#WrestleOslo

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

Saturday, October 9, 2021 - 17:16 By Ken Marantz

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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

#WrestleParis

Paris 2024: Tazhudinov strikes gold; Japan finish with eight

Sunday, August 11, 2024 - 17:21 By Ken Marantz

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PARIS (August 11) -- A little less than a year ago in Belgrade, Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) announced himself to the world by knocking off two of the sport's biggest giants -- both literally and figuratively. On Sunday, he accomplished the one feat that makes a name live on forever.

Tazhudinov added the Olympic gold to the one he won at last year's World Championships, scoring an opportunistic fall over Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) in the freestyle 97kg final on the last day of competition at the Paris Olympics.

"This is the Olympic Games, all of the fights are difficult. I just did it," said the Russian-born Tazhudinov, who became Bahrain's first-ever Olympic champion in a sport outside of athletics. "I trained hard. My family, brothers and [training] partners helped me become what I am today."

Japan capped a spectacular showing in Paris by grabbing the two other gold medals at stake, with world champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) prevailing at women's 76kg to become the country's first-ever champion in the heaviest weight class, and unheralded Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) taking the freestyle 65kg title to join a childhood wrestling club teammate as Olympic champion in Paris.

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)

The 21-year-old Tazhudinov turned the wrestling world upside down in Belgrade last September when he swept aside in succession both Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN), who between them had won every world or Olympic 97kg title dating back to 2015, en route to the gold.

Few had been aware of Tazhudinov up to that point, although he did give a hint of things to come by winning the Asian Championships earlier that year. The native of the wrestling hotbed of Dagestan had changed his nationality to Bahrain in the autumn of 2022.

A month after his triumph in Belgrade, Tazhudinov added the Asian Games gold, then prepped for Paris this year by winning the Antalya international tournament and successfully defending his Asian title in Bishkek.

On Sunday, Tazhudinov shone brightest on the biggest stage of all, beating Snyder in the semifinals before securing the gold before another packed crowd at the Champs de Mars Arena.

In the final, two-time reigning European champion Matcharashvili threw caution to the wind at the start and attempted a bold arm throw. It would be a fateful decision, as Tazhudinov stopped the move and Matcharashvili left on his back. That provided the opening for him to pounce on top, securing the fall at 1:52 for his seventh straight major tournament title.

"It was a counterattack, and I caught him on this move," said Tazhudinov, who has not lost since falling 6-4 to Vladislav BAITCAEV (HUN) in the quarterfinals of the Alexandria Ranking Series tournament in February 2023.

Kagami doesn't put up the big numbers like Tazhudinov, but she steadily wears down opponents and gains enough openings to score with her deceptive speed.

Yuka KAGAMI (JPN)Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) after winning the 76kg final against Kennedy BLADES (USA) in Paris. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the women's 76kg final against Kennedy BLADES (USA), Kagami trailed 1-1 on criteria when she connected with a double-leg tackle, driving the American out of bounds for a takedown that was originally scored a stepout to lead 3-1.

After that Kagami never let the taller Blades, who defeated six-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) at the U.S. Olympic trials to get to Paris, get even a whiff of her legs as she secured the historic victory for Japan.

“She was definitely strong, and her positioning was great," said the 20-year-old Blades, last year's world U23 silver medalist. "I knew going into the match that Japan is very disciplined on positioning, so I think that’s what made it a little tough. I’m just going to go back to the drawing board and start working on my stuff again.

“She was ready for what I was going to do, and I was ready for what she was going to do. It was definitely a scramble. It was a fun match. Of course, I do want to be on top, always. But honestly, at the end of the day, it was a battlefield."

Blades had advanced to the final by knocking off world silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) 8-6 in the semifinals Saturday.

That Japan is the dominant power in women's wrestling is beyond dispute -- the country won four of the six golds in Paris, with two bronzes -- but until Sunday, it had always come up short in the heaviest weight at the Olympics.

