#wrestlenursultan

Rashidov Adds to Japanese Misery, Advances to Semifinals of Stacked 65kg; Punia Also Through

Thursday, September 19, 2019 - 11:07 By Ken Marantz

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NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept. 19)---Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) moved up a weight class in a bid to get to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. He knocked off the defending champion from Japan en route to securing a berth for Russia.

Rashidov, a two-time world silver medalist at 61kg, made the semifinals of a stacked freestyle 65kg weight class by knocking off 2018 gold medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) 8-1, then defeated Haji ALI (BRN) 9-0 on Day 6 of the World Championships.

The other semifinal, to be held later in the day at the Barys Arena, will pit Bajrang PUNIA (IND), the silver medalist a year ago in Budapest and this year’s Asian champion, against Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ)

The fireworks got started early in the division, when Rashidov clashed with three-time world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) in the first round and came out with a 4-2 win on a last-second score that left the Azeri livid.

In a rematch of the 2017 world final at 61kg won by Aliyev, Rashidov gained an activity-clock for the lone point of the first period. Aliyev went ahead in the second period when he broke away from a tackle attempt and got behind, but another wild flurry resulted in Rashidov taking the lead with a takedown with :44 left. 

The best, however, was yet to come. With the seconds ticking down, Aliyev latched onto an ankle then got behind. Rashidov stood up, and it was just a matter if Aliyev could get his opponent’s knee down for the winning point. 

But as the two moved toward the edge, Rashidov whipped Aliyev down, gaining a 1-point stepout, which was upheld in an unsuccessful challenge.

The stunned Aliyev refused to accept the decision, and it took security members to get him to leave the mat and exit the arena.


Zavur UGUEV (RUS) and Kumar RAVI (IND) will wrestle for a spot in the 57kg finals. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

At 57kg, the two finalists from a year ago, Zavur UGUEV (RUS) and Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) remained a collision course by advancing to separate semifinals.

Uguev will face Kumar RAVI (IND), who knocked off 2017 world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN), while Sanayev’s path the final is blocked by European champion and 2018 bronze medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR).

Japan capped a disastrous day when Rio 2016 Olympic champion Sara DOSHO (JPN) was unceremoniously ousted in the 68kg quarterfinals by 2018 bronze medalist Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA), who rolled up a 10-1 victory.

Mensah Stock will face Anna SCHELL (GER), while defending champion Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) will take on Jenny FRANSSON (SWE), who scored a buzzer-beating 2 points to stun Battsetseg SORONZOBOLD (MGL) 6-5. 

Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) will take on Marianna SASTIN (HUN) in the 62kg semifinals. (Photo: GaborMartin)

At 62kg, Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), the 2018 world champion at 62kg, advanced to a match-up with Marianna SASTIN (HUN), while Asian champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) will face KIM Jong Sim (PRK)

Earlier, 2018 silver medalist Yukako KAWAI (JPN), whose older sister Risako clinched a Tokyo 2020 spot the previous day by making the 57kg final, lost by fall in the second round to Tynybekova---a repeat of the final at the Asian Championships in April in Xi’an, China.

Meanwhile, history of a sorts was made when the tiny enclave of San Marino got not only got its first-ever win at a senior World Championships, but got two from Malik AMINE (SMR) at 67kg.

Amine, who grew up in the USA state of Michigan but has dual citizenship, opened with a wild 14-11 victory over Mbunde CUMBA MBALI (GBS), which he followed by topping Branden DIAZ (MEX) 12-6. His run was ended by Muszukajev. 

Amine is one of five U.S.-born wrestlers competing at the worlds for other countries who are part of a training program at the University of Michigan. The program is headed by legendary Russian great Sergey BELAGLAZOV.

Belaglazov, serving as the San Marino coach, said historic victories were only part of the objective. “That’s not the point,” he said. “The point is to get them to qualify for the Olympic Games. That is the goal.”

For what it’s worth, Amine beat brother Myles into the San Marino sports history book. Myles is entered at freestyle 86kg, which starts on Saturday.

Day 6 Pairings

Freestyle

57kg (34 entries)
Semifinal – Suleyman ATLI (TUR) vs Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) 
Semifinal – Kumar RAVI (IND) vs Zavur UGUEV (RUS)

65kg (44 entries)
Semifinal – Bajrang PUNIA (IND) vs Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) 
Semifinal – Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) vs Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) 

Women’s Wrestling 

57kg (31 entries)
Gold – RONG Ningning (CHN) vs Risako KAWAI (JPN) 
Bronze – Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) vs Jowita WRZESIEN (POL)
Bronze – Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) vs Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR)

59kg (18 entries)
Gold – Luibov OVCHAROVA (RUS) vs Linda MORAIS (CAN) 
Bronze – PEI Xingru (CHN) vs Pooja DHANDA (IND)
Bronze – Anhelina LYSAK (URK) vs Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL)

62kg (34 entries)
Semifinal – Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) vs Marianna SASTIN (HUN) 
Semifinal – Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs KIM Jong Sim (PRK) 

 65kg (17 entries)
Gold – Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) vs Inna TRAZHUKOVA (RUS)  
Bronze – WANG Xiaoqian (CHN) vs Forrest MOLINARI (USA)
Bronze – Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) vs Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)

68kg (32 entries)
Semifinal – Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) vs Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) 
Semifinal – Anna SCHELL (GER) vs Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) 

76kg (31 entries)
Gold – Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) vs Adeline GRAY (USA) 
Bronze – ZHOU Qian (CHN) vs Epp MAEE (EST)
Bronze – Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) vs Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER)

#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)