Weekly FIVE!

Weekly FIVE! March 05, 2018

Monday, March 5, 2018 - 12:17 By Eric Olanowski

Share this article

Reviewing Yazdani's Asian debut, a duo of historic performances, hometown favorites, and the Women's World Cup.

1. Yazdani Adds Asian Championship to Resume 

In his continental championship debut, the reigning world and Olympic champion, Hassan Yazdani Charati (IRI) went 3-0 and defeated two-time Asian medalist Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL) to capture the 86kg Asian championships gold medal.

The Asian Championships was the superstar's first competition since winning gold in Paris at the 2017 World Championships outscoring his opponents 36-2. This weekend, Yazdani only gave up two points and outscored his opponents 35-2. Combining Yazdani's last two tournaments, he’s outscored his opponents by a combined score of 71-4!

What may be more impressive, in his last two finals, Yazdani has picked up 10-0 technical superiority victories. 

2. Navjot Wins Historic Gold For India 

Since 2001, 13 Indian women have made the finals of an Asian Championship, and all 13 women have failed to bring home a gold medal.

This weekend, Kaur NAVJOT (IND) changed India's women's wrestling history when she beat Miyu IMAI (JPN), 9-1 in the finals of the 65kg bout. 

After her historic win, Navjot said: "I have been preparing for this and waiting for this for very long. Today is the best day of my life since I started wrestling." 

3. Host Nations Dynamic Duo 

Muslim EVLOEV (KGZ) and Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) used the hometown crowd as extra motivation on their way to winning Asian gold medals In Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan. 

Evloev, now a four-time Asian champion captured the Freestyle 74kg title by beating two-time world bronze medalist Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL), 11-1.

In the 72kg Greco-Roman finals, Makhmudov, the 2017 junior  world silver medalist captured the gold medal by defeating 2017 world silver medalist, Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), 8-6. 

A topic of discussion from both wrestlers was the support that the Kyrgyzstan fans showed. "The crowd was really supporting me as much as they could and I couldn't fail them, so I did my best," said Evloev. Makhmudov told the Kyrgyz media "The biggest help for me was that the Kyrgyz people screamed for me to be strong and also to do better. When I heard it, I thought, 'I can die here on the floor but I will still win.' This win will be for them!" 

4. Sakandelidze Wins Qatar's First Asian Medal 

This weekend, the Georgian transfer, Giorgi Sakandelidze (QAT) became Qatar's first-ever medalist at an Asian Championships with a second-place finish. In the 125kg finals, Giorgi SAKANDELIDZE (QAT) was defeated by world bronze medalist, Davit MODZMANASHVILI (UZB), 5-0.  

Prior to Sakandelidze 's runner-up finish, Qatar's trio of Ibrahim ADULLARAHMAN(QAT), Bakhit Sharif BADR(QAT) and Abdulqader OMAR (QAT) held the record for Qatar's highest finish at an Asian Championship with fifth place finishes.

5. Two Weeks Away From the Women's World Cup 

Japan, the three-time defending World Cup champions, are set to host the 2018 Women's World Cup March 17-18 in Takasaki, Japan. This will be the fifth time that Japan has hosted the Women's World Cup and the first time since 2014. 

The eight participating teams are separated into two pools. Pool A will consist of Canada, Japan, Sweden and the United States and Pool B will consist of Belarus, China, Mongolia, and Romania. 

Weekly FIVE! In Social Media 

The crowd goes crazy after Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) win the host nations first gold medal of the Asian Championships. 

Kumsong KANG (PRK) gets extremely emotional after his amazing victory in the 57kg final!

Highlights from the first day of Freestyle action at the Asian Championships.

Weekly FIVE!

Weekly FIVE! April 16, 2018

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

Share this article

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