Iran Hauls in 4 More Golds to Cap Domination of Asian Freestyle

Wednesday, April 24, 2019 - 15:59 By Ken Marantz

XI’AN, China (April 24) – Iran capped its domination of the freestyle competition at the Asian Championships by hauling in four of the five gold medals at stake on the second day—twice denying host China a title in the process.

And a gritty performance by a teenager making his senior debut assured that every member of the Iranian team will be heading home with a medal.

China’s bid to stop the Iranian juggernaut fizzled out when world silver medalist DENG Zhiwei (CHN) fell 2-1 in the 125kg final to Yadollah MOHEBI (IRI) in the last bout of the night at Xi’an’s Xidian University Gymnasium.

Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) won his second Asian title with a 2-1 win over China's LIU Minghu in the 61kg finals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

That was the same score by which Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) had edged LIU Minghu (CHN) at 61kg in the first final to regain the Asian title he won two years ago in New Delhi.

Iran’s other gold medals were seized by world U23 champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) at 86kg and world bronze medalist Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) at 92kg, both of whom were hardly challenged during the competition and finished up with technical fall victories in the finals.

With seven golds and three bronzes, Iran easily won the team competition with 220 points. India, with one gold, three silvers and four bronzes, was second at 155, followed by Kazakhstan, which had 129 after finishing with two golds, a silver and two bronzes.

Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ), the 74kg gold medalist, was the non-Iranian Day 2 champion. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

The lone gold medal that didn’t end around the neck of an Iranian went to Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ), who captured the first major medal of his career when he forged a 5-0 victory over Amit DHANKHAR (IND) in the 74kg final.

“I’m feeling good, I brought some happiness to my family and fans,” said Kaisonov, a bronze medalist in Bishkek last year and the silver medalist at the Asian Games in Jakarta.

Kaisonov’s path to the final got a little smoother when two potential rivals, world silver medalist Adam BATIROV (BRN) and Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN), a 2017 world bronze medalist at 70kg, both exited the tournament by defaults after suffering injuries during victories.

“We still have time to meet each other,” Kaisanov said. “But anyway, I was ready and really confident in myself.”

Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) scored a bronze medal at 74kg with a 9-8 comeback win over Ilgiz DZHAKYPBEKOV (KGZ). (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Meanwhile, Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) avoided the prospect of being the only Iranian to head home without a medal when he put on a furious comeback to defeat Ilgiz DZHAKYPBEKOV (KGZ), 9-8, in a bronze-medal match at 74kg.

Dzhakypbekov built up a 6-1 lead, and was still ahead on criteria when the 18-year-old Nokhodilarimi, a 2o17 world cadet bronze medalist, stormed back to make it 8-8 in the final minute. The Iranian stayed on the attack and drove out a fatigued Dzhakypbekov for the decisive point with :33 left.

“If I lost, I would have been depressed,” said Nokhodilarimi, who seemed to be sparked by a dressing down from his coach between periods.

In the 61kg final, China’s Liu, a world U23 bronze medalist, received an activity clock point for the lone score of the first period. But in the second period, Ehsanpoor scored with a single-leg takedown, and that held up for the gold.

At 86kg, Ghasempour totally dominated Aligarizhi GAMIDGADZHIEV (KGZ), building up a 7-0 lead with three takedowns in the first period, then finishing up a 10-0 technical fall at the 4:10 mark.

Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) grabbed the 92kg gold medal with an 11-0 victory over India's Viky VIKY (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Karimimachiani didn’t need that long to put away Viky VIKY (IND) at 92kg, scoring four takedowns before ending the match at 2:28 with a roll that made it 11-0.

In the night’s finale, Deng started out just like compatriot Liu, gaining an activity point to lead 1-0 going into the second period. But Mohebi forced the Chinese out for a point that put him ahead on criteria, then received an activity point himself for the 2-1 victory.

India came away with three bronze medals, while Japan and Kazakhstan had two each.

One of Japan’s was won by world bronze medalist Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN), who denied Azizbek SOLIEV (UZB)a second straight bronze by posting a 9-3 victory. The continental medal was the third of Matsumoto’s career, having previously won silvers in both styles-- freestyle in 2015 and Greco-Roman in 2017.

The six-day tournament in the historic central Chinese city continues Thursday with the start of the women’s competition.