The last time a Japanese heavyweight even medaled was in Beijing 2008, when Kyoko HAMAGUCHI (JPN) won a second straight bronze at 72kg. Kagami was determined to rectify the situation.

"It is something that I have always been aiming for," Kagami said. "It's really a thrill to be able to accomplish something that no one else has. What I did today resulted from what I have done up to now and the choices that I have made."

After the victory, Kagami lifted up and twirled around coach Shogo MAEDA, who is not only a national team coach but was her coach at Toyo University, which she chose to attend instead of one of the established powerhouses.

Kagami is a product of the JOC Academy that also produced Tokyo Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), who both won bronzes in Paris. Her effervescence and outgoing nature make her a favorite on the national team.

"To see everyone with tears of joy for me makes me the happiest," said Kagami, a two-time Asian champion and world bronze medalist in 2022.

"I had always aimed to be standing here. I thought to enjoy each and every match, each and every second. I was smiling, and I was nervous. But I spent this Olympics even enjoying the nervousness."

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN)Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) laces Amouzad KHALILI (IRI) during the 65kg final at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 65kg, Kiyooka was never considered a favorite in a stacked weight class, although he did earn some street cred by defeating Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) en route to qualifying for Paris.

“There was a certain degree of pressure to perform as well as my rival, but I was able to defeat the champion of the Tokyo Games," said Kiyooka, who finished ninth at the 2023 World U23 Championships. "I felt like there was an element of fate there having defeated a prior gold medalist."

His lightning-quick reflexes and solid techniques propelled him to the pinnacle of the sport, capped by a 10-3 victory over reigning Asian champion and 2022 world 61kg gold medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI).

Amouzad got on the scoreboard first with a driving stepout while on the activity clock. Kiyooka responded with a single-leg takedown, then executed a lace-lock variant in which he puts his head between the legs while securing the thighs or ankles, a move often used by Japanese wrestlers.

Kiyooka reeled off a series of rolls, but a fourth that would have ended the match came after time expired, leaving him with a still-formidable 10-1 lead.

"That is my pet move, and if I can get into position, I'm confident I can get the turns," the 23-year-old Kiyooka said. "I had intended to end it right there, but time ran out.

"When I looked up it was 10-1. I was aiming to attack from the beginning in the second period to win by technical superiority, but he is not so easy of an opponent, so I couldn't finish it off."

It was Amouzad who would score the lone points of the second period, a 2-point exposure off a counter, but he never found a way through Kiyooka's defenses to close the gap any further.

“In this 65kg weight class, any athlete could have won gold," Kiyooka said. "It’s a very difficult and challenging weight class, and winning gold in this weight class is particularly important for me. That’s why I felt like the hero of my own novel."

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN)Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) celebrates with his childhood friend and fellow Olympic champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Kiyooka started wrestling at age 3 at a kids wrestling club in Kochi City on the central island of Shikoku. It was there he first met the 2-year-old daughter of the club's coach. Her name is Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), and she won the women's 57kg gold the previous day.

"I had to find a way to win," Kiyooka said. "Before the tournament, we knew that she would wrestle before me, so I told her to put pressure on me by winning. I converted that into motivation.

"We've had a great relationship leading up to this point and both of us won gold medals. We made each other stronger and had dreams of the Olympics together, and we could both win by encouraging each other. It's really incredible that we won titles at the same Olympics."

Asked about standing at the top of the medal podium, Kiyooka replied, "It's the most beautiful view in the world."

Japan finished its best-ever tournament with a total of eight golds, one silver and two bronzes from the 13 weight classes in which the country had qualified. With Kiyooka's victory, Nippon Sports Science University students and alumni combined for five golds, more than double any other country.

Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) denied Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the 97kg bronze-medal bout. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Snyder denied bronze; Albania wins 2nd

Snyder, who came to Paris looking to regain the Olympic title after taking silver in Tokyo, will leave empty-handed after being dealt a 4-1 defeat by 2022 world U23 champion Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI).

