Vilk vaults into history, becomes Croatia's first world champion

Friday, August 4, 2023 - 18:34 By Gaurav Bhatt

ISTANBUL (August 4) -- After a sensational win, it's only understandable that Veronika VILK (CRO) was lost for words.

Quizzed about her feelings after becoming the first Croatian wrestler to become a world champion, a beaming Vilk simply shrugged: "I don't know."

It's par for the course for Vilk, who was equally modest after winning the U17 European title in June.

"I don't think I'm aware of my success yet, but it's a very nice feeling to win gold, especially since I won in front of a full hall," Vilk had told Glas Slavonije, a Croatian daily after her win.

That win followed a small procession in Vilk's hometown of Slatina. Friends, family, and perhaps most importantly, fellow wrestlers from her club descended on the city square to welcome their champion. Vilk should be prepared for an even bigger celebration this time around.

On Friday in Istanbul, Vilk won the battle of continental champions as she beat reigning Asian champion SRISHTI (IND). It's poetic justice that Vilk conquered the world by pinning Srishti — Sanskrit for 'the world'.

Unassuming off the mat, Vilk is anything but on it. After attempting and missing a headlock, Vilk stuck with it, circling back to the center and finishing what she started and defeating Srishti in under a minute.

"This is it. Maybe, it won't happen again," said Vilk when asked about the missed initial headlock and going for it again. You have to give your hundred percent, that's all."

Last year, she became the first Croatian woman to win a medal at a World Championships, finishing with a bronze medal in the 73kg weight class in Rome. In 2023, she has become Croatia's first woman to win a European Championships and only the third wrestler overall.

Motivated by her coach and buoyed by her European triumph, Vilk realized that she could win the big one. And now, there's an even bigger one on the horizon.

"In five years, maybe Olympic Games," Vilk smiled.

For now, it's back to Croatia for another procession. "I am so proud. I hope the little girls see me and feel motivated."

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) was in tears after winning the 53kg final in Istanbul. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

3 golds for Japan

Japan added to its three gold medals on Thursday with another three, as Sakura ONISHI (JPN) led the charge for the wrestling powerhouse. Onishi finished her 53kg campaign just the way she started it, with a technical superiority win.

Such was her dominance that no wrestler could devise a way to score on Onishi over the two days. Her marauding run included victories over the reigning U17 European champion Fabiana RINELLA (ITA) in the semifinal, and silver medallist Olga OVCHINNIKOVA (AIN) in Friday's final.

After staving off a headlock, Onishi attacked Ovchinnikova's left leg to open the scoring. She then grabbed the Albanian's bandaged right leg and capitalized with a leg lace, defeating her opponent in just 47 seconds.

Onishi's performance was a far cry from her heartbreaking defeat in the U17 Worlds final in 2022. Trailing 1-1 on criteria, Onishi tried a desperate move and was outmaneuvered by Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR). On that fateful day in Rome, the cerebral Ukrainian made the Japanese lose a passivity battle, her cool, and eventually the gold.

There was nothing passive about Onishi this time around. To her credit, Ovchinnikova's run to the final included three pinfall wins. But the U17 European Championships silver medallist ran into a spirited Onishi on Friday.

Koharu AKUTSU (JPN) won the gold medal at 40kg after beating RACHANA (IND). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Earlier, Koharu AKUTSU (JPN) defeated RACHANA (IND) 4-3 in the 40kg final.

Akutsu went for Rachana's left leg and quickly switched to the right. But Rachana maintained a quad-pod position before Akutsu pulled her back and managed to score two points. She doubled her lead right before the break when Akutsu countered a cradle attempt by putting Rachana in danger.

In the second period, Rachana managed to reverse a headlock and muscle Akutsu out of bounds to get on the board. After the scuffle, the Japanese rose to some visible discomfort, prompting the medical staff to attend to her right leg.

Right on cue, Rachana attacked the leg with an attempted takedown and an inside trip, eventually managing to gain two points for her efforts. But the U17 Asian champion couldn't build on the move as Akutsu ran out the clock to victory.

Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) celebrates after winning the 46kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) was the third gold medallist for Japan. The 2022 U20 Asian silver medallist fended off MUSKAN (IND) to win the 46kg gold. Masuda, who had finished runner-up at the continental championship in Kyrgyzstan in the 49kg event, prevailed on Friday after dropping a weight category.

