#BudaWrestle2018

Gray Dominates 2017 Champ Adar to Capture 4th World Title

By Andrew Hipps

BUDAPEST, Hungary (October 24) -- After not competing in 2017, Adeline GRAY (USA) left no doubt that she is back. 

A day after beating 2016 Olympic champion Erica WIEBE (CAN) to reach the gold-medal match, Gray claimed her fourth gold medal at the World Championships with a dominant 13-1 technical fall victory over 2017 world champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) in the gold-medal match at 76kg on Wednesday night in Budapest, Hungary. 

Adar scored first off the shot clock to take a 1-0 lead. But Gray came back with a takedown late in the first period before locking up her leg lace and turning Adar five times for the technical fall.

"I feel great," Gray said after her finals victory. "I can't believe it. I did such a good job mentally today. I'm so proud of myself, proud of my body, proud of my team. I'm so proud of everything that happened. This has been a wonderful two days."

Gray's previous world titles came in 2015, 2014 and 2012. 

Wiebe came back to win a bronze medal at 76kg, beating Epp MAE (EST) 4-0. Hiroe MINAGAWA SUZUKI (JPN) took the other bronze medal by forfeit. 

Canada crowned a world champion as Justina DI STASIO topped Nasanburmaa OCHIRBAT (MGL) 4-2 in the gold-medal match 72kg. It comes a year after Di Stasio won her first world medal (bronze) in Paris at 75kg. She moved down a weight class to make room for Wiebe. 

Di Stasio never trailed in the gold-medal match. She scored a takedown in the first minute and added another in the second period to go up 4-0. Ochirbat responded with a takedown of her own but was unable to score again.

Di Stasio was overcome with emotion after the victory. 

"I have dreamed about this day so many times," Di Stasio said.

The bronze medals at 72kg went to Buse TOSUN (TUR) and Martina KUENZ (AUT). Tosun used a late takedown to defeat WANG Juan (CHN) 5-2. Kuenz, a 2011 cadet world bronze medalist, edged Samar Amer HAMZA (EGY) 2-1. 

In the gold-medal match at 65kg, Petra OLLI (FIN) held on to defeat Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) 6-5 and claim her first world title after winning a bronze medal in 2015. Lappage, a 2010 junior world champion, looked strong early, scoring first off the shot clock and adding a takedown to go up 3-0. Olli inched closer with a takedown late in the first period and then grabbed the lead on criteria less than a minute into the second period after scoring a point off a caution. 

Olli extended her lead to 5-3 midway through the second period with a takedown off a duckunder. Trailing by two with 10 seconds left, Lappage shot a single leg and secured a last-second takedown to make the score 5-5. However, a finger caution broke the tie and gave Olli a 6-5 victory. 

Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) came from behind in the final period to defeat Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) 15-10 in the gold-medal match at 68kg.

The 29-year-old Ukrainian adds a world gold to a bronze she won in 2010. Larroque was in search of her first senior world gold medal after winning world gold medals at the U23, junior and cadet championships. 

Cherkasova trailed 4-0 at the break after giving up two first-period takedowns. After a flurry early in the second, Larroque led 6-3. But Cherkasova locked up a leg lace and turned Larroque six times to take a commanding 15-6 lead. Larroque would mount a late comeback and cut the deficit to five points, but Cherkasova held on for the win.

The bronze medals at 65kg were won by Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) and Iryna NETREBA (AZE). Gempei, a junior and U23 world champion, defeated Ritu RITU (IND) for her first senior world medal. Netreba, a world fifth-place finisher in 2015, snuck past Forrest MOLINARI (USA) 1-1 by virtue of scoring the final point off the shot clock. 

Tamyra MENSAH (USA) earned her first world medal by defeating Olivia DI BACCO (CAN) 7-4 in a bronze-medal match at 68kg. She built a 6-0 and held on for the victory. The other bronze medal at 68kg was won by Feng ZHOU (CHN), who dominated Maryia MAMASHUK (BLR) 12-1. It's Zhou's second world medal and first since 2015. 

Finals Results

Women's Wrestling

65kg
GOLD: Petra OLLI (FIN) df. Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) by VPO1, 6-5
BRONZE: Iryna NETREBA (AZE) df. Forrest MOLINARI (USA) by VPO1, 1-1
BRONZE: Ayana GEMPEI (JPN) df. Ritu RITU (IND) by VPO1, 7-3

68kg
GOLD: Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) df. Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) by VPO1, 15-10
BRONZE: Tamyra MENSAH (USA) df. Olivia DI BACCO (CAN) by VPO1, 7-4
BRONZE: Feng ZHOU (CHN) df. Maryia MAMASHUK (BLR) by VSU1, 12-1

72kg
GOLD: Justina DI STASIO (CAN) df. Nasanburmaa OCHIRBAT (MGL) by VPO1, 4-2
BRONZE: Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Juan WANG (CHN) by VPO1, 5-2
BRONZE: Martina KUENZ (AUT) df. Samar HAMZA (EGY) by VPO1, 2-1

76kg
GOLD: Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Yasemin ADAR (TUR) by VSU1, 13-1
BRONZE: Epp MAE (EST) df. Erica WIEBE (CAN) by VPO, 4-0
BRONZE: Hiroe MINAGAWA SUZUKI (JPN) df. Zsanett NEMETH (HUN) by VIN, 0-0
 

#WrestleKonya

Iran, Azerbaijan snap 2 golds in GR at Islamic Solidarity Games

By Ali Feizasa

KONYA, Turkey (August 12) -- Wrestling at the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games entered day three with three women's and five Greco-Roman weight classes in action. A few stars performed par expectations and claimed the gold medals.

