#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships day five semis set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 14) -- An all women's wrestling day at the World Championships in Belgrade. The final four weight classes will be in action with world champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) taking the mat at 57kg. The 68kg is also guaranteed fireworks.

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The semifinals for the evening session are set

57kg
Helen MAROULIS (USA) vs. Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL)
Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) vs. Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN)

59kg
Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) vs. Grace BULLEN (NOR)
Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) vs. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)

68kg
Ami ISHII (JPN) vs. Nisha DAHIYA (IND) 
Irina RINGACI (MDA) vs. Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA)

72kg
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU)
Masako FURUICHI (JPN) vs. Amit ELOR (USA) 

13:02: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) and Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) going back and forth on Mat C. The scrambles have resulted in a 9-7 lead for Kolawole. Challenge from Kolawole against a four-point move. She loses the challenge. They trade four-pointers with Kolawale leading 13-12. A go behind with just 8 seconds remaining as Aliyeva wins 14-13

13:01: Asian bronze medalist Davaachimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL) clinches a 4-0 victory with a 2-point takedown to the back in defeating Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) to make the 57kg semifinals.

12:57: Helen MAROULIS (USA), pursuing a fourth career world gold, advances to the 57kg semifinals Anhelina LYSAK (POL) with a 10-0 technical fall. Maroulis scores four takedowns, capping the final one with a lack lock roll to end the match at 3:22.

12:55: Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) and Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) in the 57kg quarterfinals with the Ukraine wrestler leading 2-0 at the break. Excellent defense from Hrushyna so far but Sakurai gets a takedown. She gets on the leg again but Hrushyna is trying to expose her. No points. A 2-2 win for Sakurai as she joins her Ikuei University teammates Ami ISHII (JPN) and Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) in the semifinals for the evening session.

12:50: 2021 world U23 bronze medalist Nisha DAHIYA (IND) proves too much for Sofiya GEORGIEVA (BUL), charging to an 11-0 technical fall to secure a spot in the 68kg semifinals.

12:50: Taymara MENSAH STOCK faces a familiar opponent in Feng ZHOU (CHN) in the 68kg quarterfinals on Mat D. She was looking for the fall but Zhou manages to come out of it. She leads 6-0. No comebacks from Zhou this time as Mensah wins 10-0

12:48: Big 68kg quarterfinal as Irina RINGACI (MDA) is up against Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL). Both wrestlers get four points but it's Ringaci leading 7-4 after a takedown. In the second period, Ringaci hits a five before winning the match 14-4

12:46: Ami ISHII (JPN) fights off her back and comes back to score a fall over former world champion Linda MORAIS (CAN) and advance to the 68kg semifinals. Morais uses a barrel roll to put Ishii onto her back, then adds exposure for a 6-2 lead. Ishii shoots in on a double, and Morais uses a counter lift for 2 more. But Ishii keeps the legs, charges ahead and uses a half-nelson to put Morais directly to her back. The fall comes at 2:38.

12:40: Defending world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) gives up a takedown against Kendra DACHER (FRA) but answers with a takedown and lace to lead 4-2 at the break. A double from Dacher in the second period to lead 4-4. Furuichi struggling with her defense here. A double leg with 20 seconds remaining and she gets four while looking for the pin. Time runs out but she wins 8-4 at 72kg.

12:36: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) makes the semifinals for the first time in her third appearance at senior worlds with an 11-0 technical fall at 72kg over Shauna KUEBECK (CAN).

12:34: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), the silver medalist at 72kg a year ago in Oslo, simply overpowers  Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) to make the semifinals with a 10-0 technical fall at 2:50.

12:30: A 40-second fall for U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) over Bose TOSUN (TUR) in the 72kg quarterfinals. That got the USA camp excited.

12:27: European silver medalist Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) scores a takedown and exposure in the final minute to rally into the 57kg semifinals with a 5-3 victory over Mansi AHLAWAT (IND).

12:22: On Mat D, Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) and Qi ZHANG (CHN) are involved in a battle on Mat D. Nichita leads 4-2 at the break. Zhang shoots for the leg but is defended by Nichita. Zhange tries to defend against an attack by Nichita but fails. Nichita with another single leg and she is now looking for the fall and it's confirmed.

