#WrestleSkopje

Nichita on Course for U23 Euro Gold; Russia Rolls to FS Team Title

By Vinay Siwach

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is the most accomplished wrestler entered in the women's wrestling draw at the ongoing U23 European Championships. After all, she has medals, including gold, at the world and continental level and is qualified for the Tokyo Olympics.

The 22-year-old did not disappoint on Wednesday as she rock-and-rolled her into the 59kg final at the Jane Sandanski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia. Nichita scored two victories via fall and other via technical superiority.

Women's wrestling began with five weight classess – 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg – and Russia entered four wrestlers in the final. Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS), Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS), Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) and Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) reached the final at 50kg, 55kg, 68kg and 76kg respectively.

Ukraine sent two of their wrestlers while Belarus, Hungary, Moldova and Turkey also managed to enter one each.

Nichita, returning to competition after a bronze medal finish at the senior European Championships in Warsaw, Poland last month, began with a fall over Anna FABIAN (SRB) before a 10-0 win over Anne NUERNBERGER (GER) in the quarterfinal.

Up against former junior European silver medalist Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) in the semifinal Nichita once again came up with a fall and reach the final in which she will face Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) on Thursday.

Dollack had a close semifinal against Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR), who she defeated 9-8, thanks to a exposure with less than 10 seconds remaining.

Anastasiya YANATOVA U23 European Championships

At 50kg, former cadet European champion Anastasiya YANATOVA (BLR) had a dream run as she defeated Individual World Cup silver medalist Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) 10-10 en route the final.

Lisa ERSEL (GER) had build a 4-1 lead at the break in the semifinal but Yantova scored 12 unanswered points to win 13-4. She will take on Tiumerekova in the final.

The Russian showed why she is regarded highly in wrestling circles as she gave up only two points in three bouts before reaching the final. She began with a 7-0 win over Aynur ERGE (TUR) before claiming a pin over Taru VAINIONPAEAE (FIN) after leading 8-0 in the quarterfinal.

Maria LEORDA (MDA) did score two points on her but Tiumerekova was unstoppable as she ran to a 12-2 win.

Skirenko was the second Russian to enter the final as she defeated Aleksandrina KASHINOVA (BUL) 10-0 in the semifinal. Earlier, the bronze medalist at Russian Championships had defeated Dominika KULWICKA (POL) in the quarterfinal via fall.

Senior European bronze medalist Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) will challenge Skirenko in the final as she made her way to the summit clash after beating Beatrice FERENT (ROU) via fall. Esra PUL (TUR) had suffered a 1-7 loss at the hands of Demko in the quarterfinals earlier in the day.

Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) joined her teammate as she also made it to the final on Wednesday. Wrestling at 68kg, the multiple time age-group world medalist defeated Natallia BELSKAYA (BLR) 7-0 in the semifinal.

She began the day with a fall over Adina IRIMIA (ROU) after leading 8-0. Nesrin BAS (TUR) was the next to fall to Chudyk as she won 7-1.

From the other side of the bracket, Parfianovich reached the final after two exciting bouts. She first humbled junior and cadet world medalist Ewelina CIUNEK (POL) 15-13 in the quarterfinal before defeating Kendra DACHER (FRA), 6-2 in the semifinal.

The French had stunned junior European champion Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE) with a 7-7 victory.

Evgeniia ZHAKHARCHENKO U23 European Championships

At the heavyweight class, returning silver medalist Zakharchenko had some trouble reaching the final against Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR).

In the opening bout she was trailing before pulling off a 4-3 win against Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU). Bernadett NAGY (HUN) also gave a scare but the Russian held off for a 8-3 win.

The semifinal was a better show as she control the bout to win 8-0 against Enrica RINALDI (ITA).

Ozbege, however, had a much tougher semifinal and was trailing until the final 10 seconds she exposed Diana VLASCEANU (ROU) to her back and win 6-5.

Russia claim 2 gold, team title

Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) denied Russia a perfect outing in the finals of freestyle as he defeated Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS) via fall in the 125kg final to win the gold medal.

Three Russian wrestlers were competing for the gold medals on Wednesday but only two managed to win them. This, however, did not stop the country from winning the team title like they did two years back.

Russia finished with 196 points, thanks to four gold, three silver and three bronze medals. Turkey, who had three gold and three bronze medals finished second with 150 points. Azerbaijan was third with 140 points as they had only one gold, three silver and as many bronze medals.

