#wrestlenursultan

Burroughs Survives Scares to Stay on Collision Course with Chamizo at 74kg

By Ken Marantz

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept. 20)---For four-time world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), the result is all that matters. So it was no problem shrugging off the bullets that he dodged to remained on a collision course with rival Frank CHAMIZO (ITA).

Burroughs survived two close wins before beating Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) 8-1 to advance to the freestyle 74kg semifinals, where he will face reigning world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) in the night session on Day 7 of the World Championships.

“I don’t think anyone cares about the score, they just care about me getting my hand raised,” Burroughs said about posting his easiest win in the quarterfinals.

Earlier, Burroughs scored 3 late points to win 11-10 in a roller-coaster victory over Azamat NURYKAU (BLR) in his opening match in the second round. Then, he trailed 4-0 against Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN) before scoring a 4-point takedown and winning 6-4. 

“It’s like that sometimes,” said Burroughs, who won a bronze medal a year ago in Budapest. “Sometimes you win big, sometimes you survive. But I think the name of the game at this level is survive and advance, move on to the next round.”

By making the semifinals, Burroughs also clinched a berth for the United States at Tokyo 2020, where he will aim to regain the Olympic title he won at London 2012. The top six finishers in each of the Olympic weight class secure spots for their country at Tokyo 2020.

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) locked up the United States' spot at 74kg after defeating Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE) in the quarterfinals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

“It’s good for our country, but it’s not really of any benefit to me,” Burroughs said. “I still have to wrestle at the Olympic trials to make the team. It’s a beautiful thing. One less tournament to worry about next year.”

Burroughs’ rival, two-time world champion Chamizo, advanced to the semifinals with a victory by fall over Asian champion Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ). He will face Zelimkhan KHADIEV (FRA), who knocked off 2018 silver medalist Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) by fall in the second round.

Another showdown was looming at 125kg, where two-time reigning champion Geno PETRAIASHIVILI (GEO) and Taha AKGAL (TUR), winner of the three titles before that, both eased into the semifinals.

Petriashvili, who chalked up a pair of technical fall victories, will face Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR). Akgal, the Rio 2016 champion who beat Petriashvili at this year’s European Championships, will take on 2018 world silver medalist DENG Zhiwei (CHN)

 At the non-Olympic 7okg, 2017 world silver medalist Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) scored a takedown with just over a minute to go to secure a 3-3 victory on criteria over last year’s runner-up, Adam BATIROV (BRN).

Gadzhiev will face 2018 world U23 silver medalist David BAEZ (RUS), while Asian champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) will take on Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI), a bronze medalist in Xi’an, China, last April, in the semifinals. 

Defending champion J’den COX (USA) earned a place in the final our at 92kg against Irakli MTSITURI (GEO). The other semifinal pits 2018 bronze medalist and Asian champion Alireza KARAMIMACHIANI (IRI) against Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS).

The repechage rounds in weight classes started the previous day provided high drama in themselves, particularly for Japan, as those emerging to gain spots in the bronze-medal matches in the night session also clinched a spot for their country at Tokyo 2020.

Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), the defending world champion, defeated three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE), 11-9, to reach the 65kg bronze-medal bout. (Photo: Kadira Caliskan)

Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), the defending champion who lost to Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) in the third round in a very tough lower bracket at 65kg, survived a battle royale with three-time world champion, Haji ALIYEV (AZE), withstanding two late caution penalties in forging out an 11-9 win.

Otoguro then secured the Tokyo 2020 spot for Japan by beating Haji ALI (BRN) 6-1. A victory in the third-place match over Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) would clinch the Olympic berth for himself, in accordance with Japan federation criteria.

Olympic and two-time world champion Sara DOSHO (JPN) also earned a shot at a bronze and a confirmed place at Tokyo 2020 when she won 2-2 on last-point criteria in her women’s 68kg repechage match over Blessing OBORODUDU (NGR). 

Yukako KAWAI (JPN), the 2018 silver medalist, followed suit with two victories at 62kg to move closer to joining older sister Risako, the champion at 57kg, on the Japanese Olympic team. 

With her sister and mother encouraging her from the stands, Kawai got a second-period takedown to clinch a 2-0 victory over Yuliia TKACH OSTAPCHUK (UKR) and make the third-place playoff.

“After I lost yesterday, my opponent advanced to the final, so my sister said I have been given another chance, and I have to think positively because it may not come again,” Kawai said. 

Meanwhile, Serbia was assured of its first-ever Olympian in freestyle when Steven MICIC (SRB) made one of the bronze-medal matches at 57kg. 