12:21: Grace BULLEN (NOR), looking for her first world medal in her sixth appearance, gets one step closer by capping a 12-0 technical fall in the 59kg quarterfinals over Erdenesuvd BAT ERDENE (MGL) with a spectacular 5-point throw.

12:20: 59kg quarterfinals with Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) picking up a fall over Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) on Mat C.

12:15: U23 world champion Alina HRUSHYNA (UKR) with a fall over Yongxin FENG (CHN) and making her way to the 57kg quarterfinals.

12:11: 2021 world U23 bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE, trailing 2-2 on criteria, scores a stepout with :28 left against European bronze medalist Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) to book a place in the 57kg quarterfinals.

12:03: 55kg world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) and Olympic bronze medalist Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) wrestling on Mat C at 57kg. 1-0 lead for Sakurai at the break for a passivity. A takedown for Sakurai to start the second period, extending her lead to 3-0. Another takedown for her and it's 5-0. Nikolova is in danger of a pin but she lets go of the hold to give up two. 7-0 for Sakurai with one minute remaining. A big four confirmed for Sakurai as she wins 11-0 but Bulgaria challenges the call. Challenge lost and Nikolova will wait if Sakurai can reach the final

12:01: Anhelina LYSAK (POL), the 2021 world U23 champion at 59kg, advanced to the 57kg quarterfinals and a clash with top seed Helen MAROULIS (USA) with a victory by fall over Sarita MOR (IND).

11:56: Olympic champion Taymara MENSAH STOCK (USA) takes the lead against Alla BELINSKA (UKR) with a takedown. She went for another but looks like Bellinska has injured her shoulder. After some medical attention, she will continue but Mensah has the par terre advantage. A fall in the second period for Mensah.

11:54: Two-time European champion Irina RINGACI (MDA), yet another world champion in the stacked 68kg field, rolls to a 10-0 technical fall over Noemi SZABADOS (HUN) to advance to the quarterfinals. Ringaci won the 65kg title in Oslo last year.

11:51: Feng ZHOU (CHN) on Mat C against Ambar GARNICA (MEX) and she takes a 3-0 lead with a takedown and an inactivity point. Garnica on the shot and tries to expose Zhou but exceptional defense from the China wrestler. Zhou gives up two but scores a reversal before hitting a four to lead 8-2. But she hangs on for a 10-4 win.

11:48: Ami ISHII (JPN) sets up an intriguing quarterfinal clash at 68kg with Linda MORAIS (CAN) when the Japanese collegian chalks up a 3-0 win over European silver medalist Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA).

11:47: Defending champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) needs less than 20 seconds to score a fall over Emma TISSINA (KAZ) and advance to the quarterfinals at 57kg.

11:45: Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR), a 10-time African champion chasing a first world medal, loses a 2-2 heartbreaker at 68kg to Asian bronze medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL). Oborududu leads 2-0 from a pair of stepouts, but Enkhsaikhan scores a takedown with 1:15 left to win by criteria.

11:34: In a clash of current and former world champions, 2019 titlist Linda MORAIS (CAN) assures that Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) will not be repeating her title run at 68kg in a nail-biter on Mat A. Morais, trailing 3-0 in the second period, goes ahead 4-3 with a takedown and exposure. When Zhumanazarova gets in on a single, Morais executes a lift for exposure for 2, but the Kyzgyz wrestler reverses her to her back to cut the lead to 6-5 with :20 left. Morais then resists a vicious gut wrench attempt to secure the win.

11:30:  Sarita MOR (IND), a 2021 world bronze medalist at 59kg, wins her opening match at 57kg, scoring the decisive takedown midway through the second period for a 4-2 win over world U23 bronze medalist Hannah TAYLOR (CAN).

11:30: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) and Asian champion Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) have been involved in a very close bout. The Kazakhstan wrestler was cautioned twice for grabbing the fingers before Belinska was warned for negative wrestling. But she gets a takedown to lead 5-1. Bakbergenova gets on the leg but Belinska is cautioned again. 5-2 win for the Ukraine wrestler.

