#WrestleZagreb

Fujinami displays dominance in winning return at Zagreb Open

Sunday, February 5, 2023 - 00:25 By Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (February 4) -- Among all the noise around new world champions last year in Belgrade and her absence from international competitions due to injury, Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)'s name got lost in the discussions regarding being a threat for gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

But the 19-year-old on Saturday reminded the world of her domination with a gold medal at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series. In her five bouts, she finished with a 51-0 record, including a 10-0 win over Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT-OCHIR (MGL).

The five wins extended her winning streak to 111 bouts, dating back to junior high school in 2017.

"I am happy to be here. I am fully fit as well," Fujinami said.

Since the Asian Championships in April last year, Fujinami remained out of action internationally due to injuries. She pulled out of the U20 World Championships in August owing to cellulitis in her leg and was forced to sit out of the senior World Championships in September after suffering ligament damage in the left foot on the first day of the national camp.

The 2021 world champion returned to the mat at the Emperor's Cup in December and won the 53kg weight class albeit without facing Tokyo Olympic champion Mayu SHIDOCHI (JPN).

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) outscored her opponents 51-0 in Zagreb. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

When that bout happens is to be seen but before that, Fujinami is making sure that no one takes her lightly.

Beginning with Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL), Fujinami worked with multiple takedowns instead of her favorite ankle pick to leg lace transition. She defeated the former U23 world champion Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) 10-0 before taking out two Canadian world medalists in succession. Karla GODINEZ (CAN) and Samantha STEWART (CAN) suffered 10-0 and 11-0 losses respectively.

One of the surprises she threw at her opponents was to not go for the leg lace and instead score more through takedowns. Fujinami explained that it was her conscious effort to try new techniques.

"Now my favorite technique is to go for single leg or ankle pick and it's working," Fujinami said. "But I cannot win using the same technique every time. So I need to change and improve my technique."

In the final against Bat-Ochir, Fujinami was aware of the threat that Mongolian wrestlers pose with their ability to pin. Dropping the idea of ankle pick which would need her to reach deep, Fujinami kept her distance and worked on takedowns.

"I felt that the Mongolian wanted me to do the ankle pick to her so I was very careful to transition into a lace," she said. "I wanted to try my new and small techniques which my coaches taught at Nippon Sports Science University. I am training for these things and I tried if they will work here."

Fujinami also regretted the fact that she failed to defend her world title in Belgrade but treats that time as motivation to work harder for Paris Olympics.

"I was very frustrated but I take that as a trial for the Paris Olympics," she said. "After I go back, I will watch the videos of this tournament with my coaches. This is the most important time for me. I have to struggle and train more."

Fujinami will now be preparing for the Asian Championships before the all-important Meiji Cup in June. Winning the gold medal in Meiji Cup will mean that she will wrestle at the World Championships in Belgrade. A medal in Belgrade will give her an automatic qualification for Paris Olympics.

Sae NANJO (JPN) won the 57kg final against Yongxin FENG (CHN) 12-1. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

It will be a similar path for Sae NANJO (JPN) as she tries to reach her first Olympics. She won the 57kg gold medal in Zagreb after beating Yongxin FENG (CHN) 12-1 in the final.

Placed with the lower half of the bracket with Ningning RONG (CHN), Helen MAROULIS (USA), and Alexandria TOWN (CAN), it was a shock that Patrycja GIL (POL) reached the semifinal against Nanjo.

Gil defeated Rong 5-4 before shocking Maroulis 10-5 in the quarterfinals. But she failed to put up a fight against Nanjo who scored a technical superiority win over Gil.

In the final, Nanjo turned it up in the second period with tight defense and enough attacks to keep the lead. In the dying seconds, she got a takedown and roll.

Returning to senior-level competition for the first time since winning a bronze medal at the 2021 World Championships, Nanjo felt nervous.

"I was nervous about this competition because this was my first senior competition since the 2021 Oslo World Championships," Nanjo said. "But my teammates told me that I won against the world champion [Tsugumi SAKURA (JPN) at Emperor's Cup] so everything will be okay."

When asked if beating Sakurai gave her more confidence than before, Nanjo said it did not matter.

"Nothing changed much because I defeated Sakurai," she said. "I don't care who I wrestle against."

Japan finished women's wrestling with six gold, one silver and one bronze medal.

Yelena MAKOYED (USA) pins Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) in the 76kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Makoyed shines again

Yelena is quickly making a name for herself in the 76kg weight class as she ran through the field to win the gold medal. That was her third Ranking Series gold medal as she captured two last year.

In Zagreb, she pinned world bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) in the final using an arm-bar inside the first period.

In her previous three bouts, she won all three by technical superiority. In the semifinal, she defeated Dymond GUILFORD (USA) 12-2.

Skylar GROTE (USA) added the second gold for the USA on Saturday as she won the 72kg weight classes with some convincing wins throughout the day.

In the final, she defeated Dalma CAVENA (ITA) 3-1, capturing her second Ranking Series gold medal.

