Team USA Sends Four Wrestlers to #WrestleBudapest Finals

Monday, July 19, 2021 - 19:31 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 19) --- As soon as James MULLEN (USA) won his semifinal at 110kg, his USA teammate James ROWLEY (USA) began calculating the team scores. “That's 80 points,” he would shout to his team in the warm-up hall.

USA took a huge step towards the team title at the cadet World Championships which got underway in Budapest Monday as they entered four wrestlers in the five finals for Tuesday, the most for any country. India were the second best behind USA with two finalists while Russia, Iran, Georgia and Kazakhstan sending one each. Wrestlers from USA and India will meet in the two finals – 48kg and 80kg – on Tuesday.

That gives them a 30-point lead going into Tuesday which will see five more freestyle weight classes in action apart from the medal bouts of 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg and 110kg.

Two 15-year-olds made it to the final of 48kg in contrasting fashion as Pan Am champion Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) registered a thrilling win in the semifinals while Aman GULIA (IND) dominated his semifinal to win in a minute and five seconds.

Luke LILLEDHALE USA Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) won his semifinal at 48kg 4-3. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Lilledahl, who trains in Missouri, will be looking to give himself an early birthday present, hopefully a gold, as he turn 16 years old in two weeks' time. He had a tough day in office as he began with a stunning 9-9 win over Akhmad MUSAKHADZHIEV (RUS) which saw USA challenge a call and winning it. He then handled Azim ABDYKALYKOV (KGZ) 8-1 before beating Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ) 4-3 in the semifinals. He needed a late takedown with a double to win the bout.

Assessing his bouts, Lilledahl said he could have done better but he is now preparing for his final against India.

“[My wrestling was] not the best and I still have work to do,” Lilledahl said. “I am representing my country so I have to do my best no matter what. [For the final], just prepare mentally and watch some videos.”

Gulia went for a leg-lace to finish his opponent Rezo MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) 10-0 in the semifinal. In the morning session he had conceded only one point while scoring 14.

The Indian stayed back to watch Lilledahl's semifinal and observed a few things before the two meet in the final on Tuesday.

“He only shows false attack and dodges,” Gulia said. “I'll watch his videos from today and then prepare for final.”

At 55kg, the weight class where USA did not have a finalist, saw Russia and Kazakhstan advance. Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) had a few slip ups in the semifinal against Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR) but eventually managed to win 10-6.

The wrestler from Chechnya was unfazed by the occasion of a World Championships final and said he will prepare for it as he does for any other bout.

His opponent, Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ) looked in the zone as he defeated Vaibhav PATIL (IND) 6-4 in the semifinals. Earlier in the day, he had defeated returing fifth-place and 2021 cadet European silver medalist Javi JAVIDOV (AZE) 10-0.

Nurlanbek challenged a takedown from Patil which had given Indian the lead. Kazakhstan won the challenge and kept off Patil's late attacks for the win.

Patil had earlier in the day ended the hopes for cadet European champion Andranik AVETISYAN (ARM) with a cradle pin despite the Armenian leading. He also pulled off a four-point throw in the dying seconds against Husanboy USMONOV (UZB). But his strategy did not work against the Kazak.

Meyer SHAPIRO USA Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) will wrestle in the 65kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) was the second USA wrestler to reach the final. Like Lilledahl, he had to go through a Russian wrestler to reach the final against Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO).

After a pin to start his day. Shapiro wrestled Khabib ZAVURBEKOV (RUS) and both exchanged attacks before Shapiro went for a final one. He managed to come out on top 8-6 but such was the intensity of the bout that he thought he had lost.

“My second match was super tough,” Shapiro said. “Definitely the best kid in the bracket. Honestly, anything could have happened in the end and I thought I lost because I could not see the score board. I was freaking out but turns out I had won. Later, I brought the pieces together and wrestled hard in the semifinals.”

He did not waste any time in the semifinal to handed a 10-0 defeat to Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE).

