#WrestleOslo

#WrestleOslo: Iran Sends Four Wrestlers in Finals to Tighten Grip on Team Title

Sunday, October 3, 2021 - 14:06 By Vinay Siwach

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OSLO, Norway (October 3) -- There was four-time world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), two-time world champion Jden COX (USA), Turkey's superstar Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and even Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA).

But it were the young wrestlers from Iran who stole the limelight on day two of the senior World Championships in Oslo, Norway as they maintained a perfect record and entere four wrestlers in the final out of the four weight classes in action.

Leading them was U23 world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) who stunned two-time defending world champion Cox 3-3 in the 92kg semifinal to the cheers of the Iran fans in the stadium. Alireza SARLAK (IRI) at 57kg, Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) at 65kg and Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) at 79kg also reached their respective finals in similar manner -- winning in the final few moments of their semifinals.

Burroughs made his fifth World Championships final, this time at 79kg -- a weight class he is wrestling for the first time in his international career. Wrestling YOSHIDA (JPN) in the semifinals, he gave up a stepout but bounced back with one of his own. A double leg takedown made it 3-1 for the American at the break. A stepout and go-behind combined with an exposure made it 8-1. He finished the bout with another takedown to win 10-1.

He will face the 2021 junior world champion Nokhodilarimi in the final. The Iranian kept him calm in a tense semifinal against Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO) and scored a step out in the final 10 seconds. Kentchadze had taken the lead 4-4 with 30 seconds to go but the Iran wrestler continued the pressure and ultimately got a 6-5 win to make the final in his first trip to the senior Worlds.

At 92kg, Cox defended for his life but Ghasempour managed to break his defence twice to win 3-3. Cox defends the life from quad-pod but Ghasempour managed to finally get the two points. The time used by Cox to defend the position twice came back to bite him as he ran out of time when the score was 3-3 and he got a stepout just when the time expired.

The senior Asian champion at 92kg will have Magomed KURBANOV (RWF) in the final. He began with a 1-0 via a stepout and added one more. But Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) got stepout and then added takedown to make it 4-2. Kurbanov hit a double and then an exposure to lead 6-4. A stepout gave him one more point and the match finished 7-4.

At 57kg, Iran had another close bout as Sarlak stunned world championships silver medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR). He was called for passivity and gave up one point. Sarlak led 1-0 at the break but in the second period Atli scored a stepout to make it 1-1. The lead increased to 2-1 and then to 4-1 as he got a takedown on the edge. But Sarlak shot for two and then exposed Atli for two more. Atli tried a desperate attempt in the final second but failed and Sarlak got two more and finished the bout 7-4.

But he will face Tokyo bronze medalist Gilman who dismantled Horst LEHR (GER) after an early hiccup. Lehr began with a takedown outside the circle to lead 2-0. Then Gilman tried a stepout but it was Lehr who managed to counter it and lead 3-0. Gilman began the comeback with a takedown and then a four-point move. But a reversal and exposure to make it 5-5. Two stepouts for Gilman made it 7-5 at the break.

Lehr kept shooting in the second period but it was never enough as Gilman kept scoring and ended the bout 15-5 with 32 second remaining.

Yazdani will be going up against Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) in the 65kg final after he beat Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) in the semifinal. In another close bout, Yazdani scored a stepout with five seconds remaining to win 5-4. He led 4-0 but Osmonov scored via a headlock exposure and then  a takedown to lead 4-4 with 32 seconds remaining. But gave up a feeling and caution to lose the semifinal.

The other semifinal was equally thrilling as Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) thought he should have won it but it was the RWF wrestler who managed win 4-4 on criteria. Tumur Ochir was exceptional in his defence again but after second a stepout and then a point for Shakhiev's passivity, he gave up a takedown and a exposure to trail 4-2.

But Tumur Ochir scored a takedown but was trailing on criteria which the Mongolian coaching staff did not agree with. They did challenge the call but it was little too late.

Final two freestyle weight classes plus two women's wrestling weights will be in action on the third day of the World Championships in Oslo with all eyes on Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) at the 97kg.

Qualification Recap

Over the years, Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) has faced quite a few Russian Wrestling Federation wrestlers. He enjoys a great head-to-head record but since the onset of Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RWF) in 2018, he hasn't managed to win against them at the World Championships.

