#WrestleParis

Paris 2024 Wrestling: Dake dominates, Zare vs Akgul in semis

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

PARIS (August 9) -- The Paris Olympics is closing towards its end but wrestling is still in full swing here at Champs de Mars Arena. Freestyle action in 74kg and 125kg and Women's Wrestling 62kg. In the evening session, Olympic champions will be crowned in Freestyle 57kg and 86kg and Women's Wrestling 57kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 DAY 4

13:23: In the final freestyle 74kg quarterfinal, Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) prevails in a thriller 6-5 when Chermen VALIEV (ALB) is assessed two penalty points for fleeing in the final seconds, the second one coming on an Uzbekistan challenge after time expired. Jamalov leads 3-2 in the second period when Valiev gets a stepout and takedown for a 5-3 lead. Jamalov gets a stepout with 1:05 left, then goes on the offensive, resulting in the first fleeing penalty. That still leaves him behind on big-point criteria, and his late aggressiveness pays off when the challenge gives him the winning point.

13:14: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) had her hands full with Ana GODINEZ (CAN) in their women's 62kg quarterfinal, but once she got the lace lock in the second period, it was all over for the Canadian. Limited to an activity point and running out of time on a late takedown attempt in the first period, Motoki finally struck with a single-leg takedown. She then wrapped up the ankles and reeled off four rolls for an 11-0 win.

13:09: Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) earns his place in the freestyle 74kg semifinals, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and holding on for a 7-4 victory over Feng LU (CHN).

13:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) will not be denied. She starts with a 4-p0int takedown, applies the lace lock and three rolls later, she eliminates Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) with a 10-0 victory in 1:15 to advance to the women's 62kg semifinals.

13:01: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) gets a shot to avenge a loss to Tynybekova in the women's 62kg semifinals in Tokyo when she gets a 4-point takedown in the first period en route to a 7-3 victory over Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL).

12:58: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) glides into the freestyle 74kg semifinals in spectacular fashion, lifting Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) onto his shoulders and executing a balletic 4-point throw to cap a 10-0 victory with :19 left in the first period. Takatani had already scored two takedowns, adding an exposure after the second and nearly ending it with a fall.

12:53: After his high Mason PARRIS (USA), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) cannot hold the fort against Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) and drops 12-2. He will face Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 125kg semifinals.

12:52: Kyle DAKE (USA) looks on a mission as he manhandles Yones EMAMI (IRI), buildling up a 9-1 lead before using a counter lift to put Iranian on his back and securing a fall to advance to the freestyle 74kg semifinals. Dake scored three takedowns with a single leg in which he lits the leg high into the air and trips Emami to the mat.

12:52: Are we seeing another 'miracle' in women's wrestling? Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gets an activity point, then picks up a takedown for a 3-0 lead against 62kg favorite Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ). But adversity brings out the best in Tynybekova, and she cuts the lead with a stepout early in the second period, then gets behind and swings Miracle to the mat for a 4-point takedown. An unsuccessful challenge gives Tynybekova a 6-3 lead, but it's still not over. Miracle gets a stepout, then hits a roll through for an exposure in the final seconds. But the 4-point move holds sway for a 6-6 win on criteria that puts Tynybekova into the semifinals.

12:46: Taha AKGUL (TUR) takes his own time to beat Daniel LIGETI (HUN) and he books a semifinal spot against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI). Both have a 1-1 head-to-head.

12:41: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) gets a stepout with four seconds left, and it's upheld on a challenge to give him a dramatic 4-3 victory over European bronze medalist Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) for the final spot in the freestyle 74kg quarterfinals.

12:40: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) uses four minutes and 16 seconds to beat Amarveer DHESI (CAN) 10-0 and move into the semifinals. He awaits the winner of Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Daniel LIGETI (HUN).

12:39: World silver medalist Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), whose father was an Olympian at Sydney 2000 but did not medal, got her campaign for a place on the women's 62kg podium off to a successful start with a quick fall over Kriszta INCZE (ROU). A takedown and an arm bar and Incze was on her back, with the match ending in 37 seconds.  
      
12:35:
Ana GODINEZ (CAN) defies the home crowd when she holds on for a 5-2 win over Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) at women's 62kg. Godinez gets an activity point and two takedowns in the first period. Douarre energizes the crowd with a second-period takedown, but that will be the end of the scoring.

12:35: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), the returning silver medalist, opens his day with an 11-0 dominance of Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR).

12:29: Razembek JAMALOV (UZB) charges to a 6-0 lead, then holds off four-time reigning European champion Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) for an 11-3 victory in a testy match at freestyle 74kg. It was only 6-3 when Jamalov added a bunch of points in the final seconds.  