Kilicsallayan changed gears in the second period of the bout after Tebloev had a 1-0 lead at the break. But a pushout and takedown gave the Turkey wrestler lead before he had Tebloev to his back to get the pin after leading 7-0.

Chermen VALIEV U23 European Championships

But the two other Russia wrestlers did not fail to do the job. Chermen VALIEV (RUS) was the first two win the gold at 74kg as he defeated Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM) 4-0 in the final. Both the takedowns occured in the first period of the bout.

Valiev, who had a silver medal at the U23 World Championships at 70kg, is regarded as another top talent in the ever-growing list of 74kg wrestlers in Russia and around the world.

Amanula RASULOV (RUS) also gave his country a gold medal at 86kg after beating Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) 3-1 in the final. The wrestlers exchanged step outs but Rasulov's takedown proved to be the difference in the match.

Azerbaijan were denied their second gold medal of tournament in dramatic fashion when Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) lost to Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) 4-3 in the 92kg final.

Erhan YAYLACI

When the time expired, Nurmagomedov had won 3-3 on criteria but Yaylaci challenged for a pulled singlet in the final five seconds. The cameras did capture the Azerbaijan wrestler pulling Yaylaci's siglet which gave him the extra point and the win.

The sudden turn of events saw Azerbaijan camp in complete despair and in shock while Yaylaci celebrated his country's gold medal.

At 61kg, Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) claimed the lone gold medal for Georgia as he defeated Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM) 6-1 in the final. In the entire tournament, that one point for step out the only one which he conceded.

Wednesday will see wrestlers from the five remaining women's weight classes – 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg – fighting for a spot in the finals.

Results:

WW Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR) vs Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS)

SF 1: Anastasiya YANOTAVA (BLR) df Lisa ERSEL (GER), 13-4
SF 2: Mariia TIUMEREKOVA (RUS) df Maria LEORDA (MDA), 12-2

55kg
GOLD: Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) vs Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS)

SF 1: Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RUS) df Aleksandrina KASHINOVA (BUL), 10-0
SF 2: Khrystyna DEMKO (UKR) df Beatrice FERENT (ROU), via fall

59kg
GOLD: Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) vs Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

SF 1: Tamara DOLLAK (HUN) df Krystsina SAZYKINA (BLR), 9-8
SF 2: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), via fall

68kg
GOLD: Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) vs Oksana CHUDYK (UKR)

SF 1: Vusala PARFIANOVICH (RUS) df Kendra DACHER (FRA), 6-2
SF 2: Oksana CHUDYK (UKR) df Natallia BELSKAYA (BLR), 7-0

76kg
GOLD: Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR) vs Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS)

SF 1: Aysegul OZBEGE (TUR) df Diana VLASCEANU (ROU), 6-5
SF 2: Evgeniia ZAKHARCHENKO (RUS) df Enrica RINALDI (ITA), 8-0

Russia U23 Euro Championships

FS Medal Bouts

61kg
GOLD: Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) df Razmik PAPIKYAN (ARM), 6-1

BRONZE: Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR) df Artem KRYVENKO (UKR), 13-8
BRONZE: Ruhan RASIM (BUL) df Nico MEGERLE (GER), 9-5

74kg
GOLD: Chermen VALIEV (RUS) df Hrayr ALIKHANYAN (ARM), 4-0

BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE), 3-1
BRONZE: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) df Isa DEMIR (TUR), 12-9

86kg
GOLD: Amanula RASULOV (RUS) df Orkhan ABASOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: Denys SAHALIUK (UKR) df Lars SCHAEFLE (GER), 4-3
BRONZE: Emre CIFTCI (TUR) df Andrian GROSUL (MDA), 3-1

92kg
GOLD: Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) df Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), 4-3

BRONZE: Azamat ZAKUEV (RUS) df Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR), 5-1
BRONZE: Gheorghe ERHAN (MDA) df Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 9-8

125kg
GOLD: Anil KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) df Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RUS), via fall (7-2)

BRONZE: Yaraslau SLAVIKOUSKI (BLR) df Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR), 2-2
BRONZE: Vakhit GALAYEV (AZE) df Paris KAREPI (ALB), 5-1

#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships Day 3 Women's Wrestling Finals Set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 13) -- Women's Wrestling at the Asian Championships with Japan hoping to win all five gold medals. Yui SUSAKI (JPN), Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), Risako KINJO (JPN), Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) and Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) will be the five Japanese wrestlers in action.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 REPORT

