Sarita Defends 59kg Crown to Become India's 1st Two-Time Asian Women's Champion

Thursday, April 15, 2021 - 16:59 By Ken Marantz

Sarita SARITA (IND) became the first Indian woman in history to win a second Asian gold medal when she defeated an opponent who had beaten her earlier in the day.

And she did it after coming back from a five-point hole.

Sarita defended her 59kg crown by rallying to a 10-7 victory in the final Thursday night over two-time world bronze medalist Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) on the third day of the six-day Asian Championships in Almaty.

"I had won the gold medal in 59 in Delhi and I am the first Indian to defend my title," said Sarita, who turns 26 on Friday. "Last year as well, I had beaten a Mongolian wrestler and now also I did the same. To get my country's flag on the top in a foreign country is the proudest moment."

With the women's tournament at the spectator-less Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports missing powerhouses Japan and China, limited entries means all weight classes are conducted in round-robin formats.

Sarita and Baatarjav were drawn in the same group, with the Mongolian winning their first encounter 5-4 before they set up the rematch in the final with one-sided wins in the semifinals.

Sarita was familiar with Baatarjav even before the afternoon match. The Mongolian had beaten her 10-0 in the quarterfinals at the 2018 World Championships en route to the first of consecutive bronze medals.

"I had that in mind, but I also wanted to win the gold medal for myself and India," Sarita said.

In the final, Sarita scored with a stepout before Baatarjav replied with a double-leg takedown for a 2-0 lead. Early in the second period, Baatarjav launched a hip throw at the edge that was awarded 2 points and was challenged by the Indian side -- only to have the points revised to 4, with a lost-challenge point added, to give the Mongolian a 7-2 lead.

"When she scored a 4-pointer, I thought that's big," Sarita said. "I don't think it was 4. But it was okay, and I thought I have to cover that if I want to win.

"Even in the morning I had thought that I have to wrestle hard for six minutes if I want to win. There is nothing left once the bout finishes. I had to keep wrestling."

Undaunted, Sarita closed the gap with a takedown and 2-point tilt. As the end of the match neared, Sarita caught Baatarjav with a back trip for 4 with :15 left to go ahead. An unsuccessful challenge finalized the score at 10-7.

Heading into the final, Sarita said she brainstormed with her coaches to come up with a strategy to finally vanquish her nemesis.

"I learned about her weak areas and my mistakes after [the first] bout and the coaches had a word with me to correct all that," Sarita said. "We had to improve certain things and attack in a different manner. I did all that and won."

In other action, world bronze medalist Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) made the most of the missing East Asians by storming to her first Asian gold with a 10-0 technical fall in the 50kg final over Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB).

The Russian-born Islamova Brik, who secured a berth at the Tokyo Olympics with her third-place finish at the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan, scored an early takedown, then clamped down countering an arm throw attempt by Immaeva and rolled her back-and-forth four times to end the match in 1:43.

"I am feeling wonderful because this is the first time I became the Asian champion, and at home, too, so it's exciting," said the 29-year-old Islamova Brik, the mother of a 7-year-old son who won consecutive Asian bronzes in 2019 and 2020.

"Before the final, I was very nervous because I was under pressure to wrestle at home and win here. Thankfully I did it. This medal I will celebrate with my husband who is also my coach."

Asked which she treasures more, her world bronze or newly won Asian gold, Islamova Brik replied, "Both medals are very important and I can't answer that question. But if I had to choose one, it will be world bronze because it gave me a chance to go to Olympics."

Two wrestlers who earned Tokyo Olympic spots at the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament, which preceded the Asian Championships at the same venue, both made it to the finals, but only one joined Greco-Roman star Hansu RYU (KOR) by achieving an Almaty double and adding the Asian gold.

Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), who secured a ticket to Tokyo at 68kg, added the Asian senior title to three golds she won on the junior level by calmly defeating Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 6-1 in the final.

"Many people have told me that I am always relaxed and don't feel any emotions," Zhumanazarova said. "My coach is a very relaxed person, so maybe I copy him and am relaxed as well. When I am going for something big, I always try to be relaxed and not worry."

Zhumanazarova, a 2019 world junior champion, had a 1-0 lead when she was put on the activity clock. But she kept her composure and scored a lift-and-drop takedown, then padded her lead with a second takedown and a stepout.

Any celebrating, however, is on hold for now.

"For me, it's the mat and then we eat and sleep, and that's all. I don't do anything else," Zhumanazarova said. "There is no party or anything until I win the Olympics gold. That's my main goal.

"Yes, there are strong opponents in 68kg, but in sports, anything can happen and we have seen it in history that any strong sportsperson can lose. I think anyone who is in strong physical form will win in Olympics."

