Russia Delights Ufa with 3 GR Gold Medals

Saturday, August 21, 2021 - 16:49 By

UFA, Russia (August 21) -- Russia did not win the team titles in freestyle and women's wrestling but they virtually confirmed the Greco-Roman title at the Junior World Championships after winning three gold medals Saturday.

In a dominating performance at the Ufa Arena, Russia won the titles at 63kg, 77kg and 87kg while Iran captured the gold at 55kg while Turkey won the 130kg gold medal.

But it was special for Said BAKAEV (RUS) who won the top medal in front of his home crowd in Ufa. In an emotional final, Bakaev defeated two-time junior Euro champion Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) 9-0 in the first period.

Bakaev went for a throw from the standing position to get two points but Russia challenged the call and asked for four points. The jury reviewed the call and Russia won the challenge. Bakaev then scored a stepout. A final takedown gave Bakaev two more points and won 8-0. Georgia lost the challenge, giving one more point and Bakaev won 9-0 in the first period.

"I can’t explain what I feel," Bakaev said. "The Georgian wrestler is a tough opponent but maybe I was better prepared mentally this time.

"I realize that I became the best in the world. As soon as I go down from the podium, I am a just an athlete and I have to start training all over again. It’s just a junior Worlds, I have to aim for the senior Worlds."

Bakaev explained that he prepared well for the tournament, both on the mat and mentally.

"The coaches told me to go on the mat and get the gold medal," he said. "They told me it was my place and that I deserved it. Mental preparation is really I important for such big tournaments."

Russia's success at the tournament was one thing that Bakaev was excited about and said that the team was better than anyone else.

"In Russia we train really hard," he said. "We are almost never at home. We stay home for a week and then back to the training camp. I am sure we are better than the others. There is no need to be afraid. The others should be afraid of us."

Islam Aliev

More metal was collected by Russia as Islam ALIEV (RUS) won the gold medal at the 77kg. He was wrestling Exauce MUKUBU (NOR), who had finished fifth at the last junior Worlds. Aliev never let Mukubu take control of the bout.

As Mukubu began pressuring Aliev early in the match, the Russian positioned himself in a better way and used underhooks and momentum to score points. Aliev scored the first takedown on the edge to lead 2-0 and then another two when Mukubu tried throwing but failed to expose. In all of one minute, Aliev captured the gold with a arm-bundle to arm spin throw for four points.

The quick finish was something he had on his mind before even stepping on the mat and the crowd made it special.

"I was going to the mat to finish the match ahead of time," Aliev said. "The World Championships was great for me. I loved the fans and the atmosphere."

Amriev

The third gold for Russia was won by Adlan AMRIEV (RUS) as he defeated Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) 5-1 in the 87kg final. Netherlands were hoping for their first Greco-Roman world champ in 43 years but Amriev had other plans.

He began with a stepout and then got another point for Sterkenburg's passivity. He managed to get a throw from par terre. Sterkenburg scored a point for reversal but another stepout for Amriev extended his lead to 5-1 which was also the final score of the bout.

Wrestling in front of his home fans made Amriev feel the pressure but winning in front of home crowd was big motivation for him.

"On the one hand, I felt the support, but on the other, I could feel the pressure as well," he said. "When I wrestle, I never tell anybody about it. This time all my family, friends knew that.

"Some of them are watching the matches at home on TV, a lot of them are here watching at the venue. I am from Ufa, so many people came here today. Thanks a lot to all of them."

Back in 2019, Russia won four gold, two silver and one bronze medal but Amriev believes this year that record will be shattered and three more Russian wrestlers are going for gold Sunday.

"I think our generation will set a new record. We already have 3 gold medals and one bronze there are 3 more wrestlers in the final," he said.

DEHBOZORGI

Iran made sure they get a Greco-Roman world champion as Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) defeated Alimardon ABDULLAEV (UZB) 3-1 in a slow-paced 55kg final. But Dehbozorgi was tactically better than his Uzbek opponent.

Abdullaev got the 1-0 lead in the first period after Dehbozorgi was called passive but he managed to defend his par terre position. But when he got the advantage for Abdullaev's passivity, he then scored a takedown and led 3-1. He defended his lead till the clock expired.

Junior European champion Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) added a junior world title to his collection after he defeated Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE) 3-1 at 130kg. Bakir's win makes him a prospect to take over at the heavyweight weight class after three-time world champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR) retires.

