#WrestleOslo

#WrestleOslo Day Three Preview: FS 70kg, 97kg; WW 55kg, 62kg

By Ken Marantz

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 20) -- After winning a second Olympic gold medal last month in Japan, the Russian Wrestling Federation's superstar Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) was asked by local media about making a possible move to Mixed Martial Arts for a lucractive test of his talents.

Scoffing at making a switch to rough-and-tumble MMA, he told Sport Yakutia, "I don't even have such thoughts. I still need a head."

Sadulaev has been head and shoulders above the competition in the sufficiently demanding and more graceful sport of wrestling since striking Olympic gold for the first time at age 20 at the 2016 Rio Games -- save for one lapse in 2017, for which he more than made amends.

The wrestler dubbed "The Russian Tank" will be aiming for a fifth straight world title as the favorite when the freestyle 97kg class gets underway in Oslo on Oct. 4, with another high-profile clash with rival Kyle SNYDER (USA) potentially in the cards.

In other weight classes, Olympic silver medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) will launch an attempt to repeat her historic triumph from the 2019 worlds at women's 62kg, while the non-Olympic divisions of freestyle 70kg and women's 55kg also get underway.

The titanic clashes between Sadulaev and Snyder have been dubbed "Snyderlaev," and the third edition that played out on the Makuhari Messe mat at the Tokyo Olympics saw the Russian -- representing the Russian Wrestling Federation -- come away with a 6-3 victory and the gold.

The two, born just six months apart, followed up world titles in 2015 with Olympic golds at Rio 2016 at different weight classes. But Sadulaev then moved up from 86kg to 97kg to create the rivalry for the ages.

In their first meeting, in the final at the 2017 World Championships in Paris, Snyder won a 6-5 thriller. But Sadulaev got his revenge the following year in Budapest, winning the world gold with an unorthodox fall.

A potential third meeting at the 2019 World Championships in Nur-Sultan never came about after Snyder lost in the semifinals to 2012 London Olympic champion Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE), whom Sadulaev then defeated for his fourth world title.

In the final at Tokyo, Sadulaev was hampered by a lingering leg injury and was forced to play a defensive game. But he scored a pair of 2-point counters off Snyder's takedown attempts which put him over the top.

"There are definitely some positions that I have got to get better in," Snyder said after the match. "That is what I'm thinking about. I have got to finish those attacks."

In Sadulaev's Sport Yakutia interview, it was pointed out that should he win all three world titles in the Olympic cycle, then take the gold at Paris 2024, he would tie the freestyle record of legendary Soviet star Alexander Medved with a combined 10 world and Olympic titles.

"We will work," Sadulaev said. "If my health allows, I will try not to miss the World Championships, I will fight everywhere, and I will do what is depended of me."

With Sharifov not making the trip to Oslo, it looks like a two-man race to the gold. But there are a handful of opponents capable of pulling a surprise and be in the battle to make the medal podium.

Leading the best-of-the-rest is Cuban-born Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), one of the bronze medalists at the Tokyo Olympics, where he lost 6-0 to Snyder in the quarterfinals. He also finished third at the 2020 European Championships and 2018 World Championships.

Russian-born Albert SARITOV (ROU), a Rio 2016 bronze medalist at 86kg, lost in the first round in Tokyo to Conyedo and will be aiming to make it farther in the competition in Oslo. The 36-year-old was the 2020 European silver medalist.

Four other quarterfinalists in Tokyo look to be among the mix -- Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO), a 2021 European and 2018 world bronze medalist; 2019 world bronze medalist Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD); 2021 Asian silver medalist Alisher YERGALI (KAZ); and 2021 European silver medalist Suleyman KARADENIZ (TUR).

Not to be discounted is 2020 Asian champion Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI), the 2019 world U23 champion.

In the women's 62kg class, defending champion Tynybekova will not have to contend with her main nemesis, Yukako KAWAI (JPN), who pipped her for the gold in Tokyo to avenge a third-round loss at the 2019 worlds. Kawai, like all of Japan's Olympians, is not entered this year.

