Sakurai stuns Maroulis for 57kg title; U.S. wins 2 golds

Thursday, September 15, 2022 - 21:49 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 15) -- After winning a world title last year at 55kg, Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) moved up this year to 57kg to get an early start in her bid to achieve the difficult task of making Japan's team to the Paris Olympics.

Beating the reigning champion can certainly provide a welcome boost of confidence.

Sakurai scored a second-period takedown to win an intense struggle with former Olympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) 3-0 in the 57kg final as women's wrestling finished up on Thursday night with the last four weight classes at the World Championships in Belgrade.

"My opponent was an Olympic champion and is an athlete who always competes on the top level," Sakurai said. "I knew she was a strong wrestler. But I'm young, and I thought that I have to win. I had a strong desire to win, and I'm really happy to come out with the victory."

It was otherwise a good night for the U.S., as Olympic champion Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) regained the 68kg world title with a victory by fall in another U.S.-Japan match-up, and teenager Amit ELOR (USA) belied her years with a dominant run to the 72kg gold.

The other gold up for grabs went to Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), who won the 59kg title to become Moldova's second female world champion in history, just one year after Irina RINGACI (MDA) became the first.

Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) scored the all-important takedown over Helen MAROULIS (USA) during this sequence. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In the 57kg final, Sakurai received an activity point in the first period, then scored the lone technical points of the match with a go-behind takedown off a 2-on-1 arm hold.

From there, she remained the aggressor, getting in several times on a single, and while those forays did not produce points, it kept her off the activity clock and burned precious time.

"Scoring points would not be easy, so when I got in on a tackle, I didn't panic, even though there were times I was stopped," the 21-year-old Sakurai said. "In the second period, I didn't hold back. I thought the opponent would come forward and I launched my moves."

Sakurai's gold was the fifth won by Japan, which easily won the team title with 190 points as all nine of its wrestlers who made the trip to Belgrade will return with a medal (Japan had no entry at 53kg after a late injury withdrawal). The United States, with three titles, was second with 157, followed by China with 84.

The match with Sakurai represented the latest chapter in the fierce rivalry that Maroulis, who also won world titles in 2015 and 2017, has developed with Japanese wrestlers that hit a pinnacle when she stunned the legendary Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) in the final at the 2016 Rio Olympics. That prevented Yoshida from becoming a four-time Olympic champion and made Maroulis a household name in Japan.

Fast forward five years to the Tokyo Olympics, and Risako KAWAI (JPN), also a gold medalist in Rio, moved down to 57kg and clashed with Maroulis in the semifinals. Kawai won that battle 2-1 and went on to win the gold, while Maroulis ended up with a bronze.

Sakurai, who won her first Asian senior title in April, currently holds the national team spot at 57kg in the absence of Kawai, who got married after her triumph at the Tokyo Games and recently gave birth to her first child. Kawai will be returning to the mat when the qualifying process for the 2024 Paris Olympics gets started in December, and the victory in Belgrade gives Sakurai a mental boost.

"To be able to beat the world to me is a link to going to the Paris Olympics," Sakurai said. "There are many strong wrestlers in our country. First, if I don't win at home, I can't be at [next year's] World Championships, the [Olympic] qualifier."

While Sakurai was relatively unknown when she triumphed at the World Championships a year ago in Oslo, she said that it became apparent in Belgrade that she had been scouted.

"I was a champion last year, and from the first match I felt like others had done their homework on me," Sakurai said. "But to be able to still win makes you a champion."

But scouting is a two-way street, and Sakurai said she had an idea of what Maroulis would throw at her.

"Basically, I stuck fully with my wrestling," Sakurai said. "But the opponent is one who constantly wins and has many techniques. I watched a number of matches and I took measures so she couldn't use the moves on me."

Sakurai said she had confidence that her training prepared her to go all out for the full six minutes.

"I put in a lot of time in practice," she said. "Compared with other countries, our wrestlers are not inferior in terms of stamina. So I thought I was better in that regard."

Taymra MENSAH STOCK (USA) pinned U20 world champion Ami ISHII (JPN) for the 68kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

For Mensah Stock, her victory by fall over Ami ISHII (JPN) in the 68kg final provided some redemption for a stunning loss to another Japanese wrestler in Oslo, which came on the heels of a gratifying triumph at the Tokyo Olympics.

Asked if it was poetic justice, the spirited Mensah Stock replied, "Whether it is poetic or not, the fact is that I did it, I took an opportunity and I was not letting go of it and these are the fruits of what happened. I love it!"

