#WrestleSofia

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

By Ken Marantz

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

#WrestleAlexandria

African & Oceania OG Qualifier 2024 Entry List

By United World Wrestling Press

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (March 17) -- The second continental qualifier for the Paris Olympic Games will be held in Alexandria, Egypt. The African and Oceania OG Qualifiers will see 192 wrestlers from 33 countries competing to earn the 36 quotas for the Paris Games.

Beginning on March 22 with Greco-Roman, the tournament will offer the quotas to the winners of the semifinals in each of the six Olympic weight classes. Women's Wrestling will be held on March 23 and Freestyle on March 24.

The African and Oceania OG Qualifiers can be watched live on uww.org or the UWW App. Subscribe to UWW+ to get unlimited access.

Freestyle

57kg
Abdelhak KHERBACHE (ALG)
Roland TAMBI NFORSONG (CMR)
Alexander BUCKMAN (CPV)
Gamal MOHAMED (EGY)
Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS)
Thomas SANTIAGO (GUM)
Ben TARIK (MAR)
Younes LACHGAR (MAR)
Enozunimi SIMEON (NGR)
Daroa OLSSON (NRU)
Suraj SINGH (NZL)
Mika LEHMKUEHL (RSA)
Omar FAYE (SEN)
Ibrahim BUNDUKA (SLE)
KHALIL BARKOUTI (TUN)

65kg
Chouaib SAHRAOUI (ALG)
Manaceu NGONDA (ANG)
Georgii OKOROKOV (AUS)
Samuel DOHYA KALE (CMR)
Anthony WESLEY (CPV)
Omar MOURAD (EGY)
Junjun ASEBIAS (FSM)
Gibriel CHOW (GAM)
Wotna NDOC (GBS)
Thierno DIALLO (GUI)
Ethan AGUIGUI (GUM)
Otmane EL BAHJA (MAR)
Stephen IZOLO (NGR)
Lowe BINGHAM (NRU)
Cole HAWKINS (NZL)
Cristian NICOLESCU (PLW)
Gaku AKAZAWA (SAM)
Sylvio DIATTA (SEN)
Sahid KARGBO (SLE)
Farouk JELASSI (TUN)

74kg
Abdelkader IKKAL (ALG)
Francisco KADIMA (ANG)
Ethan THOMAS (AUS)
Israel NIYONKURU (BDI)
Baki TCHANI (BEN)
Jacques MONTY MBOUGOU (CMR)
Joao  BARBOSA VICENTE (CPV)
Amr REDA (EGY)
Bacar NDUM (GBS)
John ROJAS (GUM)
Mathayo MAHABILA (KEN)
Aime RAKOTONIAINA (MAD)
Rayanne ESSAIDI (MAR)
Oyeinkeperemo BRAVEMAN (NGR)
Linus VAN RENSBURG (RSA)
Mamadou DIOUF (SEN)
Khairiddine BEN TLILI (TUN)

86kg
Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG)
Jayden Alexander LAWRENCE (AUS)
Cedric ABOSSOLO (CMR)
Matteo MONTEIRO FURTADO TRESSE (CPV)
Ahmed MAHMOUD (EGY)
Mohamed CAMARA (GUI)
Mark ONGUYESI (KEN)
Youssef AIT BOULAHRI (MAR)
Jean STE MARIE (MRI)
Harrison ONOVWIOMOGBOHWO (NGR)
Edward LESSING (RSA)
Siny SEMBENE (SEN)
Imed KADDIDI (TUN)

97kg
Wali KEBIR (ALG)
Thomas BARNS (AUS)
Franck ANABA (CMR)
Mostafa ELDERS (EGY)
Babacarr MBOGE (GAM)
Emmanuel OSEI SARFO (GHA)
Anas SAMIR (MAR)
Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA)
Maulalo ALOFIPO (SAM)
Pape NDIAYE (SEN)
Mohamed SAADAOUI (TUN)

125kg
Hemza HALOUI (ALG)
Amoussou CAKPO (BEN)
Georges TCHADIE (CMR)
Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY)
Issah FUSEINI (GHA)
Oussama ASSAD (MAR)
Ashton MUTUWA (NGR)
Marcus CARNEY (NZL)
Justin VAN ZYL (RSA)
Modou FAYE (SEN)
Hamza RAHMANI (TUN)

Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG)Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) will be looking to earn a Paris spot for Algeria in GR 60kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Greco-Roman

60kg
Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG)
Latuf MADI (COM)
Moamen MOHAMED (EGY)
Ismail ETTALIBI (MAR)
Romio GOLIATH (NAM)
Daroa OLSSON (NRU)
Given SIKHOSANA (RSA)
Ibrahim BUNDUKA (SLE)
Mohamed HKIRI (TUN)

67kg
Ishak GHAIOU (ALG)
Ando LEHTMETS (AUS)
Anthony WESLEY (CPV)
Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY)
Bilal EL BAHJA (MAR)
Lowe BINGHAM (NRU)
Cristian NICOLESCU (PLW)
Barend BADENHORST (RSA)
Gaku AKAZAWA (SAM)
Sahid KARGBO (SLE)
Souleymen NASR (TUN)

77kg
Abd OUAKALI (ALG)
Francisco KADIMA (ANG)
Sheng ZHANG (AUS)
Mahmoud ABDELRAHMAN (EGY)
Yassine CHEKLY (MAR)
Shafaihuuna BENHARD (NAM)
Dean VAN ZYL (RSA)
Sami SLAMA (TUN)

87kg
Bachir SID AZARA (ALG)
Roberto NSANGUA (ANG)
Mohamed METWALLY (EGY)
Wadii OUALAL (MAR)
Richard FERREIRA (RSA)
Hakim TRABELSI (TUN)

97kg
Fadi ROUABAH (ALG)
Mohamed GABR (EGY)
Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR)
Christiaan BURGER (RSA)
Maulalo ALOFIPO (SAM)
Mohamed MISSAOUI (TUN)

130kg
Hemza HALOUI (ALG)
Oussama ASSAD (MAR)
Marcus CARNEY (NZL)
Amine GUENNICHI (TUN)

Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) will lead a strong Nigerian team for the qualifiers. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
Ibtissem DOUDOU (ALG)
Juliana VALENCIA VELEZ (AUS)
Rosine NTSA ASSOUGA (CMR)
Nada MOHAMED (EGY)
Debora TURE (GBS)
Paulina DUENAS (GUM)
Emma WANGILA (KEN)
Victorine RASOARIMALALA (MAD)
Mercy GENESIS (NGR)
Matilda KOKERA (RSA)
Nourhene HEDHLI (TUN)

53kg
Chahinez RABAH (ALG)
Mbuka CAROLINA (ANG)
Jessica LAVERS MCBAIN (AUS)
Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV)
Miriam NGOE WASE (CMR)
Shaimaa MOHAMED (EGY)
Mia AQUINO (GUM)
Elisa RASOANANTENAINA NOMENJANAHARY (MAD)
Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR)
Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR)
Lobna ICHAOUI (TUN)

57kg
Chaimaa AOUISSI (ALG)
Irene SYMEONIDIS (AUS)
Natacha NABAINA (CMR)
Louji YASSIN (EGY)
Rckaela AQUINO (GUM)
Malala SOLONIAINA (MAD)
Zineb HASSOUNE (MAR)
Ester ABRAHAM (NAM)
Kara LE ROUX (RSA)
Faten HAMMAMI (TUN)

62kg
Mastoura SOUDANI (ALG)
Nachi MASUDA (AUS)
Gloria NIYONKURU (BDI)
Lec ANDE (CAF)
Grace ABONA NKOUMOUDIE (CMR)
Angelina RODRIGUES MIRANDA (CPV)
Gharam ASKAR (EGY)
Fatoumata CAMARA (GUI)
Laralei GANDAOLI (GUM)
Eunice MBURU (KEN)
Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR)
Minette KRUGER (RSA)
Siwar BOUSETA (TUN)

68kg
Kawiyatou ISSIFOU (BEN)
Blandine NGIRI (CMR)
Samah ABDELLATIF (EGY)
Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)
Tayla FORD (NZL)
Uilau TARKONG (PLW)
Bea MEIRING (RSA)
Patricia ELNOUR (SUD)
Khadija JLASSI (TUN)

76kg
Amy YOUIN (CIV)
Pelagie WILITA (CMR)
Arianna XAVIER (CPV)
Samar HAMZA (EGY)
Jemima NYARKO OFORI (GHA)
Hannah RUEBEN (NGR)
Patricia ELNOUR (SUD)
Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN)