#WrestleBudapest

Four Nations Earn Pair of Olympic Berths on Friday

Friday, March 19, 2021 - 20:02 By Eric Olanowski

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (March 19) --- Belarus, Bulgaria, Russia and Ukraine earned a pair of Tokyo Olympic berths, while Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) and Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) outscored their semifinal opponents 20-0 on Friday night at the European Olympic Qualifier.

Hrushyna Akobiia and Koliadenko were flawless en route to booking Ukrainian Olympic tickets at 57kg and 62kg, respectively.

Hrushyna Akobiia, the ’20 European runner-up, scored 16 points and only surrendered one on her way to reaching the 57kg finals. She stopped two-time world medalist Emese BARKA (HUN), 6-1, then shot down Sara LINDBORG’S (SWE) hopes of booking Sweden’s second ticket of the day to the Tokyo Olympic Games.

In her semifinals meeting with Lindborg, Hrushyna Akobiia scored four takedowns before sticking Lindborg to her back in the bout's closing seconds. She was inches away from booking the fall but time expired and she was awarded the 10-0 technical superiority victory.

She’ll wrestle Bulgaria’s Evelina NIKOLOVA for gold on Saturday night. The ’15 world bronze medalist earned her nation's Tokyo berth with a 4-2 come-from-behind win over Bediha GUN (TUR). Nikolova and Gun traded takedowns, but the Bulgarian restored her lead with a late second-period takedown to gain the two-point advantage.

Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) snaps down her Geman opponent at the European Olympic Qualifier. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Koliadenko was the second Ukrainian wrestler to score a perfect ten and earn an Olympic license. She barely broke a sweat in her semifinals match agast Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA). She blew through the Moldovian wrestler, 10-0, in the first period and will compete tomorrow night for 62kg European OG Qualifier gold.

She’ll square off with Latvia’s now-three-time Olympian, Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT). The 30-year-old and former European champion denied Elif YESILIRMAK’s (TUR) attempt at becoming the first Turkish woman to reach three Olympic Games with a 4-4 come-from-behind victory.

Grigorjeva trailed 3-0 but capitalized on two second-period shot attempts and won, 4-4.

Belarus, Bulgaria and Russia also cemented a pair of Olympic spots through Friday night’s semifinal winning performances.

Belarus’ berths came from Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) and Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR), who put on semifinal shows at 53kg and 76kg, respectively.

Kaladzinskaya, a two-time world champion, led Iulia LEORDA (MDA), 9-0, when she stopped wrestling after thinking she earned the 11-0 technical superiority win. She surrendered a reversal and a takedown but comfortably cruised to the 9-3 win.

She’ll go toe-to-toe with Rio Olympic bronze medalist and fellow world champion Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) on Saturday night.

Mattsson seized Sweden’s 53kg Olympic quota with a semifinal fall over Russia’s Stalvira ORSHUSH.

Marzaliuk looked marvelous in her semifinals meeting against Mariya ORYASHKOVA (BUL). The '17 world finalist got to her double underhooks and the rest was history. She only needed just over two minutes to pick up the fall and move into the 76kg finals. 

Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) and the aforementioned Nikolova punched Bulgaria’s pair of women’s wrestling tickets to Tokyo with wins on Friday night.

Selishka fell behind 1-0 against Poland’s 38-year-old Iwona MATKOWSKA but strung together two takedowns for the 4-1 victory. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), a two-time world medalist, awaits the European champion in the 50kg finals.

The 25-year-old had a minimal 1-0 lead over Julie SABATIE (FRA) after the first period but flew out of the gates in the second period with a head inside single, coupled with a gut wrench to extend to lead to 5-0. Although she shut it down with 30 seconds, she cried tears of joy with a 5-1 victory.

Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) was one of two Russian wrestlers who earn Olympic berths on Friday night. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Russia was the final country that had a pair of semifinal winners on Friday night.

Heavy hitters Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) and Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) were the ticket punchers that we’ll wrestle for gold on Saturday night.

Velieva, the stone-cold 21-year-old, completely shut down fellow European champion Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) in their semifinals clash. The young Russian earned back-to-back one-point exchanges in the first period, then grabbed a pair of second-period takedowns to win, 6-0.

Velieva will wrestle 21-year-old Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) for 68kg gold.

Larroque, who became the ninth French woman to qualify for the Olympic Games, rocked Dalma CANEVA (ITA), 10-0, in the semifinals. The two-time world-medal winner scored three takedowns in the first period and closed out the match with a takedown and an exposure in the second period to claim the 11-0 shutout win.

Although it wasn’t the ideal way you’d want to qualify, London Olympic champion Vorobeva snuck past Martina KUENZ (AUT), 2-1, thanks to a pair of inactivity calls. She’ll wrestle the long and lengthy Marzaliuk for the 76kg crown on Saturday night.

