Ranking Series

Five World No. 1 Seeds Up for Grabs at Yasar Dogu

Thursday, June 20, 2019 - 15:07 By Eric Olanowski

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VEVEY, Switzerland (July 16) – The fourth and final Ranking Series event, the Yasar Dogu, is set to have huge implications when it comes to seeding the top-four wrestlers at September's Nur-Sultan World Championships. Heading into Istanbul, 25 of the top-40 women’s wrestling seeds are still open for the taking. Combining that with freestyle's 23 top-four seeds that remain available, the Yasar Dogu could determine 48 of the 80 freestyle and women's wrestling top-four seeds. 

With three Ranking Series events and the Continental Championships in the rear-view mirror, half of the top seeds have been claimed, but the story reads much different for the second through fourth seeds. Come Nur-Sultan, there will be 40 seeded wrestlers, but only 15 wrestlers have cemented their seed heading into the Yasar Dogu. Of those 25 openings still up for grabs, there are 74 wrestlers who head into the Yasar Dogu with enough points to overthrow one of the current top-four ranked wrestlers. 

How Many Non-Seeded Wrestlers Can Still Earn A Seed?
50kg – 6 
53kg – 1
55kg – 18 
57kg – 2
59kg – 23
62kg – 3
65kg – 5
68kg – 7
72kg – 6
76kg – 3

Livach Likely to Takeover No. 1 Seed at 50kg
Oksana LIVACH (UKR) trails Yui SUSAKI (JPN) by 15 points heading into the Yasar Dogu, but barring a catastrophic meltdown in Istanbul, she’ll take over the top ranking at 50kg. Livach needs 16 points to gain the outright lead over Susaki for the top seed. 

Susaki, the weights two-time defending world champion, will sit out of Yasar Dogu because she's gearing up for her July 6 special wrestle-off against Yuki IRIE. The winner of the one match wrestle-off will represent Japan at 50kg in Kazahkstan. 

SUN Yanan (CHN) and Mariya STADNIK (AZE) round out the top four respectively at 50kg. 

Kseniya STANKEVICH (BLR) and Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) both sit within ten points from earning a seed and will both wrestle at the Yasar Dogu. 

Hildebrandt Headed to Nur-Sultan on Top of 53kg
Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) has cemented her No. 1 seed at 53kg at the World Championships, but the other three world championship seeds will be shuffled after the Yasar Dogu. The reason being, seven points separate second-seeded Haruna OKUNO (JPN) from fourth-seeded Diana WEICKER (CAN), who'll compete in Turkey next month. 

Just by showing up in Istanbul, Weicker, the reigning world bronze medalist, will move ahead of third-seeded PANG Qianyu (CHN), who she trails by two points. If the Canadian wrestler snags a medal, she'd push herself ahead of Okuno for the second spot. 

Also of note, No. 5 Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU) is entered into the Yasar Dogu. She’s five points behind Weicker but will earn the fourth seed if she makes it to the podium in Istanbul. 

Mukaida’s Departure Gives Sidakova Bump to No. 1 at 55kg
As wrestlers scatter to the six Olympic weight classes, some weights become depleted – especially with Tokyo only being 399 days away. That’s the case at 55kg. The weight lost top-ranked reigning world champion Mayu MUKAIDA after she dropped down to the Olympic weight of 53kg. 

With the departure of the Japanese hammer, Belarus’ Zalina SIDAKOVA will take over the top spot come the World Championships. Sidakova has a commanding 27-point lead over third-ranked Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) heading into the final Ranking Series event. 

Sofia MATTSSON is the third-ranked wrestler at this weight. For the time being, the Rio bronze medalist will stay at 55kg. She’s entered her name into the Yasar Dogu at 55kg, and with a placement in Istanbul, Mattsson will steal the second seed from Sedneva, who currently has a two-point advantage over the Swedish wrestlers. 

The fifth and sixth-ranked wrestlers respectively, Myong Suk JONG (PRK) and Lianna MONTERO HERRERA (CUB), have also moved to an Olympic weight. They’ve both moved up to 57kg, which means seventh-ranked Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS) will receive the fourth seed at the World Championships. 

Vaulina isn’t expected to compete at the Yasar Dogu which will put her potential fourth seed in jeopardy. Bediha GUN (TUR), the ninth-ranked wrestler at 55kg, will wrestle in her home country, and with two additional Ranking Series points, will pass the Russian wrestler for the fourth spot. 

Rong Remains Atop 57kg with Most Points in the World
Reigning world champion RONG Ningning (CHN) has amassed 96 points and will be the top seed at the Nur-Sultan World Championships. Rong won’t be headed to Turkey but there’s a list of heavy hitters who sit just outside the top-four that entered into the Yasar Dogu with aspirations of improving their seed. This’ll cause some fluctuation from the second through the fourth spot. 

