#WrestleOslo

#WrestleOslo: Ciobanu Gives Moldova 1st-Ever World Greco Gold; Iran Takes 2

By Ken Marantz

OSLO, Norway (October 9) -- Victor CIOBANU (MDA) got off another of his flashy big-point throws, and this one helped make the dynamo the first world Greco-Roman champion in Moldova history -- while preventing another former Soviet republic from getting its first.

Ciobanu scraped together a 9-3 victory over Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) in the 60kg final at the World Championships in Oslo on Saturday night, giving himself a belated birthday present of an elusive world title.

"This gold medal means a lot to me and to my coach, because I never had a world gold medal, nor did he," said Ciobanu, who turned 29 on Thursday. "I have made the dream of both of us come true."

It was also a good day for Iran, which had not had a world Greco champion since 2014 but got two on the eighth day of the competition with victories from Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) at 97kg and Aliakbar YOUSOFIAHMADCHALI (IRI) at 130kg.

Ciobanu, one of the most dynamic competitors in the sport, had come close to a title in his five previous trips to the World Championships, coming away with a silver medal from Budapest in 2018.

Victor CIOBANUVictor CIOBANU (MDA) won his first-ever world gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

But in the battle between wrestlers from former Soviet republics mutually seeking a first-ever Greco champion, he put together a near-flawless performance to make it to the top of the podium at last.

The final was a rematch of his quarterfinal clash with Sharshenbekov at the Tokyo Olympics, which Ciobanu won by 9-0 technical fall. His victory on Saturday was not as one-sided, but he never seemed in danger, even after spotting the 2018 world 55kg silver medalist a 3-0 first-period lead.

"I knew that the final match would be tough, because we wrestled each other at the Olympics," Ciobanu said. "I know he is a great wrestler, he is younger than me, I respect him a lot. Wrestling is wrestling, but it’s important to remain human. I am thankful to him for that amazing match."

In the second period, Ciobanu took advantage of his first chance in the par terre position by letting rip a 4-point reverse lift. It wasn't as spectacular as his 5-point head-over-heels throw in his semifinal victory against Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), but it got the job done.

A 2-point penalty for a head butt and unsuccessful challenge point increased Ciobanu's lead to 8-3, before he topped off the scoring with a stepout.

For Ciobanu, who finished out of the medals at the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan, the victory makes up for his loss in the 2018 final to Sergey EMELIN (RWF).

"I was in a hurry in the last world final, that was my mistake," he said."Emelin is a strong wrestler as well. Now I feel I am stronger. He represents the Russian Wrestling Federation team, it’s always difficult to compete against them. I respect him a lot, I have a lot of friends in the that team. They respect me as well."

Moldova now can claim a world champion in all three styles. Ciobanu's triumph came four days after Irina RINGACI (MDA) became the country's first-ever female world champion when she won the 65kg gold. The lone freestyle title was won in 1994, three years after independence.

Aliakbar YOUSOFIAHADCHALIAliakbar YOUSOFIAHADCHALI (IRI) claimed the gold medal after beating Zurabi GEDEKHAURI (RWF). (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

At 130kg, Yousofiahmadchali became Iran's first-ever world champion in the heaviest Greco weight class when he wore down Zurabi GEDEKHAURI (RWF), scoring four stepouts in a 5-1 victory.

"It's like a party in my hometown and my mother is the happiest right now so I am thankful that I could make her happy," Yousofiahmadchali said. "I can't believe I am the first and I dedicate this to the people of Iran."

The win came just over a month after Yousofiahmadchali defeated 2021 European bronze medalist Gedekhauri 10-2 at the Gedza Memorial tournament in Serbia, and continues a hot streak the Iranian has been on for the past two years.

In 2019, Yousofiahmadchali won world junior and U23 titles, as well as the Asian junior, and this year won his first Asian senior crown.

The Georgian-born Gedekhauri, who beat Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) in the semfinals, came away with a silver medal in his first appearance at a World Championships at age 27.

Mohammadhadi SARAVIMohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) celebrates after winning the 97kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

A short time before Yousofiahmadchali's victory, Saravi knocked off Alex SZOKE (HUN) 3-1 in the 97kg final to give Iran its first world Greco gold since Hamid SOURIAN (IRI) won at 59kg in 2014 in Tashkent.

