Susaki defends 50kg title, leads Japan sweep of WW golds

Thursday, September 21, 2023 - 00:12 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 20) -- A day after showing a few chinks in her armor, Yui SUSAKI (JPN) completed her crusade to a fourth world title and a shot at a second straight Olympic gold with a display of her old dominance.

Susaki blasted away Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) with a 10-0 technical fall to retain the women's 50kg title at the World Championships, leading a Japanese sweep of the four gold medals at stake in women's wrestling on Wednesday at Belgrade's Stark Arena.

"As a Tokyo Olympic champion, I want to be one who pulls the Japanese team up and can be relied on," said Susaki, whose preparations for Belgrade were severely curtailed by a torn ligament of her right knee.

In the other Olympic weights, Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) successfully defended her title at 57kg for her third straight world gold, and Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) won at 76kg, making her the first Japanese woman to win a world title at the heaviest weight in two decades.

Meanwhile, Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) captured a second straight world title with a bittersweet victory in the non-Olympic weight of 65kg.

Susaki's match against Dolgorjav was a rematch of the final a year ago in the same arena, and it went better than expected, given the problems Susaki had in her preparations for Belgrade and the vulnerability she showed in her matches on Tuesday.

It was vintage Susaki, who came out firing on all cylinders, scoring a single-leg takedown and immediately going into her devastating lace lock. She could only manage three spins, but that only delayed the inevitable as she quickly scored another single-leg takedown to finish off the match in 1:29.

The 24-year-old Susaki, who won her previous world titles in 2017, 2018 and 2022, had been unable to properly train in the run-up to Belgrade and even skipped a national team training camp, which is otherwise unheard of.

But she said that with a strong support team, she managed to be ready enough for the mission at hand. "If I had to do it on my own, I would not have made it here," Susaki said.

Susaki turned heads during the preliminary rounds on Tuesday when she gave up rare points in two matches, a far cry from her winning run at the Tokyo Olympics and last year's worlds, where she struck gold without conceding a point.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) is now a four-time senior world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Susaki said she gained inspiration from the Japan men's basketball team, which earlier this month put on amazing rallies at the World Cup to clinch a place at the Paris Olympics.

"At that time, coach [Tom] HOVASSE used the word 'Believe,'" Susaki said. "My sister sent me a video of the clinching game and said, 'Yui, we believe in you. If you are hurt or things are going tough, we believe you will become a world champion and get to the Paris Olympics.'

"That really gave me strength and by believing, I won the world title."

The Belgrade worlds also serves as the first qualifier for spots at the 2024 Paris Olympics, with five quotas available in each weight class. For the Japanese wrestlers, their federation has decreed that winning a medal means that they fill the spot without having to go through a playoff process.

"There is going to be pressure and other circumstances in the year heading to the Paris Olympics, but I'm really looking forward to all of it," Susaki said. "I definitely want to win a second straight title in Paris.

Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) defeated Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) to become a three-time world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Sakurai captured her third world title overall and the ticket to Paris with a 3-2 victory over Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) in a battle of 2022 world champions.

Sakurai gained an activity point in the first period but had trouble finishing off her takedown attempts against Nichita, the gold medalist last year at 59kg who dropped down to the Olympic weight. But Sakurai finally broke through off a 2-on-1 for a 3-0 lead.

Nichita gained a takedown with 25 seconds left to make it interesting, but Sakurai staved off her late attempts to secure the win.

Like the other Japanese, Sakurai had to go through a grueling process just to make the team to Belgrade. In her case, it meant beating Tokyo Olympic champion Risako KAWAI (JPN) (now KINJO) among others.

"I trained for the purpose of winning this gold medal," said the 22-year-old Sakurai, who also won the world title at 55kg in 2021. "There were tough times, but I'm glad I practiced hard."

Sakurai said she received many messages of congratulations after winning her semifinal on Tuesday, which clinched the Olympic spot. But for her, the job was not finished.

"To me, I had one more match to win, so I went into today with a different mind," she said. "I practiced to win the title, not get to the Olympics.

"It's interesting to think about what the Olympics is like. I think I will be studied more [by my opponents], so I want to train hard to become a strong wrestler who can beat any opponent."

Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) won the 76kg gold medal for her first world title. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 76kg, Kagami added her first senior title to her collection of age-group golds when Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) sadly had to default after suffering a knee injury.

Kagami scored a takedown on a low single early in the second period but wrenched Medet Kyzy's right knee in the process. Medet Kyzy would continue, but Kagami increased the lead to 8-0 and eventually, the tournament doctor decided Medet Kyzy was unable to go on.

