Weekly FIVE! June 19, 2019

Wednesday, June 19, 2019 - 15:47 By Eric Olanowski

Reviewing the three Japanese reigning world champions who'll need a special wrestle-off to make it to the World Championships. Also looking at United States' Nur-Sultan freestyle world team and Amine being named San Marino's European Games flag-bearer

1. Japan’s Special Wrestle-Off Scheduled for July 6
Japan’s Meiji Cup wrapped up last weekend in Tokyo, Japan, and three reigning world champions still need a win in a special wrestle-off on July 6 to lock up their spot for the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Kazakhstan.

“The Meiji Cup serves as the second of the two national tournaments for selection to the World Championships, along with the All-Japan Championships (Emperor’s Cup) in December. Winners of both tournaments automatically made the world team; different winners means a playoff to decide who gets the berth.”

For the second year in a row, two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI will clash with her nemesis Yuki IRIE for a spot on Japan’s 50kg world team squad.

Irie, the reigning Asian and Emperor’s Cup champion, is the only wrestler in the world to defeat Susaki multiple times, but it was Susaki who came out on top of their opening round match-up last weekend at the Meiji Cup. Susaki used a last-second four-point move to score the 6-2 win over Irie before knocking off Rio Olympic champion Erie TOSAKA en route to the Meiji Cup gold medal.

Risako KAWAI and Kaori ICHO, who combine for five Olympic titles, will meet for Japan’s Nur-Sultan spot at 57kg. Kawai fell to Icho in the All-Japan finals but got revenge last weekend and redeemed herself with a 6-4 victory over the four-time Olympic champion.

The youngest male world champion in Japanese wrestling history Takuto OTOGURO fell in his Meiji Cup final to Rio silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI, 15-5, and will need to win on July 6 to regain his 65kg spot on the freestyle team.

Jordan BURROUGHS defeated Isiah MARTINEZ in three matches to head back to his ninth consecutive World Championship or Olympic Games. (Photo: Sam Janicki)

2. United States Freestyle Nur-Sultan World Team Set
The second of two Final X’s finished last weekend in Lincoln, Nebraska, and hometown favorites Jordan BURROUGHS and James GREEN are headed back to the World Championships to represent the United States. For Burroughs, the defending 74kg bronze medalist, it’ll be his ninth consecutive appearance at the World Championships, and for Green, it’ll be his fifth straight time representing the United States.

Burroughs was tested in his attempts in making another world team. He needed three matches to grab his spot from Isiah MARTINEZ. Burroughs scored a late takedown and stole the first match, 5-4. In the second match, Martinez edged Burroughs, 5-5. In match three, the London Olympic champion showed his experience, scoring the 7-1 victory and locked up his ninth consecutive spot on United States' world or Olympic team.

Green’s impressive first match against Ryan DEAKIN came by scoring the 18-second 10-0 technical superiority victory, then closed out the series with a 4-3 win in the second match.

Meanwhile, Daton FIX and Tyler GRAFF defeated world medalists to make their first senior-level teams. Fix took the 57kg spot from 2017 world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN, and Tyler GRAFF grabbed the 61kg position from reigning world bronze medalist Joe COLON.

Kyle SNYDER, the two-time world Olympic champion, also locked up his spot on USA's World Team after handling Kyven GADSON in two straight matches.

RESULTS
57kg - Daton FIX df. Thomas GILMAN, two matches to one. (9-1, 2-3, 6-3)
61kg: Tyler GRAFF df. Joe COLON, two matches to one. (4-6, 9-2, 12-2)
70kg: James GREEN df. Ryan DEAKIN, two matches to none. (10-0, 4-3)
74kg: Jordan BURROUGHS df. Isaiah MARTINEZ, two matches to one. (5-4, 5-5, 7-1)
97kg: Kyle SNYDER df. Kyven GADSON, two matches to none. (4-0, 12-1)

USA’s #WrestleNurSultan Freestyle Squad:
57kg: Daton Fix
61kg: Tyler Graff
65kg: Zain Retherford
70kg: James Green
74kg: Jordan Burroughs
79kg: Dake / Dieringer *Dake has requested a special wrestle-off.
86kg: Pat Downey
92kg: J’den Cox
97kg: Kyle Snyder
125kg: Nick Gwiazdowski

Myles AMINE has been named San Marino's flag-bearer at the 2019 European Games. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

3. Amine Named San Marino’s European Games Flag-Bearer
Myles AMINE received a call from an unfamiliar number a few weeks ago that he’ll never forget. Who was on the other line? It was a correspondent from the Olympic Committee. What did they want? They wanted to know if Amine, San Marino’s first-ever freestyle wrestler to win a match at the European Championships, was free on June 22nd to bear his nation’s flag during the opening ceremonies at the European Games in Minsk, Belarus. “It’s an incredible honor to represent my heritage and San Marino on such a big stage,” said Amine.

