Four WW storylines to follow at Bolat Turlykhanov Cup

Monday, May 30, 2022 - 00:27 By Olivia Lichti

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (May 29) -- Top women’s wrestlers from across the world will gather for the second Ranking Series tournament of 2022 -- Bolat Turlykhanov Cup. The entry list features strong teams from home nation Kazakhstan as well as Azerbaijan, India, Mongolia, and Uzbekistan. Seeds at the World Championships in Belgrade, Serbia will be on the line as wrestlers fight to make the podium in Almaty, hoping to earn prestigious ranking points.

Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) heads into the second Ranking Series event ranked first in the world at 72kg. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

1. Bakbergenova sisters return after dominant Asian performances
Twin sisters Madina and Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) cemented themselves as the faces of the Kazakh wrestling with stellar performances in Ulaanbaatar last month. The two sisters won gold medals in their adjacent weight classes of 68kg and 72kg, picking up some significant victories along the way.

At 72kg, Zhamila followed up on her World silver medal performance in Oslo with four round-robin victories on her way to top honors, sealing her title with criteria victories over tough foes Davanaasan ENKH-AMAR (MGL) and Sumire NIIKURA (JPN).

A day earlier, Madina had an even more stunning performance at 68kg. Despite losing to 2020 Olympic bronze and 2021 world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) in the nordic bracket, she rebounded with a semifinal upset of 2019 U20 world champion Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN) to set up a rematch in the finals against the Kyrgyz. There, she reversed the result from earlier in the day, defeating Zhuamanzarova 3-2.

Both twins will be gunning for gold in their home nation. Madina will have the opportunity to further cement herself as a serious international threat with tough competitors in former Asian champion Divya KAKRAN (IND) and Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) in her bracket. Zhamila will need to defeat Mongolia’s Enkh-Amar once again to win gold.

Grace BULLEN (NOR) will return to action for the first time since the 2021 World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

2. Bullen returns after adversity
Grace BULLEN (NOR) had a challenging year in 2021. The former European and U23 world champion seemed primed to qualify her Nordic nation for the Olympics but shockingly failed to do so at both the European and World Olympic Qualifiers.

She fell to Bediha GUN (TUR) in the first round at the European event and to Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RWF) in the semi-final of the World OG Qualifier. Her hometown comeback at the 2021 Worlds in Oslo was not to be, as she fell to familiar foe Linda MORAIS (CAN) in the first round -- a heartbreaker for her and local fans.

However, after an eight-month layoff from international competition, Bullen is ready to rumble and will seek to earn some ranking points up at her preferred weight class of 59kg.

She will have to be in top form to do so as her weight class features Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), whose 2022 has already included a gold medal at the prestigious Ivan Yariguin and silver at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series. World bronze medalists Sarita MOR (IND) and Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) will be competing as well.

Bullen is revered for her high-flying throws and dynamic style; wrestling fans must ensure they have their eyes glued to any matches involving the Norwegian star.

Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) headlines a Mongolian squad that'll feature 20 in the women's wrestling field. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

3. Bat-Ochir leads deep Mongolian contingent
While wrestling fans often crown nations like Japan, China and the United States as the top ones in women’s wrestling, many neglect to notice the consistency and depth that Mongolia always brings to the table. They display this here with a highly competitive 20-woman squad, a true testament to how deep talent runs in this traditional wrestling nation.

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT-OCHIR (MGL) is the biggest star in attendance and is expected to win 53kg handily. Five other Mongolian women who have previously earned World medals will also be competing in Almaty.

Some of the most compelling weight classes in Almaty will herald potential Mongolian domestic showdowns. Entered at 50kg is both Olympian Namuuntsetseg TSOGT-OCHIR (MGL) and 2021 world bronze medalist Otgonjargal DOLGARJAV (MGL).

Tokyo Olympian Khongorzul BOLDSAIKHAN (MGL), '21 world bronze Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) and Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) are entered at 62kg.