Gogritchiani, who trains in Racha, had a contrasting semifinal as he defeated Ali REZAEIAGHOUZGELEH (IRI) 6-6 after a successful challenge to reclaim his lead in the final minute. Two points were awarded to Iran but Georgia challenged the call and instead, the two points were awarded to Gogritchiani. The Iran wrestler did get two stepouts but those were not enough for the win.

“I wrestled very well,” he said. “In the last match with the Iranian I was sure I won those two points in the challenge. In tomorrow’s final I’ll do my best to get the gold medal.”

When Shapiro was asked who he is going to prepare for the final, he said he wanted to relax.

“I am not really worried about that,” he said. “I will watch a film [of Gogritchiani] and whatever happens, happens.”

Another India-USA was set at 80kg as Rowley made his way to wrestle Sagar JAGLAN (IND), defeating a Russian wrestler on the way.

Sagar JAGLAN IND Sagar JAGLAN (IND) pinned Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO) in the semifinal at 80kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Rowley was slow to start as he wrestled Mustafagadzhi MALACHDIBIROV (RUS) in the 1/8 finals. A late takedown was what gave him an 8-6 win. In the quarterfinals, he picked up pace and defeated cadet European champion Oleksandr MAMROSH (UKR) before getting a technical superiority win over Gabriele NICCOLINI (ITA) 12-2.

“It kept getting better [for me],” Rowley said. “ My first match was slow and second was a little better. In the third, I blew him out of water.

“For the final, I will get the mindset right and win.”

He will face Jaglan in the final who won three out of his four bouts after trailing initially. But that was just another example of the exceptional motor skills of Indian wrestlers, made popular by Bajrang PUNIA (IND).

In the semifinal against cadet European Championships semifinalist Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO), he was trailing 4-6 as the Georgian struggled to catch his breath. Jaglan managed to put him on his back and get the fall.

A similar story saw him beat Radomir STOYANOV (BUL) in opening round. The Indian was trailing 1-9 but rebounded against a panting Stoyanov to win 15-10. Then against Musza ARSUNKAEV (UWW), he took advantage of a tiring opponent to win 14-9. A 12-4 win against Sattarkhan ALLAHVERDILI (AZE) earned him a place in the semifinal.

At 110kg, Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) has begun well to follow his father's footsteps at the super-heavyweight category. Son of World Championships silver medalist and Beijing Olympic fifth placer Fardin MASOUMI VALADI, Amirreza stormed into the final with a 5-1 win over cadet European champion Ilia ZHIBALOV (RUS).

“Before coming here, I trained two months for this competition and I had great bouts,” Masoumi Valadi said.

He will face Pan-Am champion James MULLEN (USA) in the final. Mullen defeated Alikhan KUSSAINOV (KAZ) 7-1 in the semifinal.

Amirreza Fardin MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) will wrestle for gold at 110kg (Photo: UWW)

RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: AMAN (IND) vs Luke LILLEDAHL (USA)

SF 1: AMAN (IND) df Rezo MARSAGISHVILI (GEO), 10-0
SF 2: Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) df Nurdanat AITANOV (KAZ), 4-3

55kg
GOLD: Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) vs Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ)

SF 1: Magomed BAITUKAEV (RUS) df Abdullah TOPRAK (TUR), 10-6
SF 2: Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ) df Vaibhav PATIL (IND), 6-4

65kg
GOLD: Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO) vs Meyer SHAPIRO (USA)

SF 1: Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO) df Ali REZAEIAGHOUZGELEH (IRI), 6-6
SF 2: Meyer SHAPIRO (USA) df Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE), 10-0

80kg
GOLD: Sagar JAGLAN (IND) vs James ROWLEY (USA)

SF 1: Sagar JAGLAN (IND) df Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO), via fall
SF 2: James ROWLEY (USA) df Gabriele NICCOLINI (ITA), 12-2

110kg
GOLD: Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) vs James MULLEN (USA)

SF 1: Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI) df Ilia ZHIBALOV (RUS), 5-1
SF 2: James MULLEN (USA) df Alikhan KUSSAINOV (KAZ), 7-1

#WrestleBudapest

#WrestleBudapest: What to watch in women's wrestling

Saturday, July 8, 2023 - 14:59 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 8) -- If you wanted to see a trailer of what the World Championships in Belgrade will look like, don't miss the fourth Ranking Series, Polyák Imre & Varga János Memorial, in Budapest next.