"I am proud to make the people of Iran proud and dedicate this medal to them," Saravi said. "I was expecting this medal in the Olympics but could not get it, so this meant something special here."

Saravi, a 2019 world U23 bronze medalist and 2019 world junior champion, scored with a gut wrench from the par terre in the first period to go up 3-0, then kept from being rolled himself when Szoke gained the top position and a passivity point in the second.

The two had previously met in the quarterfinals at the 2018 World Junior Championships, which Saravi won 6-1 en route to the gold. They were in opposite brackets in Tokyo, where Szoke finished fifth.

"I have achieved everything because of the support of the Iran people, so if that continues, I can win it in the Olympics," Saravi said.

Oskar MARVIKOskar MARVIK (NOR) defeated Tokyo medalist Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) to give Norway their only medal at the World Championships. (Photo: Martin Gabor) 

In the bronze-medal matches, Oskar MARVIK (NOR) sent the home crowd into a frenzy, giving it what had been waiting for all week when he defeated Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) 1-1 at 130kg.

Marvik, a two-time European U23 bronze medalist, won on last-point criteria after both gave up passivity points as the two spent the majority of the match chest-to-chest, powering forward like bison fighting for territory.

"It's incredible," Marvik said. "It's like a dream come true. It was a difficult time with COVID before the Olympic qualifications. To end the season like this at home court. It's amazing.

"I was nervous but I got inspired by the captain of the team and role model [Stig Andre] BERGE. He used the same tactics to win the bronze in Rio."

The Cuban-born Acosta, who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, had become Chile's first-ever world medalist when he won a bronze in 2017, but was unable to repeat the feat in front of the partisan crowd of his opponent.

Kajaia picked up his second world bronze with a 2-1 win in a physical clash over three-time world junior champion Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) in the other 130kg match.

Both giants received a passivity point and were put in the par terre position, but neither could budge the other. Kajaia had the last-point criteria, and received an additional point for an unsuccessful challenge of an uncalled fleeing.

At 60kg, former world champion Stepan MARYANYAN (RWF) picked up his fourth straight world medal when he made the most of his shot at par terre to defeat 2020 European champion Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) 3-1.

The veteran Maryanyan, the 2019 European champion at 63kg, executed a classic gut wrench in the second period, and that was all he needed to add the bronze to his bronze in 2017, gold in 2018 and silver in 2019.

Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) wasn't able to convert in two tries at par terre, but the two passivity points he received as the aggressor gave him the second 60kg bronze with a 2-0 victory over Maksim KAZHARSKI (BLR).

Kazharski, a 2018 world U23 bronze medalist, squandered his lone chance at par terre late in the match, when he failed to position his hands correctly and the referee put the wrestlers back on their feet.

The win was a repeat of Mammadov's 3-0 victory over Kazharski in the quarterfinals of the 2018 European Championships, where he went on to win the silver medal. He added the world U23 bronze that year, as well.

At 97kg, Artur SARGSIAN (RWF) filled in admirably for missing Olympic champion Musa EVLOEV (RWF), hitting a 5-point throw off the par terre to take his first senior world medal with a 6-1 victory over Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA).

Sargsian, the 2021 European U23 champion and a two-time world junior medalist, denied the Georgian-born Kakhelashvili from becoming the first Italian world medalist since 1987.

Kakhelashvili, who began competing for Italy in 2018, was the European silver medalist in 2020 and bronze medalist this year.

The United States got its lone Greco medal after a strong showing from its freestyle team when G'Angelo HANCOCK (USA) won by injury default over Peter OEHLER (GER) for the other 97kg bronze.

Hancock, who placed seventh at the Tokyo Olympics, had dominated the match and was leading 3-0 when Oehler rolled his ankle as the American executed an arm drag to a takedown. He could not continue, ending the match at 3:34.

Meanwhile, the Russian Wrestling Federation team has already clinched the Greco team title with 130 points going into the final day, when the last three titles will be decided. The next two places are also set, with Iran second with 96 points and Azerbaijan third with 87.