The four points in the final came via passivity and stepouts but it was Bakir who scored three and Mammadov scored only one which gave Bakir the title.

3 More Russia Wrestlers in Finals

Russia is on a roll at the home Junior World Championships as three more wrestlers entered the Greco-Roman finals on the penultimate day of the competition.

Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS), Evgeni BAIDUSOV (RUS) and Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) all made it to the finals, increasing the number of Russian finalists to six and moving closer to the Greco-Roman team title.

Armenia managed to get two wrestlers in the finals as well while Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia, Netherlands and Belarus also got one each in the final.

Bammatov, a silver medalist from junior Euros, defeated former cadet world champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) 9-0 in the 60kg semifinals. It was a quick one as Mammadali was called passive and Bammatov went for two big four points from par terre to win the bout.

He will face another cadet world champion in Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI). He went past Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL) with an easy 8-0 win. The bout finished in the first period as Esmaeili Leivesi used a stepout and then finished the bout with three guts as Salimov was called passive.

At 72kg, Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) will face Baidusov as he defeated Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM) 8-1 in the semifinal. The junior Euro champ defended from par terre against the returning silver medalist and then scored eight points to win.

Baidusov's semifinal had 4:47 seconds left when he defeated junior Euro silver medalist Attila TOESMAGI (HUN) 8-0. He began with a takedown and come back with a big four using body lock. In the same move, he used a arm-trap to get the roll and the win.

Braxton AMOS (USA) was trying to become a double world champion after winning the freestyle title at 97kg but he hit the wall in the semifinals as Mileshin handed him a 9-0 defeat. Mileshin won the junior Euros this year and will look to win his first world title after finishing second at the cadet level.

It took him two minutes and 50 seconds to get a takedown, two guts and another takedown over Amos to win amid the cheers of the local crowd.

Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR) will challenge him in the final after he made it to the final two defeating Morteza ALGHOSI (IRI) 10-1. It was another powerful show from Hlinchuk as he used three guts and a takedown to finish the match.

A day after his twin brother made it to the final, Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) also made it to the final at 82kg and will wrestle Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM).

Sterkenburg was wrestling Mykyta ALIEKSIEIEV (UKR) in the semifinal and attacked from the first go. When he got the par terre advantage, he managed to get the gut wrench to lead 3-0. He went for a big body lock and throw in the semifinal before a stepout finished the bout 8-0 with 2:28 seconds remaining.

Khachatryan had a similar bout as well and defeated Ravi MALIK (IND) 9-0 to book his spot in the final. Once Malik was called passive, the Armenian used three gut wrenches to lead 7-0 and a stepout. India challenged the final call but lost.

Another Armenian in the final was Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) who defeated Marian HOLUBOVSKYI (UKR) 3-0. The returning silver medalist from 60kg kept it simple against the Ukrainian as he got a point for passivity and his gut wrench made it 3-0. No points were scored in the second period.

He will face junior Euro champ Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE). In the semifinal, Jafarov was dominant against Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) and won 10-0. Snjoyan was passive in the first period and gave up a gut wrench to trail 0-3.

A takedown and two rolls made it 9-0 for Jafarov and an out of bounds was called when the action finished, making the score 10-0 with 2:13 remaining.

GR Medal Bouts Results

55kg
GOLD: Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) df Alimardon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 3-1

BRONZE: Akyikat KULZHIGIT UULU (KGZ) df Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK), 9-0
BRONZE: Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) df Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ), 3-1

63kg
GOLD: Said BAKAEV (RUS) df Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 10-0

BRONZE: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) df Manuel STOICA (ROU), 9-0
BRONZE: Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) df Ismail ORUCOGLU (TUR), 3-1

77kg
GOLD: Islam ALIEV (RUS) df Exauce MUKUBU (NOR), 8-0

BRONZE: Mohammadhossein AZARMDOKHT (IRI) df Emad ABOUELATTA (EGY), 8-4
BRONZE: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df Giorgi SHPETISHVILI (GEO), 8-0

87kg
GOLD: Adlan AMRIEV (RUS) df Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED), 5-1

BRONZE: Tansel ORTUCU (TUR) df Shakhriyor JURABOEV (UZB), 5-3
BRONZE: Oleksandr PRYMACHENKO (UKR) df Lachin VALIYEV (AZE), 3-1

