#WrestleBelgrade

Rotter Focken Delivers in Final Women's Match in Belgrade

By Andrew Hipps

Links:
Finals Highlights
Day 5 Photos
Interview with Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)

BELGRADE, Serbia (December 16) -- On Wednesday night, Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER) delivered in a big way in the final women's wrestling match of the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia.

The 29-year-old German secured the gold medal at 76kg with a fall over 2017 world champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR).

Rotter Focken, a 2014 world champion and four-time world medalist, led 1-0 at the break after a tactical opening period. Early in the second period, Adar, who defeated Olympic champion Erica WIEBE (CAN) by fall in the semifinals, fired off a double leg. Rotter Focken defended the shot and whipped the Turkish wrestler to her back to secure the fall.

Russia claimed the team title in women's wrestling, finishing with seven medals, including two gold medals. A day after Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (50kg) won gold, Svetlana LIPATOVA gave Russia its second gold in women's wrestling by edging Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA) 2-1 at 59kg.

Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) gave Russia its second gold in women's wrestling at the Individual World Cup (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

After Lipatova scored the only point of the opening period off the activity clock, Cherdivara Esanu came back to take the criteria lead in the second period after scoring a point of her own off the activity clock. A short time later, the Moldovan wrestler was put on the activity clock for a second time. She was unable to score, giving Lipatova her lead back, which was enough to earn the narrow victory.

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) won the title at 57kg (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Three Moldovan women competed for gold on Wednesday, but only European champion Anastasia NICHITA (57kg) came out victorious. 

Nichita earned the gold medal at 57kg with a 5-1 victory over world No.7 Anshu ANSHU (IND). Nichita led 1-0 at the break. She tacked on more points in the second period, scoring a two-point exposure with a throw before adding a takedown midway through the final period.

Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) throws Irina RINGACI (MDA) for four points (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR), a 2018 junior world bronze medalist, used a big second period to help her earn a 14-4 technical superiority over Irina RINGACI (MDA) and capture the gold medal at 65kg. Rizhko went up 4-0 early before Ringaci responded with a takedown and gut wrench to grab the criteria lead heading into the break. Rizhko came out strong in the second period, throwing Ringaci to her back and nearly securing the fall. The Ukrainian built her lead to 8-4 before tossing Ringaci again to her back for four points to go up 12-4. She closed out the match by getting a takedown with 25 seconds remaining. 

Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) topped Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) to win gold at 68kg (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), a junior world silver medalist, overcame a slow start to defeat Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) 8-2 and claim the gold at 68kg. Hanzlickova, a 2020 Yasar Dogu champion, led 1-0 at the break after scoring off the activity clock. The 21-year-old Zhumanazarova quickly took the lead in the second period after shooting a double leg and scoring the match's first takedown. She added to her lead with another takedown before Hanzlickova scored a point off a step out to cut the deficit to 4-2. With less than 20 seconds remaining, Zhumanazarova shot a double leg and scored a four-point takedown to blow the match wide open.

Both Russia and Ukraine finished the day with one gold medal and two bronze medals.

Veronika CHUMIKOVA (57kg) and Khanum VELIEVA (68kg) won bronze medals for Russia, while Kateryna ZELENYKH (59kg) and Alina BEREZHNA STADNIK MAKHYNIA (68kg) earned bronze for Ukraine. 

Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) and Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) took the bronze medals at 65kg. 

Mehlika OZTURK (TUR) won a bronze at 57kg after getting a fall over Arianna CARIERI (ITA).

Magdalena GLODEK (POL) edged Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) to win a bronze medal at 59kg.

Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) defeated the Rio Olympic champion Wiebe to win a bronze at 76kg. The other bronze at 76kg was won by Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ).

Women's Wrestling Medal Match Results

57kg
GOLD: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Anshu ANSHU (IND) by VPO1, 5-1
BRONZE: Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) df. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) by VPO1, 2-2
BRONZE: Mehlika OZTURK (TUR) df. Arianna CARIERI (ITA) by VFA, 5-0

59kg
GOLD: Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) df. Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA) by VPO1, 2-1
BRONZE: Kateryna ZELENYKH (UKR) df. Elif YANIK (TUR) by VSU, 10-0
BRONZE: Magdalena GLODEK (POL) df. Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) by VPO1, 8-7

65kg
GOLD: Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) df. Irina RINGACI (MDA) by VSU1, 14-4
BRONZE: Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) df. Asli DEMIR (TUR) by VPO, 4-0
BRONZE: Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) df. Mariia KUZNETSOVA (RUS) by VFA, 6-6

68kg
GOLD: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) by VPO1, 8-2
BRONZE: Khanum VELIEVA (RUS) df. Sofiya Hristova GEORGIEVA (BUL) by VSU1, 13-2
BRONZE: Alina BEREZHNA STADNIK MAKHYNIA (UKR) df. Hanna SADCHANKA (BLR) by VSU, 10-0

76kg
GOLD: Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER) df. Yasemin ADAR (TUR) by VFA, 3-0
BRONZE: Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) df. Erica Elizabeth WIEBE (CAN) by VPO1, 3-1
BRONZE: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS) by VPO1, 11-8
 

#WrestleHangzhou

Asian Games Wrestling: Amouzad beats Bajrang, Ozaki beats Tynybekova

By Vinay Siwach

LIN'AN, Hangzhou, China (October 5) -- The Asian Games will see Freestyle action on Friday as 57kg and 65kg wrestlers take the mat. Women's Wrestling will continue with 62kg, 68kg and 76kg weight classes.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | BRACKETS | DAY 2 RESULTS

Here are the finals for the evening session

WW 62kg
Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) vs. Nonoka OZAKI (PRK)

WW 68kg
Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) vs. Feng ZHOU (CHN)

WW 76kg
Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)

FS 57kg
Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) vs. Chongsong HAN (PRK)

FS 65kg
Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) vs Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)

13:20: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) uses two big four-point moves to beat BAJRANG 8-1 in the 65kg semifinal. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR with a big fall over Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) to enter the final at 65kg. Rahman AMOUZAD vs Tulga TUMUR OCHIR for the gold medal.

