#WrestleHammamet

Elsayed wins but Algeria steals African GR title

Friday, May 19, 2023 - 23:32 By Vinay Siwach

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HAMMAMET, Tunisia (May 19) -- Mohamed ELSAYED's (EGY) return to African Championships after three years could have ended in despair but the Olympic bronze medalist found a way to win, not once, but twice.

Wrestling at 67kg and chasing his sixth African gold, Elsayed managed to beat Ishak GHAIOU (ALG) in two closely contested bouts on Friday to win the gold medal.

At the conclusion of the Greco-Roman competition in the African Championships, Algeria and Egypt both earned five gold medals. However, Algeria emerged as the team champions with a total of 210 points, surpassing Egypt's 200 points. Egypt's decision not to field a wrestler in the 55kg category proved to be a significant detriment.

Undoubtedly, the highlight of the day was the 67kg final between Elsayed and Ghaiou, where the latter posed a threat to the Olympic bronze medalist on two separate occasions.

With only six wrestlers participating in the 67kg weight class, the morning session divided them into two groups of three. Elsayed and Ghaiou coincidentally found themselves in the same group and faced each other in Round 2.

Elsayed started aggressively, scoring a pushout and gaining the par terre advantage, but could not convert it into points, leading 2-0 at the break. He then received the second activity point, extending his lead to 3-0. With a minute remaining, Elsayed was called passive, but as it was the third passivity call, no points were awarded to Ghaiou. The Algerian managed to execute a successful turn, cutting the score to 3-2 after a challenge, but couldn't prevent Elsayed from winning 3-2.

In the evening final, Ghaiou took control, leading 7-2 after the first period. He reversed the situation in par terre, scoring two trap-arm guts to make it 6-2. Elsayed challenged the call but lost, giving Ghaiou an extra point.

Similar to the morning bout, Ghaiou became passive in the second period and Elsayed capitalized, scoring a takedown and a turn to make it 7-6. Ghaiou was then called passive and Elsayed scored a turn from par terre to lead 9-7. Despite Ghaiou's efforts in the final minute, Elsayed won 11-7 with a late takedown and capture the gold after a tough day in the office.

While Ghaiou failed to win the gold for Algeria, five others did.

It began with Mohamed DRIDI (ALG) securing victory over Adem LAMLOUM (TUN) in the 55kg category, winning by fall. Dridi, who had earned a silver medal in 2022, recognized that with no Egyptian wrestler competing, the gold was within his reach. He dominated his opponents, outscoring them 40-1 in five bouts, achieving four technical superiority wins and one decisive fall in the final.

At 63kg, Abdeldjebar DJEBBARI (ALG) clinched his third consecutive African title, completing the Nelson bracket with four victories.

Djebbari showcased his dominance, recording technical superiority wins in all but one of his bouts, with Ahmed BAGHDOUDA (EGY) managing to score two points against him in the Round 2 clash which Djebbari won 6-2, while Baghdouda earned the silver medal.

In another Nelson bracket, Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG) triumphed in the 72kg weight class with a narrow 3-1 victory over Yehia ABDELKADER (EGY) in Round 5.

Both Merabet and Abdelkader displayed strong form, with the latter even defeating the 2022 silver medalist, Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN), in a 1-1 result in Round 3. However, Merabet proved unstoppable, securing a 3-1 win, scoring from par terre, to claim his first African title.

Abd OUAKALI (ALG) emerged victorious in the 82kg category, defeating Elias CHIGUER (MAR) with a 7-2 scoreline in the gold medal bout, securing Algeria's fourth gold in the Greco-Roman competition.

It was a surprising outcome, considering Chiguer had previously defeated Ouakali 11-8 in the Round 2 bout during the morning session. However, Ouakali's strong defensive skills made the difference in the final. He also overcame Mahmoud IBRAHIM (EGY) with a 3-2 win in the semifinals.

With this victory, Ouakali successfully defended his 82kg gold medal, which he had previously won in El Jadida.

 

In an exceptional performance, Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) successfully defended his 87kg gold medal, not conceding a single point in four bouts within the Nelson bracket.