130kg
GOLD: Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) df Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: Armen CHOLOKIAN (RUS) df Razmik KURDYAN (ARM), 3-1
BRONZE: Amirmohammad BAYAT (IRI) df Nikolaos NTOUNIAS (GRE), 6-3

GR Semifinal Results

60kg
GOLD: Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS) vs Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI)

SF 1: Dinislam BAMMATOV (RUS) df Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), 9-0
SF 2: Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) df Arslanbek SALIMOV (POL), 8-0

67kg
GOLD: Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) vs Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE)

SF 1: Sahak HOVHANNISYAN (ARM) df Marian HOLUBOVSKYI (UKR), 3-0
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df Gagik Mishai SNJOYAN (FRA), 10-0

72kg
GOLD: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) vs Evgenii BAIDUSOV (RUS)

SF 1: Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) df Shant KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 8-1
SF 2: Evgenii BAIDUSOV (RUS) df Attila TOESMAGI (HUN), 8-0

82kg
GOLD: Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM) vs Marcel STERKENBURG (NED)

SF 1: Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df Ravi MALIK (IND), 9-0
SF 2: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) df Mykyta ALIEKSIEIEV (UKR), 8-0

97kg
GOLD: Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) vs Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR)

SF 1: Aleksei MILESHIN (RUS) df Braxton AMOS (USA), 9-0
SF 2: Pavel HLINCHUK (BLR) df Morteza ALGHOSI (IRI), 10-1

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Day 3 Blog: China, DPR Korea shine

Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 08:33 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 27) -- Asian Championships enters day three with Women's Wrestling in 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 RESULTS

76kg gold medal bout: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs REETIKA (IND)

14:11: REETIKA (IND) gives India a presence in the finals with a victory by fall over Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at 76kg, giving her a chance to avenge a quarterfinal loss at the Paris Olympics to Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ). Reetika, the 2023 world U23 champion, had an answer for everything Yamamoto attempted. The Indian opened the scoring with a double-leg takedown, getting the points by going over the edge as Yamamoto attempted a counter lift, then added a takedown to go ahead 4-0 at the break. In the second period, Reetika got 2 more with a counter-lift of her own off a scramble, then ended the match when she slammed Yamamoto to the mat for 4 and secured the fall at 4:13.

14:07: Quick movement from Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and she cradles Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) for a fall in the 76kg semifinals! Kim escaped Medet Kyzy's cradle but the Kyrgyz managed to still pin Kim on her back.

68kg gold medal bout: Zelu LI (CHN) vs Sol Gum PAK (PRK)

14:02: In a clash of Paris Olympians, Sol Gum PAK (PRK) gets a pair of stepouts, the second coming with Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) on the activity clock, to take a 3-0 lead in their 68kg semifinal. In the second period, Pak gets 2 when she counters a takedown attempt with a Greco-like back throw. Pak adds another stepout, then scores 2 when she stops a headlock attempt and, despite giving up a late takedown, she's through to the final in her senior Asian debut with an 8-2 win. Enkhsaikhan, a 2023 world silver medalist, will have to be content battling for a fourth career Asian bronze and fifth medal overall.

14:00: Zelu LI (CHN) will clash with Paris fifth-placer Sol Gum PAK (PRK) for the 68kg gold medal after she takes down world U17 champion Mansi LATHER (IND) 10-1 in the semifinal with some brute strength and counters. Li was pretty defensive in the first period and got put on the activity clock. Lather led 1-0 and tried getting a stepout but Li defended and circled to score a takedown. She laced with a bent knee to make it 4-1 at the break. Lather was on the attack in the second period as well but Li's strength was little too much as she fails to finish after a single-leg attack. Li manages to get out of the hold and scores a takedown for a 6-1 lead. A double leg throw for four to make it 10-1 which she defends for the final minute and win.

59kg gold medal bout: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) vs. Pyol HONG (PRK)

13:51: Pyol HONG (PRK), a newcomer onto the international scene, takes it directly to veteran Mengyu XIE (CHN), a former world bronze medalist and Asian champion, in their 59kg semifinal. Hong scores a single-leg takedown in the first period, then adds another in the second. Hong defends against a pair of tackle attempts and she's through to the final with a 4-0 victory.

13:46: World U20 champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) needs only 42 seconds to beat Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) in the 59kg semifinal. Onishi with a head-outside single and gut-wrenches for a 4-0 lead. She transitions into a lace and gets the 10-0 win to enter the final.

