Grappling

Grappling Shines Bright in Kazakhstan as 2019 World Champions Decided

Monday, September 23, 2019 - 13:17 By United World Wrestling Press

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NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept. 23 and 24) --- Athletes from 18 nations made the trip to Kazakhstan to claim individual and team world titles in No-Gi Grappling and Grappling Gi styles. The competition took place in Bary’s Arena following the Greco Roman, Women’s Wrestling and the Freestyle Wrestling World Championships. This was the second year in which Kazakhstan played host to No-gi Grappling and Grappling Gi world championships. These events are part of the lead up to Nur-Sultan hosting the 2021 World Combat Games which the Grappling styles will be a participant. 

Men’s No- Gi Grappling

In the 62KG division, Anthony Guy DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) caught the attention of many with his positional and submission expertise. Winning his first qualification match 7-0, he then scored submission victories in the Quarter and Semi-Finals to advance to a finals match showdown with Magomedbek TEMEEV (RUS). After a brief exchange on the feet, DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) pulled guard giving TEMEEV (RUS) a 2-0 lead. After defending some aggressive guard passing from the Russian, DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) was able to sweep to bring the score to 2-2. With time running short DE OLIVEIRA (FRA), was awarded 1 point for a leg lock attempt.

 

Dmytro Baranov (UKR) was another highlight reel at 62KG and would go on to take home a bronze medal. After falling short in the opening round against DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) in a rematch of this year's European Finals. Baranov (UKR) would score two exciting submission victories to land his spot on the podium.

Gairbeg IBRAGIMOV (RUS) capped off a dominant run at Men’s No-gi Grappling 71KG with a 15-0 technical decision in the Finals match. He used a variety of takedowns and guard passes to overwhelm his opponent. He scored submission victories over opponents from Georgia and USA on Day 1 to reach the finals.

Team Russia once again proved their dominance, putting a finalist in all 8 final’s matches. They walked away with 7 golds and 1 silver as well as the team title. Team USA advanced 4 members to medal matches with Carlos SOTO walking away with the only medal, a silver at 92KG

Women’s Grappling No-gi

Zofia Maria SZAWERNOWSKA (POL) met Kateryna SHAKALOVA (UKR) in the 58KG final. SZAWERNOWSKA (POL) jumped ahead early leading 2-0, she quickly attacked to secure the back control. SHAKALOVA (UKR) defended the back attack but got caught in a triangle choke as she worked her way out of the bad position and was again forced to defend. SHAKALOVA (UKR) found her way out of the submission attempt but, time ran out as she fell short on points 4-2.

 

 

At 64KG Meshi ROSENFELD (ISR) scored a submission victory over Iuliia TORIANSKAIA (RUS) after leading 4-3. She used an active guard during the tournament, scoring 3 submission victories, 1 victory on points and a victory by forfeit. Iuliia TORIANSKAIA (RUS) reached the final after making her Italian opponent tap-out in the Semifinals

Rimma ANUFRIEVA TROPINA (RUS) claimed her world championship title at 71KG in a come from behind victory. She trailed Magdalena Zofia LOSKA (POL) most of the match until LOSKA (POL) attacked a toe-hold. TROPINA (RUS) defended well and scrambled out and snatched up her own submission. Forcing her opponent to tap to a kneebar with less than 30 seconds remaining.

Russia once again lead all teams with 3 team members landing in the finals. Ukraine came second with 2 members in finals matches. Team France walked away with its 2nd gold medal No-gi Grappling with Claire France THEVENON’s gold medal at +71KG 

Men’s Grappling Gi

Anthony Guy DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) once again secured gold this time in Men’s Grappling Gi at 62KG. He faced off against Dmytro Baranov (UKR). Baranov (UKR) had defeated him in the finals of this year's European Championship. Tied 2-2 with 3 minutes remaining in the match, DE OLIVEIRA (FRA) hit a slick backstep pass to go-ahead 5-2.  He worked his way to the back control and finished a choke to win his 2nd gold medal of the day. Also at 62KG, hometown favorite Vladislav MUKHORTOV (KAZ) bounced back from a Quarterfinal’s points loss to submit his opponent in the bronze medal match.

Gairbeg IBRAGIMOV (RUS) had a scare early in his finals match against Abdyldabek KEKENOV (KGZ) in the 71KG final. With the matched tied 2-2, KEKENOV (KGZ) got behind IBRAGIMOV (RUS) and secured one hook from the back position forcing IBRAGIMOV (RUS) to defend his neck and back to not give up the 4 points. After scrambling back to the top position the Russian star racked up 14 more points to win big and secure his 2nd gold medal of the event.

