Sadulaev Still Reigns Supreme at 97kg with Win over Sharifov; Yazdani Regains 86kg Crown

Sunday, September 22, 2019 - 17:05 By Ken Marantz

NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept. 22) --- Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) wasn’t surprised that his opponent in the final wasn’t the one everyone expected. He just went out and showed again he could dominate whoever stood between him and another gold medal.

Sadulaev captured his second straight world title and fourth overall with a rock-solid 4-o victory over Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) in the freestyle 97kg final to bring the curtain down on the Nur-Sultan World Championships.

The victory establishes Sadulaev as the one to beat at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, where he will look to add to the 86kg gold he won at Rio 2016.

This year’s World Championships served as the first qualifier for Tokyo 2020, with the top six finishers in each of the Olympic weight classes securing berths for their country.

The pretournament hype at 97kg revolved around a potential rematch between Sadulaev and Kyle SNYDER (USA) of the 2018 final in Budapest, which the Russian won to avenge a loss to the American the previous year in Paris.

Asked if he regretted not facing Snyder this time, Sadulaev replied, “No, because the most important final is still waiting for us, the Olympic Games.”

Sharifov, a former Olympic champion in his own right, spoiled the party in Nur-Sultan by beating Snyder in the semifinals.

Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) shutout fellow Olympic champion Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE), 4-0, in the 97kg finals. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

“In our weight category, there are so many wrestlers with many titles,” Sadulaev said. “Even in the final, I met with an Olympic champion. His technique is very good. I wasn’t surprised that Sharifov reached the final because all wrestlers have equal chances.”

In the final---a battle between natives of the wrestling hotbed of Dagestan, a Russian republic situated on the Caspian Sea---Sadulaev gained a point with Sharifov on the activity clock, then added a single-leg takedown just before the first period ended.

In the second period, a stepout for Sadulaev was the lone point as the powerful Russian kept his Azeri opponent at bay.

Sadulaev said he never imagined himself winning the title before stepping on the mat.

“I never think like that,” he said. “I know situations when sportsman becomes a champion in their mind, then they don’t have good result.”

Sadulaev said this gold will be special because of the warm reception he received in the former Soviet republic from the crowd at Barys Arena.

“I will keep this championship in my memory for a long time because the organization was of the highest degree and I was surprised that I have so many fans in Kazakhstan,” he said.

“Even when I met with the Kazakh wrestler, I saw that many Kazakh people supported me.”

Sadulaev’s victory topped off a dominant tournament by Russia, which ran away with the team title with 190 points after medaling in all but one weight class (125kg) and coming away with five of the 10 golds.

Host Kazakhstan had no champions, but enough wrestlers in the medal matches to finish second with 103 points, while the United States edged Iran by 1 point for third place with 94 after each added a gold and a bronze on the final day.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) won his second world title after Deepak PUNIA (IND) was forced to withdraw from the gold-medal match due to injury (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Iran’s title on Sunday came without a match, although Deepak PUNIA (IND) would have been hard-pressed to prevent Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) in the 86kg final from regaining the world title he won in 2017 after finishing third last year.

Yazdani was declared the winner when Punia defaulted due to a left ankle injury suffered in his opening match. While Yazdani would have preferred having to work for the victory, it capped a dominant run through the field in which he won three matches by fall or technical fall.

“The level of this competition is high,” Yazdani said. “But I trained very hard and I was given the opportunity and the chance to win.”Yazdani, the Rio 2016 gold medalist at 74kg, minced no words in stating his determination to earn a second Olympic title at Tokyo 2020.

“After a few days rest, I will start to become more prepared and get the best medal in the Olympics,” he said. “This medal was to raise the flag of my country and I want to raise the flag at the next Olympics and make the Iranian people happy.”

Kyle DAKE (USA) defeated Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) for the second year in a row in the 79kg finals. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

In the non-Olympic weight of 79kg, Kyle DAKE (USA) repeated his victory from the Budapest 2018 final over Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE), this time coming away with a 4-1 victory for his second world title.

“I did a lot better job this time,” said Dake, who won 2-0 a year ago. “I moved my feet, which has been a really big focus of mine this past eight months. I’m glad to see it’s coming together.”

Dake went on the offensive from the outset and picked up a pair of stepout points in the first period. He padded the lead in the second period with a single-leg takedown before Hasanov, with his back to wall, finally began launching attacks.

“There were some positions where he got in on my leg at the end, and he would never shoot if it was 0-0,” Dake said.

“I knew I could not leave it in the hands of the refs. I couldn’t leave it up to cautions, I needed to go out and execute. I got the first pushout, second pushout, takedown and that was the difference.”

In the final minute, Hasanov’s efforts only resulted in a pair of stepouts as Dake forced stalemates from the Azeri’s takedown attempts to come up golden.

“I was hoping they would have let those scrambles go a little bit longer,” Dake said. “I feel I was ready to score a couple of times, but it is what it is.”

It was the latest major accomplishment for the 28-year-old father of two, who became the first wrestler in U.S. collegiate history to win four titles in four different weight classes, when he did it while at the Ivy League’s Cornell University.

