#NFRoundup

NF Roundup Blog, March 1 - March 7

By United World Wrestling Press

The XXIV Outstanding Ukrainian Wrestlers and Coaches Memorial wrapped up over the weekend in Kyiv and a pair of champions will travel directly to Italy to compete at the first Ranking Series event of the year, the Matteo Pellicone (March 4-7).

Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), who won golds over the weekend at 62kg and 68kg, respectively, and will try to keep their winning streaks alive in Ostia.

Tynybekova, a '19 world champion, is one of ten returning champions looking to repeat their titile-winning efforts from the '20 Matteo Pellcione. She'll compete at 62kg.

Her fellow Kyrgyzstani teammate and '20 Individual World Cup champion, Zhumanazarova will try to win her third consecutive competition. The '19 junior world runner-up won the '20 Poland Open and Individaul World Cup.

RESULTS
Freestyle

57kg: G. ABDULLAEV (UZB) df. N. SAFAROV (UZB), 7-1
61kg: A. GVARZATILOV (AZE) df. A. DZHELEP (UKR), 7-2
65kg: A. RAHIMZADE (AZE) df. E. AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 5-4
70kg: I. BEKBULATOV (UZB) df. D. GADZHIEV (AZE), 5-0
74kg: M. FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) df. S. DEMIRTAS (TUR), 2-1
79kg: N. KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. R. SARI (TUR), 6-5
86kg: S. JEZIERZANSKI (POL) df. A. MAGAMAEV (BUL), via inj.
92kg: I. MTSITURI (GEO) df. D. PIDLYPINETS (UKR), 2—0
97kg: S. KARADENİZ (TUR) df. ANDRIITSEV (UKR), 1-1

Greco-Roman
55kg: N. TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df. S. ABBASPOURRAGANI (IRI), 3-3
60kg: A. NEJATI (IRI) df. Z. SHARSHENBEKOV(KGZ), 5-1
63kg: L. ABULADZE (GEO) df. K. KAMAL (TUR), 4-3 
67kg: R. ZOIDZE (GEO) df. J. KHETSURIANI (GEO), 2-1
72kg: M. AMOYAN (ARM) df. S. BOLKVADZE (GEO), 9-1
77kg: M. GERAEI (IRI)  df. A. KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI), 4-2
82kg: A. RIKADZE (GEO) df. K. CHALYAN (ARM), 5-3
87kg: S. NOVIKOV (UKR) df. L. GOBADZE (GEO), 5-0
97kg: U. DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) df. G. MELIA (GEO), via inj.

Women’s Wrestling
50kg: O. LIVACH (UKR) df. A. ŁUKASIAK (POL) , 10-0
53kg: V. PHOGAT (IND) df. V. KALADZINSKAYA (BUL), via fall
55kg: A. HRUSHYNA (UKR) df. K. DEMKO (UKR), 10-0
57kg: A. NICHITA (MDA) df. I. KHARIV (UKR), 8-3
59kg: K. ZELENYKH (UKR) df. N. MARSBEK KYZY (KGZ), via fall
62kg: A. TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. I. PROKOPEVN, (UKR), 9-7
68kg: M. ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. O. DI BACCO (CAN), 1-1
72kg: A. BELINSKA (UKR) df. R. VOVCHAK (UKR), 2-0
76kg: E. MAE (EST) df. A. MEDET KYZY (KGZ), 2-0

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.