Muskan, meanwhile, won the world title last year at 40kg and had moved up to compete in the packed 46kg division in Istanbul. The Indian gave up a size to the lanky Japanese, who utilized her longer reach to sprawl off Muskan's advances. In a particularly smooth sequence, Masuda trapped Muskan's right leg, taking an overhook position to rear waist-lock.

Masuda raced to a 9-2 lead and despite a fightback from Muskan, held on for an 11-6 win. With the win, Masuda avenged the loss of compatriot Mona EZAKA (JPN), who had lost to Muskan last year in Rome.

SAVITA (IND) defended her 61kg gold medal to become two-time U17 world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Savita makes it a double

While Muskan couldn't make it a double, SAVITA (IND) defended her 61kg gold medal in style. After winning the weight class in a dominating fashion last year, Savita picked up from where she left off in Rome and stormed her way into the final.

Against Konami ONO (JPN) on Friday, however, Savita also showed perseverance and bouncebackability. Early in the bout, the Indian lost a scramble and her footing, as she was pushed out of bounds by Ono. The Japanese quickly made it 6-0, setting the stage for Savita's comeback.

Savita responded by taking Ono to the ground with sheer strength (and some help with a nifty inside trip). From there, it was Savita's show. She grabbed two more points with a speedy level change to grab Ono's right leg. The Indian kept her wits, and balance, and managed to stave off a last-ditch effort from Ono. A challenge from the Japanese contingent followed before Savita's 9-6 victory was announced.

Savita added the world title to the U17 Asian gold won in June and managed to exact some revenge on the continental rivals to make it 2-1 on the day. With 6 gold, 2 silver and 1 bronze, however, Japan comfortably took the team title with 200 points. The USA finished second at 122 points (2 gold, 4 silver, 1 bronze) and India third (1 gold, 3 silver, 1 bronze.)

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

40kg
GOLD: Koharu AKUTSU (JPN) df. RACHANA (IND), 4-3

BRONZE: Jaclyn BOUZAKIS (USA) df. Nurana ASADLI (AIN), via fall (10-0)
BRONZE: Shokhista SHONAZAROVA (UZB) df. Klara WINKLER (GER), 10-0

46kg
GOLD: Natsumi MASUDA (JPN) df. MUSKAN (IND), 11-6

BRONZE: Hava KONCA (TUR) df. Daniella BEKY (NOR), via fall (9-3)
BRONZE: Diana RYBCHENKO (AIN) df. Meiramgul AKHMETZHAN (KAZ), 2-0

53kg
GOLD: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) df. Olga OVCHINNIKOVA (AIN), 10-0

BRONZE: Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) df. Amelia TOMALA (POL), via fall (3-0)
BRONZE: Fabiana RINELLA (ITA) df. Karlee BROOKS (USA), 7-4

61kg
GOLD: SAVITA (IND) df. Konami ONO (JPN), 9-6

BRONZE: Leah SAMSONSEN (NOR) df. Leonie STEIGERT (GER), 5-3
BRONZE: Haylie JAFFEE (USA) df. Beyza AKKUS (TUR), 6-3

69kg
GOLD: Veronika VILK (CRO) df. SRISHTI (IND), via fall (2-0)

BRONZE: Liliana KAZMINA (AIN) df. Evelin UJHELJI (SRB), 3-0
BRONZE: Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) df. Elif KURT (TUR), 5-1

Freestyle Semifinals

48kg
GOLD: Yamato FURUSAWA (JPN) vs. Paul KENNY (USA)

SF 1: Yamato FURUSAWA (JPN) df. Joseph BACHMANN (PUR), 4-2
SF 2: Paul KENNY (USA) df. Sam Reza SAYAR (IRI), 8-8

55kg
GOLD: ANKUSH (IND) vs. Marcus BLAZE (USA)

SF 1: ANKUSH (IND) df. Arshak LULUKYAN (GEO), 10-0
SF 2: Marcus BLAZE (USA) df. Samvel GEVORGYAN (ARM), 11-0

65kg
GOLD: Magomed ALIBAKHARCHIEV (AIN) vs. Sina KHALILI (IRI)

SF 1: Magomed ALIBAKHARCHIEV (AIN) df. Brock MANTANONA (USA), 14-2
SF 2: Sina KHALILI (IRI) df. Manuel WAGIN (GER), 8-2

80kg
GOLD: Alexandru BORS (MDA) vs. Magomed IDRISOV (AIN)