Day 2 results

Freestyle

61kg (14 entries)
Gold – Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. LIU Minghu (CHN), 2-1
Bronze – Rahul AWARE (IND) df. KIM Jincheol (KOR), 9-2
Bronze – Yudai FUJITA (JPN) df. Dzhamshed SHARIFOV (TJK), 3-1

74kg (13 entries)
Gold – Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) df. Amit DHANKHAR (IND), 5-0
Bronze – Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) df. Ilgiz DZHAKYPBEKOV (KGZ), 9-8
Bronze – Olgenbayar BATSUURI (MGL) df. Adam BATIROV (BRN) by Default

86kg (15 entries)
Gold – Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Aligarizhi GAMIDGADZHIEV (KGZ) by TF, 10-0, 4:10
Bronze – Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) df. Abdurasul VAKHOBOV (UZB), 4-0
Bronze – Deepak PUNIA (IND) df. Bakhodur KODIROV (TJK), 8-2

92kg (11 entries)
Gold – Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) df. Viky VIKY (IND) by TF, 11-0, 2:29
Bronze – Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN) df. Azizbek SOLIEV (UZB), 9-2
Bronze – SUN Xiao (CHN) df. Muhammad INAM (PAK) by Default

125kg (11 entries)
Gold – Yadollah MOHEBI (IRI) df. DENG Zhiwei (CHN), 2-1
Bronze – KIM Donghwan (KOR) df. Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) by Fall, 4:41 (4-1)
Bronze – Sumit SUMIT (IND) df. Farkhod ANAKULOV (TJK), 8-2

Freestyle Team Standings

Gold – Iran, 220 points (7 gold-0 silver-3 bronze)
Silver – India, 155 (1-3-4)
Bronze – Kazakhstan, 129 (2-1-2)

#WrestleBaku, #WrestleParis

Sadulaev leads star-studded line-up for European OG Qualifier

Sunday, March 31, 2024 - 20:48 By Vinay Siwach

BAKU, Azerbaijan (March 31) -- For the first time in his career, Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) will participate in 'qualifiers' hoping to earn a spot for the Paris Olympics. His previous two appearances at the Olympics, Rio 2016 and Tokyo 2020, came after winning the preceding World Championships in 2015 and 2019, respectively.

Sadulaev, if he qualifies, won't go to Paris as the world champion. Nor would he be the clear pick to win the gold. However, Sadulaev will be the favorite in Baku.

The two-time Olympic champion, who withdrew from his semifinal at the 2023 World Championships due to injury, is set to compete in the European OG Qualifiers in Baku from April 5 to 7, aiming to secure a Paris quota as an Individual Neutral Athlete in the 97kg category. This marks his return to competition following the World Championships and subsequent neck surgery.

The 97kg bracket includes some notable contenders aiming to secure quotas for Paris 2024 including Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN), who clinched a bronze medal at the European Championships, veteran Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD), Radoslaw BARAN (POL), and Tokyo Olympian Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (AIN).

Sadulaev is expected to be seeded second, barring any last-minute changes to the entries, while Erik THIELE (GER) is set to receive the top seed, placing him separate from Sadulaev. As a result, Bajcajev is likely to be the third seed, and if the seeds hold, he will meet Sadulaev in the semifinal, with the winner securing the Paris 2024 spot.

Baran is slated to be the fourth seed, positioning him in the top half of the bracket. Hushtyn, Nurov, Radu LEFTER (MDA), and Benjamin HONIS (HUN) will be drawn randomly.

Despite the time away from international competition and being in unfamiliar territory, Sadulaev will look to leave no doubt that he remains an unbeaten force.

Haji ALIYEV (AZE) wrestling at the World Championships where he lost in the quarterfinal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Another wrestler hoping to earn a Paris 2024 spot is two-time Olympic medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE). When he last competed at a European qualifier, Aliyev had a relatively straightforward path to the final, securing his qualification for the Tokyo Olympics. However, this year may present different challenges.

Aliyev will have to tackle a lot, both on and off the mat, to qualify for his third Olympics. He will be dealing with some additional pressure of leading a formidable Azerbaijan team looking to qualify in five Olympic weight classes in Baku.

The 65kg bracket in Baku will feature the latest European champion, Islam DUDAEV (ALB), European silver medalist Mikyay NAIM (BUL), former European bronze medalist Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR), and 2024 European bronze medalist Andre CLARKE (GER), among others.

Dudaev won the gold in February after beating Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (AIN) in the final, throwing his name in the mix to earn a Paris Olympic quota in Baku.

Aliyev will be seeded number three with Maxim SCULTAN (MDA) taking the top seed, Joshua FINESILVER (ISR) at number two and Nino LEUTERT (SUI) at number four.