Tynybekova made history with her triumph in Nur-Sultan, as it made her Kyrgyzstan's first-ever wrestling world champion, male or female, since it became independent in 1991.

She and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), a bronze medalist at 68kg, became the first Kyrgyz women to win Olympic medals, but Tynybekova was left devastated by falling short of her goal of becoming the country's first gold medalist in any sport.

"I could not accept the silver, and I could not hold back the tears," Tynybekova said in an interview with local media. "I did not sleep until dawn that day."

But while the 28-year-old was harsh on herself, her country was more than forgiving. She was treated to a hero's welcome upon her return, which greatly boosted her spirits, and not just from the 10 million som ($118,000) bonus and new Toyota car she was awarded from the state. She received something far more valuable.

Tynybekova had shut down her Facebook and Instagram accounts to focus on the Olympics, and when she restored them after the Games, she was overwhelmed by the flood of support.

"I was glad to see that every corner of Kyrgyzstan, every village, town and district is united," she said. "I wore this silver medal around my neck, held it in my hands, looked at it and didn't even take pictures.

"After the support of the Kyrgyz people, I felt differently and accepted the silver medal with a different love. That feeling was aroused by the support of my people. I learned that it is more valuable than gold."

Still, gold will be what she is after in Oslo, but Tynybekova cannot take the competition lightly. Even with the top Japanese missing, Tynybekova and the others should count on a dangerous alternate taking her place.

In Oslo, that will be 18-year-old Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), the 2019 world cadet champion who will be making her international senior debut. Ozaki earned the ticket to Norway by winning both of the top senior national tournaments, which, it should be noted, were missing Kawai.

Ozaki, the 2018 world cadet and Youth Olympics gold medalist at 57kg, is a highly touted product of the JOC Elite Academy, which produced Tokyo Olympic gold medalists Yui SUSAKI (JPN), Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) and Takuto OTOGURO (JPN). It will be interesting to see how she holds up under the boiler-pressure of the top global tournament.

Another rising star also making her international senior debut will be recently crowned world junior champion Alina KASABIEVA (RWF). She also won the European junior title this year, and was a 2019 world cadet bronze medalist at 57kg.

Neither of the Tokyo bronze medalists were among the preliminary entries, but other ones to watch are 2019 world junior bronze medalist Ana GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) and 2020 Asian silver medalist Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ).

Jenna Rose BURKERT (USA) will represent the United States at 55kg. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

At women's 55kg, reigning champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) won't be around to defend her title after losing at the U.S. trials to Jenna BURKERT (USA), who is aiming to secure her first hardware in her fourth trip to the World Championships.

Burkert, a bronze medalist at the 2020 Matteo Pellicone tournament, won just one match in her three previous appearances at the worlds in weight classes ranging from 57kg to 60kg. She said she's ready to make a better showing this time after dropping to her lightest weight class since winning the Pan Am cadet title at 52kg -- back in 2008.

"You are only as good as your next match," Burkert said by email. "That’s how I always train. I don’t allow my ego to get caught up in how I’ve previously performed. I’m constantly pushing myself to make sure I’m putting in the work my body is capable of. I feel great both physically and mentally -- this new weight class really suits me in my opinion."

Burkert said the victory over Winchester, in which she won two matches to one in the best-of-3 format, with every match decided by one point, has given her a boost of confidence.

"I’m still working to be the best in the world," she said. "Beating the reigning world champ was the step I needed to get on the world team, and now it’s about getting after it on October 4 & 5th."

Nanami IRIE (JPN), the 2019 silver medalist, dropped down to 53kg but failed to make the Japan team, and the spot at 55kg was filled by Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), the 2020 Klippan Lady gold medalist and 2016 world cadet champion.

Two entries who competed at the Tokyo Olympics at 53kg who can be expected to make waves in Oslo are 2019 world bronze medalist Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RWF) and Roksana ZASINA (POL), a 2017 world bronze medalist at 53kg.

Khoroshavtseva is coming off a victory at 53kg at the European Championships in June, giving her a second straight continental title after winning at 55kg last year.