SF 1: Alexandru BORS (MDA) df. Zackary RYDER (USA), 4-1
SF 2: Magomed IDRISOV (AIN) df. Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO), 5-1

110kg
GOLD: Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) vs. Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE)

SF 1: Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) df. Rakhman MALAKHMEDOV (AIN), via fall (8-2)
SF 2: Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) df. Henrik HAYKYAN (ARM), 6-2

#WrestleIstanbul

#WrestleIstanbul: Nichita Makes Golden Return; Mohammadian Shines

Saturday, February 26, 2022 - 20:26 By Vinay Siwach

ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 26) -- Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is back to her old ways. She was once a trailblazer for Moldova, but a disappointing Olympics set her back.

At the Tokyo Games, Nichita began with a bang. She pinned Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) in the first bout but then lost the next bout. A back injury during her quarterfinal against Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) meant she couldn't wrestle at the senior World Championships in Oslo.

"After the Olympics, I injured my back," Nichita said. "I couldn't train for four months, but now everything is fine."

Nichita marked her return to the mat with a gold medal at 59kg at the Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series event in Istanbul, Turkey. In her run to the top of the podium, she didn't concede a single point.

She began the day with a fall against Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), then secured another fall against Elif YANIK (TUR) in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, she came out on top of Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU), 10-0.

The final was a similar story. She defeated Zhargalma TSYREMPILOVA TCYRENOVA (RWF), 10-0, in the first period.

"I am so happy I could win the gold medal at this tournament. It was mentally tough, but it was satisfying to win," Nachita said.

Nichita, the 23-year-old, hopes she can continue wrestling how she began the year in Istanbul. With the U23 and senior European Championships scheduled inside a month, Nichita is eyeing more top-of-the-podium finishes.

"This tournament means a lot to me since it's the first tournament of the year, and I hope to continue the same way for the rest of the year," she said.

Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) pinned Milana DADASHEVA (RWF) in the 53kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) also put aside the disappointment of a medalless finish at the World Championships in Oslo and took home gold in Istanbul.

Wrestling at 53kg, Bat Ochir moved past former U23 Worlds silver medalist Pooja GEHLOT (IND), 11-1, followed by another technical superiority win over Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB).

It was all but over for the Mongolian in the semifinals as Dominique PARRISH (USA) took an 8-0 lead inside the opening two minutes. But in typical Mongolian style, Bat Ochir threw the American for four and scored the fall, punching her ticket to the final.

"I think our team trains very hard," Bat Ochir said. "We are very confident to pin our opponents."

The final against Milana DADASHEVA (RWF) tested her again. After two initial takedowns and a 4-0 lead, Bat Ochir surrendered two points but managed to pick up two exposures. She led 8-2 after the first 90 seconds.

The second period saw an exchange of three exposure, but Bat Ochir was not having any of it. She only needed 20 seconds in the closing period to secure the fall over Dadasheva.

"I was confident of the pin here as well," she said. "I had a good connection with the coach and understood his instructions. I think my psychological training also helped me to be calm and get the pin."

At 50kg, Amilia VUC (ROU) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by pinning Polina LUKINA (RWF) despite being thrown twice for four-pointers.

Lukina, a junior European champion, got going with some outrageous trips and was on the verge of victory, but Vuc got a hold of her neck and pinned her younger opponent.

RWF challenged the call asking for a foul-play from Vuc but they lost the challenge, giving the Romanian a clear victory.

The two-time Olympian was surprised to be down 8-0 but never lost sight of her golden hopes.

"The start was not very good. But I am happy that I did not lose hope and got the touche," Vuc said. "When it was 8-0 for her, I did not understand that because she is not the strongest wrestler, but she knew my techniques. I did my best from there.

"I'm very happy to start the year with gold, and in a month's time, I will prepare for European Championships."

Even a suplex from Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) was not enough to win against Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The USA grabbed two gold medals on Saturday as former world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) won at 55kg, and Oslo bronze medalist Forrest MOLINARI (USA) ascended to the top at 65kg.

Winchester's win was special, as she wrestled her opponents for the first time in her career. The semifinal against Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) stood out as she pinned the Asian champion after building a considerable lead.

"Vinesh was awesome," Winchester said. "I always wanted to wrestle her. My teammates have wrestled her but I have never and I wanted her to be on the same side [of the bracket], and that's what I got. I celebrated at the end [after the win]."