11:25: Yongxin FENG (CHN) looks like a contender at 57kg. She gut wrenches her way to a technical superiority win over Bediha GUN (TUR). After not being able to participate in the World Championships last year, the China team has done well this year.

11:20: Ami ISHII (JPN), coming off a victory at the world U20, gets her first senior world campaign off to a good start with a 10-0 technical fall over Grabriela PEDRO (BRA), scoring the 10th point with a stepout at the first-period buzzer to advance to the 68kg quarterfinals. Ishii defeated 2021 world silver medalist Rin MIYAJI (JPN) en route to making the Japan team to Belgrade.

11:13: Defending champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) survives a first-round scare at 72kg, holding on for a 4-3 victory over QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN), a 2016 Asian bronze medalist. Furuichi scores two first-period takedowns, only for the Chinese to come back with a takedown and activity clock point early in the second. Furuichi is one of only two wrestlers to have completed the “grand slam” of world senior, U23, junior and cadet titles.

11:10: Another U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) showing her class in her senior-level tournament. She has U23 world champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) but that doesn't matter as she completes a 10-0 win

11:00: U20 world champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) with a quick fall over Ebru DAGBASI (TUR) at 59kg. She moves into the quarterfinals against Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE).

10:55: Qi ZHANG (CHN), a 2019 Asian bronze medalist who returned to international action in Bucharest in July and won the gold, moves into the 59kg quarterfinals with a 10-0 technical fall over Elena BRUGGER (GER).

10:50: Grace BULLEN (NOR) looks to be on a mission. She works on Abigail NETTE (USA) to secure a 13-2 win at 59kg.

10:54: European champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) records the fall in the first period against Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) to advance to the quarterfinals at 59kg. 

10:29: Hello to all from sunny Belgrade for Day 5 and another morning session of high drama. Today, the last four women's weights will be up, with competition through the quarterfinals at 57kg, 59kg, 68kg and 72kg.

#WrestleAthens

U17 World Wrestling Championships 2025: Day 1 Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

ATHENS, Greece (July 28) -- The World U17 Championships kicks off in Athens, Greece with five Greco-Roman weight classes. Iran, Azerbaijan, Georgia will be in contention to win the team title.

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READ THE REPORT OF ALL SEMIFINALS HERE

18:00: Welcome back to the World U17 Championships coverage! The semifinals in 48kg, 55kg, 65kg, 80kg and 110kg will begin now!

15:00: The semifinals will begin at 18:00 hours local time! The opening ceremony will be at 17:00 hours. Stay tuned!

14:45: Asian domination at 55kg! Alkham ABDIRASULOV (KGZ) will face Aditya GUPTA (IND) and Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) will take on Nurali ASKAR (KAZ) in the semifinals.

14:35: Asian champion HARDEEP (IND) beats European bronze medalist Anatolii NOVACHENKO (UKR), 9-0, with turns from par terre and enters the semifinals at 110kg.

14:30: Yazdan DELROUZ (IRI) holds his positions good and gets both par terre points in the match against Hu Anshi NUERLEBIEKE (CHN) and makes it to the 110kg semifinal.

14:20: Aditya GUPTA (IND) with a takedown in the final second of the bout to beat Rakhman GAMIDOV (UKR) 4-2. He was down 2-2 on criteria but manages to wrap his arm around Gamidov to score a takedown. Ukraine challenges for time but it was inside the last second.

14:02: Madness on Mat A! Luka MARTIASHVILI (GEO) was trying to stop a pin from Nijat YEYLAGALIYEV (AZE) and turns it around and manages to pin the Azerbaijan wrestlers for the win at 80kg!

13:50: Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) continues his good show at 55kg as he pins Osman OZDEMIR (TUR) and advances to the quarterfinals.

