#WrestleRome

LIVE BLOG: Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series, Day Two

By United World Wrestling Press

Three new Greco-Roman champions and four new women's wrestling champions on day two of action at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series. Erica WIEBE (CAN) defended her 76kg title in a dominant fashion while Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSAH (USA) improved on her silver-medal finish last year to win the gold this time. Canada finished with three medals in women's wrestling including two gold.

Action will continue on day three with remaining six women's weight categories and two men's freestyle categories. Don't forget to tune in at 1030 hrs local time.

WATCH: Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series Day Two Finals

FINALS' MATCH ORDER

2038 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Erica Wiebe defends her gold medal in style! A 10-0 technical superiority win over Samar Hamza closes out the day in Rome. Some total control mode from Wiebe there

2034 hrs: Another slow start from Wiebe as she is warned for passivity at the 1:45 mark. But she gets going in the activity period and tosses Hamza for a four! She leads 4-0 going into the break

2028 hrs: Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) wins the second bronze medal at 76kg. She pulls off a good 6-0 win against Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA). This now takes us to the final bout of the day. Olympic and defending champion at Matteo Pellicone Erica Wiebe (CAN) is up against Samar HAMZA (EGY)

2022 hrs: Enrica RINALDI (ITA) with a quick technical superiority 10-0 win over Matilde CALDARELLI (ITA) to capture the bronze medal at 76kg

2018 hrs: Final weight for the day. The bronze medal bouts at 76kg are underway. On Mat A, two local wrestlers are battling it out. Matilde CALDARELLI (ITA) is wrestling teammate Enrica RINALDI (ITA). The other bout is Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA) against Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) on Mat B

2013 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSAH (USA) manages to turn the colour of her medal to gold. She lost in the final last year but this time she is going home with a gold. A dominant 11-0 win over Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL)

2010 hrs: Mensah goes for the right leg and then ties a double. Hristova defends but Mensah is too strong for her. The judges give her two and two. She then gets an exposure. Bulgaria challenge the call. 

2008 hrs: Incredible from Mensah-Stock. She defends a leg attack and circles back to complete a takedown. Hristova goes for another desperate attack but Mensah is sitting deep. She scores two more. The US wrestlers leads 4-0 at the break

2005 hrs: World champion Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSAH (USA) is up against Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL). Mensah-Stock was silver medalist last year in Rome

2002 hrs: Di Bacco with a snap down go behind to make it 4-4 before a single leg drag for a takedown. She holds on to the 6-4 lead to give Canada a bronze medal at 68kg

1958 hrs: Glaude came up with a shoulder throw to take a 4-2 lead against di Bacco going into the break at the bronze medal bout

1954 hrs: Moving into the 68kg medal matches. Sofiya Hristova GEORGIEVA (BUL) will receive the first bronze medal as Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) is ruled out due to injury. On Mat B, Alexandria Junis GLAUDE (USA) is up against Olivia Grace DI BACCO (CAN)

#WrestleRome 62kg WW Medal Match Results
?Michelle FAZZARI?? df. Marianna SASTIN ??, 2-1
?Lais NUNES?? df. Irina KUZNETSOVA ??, 6-1

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 5, 2021

1950 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Michelle FAZZARI (CAN) is the champion at 62kg as she beats Marianna SASTIN (HUN) 2-1 in the final. All three points were for passivity. 

1948 hrs: This time it's Fazzari on the shot and she will give up a point for passivity. Sastin now leads 1-1 on criteria. No wrestler is able to score and the referee warns Sastin again with a minute remaining. Fazzari up 2-1 with 20 seconds to go

1943 hrs: Sastin is the first one to get the warning for passivity and she is put on the shot clock. Sastin fails to score and Fazzari gets the point. She will go into the break leading 1-0

1941 hrs: The gold medal match at 62kg. Marianna SASTIN (HUN) a former world champion and one of the veterans on the Hungary wrestling team. She is up against former World bronze medalist Michelle FAZZARI (CAN)

1940 hrs: Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) controls the entire bronze medal bout against Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) and wins the medal with a 6-2 victory 

1930 hrs: Bronze medal bout for 62kg. Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) is taking on Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ). She is the first one to open the lead and gets a takedown. The Brazilian will go into the break leading 3-0

 

#WrestleRome 57kg WW Medal Match Results
?Giullia RODRIGUES ??df. Sarita SARITA ??, 4-2
?Francesca INDELICATO ?? df. Anshu ANSHU ??, via inj. def.
?Emma TISSINA ??df. Altynay SATYLGAN ??, 1-1

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 5, 2021

 

1927 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) wins the gold at 57kg. She makes a comeback from 0-2 down to win the medal 4-2 against SARITA (IND)

1925 hrs: Sarita goes off balance and de Oliveira is goes to go behind and get two points and the lead. Sarita with a desperate attack in the final 20 seconds but de Oliveira was ready for it. She circles back and gets two more.

