FS World Cup: All you need to know

Wednesday, November 30, 2022 - 12:44 By Vinay Siwach

CORALVILLE, Iowa (November 30) -- The World Cup is back in the United States. After three years of absence, the freestyle World Cup will be held December 10 and 11 at the Xtreme Arena in Coralville, Iowa. To make it special, the women's World Cup will also be held simultaneously.

The USA and Iran, the two best teams from the World Championships, are expected to meet in the final as both are placed in different groups. But it will be unwise to count out the All-World Team, a team comprising the best wrestlers in each weight class from Belgrade after the five qualified teams.

Iran finished second to the USA in the team race in Belgrade but it will be eyeing another World Cup win. The USA will have added pressure, wrestling in front of the home crowd.

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) led the US to the World Cup win in 2018. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Led by six-time world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and Kyle SNYDER (USA), the home team would like to repeat the title win from 2018. The two will be joined by a young team with little international experience. World silver medalist John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA), Seth GROSS (USA), Jason NOLF (USA), Zahid VALENCIA (USA) and Hayden ZILLMER (USA) are also part of the squad.

In Group A, the USA will open the World Cup against Mongolia which surprised all by qualifying for the tournament in the fifth spot. As far as the match-ups go, the USA holds the upper hand against Mongolia which is bringing all three of its Belgrade World medalists. But given the depth in the US squad, it will be an uphill ask for Mongolia to go past the hosts.

The US vs Mongolia match will be followed by Iran taking on Japan in the morning session on December 10. With the Emperor's Cup scheduled 10 days after the World Cup, a few of Japan's stars, including both world champions, are giving the tournament in the US a miss.

U23 world champion Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) will spearhead the young team which includes Taichi YAMAGUCHI (JPN) and U23 world bronze medalist Ryoma ANRAKU (JPN) among others who are short on international experience.

Two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) will lead the Iran team. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran should not have a difficult time handling the team and a win against Japan will take them a step closer to the final.

The second session on Saturday will see Georgia take on Mongolia with the former looking strong on paper. But it may come down to the wire as both do have a young squad. Georgia is bringing a pair of U23 world champions in Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) and Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) along with senior world medalists in Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) and Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) with Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO), Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO), Giorgi SULAVA (GEO), Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO), Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) and Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) completing the line-up.

The match-up will be a key factor in deciding which team manages to reach the dual for third place if both teams lose to the US.

Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) will lead the All-World Team at the World Cup. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

The All-World Team will make its debut soon after this match against Japan. World champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (UWW) will be opening the competition for them and in all likelihood, it should cleansweep the dual against Japan and set up a thrilling final group dual against Iran.

It also compromises of two-time world medalist Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (UWW), the bronze medalist from Belgrade Ernazar AKMATALIEV (UWW), two silver medalists from Belgrade in Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (UWW) at 74kg and Batyrbek TSAKULOV (UWW) at 97kg. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (UWW) at 92kg, Azamat DAULETBEKOV (UWW) at 86kg, Arslan BUDAZHAPOV (UWW) at 79kg, Georgi VANGELOV (UWW) at 61kg and Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) at 125kg will also be taking the mat.

It will all come down to session three on Saturday as Georgia clashes with the US and Iran takes on the All-World Team.

The US will be the favorite against Georgia but the match-ups between Bujiasvili and Richards at 57kg, Elbakidze and Berger at 70kg, Maisuradze and Valencia at 86kg, Maisuradze and Jackson at 92kg, Manashvili and Zillmer at 125kg can tilt the dual in favor of Georgia.

The same is the case for Iran vs All-World. Abakarov will be a heavy favorite at 57kg against Reza MOMENIJOUJADEH (IRI) while Vangelov will have to go past Armin HABIBZADEH (IRI) at 61kg. A rematch from Belgrade between world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Muszukajev at 65kg will be a match for every wrestling fan. Another fan-favorite bout is at 70kg between Akmataliev and Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) and it can go either way and prove crucial in the end result.

U23 world champion Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOUR (IRI) will have to punch above his weight to beat Salkazanov at 74kg while Karimi will hope to continue his winning record against Dauletbekov. At 92kg, Nurmagomedov will face two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) in a tough bout before Tsakulov gets U23 world champion Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI).

At 125kg, U23 world champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) will fancy his chances against Khotsianivskyi but no team can be sure of a victory and a spot in the final.

The winner of this match is likely to reach the final with the US waiting. The finalists can be different if Georgia punches above its weight to upset the US.

Iran vs USA or All-World Team vs US, both matches promise to be a close battle and will give the fans their worth in the two-day tournament.

#WrestleSofia

Jalolov adds U20 World title to impressive resume

Tuesday, August 16, 2022 - 20:19 By Vinay Siwach

SOFIA, Bulgaria (August 16) -- The last time Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) was in Sofia, he went home as a world champion. Three years later, he returned to the Bulgarian capital to win his second age-group world title.

The '19 U17 world champion ran through the field at 65kg at the U20 World Championships and set up a final against returning silver medalist Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE). While he would have liked to wrestle full six minutes, Bayramov pulled out of the final due to a shoulder injury when Jalolov was leading 5-1 in the final.