Zasina, who lost in the quarterfinals in Tokyo to eventual champion Mukaida, won her fourth European medal this year when she took the silver, and was the silver medalist at 53kg at the Individual World Cup in 2020.

Asian hopes will also be on Poland Open silver medalist Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL), Asian bronze medalist Aisha UALISHAN (KAZ) and 2020 Asian champion Pinki PINKI (IND).

Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), the two-time world medal winner, will move up to 70kg from his Tokyo Olympic weight of 65kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

At freestyle 70kg, Russian-born Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) looks to be the one to beat, with two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA), European champion Israil KASUMOV (RWF) and veteran Adam BATIROV (BRN) also well in contention.

The 33-year-old Gadzhiev, a 2019 world bronze medalist, finished seventh at 65kg at the Tokyo Olympics. In 2020, he won his second European gold and fifth medal overall, and also triumphed at the Individual World Cup.

Green is dead set on making it to the top of the podium after taking a silver at the 2017 world championships and bronze in 2015.

"I think about this a lot!" he said in an email. "It’s been a long time since I’ve been on top of any international podium. Silver and bronze seem to be the only medals that I get my hands on. That hasn’t stopped me from staying on the path for gold."

Not being on the U.S. Olympic team only adds incentive for a victory in Oslo.

"Not having an opportunity to go to the Olympics makes this world championships a redemption, not only for myself but the other non-Olympic weights," Green said. "I’m hungry for gold and I will end the drought this year.

#wrestlebishkek, #WrestleParis

Rising star Sogabe survives scare to gain Paris 2024 ticket

By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 21) -- For all the young wrestlers who wonder why they do so much bridging in practice, Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) showed how it can all pay off in that future situation when the stakes are at their highest.

Sogabe, about to see his Olympic dream ended, fought tenaciously off his back before going on to defeat Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) 11-2 and earn a ticket to the Paris Olympics at Greco 67kg on the final day of the Asian Olympic Qualifier on Sunday in Bishkek.

"If I had lost by fall there, my life would have been over," said the 22-year-old Sogabe, the 2023 Asian silver medalist who has long been touted in Japan as a star of the future. "All I've ever thought deep in my heart is that I will definitely win the gold medal in Paris.

"I asked myself, 'Are you going to give up now?' and that really got me going. I was so strongly determined not to lose by fall that I was able to escape."

Iran became the first country to complete the full set of six Greco quotas when Amin KAVIYANI (IRI) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) won their respective bouts at 77kg and 87kg, although neither victory came easy.

Also notably qualifying for Paris was Asia's "greybeard" Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), the 39-year-old wonder who earned his third trip to the Olympics with a victory at 97kg.

Kazakhstan came away with three Paris berths, while Korea won two along with Iran. The DPR Korea, which was shut out in freestyle before winning three spots in women's wrestling, gained its first and only ticket in Greco.

Three countries saw bids for historic victories quashed, as Jordan and Saudi Arabia were left still waiting for their first-ever Olympians in wrestling, while Chinese Taipei remains without ever having a male wrestler make the Olympics.

Combined with the results from last year's World Championships in Belgrade, where five quotas per weight class were available, Kazakhstan now has four, Kyrgyzstan, Japan and China three each, Korea and Uzbekistan two apiece and the DPR Korea one. The last chance will be at the World Olympic Qualifier in Istanbul on May 9-12, where three final places will be up for grabs.

Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN)Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) with the 'qualified athlete' ticket for Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

For Japan's Sogabe, his victory made up for a controversial loss in the quarterfinals in Belgrade to Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), which he lost 11-10 but had the crowd fully on his side as the Iranian waned in the final moments. It also made him determined to leave Bishkek with the ticket to Paris.

"The World Championships last year was devastating, and I have practiced every day with the determination to win the gold medal in Paris," said Sogabe, a 2022 world U23 bronze medalist. "Keeping that tough experience in my head, I worked on fixing things that weren't working well and was able to win here."

Asked about getting the chance to avenge the loss to Geraei in Paris, Sogabe expressed more concern with just winning the gold, regardless of who he faces.

