#WrestleTokyo

Steveson Stuns Olympic Champion Akgul; Mukaida, Sidakov Reach Semis

Thursday, August 5, 2021 - 08:14 By Vinay Siwach

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CHIBA, Japan (August 5) --- USA entered Kyle DAKE (USA) and Gable STEVESON (USA) as their biggest hopes to enter the final and do the golden double. After the morning session Thursday at the Makuhari Messe Hall A, only one has that chance.

Dake fell to his worst defeat at the international level, losing 10-0 to Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (BLR) in the 74kg quarterfinal.

The two-time world champion, known for his powerful lifts and throws, got a taste of his own medicine when he was tossed around by the Belarusian wrestler, earning him a semifinal spot against Frank CHAMIZO (ITA).

Steveson at 125kg was in a zone of his own as he defeated defending champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) 8-0 in the quarterfinal to keep his gold medal hopes alive at his maiden Olympics. He will face Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the semifinals. The Mongolian wrestler notched up a 6-5 win over Gennadij CUDINOVIC (GER).

Steveson's pace and athleticism was unmatchable for his two opponents as Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) found out in the first match. The USA wrestler decimated him in the first period to win 10-0.

If he wins his semifinal he will face the winner of Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Amir ZARE (IR) who wrestle it out in the other semifinal at 125kg in what will be a big test for Iran's young star Zare.

World champion Petriashvili opened the day with a win over Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY) before ending the bid of Zhiwei DENG (CHN) in the quarterfinals. It won't be a cakewalk for him in the semifinals as Zare has a win over Petriashvili back in 2018 when he pinned him in the Iran league.

At 74kg, apart from the unexpected loss of Dake, world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (ROC) took a step closer to the Olympic title as he reached the semifinal and will wrestle Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ).

Sidakov will have to wrestle his best against Kaisanov especially after giving up six points against Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) in the 13-6 win.

Kaisanov ended local hopes as he pinned Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) in the first round. He followed that up with a come-from-behind 8-5 win over Amr Reda Ramadan HUSSEN (EGY).

Kadzimahamedau had two of the most contrasting wins as he struggled to get past Jeandry GARZON CABALLERO (CUB) in the opening round. After leading, he gave up a big throw. But his crafty skills at the edge helped him secure a 12-8 win.

But against Dake, he managed to take the upper hand with two big throws from body looks which even Dake tried finishing but failed.

In the women's 53kg weight class, a fourth clash between Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) and Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) will not take place as the latter suffered a loss via fall against Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) in the quarterfinal.

Phogat, who looked a shadow of herself from past tournaments, defeated Rio bronze medalist Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) 7-1 in the opening round but could not outperform Kaladzinskaya.

The Belarus wrestler's defence and power were too much for Phogat as she defended a tripod position denying the Indian two points which could have shifted the momentum for her. At 5-3 and time running out, Phogat tried her tricks and when trying to do a front headlock, ended up with her back on the mat.

Kaladzinskaya will face Qianyu PANG (CHN) in the semifinal. The China wrestler defeated Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) in the quarterfinals 6-2. The match was more or less decided in the first period when Pang got a takedown and two rolls with arm traps. Winchester's takedown in the end was not enough for her.

The last time the Pang and Kaladzinskaya met, the Chinese wrestler had a victory via fall but the Belarussian will like to avenge that loss and secure a place in the final.

The winner for the semifinal will get Mukaida or Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) as they wrestle in the other semifinal. Both have looked in great shape going into this bout as Mukaida secured a 10-0 win in the first bout and then a 12-2 win over Roksana ZASINA (POL) in the quarterfinal.

Bat Ochir has also dominated her opponents as he began with a win via fall followed by a 15-5 hammering of Luisa VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU) in the quarterfinal.

#WrestleHangzhou

Asian Games Wrestling: Japan puts 3 in WW finals; Iran vs China in GR

Thursday, October 5, 2023 - 01:54 By Vinay Siwach

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LIN'AN, Hangzhou, China (October 5) -- The Asian Games will see the second day of wrestling and it will be a mix of Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling. World champions Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) and Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) will be in action among others as Greco-Roman 97kg and 130kg and Women's Wrestling 50kg, 53kg and 57kg wrestlers take the mat.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | BRACKETS | DAY 1 RESULTS

The five finals for the evening session at the Asian Games

GR 97kg
Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) vs. Yiming LI (CHN()

GR 130kg
Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) vs. Lingzhe MENG (CHN)

WW 50kg
Son Hyang KIM (PRK) vs. Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN)

WW 53kg
Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) vs. Qianyu PANG (CHN)

WW 57kg
In Sun JONG (PRK) vs. Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN)

12:32: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) defends from par terre to beat Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) 3-1 in the 130kg semifinal. He will wrestle for gold against Lingzhe MENG (CHN) who completed a 1-1 criteria win over Minseok KIM (KOR).

12:25: Yiming LI (CHN) is the second finalist in Greco-Roman for China! He pins Seyeol LEE (KOR) in the 97kg semifinal to move on. He will take on Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) in for the gold medal.

