#BudaWrestle2018

Sadulaev Exacts Revenge on Snyder; Russia, Japan Sweep Gold Medals

Tuesday, October 23, 2018 - 18:57 By Andrew Hipps

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (October 23) -- The Russian Tank is back on top.

Olympic champion Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) earned a first-period fall over returning world and Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the 97kg gold-medal match at the World Championships on Tuesday, exacting revenge from last year's gold-medal match in Paris. 

The highly-anticipated showdown, which was billed as Snyderlaev II, lasted just over a minute. Sadulaev fired off a single leg thirty-five seconds into the match. Snyder fought the position and quickly found himself in danger. Sadulaev kept Snyder on his back and secured the fall. 

"Everybody knows Sadulaev is a very talented wrestler," Snyder said after the match. "He hit me in a good move and it worked out well for him tonight."

Sadulaev has now won three senior world titles to go along with an Olympic gold medal in Rio. He has suffered just one international loss since 2013. That loss came against Snyder at last year's World Championships.

Russia won the freestyle team title and crowned both freestyle gold medalists on Tuesday. The United States finished second in the team standings, while Georgia finished third.

Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) claimed Russia's other freestyle gold medal on Tuesday with a 7-6 come-from-behind victory over Adam BATIROV (BRN) in the gold-medal match 70kg. It is Gazimagomedov's second world title and first since 2015.  

The 33-year-old Batirov, formerly of Russia, controlled the early part of the match, jumping out to a 6-0 lead at the break after scoring a takedown and turning Gazimagomedov twice with a leg lace. 

Gazimagomedov came out strong in the final period. First, he scored a takedown to cut the deficit to four, then two step outs in a span of 10 seconds made the score 6-4 in favor of Batirov with just over a minute remaining. Gazimagomedov continued to force the action against a tired Batirov, and with three seconds left scored a takedown on the edge of the mat to take the victory.

While Russia swept the freestyle gold medals on Tuesday, Japan won both gold medals in women's wrestling. 

At 55kg, Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) cruised to a 12-2 technical fall over Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR) to win her second world title. After surrendering the first two points of the match off a crotch lift, Mukaida dominated. A couple takedowns and a gut wrench turn made the score 6-2 at the break. Twenty seconds into the second period Mukaida picked up another takedown before locking up a gut wrench and turning Sidakova twice for the technical fall. 

Risako KAWAI (JPN) captured her third world-level title in three years with an 8-0 victory over Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) in the gold-medal match at 59kg. Kawaii led 2-0 at the break before breaking the match wide open in the second period. Five seconds into the period she scored a takedown to go up 4-0. Then with just over a minute remaining she took a shot and dumped Yesilirmak to her back for four points to extend her lead to 8-0, which is how the match would end. 

In the bronze-medal bouts at 70kg, 2017 world champion Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) picked up a 10-0 technical fall victory over Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL). The other bronze medal at 70kg was won by Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB), who defeated Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR) 11-1. 

Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO) won his first world medal after placing fifth at the World Championships three times and fifth at the Olympic Games in 2016. He won by fall in his bronze-medal match over Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB). 

In women's wrestling, Myong Suk JONG (PRK) won her third world bronze medal, beating Qi ZHANG (CHN) 2-1 at 55kg. Lianna MONTERO HERRERA (CUB) won the other bronze medal at 55kg, beating Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) 5-4. 

2016 world champion Xingru PEI (CHN) earned a bronze medal at 59kg with a 7-1 win over Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS). Mongolia picked up a bronze in women's wrestling as Shoovdor BAATARJAV topped Alejandra ROMERO BONILLA (MEX) at 59kg. 

Freestyle

70kg
GOLD: Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) df. Adam BATIROV (BRN) by VPO1, 7-6
BRONZE: Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) df. Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) by VSU, 10-0
BRONZE: Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) df. Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR) by VSU1, 11-1

97kg
GOLD: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) df. Kyle SNYDER (USA) by VFA, 2-0
BRONZE: Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO) df. Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) by VFA, 5-2
BRONZE: Abraham CONYEDO RUANO (ITA) df. Pavlo OLIINYK (HUN) by VPO1, 2-2

Women's Wrestling

55kg
GOLD: Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) df. Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR) by VSU1, 12-2
BRONZE: Myong Suk JONG (PRK) df. Qi ZHANG (CHN) by VPO1, 2-1
BRONZE: Lianna MONTERO HERRERA (CUB) df. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) by VPO1, 5-4 

59kg
GOLD: Risako KAWAI (JPN) df. Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) by VPO, 8-0
BRONZE: Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) df. Alejandra ROMERO BONILLA (MEX) by VPO1, 4-2
BRONZE: Xingru PEI (CHN) df. Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) by VPO1, 7-1
 

#WrestleAcapulco

Gray falls as Ecuador wins 2 golds; Dake dominant at Pan-Ams

Saturday, February 24, 2024 - 04:28 By Gaurav Bhatt

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ACAPULCO, Mexico (February 23) -- Day three of the Pan-American Championships saw two wrestling phenoms take the mat in Acapulco. But while four-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA) rag-dolled his opponents to win his fourth straight 74kg title at the event, six-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) stumbled against eventual 76kg champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) and had to settle for a bronze.