Mensah Stock showed she was ready for business by opening the match with a driving tackle for 2. After the American got a second takedown, Ishii tried to stand up with her back to the American's chest. Mensah Stock alertly shifted back and pulled down on the chin, dropping the Japanese onto her back.

It took just moments to secure the fall in 2:11. She won all of her matches by fall or technical fall, outscoring her opponents 36-0.

It was far different from what occurred in Oslo, when in the semifinal, she was caught off guard and pinned by Rin MIYAJI (JPN). Mensah Stock came back to take the bronze and, after some months of soul-searching to decide if she wanted to continue in the sport, she resolved never to make the same mistake.

"I had a lot of anxiety, I was just kind of frightened if I did one slip-up like I did last year, that could be the end of a world title," she said. "But I had way more training this year than I did last year and I just had to trust the process."

For Mensah Stock, it is a vast support system that provides the motivation for her to continue putting in the time and effort.

"I have so many people in my corner believing in me, even when I don't believe in myself," she said. "I kid you not, I wanted to quit. This sport is hurting me. I'm going to be 30 in October. And these kids are getting younger and younger, and faster and faster. But I can hang with them.

"My coaches...just kept telling me, 'You got this. You got this.' And when I was done, they were like, 'Welcome back.' I'm back. It's great."

The 19-year-old Ishii, a teammate of Sakurai's at Ikuei University who won the world U20 title a month ago, had to defeat Miyaji along the way in making Japan's team to Belgrade. Mensah Stock said she expects to see more of her.

"Japan has so many opportunities for their young girls to just wrestle, and to just be in the room with so many incredible wrestlers," she said. "So without a doubt, she is going to learn from this, and she's going to get better, and I'm going to have to be looking back because I know I'm a target. But I'm a moving target."

Amit ELOR (USA) became the youngest U.S. world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

While Mensah Stock and Maroulis are established stars, few could have expected the sheer dominance with which Elor stormed to the gold in her senior world debut to relegate Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) to a second straight silver medal.

In the 72kg final, Elor scored a go-behind takedown, then, emulating a move the Japanese use so effectively, secured a lace lock and ripped off four straight rolls to end the proceedings at 1:13 and become the youngest world champion in U.S. history.

"I am in shock," Elor said. "I kept wrestling and this is where I am. This is unbelievable. This is unreal."

Elor showed she had the potential when she won both the world U17 and U20 titles in 2021, then repeated as champion of the latter last month in Sofia, Bulgaria.

On the biggest stage of all, she managed to keep her composure. She won her opening match by fall, then advanced to the final with a 3-2 win over defending champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN).

"There were a lot of nerves and every time I feel nervous, I reminded myself why I am wrestling and I love the sport so much," Elor said. "So go out there and enjoy it and if you don't enjoy it, it's not worth it."

For now, the sky seems to be the limit. "There is so much more [to challenge myself]. My number one dream is to be an Olympic champion. Each year is a new year and a chance to prove that you are number one."

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) held off a Grace BULLEN (NOR) attack in the final seconds to win the 59kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 59kg, Nichita survived a late scramble with the ever-dangerous Grace BULLEN (NOR) to preserve a 4-1 win and deny her opponent from becoming Norway's first female world champion since 1998.

"I was worrying a lot because during yesterday’s match I injured my knee and I had pain in my rib," Nichita said. "That’s why I didn’t want to attack a lot, I tried to defend more."

In the first period, Bullen received an activity point, after which Nichita countered a tackle attempt and spun behind for a takedown and a 2-1 lead. Nichita then added a stepout in the second period.

In the waning seconds of the match, Bullen appeared bound for a winning takedown when she got on top and stuck in her legs, but Nichita managed to grab one and hang on to keep Bullen from completing the move. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

"Honestly, I hoped that there were no points in the final challenge, but anything could have happened," Nichita said. "Our country is very small, they could have given the points to her. I am glad it went eventually like that."

Nichita said having another top-class wrestler in the country in Ringaci makes both of them better. "I think we motivate each other," she said. "I hope the next generation will take us as an example."

From now, Nichita said she will drop to the Olympic weight of 57kg, knowing it presents a stiff challenge.

"Of course, I am already getting ready for the 57kg weight class," she said. "There are different opponents. Some of them I’ve wrestled before, so I know what to do, but there are some American and Japanese wrestlers who are really good. I will work even harder to beat them."

