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Stadnik Ends Decade-Long Gold Drought with Victory at 50kg; Pak Pulverizes Mukaida

Wednesday, September 18, 2019 - 17:49 By Ken Marantz

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NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept.18)--- Since winning her last world title in 2009, Mariya STADNIK (AZE) had two children and piled up a number of global silver medals.

What never changed was her style of wrestling nor her determination to win, and that propelled her back to the top of the victory podium at the World Championships and end a decade of discontent. 

Stadnik captured the women’s 50kg title with a comprehensive 13-0 technical fall over Alina VUC (ROU) in the final as the first four women’s titles were decided in the night session on Day 5.

“Today is an anniversary,” the 31-year-old Stadnik joked. “It was 10 years ago I won a gold medal.”

Stadnik, who could not break through against a succession of Japanese wrestlers who dominated the lowest weight class, said not facing a Japanese in her run to the title did not diminish from her success.

“It doesn’t matter which opponent I face because I came here to win the gold medal,” Stadnik said. “But if you compete with strong wrestlers, you become stronger.” 

Since her victory at the 2009 worlds in Herning, Denmark, Stadnik won silver medals in 2011, 2015 and 2018 and a bronze in 2014, as well as a silver at the Rio 2016 Olympics. 

“Not so many things have changed in my wrestling,” she said. “Maybe some things changed mentally. Ten years ago, I was younger and I wrestled with emotion and a burning heart. Now, I’m older, and I use my head more.”

Asian champion Yuki IRIE (JPN) was knocked out in the quarterfinals the previous day by SUN Yanan (CHN), who then lost to Stadnik in the semifinals. Coincidentally, Irie’s loss marked the first time Japan did not make the final in the lightest weight class since 2009. 

In the final, Stadnik stormed out to a 5-0 lead in the first period. In the second period, a takedown, stepout and caution made it 9-0, then ended the proceedings with a 4-point tackle with :09 left on the clock.

PAK Yong Mi (PRK) grabbed her second victory of the year over two-time world champion Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN). In the finals, Pak defeated Mukaida, 12-1. (Gabor Martin)

The surprise of the finals came at 53kg, not so much for the result as for how one-sided it was.

PAK Yong Mi (PRK) repeated her victory over two-time world champion Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) from the final at this year’s Asian Championships, but in much more dominating fashion as she rolled to a 12-1 technical fall.

“I didn’t care about who is [the opponent],” said Pak, who became the DPR Korea’s first female world champion. “I believe, I trust myself, my strength, my stamina, my agility, everything. This got me the gold medal.”

At the Asian Championships in Xi’an, China, in April, Pak used a last-second takedown to stun Mukaida for the gold. This time, she pulled away with a second-period flurry.

Mukaida took a 1-0 lead after gaining a point with Pak on the activity clock in the first period. But in the second period, Pak scored two takedowns on go-behinds off Mukaida’s tackle attempts. 

After the second takedown, Pak secured an arm-and-body lock, and ripped off four rolls to end the match at 4:31. 

 “Actually, that was not my strategy,” Pak said of her takedown counters. “It was natural. In general terms, my coach trained me a lot about this situation. That’s why automatically I did this technique. I prepared for every situation.”

The 27-year-old Pak credited her success to her coach.

“Everyone knows that [to grow a] beautiful flower, there is somebody who is responsible for the flowering. That’s my coach. My coach taught me best so I could win the gold medal in this event.”

The Nur-Sultan worlds are also serving as the first qualifying tournament for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, with the top six finishers in each of the Olympic weight classes clinching berths for their country.

Pak indicated that she expects similar results at the Olympics hosted by the Asian neighbor

“I will never be satisfied with my success today,” she said. “I will try to do my best and live up to the expectations of my coaches, my family members and my fatherland.” 

Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) picked up a 4-1 win over European champion Alina MAKHYNIA (UKR) in the 72kg finals. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

The other golds on offer Wednesday, in non-Olympic weight classes, went to Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) at 72kg and Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) at 55kg. 

Vorobeva, a London 2o12 Olympic champion and Rio 2016 silver medalist who returned to the mat this winter after a long layoff, was untroubled in chalking up a 4-1 win over European champion Alina MAKHYNIA (UKR).

“It wasn’t an easy match, but you can see I protected my lead to the end,” said Vorobeva, who took 2 1/2 years off as she give birth to her first child in July 2018.