With the win and his exploits at the senior level this year, Jalolov has ascertained that he belongs to the stage and can give Uzbekistan the freestyle star it is searching for.

In Ufa, Jalolov suffered an opening round to finish 10th while Bayramov lost to Shamil MAMMEDOV (RWF) in the final.

However, both looked in solid form in Sofia with Bayramov defeating U23 and U20 Asian champion Sujeet KALKAL (IND) in the semifinal.

But in the final, Jalolov proved too much for Bayramov who was called passive early before scoring a stepout. Jalolov then got on a single and scored a takedown. Trying to cover the deficit, Bayramov shot a double but hit his shoulder on Jalolov's leg and abandoned the attack. He then tapped for medical attention when Jalolov hit the counter.

The Azerbaijan corner decided to pull out of the final, giving Jalolov the win. A disappointed Bayramov cursed his luck for finishing with a second straight silver medal at the U20 Worlds.

This year, Jalolov has won bronze medals at the Istanbul and Almaty ranking events apart from the bronze at the U20 Asians. The Youth Olympic gold medalist will now hope to transition the age-group success at the senior level in what is one of the deepest weight classes in the world.

Benjamin KUETER (USA) won the 97kg U20 world title in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

USA wins 2 golds

In other finals on Tuesday, the USA won two gold medals while Iran and Azerbaijan won one each as five world champions were crowned.

18-year-old Benjamin KUETER (USA) emerged as the world champion at 97kg after securing a fall over '21 U17 world champion Rifat GIDAK (TUR) in the final.

Gidak got the hold over Kueter and scored an exposure using a seatbelt throw but Kueter quickly got out of it to score two of his own and then used a move that he learned wrestling folkstyle in the US.

"It started a little crazy but I hit this gut and felt the momentum coming along," Kueter said. "I got on top and the move I did was actually a folkstyle move which we do in the States. It's hard for foreigners as they don't get that feeling."

Gidak tried locking the hands to stop Kueter from getting the rolls but the American ultimately used an arm bar to pin the Turkey wrestler.

The Iowa City native, who is also an All-American in American football, explained that Gidak was stronger in defense.

"He was in a strong position," Kueter said. "He stopped me from going to one side but all I had to do was go the other way. I could hear coach Green yelling go around, go around and that was it."

Jore VOLK (USA) beat U20 Asian champion Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ), 3-2, to win the 57kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Jore VOLK (USA) was the other world champion for the USA as he beat U20 Asian champion Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ), 3-2, in a close 57kg final.

In a final of two halves, Volk took to Bazarbayev with continuous attacks and managed to circle behind Bazarbayev. He tried scoring a takedown but ended up dragging the Kazakhstan wrestler for a point. He did get the takedown in another sequence just before the break to lead 3-0.

"I was confident in my defense and even if I gave up points in the second period, I knew I will get one of my own," Volk said.

He did exactly that and forced Bazarbayev to attack. Volk was called passive and penalized for a singlet pull but with some classic underhook defense, the USA wrestler managed to win the title.

Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 70kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The USA could have crowned three champions but Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) beat Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA), 13-7, in a slugfest that saw him play out a tactical game in the final.

He began with a big two and two and tried to secure the fall but Mesenbrink managed to roll over and survive. He gave up a gut wrench before getting the reversal. Heybatov went into the break with a 7-1 lead.

The second period began with Mesenbrink scoring two stepouts but gave up a takedown as well. He scored one of his own and a stepout to cut the lead to 9-6. But Heybatov kept coming back and scoring takedowns to ultimately win 13-7.

Sobhan YARI (IRI) won the only gold for Iran on Tuesday. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 79kg, Sobhan YARI (IRI) gave Iran a gold medal as he beat Mushegh MKRTCHYAN (ARM), 5-0, in the final.

The first period was a slow affair as both wrestlers were happy to not engage in scrambles. Yari led 1-0 at the break after getting a point for Mkrtchyan's passivity. A minute into the second period, he scored a takedown before another passivity point and stepout helped him secure the win with ease.

Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) defeated Nicholas FELDMAN (USA), 11-1, in the 125kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Iran leads ahead

With Yari's gold and three more wrestlers winning their respective semifinals on Tuesday, Iran took control of the team title race by moving past the USA at the top spot.

In a strong show on Tuesday's semifinals, Armin HABIBZADEH (IRI), Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) and Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) reached the gold medal bouts.

Returning 86kg world champion Firouzpour reached the final at 92kg after handing Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA) an 10-0 loss in the semifinal. The Asian champion was not scored upon in his three bouts on Tuesday and he will hope to keep a clean record in the final against Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO) who reached the final beating Sergey SARGSYAN (ARM), 4-3.

'21 U17 world champion Masoumi also dominated his competition and reached the final with ease after beating Nicholas FELDMAN (USA), 11-1 in the semifinal. His pressure wrestling was once again on display, scoring stepouts at will against the USA wrestler.

Masoumi will have to beat U20 Asia silver medalist Mahendra GAIKWAD (IND) to win the title. Gaikwad defeated Namoz ABDURASHIDOV (UZB), 6-0 in the other semifinal.