But Sunday was different. Burroughs managed to get past Radik VALIEV (RWF), thanks to his iconic double leg which he used to get four points in the second period. That gave him a 8-3 lead and the scores changed to 9-4 in Burroughs' favor at the end of the match, as he reached the semifinal of the 79kg weight class. The American four-time world champion is wrestling at the new weight for the first time in his career but nothing seemed to change in the way he wrestled and dominated throughout the competition.

Apart from him, two other American wrestlers reached the semifinals -- Thomas GILMAN (USA) at 57kg and two-time defending world champion J'den COX (USA) at 92kg.

Iran had the best morning session with four-out-of-four in the semifinals led by U23 world champion and senior Asian champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) at 92kg. He has set up a semifinal against Cox who can well end his run here in Oslo. Alireza SARLAK (IRI) at 57kg, Amirmohammad YAZDANICHERATI (IRI) at 65kg and Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) at 79kg also reached the semifinals to complete a perfect session for their country.

The Russian Wrestling Federation would be disappointed in their performance as only two wrestlers out of four on Sunday managed to reach the last four after Abubakr MUTALIEV (RWF) and Valiev suffered losses at 57kg and 79kg respectively. Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) at 65kg survived a scare against Rohit KUMAR (IND) in the pre-quarters winning 5-4 while Magomed KURBANOV (RWF) had a rather smooth sailing at 92kg. He will face Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) in the semifinal.

World Championships silver medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR) put the disappointing first-round Tokyo Olympic exit behind him to reach the semifinal against Sarlak and now would like to make his second straight Worlds final. From the other side at 57kg, Gilman will face Horst LEHR (GER) with the former beginning as a big favourite.

Gilman faced Mutaliev in the first bout of the day and it was expected to be a slugfest but the American dumped Mutaliev with a quick pin in an anti-climatic finish. Gilman was close to winning his first bout against Zaur UGUEV (RWF) at the Olympics as well but gave up a takedown in the dying moments and ended up with a bronze. He will be looking to claim his second World medal as he has a silver from the 2017 World Championships. He lost to Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) in the final four years ago.

Atli had a great day as he began with a 10-0 win over PANKAJ (IND) before beating junior world champion Toshiya ABE (JPN) in the quarterfinals 5-2. He will be facing Sarlak after the Iran wrestler made a huge comeback from 6-2 to beat Aryan TSIUTRYN (BLR) 7-6 in the quarterfinals. Tsiutryn's loss ended the campaign for two-time World bronze medalist Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) as he had lost 3-1 in the pre-quarters.

At 65kg, Shakhiev looks the favorite to win the Worlds now despite his close bout against Rohit. He had built a 4-0 lead but gave up two takedown to trail 4-4 on criteria. But he got a stepout when Rohit got his second takedown and claimed the lead 5-0. He managed to keep the lead and win.

He will face Tokyo Olympian Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) in the semifinal after the Mongolian defeated another Tokyo Olympian in Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) 2-1 in what was a solid display of defence from the Mongolian. He scored via a penalty point against the Armenian then scored a stepout. Tevanyan also got a point for Erdenebat's passivity but it was not enough.

USA's hopes at 65kg Yianni DIAKOHAMALIS (USA) will return home without a medal after he suffered a 5-1 loss to Tevanyan. The USA wrestler was looking for his attacks but the Armenian blocked everything that was thrown at him.

In the other semifinal, Yazdani will be up against Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ). The Iran wrestler was less than clinical in his bouts but managed to beat Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL) 4-2 in the quarterfinal. Osmonov defeated Vasyl SHUPTAR (UKR) 5-3 in the quarterfinal.

#WrestleParis

Wrestling at Paris 2024: Fujinami dominates, Orta stunned

Wednesday, August 7, 2024 - 08:41 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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PARIS (August 7) -- Third day of wrestling at the Paris 2024 Olympics and we are finishing with the final two weights of Greco-Roman -- 67kg and 87kg. Women's Wrestling is continuing with 53kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS DAY 2

13:46: Saeid ESMAELI (IRI) looks impressive in ending the bid of Luis ORTA (CUB) to win consecutive Olympic golds, scoring two stepouts and a takedown in the second period to finish up a 9-0 victory. Esmaeli opens the first period with a shrug-by takedown, then adds a passivity point. Although he can't turn Orta, he shows he is the more dominant on his feet when he nearly gets a takedown that, on a challenge, results in a 2-point penalty against Orta to make it 5-0 at the break.

