#WrestleIstanbul: Nichita Makes Golden Return; Mohammadian Shines

Saturday, February 26, 2022 - 20:26 By Vinay Siwach

ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 26) -- Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) is back to her old ways. She was once a trailblazer for Moldova, but a disappointing Olympics set her back.

At the Tokyo Games, Nichita began with a bang. She pinned Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) in the first bout but then lost the next bout. A back injury during her quarterfinal against Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) meant she couldn't wrestle at the senior World Championships in Oslo.

"After the Olympics, I injured my back," Nichita said. "I couldn't train for four months, but now everything is fine."

Nichita marked her return to the mat with a gold medal at 59kg at the Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series event in Istanbul, Turkey. In her run to the top of the podium, she didn't concede a single point.

She began the day with a fall against Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), then secured another fall against Elif YANIK (TUR) in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, she came out on top of Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU), 10-0.

The final was a similar story. She defeated Zhargalma TSYREMPILOVA TCYRENOVA (RWF), 10-0, in the first period.

"I am so happy I could win the gold medal at this tournament. It was mentally tough, but it was satisfying to win," Nachita said.

Nichita, the 23-year-old, hopes she can continue wrestling how she began the year in Istanbul. With the U23 and senior European Championships scheduled inside a month, Nichita is eyeing more top-of-the-podium finishes.

"This tournament means a lot to me since it's the first tournament of the year, and I hope to continue the same way for the rest of the year," she said.

Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) pinned Milana DADASHEVA (RWF) in the 53kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) also put aside the disappointment of a medalless finish at the World Championships in Oslo and took home gold in Istanbul.

Wrestling at 53kg, Bat Ochir moved past former U23 Worlds silver medalist Pooja GEHLOT (IND), 11-1, followed by another technical superiority win over Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB).

It was all but over for the Mongolian in the semifinals as Dominique PARRISH (USA) took an 8-0 lead inside the opening two minutes. But in typical Mongolian style, Bat Ochir threw the American for four and scored the fall, punching her ticket to the final.

"I think our team trains very hard," Bat Ochir said. "We are very confident to pin our opponents."

The final against Milana DADASHEVA (RWF) tested her again. After two initial takedowns and a 4-0 lead, Bat Ochir surrendered two points but managed to pick up two exposures. She led 8-2 after the first 90 seconds.

The second period saw an exchange of three exposure, but Bat Ochir was not having any of it. She only needed 20 seconds in the closing period to secure the fall over Dadasheva.

"I was confident of the pin here as well," she said. "I had a good connection with the coach and understood his instructions. I think my psychological training also helped me to be calm and get the pin."

At 50kg, Amilia VUC (ROU) snatched victory from the jaws of defeat by pinning Polina LUKINA (RWF) despite being thrown twice for four-pointers.

Lukina, a junior European champion, got going with some outrageous trips and was on the verge of victory, but Vuc got a hold of her neck and pinned her younger opponent.

RWF challenged the call asking for a foul-play from Vuc but they lost the challenge, giving the Romanian a clear victory.

The two-time Olympian was surprised to be down 8-0 but never lost sight of her golden hopes.

"The start was not very good. But I am happy that I did not lose hope and got the touche," Vuc said. "When it was 8-0 for her, I did not understand that because she is not the strongest wrestler, but she knew my techniques. I did my best from there.

"I'm very happy to start the year with gold, and in a month's time, I will prepare for European Championships."

Even a suplex from Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) was not enough to win against Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The USA grabbed two gold medals on Saturday as former world champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) won at 55kg, and Oslo bronze medalist Forrest MOLINARI (USA) ascended to the top at 65kg.

Winchester's win was special, as she wrestled her opponents for the first time in her career. The semifinal against Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) stood out as she pinned the Asian champion after building a considerable lead.

"Vinesh was awesome," Winchester said. "I always wanted to wrestle her. My teammates have wrestled her but I have never and I wanted her to be on the same side [of the bracket], and that's what I got. I celebrated at the end [after the win]."