Olympic qualifier Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) saw her bid for an Almaty double at 76kg quashed when Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) used the move-of-the-day to score a victory by fall in the final.

Medet Kyzy had Syzdykova's leg in the air when the Kazakh suddenly jumped and kicked out a leg while rolling back, which flipped Medet Kyzy onto her back. Syzdykova then clamped down for a fall in 1:48.

"The final was a tough bout as I had only three weeks of training and we were helping the Kazakhstan team to qualify for Olympics," Syzdykova said. "But my coach said that we have to go for it and win. I was wrestling only tactically and next time I’ll do better."

For Syzdykova, the victory avenged a 6-1 loss to Medet Kyzy in the group stage, and gave her a first gold among six career Asian medals. It was also her first major title since moving up to 76kg in 2018.

"I won the Olympic medal at 69, but now cutting the weight is not good for me so I changed," she said. "I have been wrestling for 16 years and I don’t know what else to do. I love it."

Dulguun MUNKHBOLD (MGL), who had already clinched the 55kg title with a pair of falls in the afternoon session, capped her run to a first Asian gold with a third pin, decking Hyungjoo KIM (KOR) at 2:41 after leading 5-0.

Munkhbold, in progressing from Asian bronze medalist in 2019 and silver medalist last year, sprawled at the edge to counter a Kim tackle, then reversed gears and bulled her onto her back.

With that result, the final match of the 55kg round-robin suddenly became a showdown for the silver and bronze medals, and Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB) came away with the glitzier hardware.

Usmonjonova twice stuffed a front headlock throw attempt by Aisha UALISHAN (KAZ), and clamped down after the second one to secure a fall with :36 left in the match and a 4-1 lead.

India came away with two bronze medals, with Seema SEEMA (IND) winning at 50kg -- the day after turning 29 -- with a 10-0 technical fall over Yung Hsun LIN (TPE), and Pooja POOJA (IND) beating Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) 5-2 at 76kg in a repeat of their match at the Asian Olympic qualifier, where neither finished in the top two.

Nine years after winning an Asian junior bronze, Eun Sun JEONG (KOR) earned a senior one with a 7-2 win at 68kg over Azoda ESBERGENOVA (UZB).

Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ), a 2019 world junior bronze medalist, took the 59kg bronze by beating Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB) 7-0.

The women's tournament finishes up Friday with competition in the 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg divisions.

The day will see a clash between reigning champions, as Divya KAKRAN (IND), the 2020 champion at 68kg, has moved up to 72kg and is looking to dethrone Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ). The two will face each other in the second round of the four-woman round-robin.

Day 3 Finals

Women's Wrestling

50kg (6 entries)
GOLD - Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) df. Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 1:43
BRONZE - Seema SEEMA (IND) df. Yung Hsun LIN (TPE) by TF, 10-0, 2:17

55kg (4 entries)
GOLD - Dulguun MUNKHBOLD (MGL), 3-0
SILVER - Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB), 2-1
BRONZE - Aisha UALISHAN (KAZ), 1-2
Key match: Dulguun MUNKHBOLD (MGL) df. Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB) by Fall, 5:23 (14-0) in Round 1

59kg (6 entries)
GOLD - Sarita SARITA (IND) df. Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL), 10-7
BRONZE - Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ) df. Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB), 7-0

68kg (6 entries)
GOLD - Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), 6-1
BRONZE - Eun Sun JEONG (KOR) df. Azoda ESBERGENOVA (UZB), 7-2

76kg (6 entries)
GOLD - Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) by Fall, 1:48 (4-0)
BRONZE - Pooja POOJA (IND) df. Seoyeon JEONG (KOR), 5-2

#WrestlePontevedra

Onishi adds U20 world title to growing resume

Thursday, September 5, 2024 - 23:02 By Vinay Siwach

PONTEVEDRA, Spain (September 5) -- Three minutes and 33 seconds on the mat, 40-0 in four bouts and zero points conceded.

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) could not have asked for a better debut at the U20 level as she won the 59kg gold medal at the World Championships in Pontevedra, Spain on Thursday.

Ever since her heartbreaking loss in the U17 World Championships final in 2022, Onishi has not looked back and won the U17 and U20 World titles without giving up points. Her title run on Thursday saw her finish the 59kg final against Alexis JANIAK (USA) 10-0 in 43 seconds.

Not that her earlier bouts were any different.

The 18-year-old won her first bout against Elena KUROVA (AIN) 10-0 in a minute, defeated KOMAL (IND) in 34 seconds in the quarterfinals and humbled former U17 world champion Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) 10-0 in a minute and 16 seconds.