U20 world champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) won a bronze medal at the 59kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Motoki, Furuichi add bronzes to Japanese till

In the bronze-medal matches, Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) and Furuichi came through with victories to ensure every Japanese team member will be returning with a medal.

Motoki, a month after winning the world U20 gold, picked up the senior bronze with a victory by fall over Qi ZHANG (CHN) at 59kg. Leading 3-1, Motoki secured a takedown and immediately applied a chicken wing, then levered the Chinese onto her back for the fall in 3:46.

The other 59kg bronze went to Jowita WRZESIEN (POL), who won one of two bronzes for Poland on the night with a dramatic last-second 4-2 victory over Erdenesuvd BAT ERDENE (MGL).

Seemingly out of luck when she was denied after getting in deep on a takedown, Wrzesien gave it another desperate shot and managed to spin behind with :01 on the clock.

Furuichi, the defending champion at 72kg dethroned in the semifinals by Elor, needed a little luck and a late penalty point to defeat Buse TOSUN (TUR) 3-2 for her third career senior world medal.

Tosun's second-period takedown put her ahead on criteria, but the Turk was flagged for grabbing the singlet with :20 to go to give Furuichi the win and deny Tosun a second consecutive world bronze.

Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) won the other 72kg bronze by routing Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) by a 10-0 technical fall in 4:54.

Anhelina LYSAK (POL) won Poland's third medal at the World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Poland's other winner was Ukrainian-born Anhelina LYSAK (POL), who used a double arm lock to gain a 4-point throw and a takedown in a 10-6 victory over Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) at 57kg.

Ironically perhaps, a Ukrainian took the other 57kg bronze, when Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) scored five takedowns in defeating Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) by a 10-0 technical fall in 3:45.

The two 68kg bronzes were decided by falls. Defending champion Ringaci came out on the top from one of those situations which can go either way as she back-dropped Feng ZHOU (CHN) to her back and secured a fall in :51.

In the second match, 2019 world champion Linda MORAIS (CAN) gave up a 4-point tackle to Nisha DAHIYA (IND) but came back with an arm throw to a lace lock. Dahiya appeared to injure her knee and that allowed Morais to record the fall at 2:45.

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) used his double-leg attacks to great effect to reach another Worlds final. (Photo: UWW / Kostandin Andonov)

Burroughs makes final; Yazdani, Taylor set up another golden clash

In the freestyle semifinals earlier in the night session, Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) earned a shot at an American record world or Olympic gold by making the final at 79kg, while superstars Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and David TAYLOR (USA) set up yet another clash for the crown at 86kg.

Burroughs stayed aggressive throughout his 9-2 victory over Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL), scoring three stepouts along with a pair of takedowns to stay on track for a sixth world title dating back to his first in 2011. He also has three world bronzes on his gleaming resume.

Standing in his way will be Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), who advanced with a 5-4 victory over Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) to set up a rematch of the final a year ago in Oslo which Burroughs won 5-1.

Nokhodi took the lead with an activity point and a takedown in the first period, before 2020 European bronze medalist Mykhailov came back with a takedown in the second. Later on, a scramble gave them both two points to put Nokhodi up 5-4, and that's how it ended.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and David TAYLOR (USA) set up a mouthwatering clash at 86kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Yazdani and Taylor set up their fifth career match-up and third in a major final with their third technical fall victories of the day, all without conceding a point.

"I hope we both have a good performance to make wrestling fans happy," Yazdani said. "I will do my best and I ask Iranian people to pray for me."

Yazdani was a whirlwind of action in piling up points from the get-go against an overmatched Boris MAKOEV (SVK), ending the match with a takedown to win 10-0 in 1:54.

By making the final, Yazdani assured himself of a combined eight world and Olympic medals, the most-ever by an Iranian and breaking a tie with legends Gholamreza TAKHTI and Hamid SOURIAN.

"I don't think about such records," he said. "I just want to make fans happy with my performance."

Taylor took a little longer. He only had an activity point to show for his efforts in the first period against Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), but turned on the burners in the second, when he reeled off four straight takedowns before finishing the job at 5:12 with an exposure. An unsuccessful challenge made the final score 11-0.

Taylor leads the head-to-head series with Yazdani 3-1, including a 4-3 win in the final at the Tokyo Olympics. Yazdani finally came out on top two months later at the World Championships in Oslo, where he won the gold with a 6-2 win.

At 125kg, a weight class that included five Olympic medalists in the field, Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) scored the biggest victory of his career when he toppled one of the giants of the division, while two-time former world champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) pulled off a thrilling last-second victory to dethrone reigning champion Amir ZARE (IRI).

