#BudaWrestle2018

Snyder, Sadulaev Move Closer to Rematch; Mukaida, Kawai Advance

Monday, October 22, 2018 - 13:01 By Andrew Hipps

Share this article

BUDAPEST, Hungary (October 22) -- Olympic champions Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) moved a step closer to a potential finals rematch with victories in the 97kg quarterfinals of the World Championships on Monday in Budapest, Hungary. 

Snyder, the reigning world and Olympic champion, was pushed early in his first match against Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL). He was trailing 3-1 at one point, but turned up his offense in the second period and pulled away for a five-point victory. Snyder then dominated his next two opponents, winning by technical fall over both Nathaniel TUAMOHELOA (ASA) and Abraham de Jesus CONYEDO RUANO (ITA) to reach tonight's semifinals. He will face two-time world bronze medalist Pavlo OLIINYK (HUN) tonight. 

Sadulaev, an Olympic champion and two-time world champion, was untested in the opening session, picking up three technical falls and outscoring his opposition 35-3. He defeated 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) 10-0 in the quarterfinals. He now faces Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO), who edged multiple-time world bronze medalist Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) 4-3 in the quarterfinals. 

At 70kg, returning world champion Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) came from behind late in his last two matches to reach the semifinals. He had a close second-round match as he edged Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) 2-1. Salkaznov led most of the match until Iakobishvili took the lead with just over a minute remaining and held on for the win. In the quarterfinals, he came from behind late to defeat Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) 5-1. In the semifinals, Iakobishvili will face 2015 world champion Muhtarovitch GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS). 

Veteran Adam BATIROV (BRN) reached the 70kg semifinals with a dominant 10-0 technical fall victory over Devid SAFARYAN (ARM). He will meet two-time Olympian Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR) in the semifinals. 

It was a tough session for Iran as their two age group world medalists lost opening round matches and did not get pulled back into repechage. U-23 world bronze medalist Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) was defeated by Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) on criteria at 70kg, while U-23 world champion Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) lost by technical fall to Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE).

In women's wrestling, Japan's world champions Mayu MUKAIDA and Risako KAWAI advanced to the semifinals at 55kg and 59kg respectively. 

Mukaida defeated Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) 6-4 in the quarterfinals at 55kg. It was a battle of past world champion as Mukaida won gold in 2016, while Mattsson was a world champion in 2009. Mukaida jumped out to a 6-0 lead, but Mattsson battled back before eventually falling short. She now faces junior world silver medalist Qi ZHANG (CHN). 

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) earned a spot in the 55kg semifinals with a 4-2 victory over multiple-time world medalist Tetyana KIT (UKR). Winchester led 4-0 at the break. Kit used an arm throw in the second period to the cut deficit to two points but was unable to score again. Winchester will meet Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR) in the semifinals. 

Kawai, the reigning world and Olympic champion, was unscored upon in two matches at 59kg. After a 6-0 victory in her first match over 2016 world champion Xingru PEI (CHN), she rolled to a 10-0 technical fall over Katsiaryna HANCHAR YANUSHKEVICH (BLR) in the quarterfinals. Her opponent in the semifinals will be Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS). 

The bottom side of the bracket at 59kg will pit Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) against Elif Jale YESILIRMAK (TUR).

The semifinals are scheduled to begin at 4:45 p.m. local time. 

Freestyle

70kg
Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR) vs. Adam BATIROV (BRN)
Muhtarovitch GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) vs. Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO)

97kg
Pavlo OLIINYK (HUN) vs. Kyle SNYDER (USA)
Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO) vs. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS)

Women's wrestling

55kg
Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) vs. Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR)
Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) vs. Qi ZHANG (CHN)

59kg
Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) vs. Risako KAWAI (JPN)
Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) vs. Elif Jale YESILIRMAK (TUR)

Saravi, Hedayati win gold to cap Iran's dominance at ISG 2025

Wednesday, November 19, 2025 - 17:36 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (November 19) -- If there was battle for the most dominant wrestler among the Iranian wrestlers, it would be a close one. Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) won Asian and World Championships and a Ranking Series gold before winning the gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 on Tuesday.

Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) won gold at Zagreb Ranking Series, gold at senior and U23 World Championships and like Esmaeili, gold at ISG 2025.