"This was my first win in the U20 category," Onishi said. "I am grateful to my family, friends, and coaches and I wanted to give something back. So I'm honestly really happy that I was able to win.

"I was able to show what I had been practicing, and my challenge this time was to attack aggressively. I was able to accomplish that and win without conceding a point. I'm really satisfied with that."

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) used the leg lace as her go-to attack throughout the tournament. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Earlier this year, Onishi joined the Nippon Sports Science University, whose current and former wrestlers won a combined five gold medals at the recently concluded Paris Olympics. In the short period she has been there, Onishi has trained majorly with 53kg Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN).

"Akari really has nothing but positives for me," she said. "It's been a really short period of time since I entered NSSU, but during that time, I've been able to do various training sessions with them, and it's been an opportunity for me to become stronger."

Before coming to Spain, Onishi made a name for herself in Japan when she defeated two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (nee KAWAI) in the Meiji Cup in May. She won the gold medal and earned a playoff against Kinjo for the Non-Olympic World Championships next month.

Onishi led 5-0 at the break in the playoff but Kinjo scored two points going behind for a takedown and adding a 2-point exposure to cut the lead to 6-4. With :15 on the clock, Kinjo got in on a single and managed to lift up the leg and expose Onishi's back with eight seconds left, putting her ahead 6-6 on criteria. But Onishi squirmed back to her feet and with a mighty charge, went for a double-leg takedown that forced Kinjo out just as time expired. The referee gave her 1 for a stepout, but after an agonizing wait for the challenge review, it was nullified as Kinjo's foot was just centimeters from the edge when the clock hit all zeroes.

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) won the 59kg gold medal at the U20 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

While Onishi was disappointed to have not made it to her first senior worlds, she made her loss to Kinjo a driving force for future competitions.

"It was my first experience to wrestle the same person [Kinjo] twice in one day," she said. "I was really disappointed that I couldn't make it at the very end, but on the other hand, it gave me confidence, and I used that energy to reach even higher heights. My desire to win overwhelmingly next time."

The process to be at the next year's senior World Championships begins in December for Onishi. She will be part of the Emperor's Cup and Meiji Cup next year. She will try to win both and earn a spot on the senior team for the World Championships.

As far as the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics go, Onishi expressed her desire to be there. But for that, she will have to decide if she wants to cut to 57kg or jump to 62kg. In both weight classes, defending Olympic champions are waiting for her. Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) at 57kg and Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) at 62kg will be her biggest challenges.

"I haven't decided on my weight class yet, but I definitely want to compete at the Los Angeles Olympics," she said. "No matter what weight class I'm in, I'm determined to beat the current champion."

Yu ZHANG (CHN) celebrates after winning the 50kg final at the U20 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Onishi was the only gold medalist of the day for Japan. Haruna MORIKAWA (JPN) wrestled in the 50kg final against Yu ZHANG (CHN) but lost a close final in the last 10 seconds.

After winning two age-group Asian titles, Zhang dropped the U20 Asian final against Rinka OGAWA (JPN) in June. But she left nothing to chance in Pontevedra, pulling off a suplex in the final 10 seconds to beat Morikawa 7-6 and clinch her first gold medal at any World Championships.

Morikawa was the first to get on board as Zhang spun on her back to give two points to Morikawa. It became 4-2 for Morikawa at the break as Zhang got two points for a counter lift while Morikawa was awarded two for exposure as Zhang's hand opened after she finished the lift.

Zhang for the criteria on 4-4 as she scored a two-point exposure over Morikawa, who answered with an underhook to slam Zhang on the mat and score two points. She had 26 seconds to defend her two-point lead but Zhang used a semi-duckunder to step behind Morikawa and lock her in her arms. She completed the throw for two points and a 6-6 criteria lead. Japan challenged the decision but it only added a point to Zhang's score for the lost challenge.

"I have performed well," Zhang said. "After finishing the tournament, I feel that I am still very happy."

Former U23 world champion Yumeka TANABE (JPN) has been the coach for China's U20 team and Zhang acknowledged her inputs for the match.

"I need to mention that I have a lot to learn from Tanabe," she said. "I hope that after this competition, I can improve myself, find out the problems, and solve them to reach an advanced level."

Zhang's twin sister Jin will wrestle for the 53kg gold medal against Calra JAUME SOLER (ESP), Spain's first-ever World Championships finalist in wrestling.

"I want to tell her that she can confidently and boldly perform to her level tomorrow," she said as advice to her sister Jin. "She can also win a gold medal."