Team Russian again advanced the most competitors to finals matches with 5, followed by team Poland with 3.  Abdurahmanhaji MURTAZALIEV made sure Kyrgyzstan walked away with gold when he submitted his opponent in the 84KG final

 

 

Women’s Grappling Gi

Zofia Maria SZAWERNOWSKA (POL) squared off against Barbara CARIANI (ITA) in the 58KG Final. SZAWERNOWSKA (POL) opted for the guard pull after a minute of standing work. CARIANI (ITA)  quickly forced her to the turtle position to avoid giving up points on the guard pass. After an exchange of leglock submissions, SZAWERNOWSKA (POL) worked her way on to the back of CARIANI (ITA) sinking in the hooks to take a 6-2 lead with 32 seconds remaining. A reversal by CARIANI (ITA) brought the score to 6-4 as time expired. Making Zofia Maria SZAWERNOWSKA (POL) champion of the world after 5 victories.

Meshi ROSENFELD (ISR) advanced past Irina GROMOVA (RUS) to win her 2nd gold medal of the day at 64KG.  ROSENFELD (ISR) pulled guard at the start of the match giving GROMOVA (RUS) the 2-0 lead. Using a slick back take from the spider-guard ROSENFELD (ISR) took a 6-4 lead. She locked in a choke and it looked as though the match would end there.  GROMOVA (RUS) displayed her toughness as she worked her way out and brought the score to 7-4. Time would run out there in an exciting finals match.

2026 U17 World Championships

U17 World Championships 2026 Day 6 Freestyle Highlights

Saturday, August 1, 2026 - 06:38 By Vinay Siwach

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (August 1) -- The day six of the U17 World Championships will be all Freestyle with action in 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 81kg and 92kg weight classes. The matches will go on till semifinals before the medal bouts of Friday's weight classes.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 RESULTS

 

15:15: Rylen WAX (USA) takes another step towards winning gold after he beats Aryn ZHANAT (KAZ), 8-6, 45kg. Zhanat hit a four-pointer to lead 5-4 at the start of the second period but Wax with a takedown to make it 6-5. Zhanat threatened to score the match winning takedown but Wax whizzed him for a two before a reversal but was safe to win the bout and reach the semifinal.

15:08: Ibrahim HASANOV (AZE) gets one back for Azerbaijan as he beats GOVIND (IND), 10-3 at 51kg. He scored an early takedown and turned Govind twice to lead 6-1. Govind played catch up for the remaining time as Hasanov would sit after grabbing the leg and defend his lead.

15:05: Mahdi DAMERCHELI (IRI) scored two takedowns to Marko KVASNIUK (UKR) one and wins the battle 5-2 and enters the semifinals at 45kg.

15:00: Marshall EVERETT (GBR) is into the 92kg semifinals after an 11-0 blanking of Amirbek FAZLITDINOV (UZB). Everett with a strong performance and he will now wrestle for a medal for Great Britian

14:55: Salah TSARNI (USA) puts on a masterclass to beat Shu YOSHIDA (JPN) at 92kg. Tsarni scores easy takedowns before hitting a big four-pointer. He then trips Yoshida for another four for a 12-0 win.

14:51: SITENDER (IND) returns to the semifinals at the World Championships after he beats Shai SABAG (ISR) at 60kg. He uses the trap arm gut to finish a 10-0 win.

14:50: Aryn ZHANAT (KAZ) rolls to a 10-0 win over Siarhei LAUZHEL (BLR) in a minute and 15 seconds to enter the quarterfinals at 45kg.

14:40: A challenge saves Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI) at 71kg! After leading 5-0, Shamsipour gave up four points in the last 30 seconds and then Adilet RYSBAY (KAZ) scored the match winning points to claim 6-5 victory. But Iran challenges and wins it as Rysbay had committed a foul. An ecstatic Shamsipour could not controlled his happiness

14:20: Bonkers match on Mat A between Davit MDZEVASHVILI (GEO) and Taha GANJEH (IRI). Mdzeashvili took a 6-0 lead which Ganjeh erased and scored 10 points. However Mdzevashvili scored a four-pointer and took a 10-10 criteria lead with 30 seconds left. Ganjeh did not give up and used a lift to get two points and Mdzeashvili scored a reversal. Ganjeh led 12-11 when time expired but Georgia challenged. On review, it was clear that Mdzeashvili got a two-point exposure and not a reversal for one point, making him a 12-12 winner at 60kg

