Takacs shows Hungary the way with gold at Zagreb Open

Friday, February 3, 2023 - 23:18 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 3) -- With the European Championships just two months away, Hungary is facing the pleasant problem of plenty.

On Friday at the Zagreb Open, it entered three wrestlers in the 87kg weight class, with the hope of finding an answer to who will be the representative at the continental championships which, incidentally, will be held in Zagreb.

The first Ranking Series event of the year, which has two-kilogram weight tolerance, entered its day three with two Greco-Roman and four women's wrestling weight classes.

At 87kg, Hungary entered Erik SZILVASSY (HUN), David LOSONCZI (HUN) and Istvan TAKACS (HUN), aiming to finish at least two on the podium.

By the end of the day, it was only Takacs who managed to win a medal, gold, and laid his claim to the spot on the national team. The fact that he did after navigating through a tough bracket, makes his claim even stronger.

"It was a long and tiring day," Takacs said. "I was wrestling well but it was a very long day."

Takacs had to beat World Championships silver medalist Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), Hamidreza BADKAN (IRI), U23 European champion Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), teammate and world bronze medalist David LOSONCZI (HUN) and Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) to win the gold.

Going through a tough set of wrestlers made Takacs struggle for breath after the first bout against Bisultanov as both exchanged only passivity points but gave it all. This was Takacs fourth win over Bisultanov in as many meetings.

After winning against Badkan, Sterkenburg did trouble Takacs. However, the Hungarian managed to get a turn from par terre to win the quarterfinal.

Losonczi managed to give him a tough fight but Takacs had a four-pointer from par terre in the first period. Losonczi did manage four points in the second period but could not get two more to beat Takacs.

During all this, Szilvassy suffered a close 3-3 loss to World Championships 82kg silver medalist Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) in the pre-quarterfinal. Berdimuratov suffered a rather surprising loss to Alizadeh in the quarterfinal.

Alizadeh failed to repeat his heroics in the final as Takacs shut him out with ease.

Takacs, the U23 world champion, led 2-0 at the break, gave up a point for passivity but managed to score two stepouts in the remaining time to win 4-1.

"I had to wrestle some tough wrestlers," he said. "The final was also tough against Iran."

Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) defeated Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) in the 77kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) did reduce some of the disappointment for Iran by winning the 77kg over youngster Alexandrin GUTU (MDA).

While it was evident that Geraei was a shadow of his own self, he managed to reach the final after some hard-fought wins.

He opened the day with a 6-5 win over Juan AAK (NOR) as the score was 5-5 at the break. However, Geraei got the passivity point in the second period and managed to defend for the remaining time.

Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) was cautioned out as he kept violating the par terre position. This gave Geraei a breather which he used to beat Per KURE (NOR) 11-0.

In the semifinal, Geraei managed to get the turn from par terre against Jonny BUR (FRA), who failed to do so and lost 3-1.

Gutu, on the other hand, dominated his run to the final with convincing wins over Mikko PELTOKANGAS (FIN), Paulius GALKINAS (LTU), Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) and Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) in semifinals.

He began the final on an aggressive note and got the par terre advantage. But as Geraei slipped out of it, Gutu tried to lock and hit a big throw. Geraei overpowered him and threw him instead for two points.

Gutu scored a stepout but the score was 2-2 in Geraei's favor and Gutu never found the final push to break the criteria.

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) won the 62kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Motoki shows she belongs

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) expressed her disappointment after failing to win the gold medal at 59kg at the World Championships in September.

Three months later, she had put that behind her and pulled two of the biggest wins of her career, beating Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN) and world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) at the Emperor's Cup at 62kg.

Continuing from where she left in Tokyo, Motoki made her international debut at 62kg a memorable one, winning the gold medal with ease.

In the five bouts she wrestled to win the gold in Zagreb, Motoki scored 41 points and gave up only two points. She also had two falls and a victory via superiority.

The first to fall was Lauren LOUIVE (USA) before she pinned Viktoria VESSO (EST). Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) did fight hard but failed to stop Motoki from winning 8-1. Motoki pinned Lias NUNES (BRA) in the semifinal.

From the other side, Grace BULLEN (NOR), the World Championships silver medalist at 59kg, made it to the other side and was dominating her bouts throughout the day.

After beating Eniko ELEKES (HUN) and Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB), Bullen defeated Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) 11-0 before a nerve-wracking semifinal against Kayla MIRACLE (USA).

Miracle led 4-4 before a pushout along with caution gave Bullen a 6-4 lead. But she still had time to score and regain it. However, that hope was dashed when Bullen was awarded a stepout and Miracle challenged the call. The replays confirmed the scoring and Bullen led 8-4. A consolation takedown was not enough as Bullen secured a place against Motoki.

But the Japanese wrestler was having none of it, beating Bullen 7-0 for the gold medal.