Jyoti BERWAL (IND) celebrates after winning the 76kg gold medal at the U20 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

India and the United States also crowned champions to remain in the race to win the team title on Friday.

Jyoti BERWAL (IND) won the 76kg gold medal after beating Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR), 5-0, in the 76kg final. This is the second year in a row that India has won the gold medal in the heaviest weight class.

Berwal won the first point when Orlevych was put on the activity clock and she failed to score. The Indian then added a stepout to lead 2-0. Orlevych was called for passivity in the second period as well and she failed to score giving Berwal another point. A few bad attempts from Orlevych ended in Berwal capitalizing and scoring a two-point takedown to stretch the lead to 5-0.

The gold medal is India's fifth in Women's Wrestling at the U20 World Championships, an impressive number for a country that got its first U20 world champion in Women's Wrestling in 2022.

Berwal, a former 72kg silver medalist at the U23 World Championships, now faces the tough challenge of making it to the senior team. But for that, she will have to win against 2023 U20 world champion Priya MALIK (IND), U23 world champion and Paris Olympian REETIKA (IND) and other up-and-coming youngsters.

"I am satisfied with my wrestling," Berwal said. "Now that I have decided to the Olympic weight class 76kg, there is no turning back and back myself to prove it."

For the United States, Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA) took less than a minute to pin Khaliun BYAMBASUREN (MGL) and win the 55kg gold medal for her country.

Byambasuren was trying to get Rodriguez uncomfortable but the American tossed her on the mat and held her back to secure a fall in the final. This was the second fall of the tournament for Rodriguez who won her four bouts without conceding a point.

At 68kg, U20 European champion Alina SHEVCHENKO (AIN) handed Ayse ERKAN (TUR) a 12-2 defeat in the final.

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD: Yu ZHANG (CHN) df. Haruna MORIKAWA (JPN), 7-6

BRONZE: Svenja JUNGO (SUI) df. Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ), 7-4
BRONZE: Aida KERYMOVA (UKR) df. MUSKAN (IND), via fall

55kg
GOLD: Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA) df. Khaliun BYAMBASUREN (MGL), via fall

BRONZE: Nargiz SAMADOVA (AZE) df. Karina HONDA (JPN), via fall (8-7)
BRONZE: Tuba DEMIR (TUR) df. Ekaterina CHIKANOVA (AIN), 12-2

59kg
GOLD: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) df. Alexis JANIAK (USA), 10-0

BRONZE: Anna TIELIEGINA (LTU) df. Uladzislava KUDZIN (AIN), via fall
BRONZE: KOMAL (IND) df. Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE), 6-1

68kg
GOLD: Alina SHEVCHENKO (AIN) df. Ayse ERKAN (TUR), via fall (12-2)

BRONZE: Karolina DOMASZUK (POL) df. Emilija JAKOVLJEVIC (SRB), via fall (7-0)
BRONZE: SRISHTI (IND) df. Viktoryia RADZKOVA (AIN), 7-0

76kg
GOLD: Jyoti BERWAL (IND) df. Mariia ORLEVYCH (UKR), 5-0

BRONZE: Naomi SIMON (USA) df. Chisato YOSHIDA (JPN), 9-0
BRONZE: Elmira YASIN (TUR) df. Tuvshinjargal TARAV (MGL), 8-2

Semifinals

53kg
GOLD: Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP) vs. Jin ZHANG (CHN)

SF 1: Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP) df. JYOTI (IND), 4-3
SF 2: Jin ZHANG (CHN) df. Nethmi AHINSA (SRI), via fall

57kg
GOLD: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) vs. Bertha ROJAS (MEX)

SF 1: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) df. Gerda TEREK (HUN), 10-0
SF 2: Bertha ROJAS (MEX) df. Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR), 8-4

62kg
GOLD: NITIKA (IND) vs. Iryna BONDAR (UKR)

SF 1: NITIKA (IND) df. Nagisa ITO (JPN), 7-3
SF 2: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. Melanie JIMENEZ (MEX), 4-3

65kg
GOLD: Nana IKEHATA (JPN) vs. Beyza AKKUS (TUR)

SF 1: Nana IKEHATA (JPN) df. Zaixue RUI (CHN), 10-0
SF 2: Beyza AKKUS (TUR) df. Margarita SALNAZARIAN (AIN), 10-0

72kg
GOLD: Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) vs. Yuqi LIU (CHN)

SF 1: Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) df. Noemi OSVATH NAGY (HUN), via fall
SF 2: Yuqi LIU (CHN) df. Elvira ERSSON (SWE), 10-0

Sarita Defends 59kg Crown to Become India's 1st Two-Time Asian Women's Champion

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Onishi adds U20 world title to growing resume