Sid Azara commenced the day with an impressive 8-0 victory over Emad ABOUELATTA (EGY), followed by another dominant 8-0 win against Mohamed JABRI (TUN). He received a walkover against Roberto NSANGUA (ANG). In the final bout, Sid Azara overwhelmed Adil JORF (MAR) with an 8-0 victory, securing his fifth gold medal in the tournament's history.

Egypt matches Algeria

Apart from Elsayed, four other Egyptians stood atop the podium, including Haithem MAHMOUD (EGY), who secured the 60kg gold medal by overpowering Ibrahim BUNDUKA (SLE) with a dominant 12-0 victory in the final.

Bunduka made history as the first Greco-Roman wrestler from his country to reach the African Championships final. However, Mahmoud swiftly thwarted his aspirations for further triumphs in Hammamet, launching a relentless series of attacks and triumphing via technical superiority. This victory marked Mahmoud's third African title and his first since 2020, as he had skipped the intervening editions.

At 77kg, Mohamed KHALIL (EGY) claimed the gold medal in a Nelson bracket, triumphing over three opponents. In a pivotal Round 3 clash against Akrem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG), Khalil managed to secure a hard-fought 4-2 victory, securing his second consecutive gold medal at the African Championships after his triumph in the 72kg category in 2022.

Mohamed GABR (EGY) at 97kg and Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) at 130kg were the other two gold medalists for Egypt.

Gabr sought redemption after his loss in the 2022 final to Adem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG), who had claimed his fifth African title in El Jadida. However, the tables turned on Friday as Gabr narrowly outscored Boudjemline with a 3-2 victory in the gold medal bout. 

Despite trailing 2-0 early in the final, Gabr displayed resilience and determination. In the first period, Gabr was called passive, and Boudjemline attempted to score a turn from par terre. However, the referee penalized Gabr for fleeing the hold, extending Boudjemline's lead to 2-0.

In the second period, Boudjemline was put in par terre, and Gabr almost failed to score any points. However, when Boudjemline cleverly attempted to go behind a sitting Gabr, the Egyptian seized the opportunity to score a takedown, taking a 3-2 lead that held until the end of the bout. This victory marked Gabr's ascent to the top of the podium after two silver medals in 2019 and 2022.

For Mohamed, this marked his eighth African title, as he effortlessly cruised through his three bouts. After two commanding 8-0 wins, he sealed the deal with a 4-0 victory over Amine GUENNICHI (TUN) in the decisive Round 3 bout.

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RESULTS

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Mohamed DRIDI (ALG) df. Adem LAMLOUM (TUN), via fall

BRONZE: Alexandro HAININGA (NAM) df. Given SIKHOSANA (RSA), 10-6 

60kg
GOLD: Haithem MAHMOUD (EGY) df. Ibrahim BUNDUKA (SLE), 12-0

BRONZE: Romio GOLIATH (NAM) df. Mohamed HKIRI (TUN), 8-3
BRONZE: Ismail ETTALIBI (MAR) df. Sefiane GUEZZANIA (ALG), 8-2

63kg
GOLD: Abdeldjebar DJEBBARI (ALG)
SILVER: Ahmed BAGHDOUDA (EGY) 
BRONZE: Oussama NASR (TUN)

67kg
GOLD: Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY) df. Ishak GHAIOU (ALG), 11-7 

BRONZE: Mohamed BEN ALI (TUN) df. Bilal EL BAHJA (MAR), via inj. def.

72kg
GOLD: Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG)
SILVER: Yehia ABDELKADER (EGY) 
BRONZE: Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN)

77kg
GOLD: Mohamed KHALIL (EGY)
SILVER: Akrem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG)
BRONZE: Sami SLAMA (TUN)

82kg
GOLD: Abd Elkrim OUAKALI (ALG) df. Elias CHIGUER (MAR), 7-2

BRONZE: Mahmoud IBRAHIM (EGY) df. Francisco KADIMA (ANG), 8-0 

87kg
GOLD: Bachir SID AZARA (ALG)
SILVER: Emad ABOUELATTA (EGY)
BRONZE: Mohamed JABRI (TUN)

97kg
GOLD: Mohamed GABR (EGY) df. Adem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG), 3-2

BRONZE: Mohamed MISSAOUI (TUN) df. Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR), 5-0

130kg
GOLD: Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY)
SILVER: Amine GUENNICHI (TUN)
BRONZE: Hichem KOUCHIT (ALG)

#WrestlePontevedra

U20 Worlds: Zakriev dominates to gold; Abdevali repeats

Wednesday, September 4, 2024 - 09:57 By Vinay Siwach

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PONTEVEDRA, Spain (September 3) -- Erzu ZAKRIEV (AIN) was unsure if he would be participating in the U20 World Championships. Zakriev began preparing only two days before the start of the tournament in Spain.

