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

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

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.

#WrestleOslo

#WrestleOslo: Yazdani Finally Upends Taylor, Takes 86kg Gold on Monumental Day for Iran

Sunday, October 3, 2021 - 21:09 By Ken Marantz

OSLO, Norway (October 3) -- There would be no last-minute comeback this time. Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), so unbeatable against everyone else, could finally walk off the mat a winner over rival David TAYLOR (USA) for the first time in four career clashes.

Yazdani controlled the match from start to finish to notch a solid 6-2 victory over Taylor in the highly anticipated 86kg final as four freestyle titles were decided on the second day of the World Championships in Oslo on Sunday.

Yazdani's victory, coming two months after a heartbreaking loss to Taylor in the final at the Tokyo Olympics, gave him a third world title to go with his 2016 Rio Olympic gold, and capped a remarkable day for Iran in the Jordal Amfi arena.

"I made the people of Iran happy," Yazdani said. "I need to appreciate Taylor, because he worked as a motivation and inspiration for me to work better and better and become the champion."

The vocal contingent of Iranian fans were also sent into a frenzy when rising star Amir ZARE (IRI) claimed the 125kg title, having earlier seen Iran gain finalists in all four weight classes that got underway Sunday, including Yazdani's cousin Amir YAZDANI (IRI).

"Iran always supports their wrestlers and fans here were great," Yazdani said. "And it was because of them and God I won."

The United States had mixed success in the two other finals, with Kyle DAKE (USA) prevailing at 74kg, but Daton FIX (USA) coming up short against Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RWF) at 61kg.

In Tokyo, Yazdani had to settle for the Olympic silver when Taylor scored a takedown with 17 seconds left for a 4-3 win in the final. On Sunday, he never gave the American the chance to get close.

Yazdani continually kept the pressure on, using an underhook to force Taylor to the edge and score a pair of stepout points in the first period. In the second period, he added a takedown, before Taylor got on the scoreboard with a takedown with 1:03 left.

With the clock ticking down, Taylor tried a counter lift, but Yazdani held firm and dumped him to the mat for a takedown and the final points of an well-earned victory.

"He's a great competitor," said Taylor, whose lone world title came in 2018, where he beat Yazdani in the first round. "Not my day."

Asked what he could have done differently, Taylor quipped, "Scored my points. He's a good wrestler. We will go again."

Amir ZARE (IRI) defeated Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) 9-2 in the 125kg final in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Zare, a 2019 world U23 champion and junior silver medalist, also avenged a loss from Tokyo in beating three-time defending champion Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 125kg final, and he did it with an emphatic 9-2 win.

The 20-year-old Zare lost 6-3 to Petriashivili in the semifinals in Tokyo, where the Iranian went on to take the bronze medal. Petriashivili ended up with the silver after losing in the final to Gable STEVESON (USA), who opted not to make the trip to Oslo.

"After winning the bronze medal at the Olympics, I began working on my weakness right after I stepped down from the podium," Zare said.

On Sunday, Petriashvili struck first with a double-leg takedown, but that would be end of his scoring as Zare maintained a solid wall of defense that led to two takedowns off counters as well as three stepouts.

"The final was very hard against Geno," Zare said. "I had analyzed everything for this match and prepared accordingly. And thank God everything went as planned."

Dake, coming off a bronze-medal run at the Tokyo Olympics, picked up his third world title and first at 74kg with a 7-3 victory over Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK).

"The first two times I was a young buck coming up, this time I faced adversity in Tokyo," Dake said "Put that behind me and it feels nice to be back on top."

Kyle DAKE (USA) became a three-time world champion in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Dake, who won his two previous golds at 79kg in 2018-19, stayed focused after falling behind 2-1 in the second period on a second stepout. The American went ahead with a takedown from a single-leg to a body lock midway through the period, then put the matter to rest with a takedown to a roll.

"There is a lot that goes into this," Dake said. "You guys get to see the glory of it. It is hard. The guys that are here in the tournament and guys back home putting countless hours to get me here.

"I want to thank my coaches, trainers, everybody for getting me here. My wife for managing the kids. I have two little girls and we got another one on the way. Really happy to win and represent my country."

The Russian-born Salkazanov became the fourth world medalist in Slovakian history, although he will rue missing out on becoming its first gold medalist.

At 61kg, Magomedov capped his senior world debut with a workmanlike 4-1 victory over Fix in the final.

"As you can see, I am the world champion, which means my final match went successfully,"Magomedov said. "I've been working hard for that and I am really glad."

Magomedov, this year's European champion and 2018 world junior gold medalist, received two activity clock points, then put the match away with a takedown off a counter against the ever-attacking Fix.