12:25: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) gets going with a 4-0 win over Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY) and he books his spot in the quarterfinals. In the next match, Robert BARAN (POL) holds off Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) 4-1.

12:25: European silver medalist Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) grinds out a 3-0 victory at women's 62kg over Hanbit LEE (KOR), a last-minute reallocation entry into the field. Niemesch scores a takedown while on the activity clock, then adds an activity point in the second. 

12:15: European champion Grace BULLEN (NOR) gets her Olympic debut off to a good start, capping a 12-2 win over Siwar BOUSETA (TUN) with a 4-point takedown at women's 62kg.  

12:15: Feng LU (CHN) allows Amr HUSSEN (EGY) to tie their freestyle 74kg match at 4-all in the first period, but breaks it open in the second with a 10-point surge for a 14-4 victory.

12:08: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), back in Paris where she won world gold in 2017, won't be leaving with the women's 62kg gold this time. Tokyo bronze medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) rallies from a 4-0 deficit in the second period, scoring a takedown and two exposures, then adding another takedown to go ahead 8-4. But it is not over. Purevdorj gets a stepout, then a counter lift with :20 left to cut the gap to one, but Koliadenko holds out for an 8-7 win.

12:04: Former world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) brings out a huge second period to score a four-pointer and then break Mason PARRIS (USA) in the 125kg 1/8 finals. He beats Parris, who won bronze at the World Championships in 2023, 10-5 and moved into the quarterfinals.

12:03: Russian-born Asian silver medalist Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), looking to give Tajikistan just its second-ever Olympic medal, scores four takedowns in an 8-2 win over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) at freestyle 74kg.

11:56: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), the 2021 world champion at 59kg, is nursing a tentative 3-2 lead in the second period against Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at women's 62kg. Lindborg shoots for the winning takedown, but Dudova hits a 4-point counter. Lindborg forces her out for one, then loses a challenge over the exchange and Dudova walks off an 8-3 winner.

11:53: Yones EMAMI (IRI) needs to expend little energy following his tough preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg with Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), getting the takedown against Bacar NDUM (GBS) and executing four back-and-forth rolls for a 10-0 win in 1:34.

11:50: Rio Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) begins his quest for his third Olympic medal with an 11-0 win over Jonovan SMITH (PUR). Akgul will take on Ligeti in the quarterfinals of 125kg

11:44: World bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) scores a takedown right to a roll to finish up a 10-0 victory over Geandry GARZON (CUB) at freestyle 74kg. Takatani is trying to get the medal that eluded older brother Sohsuke in three trips to the Olympics.

11:44: Two-time world silver medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gives up an early takedown to world U23 champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) at women's 62kg, but comes back with four takedowns of her own, capping the final one with a 2-point exposure for a 10-2 lead. She then adds a creative 2-point roll while under Bas on a takedown attempt. Next up for the American is Tynybekova.

11:42: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) makes it to the quarterfinal at 125kg with a top 10-0 technical superiority win over Ashton MUTUWA (NGR).

11:40: World bronze medalist Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) finishes off a 10-0 victory at freestyle 74kg with his second takedown-gut wrench combo, knocking out Refugee Team member Iman MAHDAVI (EOR) in 2:49.

11:33: Tokyo bronze medalist Kyle DAKE (USA) makes short work of Anthony MONTERO (VEN) in his bid for an elusive gold at freestyle 74kg, combining takedowns with gut wrenches for a 10-0 win in 2:20.

11:33: Top seed and reigning world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) gets her campaign started at women's 62kg Tokyo Olympic silver medalist has her hands full with Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), but comes away with a 5-3 victory. Tynybekova falls behind 1-1 on criteria early in the second period when she gives up a stepout. She comes back with a stepout of her own, then uses a cradle to secure a takedown. Kolawole scores a takedown in the last seconds, then loses a dubious challenge to give Tynybekova her final point.

11:36: Amarveer DHESI (CAN) manages to get two technical points over Zhiwei DENG (CHN) and win his 125kg bout 2-1 and book a place in the quarterfinals against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

11:28: World champion and returning bronze medalist Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) begins his day with a 5-0 win over Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ). Not much troubled Zare in that bout.

11:27: Razambek  JAMALOV (UZB) breaks open a close match at freestyle 74kg to knock off Tokyo silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) 8-0. With a 2-0 lead heading into the second period, Jamalov gets in deep on a double, lifts up and back to put Kadzimahamedau onto his back for 2. He then adds a takedown and gut wrench for good measure.  

11:21: In the two repechage bouts on Mat C, Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) takes out Alexander MOORE (CAN) 6-1 and Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) wins 10-0 against Jayden LAWRENCE (AUS). Both Shapiev and Kurugliev book spots in the bronze medal bouts.

