#WrestleBirmingham

Ravi, Punia, Oborududu headline this week’s Commonwealth Games

Monday, August 1, 2022 - 11:30 By Eric Olanowski

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BIRMINGHAM, England (August 1) --- Some of wrestling’s biggest freestyle and women’s wrestling stars will be headed to Birmingham, England this week, as the 21st edition of wrestling at the Commonwealth Games gets underway August 5-6.

The stacked entry list includes 14 returning medalists – five of which are looking for back-to-back Commonwealth Games golds. But the list is headlined by superstars Kumar RAVI (IND) Bajrang PUNIA (IND) and Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR).

Oborududu and Ravi won silver medals at the Tokyo Olympic Games, while Punia claimed bronze.

Ravi will be making his first appearance at the prestigious Commonwealth Games, while Oborududu and Bajrang will be looking to reach the top of the podium for a second consecutive time.

On the freestyle side of the competition, outside of Ravi and Bajrang, the list of seven returning medalists is headlined by 2018 CWG champ Muhammad INAM (PAK) who’ll compete at 86kg.

Lightweight star Ravi will wrestle at the Olympic weight of 57kg in England after he’s jumped between 57kg and 61kg at the Yasar Dogu, Dan Kolov and Asian Championships. This season, the 25-year-old product from the wrestling powerhouse state of Haryana has a 12-1 record. He’s won golds at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event and Asian championship and settled for Dan Kolov silver after falling to Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 7-1, in the gold-medal match.

His biggest competition in England will be Ebikewenimo WELSON (NGR). The 30-year-old has represented Nigeria at the CWG at every Games since 2010 and has finished with two silvers and a bronze, with the latter coming in 2018.

At 65kg, Bajrang walks into Birmingham as the unquestionable favorite to win the gold. India’s first-ever three-time world medalist will likely have to get past the 12-man bracket’s lone returning CWG medalist in Amas Daniel (NGR). It’ll be Daniel’s fourth straight appearance wrestling at the CWG, where he’s finished with two bronze medals and had a fourth-place finish in 2010.

Muhammad Inam (PAK) is the third returning freestyle champion in action. His biggest competitor at 86kg will be one of the world’s fastest rising stars in Deepak PUNIA (IND)

Punia announced his presence on the senior circuit at the 2019 World Championships, where he stormed past the field to reach the finals and punch India ticket to the Olympic Games. In Tokyo, Punia led Myles AMINE (SMR) in the bronze-medal match but surrendered a last-second takedown and settled for fifth place in Tokyo.

Another guy who could stir up the pot at 86kg is Syerus Eslami (ENG). He’ll be looking to improve on his bronze-medal in front of a friendly English crowd.

In women’s wrestling, there will be stars galore.

Vinesh VINESH (IND), Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) and Oborududu are the trio of returning champs eying a shot at adding their name to the short list of Commonwealth Games two-timers.

Vinesh will return to the mat for the second time since her emotional toll-taking Tokyo Olympic exit which resulted in a ninth-place finish. After taking four months off, she returned to action at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event and finished in fifth place. Her pair of losses came at the hands of Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) and Ekaterina ISAKOVA (RWF).

Vinesh’s biggest threat will likely be Canada’s Samantha STEWART (CAN). If the two meet, it’ll be a rematch from the 2021 Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event semifinals where the Indian picked up the fall via cradle 42 seconds into the first period.

Tokyo fifth-place finisher Joseph ESSOMBE TIAKO (CMR) is on a quest to become Cameroon's first-ever Commonwealth Games champion. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, there are three tier one wrestlers who should vie for the gold medal. Most people expect to see returning champion Adekuoroye or 2021 world silver  Anshu Anshu (IND) in the finals, but Joseph ESSOMBE TIAKO (CMR) is a wrestler who could stop the highly anticipated bout between the Nigerian and Indian.

Coming into Birmingham, Cameroon is 0-3 in gold-medal matches. Essombe Tiako is looking to rewrite the history books as she moves up to 57kg from her Tokyo Olympic fifth-place weight of 53kg.

