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U17 Worlds: AIN, India put 2 wrestlers each in Greco finals

Monday, July 31, 2023 - 17:34 By Vinay Siwach

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ISTANBUL (July 31) -- Team Individual Neutral Athletes (AIN) and India put two wrestlers each in the Greco-Roman finals on day one of the U17 World Championships in Istanbul on Monday.

Six other nations managed a finalist each including host nation Turkiye which has 110kg defending champion Cemal BAKIR (TUR) going for back-to-back gold medals.

For India, SURAJ (IND), who became the country's first Greco-Roman world U17 champion in 32 years, made it to his second straight final, this time at 55kg. RONAK (IND) joined him at 110kg and the U17 Asia silver medalist will try to upset home favorite Bakir on Tuesday.

AIN rode on Zaur BESLEKOEV (AIN) and Mikhail SHKARIN (AIN) who made it to the gold medal bouts at 65kg and 80kg respectively.

Shakhzod RUZIOKHUNOV (UZB)Shakhzod RUZIOKHUNOV (UZB) defeated Edgar PETROSYAN (ARM) 4-1 in the semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Defending team champions Iran put one finalist at 48kg as Payam AHMADI BALOOTKI (IRI), who was a bronze medalist at 45kg last year, made it to the final against Shakhzod RUZIOKHUNOV (UZB) who is a silver medalist at 45kg from last year.

Balootki will be extremely pleased with his performance as he handed U17 European champion Murat KHATIT (AIN) a 3-2 loss to enter the final. Ruziokhunov was clearly the better wrestler against Edgar PETROSYAN (ARM) who suffered a 4-1 loss.

SURAJ (IND)Returning world champion SURAJ (IND) reached the 55kg final after beating Halil CANIR (TUR) in the semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 55kg, Suraj was on track for a U17 Asia final rematch against Mohammadreza GHOLAMI (IRI) as both reached their respective semifinals. However, Ghomali suffered a heartbreaking loss to Jordyn RANEY (USA).

Ghomali led 5-1 with less than 20 seconds on the clock when Raney got a headlock for four, giving the US wrestlers a 5-5 criteria lead. Raney and Gholami exchanged danger positions in the following sequence but it was Raney's which was last, earning him a 7-7 win. A lost challenge from Iran made it 8-7.

Suraj, banking on his experience from last year's gold-medal run, blanked home wrestler Halil CANIR (TUR) in the other semifinal, using a correct throw and his trademark arm throw to win 6-0.

Yusif AHMADLI (AZE)Yusif AHMADLI (AZE), blue, will face Zaur BESLEKOEV (AIN) in the 65kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Beslekoev will face Yusif AHMADLI (AZE) in the 65kg final after he defeated Giorgi TCHIKAIDZE (GEO) 5-1 in the semifinal. Tchikaidze was giving the first advantage when Beslekoev was called passive. But the Georgian failed to get any turn from par terre. Beslekoev managed to score a takedown before the break to lead 2-1.

When Tchikaidze was called passive in the second period, Beslekoev managed to get a turn from par terre and score a 5-1 victory.

Ahmadli was up against Islambek KARIMJONOV (UZB) for a place in the final and the bout was even poised when the wrestlers exchanged four-point throws. But Ahmadli got a headlock for four and added two turns to make it 12-4 and claim the victory.

At 80kg, Shkarin toyed around with Eleftherios PAPPAS (GRE) in the semifinal and won 9-0 to book a place in the final. He was awarded the passivity in the first period and managed to turn Pappas twice before launching a perfect throw for four.

Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN)Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) reached the 80kg final after beating Uladzislau DUBROUSKI (AIN). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

He will face Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) in the final after the Japanese wrestler stopped Uladzislau DUBROUSKI (AIN) in the semifinal. Yoshida began the bout with a four as he drove Dubrouski toward danger before throwing him back first. The AIN team challenged the call but lost, giving Yoshida a 5-0 lead.

A headlock attempt from Dubrouski did not yield any points but gave Yoshida two points as the Japanese used a gut wrench to turn Dubrouski, who managed to pull things back a little when a bearhug ended in a correct throw for two points.

Yoshida, however, kept the pressure in the second period and scored a stepout to lead 8-2 and then added another to make it 9-2. He clinched the victory with another stepout.

Camil BAKIR (TUR)Camil BAKIR (TUR) reached second straight U17 Worlds final after beating U17 Asia champion Amirhossein ABDEVALI (IRI). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Bakir, with his hometown's support behind him, rallied to beat U17 Asia champion Amirhossein ABDEVALI (IRI) 4-2 in a heated semifinal. The defending champion scored a hard-fought turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break before defending when he was put in par terre.

Iran challenged for a block from Bakir but lost the challenge which added another point to Bakir's score to make it 4-1.

