#WrestleSofia

Russia Puts All 3 Women Into Semis; Renteria's Quest for More Olympic Glory Ends

Friday, May 7, 2021 - 13:22 By Ken Marantz

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SOFIA, Bulgaria (May 7) -- A day after Russia assured it would send a full men's freestyle team to the Tokyo Olympics, the women have a chance to do the same with a task three times as hard.

All three Russian women advanced to the semifinals at the final world Olympic qualifying tournament on Friday in Sofia, Bulgaria, putting them one win away from securing berths at the Tokyo Games.

For two-time Olympic bronze medalist Jackeline RENTERIA (COL), the door to another Olympics was slammed shut when she fell 7-2 in the second round at 62kg to Kriszta INCZE (ROU).

Should Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) at 53kg, Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) at 57kg and Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) at 62kg be successful in the night session at the Arena Armeec Sport Hall, it will allow Russia to join Olympic host Japan, China and the United States as countries entered in all six women's weight classes in Tokyo.

Mongolia also has a chance to become a member of that elite group after Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) made it to the last four at 62kg, and did it in dramatic fashion.

Khurelkhuu was trailing 6-1 against Nathaly GRIMAN (VEN) with 1:14 left in their quarterfinal match when she used an arm drag to get behind, then levered her opponent over with a chicken wing to record a fall.

In the semifinal, Khurelkhuu will face Veranika IVANOVA (BLR), who stormed to an 11-0 technical fall over Mariana CHERDIVARA (MDA).

The other semifinal will pit Ovcharova, the 2019 world silver medalist at 59kg, against Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), who forced a stepout with :11 left to upend Berthe ETANE (CMR) 2-2 in the quarterfinals.

Ovcharova advanced with a victory by fall over Incze, this year's European bronze medalist at 65kg who couldn't replicate her giant-killing ways.

On Thursday, the Russian men completed the Olympic set in freestyle by filling the lone hole in the lineup at 125kg. The women came to Sofia with three places to fill, and their entrants have stepped up so far to the challenge.

Facing arguably the toughest task will be Chumikova at 57kg, as she has to face Grace BULLEN (NOR), who has been completely dominant in her quest to become just the second Norwegian woman in history to qualify for the Olympics.

Bullen, the 2020 European gold medalist and 2018 world U23 champion, opened her run by tearing apart Linda MORAIS (CAN), the 2019 world champion at 59kg. She then followed that with a 10-0 rout of 2020 European bronze medalist Sara LINDBORG (SWE).

Chumikova, this year's European silver medalist at 59kg, followed a technical fall with a 7-2 victory in the quarterfinals over 2019 European champion Emese BARKA (HUN).

"What can I say, today was great. I wrestled good," Chumikova said.

In the other 57kg semifinal, Giullia OLIVEIRA (BRA) will take on Mathilde RIVIERE (FRA). Oliveira advanced with a 16-5 technical fall over Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ), while Riviere won her opening match 5-0 then received a bye in the semis because of a double forfeit in the other half of her quarterfinal bracket.

"I am very happy with my performance today and I really believe that all the work I have done until now will give me the result that I have always dreamed for," Oliveira said. "I have really wanted to go to the Olympics since I was a kid."

While Russia was putting three wrestlers into the quarterfinals, Venezuela, which has no places yet at Tokyo, became the only other country with more than one, with Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) advancing at 53kg and Maria ACOSTA (VEN) at 76kg. Nineteen other countries have a single semifinalist.

Arguello defeated Sezen BELBEROVA (BUL) by fall to set up the showdown with Khoroshavtseva, who shrugged off giving up an early 4-point move before securing a lace lock and rolling to a 15-4 technical fall over Zeynep YETGIL (TUR).

The other 53kg semifinal will pit Samantha STEWART (CAN) against Andreea ANA (ROU).

Stewart, a bronze medalist at the Matteo Pellicone tournament earlier this year, chalked up a pair of technical falls, the second over Hilary HONORINE (FRA) to advance to the semifinals.

"Today has been really good and I am excited for this opportunity," Stewart said. "I have been training really hard for this. I am very focused on the next bout and I am planning like one takedown at the a time."

At 76kg, Acosta's path to Tokyo is currently blocked by Alla BELINSKA (UKR), the European champion at 72kg who will be aiming to give Ukraine a fifth women's berth. Acosta advanced with a 7-2 win over Patrycja SPERKA (POL), while Belinska topped Catalina AXENTE (ROU) 5-0.

Yasemin ADAR (TUR), the 2020 European silver medalist and 2019 champion, pinned 2019 world U23 and junior champion Milaimys MARIN (CUB) to make the other 76kg semifinal, where she will face Martina KUENZ (AUT), a 4-1 winner over Zsanett NEMETH (HUN).

That will be a rematch of their clash in the quarterfinals at the European Olympic qualifier in Budapest, which Kuenz won by fall after leading 9-5. That avenged two previous losses to Adar.

"I am here for the ticket and in the end it doesn't matter how I win the matches as long as I win them," Kuenz said. "Now I am wrestling in the Tokyo qualifying match. I am ready for it. Same thing, as long as I keep winning, I will be happy."

