Host Serbia puts two into GR finals on opening day of Worlds

Saturday, September 10, 2022 - 20:16 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 10) -- The opening act of the World Championships was a smash for the home team, as host Serbia saw two wrestlers advance to the finals of the four Greco-Roman weight classes that kicked off the tournament on Saturday in Belgrade.

Defending champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) put himself in a position for a repeat of the 87kg gold medal he won last year in Oslo, while Iran-born Ali ARSALAN (SRB) earned a shot at a first world title at 72kg.

Azerbaijan will also have two wrestlers in action on the first night of finals at Stark Arena on Sunday when Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will look to regain the world 55kg title that he won in 2018, and European bronze medalist Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) will go for gold at 72kg.

Meanwhile, Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) made his first world final at 77kg, earning a clash with surprising Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), who denied Serbia a third finalist when he knocked off former world champion Viktor NEMES (SRB).

Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) won his 87kg semifinal 4-3. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Datunashvili, sporting his trademark cornrow braids, had to scrape his way into the 87kg final, where he will try to prevent European champion Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) from becoming Denmark's first-ever world champion in Greco-Roman.

"For the Serbian people, for Serbian sports, I want to win it tomorrow," Datunashvili said.

All three of Datsunashvili's matches went the distance, including a 4-3 nail-biter in the semifinals over 2021 world U23 silver medalist David LOSONCZI (HUN). His ability to stay calm under pressure earned the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist a trip back to the finals.

Against Losonczi, Datunashvili barely managed to gain a 2-point exposure from par terre, then managed to hang on after Losonczi scored a stepout that had a one-point fleeing penalty tacked on and cut the gap to a point.

Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), blue, defeated Ali CENGIZ (TUR) 6-0 in the semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

In the final match of the session, Bisultanov took advantage of a rare second passivity call in his favor against Ali CENGIZ (TUR), scoring a 4-point throw in the second period to secure a 6-0 victory. That made him the first Dane to make a world Greco final since 2015 when Mark MADSEN (DEN) won the fourth and last of his silver medals at 74-75kg.

"I am very looking forward to it [the final]," Bisultanov said. "I was thinking that he or Hungarian will go to the final and yeah, they were both in the semifinals and had a very close match. I don't know, we will see what happens tomorrow, I and my coaches will see what we can do and I will do my best tomorrow."

Bisultanov said the vocal group of Danish fans in the venue will take away some of the home-field advantage of his opponent.

"Of course, every time you are at home you feel more energy, you have to do something for your home, for your fans," he said. "But luckily I got my crazy Danish fans here. I hope my fans will beat the Serbian fans, and I'll beat him as well."

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) celebrates after scoring a 9-0 win over Max NOWRY (USA) in the 55kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 55kg, the final will be a clash between the two bronze medalists from Oslo 2021 -- both former world champions, as well -- although Azizli will seem to have the upper hand on Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), having beaten him six months ago in the final at the European Championships.

Azizli stormed into the final with his third technical fall of the day, overwhelming Max NOWRY (USA) 9-0 in 1:44 in the first semifinal. Put on top in par terre, Azizli went right to work, ripping off a pair of gut wrenches before transitioning to a 4-point throw.

Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) will try to win his second world title on Sunday. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Tsurtsumia, the 2019 world champion, advanced to the final with a 5-3 victory over Asian silver medalist Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ). Tsurtsumia fell behind 3-3 on criteria when he gave up a defensive takedown early in the second period, but he immediately came back with a stepout to regain the lead.

The final will be the third meeting between Azizli and Tsurtsumia in two years. The two also met in the quarterfinals of the 2021 European Championships, with Azizli winning 10-1 en route to a bronze medal.

"I've lost to Azizli around seven or even eight times," Tsurtsumia said. "But it doesn't matter, because tomorrow I will wrestle till the very end. I'm not going to tell you now what exactly I'm gonna do, but you will see it all tomorrow. I'll take revenge."

Ali ARSALAN (SRB) pinned Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) in the 72kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In the 72kg semifinals, Arsalan had the play of the day when he used a slick duck-under to a half-nelson that put Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) onto his back, where he secured a fall at 2:33.

That had come after Arsalan, a 2017 Asian bronze medalist who began competing for Serbia last year, had scored a reversal from the bottom of par terre.

"First of all, I am so glad that I made it to the final, it's really good for me," Arsalan said, "but it's not enough for me. I should recover myself and my body and my mind. Tomorrow I should be myself on the mat."

Earlier in the day, Arsalan defeated Robert FRITSCH (HUN) 7-3 to avenge a loss in the quarterfinals of the European Championships in June, where he won a bronze medal.

Ganizade made the final by edging Selcuk CAN (TUR) 4-3 in a battle of 2020 European bronze medalists. Both scored 2-point throws from par terre, but Ganizade added a stepout after his to provide the margin of difference.

Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), red, defeated Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) 4-1 in the 77kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 77kg, Makhmudov and Levai made it through a grueling gauntlet of 33 entries which saw three world medalists from 2021, including the champion at 72kg, and an Olympic bronze medalist fall by the wayside.

"Tomorrow there will be revenge against Zoltan Levai," Makhmudov said. "I already lost to him once and I defeated him once as well. I want to do my best to show the Kyrgyz soul, to show what our wrestlers are capable of."

Makhmudov once again confirmed a changing of the guard in Asia when the 23-year-old knocked off veteran Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) 4-1 in the semifinals. After a successful defense from the bottom of par terre, Makhmudov scored with a roll during his turn on top.