Amine, who was a top-ten finisher at the European Championships, where he only fell to eventual champion Vladislav VALIEV (RUS) and bronze medalist Ali SHABANAU (BLR), received the nod to carry San Marino’s flag over several other high-level athletes. “There were a few other athletes who were past Olympians, so to pass up those people and select me shows they have high expectations for me,” said Amine.

As for the expectations Amine has for himself, he said, “I have the same expectations going into the Games as I do for every competition I compete in. That is to have fun, compete hard, and to win a gold medal.” He added, “I’m looking forward to this new experience as well as my future competing for San Marino.”

Amine ended by saying, “My brother (Malik) and I are the first freestyle wrestlers (San Marino) has had, so I hope this helps grow the sport in San Marino.”

To follow their European Games journey, here are Myles Amine and Malik Amine's Instagram accounts.

4. Yasar Dogu to Dictate Top-Four Seeds at World C’ships for Nearly Every Weight
The Yasar Dogu, the final freestyle Ranking Series event of the year, is a less than a month away and will have huge implications on the top-four seeds for the 2019 World Championships. Of the current 40 top-four seeds, five wrestlers have seized the No. 1 seed, 17 wrestlers have cemented at least a top-four seed, leaving 23 seeds open for the taking. Wildly enough, there are still 150 non-seeded wrestlers that can steal a seed for September's World Championships.

Here is a full breakdown of who has an opportunity to steal a seed with a promising performance at the Yasar Dogu.

5. Cadet European Championships Underway in Faenza, Italy
The Cadet European Championships are in full swing in Faenza, Italy and will go through Sunday.

After the second day of wrestling, Azerbaijan, led by Malik ALIYEV (AZE) and Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), won a pair of Day 2 gold medals and head into the final day of Greco-Roman wrestling trailing first-place Russia by 23 points. Armenia rounds out the top-three in the Greco-Roman team race after the second day of wrestling. Armenia and Azerbaijan both have 65 points, but the Azeris hold criteria because of their two champions.

The medal matches for the final day of Greco-Roman wrestling begin on Wednesday at 18:00 (local time) and can be watched live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org.

RESULTS

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media

1. Big Move Monday -- MOROZ L. (MDA) -- 2018 Cadet Europeans
2. Big Moves From Day 1 // Cadet European Championships #WrestleFaenza
3. Shots from the #WrestleFaenza Cadet European C'ships
4. Big Moves from day 2 // Cadet European Championships #WrestleFaenza
5. Enjoying #wrestlefaenza? Check out this recap of #wrestleguatemalacity!

#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships Day 1: Freestyle Finals Set

Thursday, April 11, 2024 - 04:19 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 11) -- The Asian Championships kick off in Bishkek with five Freestyle weight classes. World champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) will look to defend his 97kg title while a rematch of the Asian Games final at 65kg between Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) is on the cards.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW

Here are the final bouts for the evening session

57kg - Kento YUMIYA (JPN) vs. UDIT (IND)

65kg - Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) vs. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL)

70kg - Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) vs. Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN)

74kg - Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) vs. Byambadorj ENKHBAYAR (MGL)

97kg - Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) vs. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)

14:41: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) put on a display worthy of a reigning world champion when he forged an 8-2 victory in the 97kg semifinals over two-time former Asian champion Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI). In what could be arguably called the de facto gold-medal match, Tazhudinov scored a double-leg takedown in the first period, then repeated it in the second. Mohammadian used a low single to pick up a leg and gain a stepout, with a caution point tacked on. But Tazhudinov gained a 2-point exposure as he fought off a counter lift on a takedown attempt, then added a counter 2 of his own for the final points.

14:35: 92kg world champion Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), who is wrestling at 97kg for the second time in his career, gets a low single over VICKY (IND) for the first takedown and leads 2-0. He exposes Vicky in the danger zone to make it 4-0. A double leg for four before he scores another four using the underhook throw and wins 13-0. Aitmukhan moves into the 97kg final.

