Weekly FIVE!

Weekly FIVE! February 19, 2018

Sunday, February 18, 2018 - 20:54 By Eric Olanowski

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Reviewing United World Wrestling's new documentary, the trio of Gray, Adar, and Weibe at the Klippan Lady Open. Also taking a look Susaki taking out Stadnik and Borrero Molina's insane five-point throw. 

1. Adeline Gray Proves She's Back!  

The Klippan Lady Open ended with a bang as three-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) closed out the tournament by picking up the come from behind win to defeat defending world champions Yasemin ADAR (TUR).

Gray trailed heading into the second period after Adar hit her with a beautiful four-point arm spin, taking the 4-2 lead. When asked about the arm-spin, Gray said “We practiced it in the warm-up. We knew she had a great arm-spin, so kudos to her for hitting it when it mattered.”

In the second period, Gray outscored Adar 7-2 to win the match 9-6 and reclaim her No. 1 spot in the United World Wrestling world rankings.

2. Sacrifice: Inside Cuba's Wrestling Powerhouse

What makes a wrestling nation strong? In Cuba, it's a combination of perseverance, strength ... and more than a little sacrifice. Watch, share and like with your friends! Help the world see the power of international wrestling.

3. Borrero Molina's Insane FIVE!

It's only mid-February, but when United World Wrestling releases our annual awards, we'll have a spot saved for 2016 Olympic champion Ismael BORRERO MOLINA's (CUB) five-point arm throw from the Granma Cup. 

Molina finished the Granma Cup with a 4-0 record and captured the 67kg gold medal. 

RESULTS: http://uww.io/iXuwz

4. Susaki Squeaks Out Win Over Stadnik 

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) kicked off the finals of the Klippan Open by defeating two-time world and Olympic silver medalist Mariya STADNIK (AZE), 2-1.

Susaki trailed nearly the entire match and did not take her first lead until Stadnik stepped out of bounds with15 seconds remaining in the match. This step out gave Susaki the 2-1 lead and eventually sealed her second Klippan Lady Open title in as many years. 

After the match, Susaki said “I was so excited after the match because it was my first win after my December loss. I knew this would be a one exchange match and I capitalized on that one exchange!”

5. Adar Scores Late, Knocks Off Olympic Champ Wiebe

In round one of the 2018 Klippan Lady Open, returning world champion Yasemin ADAR (TUR) used the go-ahead takedown with short time left to defeat 2016 Olympic champion, Eric Wiebe (CAN), 6-5.

Adar was placed on the shot clock in the first period as she was hit with her second passivity call. Unable to score, Wiebe took the lead on criteria heading into the second period.

In the second period, Adar picked up her first takedown of the match with one minute remaining. Wiebe then took the 5-3 lead after scoring four points off a snatch single to a leg lace. Adar struck with a last-second takedown, earing the 6-5 victory.

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media 

Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) celebrates her come from behind win over U23 world runner-up, Braxton STONE (CAN) to win the 65kg bronze medal. 

While training at the ORTC with Kyle Snyder, Taha Akgul (TUR) spends his rest day watching Ohio State University basketball.

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Weights to watch at Ulaanbaatar Open 2025

Tuesday, May 27, 2025 - 10:14 By Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (May 27) -- Among all the names entered for the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series, a few will be involved in mini-battles in the tournament which begins Thursday.

After the continental championships had a few interesting match-ups, the Ranking Series always has more contrasting matches with mix of continental styles and bouts that otherwise may not happen at continental or World Championships.

Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) has previously defeated Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At the Ulaanbaatar Open, here are three weight classes that are must-watch:

Women's Wrestling: 62kg [May 31, Saturday]

Current Asian champion, former world champions, former Asian champions and world medalists make up for the six-wrestler bracket at 62kg in Women's Wrestling.

MANISHA (IND), who impressed with a gold-winning performance at the Asian Championships in Amman, will be looking to rake up more Ranking Series points. She has a tough bracket in Ulaanbaatar with former world champions Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) and Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL). Mongolia has named a third wrestler in the weight class -- Saruul ERDENEBILEG (MGL).

World U23 silver medalist Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) and 2024 European U23 silver medalist Ekaterina KOSHKINA (UWW) will also be part of the bracket and challenge the Asian wrestlers.

An all-Mongolian clash between Sukhee and Purevdorj will certainly give the local fans an exciting match-up. The winner will have the upper hand when the nation selects its team for the World Championships.

Sukhee has lost to Purevdorj before and finished seventh at the Asian Championships. But she also won a silver medal at 59kg at the World Championships last year.

For Manisha, it will be a big test against big throwing Mongolian wrestlers and Kasabieva, who will look to put behind her fifth-place finish at the European Championships in Bratislava. She has struggled against the Asian style but can use this tournament to improve her skills.

Koshkina did not win a medal at the U23 Europeans this year but Ulaanbaatar will be an important stop in her senior level journey.

Freestyle: 70kg [June 1, Sunday]

A world champion from four years ago is trying to find his way to the top in international wrestling. And his first stop is the Ulaanbaatar Open. Zagir SHAKHIEV (UWW), who won gold at 65kg in 2021 World Championships, hopes to restart his career with the Ranking Series and is entered at 70kg.

Shakhiev won the European Championships as well in 2021 before the Worlds but in 2022, he was pinned by Shamil MAMMEDOV (UWW) in the Yasar Dogu final and Shakhiev never made it to international tournament again.

Despite his talent, Shakhiev won't have it easy in Ulaanbaatar. Asian silver medalist at 70kg Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) is coming to improve his ranking. Rassadin has had a few good wins in past one year including one over Chermen VALIEV (ALB), the Olympic bronze and European champion. He also had the Asian gold in his hands but Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) scored late to snatch the medal.

The hosts have three wrestlers at this weight class but the most eager to compete against Shakhiev will be Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL). At the 2021 World Championships, Tumur Ochir suffered a 4-4 loss to Shakhiev. The Mongolian contested the scoring but to no avail. He won the bronze medal.

Iran has two wrestlers at this weight class -- Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI) and Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI). Amouzad is the twin brother of Olympic silver medalist Rahman. If he can replicate the conditioning and underhook of his brother, Amouzad can well upset a few names.

Enes BASAR (TUR)Enes BASAR (TUR) was at the Paris Olympics at 60kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Greco-Roman: 60kg [May 30, Friday]

Three young stars will be challenging a skillful Olympian at 60kg. Enes BASAR (TUR), who surprised most by qualifying for the Paris Olympics, is at 60kg for the Ulaanbaatar. Basar has a defense that frustrates his opponents and his experience will give him the edge in the Nelson bracket of 60kg.

Former world U17 champion SURAJ (IND), Asian U23 champion Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) and Kurmanbek ZHAPAROV (KGZ) will be the challengers to Basar in the weight class.

Suraj won historic age-group medals for India but has not been able to replicate the same at the senior level though he has been the best nationally for India. The Ranking Series will be a big test for him.

Kyrgyzstan two youngsters will be looking to make a mark in a weight class reserved for Olympic bronze medalist and world champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ). Sulaimanov has won age-group medals in Asia but finished fifth at the Asian Championships recently. Zhaparov, an Asian U20 silver medalist, will be returning to international competition after three years.