#WrestleBudapest

Yazdani lands in Budapest with eyes on Belgrade

Wednesday, July 12, 2023 - 23:26 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 12) -- Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) has enthralled wrestling fans with perhaps some of the most exciting bouts in the last two years. His two barn burners against Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) in 2022 were a show of wrestling at its best.

Slowly, Akmataliev has become the top wrestler at 70kg despite not winning the World Championships in Oslo or Belgrade. But he is always there and about. At the 2020 Individual World Cup, he was a takedown away from beating Haji ALIYEV (AZE). He qualified for the Olympics in 2021 after pinning Ilyas BEKBULATOV (UZB).

Away from the limelight for some time, Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) has seen Akmataliev rise in the ranks. Yazdani, who holds a 2-1 head-to-head record against Akmataliev, seems to have missed opportunities to be the star at 70kg.

He was one of the victims of Akmataliev's dream run at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in 2021 and suffered a 14-12 loss against him in the final, a bout which even had former Olympic champion Alireza DABIR (IRI) shouting instructions from the stands.

To be among the contenders at 70kg come the World Championships, Yazdani has traveled to Budapest to be part of the fourth and final Ranking Series of the calendar.

United World Wrestling released the freestyle draws for the final Ranking Series Wednesday in which Yazdani is on the lower side of the bracket but faces a stern test to make the final.

Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ), Joseph MC KENNA (USA) and Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) will be eyeing a spot in the final as well which means a likely clash with Yazdani who is in action only for the second time this year.

Wrestling at the Dan Kolov in Bulgaria in March, Yazdani injured himself and had to undergo surgery.

“Due to the injury in Bulgaria, I reduced some of my training and sought treatment,” he said. “But after that, I did high-intensity exercises and now I am in good physical condition.”

He would need to be at his cent percent as he faces some of the tough names. If he does make it to the final, Yazdani would hope to have another go at Akmataliev, this time in Europe.

Akmataliev begins his campaign against U23 world champion Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO). He will fancy his chances for a win and a place in the quarterfinal.

Yazdani, despite his positive record against Akmataliev, is not taking the opponent lightly if the two meet in Budapest.

“I have wrestled him three times and lost one so I am familiar with his style and I hope I can beat him again,” Yazdani said.

At the 2019 Takhti Cup, Yazdani rolled to an 18-8 technical superiority win after catching Akmataliev in a gut-wrench. Akmataliev pulled one back in Almaty before Yazdani defeated him 10-7 at the World Cup in December.

In all three bouts, Yazdani realized that Akmataliev likes to go for the big moves. The Iranian says it is one of the strong features of Akmataliev's wrestling.

“I think he is good at big throws and working with his hands,” Yazdani said.

Akmataliev, undoubtedly, has become a top wrestler using his crafty throws from tight situations and top-level defense. His has put Yazdani in trouble, most recently at the World Cup in Iowa where the latter was clearly struggling with his conditioning.

However, Yazdani cannot have any letdowns in Budapest as the Ranking Series holds extra significance for him. It will determine Yazdani's fate for the World Championships as a win or a finish better than the other Iran wrestler in the bracket, Mohammad BAKHSHISHIRKOLAEI (IRI), will seal his place on Iran's world team.

“At the moment, I am focusing on the tournament as it will determine whether I will come to the World Championships or not,” he said.

While he would leave no stone unturned to achieve that, neither Yazdani nor Akmataliev would mind another go at each. As it can only happen in the final, Friday can give wrestling fans a bout to remember.

#WrestleZagreb

Wrestling 2025 Season Preview

Monday, February 3, 2025 - 08:02 By Vinay Siwach

Share this article

​CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (February 3) -- As the memories of the 2024 Paris Olympics and the World Championships in Tirana linger in the minds of wrestling fans, the 2025 season is already here. And it brings new hopes and a few challenges.

With the spotlight turning toward the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games, this season promises to be a crucial stepping stone in winning a medal in LA 2028.

DOWNLOAD THE 2025 SEASON PREVIEW HERE

The four Ranking Series events in 2025 and the continental championships will serve as vital platforms for athletes preparing for the World Championships in September.