HUSIYUETU (CHN) stunned Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) 13-4 in the semifinals. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Husiyuetu stuns 67kg

HUSIYUETU (CHN), who finished ninth at the senior World Championships, stunned the 67kg field with the gold medal after being drawn in one of the toughest sides of the bracket.

He opened with a win over Elmer MATTILA (FIN) 3-1, Hasiyeutu survived a scare against Mihai MIHUT (ROU) who scored three points in the first half. But Hasiyeutu got the opportunity to be in par terre and he turned Mattila to win 4-3.

The semifinal against Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) gave a peek into Hasiyeutu's strength. Despite trailing 4-0, Hasiyeutu scored 13 points and won 13-4, exposing Orta using an unconventional grip. 

"I am so happy with the wrestling," Hasiyeutu said. "The bout against Orta from Cuba was very hard for me."

In the final, he was up against Reza ABBASI (IRI) and waited for his turn to be on top. Once there, he used a similar grip and git two rolls to win 5-2.

The 63kg gold medal went to Taleh MAMADOV (AZE) who defeated Aref Hossein Khoun MOHAMMADI (IRI) 7-2 in the final.

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RESULTS

53kg
GOLD: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) df. Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL), 10-0

BRONZE: Iulia LEORDA (MDA) df. Diana WEICKER (CAN), 10-0
BRONZE: Samantha STEWART (CAN) df. Karla GODINEZ (CAN), 6-1

57kg
GOLD: Sae NANJO (JPN) df. Yongxin FENG (CHN), 12-1

BRONZE: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Patrycja GIL (POL), 4-2
BRONZE: Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) df. Giullia PENALBER (BRA), 3-2

72kg
GOLD: Skylar GROTE (USA) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA), 3-1

BRONZE: Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) df. Milla ANDELIC (CRO), 18-7

76kg
GOLD: Yelena MAKOYED (USA) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), 4-2

BRONZE: Justina DI STASIO (CAN) df. Juan WANG (CHN), 6-3
BRONZE: Dymond GUILFORD (USA) df. Precious BELL (USA), 13-0

Greco-Roman

63kg
GOLD:  Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Aref Hossein Khoun MOHAMMADI (IRI), 7-2

BRONZE: Ivan LIZATOVIC (CRO) df. Aker AL OBAIDI (AUT), 3-1
BRONZE: Iman Hossein Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB), 10-0

67kg
GOLD: HUSIYUETU (CHN) df. Reza ABBASI (IRI), 5-2

BRONZE: ASHU (IND) df. Adomas GRIGALIUNAS (LTU), 5-0
BRONZE: Luis ORTA (CUB) df. Elmer MATTILA (FIN), 4-2

#WrestleBratislava

Young stars make Azerbaijan best team at Europeans

Sunday, April 13, 2025 - 23:03 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 13) -- Azerbaijan is the best team of Europe and its way ahead of others.

The country claimed the Greco-Roman team title at the European Championships in Bratislava with 151 points, 41 points more than second-placed Turkiye which had 110 points. Hungary managed to put itself on the podium at the third place with 104 points.

After only a silver and bronze medals on Saturday, Azerbaijan bounced back with three gold medals and a bronze medal to finish on the top of the standings.

Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE)Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) initiates a throw against Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) in the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Starting the gold rush world 63kg champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) who downed Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), 7-3, in the 60kg final.

"The final started well and even though I had made seven points, I was more confident in winning," Mammadli said. "In the second period, I made a mistake. I gave two moves to my opponent but I was still able to hold on to the victory."

Mammadli got the first par terre advantage and completed a standing to danger suplex for four points and a turn to lead 7-0. He tried one more turn but Tibilov defended the attempt. Tibilov managed to turn Mammadli in the second period when he got the par terre position but that was all the action from him.

The 7-3 win gave Mammadi his second straight European gold medal and confirmed his spot on the Azerbaijan team for the World Championships.

"I am very happy with the second [title]," he said. "I felt ready for this, I was overwhelmed with myself. When I came to the competition, I was thinking about the gold medal. I had prepared myself well, both physically and technically. I achieved what I wanted."

In his three earlier bouts, Mammadli completed three technical superiority wins including a thunderous 8-0 win over former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in the semifinal, a rematch of the final of European Championships last year which Mammadli won.

"The competition was very good and there were very talented wrestlers," he said. "The gold last year at 60kg is almost a year past and every competition is very high. Because it was an Olympic weight class, this was expected. It was like a European World Championship in wrestling."

The 22-year-old will now wants to repeat as the world champion but in 60kg weight class. The challenge with that category is that it is dominated by wrestlers from Asia. At both the 2023 World Championships and the 2024 Paris Olympics, all four medalists at 60kg were from Asia.

"[For Asian wrestlers] I can say that it will be a very difficult match," Mammadli said. "Hopefully, the next match will be at the World Championship. I know that it is a very difficult match but I will prepare even better for them."

Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) celebrates after winning the 67kg final at the European Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 67kg, Paris Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) continued his dominance at the continental event, winning his third straight European gold medal.