As nations try to pick their squads for the World Championships, which offer quotas for the Paris Olympics, the Budapest event has added significance along with the medals and the prize money even though the tournament allows two-kilogram weight tolerance.

Freestyle has seen 174 registrations so far while Greco-Roman has 196. Women's wrestling will see 182 wrestlers in action when the competition begins Thursday.

With so much action on three mats, here are a few matchups that you cannot miss in women's wrestling.

50kg
World silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) will be headed to Budapest for her second international tournament of the year. She participated in the Zagreb Open in February, finishing eighth after losing to Mariya STADNIK (AZE).

Dolgorjav has been one of the top 50kg wrestlers since winning the bronze at the 2021 World Championships. She improved to silver at the second edition and remained undefeated in the World Cup.

But Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), who is in the purple patch of her career, will be looking to avenge her loss to Dolgorjav. The Olympic bronze medalist was on her way to a second straight world final in 2022 but Dolgorjav defeated her in the semifinals.

The Belgrade bout saw a fierce battle between the two but Dolgorjav put on a superior defensive performance to notch up a 6-2 win. Having learned her lessons from that loss, Hildebrandt may go for a different strategy if the two meet in Budapest.

Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) is a two-time European champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

53kg
At 53kg, expect some top bouts from the opening round itself. Canada has three wrestlers at this weight class while Poland, China, Hungary, and Ukraine have two each. World champion Dominique PARRISH (USA), Tokyo Olympic medalists Qianyu PANG (CHN) and Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL), big-throwing Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) and European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) will be the names to keep an eye on.

One match-up that fans need to keep an eye on is Malmgren facing Pang. The two-time European champion has been making a name for herself since missing a chance to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics, winning the U20 world, two European and a U23 European title.

Pang, on the other hand, has only had two tournaments since winning the silver in Tokyo. She was part of China's World Cup squad and won two of her three outs. She claimed the Asian gold at 55kg in April which marked her return to the top.

With a long break, Pang may be rusty and will have counter Malmgren's powerful attacks from underhook. The match-up pairs two powerful wrestlers with a high percentage of upper-body attacks.

55kg
The last time VINESH (IND) and Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) met, the latter pinned Vinesh after building a lead. That was the Istanbul Ranking Series in February 2022, with Vinesh coming back after a few battles with mental health after a disappointing Tokyo Olympics in which she failed to win a medal and faced public wrath including from the Wrestling Federation of India.

Winchester, who won the gold medal at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series gold in February, will once again be the favorite as Vinesh has been out of competition since the 2022 World Championships in which won a bronze medal.

However, fans can expect a fierce battle between the two, contrasting the meek affair from Istanbul.

Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is moving down to 57kg in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

57kg
The Olympic qualification period always makes wrestlers switch to the Olympic weight class and Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), world champion at 59kg, is moving back to 57kg for Budapest. Nichita has lost one bout, the final of the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series, since 2022. Her dominance has majorly been at 59kg in which she won her third European gold in April.

In Budapest, she will have to face some tests and Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) will be the toughest of them. Hrushyna won the European gold in Zagreb at 57kg and has been one of the best at this weight class since returning from injury in late 2021.

In the last two years, she has lost only to Helen MAROULIS (USA) and Sae NANJO (JPN) and won 11 medals, including eight gold, in as many tournaments.

Hrushyna is known for her leg attacks and mixes them with big throws from standing. Her defense may be a challenge for Nichita who has some incredible skills for big throws and takedowns.