13:35: Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) withstands the attack of Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA) and a boisterous partisan crowd to advance to the Greco 67kg semifinals with a 3-2 win. Galstyan scores a first-period takedown, which gives him the criteria lead when Sylla ties the match with a stepout and a passivity point. Sylla had his chance but couldn't budge Galstyan from par terre, and a somewhat frivolous challenge at the end gives the Armenian his third point.

13:21: What a comeback for Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) in his Greco 67kg quarterfinal. The Tokyo silver medalist trails 6-2 going into the second period against Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), who had a 4-point takedown to maintain any criteria advantage. But Nasibov scores a takedown, then three consecutive stepouts to win 7-6.

13:12: Qianyu PANG (CHN) gets a 4-point takedown early on and rolls to a 10-0 victory over Jonna MALGREN (SWE) and a spot in the women's 53kg semifinals against Fujinami. Pang and Fujinami faced each other at the 2023 Asian Games, with Fujinami winning 10-0. 

13:07: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) gets a stepout that is upheld on an unsuccessful challenge, giving him a 3-1 win over Valentin PETIC (MDA) and a spot in the Greco 67kg semifinals.

13:02: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) falls behind in her women's 53kg quarterfinal against Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), but it's only momentarily. The Japanese star quickly retakes the lead, then bulls Batkhuyag over and gains a fall. Fujinami spends most of the match fighting off Batkhuyag's whizzer, which the Mongolian used to set up a trip for a takedown that put her ahead 2-2 on criteria early in the second period. But Fujinami quickly comes back with a pair of takedowns, scoring the fall after the second one.

12:54: Luis ORTA (CUB), the Tokyo champion at Greco 60kg, gets her quest to add the gold at 67kg with an 8-0 victory over Asian silver medalist Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN). Orta finishes the match with his third stepout of the first period.  

12:53: It ain't over til it's over. Annika WENDLE (GER) had just given up a takedown and gut wrench to fall behind 5-0 against Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) in their women's 53kg quarterfinal. Wendle, however, bulls Yetgil over on a counter and slams her onto her back for a fall.

12:48: Asian champion Saeid ESMAELI (IRI) hits a 4-point throw from par terre en route to a 10-0 victory over Ishak GHAIOU (ALG) and a place in the Greco 67kg quarterfinals.

12:45: European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) shows why he is the favorite to win gold here in Paris. He rolls over Payton JACOBSON (USA) 10-0 in two minutes and 10 seconds.

12:44: Lucia YEPEZ (VEN) powers into the women's 53kg semifinals with a victory by fall over Andreea ANA (ROU). The world bronze medalist goes ahead 5-0 in the first period with an activity point, takedown, fleeing point and lost challenge. In the second period, she takes Ana down to her back and secures the fall.

12:40: Not much scoring, but a welcome victory for the home team nonetheless. Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA) gets the second of the passivity points and he advances to the Greco 67kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 win on last-point criteria over Souleyman NASR (TUN).  

12:33: Two-time former European champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE), looking to preserve her 3-3 lead on criteria, gets in on a double against Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) in the final minute. As Arguello reaches over for a counter lift, Malmgren presses ahead and ends up with a victory by fall.  

12:30: Not the most action-packed bout Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) manages to beat Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) 2-1 and move to the quarterfinals at 87kg. He will take on Novikov.

12:29: Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) is made to work hard for his 3-2 victory over a gutsy Andres MONTANO (ECU) at Greco 67kg, scoring a creative 2-point exposure in the second period to secure a place in the quarterfinals.

12:24: Tokyo silver medalist PANG Qianyu (CHN) makes short work of Mia AQUINO (GUM) at women's 53kg, getting a quick takedown and reeling off four gut wrenches for a 10-0 win in 27 seconds.

12:21: 2022 world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) gets a takedown straight to the back and records the fall over Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR), earning her a clash with Fujinami in the women's 53kg quarterfinals. 