Abdevali had Bakir in danger for a second when he wrapped his around his waist and was about to launch him for a big throw. However, Bakir managed to keep his feet on the mat and gave up only a stepout as the score changed to 4-2. He defended his two-point lead to claim a victory over Abdevalo, one of the five brothers.

He will now face U17 Asia silver Ronak who impressed in a 6-3 victory over Eldar EMIROV (AIN) in the other semifinal. He was behind 3-0 after Emirov scored a turn from par terre.

Ronak need a turn from par terre against Emirov in the second period and he did exactly that. He scored two gut wrenches over Emirov to make it 5-3 in his favor. He survived a score when he tried throwing Emirov in the final two seconds but fell on his back. Emirov challenged for two points but it was clear on review that the time had expired, giving Ronak a 6-3 win.

 

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RESULTS

48kg
GOLD: Shakhzod RUZIOKHUNOV (UZB) vs. Payam AHMADI BALOOTAKI (IRI)

SF 1: Shakhzod RUZIOKHUNOV (UZB) df. Edgar PETROSYAN (ARM), 4-1
SF 2: Payam AHMADI BALOOTAKI (IRI) df. Murat KHATIT (AIN), 3-2

55kg
GOLD: SURAJ (IND) vs. Jordyn RANEY (USA)

SF 1: SURAJ (IND) df. Halil CINAR (TUR), 6-0
SF 2: Jordyn RANEY (USA) df. Mohammadreza GHOLAMI (IRI), 8-7

65kg
GOLD: Yusif AHMADLI (AZE) vs. Zaur BESLEKOEV (AIN)

SF 1: Yusif AHMADLI (AZE) df. Islombek KARIMJONOV (UZB), 12-4
SF 2: Zaur BESLEKOEV (AIN) df. Giorgi TCHIKAIDZE (GEO), 5-1

80kg
GOLD: Mikhail SHKARIN (AIN) vs. Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN)

SF 1: Mikhail SHKARIN (AIN) df. Eleftherios PAPPAS (GRE), 9-0
SF 2: Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Uladzislau DUBROUSKI (AIN), 10-2

110kg
GOLD: RONAK (IND) vs. Cemal BAKIR (TUR)

SF 1: RONAK (IND) df. Eldar EMIROV (AIN), 6-3
SF 2: Cemal BAKIR (TUR) df. Amirhossein ABDEVALI (IRI), 4-2

#WrestleIstanbul

World Olympic Qualifier Women's Wrestling Bouts Set

Friday, May 10, 2024 - 07:16 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ISTANBUL, Turkiye (May 10) -- The World Olympic Qualifier enters day two with women's wrestling in six weight classes. 12 Paris Olympic spots are on offer in six weight classes by the end of the day. The repechage in Greco-Roman and bronze medal bouts will also happen today.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

 

16:27: Anastasiya ZIMIANKOVA (AIN) closes the session with a 2-2 last-point victory over Francy RAEDELT (GER) at 76kg. Zimiankova is on the activity clock for a second time and just as it runs out to put her behind, she scores a stepout to take a 2-2 lead on criteria. We will see her later tonight in a clash with Catalina AXENTE (ROU).

16:17: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) defeats Enrica RINALDI (ITA) 4-0 at 76kg to earn a clash with Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) in tonight's qualification match.

16:12: Nesrin BAS (TUR) thrills the home crowd by pulling off a nail-biting 4-4 victory over Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at 62kg. A first-period takedown gives Bas a 2-1 lead going into the break, but Lindborg goes ahead with a takedown to open the second. Bas is not deterred and goes on the attack, getting in a on single and fighting out of Lindborg's fierce whizzer to complete the takedown to go up 4-3 with 1:02 to go. Lindborg gets a stepout with :03 left, but it's not enough and Bas screams out in delight. She will face Astrid MONTERO (VEN) for the ticket to Paris.

15:56: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) likes to go right to work off the whistle, and  Elma ZEIDLERE (LAT) will tell you better be ready. Anghel, who scored a 4-point takedown in the early seconds of the first period, comes storming out in the second with a driving takedown to the back and scores a fall over Zeidlere to advance to the qualification match at 68kg.

15:56: Asian Games bronze medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) snatches a victory from the jaws of defeat when she comes back from six points down to score a fall over Yaynelis SANZ (CUB) 57kg. Sanz looked to be well on her way to the qualification match when she opened with a 4-point takedown in the first period, then adds another takedown in the second. But when Sanz shoots for a double-leg, Sobirova hits a hard whizzer, pulls in the far arm and puts Sanz on her back. The outcome had seemed even more unlikely when Sobirova appeared to twist her right knee late in the first period and took a timeout for treatment.