Micic is part of the group of U.S-born wrestlers with dual nationality who train at the University of Michigan in a program under the leadership of Russian legend Sergey BELAGLAZOV. 

Day 7 Pairings

Freestyle

57kg (34 entries)
Gold – Suleyman ATLI (TUR) vs Zavur UGUEV (RUS)
Bronze – Stevan MICIC (SER) vs Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ)
Bronze – Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI) vs Kumar RAVI (IND)

65kg (44 entries)
Gold – Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) vs Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS)
Bronze – Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) vs Bajrang PUNIA (IND)
Bronze – Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) vs Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN)

70kg (30 entries)
Semifinal – Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) vs David BAEZ (RUS) 
Semifinal – Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI vs Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)

74kg (39 entries)
Semifinal – Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) vs Zelimkhan KHADIEV (FRA) 
Semifinal – Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) vs Jordan BURROUGHS (USA)

92kg (18 entries)
Semifinal – J’den COX (USA) vs Irakli MTSITURI (GEO) 
Semifinal – Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) vs Alireza KARAMIMACHIANI (IRI)

125kg (28 entries)
Semifinal – Geno PETRAIASHIVILI (GEO) vs Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) 
Semifinal – Taha AKGAL (TUR) vs DENG Zhiwei (CHN)

Women’s Wrestling 

62kg (34 entries)
Gold – Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) vs Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
Bronze – Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) vs Marianna SASTIN (HUN)
Bronze – Yukako KAWAI (JPN) vs KIM Jong Sim (PRK)

68kg (32 entries)
Gold – Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) vs Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA)
Bronze – Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL) vs Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR)
Bronze – Sara DOSHO (JPN) vs Anna SCHELL (GER)

#WrestleBaku

European OG Qualifier: Greco-Roman Paris 2024 qualification bouts set

By United World Wrestling Press

BAKU, Azerbaijan (April 5) -- European OG Qualifier kicks off in Baku, Azerbaijan with Greco-Roman. Six Olympic weight classes will run through on day one with 12 Olympic spots on offer. The six weight classes are -- 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg, 97kg and 130kg.

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WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | GRECO-ROMAN PREVIEW

Here are the Paris 2024 qualification bouts for the evening session

60kg
Victor CIOBANU (MDA) vs. Hleb MAKARANKA (AIN)
Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (AIN) vs. Enes BASAR (TUR)

67kg
Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) vs Parviz NASIBOV (UKR)
Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) vs. Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA)

77kg
Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) vs. Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR)
Zoltán LÉVAI (HUN) vs. Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN)

87kg
Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) vs. Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB)
Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN) vs. Kiryl MASKEVICH (AIN)

97kg
Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) vs. Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER)
Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) vs. Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU)

130kg
Jello KRAHMER (GER) vs. Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU)
Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) vs Sergei SEMENOV (AIN)

15:05: Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN) ends Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) entertaining campaign with a 10-2 win at 87kg. He will wrestle in the semifinals later tonight 

14:50: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (AIN) beats Leri ABULADZE (GEO) 4-0 and will move into the semifinals at 60kg. Abuladze was called passive in both periods and Allakhiarov scored a turn as well, winning 4-0.

14:40: Alexandru GUTU (MDA) will wrestle in the 77kg as he beats Adlet TIULIUBAEV (AIN) 5-3 in the quarterfinals. Tiuliubaev scored only one turn from par terre in the second period and failed to get the lead.

14:35: Enes BASAR (TUR) dashes the hopes of local fans as he beats European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) 3-1 in the 60kg quarterfinals. He will be wrestling in the semifinals later today

14:30: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) doesn't leave anything to chance this time. He gets a chest wrap and rolls to a 9-0 win over Mihail BRADU (MDA) and moves into the semifinal at 87kg against European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB).

14:20: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) with another quick win at 60kg. He beats Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU) 14-0 and moves into the semifinal for the evening session.

14:10: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) hits a front five-pointer over Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) before finishing the bout 11-0. He reaches the 77kg semifinals.

14:00: European champion Sergei SEMENOV (AIN) with a 1-1 win over Heiki NABI (EST) at 130kg. He moves into the semifinals for the evening session. One more win to earn a Paris 2024 quota

13:45: Is that the upset of the tournament so far? Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER) beats European silver medalist Magomed MURTAZALIEV (AIN) 1-1 in the 97kg 1/8 finals. The result means that Murtazaliev will not be able to win a Paris 2024 quota from Baku

13:30: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) wastes no time beating Melkamu FETENE (ISR) 11-0 and advancing to the quarterfinals at 60kg. Typical Ciobanu big throws.

