Russia, Iran Share Two FS Titles to Deny Azerbaijan at #WrestleUfa

Tuesday, August 17, 2021 - 18:54 By Vinay Siwach

UFA, Russia (August 17) – Ramazan BAGAVUDINOV (RUS) had been touted as the next big thing out of Dagestan and Russia but his previous international outings had resulted in only a bronze medal at the 2019 European Championships.

But that changed Tuesday as the young Russian clinched the junior world title in a stunning comeback win over Muhammed KARAVUS (TUR) in the 57kg final. Winning the title in front of his home crowd in Ufa, Russia made it extra special.

“I am really happy that I could finally get the gold,” Bagavudinov said.

Five freestyle world titles were awarded on the second day of the Junior World Championships which began in Ufa Monday with Russia and Iran winning two each while the USA also claimed one title.

Azerbaijan, which had three finalists Tuesday, failed to win the gold medal and returned with three silver medals which left the coaches disappointed.

Turkey also failed to win a gold medal despite having two finalists. Karavus was a point away from winning the gold but Bagavudinov scripted a win for the ages.

It began with a exposure for Karavus and then two points for a takedown. He then exposed the Russian with two guts and added a stepout to lead 9-0. But then came the offensive onslaught.

Bagavudinov began with a big four-point throw and added a stepout to make it 9-5. A single takedown reduced the lead to 9-7 before he tripped Karavus for two more points to lead 9-9 on criteria.

“After I got the four-point throw, I was planning to keep pressing more as I knew he would get tired eventually,” he said.

With less than 30 seconds to go, he managed to defend all attacks from the Turkey wrestler who was running out of steam. But in one final effort, Karavus got a chest wrap and exposed Bagavudinov for two points but also gave up two points when he could not get out of the Russian's grip.

“Honestly, I thought they wouldn’t give the two points to the Turkish wrestler, but then I saw the scoreboard, it was 11-11, and then I realized that I won,” he said.

The 11-11 win got huge reception from the limited crowd in Ufa Arena as fans who are fully vaccinated against COVID-19 or can provide proof of a negative COVID-19 report using a RT-PCR method are allowed.

Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) won the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The second gold medalist for Russia came at 65kg as Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) defeated Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE) 4-1 in the gold medal bout.

In contrast to the win of Bagavudinov, Mamedov had a controlled final and put on a defensive masterclass against Bayramov.

Bayramov opened the scoring when Mamedov gave up a point for being passive. But then the Russian upped his game and scored a takedown to lead 2-1. Bayramov managed to open scoring options but Mamedov's defense was on point throughout the match.

“I knew if I gave him a single leg, I would have still been able to defend, but a double leg would have been much tougher,” Mamedov said. “The final match was tough, as it always is. I was controlling the match and I managed to defend my lead, so I won.”

His ankle pick while defending a single leg gave Mamedov the two points and he defended another attack with a reverse lock to win 4-1.

Mamedov said winning the gold medal with his room partner Bagavudinov was a great experience and he had some nervous moments when his friend was trailing 0-9 in the 57kg final. But the comeback motivated Mamedov for his final as well.

“We are friends, We even stay in the same room. I am so happy we both won the gold medals,” he said. “I was watching him from the stands and I was worried a lot when the score was 9-0. When he won, it gave me more motivation to win.”

In the two Iran-Azerbaijan finals, both Iran wrestlers came out on top, ending Azerbaijan's day in disappointment.

Erfan ELAHI (IRI) stunned Dzharbrail GADZHIEV (AZE) in the 70kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Elahi was the first one to stun Dzharbrail GADZHIEV (AZE) in the 70kg final as he kept on the pressure and ultimately won 7-5.

Gadzhiev, a U23 European champion, began the scoring with a stepout but Elahi also scored a stepout. Gadzhiev scored a quick takedown to make it 3-1. Bur Elahi then managed three stepout against a tiring Gadzhiev to make it 4-3. Two stepouts from each wrestler changed the score to 6-5 but that was not enough for Gadzhiev. Iran got an extra point for a lost challenge from Azerbaijan.

Elahi said that his bouts were difficult but it was his training in Iran that helped him win in Ufa.

“I was on the mat for five matches and bouts were tough and high-pressure,” Elahi said. “I trained very hard before competition, even more than what I did on mat during competition.”

Elahi began as a gymnast before switching to wrestling and said that he will now look forward to winning the trial for Oslo World Championships and work towards the Paris Olympics by moving up to 74kg.

“This competition is one step for me for Norway so that I can enter the selection trials for the World Championship,” he said. “I will not remain in70kg because I am thinking about the Olympic Games and I will be 74kg for the Paris Games.”