11:20: Giullia PENALBER (BRA) fills the final place in the women's 57kg bronze-medal matches with a 7-0 victory over Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER). Penalber gets a 4-point takedown and a regular takedown in the second period. She will face Kexin HONG (CHN) for the bronze.

11:18: Fans get an early treat with a clash between veteran and two-time former world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and two-time world medalist Yones EMAMI (IRI) in a preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg, which has 18 entries. Chamizo, a bronze medalist at Rio 2016, takes a 4-3 lead in the first period with a pair of scores of some wild scrambles. But Emami charges back, getting a 4-point takedown off a single-leg and adds another takedown for a 9-4 win.

11:10: In the opener on Mat B, Hannah TAYLOR (CAN) is in control all the way in rolling to a 13-0 victory over Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) in a women's 57kg repechage, clinching it with a 4-point takedown.  She will try to win her first Olympic medal by keeping Helen MAROULIS (USA) from winning her third in the bronze-medal match.  

11:06: The action on Mat A opens with the lone repechage match at freestyle 57kg. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) spots Wanhao ZOU (CHN) a four-point lead, but catches him with a pancake to get the fall with :24 left in the first period. He will face Golomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) for the bronze later tonight.

10:55: Welcome to day five of wrestling at the Paris Olympics. We advise you to click on the match order of the day and have your minds blown!

#WrestleBudapest

World C'ships hopefuls battle it out in Budapest Ranking Series

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 13) -- The Budapest Ranking Series, held at this time of year, serves as the primary team selection event for most countries heading into the World Championships. Rather than conducting domestic trials, nations use this international competition to identify their top wrestlers for each weight class.

Georgia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan will be among the top countries looking to finalize their Greco-Roman teams during the July 17-20 tournament in Hungary capital.

Azerbaijan, one of the strongest Greco-Roman nations, is bringing all three of its 2024 world champions. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), the 55kg world champion, and Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), the 63kg world champion, are both entered at 60kg. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), the 72kg world champion, will compete at 77kg alongside Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE).

Mammadli is on a hot streak, having claimed European and world titles in 2024 before adding the 2025 European gold at 60kg. Meanwhile, Azizli, a European silver medalist at 55kg, enters the 60kg bracket for two key reasons: to challenge Mammadli and avoid a significant weight cut.

Ganizade and Suleymanov did not win medals at the European Championships but will battle it out at 77kg in Budapest to make the team.

Paris Olympic bronze medalist and European champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is at 72kg, up from his preferred 67kg as he prepares for the World Championships without forcing himself to reduce weight.

Similarly, hosts Hungary will have tough battles among local wrestlers. European 72kg champion Levente LEVAI (HUN) is moving up to 77kg and his brother Zoltan, a regular at 77kg, is now at 82kg. But so is world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and it will be toss-up between the two to make the World Championships team.

The 87kg continues to be a heavily contested weight class as Tamas LEVAI (HUN), Istvan TAKACS (HUN) and European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) are entered and the winner is likely to take the spot for the Zagreb Worlds.

At 130kg, Darius VITEK (HUN) and Koppany LASZLO (HUN) will fight it out for the spot.

The competition, however, won't be limited to these team selection battles. Many other top wrestlers are also entered, aiming for final preparations before the World Championships in Zagreb from September 13-21.

Here's the breakdown of each weight class:

55kg: European champion Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) will be the favorite in the bracket which also has 2024 European champ Artiom DELEANU (MDA), United States phenom Jayden RANEY (USA), Mongolia Ranking Series winner Anil MOR (IND) and world bronze medalist Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB).

The Budapest tournament will be a big test for teenagers Mor and Raney as they compete at the senior level.

60kg: Apart from Azizli and Mammadli, Pridon ABULADZE (GEO), world U20 medalist SUMIT (IND), Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA), European silver medalist Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), Sadyk LALAEV (UWW), Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (UWW) and world U23 champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB) rack up a stacked bracket.

Mammadli will still be the favorite, coming in as the European champion. He will also be keen on avenging his Zagreb Open loss to Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB). Azizli, who has tried to make 60kg before in his career, will have a big task as he has struggled to match up against bigger-sized wrestlers at this weight class.

Tibilov made the finals in Bratislava but lost to Mammadli. He will be keen on getting a rematch in Budapest. Lalaev, who lost to Tibilov, has a chance to avenge that loss to the Serbian. He also has to battle it out with Allakhiarov as both are fighting for a spot at the World Championships as UWW wrestlers in Zagreb.

Ganiev, who has impressed with world U23 gold and Asian Championships silver, can be a problem for others in the bracket.

