#WrestleBirmingham

India dominates Commonwealth Games with 3 golds

Friday, August 5, 2022 - 21:02 By Vinay Siwach

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COVENTRY, England (August 8) -- When Bajrang PUNIA (IND) lost to David TREMBLAY (CAN) in the 2014 Commonwealth Games final, a 13-year-old Lachlan McNEIL (CAN) was in the crowd at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow.

While Tremblay managed to beat Punia, McNeil's attempt to repeat the feat eight years later in the Coventry Arena on Friday fell short as Punia, now a veteran of three Commonwealth Games, defended his 65kg gold medal with little trouble.

Punia and McNeil reached the 65kg gold medal bout by beating George RAMM (ENG) and Inayat ULLAH (PAK) with ease. With gold on the line, McNeil did put up a fight, scoring the only takedown against Punia in the competition, but it wasn't enough as the Tokyo bronze medalist won the bout 10-2.

That was one of the three gold medals India won on day one of wrestling at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham. Deepak PUNIA (IND) and Sakshi MALIK (IND) were also crowned first-time Commonwealth champions.

But it was Punia's gold that delighted the huge contingent of Indian fans at the arena.

"When you are wrestling at any tournament, you don't think about the difficulty of it," Punia said. "I wrestled thinking everyone is important and I want to be back to the level I was in 2018 and 2019."

Since winning the bronze in Tokyo, Punia has suffered two losses -- against Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) in the Asian Championships final and Abbos RAKHMANOV (UZB) at the Ranking Series in Almaty.

But with the World Championships just a month away, he would like to put behind the two losses and take confidence from the win in Birmingham.

"World Championships is the main goal," he said. "I have been preparing for that and now it's very close."

For McNeil, the Commonwealth Games were a learning experience as he tries to win a berth for Canada for the Paris Olympics.

"The sole purpose of coming here was to wrestle Bajrang," McNeil said. "He is a world-class wrestler and he proved it. But it's a great experience and I will carry it forward to the Olympics in Paris."

Deepak PUNIA (IND)Deepak PUNIA (IND), gold medalist, with the three other medalists at 86kg in Coventry. (Photo: UWW / Helena Curtis)

Another Punia had a higher stake in the final. Not only was Deepak wrestling for gold, but he also had to beat Muhammad INAM (PAK), a wrestler who has never lost to an Indian at the Commonwealth Games.

The two-time champion kept Deepak quiet for a long time but was called passive in the first period. Deepak scored a stepout during the activity period to lead 2-0 at the break. A tiring Inam kept going for half-hearted attacks and Deepak managed to get another stepout.

He managed to keep Inam away until the clock expired, winning the gold at 86kg, 3-0.

Amarveer DHESI (CAN)Amarveer DHESI (CAN) won his first Commonwealth Games gold on Friday. (Photo: UWW / Helena Curtis)

The final freestyle gold medal went to Pan-Am champion Amarveer DHESI (CAN) who defeated another Pakistan wrestler in Zaman ANWAR in the final.

Anwar did score two points but Dhesi was class apart, winning the gold medal with a fall after leading 9-2.

In the semifinal, Dhesi was up against Mohit GREWAL (IND) and managed to get an easy 12-2 win and keep his promise of winning against India at the Commonwealth Games.

"An Indo-Canadian and Indian wrestling always makes things complex back home," Dhesi said. "But great to get the win and be on the top of the podium."

Dhesi will now try to repeat the feat at the World Championships in Belgrade.

"The weight class has some solid guys but my aim remains the same -- to reach the podium," he said.

Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), red, defeated Linda MORAIS (CAN) to win the 68kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Helena Curtis)

Repeat for Oborududu, Adekuoroye

Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) became a two-time Commonwealth Games champion after winning the 68kg gold medal in Coventry.

Wrestling former world champion at 59kg Linda MORAIS (CAN), Oborududu controlled the bout till the end and gave no chance to Morais to attack.

At one point the score was 3-1 and Morais fancied her chance of winning the gold with a takedown but Oborududu managed to score a go-behind in the final moments and win 5-1.

Blessing, who became the first-ever wrestler from Africa to reach an Olympic final in Tokyo, won gold in 2018 but has a silver from the 2010 edition and a bronze from 2014.

"For me, I was calm in the final," Oborududu said. "I wanted to control the final and not attack too much. I knew the match would be tough if I don't wrestle smart. I didn't need to panic and that's why I wrestled how I did."

Morais will also be at the World Championships at 68kg and will be hoping to avenge the loss.

"We thought it's a good opportunity to jump to 68kg and be part of the team," Morais said.

Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR)Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) defended her 57kg gold after beating Anshu MALIK (IND) in the final. (Photo: UWW / Helena Curtis)

Adekuoroye, who wrestled Pooja DHANDA (IND) in the 57kg final in Gold Coast, defeated world silver medalist Anshu MALIK (IND) in the final to defend her gold.