Mohammad Ashghar NOKHODILARIMI (IRI Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) won the 79kg gold after defeating Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 79kg, Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) defeated Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE) with an identical score of 7-5, giving Iran the second gold of the day.

Like Gadzhiev, it was Ashirov who began the scoring and got a takedown. But Nokhodilarimi reversed and got two points as well. He then went for a duck under but pulled out and scored a takedown to make 4-2. A gut wrench increased the score to 6-2.

Ashirov began the second period with a fake to the right leg then scored a takedown from the left to reduce the lead. But he gave up one stepout before scoring one at the end which was not enough for a win.

Nokhodilarimi said that he was the underdog against Ashirov which made the win a special one for him. “I was underrated to my opponent,” he said before adding, “and he was dangerous for me but God helped me to win.”

Amos Braxton AMOS (USA) claimed the gold medal at 97kg for USA. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The final gold of the went to Braxton AMOS (USA). He defeated Polat POLATCI (TUR) 11-4 in the 97kg final with ease. The two big wrestlers exchanged throws to keep the crowd on its feet but Amos' breathtaking five-point throw was the move of the day.

Amos began with five stepout in the first period but just before the break, he locked with Polatci who managed to throw him and score four.

In the second period, Polatci tried to trip Amos but the USA wrestler went for an outside trip of his own and made a perfect back-arch to get the five-point throw. A step out at the end gave him one more point and he won 11-4.

Amos said it was a risky move to throw for five but it was worth taking. The West Virginia native is not focused on winning a NCAA title back in America.

“It's hard to explain to be world champ,” Amos said. “It means everything to me and I am thankful to everybody. I can't express anything.

“When I threw him for five, it was either I was going on my back or he was. I had to go for it and whatever happened, happened. When I get home, it's back to work. I have an NCAA title to win.”

Iran Continues Stunning Run

Iran's performance on Tuesday more or less confirmed the team title for them. They also made it to four out of the five remaining finals which will be played on Wednesday. The performance will give them their first-ever team title win since 2015.

Two-time cadet world champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) led the way with a victory via fall over Fedor BALTUEV (RUS) in the 61kg final. He will face two-time cadet bronze medalist RAVINDER (IND) who won 12-2 over Levik MIKAYELYAN (ARM).

Amouzadkhalili began with an exposure for two and a stepout to lead 3-0 but Baltuev lifted him for four and then an exposure to lead 6-3. Iran challenged the call but lost. In the second period, Amouzadkhalili pressed Baltuev towards the danger and then picked him for four points. Using her trademark whipovers, he managed to get the Russian in the grip and pinned him with 47 seconds remaining.

Ravinder worked hard for his 12-2 win over Mikayelyan. Both were tied 2-2 before Ravinder's pressure tired out the Armenian. A series of takedown and then a single leg for four finished the match 12-2.

He said it doesn't matter who he is facing in the final. “The world titles of the Iranian opponent don’t matter,” he said before adding, “I’ll just consider him as another opponent.”

At 74kg, Keegan OTOOLE (USA) created some outwardly moves to pin Idar KHATANOV (RUS). The Russian used cradle to exposure to lead 10-5 but Otoole used a cradle of his own to get a pin over Khatanov. In the quarterfinal, he stunned Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) with a similar move despite trailing.

He will wrestle Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ) in the final after he won 11-1 Stambul ZHANYBEK UULU (KGZ) using a leg lace.

France will have a chance to win their first freestyle junior world title in seven years as Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) made it to the final at 86kg. He defeated Emre CIFTCI (TUR) 4-2.

But his task will be cut out against Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) who is a cadet world champion from 2019. The Iran wrestler was in his element against Daviti KOGUASHVILI (GEO) to win 14-4.

Iran will have a chance to win a gold at 92kg as Mahdi HAJILOUEIANMORAFAH (IRI) made it to the final and will face Rocky ELAM (USA). The Iran wrestler won 10-0 Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA) while Rocky ELAM (USA) defeated Ivan KIRILLOV (RUS) 5-3 in the other semifinal.

At 125kg, Ali AKBARPOURKHORDOUNI (IRI) can add a sixth gold to cap off a remarkable campaign for them. He scored a top-notch win over Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) 8-5. He will face 2021 junior Euro champion Lyova GEVORGYAN (ARM).

Gevorgyan scored another win over Aydin AHMADOV (AZE) 10-0 as he did in the junior European Championships final.

Women's wrestling will begin Wednesday with 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg.