The European Olympic Qualifiers resume on Saturday morning at 11:00 with Greco-Roman action taking center stage.

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD - Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) vs. Miglena Georgieva SELISHKA (BUL)
SEMIFINAL - Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) df. Iwona Nina MATKOWSKA (POL), 4 – 1
SEMIFINAL - Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Julie SABATIE (FRA), 5-1

53kg
GOLD - Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) vs. Sofia Magdalena MATTSSON (SWE)
SEMIFINAL - Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) df. Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS), via fall
SEMIFINAL - Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) df. Iulia LEORDA (MDA), 

57kg
GOLD - Evelina Georgieva NIKOLOVA (BUL) vs. Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR)
SEMIFINAL - Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) df. Sara LINDBORG (SWE), 10-0
SEMIFINAL - Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), 4-2

62kg
GOLD - Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) vs. Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT)
SEMIFINAL - Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT) df. Elif Jale YESILIRMAK (TUR), 4-4
SEMIFINAL - Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Mariana CHERDIVARA (MDA),10-0

68kg
GOLD - Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) vs. Khanum VELIEVA (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) df. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 6-0
SEMIFINAL - Koumba Selene Fanta LARROQUE (FRA) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA), 11-0

76kg
GOLD - Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) vs. Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS)
SEMIFINAL - Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) df. Martina KUENZ (AUT), 2-1
SEMIFINAL - Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) df. Mariya ORYASHKOVA (BUL), via fall

#WrestleHangzhou

Asian Games Wrestling GR 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg Finals Set

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 - 01:47 By Vinay Siwach

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LIN'AN, Hangzhou, China (October 4) -- The 19th Asian Games are being held in Hangzhou, China with wrestling taking place at the Lin'an Sports and Culture Exhibition Center. Greco-Roman will kick off proceedings with 60kg, 67kg, 77kg and 87kg wrestlers taking the mat.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | BRACKETS

Here are the finals for the evening session

60kg
Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) vs Ayata SUZUKI (JPN)

67kg
Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) vs Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ)

77kg
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) vs Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI)

87kg
Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) vs Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)

12:29: World champion Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) confirm their 60kg final spots! Sharshenbekov with a fall over Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) while Suzuki beats Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) 9-0 in the other semifinals

12:25: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) will wrestle for the 87kg gold medal as he beats Masato SUMI (JPN) 3-1 after a turn for par terre. Alizadeh had beaten Berdimuratov in the Asian Championships in 2022.

12:23: Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) will face Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) in the 77kg. He dashes the hopes of the hosts by beating Rui LIU (CHN) 1-1 as he got the second par terre advantage. Liu was given a third advantage but he failed to score. The Iranian had forfeited his 77kg Asian Championships final against Makhamudov in April

12:20: World and Asian champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) returns to the Asian Games final. He beats Azat SADYKOV (KAZ) 9-0 using a takedown, exposure and two turns. Makhmudov lost the 2018 Asian Games final to Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI).

12:17: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) into the final at 87kg at the expense of Sunil KUMAR! Alizadeh had two turns from par terre while Kumar failed to score any to go down 5-1.

12:15: Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) books his spot in the 67kg against Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ). He defended his par terre against Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) before scoring a takedown in the second period. Bakhshilloev challenged the call but lost it. Endo with a par terre point and a throw on the edge to make it 6-1 and won with the same score.

12:10: What a start to the semifinals as Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) pins Danial SOHRABI (IRI) in 67kg. Sohrabi got the par terre advantage and scored three turns but he trapped Shermakhanbet's head when defending a reversal. Shermakhanbet challenged the call as it was not initially awarded. Sohrabi was put in par terre for that foul but he was quick to get a reversal to lead 9-2. When he was trying to finish the bout with a headlock, Shermakhanbet grabbed his arm. Sohrabi tried to hit a whizzer but that arm lock from Shermakhanbet was too tight as he put Sohrabi on his back and held him till the referee called it a pin. Top energy from Shermakhanbet who is coming back from an injury

12:00: Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) falls! Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) led 3-1 before a stepout from Dalkhani. But a late flurry of action saw Dalkhani score which was seen as a foul on challenge from Kazakhstan. A 4-2 win for Sultangali.

11:55: Masato SUMI (JPN) has no troubles in his quarterfinal at 87kg against Veasna CHHOEUNG (CAM). An 8-0 technical superiority win over the Cambodian. On Mat B, another win for Japan! Former Asian Championships bronze medalist Ayata SUZUKI (JPN), with the help of two challenges, survives Seung RI (PRK). Suzuki led 3-1 but Ri launched a headlock throw in the final 5 seconds. Referees called it a dangerous throw as Ri had locked Suzuki's head with both hands. Suzuki won 4-1.