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) improved on her fifth-place finish from a year ago by winning the 55kg gold medal. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan) 

Winchester trailed 3-1 in the second period against former junior world champion Nanami IRIE (JPN) when she scored a takedown with 1:24 left and held on for a 5-3 victory.

In the bronze-medal matches, Sun came away empty-handed she gave up a 4-point headlock throw to Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS) with :40 left, and that made the difference in criteria when the bout ended 9-9. 

Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) denied Oksana LIVACH (UKR) a second straight world bronze when she won by fall in 3:27.

Asians swept the bronzes at both 53kg and 72kg. 

In the former, Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) defeated Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) by fall at 5:14 and PANG Qianyu (CHN) added to her 2018 bronze when Roksana ZASINA (POL) defaulted due to injury. 

At 72kg, Masako FURUICHI (JPN) edged Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) 2-0 and Paliha PALIHA (CHN), the Asian champion at 76kg, also cut it close in defeating Victoria FRANCIS (USA) 2-1

The third-place matches 55kg had mixed reults, with Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) rolling to a 13-0 technical fall of Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) and Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) rallying late for a 12-9 win over Bediha GUN (TUR).

Adeline GRAY (USA) will try to win her fifth world title on Thursday night when she takes on two-time world bronze medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) in the 76kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan) 

Gray gains place in 76kg final; Kawai-Rong showdown set at 57kg
In semifinals in four weight classes held earlier in the session, four-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) scored a pair of 2-point exposures late in the second period and held on for a 5-2 victory over former world champ Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER) at 76kg.

“Fokken is a world champion so she’s been here before,” Gray said. “We both were playing a strategy game of wanted to take enough risk. It became a chess match until she took a risk and I was able to capitalize on it.”

In the final, Gray will face Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN), a two-time bronze medalist who assured herself a higher place on the podium with a comprehensive 7-0 victory over Epp MAEE (EST).

The two met at the Women’s World Cup in March 2018 in Japan, with Gray coming up a 6-1 win. 

For Gray, having clinched the Olympic spot the previous day relieves some of the pressure, and allows her to have the luxury of wrestling for herself. 

“There was this wave of relief when you get to the semifinal matches,” Gray said. “These matches are now for us. It’s like, we did our job for our country, we’re qualified for the Olympics--which is so important, there’s fewer qualifiers this year, fewer spots, so it’s vital…And this put me in the finals of our Olympic trials. So I won a lot of matches today.”

Two-time world and Olympic champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) will square off with reigning world champion RONG Ningning (CHN) in the 57kg gold-medal bout. (Kadir Caliskan)

The 57kg final will be a showdown between 2018 world champions as Rio 2016 gold medalist Risako KAWAI (JPN) will face RONG Ningning (CHN) after both won their semifinals by 6-1 scores.

Kawai, who won her second world title last year at 59kg before dropping down to the Olympic weight this year, managed to get through the defenses of the lanky Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR).

Having given up a stepout in the first period, Kawai scored a takedown early in the second period while on the activity clock, then pulled away with a takedown and tilt.

“In the 57kg class, the Nigerian athlete has a unique style, and a physique that you don’t see in Japan,” Kawai said.

Rong, unbeaten this year with victories at the Klippan Lady, Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov and Asian tournaments, was never in danger in ousting Jowita WRZESIEN (POL).

By making the final and assuring herself of a medal, Kawai clinched a place on Japan’s team to the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, ending Kaori ICHO’s bid for a fifth straight Olympic gold in the weight class. ]

In the other finals, Luibov OVCHAROVA (RUS) will face Linda MORAIS (CAN) at 59kg, while Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) and Inna TRAZHUKOVA (RUS) will clash for the 65kg gold.

On Thursday, the day session will see the qualification rounds in the final two women’s weight classes, 62kg and 68kg, and the start of freestyle at 57kg and 65kg. All four divisions are on the Olympic program.

Day 5 Results

Women’s Wrestling 

50kg (29 entries)
Gold – Mariya STADNIK (AZE) df. Alina VUC (ROU) by TF, 13-0, 5:51 
Bronze – Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) df. Oksana LIVACH (UKR) by Fall, 3:27 (5-0)
Bronze – Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS) df. SUN Yanan (CHN), 9-9

53kg (30 entries)
Gold – PAK Yong Mi (PRK) df. Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) by TF, 12-1, 4:29 
Bronze –Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) by Fall, 5:14 (4-1)
Bronze – PANG Qianyu (CHN) df. Roksana ZASINA (POL) by Inj. Def. 

