#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships day four semis set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 13) -- The host country is still riding high on the four Greco-Roman gold medals. But the focus on Tuesday will be the women's weight classes with unbeaten wrestler Yui SUSAKI (JPN) returning to action after her Olympic triumph.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The semifinals for the evening session are set

50kg
Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) vs. Yui SUSAKI (JPN)
Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) vs. Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL)

53kg
Dominique PARRISH (USA) vs. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE)
Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) vs. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)

65kg
Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) vs. Jia LONG (CHN)
Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL)

76kg
Epp MAE (EST) vs. Samar HAMZA (EGY)
Genesis REASCO (ECU) vs. Yasemin ADAR (TUR) 

13:23: 2021 world medalists Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) and Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) set up a semifinal clash at 50kg with near-identical dominant victories. Hildebrandt chalked up an 11-0 technical fall over Oksana LIVACH (UKR), while moments earlier, Dolgorjav secured a fall over Emilia VUC (ROU) while holding an 11-0 lead. Dolgorjav's win was a repeat of the bronze-medal match last year in Oslo.

13:20: In a battle of Commonwealth Games finalists, Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR) proving that her win over Madison PARKS (CAN) in Birmingham was no luck. She leads 6-0 at the break. Parks mounts a comeback in the second period with four points and she cuts the lead to 6-4. A takedown for Parks with just 6 seconds remaining. Nigeria challenges the call. It's only a pushout and one point. A last-second exposure from Parks. It's confirmed but Nigeria challenge again. The time expired before Parks exposed Genesis. She wins 6-5

13:17: This is just ridiculous from Yui SUSAKI (JPN). Just 31 seconds is what she takes to win 10-0 against Anna LUKASIAK (POL) using a leg lace.

13:15: Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) leads 3-0 at the break using a takedown and point for passivity against Laura HERIN (CUB). But she gives up one takedown in the second period as Herin cuts the lead to 3-2. Prevolaraki shoots a double and gets the four; 7-2 lead for her now. A takedown for Herin and a stepout but a 7-5  win Prevolaraki.

13:12: 2021 world junior champion Emma MALGREN (SWE) was down 2-2 on criteria when she pancaked Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) to her back and secured the fall in 5:03 and a spot in the 53kg semifinals.

13:10: Asian silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) advances to the 53kg semifinals by injury default when Leyla GURBANOVA (AZE) suffers a shoulder injury in the first period.

13:06: Domimique PARRISH (USA) gets a takedown and like most USA wrestlers she rolls to a 10-0 win using a leg lace. She is a World Championships semifinalist.

13:03: Olympic bronze medalist Yasemin ADAR (TUR) holds on for a nail-biting 4-2 victory over Yuka KAGAMI (JPN), 10 years her junior at age 20, to make the 76kg semifinals. Adar scored a takedown with :26 left to go ahead 3-2. In the final seconds, she desperately held onto a leg as Kagami came razor close to gaining control with a cradle. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

13:01: Ecuador has never had a world medalist, and Genesis REASCO VALDEZ (ECU) assured she will be wrestling for one at some point tomorrow night when she defeated Juan WANG (CHN) 5-3 to make the 76kg semifinals.

12:57: Returning bronze medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) takes a quick 3-0 lead over Martina KUENZ (AUT). In the second period, Kuenz gets a point for Hamza's passivity. But that's all in the second period. Hamza wins 3-1.

12:53: Returning silver medalist at 76kg Epp MAE (EST) and Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR) in the quarterfinals and Mae leads 1-0 at the break. Mae put on the clock in the second period but she gets the shot and takedown after the activity clock before adding a gut to lead 5-1. Shustova got a takedown in the second period but Mae hangs on for a 5-3 win.

12:49: On Mat D, Tokyo Olympian Jia LONG (CHN) wrestles another Tokyo Olympian Elis MANOLOVA (AZE). Long is called for passivity which gives Manolova a 1-0 lead at the break. A takedown for Manovola and she makes it 3-1. With just 10 seconds left, Long gets exposure and one roll to win 5-3 but a challenge from Manolova. But actions are valid and in time. Long wins 6-3.

12:48: 2021 world silver medalist Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), who had a bye into the 65kg quarterfinals, gets a first-period takedown, and that was the extent of the scoring in a 2-0 victory over Mallory VELTE (USA) in the 65kg quarterfinals. Morikawa will face Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL), a winner over Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR), for a place in the final.