"We were told that we wouldn’t come here," Zakriev said. "I went into relaxed mode. It was only three days before we were told that we could go. The way was really long and difficult, we were cutting weight at the airport. We had to change four flights on our way. We arrived at midnight and early next day I had my first match in the morning. I didn’t even have time to rest."

Zakriev did not show any signs of distress as he began the competition with a technical superiority win and reached the final with two more wins. On Tuesday, the 19-year-old won the gold medal at 63kg in Pontevedra, Spain, being the final against Otto BLACK (USA) 8-0.

A minute into the final and Zakriev had Black on the backfoot with a stepout and takedown. Black never got a chance to come back into the final as Zakriev finished it in two minutes and 40 seconds.

Erzu ZAKRIEV (AIN)Erzu ZAKRIEV (AIN) tries to complete a throw against Otto BLACK (USA) in the 63kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

"I was very confident," he said. "Last year I was third at the national championships, and this year I finished first. I haven’t lost any single match for a year now."

The dominance of Zakriev was evident in the U20 European Championships as well as he outscored his opponents 29-0 in four bouts, winning the gold medal over Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), an opponent he defeated 16-4 in the semifinals on Monday.

Hailing from Chechnya, Zakriev grew up in Goyty village and began training after his parents took him to the academy when he was eight years old.

"I will be moving to the Olympic weight class of 67kg from next year," he said.

The United States suffered another heartbreak in the final as Isaiah CORTEZ (USA) lost the 55kg final against Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI).

Unlike Black, Cortez had his chances to take the lead against Ahmadi Vafa in the final. He even had the Iranian in a fall position but failed to finish it. Ahmadi Vafa eventually won the final 11-3 in a match that was closer than the scoreline shows.

Ahmadi Vafa got the first par terre advantage and he used a high gut-wrench to take a 5-0 lead over Cortez. He used an arm spin to score two more points to make the lead 7-0. Cortez cut it to 7-2 just before the break with exposure.

Cortez, however, failed to score from par terre and Ahmadi Vafa led 7-3 with 1:25 left on the clock. Two desperate bodylock throws ended up in Cortez giving up points.

Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI)Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) scores two points over Isaiah CORTEZ (USA) in the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

"I wrestled really well to reach the final. I had analyzed my American opponent’s wrestling style, and thank God, I was able to wrestle with the best results and win the gold medal," Ahmadi Vafa said.

A former U17 world champion, Ahmadi Vafa finished without a medal last year at the U20 Worlds. A gold medal in Pontevedra gave him some relief from his medalless campaign from last year.

"Last year, I couldn’t win a good medal and lost in the world championships," he said. "This year, I managed to win gold. Next year, I have the junior competitions again, but my main goal is to be selected for the senior competitions."

This was the first time since 2017 that the U.S. had two finalists in Greco-Roman at the U20 World Championships. Kamal BEY (USA) won the title in 2017. However, the wait for a new U20 world champion just grew for the U.S.

Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI)Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) won his second U20 world gold medal at 77kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Defending U20 world champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) added the second gold medal, winning the 77kg weight class. Wrestling Magomed IARBILOV (AIN) in the final, Abdevali got the par terre advantage but failed to score and Iarbilov scored a reversal to lead 1-1 on criteria.

Abdevali scored an arm-drag takedown in the second period to lead 3-1 and defended it till the end of the time to win his second gold medal at this level.

"I feel great that I was able to win my second world championship medal," he said. "It felt even better than when I won the first time. I’m just at the beginning of my journey, and there’s a long way to go until the Olympics."

Alireza is the fourth of the five Abdevali brothers but said that he felt no pressure to win because of his family name.

"I didn’t feel any pressure. My older brother, Saeid, is a great wrestler, and he gives me motivation and spirit to be a fighter."