55kg gold medal bout: Yuxuan LI (CHN) vs Kyong Ryong LI (PRK)

13:42: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) will get a chance to improve on her silver medal from last year at 55kg after overwhelming Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB). Oh starts out with a single-leg takedown and adds a lace lock. Matnazarova squirms out of the lock and attempts a switch, but Oh presses forward and stuffs Matnazarova onto her back, then secures a fall at 1:58.

13:42: Yuxuan LI (CHN), who made her international debut at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series 2025, is into the final at 55kg of Asian Championships. A meek surrender by Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) as Li gut-wrenches her way to the final.

50kg gold medal bout: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) vs. Yu ZHANG (CHN)

13:39: Two-time Asian champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) with a strategic win over Myonggyong WON (PRK) in the 50kg semifinal. Won got a 1-0 lead after Yoshimoto was put on the activity clock. But Yoshimoto scores a takedown in the second period when Won is on the clock to lead 3-1. Won tries a arm-throw which is blocked by Yoshimoto and she countries with a go-behind and gets a takedown. She defends her 5-1 lead, never allowing Won to reach her legs.

13:36: World U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN) will battle for her first senior-level gold after sweeping to a 10-0 victory over Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ) in the 50kg semifinals. Zhang starts off with a single-leg takedown, then adds 2 with a high-thigh lock and roll. She spins behind for another takedown to make it 6-0. Ankicheva attempts an inside trip, but Zhang thwarts the effort and spins behind for 2, then hits a regular lace lock to finish her off in 2:43.

The semifinals will begin at 13:30 local time in Amman

12:47: In the final bout of the session, world U23 bronze medalist Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) scores an opportunistic takedown with :23 left to defeat Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) 4-2 and advance to the 76kg semifinals. Yamamoto opened the scoring with a takedown, but Enkh Amar, the 2023 world silver medalist at 72kg, came back with a takedown at the first-period buzzer. It looked like the Mongolian's defenses would hold in the second period when Yamamoto appeared to stumble. Enkh Amar made a charge at her, but Yamamoto deftly shrugged her aside and spun behind for the winning takedown.

12:38: REETIKA (IND), the 2023 world U23 champion, books her place in the 76kg semifinals with a one-sided 10-0 win over Seoyeon JEONG (KOR).

12:40: Aiperi MEDEY KYZY (KGZ) passes the Chinese test with ease. She got a point for YANGLA (CHN) passivity and then scored a nice double-leg attack for two points. With a 3-0 lead, Medet Kyzy defends it and wins to enter the 76kg semifinals

12:37: Sol Gum PAK (PRK), fifth at the Paris Olympics, secures her spot in the 68kg semifinals with an 11-4 victory over returning bronze medalist Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ).

12:36: In an unexpected twist, Mansi LATHER (IND) is awarded a victory by forfeit in her 68kg quarterfinal when world 72kg champion and tournament favorite Ami ISHII (JPN) becomes a late withdrawal due to injury.

12:34: Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) ends 33-year-old Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ)'s bid for a third Asian gold at 76kg when she wears down the eight-time Asian medalist and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist before securing a 12-0 victory at 5:16.

12:30: World silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) keeps hitting double-leg attacks and scores two takedowns and a stepout for a 5-0 lead against Miju KIM (KOR). Another takedown and turn for a 9-0 lead before Enkhsaikhan holds Kim on the mat and secures the fall inside first period and reach the 68kg semifinals.

12:25: China puts another wrestler into the semifinals when Mengyu XIE (CHN), a 2022 world bronze medalist at 55kg and former Asian champion, storms to a 10-0 victory over Hyeonju KWON (KOR) at 59kg.

12:25: Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) led 2-1 at the break against Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ) but she changes levels in the second period and adds takedowns on counter to win 8-2 and advance to the semifinals.

12:22: It's simultaneous wins for China wrestlers named Li on Mats B and C. On Mat B, Zelu LI I(CHN) secures a quick fall over Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) to advance to the 68kg semifinals, and seconds later, Yuxuan LI (CHN) completes a 2-0 victory in the 55kg quarterfinals over Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE).