12:40: The 65kg quarterfinals have U23 world champion Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) up against Kriszta INCZE (ROU). Larroque up 1-0 for an activity point against Incze. Single leg shot from Larroque and she gets the takedown and 3-0 lead. Incze gets behind Larroque but it's only confirmed as a stepout. Challenge from Romania. Both wrestlers were out of bounds before the action. 4-1 lead for Larroque. Stepout comfirmed for Larroque. Incze gets one as well but a 5-2 win for Larroque.

12:31: Olympic and world champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) is looking like she never was on a break. A quick 10-0 win over Thi NGUYEN (VIE) at 50kg.

12:27: Oksana LIVACH (UKR), a 2018 world bronze medalist who was fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, rolls to a 10-0 technical fall in 1:50 over Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) at 50kg. Her reward is a quarterfinal clash with Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA).

12:22: European silver medalist Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) moves into the quarterfinals at 53kg with a fall over Marina RUEDA (ESP). She gets Laura HERIN (CUB) next.

12:20: Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT wastes little time grabbing her place in the 50kg quarterfinals, storming to a 10-0 technical fall in :39 over Kamila BARBOSA (BRA).

12:19: Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU), still walking a bit gingerly, appears unaffected by her knee injury when the action gets hot, as she rallies from a 4-3 deficit with a 4-point takedown and 2-point gut wrench with :25 to go for a 9-4 victory over Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) to make the 53kg quarterfinals.

12:16: Zenep YETGIL (TUR) puts her name in the mix of the favorites to win the gold at 53kg as she picks up an 8-0 win over Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA) and a spot in the quarterfinals. 

12:15: Two-time world silver medalist Emilia VUC (ROU) with a 10-0 technical superiority over Neelam SIROHI (IND) using a gut wrench to a great effect.

12:14: Laura HERIN (CUB) hands returning bronze medalist Samantha STEWART (CAN) a 10-0 loss at 53kg. An absolutely strong performance from the Cuban wrestler.

12:10: Martina KUENZ (AUT) did face a fight from Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) but nothing deterred her from controlling the bout. Kuenz picks up a big 10-0 win at 76kg.

12:09: If 2021 world silver medalist Iulia LEORDA (MDA) makes it back to the medal podium in Belgrade, it will have to be on a lower step after she was dealt a 5-1 defeat by Leyla GURBANOVA (AZE) at women's 53kg.

12:03: European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) takes no time in picking up a fall in her first bout at 53kg. Malmgren will be one of the favorites to win the world title.

12:00: Three-time world bronze medalist Epp MAE (EST) trails 3-1 against Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL) when she turns the tide and puts the Mongolian onto her back and secures the fall and gains a place in the 76kg quarterfinals.

12:00: Returning bronze medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY) knocks off former world champion Justina DI SATISO (CAN) 3-1 with a passivity point and takedown.

11:57: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN), a former world junior and cadet champion making her debut at the senior worlds, outlasts Francy RAEDELT (GER) 2-1 in a dull bout with all of the points scored on the activity clock to advance to the 76kg quarterfinals.

11:53: Juan WANG (CHN) declares China is indeed back when she knocks off 2021 world bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) 7-1 to advance to the 76kg quarterfinals. With the score knotted at 1-1, she scores two counter takedowns in the last 1:20, capping the second one with a lace lock.

11:50: Olympic bronze Yasemin ADAR (TUR) up against Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) and she uses a leg lace to finish the bout in just 1:16 at 76kg.

11:35: Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) pulls off a fall over Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR) in the opening round. The veteran still looks for a good run there.

11:29: Asian silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) pulls off the first surprise of the session when she knocks off 2019 world bronze medalist Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) 7-0 at 53kg. Batkhuyag took a 3-0 in the first period, then slammed Phogat backward to the mat in the final seconds for 4.

11:18: Former world champion Justine DI STASIO (CAN) pancakes Thi Linh DANG (VIE) early in their 76kg bout, and when she can't secure a fall, switches to a lace lock. She grinds out four rolls to end the match 10-0 in 1:10.

11:12: Juan WANG (CHN), who returned from a two-year layoff from international to win a tournament in Bucharest in July, defeated Kamile GAUCAITE (LTU) 9-1 at women's 76kg to set up a round-of-16 clash with 2021 world bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ).