13:25: Two Norway wrestlers advance to the quarterfinals. Felix BALDAUF (NOR) beats Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) 7-1 at 97kg and Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) wins 9-0 against Martynas NEMSEVICIUS (LTU) at 87kg

13:20: Local star and European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) on the mat for his first bout at 60kg. He is taking on Oleksii MASYK (UKR).  The first par terre advantage goes to Mammadli and he scores four. But Masyk manages to block the second attempt and gets a point for stepout. Mammadli leads 5-1 at the break. Maysk with a par terre advantage in the second period but no points were scored. Mammadli leads 5-2 and will win with that score.

13:15: Leri ABULADZE (GEO) with an effortless 9-1 win over Razvan ARNAUT (ROU). He scores all his points in the second period from par terre to win.

12:55: Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) would be kicking himself as he let go of a 5-0 lead against Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) and lost 7-5. Huklek got the first par terre advantage and two for caution as Komarov blocked his attack. He scored a turn to lead 5-0. But in the second period, Komarov brought out his gut wrench and won 7-5.

12:45: Selcuk CAN (TUR) cannot catch a break from come-from-behind victories. From the brink of defeat, he wins 10-7 against Ruslan BICHURIN (AIN) at 67kg. Bichurin scored three turns from par terre to lead 7-0 but as he was going for a fourth, Can blocked him and tried a pin. Bichurin fouled and was cautioned. Can, from par terre, scored a throw to make the score 7-6. In the second period, Can hit a four-pointer to win 10-7

12:30: Two wrestlers returning from shoulder surgeries, Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) and Islam ABBASOV (AZE) at 87kg. Bisultanov gets blocked in par terre and Abbasov gets a 2-1 lead. Bisultanov gets close to scoring a takedown twice in the second period but he gets called passive. Abbasov leads 3-1 and scores three turns from par terre to win 9-1. Denmark challenges the call and on review, Abbasov is seen grabbing the singlet. Abbasov's lead back to 3-1. Bisultanov with a takedown to take a 3-3 criteria lead. He scores another takedown and extends the lead to 5-3 and will finish the bout with a win.

12:20: Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) is up against Abu AMAEV (BUL) and gets the first par terre advantage. He scores two turns to lead 5-0. Amaev gets the advantage in the second period but fails to score. Nasibov leads 5-1. He wins with the same score to advance at 67kg.

12:00: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) is now in the quarterfinals at 77kg. He beats Oldrich VARGA (CZE) 4-1 and is now two wins away from a Paris 2024 spot. On Mat C, the European champion at 130kg Sergei SEMENOV (AIN) beats Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (AIN) 4-0.

11:50: Alexandru GUTU (MDA) is on Mat B against Patryk BEDNARZ (POL) and he gets his trademark front headlock four-pointer to lead 5-0 at the break. He gets another point for offense in the second period and wins 6-0.

11:35: A 5-1 victory for Leri ABULADZE (GEO) at 60kg. The 63kg world champion is hoping to qualify Georgia for the Paris Games at the new weight class.

11:30: Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) takes out Alex SZOKE (HUN) with a 1-1 win. The wrestlers exchanged passivity points and Kakhelashvili got the advantage in the second period to claim the win

11:19: Two friends Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) and Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) up against each other at 87kg. Sterkenburg leads 1-1 at the break but Mukubu takes a 2-1 lead before adding a takedown and roll for a 6-1 victory.

10:55: Selcuk CAN (TUR) and Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) are coming on Mat C. Sleiva with a four-pointer to begin the match but Can answers with one of his own. Can with a lift but Sleiva blocks his second action and gets two points. Can scores a takedown to take a 6-6 lead at the break. Can scores a takedown but Sleiva asks for a break. Sleiva challenges but the takedown is confirmed and he takes a 9-6 lead with 23 seconds left. Can will advance to the next round.

10:42: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) gets his campaign going with a 7-4 win over Riccardo ABBRESCIA (ITA) at 77kg. On Mat C, Deni NAKAEV (GER) drops his first bout to Ilie COJOCARI (ROU) and France's 72kg world champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) fails to advance after a 5-1 loss to Adlet TIULIUBAEV (AIN).

10:30: Welcome to the European OG Qualifier in Baku. The competition will run on three mats with the winners of the semifinals qualifying their nations for the Paris Olympic Games. There will be no repechage, bronze or gold-medal bouts.