Kuenz said she does not feel pressure. "My mentality is my strength so I am just excited to fight again against the Turkish girl," she said. "In the last bout at European qualifier I won the match, and I am sure she is not excited about wrestling against me."

At 68kg, Rio 2016 Olympian Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) has a chance to become the lone wrestler in Tokyo from her country when she faces 2020 European champion Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL).

Hanzlickova defeated Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) 8-0, while Hristova followed an opening match fall with a 12-2 technical fall over Nisha DAHIYA (IND).

"I was nervous before my matches because this finger [left index] was injured before," Hanzlickova said. "And before the quarterfinal, I injured another one. I was nervous because of that.

"But right before the matches I felt good and confident and it went well. The quarterfinal was tough, but I was in control so I was able to win."

India will get a chance to pick up a fourth Olympic women's spot when Seema BISLA (IND) faces Anna LUKASIAK (POL) in the 50kg semifinals in a clash of continental bronze medalists.

The other berth will go to the winner between Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG).

Day 2 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg
Semifinals
Anna LUKASIAK (POL) vs Seema BISLA (IND)
Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) vs Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG)

Quarterfinals
Seema BISLA (IND) df. Emma MALMGREN (SWE) by Fall, 5:16 (10-2)
Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) by TF, 11-0, 4:22
Anna LUKASIAK (POL) df. Dauletbike YAKHSHIMURATOVA (UZB), 2-0
Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) df. Julie SABATIE (FRA), 4-2

53kg
Semifinals
Andreea ANA (ROU) vs Samantha STEWART (CAN)
Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) vs Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS)

Quarterfinals
Samantha STEWART (CAN) df. Hilary HONORINE (FRA) by TF, 10-0, 2:49
Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) df. Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) by TF, 15-4, 3:32
Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Luisa VALVERDE (ECU), 7-0
Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) df. Sezen BELBEROVA (BUL) by Fall, 4:21 (6-1)

57kg
Semifinals
Giullia OLIVEIRA (BRA) vs Mathilde RIVIERE (FRA)
Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) vs Grace BULLEN (NOR)

Quarterfinals
Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Sara LINDBORG (SWE) by TF, 10-0, 3:51
Giullia OLIVEIRA (BRA) df. Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ) by TF, 16-5, 4:36
Veronika CHUMIKOVA (RUS) df. Emese BARKA (HUN), 7-2
Mathilde RIVIERE (FRA) won by default

62kg
Semifinals
Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) vs Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL)
Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) vs Luisa NIEMESCH (GER)

Quarterfinals
Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) df. Nathaly GRIMAN (VEN) by Fall, 5:03 (5-6)
Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) df. Berthe ETANE (CMR), 2-2
Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) df. Mariana CHERDIVARA (MDA) by TF, 11-0, 1:57
Liubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) df. Kriszta INCZE (ROU) by Fall, 3:17 (6-0)

68kg
Semifinals
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) vs Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE)

Quarterfinals
Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) df. Nisha DAHIYA (IND) by TF, 12-2, 2:13
Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) df. Luz VAZQUEZ (ARG), 2-2
Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) df. Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU), 8-0
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Dalma CANEVA (ITA) by TF, 10-0, 3:42

76kg
Semifinals
Yasemin ADAR (TUR) vs Martina KUENZ (AUT)
Maria ACOSTA (VEN) vs Alla BELINSKA (UKR)

Quarterfinals
Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Catalina AXENTE (ROU), 5-0
Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Milaimys MARIN (CUB) by Fall, 1:40 (2-0)
Maria ACOSTA (VEN) df. Patrycja SPERKA (POL), 7-2
Martina KUENZ (AUT) df. Zsanett NEMETH (HUN), 4-1

#WrestleBaku, #WrestleParis

Livach stuns Stadnik; Adar, Kurachkina confirm Paris 2024 spots at European qualifier

Saturday, April 6, 2024 - 21:32 By Vinay Siwach

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (April 6) -- Five seconds separated Mariya STADNIK (AZE) and history.

Leading 2-0 against Oksana LIVACH (UKR), Stadnik could have become the first woman wrestler to qualify for five Olympic Games. However, Livach pinned her with five seconds remaining to stun the National Gymnastics Arena in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Livach did create history, becoming the first wrestler to beat Stadnik in a European event in a career that goes back 20 years. More importantly, Livach earned a Paris Olympic quota for Ukraine at 50kg.

This was the first time that Livach won against Stadnik with her latest loss at the European Championships semifinal in Bucharest in February.

"I just want to wrestle," Livach said. "I don't care about the opponent. This is the first time I have beaten her and it's amazing. She is a legend. It's a long journey to beat her. I worked hard to win here."

Livach trailed 2-0 with 11 seconds remaining in the bout when the referee called for a restart and Livach immediately hit a double-leg attack, putting Stadnik's back on the mat and held her, securing the fall.

"[In the last moments], I tried to keep her [Stadnik's] lead to a low number," she said. "At the last minute, I worked more and needed to attack. It was a tactic."

