#GC2018

Vinesh Gives India Fifth Commonwealth Games Gold

Saturday, April 14, 2018 - 14:47 By Eric Olanowski

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GOLD COAST, Australia (April 13) - Vinesh VINESH (IND) gave India their fifth gold medal of the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Although four of India's five golds came in freestyle, Vinesh captured the lone, yet much needed top spot in women’s wrestling. 

In her fourth and final bout of the day, the defending champion had hopes of taking out 2012 world champion Jessica Anne Marie MACDONALD (CAN). The No. 2 ranked wrestler in the world struck first with a feet to back double leg for four points, facing MacDonald with her first deficit of the tournament. 

The Indian sat on a comfortable 8-0 lead after a second aggressive four-point double leg. The African runner-up used a MacDonald double leg attack to get her hips committed and picked up a counter two points, but not before MacDonald came out in the top position with a reversal.

Vinesh’s final leg attack came with 90 seconds left, as she picked up her second Commonwealth Games gold medal in as many tries. 

At 86kg, 2010 Commonwealth Champion Muhammad INAM (PAK) upended 41-year-old 2018 African champion Melvin BIBO (NGR), 6-0. 

In the finals, Inam took the lead midway through the first period after Bibo failed to score when he was placed on the activity clock. Shortly after, Inam turned defense into an attack with a crotch lift off Bibo’s attack, taking the 3-0 lead. An additional takedown and an unnecessary hands to the face call would make Inam switch to defensive mode as he had a six-point buffer.  The Pakistani closed the match out intelligently and found ways to stay off the activity clock to keep the shutout intact, winning 6-0. 

This victory at 86kg gave Pakistan their first Commonwealth Games gold medal since Azhar HUSSAIN (PAK) won the 55kg gold medal at the 2010 Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India. 

Meanwhile, the 62kg gold-medal bout between Aminat ADENIYI (NGR) and Michelle FAZZARI (CAN) was halted after the first five seconds due to an apparent right knee injury to the Canadian wrestler. 

Adeniyi, the 24-year-old Olympian and three-time African champion snatched an early single leg, only to have the 2017 world bronze medalist, Fazzari stop wrestling and begin to favor the already padded right knee. For the third straight international competition, Fazzari would have to pull out due to this apparent right knee injury. 

The African defended her title from four years ago and joined fellow Nigerian’s Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) and Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) as 2018 Commonwealth Games women’s wrestling champions. 

Sumit SUMIT (IND) was awarded the 125kg gold medal after knocking off defending champion Korey JARVIS (CAN) and finishing the day with a 4-0 record. Jarvis ended the day with one loss and took home the silver medal, and Tayab RAZA (PAK) had a pair of wins and losses and departed with Commonwealth Games bronze. 

RESULTS: 
Women's Wrestling 
50kg - Nordic Tournament (4 Participants)
GOLD -  Vinesh VINESH (IND) df. Jessica Anne Marie MACDONALD (CAN), 13-3. 

BRONZE - Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) df. Rupinder KAUR (AUS), 10-0.

62kg - Nordic Tournament (4 Participants)
GOLD - Aminat ADENIYI (NGR) df. Michelle FAZZARI (CAN), via inj. def.

BRONZE - Sakshi MALIK (IND) df. Tayla FORD (NZL), 6-5. 

Freestyle
86kg 
GOLD - Muhammad INAM (PAK) df. Melvin BIBO (NGR). 6-0. 

BRONZE - Somveer SOMVEER (IND) df. Alexander MOORE (CAN), 7-3
BRONZE - Syerus ESLAMI (ENG) df. David CONTEH (SLE), 11-0.

125kg - Nordic Tournament (5 Participants)
GOLD –  Sumit SUMIT (IND) (4-0)
SILVER - Korey JARVIS (CAN)  (3-1)
BRONZE - Tayab RAZA (PAK) (2-2)

#WrestleZagreb

Wrestling 2025 Season Preview

Monday, February 3, 2025 - 08:02 By Vinay Siwach

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​CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 3) -- As the memories of the 2024 Paris Olympics and the World Championships in Tirana linger in the minds of wrestling fans, the 2025 season is already here. And it brings new hopes and a few challenges.

