#Yariguin2019

Host Russia Wrestles Eight into Day One Finals of Ivan Yariguin

Thursday, January 24, 2019 - 15:40 By Eric Olanowski

KRASNOYARSK, Russia (January 24) - The Russian Federation dominated the opening day of the “Toughest Tournament in the World,” Ivan Yariguin, and qualified eight wrestlers for the finals at each of the opening day’s three freestyle and four women’s wrestling weight categories.

The reason the Yariguin is often referred to as the “Toughest Tournament in the World” is that the road to the finals often travels through a world medalist or sees several Russian-on-Russian showdowns.

That was the case for two-time world champion Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS), who will square off against Mongolia’s two-time world bronze medalist and Rio Olympian GANZORIG Mandakhnaran (MGL) for the 70kg gold medal.

To make it to Ganzorig, Gazimagomedov shutout a young but hard-nosed 2018 world runner-up Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS), 6-0, in his opening round match. He then breezed past America’s Jason CHAMBERLAIN (USA), 10-0, before running into the buzzsaw that is U23 world runner-up David BAEV (RUS).

Baev, the Alans champion, fought the reigning world champion for everything that he had and nearly picked up the upset victory, but Gazimagomedov squeaked out the 2-2 criteria win.

It wasn’t easy, though. Baev scored an inactivity point in the opening period and controlled the narrow 1-0 lead heading into the final 3 minutes. Gazimagomedov struck first in the closing period and gained the 2-1 advantage. With under a minute to go, Gazimagomedov knew that he could not give up a takedown, but could risk giving up a step out and still win on criteria, which he did and put himself into the finals for a second straight year.

Though he does have two world titles, Gazimagomedov has yet to win a Yariguin title.

Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS) defeated two world medals on the opening day of the Yariguin to make the 57kg finals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

At 57kg, Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS) stunned back-to-back world medalists on his way to the finals.

In the quarterfinals, Magomedov commanded a 12-6 lead over 2017 Thomas GILMAN (USA) before planting him on his back for the fall.

It was in the second period when Gilman scored a takedown to cut Magomedov’s lead to 10-6. The American tried to score an another two with a gut wrench, but the Russian stopped him in his tracks and scored the fall with under 30 seconds left in the final period.

Magomedov then upset two-time world bronze medalist ERDENEBAT Bekhbayar (MGL), 3-3, to reach the Yariguin finals for the first time in his career.

Erdenbat, a 2016 Olympian, ended the first period with a step out and a takedown and led 3-0 heading into the second period.

The final period is when Magomedov jump-started his motor and increased his attack rate. Mogomedov cut the lead to 3-1 with a step out and later scored the match-winning takedown with under a minute left to win the match on criteria, 3-3.

He’ll wrestle fellow Russian Muslim SADULAEV (RUS) in tomorrow night’s finals.

Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS) will wrestle one of two non-Russian freestyle finalists, Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU), for the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

At 61kg, U23 world champion Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS) bounced back to his winning ways and made the Yariguin finals after a disappointing fifth-place finish at December’s Alans.

Idrisov, the reigning Russian National champion at this weight, was one match away from representing Russia at the world but fell to eventual world runner-up Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) in a special wrestle-off at the Poland Open.

Idrisov’s picked up a 5-2 quarterfinals win over Ramazan FERZALIEV (RUS) and an 8-2 thrashing over Mongolia’s GANSUKH Otgonbaatar (MGL) to set up a finals meeting with Romania’s Nikolai OKHLOPKOV, who is one of only two non-Russian freestyle wrestlers to make the day two finals.

A quick side-note regarding Idrisov, he’s the older brother of 2018 junior world champion Akhmed IDRISOV (RUS).

Japan will meet Russia for each of the four gold medals on the second day of competition at the Ivan Yariguin. (Photo: Sachko Hotaka)

In women’s wrestling, Japan and Russia will go toe-to-toe for all four of the day two gold medals.

There were traditional brackets at 50kg and 65kg, and round-robin brackets at 55kg and 59kg.

In the first traditional bracket at 50kg, after her seventh Yariguin appearance, Anzhelika VETOSHKINA (RUS) finally broke down the barrier and made it to her first Yariguin finals. The two-time Yariguin bronze medalist will take on Japan’s four-time age-level world champion Kika KAGATA (JPN) in the 50kg gold-medal bout.

Tomorrow’s finals are Kagata’s fifth straight finals appearance at a senior-level competition, but she’s looking to reach the top of the podium for the first time since winning the 2017 Dave Schultz Memorial. She has very few blemishes on her record, but most of them come within the past year after dropping the finals of the Beat the Streets, World University Championships, and the Japan Championship.

The finals of the second tradition bracket, 65kg, will feature Yariguin rookies, Misuzu ENOMOTO (JPN) and Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS).

In the round-robin bracket finals, Nao TANIYAMA (JPN) and Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS), who both went undefeated, will fight for the 55kg gold medal, and undefeated wrestlers Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN) and Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) will meet in the 59kg gold-medal bout.