Here are the finals for tonight

50kg
Yui SUSAKI (JPN) vs. Ziqi FENG (CHN)

55kg
Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Kyong Ryong OH (PRK)

59kg
Qi ZHANG (CHN) vs. Anudari BATKHUYAG (MGL)

68kg
Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) vs. RADHIKA (IND)

76kg
Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs. Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN)

14:19: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) avenges a loss from last year's final with a 5-1 victory over Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) in the 76kg semifinals in which she got some help from a Kazakhstan challenge. Medet Kyzy was leading 1-1 on criteria from a pair of activity points when she was put on the clock again. She scores a takedown much to the delight of the home crowd, then goes for a gut wrench. Medet Kyzy gets stopped midway through, and the Kazakh side challenges, thinking they should have gotten 2. Instead, Medet Kyzy is awarded 2 for exposure in a challenge "won" by the opponent.

14:16: Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN) with takedowns in each period to see off Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) 4-0 and reach the 76kg final.

14:04: RADHIKA (IND) into the final at 68kg a fall over local star Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KAZ). She gets Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) as her opponent for the gold medal.

14:04: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) is having no trouble with the extra weight at 68kg, storming to a 10-0 victory in 1:28 over world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) to make the final. She will be looking to add to the Asian gold she won at 62kg in 2022.

13:58: While the 14-3 score doesn't show it, Anudari BATKHUYAG (MGL) and Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) had a wild match in which the Kazakh wrestler kept trying to hit a four-pointer but it was Batkhuyag who got the big throws and points. The Mongolian wins 14-3 and advances to the 59kg final.

13:55: World champion Qi ZHANG (CHN) follows up her victory over Japanese star Risako KAWAI (JPN) with a 10-0 rout of  Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB) to advance to the 59kg final. Zhang shrugs by Aimbetova for a takedown, which she follows with two gut wrenches. A snap-down takedown then sets her up for another gut wrench that ends the match after 1:06.

13:51: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) advances to her first senior Asian final with a 10-0 win over Dulguun BOLORMAA (MGL) at 55kg. Kiyooka opens with a low single-leg takedown for the lone score of the first period. She continues to attack at ankle level and chalks up four more takedowns to finish off the match with 23 seconds to spare.

13:44: Into the final at 55kg is Kyong Ryong OH (PRK). She rolls to an 11-0 win over Zulfiya YAKHYAROVA (KAZ) and will face Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) for the gold medal.

13:36: Ziqi FENG (CHN) sets up a final against Yui SUSAKI (JPN) at 50kg after destroying world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) 11-0 in the semifinal. A strong statement from Feng who lost 8-2 against Susaki in the World Championships semifinal.

13:33: World and Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will get a shot at her first Asian title since 2017 after cruising to a 10-0 win over Thi NGUYEN at 50kg. Susaki opens with a front headlock roll for 2, then adds a double-leg takedown. From there she applies a lace lock, and three quick rolls and it's all over in just over a minute. 

The semifinals in the women's wrestling will begin at 13:30 local time

13:00: Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN), a 2022 world U23 bronze medalist, scores a takedown with 20 seconds left to defeat Zagardulam NAIGALSUREN (MGL) 4-4 on criteria in their 76kg quarterfinal. Naigalsuren had gone ahead with a takedown just over a minute earlier.

12:51: World silver medalist and three-time Asian medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) wastes little time in disposing of Hyeongyeong PARK (KOR), scoring a takedown and arm-barring her over for a fall in 48 seconds and meeting with Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) in the 68kg semifinals.

12:48: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), the 2023 world U23 champion, takes out the reigning Asian U23 champion Min ZHANG (CHN) 5-1 to make the 55kg semifinals. Kiyooka gets an activity point in the first period. In the second, Zhang gets in deep on a single, but Kiyooka forces a stalemate. The Japanese comes back with a double-leg takedown, and Zhang responds with a stepout with a minute left. Kiyooka spins behind on a poor shot by Zhang to make it 5-1.

12:39: Dulgunn BOLORMAA (MGL), who completed the full set of Asian medals by winning the gold in 2021, posts a 4-0 victory over Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB) to advance to the 55kg semifinals.