Facing Abu AMAEV (BUL), who Jafarov had defeated last European Championships in the quarterfinal, in the final in Bratislava, Jafarov turned him in par terre for two points. At the end of the mat, Jafarov lifted Amaev and completed the throw for four points to lead 7-0.

Amaev failed to break Jafarov's defense from par terre and got only one point as he dropped the bout 7-1. By reaching the final, Amaev earned his best European Championships medal -- a silver. He has two bronze medals from past editions.

"This European Championships was really tough for me," Jafarov said. "I managed to retain my title for the third time. I have endured a lot of hardships and hard work during this time. I injured my ear when I was playing the Zagreb tournament. An operation was performed, I continued to work hard, regardless of the surgery. I could not stay in camp in Croatia. I returned and continued to work hard in Azerbaijan."

Jafarov, who has an Olympic bronze medal and two medals at the World Championships, is determined to win the gold medal at the World Championships now.

"I haven't been a world champion. I'm want to be a world champion," he said. "I have to work hard for Azerbaijan so that I can win a gold medal at the upcoming world championships. I really want that medal and God willing it will be like that because I really want that medal in any way."

Gurban GURBANOV (AZE)Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) defeated world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), in par terre, in the 82kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Another young star gave Azerbaijan its third gold as Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) won the top medal at 82kg. He defeated world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) 6-0 in the final.

Earning a par terre advantage in the first period, Gurbanov scored from a turn to lead in the first period before blocking an armthrow from Szilvassy to earn two points. Hungary challenged the call for slip throw but lost it, giving one more point to Gurbanov for a 6-0 lead.

The gold medal is Gurbanov's first major senior gold medal as he already has two European U23 golds and one U17 gold. Gurbanov has won the World Championships gold medal at U17, U20 and U23 levels.

Milov completes golden run

Kiril MILOV (BUL) completed is glorious run at the European Championships with the 97kg gold medal, his second in the continental history. In the final, he beat Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER), 7-1, a day after he defeated seven-time European champion Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM).

"This is one of the most long-awaited medals because in the semifinals I managed to defeat Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), who is a great wrestler, and I am glad that I managed to win the title," Milov said.

Milov scored two gut wrench turns from par terre to lead 5-0 and then was saved by a challenge in the second period. Lazogianis completed a throw from par terre which was blocked by Milov and he never landed in danger. But Lazogianis was awarded four points which gave him a 5-5 criteria lead for a bigger move.

Bulgaria challenged the decision and got two points as he had blocked Lazogianis and made him land in danger instead. He then defended his 7-1 lead for the gold medal.

"We trained very differently, very hard, we did very good training, we prepared well and I managed not to make a mistake in the matches and that is why I managed to win," he said.

Kiril MILOV (BUL)Kiril MILOV (BUL) celebrates after winning the 97kg final at the European Championships. (Photos: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In his semifinal against Aleksanyan, Milov countered the Armenian's strongest suit -- the gut wrench. Milov led 1-1 on criteria after getting the first par terre position. Aleksanyan, in the second par terre position, tried to turn Milov who managed to stay in his position and scored a reversal.

With a 2-1 lead, Milov defended his position in the remaining 90 seconds and handed Aleksanyan his first-ever European defeat since 2017.

"With Artur, I know that whatever I do, I have to defend myself from the ground [par terre], because that's his best grip." Milov said. "He's very good from there and I'm glad I was able to defend myself from the ground."

The 28-year-old was at the Paris Olympics at 130kg after the spot was offered to Bulgaria due to reallocation of quotas. Milov underwent surgery before Olympic qualifiers in 2024 and missed qualifying at 97kg.

"Yes, before the two Olympics, even in Tokyo, I had an operation before the Olympics itself and in Paris too, I underwent a very serious operation," he said. "I wasn't able to get a quota but I got the chance to participate. I participated at 130kg, but I couldn't get prepared and the results. I was shaking. So now I'm training to succeed at the next Olympic Games in Los Angeles."

At 72kg, two gold medals were awarded after a scoreboard glitch gave Levente LEVAI (HUN) a 4-4 criteria win over Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) in the final.

RESULTS

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), 7-3

BRONZE: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) df. Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO), 10-0
BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) df. Olivier SKRZYPCZAK (POL), 5-0

67kg
GOLD: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Abu AMAEV (BUL), 7-1

BRONZE: Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL) df. Yanis GUENDEZ NIFRI (FRA), 5-0
BRONZE: Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 3-1

72kg
GOLD: Levente LEVAI (HUN) and Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) [NO SILVER]

BRONZE: Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) df. Aliaksandr LIAVONCHYK (UWW), 2-1
BRONZE: Mehmet SAHIN (TUR) df. Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU), 9-1

82kg
GOLD: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) df. Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), 6-0

BRONZE: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df. Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR), 5-3 
BRONZE: Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Kiril MILOV (BUL) df. Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER), 7-1

BRONZE: Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) df. Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED), 8-5
BRONZE: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), via inj. def.