#Bishkek2018

Kaur Gives India Historic 1st Asian Title

Friday, March 2, 2018 - 18:56 By Ken Marantz

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While back home, India is currently celebrating the Festival of Colors, Navjot KAUR (IND) ended nearly two decades of futility for the women's wrestling team by securing the medal of the most important color.

Kaur became the first Indian woman in history to win a gold medal at the Asian Championships when she captured the 65kg crown with a 9-1 victory in the final over Miyu IMAI (JPN) at the Kozhomkul Sports Palace.

"This is the best day of my life since I started wrestling," said a jubilant Kaur, who was carried for a victory lap around the mat by two coaches while hoisting the Indian flag.

In other finals, the Chinese added two more golds to the four they won the previous day with victories by Budapest 2016 world champion PEI Xingru (57kg) and Paris 2017 world bronze medalist HAN Yue (72kg).

But Paris 2017 world champion Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) prevented the Chinese from going 7-for-7 in finals when she overcame a 4-1 deficit to storm past LUO Xiaojuan (CHN) 12-4 for the 62kg crown.

PAK Yongmi (PRK) raises her hands in excitement after winning the 53kg gold medal. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne.

North Korea came away with its first gold medal of the tournament when PAK Yongmi put on a takedown clinic in the 53kg final and handily defeated Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL) 11-5.

China, despite not having entries in two weight classes because of injury withdrawals, easily captured the team title with 185 points. Mongolia, which had medalists in eight of the 10 divisions, finished second with 167, six points ahead of third-place Japan, which had sent a young, generally inexperienced squad and won just one gold.Navjot KAUR (IND) wins India's first ever Asian championship. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne.

Since Indian women starting participating in the Asian Championships in 2001, 13 wrestlers had previously made the finals without a single one coming away with a victory. Kaur herself was among that group, having finished runner-up at the 2013 tournament in New Delhi. 

"This pressure was something that every athlete was having at the Asian Championships," Kaur said. "But this time, I decided, No, I will compete without pressure. I have just one chance to prove myself, so I was prepared. I won't feel any pressure, let me go and play my natural game.

"Now I have won and I'm proud to become the first woman from India to win a gold at the Asian Championships."

She achieved that feat by twice scoring 4-point throws on counters to single-leg takedown attempts by Imai, who had earlier beaten the Indian 4x-4 on criteria during the round-robin group stage used because the weight class had only six entries.

Imai, a third-place finisher at the Japan championships in December with scarce international experience, was hurt by a questionable challenge initiated by her coach. After Kaur threw Imai onto her side in the first period for 2 points, the Japanese side challenged the decision--only to see it changed to a 4-point move. The additional point for the unsuccessful challenge put Imai into a 5-0 hole.

In the second period, Imai stepped up the pressure and gained a point on a step-out. But the next time she had a grasp of Kaur's leg, she was suddenly sent whirling onto her back for another 4-pointer that clinched the match.

India's coaches Navjot KAUR (IND) celebrates India's first ever Asian championship. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne.

The 27-year-old Kaur acknowledged she was nervous, but also confident.

"I have been preparing for this and waiting for this for very long," she said. "At the national camp, I was supported and motivated by the whole team, including the coaches and the medical staff.

"I was a bit nervous, being on this platform and you have a lot of load on your shoulders. But I was confident. I was being boosted, 'No, you can do it, you can beat Japan, it's not something that you can't achieve.'"

Kaur considers it fortuitous that her victory coincides with the important Hindi Festival of Colors, called Holi. "I believe I got a blessing from the whole of India, and I dedicate the medal to the whole country. That is how I will celebrate, a gift of Holi to the country."

Photo of PEI Xingru (CHN) by Max Rose-Fyne 

China's Pei had her hands surprisingly full with unheralded high schooler Sara NATAMI (JPN), who was making her international senior debut. Pei broke a 1-1 tie, with both points scored on the activity clock, with a snapdown-and-drag takedown in the final minute for a 3-1 victory.

"I wasn't in 100 percent condition, so I was a little nervous," Pei said. "I should have wrestled much better."

For the 17-year-old Natami, the future is bright, but only time will tell if she can break into the Japanese elite.

"I didn't get in on even one tackle, so that was disappointing," Natami said. "This result will give me confidence. But now it's over, and I have to work hard for the next one."