1920 hrs: Final bout of the 57kg weight with SARITA (IND) taking on Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA). Sarita on the offensive from the beginning and gets the first score for a stepout. de Oliveia is put on the shot clock. She fails to score in the 30 second period and Sarita leads 2-0 at the break

1915 hrs: Emma TISSINA (KAZ) holds on to a 1-1 victory against Altynay SATYLGAN (KAZ) to claim the bronze medal at 57kg women's weight category

1910 hrs: Women's medal bouts are underway! At 57kg, teammates, Altynay SATYLGAN (KAZ) is wrestling Emma TISSINA (KAZ) on Mat A. ANSHU (IND) is injured, giving the bronze medal to Francesca INDELICATO (ITA)

1902 hrs: Ten new Greco-Roman champions have been crowned in Rome.

                 55kg Viktor VEDERNIKOV (RUS)
                 60kg Emin SEFERSHAEV (RUS
                 63kg Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ)
                 67kg Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ)
                 72kg Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN)
                 77kg Zolton LEVAI (HUN)
                 82kg Adlan AKIEV (RUS)
                 87kg Istvan TAKACS (HUN)
                 97kg Musa EVLOEV (RUS)
                 130kg Riza KAYAALP (TUR)

1900 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Adlan AKIEV (RUS) is the tenth and final Greco-Roman champion in Rome! He was warned for passivity but had a stunning par terre defence even though Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) tried the clinch. Turkey corner even challenged the call. The Turk would be heartbroken as he finishes with yet another silver in Rome. Akiev wins 6-1 

1855 hrs: Akiev with the advantage and he goes a big throw for four! Akbudak was surprised with the suddenness of the move. Akiev leads 5-0 at the break in this 82kg final

1853 hrs: And now for the final Greco-Roman bout of this year's Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series. Russian national champion Adlan AKIEV (RUS) is taking on Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), a returning silver medalist in Rome 

1852 hrs: Contrasting bronze medals for two Hungary wrestlers. Laszlo SZABO manages to hold on to a close 2-1 win over Salih AYDIN (TUR) while his teammate Tamas LEVAI (HUN) runs to a second-period technical superiority 8-0 win over Matteo MAFFEZZOLI (ITA)

1845 hrs: Szabo holds a single point lead against Aydin going into the break. Levai gets a big throw on Maffezzoli to take a 4-0 lead. Italy challenge the call. Levai gets another point as Italy lose the challenge

1842 hrs: Moving to the 82kg weight category. The bronze medal bouts have Laszlo SZABO (HUN) and Salih AYDIN (TUR) on Mat A and Matteo MAFFEZZOLI (ITA) Tamas LEVAI (HUN) on Mat B

 

#WrestleRome 77kg GR Medal Match Results
?Zoltan LEVAI ?? df. Yunus BASAR ??, 3-1
?Askhat DILMUKHAMEDOV ?? df. Peyton WALSH ??, 8-0
?Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV ?? df. Patrick SMITH ??, via fall

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 5, 2021

 

1838 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Zolton LEVAI (HUN) defends his title at the Matteo Pellicone with a 3-1 win in the 77kg final against Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR). The takedown proving to the difference for Levai

1835 hrs: Now it's Basar's turn to go par terre. Levai tries hard to get a gut wrench but will could not finish. 1-1 lead Levai on criteria. Levai then goes takedown out of bounds and a two-point lead. 

1830 hrs: Final bout at 77kg between Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR) and Zoltan LEVAI (HUN). Levai gets the passivity warning and Basar has the opportunity to make it count but he cannot. 1-0 lead at the break for Basar

1827 hrs: Quick finishes to the two bronze medal bouts at 77kg! Askhat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ) goes to technical superiority win over Peyton Burke WALSH (USA) in under a minute. Incidentally, the second bout was also between Kazakhstan and USA. Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) gets a pin against Patrick Harrison SMITH (USA)

 

#WrestleRome 72kg GR Medal Match Results
?Robert FRITSCH ?? df. Selcuk CAN ??, 2-2
?Kuldeep MALIK ?? df. Chingiz LABAZANOV ??, 10-0

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 5, 2021

 

1824 hrs: GOLD MEDAL! Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) stages a comeback from 0-2 to win the gold medal at 72kg in Rome. Heartbreak for Selcuk CAN (TUR) who was looking to change the colour of his silver medal from last year to gold but goes down 2-2 in the final

1820 hrs: Now Can is warned for passivity. He still leads 2-1. Fritsch is really pushing for action. He brings Can to the danger zone and earns a pushout. Now Fritsch is leading 2-2 on criteria with les than minute to go

