#WrestleTokyo

#WrestleTokyo Olympic Games Preview: 57kg

Thursday, July 29, 2021 - 15:08 By Eric Olanowski

Share this article

TOKYO, Japan (July 20) – Zaur UGUEV (RUS) has been the gold standard at 57kg since he bolstered his resume with a pair of world titles in '18 and '19. The 26-year-old Khasavyurt, Dagestan native heads into the Tokyo Olympic Games with 15 men chasing down the head-topping crown he's held since '18. He's riding a five-tournament 16-match win streak and is seeded second at 57kg, one spot behind Serbia's history-making Olympian, Stevan MICIC (SRB).

Micic, Serbia's first-ever freestyle Olympian, won the tight-knit race for the 57kg top seed after claiming gold at the final Ranking Series event of the season, the Poland Open. He earned 62 Ranking Series points and finished two points ahead of Uguev.

Uguev dropped to an uncharacteristic 23rd-place finish at the '17 World Championships but has since terrorized the rest of the 57kg field on his way to winning back-to-back world titles. Since that loss, the spry and agile lightweight has medaled at 15 consecutive events and has podium-topping finishes in 12 of those appearances.

His last loss came at the '19 European Games, where he fell to eventual champion Mahir AMIRSLANOV (AZE). But Uguev won't have to worry about the young Azeri, as he failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympic Games.

Uguev's path to joining fellow Russian lightweight Olympic champions Mavlet BATIROV (' 04) and Djamal OTARSULTANOV (' 12) will have to go through an insanely loaded tier-two field. That group is highlighted by fellow world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) and world medalists Suleyman ATLI (TUR), Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL), Thomas GILMAN (USA), Kumar RAVI (IND) and Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ).

Takahashi has been on a rollercoaster ride filled with mixed emotions since grabbing world supremacy in Paris in '17. He regressed to a bronze medal finish in Budapest and had a tenth-placing showing in Nur-Sultan, but capitalized on his opportunity to qualify Japan for the Olympic Games after he won the '21 World Olympic Qualifier. Then, in early June, the 27-year-old punched his ticket to Tokyo with a special playoff win over Rio Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN).

Turkey's ever-improving Atli has been a regular fixture on the 57kg podium over the last few years. The third-seed at 57kg made his world-level debut on the Turkish roster at the '17 World Championships and has since claimed a pair of world medals. Since his breakout performance in Budapest, the 27-year-old has compiled an 8-2 world championship record en route to bronze and silver medal finishes, respectively, at the '18 and '19 World Championships.

Atli will be on the bottom side of the bracket with second-seeded Uguev.

India's Ravi is the fourth-seeded guy at 57kg, so he'll be positioned on the top side of the bracket with Micic.

Ravi, the 24- year-old Haryana product, surprised the field in Nur-Sultan with four presence-announcing wins in his first senior-level world appearance. He dropped a close one in the semifinals against Uguev, but fought back and scored four wins, including top-notch wins over world champion Takahashi and European champion Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) route to a bronze-medal finish.

Other non-seeded past world-meal threats include Erdenebat, Gilman and Sanayev. 

Sanayev is only two World Championships removed from falling to Uguev by two points in the gold-medal match. Although it was a slight step down, the Chadan, Russian-born Kazakh grasped a second world medal in '19. He fell to Atli in the semifinals but bounced back to beat Micic for world gold.

Erdenebat, a two-time world bronze medalist ('15 and '17), is set to make his second Olympic appearance. The 28-years-old from Ulan Bator punched his ticket to Tokyo with a decisive 6-2 semifinal win over three-time European champion Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE) at the World Olympic Qualifier in Sofia. He's now looking to improve on his 16th place from Rio.

America's 27-year-old '17 world runner-up Gilman will return to America's world-level roster for the first time since finishing in fifth place at the '18 World Championships. He lost his starting spot to Daton FIX (USA) in '19 but rebounded to his winning ways in '20. The two-time Ranking Series champion won the 57kg title at the '20 Pan American Olympic Qualifier and qualified the USA for Tokyo. He earned his spot on America's Tokyo roster with two wins over '19 junior world silver medalist Vitali ARUJAU (USA) in the U.S. Olympic Trial finals.

Other rising stars who can make some noise at 57kg are Arsen Harutyunyan and Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS).

After struggling with the massive weight cut, Harutyunyan returned to his attack-first mindset. Since that disappointing 16th place finish in Nur-Sultan, the '19 European champion at 61kg has three 57kg medals -- including a gold at the European Olympic Qualifier and a silver medal finish at the Individual World Cup where he dropped the gold-medal match to Uguev.

Iuna Fafe heads into Tokyo riding a two tournament win streak. The 20-year-old stole the show in Hammamet at the Africa and Oceania Olympic Qualifier after beating African silver medalist Gamal MOHAMED (EGY), three-time Commonwealth Games silver-medalist Ebikewenimo WELSON (NGR) and 2016 Rio Olympian Chakir ANSARI (MAR), the 19-year-old pinned two-time African champion Abdelhak KHERBACHE (ALG) in just 57 seconds en route to the 57kg title. He followed that up with a gold-medal performance at the City of Sassari Tournament at the end of June.

Wrestling at the Tokyo Olympic Games kicks off August 1-7 at the Makuhari Messe with 57kg action beginning on August 4.

57kg Entries
No. 1 Stevan Andria MICIC (SRB)
No. 2 Zavur UGUEV (RUS)
No. 3 Suleyman ATLI (TUR)
No. 4 Kumar RAVI (IND)
Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ)
Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI)
Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS)
Abdelhak KHERBACHE (ALG)
Thomas GILMAN (USA)
Oscar Eduardo TIGREROS URBANO (COL)
Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM)
Georgi VANGELOV (BUL)
Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB)
Minghu LIU (CHN)
Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN)
Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL)

#WrestleTirana

U23 Worlds: Iran, Moldova split Greco golds

Thursday, October 24, 2024 - 05:48 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

TIRANA, Albania (October 23) -- Iran and Moldova emerged as the top nations on the third day of the U23 World Championships in Tirana, Albania with them winning two gold medals each. Iran won the team title with 149 points with yet another incredible performance. Georgia followed with a second-place finish with 121 points and Armenia was third with 93 points.

Iran's first gold medal of the day came from U20 world champion Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) as he added the U23 world title to his growing resume. He won the U17 world title in 2022.

The 19-year-old was up against European silver medalist Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final but apart from par terre in the first period, he never looked in trouble. Mammadov got two points for a correct throw to lead 3-0 at the break.

Ahmadi Vafa got the par terre in the second period and scored two turns to lead 5-3. He went into defensive soon and was hit with the third passivity. But it proved fatal for Mammadov who was stopped in the middle of a turn from Ahmadi Vafa. With a 7-3 lead, Ahmadi Vafa hit a huge four-pointer on the edge to win the bout 11-3 and his third age-group gold medal.

"It was decided by the coaching staff to compete at the U23 World Championships after the U20 one," Ahmadi Vafa said. "Thank God, I was able to participate and return to Iran with a gold medal"

Ahmadi Vafa credits his training this year and his study of his opponents as the major factors for his improvement after suffering close losses in the age-group World Championships last year. 

"I worked really hard this year," he said. "I spent a full year in training camp and put in a lot of effort. A thorough analysis with the coaching staff made me win. I was able to reap the rewards of all my hard work over the past year."

In the 45-day break between the U20 and U23 World Championships, Ahmadi Vafa trained with the senior team. 

"A few days after we returned to Iran, we went to the senior camp," he said. "We were under a lot of physical strain, so the coaching staff decided to make our training sessions a bit lighter than the others.

"Our bodies responded well. I always felt deep inside that I could do it. I always say that I’m the best in my weight class."

To be on Iran's senior team, Ahmadi Vafa would have had to go through Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) who is the senior team member. However, the Iran federation has asked him to move to the 60kg weight class.

"He has a senior medal, and I have a lot of respect for him," he said. "We are from the same hometown. We’ve trained together several times at the senior camp, and he’s a really good opponent for me, and I might be a good opponent for him too.

"But the decision of the coaches is that I have to move up to the new weight category of 60kg, which will be a lot tougher. But I need to work harder to be able to win the gold medal at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics."

Multiple-time age-group world champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) added the U23 world title with a dominant run in Tirana. With three technical superiority victories, Hedayati won the final 6-0 against Dmitrii BABORYKO (AIN).

Hedayati, in which typical style, began attacking relentlessly and soon scored a couple of stepouts. He was also awarded the par terre but he could not score any points. After leading 6-0, Hedayati scored a takedown to finish the bout 8-0 but Baboryko challenged. On review, Hedayati was warned for pushing and the score was reversed to 6-0.

The 21-year-old managed to hang on to that lead and win the gold medal.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA)Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) scores two points over Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER) in the 77kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

For Moldova, Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) defended his U23 world title at 77kg and Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) denied Japan's Komei SAWADA (JPN) in the 63kg final to win the gold medal.

Gutu, who has a U17 world title as well, was competing at his fourth U23 World Championships and has won medals in three of them with two golds. Wrestling Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER) in the final on Wednesday, Gutu used his signature front headlock to score exposure. That remained the difference as he clinched a 3-1 victory.

The win gave Gutu something to cherish after a disappointing season in which he failed to qualify for the Olympics and finished with only a bronze medal in four tournaments.

"This championships is very important for me," Gutu said. "As everyone knows, I lost at the Olympic qualifiers. I couldn’t even win the European Championships. This was the last tournament of the year. I needed to show a good performance here. I am really happy that I’ve won."

After dealing with the disappointment of failing just one win short of winning a ticket to the Paris Olympics, Gutu took some time to motivate himself to return to the mat.