Undoubtedly, the two will be cautious of each other and if they meet on the mat, expect a battle like no other.

62kg
After a disappointing start of the year, finishing 13th in Zagreb, Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) returned to the top at 62kg winning gold at Ranking Series in Alexandria and Asian Championships. She will be the favorite to win another gold when she steps on the mat in Budapest at 62kg.

Three months later, she will be in Budapest and can face European champion Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) once again. The two met in the semifinal in Alexandria and Tynybekova barely made it for a 2-0 win.

Koliadenko was stopped in her attacks by Tynybekova who got a point for activity and a lost challenge from her Ukrainian opponent. Tynybekova's defense in that bout frustrated Koliadenko who, most likely, will need to be more attacking from the word go.

Emma BRUNTIL (USA), red, will face Irina RINGACI (MDA) at 65kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

65kg
Three months before the World Championships, Irina RINGACI (MDA) has decided to continue wrestling at 65kg a weight class she lost at the European Championships.

At the start of 2022, Ringaci had moved from 65kg to 68kg, raising hopes that she will now be permanently in the Olympic weight class.

In Budapest, she will face Emma BRUNTIL (USA), a bout that will offer a lot for wrestling fans. Bruntil has a solid record in Ranking Series, winning medals at four events out of five. She has reached the final of three of them.

Bruntil has shown progressive improvement over the years, most recently winning the USA team spot for the World Championships in Belgrade.

Ringaci has one of the defense and counters from positions. Her strong gut wrench may also trouble Bruntil. Given the two-kilogram weight allowance, Ringaci may be the favorite but don't count Bruntil out of this.

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) won the gold medal at the Zagreb Open in February. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

68kg
A lot can happen at 68kg but keep an eye on a three-way French battle in Budapest. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), Kendra DACHER (FRA) and Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), all three eyeing a spot on the World Championships team, will be in Budapest at 68kg.

Larroque, Tokyo Olympian at 68kg, has been the regular at this weight class this year, winning gold at the Henri Deglane Grand Prix and Zagreb Open, silver at Ibrahim Moustafa and bronze at the European Championships.

For the 2022 World Championships, Lecarpentier defeated Larroque and booked her spot for Belgrade. She lost to Ami ISHII (JPN) and to Linda MORAIS (CAN) in repechage.

Larroque and Lecarpentier met in the Henri Deglane final in January which the former won. In Zagreb Open in February, Larroque won gold while Lecarpentier won a bronze medal.

Dacher, a U23 world silver medalist from 2021 at 72kg, is moving down to 68kg with the hopes of making it to Belgrade. She was seventh last year in Belgrade and earlier this year, in a stunning drop, moved to 65kg and finished fifth.

Larroque will also look to settle scores with Forrest MOLINARI (USA) who beat her 12-2 in a bloody 68kg final in Alexandria.

76kg
If there is one weight class in women's wrestling in which no one can all the shots, it has to be 76kg. Adeline GRAY (USA) has been the favorite for years but she took a break to give birth to twins, the category has been wide open.

World champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) will be in Budapest with revenge on her mind.

At the World Cup in December, Adar faced Yelena MAKOYED (USA) in the UWW World Team vs the US match and suffered a fall.

Makoyed, who has three Ranking Series gold and is unbeaten internationally, has been a big revelation at 76kh. Just that competition back home in the US is increasingly difficult.

Adar will have to find a way to deal with the pressure Makoyed puts in her leg attacks and then the transitions. The Turkish wrestler was clearly caught off guard by Makoyed's style at the World Cup.

In a bout between two extremely powerful wrestlers, Adar may try a different tactic this time and wait for Makoyed's attacks and counter them.

Even if these two don't meet, world silver medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY), world bronze medalist Epp MAE (EST), and Dymond GUILFORD (USA) are also wrestling in Budapest.

Team USA Sends Four Wrestlers to #WrestleBudapest Finals

Comments

#WrestleBudapest: What to watch in women's wrestling