While it was not the optimal way to win, it did not take away from the joy felt by Kagami, who had to overcome a shoulder injury herself that required surgery early in the year.

"This is the best and happiest day of my life," said Kagami, who won a bronze medal last year. "In December I was injured, and it was a hard recovery for six months. Every day I was out of breath and crying as I practiced.

"The competition in Japan is hard and it's even harder in the world, but I didn't set limits for myself and I set a goal. My objective was to win a gold medal."

Kagami, who turned 22 last week, is a product of the JOC Elite Academy which also produced Susaki and Ozaki. Her victory makes her the first Japanese champion at the heaviest women's weight since Kyoko HAMAGUCHI (JPN) won at 72kg in 2003.

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) used the lace to beat Macey KILTY (USA) 10-0 in the 65kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Ozaki won the world gold last year at 62kg but lost out to Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) for a place on the Japan team at that weight. When Motoki advanced to the 62kg final earlier in the day, it all but closed off Ozaki's path to Paris, barring injury or other unforeseen circumstances.

That realization came to the fore after she defeated Macey KILTY (USA) in the 65kg final. She managed a smile, but would soon be reduced to tears about taking home what for her is a consolation prize.

"When I won the title, it hit me that it wasn't in an Olympic weight class," Ozaki said of breaking down in tears after taking a victory lap with the Japanese flag.

Ozaki rolled to her third 10-0 technical fall in four matches -- the other was a 9-0 victory -- overwhelming Kilty in the final for her second world gold and third medal overall.

Ozaki gained a single-leg takedown, then reeled off a pair of lace-lock rolls. When Kilty managed to squirm out of the hold, Ozaki bulled her over for another 2, then applied the coup to grace by turning her over a final time with a cross-face and leg lift at 1:01.

"It was tough to see someone else clinch the team spot in my weight class," said Ozaki, who broke down while speaking to the media in the mixed zone. "It was my own fault. Sports is like that. I have to accept it."

Ozaki will now look to bounce back at the Asian Games early next month.

"I have the option of going to the Asian Games," Ozaki said. "The 62kg division has Aisuluu [TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)] and the strong Mongolian [Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)]. We will be leaving one week after I get home. I have no choice but to put this behind me."

Helen MAROULIS (USA) won a bronze medal at 57kg after victory over Anhelina LYSAK (POL). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Maroulis, Gray grab bronzes, Paris places

American 30-something stars Helen MAROULIS (USA) and Adeline GRAY (USA) both added to their extensive world medal collections and claimed an Olympic berth in their weight class with 10-6 victories in the bronze-medal matches.

Maroulis gave up a 4-point throw during her clash with Anhelina LYSAK (POL), but stuffed her twice for points en route to win 10-6 at 57kg.

Gray, whose loss in the quarterfinals to Kagami ended her bid for a seventh world gold, punctuated her takedowns with points from par terre, and that made the difference in her 10-6 decision over Milaimys MARIN (CUB) at 76kg.

It was still a triumph of sorts for Gray, who returned to the mat this year for the first time since her gold-medal run in 2021 after getting married and giving birth to twins.

Earlier, compatriot and Olympic bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) earned her second straight bronze medal and fourth world medal overall, scoring a takedown in each period to defeat 2022 European champion Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) 5-0 at 50kg.

Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) won the bronze medal, only the second for Colombia at the World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Colombia had two chances to get just the second world medal in its history, and after Alisson CARDOZO (COL) came up short at 50kg, Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) pulled it off at 76kg.

Renteria, the 2022 world U23 champion, had a 6-1 lead when she stopped a desperation throw attempt by Catalina AXENTE (ROU), fell on top of her and secured a fall with one second left on the clock.

With the victory, Renteria joins namesake Jackeline RENTERIA (COL), a bronze medalist at 63kg in 2017, as Colombia's world medalist.

Asian bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) gave China its first Olympic berth with a Japanese-like, lace-locked-filled technical fall over Cardozo at 50kg. Feng gained a single-leg takedown, then immediately locked up the ankles and ripped off four rolls for a 10-0 victory in 2:19.

Odunayo ADEKUOROYE )COL Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) won the 57kg bronze and qualified Nigeria for the Paris Olympics. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In the other third-place match at 57kg, Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) picked up her fourth world medal by putting on a late rush and then holding on to defeat Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) 9-5.

Akekuoroye was trailing 1-1 on criteria when she scored a takedown with a minute to go, then seemed to put the match away with three lace-lock rolls. But Kamalaglu put the pressure on and got two stepouts, each with a fleeing point tacked on, but it was not enough to deny the Nigerian.

