Henri Deglane Entries (January 20-23)

Wednesday, January 12, 2022 - 17:41 By Eric Olanowski

NICE, Frace (January 11) -- In what will be the beginning of yet another calendar year for wrestling, Grand Prix de France Henri Deglane 2022 will kick off things as international competitions resume. The tournament will be held in Nice, France from February 20-23 under strict COVID-19 preventive measures.

The tournament is headlined by stars including Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) at 68kg in women's wrestling and her teammate at 57kg Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR), a three-time world medalist.

A host of young stars are also entered headlined by the USA squad which includes former age-group world championships John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA), Mark HALL (USA) and Zahid VALENCIA (USA).

U23 World Championships silver medalist Kendra DACHER (FRA) will be carrying the local hopes as she is entered at 72kg. Junior world silver medalist Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) at 86kg will lead the freestyle team for France.

U23 world champion Anhelina LYSAK (POL) is also entered at 57kg and will be joined by her teammate and Olympian Roksana ZASINA (POL) in what looks like a full squad from Poland.

Horst LEHR (GER), a senior world bronze medalist at 57kg, will be the favorite to claim the title as he warms up to a big year ahead.

Junior world champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE) is also entered for the tournament which begins with all 10 weight classes of women on day one followed by six weight classes of freestyle on Day Two, four freestyle and two Greco-Roman weights on Day Three and six Greco-Roman weights on the fourth and final day.

Freestyle

57kg
Guesseppe Ricardo REA VILLARROEL (ECU)
Levan METREVELI VARTANOV (ESP)
Horst Justin Junior LEHR (GER)
Niklas STECHELE (GER)
Petru CRACIUN (MDA)
Gary GIORDMAINA (MLT)
Darian Toi CRUZ (PUR)
Thomas EPP (SUI)

61kg
Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB)
Khamzat Timourovitch ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)
Adam Visrailovitch BIBOULATOV (FRA)
Viktor Viktorowitsch LYZEN (GER)
Nico MEGERLE (GER)
Igor CHICHIOI (MDA)
Nils LEUTERT (SUI)
Daniel Nkrumah DESHAZER (USA)

65kg
Islam DUDAEV (ALB)
Carlos ALVAREZ IGLESIAS (ESP)
Carlos GUAL REBASSA (ESP)
Quentin Jean-René STICKER (FRA)
Arman Norik ELOYAN (FRA)
Niklas Dietmar DORN (GER)
Alexander SEMISOROW (GER)
Leon GERSTENBERGER (GER)
Moritz Jonathan LANGER (GER)
Maxim SACULTAN (MDA)
Eduard GRIGOREV (POL)
Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL)
Nino LEUTERT (SUI)
Dominik LARITZ (SUI)
John Michael DIAKOMIHALIS (USA)
Antonio Perry TOLBERT (USA)
Patricio LUGO III (USA)

70kg
Benedikt HUBER (AUT)
Pablo DIEZ PARDO (ESP)
Shamil USTAEV (GER)
NRaul ZARBALIEV (ISR)
Patryk Krzysztof OLENCZYN (POL)
Marc DIETSCHE (SUI)
Kevin Gerry MAKOTA STROEM (SWE)
Austin Craig HEADLEE (USA)

74kg
Aimar ANDRUSE (EST)
Magamed DELIEV (FRA)
Osman Kubilay CAKICI (GER)
Richard SCHROEDER (GER)
Tino RETTINGER (GER)
Lucas Marco KAHNT (GER)
Kevin SPIEGEL (GER)
Mitchell Louis FINESILVER (ISR)
Nathaniel BUTTIGIEG DUGO (MLT)
Nico ZARB (MLT)
Szymon WOJTKOWSKI (POL)
Kamil RYBICKI (POL)
Chandler Shane MARSTELLER (USA)

79kg
Francisco de Deus KADIMA (ANG)
Pablo GARCIA GARCIA (ESP)
Erik REINBOK (EST)
Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA)
Beat Konstantin SCHAIBLE (GER)
Patryk CIURZYNSKI (POL)
David Vincent MC FADDEN (USA)
Joseph Lawrence Michael LAVALLEE (USA)

86kg
Damian IGLESIAS VILELA (ESP)
Akhmed AIBUEV (FRA)
Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA)
Ahmed Ruslanovic DUDAROV (GER)
Lars SCHAEFLE (GER)
Joshua Philipp David MORODION (GER)
Andrian GROSUL (MDA)
Denis BALAUR (MDA)
Filip ROGUT (POL)
Sebastian JEZIERZANSKI (POL)
Krzysztof Grzegorz SADOWIK (POL)
Owen Douglas WEBSTER (USA)
Mark John HALL II (USA)
Zahid VALENCIA (USA)