In Greco-Roman, Azerbaijan and Iran shared two golds each while Uzbekistan won one as well. In women's wrestling, Turkey, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan won a gold medal each.

The first gold medal of Greco-Roman wrestling went to Azerbaijan as the 2018 world champion and two-time world bronze medalist Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) won by superiority over Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) in the final match at 55kg. Azizli got a position in par terre and finished the bout with gut wrenches to win 10-1.

Another world champion doubled the gold count for Azerbaijan. Perhaps one of the most accomplished wrestlers in the field, Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) claimed the second gold at 82kg. The 34-year-old, an Olympic bronze medalist, defeated Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ), 6-3 in the 82kg final.

Huseynov, the 2022 European champion, struggled a little in the day, especially in his semifinal against Emrah KUS (TUR), which he won narrowly, 2-1.

Iran also won two gold medals with Shirzad BEHESHTI TALA (IRI) winning the 63kg gold while Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) won the title at 72kg.

In the 63kg final, Beheshti Tala was up against 2022 Asian champion Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and was an underdog. Just when it looked like Sharshenbekov will run away with the gold, Beheshti Tala managed to beat him 4-2 and claim the top medal.

Iranian newcomer and former junior world bronze medalist Rostami had an even closer bout against Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) in the 72kg final.

Ganizade, who has silver medals from the age-group World Championships, led 8-8 and was set to win the final on criteria but Rostami managed to score a stepout late in the final and earned a 9-8 victory.

At 97kg, the battle was between three top wrestlers of this year's Asian championships. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) succeed to win the match against Asian champion Mehdi BALI (IRI) 7-3 in the semifinal but 38-year-old Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) ended his dreams of becoming a champion in Konya and claimed the first gold for Uzbekistan Greco-Roman team.

After exchanging passivity, Assakalov managed to get a turn from par terre and managed to hang on for a 3-1 win against Dzhuzupbekov and the gold medal.

Medet Kyzy wins

After Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) won the gold medal at 62kg, Kyrgyzstan won another gold medal in women's wrestling through Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) at 76kg.

Medet Kyzy, a 2021 World bronze medalist, outscored her opponents 40-0 in the four bouts en route to winning gold. In the final, the 23-year-old, who has won gold at U23 Worlds and Asians, earned an easy 10-0 win over Amy AYOUIN (CIV).

The host country also won its second gold medal in women's wrestling as senior European medalist Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) won the 55kg weight class with much ease.

As the wrestlers in the weight class competed in a Nordic bracket, Yetgil had to beat Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) in Round 3 to claim the gold. She ended up pinning Akhmedova and let out an animated celebration in front of the home fans after capturing the title.

On Thursday, Buse TOSUN (TUR) won the gold at 72kg, the first of the Games for Turkey in wrestling.

At 65kg, Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) controlled her final against Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) to win the gold medal 3-3 on criteria.

Wrestling at the 5th Islamic Solidarity will continue Saturday, the final day, with five Greco-Roman and two women’s weight categories.

Day 3 Results

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB), 10-1

BRONZE: Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) df. Mohammad HOSSEINVAND (IRI), 8-0
BRONZE: Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) df. Umit DURDYYEV (TKM), 8-0

63kg
GOLD: Shirzad BEHESHTI TALA (IRI) df. Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), 4-2

BRONZE: Firuz MIRZORAJABOV (TJK) df. Turabek TIRKASHEV (UZB), via disqualification
BRONZE: Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) df. Djebbari ABDELDJEBAR (ALG), 6-3

72kg
GOLD: Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) df. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), 9-8

BRONZE: Murat DAG (TUR) df. Bek KONURBAEV (KGZ), 5-1
BRONZE: Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB) df. Sheroz OCILOV (TJK), 9-0

82kg
GOLD: Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) df. Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ), 6-3

BRONZE: Emrah KUS (TUR) df. Toyly ORAZOV (TKM), via fall
BRONZE: Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) df. Damen EID SULTAN (JOR), 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) df. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ), 3-1

BRONZE: Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR) df. Mirzoamin SAFAROV (TJK), 8-0
BRONZE: Mehdi BALI (IRI) df. Boudjemline ADEM (ALG), 4-0

Women’s Wrestling

55kg
Round 3: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) df. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB), via fall
Round 3: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) df. Faten HAMMAMI (TUN), 11-0

GOLD: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)
SILVER: Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)
BRONZE: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE)

65kg
GOLD: Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) df. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 3-3

BRONZE: Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ) df. Emilienne ETANE NGOLLE (CMR), 8-2

76kg
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Amy AYOUIN (CIV), 10-0

BRONZE: Mehtap GULTEKIN (TUR) df. Inkara ZHANATAYEVA (KAZ), 7-1