In their only meeting before Birmingham, Adekuoroye won via technical superiority over Malik. While the score was close on Friday, the result was Adekuoroye won the gold.

She got a double leg for a takedown to lead 2-0 and kept Malik off the hooks for the remaining time. As the break approached, Adekuoroye once again blasted a double and made the lead 4-0.

Malik continued her attacks and did get a takedown after Adekuoroye was penalized for a passivity point. But the takedown was a little too late as the Nigerian won 7-3 before breaking to her dance to celebrate the gold.

Sakshi MALIK (IND)Sakshi MALIK's (IND) move that helped her secure the fall over Ana GONZALEZ (CAN). (Photo: UWW / Helena Curtis) 

The gold at 62kg was captured by Sakshi MALIK (IND) as she came from behind to beat U23 world champion Ana GONZALEZ (CAN) in the final.

Gonzalez jumped to a 4-0 lead at the break with two takedowns and Malik was struggling to find openings.

"I thought I could win and I was really confident," Gonzalez said. "But I had to be a little proactive in the second period and not let her wrestle her way."

Malik, trying to get her favorite double-leg attack, kept Gonzalez close to her and snapped which allowed Malik to grab Gonzalez leg. She turned it into an underhook and got the double. With Gonzalez falling on her back, Malik kept the pressure and secured the fall.

"I have a bronze medal at Commonwealth and silver so this time I just thought that I have to get the gold and I am happy to get it," Malik said.

RESULTS

Freestyle

65kg
GOLD: Bajrang PUNIA (IND) df. Lachlan McNEIL (CAN), 9-2

BRONZE: George RAMM (ENG) df. Lowe BINGHAM (NRU), 11-0
BRZONE: Inayat ULLAH (PAK) df. Ross CONNELLY (SCO), 10-0

86kg
GOLD: Deepak PUNIA (IND) df. Muhammad INAM (PAK), 3-0

BRONZE: Alexander MOORE (CAN) df. Matthew OXENHAM (NZL), 10-0
BRONZE: Jayden LAWRENCE (AUS) df. Edward LESSING (RSA), 12-11

125kg
GOLD: Amarveer DHESI (CAN) df. Zaman ANWAR (PAK), via fall

BRONZE: Mohit GREWAL (IND) df. Aaron JOHNSON (JAM), via fall
BRONZE: Mandhir KOONER (ENG) df. Kensley MARIE (MAU), via fall

Women's wrestling

57kg
GOLD: Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Anshu MALIK (IND), 7-4

BRONZE: Hannah TAYLOR (CAN) df. Sophia AYIETA (KEN), via fall
BRONZE: Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) df. Irene SYMEONIDIS (AUS), 10-0

62kg
GOLD: Sakshi MALIK (IND) df. Ana GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN), via fall

BRONZE:: Berthe ETANE (CMR) df. Kelsey BARNES (ENG), 9-4
BRONZE: Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) df. Abbie FOUNTAIN (SCO), 10-0

68kg
GOLD: Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) df. Linda MORAIS (CAN), 5-1

BRONZE: Tayla FORD (NZL) df. Amylee AZA (MAU), via fall
BRONZE: Divya KAKRAN (IND) df. Tiger COCKER (TGA), via fall

#WrestleAmman

U17 Worlds: Dashdamirov repeats; Iran wins Greco team title

Wednesday, August 21, 2024 - 21:26 By Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (August 21) -- Azerbaijan may have found its new wonderkid. Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) is gradually turning out to be the wrestler to beat in age-group competitions. A two-time U17 European champion, Dashdamirov is now a two-time U17 world champion as he won the gold medal at 51kg in Amman on Wednesday.

While his controversial win at the U17 World Championships last year was still in his mind, Dashdamirov used it as an inspiration and collected the gold medal for this team with no asterisk.

In the 51kg final against Kutman KALBAEV (KGZ), the 16-year-old fell behind 3-1 after Kalbaev got a turn from par terre in the first period. But Dashdamirov did not panic and got a takedown at the start of the second period to lead 3-3 on criteria. However, he continued his gut wrench and claimed an outright 5-3 lead.

"The toughest match for me was the final," Dashdamirov said. "I was behind 3-1 in the first period, but then I put myself together, made it to 3-3 and then won the match. That’s the most important [thing]."

He was one of the two champions for Azerbaijan on day three of the U17 World Championships but it was Iran that once again clinched the team title with 140 points as Greco-Roman came to an end at the tournament. Uzbekistan, which won its first team title in Greco-Roman at the U17 level at the Asian Championships, finished second with 113 points, eight points ahead of Azerbaijan which was third.

Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE)Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE), blue, tries to block a move from Kutman KALBAEV (KGZ) during their 51kg final at the U17 World Championships in Amman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Dashdamirov's win was another feather in his cap as he extended his unbeaten run in his international career to 20; his last loss coming to Rustem ABATSIEV (AIN) back in 2021 in the final of the U15 European Championships. Abatsiev was his opponent in the U17 Worlds final last year.

"I came here as a two-time U17 European champion and a U17 World champion," he said. "I could feel that the opponents were getting ready to wrestle with me. However, I didn’t change any tactics. I stuck to the plan."

A native of Bina, a locality in which the Heydar Aliyev airport in located, in Khazar province in Azerbaijan, the 16-year-old's run in Amman included a 5-1 win over Sainath PARDHI (IND), a 57-second 9-0 win over Domenic MUNARETTO (USA) and a 4-1 win over Yerassyl MUSSAN (KAZ) in the semifinals. He now hopes to replicate winning golds at the next level.

"I have both European and World Championships," he said. "Now I am planning to achieve the same result at the U20 level. 

"In Azerbaijan, we have many good wrestlers. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE). I try to take them as examples."

Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE)Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE) celebrates after winning gold medal in 60kg at the U17 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The second for Azerbaijan was won by Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE) who survived a few nasty attacks from Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) in the 60kg final. Javadov, the U17 European champion, won 4-1.

Lolua was penalized for blocking Javadov by using hands on the face which gave Javadov a 3-1 lead at the break. In the second period, Lolua tried getting a stepout but Javadov survived, sometimes by a whisker. It was at one such attempt when Lolua thought he got a stepout but Javadov remained inside and got a stepout of his own against Lolua to lead 4-0.

Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE)Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE) survives a stepout against Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) during their 60kg final at the U17 World Championships in Amman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Javadov was cautioned for not engaging in the final few seconds but conceding one point did not stop him from winning the gold medal. In the semifinals, he had beaten returning champion Jordyn RANEY (USA) 2-1.

Raney returned with a bronze medal as he defeated Vadym MATROS (UKR) 6-1, becoming the first wrestler from the United States to win two Greco-Roman medals at the U17 World Championships since the restart of the tournament in 2011.

Danial IZADI (IRI)Danial IZADI (IRI) scores against Ole STERNING (GER) using an arm throw during their 92kg final at the U17 World Championships in Amman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Iran got its third champion of the tournament as Danial IZADI (IRI) defeated Ole STERNING (GER), 4-0, to win the gold medal at 92kg. After scoring the takedown using an arm throw, Izadi turned Sterning to lead 4-0 and sat on it for the remaining three minutes of the bout.

In his five bouts in Amman, Izadi scored 30 points while conceding only one point with some big throws being the highlight of his campaign.

"I’ve been working hard for years and I wished to become the world champion," Izadi said. "Today I was able to become the world champion. I’m very happy and grateful."

Izadi, a native Gushlu village in the historic province Ardabil in northwest Iran and on the Azerbaijan border, will be moving to the U20 level next year and hopes to continue his success.

"Next year, I’ll be in U20s and I hope I’ll be a champion in U20 like I did here," he said.

Aslanbek KOSTOEV (AIN)Aslanbek KOSTOEV (AIN) celebrates after beating Marat ATSHEMYAN (ARM) in the 45kg final at the U17 World Championships in Amman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

At 45kg, Aslanbek KOSTOEV (AIN) avenged his U17 European finals loss to Marat ATSHEMYAN (ARM), pinning the Armenian in the final. Atshemyan had beaten Kostoev 10-0 in the European final last month.

Atshemyan was leading the final 3-2 with less than 30 seconds remaining but he tried to throw Kostoev on the edge but fell on his back with Kostoev in control, giving Kostoev a 4-3 lead. Desperate, the Armenian tried the same move and failed again. Kostoev held him on the mat to secure the fall.

Kiryl VALEUSKI (AIN) posted a dominant 7-1 win over Vladislav BYRLIA (AIN), in the 71kg final to win the gold medal. This win was more controlled than his 3-3 win at the U17 European Championships, a tournament in which Valeuski won gold as well.

Valeuski got a takedown when he tried to throw Byrlia using a headlock. No turns from par terre meant Valeuski led 3-1 when Byrlia tried a 'flying squirrel' but Valeuski smashed him on the mat to get four more points.

Mansi LATHER (IND)Mansi LATHER (IND) scores on Piper FOWLER (USA) during their 72kg quarterfinal at the U17 World Championships in Amman (Photo: 

India Perfect

India maintained a 100 percent record on the first day of women's wrestling in Amman. All four wrestlers in action reached the gold-medal bouts in their respective weight classes, the only country to achieve such a result. Aditi KUMARI (IND) began the winning run at 43kg followed by NEHA (IND) at 57kg, PULKIT (IND) at 65kg and Mansi LATHER (IND) at 73kg.