12:15: Qianyu PANG (CHN) with a final second headpinch for four to beat Hyogyong CHOE (PRK). Absolute scenes here in Lin'an. Choe was in complete control of the bout leading 5-2 but then got locked by Pang who tried the first throw with 20 seconds left on the clock but was given clean. She keeps holding Choe in the headlock and completes the throw this time to get four! A challenge from Choe but that was lost. Pang into the final 7-5. She will face Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) who scored a 10-0 win over Bortulaya BAT-OCHIR (MGL)

12:05: Kexin HONG (CHN) is just not able to break In Sun JONG (PRK) defense. Hong on a big attack but Jong splits to defend. She then shrugs Hong using her leg to get 2 for exposure. Hong was unable to score from that split. Just before the break, Hong manages to score a takedown. Jong with a clutch takedown to win 4-2 and enter the 57kg final.

11:50: Seyeol LEE (KOR) with a turn in par terre to beat Narinder CHEEMA 3-1 at 97kg and he moves into the semifinals. Local favorite Yiming LI (CHN) with a takedown and three turns to complete an 8-0 win over Atthaphol SIRITHAHAN (THA).

11:46: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) goes into the 97kg semifinals with a controlled win over U. DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) while Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) pins Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) at 130kg

11:40: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) into the semifinal after yet another 9-0 win in a minute and 50 seconds over Aybegshazada KURRAYEV (TKM). On Mat C, Lingzhe MENG (CHN) gets a 3-0 win over NAVEEN.

11:30: Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) got a scare from MANSI but she sees her off 3-2 in the 57kg quarterfinal. After all the Women's Wrestling quarterfinals, only Japan and DPR Korea wrestlers are unbeaten.

11:25: Kexin HONG (CHN) with a quick fall over Emma TISSINA (KAZ) at 57kg. The semifinal will be a fiery affair as she gets In Sun JONG (PRK). The 57kg wrestler gave no chance to Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) and won 10-0

11:15: At 50kg, Sonhyang KIM (PRK) with a controlled 8-0 win over Jiang ZHU (CHN). Top-class single leg takedowns from Kim to move into the finals. Can she challenge Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN)? The Japanese star beat Aktenge KEUNIMKAEVA (UZB) in the quarterfinals via fall.

11:05: Qianyu PANG (CHN) and Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) let it fly in the 53kg quarterfinals. Pang built a 6-0 lead but Sedneva scored a four and takedown to make it 6-6. Pang with a clutch four-pointer to secure a 10-6 win

Here's how the other three 53kg quarterfinals went about

Akari FUNINAMI (JPN) with a 1:55 fall over ANTIM.

Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) wins 10-0 over Meng HSIEH (TPE) in 2:12.

Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) gut wrenches Vannak SAMBAT (CAM) for a 10-0 win.

10:50: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) gets the first par terre advantage and scores a turn. As he was going for the second, Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) blocks him and almost got the pin. A 3-2 lead for Saravi. A stepout makes it 4-2 before he scores a takedown and goes into the break leading 6-2. Assakalov gets a passivity point in the second period but Saravi will move on with a 6-3 win.

10:45: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) with four turns to beat Timothy LOH (SGP) 9-0 at 130kg in Greco-Roman. He is followed by world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) who also scores four turns from par terre to beat Nanthawat PANPHUEK (THA) 9-0.

10:40: Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) was troubled by Jeongae BARK (KOR) but the Japanese world champion with a top 10-0 win at 57kg. On Mat A, it's time for Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) vs Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) in 97kg Greco-Roman.

10:30: Asian champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) launches a deadly leg lace against SAMNANG DIT (CAM) to finish the 50kg bout in 30 seconds. On Mat B, In Sun JONG (PRK) with a fall over Thi Anh TRAN (VIE) at 57kg.

10:25: Contrasting results for Kazakhstan. Emma TISSINA (KAZ) works a 8-0 lead before pinning Danielle LIM (SGP) at 57kg. But Miran CHEON (KOR) beats Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ) 2-1 at 50kg.

10:22: Pooja GEHLOT finishes her 50kg bout against Manlika ESATI (THA) in the first period. A takedown and roll to make it 4-0 before earning a 10-0 technical superiority win.

10:20: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist has all the cheers from the crowd as she beats Thi NGUYEN (VIE) 8-0, a win which included three takedowns and two technical points.

10:15: Super fast action on Mat B and Mat C. Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) got tossed for a four but she pins Ahinsa PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) at 53kg. On Mat C, Hyogyong CHOE with a fall over Hyunyoung OH (KOR) at 53kg. She is followed by Son hyang KIM (PRK) who uses an arm-trap to roll to a 10-0 win over Thi Xuan NGUYEN (VIE).

10:05: World bronze medalist ANTIM scores two takedowns to lead 5-0 at the break against Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB). Antim is the Asian Championships silver medalist and a win will give her a chance to wrestle world and Asian champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) in a rematch of the Asian final. Antim works that outside single for two more takedowns before finishing the bout with a similar takedown. She wins 11-0.

10:00: Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT-OCHIR (MGL) comes out with double-leg for four. A turn to make it 6-0 but give up a reversal to Marimar CANDRA (INA). Two more takedowns for Bat-Ochir and she leads 10-1 at the the break. Four to begin the second period and Bat Ochir moves into the quarterfinals at 53kg.