At 65kg, European champion Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) picked up her first world medal, muscling Tatsiana PAULAVA (AIN) into a cradle and securing a fall at 1:51 of their bronze-medal match.

LILI (CHN) also got her opponent into a cradle, but although she was at the edge and didn't have the room to turn Kadriye AKSOY (TUR) over, the takedown was enough to give her a 3-2 victory and the other 65kg bronze.

Turkiye, Poland, Cuba win 5th-place playoffs

Turkiye, Poland and Cuba each picked up a Paris quota when their wrestler won the fifth-place playoff in their respective weight class.

Turkiye's Demirhan scored a first-period takedown and defeated Cardozo 4-1 at 50kg, but her country was prevented from a second one when Poland's Lysak pinned Kamaloglu at 57kg.

Lysak twice gave up exposure points after scoring with a throw, but on the third attempt, managed to hold down Kamaloglu for the fall.

At 76kg, Cuba's Marin made short work of Axente, using a blast double to send her to her back and scoring a fall in 49 seconds.

Day 4 Results

Women

50kg (28 entries)
GOLD: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) df. Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) by TF, 10-0, 1:29

BRONZE: Ziqi FENG (CHN) df. Alisson CARDOZO (COL) by TF, 10-0, 2:18
BRONZE: Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) df. Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) by 5-0

5th-Place Playoff: Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Alisson CARDOZO (COL), 4-1

53kg (31 entries)
GOLD: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) vs. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN)

Semifinal: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) by TF, 10-0, 00:42
Semifinal: Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) df. ANTIM (UWW), 5-4

57kg (36 entries)
GOLD: Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) df. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), 3-2

BRONZE: Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) df. Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR), 9-5
BRONZE: Helen MAROULIS (USA) df. Anhelina LYSAK (POL), 10-6

5th-Place Playoff: Anhelina LYSAK (POL) df. Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) by Fall, 1:56 (8-4)

62kg (34 entries)
GOLD: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) vs. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)

Semifinal: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) df. Grace BULLEN (NOR), 2-1
Semifinal: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), 4-2

65kg (17 entries)
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Macey KILTY (USA) by TF, 10-0, 1:00

BRONZE: Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) df. Tatsiana PAULAVA (AIN) by Fall, 1:51 (4-2)
BRONZE: Lili LILI (CHN) df. Kadriye AKSOY (TUR), 3-2

68kg (33 entries)
GOLD: Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) vs. Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR)

Semifinal: Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Emma BRUNTIL (USA) by Fall, 2:44 (6-0)
Semifinal: Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) df. Ami ISHII (JPN) by TF, 11-1, 2:40

72kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) vs. Amit ELOR (USA)

Semifinal: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) df. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), 6-2
Semifinal: Amit ELOR (USA) df. Kendra DACHER (FRA) by TF, 12-2, 5:24

76kg (29 entries)
GOLD: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) by Inj. Def., 5:06 (8-0)

BRONZE: Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) df. Catalina AXENTE (ROU) by Fall, 5:58 (8-1)
BRONZE: Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Milaimys MARIN (CUB), 10-6

5th-Place Playoff: Milaimys MARIN (CUB) df. Catalina AXENTE (ROU) by Fall, :49 (8-0)

#WrestleBelgrade

WATCH: Young challengers at 2023 World Championships

Saturday, September 9, 2023 - 19:46 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 9) — For the pre-Olympic World Championship, most wrestlers try to move into the six Olympic weight classes in their respective styles. The competition to make the national team for these championships is fierce, as a medal can guarantee them a spot on the Olympic team for their country, a dream for most wrestlers.

With close to 1000 wrestlers competing in the 2023 World Championships, a few young stars who can make a name for themselves are also competing. They may not be the favorites to win the gold medal, but there are certain dark horses to upset any of the well-established names.

Among the three styles, a few teenagers have already won World Championship medals and will look to repeat in Belgrade. Others, the dark horses, will have an outside chance to shine on the biggest stage.

Here are nine wrestlers, three from each style, who can enhance their reputation in Belgrade.

Freestyle

AMAN (UWW) (57kg)

In the last four editions of the Asian Championships, the 57kg gold medal has been won by an Indian. Olympic silver medalist Ravi DAHIYA became the first Indian to win it three times when he struck gold in Ulaanbataar in 2022. As he pulled out injured from the 2023 edition, 19-year-old Aman stepped up and won the gold.