14:03: SITENDER (IND), the defending champion at 60kg, beats Mardan ORYNBASSAR (KAZ), 13-3 and advances to the quarterfinals. Sitender with two four point throws in the match

13:55: Rylen WAX (USA), who won the gold medal at 45kg in Greco-Roman, begins his Freestyle campaign with a 14-3 win over Hanumant JADHAV (USA). Wax with some big throws using the headpinch as Jadhav struggled to even stand his ground

13:50: Mahdi DAMERCHELI (IRI) has no trouble seeing off Aldar BADMAEV (RUS) at 45kg. The U17 Asian champion had Badmaev in all sorts of trouble, majorly circling around and scoring takedowns. A 9-2 win for the Iranian.

13:30: Marshall EVERETT (GBR) with some solid counters against Yasin ERTURK (TUR) as he moves on at 92kg after a 6-2 win

13:20: Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI) on a roll here! Typical Iranian wrestling of pressuring his opponent and Camryn HOWARD (USA) has no answers. Shamsipour wins 8-1 and advances at 71kg

12:56: Abdurazak SHABANOV (RUS) stops after his third turn against Anatoli TAMAROVICH (BLR) thinking he has done enough to beat the Belarus wrestler at 92kg. But he was only up 8-0 so he scores one more takedown soon after to complete a 10-0 victory

12:52: U17 European silver medalist Ali DADAEV (FRA) takes his time but beats Johnson TSAKIRAKIS (AUS) at 92kg, 12-2.

12:50: Shota FUJIWARA (JPN) and Joseph BURKE (USA) with some great wrestling at 60kg. Fujiwara was up 3-2 at the break but Burke with a Burroughs-like double-leg attack and turn to lead 6-3. However, Fujiwara counters and lifts Burke and dumps him for four points to lead 7-6. He scores a takedown and a stepout to win the bout 10-6

12:30: SAKSHAM (IND) continues the winning run of India wrestlers over Azerbaijan wrestler as he beats Elgun KARIMLI (AZE) at 92kg, 5-5 on criteria. Karimli led 4-4 on criteria before scoring a stepout in the second period to make it 5-4. Saksham found no way to score but got a stepout with 3 seconds left to win the bout.

12:15: Exceptional wrestling from U17 Asian silver medalist Masamune USHIMADO (JPN) who completes a 10-0 win over Yigit EGEMEN (TUR) at 51kg. A series of sweep singles are unanswered by Egemen and Ushimado manages to complete all five takedowns.

11:55: Said NABIEV (TJK) with a stunning 12-1 win over Evan RESTIVO (USA) at 51kg. Difficult result for the U.S. after none of its wrestlers made the finals on Friday

11:40: Defending champion at 60kg SITENDER (IND) begins with an 11-0 blanking of Sufjan SINANI (MKD). Sitender led 1-0 after Sinani was called passive and then he scored a takedown and four turns in the second period to complete the victory. 

11:25: Tunar GULIYEV (AZE) is not happy after a challenge decision is given against him. The Azerbaijan wrestler led 2-0 against Adilet RYSBAY (KAZ) but the Kazakhstan wrestler scored a takedown to lead 2-2 on criteria. Guliyev challenged asking for two points for himself but on review, there were no points and a cautioned point was docked from Guliyev for biting Rysbay. Dramatic emotions from Guliyev as he is unable to process the result

11:20: Koichiro NAGAI (JPN) with a smile on his face after he scores a late takedown to beat Joab CARRILLO (PUR), 6-4, and win his 71kg bout

11:10: Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI) begins with an 8-4 win over Jaloliddin DJALALOV (UZB) in the wide-open 71kg weight class. Down 2-0, Shamsipour switches with a head-outside single and scores a takedown and turn to lead 4-2. He begins the second period with a takedown as well before fumbling one attack and Djalalov makes it count. But Shamsipour, leading 6-4, is happy to defend. He got one more takedown at the end to finish the bout.

11:00: Orel BENOGUEV (ISR) had no business winning the 71kg bout against Mohamed HAFEZ (EGY) who dominant it throughout. But Benoguev used a headlock for throw and then pinned Hafez when trailing 11-5.

10:30: As usual, the repechage rounds will begin the day before moving to the qualification rounds of the five weight classes.