Both victories avenged losses from a year ago in Oslo.

Munkhtur showed no fear in facing three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), and he was the dominant force in forging out a 4-2 win. It was quite a change from the 11-1 pasting Petriavishili handed him in the second round in Oslo.

On Thursday, Munkhtur got a stepout in the first period, then added a takedown and a stepout in the second to pad the lead. Petriashvili finally got on the scoreboard with a takedown, but that would be all for the Olympic silver medalist.

In the other semifinal, Zare was on the brink of repeating his semifinal win in Oslo over Akgul when the wily Turk spun out of a single-leg takedown attempt and got behind with :01 on the clock for a 4-2 victory.

At 70kg, there is never a dull moment in a match involving the unorthodox Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN), who bulled his way to a takedown with :20 left for a wild 11-10 victory over Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) in a repeat of the final at this year's Asian Championships.

Both wrestlers had 4-point moves, including Narikuni's dazzling lateral drop with :05 left in the first period. The Japanese, whose mother was a two-time world champion in the 1990s, trailed 10-6 midway through the second period before launching a furious comeback.

In the final, Narikuni will take on Zain RETHERFORD (USA), who has looked impressive in ousting 2021 bronze medalist Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) 7-0.

Retherford, a three-time NCAA champion at Penn State, had appeared at two previous World Championships at 65kg, but with little success, and seems to have found his niche at 70kg, going unscored upon in four matches.

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

70kg (28 entries)
Semifinal - Zain RETHERFORD (USA) df. Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO), 7-0
Semifinal - Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) df. Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 11-10

79kg (32 entries)
Semifinal - Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL), 9-2
Semifinal - Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), 5-4

86kg (30 entries)
Semifinal - David TAYLOR (USA) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) by TF, 12-0, 5:12
Semifinal - Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK) by TF, 10-0. 1:34

125kg (24 entries)
Semifinal - Taha AKGUL (TUR) df. Amir ZARE (IRI), 4-2
Semifinal - Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) df. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), 4-2

Women's Wrestling

57kg (19 entries)
Gold - Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) df. Helen MAROULIS (USA), 3-0

Bronze - Anhelina LYSAK (POL) df. Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL), 10-6
Bronze - Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) df. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) by TF, 10-0, 3:45

59kg (14 entries)
Gold - Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df. Grace BULLEN (NOR), 4-1

Bronze - Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) df. Erdenesuvd BAT ERDENE (MGL), 4-2
Bronze - Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) df. Qi ZHANG (CHN) by Fall, 3:46 (7-0)

68kg (23 entries)
Gold - Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) df. Ami ISHII (JPN) by Fall, 2:11 (6-0)

Bronze - Linda MORAIS (CAN) df. Nisha DAHIYA (IND) by Fall, 2:45 (4-4)
Bronze - Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Feng ZHOU (CHN) by Fall, :51 (4-0)

72kg (14 entries)
Gold - Amit ELOR (USA) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) by TF, 10-0, 1:13

Bronze - Masako FURUICHI (JPN) df. Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR), 3-2
Bronze - Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) df. Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 4:54

#WrestleBelgrade

Preview: Freestyle rivalries resume but tough test awaits stars in Belgrade

Thursday, September 14, 2023 - 12:18 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 13) -- Soon after Kyle SNYDER (USA) won his first world title in five years in Belgrade last year, his rival Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) was quick to react.

“You know who was absent there,” Sadulaev wrote on Instagram, pointing at his own absence from the World Championships. “My friend, I’m ready to give you another chance to become a real king in the 97kg weight class. Our viewers deserve the continuance of the story.”

A year later, there will be no absentees as Sadulaev was confirmed to compete at the World Championships in Belgrade. That means that Sadulaev will get a chance to reclaim his world title, currently held by Snyder.

The two will resume their rivalry this week and if the two actually meet on the mat, it will be their fifth bout. Sadulaev holds a 3-1 head-to-head record with his last win coming in the final of the Oslo World Championships in 2021.

Gable STEVESON (USA) is the only Tokyo Olympic champion not wrestling in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The build-up to the World Championship has been dominated by Freestyle line-ups with doubts over Gable STEVESON’s (USA) participation and the final call on the Individual Neutral Athletes. But the mystery was solved on Tuesday. Apart from Sadulaev, Olympic champions Zavur UGUEV (AIN) and Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) were also approved to compete in Belgrade. Shamil MAMEDOV (AIN) and Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) will also be at the tournament.

