#WrestleTallinn

Japanese Women Close Out Junior Worlds with Eight Golds

Friday, August 16, 2019 - 19:15 By Eric Olanowski

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TALLINN, Estonia (August 16) --- Japan jabbed the competition on Thursday night by winning three junior world titles, then threw the knock out punch on Friday night -- closing out the women’s wrestling portion of the Junior World Championships with five additional gold medals. In total, Japan went eight-for-eight in gold-medal bouts and stockpiled medals in all ten weights.

Haruna OKUNO (JPN) kicked off the day for the Japanese women by winning her fifth overall world gold medal.

Okuno said she keeps all of her world title belts at her parent's house. Well, their house gained an additional world championship belt after their daughter claimed her fifth world gold in as many tries. The reigning two-time senior-level world champion added her first junior world title to her long list of accomplishments after expelling Anudari NANDINTSETSEG (MGL), 7-2 in the 53kg gold-medal bout. 

By watching Okuno’s four matches, where she outscored her opponents 35-2, you would've never guessed that she was dealing with extreme neck pain on her right side throughout the entire competition. After her finals match, she talked about having to work through her counter-offensive attacks because of her pain, saying “Now I feel neck pain, so I didn’t try to attack. In this tournament, the counterattack was very nice for me.” 

In her finals match, the always stoic Okuno shot a low-level attack and picked up the early two-point lead. Her counter offense came into play later in the period when she stopped a Nandintsetseg attack and used a fluid arm-drag to a head outside single leg to pick up four points – improving her lead to 6-0. She surrendered an inactivity point and a stepout in the closing period but was awarded a brutality point after her Mongolian opponent was warned several times for hands-to-the-face. Okuno closed out her run to her first junior world title with a 7-2 victory. 

When asked if there’s a difference between winning a junior world title and a senior world title, Okuno said, “There isn’t a difference between junior and senior because it means the same. It's a world championship.  I’m always feeling very happy to (wrestle) against the world’s best wrestlers.” 

Akie HANAI (JPN) picked up a 9-0 win over Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) in the 57kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Akie HANAI (JPN) was Japan’s second wrestler who won a gold medal on Friday night. 

Hanai, last year’s U23 world runner-up, scored four points from two open double legs in the first period and tacked on a four-point double leg and a failed challenge point in the second period to slide past Alina AKOBIIA (UKR), 9-0 for her first career world title. 

Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN) scored an 8-2 win over China’s WU Yaru in the 62kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

The third Japanese Friday night gold-medal winner was Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN). 

Inagaki came to Estonia with an unblemished resume, and that's how she’s leaving. She won her second career world title and first since winning the 2017 cadet world title in Athens, Greece, with an 8-2 win over China’s WU Yaru. In the gold-medal bout, Inagaki struck first with a takedown, but gave up a judo-esk whip over and went into the second period trailing 2-2 on criteria. In the second period, the lack of defensive adjustment from Wu allowed Inagaki to pick up back-to-back sweep singles to the left leg of her Chinese opponent. When Wu finally adjusted, Inagaki switched up her tactics and shot a double -- picking up her third takedown of the match to win her second age-group world title, 8-2. 

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) celebrates after winning her first world title. She defeated 2018 cadet world champion Macey KILTY (USA), 2-1. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

The fourth wrestler to stand atop of the podium while listening to the Japanese national anthem was Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN).

Morikawa, who was wrestling in her third world-title bout, won her first world gold with a hard-fought 2-1 win over 2018 cadet world champion Macey KILTY (USA). The match deciding points came in the second period when Morikawa shot five seconds into the period and drove Kilty out of bounds for the stepout point. Shortly after, the Japanese wrestler snuck behind Kilty, but the American tried to get away, but in the process of doing so, fled the hold and was dinged one point – giving Morikawa the outright lead, 2-1, and ultimately the 65kg gold medal. 

Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) won Japan's eighth gold medal of the Junior World Championships with a 10-6 win over Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS). (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) closed out the day with Japan’s fifth gold medal.