55kg (18 entries)
Gold – Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Nanami IRIE (JPN), 5-3 
Bronze –Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RUS) df. Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) by TF, 13-0, 2:22
Bronze – Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), 12-9

57kg (31 entries)
Semifinal – RONG Ningning (CHN) df. Jowita WRZESIEN (POL), 6-1 
Semifinal – Risako KAWAI (JPN) df. Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR), 6-1 

59kg (18 entries)
Semifinal – Luibov OVCHAROVA (RUS) df. Pooja DHANDA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 2:36 
Semifinal – Linda MORAIS (CAN) df. Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL), 3-1  

65kg (17 entries)
Semifinal – Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Forrest MOLINARI (USA), 6-5 
Semifinal – Inna TRAZHUKOVA (RUS) df. Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 6-1 

72kg (12 entries)
Gold – Natalia VOROBEVA (RUS) df. Alina MAKHYNIA (UKR), 4-0
Bronze –Masako FURUICHI (JPN) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), 2-0
Bronze – Paliha PALIHA (CHN) df. Victoria FRANCIS (USA), 2-1

76kg (31 entries)
Semifinal – Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) df. Epp MAEE (EST), 7-0 
Semifinal – Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER), 5-2 

#WrestleIstanbul

World Olympic Qualifier Women's Wrestling Bouts Set

Friday, May 10, 2024 - 07:16 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ISTANBUL, Turkiye (May 10) -- The World Olympic Qualifier enters day two with women's wrestling in six weight classes. 12 Paris Olympic spots are on offer in six weight classes by the end of the day. The repechage in Greco-Roman and bronze medal bouts will also happen today.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

 

16:27: Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (AIN) closes the session with a 2-2 last-point victory over Francy RAEDELT (GER) at 76kg. Zimiankova is on the activity clock for a second time and just as it runs out to put her behind, she scores a stepout to take a 2-2 lead on criteria. We will see her later tonight in a clash with Catalina AXENTE (ROU).

16:17: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) defeats Enrica RINALDI (ITA) 4-0 at 76kg to earn a clash with Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) in tonight's qualification match.

16:12: Nesrin BAS (TUR) thrills the home crowd by pulling off a nail-biting 4-4 victory over Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at 62kg. A first-period takedown gives Bas a 2-1 lead going into the break, but Lindborg goes ahead with a takedown to open the second. Bas is not deterred and goes on the attack, getting in a on single and fighting out of Lindborg's fierce whizzer to complete the takedown to go up 4-3 with 1:02 to go. Lindborg gets a stepout with :03 left, but it's not enough and Bas screams out in delight. She will face Astrid MONTERO (VEN) for the ticket to Paris.

15:56: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) likes to go right to work off the whistle, and  Elma ZEIDLERE (LAT) will tell you better be ready. Anghel, who scored a 4-point takedown in the early seconds of the first period, comes storming out in the second with a driving takedown to the back and scores a fall over Zeidlere to advance to the qualification match at 68kg.

15:56: Asian Games bronze medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) snatches a victory from the jaws of defeat when she comes back from six points down to score a fall over Yaynelis SANZ (CUB) 57kg. Sanz looked to be well on her way to the qualification match when she opened with a 4-point takedown in the first period, then adds another takedown in the second. But when Sanz shoots for a double-leg, Sobirova hits a hard whizzer, pulls in the far arm and puts Sanz on her back. The outcome had seemed even more unlikely when Sobirova appeared to twist her right knee late in the first period and took a timeout for treatment.

15:47: Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) uses a combination of muscle and finesse to chalk up a 10-4 victory over home favorite Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) at 57kg and move one win away from Paris. Akobiia gains four points during a second-period scramble that begins with her counter to a seemingly sure takedown

15:45: Entertaining 68kg quarterfinal between Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) and NISHA (IND). Hanzlickova almost got the pin in the first period but Nisha managed to keep her one shoulder up. She scored two counters to take a 6-3 lead but Hanzlickova managed to hit a head lock which scored one as Nisha had stepout first. Hanzlickova challenges asking for four points but to no avail and Nisha will wrestle for a spot for the Paris Olympics.

15:30: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) chalks up an impressive 6-1 victory over three-time Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) to make the qualification match at 53kg. Batkhuyag fights off a whizzer for a takedown, then scores a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on to lead 4-1 at the break. In the second period, Batkhuyag shucks Prevolaraki by for another takedown, then keeps the Greek from ever launching an effective attack. She will face Yetgil for the Olympic spot.

