Weekly FIVE!

Weekly FIVE! April 16, 2018

Monday, April 16, 2018 - 11:43 By Eric Olanowski

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Reviewing the 2018 Commonwealth Games, European Championships, and the remaining dates that Burroughs and Chamizo could possibly wrestle. 

1. Erasmus and Charig Make History 
South Africa’s Martin ERASMUS (RSA) and Whales’ Kane CHARIG (WAL) made history for their countries at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. 

Erasmus, the 22-year-old 2018 African champion used two massive four-point throws in the 97kg finals to nullify Mausam KHATRI’s (IND) inside trip attempts, taking the commanding 8-0 lead. Erasmus tacked on another takedown to seize South Africa's first Commonwealth Games wrestling gold medal since 1958.

Kane Charig’s 10-0 victory in the semifinals over Jean BANDOU (MRI) not only locked up his spot in the finals but also acquired his country’s highest Commonwealth Games finisher ever. 

Before the 26-year-old won his 2018 silver medal, Wales’ highest finish came from Sarah CONNOLLY (WAH), Curtis DODGE (WAH), and Craig PILLING (WAH) who each finished with bronze medals. 

2. Four Women Win Back-to-Back Titles 
Six women came into the 2018 Commonwealth Games with hopes of repeating as champions, yet only four were able to do so. 

Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR), Aminat ADENIYI (NGR), Vinesh VINESH (IND) and Erica WIEBE (CAN) all won back-to-back crowns this past weekend in Gold Coast, Australia. 

Adekuoroye, the 2018 African champion sang and danced her way to the tune of a second consecutive Commonwealth Games gold medal and third overall as she routed Pooja DHANDA (IND), 7-5. 

Adeniyi, the 24-year-old Olympian and three-time African champion reached the pinnacle of the 62kg weight category with an injury default victory over Canada’s 2017 world bronze medalist, Michelle FAZZARI (CAN). 

Vinesh captured India’s lone women’s wrestling gold by thrashing 2012 world champion Jessica MACDONALD (CAN), 13-3. 

The fourth wrestler to defend her Commonwealth Games title was 2016 Olympic Champion, Erica Wiebe. Wiebe, who was selected as Team Canada’s closing ceremony flag bearer picked up a fall over Blessing Joy ONYEBUCHI (NGR) in the opening period after trailing 2-0. 

3. India Wins Four In Men’s Freestyle 

Indian men seized an impressive four of a possible six gold medals at the 2018 Commonwealth Games. Their 2018 performance was an improvement from their trio of gold medal achievements at the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.

The four Indian’s who clutched gold medals were Rahul Balasaheb AWARE (IND), Bajrang BAJRANG (IND), Kumar SUSHIL (IND) and Sumit SUMIT (IND). 

For Sushil, this was his third Commonwealth Games gold medal, but the first time winning gold for the three remaining wrestlers. 

4. European Championships Rosters Set To Be Released Tuesday 

The European Championships commence in less than two weeks in Dagestan, Russia. Though line-ups are not official, preliminary line-ups have been submitted to United World Wrestling and will begin to be released starting this Tuesday. 

Greco-Roman line-ups will be released on Tuesday, followed by women’s wrestling on Wednesday and closed out with freestyle on Thursday. 

5. Time Running Out for Burroughs v. Chamizo Super Match 
The social media war between Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and 2017 world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) continues as possible match-up dates run out with the continental championships on the horizon. 

The two dates that make the most sense would be May 17, 2018, in New York, New York at Beat the Streets or July 30 - August 5 in Rome, Italy at the Junior European Championships. Either would work for Chamizo as he trains part-time at the NYAC but also lives in Italy. 

Weekly FIVE! in Social Media

1. Big Move Monday!

#OnThisDay : Vladimir Khinchegashvili (GEO), known for his unorthodox counter style of wrestling, gave up a five-point back-arching throw to world bronze medalist Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) late in the first period of their 61kg 2017 European championships bout.

2.#dagestan will host the next #wrestling #european#championships in two weeks!! Федерация борьбы @wrestrus_ru

3. “@wrestlersushilwouldn’t let me pick him up this time ?? #4yearslater #gc2018wrestling” @eweebz

4. 74kg BRONZE - Curtis DODGE (WAL) picks up the fall after being down 8-0 to Ebimienfaghe ASSIZECOURT (NGR).