The two-time cadet world champion came out on top of the high-entertaining 72kg finals against Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) with a 10-6 victory. The pair traded blows the entire match, but it was Kagami who trailed 6-4 with 30 seconds left in the second period. The Japanese wrestler jolted to a takedown, then quickly jumped into a pair of leg laces and scored the four-point victory over last year’s junior world runner-up.

Japan closed out the Junior World Championships with the team title. They had 230 points, which was double the amount of points that second-place Russia had. Ukraine rounded out the top-three with 91 points. 

The last full day of wrestling kicks off tomorrow morning at 10:30 (local time) and can be followed live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org. 

RESULTS 
Final Women’s Wrestling Team Scores
GOLD – Japan (230 points)
SILVER – Russia  (115 points)
BRONZE – Ukraine (91 points)
Fourth –  Poland (86 points)
Fifth – China (85 points)

53kg
GOLD - Haruna OKUNO (JPN) df. Anudari NANDINTSETSEG (MGL), 7-2 
BRONZE - Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) df. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB), 7-2 
BRONZE - Meiduolaji MEIDUOLAJI (CHN) df. Assylzat SAGYMBAY (KAZ), via fall

57kg
GOLD - Akie HANAI (JPN) df. Alina AKOBIIA (UKR), 9-0
BRONZE - Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ) df. Bharti BAGHEL (IND), 3-3 
BRONZE - Magdalena Urszula GLODEK (POL) df. Youmei WU (CHN), 7-6 

62kg
GOLD - Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN) df. Yaru WU (CHN), 8-2 
BRONZE - Magdalena Weronika KISIELINSKA (POL) df. Mariia LACHUGINA (RUS), 7-6 
BRONZE - Ana Paula GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) df. Irina RINGACI (MDA), 13-2 

65kg
GOLD – Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Macey KILTY (USA), 2-1 
BRONZE - Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Hanna SADCHANKA (BLR), 2-0 
BRONZE - Yue ZHANG (CHN) df. Oksana CHUDYK (UKR), 9-4 

72kg
GOLD - Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) df. Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS), 10-6 
BRONZE - Shuiyan CHENG (CHN) df. Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB), 3-1 
BRONZE - Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) df. Alyvia Nicole FISKE (USA), 3-3

#WrestlePontevedra

Zhang twins continue growth with U20 Worlds golds

Saturday, September 7, 2024 - 00:46 By Vinay Siwach

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PONTEVEDRA, Spain (September 6) -- A year after winning the U17 continental titles, the Zhang twins are winning world titles together.

Yu ZHANG (CHN) won the 50kg gold medal on Thursday and cheered for her sister Jin who clinched the 53kg gold medal on Friday to give China the second gold medal in Women's Wrestling at the U20 World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain.

The twins, who turn 18 on September 26, dominated their matches on their way to gold with Jin winning her final in just a minute and five seconds over Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP), who is Spain's first wrestler to reach a World Championships at any level or style.

"I felt very nervous at the beginning, but after I came on the mat, I relaxed and I just showed my usual level," Zhang said.

Jin ZHANG (CHN)Jin ZHANG (CHN) pins Carla JAUME (ESP) in the 53kg final at the U20 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Zhang scored a takedown using a double-leg and kept Jaume on her back on the mat. Despite Jaume's efforts to avoid the fall, Zhang secured the fall by moving Jaume's head towards the center of the mat than going outside.

This was Zhang's second fall of the tournament while she had won her first two bouts via technical superiority. At the U20 Asian Championships in May, Zhang won two bouts via superiority and two via fall. However, Zhang said she was not satisfied with her performance on Thursday.

"I don’t think it reached the level I expected," she said. "There were some actions where I made a lot of mistakes. I have to go back and summarize them before practicing again."

The sisters have been exchanging notes about wrestling during the competition as they have done in previous competitions. Yu helped Zhang prepare for the final against Jaume.

