#WrestleIstanbul

Live Blog: Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Day 2

Friday, February 25, 2022 - 07:02 By United World Wrestling Press

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ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 25) -- The second day of the Ranking Series event in Istanbul will features wrestlers from three Greco-Roman weights and four women's wrestling weights. Uzbekistan dominated the all-Greco day one.

Greco-Roman 72kg, 77kg and 82kg wrestlers that include stars like Rafiq HUSEYNOV (AZE), Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), will fight for the gold medal

Women's wrestling will have 57kg, 62kg, 68kg and 76kg. Olympic silver medalists Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR), Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), Blessing OBRODUDU (NGR) and world champion Bilyana DUDUVA (BUL) are wrestling.

MATCH ORDER | WATCH LIVE

Women's Wrestling Finals (As they come in):
57kg: Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL)  vs. Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) 
62kg: Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) vs. Winner 144
68kg: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) vs. Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) 
76kg: Winner 184 vs. Winner 224

Greco-Roman Finals (As they come in):
72kg: Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) vs. Selcuk CAN (TUR) 
77kg: Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR) vs. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) 
82kg: Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) vs. Mihail BRADU (MDA) 

15:15: In today's early session match-of-the-morning, Olympic bronze medalist Evelina Georgieva NIKOLOVA (BUL) pinned Olympic silver medalist Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) and punched her ticket to the 57kg finals.

14:15: A world championships rematch at 82kg. Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) is taking on Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) on Mat B. Akbudak was awarded a point for Huseynov's inactivity. He then gets four rolls and wins 9-0. That was anti-climatic

14:15: Here is the 57kg semifinal line-up

 

#WrestleIstanbul

Here are the 57kg quarters results

- Evelina NIKOLOVA ?? df Esther KOLAWOLE ??, 10-6
- df Bolortuya KHURELKHUU ??df Veronika CHUMIKOVA ?? , via fall
- Iryna KURACHKINA ?? df Sandra PARUSZEWSKI ??, 8-5
- Anhelina LYSAK ?? df Giullia DE OLIVEIRA ??, via fall https://t.co/enhl37tLJd

— United World Wrestling (@wrestling) February 25, 2022

 

13:55: World champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) starts with a pin! She gets Tatiana SMOLIAK (RWF) in a cradle and secures a first-period fall at 68kg.

13:45: Khanum VALIEVA (RWF) with a big 10-0 win over Azoda ESBERGENOVA (UZB) at 68kg. She does this with 2:48 remaining as well. Quietly she is in the semifinals

13:40: Lot of step-outs and inactivity points in that bout. But it's all for Medet Kyzy. She scores three takedowns as well to beat Shumova 10-0 with 43 seconds remaining at 76kg

13:30: U23 world champion and senior World bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) is up against Kristina SHUMOVA (RWF) in their 76kg pre-quarterfinal bout on Mat C

13:15: World bronze medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) is moving into the 76kg quarterfinals after a 9-6 win over Gursharanpreet (IND).  

13:03: A victory via fall! Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) gets Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) in a headlock and keeps her back to the mat. She moves on at 62kg

13:00: Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) is up against Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) at 62kg. Yusein is the Tokyo bronze medalist. On Mat A, Martina KUENZ (AUT) is wrestling Victoria FRANCIS (USA)

12:35: Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) has done it! She humbles Olympic silver medalist Tynybekova 10-0 in the quarterfinals of the 62kg. No attacks from the Kyrgyzstan wrestler.

12:25: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) is up on Mat B against Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) at 62kg. Inactivity called on Tynybekova and she is down 0-1 at the end of the first period. A crotch life from the Brazil wrestler to lead 3-0. A stepout to add one more

12:15: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) takes some time but wins 8-0 against SAJAN (IND). A solid warm-up win for him. On Mat B, Nikolova has got another pin. That's two in two for her.

12:10: Huseynov takes little time! He has two big throws to beat Harpreet SINGH (IND) 8-0 at 82kg. Trademark reverse lifts from the world champion there

12:06: Tokyo Olympian Khanum VALIEVA (RWF) gets going with an easy 10-0 win over Solin PIEARCY (USA) at 68kg

12:02: Rafiq HUSEYNOV (AZE), world champion at 82kg, will be up on Mat B while 77kg world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) is coming up on Mat C

11:53: World champion Viktor NEMES (SRB) and silver medalist Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) on Mat A. Vardanyan was awarded a point for Nemes' inactivity. He leads 1-0 at the break. Nemes leads on criteria 1-1 after Vardanyan's inactivity. Too and fro battle but Nemes wins 1-1

11:43: Four-time Ranking Series medalist Seluk CAN (TUR) begins his day with a win. He beats Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) after a roll from par terre at 72kg

11:17: There's your comeback of the competition!

Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) fell behind 8-0 against Anastasiia PAROKHINA (RUS) in their first-round meeting, but scored eleven unanswered points to win the match, 11-8. She'll wrestle reigning two-time world champion and Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) next (Bout 166).

11:04: Rio Olympic bronze medalists Marwa AMRI (TUN)  and Sakshi MALIK (IND) are wrestling on Mats A and B, respectively. 

10:55: One of the biggest storylines we're going to be following today is the potential top-side matchup of 57kg Olympic medalists Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) and  Evelina Georgieva NIKOLOVA (BUL), If they continue to win, they'll meet in tonight's semifinals (Bout 143).

Both wrestlers picked up falls in their first-round matches. Kurachkina pinned  Alicja CZYZOWICZ (POL) and Nikolova pinned Ozge FINDIKCI (TUR).

#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