Azarpira scored a takedown in the first period and two stepouts in the second, then fended off everything Snyder threw his way to earn a bronze medal and repeat his 6-3 victory over Snyder in the final at the Zagreb Open in January.

The other 97kg bronze went to Russian-born world silver medalist Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE), who scored two takedowns in each period of a 10-0 victory over Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR).

Prior to the Paris Olympics, Albania had never won an Olympic medal in any sport. European champion Islam DUDAEV (ALB) gave the tiny European nation a second in wrestling in two nights.

The Russian-born Dudaev had just been tagged for a 4-point throw when he scored a reversal with :04 left, giving him a thrilling 13-12 victory over reigning world champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) in a freestyle 65kg bronze-medal match.

“The match was very difficult," Dudaev said. "It was not the first bout I had with Muszukajev. We have already met several times, so I knew him quite well, and I knew what I was supposed to do to win against him.”

Dudaev started off the clash with a bang, getting 4 with a marvelous inner crotch throw and 2 more with an exposure. Musukaev cut the lead to 8-4 off a scramble, and a takedown whittled it further to 8-6 at the break.

Dudaev spread the gap again to six points with a takedown and roll, but Musukaev struck back again with a takedown, then used a front headlock to throw Dudaev to the mat for 4 to go ahead 12-12 on criteria.

But Dudaev squirmed out of the hold and got behind in time to secure a dramatic win and join compatriot Cherman VALIEV (ALB), also a native Russian, as a bronze medalist.

Sebastian RIVERA (PUR)Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) scores the winning takedown against Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

There was also drama in the preceding 65kg bronze-medal match, as Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) scored a takedown in the final seconds to upend Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) 10-9, giving Puerto Rico just its second-ever Olympic wrestling medal.

"It was tough," Rivera said. "Everybody in the weight class was really tough. To get a medal, that’s what I expected and what I came here to do, so I’m happy I could fulfill my dreams."

Rivera prevailed in a back-and-forth match when Tumur Ochir, trying to clinch the victory, went for a headlock throw, but the Puerto Rican slipped out and got behind with eight seconds left.

Tumur Ochir appeared to have remained on all fours to avoid the takedown -- but a challenge revealed his knee hit down, giving Rivera the winning points.

Rivera had spotted Tumur Ochir a 4-0 lead in the first period, then went ahead himself 8-4 with a takedown and three exposures from an arm trap. Tumur Ochir took back the advantage 9-8 on a 4-point leg sweep and a lost challenge.

Rivera, who was born in the U.S. state of New Jersey and competed collegiately at Northwestern and Rutgers universities, joins Jaime ESPINAL (PUR), a silver medalist at freestyle 84kg at London 2012 as the only wrestling medalist in their nation's history.

At women's 76kg, world silver medalist Medet Kyzy was relegated to her second straight fifth-place Olympic finish when she was dealt a 6-0 defeat by Milaimy MARIN (CUB) in their bronze-medal match.

Marin fired out of the blocks with a big 4-point double-leg takedown, then went behind for a takedown in the second to deny the Asian champion.

In a rare Olympic medal match between South Americans, Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) gave Colombia its second-ever Olympic wrestling medal, defeating Genesis REASCO (ECU) 2-1 for the other women's 76kg bronze in a bout decided solely on activity points.

Day 7 Results

Freestyle

65kg
GOLD: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI), 10-3

BRONZE: Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) 10-9
BRONZE: Islam DUDAEV (ALB) df. Ismail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), 13-12

97kg
GOLD: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) by Fall, 1:52 (2-0)

BRONZE: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR) by TF, 10-0, 4:29
BRONZE: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. Kyle SNYDER (USA), 4-1

Women's Wrestling

76kg
GOLD: Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) df. Kennedy BLADES (USA), 3-1

BRONZE: Milaimy MARIN (CUB) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), 6-0
BRONZE: Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) df. Genesis REASCO (ECU), 2-1