With the spotlight turning toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, this season promises to be a crucial stepping stone in winning a medal in LA 2028.

DOWNLOAD THE 2025 SEASON PREVIEW HERE

The four Ranking Series events in 2025 and the continental championships will serve as vital platforms for athletes preparing for the World Championships in September.

Freestyle (Click here to read full Freestyle preview)

At the 2024 World Championships, Masanosuke ONO (JPN) and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) stood out. Sadulaev will return to 97kg to reclaim the gold medal he lost to Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) in 2023. The 97kg weight class is highly competitive, with Tazhudinov’s Olympic win further elevating the stakes.

Kyle SNYDER (USA), once a dominant force at 97kg, now faces a crucial year after missing the Paris Olympics podium. In the 86kg category, Iran's Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), who narrowly missed a second Olympic gold due to injury, will decide which weight class is best for him in 2025.

The season kicks off in Zagreb in February and moves to Tirana for the first two Ranking Series. The continental championships will follow and Iran’s dominance in Asia is likely to continue with top wrestlers like Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) expected to compete in the Asian Championships in Amman.

The European Championships will be key to gauging team strengths, with Azerbaijan looking to build on a successful 2024. The form of neutral athletes will also be under the scanner in Slovakia. The Pan-American Championships in May will see the United States dominate.

The World Championships will feature fierce competition, with new faces emerging in the U.S. and Iran, and Japan announcing themselves in style at the Olympics. Add to the mix the neutral athletes and we have a blockbuster.

Japan will be challenged at the World Championships by Iran, U.S., AINs and dark horses like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)Iran won two gold medals at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Greco-Roman (Click here to reach full Greco-Roman preview)

Can Iran be topped as the best Greco-Roman country? This will be the big question of 2025 as Iran, which had an outstanding Olympics and age-group World Championships, tries to bring more talented wrestlers in its line-up.

Iran excels in the heavier weight classes, with champions like Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) at 82kg, Alireza MOHAMMADI (IRI) at 87kg, Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) at 97kg, and Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg. It will try new faces in the lower weight classes with Olympic champion Saied ESMAEILI (IRI) staying at 67kg.

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN)Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), blue, and Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) have dominated the 60kg weight class in recent past. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Japan and Kyrgyzstan had successful Olympics. However, the latter is still searching for a gold medal. The rivalry between Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and and Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) is likely to continue in 2025 along with Nao KUSAKA (JPN) and Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 77kg.

Europe will have more competition with Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Armenia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary and the neutral athletes in contention. The 77kg and 87kg weight class will be the most contested and it will be interesting to see who will be the new stars of 97kg and 130kg.

Greco-Roman is unpredictable at the World Championships. There is not one weight class that his a favorite. However, one can expect Azerbaijan, Iran, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cuba, Armenia, Hungary and a few AINs to be on the podium.

JapanJapan won eight gold medals at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Women's Wrestling (Click here to read full Women's Wrestling preview)

Japan remains the dominant force in women’s wrestling, securing four of the six gold medals at the Paris Olympics, including their first-ever win at 76kg.

The United States, which claimed the remaining two golds, stands as Japan’s primary challenger. Amit ELOR (USA) and Kennedy BLADES (USA) will lead the U.S. charge in the build-up to the 2028 LA Games, with both nations having strong domestic qualifying systems.

China has had success at the Olympics and World Championships but struggles to challenge Japan at the senior level. In Asia, China faces increasing competition from India and Kyrgyzstan.

IndiaIndia has shown rapid rise in Women's Wrestling. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

India's growing success in age-group wrestling shows promise, but its performance at the senior level, especially at the World Championships, remains inconsistent. Wrestlers like ANTIM (IND), ANSHU (IND), NISHA (IND), and REETIKA (IND) have potential but must maintain consistency.

Kyrgyzstan, with two Olympic medalists in Paris, is aiming for gold next cycle. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) still has more to give, while Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will lead the new generation.

European countries struggled in Paris, winning only four medals out 24, failing to secure medals in 50kg, 53kg, and 76kg.

One team that is gives hope is Ukraine, led by with Paris medalist Iryna KOLIDENKO (UKR), and boosted by return of Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) and rise of Iryna BONDAR (UKR).

Despite emerging challenges, Japan continues to be the team to beat in women’s wrestling.