"Today was really enjoyable, and I realized that in the end, having fun is the best way to do wrestling," he said. "I have to think about how I can become the strongest wrestler I can be so I can win at the Olympics. My goal is the gold medal, and I want to win it by being the strongest of all and in an enjoyable way."

Sogabe's victory came two days after Nippon Sports Science University teammate Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) earned his Paris ticket at freestyle 65kg. The two are both from the central island of Shikoku, and have been friendly rivals since their elementary school days.

"We are in the same class, and ever since we were young, I have not wanted to lose to him," Sogabe said. "'If I lose here, I'll be a step behind [Kotaro],' I thought. We are rivals, but we push each other and make each other better. I want us to win gold medals in Paris together."

Sogabe saw how quickly fortunes can turn in the sport in his clash with Asian Games silver medalist Sharmankhanbet, the 2021 Asian champion and a 2018 world bronze medalist.

Sogabe secured a body lock on Sharmankhanbet and slammed him down for four points -- only to have Sharmankhanbet roll Sogabe onto his back and secure a tight front headlock. A fall seemed imminent, but Sogabe's bridge kept his shoulders off the mat, and after a few tense seconds, he managed to extricate himself from the danger.

The Kazakh side made a seemingly dubious challenge for a suspected hand block of the leg, which was not only denied to give Sogabe a 5-2 lead but would work against them when an actual challenge situation arose later on and they could not contest it.

While his aggressiveness got him into trouble, Sogabe said he has no plans to change his style. "I have used attacking wrestling all this time, so I'm definitely not going to veer away from it," he said. "I will continue attacking right up to the very end."

In the second period, Sogabe drove Sharmankhanbet down for a takedown, although it looked like he may have stepped on his opponent's foot. But because the Kazakh side could not challenge, the points stood and Sogabe had a comfortable 7-2 lead. He stopped a desperation throw for 4 in the final seconds to make it officially a technical fall.

Among the crowd at Bishkek Arena were Sogabe's family and Nippon Sports Science University head coach Shingo MATSUMOTO, who flew in for the occasion. "For my whole family to come all this way, and coach Matsumoto here to support me, I'm really happy that I was able to get the job done," said Sogabe, who had to beat Asian Games champion and senior training partner Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) to earn the right to compete in Bishkek.

Sogabe's path to the final started with an 8-0 victory over 36-year-old Hansu RYU (KOR), a two-time Olympian and two-time former world champion, which may have marked a generational change in the weight class.

Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ)Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) tries to pin HUSIYUETU (CHN) in 67kg semifinals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The other Paris berth at 67kg went to Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), who thrilled the home crowd with a second-period surge that gave him a 9-1 victory over HUSIYUETU (CHN).

Leading 1-0 off a passivity point in the first period, Ismailov started the second by fighting off a throw for a takedown, then charged ahead with a reverse body lift for a 2-point exposure. China challenged the original takedown, only to see it not only affirmed, but Husiyuetu assessed a 2-point penalty for touching the leg while he was being sent to his back.

The penalty, while giving Ismailov a 7-1 lead, also put him on the top in par terre, and he turned Husiyuetu over to end the match at 3:58.

Amin KAVIYANI (IRI)Amin KAVIYANI (IRI) celebrates after winning the Paris Olympic 77kg quota for Iran. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 77kg, Iran's Asian Games silver medalist Kaviyani was made to work hard for his Paris ticket, clinching a tense 6-5 victory over Rui LIU (CHN) by scoring the last of three consecutive stepouts with 49 seconds left.

Liu got off to a good start in his bid to avenge a 1-1 semifinal loss at last October's Asian Games in China when he completed a roll from par terre, and had a 2-point leg blocking penalty tacked on for a 5-0 lead. Kaviyani cut the gap with a counter takedown before the break.

"Everything was under control, but unfortunately I got a two-point warning," Kaviyani said. "In my opinion, there was no foot fault but it made the fight more difficult for me."

In the second period, Kaviyani received a passivity point but allowed Liu to pop out from par terre, leaving him trailing 5-3. But then the three-time Asian medalist launched his succession of stepouts to march to victory and a likely trip to Paris.