1815 hrs: The final of 72kg is between returning silver medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) and Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN). Can with the early advantage after Fritsch was warned for passivity. He gets one more for a out of bounds. Can leads 2-0 at the break

1812 hrs: A pushout, takedown and another pushout has given Malik a 10-9 lead in this bronze medal bout. Looks like the Labazanov is trying to catch his breath but Malik will hold on for a 10-9 win for the bronze medal. What a start we have had to the medal matches

1810 hrs: This looked quite comfortable for Labazanov but Malik has got two pushouts and they exchange two points each on a body lock. 9-6 Labazanov

1806 hrs: Labazanov goes for a body-lock throw to finish the bout but lands on his back, giving two to Malik and we have a stoppage for bleeding as the Russian has hurt, what looks like a cut on above his eye. 7-2 for Labazanov at the break

1800 hrs: We are underway! Russian national champion Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) is wrestling for the bronze medal against Kuldeep MALIK (IND). Malik gets the first passivity warning and Labazanov gets to work. He goes gut wrench, gut wrench, gut wrench for a 7-0 lead

1750 hrs: Welcome back! We are 10 minutes away from the medal matches in Rome. Kicking off action will be Greco-Roman bronze medal bout at 72kg between Kuldeep MALIK (IND) and Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) on Mat A and the gold medal bout on Mat B between Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) and Selcuk CAN (TUR)

If you missed the first session, below is a recap. If you are wondering what happened on day one of the competition, here's a video roundup

 

1350 hrs: We will be back after a four-hour break for the finals. You can head over to our Instagram, Twitter, Facebook and YouTube to catch the highlights of the morning session

1345 hrs: We are done with our semi-finals! Here's the line-up for finals

Greco-Roman line-up

72kg Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) vs Selcuk CAN (TUR)
77kg Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR) vs vs Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) 
82kg Adlan AKIEV (RUS) vs Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR)

Women's Wrestling line-up

57kg SARITA (IND) vs Giullia RODRIGUES (BRA)
62kg Marianna SASTIN (HUN) vs Michelle FAZZARI (CAN)
68kg Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA (BUL) vs Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK (USA)
76kg Samar HAMZA (EGY) vs Erica WIEBE (CAN)

 

1340 hrs: Third Canada wrestler in the final! Michelle FAZZARI matches teammates Erica WIEBE and Olivia Grace DI BACCO to reach the final. She beats Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) 7-2 in the 62 semi-final. She will wrestle Marianna SASTIN (HUN) in the final

1338 hrs: Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSAH (USA) will be wrestling for a gold! The returning silver medalist gets a dominant 10-0 win over Sofiya Hritsova GEORGIEVA (BUL). She will try to win her fifth Ranking Series gold medal

1336 hrs: Michelle FAZZARI (CAN) was looking for the pin against Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) but the Kazak wrestler was quick to come and try a pin of her own. Fazzari barely manages to survive that. 5-2 lead for the Canada wrestler

1333 hrs: World champion Mensah-Stock is wrestling her 68kg semi-final against Sofiya Hristova GEORGIEVA (BUL). Two brilliant takedowns for the American and she is up 4-0

1330 hrs: de Oliveira is the winner at 57kg. ANSHU is declared not fit to wrestle after the break as she complains about pain in the hamstring. She is trailing 7-10. She insists she can continue. But the judges think otherwise.

1325 hrs: Another over-the-shoulder throw from de Oliveira. But Anshu spins on head. Brazil corner is asking for four. Referee awards two. Challenge from Brazil but they lose it. 10-5 for Brazil

 

Count 'em! That's two finalists for @WrestlingCanada.

68kg: Olivia Grace DI BACCO??
76kg: Erica Elizabeth WIEBE??https://t.co/zpwxopXS8d

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 5, 2021

 

1322 hrs: Returning silver medalist ANSHU (IND) takes on Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) in the other 57kg semi-final. The Brazilian starts with a four-point throw and a reversal for Anshu. But de Oliveira goes for another big throw. 8-2 the lead for her

1316 hrs: Erica Wiebe (CAN) into the final with a close 2-0 win against Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ). Not much action in the bout but the Olympic champion controlled the bout throughout. In 57kg, Asian champion SARITA (IND) moves into the final with a win by fall

1315 hrs: Wiebe is holding on to a 2-0 lead with a minute remaining in her semi-final bout. On Mat B, Selcuk CAN (TUR) vs is leading Russian champion Chingiz LABAZANOV 3-0

1310 hrs: Returning champion Erica Wiebe is wrestling her semi-final against Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) on Mat C. The winner gets to wrestle Samar HAMZA (EGY) in the 76kg final

1305 hrs: Returning gold medalist at 77kg Zolton LEVAI (HUN) storms into the final with an 11-4 win over Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ). In the 72kg semi-final Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) makes his way to the final with a 5-0 win over Kuldeep MALIK (IND)