On Wednesday, Olympic and world champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) also joined that list as he won gold medal at 97kg at ISG in Riyadh, Saudi Arabia on Wednesday.

Saravi has been unstoppable this year, just like Esmaeili and Farokhi, winning Ranking Series gold, and gold medals at the Asian and World Championships. In Riyadh, he showed why he has been so good this year.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) turns Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) from par terre in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In one of the marquee matches of the night, Saravi held his own to beat world bronze medalist Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) in the 97kg final.Saravi and Ahmadiyev were clearly a notch up the field in Riyadh in their weight class and reached the final with ease. But when the two clashed, Saravi clearly had a gameplan to not get caught in any upset.

Ahmadiyev had pinned Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) at the World Championships after a block when the Armenian was trying a gut wrench. So when Saravi got the chance in par terre in the final, he only tried a gut wrench once and then let the referee call neutral.

Saravi went into the break leading 3-0. He was called passive in the second period and put in par terre but he defend the position and gave only one point. As Ahmadiyev struggled with his conditioning, Saravi managed to score two stepouts and win the gold medal with a 5-1 score.

The Iranian has now not lost since the 2023 World Championships in Belgrade, extending his winning run to over two years.

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI)Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) prepares to throw Mohamed ABDELLATIF (EGY) during the 130kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 130kg, rising star Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) too has a great winning run. Since his U20 World Championships final loss in 2022, Hedayati has not lost an international bout and capped his 2025 season with gold medal at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025.

Placed in Group A of the Nelson bracket, Hedayati topped his group before winning the semifinal with ease. In the final, he faced Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY), who the Iranian defeated in the first group bout 3-0.

If that was a warm-up win, Hedayati showed what he is capable of, winning the final in just 35 second via fall against Abdellatif. He began with a four-point throw which was challenged by Egypt only to lose the challenge.

Leading 5-0, Hedayati hit an arm-throw for two points before dragging Abdellatif for another takedown with his back on the mat. Hedayati held the Egyptian in that position and secured the fall to end the match and capture the gold medal.

Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) celebrates after winning the 50kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Three women's wrestling weight classes were also in action on Wednesday in Riyadh and three different countries won gold medals.

At 50kg, Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) needed a hip-toss in the last 30 seconds to score four points against Miesinnei GENEISI (NGR) and take a 5-1 lead. The Uzbekistan wrestler led 1-0 at the break after Geneisi's passivity. But the Nigerian took an 1-1 criteria lead in the last minute when Keunimjaeva was called passive.

Desperate to find an opening, Keunimjaeva locked both of Geneisis' arms and tossed her for four points, taking a 5-1 lead and defending it to win the gold medal.

Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR)Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) won the gold medal at 53kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

The winning country was reversed in the 53kg final as Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) defeated Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB), 11-1, to win the gold medal.

Akhmedova failed to match the power of Ogunsanya who kept scoring with counter takedowns. She scored a takedown and a turn using lace to win the bout 11-1.

The final gold medal of the night went to former U23 world champion Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) who defeated European silver medalist Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR) in the 57kg final.

Aliyeva, who had defeated Suleyman in Round 1 bout as well, faced the Turkish wrestler again and kept it simple. She scored three takedown before giving up one in the final few seconds. She managed to hold on to her 6-2 lead for the win.

Photo

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

97kg
GOLD: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE), 5-1

BRONZE: Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR) df. Mohamed GABR (EGY), 3-1
BRONZE: Rouabah FADI (ALG) df. Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA), 8-0

130kg
GOLD: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) df. Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY), via fall (9-0)

BRONZE: Fatih BOZKURT (TUR) df. Roman KIM (KGZ), 11-2

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) df. Miesinnei GENEISI (NGR), 5-1

BRONZE: Elnura MAMMADOVA (AZE) df. Chebila CHEIMA (ALG), 7-0

53kg
GOLD: Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR) df. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB), 11-1

BRONZE: Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ) df. Yusma DESWITA (INA), via fall (3-0
BRONZE: Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) df. Vatansulton SHAKARSHOEVA (TJK), 14-3

57kg
GOLD: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) df. Elvira SULEYMAN (TUR), 6-2

BRONZE: Tekouk ACHOUAK DJAMILA (ALG) df. Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), via fall (14-3)