In the final, she led 3-0 when Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) pulled off a grand suplex. The refs offered four points which gave Krawczyk the lead. But Winchester wanted to wrestle till the last second and that paid off as she turned the Polish wrestler for four points with just seven seconds remaining and won, 7-4.

"This is the first time at Ranking Series event for me," she said. "I was laughing when she got the four because I wanted that competition, and I loved it. Whenever I am down, I just wrestle for full six minutes. It's my last match of the day. So either I can go home sad or give it my all."

Molinari faced a familiar foe in the 65kg final in Mallory VELTE (USA). The two had been wrestling each other since high school, but in 13 attempts, Molinari could not beat Velte.

But in Istanbul, it was a completely different game as Molinari dominated a slow-paced final. Despite giving up a takedown, she scored three of her own to win, 7-4. This was her second Ranking Series gold, the first also coming in Istanbul three years ago.

She also had a big quarterfinal against Emma BRUNTIL (USA). The two had met in the Ivan Yargiun Grand Prix final last month, which the latter won. But Molinari pinned Bruntil to avenge that loss.

The final gold medal for women's freestyle went to Oslo world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), as she beat '19 world bronze medalist Anna SCHELL (GER), 8-2. It mainly was the counters from Bakbergenova that Schell could not stop and conceded the bout.

Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) holds off a shot from Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF) in the 97kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Mohammadian Returns

Two men's freestyle gold medals were awarded on Saturday.

Tokyo Olympian and two-time Ranking Series gold medalist Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) returned to competition for the first time since losing at the Tokyo Olympics.

He won the gold medal at 97kg, beating Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF), while Rio Olympic champion and home favorite Taha AKGUL (TUR) claimed the 125kg gold without much trouble.

The 97kg final began with Zhabrailov getting a verbal warning for inactivity. Mohammadian saw this as an opportunity and blasted a double-leg, scoring the match's first two points. He then got a single leg attack for two more points and led 4-0 at the break.

The second period was much slower for Mohammadian, as he was put on the activity clock. He gave up the point, and with 15 seconds remaining, Zhabrailov scored a takedown and cut the lead to 4-3. But his final shot was blocked by the Iranian wrestler, who won his third Ranking Series gold.

At 125kg, Akgul gut-wrenched Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) for a 10-0 win in front of vocal home fans.

The remaining eight freestyle weights will be in action Sunday, the final day of the first Ranking Series of the year.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) won the 125kg gold in Istanbul. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

WW Results

50kg
GOLD: Emilia VUC (ROU) df Polina LUKINA (RWF), via fall

BRONZE: DOLGORJAV Otgonjargal (MGL) df Amy FEARNSIDE (USA), via fall
BRONZE: Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) df Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB), via fall

53kg
GOLD: Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) df Milana DADASHEVA (RWF), via fall

BRONZE: Dominique PARRISH (USA) df Pooja GEHLOT (IND), via fall
BRONZE: Iulia LEORDA (MDA) df Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ), 5-0

55kg
GOLD: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL), 7-4

BRONZE: Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RWF) df Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ), via fall
BRONZE: Ekaterina ISAKOVA (RWF) df Vinesh PHOGAT (IND), via fall

59kg
GOLD: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Zhargalma TSYREMPILOVA TCYRENOVA (RWF), 10-0

BRONZE: Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) df Zelfira SADRADDINOVA (RWF), 4-0
BRONZE: Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) df Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU), 8-2

65kg
GOLD: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) df Mallory VELTE (USA), 7-4

BRONZE: Emma BRUNTIL (USA) df Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 3-2
BRONZE: Khadija JLASSI (TUN) df Uliana TUKURENOVA (RWF), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df Anna SCHELL (GER), 8-2

BRONZE: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) df Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR), 5-3
BRONZE: Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) df Kseniia BURAKOVA (RWF), via fall

FS Results

97kg
GOLD: Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) df Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF), 4-3

BRONZE: Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) df Mustafa SESSIZ (TUR), 3-2
BRONZE: Kollin MOORE (USA) df Burak SAHIN (TUR), 3-1

125kg
GOLD: Taha AKGUL (TUR) df Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), 10-0

BRONZE: Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) df Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RWF), via fall
BRONZE: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) df Magomedgadzhi NURASULOV (SRB), 2-2

Vilk vaults into history, becomes Croatia's first world champion

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#WrestleIstanbul: Nichita Makes Golden Return; Mohammadian Shines