1255 hrs: We are rolling into the semi-final bouts for the day! The line-up for WW

57kg (KAZ) Emma TISSINA vs (IND) SARITA
57 kg (IND) ANSHU vs (BRA) Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA
62 kg (BRA) Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA vs (HUN) Marianna SASTIN
62 kg (CAN) Michelle Christina FAZZARI vs (KAZ) Irina KUZNETSOVA
68 kg (CAN) Olivia Grace DI BACCO vs (BUL) Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA
68 kg (BUL) Sofiya Hristova GEORGIEVA vs (USA) Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSAH
76 kg (KAZ) Elmira SYZDYKOVA vs (CAN) Erica Elizabeth WIEBE
76 kg (ITA) Enrica RINALDI vs (EGY) Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA

Greco-Roman line-up

72 kg (HUN) Robert Attila FRITSCH vs (IND) Kuldeep MALIK
72 kg (TUR) Selcuk CAN vs (RUS) Chingiz LABAZANOV
77 kg (TUR) Yunus Emre BASAR vs (USA) Peyton Burke WALSH
77 kg (HUN) Zoltan LEVAI vs (KAZ) Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV
82 kg (HUN) Tamas LEVAI vs (RUS) Adlan AKIEV
82 kg (TUR) Salih AYDIN vs (TUR) Burhan AKBUDAK

1245 hrs: Russia national champion Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) takes out former junior World Champion KISSYMETOV (KAZ) 7-3

1240 hrs: Michelle FAZZARI'S (CAN) four-point throw remains the difference as Marina SASTIN (HUN) goes down 3-5 

1230 hrs: Marina SASTIN (HUN) and Michelle FAZZARI (CAN) on Mat B. SASTIN leading 1-0 and FAZZARI gets a four! SASTIN challenges the call but it stands. 5-1 lead FAZZARI

1225 hrs: Mensah-Stock was hit with a surprise hip-toss but she comes back with three takedowns in the bout to win 6-4 against Hanzlickova

1221 hrs: World champion Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSA (USA) is up against Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE). The Czech gets going with toss for four. A reversal for Mensa-Stock

1220 hrs: A win for 19-year-old ANSHU (IND). Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) came up with a four-point throw but Anshu got a reversal and exposure to regain the lead 7-4. Nikolova had two pushouts and desperate try for a big throw in the dying seconds but Anshu hangs on to win 11-6

1214 hrs: ANSHU (IND) leads NIKOLOVA (BUL) 4-0 at the break in their 57kg quarter-final. On Mat C, Asian Championships bronze medalist Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) is up against KIRAN (IND)

1210 hrs: Erica WIEBE (CAN) holds on to the lead and the win! She moves into the 76kg quarter-finals. Next match on Mat A, returning silver ANSHU (IND) is up against World bronze Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)

1340 hrs: Third Canada wrestler in the final! Michelle FAZZARI matches teammates Erica WIEBE and Olivia Grace DI BACCO to reach the final. She beats Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) 7-2 in the 62 semi-final. She will wrestle Marianna SASTIN (HUN) in the final

1338 hrs: Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSAH (USA) will be wrestling for a gold! The returning silver medalist gets a dominant 10-0 win over Sofiya Hritsova GEORGIEVA (BUL). She will try to win her fifth Ranking Series gold medal

1336 hrs: Michelle FAZZARI (CAN) was looking for the pin against Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) but the Kazak wrestler was quick to come and try a pin of her own. Fazzari barely manages to survive that. 5-2 lead for the Canada wrestler

1333 hrs: World champion Mensah-Stock is wrestling her 68kg semi-final against Sofiya Hristova GEORGIEVA (BUL). Two brilliant takedowns for the American and she is up 4-0

1330 hrs: de Oliveira is the winner at 57kg. ANSHU is declared not fit to wrestle after the break as she complains about pain in the hamstring. She is trailing 7-10. She insists she can continue. But the judges think otherwise.

1325 hrs: Another over-the-shoulder throw from de Oliveira. But Anshu spins on head. Brazil corner is asking for four. Referee awards two. Challenge from Brazil but they lose it. 10-5 for Brazil

 

Count 'em! That's two finalists for @WrestlingCanada.