5. Overcome with emotion after the final whistle, Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) barrel rolled from the center of the mat to the coach's corner where she had to be carried back to have her hand raised. #gc2018wrestling ?: @jackoadams94

Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 Day 1 Highlights

Tuesday, November 18, 2025 - 06:57 By Vinay Siwach

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RIYADH, Saudi Arabia (November 18) -- The Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 are the sixth edition of the Games and are being held in Riyadh. The first day of wrestling saw four Greco-Roman weight class -- 60kg, 67kg, 77kg and 87kg.

Olympic and world champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) needed an insane comeback to beat Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) in the 67kg final while Alisher GANIEV (UZB), Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) won golds at 60kg, 77kg and 87kg with rather ease.

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12:35: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) finds a way to score a takedown with a 30 seconds remaining and beat Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ), 7-6, in the 87kg semifinal. Zhanyshov was leading 6-5 at the break. Farokhi, struggling slightly with his conditioning, wrapped his arm around Zhanyshov's waist before slamming him on the mat for two points.

12:30: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) takes out Hassan ABDELREHIM (EGY) in the 67kg semifinals and sets up a mouth-watering final against Olympic champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI)

12:25: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) bounces back from 2-0 down to beat Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) 5-3 in the 87kg semifinal and reach final.

12:20: Olympic champion Saied ESMAEILI (IRI) lifts Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) against gravity and completes the suplex for four points. He once again hits the four-pointers and wins his 67kg semifinal 9-0.

12:10: Alisher GANIEV (AZE) makes it to the final at 60kg after an 8-0 win over Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI). Big four-pointer in that match from Ganiev. He will face Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) for the gold medal.

11:51: Former world U20 champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) starts off with a Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK) and moves into the semifinals at 87kg. Too easy for him.

11:50: World 82kg champion Gholamreza FAROKHISENJANI     (IRI), who moved up to 87kg and won U23 World Championships gold as well, begins with a 3-0 win over Islam ABBASOV (AZE) at 87kg in Riyadh

11:45: Olympic champion Saied ESMAEILI (IRI), placed directly in the quarterfinals, starts with a big 8-0 win over Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) at 67kg. He is expected to face Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) in the final, a rematch of the final at World Championships.

11:24: World 63kg champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), who had move up to 67kg for the Games, beats Mustafa YILDIRIM (TUR), 5-2, and moves into the semifinals

11:10: Quarterfinal at 67kg between Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) and Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ). The first par terre advantage goes to Beishekeev who scores two points using a front headlock. Jafarov gets the par terre in second period and scores two turns and leads 5-3, which will be his winning score as well.

10:52: World bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) hangs on for 1-1 Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) victory having got the first criteria.

10:45: Big match at 60kg as Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) faces U23 world champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB). Ganiev with a over-under control and hits a throw for two points to lead 2-0. Mammadli tries to find some attacks going but fails to get Ganiev down. Ganiev goes into the break leading 2-0. Mammadli is put in par terre in the second period, giving Ganiev 3-0 lead. Mammadli goes down in the quarterfinals as Ganiev defends his 3-0 lead and wins at 60kg.

10:30: Olympic bronze medalist and world silver medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) gets going with a 9-0 victory over Ashraf ASLAM ZADA (AFG) at 67kg.

10:25: Amir ABDI (IRI) hits a front headlock throw for four and then a turn for two to win 8-0 against 72kg world champion Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) in their 77kg bout. Just one minute and 35 seconds needed for him to win 9-0.

10:21: World champion and Olympic bronze medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), who has not wrestled in international competition since the Paris 2024, returns to mat in Riyadh. In his first bout at 77kg, he warms up with an 9-0 technical superiority over Sami SLAMA (TUN).

10:10: European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) gets the first par terre position and then scores the four gut-wrenches to win 9-0 against Latuf MADI (COM) in the first bout at 60kg.

10:00: Hello from Riyadh! The first day of wrestling at the Islamic Solidarity Games 2025 and there will four Greco-Roman weight classes in action.