Oslo podiumThe four medalists at 97kg at the World Championships in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Day 8 Results

Greco-Roman

60kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Victor CIOBANU (MDA) df. Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), 9-3

BRONZE: Stepan MARYANYAN (RWF) df. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), 3-1
BRONZE: Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Maksim KAZHARSKI (BLR), 2-0

63kg (21 entries)
Semifinal: Leri ABULADZE (GEO) df. Erik TORBA (HUN), 7-1
Semifinal: Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) df. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) by TF, 9-0, 1:47

67kg (27 entries)
Semifinal: Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) df. Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO), 7-6
Semifinal: Nazir ABDULLAEV (RWF) df. Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ), 10-5

87kg (25 entries)
Semifinal: Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df. Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), 5-1
Semifinal: Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) df. Istvan TAKACS (HUN) by Fall, 5:42 (12-6)

97kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Alex SZOKE (HUN), 3-1

BRONZE: Artur SARGSIAN (RWF) df. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA), 6-1
BRONZE: G'Angelo HANCOCK (USA) df. Peter OEHLER (GER) by Inj. Def., 3:32 (3-0)

130kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Aliakbar YOUSOFIAHMADCHALI (IRI) df. Zurabi GEDEKHAURI (RWF), 5-1

BRONZE: Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) df. Osman YILDIRIM (TUR), 2-1
BRONZE: Oskar MARVIK (NOR) df. Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI), 1-1

#WrestleOslo

#WrestleOslo: Sadulaev Maintains Dominance Over Snyder to Grab 5th World Title

By Ken Marantz

OSLO, Norway (October 5) -- With a second victory in two months, Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) has turned the sport's most high-profile rivalry into an increasingly predictable one-sided affair. (Sadulaev vs Snyder All Photos)

Sadulaev was never in danger in rolling to a 6-0 victory over Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the freestyle 97kg final at the World Championships in Oslo on Tuesday night, a win that also propelled the Russian Wrestling Federation to the team title over the United States.

In the fourth edition of the series dubbed "Snyderlaev," Sadulaev looked even more invincible than he did when he notched a 6-3 victory over Snyder in the final at the Tokyo Olympics in August.

"The matches against Snyder are always tough, at the Olympics it was really tough and today I got pretty worn out," Sadulaev said.

Sadulaev, in capturing a fifth career world title, has now won his last three encounters with Snyder since losing their first clash at the 2017 World Championships in Paris. That remains the most recent defeat for the wrestler nicknamed "The Russian Tank."

"I don’t know yet how it feels," Sadulaev said. "I have just won it. I really wanted to win because five-time world champion sounds better than four-time world champion, that’s why many years of hard work have paid off, thank God I’ve got another gold medal."

Abdulrashid SADULAEVAbdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) celebrates with the Russian Wrestling Federation contingent. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In Tuesday's match, neither wrestler was willing to risk going on the offensive and the first period ended with no shots and Sadulaev up 1-0 after receiving an activity point.

Soon after receiving a second activity point in the second period, Sadulaev scored the first technical points with a takedown off a duck under, which he followed with a gut wrench that further displayed his exceptional power.

For Snyder, a world champion in 2015 and 2017, it gives him a fifth world medal to go with his two Olympic prizes.

The two, born six months apart, both won gold medals at the 2016 Rio Olympics, a 19-year-old Snyder at 97kg and a 20-year-old Sadulaev at 86kg. They became linked in history when Sadulaev moved up to 97kg the following year.

With a combined seven world and Olympic golds, Sadulaev remains on pace to match at the 2024 Paris Olympics the all-time freestyle record of 10 set by Soviet legend Aleksandr MEDVED.

Sadulaev SnyderAbdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) blanked Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the 97kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

For the third time in their careers, the team title was also on the line in the clash between Sadulaev and Snyder in the final. The two teams were tied going into the match after the Russian federation got a bronze medal at 70kg earlier in the night.

Sadulaev's win gave the Russian Wrestling Federation the title with 173 points, followed by the United States with 168. Iran was third at 162. All three countries had three gold medalists each.

In other action on Day 4 at Jordal Amfi arena, history was destined to be made for one country in the 70kg final, and it became Poland's with a victory by Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL).

Magomedmurad GHADZIEVMagomedomurad GHADZHIEV (POL) become the first freestyle champion from Poland. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The Russian-born Gadzhiev become Poland's first-ever world freestyle champion when he scored a stepout with 1:16 left and held on for a 2-1 victory over Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) -- who was looking to become his country's first-ever male world champion.

"I am really glad for myself, for my coach, for all the coaches who supported me in Poland, in Europe, in Russia," Gadzhiev said. "I feel like I have fulfilled my duty. I planned that match to go in a little different way, but now only the result matters."