15:21: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) scores all of her points in a quick span of the first period and moves one win away from an Olympic berth at 53kg by beating Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) 7-0. With Wrzesien on the activity clock, Yetgil spins behind for a takedown and immediately locks an arm, then adds a pair of rolls. 

15:20: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is so brutal! She manages to throw Viyaleta CHYRYK (AIN) for a five in her 11-0 win in just under three minutes to win 11-0 at 50kg

15:10: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL), a double Asian bronze medalist at 72kg, handles the extra weight and two-time Olympian and world medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) with a 6-1 win at 76kg. After receiving an activity point, Enkh Amar stops a lateral drop attempt for 2 to go up 3-0. In the second period, Enkh Amar gains a takedown at the edge, with an additional point for an unsuccessful challenge added on.

15:03: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) advances to the qualification match at 53kg with a tough 9-7 victory over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). Dragutan trails 4-2 going into the second period but goes ahead with a low-single takedown, a driving takedown to the back, and an exposure.

14:47: In perhaps a sign of a changing of the guard, Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) scores a takedown in each period and knocks off the venerable Epp MAE (EST) 4-1 at 76kg.

14:44: A slimmed down Nesrin BAS (TUR) continues to thrill the home crowd, getting a pair of first-period takedowns in a 6-4 victory over Natalia KUBATY (POL) at 62kg. Bas won the European gold at 72kg, then moved down to the only weight class available to her because Turkiye had already qualified at 68kg and 76kg.

14:29: Four-time European medalist Kriszta INCZE (ROU) uses an inner thigh block for a 4-point takedown that puts her in position for a victory by fall at 62kg over Nachi MASUDA (AUS), a rare example of a native Japanese who switched nationality.

14:12: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) follows a 4-point whizzer throw by hitting Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) with a headlock throw for a fall at 68kg. Shalygina, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world medalist, famously returned to the sport in 2022 from a 10-year absence.

14:27: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) was leading 5-0 before she pins Lais NUNES (BRA) in the 68kg 1/8 finals. Sweden is looking for its second Paris spot in women's wrestling. The one it has is at 53kg.

14:12: Three-time European bronze medalist Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) advances at 68kg with a victory by fall at Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE). Hanzlickova is looking to get back to the Olympics after appearing at Rio 2016.

14:10:  Yaynelis SANZ (CUB) continues to establish herself as one to beat at 57kg, staying constantly on the attack and using a lightning-quick single leg to defeat Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) 15-4. Sanz builds up a 13-4 lead in the first period, then finishes it off with a takedown 20 seconds into the second.

14:03: Two-time Olympian Feng ZHOU (CHN) needs just 27 seconds to take down Ohyoung HA (KOR) and secure a fall at 68kg.

14:00: Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) gets the takedown, then it's four quick rolls and she's a 10-0 winner in 27 seconds over Ester ABRAHAM (NAM) at 57kg.

13:59: Two-time European champion Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) stays on track for her first Olympic appearance at 57kg, building up a 7-0 lead before securing a fall over  Graciela SANCHEZ (ESP).

13:49: Miesinnei Mercy GENESIS (NGR) hangs on for an impressive 3-0 victory over 2022 world bronze medalist Anna LUKASIAK (POL) to advance at 50kg.

13:46: Superstar Mariya STADNIK (AZE), coming off a stunning loss at the European Olympic Qualifier as she shoots for an unprecedented fifth Olympic medal, starts with a one-sided 10-0 win over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE) at 50kg.

13:43: Veteran two-time world bronze medalist Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) prevails for a nail-biting 6-5 victory at 53kg over Karla GODINEZ (CAN) that featured two challenges in the final 15 seconds. Both challenges came when Prevolaraki used a counter lift roll off a Godinez takedown attempt, and both resulted in each wrestler getting 2 points--which gave a relieved Prevolararki the win as she aims to appear in a third straight Olympics.

13:27: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) scrapes by at 53kg with a 3-2 victory over Annika WENDLE (GER) that ended in a bit of chaos. Yetgil was leading 2-1 from a first-period takedown when Wendle launched a late takedown attempt that was interrupted by the mat chairman throwing the stuffed animal into the ring to get the mat referee's attention. The action was stopped before Wendle could be awarded points. The German side challenged, and when it was sorted out, Yetgil was assessed a 1-point penalty for grabbing fingers, and received a point for the lost challenge. The clock was reset to 10 seconds, but Wendle's last-ditch front headlock throw came just too late.