14:29: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) rolls to a 6-0 lead over ROHIT (IND) in the 65kg semifinal as he continues to use his underhook to great effect and get a takedown. A stepout is all the action in the second period as Tumur Ochir wins 7-0 to enter the final against Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI).

14:27: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) is looking good in his quest for a three-peat at 65kg, having little trouble putting away Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB) 10-0 in their semifinal clash. The former world champion had a 4-point takedown in the first period and led 9-0 going into second, where he finished off his opponent with a stepout for a 10-0 win at 3:29.

14:19: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) scores a takedown with a slick ankle pick and goes right into a roll to take a 4-0 lead against Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) in their 79kg semifinal. The Iranian pads the lead to 9-0 before the break, but it would not be until there were 45 seconds left that he would finish the match with a takedown off a counter for an 11-0 win.

14:15: Byambadorj ENKHBAYAR (MGL) puts Mongolia in the 79kg final with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Asomiddin KHASANOV (UZB). Enkhbayar led 6-0 after a takedown and two turns. He adds a takedown and turn in the second period to set up the final against Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI)

14:07: Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) continued his quest for gold in his first appearance at the senior Asian Championships with a solid 8-3 victory over Mustafo AKHMEDOV (TJK) in the 70kg semifinals. The two-time world medalist scored two takedowns in the first period, following the first one with a gut wrench. He added another takedown in the second period to all but clinch the victory.

14:00: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) hits a low single on ABHIMANYOU (IND) and elevates for a throw but the Indian doesn't land in danger. Aoyagi goes behind for a takedown and scores turn to lead 4-0. A front headlock exposure to add two more points and a counter takedown to make it 8-0. Aoyagi with a turn to finish 10-0 and win the 70kg semifinal.

13:54: Kento YUMIYA (JPN) hangs on for a nail-biting 4-2 win over Meirambak KARTBAY (KAZ) in the 57kg semifinals. Yumiya, who won Japan's qualifier for the World U23 Championships, scores a low single-leg takedown for the lone points of the first period. He then gives up an activity point, then a stepout with 32 seconds to go, which knots the score but keeps him ahead on criteria. Kartbay gets in on a driving takedown, but Yumiya reaches back to counter and somehow flips out of the situation and lands at the legs of Kartbay, who he then drives out for a stepout. An unsuccessful challenge makes it 4-2.

13:45: In the 57kg semifinal on Mat C, UDIT (IND) with a takedown just before the break to lead 2-1 against Kum Hyok KIM (PRK). The lead extends to 3-1 as Kim is put on the activity clock in the second period. But Kim gets exposure to lead 3-3 on criteria. Udit scores a reversal and takes back the lead 4-3. Kim with some solid attacks in the final minute but Udit hangs on for a win and enters the final.

13:40: Asian Games champion Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) with two passivity points and one stepout in the match to win 3-0 against Hyon Song HAN (PRK) and enter the semifinal against ROHIT (IND) at 65kg.

13:35: Two-time former champion Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) wastes little time in ousting Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) in the 97kg quarterfinals in a rematch of the 2022 final won by the Iranian. Mohammadian scores a takedown, then rips off four gut wrenches back-and-forth for a 10-0 win in 2:23. Next up is Tazhudinov for a place in the final.

13:30: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) led 5-0 at the break against Seonho YOO (KOR) in the 65kg quarterfinal. He keeps Yoo at a distance in the second period to win 7-0.

13:23: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) begins his 97kg quarterfinal against Hibiki ITO (JPN) with a takedown, then locks up the lower legs and twists him over for 2. A double-leg takedown, then an ankle pick for 2 made it 8-0. Ito, whose mother won an Olympic gold medal in volleyball for Japan, managed to take the match into the second period. But his shot at a takedown was met with a counter lift that ended the match at 3:25

13:13: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) moved closer to a possible showdown with fellow world champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) when he easily disposed of Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB) 11-0 to advance to the 97kg semifinals.

13:07: In a clash between current and past world bronze medalists, Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) builds up a 6-0 lead, then fends off Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) and the partisan crowd for a 9-4 victory to advance to the 70kg semifinals.

13:01: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), a bronze medalist in 2023, finishes up an 11-0 victory over Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB) with a pair of front body lock throws to gain a place in the 70kg semifinals.