92kg
Benjamin GREIL (AUT)
Adlan Bakirsoultanovitch VISKHANOV (FRA)
Johannes MAYER (GER)
Radoslaw MARCINKIEWICZ (POL)
Bakhodur KODIROV (TJK)

97kg
Alejandro CANADA PANCORBO (ESP)
Erik Sven THIELE (GER)
Wladimir REMEL (GER)
Michal Jan BIELAWSKI (POL)
Radoslaw BARAN (POL)
Zbigniew Mateusz BARANOWSKI (POL)

125kg
Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER)
Robert BARAN (POL)
Kamil Tomasz KOSCIOLEK (POL)
Hayden Nicholas ZILLMER (USA)

Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), the first woman from Africa to reach the Olympic finals, headlines the '22 Henri Deglane entries. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Women's Wrestling

50kg
Ana Maria TORRES RUBIO (ESP)
Emma Solange Irène LUTTENAUER (FRA)
Justine Fanny VIGOUROUX (FRA)
Julie Martine SABATIE (FRA)
Lisa ERSEL (GER)
Szimonetta Timea SZEKER (HUN)
Anna LUKASIAK (POL)
Agata Marta WALERZAK (POL)
Stefania Claudia PRICEPUTU (ROU)

53kg
Maria BLANCO MARTIN (ESP)
Aintzane GORRIA GONI (ESP)
Chadia AYACHI (FRA)
Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA)
Annika WENDLE (GER)
Angelina Inez PURSCHKE (GER)
Amory Olivia ANDRICH (GER)
Mercedesz DENES (HUN)
Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL)
Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL)
Nova Ilona BERGMAN (SWE)
Emma Jonna Denise MALMGREN (SWE)

57kg
Maria Victoria BAEZ DILONE (ESP)
Graciela SANCHEZ DIAZ (ESP)
Marina RUEDA FLORES (ESP)
Amel REBIHA (FRA)
Elena Heike BRUGGER (GER)
Anne Beatrice NUERNBERGER (GER)
Josefine Maria PURSCHKE (GER)
Andrea GRASRUCK (GER)
Luna ROTHENBERGER (GER)
Erika BOGNAR (HUN)
Tamara DOLLAK (HUN)
Odunayo Folasade ADEKUOROYE (NGR)
Othelie Annette HOEIE (NOR)
Patrycja GIL (POL)
Alicja CZYZOWICZ (POL)
Anhelina LYSAK (POL)
Magdalena Urszula GLODEK (POL)
Jowita Maria WRZESIEN (POL)

62kg
Lydia PEREZ TOURINO (ESP)
Ameline DOUARRE (FRA)
Luisa Helga Gerda NIEMESCH (GER)
Chiara Julie HIRT (GER)
Luisa SCHEEL (GER)
Nataliia SHAFIR MAZUR (ISR)
Esther Omolayo KOLAWOLE (NGR)
Viktoria Miriam OEVERBY (NOR)
Natalia Gizela KUBATY (POL)
Aleksandra WOLCZYNSKA (POL)
Olivia Louise HENNINGSSON (SWE)
Sara Johanna LINDBORG (SWE)

65kg
Nerea PAMPIN BLANCO (ESP)
Eyleen SEWINA (GER)
Gerda BARTH (GER)
Lilly Mariella PFAU (GER)
Noémi SZABADOS (HUN)

68kg
Marta OJEDA NAVARRO (ESP)
Lorena LERA CELDA (ESP)
Pauline Denise LECARPENTIER (FRA)
Debora LAWNITZAK (GER)
Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER)
Viktoria FELHO (HUN)
Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)
Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL)
Natalia Iwona STRZALKA (POL)
Adina Ionela IRIMIA (ROU)

72kg
Kendra Augustine Jocelyne DACHER (FRA)
Lilly SCHNEIDER (GER)
Jennifer ROESLER (GER)
Tuende Emese ELEKES (HUN)
Maria larisa NITU (ROU)

76kg
Francy RAEDELT (GER)
Laura Celine KUEHN (GER)
Bernadett NAGY (HUN)
Marion Brillantes BYE (NOR)
Patrycja SPERKA (POL)

#JapanWrestling

Ono Interview: On Comeback, Penn State, Folkstyle, 2028 LA Olympics

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 11:19 By Vinay Siwach

TOKYO (May 24) -- Where is Masanosuke ONO (JPN)?

A question that has intrigued both fans and wrestlers alike as Ono continues to missing from international wrestling since he became the world champion at 61kg in 2024.

Ono watched the Meiji Cup 2026 in Tokyo as he was in Japan to change his United States visa. Since he did not participate in the 2025 Emperor's Cup, Ono was ineligible to participate in the Meiji Cup.