There’s no secret that Oborududu headlines the 68kg women’s field. The Olympic runner-up and returning CWG champion will likely have to stop Divya KAKRAN (IND) if she wants to join Adekuoroye and Adeniyi OLUWAFUNMILAYO (NGR) as Nigeria’s only two-time CWG women’s wrestling winners.

Follow United World Wrestling on all social media channels for live updates from the Commonwealth Games.

Bajrang PUNIA (IND) is one of three Tokyo Olympic medalists that'll be in action in Birmingham. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Freestyle returning medalist::
57kg - Ebikewenimo Welson (NGR) – bronze
65kg - Bajrang Bajrang (IND) – gold
65kg - Amas Daniel (NGR) – bronze
74kg - Curtis Dodge (WAL) - bronze
74kg - Charlie Bowling (ENG) -– bronze
86kg - Muhammad Inam (PAK) – gold
86kg - Syerus Eslami (ENG) – bronze

Women’s wrestling returning medalist:
50kg Miesinnei Mercy Genesis (NGR) – bronze
53kg - Vinesh Vinesh (IND) – gold
57kg - Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye (NGR) – gold
62kg - Sakshi Malik (IND) - bronze
68kg - Blessing Oborududu (NGR) – gold
68kg - Divya Kakran (IND) – bronze
76kg - Georgina Nelthorpe (ENG) – bronze

Freestyle
57kg
Ebikewenimo Welson (NGR)
Romio Ricardo Goliath (NAM)
Ravi Kumar (IND)
Darthe Capellan (CAN)
Justin Holland (AUS)
Suraj Singh (NZL)
Ali Asad (PAK)
Harvey Ridings (ENG)
Jakobo Tanki Tau (RSA)
Gary Giordmaina (MLT)

65kg
Amas Daniel (NGR)
Jason Shannon Afrikaner (NAM)
Bajrang Bajrang (IND)
Lowe Bingham (NRU)
Jean Guyliane Joris Bandou (MRI)
Lachlan Mcneil (CAN)
Mostafa Rezaeifar (AUS)
Brahm Richards (NZL)
George Ramm (ENG)
Inayat Ullah (PAK)
ROSS CONNELLY (SCO)
Adam Vell12a (MLT)

74kg
Ogbonna Emmanuel John (NGR)
Mathayo Matonya Mahabila (KEN)
Mohamed Sesay (SLE)
Jasmit Singh Phulka (CAN)
Hong Yeow Lou (SGP)
Cole Hawkins (NZL)
Thorn Demeritte (BAH)
Charlie Bowling (ENG)
Muhammad Sharif Tahir (PAK)
Arno Van Zijl (RSA)
NICOLAE COJOCARU (SCO)
Curtis Dodge (WAL)
Shanith Yoda Pedige (SRI)
Jacob Ntuyo (UGA)
Naveen Naveen (IND)
John Vake (TGA)

86kg
Ekerekeme Agiomor (NGR)
Lesyan Cousin Otomuro (JAM)
Abdur Roshid Hawladar (BAN)
Sheku Kassegbama (SLE)
Deepak Punia (IND)
Jean Frederic Marianne (MRI)
Alexander Moore (CAN)
Weng Luen Gary Chow (SGP)
Jayden Lawrence (AUS)
Taitaifono Tamati (SAM)
Matthew Oxenham (NZL)
Syerus Eslami (ENG)
Muhammad Inam (PAK)
Edward Lessing (RSA)
KIERAN MALONE (SCO)
Suresh Warnakulasuriya Fernando (SRI)
CHARALAMPOS CHOIRAS (CYP)

97kg
Nishan Randhawa (CAN)
Thomas Barns (AUS)
Maulalo Willie Alofipo (SAM)
Rashji Mackey (BAH)
Tayab Raza Awan (PAK)
CAMERON NICOL (SCO)
Sione Sika (TGA)
Nicolaas De Lange (RSA)
Deepak Deepak (IND)

125kg
Aaron Johnson (JAM)
Liton Biswas (BAN)
Mohamed Bundu (SLE)
Kensley Anthony Marie (MRI)
Mohit Mohit (IND)
Amarveer Dhesi (CAN)
Mandhir Kooner (ENG)
Zaman Anwar (PAK)
Aaron Lehauli (TGA)
ALEXIOS KAOUSLIDIS (CYP)

