#WrestleZagreb

Susaki slips up in win; USA, Iran dominate freestyle

By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 2) -- After 1174 days, Yui SUSAKI (JPN) gave up a point in an international bout.

The world and Olympic champion had not been scored upon since 2019 but on Thursday, Jiang ZHU (CHN) pushed Susaki out to score on point in the 50kg final of the Zagreb Open Ranking Series event.

Incidentally, the last opponent who scored on Susaki was also Chinese. Yanan SUN (CHN) scored two points on Susaki at the World Cup in Narita in 2019. Since then, Susaki did not give up any points to her opponents until Zou managed to score late in the final.

The stepout was a small lapse in Susaki's divine concentration but she still managed to outscore her opponents 30-1 in Zagreb, winning her second Ranking Series gold medal and first since the 2018 Klippan Lady Open in Sweden.

"It was my first time wrestling against a rough player, so it was a good experience," Susaki said. "All the countries are working hard for the Paris Olympics so I think the number of new wrestlers coming will increase. I also practice more to become stronger so I can be an absolute champion."

Looking as good as ever, Susaki arm-barred Meng FAN (CHN) for a fall in her first bout before going 10-0 against Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) in the quarterfinal. The much anticipated semifinal against four-time Olympic medalist Mariya STADNIK (AZE) did not happen as Stadnik pulled out injured.

"It was my first bout against Stadnik since the Olympics so I was looking forward to it," she said. "But it was disappointing that she had to withdraw. I talked to her and she said let's meet at the World Championships."

In the final Susaki was leading 8-0 after a few takedowns when Zhu pushed her out. But two takedowns later, Susaki won the gold.

"My motivation now is to participate in the Paris Olympics, to win the Olympics for the second time in a row and see what I have not seen before," she said. "I want to do my best so that no one can beat Susaki anymore. As for myself, there are many seniors like Saori YOSHIDA and Kaori ICHO. So I want to do my best to catch up."

Zagreb Open also marked the return of Stadnik to the international United World Wrestling competition since the Tokyo Olympics. She won her first bout against Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) 10-0 but struggled against World Championships silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL).

She scored two takedowns against Dolgorjav but struggled in the second period, showing signs of tiredness. Dolgorjav got a point for passivity and scored a stepout. In the dying second, it seemed like she completed a takedown over Stadnik but on a challenge, it was clear that time had run out.

Stadnik, who has lost to Susaki in all their previous meetings, decided to default in the semifinal citing injury.

Moe KIYOOKA (JPN)Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) won the gold medal at 55kg in Zagreb. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) added the second gold medal for Japan on Thursday as she won the 55kg gold medal after four wins in the Nelson bracket. In Round 5, she defeated Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) 12-2. The U23 and U20 world champion was untouchable throughout the day and it was Dragutan who managed to score the two points on her.

Kyle SNYDER (USA)Kyle SNYDER (USA) won the 97kg gold medal over Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

USA, Iran win two golds each

World champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) warmed up for an important year with the gold medal at 97kg in Zagreb while Kollin MOORE (USA) won the gold medal at 92kg.

Snyder wrestled U23 world champion Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) in the final and won 3-0 after an intense battle. He got a point for Azarpira's passivity in the first period to lead 1-0. He was put on the activity clock in the second period but managed to pushout Azarpira just before the clock expired to lead 2-0.

While Azapira defended well to give up no takedowns, Snyder scored his third point via a stepout to lock the gold medal.

"It was a good [day]," Snyder said. "I wrestled four matches in one day and I like wrestling all matches in one day. I had some quality opponents."

One of them was in Snyder's first bout -- Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) who tested Snyder in the morning session. The Azerbaijan wrestler opened up a 4-1 lead but with Snyder constantly pressuring for a takedown, Magomedov broke down and gave up six points as Snyder won 7-4.

"He is a good opponent," he said. "I get better as I go through the tournament but I needed to get a better warm-up."

He went on to beat Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) 12-1 in the quarterfinal and Radoslaw BARAN (POL) 10-0 in the semifinal.

Kollin MOORE (USA) defeated Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) in the 92kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Moore also had a tough path to the final as he wrestled World Championships bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) in the first bout and then had a tough semifinal against compatriot Jonathan AIELLO (USA) before pulling a thrilling 4-3 win over another World Championships bronze medalist, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), in the final.