68kg: Olivia Grace DI BACCO??
76kg: Erica Elizabeth WIEBE??https://t.co/zpwxopXS8d

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 5, 2021

 

1322 hrs: Returning silver medalist ANSHU (IND) takes on Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) in the other 57kg semi-final. The Brazilian starts with a four-point throw and a reversal for Anshu. But de Oliveira goes for another big throw. 8-2 the lead for her

1316 hrs: Erica Wiebe (CAN) into the final with a close 2-0 win against Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ). Not much action in the bout but the Olympic champion controlled the bout throughout. In 57kg, Asian champion SARITA (IND) moves into the final with a win by fall

1315 hrs: Wiebe is holding on to a 2-0 lead with a minute remaining in her semi-final bout. On Mat B, Selcuk CAN (TUR) vs is leading Russian champion Chingiz LABAZANOV 3-0

1310 hrs: Returning champion Erica Wiebe is wrestling her semi-final against Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) on Mat C. The winner gets to wrestle Samar HAMZA (EGY) in the 76kg final

1305 hrs: Returning gold medalist at 77kg Zolton LEVAI (HUN) storms into the final with an 11-4 win over Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ). In the 72kg semi-final Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) makes his way to the final with a 5-0 win over Kuldeep MALIK (IND)

1255 hrs: We are rolling into the semi-final bouts for the day! The line-up for WW

57kg (KAZ) Emma TISSINA vs (IND) SARITA
57 kg (IND) ANSHU vs (BRA) Giullia RODRIGUES PENALBER DE OLIVEIRA
62 kg (BRA) Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA vs (HUN) Marianna SASTIN
62 kg (CAN) Michelle Christina FAZZARI vs (KAZ) Irina KUZNETSOVA
68 kg (CAN) Olivia Grace DI BACCO vs (BUL) Mimi Nikolova HRISTOVA
68 kg (BUL) Sofiya Hristova GEORGIEVA vs (USA) Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSAH
76 kg (KAZ) Elmira SYZDYKOVA vs (CAN) Erica Elizabeth WIEBE
76 kg (ITA) Enrica RINALDI vs (EGY) Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA

Greco-Roman line-up

72 kg (HUN) Robert Attila FRITSCH vs (IND) Kuldeep MALIK
72 kg (TUR) Selcuk CAN vs (RUS) Chingiz LABAZANOV
77 kg (TUR) Yunus Emre BASAR vs (USA) Peyton Burke WALSH
77 kg (HUN) Zoltan LEVAI vs (KAZ) Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV
82 kg (HUN) Tamas LEVAI vs (RUS) Adlan AKIEV
82 kg (TUR) Salih AYDIN vs (TUR) Burhan AKBUDAK

1245 hrs: Russia national champion Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) takes out former junior World Champion KISSYMETOV (KAZ) 7-3

1240 hrs: Michelle FAZZARI'S (CAN) four-point throw remains the difference as Marina SASTIN (HUN) goes down 3-5 

1230 hrs: Marina SASTIN (HUN) and Michelle FAZZARI (CAN) on Mat B. SASTIN leading 1-0 and FAZZARI gets a four! SASTIN challenges the call but it stands. 5-1 lead FAZZARI

1225 hrs: Mensah-Stock was hit with a surprise hip-toss but she comes back with three takedowns in the bout to win 6-4 against Hanzlickova

1221 hrs: World champion Tamyra Mariama STOCK MENSA (USA) is up against Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE). The Czech gets going with toss for four. A reversal for Mensa-Stock

1220 hrs: A win for 19-year-old ANSHU (IND). Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) came up with a four-point throw but Anshu got a reversal and exposure to regain the lead 7-4. Nikolova had two pushouts and desperate try for a big throw in the dying seconds but Anshu hangs on to win 11-6

1214 hrs: ANSHU (IND) leads NIKOLOVA (BUL) 4-0 at the break in their 57kg quarter-final. On Mat C, Asian Championships bronze medalist Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) is up against KIRAN (IND)

1210 hrs: Erica WIEBE (CAN) holds on to the lead and the win! She moves into the 76kg quarter-finals. Next match on Mat A, returning silver ANSHU (IND) is up against World bronze Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)

1207 hrs: Wiebe ties the score 1-1 but is warned for passivity again. She completes a single leg takedown before an exposure to lead 5-1

1205 hrs: Da Silva Ferreira is leading 1-0 against Wiebe in their quarter-final at 76kg after the first period. Wiebe gave up a point for being passive

1200 hrs: Rio Olympic champion and returning gold medalist Erica Wiebe is on Mat A. She is up against Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA).

1155 hrs: Egypt's Rio Olympian Samar Amer Ibrahim HAMZA starts her day with a big tech superiority win over Matilde CALDARELLI (ITA).

1152 hrs: Marina SASTIN wins her first bout of the day. She scores a couple of big four-point throws on her way to a 15-4 technical superiority win over Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ)

1150 hrs: Returning silver medalist Selcuk CAN (TUR) with an easy win against Cristhian Alberto RIVAS CASTRO (ECU) on Mat B.

 

Mat A is about to be ?!

Bout 100: Olympic ? Erica WIEBE ??
Bout 101: ??Evelina NIKOLOVA ??
Bout 102: ??Tamyra STOCK MENSAH ??