"At the Asian Games where the Chinese were the hosts, against the Chinese wrestler who is powerful, I won the match with a 1-1 score, but today I was able to get more technical points in this match," Kaviyani said. "I was under a bit of pressure and I had to get the best result. I’m thankful that I could get that result and the Olympic quota."

Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI)Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) defeated Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) to win the 87kg quota for Iran. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

A short time later at 87kg, Mohmadipiani was also taken to the limit in securing Iran's sixth Olympic quota with a 3-2 victory over Asian Games champion Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB).

Berdimuratov was only able to gain a 1-point stepout from a throw attempt out of par terre in the first period, and that would make the difference when Mohmadpiani, the world silver medalist at 82kg, got 2 from a throw in the same situation in the second period.

"I’m thankful that I could get the Olympic quota one year after the World Championships, especially when I was able to go from 82kg to 87kg," Mohmadpiani said. "I feel really good that I could keep this weight and I hope I can defeat my opponents in the Olympics."

Looking toward Paris, Mohmadpiani added, "My plan for the Olympics is to fix my flaws and add some new techniques so I can wrestle some mistake-free matches in the Olympics and shine."

Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB)Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) celebrates after beating Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) to win the Paris 2024 quota. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 97kg, the ageless Assakalov rumbled to another Olympics with a 3-1 victory over Tokyo Olympian Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ), who was his own worst enemy by committing a 2-point penalty for grabbing the singlet.

Assakalov, coming off a bronze-medal performance at the Asian Games, was put in par terre first, but was unable to add points against Dzhuzupbekov, a five-time Asian medalist and 2019 champion.

In the second period, Assakalov initiated a challenge to get Dzhuzupbekov tagged for grabbing the singlet that had gone unnoticed by the referee. The challenge worked, and Assakalov now had a 3-0 lead.

All he had to do was survive a stint on the bottom of par terre, which he did, and then used his vast experience to hold off Dzhuzupbekov while avoiding a passivity caution.

Assakalov, whose longevity is a testament to his love of the sport, has a long list of career achievements. He finished eighth at both the 2016 Rio and 2021 Tokyo Olympics, won a world silver in 2015 and bronze in 2017, and has eight Asian medals, including three golds.

It was singlet-grabbing that also proved the downfall for Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA) in the other 97kg match, in which he lost 5-1 to Seungjun KIM (KOR) to fall short of becoming Saudi Arabia's first-ever wrestler in the Olympics.

Fallatah was hit with a 2-point penalty for grabbing the singlet in each period, while both wrestlers received a passivity point but were unable to score in par terre.

The loss by Sultan EID (JOR) to Haitao QIAN (CHN) in the other 87kg match was much more straightforward, as the Chinese held the upper hand throughout in a 7-0 victory in denying Jordan its first-ever Olympic wrestler.

Qian, a 2019 world bronze medalist at 82kg, was put in par terre in the first period and took advantage with a pair of gut wrenches for a 5-0 lead. In the second period, he used an underhook for a driving takedown to put the victory on ice.

Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ)Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) scores a match-winning takedown against Dowon LEE (KOR) at 77kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the other 77kg match, veteran four-time Asian medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) seemed to be heading straight to defeat when his opponent Dowon LEE (KOR) suddenly crumbled late in their bout, giving Zhadrayev a 5-2 victory and a possible second trip to the Olympics.

Lee began brightly with a nice arm drag for a takedown that gave him a 2-0 lead at the break. And when he gave up a passivity point and was put on bottom, he kept a one-point lead by slipping out of a roll attempt for no points.

But with Zhadrayev viciously pressing ahead at the edge, Lee was holding out quite well until he suddenly ran out of gas and was crushed to the mat for a takedown with 30 seconds to go. Lee then limply went over for a 2-point exposure.

For the wrestlers at 60kg, the tournament provided a golden opportunity for an Olympic place, as Asian nations swept all five places in the weight class in Belgrade -- the only region to do so in any of the three styles.