Sukhee in particular has had an impressive start to the 2022 season, winning the Ivan Yariguin and Yasar Dogu while taking out Olympic Medallists Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), Sakshi MALIK (IND), and Marwa AMRI (TUN).

The outcome of the head-to-head matches of this tournament may influence which women Mongolia chooses to send to the World Championships in September, which will indubitably have drastic effects on the results of that event.

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) comes into the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup ranked second in the world at 76kg. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

4. Medet Kyzy, Hamza clash at 76kg
The most highly anticipated matchup this weekend will feature two of the top women at 76kg -- Samar HAMZA (EGY) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ). Both women competed in Tokyo but failed to medal before raising their level at Worlds in Oslo, where they each claimed bronze medals.

Medet Kyzy currently sits second in the rankings with 77,000 points by way of her Yasar Dogu and Asian titles this year and is a comfortable 15,900 points above third-place Hamza. With current top-seed Adeline Gray unlikely to compete at Worlds this year, these women will be locked in a battle for the top spot.

Also keep an eye on Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) who upset Hamza 10-4 at the Yasar Dogu. Yerkebayeva recently added an Asian bronze medal to her list of accolades and will certainly be in the podium hunt in Almaty.

The Bolat Turlykhanov Cup starts Thursday (June 2-5) and can be followed live on uww.org.

#WrestleZagreb

U.S. Wins Four Golds at Zagreb Open; World Champ Valencia Stunned

Wednesday, February 4, 2026 - 22:40 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 4) -- Four months ago, Zahid VALENCIA (USA) seemed untouchable.

He had stunned Arena Zagreb with a victory over Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), eventually cruising to 86kg gold at the 2025 World Championships without conceding a single point.

On Wednesday, Valencia returned to Arena Zagreb, but the script flipped. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), a former world silver medalist at 79kg, blanked the world champion 11-0 at the season-opening Zagreb Open Ranking Series.

While Valencia recovered to claim bronze, it was international debutant Parker KECKEISEN (USA) who rose to the occasion, taking gold after defeating Gamkrelidze.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA), red, tries to fight a gut-wrench against Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Valencia wasn't the only giant to fall during a chaotic Wednesday. Olympic bronze medalist AMAN (IND) was pinned, and Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) left without a medal. Meanwhile, world champion Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) missed the top spot, and Georgios KOUGIOUMSTIDIS (GRE) saw his 86kg debut end in the opening round.

Despite the upsets, the United States dominated, winning four of the six available gold medals. Spencer LEE (USA), David CARR (USA), and Austin DESANTO (USA) joined Keckeisen atop the podium.

At 65kg, U23 world champion SUJEET (IND) continued his rise and captured the gold medal in a dominant fashion.

For Iran, the only gold medal came through Sina KHALILI (IRI) who outscored his opponents 42-3 in four bouts.

Parker KECKEISEN (USA) won gold medal at Zagreb Open, his debut international tournament. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Keckeisen's golden debut

While Zahid Valencia was the heavy favorite at 86kg, it was Keckeisen who stole the spotlight. Keckeisen flew under the radar to reach the final after a gritty 9-5 victory over Ali Savadkouhi (IRI).

In the final, Keckeisen entered as the underdog against Gamkrelidze. He maintained a 3-1 lead with under a minute remaining. The match defining moment came when Gamkrelidze scored a stepout and challenged the call, seeking two points instead of one. The lost challenge awarded Keckeisen an extra point, extending his lead to 4-2.

Despite a late stepout from Gamkrelidze with ten seconds left, Keckeisen held on to secure the gold.

With Gamkrelidze making it to the final, Valencia found his form in repechage and won bronze after pinning U17 world champion Abofazl SHAMSIPOUR (IRI).

Spencer LEE (USA) scores a takedown before Roman BRAVO YOUNG forfeited the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Lee repeats, Carr shines

Lee repeated as the Zagreb Open champion with a strong performance, just like last year. After dominant wins over Azamat TSUKAEV (SRB) and Fuga SASAKI (JPN), Lee met Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) in the final.