RESULTS FS Medal Bouts

57kg
GOLD: Ramazan BAGAVUDINOV (RUS) df Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR), 11-11

BRONZE: Assylzhan YESSENGELDI (KAZ) df Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE), 12-6
BRONZE: Manvel KHNDZRTSYAN (ARM) df Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), 6-2

65kg
GOLD: Shamil MAMEDOV (RUS) df Ziraddin BAYRAMOV (AZE), 4-1

BRONZE: Beau BARTLETT (USA) df Mustafo AKHMEDOV (TJK), 7-4
BRONZE: Bekzat YERMEKBAY (KAZ) df Seyedhassan EBADIMERMETI (IRI), 8-5

70kg
GOLD: Erfan ELAHI (IRI) df Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE), 7-5

BRONZE: Stanislav SVINOBOEV (RUS) df Kevin MAKOTA STROEM (SWE), 12-1
BRONZE: Bryce ANDONIAN (USA) df Stanislav NOVAC (MDA), 18-8

79kg
GOLD: Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) df Ashraf ASHIROV (AZE), 7-5

BRONZE: Gourav BALIYAN (IND) df Richard SCHROEDER (GER), 10-0
BRONZE: Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) df Makhambet NURZHAUBAYEV (KAZ), 4-1

97kg
GOLD: Braxton AMOS (USA) df Polat POLATCI (TUR), 11-4

BRONZE: Alireza ABDOLLAHI (IRI) df Radu LEFTER (MDA), 5-4
BRONZE: DEEPAK (IND) df Milan KORCSOG (HUN), 3-2

RESULTS Semifinals

61kg
GOLD: RAVINDER (IND) vs Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI)

SF 1: RAVINDER (IND) df Levik MIKAYELYAN (ARM), 12-2
SF 2: Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) df Fedor BALTUEV (RUS), via fall

74kg
GOLD: Keegan OTOOLE (USA) vs Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ)

SF 1: Keegan OTOOLE (USA) df Idar KHATANOV (RUS), via fall
SF 2: Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ) df Stambul ZHANYBEK UULU (KGZ), 11-1

86kg
GOLD: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) vs Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI)

SF 1: Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) df Emre CIFTCI (TUR), 4-2
SF 2: Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) df Daviti KOGUASHVILI (GEO), 14-4

92kg
GOLD: Mahdi HAJILOUEIANMORAFAH (IRI) vs Rocky ELAM (USA)

SF 1: Mahdi HAJILOUEIANMORAFAH (IRI) df Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA), 10-0
SF 2: Rocky ELAM (USA) df Ivan KIRILLOV (RUS), 5-3

125kg
GOLD: Ali AKBARPOURKHORDOUNI (IRI) vs Lyova GEVORGYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Ali AKBARPOURKHORDOUNI (IRI) df Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA), 8-5
SF 2: Lyova GEVORGYAN (ARM) df Aydin AHMADOV (AZE), 10-0

#JapanWrestling

Fumita Earns Ticket to Worlds, Higuchi Surprisingly Takes a Pass

Friday, May 22, 2026 - 16:22 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (May 22) -- Having followed nearly identical paths up to and after their triumphs at the Paris Olympics, Rei HIGUCHI suddenly diverged from Kenichiro FUMITA on an issue that no one had seen coming.

Higuchi captured the Freestyle 61kg title at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Championships in Friday in Tokyo, only to then make the stunning announcement that he would take a pass on a playoff for Japan's team to this year's World Championships.

Fumita earned a chance at a third world title and first since 2019 when he claimed the Greco-Roman 63kg gold, then handily defeated Asian bronze medalist Kaisei TANABE 9-1 in a playoff.

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) defeated Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), 3-0, in the 61kg final for Meiji Cup. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Takeo Yabuki)

Higuchi, the Paris gold medalist at 57kg, cited a single-minded desire to become a repeat Olympic champion as being behind his lack of interest in trying to add a world title to the one he claimed in 2022.

"In December, the qualifying process at 57kg starts for [the 2028] Los Angeles [Olympics]," Higuchi said. "There is the World Championships, but all I am thinking of is a second straight title in Los Angeles.

"Strategically speaking, I have six months from now to get my body ready and drop to 57kg, and I want to give that priority. That's how I came to this decision."

Fumita, a former teammate of Higuchi's at Nippon Sports Science University who now shares the same corporate sponsor, was neither critical nor surprised by the move.

"He has his own way of thinking," said Fumita, the Paris gold medalist at Greco 60kg. "To tell the truth, before the Meiji Cup, he continually said how he was not aiming for the World Championships. I thought, that's just like him."

"I'm the type who gets into the position where I earn the ticket first, then consider what I want to do. For him to be able to just make such a decision on the spot, I think is actually pretty cool."

