#WrestleNewDelhi

Punia, Otoguro Set up Long-Awaited Rematch for 65kg Asian Gold

Saturday, February 22, 2020 - 10:47 By Ken Marantz

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NEW DELHI (Feb. 22)---It took a few extra months, but the wrestling world will finally be treated to the greatly anticipated rematch between Bajrang PUNIA (IND) and Takuto OTOGURO (JPN). 

Punia and Otoguro will battle it out for the 65kg gold as host India put four wrestlers into the five finals to be held in the evening session at the Asian Championships on Saturday in New Delhi.

The clash between the two stars in the final at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest was named the UWW’s match of the year, as Otoguro held on for a nail-biting 16-9 victory to become Japan’s youngest-ever freestyle world champion.

A rematch at last year’s World Championships in Nur-Sultan never came about, as Otoguro lost in the second round to eventual gold medalist Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS). Punia, who lost in the semifinals to silver medalist Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ), finished with a bronze medal, while Otoguro placed fifth to ensure that both will be at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics.

“I remember the 2018 final and all I want to is avenge that loss,” Punia said. “All I’m thinking about is the final.”

Iran will have two wrestlers in the finals, while Tajikistan, Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan join Japan with one each.  

Punia won all three of his matches in the afternoon session by technical fall, including a 10-0 win over Amirhossein MAGHSOUDI (IRI) in the semifinals. “It was a great start in the first session for me,” he said.

Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) will wrestle Bajrang PUNIA (IND) in a rematch of the 2018 world finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Otoguro had one big hurdle to clear en route to final, as he faced Niyazbekov in the quarterfinals. After giving up a forceout to fall behind 3-2 early in the second period, Otoguro put on a takedown clinic and rolled to a 10-3 win over the 2018 Asian champion.

“He’s also a strong opponent,” Otoguro said. “It was a good spark to get me going.”

In the semifinals, he backslammed Nyamdorj BATTULGA (MGL) for 4 points to finish up an 11-1 technical fall. 

“I wrestled very well and, as the lead up to the Tokyo Olympics, I’m able to use what I have been working on,” Otoguro said. “I think the final will be a wide open affair, and I can’t forget to stay strong-minded.”

Also revving up the largest crowd of the tournament so far at K.D. Jadrav Wrestling Stadium was world bronze medalist Kumar RAVI (IND), who had to get past former world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) and fellow world bronze medalist Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) to reach the 57kg final. 

“When I saw the draw I knew it would be difficult,” Ravi said. “But I have faced both of them before, so I was confident of beating them. No new things, just did the same things to beat them. Because this tournament is in front of my home crowd, I want to win the gold and get ready for the Olympics.”

Kumar RAVI (IND) will square off against Hikmatullo VOHIDOV (TJK) in the 57kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

In one of the matches to start the session, Ravi spotted Takahashi a 4-0 lead before going on the attack and forging a 14-5 victory. That was a repeat of their quarterfinal clash in Nur-Sultan, which Ravi won 6-1.  

After pulling off another come-from-behind victory in the quarterfinals, securing a fall off a counter while trailing 3-2 against Tugs BATJARGAL (MGL), Ravi was in control the whole way in ousting Sanayev 7-2.

Ravi had beaten Sanayev 6-0 a month ago at 61kg at the Matteo Pellicone ranking series event in Rome. 

In the final, Ravi will face Hikmatullo VOHIDOV (TJK), who will attempt to become Tajikistan’s second Asian gold medalist ever, joining Yusup ABDUSALAMOV (TJK), won the 74kg freeestyle title in 2003—also in New Delhi.

At 79kg, Baliyan GOURAV (IND) will face Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) in the final. Gourav advanced with a 6-5 win over Shinkichi OKUI (JPN), while Budazhapov slipped by Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) , 3-1.

The 97kg final will also be an India-Iran affair, with 2019 Asian bronze medalist Salywart KADIAN (IND) facing off against world U-23 champion and 2018 Asian silver medalist Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI). 

Kadian needed just 44 seconds to oust Rustam ISKANDARI (TJK) with a 10-0 technical fall, while Goleij chalked up a 12-2 technical fall over Magomed MUSAEV (KGZ).

Ilyas BEKBULATOV (UZB) will take on Amirhossein HOSSEINI (IRI) in the 70kg finals for a shot at adding an Asian title to his resume. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

The only final missing an Indian is at 70kg, in which Ilyas BEKBULATOV (UZB) has already assured he will add an Asian medal to the European ones he captured while competing for Russia.

The 2018 European silver medalist advanced to the final when Temuulen ENKHTUYA (MGL) suffered a severe knee injury early in their semifinal, setting up a clash with Amirhossein HOSSEINI (IRI), a 3-2 winner over Naveen NAVEEN (IND). 