Habibzadeh will like to add a world title to his continental one at 61kg after he defeated Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), 3-0, to reach the final. A point for passivity and a takedown was all the action in the bout.

But former U17 world bronze medalist Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN) will be a tough match for him as the Japanese star looks to add a gold medal to his bronze from the 2019 Worlds in Sofia. In a high-scoring semifinal, Nishiuchi scored a 16-8 win over Mohit KUMAR (IND).

Both wrestlers had four-point moves in the first period which saw 16 points being scored with Nishiuchi leading 10-6. He added a takedown and gut in the second period before Kumar scored exposure. But Nishiuchi managed to win comfortably.

Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) outscored his opponents 38-2 on Tuesday. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The other finalist for Japan came at 74kg as Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN) set up the gold medal bout against U20 European champion and returning silver medalist Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE).

Kamiya wrestled '21 U17 world champion Sagar JAGLAN (IND) in the semifinal and displayed strong defense to win 9-2. Jaglan got hold of Kamiya's leg and tried to score a takedown when the Japan wrestler tripped him for four points. A double for another four-pointer all but sealed the match for Kamiya, avenging his 4-0 loss to Jaglan from the 2019 U15 Asian Championships.

Gadzhiev will be hoping to win the U20 world title after finishing second to Erfan ELAHI (IRI) last year at 70kg. Elahi lost 10-4 to Jaglan earlier in the day.

Overall, the U23 European champion outscored his opponents 38-2 including the 5-2 semifinal win over Luka CHKHITUNIDZE (GEO).

Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA), red, is hoping to upgrade his 2021 silver to gold in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Another returning silver medalist hoping to win the title is Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) as he reached the 86kg final against Bennett BERGE (USA).

Magamadov was stopped by Firouzpour last year but the France wrestler looks determined to win the gold this year. He defeated Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE), 11-2, in the semifinal. But his biggest win came in the quarterfinal when he leg laced Aref RANJBARI (IRI) to win in just over a minute.

Wednesday he will face Berge in the final who defeated Ismail KUCUKSOLAK (TUR), 9-7, after being 5-0 down. Kucuksolak scored a four-pointer and a point for Berge's passivity but as the Turkey wrestler got tired, Berge scored five stepouts in the second period to make it 5-5 before adding two takedowns to make it 9-5. A consolation takedown gave Kucuksolak two points.

Apart from the freestyle medal bouts on Wednesday, women's wrestling begins at the U20 World Championships with 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg wrestlers going on the mat.

Podium The four medalists at 65kg in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

RESULTS

57kg:
GOLD: Jore VOLK (USA) df. Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ), 3-2

BRONZE: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) df. Luka GVINJILIA (GEO), 11-0
BRONZE: Abhishek DHAKA (IND) df. Heorhii KAZANZHY (UKR), 8-5

65kg
GOLD: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE), via injury (5-1)

BRONZE: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Robert CORNELLA (USA), 6-6
BRONZE: Sujeet KALKAL (IND) df. Mykyta ZUBAL (UKR), 12-1

70kg
GOLD: Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) df. Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA), 13-7

BRONZE: Hossein AGHAEI (IRI) df. Hayk PAPIKYAN (ARM), 5-2
BRONZE: Mulaym YADAV (IND) df. Gigi KURKHULI (GEO), 12-2

79kg
GOLD: Sobhan YARI (IRI) df. Mushegh MKRTCHYAN (ARM), 5-0

BRONZE: Otari ADEISHVILI (GEO) df. Bekir OVEC (TUR), 10-4
BRONZE: Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) df. Soslan TIGIYEV (AZE), 18-10

97kg
GOLD: Benjamin KUETER (USA) df. Rifat GIDAK (TUR), via fall

BRONZE: NIRAJ (IND) df. Luka KHUTCHUA (GEO), 18-10
BRONZE: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. David MCHEDLIDZE (UKR), 5-1

Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: Armin HABIBZADEH (IRI) vs. Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN)

SF 1: Armin HABIBZADEH (IRI) df. Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA), 3-0
SF 2: Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN) df. Mohit KUMAR (IND), 16-8

74kg
GOLD: Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN) vs. Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE)

SF 1: Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN) df. Sagar JAGLAN (IND), 9-2
SF 2: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df. Luka CHKHITUNIDZE (GEO), 5-2

86kg
GOLD: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) vs Bennett BERGE (USA)

SF 1: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) df. Sabuhi AMIRASLANOV (AZE), 11-2
SF 2: Bennett BERGE (USA) df. Ismail KUCUKSOLAK (TUR), 9-7

92kg
GOLD: Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO) vs. Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI)

SF 1: Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO) df. Sergey SARGSYAN (ARM), 4-3
SF 2: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) df. Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA), 10-0

125kg
GOLD: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) vs. Mahendra GAIKWAD (IND)

SF 1: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) df. Nicholas FELDMAN (USA), 11-1
SF 2: Mahendra GAIKWAD (IND) df. Namoz ABDURASHIDOV (UZB), 6-0

FS World Cup: All you need to know

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Jalolov adds U20 World title to impressive resume