The Olympic bronze medalist opened strong with a takedown and turn, but the match ended prematurely when Bravo-Young forfeited due to injury, handing Lee his second consecutive gold.

Bravo Young was clutching his tapped knee when he got up after the gut-wrench from Lee who helped the Mexican off the mat after enquiring about the injury.

At 74kg, Carr navigated a tactical final against 70kg world champion Aoyagi, who now wrestles at 74kg. Aoyagi led 1-1 on criteria after the two wrestlers exchanged activity points when he was placed on the 30-second activity clock for a second time.

His failure to score put Carr ahead 2-1 with 30 seconds remaining. A desperate late attack by Aoyagi allowed Carr to score a counter takedown, sealing a 4-1 victory.

In September, Carr missed out on a bronze medal bout at the World Championships after losing to Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) in the final five seconds, while Lee was eliminated after losing to Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM).

Austin DESANTO (USA) won the gold medal at 61kg in Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Desanto recovers

At 61kg, Desanto recovered after a heartbreaking 11-11 loss to Reza MOMENI (IRI) in the opening bout of the Nordic bracket to win gold. Needing a big win against Aman, Desanto delivered a pin, earning five crucial classification points.

His total of 15 points placed him safely ahead of Momeni, who was mathematically eliminated from gold regardless of his final result against Giorgi GHONIASHVILI (GEO).

Ultimately, DeSanto secured the gold, while Aman took silver, despite being tied with Momeni at 13 points. Aman held the tiebreaker thanks to his head-to-head victory over the Iranian.

SUJEET (IND) tries to finish a takedown on Peyman NEMATI (IRI) in the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Sujeet wins gold

U23 World Champion Sujeet continues to demonstrate his growth on the international stage, capturing his second career Ranking Series gold medal.

Sujeet, who took gold in Budapest last year, secured two technical superiority wins over Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA) and Joseph MCKENNA (USA) to reach the final. There, he shut out Peyman NEMATI (IRI) with a disciplined 3-0 victory.

In the final, he was put on the activity clock in the first period but responded quickly with a takedown to take a 2-0 lead. When Nemati was placed on the activity clock in the second period, Sujeet extended his lead to 3-0.

Following a series of scoreless scrambles, Sujeet successfully defended his lead until the whistle.

At 70kg, U23 World silver medalist Khalili put on a dominant display in his gold-medal match. Khalili overwhelmed Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO), using a series of gut wrenches to secure a 10-0 technical superiority victory.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Spencer LEE (USA) df. Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX), via inj. def. (4-0)

BRONZE: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) df. Atish TODKAR (IND), 10-0
BRONZE: Fuga SASAKI (JPN) df. Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), 4-1

61kg
GOLD: Austin DESANTO (USA)
SILVER: AMAN (IND)
BRONZE: Reza MOMENI (IRI)

65kg
GOLD: SUJEET (IND) df. Peyman NEMATI (IRI), 3-0

BRONZE: Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO) df. Gamzatgadzhi KHALIDOV (HUN), 11-6
BRONZE: Joseph MC KENNA (USA) df. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), 4-1

70kg
GOLD: Sina KHALILI (IRI) df. Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO), 10-0

BRONZE: ABHIMANYOU (IND) df. Ian PARKER (USA), 6-3
BRONZE: Caleb HENSON (USA) df. Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), 5-4

74kg
GOLD: David CARR (USA) df. Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), 4-1

BRONZE: Seyfulla ITAEV (FRA) df. James GREEN (USA), via fall
BRONZE: Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) df. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 10-0

86kg
GOLD: Parker KECKEISEN (USA) df. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 4-3

BRONZE: Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Abolfazl SHAMSIPOUR (IRI), via fall
BRONZE: Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) df. Mukul DAHIYA (IND), 6-5

Four WW storylines to follow at Bolat Turlykhanov Cup

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U.S. Wins Four Golds at Zagreb Open; World Champ Valencia Stunned