15:47: Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) uses a combination of muscle and finesse to chalk up a 10-4 victory over home favorite Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) at 57kg and move one win away from Paris. Akobiia gains four points during a second-period scramble that begins with her counter to a seemingly sure takedown

15:45: Entertaining 68kg quarterfinal between Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) and NISHA (IND). Hanzlickova almost got the pin in the first period but Nisha managed to keep her one shoulder up. She scored two counters to take a 6-3 lead but Hanzlickova managed to hit a head lock which scored one as Nisha had stepout first. Hanzlickova challenges asking for four points but to no avail and Nisha will wrestle for a spot for the Paris Olympics.

15:30: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) chalks up an impressive 6-1 victory over three-time Olympian Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) to make the qualification match at 53kg. Batkhuyag fights off a whizzer for a takedown, then scores a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on to lead 4-1 at the break. In the second period, Batkhuyag shucks Prevolaraki by for another takedown, then keeps the Greek from ever launching an effective attack. She will face Yetgil for the Olympic spot.

15:21: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) scores all of her points in a quick span of the first period and moves one win away from an Olympic berth at 53kg by beating Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) 7-0. With Wrzesien on the activity clock, Yetgil spins behind for a takedown and immediately locks an arm, then adds a pair of rolls. 

15:20: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is so brutal! She manages to throw Viyaleta CHYRYK (AIN) for a five in her 11-0 win in just under three minutes to win 11-0 at 50kg

15:10: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL), a double Asian bronze medalist at 72kg, handles the extra weight and two-time Olympian and world medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) with a 6-1 win at 76kg. After receiving an activity point, Enkh Amar stops a lateral drop attempt for 2 to go up 3-0. In the second period, Enkh Amar gains a takedown at the edge, with an additional point for an unsuccessful challenge added on.

15:03: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) advances to the qualification match at 53kg with a tough 9-7 victory over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). Dragutan trails 4-2 going into the second period but goes ahead with a low-single takedown, a driving takedown to the back, and an exposure.

14:47: In perhaps a sign of a changing of the guard, Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) scores a takedown in each period and knocks off the venerable Epp MAE (EST) 4-1 at 76kg.

14:44: A slimmed down Nesrin BAS (TUR) continues to thrill the home crowd, getting a pair of first-period takedowns in a 6-4 victory over Natalia KUBATY (POL) at 62kg. Bas won the European gold at 72kg, then moved down to the only weight class available to her because Turkiye had already qualified at 68kg and 76kg.

14:29: Four-time European medalist Kriszta INCZE (ROU) uses an inner thigh block for a 4-point takedown that puts her in position for a victory by fall at 62kg over Nachi MASUDA (AUS), a rare example of a native Japanese who switched nationality.

14:12: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) follows a 4-point whizzer throw by hitting Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) with a headlock throw for a fall at 68kg. Shalygina, a 2008 Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world medalist, famously returned to the sport in 2022 from a 10-year absence.

14:27: Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) was leading 5-0 before she pins Lais NUNES (BRA) in the 68kg 1/8 finals. Sweden is looking for its second Paris spot in women's wrestling. The one it has is at 53kg.

14:12: Three-time European bronze medalist Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) advances at 68kg with a victory by fall at Tindra SJOEBERG (SWE). Hanzlickova is looking to get back to the Olympics after appearing at Rio 2016.

14:10:  Yaynelis SANZ (CUB) continues to establish herself as one to beat at 57kg, staying constantly on the attack and using a lightning-quick single leg to defeat Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) 15-4. Sanz builds up a 13-4 lead in the first period, then finishes it off with a takedown 20 seconds into the second.

14:03: Two-time Olympian Feng ZHOU (CHN) needs just 27 seconds to take down Ohyoung HA (KOR) and secure a fall at 68kg.

14:00: Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) gets the takedown, then it's four quick rolls and she's a 10-0 winner in 27 seconds over Ester ABRAHAM (NAM) at 57kg.

13:59: Two-time European champion Alina AKOBIIA (UKR) stays on track for her first Olympic appearance at 57kg, building up a 7-0 lead before securing a fall over  Graciela SANCHEZ (ESP).

13:49: Miesinnei Mercy GENESIS (NGR) hangs on for an impressive 3-0 victory over 2022 world bronze medalist Anna LUKASIAK (POL) to advance at 50kg.

13:46: Superstar Mariya STADNIK (AZE), coming off a stunning loss at the European Olympic Qualifier as she shoots for an unprecedented fifth Olympic medal, starts with a one-sided 10-0 win over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE) at 50kg.

13:43: Veteran two-time world bronze medalist Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) prevails for a nail-biting 6-5 victory at 53kg over Karla GODINEZ (CAN) that featured two challenges in the final 15 seconds. Both challenges came when Prevolaraki used a counter lift roll off a Godinez takedown attempt, and both resulted in each wrestler getting 2 points--which gave a relieved Prevolararki the win as she aims to appear in a third straight Olympics.