12:39: Returning from her injury at the World Championships, Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) with a solid showing in the quarterfinal against Priya MALIK (IND) at 76kg. Malik was put on the activity clock in the first period before Medet Kyzy got the takedown to lead 3-0 at the break. Malik did get close to scoring a takedown thrice but failed to finish the move. Medet Kyzy moves into the semifinal with a 3-1 win.

12:30: World silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) trailed Irina ZHANIBEKOVA BORISSOVA (KAZ) 4-4 on criteria but Dolgorjav hits a four to take an 8-4 lead. Borissova with a reversal but loses her steam in the match to go down 12-5 at 50kg

12:29: Thi NGUYEN (VIE) scores a victory by fall over Miseon KWON (KOR) in their 50kg quarterfinal. Her reward is a clash with Susaki in the semifinals. 

12:25: Another thriller involving a Kyrgyz wrestler revs up the crowd, but ends up going the opposite way. In a back-and-forth match, Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ) scores a stepout against Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB) with 10 seconds left for what appears to be a 6-6 win on criteria. But a challenge overturns the call and gives Aimbetova the point.

12:22: Did Yui SUSAKI (JPN) just survive a scare there? The world champion got a 2-0 lead after Yong Ok HWANG (PRK) was called passive in both periods. Hwang got attacking in the last minute but Susaki kept her at bay. With 12 seconds remaining on the clock, Hwang got a stepout and got Susaki in the zone but the Japanese got on her knees and stopped Hwang. A desperate attempt from Hwang for a front roll but Susaki blocks it to win 4-1 at 50kg.

12:21: Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) gets the defense of her 76kg title started by using a headlock trip to throw Seoyeon JONG (KOR) onto her back and score a quick fall to advance to the semifinals.

12:17: Returning bronze medalist and world bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) advances to the 50kg semifinals with a victory by fall over Shivani PAWAR (IND). She is in the opposite bracket as Yui SUSAKI (JPN).

12:13: RADHIKA (IND), a silver medalist at 65kg in 2022, rolls into the 68kg semifinals with a 12-2 victory over Albina KAIRGELDINOVA (KAZ)

12:12: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) with a 10-0 win at 55kg against Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ). Next up on Mat C is Yui SUSAKI (JPN) at 50kg against Yong Ok HWANG (PRK)

12:08: In the marquis match of the session, two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (JPN) faces reigning world champion Qi ZHANG (CHN) in their opening match at 59kg. Kinjo (formerly KAWAI) gets an activity point for the lone score of the first period as neither takes any risks. In the second period, Zhang gets an activity point and then fends off Kinjo's attacks for a 1-1 victory. It was Kinjo's first international match since winning the 57kg gold at the Tokyo Olympics, after which she got married and gave birth. She moved up to 59kg after failing to make Japan's team to the Paris Olympics.

12:03: Gulnara TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) thrills the home crowd when trailing 6-1 to Po Gyong RI (PRK), she throws her to her back with a whirling back trip and records the fall for a spot in the 68kg semifinals.

12:00: A minute and seven seconds to win her international debut bout at 68kg for Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)! She rolls to a 10-0 win over Zelu LI (CHN).

11:58: Anudari BATKHUYAG (MGL) with a pin over Pushpa YADAV (IND) at 59kg. Yadav left it too late and broke down in the second period.

11:52: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), the 2022 world U20 and U23 champion at 55kg, gets her campaign started in her first senior Asian Championships with a 9-0 victory over TAMANNA (IND), last year's Asian U23 silver medalist at 53kg. Kiyooka will next face the reigning Asian U23 champion Min ZHANG (CHN).

11:48: Priya MALIK (IND), the U20 world champion and returning bronze medalist, starts her Asian Championships with a 10-0 win over Valentina TORENIYAZOVA (UZB) at 76kg in just two minutes.

11:43: Shivanee PAWAR (IND), a 2021 world U23 silver medalist, falls into a surprising six-point hole against Samnang DIT (CAM) in her opening match at 50kg, but fights back to tie the score, then records a fall to advance to the quarterfinals.

11:40: On her comeback after five years, Yong HWANG (PRK) wins 4-0 against Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) at 50kg. Hwang is looking to better on the bronze medal she won at the 2019 Asian Championships in Xi'an. 

11:30: A late start to the third day of the Asian Championships as the number of matches is less today. Some of the biggest names in wrestling will be on the mat in a short while.