Laszlo DARABOS (HUN) Laszlo DARABOS (HUN) scores on Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI) in the 130kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Iran could have won three gold medals on Tuesday but former U20 European champion Laszlo DARABOS (HUN) denied Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI), 5-3, in the 130kg final.

Darabos trailed 3-0 at the break after giving up a turn from par terre. However, when he got the par terre in the second period, he turned Fathitazangi twice and took a 5-3 lead and defended it.

This is the first U20 world champion for Hungary since 2019 and the first since 2012 in the highest weight class.

Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ)Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) won the 87kg gold medal after beating Joju SAMADOV (AZE) in the final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Zhanyshov upgrades

Returning bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) upgraded to gold after he defeated Joju SAMADOV (AZE), 8-0, in the 87kg final to win Kyrgyzstan's first U20 world title in Greco-Roman since 2019. Incidentally, the last U20 world champion -- Erbol BAKIROV (KGZ) -- also hails from the same village, Taygaray, as Zhanyshov.

In the final, Samadov found it difficult to match the pace of Zhanyshov and failed to stop any of his attacks. He gave up five stepouts in the final.

"I had a great training camp with the senior team," Zhanyshov said. "I already have experience wrestling at the senior level. The difference is that on age-group levels you have to be prepared technically, performing throws and moves, while at the senior level that won’t be enough. You have to be physically and functionally very well prepared. So, my level is now senior."

Having trained with world champions Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), Zhanyshov felt motivated by his seniors and was determined to win the gold medal.

"Makhmudov and Sharshenbekov are my wrestling role models," he said.

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RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) df. Isaiah CORTEZ (USA), 11-3

BRONZE: Alibek AMIROV (11) df. Rahim HASANOV (AZE), 10-0
BRONZE: Aibek AITBEKOV (KAZ) df. Maxim SARMANOV (MDA), 10-1

63kg
GOLD: Erzu ZAKRIEV (AIN) df. Otto BLACK (USA), 8-0

BRONZE: Erfan JARKANI (IRI) df. Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), 6-2
BRONZE: Yurik HOVEYAN (ARM) df. Enes ULKU (TUR), 2-1

77kg
GOLD: Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) df. Magomed IARBILOV (AIN), 3-1

BRONZE: Levente LEVAI (HUN) df. Irfan MIRZOIEV (UKR), 3-2
BRONZE: Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO) df. Karl BAFF (SWE), 5-3 

87kg
GOLD: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) df. Joju SAMADOV (AZE), 8-0

BRONZE: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Patrik GORDAN (ROU), 10-0
BRONZE: Ruben GEVORGYAN (ARM) df. Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ), 3-1

130kg
GOLD: Laszlo DARABOS (HUN) df. Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI), 5-3

BRONZE: Aden ATTAO (USA) df. Aleksandr MELEKHOV (AIN), via fall
BRONZE: Samagan ORMONOV (KGZ) df. Aramayis HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), via fall

Semifinals 

60kg
GOLD: Servet ANGI (TUR) vs. Mohammadmehdi GHOLAMPOUR (IRI)

SF 1: Servet ANGI (TUR) df. Ongdassyn KHAMITOV (KAZ), 9-8
SF 2: Mohammadmehdi GHOLAMPOUR (IRI) df. Papik DZHAVADIAN (AIN), 9-8

67kg
GOLD: Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) vs. Yussuf ASHRAPOV (KAZ)

SF 1: Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) df. Kojiro HASEGAWA (JPN), 10-0
SF 2: Yussuf ASHRAPOV (KAZ) df. Grair OGANESIAN (AIN), 7-5

72kg
GOLD: Zaur BESLEKOEV (AIN) vs. Ashot KHACHATRYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Zaur BESLEKOEV (AIN) df. Muhammed GOCMEN (TUR), 1-1
SF 2: Ashot KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df. Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE), 4-1

82kg
GOLD: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) vs. Alperen BERBER (TUR)

SF 1: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) df. Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (AIN), via inj. def.
SF 2: Alperen BERBER (TUR) df. Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), 12-0

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) vs. Darius KIEFER (GER)

SF 1: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Anatolii AVERIN (AIN), 7-4
SF 2: Darius KIEFER (GER) df. Ahmet EREMEKTER (TUR), via fall