13:45: Asian silver medalist Sadriddin TULKINBOEV (UZB) drops his 55kg 1/8 final to Aditya GUPTA (IND), 4-1. Gupta did not get any turn from par terre but Tulkinvoev scored a stepuot in the second period and made it 1-1. But due to a new rule currently being tested by UWW, a 1-1 scoring in Greco-Roman will see the wrestler who scored the first point, win on criteria. Gupta keeps his attacks and there is no par terre for Tulkinboev. Uzbekistan throw a challenge for "nothing", as the review team said. Gupta wins 4-1

13:25: Rakhman GAMIDOV (UKR) digs deep and pulls off a four-pointer later in the match to win 5-2 against Naru SEMBA (JPN) at 55kg. He was down 2-1 with just 30 seconds left.

13:15: Big win for ANUJ (IND) at 65kg as he beats Asian bronze medalist Xusan GIEZIDINOV (UZB) 8-0. High pace match from Anuj to block Geizidinov.

13:05: Janes NAZARYAN (ARM), European silver medalists, reaches the quarterfinal at 65kg, after a technical superiority 9-1 win over Huseyn ISGANDAROV (AZE).

12:50: Nijat YEYLAGALIYEV (AZE) bounces back from 5-0 down by blocking a throw from Mardanbek MAKHKAMBAYEV (KAZ) and gut wrenches his way to a 13-5 win at 80kg.

12:46: Ismail BEREKET (TUR) continues his big-throwing streak as he beats Stepan DANHEL (CZE) 9-0 in a minute 50 seconds at 80kg. The European bronze medalist is looking better with every win.

12:45: How do you win with one second remaining?! Kaisei YAMAMOTO (JPN) hits a four-pointer in the final second after getting thrown by Martin MANJIKYAN (ARM) and wins 6-6. He can't believe it as well

12:40: Zhanarbek SEIITOV (KGZ) uses the gut-wrench to great effect and wins his 48kg bout against Fuhua KANG (CHN) 10-2. He gets Asian bronze medalist Bunyod HASANOV (UZB) in the next round after Hsanov pulled off a late throw against Amirmohammad HAJIVAND (IRI) and win 4-3.

12:35: HARDEEP (IND), Asian champ at 110kg, gets both the par terre points and beats Baktur SOVETKHAN (KAZ), 2-0, in the opening round.

12:30: Quick work from Sayidamir NEMATOV (UZB) at 110kg as he beats European champ Rihad IBRAHIMLI (AZE) 10-0 in the first period.

12:20: Hu Anshi NUERLEBIEKE (CHN) was so calm despite being down 8-1 against Vasileios BOUNTOULIS (GRE) at 110kg. Nuerlebieke locked Bountoulis in bodylocks twice in last 15 seconds and threw him for two four-pointers to win 9-8. He was thrown for two four-pointers in the first period by Bountoulis.

12:15: A 2024 Asian U15 champ Makhdi BAROTOV (TJK) stops European silver medalist Giorgi CHACHUA (GEO) 4-2 in their 55kg bout.

11:50: Alkham ABDIRASULOV (KGZ) pulls off a stunning win over Amirreza  TAHMASBPOUR (IRI) 5-3 at 55kg. Abdirasulov scores a correct throw to lead 3-3 on criteria but Iran challenges for no points. The challenge is won but on review, it's four points for Abdirasulov wins the bout

11:20: Pan-Am champion Arseni KIKINIOU (USA) has a hard time against Janes NAZARYAN (ARM), who is an European silver medalist, as he cannot get a turn but Nazaryan manages to score. Nazaryan wins 4-1

11:05: Big match between Asian champion Abdulaziz KHOLMIRZAEV (UZB) and European silver medalist Benediktas BUBELEVICIUS (LTU). Kholmirzaev and Bubelevicius go back-and-forth but Kholmirzaev manages to hang on for an 11-6 win.

10:45: Luka MARTIASHVILI (GEO), who finished 5th at 92kg at the European Championships, is back at 80kg and finishes with two front headlocks to win 9-0 in just 21 seconds against David VILK (CRO).

10:40: Big throws right from the start in Athens! European bronze medalist Ismail BEREKER (TUR) launches Samarth GOVEKAR (IND) for big throws and wins the opening bout at 80kg 11-0 in just a minute and 28 seconds.

10:30: Welcome to the World U17 Championships in Athens. It is being held at the iconic Ano Liosia Olympic Hall, the venue where wrestling competition during the 2004 Olympics was held.