12:50: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) hangs to defeat Khidir SAIPUDNINOV (BRN) 5-4 to advance to the 79kg semifinals. Nokhodi put it into cruise control with a 5-0 lead, only to give up a pair of late takedowns and have to spend the final seconds fighting off a gut wrench attempt.

12:47: Kum Hyok PAK (PRK), an Asian cadet champion back in 2015, looks very sharp in ousting 2022 world bronze medalist Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) at 57kg, winning 5-0 to set up a semifinal with UDIT (IND)

12:45: Kento YUMIYA (JPN), making his senior UWW debut, enters the semifinal at 57kg with a 10-1 win over Changjun PARK (KOR). He will wrestle Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) for a place in the final.

12:40: Almaz SHAMBEKOV (KGZ), who was aiming to improve on his silver medal from a year ago at 57kg, will now have to settle for bronze at best. He led 4-0 more than halfway through the second period of his quarterfinal against UDIT (IND), only to give up a pair of takedowns to fall behind on criteria, then completely fall apart in being dealt a 6-4 loss.

12:31: The quarterfinals have begun on Mat B, where Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) prevails 3-0 over Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) at 57kg. The top-seeded Kartbay gets an activity point in the first period and a spin-behind takedown in the second to book a place in the semifinals.

12:30: Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB) had to dig deep to get his 4-2 win over Muhammad ABDULLAH (PAK). The Pakistan wrestler was leading 2-2 on criteria but Rakhmanov pushed him out of the zone to take a 3-2 lead with 2 minutes remaining. Abdullah got a front headlock exposure in the last second but a review showed that the time was over before he could finish the move.

12:05: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), the world champion at 92kg who has moved up to 97kg and is attempting to capture a third straight Asian gold, gets a takedown in each period en route to a 6-0 victory over Andrei ARONOV (KGZ).

11:51: Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) got a bit creative in his victory over Shijian ZHOU (CHN) at 79kg. Getting in on a double, he had his head between the Chinese's legs. No matter, he managed to stand up, then hit a roll at the edge for 4. He went on to win 11-3. His reward is a quarterfinal meeting with world bronze medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI).

11:39: Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN), the 2022 world U20 silver medalist, ekes out a 3-0 victory at 79kg over Parvinder SINGH (IND) to book a spot in the quarterfinals

11:35: In a 79kg thriller on Mat A, Adilet MARATBAEV (KGZ) is trailing 4-3 when he pulls off a desperate front body lift to turn Magomet EVLOEV (TJK). But Evloev went with the flow and got behind at the buzzer for 1, putting him ahead 5-5 on criteria. A Kyrgyz challenge is lost, making Evloev a 6-5 winner.

11:28: The 79kg wrestlers are on the mat, and Khadir SAIPUNDINOV (BRN) overwhelms Gurbanmyrat OVEZBERDIYEV TKM) 11-0 to earn a quarterfinal clash with top-seed and world bronze medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI).

11:28: A rematch of the U20 Asian Championships from last year between UDIT (IND) and Ebrahim KHARI (IRI) with the Indian again breaking the Iranian wrestler in the second period. Khari raced to a 6-1 lead but Udit scored two takedowns and got a point for caution. Khari stormed back with another takedown to lead 8-6 but Udit with a double-leg attack and exposure to hang on for a 10-8 win at 57kg.

11: 21: Kum Hyok (PRK), the first wrestler from the DPR Korea to take the mat as the nation returns to the Asian Championships for the first time since 2019, scores two second-period takedowns in a come-from-behind 4-2 victory over Aiaal BELOLYUBSKII (TJK) at 57kg.

11:19: Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), a 2022 world bronze medalist, builds up a 6-0 lead in his qualification match at 57kg against Muhammad BILAL (PAK), then gives up a nice single-leg takedown. Zandanbud scores a takedown to go into the break up 8-2. That's how it ends and Zandanbud is into the quarterfinals.

11:10: World U20 bronze medalist Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) starts the action on Mat A with a one-sided victory over Kabe MATJANOV (TKM). He will next face top seed Meiranbek KARTBAY (KAZ).

11:00: Welcome to a very sunny day in Bishkek for the Asian Championships. Wrestlers in 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg will be on the mat for the day.

Weekly FIVE! June 19, 2019

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Asian Championships Day 1: Freestyle Finals Set