Aisuluu TYNYBEVKOA (KGZ) lost in the opening round to Xiaojuan LUO (CHN) and failed to win a medal.

Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) attempts a single-leg attack. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The second gold for Japan came at 65kg as Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) defeated Mallory VELTE (USA) 2-1 in the final.

In a format with two groups, Yoshitake was lucky to reach the semifinals despite losing to Emma BRUNTIL (USA). Yoshitake defeated Mallory VELTE (USA) in the opening bout who in turn beat Bruntil.

With all three wrestlers tied with one win and four classification points each, it was Velte and Yoshitake who moved into the semifinal as they had more technical points than Bruntil.

Velte defeated Iva GERIC (CRO) and Yoshitake beat BHATERI (IND) in the semifinals and set up the final which Yoshitake won.

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) won the 68kg gold at the Zagreb Open. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 68kg, Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) announced that she is ready for the World Championships and Olympics with the gold medal. She defeated Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) 5-0 in the final but it was the semifinal that proved to be a bigger test for Larroque.

World Championships bronze medalist Irina RINGACI (MDA) started as the favorite on paper and was even leading the bout. But she decided to sit on her 3-2 lead and paid the price. Larroque shot a double leg which Ringaci could not defend and gave up four points. A lost challenge added one more for a 7-3 win.

"I'm very happy to do this," Larroque said. "I haven't competed since last year because I had surgery. So I'm glad to wrestle against new girls I didn't know yet like Moldova."

Ringaci, who won the world title at 65kg in 2021, is one of the biggest threats at 68kg and Larroque is aware of the same.

"She was champion of Europe last year and champion of Europe in 2021," she said. "It was a match I have been waiting for a long time because I had never challenged her and I'm happy to have fought with her before [this year's] European Championships because I understood that I'm healthy and that I can win."

Larroque has been struggling with a knee injury for quite some time but her performance on Friday gave a peek into her recovery which is now on track.

"Last year was complicated," she said. "I did a lot of gym, muscle building, re-education and this allowed me to regain strength after the surgery and I'm sure I'm ready for the Olympics."

However, qualifying for the Olympics in Paris won't be easy for Larroque.

"It’s true that I lost a lot of weight but I am happy to be at 68kg," she said. "For now, the most important things are the European Championships because there is still a rivalry between me and Pauline [LECARPENTIER] and I really would like to be the champion and qualify for the Paris Olympic Games."

Larroque lost to Lecarpentier in a domestic trial at 68kg and had to wrestle at 65kg at the senior World Championships last year.

With her task cut out domestically, Larroque can draw inspiration from the fact that the Olympics will be in her hometown with the possibility of her family watching her win an Olympic medal.

"The whole family is excited because it's Paris," she said. "It's been 100 years since there have been [Olympics] Games in Paris and I am happy to fight in front of my family."

World champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) won the 59kg gold medal after winning all four of her round-robin bouts.

Only five wrestlers were entered at 59kg and Nichita outscored them 38-0. The only wrestler who stopped her from going for superiority was Yui SAKANO (JPN).

RESULTS

59kg
GOLD: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA)
SILVER: Yui SAKANO (JPN)
BRONZE: Alyona KOLESNIK

62kg
GOLD: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) df. Grace BULLEN (NOR), 7-0

BRONZE: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) df. Lais NUNES (BRA), 2-1
BRONZE: Kayla MIRACLE (USA) df. Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), 11-1

65kg
GOLD: Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) df. Mallory VELTE (USA), 2-1

BRONZE: Iva GERIC (CRO) df. BHATERI (IND), 3-1

68kg
GOLD: Koumba LARROQUE 🇫🇷 df. Adela HANZLICKOVA 🇨🇿, 5-0

BRONZE: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Solin PIEARCY (USA), 6-0
BRONZE: Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) df. Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL), 3-2

Greco-Roman

77kg
GOLD: Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI)df. Alexandrin GUTU 🇲🇩, 2-2

BRONZE: Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) df. Johnny BUR (FRA), 3-0
BRONZE: Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) df. Antonio KAMENJASEVIC(CRO), 1-1

87kg
GOLD: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df. Naser ALIZADEH (IRI), 4-1

BRONZE: Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) df. Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 9-0
BRONZE: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) df. David LOSONCZI (HUN), 9-0

#WrestleParis

Wrestling at Paris 2024: Tazhudinov vs Snyder in semis

Saturday, August 10, 2024 - 08:29 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

PARIS (August 10) -- Wrestling at Paris enters its penultimate day with Freestyle in 65kg and 97kg and women's wrestling in 76kg. More medals to be won at the Olympics.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 DAY 5

13:48: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) avenges a loss to her predecessor as world champion, Yasemin ADAR (TUR), at the 2022 World Championships, holding on for a 3-0 victory to gain a spot in the women's 76kg semifinals. Kagami gains an activity point in the first period, then connects on a single-leg attempt for a takedown. She then fends off all of Adar's attacks to keep alive her gold-medal hopes.