"We sometimes participate in competitions together," she said. "We can learn from each other, tell yourself or her what shortcomings you have, and teach her how to practice some actions."

Hailing from Shuyang County, Suqian, Jiangsu, the Zhang sisters began wrestling in primary school. It was Yu who was picked by a coach of her school who picked her randomly to participate in the sports meet. Yu liked wrestling and continued her practice.

"When Yu was a child, she was selected by the coach of the city sports school because she was trying to participate in the sports meet," Zhang explained. "Then she started wrestling. Later, she gradually learned more about wrestling, and fell in love with wrestling."

Both have not disappointed so far, winning the U17 Asian golds, U20 Asian gold and bronze and now the U20 world title. Yu Zhang has won senior-level medals as well and continues to support Jin at competitions.

"We usually sit together and have a good chat about the good and bad aspects of our game," Yu Zhang said.

Jasmine ROBINSON (USA)Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) reacts after winning the 72kg final against Yuqi LIU (CHN). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Despite two gold medals, a silver and a bronze medal, China failed to finish on the podium in team rankings. It finished fourth with 99 points, two less than third-placed United States.

The race for the third spot came to the final match of the day as Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) and Yuqi LIU (CHN) clashed in the 72kg final and the winner would have helped its team finish third. The two were unmatched on Thursday, finishing their matches well before time.

Liu began the final with a double-leg takedown and tried a leg lace that she was not able to perform. She continued her attacks but Robinson used a whizzer to get four points. While the pin was not called, Robinson added four more points with a headlock but Liu rolled over for two points.

Just when it looked like Liu would come back in the final after scoring a go-behind to cut the lead to 9-6, Robinson scored exposure and held Liu to win the gold medal.

"My coaches told me to watch out for the leg lace and I am very proud that I did not give that up," Robinson said.

JapanJapan won the Women's Wrestling team title with 149 points. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

Japan returned to the top of Women's Wrestling rankings by winning the team title with 149 points. After a record-breaking 230 points in 2022, Japan lost its title to India last year. India finished second in Pontevedra with 130 points and the United States was third with 101 points.

After Sakura ONISHI (JPN) gold on Thursday, Japan added two more to its tally on Friday. Sokawa UCHIDA (JPN) continued her unbeaten international run, winning her third age-group world title. She won the U17 word titles in 2022 and 2023. Her 12-2 win to win gold against Bertha ROJAS (MEX) on Friday was her fourth technical superiority win of the tournament.

Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN)Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) celebrates after winning the 57kg final at the U20 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Uchida won the 57kg gold medal while the other was added by Anana IKEHATA (JPN) who won the gold medal at 65kg. 

Uchida, 18, gave no chance to Rojas in the final, using singles and doubles to score the points on takedowns. It was only in the last move that Uchida was turned over by Rojas for exposure and gave up two points.

"It was my first time competing in the U20 level," Uchida said. "I was feeling really nervous, but my excitement was stronger, I was glad that I was able to compete in my own way. It was a great competition, and I am happy to have won."

Comparing her three medals at the World Championships, Uchida picked the one from Friday being the best. "All of them are great, but this one is the best,"

A product of the JOC Elite Academy, Uchida has been trying hard to break into the senior team. However, her third-place finishes in Emperor's and Meiji Cups have not helped her earn that spot.

"This year I will do my best to win the Emperor's Cup," she said. "I'd like to try more types of fake attacks, transitions and tackle speed, and more. There are so many things we need to do. But on the other hand, if I improve on that, I definitely think I can win, so I want to work even harder."

Nana IKEHATA (JPN)Nana IKEHATA (JPN) defeated Beyza AKKUS (TUR) to win the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Ikehata, a two-time age-group Asian champion, took more time to finish her 65kg final against Beyza AKKUS (TUR). She won the gold medal after beating Akkus 8-1.