After opening with an 8-3 win over Nurmagamedov, Moore dug deep to beat Aiello 6-6. In the final, he scored a takedown before the break to lead 2-1 and opened the second period with a takedown to make it 4-1. Maisuradze did score two stepouts but that was not enough for a win.

Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI), blue, won the 79kg gold medal over Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO)

At 79kg, Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) held on to a 2-1 win over Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) in the final.

Savadkouhi, who became the first wrestler from Iran to beat Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), had a good day in office with wins over Peilong LI (CHN), Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA) and Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) before the final.

"My rival in the final match was a World Championships medal winner," Savadkouhi said. "[But] I was in good physical condition and I won the match."

All three points in the final were technical points as Savadkouhi got a passivity point before a stepout while he gave up a similar point in the second period. But his strong defense in the final minute kept Kentchadze at bay.

On his future plans, Savadkouhi made it clear that he will wrestle at 79kg at the World Championships in September.

"I will remain in 79kg until the 2023 World Championships and after that, I will prepare to compete in an Olympic weight category."

At 125kg, Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) won the gold medal after his opponent in the final, Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), injury defaulted.

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RESULTS

Freestyle

79kg
GOLD: Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) df. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), 2-1

BRONZE: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) df. Saifedine ALEKMA (FRA), 13-2
BRONZE: Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) df. Csaba VIDA (HUN), via inj. def.

92kg
GOLD: Kollin MOORE (USA) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 4-3

BRONZE: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) df. Pruthviraj PATIL (IND), 9-1 
BRONZE: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Jonathan Leonard AIELLO (USA), 13-2

97kg
GOLD: Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), 3-0

BRONZE: Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) df. Nishan Preet RANDHAWA (CAN), 12-4
BRONZE: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Radoslaw BARAN (POL), 11-4

125kg
GOLD: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Robert BARAN (POL) df. Georgi IVANOV (BUL), via fall
BRONZE: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 8-1

Women's wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) df. Jiang ZHU (CHN), 12-1

BRONZE: Ziqi FENG (CHN) df. Erin GOLSTON (USA), 12-1
BRONZE: Meng FAN (CHN) df. Mariya STADNIK (AZE), via inj. def.

55kg
Round 5: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 12-2
Round 5: Erika BOGNAR (HUN) df. Lauren MASON (USA), 4-1

GOLD: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN)
SILVER: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA)
BRONZE: Erika BOGNAR (HUN)

2026 U17 World Championships

Russia Edges Iran to Claim U17 World Freestyle Team Title

By Vinay Siwach

BAKU, Azerbaijan (August 2) -- Russia claimed its first Freestyle team title at the U17 World Championships in six years after edging Iran by a single point in a dramatic finish to the tournament on Sunday in Baku.

Iran held a narrow 110-106 lead over Russia after three of the five weight classes on the final day. With one gold-medal bout and one bronze-medal bout remaining for each team, Iran needed to win both matches or have Russia lose one to secure the title. Neither scenario unfolded.

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Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI) won the gold medal at 71kg, while Mokhmad BAISULTANOV (RUS) earned bronze, extending Iran's lead to 135-121 heading into the final weight class.

Wrestling Abdurazak SHABANOV (RUS)Abdurazak SHABANOV (RUS) tries to score on Salah TSARNI (USA) during the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

It all came down to the final bout of the tournament at 92kg. After Reza ISAZADEH (IRI) lost his bronze-medal bout, Iran was stuck at 145 points. All Abdurazak SHABANOV (RUS) needed to do was win the 92kg final against Salah TSARNI (USA) to clinch the team title for his country by one point.

Shabanov did not have the best of starts to the final as Tsarni took a 3-0 lead in the opening period. The Russian opened the second period with a stepout before scoring a go-behind and lead 3-3 on criteria.

Tsrani was quick to return to his feet but Shabanov maintained control from behind and executed a four-pointer before giving up a reversal. Tsarni, down 7-4 with 43 seconds remaining, needed at least four points to win. Instead, Shabanov controlled the bout, adding a late stepout along with a point after Tsarni was called for fleeing to seal a 9-4 win.

The win secured Russia the team title with 146 points and broke the hearts of Iran which finished second with 145 points. India finished third with 123 points, followed by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan with 101 and 93 points respectively.

Defending champion the United States finished seventh with 68 points, an uncharacteristically low finish for one of the world's traditional wrestling powers.