12:19: In one of the feature matches of the afternoon session, it's multi-world champion Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) up against Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) for a place in the 55kg semifinals. Murayama Okuno gets an activity point, but Oh responds with a single-leg takedown to lead 2-1 at the break. In the second period, Murayama Okuno scores a takedown after she finally gets behind Oh, who looks like a U.S. collegiate wrestler doing sit-outs. Then things get real interesting, as Oh scores a takedown, but Murayama Okuno responds with one of her own with :35 to go for a 5-4 lead. But with :10 left, Oh gets behind for a takedown for a dramatic 6-5 win. Whew!

12:15: World U20 champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN), making her Asian Championships debut, is tested by MUSKAN (IND). Onishi scores two takedowns but cannot finishes her lace. Muskan fakes a couple of attempts and scores a go-behind to make it 4-2. Onishi keeps her calm, comes back for another takedown to lead 6-2. No more trouble for Onishi as she laces her way to a 12-2 win at 59kg.

12:13: Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) is into the 55kg semifinals with an 11-0 win over Zulfiya YAKHYAROVA (KAZ). Leading 3-0 in the second period, Bayanmunkh twice scores a double-leg takedown and adds a 2-point exposure.

12:12: Myonggyong WON (KOR) makes it two wins out of two and enters the 50kg semifinals! She needs 19 seconds in the second period against Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) to finish the bout 11-0.

12:08: Yu ZHANG (CHN) gets a takedown, uses a grapevine and cross-face to put Nipuni WASANA (SRI) on her back, then secures a fall in 1:02 to secure a spot in the 50kg semifinals.

12:05: YANGLA (CHN) too unleashes the strong gut-wrench before pinning Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB) at 76kg. Yangla had a 10-0 lead but decided to secure the fall.

12:04: Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ) gets creative in her 50kg quarterfinal with Yi Hui LIN (TPE), locking up an arm and a leg with her back to Lin to score a takedown and gain two 2-point exposures. In the second period, Ankicheva uses an inside trip to slam Lin to back and secures the fall.

12:00: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) gets another technical superiority win at 50kg. Miran CHEON (KOR) tried a few tricks but Yoshimoto has the arm-bar which gets her a 4-0 lead before she finishes 11-0, including a lost challenge from Korea.

11:57: Layal SUKKAR (JOR) makes history when she takes the mat against Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB) for her 55kg quarterfinal match, becoming the first-ever Jordanian woman to compete at the senior Asian Championships. Matnazarova works a 2-on-1 and Sukkar is put on the activity clock, during which Matnazarova scores a takedown for a 3-0 lead. She adds another takedown before the break. In the second period, Matnazarova gets a quick takedown and ends the match by fall.

11:55: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) shows why you never give up, coming back to defeat Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) by fall while trailing 8-0 at 68kg.

11:51: Another big win for the DPR Korea as Pyol HONG (PRK) cruises to a 10-0 victory over Sarbinaz JIENBAEVA (UZB) at 59kg.

11:47: Yuxuan LI (CHN) adds to India's loss column. She gets the takedown on NISHU (IND) and then enforces the lethal gut-wrench that Chinese wrestlers have mastered to win 10-0 at 55kg.

11:46: Two-time Asian U23 champion Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) has no trouble putting away Hyerim LEE (KOR) 10-0 to advance to the 55kg quarterfinals.

11:44: Two-time Asian champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) got the arm-bar to pin ANKUSH (IND), who managed to roll over and survive. But she failed to defend Yoshimoto's lace. Yoshimoto wins 10-0 at 50kg

11:42: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK), last year's losing finalist at 55kg, gives up a 2-point counter against Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ) in their 50kg match, but comes back with a pair of deep double-leg takedowns, then turns her opponent over enough times for a 13-2 win. She will next face three-time world champion and top seed Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN).

11:40: Yi Hui LIN (TPE) was made to work hard for her 8-1 win over Thi Nga DUONG (VIE) in the opening bout at 50kg. Duong kept going for attacks while Lin countered them perfectly to score four different takedowns.

11:37: Myonggyong WON (PRK), an Asian U20 bronze medalist back in 2019, needs some time to get Gozel KURBANOVA (TKM) to hit her knees to the mat in their 50kg opener. But once she does, Won goes immediately to a lace lock, rolls four times and the match is over 10-0 in 45 seconds.

11:35: World U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN), competing in her second senior international tournament, gets off to a strong start with a 10-0 victory over Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) at 50kg.

Russia Delights Ufa with 3 GR Gold Medals

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Asian Championships 2025 Day 3 Blog: China, DPR Korea shine