13:30: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) seems to have recovered from that hectic opening bout against Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI). He casually beats Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) 14-2 in the quarterfinal. He will have a tough one in the semifinal -- Kyle SNYDER (USA).

13:24: Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) posts a dramatic 6-3 victory over Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) to advance to the women's 76kg semifinals and move a step closer to making Colombian history. Renteria gives up a go-ahead takedown in the second period, but comes back with a stepout and takedown to take a 5-3 lead. She then holds out against a single-leg attempt by Enkh Amar to clinch the victory. The Mongolian side challenges, but it is denied. Renteria is looking to join two-time Olympic bronze medalist Jackeline RENTERIA (COL) as Colombia's lone Olympic medalist in wrestling.

13:26: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) is looking particularly sharp at freestyle 65kg. He comes out like a buzzsaw in his quarterfinal against Islam DUDAEV (ALB), who has no answer as the Iranian chalks up three stepouts and two takedowns in the first period, and two stepouts and a clinching takedown in the second for an 11-0 victory.

13:23: Kennedy BLADES (USA) survives a tough battle with Milsimy MARIN (CUB), advancing to the women's 76kg semifinals with a 4-3 win. Blades goes ahead 2-1 in the second period with a stepout while on the activity clock, then makes it 4-1 by stuffing a takedown attempt by Marin for 2. But Marin scores a takedown in the final 10 seconds, and Blades does all she can to keep from being turned out.

13:20: Kyle SNYDER (USA) with a fall! Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB) kept him under control for some time but Snyder dumps him and holds him on the edge before a fall at the start of the second period.

13:14: In a testy freestyle 65kg quarterfinal between two longtime foes, Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN) gets a 4-point takedown en route to a 10-3 victory over Haji ALIYEV (AZE). Musukaev clinched the win with a slick ankle pick for a takedown.

13:10: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) holds on for a 1-1 victory on last-point criteria over REETIKA (IND) in a women's 76kg quarterfinal limited to activity points. On the clock in the second period, Reetika came close to getting a clinching takedown, but Medet Kyzy managed to keep her from completing the move.

13:00: World champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN), looking to give powerhouse Japan its first-ever gold medal in the heaviest women's weight class, gets an activity point in the first period and a stepout in the second while on the clock to defeat Genesis REASCO (ECU) 2-0 and fill the final women's 76kg quarterfinal spot.

13:00: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) reaches the semifinal at 97kg after a 7-2 win over Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL).

12:59: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) chalks up a dramatic and at times acrobatic 8-6 victory over Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) to advance to the freestyle 65kg semifinals. Kiyooka gets a pair of 2-point exposures in a scramble off his single-leg attempt, then transitions to a lace lock for 2 more. Rivera comes back with a takedown to cut the lead to 6-2 at the break. In the second period, Rivera successfully counters a low single for a 2-point exposure, but Kiyooka gets an exposure on his next takedown attempt. Rivera scores a final takedown, which he completes despite a balletic flip by Kiyooka, in an attempt to escape the hold.12:48: A dramatic win on Mat A for Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) and he's into the freestyle 65kg semifinals. After giving up a 4-point takedown to Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM), he gradually cuts the lead, finally going ahead with a spin-behind takedown with :12 left. An unsuccessful challenge makes it a 7-5 win.

12:47: Tokyo bronze medalist Yasemin ADAR (TUR) trails 2-2 on criteria when she scores three takedowns in the final minute for a 6-2 win over Justina DI STASIO (CAN), a world champion in 2018 who was making a long-awaited Olympic debut.

12:47: World champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) with a huge comeback in the second period to move into the quarterfinals. Tazhudinov was down 2-0 against Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) at the break and then 3-0 with 90 seconds left. But Azarpira could not hold for the final 40 seconds and gave up two takedowns to go down 4-3.

12:35: World 72kg silver medalist Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) bulls Hannah RUEBEN (NGR) backward for a takedown with 10 seconds left that clinches a 5-2 victory over at women's 76kg.

12:34: Two-time Asian champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) gets two takedowns in the first period then scores with stepouts in the second in a comfortable 8-0 win over world 70kg champion Zain RETHERFORD (USA) in the final first-round match at freestyle 65kg.

12:24: World bronze medalist Tatiana RENTERIA (COL), who also dabbles in beach wrestling, dug herself out of a 4-point hole against Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN) to advance to the women's 76kg quarterfinals with an 8-4 win.

12:23: Japan-born Gaku AKAZAWA (SAM), who received Samoan citizenship in time to become just the second wrestler in the Pacific island nation's history to qualify for the Olympics, gets a rough intro to the Olympic level when he is dealt a 10-0 loss by Islam DUDAEV (ALB) at freestyle 65kg.