Freestyle

57kg
GOLD - Muslim SADULAEV (RUS) vs. Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RUS)
BRONZE - Wanhao ZOU (CHN) vs. Lkhangarmaa NARMANDAKH (MGL)
BRONZE - Winner 101 vs. Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL)

61kg
GOLD - Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS) vs. Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU)
BRONZE - Ramazan FERZALIEV (RUS) vs. Otgonbaatar GANSUKH (MGL)
BRONZE - Winner 84 vs. Eduard GRIGORIEV (RUS)

70kg
GOLD - Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) vs. Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS)
BRONZE - Byambadorj ENKHBAYAR (MGL) vs. Askhat SLYAMKHANOV (KAZ)
BRONZE - Winner 68 vs. David BAEV (RUS)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
GOLD - Kika KAGATA (JPN) vs. Anzhelika VETOSHKINA (RUS)
BRONZE - Dauletbike YAKHSHIMURATOVA (UZB) vs. Anudari NANDINTSETSEG (MGL)
BRONZE - Elena VOSTRIKOVA (RUS) vs. Victoria Lacey ANTHONY (USA)

55kg
GOLD - Nao TANIYAMA (JPN) vs. Viktoriia VAULINA (RUS)
BRONZE - Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) vs. Ekaterina VERBINA (RUS)

59kg
GOLD - Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN) vs. Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS)
BRONZE - Battsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL) vs. SADRADDINOVA Zelfira (RUS)

65kg
GOLD - Misuzu ENOMOTO (JPN) vs. Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS)
BRONZE - SALIKHOVA Dinara (RUS) vs. Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL)
BRONZE - Yulia PRONTSEVITCH (RUS) vs. Forrest Ann MOLINARI (USA)

#Yariguin2019

Pair of Russians Looking to Build on World Titles at Ivan Yariguin

Wednesday, January 23, 2019 - 02:12 By Eric Olanowski

KRASNOYARSK, Russia (January 22) - The 2019 Ivan Yariguin Grand Prix in freestyle is scheduled to include two Olympic champions, five world champions, and a number of Russia’s fastest-rising stars.

While some wrestlers will be looking to climb back to the top, more are looking to build on their 2018 season. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) and Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) reached the top of the podium at the world championships and are looking to bring their hot streaks into Siberia.

On the other hand, Rio Olympic champions Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) come into the Yariguin with a chip on their back and have something to prove. Snyder returns to the mat for the first time since giving up the 70 second fall in the finals at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest in October. Likewise, Akgul is looking to climb back on the medal stand after a subpar performance at the World Championships that saw him go home medaless for the first time in his international career.

Snyderlaev III Postponed

Snyder was expected to face rival Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) at 97kg, but Russian head freestyle coach Dzambolat TEDEEV informed the press earlier this month that the “The Russian Tank” would be sitting out the winter classic. He’ll be joined on the sidelines by Russia’s other high-octane 97kg wrestler, European champion and Yariguin bronze medalist, Vladislav BAITSAEV (RUS).

For Snyder to become the first-ever American to win three straight Yariguin titles, the detoured road now travels through the trio of Russians, Shamil MUSAEV, Igor OVSYANNIKOV, and Rasul MAGOMEDOV.

Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) returns to the mat for the first time since leaving the world championships without a medal. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Deng and Akgul on Collision Course

Heavyweight will see the return of 2016 Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR), who will be making his first return to the mats since missing out on a medal at the Budapest World Championships.

To win his first Yariguin title, Akgul will most likely have to knock off China’s reigning world silver medalist, DENG Zhiwei (CHN).

Deng captured a silver medal at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary and became China’s first-ever freestyle world medalist. For his world silver medal efforts, Deng earned United World Wrestling’s Freestyle History Maker of the Year award.

Zaurbek Sidakov is one of two reigning world champions entered into the 2019 Ivan Yariguin. (Photo: Martin Gabor)

Russian Middleweights Looking Golden

Aside from the pair of Olympic champions in attendance, two reigning world champions are also set to compete. The duo of Russian world champions who will be in action this week are Magomedrasul Gazimagomedov (70kg) and Zaurbek Sidakov (74kg).

Gazimagomedov, the two-time world champion, has never placed higher than second in his three previous Yariguin appearances. His highest finish came a year ago when he lost to 2016 world champion Magomed KURBANALIEV (RUS) in the 70kg finals. Though he didn't get the opportunity to avenge that loss to Kurbanaliev at Russian Nationals, he did defeat Arbak SAT (RUS), who beat Kurbanaliev. That win helped him earned his spot on Russia’s 2018 world team. He later went to Budapest and reached the top of the world podium for the second time since 2015.

The second Russian reigning world champion that’s expected to compete this weekend is Zaurbek Sidakov. Sidakov returns to competition for the first time since defeating four-time world and London Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS and two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO on his way to his first world title.

This will be Sidakov’s fifth time wrestling at the Yariguin. He’s medaled in each of his four previous trips. Since his Yariguin debut in 2015, Sidakov has finished in third, first, second and second respectively.