11:50: In a battle of the two World Championships bronze medalists at 60kg, Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) gets the better of birthday boy Liguo CAO (CHN) 3-1. A turn the difference between the two wrestlers.

11:45: Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) with a winning takedown in the second period at 77kg. He beats Dilshod OMONGELDIYEV (UZB) 5-3 and advances to the semifinal against Rui LIU (CHN)

11:40: Azat SADYKOV (KAZ) with an 8-0 win over Wisit THAMWIRAT (THA) in the 77kg quarterfinals. On Mat B, Rui LIU (CHN) with two suplexes to beat VIKAS 9-1 and advance to the 77kg semifinals

11:30: Sunil KUMAR into the semifinals with a 9-1 technical superiority over Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK) at 87kg. He will take on three-time Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI)

11:25: Mansur NURBERDIYEV (TKM) got a takedown but that was not enough as Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) won 8-3 at 67kg. On Mat A, Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) is made to work hard by Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) but the Japanese won 3-1.

11:15: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) takes his time but beats Azym ANNAMAMMEDOV (TKM) 7-1 in the 87kg quarterfinals. Then comes Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) with an 11-0 quick win over Maksat SAILAU (KAZ). And in no time world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) with a fall over SOPHAK KEO (CAM).

11:05: A thriller on Mat A! Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) took a 10-7 lead with two four-point throws against Lei LI (CHN) who also had a big move. Li made it 10-8 with a stepout. He scored a takedown to lead 10-10 on criteria but Kazakhstan challenged the call and it was a slip from Shermakhanbet who won 10-8

11:01: Daniel SOHRABI (IRI) ends the reign of two-time defending champion Hansu RYU (KOR) in the Asian Games! Sohrabi with two body throws to win 9-0 in the first period and move to the quarterfinals at 67kg

10:55: Meysam DALKHANI (IRI), who is wrestling at 60kg for the first time in his career, with a body lift and throw from par terre to beat GYANENDER 7-1 at 60kg. On Mat C, world champion Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) was down 5-0 against Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) but has three turns from par terre plus a caution warning against Azizov to win 8-5.

10:50: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) wins 11-1 against Chi Jui HUANG (TPE) and 2014 Youth Olympic champion Seung RI (PRK) gets his gut wrench going against Arslanbek ZAKIRBAYEV (TKM) to win 8-0. Both at 60kg.

10:45: Another world bronze medalist and birthday boy Liguo CAO (CHN) with a takedown and three turns to finish his pre-quarterfinal bout against Pros CHRAY (CAM) 8-0 in just 34 seconds. The crowd appreciates it.

10:40: World bronze medalist at 60kg Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) with a takedown and three turns to finish the bout 8-0 technical superiority over Tien Hai BUI (VIE). Asian silver medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) survived a close call to beat Suparmanto SUPARMANTO (INA) with an 11-3 win

10:30: London Olympic champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) got a solid headlock over Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) but failed to get the pin. Kaviyaninejad answered with a four-point throw and Kim failed to find an opening to comeback. Kaviyaninejad wins 8-3.

10:25: Three-time 87kg Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) gets three turns from par terre to beat A. AZISBEKOV (KGZ) 7-1 at 87kg. A battle on Mat B between former Asian champion Sunil KUMAR and Fei PENG (CHN). Peng with a turn from par terre and leads 3-0. But Kumar stops Peng in the middle during the second turn and gets close to a fall but Peng survives to lead 3-2. Kumar gets the passivity advantage in the second period to make it 3-3 and lead on criteria. A stepout to make it 4-3 and Kumar wins at 87kg 

10:22: Back-to-back victories for Japan! Former U23 world champion Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) with two four-point moves over Firuz MIRZORADZHABOV (TJK) in a 10-0 rout at 67kg. Masato SUMI (JPN) with a match-winning stepout over Byeongcheol SHIN (KOR) to advance at 87kg.

10:18: Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) gets to turns from par terre while defending his own to down NEERAJ 5-3 in the 67kg opening encounter. Neeraj scored a takedown in the first period but failed to get any points in the second.

10:15: Two-time defending champion Hansu RYU (KOR) with a big four-pointer from par terre and then defends that lead to win 5-1. He defends in the second period before a big upcoming bout against the U23 world champion Daniel SHORABI (IRI). Shorabi with a beautiful suplex over Yong RO (PRK) to win 5-2. Ryu vs Sohrabi confirmed

10:05: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) with a quick 10-0 superiority over Nuttapong HINMEE (THA) to kick off proceedings at 67kg. He moves into the quarterfinals.

10:00: Welcome to the Asian Games! The Greco-Roman in four weight classes will kick off the action. World champions Azkhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will be in action at 60kg and 77kg.