In the final, she led 3-0 when Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) pulled off a grand suplex. The refs offered four points which gave Krawczyk the lead. But Winchester wanted to wrestle till the last second and that paid off as she turned the Polish wrestler for four points with just seven seconds remaining and won, 7-4.

"This is the first time at Ranking Series event for me," she said. "I was laughing when she got the four because I wanted that competition, and I loved it. Whenever I am down, I just wrestle for full six minutes. It's my last match of the day. So either I can go home sad or give it my all."

Molinari faced a familiar foe in the 65kg final in Mallory VELTE (USA). The two had been wrestling each other since high school, but in 13 attempts, Molinari could not beat Velte.

But in Istanbul, it was a completely different game as Molinari dominated a slow-paced final. Despite giving up a takedown, she scored three of her own to win, 7-4. This was her second Ranking Series gold, the first also coming in Istanbul three years ago.

She also had a big quarterfinal against Emma BRUNTIL (USA). The two had met in the Ivan Yargiun Grand Prix final last month, which the latter won. But Molinari pinned Bruntil to avenge that loss.

The final gold medal for women's freestyle went to Oslo world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), as she beat '19 world bronze medalist Anna SCHELL (GER), 8-2. It mainly was the counters from Bakbergenova that Schell could not stop and conceded the bout.

Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) holds off a shot from Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF) in the 97kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Mohammadian Returns

Two men's freestyle gold medals were awarded on Saturday.

Tokyo Olympian and two-time Ranking Series gold medalist Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) returned to competition for the first time since losing at the Tokyo Olympics.

He won the gold medal at 97kg, beating Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF), while Rio Olympic champion and home favorite Taha AKGUL (TUR) claimed the 125kg gold without much trouble.

The 97kg final began with Zhabrailov getting a verbal warning for inactivity. Mohammadian saw this as an opportunity and blasted a double-leg, scoring the match's first two points. He then got a single leg attack for two more points and led 4-0 at the break.

The second period was much slower for Mohammadian, as he was put on the activity clock. He gave up the point, and with 15 seconds remaining, Zhabrailov scored a takedown and cut the lead to 4-3. But his final shot was blocked by the Iranian wrestler, who won his third Ranking Series gold.

At 125kg, Akgul gut-wrenched Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) for a 10-0 win in front of vocal home fans.

The remaining eight freestyle weights will be in action Sunday, the final day of the first Ranking Series of the year.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) won the 125kg gold in Istanbul. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

WW Results

50kg
GOLD: Emilia VUC (ROU) df Polina LUKINA (RWF), via fall

BRONZE: DOLGORJAV Otgonjargal (MGL) df Amy FEARNSIDE (USA), via fall
BRONZE: Miglena SELISHKA (BUL) df Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB), via fall

53kg
GOLD: Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) df Milana DADASHEVA (RWF), via fall

BRONZE: Dominique PARRISH (USA) df Pooja GEHLOT (IND), via fall
BRONZE: Iulia LEORDA (MDA) df Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ), 5-0

55kg
GOLD: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL), 7-4

BRONZE: Aleksandra SKIRENKO (RWF) df Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ), via fall
BRONZE: Ekaterina ISAKOVA (RWF) df Vinesh PHOGAT (IND), via fall

59kg
GOLD: Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) df Zhargalma TSYREMPILOVA TCYRENOVA (RWF), 10-0

BRONZE: Jowita WRZESIEN (POL) df Zelfira SADRADDINOVA (RWF), 4-0
BRONZE: Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) df Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (ROU), 8-2

65kg
GOLD: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) df Mallory VELTE (USA), 7-4

BRONZE: Emma BRUNTIL (USA) df Elis MANOLOVA (AZE), 3-2
BRONZE: Khadija JLASSI (TUN) df Uliana TUKURENOVA (RWF), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df Anna SCHELL (GER), 8-2

BRONZE: Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) df Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR), 5-3
BRONZE: Danute DOMIKAITYTE (LTU) df Kseniia BURAKOVA (RWF), via fall

FS Results

97kg
GOLD: Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) df Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF), 4-3

BRONZE: Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) df Mustafa SESSIZ (TUR), 3-2
BRONZE: Kollin MOORE (USA) df Burak SAHIN (TUR), 3-1

