#WrestleTirana

Elor wins eighth world title, sets sights on Paris Olympics

Friday, October 27, 2023 - 21:38 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (October 27) -- If you were logging in to watch Amit ELOR (USA) compete in the 72kg final of the U23 World Championships, most likely you missed the final. That's because she was lightning fast in winning the bout in mere 21 seconds.

And if you think that was quick, Elor finished her first bout in 16 seconds and the second in 18 seconds. Only her semifinal against Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) was for six minutes. Out of the 24 minutes for four bouts, Elor spent only six minutes and 55 seconds on the mat to win the U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania on Friday.

ALSO READ: Despite nine wrestlers, Japan wins team title

At the age of 19, Amit Elor now holds an impressive record of eight world titles across different age groups, including two senior, two U23, three U20, and one U17 world gold.

While her remarkable stats speak about her dominance on the mat, Elor herself has kept no record of her international wins or scores.

"Maybe I should go over," she says. "We used to do it in high school. And ever since I got into international wrestling, I haven't thought about it as much. But it would be really cool to look back and see how many matches they've had and how many wins and losses. I remember the competitions, but not always every single match unless it was really meaningful."

Amit ELOR (USA)Amit ELOR (USA) used the lace to win her 72kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

For most, the final would mean a lot but for Elor, the semifinal at the U23 World Championships against Choluj was the stand-out match. Choluj managed to stop Elor from scoring a fall or win via technical superiority and lost only 5-0.

"Probably my semi-final had a strong opponent and our styles matched up against each other," she says. "It was kind of similar styles which made it difficult. A lot of hand-fighting. I had some injuries from senior Worlds that made it difficult to hand fight. But I stayed composed and in good position and I was able to win."

The final against Jyoti BERWAL (UWW) was unbelievably one-sided as by the time Berwal could try any move on Elor, the American had laced her for a 10-0 victory.

With that, Elor extended her international career record to 38-1, the one loss coming at the U17 World Championships in 2019. "I'll get it next year," a 16-year-old Elor would say back then. She won the gold at the next U17 Worlds without conceding a point.

"It's not easy," Elor says. "There's so much work involved that leads up to the competition. There's a lot of pressure and I want to do my best and I have high expectations for myself. When you go out there and you wrestle it seems so short and easy but that's just the result of all the work leading up to the competition."

In the lead-up to the U23 Worlds, Elor trained with six-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA), trained at her home in California and also used her experience at the U20 and senior worlds which she called the 'perfect preparation.'

"Training with Adeline has been amazing for me," she says. "I am constantly learning so much from her. Not just about wrestling but about being an athlete and taking care of yourself. She is a very confident, strong person and so I've kind of learned how to think more for myself and what I need as an athlete.

"The two World Championships were perfect preparation for this."

It was the same script last year in which Elor won three world titles, becoming the first from the U.S. to win all the world titles. She just repeated the three-peat.

 

But the season is not over for her. Elor will soon be challenging herself to make the Olympic weight of 68kg (72kg is not an Olympic weight) in her bid to be at Paris 2024. 

"The most important thing for me is that I feel my best when I'm wrestling," she says. "Right now my plan is to drop my weight to 68kg and see how I feel there. That's going to be a big challenge, a different weight."

Elor says she has not reduced weight for a competition. Though she spent her early days in international wrestling at 68kg, that was at the U17 level.

"I was 68kg in 2021, so it's nothing new but it's still been two years," she says. "It's going to be challenging but I'm really excited and I'm ready to do everything I possibly can because it's the Olympic year."

Being at the Olympics will make Elor the second wrestler in the world to win all world titles and also compete at the Games. A gold in Paris will put her next to Yui SUSAKI (JPN), the only wrestler to have won all world titles and the Olympic gold. 

But just to be in Paris, Elor will have a marathon stretch. In the U.S., she will have to first wrestle at the team trials to be at the Pan-Am Olympic Qualifiers in March. If the country qualifies the weight for Paris, Elor will have to go through the Olympic Team Trials in April.

"Unfortunately, 68kg wasn't qualified yet for the Olympics," she says. "There's going to be a wrestle-off in February and whoever wins will go to Pan Ams and try to qualify the weight there. I would really need to work more on my speed and coordination and definitely add more to my arsenal. I'll wrestle in the wrestle-off at 68 and see how I do."

#WrestleParis

Paris 2024 Wrestling: Dake dominates, Zare vs Akgul in semis

Friday, August 9, 2024 - 08:43 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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PARIS (August 9) -- The Paris Olympics is closing towards its end but wrestling is still in full swing here at Champs de Mars Arena. Freestyle action in 74kg and 125kg and Women's Wrestling 62kg. In the evening session, Olympic champions will be crowned in Freestyle 57kg and 86kg and Women's Wrestling 57kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 DAY 4

13:23: In the final freestyle 74kg quarterfinal, Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) prevails in a thriller 6-5 when Chermen VALIEV (ALB) is assessed two penalty points for fleeing in the final seconds, the second one coming on an Uzbekistan challenge after time expired. Jamalov leads 3-2 in the second period when Valiev gets a stepout and takedown for a 5-3 lead. Jamalov gets a stepout with 1:05 left, then goes on the offensive, resulting in the first fleeing penalty. That still leaves him behind on big-point criteria, and his late aggressiveness pays off when the challenge gives him the winning point.