Yue HAN (CHN) gets her hand raise after picking up the 11-0 technical superiority victory over Nasanburmaa OCHIRBAT (MGL). Photo by Max Rose-Fyne.

In the 72kg final, Han had no trouble handling Nasanburmaa OCHIRBAT (MGL), building up a 7-0 lead after the first period before ending the match with a takedown and roll combination for an 11-0 win with 1:34 remaining.

The highlight of the bronze-medal matches came at 65kg, in which LEE Hanbit (KOR) overcame a 6-0 deficit with less than a minute to go to win 6x-6 on criteria. It was one of two bronzes captured by South Korea on the night.

Japan added three bronze medals to its tally from Yu MIYAHARA (53kg), Yurika ITO (62kg) and Masako FURUICHI (72kg).  Miyahara and Ito both won by fall after leading 6-0, while Furuichi posted a 10-0 technical fall.

The remaining bronze medals went to Kazakhstan, Mongolia and India. As with the 65kg class, 72kg only had six entries, so there was only one bronze-medal match in each of those divisions.

The fifth day of competition on Saturday marks the start of men's freestyle with action in five weight classes.

Women's Wrestling
53kg (10 entries)
Gold - PAK Yongmi (PRK) df. Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL), 11-5

Bronze –  Yu Miyahara (JPN) df. Thi Hang VU (VIE) by Fall, 3:34 (6-0)
Bronze – Zhuldyz Eshimova (KAZ) df. CHIU Hsin Ju (TPE), 5-0

57kg (10 entries)
Gold - PEI Xingru (CHN) df. Sara NATAMI (JPN), 3-1

Bronze –  KIM Yeseul (KOR) df. Thi Huong DAO (VIE), 4-3
Bronze – Baltsetseg ALTANTSETSEG (MGL) df. JONG In Sun (PRK), 7-4

62kg (10 entries)
Gold - Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) df. LUO Xiaojuan (CHN), 12-4

Bronze –  Yurika ITO (JPN) df. Khalbazar NARBAEVA (UZB) by Fall, 4:02 (6-0)
Bronze – Sakshi MALIK (IND) df. Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ), 10-7

65kg (6 entries)
Gold - Navjot KAUR (IND) df. Miya IMAI (JPN), 9-1

Bronze –  LEE Hanbit (KOR) df. Tsevegmed ENKHBAYAR (MGL), 6x-6

72kg (6 entries)
Gold - HAN Yue (CHN) df. Nasanburmaa OCHIRBAT (MGL) by TF, 11-0, 1:34

Bronze –  Masako FURUICHI (JPN) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) by TF, 10-0, 0:35

#WrestleBudapest

Orta, Kusaka win Ranking Series gold; Esmaeili books Paris 2024 spot

Monday, June 10, 2024 - 00:29 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 9) -- The 67kg weight class in Budapest was supposed to offer some interesting match-ups. Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) could have avenged his World Championships loss to Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI). Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) could have qualified for the Paris Olympics if he had defeated Geraei in Budapest. Leri ABULADZE (GEO) could have become a contender in Georgia for the weight class.

But none of that happened as Orta dominated, outsmarted and controlled his way to the gold medal at 67kg in the Ranking Series, making him one of the favorites for the gold medal in Paris. The Paris Games will also present Orta a rare opportunity to win two Olympic gold medals in two different weight classes as he won the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 60kg.

Orta began his day with an 8-0 win over David MANYIK (HUN) before using a four-pointer to beat Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) 7-1 to set up a semifinal against Esmaeili. No one would have expected the Asian champion Esmaeili to challenge the world champion but the Iranian had different ideas.

Esmaeili raced to a 7-0 lead in the first period and was one point away from winning the bout. However, Orta managed to keep himself in the bout and began the second period with a front headlock for four and got one more for a lost challenge from Iran. Still, Esmaeili did well to defend the lead until the last three seconds.

As the bout entered the final 10 seconds left, Orta almost gave up and Esmaeili, thinking that Orta had accepted defeat, turned his back and began walking towards the Iranian corner to celebrate. Just the whole stadium gasped as Orta, realizing there was still time left, ran towards Esmaeili and threw him for four.

Midway through the throw, an air-borne Esmaeili knew he messed up. He pleaded that the time was over. Referees initially did not award points to Orta but Cuba challenged and it was clear that the move was completed with 0.1 seconds left. Orta was awarded four points, helping him win 9-7.