The Meiji Cup is serving as the second of two qualifiers for the Asian Games (in the Olympic weights) and World Championships, both of which will be held in the fall. A wrestler who wins the first qualifier -- the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships held in December -- and the Meiji Cup earns the national team place outright; a playoff is held when the winners are different.

Higuchi set up the playoff, that he eventually spurned, by defeating Emperor's Cup champion Toshihiro HASEGAWA 3-0 in the 61kg final, scoring a spin-behind takedown and stepout in the first period.

"It was fun being back in competition for the first time in awhile, and I was excited and nervous," Higuchi said. "I didn't really feel much pressure.

"As the Olympic champion, I think there were some people expecting an upset. But win or lose, it's not going to change that I am the Olympic gold medalist. In that way, I paid no mind and could enjoy my wrestling."

Powering the 30-year-old Higuchi's quest for gold at Los Angeles is a desire to etch his place among -- or at the top -- of the greats in Japanese wrestling history. He wants to join the legendary Yojiro UETAKE, who won the Freestyle 57kg gold at the 1964 Tokyo and 1968 Mexico City Olympics, as the only Japanese males to win consecutive Olympic titles.

"In Japanese wrestling history, there has been only one [male] who has won back-to-back Olympic titles," Higuchi said. "My goal is to become the strongest wrestler in Japan history. There are many greats who came before me, and I want to top their records by ending with a second gold in Los Angeles."

With Higuchi stepping aside, Hasegawa automatically gained a chance to improve on the bronze medal he won at the 2021 World Championships.

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) battles it out during his 63kg final against Manato NAKAMURA (JPN). (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Takeo Yabuki)

Unlike Higuchi, Fumita had planned to return to action at the Emperor's Cup, but was forced to withdraw due to injury. His dominant run to his fifth career Meiji Cup gold and first since 2022 made victory all the sweeter.

"Being in the position of winning again makes me realize how great it is. Winning really is great," Fumita said. "I really kept my focus. From the time Paris was over to now, I thought quite a lot about my wrestling and how I wanted to approach it, and in the final and the playoff, I was able to bring out what I had imagined."

In the 63kg final, Fumita used a high chest wrap from par terre to score three exposures and finished off Manato NAKAMURA 9-0 in just over two minutes.

That put him into the playoff, held a few hours later following the medal ceremony. Tanabe, who nearly completed a rare Freestyle-Greco double at the Emperor's Cup, had defaulted his first-round match, ensuring he would be fresh for the playoff.

As impressive as Tanabe has been in his "side" job in Greco, he proved no match for the powerful and wily Fumita, who also has a Olympic silver and two other world medals to his credit.

From par terre, Fumita relied on the high chest wrap again, rolling Tanabe twice to take a 5-0 lead into the second period. Tanabe had his chance at par terre, only for Fumita to step over on a roll attempt for 2, then gain control and end the match with a gut wrench in 3:15.

"After taking a little rest, I was able to turn the switch back on," Fumita said. "Getting the ticket [to the World Championships] was my No. 1 objective, and first off, I was able to clear that. But I intend to eventually go back down to 60kg."

Tanabe, who is also part of the training group of past and current NSSU students, will attempt to win the Freestyle 65kg title over the next two days.

"Normally, he practices Freestyle, but sometimes joins in Greco," Fumita said. "He has entered competitions in Greco and even won a medal in Asia, so he definitely has the ability. As such, I had to dig deep and fight and stay aware of not giving him any openings.

"He's preparing to compete in Freestyle at 65kg tomorrow and the day after and I will switch over to his side and give him my total support."

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) scores upon Noah LEIBOWITZ (JPN) during 97kg final. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.com / Takeo Yabuki)

Yoshida Secures Return Trip to Worlds

In other action, world bronze medalist Arash YOSHIDA, coming off a second consecutive gold-medal run at the Asian Championships, won a second straight title at Freestyle 97kg with a 11-0 victory over up-and-coming teenager Noah LEIBOWITZ.

The result was a repeat of the final at the Emperor's Cup, thus clinching Yoshida's spot on the national team to the Worlds.

"Along with aiming to win, my objective was to use what I worked on in practice," Yoshida said. "But looking at it that way, there were more things I didn't use, so I need to practice so that they come out in matches.

"My opponent has a strong attack, and that makes it easy to wear yourself out. So my plan to was to let him shoot, stop it and get behind, and that's just how it went."

At Freestyle 70kg, Yuma TOMIYAMA received a victory by default over Taishi NARIKUNI, who suffered a severe facial injury earlier in the day in a Greco match.

Narikuni, who completed the Freestyle-Greco double at the Emperor's Cup that eluded Tanabe, was hospitalized and will undergo surgery on a broken eye socket, according to family members.