12:15: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Parviz NASIBOV (UKR) scores a takedown with :05 left to pull off a 3-2 victory over former world champion Mate NEMES (SRB) at Greco 77kg.

12:15: Two-time world champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) avoids the upset bug that has hit her compatriots, launching her Olympic debut with a victory by fall over Dominique PARRISH (USA) at women's 53kg. It was the match that never was at the 2022 World Championships, where Parrish won the gold after Fujinami withdrew due to injury. With the win, Fujinami stretched her current winning streak to 133 in a row dating back to junior high school.

12:10: Defending champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) has no problem seeing off Haitao QIAN (CHN) at 87kg. Followed by Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) defends from par terre and clinches a 5-1 win over Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN)

12:09: Two-time European bronze medalist Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) overwhelms 2022 world bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) for a 10-0 victory at women's 53kg. Staked to a 4-0 lead, Yetgil scores a 4-point takedown, then adds a gut wrench to end the match in 1:41.

12:05: Annika WENDLE (GER) scores a takedown with 52 seconds left, then survives a late surge by eight-time European medalist Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) to hold on for a 3-2 at women's 53kg. The 32-year-old Prevolaraki, who is looking for her first medal in three Olympic appearances, nearly gets a last-second takedown, but it ends up as a stepout on the challenge.

12:03: In a battle of former world bronze medalists, Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) gets a 4-point throw and 2-point roll from par terre, then stuffs a back roll attempt by Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) for 4 more in a 12-1 win at Greco 77kg.

11:53: Three-time reigning European 55kg champion Andreea ANA (ROU), a first-round loser three years ago in Tokyo, scores two takedowns in the second period and ousts world bronze medalist Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA) 5-0 at women's 53kg.

11:53: Valentin PETIC (MDA) gets a pair of passivity points and another 2 for an illegal hold penalty to defeat Nestor ALMANZA (CHI) 4-0 to advance to the Greco 77kg quarterfinals.

11:47: How do you start your Olympics? Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) begins with a huge five-pointer and wins his first bout at 87kg 9-0 against Carlos MUNOZ (COL)

11:42: World bronze medalist and top seed Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) dodges a bullet in edging Asian Games bronze medalist Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) 7-4 at women's 53kg. Yepez leads 4-2 when Choe scores a takedown off a single with :18 left. But Yepez takes the lead right back with a takedown five seconds later, gets a penalty point for stalling by the exhausted Choe, then holds on for the win.

11:41: European champion and two-time world medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) knocks off Tokyo bronze medalist Mohamed ELSAYAD (EGY) 9-0 in the opening match at Greco 67kg. Jafarov can't score from par terre in the first period, but gets a 4-point throw off an underhook to go ahead 5-0. He takes advantage of a second chance in par terre in the second period, getting a 2-point throw to end the match.

11:40: The first world champion wrestling today falls! Ali CENGIZ (TUR) has no answer to Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL) defense and drops his opening bout at 87kg 5-3.

11:18: After a stunning loss in yesterday's quarterfinals derailed his gold-medal hopes, Tokyo silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) earns a chance for a bronze medal with a 9-0 rout of Jair CUERO (COL). Makhmudov opens with a 4-point throw, then gets a pair of gut wrenches from par terre in the second period. He will face Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) later tonight in a bid to become a two-time Olympic medalist.

11:08: In a Greco 77kg repechage match to start the action on Mat A, European champion Aram VARDANYAN (ARM) gets three rolls from par terre in the first period, then scores a takedown in the second to close out a 9-0 victory over Abd OUAKALI (ALG).

11:05: With the women's 50kg program reshuffled by the shocking Vinesh disqualification, there is only one repechage match. World bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) builds up a six-point lead against Ibtissem DOUDOU (ALG), then ends the match at 1:53 with a 4-point throw to advance to the bronze-medal match.

11:02: A big update for tonight's 50kg final of women's wrestling

Vinesh VINESH, from NOC of India in 50kg, failed the weigh-in on day two of her competition which has forced United World Wrestling to promote Yusneylis GUZMAN LOPEZ (CUB) to the final of 50kg at the Paris Olympics. She will take on Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) in the final.

11:00: Welcome to day three at the Champs de Mars Arena.