The weight cut for Aliyev will also be a challenge. Since the Tokyo Olympics, he has participated in six United World Wrestling competitions, wrestling at 70kg in three of them. The Baku tournament will also mark his first competition since the World Championships in September last year, where he exited after suffering a loss to Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) in the quarterfinals.

Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) is looking to qualify Azerbaijan at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Joining Aliyev in the Azerbaijan team are Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) at 57kg, Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) at 74kg, Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) at 86kg and Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) at 125kg.

Rzazade failed to move past the Round of 16 at the World Championships and even lost his cool in that bout. But with Stevan MICIC (SRB), Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) and Zavur UGUEV (AIN) already earning a spot from the World Championships, the European field does offer a huge opportunity for Rzazade.

He will be seeded fourth in a bracket that also has Tokyo Olympian Georgi VANGELOV (BUL), Horst LEHR (GER), Robert DINGASHVILI (GEO), Simone PIRODDU (ITA), Vladimir EGOROV (MKD), Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and Kamil KERYMOV (UKR).

Atli and Egorov, former European champions, will be drawn randomly while Vangelov will be seeded number three after Lehr, who is number two.

Artur NAIFONOV (AIN) is returning since the 2021 World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 86kg, Nurmagomedov will have to repeat his heroics from the 92kg weight class that saw him become a world silver medalist and European champion. Azerbaijan will hope that Nurmagomedov can finish the job in Baku and not leave things to the final qualifiers in Istanbul in May.

But it won't be easy as Tokyo bronze medalist Artur NAIFONOV (AIN) returns for his first competition in three years. He will be among the contenders to claim one of the two spots. A few familiar opponents will greet Naifonov as Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) will turn up for Bulgaria while Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) will turn up for Greece.

Naifonov last wrestled at the World Championships in Oslo in 2021, winning a bronze medal. He will now be in Baku to earn the 86kg spot as an Individual Neutral Athlete.

Kurugliev won the European Championships in February and will start among the favorites to win one of the two spots in Baku. But he has to look out for Naifonov who will be drawn at random in the bracket.

The top seed will be European bronze medalist Osman GOCEN (TUR) who impressed at the European Championships. He will followed by Ramazanov as the second seed and Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) as the third seed. Kurguliev will be fourth, putting him on the same side as Gocen.

Two-time World Championships medalist Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) at 79kg has entered 86kg since the start of the year with hopes of qualifying Georgia. Former world medalists Boris MAKOEV (SVK) and Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) are expected to surprise the field.

The 125kg can throw a few close match-ups with little to predict. European bronze medalists Meshvildishvili and Alen KHUBULOV (BUL) will look to seize this opportunity and earn Paris spots. Joining them is Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (AIN) who finished fifth in Bucharest, former Euro medalist Daniel LIGETI (HUN), Tokyo Olympian Abraham CONYEDO (ITA) and Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR).

Ligeti was a win away from getting the spot at the World Championships but he has another chance in Baku. He will be the top seed followed by Meshvildishvili at number two. Khotsianivskyi will be at number three and Khramiankou at number four.

Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) is a silver medalist in the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

74kg minefield

Perhaps the most unpredictable weight class in the world right now. A host of Olympic and World Championships medalists will make their way to Baku to earn Paris 2024 quotas. But many will leave without one.

Tokyo silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN), who exited the World Championships after a first-round loss, has some forgetful memories of a European qualifier as he suffered a heartbreaking 4-4 loss four years ago.

However, a European Championships silver medal in February will boost Kadzimahamedau's confidence as he heads to Baku unseeded.

Bayramov, who came agonizingly close to winning a Paris spot in Belgrade before being cautioned out, will lead the Azerbaijan challenge as the top seed. He finished with a bronze medal at the European Championships after dropping his semifinal against Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK).

Both will be separated in Baku as Salkazanov is seeded second and will be on the other side of the bracket. However, he will be drawn with Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), the third seed, and if the seeds hold, both will meet in the semifinals. The two wrestled in the European Championships final and Salkazanov won 5-0.

Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN) will be the fourth seed for the competition which leaves Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) unseeded. They will be roaring after missing out on medals at the World Championships. Chamizo even spent 10 days in Tokyo to prepare for the qualifiers. (Yes, the video if you keep scrolling).

Out of the 22 wrestlers entered at 74kg, only two can earn the spots for the Paris Games. The others will have to give it another shot in Istanbul in May.

Iran Hauls in 4 More Golds to Cap Domination of Asian Freestyle

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Sadulaev leads star-studded line-up for European OG Qualifier