In Women's Wrestling, two Asian silver medalists earned their first trips to the senior Worlds, one outright and the other through the playoff route.

At 65kg, Nana IKEHATA, the 2024 world U20 champion, followed up her triumph at the Emperor's Cup with a 9-2 victory over Hiyori MOTOKI.

Mahiro YOSHITAKE avenged a loss in the semifinals to eventual 72kg champion Shirin TAKEMOTO, winning their playoff 5-1. Earlier, Takemoto defeated Chisato YOSHIDA 11-0 in the final.

One of the day's bronze-medal matches took sibling rivalry to the extreme, as Daizo TANIZAKI got the better of younger brother Konosuke at Greco 82kg. Daizo used a front headlock for a 4-point throw, then kept hold to add two rolls to win 8-0 in 1:14.

Day 2 Results

Freestyle

61kg
GOLD: Rei HIGUCHI df. Toshihiro HASEGAWA, 3-0

BRONZE: Rikito SASAKI df. Kosei KANEKO, 8-2
BRONZE: Akito MUKAIDA df. Meiryu AKAMINE, 4-1

70kg
GOLD: Yuma TOMIYAMA df. Taishi NARIKUNI by Inj. Def.

BRONZE: Taichi YAMAGUCHI df. Kaito MORITA, 9-5
BRONZE: Shina YASUMI df. Taishin HONNA, 2-1

92kg
GOLD: Sorato KANAZAWA df. Ryogo ASANO, 6-5

BRONZE: Takeru TAKESHIGE df. Yuya YOSHIDA, 12-4
BRONZE: Takato UCHIDA df. Ryuki NOSE, 9-0

97kg
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA df. Noah LEIBOWITZ by TS, 11-0, 5:33

BRONZE: Satoshi MIURA df. Daiki ITO by TS, 14-1, 5:48
BRONZE: Toyoki HAMADA df. Yuto UEKI by Fall, 3:41 (4-1)

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Kagetora OKAMOTO df. Keidai ITO, 6-5

BRONZE: Mizuki ARAKI df. Hiro SAKAMOTO by Inj. Def.
BRONZE: Sanshiro TAKAHASHI df. Taketo NINOMIYA, 6-4

63kg
GOLD: Kenichiro FUMITA df. Manato NAKAMURA by TS, 9-0, 2:03

BRONZE: Kensho NATAMI df. Rikito SASAKI, 7-3
BRONZE: Shoya ITO df. Ryota Koshiba, 2-1

World team playoff: Fumita df. Kaisei TANABE by TS, 9-1, 3:15

82kg
GOLD: Tatsuya FUJII df. Tesshin HIGUCHI by TS, 10-1, 4:15

BRONZE: Yahiro MOTOHASHI df. Isshin ONITSUKA, 4-2
BRONZE: Daizo TANIZAKI df. Konosuke TANIZAKI by TS, 8-0, 1:16

130kg
GOLD: Sota OKUMURA df. Yuta NARA, 1-1

BRONZE: Koei YAMADA df. Tsubasa HARUKAZE by Fall, :19 (2-0)
BRONZE: Kosei MIYAKE df. Shion OBATA by Fall, 2:00 (2-1)

World team playoff: Nara df. Okumura, 2-1

Women’s Wrestling

55kg
GOLD: Nagisa HARADA df. Konami ONO, 7-7

BRONZE: Yuna SAWATANI df. Narumi NAKAMURA, 3-0
BRONZE: Ruka NATAMI df. Haru UCHINO, 6-5

59kg
GOLD: Natsuki YAMAGUCHI df. Nagisa ITO, 3-2

BRONZE: Himeka HASEGAWA, no match
BRONZE: Miuna KIMURA df. Risa MOTOHARA, 4-1

65kg
GOLD: Nana IKEHATA df. Hiyori MOTOKI, 9-2

BRONZE: Misuzu ENOMOTO df. Kotone HIRATA by TS, 10-0, 4:34
BRONZE: Momoko KITADE df. Haruka KOBARU, 1-1

72kg
GOLD: Shirin TAKEMOTO df. Chisato YOSHIDA by TS, 11-0, 5:26

BRONZE: Mahiro YOSHITAKE df. Makia KIMURA by Fall, 1:34 (6-0)
BRONZE: Kaede MATSUYAMA df. Ai SAKAI, 4-0

World team playoff: Yoshitake df. Takemoto, 5-1

Russia, Iran Share Two FS Titles to Deny Azerbaijan at #WrestleUfa

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Fumita Earns Ticket to Worlds, Higuchi Surprisingly Takes a Pass