#WrestleOslo Day Two Preview: Freestyle 57kg, 65kg, 79kg and 92kg

Sunday, September 19, 2021 - 19:25 By Vinay Siwach

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (September 17) -- The last time a senior World Championships took place, Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and J'den COX (USA) were primed to be at the Tokyo Olympics and even win their second medal at the big event. The former is a London Olympic champion while Cox won a bronze at the Rio Games. But both saw their dreams shattered in April earlier this year after losing at the USA Olympic Team Trials.

Six months later, both Burroughs and Cox have shifted their focus to winning the world titles. They'll take the mat on the second day of the senior World Championships in Oslo, Norway, as four more freestyle weight classes will be in action on October 3.

Burroughs, who has been a permanent fixture at 74kg for close to a decade now, will be wrestling at 79kg for the first time in his career after he won the World Team Trials in the best-of-three series against Alex DIERINGER (USA) last month. Kyle DAKE (USA) has confirmed that he will be wrestling at 74kg in Oslo after he won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics in August.

But at 79kg, Burroughs will face new challenges.

Most of the seasoned campaigners have decided to skip the Oslo event. The USA wrestler will have to deal with former U23 world champion Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO), U23 world runner-up Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) and winner of Russian Wrestling Federation trials Radik VALIEV (RWF), who is a two-time U23 European champion.

Burroughs, 33 and with his fourth child on the way, has won four golds and three bronzes at the World Championships apart from winning the 2012 Olympic title all at 74kg. His two bronze medals at the 2018 and 2019 World Championships, followed by missing the Olympics, had raised doubts that the USA wrestler was in the twilight of his illustrious career. But Burroughs said that was not the case.

"I feel confident in my ability no matter what," Burroughs told the media after winning the trials. "What I was able to do this weekend was really not a surprise to me or anyone who watches me train. [It was] a solid performance. I know I was supposed to win and I feel good at this weight class as I am at a natural weight and not cut, wrestling is much more fun."

Some of the moves were vintage Burroughs as he blasted doubles at will throughout the two-day tournament, which was also a warning to his opponents that he is still a formidable opponent.

"The double has always been there. It's just harder to recreate when down a weight," he said. "I am a phenomenal wrestler, I am a great athlete. At this point, it's kind of a reassurance not only to me but to the world that I am still here, I am still a formidable opponent for anyone in the world."

But will the U23 stars will be a threat to Burroughs winning a fifth world title? It looks unlikely that anyone would be able to stop the USA wrestler from creating history.

J'den COX (USA) will be eyeing his third world title at 92kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In another non-Olympic weight class, Cox will try to defend his world title at 92kg. He had decided to move up to the 97kg category for the Tokyo Olympics but failed to participate in the trials after missing the weigh-in deadline. Kyle SNYDER (USA) won a silver medal in Tokyo and locked up the 97kg category. Cox will now be challenged in Oslo.

The 26-year-old Cox has never failed to medal at the World or Olympics he has entered and he will be eyeing a hat-trick of gold medals at 92kg. But two-time U23 world and senior Asian champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and Magomed KURBANOV (RWF) are likely to be the biggest threat to his quest.

Since missing the Olympics trials in April, Cox has participated in the Poland Open Ranking Series, where he suffered a surprise loss to Illia ARCHAIA (UKR) 2-1 in the semifinals. He did not wrestle the bronze medal owing to the injury.

But last month it seemed the old Cox was back as he handled Kollin MOORE (USA) in the best of three finals.

It will be interesting to see how the experienced wrestler moves against the senior Russian Wrestling Federation Nationals and European champion at 92kg Kurbanov. While he doesn't have the experience of wins of Cox's level, Kurbanov can be a threat as he has been in some form since the beginning of this year.

Add to that, Ghasempour, who is yet to lose internationally since his loss at the 2013 Cadet World Championships final. He has since won the U23 Worlds twice at 86kg along with the Asian title at the same weight. Earlier this year in Almaty, he made his debut at 92kg, capturing the gold medal at the Asian Championships.

A number of wrestlers with success at age-group level are also entered for the Worlds but no one can claim to have the pedigree like Cox.

Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) is a former junior world champion while Irakli MTSITURI (GEO) has a senior world medal but has not continued his success recently. Pruthviraj PATIL (IND) won a bronze medal at the recently concluded Junior World Championships in Ufa, Russia.

Suleyman Atli Thomas Gilman Suleyman ATLI (TUR) has a win over Thomas GILMAN (USA) at the World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Max Rose-Fyne)

Two Olympic weight classes will also be in action on Sunday as 57kg and 65kg wrestlers will be on the mats. But only one Tokyo Olympic medalist from the eight is wrestling in Oslo. Thomas GILMAN (USA) will look to win his first world title, two months after winning the bronze at 57kg in Tokyo.

Gilman, who won a silver medal at the 2017 Worlds, reminded wrestling fans of his abilities with a strong performance in Tokyo. In the first bout, he faced world champion Zaur UGUEV (RWF) and almost snatched a win but the Uguev, who became the champion in Tokyo, scored a takedown in the final 12 seconds to win. Gilman came back to win the bronze medal.

Fellow Olympian and world silver medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR) will also be eyeing his first world title. Atli suffered a surprising loss to Reza ATRI (IRI) in the opening round in Tokyo. Atli was one of the favorites to reach the final at the Games. But now Gilman and Atli are likely to be the top contenders for gold in Oslo.

Another Tokyo Olympian and former world medalist, Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL), is also entered and will try to spoil the party. Oslo could well be the place where the Mongolian finally enters his first-ever World Championships final.

Former junior world champion Toshiya ABE (JPN) and Russian Wrestling Federation Nationals bronze medalist Abubakr MUTALIEV (RWF) are two others to keep an eye on. Both will be wrestling at their first senior World Championships and the Japanese will like to continue his country's good result at the lowest weight class while Mutaliev will be under pressure to keep the title in Russia as Uguev has done since 2018.

Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) will be one of the favorites to win the 65kg title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 65kg, a host of young stars will be wrestling to be world champion and the category may see a surprise winner. Leading the pack is 2020 Individual World Cup winner Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and senior European champion Zagir SHAKIEV (RWF). The former was at the Tokyo Olympics but failed to win a medal.

His hot run at the World Cup made the world take notice and he will be eyeing his first World Championships title in Oslo. But Shakiev will be the top contender as well. After running 2019 world champion Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RWF) close in the Russian Nationals, Shakiev won the Euros and has finally got a chance to come out of Rashidov's shadow.

At the trials on Tuesday, Shakiev gave no chance to former world bronze medalist Akhmed CHAKAEV (RWF) in the final bout. He won 10-3 after developing a lead early in the bout and Chakaev could only play catch up after that.

While he may be making his senior World Championships debut, Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) will be another exciting prospect to watch out for. Many have been waiting eagerly for the senior world debut of the two-time cadet world champion, which will finally happen in Oslo.

At the WTT, Diakomihalis defeated Joseph McKENNA (USA) 2-1 in the best-of-three finals to book the spot for Oslo. He will now be looking to make the category his own for the next three years.

USA failed to qualify any wrestler at 65kg, extending their struggles at this weight class. But with the emergence of Diakomihalis, a change of fortunes is expected by the USA wrestling fans. His quirky style and continuous wrestling makes him a threat for his opponents and the Cornell University student knows that.

"I had decided before that I had blown it a lot, and if I didn't mess it up all those times, I wouldn't be as good as I am now. It's about time I got it right," Diakomihalis said after winning the WTT.

Tokyo Olympian Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will also be in fray to upset a few and win his first-ever World Championships medal.

Another junior world champion from Japan Kaiki YAMAGUCHI (JPN) is entered at 65kg. He won the world title at 61kg in 2019 with Abe. Now the pair will look to return with medals from Oslo as well.

Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will be Iran's big hope to return with a medal from Oslo as they struggle to find a successful wrestler at this weight. Yazdani, however, will look to change that.

#WrestleOslo

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

Tuesday, October 5, 2021 - 19:01 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 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 Snyder Abdulrashid 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 GHADZIEV Magomedomurad 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 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 Worlds Aisuluu 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).

Sakurai Tsugumi 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."

Evgenii 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 97kg The 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

#WrestleOslo Day Two Preview: Freestyle 57kg, 65kg, 79kg and 92kg

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