WATCH: https://t.co/zpwxopXS8d

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) March 5, 2021

 

1145 hrs: Former world champion Marina SASTIN (HUN) and Asian silver medalist Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ) wrestling in women's 62kg Round 2. Sastin had the lead but Kassymova with big four to take a 4-3 lead

1140 hrs: A little anti-climatic there. World and Russia champion Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) did not show up for his bout against Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ). The Kazakhstan is the winner 

1125 hrs: Emrah KUS (TUR) is deep trouble on Mat B. He is down 0-7 against Salih AYDIN (TUR), a returning bronze medalist. They go into the break at the same score

1120 hrs: Down goes Asian silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ). He loses a close 6-10 bout against fellow countryman Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ)

1110 hrs: Emrah KUS (TUR), a five-time medalist at Ranking Series events, starts with a big win against Benjamin Errol PROVISOR (USA)

1053 hrs: What a match we had! Ravaughn Richard Ravelle PERKINS (USA) with two big throws to take a 12-7 lead against returning gold medalist Gurpreet SINGH (IND). The Indian with big four with 10 seconds remaining, he was looking for the pin but the time runs out. Perkins the winner 12-11

1052 hrs: Michelle Christina FAZZARI (CAN) makes a big comeback and completes a close 8-7 win against Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ).

1050 hrs: Gurpreet SINGH (IND) with a 7-0 lead but Perkins with a huge four-point throw before adding two more to make it 6-7. The Indian leads 7-6 at the break in the 82kg bout

1045 hrs: Asian Championships silver medalist Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ) is leading former World Championships bronze medalist Michelle Christina FAZZARI (CAN) 6-4 at the break in women's 62kg bout. On Mat C, returning gold medalist Gurpreet SINGH (IND) is facing Ravaughn Richard Ravelle PERKINS (USA) 

1035 hrs: And we are off! Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) continues the good work that the wrestlers from Hungary yesterday. He starts off with a 3-2 win over Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS)

1025 hrs: If you missed the action on day one, you can relive it on our YouTube channel. Read our day wrap and the highlights with Musa Evloev winning the gold with ease and some surprising results in the 87kg category

1015 hrs: Welcome to the second day of the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event from Rome. Today will be a mix of some Greco-Roman and freestyle action.

#WrestleAmman

Tanabe outdoes Olympic medalist dad by claiming Asian 65kg gold

By Ken Marantz

AMMAN, Jordan (March 29) -- By winning his first senior Asian title, collegian Kaisei TANABE (JPN) did something his father and coach was unable to accomplish. Now his aim to better dad's result at the Olympics.

Tanabe stormed to a one-sided victory in the 65kg final as Japan had two champions crowned on the first day of the freestyle competition at the Asian Championships on Saturday in Amman, Jordan.

Tanabe completed his golden run with a 12-2 victory over Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) to outdo his father Chikara, who was a bronze medalist at the 2004  Athens Olympics but never medaled in two trips to the Asian Championships.

"My older sister is now a coach in China, and my father and mother are watching from home," the 22-year-old Tanabe said. "They give me advice before every match, and I incorporate that. This is a title won by my whole family."

Japan also got a gold from rising star Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), who added the 97kg title to the one he claimed at 92kg in 2023, while three countries split the three other golds at stake.

Asian Games silver medalist Chongsong HAN (PRK) won at 57kg, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) took the 70kg title with his third come-from-behind victory in four matches, and teenager Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) put on a performance well behind his years to capture the 79kg gold.

Kaisei TANABE (JPN)Kaisei TANABE (JPN) hits a throw against Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) in the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Tanabe, who lost in the first round last year at 61kg, showed the great strides he has made since then by sweeping through a tough field, culminating with a decisive victory over Tseveensuren, a world bronze medalist last year at 61kg.

"From the first match, I faced strong opponents, but I thought to myself, I face even stronger rivals back home in Japan," Tanabe said. "So I just did what I had to do in each and every match."

It was Tseveensuren who struck first, using a barrel roll for a 2-point takedown. But Tanabe shook off his early nerves and got down to business, scoring a 4-point takedown by getting behind Tseveensuren in the standing position and using a throw to bring him backward to the mat.

In the second period, Tanabe showed he has power to go with his speed when he shut down a headlock roll attempt for a 2-point exposure, also gaining a 2-point penalty when the Mongolian fled over the edge while his back is to the mat. A counter takedown and gut wrench then ended the match with 26 seconds to spare.

"In the final, I was nervous and gave up points first," Tanabe said. "But then the match went my way and I was able to dictate the flow."

In December, Tanabe earned his ticket to Amman by winning the national title in the absence of Paris Olympic champion and former Nippon Sports Science University teammate Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), who has yet to return to competition. (Tanabe also finished second in Greco-Roman at 67kg.)