United World Wrestling caught up with Ono on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup in Tokyo. Ono talks about his comeback, plan for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, life at Penn State and more:

Excerpts:

- Why did you not participate in the Meiji Cup

Ono: I suppose it’s only natural that I can’t play because I don’t have the right to do so. That’s just the way things are in Japan. I’m aiming to make a comeback so that I can play in the next Emperor’s Cup and Meiji Cup. This has been a good period of preparation for that.

- How are your preparation for the comeback?

Ono: I’m feeling pretty much back to normal now, so I’m absolutely fine. It’s just that I haven’t competed much since the World Championships ended about two years ago, and there’s a part of me that simply can’t suppress the urge to get back out there. So I’m really looking forward to getting back into competition soon and giving it my all.

- When will you compete next?

Ono: I’ll be aiming to qualify [for Emperor's Cup]. As for the weight class, I’m thinking of competing in the 61kg category at the Shakaijin Championships. [The Shakaijin Championships will be held on July 11]. Once I’ve qualified, I’m not quite sure yet whether I’ll move down a weight class, stay in the same one, or move up, but I’m planning to set myself some clear goals.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN) giving interview on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Ikuo Higuchi)

- How challenging life is at Penn State in the United States?

Ono: I imagine there are plenty of challenges. The rules of wrestling are different there, so there’s a lot to learn. I’m always being taught and helped by others. When it comes to what I’ve actually taken on board, it’s obviously wrestling. As for other aspects of school life, I wasn’t really the type who was naturally good at studying. I’m currently studying philosophy at a university in the United States, and whilst it’s a bit tricky, I’m doing my best in my own way.

- What is your daily routine?

Ono: I have practice in the morning, then I go to lessons, then there’s another practice session around midday, and then in the evening - or rather, in the late afternoon - I study with the translator.

- How's your experience at Penn State and Folkstyle?

Ono: I do a lot of Folkstyle, and I do a bit of Freestyle as well, but there’s so much to learn that I’m still very much a novice. When it comes to training, coach Cael SANDERSON, and his brother Cody, who’s also a coach, as well as Casey CUNNINGHAM and Nick LEE. Everyone, both the students and my flat mates, are really strong, so I’m learning a hell of a lot from them.

There really are so many movements that are unique to Folkstyle, I still feel a bit of a gap there. But once I’ve got the hang of it, I reckon I’ll be able to grow even more myself without losing sight of the good bits. If I just focus on that one thing, it’ll disappear, so I’m thinking I’ll keep 95 per cent of my style exactly as it is and just add a few bits here and there.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN)

Masanosuke ONO (JPN) showing his grades.

- Do you like studying Philosophy?

Ono: Philosophy. No, I don’t really get it. (Ono scored a remarkable 3.74 CGPA in his last semester).

- Why did you decide to wrestle Folkstyle?

Ono: I want to do Folkstyle more because I like Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now. I was world champ maybe two years ago, but I know Freestyle like 95 percent but Folkstyle, that I don't know. So I mean, I just I'm excited compete Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now.

- When will you compete for Penn State and why have you not yet?

Ono: I don't know why. If the coaches say you go, I go. I am learning for maybe just one year. It's kind of hard.

- Marcus BLAZE (USA) is your roommate. What you learn from him?

Ono: He's my roommate and in my weight. He's great guy. He's my weight maybe. I learn a lot from him. He likes pickleball. He likes something like outside. I cannot drive. I don't have license. So he drive me around there.

- If you want to go to 2028 LA Olympics, what is the path for you? If it's at 57kg, will you take inspiration from Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) who made it at 57kg for Paris?

Ono: I compete at December competition because of 2028 Olympics trial. I have to. I mean my weight like around 64kg so maybe this difficult. Living in America, when the Olympics are held here, you can’t exactly just give up on the idea of competing, you can’t just walk away from it. But when it comes to the Olympics, at 57 or 65kg, with the 8kgs mark being a key hurdle, it’s certainly a challenge. So I thought I’d just have to take it step by step, listening to my body as I go along. I’m not really that bothered about winning or losing. I just want to wrestle, so to be honest, it doesn’t really matter.

Higuchi is amazing. I am sure he is mentally tough. I like to eat and I like chipotle.

- Which weight class are you aiming for?

Ono: If [Rei] Higuchi were to join us at 57kg, I’d be absolutely chuffed. I’d be just as chuffed if we played with Higuchi at 65kg, or with [Kotaro] Kiyooka at 65kg. I’m not sure about [Toshihiro] Hasegawa, but I reckon [Rin] Sakamoto would be there. Wouldn’t it be brilliant if they all got together?

Henri Deglane Entries (January 20-23)

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Ono Interview: On Comeback, Penn State, Folkstyle, 2028 LA Olympics