13:14: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) had her hands full with Ana GODINEZ (CAN) in their women's 62kg quarterfinal, but once she got the lace lock in the second period, it was all over for the Canadian. Limited to an activity point and running out of time on a late takedown attempt in the first period, Motoki finally struck with a single-leg takedown. She then wrapped up the ankles and reeled off four rolls for an 11-0 win.

13:09: Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) earns his place in the freestyle 74kg semifinals, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and holding on for a 7-4 victory over Feng LU (CHN).

13:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) will not be denied. She starts with a 4-p0int takedown, applies the lace lock and three rolls later, she eliminates Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) with a 10-0 victory in 1:15 to advance to the women's 62kg semifinals.

13:01: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) gets a shot to avenge a loss to Tynybekova in the women's 62kg semifinals in Tokyo when she gets a 4-point takedown in the first period en route to a 7-3 victory over Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL).

12:58: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) glides into the freestyle 74kg semifinals in spectacular fashion, lifting Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) onto his shoulders and executing a balletic 4-point throw to cap a 10-0 victory with :19 left in the first period. Takatani had already scored two takedowns, adding an exposure after the second and nearly ending it with a fall.

12:53: After his high Mason PARRIS (USA), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) cannot hold the fort against Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) and drops 12-2. He will face Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 125kg semifinals.

12:52: Kyle DAKE (USA) looks on a mission as he manhandles Yones EMAMI (IRI), buildling up a 9-1 lead before using a counter lift to put Iranian on his back and securing a fall to advance to the freestyle 74kg semifinals. Dake scored three takedowns with a single leg in which he lits the leg high into the air and trips Emami to the mat.

12:52: Are we seeing another 'miracle' in women's wrestling? Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gets an activity point, then picks up a takedown for a 3-0 lead against 62kg favorite Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ). But adversity brings out the best in Tynybekova, and she cuts the lead with a stepout early in the second period, then gets behind and swings Miracle to the mat for a 4-point takedown. An unsuccessful challenge gives Tynybekova a 6-3 lead, but it's still not over. Miracle gets a stepout, then hits a roll through for an exposure in the final seconds. But the 4-point move holds sway for a 6-6 win on criteria that puts Tynybekova into the semifinals.

12:46: Taha AKGUL (TUR) takes his own time to beat Daniel LIGETI (HUN) and he books a semifinal spot against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI). Both have a 1-1 head-to-head.

12:41: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) gets a stepout with four seconds left, and it's upheld on a challenge to give him a dramatic 4-3 victory over European bronze medalist Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) for the final spot in the freestyle 74kg quarterfinals.

12:40: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) uses four minutes and 16 seconds to beat Amarveer DHESI (CAN) 10-0 and move into the semifinals. He awaits the winner of Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Daniel LIGETI (HUN).

12:39: World silver medalist Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), whose father was an Olympian at Sydney 2000 but did not medal, got her campaign for a place on the women's 62kg podium off to a successful start with a quick fall over Kriszta INCZE (ROU). A takedown and an arm bar and Incze was on her back, with the match ending in 37 seconds.  
      
12:35: Ana GODINEZ (CAN) defies the home crowd when she holds on for a 5-2 win over Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) at women's 62kg. Godinez gets an activity point and two takedowns in the first period. Douarre energizes the crowd with a second-period takedown, but that will be the end of the scoring.

12:35: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), the returning silver medalist, opens his day with an 11-0 dominance of Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR).

12:29: Razembek JAMALOV (UZB) charges to a 6-0 lead, then holds off four-time reigning European champion Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) for an 11-3 victory in a testy match at freestyle 74kg. It was only 6-3 when Jamalov added a bunch of points in the final seconds.  

12:25: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) gets going with a 4-0 win over Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY) and he books his spot in the quarterfinals. In the next match, Robert BARAN (POL) holds off Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) 4-1.

12:25: European silver medalist Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) grinds out a 3-0 victory at women's 62kg over Hanbit LEE (KOR), a last-minute reallocation entry into the field. Niemesch scores a takedown while on the activity clock, then adds an activity point in the second. 

12:15: European champion Grace BULLEN (NOR) gets her Olympic debut off to a good start, capping a 12-2 win over Siwar BOUSETA (TUN) with a 4-point takedown at women's 62kg.  

12:15: Feng LU (CHN) allows Amr HUSSEN (EGY) to tie their freestyle 74kg match at 4-all in the first period, but breaks it open in the second with a 10-point surge for a 14-4 victory.

12:08: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), back in Paris where she won world gold in 2017, won't be leaving with the women's 62kg gold this time. Tokyo bronze medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) rallies from a 4-0 deficit in the second period, scoring a takedown and two exposures, then adding another takedown to go ahead 8-4. But it is not over. Purevdorj gets a stepout, then a counter lift with :20 left to cut the gap to one, but Koliadenko holds out for an 8-7 win.