Day 4 Results

Freestyle

57kg (11 entries)
SEMIFINAL – Hikmatullo VOHIDOV (TJK) df. Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB), 3-2
SEMIFINAL – Kumar RAVI (IND) df. Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ), 7-2

65kg (14 entries)
SEMIFINAL – Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) df. Nyamdorj BATTULGA (MGL) by TF, 11-1, 5:11
SEMIFINAL – Bajrang PUNIA (IND) df. Amirhossein MAGHSOUDI (IRI) by TF, 10-0, 4:19

70kg (9 entries)
SEMIFINAL – Amirhossein HOSSEINI (IRI) df. Naveen NAVEEN (IND), 3-2
SEMIFINAL – Ilyas BEKBULATOV (UZB) df. Temuulen ENKHTUYA (MGL) by Inj. Def., :35 (4-2)

79kg (8 entries) 
SEMIFINAL – Baliyan GOURAV (IND) df. Shinkichi OKUI (JPN), 6-5
SEMIFINAL – Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) df. Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI), 3-1

97kg (11 entries)
SEMIFINAL – Salywart KADIAN (IND) df. Rustam ISKANDARI (TJK) by TF, 10-0, :44
SEMIFINAL – Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) df Magomed MUSAEV (KGZ), by TF, 12-2, 4:58

#WrestleAmman

U17 Worlds: India claims four WW golds after unbeaten run

Thursday, August 22, 2024 - 21:01 By Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (August 22) -- China's Na HU (CHN) stole a match in the dying seconds but it was India that stole the show at the U17 World Championships in Amman on Thursday. India had four wrestlers in the final in Women's Wrestling and all four won gold medals.

Last year, India had won only one gold, coming at 61kg. But with four golds and five more weight classes remaining, the country is set to register its best at the U17 World Championships.

Hu was the other champion of the day at 49kg, a weight class in which India had no participation as it sent only nine wrestlers in Women's Wrestling to the U17 Asian Championships in June.

NEHA (IND)NEHA (IND) scores a takedown against So TSUTSUI (JPN) during the 57kg final at the U17 World Championships in Amman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Leading the Indian team was returning bronze medalist NEHA (IND) at 57kg. A day before heading to Amman, Neha met VINESH (IND) who had returned from the Paris Olympics. Vinesh had become the first wrestler to beat Yui SUSAKI (JPN) internationally and reach the final at 50kg. She was later disqualified for failing her weigh-in on the second day.

Hailing from the same village -- Balali in Haryana -- as Vinesh, Neha did not take long to announce herself, winning the gold medal by beating So TSUTSUI (JPN) in a show of brute power. In her earlier bouts on Wednesday, Neha won one via fall, one via technical superiority and the semifinal 8-4.

The 16-year-old will have to quickly refocus as she is scheduled to compete at her first U20 World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain from September 2.

Mansi LATHER (IND)Mansi LATHER (IND) works for the pin against Hanna PIRSKAYA (AIN) during the 73kg final at the U17 World Championships in Amman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 73kg, Mansi LATHER (IND) capped off her dominant run with a gold medal by pinning Hanna PIRSKAYA (AIN) in the final. This was her third fall in four bouts while one was a 6-0 win over returning champion Piper FOWLER (USA).

Lather built a 3-0 lead over Pirskaya at the break and continued her attacks in the second period. She had Pirskaya's back on the mat after a takedown and secured the fall with 1:23 remaining in the four-minute bout. The gold is an addition to her gold at the U17 Asian Championships in 69kg in June.

PULKIT (IND)PULKIT (IND) and Daria FROLOVA (AIN) in a scramble during the 65kg final at the U17 World Championships in Amman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

PULKIT (IND) did not dominate her final but did enough to beat Daria FROLOVA (AIN), 6-3, and win the gold medal at 65kg. She got the first points on board when Frolova tried to score a pushout but Pulkit defended and pushed Frolova out. Frolova fell with Pulkit scoring a takedown to take a 2-0 lead. It became 3-0 when Frolova was called passive.

A missed leg-attack from Frolova gave another takedown to Pulkit who extended her lead to 5-0. Frolova cut the lead to 5-3 when she scored a takedown and Pulkit was cautioned. The next attempt gave her hope but Pulkit defended the attack and came out unscathed. A lost challenge added one point to Pulkit's score.

Aditi KUMARI (IND)Aditi KUMARI (IND) celebrates after winning the 43kg gold medal at the U17 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Aditi KUMARI (IND) was the fourth gold medalist for India as she defeated Maria GKIKA (GRE) 7-0 in the 43kg final. Gkika was hoping to become Greece's first world champion in Women's Wrestling in 22 years.

Kumari got the first point when Gkika was called passive before she added a takedown just before the break to lead 3-0. She added two gut wrenches before the clock expired and raced to a 7-0 lead that she maintained till the end of the match.

Ha, the lone Chinese wrestler in the final, had to bring out a clutch double-leg to score two points and beat Utaha YUI (JPN) 4-3 in the 49kg final and become the first wrestler from China to win gold at U17 Worlds in Women's Wrestling after five years.

Yui led 3-0 at the break but Ha scored a takedown to cut it to 3-2 in the second period. As Yui tried holding on to that lead, Ha made continuous attempts to break the defense. She finally succeeded in the final 10 seconds, using a double-leg attack, completing the takedown with head-outside for two points.