Nick SURIANO (61kg) and Chance MARSTELLER (86kg) also struck gold to make it three for Team USA, while Macey KILTY (USA) grabbed the 65kg gold. 

Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) blanked her 53kg opponents to take Ecuador's second gold of the day.

Kyle DAKE (USA)Kyle DAKE (USA) dominated his way to the 74kg gold. (Photo: UWW / William Bains)

Dake stayed levels apart in the 74kg field as the Tokyo Olympics bronze medallist earned victories via fall over Angel CORTES (PAN) and Anthony MONTERO (VEN).

The 32-year-old, who won his first two world titles at 79kg, is not only strong for the 74kg division but also dazzles the field with his explosiveness. He had Bonilla squirming against a pin attempt in less than 5 seconds. Bonilla's desperation only delayed the inevitable, as Dake flattened him inside the first period.

Montero, a former South American champion, made it a scrappy affair but couldn't stop Dake from racking up points. Up against the clock, the Venezuelan went for a last-gasp shot, only for the American to counter into a four-point throw to complete the victory.

Marsteller defeated Jorge LLANO (ARG) in the quarterfinal but didn't get a chance to test his mettle against four-time champion Yurieski TORREBLANCA (CUB). The 34-year-old withdrew from the competition, paving the way for Marsteller to take home the 86kg gold. He also received a forfeit win from Pedro CEBALLOS (VEN). 

The title continues the remarkable life turnaround for the 28-year-old, whose childhood dreams of dominating the wrestling world were derailed by substance addiction. Addicted to alcohol and opioids — Marsteller, who amassed a 166-0 record in his Pennsylvania high school —  went into rehab in 2016. He went back to rehab in 2020 after an under-the-influencer bender saw him wreck his and his wife’s cars in one night. The 28-year-old has been clean since July 2020 and the gold in Acapulco would serve to boost both his morale and profile.

Suriano defeated two-time silver medallist Joseph SILVA (PUR) on his way to the 61kg gold. The 26-year-old, who was one of the main contenders to make the American Olympic team in 2021 before testing positive for COVID-19, also beat Jose VASQUEZ (PER) 12-2, Edwin SEGURA (GUA) via forfeit, and Juan LAVAT (MEX) with a fall (10-2).

Genesis REASCO (ECU)Genesis REASCO (ECU) blanked Adeline GRAY (USA) 10-0 at 76kg. (Photo: UWW / William Bain)

Gray was outpowered by Reasco in their meeting which saw the Ecuadorian secure two tremendous double-leg takedowns within the opening few seconds. The explosive 25-year-old, a four-time medallist at the event, completed the superiority victory over the Tokyo Olympics silver medallist in little over a minute.

Joining Reasco on top of the podium for Ecuador was Yepez, who continues her meteoric rise with a successful title defense in the 53kg category.

The stage was set for a rematch from last year's final against Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN), before the five-time medallist pulled out from the gold-medal clash.

Yepez, who also struck gold at the Pan-American Games last November, was the first Ecuadorian woman to win a wrestling world title at the 2021 U23 Worlds, and medalled at last year's senior World Championships.

Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) won the 59kg women's gold. Beauregard — a four-time medallist at the event, including 2019 and 2022 champion — ran roughshod on Friday. The 26-year-old didn't give up a single point over four bouts.

Kilty grabbed the 65kg gold with two dominant wins. Kilty set the tone with a one-sided rout of 2022 silver medallist Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN).

After a tight opening minute, Kilty set up the Canadian with quick feints before securing a single-leg takedown. After netting five points from the sequence, Kilty wasted little time in getting another takedown, this time attacking Rowbottom's left leg, and completed the fall victory shortly thereafter.  

Against Andrea LOPEZ (MEX), Kilty showed both speed and strength. After earning a 7-0 lead in the first period, the 22-year-old overwhelmed the hometown favorite and earned the fall win with more than 2 minutes left on the board.

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RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) df. Arguello BETZABETH (VEN), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Gonzalez MARIA (DOM) df. Samantha STEWART (CAN), via fall
BRONZE: Katie GOMEZ (USA) df. Laura HERIN (CUB), 10-0

59kg
GOLD: Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN)
SILVER: Michaela BECK (USA)
BRONZE: Ana PEREIRA (BRA)

65kg
GOLD: Macey KILTY (USA)
SILVER: Andrea LOPEZ (MEX)
BRONZE: Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN)

76kg
GOLD: Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU) df. Renteria TATIANA (COL), 9-0

BRONZE: Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Shauna KUEBECK (CAN), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Linda MACHUCA (ARG) df. Bautista EMELYN (DOM), 11-0

Freestyle

61kg
GOLD: Nicholas SURIANO (USA)
SILVER: Joseph SILVA (PUR)
BRONZE: Juan LAVAT (MEX)

74kg
GOLD: Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Julio RODRIGUEZ ROMERO (DOM), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Jones SHANE (PUR) df. Thomson ADAM (CAN), 16-5
BRONZE: Anthony MONTERO (VEN) df. Angel CORTES (PAN), 11-0

86kg
GOLD: Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) df. Ceballos PEDRO (VEN), via fall

BRONZE: Carlos IZQUIERDO (COL) df. Pool AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER), 3-1
BRONZE: Jorge LLANO (ARG) df. Yurieski TORREBLANCA (CUB), via inj. def.