Freestyle (Click here to read full Freestyle preview)

At the 2024 World Championships, Masanosuke ONO (JPN) and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) stood out. Sadulaev will return to 97kg to reclaim the gold medal he lost to Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) in 2023. The 97kg weight class is highly competitive, with Tazhudinov’s Olympic win further elevating the stakes.

Kyle SNYDER (USA), once a dominant force at 97kg, now faces a crucial year after missing the Paris Olympics podium. In the 86kg category, Iran's Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), who narrowly missed a second Olympic gold due to injury, will decide which weight class is best for him in 2025.

The season kicks off in Zagreb in February and moves to Tirana for the first two Ranking Series. The continental championships will follow and Iran’s dominance in Asia is likely to continue with top wrestlers like Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) expected to compete in the Asian Championships in Amman.

The European Championships will be key to gauging team strengths, with Azerbaijan looking to build on a successful 2024. The form of neutral athletes will also be under the scanner in Slovakia. The Pan-American Championships in May will see the United States dominate.

The World Championships will feature fierce competition, with new faces emerging in the U.S. and Iran, and Japan announcing themselves in style at the Olympics. Add to the mix the neutral athletes and we have a blockbuster.

Japan will be challenged at the World Championships by Iran, U.S., AINs and dark horses like Azerbaijan, Georgia, Armenia, Kyrgyzstan, and Mongolia.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)Iran won two gold medals at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Greco-Roman (Click here to reach full Greco-Roman preview)

Can Iran be topped as the best Greco-Roman country? This will be the big question of 2025 as Iran, which had an outstanding Olympics and age-group World Championships, tries to bring more talented wrestlers in its line-up.

Iran excels in the heavier weight classes, with champions like Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) at 82kg, Alireza MOHAMMADI (IRI) at 87kg, Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) at 97kg, and Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg. It will try new faces in the lower weight classes with Olympic champion Saied ESMAEILI (IRI) staying at 67kg.

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN)Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), blue, and Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) have dominated the 60kg weight class in recent past. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Japan and Kyrgyzstan had successful Olympics. However, the latter is still searching for a gold medal. The rivalry between Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and and Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) is likely to continue in 2025 along with Nao KUSAKA (JPN) and Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 77kg.

Europe will have more competition with Azerbaijan, Turkiye, Armenia, Ukraine, Bulgaria, Georgia, Hungary and the neutral athletes in contention. The 77kg and 87kg weight class will be the most contested and it will be interesting to see who will be the new stars of 97kg and 130kg.

Greco-Roman is unpredictable at the World Championships. There is not one weight class that his a favorite. However, one can expect Azerbaijan, Iran, Japan, Kyrgyzstan, Cuba, Armenia, Hungary and a few AINs to be on the podium.

JapanJapan won eight gold medals at the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Women's Wrestling (Click here to read full Women's Wrestling preview)

Japan remains the dominant force in women’s wrestling, securing four of the six gold medals at the Paris Olympics, including their first-ever win at 76kg.

The United States, which claimed the remaining two golds, stands as Japan’s primary challenger. Amit ELOR (USA) and Kennedy BLADES (USA) will lead the U.S. charge in the build-up to the 2028 LA Games, with both nations having strong domestic qualifying systems.

China has had success at the Olympics and World Championships but struggles to challenge Japan at the senior level. In Asia, China faces increasing competition from India and Kyrgyzstan.

IndiaIndia has shown rapid rise in Women's Wrestling. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

India's growing success in age-group wrestling shows promise, but its performance at the senior level, especially at the World Championships, remains inconsistent. Wrestlers like ANTIM (IND), ANSHU (IND), NISHA (IND), and REETIKA (IND) have potential but must maintain consistency.

Kyrgyzstan, with two Olympic medalists in Paris, is aiming for gold next cycle. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) still has more to give, while Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will lead the new generation.

European countries struggled in Paris, winning only four medals out 24, failing to secure medals in 50kg, 53kg, and 76kg.

One team that is gives hope is Ukraine, led by with Paris medalist Iryna KOLIDENKO (UKR), and boosted by return of Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) and rise of Iryna BONDAR (UKR).

Despite emerging challenges, Japan continues to be the team to beat in women’s wrestling.