Akmataliev, who lost a close 3-3 decision in the first round at 65kg at the Tokyo Olympics to Bajrang PUNIA (IND), had been ahead 1-1 on criteria after getting the second activity point of the match.

With the victory, Gadzhiev, who placed seventh at the Tokyo Olympics at 65kg, completed the world medal set, adding to his silver from 2017 and bronze in 2019. He is a two-time European champion and six-time medalist.

"I am 33 years old, I’ve been to world championships many times, I got gold silver and bronze medals, I’ve been to the Olympics two times," Gadzhiev said. "Now I am finally the world champion. I glad I made my dream come true. It was my dream of my dad as well, unfortunately he is not alive anymore."

AIsuluu TynybekovaAisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) claimed her second consecutive World title at 62kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

In the women's finals, Aisululu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) successfully defended her 62kg title, relying on her defense to stifle 2019 world U23 silver medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) 7-0 in the 62kg final.

Limited to an activity point in the first period, Tynybekova got a 2-point exposure on a counter to a Miracle single, plus a point for an unsuccessful challenge of the call, to go ahead 4-0. She added a stepout, then a takedown in the final seconds.

Tynybekova did not have to contend with nemesis Yukako KAWAI (JPN), who beat her in the final at the Tokyo Olympics and, like all of Japan's medalists, did not make the trip to Oslo.

Tynybekova WorldsAisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) won the 62kg title after beating Kayla MIRACLE. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

But that's not to say that Tynybekova had it much easier. In the first round, she fell behind 4-0 against two-time world cadet champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) before rallying to a 6-4 win. She also had a close call in the quarterfinals.

"Today's final match was easier than any other match during this championships," Tynybekova said. "Yesterday, all the three matches were really tough, I can say I could barely win them in the last seconds.

"I wrestled the American girl at the international tournament in Italy and I know the way she wrestles. We figured out her technique together with the coach and I just followed everything he told me."

In the end, winning is all that counts for the woman who became the first wrestling world champion in her country's history, male or female. She was also one of two wrestlers who became Kyrgyzstan's first-ever female Olympic medalists in any sport at the Tokyo Games.

"As soon as I stepped out of the mat, my coach praised me," Tynybekova said. "It's most important for me to make my coach glad. I think all the people from Kyrgyzstan are glad as well. Talking about being a two-time world champion, I can say that I proved it to myself that I could make it. Of course, it makes me happy. Especially after losing at the Olympics, I could prepare well and win. It means a lot to me."

At 55kg, 2016 world cadet champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) started what Japan hopes will be a gold rush with her most dominant victory of the tournament, a 10-0 technical fall over two-time European bronze medalist Nina HEMMER (GER).

SakuraiTsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) won her debut senior World title in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

"There were wrestlers who appeared in the Olympics and have had good results, and I was able to compete against them and beat them," the soft-spoken Sakurai said of winning at her first senior World Championships. "It gives me confidence."

Sakurai, whose limited international experience includes a victory at the 2020 Klippan Lady, jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a nifty ankle lift that sent Hemmer to her back, which she then followed with a 2-point lace lock.

Using a 2-on-1 arm hold, Sakurai ripped off a pair of takedowns to finish the match in 2:08 and relegate Hemmer to a silver medal -- nothing to scoff at, she had never finished higher than eighth in five previous World Championships.

"First of all, I'm very thankful that this tournament was held," Sakurai said. "I was nervous, but I just thought to do the same wrestling that I always do, and I felt that I did that."

Regarding being Japan's first gold medalist, she said, "I was the first, but the women just started and we have some in the finals already. Japan women's wrestling is strong and we always take gold medals at the championships, so I prepared with the aim of winning a gold medal."

The 20-year-old Sakurai has already made history of sorts in Japan. By winning the title at the All-Japan Championships last December, one of the qualifiers for Oslo, she became the first-ever national champion from Ikuei University, which was founded in 2018.

Now she is the school's first world champion as well. "There are many people who supported me and many who trained with me and taught me, so I am blessed with a good environment," she said. "That's why I could do well here."

ZherbaevEvgenii ZHERBAEV (RWF) won a bronze medal at 70kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

In the bronze-medal matches, Evgenii ZHERBAEV (RWF), making his first-ever appearance at a major championship at age 31, came away with a bronze at 70kg by grinding out a 6-0 victory over Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM).