63kg: Red-hot Kerem KAMAL (TUR) will try to maintain his winning streak of 2025 as he enters the fourth tournament of the year. He won gold in Tirana, Bratislava and Ulaanbaatar in dominant fashion. He will be in Budapest at 63kg as the favorite.

European silver medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) has a chance to avenge his loss in the final to Kamal but a strong bracket means he has bigger hurdles as well.

World U23 champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT), Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) and Sergey EMELIN (UWW) are entered to gain ranking points in Budapest.

67kg: With Jafarov moving up to 72kg for this tournament, former world champions Leri ABULADZE (GEO) and Sebastian NAD (SRB) along with a few others can win the gold.

Abuladze needs to win gold to make the World Championships over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) who will also look to beat his compatriot and earn his ticket to Zagreb.

Kazakhstan's world U23 champion Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) has not shown the same form since winning the world gold in 2023. He has a chance to be in Zagreb with good performance in Budapest. He also has Din  KOSHKAR (KAZ) fighting for the same spot.

Add Ruslan BICHURIN (UWW) to the bracket as he can easily take the gold medal to surprise the field at 67kg.

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO)Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) is a world U23 champion at 72kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

72kg: Three Georgians are entered at 72kg -- Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), Otar ABULADZE (GEO), Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO). The winner will get the spot on the Georgian team for the World Championships but the challenge is to win the tournament.

Lomadze failed to win a medal at the European Championships which created an opportunity for world bronze medalist Abuladze and world U23 champion Chkhikvadze to enter the race for a spot on the team.

Former world champion Ali ARSALAN (SRB), who missed out on a medal at the Europeans, would be keen on getting back to winning ways before the World Championships where he won bronze last year.

Jafarov won't be too worried about his result here as he neither gains ranking points nor is his Azerbaijan team spot in danger.

77kg: Both Ganizade and Suleymanov have a chance to make the world team for Azerbaijan. Even if Ganizade misses the podium, he will most likely be back to 72kg. Still, it spices up the 77kg in Budapest.

Levai, who won 72kg European gold, will be challenging the 77kg field in Budapest as he prepares for the World Championships. His win in Bratislava has forced his brother Zoltan to move to 82kg. Levai has rock-solid defense and can score points from different positions.

But big-throwing wrestlers like Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) and Sergei KUTUZOV (UWW) are entered in the competition.

Gutu missed the European Championships and his place was taken by Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA). Now, both are fighting for the 77kg spot for Moldova. Asian champion Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) will be hoping to build on his gold, his first-ever in any championships. 

Other significant names include Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO), Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR), Yunus BASAR (TUR) and Kamal BEY (USA).

82kg: European champion Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) will be challenged more than the Euros in Budapest. While he has mastered the European field, the Asian wrestlers can pose some unique challenges.

Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) and Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB) are the big names entered from Asia. Also add the two Kazakhstan wrestlers, Dias KALEN (KAZ) and Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ). World U23 silver medalist Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) will also be a tough competitor from the U.S.

Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO), Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) are some of the European stars.

87kg: Always regarded as the toughest weight class in Greco-Roman, the 87kg doesn't have a clear favorite. Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) will only be at his third competition this year after he won the Zagreb Open early in the year and then the invitational Thor Masters last month. It remains to be seen how rusty he looks coming back from the break.

Hungarian trio -- Levai, Takacs and Losonczi -- are fighting it out for the spot on the team and Losonczi will be the favorite to win, like last year.

The biggest challenge will come from Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW), Alan OSTAEV (UWW) and Aues GONIBOV (UWW). Only one of the three can be at the World Championships and that will add motivation for them to win the tournament.

Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) and Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) are also entered as they look to earn some ranking points for World Championships.

Islam ABBASOV (AZE), Ivan HUKLEK (CRO), Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) and Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) are also in the bracket, making it even more unpredictable.

97kg: A mini-battle for Azerbaijan will be between Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) and Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE), while Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) and Magomed MURTAZALIEV (UWW) will vie for UWW spots. Sargasian suffered a surprising loss at the European Championships but will hope to make the world team.

Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) and Alex SZOKE (HUN) are other big names in the competition.

130kg: European silver medalist Hamza BAKIR (TUR) will be the favorite to win the gold medal at 130kg despite the presence of Beka KANDELAKI (AZE),  Heiki NABI (EST), Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) among others.

Hungary has Darius VITEK (HUN) and Koppany LASZLO (HUN) competing for the 130kg spot for Hungary. 

Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) is a surprise entry at 130kg from Serbia as he seems to struggle to make the 97kg weight class

The United States has three entries -- Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA), Aden ATTAO (USA) and Courtney FREEMAN (USA).