An inconsolable Esmaeili had to be helped to the warm-up area. For he thought his Paris 2024 dream was over. 

Orta, fueled by that unthinkable win and his Cuban teammates including Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) in the stands, went on to beat Abuladze in the final to claim the gold medal. He, however, will remain second in the seeding for the Olympics as Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) has already locked up the top seed.

Jafarov was wrestling in Budapest but was up at 72kg. He may have changed his weight class but had no trouble winning the gold medal at the higher weight as well.

Back to Esmaeili who had his task cut out in the evening session. He needed to beat Geraei in two bouts to earn the Paris 2024 spot on the Iran team. He gathered himself from that loss to Orta and scored a final second takedown against Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) to clinch a 6-5 win while Geraei defeated Andres MONTANO (ECU) 3-3 to claim the other bronze.

The two stepped on the mat for the wrestle-off for the Olympic spot with Geraei holding an advantage that if he won the first match, he would book his spot for Paris but Esmaeili had to do it in a best-of-three format. But Esmaeili did not let it go to that third as he defeated Geraei in two straight bouts in a tennis-like scoreline, 6-0 and 6-4, to earn a spot on the Iran team for the Paris Olympics and maybe a rematch with Orta in the French capital which on Sunday witness Carlos ALCARAZ win his first French Open.

David LOSONCZI (HUN)David LOSONCZI (HUN) celebrates after securing a fall over Ali CENGIZ (TUR). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

There was more drama in Budapest as David LOSONCZI (HUN) made sure he pinned Ali CENGIZ (TUR) when the two met in the 87kg semifinal. The two were awarded a shared World Championships title in September after Cengiz defeated Losonczi but the Hungarian wrestler won an appeal for judges' errors and was also awarded the gold medal.

Losonczi admitted that he was waiting for the rematch and though relieved to get the gold medal in Belgrade, he did not really celebrate it. So when he faced Cengiz this time, Losonczi stepped over when the Turkish wrestler was trying to finish a headlock throw. The local fans in Budapest were ecstatic and so was Losonczi who missed his final against Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) due to an injury, a deep cut on his chin.

Nao KUSAKA (JPN)Nao KUSAKA (JPN) defeated Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) in the 77kg semifinal in Budapest. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Nao KUSAKA (JPN) has now beaten World Championships gold and silver medalists at 77kg in the past two months. After his win over world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at the Asian Championships in April, Kusaka handed World Championships silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) a 2-1 defeat in the semifinal. Suleymanov was leading 1-1 on criteria but Kusaka managed to score a stepout just in time to claim the win.

In the final, Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) defaulted due to injury and Kusaka won the gold medal that will take him past Suleymanov as the top-ranked wrestler in the world. Suleymanov would have remained the top-ranked wrestler if he had won a bronze medal but pulled out due to injury. Kusaka will now have 67200 points while Suleymanov will have 67100 points.

At 97kg, World Championships bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) had no issues beating whoever tried to challenge him. In the final Alex SZOKE (HUN) led 1-1 on criteria but Saravi scored a takedown.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)
SILVER: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI)
BRONZE: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)

67kg
GOLD: Luis ORTA (CUB) df. Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 4-0

BRONZE: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN), 6-5
BRONZE: Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) df. Andres MONTANO (ECU), 3-3

72kg
GOLD: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY), 5-2

BRONZE: Danial SOHRABI (IRI) df. Shmagi BOLKVADZE (GEO), 7-3
BRONZE: Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) df. Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA), 2-1

77kg
GOLD: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Yosvanys PENA FLORESS (CUB) df. Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Mohammad Reza MOKHTARI (IRI) df. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), via inj. def.

82kg
GOLD: Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) df. Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO), 3-1

BRONZE: Karlo KODRIC (CRO) df. Spencer WOODS (USA), via fall
BRONZE: Mihail BRADU (MDA) df. Peter DOEMOEK (HUN), 3-0

87kg
GOLD: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. David LOSONCZI (HUN), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Mohammadhossein MAHMOODI (IRI) df. Ali CENGIZ (TUR), 10-4
BRONZE: Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) df. Istvan TAKACS (HUN), via forfeit

97kg
GOLD: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Alex SZOKE (HUN), 3-1

BRONZE: Giorgi MELIA (GEO) df. Josef RAU (USA), 11-4
BRONZE: Shayan HABIBZARE (IRI) df. Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON), via inj. def.