In preparation for the 2020 Olympic Games, TUMENBILEG Tuvshintulga (MGL) will move down to 57kg with hopes of making Mongolia's Tokyo 2020 team. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

Uguev Out Means Mongolian Moves into Title Contention

The Russian Federation announced that they’ll be without reigning 57kg world champion, Zaur UGUEV (RUS). Without the Russian lightweight hammer who has won the last two Yariguin titles, the door remains open for the takes, but two Mongolian’s are among the favorites to win it all.

Uguev’s absence means the easiest picks for title contenders go to the wrestlers with the most world-level success, and that happens to be Mongolia’s pair of world bronze medalists ERDENEBAT Bekhbayar (MGL) and TUMENBILEG Tuvshintulga (MGL).

Tumenbileg, a 2018 world bronze medalist at 61kg will be moving down to the Olympic weight of 57kg with hopes of denying Erdenebat a second straight trip to the Olympic Games.

The pair, who are fighting for country supremacy, have ruled the lower weights in Mongolia for the past few years. Erdenebat has represented Mongolia at 57kg at five straight world championships and the Rio Olympic Games, while Tumenbileg has represented Mongolia at 61kg at the world championships four times since 2012.

America’s 2017 world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) will also be title-hunting at this weight. This will be Gilman's first time stepping back on the mat since dropping the bronze-medal bout at the world championships to take fifth place.

New Season, New Weight for Rashidov and Kurbanaliev

The bearded Dagestani two-time world runner-up, Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS), will attempt to make one of the most difficult leaps in wrestling and bump up from 61kg to 65kg. The 23-year-old reigning Yariguin champion will try to break the streak of failed attempts to bump up from 61kg to 65kg.

Reigning Yariguin champion Magomed Kurbanaliev has proven that he’s one of the top wrestlers in the world at 70kg. He’s been one of the most consistent wrestlers in the world at 70kg, reaching the top of the podium at the world and European championships. But now, he’ll try to redirect his attention to moving up to one of the deepest weight classes in the world, 74kg, with hopes of proving that he belongs in the discussion with the likes of Sidakov, Burroughs, and Chamizo.

Ahmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) is looking to win his fourth Yariguin title. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

79kg Without American Superstars Burroughs and Dake

Jordan Burroughs, the four-time world and London Olympic champion was apart of the early entries and was expected to make the trip to Siberia for the first time in his career. Burroughs was registered at 79kg and was taking the place of world champion and last year’s Yariguin runner-up Kyle DAKE (USA), who welcomed a new baby two weeks ago, but has since decided to pull out.

Without those two American superstars, the USA’s hopes of stopping Russia’s Ahmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) from winning his fourth Yariguin title ride on the back of Alexander DIERINGER (USA).

Though he’s relatively unknown, Dieringer has medaled at five straight tournaments and has won gold medals at the Alexander Medved Prizes and the International Ukrainian Tournament.

What’s at Stake?

The Ivan Yariguin is the first of four Ranking Series events of the year.

The winner of each Ranking Series event will be awarded eight (8) points, with second, third and fifth place grabbing six (6), four (4), and two (2) points respectively. In addition to the placement points, wrestlers will receive points based on the number of participants in their bracket. For weight categories with 10 or fewer entries, an additional six (6) points will be added. For categories with 11-20 wrestlers entered an additional eight (8) points will be added. Ten (10) points will be added to any weight category with more than 20 entries.

The points wrestlers gain this weekend are used as a part of the seeding process for the 2019 Astana World Championships. The number of points competitors accumulate from last year's World Championships, along with the 2019 Continental Championships and the Ranking Series events, will be combined and the wrestlers with the four highest cumulative points will be award the top four seeds.

SCHEDULE (Local time)

January 23 (Wednesday)
08.00 - Arrival of delegations
15.30 - Referees clinic
15.30 - Press conference with the Organizing Committee representatives, main referees body, team leaders and coaches
16.30 - Draw: Women: cat: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: cat: 57,61,70 kg

January 24 (Thursday)
08:30 - Medical examination and weigh-in cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
11.00 - Elimination rounds cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
16.00 - Draw cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
17.00 -1⁄2 finale cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg

January 25 (Friday)
08:15 - Weigh-in cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
08:30 - Medical examination and weigh-in cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
11.00 - Elimination rounds and 1⁄2 finale cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg - Repechage cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg
16.30 - Draw cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
16.00 - Opening ceremony
17.00 - Finals cat: Women: 50,55,59,65 kg Men: 57,61,70 kg

January 26 (Saturday)
08:15 - Weigh-in cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
08:30 - Medical examination and weigh-in cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
11.00 - Elimination rounds and 1⁄2 finale cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg - Repechage cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg
18.00 - Finals cat: Women: 53,57,62,68 kg Men: 65,79,125kg

January 27 (Sunday)
09:00 - Weigh-in cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
11.00 - Repechage cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg
13.00 - Finals cat: Women: 72,76 kg Men: 74,86,92,97 kg