Ukraine now has two quotas for Paris Olympics as Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) won one in 62kg at the World Championships. The last chance World Qualifier in Istanbul from May 9 to 12 will present another opportunity for the wrestlers to win a quota.

"The Olympic qualification for Ukraine is very important," she said. "It is for my country, for people who support me. It's an unimaginable feeling."

Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (AIN) won the other Paris 2024 spot at 50kg as she defeated Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER), via fall after building a 12-2 lead. She led 2-0 at the break but shifted gears in the second period. She countered Blayvas' attempt to hit a toss and scored four points. She used a cradle to hit another four and secure the fall.

Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN)Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) defeated Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) to win at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Silver medalist in Tokyo at the 57kg weight class, Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) pulled off a last-minute takedown to beat Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) and earn a quota.

Kurachkina led Hrushyna 2-2 as she had a takedown against Hrushyna's sequence of one and one points. Hrushyna scored a pushout with 33 seconds left on the clock, forcing Kurachkina to attack more.

With just 10 seconds left, Kurachkina hit a double-leg and lifted Hrushyna to slam her the mat, earning four points and a 6-3 win.

The second spot at 57kg was earned by Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) who pinned Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) in the second period to confirm her spot. Paruszewski was leading 1-0 at the break for Kamaloglu's passivity. The Turkish wrestler began the second period with a takedown and took a 2-1 lead. Paruszewski never slowed down and used the underhook to keep Kamaloglu guessing.

She would ultimately use an underhook throw to put Kamaloglu's back on the mat and get the pin along with the Paris 2024 quota. Tokyo Olympian champion and Germany's first women's wrestling champion Aline FOCKEN (GER) would later rush to congratulate her.

Yasemin ADAR (TUR)Yasemin ADAR (TUR) won the Paris 2024 spot for Turkiye at 76kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

European champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) convincingly defeated former European medalists to qualify Turkiye for the Paris Games at 76kg. She opened the day with a 12-2 win over Epp MAR (EST) and finished it with a 6-2 controlled win over Martina KUNEZ (AUT).

Kuenz was returning to the mat since the Ranking Series in Bishkek in June 2023 and began well, taking a 1-0 lead but Adar countered Kuenz's half-hearted attacks and scored points, ultimately winning 6-2.

Hungary managed to secure the other spot at 76kg as Bernadett NAGY (HUN) won 2-0 against Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA). This marks the fourth straight Olympic in which Hungary qualified in Women's Wrestling. Mariana SASTIN (HUN) was the first woman to qualify for wrestling in London 2012.

At 53kg, Tokyo Olympian Andreea ANA (ROU) moved back to 53kg to qualify Romania and did that by beating Annika WENDLE (GER), 5-4, in the Paris qualification bout.

The bout was not as close as the scoreline suggests but Ana did slow down in the final minute. After taking a 5-0 lead, Ana gave up two stepouts, one point for fleeing and one point for a singlet pull.

"I think after leading 5-0, I became complacent," Ana said. "I will take a break for now and then prepare for the Paris Olympics."

Tokyo Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) suffered a heartbreaking loss to Natalia MALYSHEVA (AIN) at the 53kg after Malysheva pulled Prevolaraki from the back and pinned her to the mat, securing the fall and the Paris 2024 ticket.

Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL)Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) earned a spot at 62kg for Bulgaria. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Former world champion Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) picked up a Paris 2024 ticket for Bulgaria at 62kg after she beat Ameline DOUARRE (FRA), 3-0. Dudova had failed to finish on the podium at the European Championships. However, she did not let that win affect her and easily won the quota.

Alina KASABIEVA (AIN) earned the second quota at 62kg as she defeated Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA), 6-1.

Poland will have a representative at 68kg after 72kg regular Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) managed to score exposure in the dying moments of the bout to beat Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), 3-2.

Hanzlickova led 2-1 after she locked both of Choluj's arms and turned her for two points. She was on the verge of pinning Choluj but the Poland wrestler managed to sneak out of that position.

Choluj got on a single-leg and scored exposure to take 3-2 lead that she defended in the last 14 seconds to earn a spot for Paris.

Tokyo Olympian Khanum VELIEVA (AIN) was in no trouble beating Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR), 12-0, at 68kg to earn the second spot for the Paris Games.

dfg

RESULTS

50kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Oksana LIVACH (UKR) df. Mariya STADNIK (AZE), via fall (4-2)
SF 2: Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (AIN) df.  Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER), via fall (12-2)

53kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Annika WENDLE (GER), 5-4
SF 2: Natalia MALYSHEVA (AIN) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), via fall (8-0)

57kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) df. Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR), via fall
SF 2: Iryna KURACHKINA (AIN) df. Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR), 6-3

62kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) df. Ameline DOUARRE (FRA), 3-0
SF 2: Alina KASABIEVA (AIN) df. Mariana CHERDIVARA ESANU (MDA), 6-1

68kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE), 3-2
SF 2: Khanum VELIEVA (AIN) df. Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR), 12-0

76kg Paris Olympic Qualification Bouts
SF 1: Bernadett NAGY (HUN) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 2-0
SF 2: Yasemin ADAR (TUR) df. Martina KUENZ (AUT), 6-2