13:27: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) scrapes by at 53kg with a 3-2 victory over Annika WENDLE (GER) that ended in a bit of chaos. Yetgil was leading 2-1 from a first-period takedown when Wendle launched a late takedown attempt that was interrupted by the mat chairman throwing the stuffed animal into the ring to get the mat referee's attention. The action was stopped before Wendle could be awarded points. The German side challenged, and when it was sorted out, Yetgil was assessed a 1-point penalty for grabbing fingers, and received a point for the lost challenge. The clock was reset to 10 seconds, but Wendle's last-ditch front headlock throw came just too late.

13:16: Tokyo Olympian Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) gets past Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) with a fall at 53kg with 25 seconds left. Wrzesien takes a 5-0 lead into the second period, when she scores a takedown to the back before securing the fall.  She will face the winner of Annika WENDLE(GER)-Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) currently underway on the adjacent mat.

12:59: In a clash of wrestlers who recently won bronze medals at 55kg at their respective continental championships, Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) pours it on in the second period and advances at 53kg with an 11-1 win over Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ). Down 1-0 going into the second period and with Kadyrbek Kyzy on the activity clock, Dragutan scores a counter takedown and gut wrench, then gets another takedown which she tops off with two rolls.

12:41: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL), moving up to the heaviest weight of 76kg after medaling at the last four European Championships at either 68kg or 72kg, wins a barn-burner 7-5 over Martina KUENZ (AUT). Yaneva falls behind on criteria 3-3 when she gives up a stepout with 56 seconds left, but comes back with a 4-point takedown with :33 to go, then holds on for the win.

12:27: The randomness of the draw put two of the most decorated wrestlers in the tournament against each other, as Epp MAE (EST) and Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) meet in the first round at 76kg. Both are 32, and both are looking to appear in a third straight Olympics. It is the four-time world medalist Mae who comes out on top, getting an activity point and stepout in the second period for a 2-1 win. Syzdykova came into Istanbul after winning her eighth career Asian medal.

12:22: 72kg U23 world champion Nesrin BAS (TUR), almost forced to go down to 62kg in a bid to be at the Olympics, begins his road to Paris with a 6-1 win over Ameline DOUARRE (FRA).

12:19: Former world 59kg champion Linda MORAIS (CAN), looking to bounce back from a stunning loss at the Pan American Qualifier, starts her quest at 68kg by putting away Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) 10-0.    

12:13: In a battle of three-time European medalists, Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) gets a takedown in each period to defeat Dalma CANEVA (ITA)  5-1 at 68kg.

12:10: Tokyo Olympian Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) drops her first bout at 68kg 10-2 against Nicoll PARRADO (COL). Manolova never had similar results in the new weight class after she moved to it from 62kg

11:50: Anna LUKASIAK (POL), a 2022 world bronze medalist, advances at 50kg with a 10-0 rout of Marina KARAPANAGIOTIDOU (GRE).

11:49: Alina AKOBIIA (UKR), looking to add an Olympic medal to a world bronze and two European golds, starts her quest for Paris at 57kg with a victory by fall over In Sun JONG (PRK). With Akobiia leading 3-1 in the second period, Song gets treatment on a heavily taped right knee, then takes a shot that Akobiia counters with a cradle for 2 and apparent fall. A meeting of the judges after the action stopped would indeed confirm it was a fall.  

11:28: Son Hyang KIM (PRK), a world bronze medalist in 2017 who returned to the global stage to win a silver medal at last September's Asian Games, but suffered a close first-round loss at last month's Asian Olympic Qualifier, avoids any mistakes in a 6-0 victory over  Julie Martine SABATIE (FRA) at 50kg.

11:10: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) thrills the home crowd with a 7-0 win over Maria BAEZ (ESP) at 53kg. Turkiye has qualified for three weight classes but is looking for three more from this tournament.

11:05: In a doozy on Mat C, Laura HERIN AVILA (CUB) scores a stepout with 22 seconds left to finish up a wild 18-8 win at 53kg over two-time world U20 bronze medalist Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE). 

11:03: Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), a 2023 world bronze medalist at 55kg, begins her quest for an Olympic spot at 53kg by using a reverse pancaked to build up an 8-0 lead over Oleksandra KOGUT (AUT). Kogut fights back for a takedown and turn, but Dragutan holds on to walk off an 8-4 winner.

10:53: With the Greco repechage matches finished on Mat B, Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR)  starts the women's competition with a nicely timed 4-point headlock throw against Irena BINKOVA (BUL) at 53kg. But Binkova comes back with a takedown to cut the gap. In the second period, Binkova again gets a takedown, then follows it up by bulling Ech Chabki over for a fall. 

10:00: We will start the day with Greco-Roman repechage bouts. The winners will go into the second round of repechage and then the bronze-medal bouts in the evening.