After giving up a point for passivity, Ikehata scored a takedown using a snap and added one more before the break to lead 4-1. In the second period, Akkus showed some fake attacks on Ikehata who countered them and scored two more takedowns to win 8-1.

Continuing her incredible year, Iryna BONDAR (USA) added a U20 world title to her U23 European and Budapest Ranking Series gold medals. She defeated U20 Asian champion NITIKA (IND) 4-1 in the final.

Nitika initiated most attacks and even got various opportunities to score but Bondar had a solid defense and did not get a single point on her.

Bondar has two silver medals from the U23 World Championships and a bronze medal from the U20 Worlds. The gold medal on Friday was her first-ever title at the World Championships.

Nethmi AHINSA (SRI)Nethmi AHINSA (SRI), Sri Lanka's first-ever World Championships medalist in wrestling. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Sri Lanka history

Sri Lanka won its first-ever wrestling medal on the world stage after Nethmi AHINSA (SRI) won the bronze medal at 53kg against Valeryia MIKITSICH (AIN), 6-1. The win makes Ahinsa the first Sri Lanka wrestler to win a medal at any World Championships

Earlier in June, she won a bronze medal at the U20 Asian Championships, becoming the first Sri Lanka to win a medal at any championships in wrestling.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Jin ZHANG (CHN) df. Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP), via fall

BRONZE: Nethmi AHINSA (SRI) df. Valeryia MIKITSICH (AIN), 6-1
BRONZE: Saki YUMIYA (JPN) df. JYOTI (IND), 6-4

57kg
GOLD: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) df. Bertha ROJAS CHAVEZ (MEX), 12-2

BRONZE: Marta HETMANAVA (AIN) df. Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR), 6-1
BRONZE: NEHA (IND) df. Gerda TEREK (HUN), 10-8

62kg
GOLD: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. NITIKA (IND), 4-1

BRONZE: Melanie JIMENEZ (MEX) df. Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), via fall
BRONZE: Nagisa ITO (JPN) df. Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR), 10-9

65kg
GOLD: Nana IKEHATA (JPN) df. Beyza AKKUS (TUR), 8-1

BRONZE: Margarita SALNAZARIAN (AIN) df. Yuliia PAKHNIUK (UKR), 8-5
BRONZE: Zaixue RUI (CHN) df. SARIKA (IND), 7-3

72kg
GOLD: Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) df. Yuqi LIU (CHN), via fall (11-6)

BRONZE: Elvira ERSSON (SWE) df. Iryna ZABLOTSKA (UKR), 7-1
BRONZE: Noemi OSVATH NAGY (HUN) df. Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (AIN), 9-0

Freestyle Semifinals

57kg
GOLD: Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) vs. Lev PAVLOV (AIN)

SF 1: Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) df. Hayko GASPARYAN (ARM), 4-1
SF 2: Lev PAVLOV (AIN) df. Luka GVINJILIA (GEO), 5-2

65kg
GOLD: Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) vs. Makoto HOSOKAWA (JPN)

SF 1: Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) df. Adam ARKHIEV (AIN), 6-4 
SF 2: Makoto HOSOKAWA (JPN) df. Bowen BASSETT (USA), 10-0

70kg
GOLD: Magomed BAITUKAEV (AIN) vs. Ryoya YAMASHITA (JPN)

SF 1: Magomed BAITUKAEV (AIN) df. Peter DUKE (USA), 5-5
SF 2: Ryoya YAMASHITA (JPN) df. Ali KARAMPOUR (IRI), 13-2

79kg
GOLD: Alp BEGENJOV (TKM) vs. Zackary RYDER (USA)

SF 1: Alp BEGENJOV (TKM) df. AMIT (IND), via fall (11-0)
SF 2: Zackary RYDER (USA) df. Said SAIDULOV (AIN), 6-3

97kg
GOLD: Khetag KARSANOV (AZE) vs. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)

SF 1: Khetag KARSANOV (AZE) df. Adam JAKSIK (SVK), via fall
SF 2: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) df. Justin RADEMACHER (USA), 9-1