13:16: Tokyo Olympian Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) gets past Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) with a fall at 53kg with 25 seconds left. Wrzesien takes a 5-0 lead into the second period, when she scores a takedown to the back before securing the fall.  She will face the winner of Annika WENDLE(GER)-Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) currently underway on the adjacent mat.

12:59: In a clash of wrestlers who recently won bronze medals at 55kg at their respective continental championships, Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) pours it on in the second period and advances at 53kg with an 11-1 win over Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ). Down 1-0 going into the second period and with Kadyrbek Kyzy on the activity clock, Dragutan scores a counter takedown and gut wrench, then gets another takedown which she tops off with two rolls.

12:41: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL), moving up to the heaviest weight of 76kg after medaling at the last four European Championships at either 68kg or 72kg, wins a barn-burner 7-5 over Martina KUENZ (AUT). Yaneva falls behind on criteria 3-3 when she gives up a stepout with 56 seconds left, but comes back with a 4-point takedown with :33 to go, then holds on for the win.

12:27: The randomness of the draw put two of the most decorated wrestlers in the tournament against each other, as Epp MAE (EST) and Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) meet in the first round at 76kg. Both are 32, and both are looking to appear in a third straight Olympics. It is the four-time world medalist Mae who comes out on top, getting an activity point and stepout in the second period for a 2-1 win. Syzdykova came into Istanbul after winning her eighth career Asian medal.

12:22: 72kg U23 world champion Nesrin BAS (TUR), almost forced to go down to 62kg in a bid to be at the Olympics, begins his road to Paris with a 6-1 win over Ameline DOUARRE (FRA).

12:19: Former world 59kg champion Linda MORAIS (CAN), looking to bounce back from a stunning loss at the Pan American Qualifier, starts her quest at 68kg by putting away Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) 10-0.    

12:13: In a battle of three-time European medalists, Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) gets a takedown in each period to defeat Dalma CANEVA (ITA)  5-1 at 68kg.

12:10: Tokyo Olympian Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) drops her first bout at 68kg 10-2 against Nicoll PARRADO (COL). Manolova never had similar results in the new weight class after she moved to it from 62kg

11:50: Anna LUKASIAK (POL), a 2022 world bronze medalist, advances at 50kg with a 10-0 rout of Marina KARAPANAGIOTIDOU (GRE).

11:49: Alina AKOBIIA (UKR), looking to add an Olympic medal to a world bronze and two European golds, starts her quest for Paris at 57kg with a victory by fall over In Sun JONG (PRK). With Akobiia leading 3-1 in the second period, Song gets treatment on a heavily taped right knee, then takes a shot that Akobiia counters with a cradle for 2 and apparent fall. A meeting of the judges after the action stopped would indeed confirm it was a fall.  

11:28: Son Hyang KIM (PRK), a world bronze medalist in 2017 who returned to the global stage to win a silver medal at last September's Asian Games, but suffered a close first-round loss at last month's Asian Olympic Qualifier, avoids any mistakes in a 6-0 victory over  Julie Martine SABATIE (FRA) at 50kg.

11:10: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) thrills the home crowd with a 7-0 win over Maria BAEZ (ESP) at 53kg. Turkiye has qualified for three weight classes but is looking for three more from this tournament.

11:05: In a doozy on Mat C, Laura HERIN AVILA (CUB) scores a stepout with 22 seconds left to finish up a wild 18-8 win at 53kg over two-time world U20 bronze medalist Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE). 

11:03: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), a 2023 world bronze medalist at 55kg, begins her quest for an Olympic spot at 53kg by using a reverse pancaked to build up an 8-0 lead over Oleksandra KOGUT (AUT). Kogut fights back for a takedown and turn, but Dragutan holds on to walk off an 8-4 winner.

10:53: With the Greco repechage matches finished on Mat B, Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR)  starts the women's competition with a nicely timed 4-point headlock throw against Irena BINKOVA (BUL) at 53kg. But Binkova comes back with a takedown to cut the gap. In the second period, Binkova again gets a takedown, then follows it up by bulling Ech Chabki over for a fall. 

10:00: We will start the day with Greco-Roman repechage bouts. The winners will go into the second round of repechage and then the bronze-medal bouts in the evening.