Yuu KATSUME (JPN)Yuu KATSUME (JPN) defeated Morgan TURNER (USA) in the 46kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

India eyes team title

With four golds and two more finalists on Friday, India will be favorites to win the Women's Wrestling team title in Amman. This would be the first time it will accomplish the feat after falling short for the last five years.

India has 100 points from the gold medal while Japan, in second spot, has 56 points. Japan has three finalists on Friday and is still looking for its first gold medal. Japan hopes that one of Yuu KATSUME (JPN), Nana KOZUKA (JPN) and Sae NOGUCHI (JPN) end the drought.

Katsume entered the 46kg final by beating returning champion Morgan TURNER (USA) 13-2 in the semifinal. She will take on Shrutika PATIL (IND) for gold after Patil beat Medina KUANYSHBEK (KAZ) in the other semifinals.

Kozuka was also dominant, winning her 53kg semifinal via fall over Lisette BOETTKER (EST) and will take on Kaura COLES (CAN) after she became the first Canadian to reach the U17 Worlds final in Women's Wrestling. Coles beat Isabella GONZALES (USA), 8-3.

Noguchi will look to stop the United States from having a U17 world champion as she faces Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) in the 61kg final. Noguchi beat Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE) 5-0 while Fernandez pinned Zhaidar MUKAT (KAZ) in the semifinals.

At 69kg, Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR) will face KAJAL (IND) after she stunned Ilayda CIN (TUR) with a fall. Cin was leading 4-0 when Rybak rolled over and pinned her. Kajal defeated Rahma BEDIWY (EGY), 4-3, in a close semifinal.

Ukraine's second finalist was Kamila KUCHMA (UKR) who won her semifinal at 40kg against Nazrin AHMADLI (AZE) 5-0. She will take on Aleksandra FEDOROVA (AIN) who defeated Raj BALA (IND) 4-3, thanks to a challenge to give her the win instead of Bala, who was winning 3-2 before the challenge.

https://photo.uww.org/Wrestling/2024/U17-World-Championships/Womens-Wrestling

RESULTS

43kg
GOLD: Aditi KUMARI (IND) df. Maria GKIKA (GRE), 7-0 

BRONZE: Aleksandra BEREZOVSKAIA (AIN) df. Mareim ABDELAAL (EGY), 7-0
BRONZE: Gabriela PALACIOS (MEX) df. Xin HUANG (CHN), 6-4

49kg
GOLD: Na HU (CHN) df. Utaha YUI (JPN), 4-3

BRONZE: Kseniya KOSTSENICH (AIN) df. Dounia ZITOUNI (ALG), via fall
BRONZE: Polina BOCHKAREVA (AIN) df. Esra MAMMADLI (AZE), 9-0

57kg
GOLD: NEHA (IND) df. So TSUTSUI (JPN), 10-0

BRONZE: Anna STRATAN (KAZ) df. Mairi MANI (GRE), 5-1
BRONZE: Palina BRAHINETS (AIN) df. Barbara BAGER (HUN), 7-3

65kg
GOLD: PULKIT (IND) df. Daria FROLOVA (AIN), 6-3

BRONZE: Uldana TILEUKHAN (KAZ) df. Anastasiya KOMANAVA (AIN), via fall (13-2)
BRONZE: Maram ALY (EGY) df. Ling CAI (CHN), via fall (11-0)

73kg
GOLD: Mansi LATHER (IND) df. Hanna PIRSKAYA (AIN), via fall

BRONZE: Lotta ENGLICH (GER) df. Khrystyna DEMCHUK (UKR), via fall (5-2)
BRONZE: Diana TITOVA (AIN) df. Makia KIMURA (JPN), 6-0

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

40kg
GOLD: Kamila KUCHMA (UKR) vs. Aleksandra FEDOROVA (AIN)

SF 1: Aleksandra FEDOROVA (AIN) df. Raj BALA (IND), 4-3
SF 2: Kamila KUCHMA (UKR) df. Nazrin AHMADLI (AZE), 5-0

46kg
GOLD: Shrutika PATIL (IND) vs. Yuu KATSUME (JPN)

SF 1: Yuu KATSUME (JPN) df. Morgan TURNER (USA), 13-2
SF 2: Shrutika PATIL (IND) df. Medina KUANYSHBEK (KAZ), 3-1

53kg
GOLD: Nana KOZUKA (JPN) vs. Kaura COLES (CAN)

SF 1: Kaura COLES (CAN) df. Isabella GONZALES (USA), 8-3
SF 2: Nana KOZUKA (JPN) df. Lisette BOETTKER (EST), via fall (10-0)

61kg
GOLD: Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) vs. Sae NOGUCHI (JPN)

SF 1: Sae NOGUCHI (JPN) df. Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), 5-0
SF 2: Taina FERNANDEZ (USA) df. Zhaidar MUKAT (KAZ), via fall (6-0)

69kg
GOLD: Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR) vs. KAJAL (IND) 

SF 1: KAJAL (IND) df. Rahma BEDIWY (EGY), 4-3
SF 2: Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR) df. Ilayda CIN (TUR), via fall (2-4)