Two-time world bronze medalist Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) came out the winner in the opening match of the night session with a victory by fall over Jui Chi HUANG (TPE).

Sultangali got four points by driving Huang onto his back in defense of an awkward arm throw, then added a gut wrench and a throw that ended up being ruled a stepout. A challenge by the Chinese Taipei downgraded the original 4-pointer to two, leaving Sultangali with a 5-0 lead.

Sultangali, the 2021 Asian champion, went right back to work, sticking Huang with a textbook-perfect headlock throw and securing the fall at 2:28.

Huang was attempting to become Chinese Taipei's first-ever male wrestler to qualify for the Olympics. The nation has had just one wrestler in the Olympics, Wen-Ling CHEN (TPE), who appeared in women's 69kg at the 2016 Rio Games.

Se Ung RI (PRK)Se Ung RI (PRK) won the DPR Korea's first Greco-Roman quota for Paris Olympics at 60kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the other match at 60kg, Se Ung RI (PRK) scored a first-period takedown and held on for a 3-0 victory over Dahyun KIM (KOR), who was thrown off his feet twice in the match but somehow managed to keep the moves from scoring points.

Ri looked like he would take an early lead when he hit Kim with a hip throw, but the Korean cartwheeled out of it and landed on his feet for no points. When Ri received a passivity point and was put on top of par terre, he lifted Kim off the mat but was unable to get enough height for points.

Ri got on the scoreboard again with a nice duck-under takedown for a 3-0 lead at the break, and in the second period, he kept the pressure on to avoid giving Kim a chance in par terre.

Korea picked up its second victory of the night at 130kg, when Seungchan LEE (KOR) cruised to a 9-0 win over surprise semifinalist Sota OKUMURA (JPN). Lee gained a passivity point and proceeded to reel off four straight rolls to win in 1:36, the shortest bout of the night.

Okumura, who was looking to become the first Japanese heavyweight in Greco to make the Olympics since 1996, had never won a match in eight previous international tournaments before he rallied to defeat Tamurbek NASIMOV (UZB) 12-6 to move one step away from Paris. That had avenged a loss to Nasimov at the Asian Games.

Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) hung on for a 7-7 victory over Roman KIM (KGZ) at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Asian Games bronze medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) capped the tournament by fighting off fatigue and home favorite Roman KIM (KGZ) to eke out a 7-7 win in the other 130kg match.

The match between the three-time Asian medalists started with a bang, or a slap as it were. After scoring a stepout, Syzdykov was awarded two points when Kim lashed him with a sharp slap to the ear like the type seen more in sumo wrestling. Kim then spun behind for a takedown to cut Syzydkov's lead to 3-2 at the break.

Syzydkov padded the lead to 7-2 with a takedown and gut wrench, but after that, it was obvious he was running on fumes. Kim put the pressure on and scored a pair of stepouts, with a fleeing point tacked onto the second one to make it 7-5, before Syzydkov was assessed a 2-point penalty for inactivity.

Leading 7-7 on criteria, Syzydkov dropped to the mat at one point complaining of knee pain and received treatment much to the chagrin of the partisan crowd. But Kim had little left in the tank himself and was unable to muster enough energy for a final push.

df

Paris 2024 Qualification Matches

Greco-Roman

60kg
Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) df. Jui Chi HUANG (TPE) by Fall, 2:28 (10-0)
Se Ung RI (PRK) df. Dahyun KIM (KOR), 3-0

67kg
Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) df. HUSIYUETU (CHN) by TF, 9-1, 3:58
Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) df. Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) by TF, 11-2, 6:00

77kg
Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) df. Dowon LEE (KOR), 5-2
Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) df. Rui LIU (CHN), 6-5

87kg
Haitao QIAN (CHN) df. Sultan EID (JOR), 7-0
Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) df. Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 3-2

97kg
Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) df. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ), 3-1
Seungjun KIM (KOR) df. Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA), 5-1

130kg
Seungchan LEE (KOR) df. Sota OKUMURA (JPN) by TF, 9-0, 1:36
Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) df. Roman KIM (KGZ), 7-7