#Zagreb2018

Iran Scores Two Champions to Win Cadet World Team Title at #Zagreb2018

By Taylor Miller

ZAGREB, Croatia – The final five men’s freestyle champions were determined at the 2018 Cadet World Championships in Zagreb, Croatia, on Wednesday night.

With two World champions in the final day of men’s freestyle competition, Iran took the top spot in the team rankings, scoring 152 points throughout the event.

Winning for Iran tonight was Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) at 48 kg and Ali Reza ABDOLLAHI (IRI) at 92 kg.

Amouzadkhalili, the 2018 Cadet Asian champion, defeated Rafayel HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) in the 45 kg gold-medal bout with a 5-0 shutout to open the night.

Closing out the tournament was continental champion Abdollahi at 92 kg, who dominated in a 13-2 championship showing against 2017 Cadet European silver medalist Omer AGTAS (TUR).

Overall, Iran leaves Croatia with three World champions as Amir ZARE won the heavyweight title on Tuesday.

Finishing second in the team race with 132 points was USA, achieving one World champion at 51 kg.

Matthew RAMOS (USA) trailed Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN), 4-2, before ending the match in a pin in 2:40 for 51 kg gold.

Georgia and Turkey each snagged a World champion on Wednesday.

At 60 kg, Hamza ALACA (TUR) was dominant in his gold-medal victory over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), claiming a 10-0 technical fall. Alaca adds to his Cadet European gold medal from earlier this year.

Cadet European champion Bagrati GAGNIDZE (GEO) won the 71 kg World title after trailing late in the match against Baliyan GOURAV (IND). Gagnidze scored four points on two attempted throws within the last 15 seconds for a 6-6 win on criteria.

Rounding out the top-five in the team race was Russia in third with 116 points, Azerbaijan in fourth with 105 points and Japan in fifth with 83 points.

The World Championships continue tomorrow at 4:30 a.m. ET on unitedworldwrestling.com.

Final men’s freestyle team scores (top 10)
1. Iran – 152
2. USA – 132
3. Russia – 116
4. Azerbaijan – 105
5. Japan – 83
6. Georgia – 82
7. Turkey – 80
8. India – 74
9. Uzbekistan – 56
10. Armenia – 44

Final results                
48 kg
GOLD -
Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI)
SILVER - Rafayel HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)
BRONZE - Shakhbos KOMILOV (UZB)
BRONZE - Ahmet YUCEL (TUR)

1st: Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) dec. Rafayel HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), 5-0
3rd: Shakhbos KOMILOV (UZB) dec. Chance LAMER (USA), 10-2
3rd: Ahmet YUCEL (TUR) TF Thomas FISCHER (SUI), 10-0

51 kg
GOLD - Matthew RAMOS (USA)
SILVER - Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN)
BRONZE - Seyederfan JAFARIANGELYERDI (IRI)
BRONE - Aman AMAN (IND)

1st: Matthew RAMOS (USA) fall Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN), 2:40
3rd: Seyederfan JAFARIANGELYERDI (IRI) dec. Ioannis MARTIDIS (GRE), 6-0
3rd: Aman AMAN (IND) dec. Adem UZUN (TUR), 9-4

60 kg
GOLD - Hamza ALACA (TUR)
SILVER - Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
BRONZE - Ravinder RAVINDER (IND)
BRONZE - Aliakbar FAZLIKHALILI (IRI)

1st: Hamza ALACA (TUR) TF Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 10-0
3rd: Ravinder RAVINDER (IND) dec. Sabir JAFAROV (AZE), 6-0
3rd: Aliakbar FAZLIKHALILI (IRI) TF Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS), 18-7

71 kg
GOLD - Bagrati GAGNIDZE (GEO)
SILVER -
Baliyan GOURAV (IND)
BRONZE - Alex FACUNDO (USA)
BRONZE - Shinnosuke SUWAMA (JPN)

1st: Bagrati GAGNIDZE (GEO) dec. Baliyan GOURAV (IND), 6-6
3rd: Alex FACUNDO (USA) dec. Makhmud MAGOMEDOV (RUS), 6-6
3rd: Shinnosuke SUWAMA (JPN) dec. Dominik MEZEI (HUN), 6-2

92 kg
GOLD - Ali Reza ABDOLLAHI (IRI)
SILVER - Omer AGTAS (TUR)
BRONZE - Albert FERRARI (USA)
BRONZE - Alik DZHIGKAEV (RUS)

1st: Ali Reza ABDOLLAHI (IRI) TF Omer AGTAS (TUR), 13-2
3rd: Alik DZHIGKAEV (RUS) dec. Giorgi CHANKSELIANI (GEO), 6-4
3rd: Albert FERRARI (USA) dec. Johannes MAYER (GER), 3-2

 

Obituary

Japan legend Hanahara passes away at 84

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 9) -- United World Wrestling and the Japanese Wrestling Federation, with heavy hearts, announce the passing of Mr. Tsutomu HANAHARA, a revered Olympic champion who etched his name in history through his extraordinary feats in the realm of Greco-Roman wrestling.

Mr. Hanahara, at the age of 84, passed away February 5th, 2024, at approximately 23:00, succumbing to illness.

Mr. Hanahara's crowning achievement came at the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, where he captured the hearts of a nation by defeating Angel KERESOV (BUL), clinching the 52kg Greco-Roman gold medal.

Following his career on the mat, Mr. Hanahara continued to shape the landscape of Greco-Roman wrestling in Japan, assuming the role as Chairman of the Strengthening Committee of the Japanese Wrestling Federation. His leadership was instrumental in propelling the Japanese wrestling team to new heights, notably steering them at the 1988 Seoul Olympic Games.

As a coach, Mr. Hanahara led his alma mater, Nippon Sports Science University, to 18 consecutive East Japan Student League Championships, spanning from 1979 to 1996.

Mr. Hanahara's passion for wrestling carried over to his son and grandson. His son, Daisuke HANAHARA (JPN), finished in 11th place at the 1992 Olympic Games, where he competed in the 57kg Greco-Roman bracket. Furthermore, his grandson, Hiroto HANAHARA (JPN), clinched a 57kg freestyle bronze medal at the 2023 U15 Asian Championships.

UWW and the Japan Wrestling Federation mourn the passing Mr. Hanahara and express our deepest sympathies to the Hanahara family.