That makes Steveson the only Tokyo Olympic champion to not feature in the tournament as Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and David TAYLOR (USA) were already confirmed. Interestingly, all Olympic champs besides Taylor are unseeded, which means they will be drawn randomly and can may their arch-rivals in the first round itself.

While the inclusion of the AIN certainly brings more star-power to the mega event, the World Championships holds further importance as it will see close to 1000 wrestlers eyeing the 90 Paris Olympic quotas, divided equally among the three styles, on offer at the first qualifying event for the Games next year.

The team title race will also see the impact of the same as the U.S. tries to defend its first-place finish. With the AIN loaded with star power, U.S. will have to avoid any slip-ups. AIN will not be awarded any points in the team rankings at the World Championship but it can certainly derail the plans of other nations.

Given the benefits of wrestling in an Olympic weight class, wrestlers have squeezed themselves into the six Olympic weight classes, 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg. Out of the 368 wrestlers entered in Freestyle, 252 wrestlers are in these six weight classes with 86kg receiving the most entries — 52. In the non-Olympic weights, 61kg, 70kg, 79kg and 92kg, 116 wrestlers are entered with 70kg getting the most entries with 34 wrestlers.

Each Olympic weight class offers five Olympic spots and a wrestler can earn the same for the respective National Olympic Committee by winning one of the four medals. The fifth spot will be decided with a playoff between the two losers of the bronze medal bouts.

As far as storylines go, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and Taylor are expected to wrestle for the 86kg gold again while Snyder may face Sadulaev early at 97kg as the AIN wrestler is unseeded. Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) returns to international competition after two years but in his absence, a young star has emerged at 65kg -- world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI). Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) drops to 57kg with eyes on second straight world title but faces the likes of 57kg world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) and Olympic champion Uguev. Kyle DAKE (USA) will be looking to avenge his Olympic loss to Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) but a much-awaited bout against Sidakov will be the highlight at 74kg. A three-way battle will ensue at 125kg as Taha AKGUL (TUR) looks to defend his title against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) and longtime rival Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

Sadulaev’s return gives him a chance to win his sixth world title and be level with Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), the wrestler with the most world tiles among active members. But Snyder will look to deny him. The two met twice in two months in 2021 with Sadulaev winning both the encounters quite comfortably. That is not to say Snyder has not been up to the mark. In the five Olympic and World Championships finals since 2017 in which both Snyder and Sadulaev have participated, only once — 2019 — the two have not faced each other. The other four instances have been a bout for gold with Sadulaev winning three and Snyder one.

And even then, no love is lost between the two. Snyder visited Sadulaev’s native Dagestan and was seen meeting the latter’s family after a helicopter ride. The two have accepted being in touch despite not facing each other.

On the mat, Snyder, since becoming world champion, won the World Cup with the U.S., began this year with gold medals at the Zagreb Open and the Dan Kolov tournaments before winning the Pan-Am gold and the fourth Ranking Series in Budapest. Sadulaev, despite being away from international wrestling, continued his training, glimpses of which he posted on his Instagram. He recently posted that he is in the final phase of the preparation.

Snyder will have Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN) on his side of the bracket with Asian champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) as they are seeded fourth and eighth respectively. Tazhudinov, who is coached by Sadulaev’s coach Shamil OMAROV, will be a test for Snyder if he can match the gas tank of the American.

Apart from Sadulaev, Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) will also be drawn at random. He almost defeated Snyder in Oslo before giving up a stepout in the dying seconds. Two veterans of the wrestling world, Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) and Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) will also be unseeded in Belgrade.

The other threats to Snyder and Sadulaev include European finalists Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO). Snyder was troubled by Matcharashvili in the first bout in Budapest with the American scrapping through a 3-2 win before winning the gold over Magomedov who pulled out injured.

Matcharshvili won the European gold over Magomedov this year after a late takedown gave him a 4-3 lead. Magomedov will hope to avenge that loss if the two meet in Belgrade.

If you thought Snyder-Sadulaev was the only high-profile rivalry in wrestling right now, you are wrong. Taylor and Yazdani have followed a similar path in their own rivalry which will resume in Belgrade as the two gear up for their fifth battle. Taylor leads the head-to-head 4-1 with his latest win coming over Yazdani in the final of the 2022 World Championship. In Oslo, Yazdani scored his first win over Taylor, which compensated, though very little, Yazdani’s heartbreaking Tokyo Olympic final loss to the American.