Wrestling Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI)Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI) tries to score on Bohdan KVANTALIANI (GEO) during the 71kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 71kg, Shamsipour survived a tense finish to defeat Bohdan KVANTALIANI (GEO), 5-4, and claim Iran's third Freestyle gold medal of the tournament.

After conceding a passivity point, Shamsipour stormed back with quick takedowns in the second period to build a 4-1 lead. With 19 seconds remaining, he was penalized for fleeing, and then again with two seconds from the end when Kvantaliani forced a stepout. However, Shamsipour held the criteria at 4-4, thanks to his higher-scoring techniques.

Georgia challenged for another fleeing call in the closing seconds, but the challenge was unsuccessful, awarding Shamsipour an additional point and confirming the victory.

Wrestling Benyamin ASHOFTEH (IRI)Benyamin ASHOFTEH (IRI) celebrates after winning the 51kg final against Ibrahim HASANOV (AZE). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Iran's won the gold medal at 51kg as well after U17 Asian champion Benyamin ASHOFTEH (IRI) defeated Ibrahim HASANOV (AZE), 5-1, in the final.

Hasanov was the first to score after Ashofteh failed to score during the activity period, giving a point to the Azerbaijan wrestler. In the second period, Ashofteh took a 1-1 criteria lead after Hasanov was placed on the activity clock.

Soon after, Ashofteh managed to score a takedown with 55 seconds remaining as Hasanov backed away, then transitioned into a gut-wrench for two more points to lead 5-1 with 37 seconds remaining.

Ashofteh would hang on to his lead while Hasanov, the U17 European champion, settled for silver in front of the home crowd, which was again denied a home world champion.

Wrestling SITENDER (IND)SITENDER (IND) using the two-on-one to set up his takedown against Sergei KARMRIAN (RUS). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Sitender Repeats

World champion Sushil KUMAR (IND) had been India's only wrestler to win consecutive U17 world titles, but SITENDER (IND) joined him on Sunday by successfully defending his 60kg crown.

Sitender, who maintains a strong position and powerful defense, never seemed troubled by either U17 European champion Sergei KARMRIAN (RUS) or the pressure of the World Championships final.

The opening period saw little action before Sitender was put on the activity clock. As he failed to score during the 30-second period, Karmrian took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The bout did not change in the second period as well with Karmrian eventually put on the activity clock. During the 30-second window, Sitender capitalized, using a two-on-one grip and a slide-by, to score the decisive takedown for two points.

Karmrian pressed until the final whistle but was unable to produce the takedown he needed, allowing Sitender to retain his world title.

Wrestling Photos

RESULTS

45kg
GOLD: Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR) df. Rylen WAX (USA), 7-1

BRONZE: Mukhammad RAKHIMJONOV (UZB) df. Luka DOTIASHVILI (GEO), 9-8
BRONZE: Hanumant JADHAV (IND) df. Mahdi DAMERCHELI (IRI), 7-1

51kg
GOLD: Benyamin ASHOFTEH (IRI) df. Ibrahim HASANOV (AZE), 5-1

BRONZE: Islam KURAKHMAEV (RUS) df. Giorgi NARIMANIDZE (GEO), 7-3
BRONZE: Masamune USHIMADO (JPN) df. William SOTO (PUR), 15-13

60kg
GOLD: SITENDER (IND) df. Sergei KARMRIAN (RUS), 3-1

BRONZE: Mardan ORYNBASSAR (KAZ) df. Davit MDZEVASHVILI (GEO), via fall (5-2)
BRONZE: Mykyta KUZMENKO (UKR) df. Bekzodbek IBROHIMOV (UZB), via fall (4-1)

71kg
GOLD: Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI) df. Bohdan KVANTALIANI (GEO), 5-4

BRONZE: Mokhmad BAISULTANOV (RUS) df. Vitali HARDZEI (BLR), 10-0
BRONZE: Adilet RYSBAY (KAZ) df. Mekan HUDAYBERENOV (TKM), 6-4

92kg
GOLD: Abdurazak SHABANOV (RUS) df. Salah TSARNI (USA), 9-4

BRONZE: Marshall EVERETT (GBR) df. Nuradin MUSTAFAEV (GEO), 10-6
BRONZE: SAKSHAM (IND) df. Reza ISAZADEH (IRI), 3-2