13:00: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) with a fall over Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) to reach the 62kg final while Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) pins KIRAN to enter the 76kg final. She will wrestle returning bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)

12:50: Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) pins SONAM to reach the final at 62kg while in Freestyle 57kg, Chongsong HAN (PRK) with a final second takedown to beat Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) 3-2. He will face Hasegawa in the final.

12:45: AMAN's comeback in the semifinal falls short as Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) closes out the match 12-10. Hasegawa led 6-1 but Aman made it 8-5. But a seatbelt move gave Hasegawa four points as he won 12-10.

12:30: Defending champion BAJRANG with a controlled 4-0 victory over Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) to enter the semifinal against Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI). It will be a rematch of the 2022 Asian Championships final which Amouzad won 3-1

12:15: Defending Asian Games champion at 68kg Feng ZHOU (CHN) with a quick 10-0 win over KANHA CHEA (CAM). On Mat B, Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE) pins Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) at 76kg. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR won 6-0 to advance to the 65kg semifinals. 

12:10: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) and Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) going for their fifth encounter in two years. Both wrestlers have won two bouts each. Tynybekova is put on the activity clock and Ozaki will go into the break leading 1-0. Tynybekova has a solid defense to Ozaki's double-leg shot. Ozaki put on the activity clock. She scores a takedown as soon as the activity clock expires to lead 3-1. Tynybekova tries to score a takedown for the win but Ozaki defends the 3-1 lead to win.

12:00: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) with a fall over Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL) at 76kg. The two-time world silver medalist at 72kg is making her debut at 76kg at an international competition.

11:50: AMAN up on Mat B against Ebrahim KHARI (IRI) in the 57kg quarterfinals. Khari with the first takedown but Aman scores a reversal. Khari with the second takedown to make it 4-1. Solid underhook from Khari and he manages to make it 6-1 as Aman struggles with his defense. A slip from Aman and Khari goes behind to score another takedown 8-1. Aman with an outside single to close the gap 8-3 at the break. An exposure to start the second period and then a double leg counter from Aman. He comes out with a lace to lead 9-8. Another takedown for Aman 11-8. A medical break for Khari and he comes out blazing but he can't score. Aman will get the takedown to make it 13-8. Aman now making Khari pay for the high-pace of wrestling. Aman will come back from 8-1 down to win 19-8 at 57kg.

11:40: After the mini break, quarterfinal action resumes. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), world silver medalist, pins Thi Linh DANG (VIE) at 76kg while Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN) with a fall over Hyeonyeong PARK (KOR) at 68kg

11:20: KIRAN holds on to a 3-0 win over former U20 Asian champion Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) to move to the 76kg semifinals.

11:10: Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL) with another 10-0 win. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) manages to see off Kaiki YAMAGUCHI (JPN) 2-1 in an absolutely no-action bout. He will move into the quarterfinals. On Mat B, BAJRANG, wrestling in his first bout in over a year, starts with a 10-0 win over RONIL TUBOG (PHI). He will take on Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) in the 65kg quarterfinals.

10:47: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) with a fall at 76kg, Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) with a 10-0 win at 62kg and U20 Asian champion Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) wins 11-0 against Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) at 65kg. Things moving so fast here.

10:45: A DPR Korea wrestler advancing at the expense of a Chinese wrestler, again! Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) led 3-1 against Jia LONG (CHN) before using an underhook throw to pin Long and advance at 62kg.

10:40: SONAM with a quick fall over Sushila CHAND (NEP) at 62kg but world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) is even quicker to pin SALINEE SRISOMBAT (THA)

10:35: Asian champion AMAN takes full six minutes to go past Sunggwon KIM (KOR) at 57kg. He scored two takedowns in his 6-1 win.

10:25: Former U23 world champion Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) starts his 57kg campaign with a 7-0 win over Minghu LIU (CHN). A solid warm-up for the Japanese.

10:10: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) with a stepout before Abbos RAKHMANOV (UZB) scored a takedown and roll. Amouzad gets a reversal. A takedown to make it 4-4 with Rakhmonov leading on criteria. Amouzad with another takedown to take a 6-4 lead. Rakhmonov with a single leg and takedown to reclaim the criteria lead 6-6 with two minutes still on the clock. Amouzad with a cross double leg finish, 8-6 lead for Amouzad. Rakhmonov shoots but Amouzad jumps and comes behind to increase the gap to four points. Rakhmonov with some desperate attempts but Amouzad hangs on for a 12-6 win.

10:12: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) has no trouble in beating Sanzhar MUKHTAR (KAZ) 10-0 with 36 seconds left on the clock. The underhook supremacy!

10:05: The first win of the day goes to Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) as he takes three minutes and 30 seconds to beat Nattawut KAEWKHUANCHUM (THA) 10-0 at 57kg.

10:00: Welcome to day three of the Asian Games. Five weight classes, two in Freestyle and three in Women's Wrestling highlight the day. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI), Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), Bajrang PUNIA, AMAN, Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), Feng ZHOU (CHN), Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) are some of the stars in action.