The two are evenly matched on the mat but Taylor holds a slight advantage with his superior gas tank. In all their meetings, Yazdani has been the aggressor, always ending the first period with a lead. But Taylor has somehow found a way to win. Remember his first win over Yazdani as he pinned the Iranian in the World Cup in 2018? The two have more or less managed to keep the same scoring pattern with Taylor scoring nine points in the previous two bouts against Yazdani’s seven.

The major difference in Yazdani’s tactics in Oslo and Belgrade was the use of underhook. Yazdani completely dropped the signature move in the first period of the Belgrade bout and when he tried in the second period, Taylor had soared ahead.

It looks unlikely that any other wrestler will be able to stop the two meet in the final. Bronze medalists from last year Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and Boris MOKAEV (SVK) can come close but have suffered huge losses against the two. But such been Yazdani and Taylor’s dominance that the two have shared the global titles at 86kg since 2017.

Arslan BAGAEV (AIN) and Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) are certainly medal contenders in Belgrade but they will have to navigate a field that also includes Olympic bronze medalist Myles AMINE (SMR).

The 2022 European champion lost to Dauren KURGULIEV (GRE) this year 3-1 but avenged his loss in Budapest to remain one of the top wrestlers at 86kg. He will be eyeing a second trip to the Olympics in Paris.

U20 world champion Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) is yet to make a mark at the senior level but the motivation to qualify for a home Olympics can certainly push the youngster for a medal.

Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), Osman GOCEN (TUR) and Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) are also entered for the World Championships.

Tokyo Olympic champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) is going for his third world title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Sidakov, Uguev face tough test
The late entry of Olympic champions Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and Zavur UGUEV (AIN) has spiced up things at 74kg and 57kg respectively. The two have not competed internationally since winning the gold medal in Tokyo but will be the favorites for gold in their weight classes.

However, the run to gold won’t be a cakewalk.

At 74kg, four-time world and defending champion Kyle DAKE (USA) will be the biggest hurdle for Sidakov. Wrestling fans have longed for a bout between the two of the most complete wrestlers in the world. While Sidakov works like a machine, Dake can switch levels at will. Their domination at this level makes it one of the most anticipated bouts.

However, Dake may be anticipating another bout altogether, that against Olympic silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) who mauled Dake in Tokyo. Being a gold medal contender in Tokyo, Dake was the favorite against Kadzimahamedau but lost 12-1, his only loss in the World Championships or Olympics. Sidakov too will be aware of Kadzimahamedau’s level and what he is capable of.

The fourth wrestler in the fray is Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) who would like to make his third consecutive final, and perhaps win the title this year. His strong defense has been a problem for many but Dake has beaten him in both the finals the two met. Salkazanov can also upset Sidakov or Kadzimahamedau, but to do that, he would have to raise the level.

Though he has not been in a World Championships since 2019, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) is known to be the guy with a surprise up his sleeve. Salkazanov has denied him for two consecutive years not but it would be foolish to think Chamizo can’t upset anyone. The crafty wrestler has all the skills to win and a pre-Olympic World Championships may push Chamizo to return to his old self.

Another top wrestler is Yones EMAMI (IRI) who belongs to cream at 74kg. He wrestled Dake in the semifinals last year and managed to shut down the American. However, he could not break Dake’s defense, losing 2-2 before winning a bronze medal.

Two veterans, Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) and Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB) are also in the mix. Demirtas is still searching for that gold while Abdurakhamanov is going for another run after winning bronze in Tokyo. The Uzbek tried moving to 86kg last year but returned to 79kg for the Asian Championships this year and is now at 74kg.

Young stars Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) will try to make a name for themselves in this World Championships. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), returning bronze medalist Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), local favorite Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) and Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) will also try to finish on the podium.

Zavur UGUEV (AIN) is returning to international competition for the first time since winning the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

At 57kg, Uguev will first have to battle his weight and step on the mat against a field that is nothing less than first-class. Uguev, who won the gold in Tokyo after beating Ravi KUMAR (IND) in the final, has been an absolute rock at 57kg over the years.

The biggest test for him in Belgrade will be Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), who is returning to 57kg in a bid to win an Olympic gold medal. The 26-year-old won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and tried moving to 65kg for Tokyo. Once he failed to make it past the domestic level, he returned to 57kg but his battles with weight have been well documented. Higuchi won his first world title last year at 61kg which is a non-Olympic weight class.

Nothing will come easy for both Uguev and Higuchi as returning world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) also looks to book his trip for the Olympics. Abakarov defeated Gilman with ease last year to become Albania’s first wrestling world champion.