“It’s a testament to the way I live, the way my wife and family support me, my friends, coaches, teammates, sponsors---I couldn’t do it without them,” he said. “It’s been a crazy road this past year to say the least, and I’m just really excited I was able to get it done again.

Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) scored a trio of takedowns and defeated Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS), 6-1, in the 61kg finals. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

In the final at 61kg, also a non-Olympic weight, European silver medalist Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) relegated 2018 world U23 champion Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS) to second place by scoring three takedowns in the second period for a 6-1 win.

In the bronze-medal matches, Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI) became the first-ever world freestyle medalist from Switzerland when he chalked up three stepouts to defeat Carlos IZQUIERDO (COL) 3-1 at 86kg.

History was going to be made regardless of the outcome as Colombia also has never had a freestyle medalist. Switzerland had previously won one world bronze each in the other styles---Kurt RUSTERHOLZ (SUI) in Greco-Roman 87kg in 1953, and Inge KRASSER (SUI) at women’s 57kg in 1989.

Artur NAIFANOV (RUS) won the other bronze at 86kg with a 6-0 victory over Myles AMINE (SMR), the U.S.-born wrestler who clinched the first-ever Olympic berth for tiny San Marino, the birthplace of his grandfather.

At 97kg, Snyder gained some consolation from his semifinal loss to Sharifov when he grinded out a 5-0 win over Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO) at 97kg to add a world bronze to his collection of two golds and a silver.

Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) captured a bronze medal with an 8-5 win over Alisher YERGALI (KAZ). (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) became the first wrestler to win a world medal while competing for the newly named nation of North Macedonia when he rallied to defeat Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) 8-5.

Host Kazakhstan came up short in its other shot for a medal before the home crowd when Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) edged Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ) 3-2 at 79kg.

Gadzhi NABIEV (RUS) built up an 8-point lead against Rashid KURBANOV (UZB) and held on for a 8-3 victory for the other 79kg bronze.

Asian bronze medalist Rahul AWARE (IND) became the 10th wrestler in Indian history to win a world freestyle medal when he defeated Tyler GRAFF (USA) 11-4 at 61kg.

Aware, nursing a 4-2 lead, scored a takedown with a slick duck under, then padded his lead with a pair of 2-point exposures.

Two days earlier, Kumar RAVI (IND) became the eighth Indian medalist when he won a bronze at 57kg, and Punia become No. 9 when he was assured of at least a silver by making the 86kg final.

The other 61kg bronze went to Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI), an 8-0 winner over Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB).

Day 9 Results

Freestyle

61kg (25 entries)
Gold – Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) df. Magomedrasul IDRISOV (RUS), 6-1
Bronze – Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB), 8-0
Bronze – Rahul AWARE (IND) df. Tyler GRAFF (USA), 11-4

79kg (23 entries)
Gold – Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE), 4-1
Bronze – Gadzhi NABIEV (RUS) df. Rashid KURBANOV (UZB), 8-3
Bronze – Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ), 3-2

86kg (43 entries)
Gold – Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. Deepak PUNIA (IND) by Inj. Def.
Bronze – Stefan REICHMUTH (SUI) df. Carlos IZQUIERDO (COL), 3-0
Bronze – Artur NAIFANOV (RUS) df. Myles AMINE (SMR), 6-0

97kg (26 entries)
Gold – Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) df. Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE), 4-0
Bronze – Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO), 5-0
Bronze – Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) df. Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), 8-5

#KyrgyzWrestling

Makhmudov, coach put on clinics in rural Japan

Monday, December 4, 2023 - 18:12 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO, Japan (December 4) --- After adding a second straight world title this year to his Olympic silver medal, Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) would surely be recognized on any street in Bishkek. Last month, he won over a new group fans in a rural prefecture of Japan, and may have even helped one to someday challenge him.

Makhmudov spent three days last month in Japan putting on wrestling clinics at the invitation of the Ehime Prefecture Wrestling Association along with his personal coach Meirambek AKHMETOV (KGZ), according to a story recently posted on the Japan Wrestling Federation website submitted by Masashi OCHI, secretary general of the association.

Makhmudov, who became Kyrgyzstan's first-ever male world champion when he won his first gold medal at Greco 77kg in 2022, also met with the Ehime Prefecture governor, did a little sightseeing, and got in some workouts as he prepares to start training in earnest for the Paris Olympics.

KGZ Akzhol MAKHMUDOV, holding his world championship belt, and coach Meirambek AKHMETOV, 2n from left, meet with Ehime Prefecture Gov. Tokihiro NAKAMURA, 2n from right, and other officials. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation)

Makhudov impressed everyone involved with his sincerity, dedication and professionalism, Ochi wrote, and was just the type of role model the association wanted to present. Asked about the secret of his success in a question-and-answer session by a young wrestler, Makhmudov gave a heartfelt answer that shows he has never been one to cut corners.

"You know yourself what will be difficult for you, but if you keep at it and don't give up, you will definitely succeed," Makhmudov. "Please don't select the easy road. Your hard work will definitely pay off, so keep going. Anything you do -- wrestling, work, study -- do because you love, cherish your family, and listen to your coach. If you do these, everything will go well."