125kg
GOLD: Taha AKGUL (TUR) df Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), 10-0

BRONZE: Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) df Atsamaz TEBLOEV (RWF), via fall
BRONZE: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) df Magomedgadzhi NURASULOV (SRB), 2-2

#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open: Tynybekova beats Motoki; Tosun, Losonczi stunned

Friday, January 12, 2024 - 09:01 By United World Wrestling Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (January 12) -- The Zagreb Open enters day three with Greco-Roman in 77kg and 87kg. The Women's Wrestling will continue in four weight classes with Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) hoping to avenge her World Championships final loss to Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ).

Watch the Zagreb Open live on UWW+ for free using promo code ZAGREB100.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

The finals for the evening session

Women's Wrestling

62kg: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs Kayla MIRACLE (USA)
68kg: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) vs Feng ZHOU (CHN)

Greco-Roman

77kg: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) vs Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE)
87kg: Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN) vs Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI)

16:45: Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI) enters the 87kg final with a 2-1 victory over Alan OTSAEV (AIN). Mohamadipiani scored a stepout from par terre and then defended his par terre position to win 2-1 and enter the final.

16:35: Feng ZHOU (CHN) takes out the world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 9-5 in the semifinal at 68kg. Strong gut wrench in the action again as she built a 9-1 lead before a reversal and a gut closed the score to 9-4. A late passivity warning cost her a point but not the bout.

16:25: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) enters the 77kg final against Zoltan LEVAI! He gets the better of Yunus BASAR (TUR) 3-3. Both wrestlers scored a turn from par terre but Suleymanov with the last-point criteria.

16:20: Absolute madness in that Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN)-Daniel HECHAVARRIA (CUB) semifinal at 87kg. Alirzaev scored a four-pointer from par terre and a takedown to lead 7-0. But Hechavarria made a comeback in the second period to tie it 7-7 before Alirzaev scored a reversal to lead 8-7 with 40 seconds remaining. He kept that lead.

16:05: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) with a 3-1 victory over Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) in the 77kg semifinals. Levai scored a turn from par terre in the second period to enter the final.

15:55: A big throw from Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN) saves him in the 87kg quarterfinal against Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB). Alirzaev got the first par terre advantage and hit a four. In the second period, Komarov scored two turns from par terre and made it 5-5 with Alirzaev leading on criteria. The score and lead remained that way till the end.

15:50: Time for the big semifinal at 62kg. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) and Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) on Mat B. Tynybekova put on the activity clock. She fails to score and Motoki gets a takedown to lead 3-0 at the break. Remember Tynybekova defeated Motoki in the 62kg final at the World Championships. Motoki keeps stepping back in the second period and is hit with the 30-second activity period. Tynybekova catches Motoki off guard and scores exposure along with the activity period point to win 3-3. That was stunning from Tynybekova.

15:45: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) ends world bronze medalist Nao KUSAKA's (JPN) run. He gets a reversal from par terre and then traps the arm to score a turn. A big lift and huge four plus another turn gives him a 9-1 victory at 77kg. In 87kg, Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) scores from par terre in the second period to beat Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) 3-3.

15:30: Yunus BASAR (TUR) gets the better of Ali ARSALAN (SRB) at 77kg. Basar was the better and more active wrestler. He won 8-1. A little later, Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) won his 77kg bout with a fall.

15:15: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) continues her solid run and is now in the semifinal. She defeated Alina KASABIEVA (AIN) 7-3. She will face Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)

15:10: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) with a takedown to open the scoring against Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) who managed to survive a pin as well. Motoki with a double-leg and takes a 2-2 criteria lead at the break. Motoki with another takedown and one point for the activity clock. She now leads 5-2. She wins and will wrestle Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) in the semifinal.

14:55: Alan OSTAEV (AIN) and Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) put on a show! Mukubu opened with a big four-pointer and one stepout but Ostaev had a takedown, four-pointer and a stepout to lead 7-5. Mukubu added a takedown but that was not enough as Ostaev hit a huge four and won 11-8

14:40: World bronze medalist Nao KUSAKA (JPN) beats 72kg world champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) 10-0 after a huge throw for four. Kusaka flexes to show his domination. On Mat C, Idris IBAEV (GER) has two big throws to win 10-0 against VIKAS (UWW).