11:01: Veteran Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ), a three-time world medalist from 2007 to 2010 and a 2008 (!) Olympic bronze medalist, falls at women's 65kg to 2020 European champion Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL), who scores a takedown and four exposures in the second period for an 11-1 technical fall.

10:55: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) continues her unbeaten record against Dymond GUILFORD (USA). She had two wins against her at the Klippan Open and now she wins at 76kg in Belgrade.

10:50: Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), still with a highly strapped knee, begins with a technical superiority win over SHAFALI (IND) at 65kg.

10:29: Greetings from Belgrade to wrestling fans around the world. In today's morning session, save for a handful of repechage matches, the women will command the mats with competition through the quarterfinals at 50kg, 53kg, 65kg and 76kg.

#WrestleParis

Paris 2024: For France wrestling trio, Olympics come home. Literally

By United World Wrestling Press

PARIS (July 17) -- To compete at a home Olympics can be an unparalleled career high for the best of athletes. Even more so for the three French wrestlers, for whom the Games have come home — quite literally.

When Koumba LARROQUE, Ameline DOUARRE and Mamadassa SYLLA check in at the Athletes Village in Seine Saint Denis and step on the mat at the picturesque venue in Champs de Mars, it’ll mark a culmination of their stories that took shape just a stone's throw away, at the Club Bagnolet Lutte 93.

 Koumba LARROQUE (FRA)
Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) at Club Bagnolet Lutte 93.

Indeed, there are many wrestling strongholds in France. Dijon, roughly 320 km from Paris, is one such hub that is home to many young stars. And quite a few of them train at France’s National Institute of Sport, Expertise, and Performance — commonly known as INSEP, a facility that’s also designated as the United World Wrestling Center.

However, the presence of wrestling stars who have honed their skills at Bagnolet, the famous Parisian club, in the French team is steeped in symbolism. Not least because it is located close to the two Olympic landmark sites.

But by competing at the home Games, the trio will also carry forward the commune’s century-long wrestling tradition, which also captures the growth of the sport between the two Olympics Paris has hosted.

Ameline DOUARRE (FRA)Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) will compete at Paris Olympics in 62kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

It was exactly a hundred years ago, in 1924, that the Association Sportive et Gymnasnique de Bagnolet reinvented and transformed itself into a sports club, kick-starting a revolution of sorts in the area not too far from Paris’s city center.

Nothing nails down Bagnolet’s wrestling culture more than the fact that, according to a survey on the club’s website, two out of three youngsters wrestled. However, it was only after an agreement was reached with the department of Seine Saint Denis — the heart of the Games where the Athletes Village is located — that the sport really took off and the Club Bagnolet Lutte 93 came into being in its current form in 2005.

From Mélonin NOUMONVI, the 2014 Greco-Roman world champion, to Olympic gold medalist Steeve GUENOT and his bronze medal-winning brother Christophe as well as the latest sensation, the former U20 and U23 world champion Larroque – many French champions have spent key years of their development at the club.

But Larroque, Douarre and Sylla have a chance to do something none of their predecessors could: compete in their own backyard.

Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA)Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA) after his qualification for the 2024 Paris Games. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Sylla, who discovered wrestling at age 15, finished fifth at the European Championships this year and will compete in the 67 kg Greco-Roman category. Douarre is a last-minute entrant to the draw after withdrawals in the 62 kg weight class.

Sylla, who was a second-choice wrestler for the qualification tournament in Baku, became the first wrestler from France to qualify in Grec-Roman since the 2012 London Games, the last time France won an Olympic medal in wrestling, a bronze by 2008 Beijing champion Steve GUENOT (FRA).

Larroque, though, remains the flag-bearer for French wrestling at the Paris Olympics. Introduced to wrestling at age 9, a youth Olympics medallist at 16, and U23 world champion when she was 19 and a senior worlds silver medallist in the same year, Larroque was destined for greatness.

But her career arc suffered a setback. An injury in the 2018 World Championship final meant she was away from the mat for almost a year. Once she recovered, Larroque looked like a shadow of her past self as she could not manage any podium finishes. And although she made it to Tokyo, she was eliminated after the first round itself.

Paris provides the 68kg wrestler a path to redemption. To finish among medals in front of her family and friends — and a short distance away from her club — would undoubtedly be an unparalleled high in Larroque’s career.