12:04: Former world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) brings out a huge second period to score a four-pointer and then break Mason PARRIS (USA) in the 125kg 1/8 finals. He beats Parris, who won bronze at the World Championships in 2023, 10-5 and moved into the quarterfinals.

12:03: Russian-born Asian silver medalist Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), looking to give Tajikistan just its second-ever Olympic medal, scores four takedowns in an 8-2 win over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) at freestyle 74kg.

11:56: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), the 2021 world champion at 59kg, is nursing a tentative 3-2 lead in the second period against Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at women's 62kg. Lindborg shoots for the winning takedown, but Dudova hits a 4-point counter. Lindborg forces her out for one, then loses a challenge over the exchange and Dudova walks off an 8-3 winner.

11:53: Yones EMAMI (IRI) needs to expend little energy following his tough preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg with Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), getting the takedown against Bacar NDUM (GBS) and executing four back-and-forth rolls for a 10-0 win in 1:34.

11:50: Rio Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) begins his quest for his third Olympic medal with an 11-0 win over Jonovan SMITH (PUR). Akgul will take on Ligeti in the quarterfinals of 125kg

11:44: World bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) scores a takedown right to a roll to finish up a 10-0 victory over Geandry GARZON (CUB) at freestyle 74kg. Takatani is trying to get the medal that eluded older brother Sohsuke in three trips to the Olympics.

11:44: Two-time world silver medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gives up an early takedown to world U23 champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) at women's 62kg, but comes back with four takedowns of her own, capping the final one with a 2-point exposure for a 10-2 lead. She then adds a creative 2-point roll while under Bas on a takedown attempt. Next up for the American is Tynybekova.

11:42: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) makes it to the quarterfinal at 125kg with a top 10-0 technical superiority win over Ashton MUTUWA (NGR).

11:40: World bronze medalist Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) finishes off a 10-0 victory at freestyle 74kg with his second takedown-gut wrench combo, knocking out Refugee Team member Iman MAHDAVI (EOR) in 2:49.

11:33: Tokyo bronze medalist Kyle DAKE (USA) makes short work of Anthony MONTERO (VEN) in his bid for an elusive gold at freestyle 74kg, combining takedowns with gut wrenches for a 10-0 win in 2:20.

11:33: Top seed and reigning world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) gets her campaign started at women's 62kg Tokyo Olympic silver medalist has her hands full with Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), but comes away with a 5-3 victory. Tynybekova falls behind 1-1 on criteria early in the second period when she gives up a stepout. She comes back with a stepout of her own, then uses a cradle to secure a takedown. Kolawole scores a takedown in the last seconds, then loses a dubious challenge to give Tynybekova her final point.

11:36: Amarveer DHESI (CAN) manages to get two technical points over Zhiwei DENG (CHN) and win his 125kg bout 2-1 and book a place in the quarterfinals against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

11:28: World champion and returning bronze medalist Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) begins his day with a 5-0 win over Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ). Not much troubled Zare in that bout.

11:27: Razambek  JAMALOV (UZB) breaks open a close match at freestyle 74kg to knock off Tokyo silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) 8-0. With a 2-0 lead heading into the second period, Jamalov gets in deep on a double, lifts up and back to put Kadzimahamedau onto his back for 2. He then adds a takedown and gut wrench for good measure.  

11:21: In the two repechage bouts on Mat C, Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) takes out Alexander MOORE (CAN) 6-1 and Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) wins 10-0 against Jayden LAWRENCE (AUS). Both Shapiev and Kurugliev book spots in the bronze medal bouts.

11:20: Giullia PENALBER (BRA) fills the final place in the women's 57kg bronze-medal matches with a 7-0 victory over Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER). Penalber gets a 4-point takedown and a regular takedown in the second period. She will face Kexin HONG (CHN) for the bronze.

11:18: Fans get an early treat with a clash between veteran and two-time former world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and two-time world medalist Yones EMAMI (IRI) in a preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg, which has 18 entries. Chamizo, a bronze medalist at Rio 2016, takes a 4-3 lead in the first period with a pair of scores of some wild scrambles. But Emami charges back, getting a 4-point takedown off a single-leg and adds another takedown for a 9-4 win.

11:10: In the opener on Mat B, Hannah TAYLOR (CAN) is in control all the way in rolling to a 13-0 victory over Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) in a women's 57kg repechage, clinching it with a 4-point takedown.  She will try to win her first Olympic medal by keeping Helen MAROULIS (USA) from winning her third in the bronze-medal match.  

11:06: The action on Mat A opens with the lone repechage match at freestyle 57kg. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) spots Wanhao ZOU (CHN) a four-point lead, but catches him with a pancake to get the fall with :24 left in the first period. He will face Golomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) for the bronze later tonight.

10:55: Welcome to day five of wrestling at the Paris Olympics. We advise you to click on the match order of the day and have your minds blown!