Zherbaev, who has never even won a national title, scored all of his points in the first period to deny Andreasyan, a bronze medalist this year at both the European senior and U23 tournaments.

The other match at 70kg ended with a confusing flurry, and when the dust cleared and a replay confirmed a challenge, former world champion Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) had a 4-3 victory over two-time world junior bronze medalist Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE).

With the Georgian holding a 2-1 lead in the final seconds, Bayramov cross-faced him for an exposure, but, as the replay showed, Iakobishvili leaned back and forced Bayramov to his back for 2 of his own at the buzzer.

It gave Iakobishvili his third world medal, adding to the gold he won in 2017 and bronze in 2018.

At 97kg, 2020 Asian champion and two-time world U23 gold medalist Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) overwhelmed Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) with a 10-0 technical fall in 4:16.

Mahamed ZAKARIIEV (UKR), nursing a one-point lead late against Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR), unleashed a 4-counter lift with :17 left en route to a 9-3 victory for the other bronze medal at the 97kg category.. It gave Zakariiev his first-ever major medal on any level.

In the women's matches, European junior champion Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) won a 10-8 shootout at 55kg with the continental senior champion Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RWF).

Khomenets went up 6-4 in the first period with 4-point throw, and that gave her the lead on criteria when Khoroshavtseva came back to tie it at 8-8. With the Russian pressing for a winning score, Khomenets came away with a takedown with :05 left to take the bronze.

Jenna BURKERT (USA) secured an elusive medal, scoring a takedown and two stepouts in a solid 5-2 victory over 2020 Asian champion PINKI (IND) in the other 55kg match.

Burkert, a member of the U.S. military, had won just one match in three previous trips to the World Championships. To get to Oslo, she had to win out in an intense best-of-3 battle at the U.S. team trials with 2019 world champion Jaccara WINCHESTER (USA).

At 62kg, two-time world cadet champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) capped her international senior debut with a 12-0 technical fall over 2019 world bronze medalist Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR).

As she did in her first-round loss to Tynybekova, the 18-year-old Ozaki took a 4-0 lead with a pair of first-period takedowns. But instead of squadering the chance, as she did in falling 6-4 to Tynybekova, Ozaki had a pair of 4-point moves on double-leg takedowns to the back to finish off the Ukrainian.

In the other match, 2018 world U23 bronze medalist Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) survived a late surge by Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA) to notch a 7-6 victory.

Nunes de Oliveira, looking for her first medal in seven trips to the World Championships, had a four-point takedown to assure she would have the criteria advantage. But after scoring two stepouts in the last 30 seconds to cut the lead to one, Enkhbat avoided giving up another one to take the bronze.

Podium 97kgThe four medalists of the 97kg weight class in Oslo, Norway. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Day 4 Results

Freestyle

70kg (26 entries)
GOLD: Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) df. Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 2-1

BRONZE: Evgenii ZHERBAEV (RWF) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 6-0
BRONZE: Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 4-3

97kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) df. Kyle SNYDER (USA), 6-0

BRONZE: Mahamed ZAKARIIEV (UKR) df. Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR), 9-3
BRONZE: Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) df. Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) by TF, 10-0, 4:16

Women's Wrestling

50kg (20 entries)
Semifinal: Sara HILDEBRANDT (USA) df. Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RWF) by TF, 12-1, 5:43
Semifinal: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) df. Emilia VUC (ROU) by TF, 11-0, 3:50

53kg (17 entries)
Semifinal: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) df. Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) by TF, 10-0, 3:04
Semifinal: Iulia LEORDA (MDA) df. Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR) by Fall, 5:45 (6-10)

55kg (14 entries)
GOLD: Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) df. Nina HEMMER (GER) by TF, 10-0, 2:08

BRONZE: Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) df. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RWF), 10-8
BRONZE: Jenna BURKERT (USA) df. Pinki PINKI (IND), 5-2

62kg (17 entries)
GOLD: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Kayla MIRACLE (USA), 7-0

BRONZE: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR) by TF, 12-0, 5:15
BRONZE: Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) df. Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA), 7-6

65kg (19 entries)
Semifinal: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) by Fall, 2:42 (4-8)
Semifinal: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Forrest MOLINARI (USA), 6-2

76kg (18 entries)
Semifinal: Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Samar HAMZA (EGY) by Fall, 3:59 (11-1)
Semifinal: Epp MAEE (EST) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), 3-3