As it sits, Grace BULLEN (NOR), Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), and Pooja DHANDA (IND) sit in the second through fourth spots respectively. 

But it’s fifth-ranked Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) and sixth-ranked Emese BARKA (HUN) who are six points behind Dhanda. Both wrestlers have an opportunity to leap into the third slot if they are able to reach the top of the podium next month. 

Kawai’s Move Down to 59kg Will Slide Yesilirmak to No. 1
Japan’s defending 59kg world champion Risako KAWAI dropped down to the Olympic weight of 57kg, which will eventually move Elif YESILIRMAK into the top spot at 59kg. Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) is the third-ranked wrestler and can sit out of the Yasar Dogu and still keep her top-three seed. 

Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN) is the fourth-ranked wrestler, but there are 23 wrestlers who can still overthrow her for the fourth spot with a win in Turkey. Of those 23 wrestlers that can grab the fourth spot, India’s Kumari MANJU is the only wrestler that’s entered into the Yasar Dogu. Manju is ranked ninth and sits eight points behind Inagaki.

Yusein Enters World Championships as Top Seed at 62kg
The first two ranked wrestlers at 62kg haven't changed since the Budapest World Championships. Reigning world champion Taybe YUSEIN, who is tied with Rong Ningning for most the most Ranking Series points in the world (96 points), will be the top seed at 62kg come September’s World Championships. Yukako KAWAI (JPN), the Budapest silver medalist, is ranked second at 62kg. 

Though Mallory VELTE (USA) is ranked third in the latest rankings right now, she lost her starting spot last weekend and won’t compete in the World Championships. This’ll move Brazil’s Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA into the third spot and Yuliia TKACH OSTAPCHUK (UKR) into the fourth position.

Olli Locks up First Seed at 65kg
Finland’s first-ever women’s wrestling world champion Petra OLLI is going to end the year just how she started it -- in the top spot at 65kg. Olli has 88 Ranking Series points, which is 46 points from her nearest competitor, Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS) who has 42 points. 

Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) made the move to 68kg and will vacate her third-ranking, moving Forrest MOLINARI (USA) and Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) into the third and fourth spots respectively. 

But Molinari, who sits two points behind second-ranked Kuznetsova, can overthrow the Russian wrestler for the second spot with a placement at the Yasar Dogu. Right now, Molinari is the only wrestler that can improve her seed that’s entered into the Istanbul Ranking Series event. 

Cherkasova Starts and Ends Year as 68kg Top-Ranked Wrestler 
Ukraine’s defending world champion Alla CHERKASOVA has had a target on her back for the last twelve months, and that’ll remain there as she heads into Nur-Sultan looking to defend her title from Budapest. Cherkasova, with her 92 points, has a 19-point lead over second-ranked Tamyra MENSAH (USA) and has sealed up the 68kg top seed. 

Mensah-Stock, the three-time Ranking Series champion, has also locked up her World Championship seed. She’ll be the second seed with her 73 points. 

SORONZONBOLD Battsetseg (MGL) and ZHOU Feng (CHN) round out the top-four of the 68kg top-four respectively. 

Seven women still have their eyes on a top-four seed, but tenth-ranked Divya KAKRAN is the only one entered into the Yasar Dogu. Kakran will bring 24 points into Istanbul and trails fourth-seeded Zhou by 17 points. She’d need to reach the top of the podium for her to reach a top-four seed. 

Di Stasio Moving to 76kg, Tosun to Eventually Take Over Top Spot at 72kg 
Reigning world champion Justina DI STASIO (CAN) sits atop the 72kg rankings, but she’s moving up to the Olympic weight of 76kg. Buse TOSUN (TUR) will transition into the No. 1 spot and will likely remain there until the World Championships. The reason being, Tosun is the only wrestler in the top four who is entered into the final Ranking Series event. 

After receiving bumps from Di Stasio’s departure, Tosun, OCHIRBAT Nasanburmaa (MGL), Tatiana KOLESNIKOVA MOROZOVA (RUS), and Samar HAMZA (EGY) will round out the top four at the World Championships. 

Adar Closing in on Gray for No. 1 Seed at 76kg
Yasemin ADAR (TUR) trails four-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) by two points heading into the Yasar Dogu and will likely take over the top spot at 76kg after closing out the regular season in her home country of Turkey. That is if Gray doesn’t compete. 

Germany’s Aline FOCKEN will be making her fourth Ranking Series appearance of the year. In her three appearances, she finished with a bronze medal each time. If she stays the course and Gray doesn’t compete, she could end up earning the second seed in Nur-Sultan.

Japan’s Hiroe MINAGAWA SUZUKI is ranked fourth, but Olympic champion Erica WIEBE is only two points behind the Japanese wrestler. Wiebe will compete at the Yasar Dogu, but Minagawa Suzuki won’t, leaving the Canadian with a great shot of jumping into a top-four seed of arguably the most stacked weight class in the world.

#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!