Odunayo Adekuoroye (NGR) is looking to become a three-time Commonwealth Games champion. She'll compete at 57kg. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
Rebecca Ndolo Muambo (CMR)
Madison Parks (CAN)
Miesinnei Mercy Genesis (NGR)
CHRISTELLE LEMOFACK LETCHIDJIO (SCO)
Shriyanthika Niroshani Sinhala Pedige (SRI)
Pooja Gehlot (IND)

53kg
Mercy Bolafunoluwa Adekuoroye (NGR)
Vinesh Vinesh (IND)
Samantha Stewart (CAN)
Chamodya Keshani Maduravalage Don (SRI)

57kg
Odunayo Folasade Adekuoroye (NGR)
Joseph Emilienne Essombe Tiako (CMR)
Zainab Barrie (SLE)
Anshu Anshu (IND)
Veronica Ayo (UGA)
Sophia Omutichio Ayieta (KEN)
Hannah Taylor (CAN)
Danielle Sue Ching Lim (SGP)
Irene Symeonidis (AUS)
Shannon Harry (WAL)
Nethmi Poruthotage (SRI)

62kg
Esther Omolayo Kolawole (NGR)
Berthe Emilienne Etane Ngolle (CMR)
Dola Khatun (BAN)
Ana Godinez Gonzalez (CAN)
Kelsey Barnes (ENG)
ABBIE FOUNTAIN (SCO)
Sachini Weraduwage (SRI)
Sakshi Malik (IND)

68kg
Blessing Oborududu (NGR)
Blandine Nyeh Ngiri (CMR)
Tithy Roy (BAN)
Divya Kakran (IND)
Amylee Sephora Aza (MRI)
Linda Morais (CAN)
Sarah Clossick (ENG)
Chloe Spiteri (ENG)
Tiger Lily Cocker Lemalie (TGA)
TAYLA FORD (NZL)

76kg
Hannah Amuchechi Rueben (NGR)
Madusu Koroma (SLE)
Marie Celeste Andrea Vilbrun (MRI)
Justina Di Stasio (CAN)
Naomi De Bruine (AUS)
Michelle Montague (NZL)
Georgina Nelthorpe (ENG)
Pooja Pooja (IND)

#WrestleBucharest

Akgul adds 11th Euro gold to help Turkiye wins team title

Sunday, February 18, 2024 - 22:12 By Vinay Siwach

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BUCHAREST, Romania (February 18) -- The final ended like all the previous ones between Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO). Akgul built a lead and Petriashvili tried making a comeback. However, Akgul was strong enough to hold off his Georgian rival and won yet another European title.

Petriashvili came close this year to beating Akgul but fell short. Akgul extended his record of European gold medals to 11 after the 5-4 win in the 125kg weight class. Akgul has won 11 European gold medals in 12 years and is already the most successful Freestyle wrestler in European history.

The record for most European titles is jointly held by Aleksandar KARELIN and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) as both have 12 titles. Akgul's Turkish teammate in Greco-Roman Kayaalp had the opportunity to break that record in Bucharest but suffered a loss in the 130kg final to Sergei SEMENOV (AIN).

There was no such heartbreak for Akgul as he paced his final to perfection against his arch-rival. Petriashvili was warned for open fingers on the face and was penalized for it with one point. Akgul scored a stepout and then got another point for Petriasvili's passivity, leading 3-0.

Akgul remained cautious of Petriashvili's attacks and countered one of them to score a takedown for two points and extended his lead to 5-0. With a minute remaining, Petriashvili did get two takedowns but he could not get the winning point needed as the clock expired.

"I am so happy. I had a final with Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and it is always hard," Akgul said. "This is my 11th European gold which is a record. I prepared well for this tournament. This is like practice because we are preparing for the Paris Olympics."

Before the final, Akgul won his three bouts via superiority and he was so dominant that two of his bouts finished before the break while the semifinal ended before time. Akgul wishes to repeat the performance in coming tournaments, especially the Olympics.