14:30: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) is solid in par terre and Kiryl MASKEVICH (AIN) can't break his defense. Komarov moves into the quarterfinals at 87kg with a 6-2 win.

14:20: Ali ARSALAN (SRB) with a 9-0 win at 77kg over Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO). He moves into the quarterfinals. On Mat C, Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) beats Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) 2-0.

13:50: Clutch from Feng ZHOU (CHN)! Trailing 3-1 with 10 seconds on the clock, Zhou gets Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) in a headlock and rolls to get two points and wins 3-3 on criteria. Poland challenges, asking for two points for Choluj as well for exposure but that is not the case. A 4-3 win for Zhou.

13:40: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) is wrestling Yaru WU (CHN) and trailing 5-0 at the break. On the adjacent mat, Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) is wrestling LILI (CHN) and leading 4-0. Tynybekova with a go-behind to cut the lead to 5-2. She picks a cross-ankle and takedown to make it 5-4 with a minute left. Wu with a one-on-two but Tynybekova slips out and scored a takedown to take a 6-5 lead. Wu with another attempt but Tynybekova held on for a 6-5 win. Motoki got a leg lace on Lili to stretch her lead to 8-0. A throw from Lili got her two but a reversal and two for Motoki who now leads 11-2 and will win with the same score.

13:15: Another world champion falls in the first bout! David LOSONCZI (HUN) falls 9-0 to Alan OSTAEV (AIN) in the first period itself. Ostaev with an arm spin for four and then a correct throw for two to lead 6-0. Losonczi tries to do the double-arm lock throw but falls on his back, giving Ostaev two more. Hungary challenges the call but it stands and Ostaev wins 9-0

13:00: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB), wrestling his first tournament for Serbia, with a quick 9-1 win over Spencer WOODS (USA) at 87kg. On Mat C, Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) took his own time to beat Ioannis NARLIDIS (CAN) 12-4.

12:30: Kiryl MASKEVICH (AIN) with a victory via fall over Yoan DIMITROV (BUL) at 87kg and then Istvan TAKACS (HUN) beats Islam ABBASOV (AZE) 3-2.

12:10: World champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA), Yunus BASAR (TUR), Ali ARSALAN (SRB) and VIKAS (UWW) all begin their tournament with convincing wins at 77kg.

11:50: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) used a second period takedown to beat Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) 3-1 at 77kg. Turkiye is trying to find their wrestlers for the Olympic qualifier and Yilmaz, with that loss, may well be out of that race.

11:30: World champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) gets rolled by Feng ZHOU (CHN) who has a solid gut wrench! Zhou with a 10-0 win at 68kg.

11:20: SONAM (UWW) has to forfeit her bout Iryna BONDAR (UKR) after she fell during the bout. Bondar declared winner by injury but seems like Sonam was had a bad weight cut.

11:10: Typical Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) match there. She led 2-0 against Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) after two activity points and when Nwachukwu tried an attack in the final few seconds, Tynyebkova scored to win 4-0.

11:00: A two-minute pin for Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) over Eniko ELEKES (HUN) at 62kg. Motoki and Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) are on the path to meeting in the semifinals.

10:50: Milad ALIRZAEV (AIN) warms up with a 9-0 win over Martynas NEMSEVICIUS (LTU) Both passivities were won by Alirzaev and he gave little opening to Nemsevicius.

10:30: First big match of the day and world bronze medalist Nao KUSAKA (JPN) comes back from 3-0 down to win 8-7 against Stoyan KUBATOV (BUL) at 77kg. On Mat B, Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN) gets going with an 8-3 win over Khasay HASANLI (AZE).

10:00: Welcome to day three of the Zagreb Open with women's wrestling in four weight classes and two Greco-Roman weight classes.

#WrestleIstanbul: Nichita Makes Golden Return; Mohammadian Shines

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Zagreb Open: Tynybekova beats Motoki; Tosun, Losonczi stunned