Abakarov’s confidence may have taken a hit after he suffered a loss to Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) in the European Championships final but that was at 61kg. Both Abakarov and Harutyunyan have dropped to 57kg now.

Uguev will be on the lookout for Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) as well as he almost lost his first-round bout against Abdullaev in Tokyo if not for a last-second trip from Uguev to score a four-pointer. Abdullaev has struggled with weight but can do enough to be in the medal rounds.

Another wrestler who troubled Uguev in Tokyo was Thomas GILMAN (USA) but he won’t travel to Belgrade as Zane RICHARDS (USA) defeated him in the domestic qualifiers. Richards has a strong chain wrestling and while the U.S. style is familiar to most wrestlers in the world, Richards could be a surprise at 57kg.

European champion Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) has taken big strides in his career but the World Championships will be his real test. Rzazade won the Zagreb Open to start the year and continued his good form by winning Euros in which he defeated Suleyman ATLI (TUR) 12-2 in the final. Asian champion AMAN (IND) is replacing Kumar and will get his first taste of the big league. He won the U23 World Championships but the Belgrade tournament is not a tournament of U23 level and that is putting it mildly.

Top seed Wanhao ZOU (CHN), Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ), Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) and Stevan MICIC (SRB) will also be in the mix.

Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) will wrestle outside Japan after more than two years. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Champ vs challengers
While Sadulaev, Sidakov, and Uguev were on a forced break, Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), one of the most watchable wrestlers in the world, ironically, decided to be away from wrestling for a good year and a half since the Tokyo Olympics. He returned in December 2022 for Japan's first qualifier the 2023 World Championships. He won that and the second qualifier, the Meiji Cup, in June this year to confirm his Belgrade ticket. However, the champ looked a little rusty.

Otoguro, a world champion from 2018, will have to wrestle better than he did at the Meiji Cup, as any slip-up at 65kg could prove to be fatal.

Leading the challengers will be world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) whose strong underhook game can trouble Otoguro as the Japanese wrestler isn't the happiest being stuck in positions. The bout between the two can be a spectacle and worthy final, the two can meet early as well as Otoguro is unseeded while Amouzad is the top seed.

The only other Tokyo Olympic medalist at 65kg coming to Belgrade is three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) who hopes to finish his career with gold in Paris. But his recent losses at 65kg have cast doubts over his ability to challenge the young field at 65kg. Aliyev lost to Amouzad last year and later lost the bronze-medal bout to Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).

And to think Muszukajev, a two-time world bronze medalist, will be a pushover is a crime. The style in which he doesn’t engage much with his opponent but attacks like a cat, when given open space, has given him fans around the world. But his struggle with conditioning is still an area of concern, especially in a weight class full of youngsters. Muszukajev also has a win over Otoguro, in the bronze-medal bout at the 2019 Worlds.

Another contender, perhaps for gold, is Shamil MAMEDOV (AIN), an extremely talented youngster who won the gold medal at the 2022 Yasar Dogu. He had then expressed his desire to become the world champion. But that did not happen in 2022.

Mamedov will get that chance, incidentally in Belgrade, as he gears up for his first World Championships, perhaps the toughest in recent years. He will be backing himself to upset all the established stars and make a name for himself.

A true dark horse in this weight class is Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) who won bronze in 2021 and finished second to Amouzad in the Asian Championships this year. Tumur Ochir has troubled many this year using his underhook and strong build. But the World Championships will throw wrestlers of different styles who would have studied to break the Mongolian’s position.

Count on European champion Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) as well. He missed out on a medal last year but Tevanyan has been improving, winning the U23 World Championships, Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series, and European Championships. His style can frustrate a lot of wrestlers and if not engaged early, the Armenian can easily defend his lead.

Two-time world medalist Alejandro VALDES (CUB) is entered for Cuba as he tries to make it to Paris with the hope of winning his first Olympic medal. Uzbekistan has trusted Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) to do the job and the former U20 world champion has the ability but may lack the experience needed at this level.

The United States had John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) in the final last year but he lost to Nicholas LEE (USA) in the domestic qualifications. Lee will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders as he tries to win the Paris quota for the U.S., something it missed in Tokyo.

Another NCAA star Austin GOMEZ (MEX) will be representing Mexico at the World Championships and it will be interesting to see how he performs internationally. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) and Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) can be the party-spoilers for anyone.

The champ vs. challengers sub would have been more apt for 125kg had Steveson entered. But with him out, Taha AKGUL (TUR) will be challenged in Belgrade and Steveson’s much-awaited bout with Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) will have to wait.