"I am really satisfied with today's performance," said Makhmudov, who beat Kim in the semifinals of the Asian Championships in April, where he won his second continental title.

Kim won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics and bronze at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) celebrates after beating Viktor NEMES (SRB) 3-1 in the 72kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Levai finished off a long and exhausting day by beating Nemes 3-1 in the other semifinal. It was his fifth match of the day, which started with a 3-3 win over 2021 world 72kg champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM).

It's been a good year for Levai. He came into Belgrade having won international tournaments in Rome, Warsaw and Mladenovac, Serbia, over a three-month span through August.

At least Amoyan still has a shot at a bronze medal. Among those who didn't make it to the repechage were 2021 silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 2021 bronze medalist Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Shohei YABIKU (JPN).

On Sunday, competition through the semifinals will be held in Greco 63kg, 67kg, 82kg and 97kg.

Day 1 Greco-Roman Results

55kg (18 entries)

Semifinals
Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Max NOWRY (USA) by TF, 9-0, 1:44
Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df. Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ), 5-3

72kg (25 entries)

Semifinals
Ali ARSALAN (SRB) df. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) by fall, 2:33 (5-1)
Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) df. Selcuk CAN (TUR), 4-3

77kg (33 entries)

Semifinals
Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) df. Viktor NEMES (SRB), 3-1
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR), 4-1

87kg (30 entries)

Semifinals
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df. David LOSONCZI (HUN), 4-3
Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) df. Ali CENGIZ (TUR), 6-0

#JapanWrestling

Yoshida sparks rare Olympic hope for Japan heavyweights

Thursday, June 15, 2023 - 15:56 By Vinay Siwach

TOKYO (June 15) -- Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) has already etched his name in Japan's wrestling history by becoming the country's youngest male Asian champion in April. He secured the gold medal at 92kg in Astana, marking a rare triumph for Japan in the heavier weight categories, 40 years after Tamon HONDA (JPN) won at freestyle 100kg in 1983.

The 19-year-old's sensational debut on the international stage surprised everyone. On Thursday, he continued to impress by clinching the Meiji Cup title at 92kg in Tokyo, fueling his aspirations of winning a World Championship in Belgrade and becoming Japan's first Olympic medalist above 90kg later at the Paris Olympics.

"I was able to wrestle with confidence because it was a technique that I performed at an international competition," he said. "My goal this year is to win the World Championships and my ultimate goal is to win the Olympics."

To secure his spot for Belgrade, Arash must once again emerge victorious. Japan will host a playoff for the non-Olympic weight classes, where the top-two finishers of an Olympic weight class at the Emperor's Cup and Meiji Cup can compete.

Undoubtedly, he is the favorite to win the playoff on July 17. This victory will not only bring him closer to his personal goal but also fulfill his father's dream.

Javid ESFANJANI, originally from Iran, moved to Japan at the age of 23 and later married Naomi YOSHIDA. A few years later, he established Koshti Club, a wrestling club, as a way to express gratitude for the support he received in Chiba.

"Because of Japan, I was able to start my own family and build a happy home," Esfanjani told Japan Wrestling Federation in 2018. "So I thought I must do something to express my gratitude to Japan. Wrestling is something I can offer. I thought I would repay [Japan] by opening a wrestling club and developing [a new generation of] wrestlers."

Koshti

Arash, who began wrestling at the age of three, is part of the group that learned the intricacies of the sport at Koshti Club, which was founded in 2012.

"I follow traditional Iranian strength training and incorporate push-ups into my routine," he stated. "Since junior high school, my father has shown me videos of international competitions."

The fourth child out of six siblings, Arash made a name for himself by becoming a five-time national champion in kindergarten and elementary school. Although he took a break during junior high school, he returned to the mat in high school and secured national titles in both freestyle and Greco-Roman wrestling. Now studying Sports Science at Nihon University, Arash is determined to achieve even greater success.

Much of his success stems from the distinct in-your-face wrestling style he learned at his father's club. This style was evident during his recent victory, as he utilized breathtaking duck-unders and seamlessly transitioned into powerful gut wrenches, a rarity in Japanese wrestling, especially in the heavier weight divisions.

In the final against Satoshi MIURA, Arash employed heavy hands to unnerve his opponent before executing a classic duck-under for the initial takedown. He maintained control with an underhook, securing another takedown and gut wrench to establish an 8-0 lead. Shortly after the break, he secured yet another takedown, ultimately winning 10-0.

Arash recorded three technical superiority victories, which were met with cheers from a group of children and friends accompanying his father. After claiming the gold medal, he expressed gratitude to his supporters.

"The support helps a lot," he said. "Even when I was trailing, I did not feel like I was losing because of the support from the stands."

Arash will need all the support if he manages to actually go to Belgrade and take on the top wrestlers in 92kg in the world. And as far as the Olympics is concerned, Arash will try to make his bid after the World Championships.

"If things go well, it would be great if I could raise my weight to 97kg this year and compete in the Emperor's Cup, and then represent at the Asian qualifiers to qualify for the Paris Olympics," he said.

What Arash is chasing is improbable in Japanese wrestling as Akira OTA is the only wrestler to win a medal at a weight class above 82kg. Ota won consecutive silver medals at the 1984 and 1988 Olympic Games at 90kg.

While that dream takes it first steps, Arash, for now, eagerly awaits July 17.

Host Serbia puts two into GR finals on opening day of Worlds

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Yoshida sparks rare Olympic hope for Japan heavyweights