With an Asian championship providing a boost of confidence, he now aims to remain the top dog in a weight class in which Japan has had the two most recent Olympic gold medalists.

"Japan is really strong in the 65kg weight class," Tanabe said. "I want to hone the weapons that only I possess and take on all of the top rivals."

At 97kg, Yoshida won a battle of young stars in the final of a weight class that saw world and Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) withdraw at the last minute after not recovering sufficiently from a shoulder injury.

Yoshida was largely untroubled in defeating 2023 world 92kg champion Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) 7-1, chalking up four stepouts and keeping his taller opponent at arm's length throughout the match.

The 21-year-old Yoshida got three of the stepouts in the first period, then added a fourth early in the second. He then received an activity point and got behind for a takedown before the 20-year-old Aitmukhan, who had to settle for a silver medal for the third straight year, picked up a consolation stepout.

"Tazhudinov didn't compete which made it a little easier, but it's still important that I practice even harder," Yoshida said.

Yoshida, whose father is Iranian and runs the kids wrestling club in Japan where he and his siblings started the sport, has emerged as Japan's biggest hope for its first Olympic success in the heavy weights since Akira OTA (JPN) won Olympic silvers at 90kg in 1984 and 1988.

"Japan is very strong in the light weights, and I don't think we're close to that level in the heavy weights," Yoshida said. "But we'll work hard to try to get to that level."

Yoshida came into Amman riding a victory at the Tirana Ranking Series event in February, where he turned heads with a stunning 5-5 victory in the semifinals over former Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA).

He had termed that victory "lucky," but gave himself more credit for his triumph in Amman. "It was not so much lucky, more that I think I just put out everything that I had this tournament," Yoshida said.

Chongsong HAN (PRK)Chongsong HAN (PRK) won the 57kg gold medal with an 8-1 victory over Milad VALIZADEH (IRI). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, Han, the silver medalist at the 2023 Asian Games who missed out twice in qualifying for the Paris Olympics, completed a strong performance by defeating young Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) 8-1 for the gold.

Han opened the scoring with a nice duck under for a takedown, and the first period ended with him up 2-0. After Valizadeh started the second period with a stepout, Han gained another point when Iran unsuccessfully challenged a slick move by Han, who spun in mid-air to get out of an underhook.

To add insult to injury, Han was awarded a point when Valizadeh continually remained on his knees in defense at the edge to avoid a stepout. With :05 left, Han clinched the gold with a double-leg takedown for 4.

Valizadeh took home the silver in just his third tournament on the senior level.

Nothing was a sure thing when it came to matches involving Akmataliev, who chalked up his third come-from-behind victory when he rallied from a four-point deficit to defeat Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) 5-4 in the 70kg final.

Rassadin, aiming to improve on his silver medal from last year at 74kg, scored two takedowns in the first period to go ahead 4-0.

Akmataliev came to life in the second period, gaining a takedown from a duck under, than going ahead on criteria with a 2-point counter lift.

At the end, Rassadin got hold of an ankle but Akmataliev high-stepped out of it, and an unsuccessful challenge gave Akmataliev his final point.

The victory gave Akmataliev his first gold in four appearances at the Asian Championships and second medal overall following a silver in 2022, the year he also won a world bronze. He also has a world silver from 2021.

Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI)Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) hits a four-point throw against Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) in the 79kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

The most dominant victory of the finals was turned in by world U23 champion Yousefi, who was never challenged in charging to a 10-0 victory over Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN).

Yousefi, who finished second at this year's Zagreb Ranking Series event, received an activity point before scoring a takedown, despite a daring and athletic attempt by Saipudinov to prevent it. With Yousefi holding his leg in the air, Saipudinov executed a back flip, but the Iranian held on and completed the takedown anyway.

In the second period, Yousefi piled on the points with a single-leg takedown, a 2-point tilt and a 2-point exposure off a double-leg attempt to make it 8-0.

A driving double-leg takedown that went over the edge was originally scored 2 points, but was downgraded to 1 on challenge. No matter, it still gave Yousefi his 10th point to end the match at the 5-minute mark.

Iran goes 3 for 3 in bronze-medal matches

The trio of Iranians who didn't make the finals all came back to take home bronze medals. World U23 bronze medalist Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) left no doubt in his 65kg match, pulling away in the second period for a 10-0 victory over Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB).

Ahead 1-0 from an activity point in the first period, Ebrahimzadeh got a takedown and a stepout to pad the lead, then after a second takedown, reeled off two trap-arm rolls to end the match in 4:25.

Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) eked out a 2-1 victory over last year's 61kg champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) in the other 65kg match, which finished without a technical point but with a peculiar ending.