It could not have been more fitting, as Aman is a carbon copy of Dahiya with his long limbs helping him attack with ease and a gas tank that destroys wrestlers in the second period. It’s no surprise that the two train at the same stadium in Delhi.

Aman will have to step up once again as he takes his first trip to the World Championship. Now 20, Aman will be in a field with some of the biggest names in the world of wrestling.

The U23 world champion will have returning world champ Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 61kg world champ and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), Zane RICHARDS (USA), Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 61kg European champion Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), 57kg European champion Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE), Suleyman ATLI (TUR) among others.

Aman's first senior-level gold came at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup in 2022, and since then, he has participated in seven tournaments, winning medals in six of them including two golds. The tournaments have given Aman much-needed experience for the big event, where the youngster looks unfazed by the names in the bracket or the stage.

The two-time U17 world bronze medalist will also have his eyes on winning the Paris Olympics quota. Four years ago, Dahiya won a bronze medal to clinch a Tokyo Olympics quota in his first World Championships. Aman would not mind a similar result in his first Worlds.

Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) (65kg)

The 65 kg weight class in Belgrade will throw many surprises as most wrestlers are evenly matched in skills and temperament. World champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) can certainly be considered the heavy favorites, but it will be ill-advised to completely count out Haji ALIYEV (AZE), Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM), Iszmail MUSZUKAJAEV (HUN), Nicholas LEE (USA), Mikyay NAIM (BUL), Alejandro VALDES (CUB), Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) among others.

One name that is not mentioned in Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). The 2022 U20 world champion has been taking long strides in recent tournaments, consistently winning medals at the Ranking Series events. Since 2022, Jalolov has managed to win medals in five out of eight competitions.

Jalolov’s is still a work in progress for the senior level, but a few of his results make for a great case. He began his senior career at UWW events at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series and came home with a bronze medal by beating Tumur Ochir who has since raised his game significantly.

He lost to the Mongolian star 5-1 in Almaty in the third Ranking Series event but wrestled back to win another bronze. He added another bronze in 2023 at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series event after losing to Tevanyan. The next two tournaments were the Asian Championships and the Bishkek Ranking Series. Jalolov finished without a medal in both after losing to Tumur Ochir. He, however, closed the gap in each meeting.

Jalolov is an aggressive counterattacker, which Tumur Ochir figured out after their first meeting. Tevanyan matches Jalolov in style. But not many have experienced what Jalolov brings with him, and with nothing to lose in Belgrade, Jalolov can outshine a number of seasoned campaigners.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) (92kg)

It’s rare that Japan has a potential medal winner in a heavier weight class. But Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) can change that in Belgrade.

Yoshida, whose only international experience is the Asian Championships in Astana this year, will be seeded sixth at 92kg since he collected 10000 points for winning gold in Astana. He blew hot and cold in Astana, as he won two bouts via technical superiority and two via decision. But never did he look like a 19-year-old out-of-place teenager.

After conquering Asia, Yoshida will have to step up if he wants to lay claim to the 92kg weight class. Both the finalists from last year, Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and J’den COX (USA), will not be in Belgrade. But both bronze medalists, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) and Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) are returning. Feyzulla AKTURK (TUR), Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) and Zahid VALENCIA (USA) are some of the hot favorites to reach the final this year.

Yoshida will have to deal with it and get rid of the nerves before the World Championship. He will be wrestling with stars who will have a few in the stands cheering for them. The experience from the Asian Championships and his Iranian style of wrestling can be a big boost for Yoshida, as not many have laid a hand on him.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), who lost to Yoshida in the Asian Championships final, will look to avenge that loss, and that will be Yoshida’s big test—can he continue what he started and give hope to Japan?

Women’s Wrestling

ANTIM (UWW) (53kg)

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) could well be the young star to watch out for, but who doesn’t know that? Fujinami is actually the favorite to win the gold in Belgrade, as she returns to the World Championship after skipping the last one due to injury. At just 20, Fujinami already has the senior world title, which she won in 2021 in Oslo as a teenager.

Another 20-year-old who can cause a few problems for others in Belgrade is Antim. The two-time U20 world champion has made a name for herself recently as the challenger to VINESH in India while performing on the international stage. Antim’s tactical wrestling led her to win the world titles along with a silver medal at the senior Asian Championships and gold at the Tunis Ranking Series last year.

But her first World Championships can bring a lot of challenges, including wrestling some of the strongest wrestlers out there at 53kg. Apart from Fujinami, Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN), Lucia YEPEZ (ECU), Maria PREVOLARKI (GRE), Iulia LEORDA (MDA), Andreea ANA (ROU), Jonna MALMGREN (SWE), Dominique PARRISH (USA) are some of the stars entered.