"I will now prepare for the Olympics," he said. "I am 34 years old. Of course, my energy is not like the young wrestlers. I am doing more conditioning and weightlifting. I am a technical wrestler but I am working hard."

The final against Petriashvili was even more significant as the Freestyle team title depended on it. Turkiye had 115 points going into the final while Georgia had 110 points. An Akgul win would clinch the title for Turkiye with 140 points to Georgia's 130 while a win for Petriashvili will hand Georgia the title despite both countries being tied at 135 points as Georgia has more gold medals.

"Our team won the team title in Freestyle after 31 years," Akgul said. "That is also a big success because Freestyle is so difficult and so many teams are coming. I am the captain so I am happy. My last match against Georgia was also important because if I won, Turkiye would win the title, and if Petriashvili won, Georgia would win the team title."

Another big contribution to Turkiye's historic team title win was Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) defending his 92kg European title. He gold gave Turkiye 25 points which pushed it over Georgia in the race.

In Bucharest, Akturk pulled off two top wins, beating Mariani MAISURADZE (GEO) in the semifinal and Boris MAKOEV (SVK) in the final. Makoev could never find an opening in the whole match which Akturk won 8-0, thus becoming a three-time European champion.

Kurugliev, Salkazanov repeat

Daruen KURGULIEV (GRE) added another European gold medal to his resume after he defeated Myles AMINE (SMR) for a second straight year. Kurguliev scored a stepout and later got another point for Amine's inactivity, giving him a 2-0 lead. Amine kept attacking Kurugliev's legs but could not score a takedown. The referee cautioned Kurugliev for fleeing late in the match which gave Amine a point.

But as Amine made his last attempt to score in the final 15 seconds, Kurugliev grabbed Amine's leg and bent it more than 90 degrees forcing the referee to stop the bout with three seconds on the clock left. Kurugliev got the breather he needed and defended the last three seconds with ease.

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) extended his European title run to four gold medals, winning the 74kg final against Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR).

Salkazanov hit a double-leg 10 seconds into the final and scored two points. He went into a shell for the remaining first period and was put on the clock in the second period. However, he scored a stepout within the activity period to avoid any trouble and lead 3-0.

Demirtas made a desperate attempt to get a takedown in the final seconds but Salkazanov kept his distance and even scored a takedown on the counter to win 5-0.

At 61kg, Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) won his second European title after beating Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), his second straight silver medal at the European Championships.

 

Magomedov, a world silver medalist, was the first to get the activity period against his name but he scored a stepout during that to lead 1-0. Abakarov responded with a big throw that Magomedov did well to not land in danger and give up only two points.

The lead exchanged hands when Magomedov scored a takedown. But in one sequence, Abakarov scored two points via exposure while Magomedov was given only one for reversal. However, on challenge, Magomedov got two points to lead 5-4.

Abakarov tried the same exposure lift again but Magomedov defended well before elevating Abakarov and scoring a takedown to win 7-4 and denying Albania its second European champion in two days.

gf 

RESULTS

61kg
Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) df. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 7-4

BRONZE: Mezhlum MEZHLUMYAN (ARM) df. Niklas STECHELE (GER), 7-5
BRONZE: Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE) df. Georgi VANGELOV (BUL), 7-3

74kg
GOLD: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), 5-0

BRONZE: Imam GANISHOV (AIN) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), 4-1
BRONZE: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) df. Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP), 4-0

86kg
GOLD: Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) df. Myles AMINE (SMR), 2-1

BRONZE: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Arslan BAGAEV (AIN), 6-4
BRONZE: Osman GOCEN (TUR) df. Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), 8-0

92kg
GOLD: Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 8-0

BRONZE: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Andrian GROSUL (MDA), 7-0
BRONZE: Magomed KURBANOV (AIN) df. Denys SAHALIUK (UKR), via fall (8-0)

125kg
GOLD: Taha AKGUL (TUR) df. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), 5-4

BRONZE: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) df. Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR), 10-0
BRONZE: Alen KHUBULOV (BUL) df. Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (AIN), 3-0