"After the qualifiers in Baku, it was difficult to recover," he said. "I can’t even describe it. I was not just one step away, I was one percent away from that spot. It was very disappointing. 

"I’ve always had that motivation. The younger generation looks up to me. My family and my coaches are always there for me. I can’t let them all down. I will keep working until I get what I want."

Eriomenco added to the party with the 63kg gold as he defeated Swada in a very one-sided final. He got two turns from par terre to lead 5-0 at the break. Swada opened the second period with a stepout and then a point for par terre. As he was trying the gut-wrench, Eriomenco got out of the hold and scored a reversal to make it 6-2. Two easy turns made it 10-2, ending the match with technical superiority.

"I’ve been working so hard to reach this," Eriomenco said. "I’ve finished third three times at the European Championships and last year I was third at the Worlds. I was motivated to win this gold. I’ve never won even the European championships, but now I have won the World gold. I came here only for gold."

The difference between the physicality of the two wrestlers stood out and Eriomenco acknowledged that it worked to his advantage.

"From the beginning, I could feel that I was physically stronger," he said. "That’s when I got the confidence that I could win. The first match was the toughest one, then it was a bit easier. The final match was the most difficult. It was mentally tough to get ready for that match, because I really wanted the gold medal and no less."

Eriomenco is scheduled to compete at the Non-Olympic Weight Classes World Championships and is keen to leave an impression.

"It’s definitely going to be difficult to compete at two competitions in a raw," he said. "I won’t let the weight go up a lot. I will keep it down. I think everything is going to be ok. I know all my competitors. We’ve been training together at camps, we’ve been wrestling each other at competitions."

Fellow gold medalist Gutu also praised his compatriot and friend for his gold medal. 

"Eriomenco is my best friend," Gutu said. "I am so happy for him, because he was always so close, but he could never win. He became the World champion, I am really happy for him and it motivated me a lot to win my gold medal as well."

Anes GONIBOV (AIN)Anes GONIBOV (AIN) defeated Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) in the 87kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) had the chance to add a second title to his U20 one from 2021. However, he fell short and dropped his 87kg final against Anes GONIBOV (AIN) 4-0.

Gonibov got par terre position in both the periods which made his lead 2-0. Sterkenburg tried desperately for a takedown but failed and Gonibov managed to score and lead 4-0. The win for Gonibov gives him his second world tittle to along with his gold medal at the U23 World Championships at 82kg.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) df. Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE), 11-3

BRONZE: Vishvajit MORE (IND) df. Adam ULBASHEV (AIN), 14-10
BRONZE: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) df. William SULLIVAN (USA), 11-1

63kg
GOLD: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df. Komei SAWADA (JPN), 10-2

BRONZE: Erfan JARKANI (IRI) df. Arman VARDANYAN (ARM), 8-0
BRONZE: Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) df. Bekir ATES (TUR), via fall

77kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Samuel BELLSCHEIDT (GER), 3-1

BRONZE: Khasay HASANLI (AZE) df. Temuri ORJONIKIDZE (GEO), 
BRONZE: Ali OSKOU (IRI) df. Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB), 6-4

87kg
GOLD: Aues GONIBOV (AIN) df. Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), 4-0

BRONZE: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) df. Payton JACOBSON (USA), 9-0
BRONZE: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Yasin YAZDI (IRI), 4-4

130kg
GOLD: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) df. Dmitrii BABORYKO (AIN), 6-0

BRONZE: Giorgi TSOPURASHVILI (GEO) df. Albert VARDANYAN (ARM), 1-1
BRONZE: Koppany LASZLO (HUN) df. Pavel HLINCHUK (AIN), 9-1

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Natalia PUDOVA (AIN) vs. Sage MORTIMER (USA)

SF 1: Natalia PUDOVA (AIN) df. Natallia VARAKINA (AIN), 8-2
SF 2: Sage MORTIMER (USA) df. Umi ITO (JPN), via fall (4-12)

55kg
GOLD: Zeltzin HERNANDEZ GUERRA (MEX) vs. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE)

SF 1: Zeltzin HERNANDEZ GUERRA (MEX) df. Amani JONES (USA), via fall (4-5)
SF 2: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) df. Ekaterina KARPUSHKINA (AIN), 7-0

59kg
GOLD: ANJLI (IND) vs. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR)

SF 1: ANJLI (IND) df. Aurora RUSSO (ITA), via fall (4-0)
SF 2: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) df. Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN), 5-2

68kg
GOLD: Aues GONIBOV (AIN) vs. Marcel STERKENBURG (NED)

SF 1: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Alina SHAUCHUK (AIN), via fall (3-0)
SF 2: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Xinze DU (CHN), 10-0

76kg
GOLD: Shuiyan CHENG (CHN) vs. Yelena MAKOYED (USA)

SF 1: Shuiyan CHENG (CHN) df. Zsofia VIRAG (HUN), 10-0
SF 2: Yelena MAKOYED (USA) df. Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN), via fall (13-2)