Ehime Prefecture, with a population of 1.3 million, is spread over 5,600 square kilometers on the northwestern coast of the southern island of Shikoku, across the Seto Inland Sea from Hiroshima. It is famous for its Japanese tangerines, known as "mikan," and its picturesque mountains and coastline. It has also produced some notable wrestlers of late.

The prefecture has established a program to promote youth sports, and the wrestling federation had the idea to invite a top foreign wrestler as a guest instructor. They consulted UWW-licensed referee Kuninori KOIKE, who contacted his acquaintance Akhmetov, who himself is now an international referee who officiated at the Tokyo Games two years ago.

That set the wheels in motion, and Makhmudov and Akhmetov left Bishkek on Nov. 8 for the long journey to Japan via Almaty and Busan. They landed at Kansai International Airport in Osaka and spent the night in Tenri, Nara Prefecture, before taking a flight the next day from Osaka's Itami Airport to Matsuyama. about 270 kilometers to the west.

On the morning of Nov. 10, Makhmudov and Akhmetov paid a courtesy call on Gov. Tokihiro NAKAMURA in the prefectural capital of Matsuyama. That afternoon, the first clinic was held in the neighboring city of Imabari at Imabari Technical High School, with about 40 junior high and high schoolers from throughout Ehime Prefecture in attendance.

KGZ2 Makhmudov and Japan's Greco 67kg champion Kyotaro SOGABE hit it off during the clinics and used the opportunity to spend some time practicing together. (Japan Wrestling Federation)

Helping out as special instructors were several distinguished alumni of Imabari high schools, including Kyotaro SOGABE, a 2022 world U23 bronze medalist at Greco 67kg, and Rin MIYAJI, the 2021 world silver medalist at women's 68kg. There was time set aside for instruction, drills and open sparring, with Koike serving as an interpreter.

On Saturday Nov. 11, Sogabe's coach at powerhouse Nippon Sports Science University, Shingo MATSUMOTO, joined the clinic. Matsumoto, the head coach of all three styles at the university, won nine straight national titles from 1999 to 2007 and appeared in two Olympics at Greco 84kg, finishing seventh at the 2004 Athens Games.

In the morning, Akhmetov taught techniques from the standing position in Greco. His experience working with Kyrgyzstan's youth team came through, Ochi noted, as he explained everything calmly and in great detail. Akhmetov said that Greco techniques need to be learned from a young age, and expressed surprise that most Japanese wrestlers do not become fully committed to Greco until they are in college. "Japanese wrestlers are physically fit, but lack technique," Akhmetov commented.

That afternoon, they became ambassadors of sorts for the sport at an event aimed at giving youngsters who had had little or no exposure to wrestling a chance to experience it. Held at the Ehime Prefectural Budokan in Matsuyama, Makhmudov led the prospective athletes in warm-ups, mat games and mini-matches. "Your stances when you tie up and your understanding the rules are fantastic," Makhudov commented.

KGZ1 Participants in a clinic gather for a group photo with Makhmudov and Akhmetov. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation)

At the end, the children were allowed to ask Makhmudov some questions. Asked what he pays most attention to in regard to being a professional athlete, he replied, "I only eat things that are good for my body."

The third and final "Makhmudov Camp" on Nov. 12 was held at Hojo High School in Matsuyama, where Akhmetov focused on throws from standing and both offense and defense in par terre. He could be heard yelling out "Combination!" a number of times. The clinic was not limited to Greco, and the few girls in the group fervently went through the drills.

Meanwhile, Makhmudov and Sogabe had really hit things off with each other, and worked together on techniques and did some sparring. The 45-year-old Matsumoto even got in on the act and went toe-to-toe with Makhmudov, drawing the eyes of everyone in the room. Ten years before Makhmudov won his first of his three Asian titles at the age of 18 before a delirious crowd in Bishkek in 2018, Matsumoto added a gold at the Asian Championships to his two silver medals in one of his final competitions.

During the three days, Makmudov impressed his hosts with a regimen of exercise, proper nutrition and sufficient rest. He said he has promised to refrain from drinking until after the Olympics. "He is the consummate pro," said one official.

KGZ Makhmudov strikes a warrior pose in a samurai helmet and armor at Matsuyama Castle. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation)

Makhmudov also found time to visit one of Ehime's main tourist attractions, Matsuyama Castle, which was built in 1603 and has been designated a National Historic Site. There he donned a samurai helmet and armor for a commemorative photo while "assuming a warrior pose," as Ochi describes it. At a souvenir shop nearby, he was treated to Ehime mikan juice which comes directly out of a faucet.

On the last day of the clinics, Makhmudov bid farewell to the participants by saying, "Let's meet again at the Asian Championships or Olympics. Thank you." Even with Japan's Nao KUSAKA also having qualified at Greco 77kg, Makhmudov will certainly have some supporters in a small pocket of southern Japan.

Sadulaev Still Reigns Supreme at 97kg with Win over Sharifov; Yazdani Regains 86kg Crown

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Makhmudov, coach put on clinics in rural Japan