Kumari defeated Aleksandra BEREZOVSKAIA (AIN), 8-2, in the semifinals and will take on Maria GKIKA (GRE) who became the first Greek wrestler in 22 years to reach a World Championships final in women's wrestling. She defeated Gabriela PALACIOS (MEX), 6-1 in the semifinals.

Two-time Asian U17 champion and returning bronze medalist Neha saw off Anna STRATAN (KAZ), 8-4 in the semifinals. She will face So TSUTSUI (JPN) who defeated Palina BRAHINETS (AIN), 3-0, all non-action points, in the final.

PULKIT (IND) claimed a 3-0 win against Maram ALY (EGY) to set up a final against Daria FROLOVA (AIN) who took a 4-0 lead before Uldana TILEUKHAN (KAZ) rallied to make it 4-4 but did not realize that it was Frolova who held criteria. Frolova moved into the final with a 5-4 win.

At 73kg, Asian U17 champion Mansi LATHER (IND) defeated returning champ Piper FOWLER (USA) in the quarterfinals and Khrystyna DEMCHUK (UKR) via fall in the semifinals. She will wrestle Hanna PIRSKAYA (AIN) for the gold after Pirskaya pinned Makia KIMURA (JPN) in the other semifinal.

The only category without an Indian in the final was 49kg. Utaha YUI (JPN) and Na HU (CHN) will wrestle for gold as the former defeated Esra MAMMADLI (AZE), 9-0, while Hu rolled to an 11-0 win over Dounia ZITOUNI (ALG).

India did not send a wrestler in 49kg to the U17 Asian Championships in June. As per rules, a country can only send the same number of wrestlers to the World Championships as the continental championships.

fh

RESULTS

45kg
GOLD: Aslanbek KOSTOEV (AIN) df. Marat ATSHEMYAN (ARM), via fall (6-3)

BRONZE: Bekzhan BEISHEMBAEV (KGZ) df. Damir ABILDA (KAZ), via cautions (10-7)
BRONZE: Umidjon KAROMOV (UZB) df. Ahmad BADRADDINI (IRI), 9-1

51kg
GOLD: Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) df. Kutman KALBAEV (KGZ), 5-3

BRONZE: Sainath PARDHI (IND) df. Yerassyl MUSSAN (KAZ), 3-1
BRONZE: Abolfazl KARAMIEGAEI (IRI) df. Sargis HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), 7-1

60kg
GOLD: Aykhan JAVADOV (AZE) df. Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO), 4-1

BRONZE: Jordyn RANEY (USA) df. Vadym MATROS (UKR), 6-1
BRONZE: Farrukh YULDOSHEV (UZB) df. Ilias LAAOUINA (NED), 3-2

71kg
GOLD: Kiryl VALEUSKI (AIN) df. Vladislav BYRLIA (AIN), 7-1

BRONZE: Behruzbek VALIEV (UZB) df. Samvel TERTERYAN (ARM), 5-4
BRONZE: Giorgi ALADASHVILI (GEO) df. Joseph JETER (USA), 9-0 

92kg
GOLD: Danial IZADI (IRI) df. Ole STERNING (GER), 4-0

BRONZE: Vladimer MINADZE (GEO) df. Serkan BAKIR (TUR), 2-2
BRONZE: Fakhrikamol KOMILJONOV (UZB) df. Lyova SHUKHYAN (ARM), via fall (3-3)

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

43kg
GOLD: Maria GKIKA (GRE) vs. Aditi KUMARI (IND)

SF 1: Maria GKIKA (GRE) df. Gabriela PALACIOS (MEX), 6-1
SF 2: Aditi KUMARI (IND) df. Aleksandra BEREZOVSKAIA (AIN), 8-2

49kg
GOLD: Utaha YUI (JPN) vs. Na HU (CHN)

SF 1: Utaha YUI (JPN) df. Esra MAMMADLI (AZE), 9-0
SF 2: Na HU (CHN) df. Dounia ZITOUNI (ALG), 11-0

57kg
GOLD: So TSUTSUI (JPN) vs. NEHA (IND)

SF 1: So TSUTSUI (JPN) df. Palina BRAHINETS (AIN), 3-0
SF 2: NEHA (IND) df. Anna STRATAN (KAZ), 8-4

65kg
GOLD: PULKIT (IND) vs. Daria FROLOVA (AIN)

SF 1: PULKIT (IND) df. Maram ALY (EGY), 3-0
SF 2: Daria FROLOVA (AIN) df. Uldana TILEUKHAN (KAZ), 5-4

73kg
GOLD: Hanna PIRSKAYA (AIN) vs. Mansi LATHER (IND)

SF 1: Mansi LATHER (IND) df. Khrystyna DEMCHUK (UKR), via fall (12-2)
SF 2: Hanna PIRSKAYA (AIN) df. Makia KIMURA (JPN), via fall (5-0)