Both wrestlers had received an activity point, with Kim's coming in the second period to give him the advantage on criteria. Zhumashbek Uulu was scrapping in the final seconds for a score and, with the match still in progress, he signaled for his side to push the challenge button, ostensibly to penalize Kim for fleeing. The challenge was thrown out and Kim got the win.

Sina KHALILI (IRI), two years removed from winning the world U17 gold medal at 65kg, captured a 70kg bronze by defeating veteran Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) by fall after pulling away to a 9-2 lead.

Khalili got an activity clock point, then scored two driving single-leg takedowns to lead 5-0 at the break. After giving up a stepout and fleeing point, Khalili scored a takedown, then stuffed Tumur Ochir's arm throw attempt to secure the fall.

Tumur Ochir had moved up from 65kg, where he was a world bronze medalist in 2021 and took the silver at last year's Asian Championships. He barely missed out on a medal at the Paris Olympics.

In the other 70kg match, Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), the world and Asian silver medalist last year, added a second Asian bronze to his collection with a solid 8-0 victory over Russian-born Nachyn KUULAR (KAZ), a one-time European medalist.

Aoyagi, who started the year with a victory at the Tirana Ranking Series event, received an activity point in the first period, then got going in the second. He chalked up a single-leg takedown and gut wrench, then countered a takedown attempt for 2 at the edge that was upheld on challenge.

At 97kg, Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI), the 2023 world U20 champion at 92kg, spotted Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) an early takedown, but then took control and scored three takedowns, including a 4-pointer at the end of the first period, to notch a 9-3 victory.

Hemelyayev, who also finished fifth in 2022 at 125kg, had been aiming to become Turkmenistan's first Asian medalist since 2018.

Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) earned his second career Asian medal at 97kg when he bulled his way to a first-period takedown, then held on after giving up a stepout in the second to defeat Kanybek ABDULKHAIROV (KGZ) 2-1.

Earlier, Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) claimed his third medal in three trips to the Asian Championships, and he was made to work for it in an 8-6 victory at 57kg over Husein ALBEHADILALBORS (IRQ), the Arab champion who did himself proud on the continental stage.

Kalzhan led 5-2 at the break and increased the lead with a takedown and stepout to make it 8-2. But Albehadilalbors didn't give up, forcing a stepout, then countering with a roll through on the edge for 2. A stepout with :12 left cut the lead to 2, but Kalzhan held on in the final seconds to add to his bronze from 2023 and silver from 2022.

Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) won the other bronze at 57kg with an opportunistic victory by fall over Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), the young Japanese champion who has taken the rare route of heading to the United States for university.

After giving up an activity point in the first period, Sakamoto, who wears the headgear of Oklahoma State University, went ahead in the second with a stepout off a single-leg attack.

Batkhuyag responded with a stepout, onto which a fleeing point was tacked on to go ahead 3-1. Sakamoto then made a tactical error. When Batkhuyag got in deep on a single, Sakamoto reached over and tried to roll through. But the Mongolian stopped the move by sitting on his chest and the match ended with a quick call of the fall at 4:39.

At 79kg, Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) dropped former world bronze medalist and Asian champion Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) for a 2-point takedown with :20 left to earn a 4-4 victory on last-point criteria and add to his 2023 bronze at 74kg.

Olonbayar opened with a takedown, but the Russian-born Budazhapov came back with a takedown while on the activity clock, and went ahead with a 2-point counter tilt.

In the second period, Olonbayar got behind in standing position and pulled Budazhapov backwards to the mat. Originally scored a 4-point takedown, it was downgraded to 2 on challenge. That kept Budazhapov's hopes alive, but Olobayar held on for the win.

Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) picked up his first major medal in impressive fashion, defeating Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) by fall in the other 79kg match.

After receiving an activity point, Evloev caught Yergesh in a cradle while countering a single-leg attempt, then rolled him over onto his back for the fall.

Photo

Day 5 Results

Freestyle

57kg (15 entries)
GOLD: Chongsong HAN (PRK) df. Milad VALIZADEH (IRI), 8-1

BRONZE: Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) df. Husein ALBEHADILALBORS (IRQ), 8-6
BRONZE: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) df. Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN) by Fall, 4:39 (5-1)

65kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Kaisei TANABE (JPN) df. Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) by TF, 12-2, 5:34

BRONZE: Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) df. Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ), 2-1
BRONZE: Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) df. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 4:25

70kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), 5-4

BRONZE: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Nachyn KUULAR (KAZ), 8-0
BRONZE: Sina KHALILI (IRI) df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) by Fall, 4:31 (9-2)

79kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) df. Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) by TF, 10-0, 5:00

BRONZE: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) df. Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), 4-4
BRONZE: Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) df. Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) by Fall, 2:35 (3-0)

97kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), 7-1

BRONZE: Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) df. Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM), 9-3
BRONZE: Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) df. Kanybek ABDULKHAIROV (KGZ), 2-1