Zare will have his task cut out if he wants to win a second-world title. He was well on course last year before losing in the semifinals against Akgul who looked a better wrestler than in the Olympics or the 2021 World Championships.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) will have the same odds to win the title as Zare and Akgul as he chases his fourth in Belgrade. Petriashvili could have been the Olympic champion if not for Steveson to score a takedown literally in the final second.

The Georgian seems to have not put that loss behind as he lost tamely to Zare in 2021 and was stunned by MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the 2022 semifinals. Munkhtur lost to Akgul in the final but the four are expected to be on the podium once again.

Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) was a gut-wrench away from beating Zare last year in Almaty, Masson PARRIS (USA) had pinned Zare in U20 World Championships while Zhiwei DENG (CHN) has been a solid 125kg.

These three wrestlers can cause problems for the top four who should also keep an eye on Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Daniel LIGETI (HUN), Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), Robert BARAN (POL) are also entered.

The non-Olympic weight class will also throw some once-in-a-lifetime battles.

Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) is the favorite to win gold at 61kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

61kg
It was one-way traffic in 2021 as Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) won gold at 61kg. It is expected to be the same as he returns aiming for his second world title.

Asian champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) and Vitali ARUJAU (USA) could come close but unless everything works in their favor and Magomedov doesn’t really show up, it will be difficult even for returning silver medalist Reza ATRI (IRI).

Zain RETHERFORD (USA) is the returning silver medalist at 70kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

70kg
But the U.S. can still bank on Zain RETHERFORD (USA) to give them gold in one of the lower weight classes. The returning silver medalist will be pitted against bronze medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ). Both lost to eventual champion Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) at the World Championships last year. With the Japanese absent, Retherford will fancy his chances but so will Akmataliev who wrestled one of the most memorable matches against Narikuni in the semifinals.

But that’s what Akmataliev likes. The more his opponent attacks, Akmataliev will be counter and score big points.

Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will try to deny both Retherford and Akmataliev and win his world gold after finishing with a silver medal in 2021. Yazdani has been a mixed bag at the international level and has suffered losses along the way.

Evgenii ZHERBAEV’s (AIN) entry has certainly made the weight class even more interesting but a lot will depend on the bracket.

Ramazan RAMAZANOV (AIN), Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) and Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) will look to make some noise as well.

79kg
Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) denied him in two straight World Championships but Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) will be the favorite this year as Burroughs failed to make the U.S. team.

Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) defeated the six-time world champion in a best-of-three series to be in Belgrade. He will now try to stop Nokhodi. The two met in Budapest and Nokhodi dominated Marsteller.

However, Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) can cause some trouble with his different style of wrestling which Nokhodi, 21, may not be aware of.

U23 world champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) and Ramazan SARI (TUR) will try to finish among the medals.

92kg
Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) was on his way to a third consecutive world title but two injuries in the space of two months meant that the Iranian superstar had to withdraw from the World Championships.

That meant J’Den COX (USA) would finally get the gold he was denied by Ghasempour in the last two years but Cox switched to 97kg but never made the U.S. team. The absence of the two big stars has thrown the 92kg weight class wide open.

Both bronze medalists from 2022, Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) would feel that they can make the most of the situation and reach the final. Both have been consistent in 2023 and can make for a great final.

Vladislav VALIEV (AIN), a 2019 European champion at 86kg, will be a medal contender as well.

Iran is gambling with Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), a regular at 97kg, who has been asked to drop down to 92kg as Iran tries to defend its team title.

Azarpira has won the age-group World Championships at 97kg but it will be too early to predict his performance at 92kg, especially after the weight cut.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) made the U.S. team and can use to his active wrestling to win his first world medal. But it won’t be easy against some of the best in the world and Valencia has to switch levels.

Two-time European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) defeated both Maisuradze and Nurmagomedov en route to the gold medal and will push himself to repeat and end up on the podium.

Two absolute hammers are 19-year-olds Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) and Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ). The two met in the final of the Asian Championships with Yoshida prevailing over Aitmukhan in what was his first international trip.

Aitmukhan was in the final of the U20 World Championships as well but finished with a silver medal. But both Yoshida and Aitmukhan can trouble the best in the business.

The World Championships will kick off on September 16 with Freestyle and will be live on UWW+ and FloSport for the U.S. audience.

Sakurai stuns Maroulis for 57kg title; U.S. wins 2 golds

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Preview: Freestyle rivalries resume but tough test awaits stars in Belgrade