12:18: Tempestuous Tokyo silver medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) keeps Austin GOMEZ (MEX) at bay and advances at freestyle 65kg with a safe 7-0 victory. Aliyev leads 2-0 in the second period when he chalks up two takedowns and a stepout at the buzzer.

12:14: Arturo SILOT TORRES (CUB) works his way to a slow but controlled 5-0 win over Erik THIELE (GER). He will face Snyder in the next bout.

12:14: There is a delay on Mat B as Catalina AXENTE (ROU) continues to receive treatment on her neck. She is taken off on a stretcher to respectful applause from the crowd.

12:07: Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) would be proud of his four-point counter against Kyle SNYDER (USA) but the returning silver medalist from America breaks Habila and goes on to win 9-5 in the opening 97kg bout for Snyder.

12:06: Reigning world champion and two-time world bronze medalist Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN) gets a slow start, taking a 1-0 lead into the second period at freestyle 65kg against Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ). But a second-period takedown opens the door for a series of gut wrenches that give him an 11-0 win.

12:05: Kennedy BLADES (USA), who defeated six-time world champion and Tokyo silver medalist Adeline GRAY (USA) at the U.S. trials, gets her Olympic debut off to a roaring start, but a painful one for Catalina AXENTE (ROU). After an opening takedown, Blades connects with a 4-point takedown to take a 6-0 lead into second period. It is then she hits a back suplex for which any Greco wrestler would be proud for 5.

11:46: World U23 champion REETIKA (IND) uses her counter lifts to great advantage and advances at women's 68kg with a 12-2 win over Bernadett NAGY (HUN).

11:45: Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) gives up an opening takedown to Georgii OKOROKOVV (AUS), then takes control of their freestyle 65kg clash. Rivera scores a takedown and two gut wrenches, then another takedown and two tilts for a 12-2 win.

11:43: European champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) has little trouble seeing off Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA) at 97kg. Top counter game from Matcharashvili who has a really good chance to be in the final here.

11:41: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), who dethroned Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) as national freestyle 65kg champion and earned his ticket to Paris at the Asian Qualifier, showed no fear in his first major senior tournament, rolling to a 10-0 victory over 2021 European bronze medalist Maxim SACULTAN (MDA). Kiyooka follows his third takedown with two rolls to end the match with three seconds to spare in the second period.

11:36: Asian champion Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), a fifth-place finisher at the Tokyo Olympics, executes a classic counter-lift for 2, then twists around to put Juan WANG (CHN) onto her back for 2 more. Wang gets an activity point in the second period, but falls well short in a 4-1 scoreline in their women's 76kg clash.

11:35: Two-time Asian silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) gets an activity point and takedown in the first period, and he goes on to a 5-0 victory at freestyle 65kg over 35-year-old Alejandro VALDES (CUB), a two-time Olympian who won consecutive world bronze medals in 2017-18.

11:30: World silver medalist Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) with a nice warm-up win over Luis PEREZ SOSA (DOM) at 97kg. Perez Sosa is the first ever freestyle wrestler from Dominica to be at the Olympics.

11:26: Ana GODINEZ (CAN) scores a takedown while on the activity clock in the first period, and that's enough to defeat Kriszta INCZE (ROU) 2-0 in the second repechage at women's 62kg. She will face Grace BULLEN (NOR) for the bronze.

11:24: World bronze medalist Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) gets a pair of takedowns in the second period to finish up an 11-0 victory over Goderdzi DZEBISASHVILI (GEO) in 4:45 of the opening match at freestyle 65kg.

11:20: Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) is into the bronze medal bout after missing out on it twice before at the Olympics. He pins Amarveer DHESI (CAN) at 125kg. In the second 125kg repechage, Robert BARAN (POL) gives himself a chance to win a bronze after he beats Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR)

11:16: A women's 62kg repechage match starts the action on Mat B, Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) gets a takedown with 1:02 left to defeat Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) 3-2 in a clash of former world champions. Purevdorj will face Tokyo silver medalist and reigning world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) for a bronze medal.

11:15: The last full morning session on Mat A starts with a 74kg repechage match between Tokyo silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) and four-time reigning European champion Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK). An earlier defensive exposure and a key takedown with a minute to go give Kadzmihamedau a 6-6 victory on big-point criteria. Because 74kg had 18 entries and there was a preliminary round, Kadzmihamedau will have another repechage match later in the session against Chermen VALIEV (ALB) for a place in the bronze-medal match.

11:00: Welcome to Paris 2024! We have a few big matches coming on the last full day of wrestling at the Champs de Mars Arena.

Takacs shows Hungary the way with gold at Zagreb Open

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Wrestling at Paris 2024: Tazhudinov vs Snyder in semis