#WrestleOslo

Yazdani details emotional win over Taylor that propelled him to third world title

Friday, November 26, 2021 - 12:58 By Eric Olanowski

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OSLO, Norway (November 26) --- Hassan “The Greatest” YAZDANI (IRI) headed into the Oslo World Championships with revenge on his mind. He lost to career rival David TAYLOR (USA) in three consecutive matches – including once in August via a last-second takedown in the Tokyo Olympic finals.

Yazdani turned the tides in Oslo on a cold October night and exacted revenge on Taylor and claimed his third world title.

United World Wrestling sat down with Yazdani after his epic win to talk about the losses that drove him to become a three-time world champion, what was different about his Iranian team in Oslo and what’s motivating him to chase a second Olympic gold medal.

The Epic Oslo Matchup:
Yazdani controlled the 86kg world finals match from start to finish to notch a solid 6-2 victory over Taylor in the highly anticipated 86kg final at the Oslo World Championships.

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 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."

#WrestleZagreb

Zagreb Open Ranking Series day two finals set

Thursday, February 2, 2023 - 08:50 By Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (February 2) -- The Zagreb Open enters its second day with four freestyle and two women's wrestling weight classes. World and Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will be in action with a potential semifinal clash against Mariya STADNIK (AZE). In freestyle, Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) are also in action. The wrestlers have a two-kilogram weight allowance and will be awarded prize money for winning medals at this Ranking Series.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The finals for the evening session are set

79kg
Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) vs. Ali Bakhtiar SAVADKOUHI (IRI)

92kg
Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) vs. Kollin MOORE (USA)

97kg
Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) vs. Kyle SNYDER (USA)

125kg
Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) vs. Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) 

WW 50kg
Jiang ZHU (CHN) vs. Yui SUSAKI (JPN)

WW 55kg
Round 5: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA)

13:00: Little anti-climatic finish to the morning session in Zagreb. Mariya STADNIK (AZE) pulls out of the semifinal against Yui SUSAKI (JPN). The 50kg final will feature Susaki and Jiang ZHU (CHN).

12:45: Moving into the 97kg final is Kyle SNYDER (USA) as he beats Radoslaw BARAN (POL) 10-0. He will face Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) in the final who defeated Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) 10-0 in the other semifinal

12:35: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) moves into the final at 125kg after a controlled 9-2 win over Daniel LIGETI (HUN). He will face Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) for the gold medal. Meshvildishvili defeated Georgi IVANOV (BUL) via fall in the other semifinal 

12:15: Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is up against world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) on Mat B. The strength from Stadnik to score the first takedown! She gets to a single leg and despite the defense from Dolgorjav, she manages to score two points. Another strong tackle from Stadnik and she leads 4-0. She has slowed down since, trying to disperse the pressure from Dolgorjav. Stadnik gives up a stepout, and is cautioned for locking fingers but she does well to defend the rest of the bout and win 6-2.

12:00: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) moves into the semifinals at 50kg with a technical superiority win over Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB). While she has won every World Championships and Olympics, Susaki is chasing a second Olympic gold in Paris.

11:40: After a 17-month absence, Mariya STADNIK (AZE) is back! She quickly moves into the quarterfinals at 50kg with a technical superiority over Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB). She could clash with Yui SUSAKI (JPN) in the semifinal.

11:30: Kollin MOORE (USA) gave world bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) a tough time in the 92kg quarterfinals. Moore with an 8-3 win to advance to the semifinals.

11:15: Back-to-back falls at 50kg on Mat A. First Ziqi FENG (CHN) pins Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA) before Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) pins Meng FAN (CHN).

10:55: On Mat B, Ali SAVAKOUHI (IRI) rolls to a technical superiority win over Peilong LI (CHN) at 79kg. He is the favorite to win the gold here.

10:50: On Mat A, Kyle SNYDER (USA) is up against Mogomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE). Snyder gets the point for Magomedov's passivity. But the Azerbaijan wrestler manages to circle behind and score a takedown to lead 2-1 at the break. A front lift for exposure for Magomedov in the second period, Snyder with a reversal. Snyder is building the pressure and Magomedov cannot keep up. Snyder with two takedowns to lead 6-4. A stepout for Snyder. A fierce battle between the two but Snyder wins 7-4.

10:45: At 97kg, Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) and Nishan Preet RANDHAWA (CAN) are wrestling. Azarpira with a stepout. Azarpira with some constant attacks and he moves to an 11-0 win.

10:30: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) is the favorite to win the 125kg weight class. He begins respecting that tag and wins 10-0 against Milan KORCSOG (HUN).

10:15: U23 and U20 world champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) gives a peek into what this day may look like. She wins 10-0 against Laura STANELYTE (LTU) at 55kg. Japan is returning to a Ranking Series event after five years.

10:00: Welcome to the second day of the Zagreb Open with freestyle 79kg, 92kg, 97kg and 125kg along with women's wrestling 50kg and 55kg.