Istanbul where he qualified for Paris after a win over Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR).

And Valiev almost had a similar in Paris but a challenge turned his victory to defeat against Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), who went on to win the gold medal and Valiev the bronze. Still, Valiev defeated Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) and Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) en route his bronze.

Valiev, in an interview with UWW last year, told that he is ready to avenge his loss to Jamalov however that opportunity will be later in the year.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) won a silver medal in Paris at 97kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO): In an excellent at the Paris Olympics, Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) made it to the 97kg final. He ran into Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) and a failed arm-spin attempt resulted in a pin and Matcharashvili ended up with a silver medal.

The season will begin with Matcharashvili wrestling at 125kg in Tirana but that doesn't mean he will be at 125kg. He wrestled a few times at 125kg last year as well but returned to 97kg. In Tirana, he will face quite a few challenges at the super heavy weight class.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) returned with a silver medal from the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI): One of the top matches of Paris Olympics was the 125kg in which Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI), who has past wins over Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), lost to Petriashvili after getting caught in a gut-wrench. Down 8-0, Zare mounted a comeback but as time ran out, he fell short 10-9.

Zare will be full of motivation to begin his new year with a gold medal. He may not get a hand on Petriashvili soon but Zare must look at the bigger picture of 2028 LA Olympics.

Bullen Gets Revenge to Win U23 World Championship

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Paris Olympic medalists in Tirana: An overview