"Honestly, my plan was either to pin the opponent or finish 10-0," Magomedov said. "I kind of tried to pin him, but I couldn't make it, so it is 4-1 and I am satisfied with the victory. It's the World Championships, you never have easy opponents here. I am really glad."

Magomedov, who won a second straight national title in March, was accorded the honor of being named to the Russian federation team without having to go through the trials. The only other wrestler to have such treatment was 97kg superstar Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF).

Magomedov, who said he plans to go up to the Olympic weight of 65kg, got the ultimate compliment from his coach after his victory.

"He said that I am a real man," Magomedov said. "If someone calls you a real man, it's really nice. After the victory, I could see in his emotions that he was really happy. It was our first final for today, so Russia already has one gold medal."

Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RWF) after winning the 61kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In the bronze-medal matches, Azamat NURYKAU (BLR) was denied a place on the podium yet again when Fazil ERYILMAZ (TUR) gained a late activity clock point for a 2-1 victory at 74kg.

Nurykau, competing in his seventh World Championships, had previously made it to the bronze-medal match in 2014, 2015 and 2017 -- and lost every time. For Eryilmaz, who finished third at the Individual World Cup in 2020, it marks his first world medal on any level.

Timur BIZHOEV (RWF), a 2018 world U23 bronze medalist, rallied from a 1-6 deficit to defeat Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), 8-6, for the other 74kg bronze medal. Kentchadze's younger brother, Nika, will wrestle for a 79kg bronze on Monday.

At 125kg, 2016 Rio Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) earned his sixth world medal -- he now has two of each color -- when he scored all of his points in the first period in beating two-time world bronze medalist Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), 6-4.

In the other match, 2019 world U23 bronze medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) scored 4 points with a takedown-lace lock combination in the first period enroute to a 5-3 victory over Asian champion Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ).

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Artur NAIFONOV (RWF) picked up his second world bronze at 86kg, riding a first-period takedown and second-period activity point to a 3-0 victory over Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ).

The other 86kg bronze went to 2019 world U23 silver medalist and two-time world junior medalist Abubakr ABARAKOV (AZE), who went on a 8-point tear in the second period then held on to defeat Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 9-5.

At 61kg, Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) added a senior world bronze to the two he won on the junior level in 2017-18 when he manhandled Ravinder DAHIYA (IND) with a 10-0 technical fall in 2:16.

That Dahiya made it to the bronze-medal match was a small miracle in itself. In the repechage, he was getting hammered 0-8 by Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) when he determinedly put his opponent on his back and scored a fall at 2:36.

Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), the 2018 world U23 champion at 57kg, put on a takedown clinic and gained a pair of unorthodox exposures in a 12-1 technical fall over Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) for the other 61kg bronze.

On Monday, superstar Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) takes the mat as the final two freestyle weight classes of 70kg and 97kg, as well as the women's 55kg and 62kg divisions.

Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI) Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) won the gold medal at 86kg after beating David TAYLOR (USA). (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Day 2 Results

Freestyle

57kg
Semifinal: Thomas GILMAN (USA) df. Horst LEHR (GER) by TF, 15-5, 5:27
Semifinal: Alireza SARLAK (IRI) df. Suleyman ATLI (TUR), 7-4

61kg
GOLD - Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (RWF) df. Daton FIX (USA), 4-1

BRONZE: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Ravinder DAHIYA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 2:15
BRONZE: Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) df. Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) by TF, 12-1, 5:34

65kg
Semifinal: Amir YAZDANI (IRI) df. Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ), 5-4
Semifinal: Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), 4-4

74kg
GOLD: Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), 7-3

BRONZE: Fazil ERYILMAZ (TUR) df. Azamat NURYKAU (BLR), 2-1
BRONZE: Timur BIZHOEV (RWF) df. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), 8-6

79kg
Semifinal: Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Ryuki YOSHIDA (JPN), 10-1
Semifinal: Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) df. Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO), 6-5

86kg
GOLD: Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. David TAYLOR (USA), 6-2

BRONZE: Abubakr ABARAKOV (AZE) df. Boris MAKOEV (SVK), 9-5
BRONZE: Artur NAIFONOV (RWF) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 3-0

92kg
Semifinal: Magomed KURBANOV (RWF) df. Osman NURMAGODMEDOV (AZE), 7-4
Semifinal: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. J'den COX (USA), 3-3

125kg
GOLD: Amir ZARE (IRI) df. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), 9-2

BRONZE: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) df. Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ), 5-3
BRONZE: Taha AKGUL (TUR) df. Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), 6-4

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

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#WrestleOslo: Yazdani Finally Upends Taylor, Takes 86kg Gold on Monumental Day for Iran