Her potential five bouts in Belgrade will test Antim every minute and provide a perfect picture of the challenges senior-level wrestling throws.

Aryna MARTYNAVA (AIN) (55kg)

The non-Olympic weight class has attracted 19 entries, led by former world champions Haruna OKUNO (JPN) and Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA). While there are many others like Karla GODINEZ (CAN), Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), Min ZHANG (CHN), who can stand on the podium, U20 world champion Aryna MARTYNAVA (AIN) will fancy her chances to claim one of the four spots available on the podium.

Martynava made the switch from 59kg to 55kg at the U20 World Championships in Amman, Jordan, this year and won the gold, spending merely three minutes and 35 seconds on the mat in four bouts (24 minutes). All four of her wins were via technical superiority, with the first two finishing in 28 seconds and the final in 21 seconds. It was only the semifinal, which went for 2:18.

Before a silver medal at the 2021 U20 World Championships, Martynava had odd medals at the U17 level. But her return to the mat after two years saw her dominate the competition. She would like to take the form into the World Championships, her first, and cause a few upsets at 55kg.

Milaimys MARIN PORTILLE (CUB) (76kg)

Portille won the Youth Olympic Games in 2018 and announced herself as a young star from Cuba. She went on to win the U20 and U23 World Championships in 2019 to continue her rise. It was only last year that she participated in her first senior World Championships and finished 14th.

As Portille returns to Belgrade for another World Championships, she will hope to put on a better show than the one she did against Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR), losing 11-0. Portille did not look in her element and was struggling to attack or defend.

At 22, Portille has shown glimpses of being a good heavyweight wrestler, but to stand against the best in the world, she will have to raise her level in Belgrade. The likes of Adeline GRAY (USA), Samar HAMZA (EGY), Epp MAE (EST), Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will not give her a second chance. She, however, can take confidence from the fact that she has wins over Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) and Tatiana RENTERIA (COL).

Greco-Roman

Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) (60kg)

Among all the stars that Azerbaijan has in its Greco-Roman line-up, Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) may be seen as a youngster with little chance to make it in the 60kg field at the World Championships. But don’t count him out.

The 21-year-old earned his spot at 60kg when Azerbaijan could have experimented with Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE). But Mammadli’s selection is the writing on the wall that he is the one in the long run.

Mammadli has wrestled in three tournaments at the senior level this year and medals at all. He won a silver medal at the Zagreb Open to start the season before a bronze medal at the European Championship, and another bronze at the Budapest Ranking Series in July.

His three losses this year have been to Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) and Omid ARAMI (IRI). The first two wrestlers will be in Belgrade along with Kerem KAMAL (TUR), Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), Victor CIOBANU (MDA) who can make life difficult for Mammadli but provide him the perfect platform to shine against the best.

Daniel SOHRABI (IRI) (72kg)

If not for Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), Daniel SOHRABI (IRI) could well have been Iran’s representative at 67kg for the World Championships. But he has to move to 72kg and will be looking to upset a few established stars.

Sohrabi ability to make a comeback after falling behind makes him super lethal against wrestlers who try to hold on to their leads. He also has attacks to score from standing and does not wait for the par terre position.

In 2023, Sohrabi won gold at the third and fourth Ranking Series in Bishkek and Budapest, respectively. In Zagreb, he left without a medal after losing to Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB). That was his third loss since the start of 2022, with the other two being the U20 World Championship semifinal loss to Nika BROLADZE (GEO) and Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) in the Greco-Roman World Cup in December.

The World Championship will be another big yet important stop for Sohrabi as he tries to establish himself in the big league. He will have Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO), Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), Ali ARSALAN (SRB), Selcuk CAN (TUR) and other solid wrestlers in the field.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) (77kg)

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) has medals at all the age-group World Championships. But his debut World Championships at the senior level ended in 13th place. After skipping last year’s World Championships, Gutu is back with the aim of earning an Olympic spot for his country in Belgrade.

At 77kg, a weight class that has supremely talented wrestlers, Gutu will have his task cut out for him. The high-flying wrestler has to come up with his best defense from par terre, something that has troubled him in the past. He will have to keep a check on his big moves, as he has a habit of getting countered during such moves.

With Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM), Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), Viktor NEMES (SRB), Yunus BASAR (TUR), Kamal BEY (USA) being some of the names entered, Gutu cannot let his guard down.

Susaki defends 50kg title, leads Japan sweep of WW golds

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WATCH: Young challengers at 2023 World Championships