#WrestleBelgrade

Zhamalov Rallies Late to Stun Chamizo, Russia Crowns 4 FS Champs

By Andrew Hipps

Links:
Finals Highlights
Day 6 Photos

BELGRADE, Serbia (December 17) -- Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) came from behind late to stun two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and earn the 74kg freestyle gold medal Thursday night at the Individual World Cup in Belgrade, Serbia.

Zhamalov, a 2019 U23 world champion, was one of four freestyle gold medalists for Russia on Thursday. 

In the 74kg final, Zhamalov scored the first point of the match off the activity clock and took a 1-0 lead into the break. Chamizo grabbed a 2-1 lead a minute into second period after securing a hard-fought takedown. Zhamlov kept the pressure on Chamizo, attempting a duck under with 25 seconds left. After Chamizo fended it off, Zhamalov came up with a body lock before eventually securing Chamizo's leg. With just under 10 seconds remaining, Zhamlov slipped behind Chamizo and scored a two-point action with two seconds remaining to earn the come-from-behind victory, 4-2.

Zavur UGUEV (RUS) won the gold at 57kg (Photo: Kadir CALISKAN, UWW)

Russia's other gold medals Thursday came from Zavur UGUEV (57kg), Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (92kg) and Shamil SHARIPOV (125kg).

Uguev, a two-time world champion, was dominant in the 57kg final, earning a 10-0 technical superiority over 2018 junior world bronze medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM). The 25-year-old Russian quickly went up 4-0 after a takedown off an ankle pick and gut wrench. A short time later, Uguev shot in and scored a takedown before locking up his gut wrench again and turning Harutyunyan twice to end the match in under a minute.

Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) shut out Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) to win gold at 92kg (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Zhabrailov, a 2019 world bronze medalist, claimed his gold by shutting out Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) 6-0 in the 92kg final. The Russian controlled the match from start to finish, getting a takedown in the opening period. He added a second takedown late in the match before getting a turn off a leg lace in the final five seconds. 

Shamil SHARIPOV (RUS) overcome with emotion after winning the gold medal at 125kg (Photo: Kadir CALISKAN, UWW)

Sharipov captured the gold at 125kg with a 4-1 win over European silver medalist Robert BARAN (POL). After leading 1-0 at the break, the Russian heavyweight scored in the second period with a step out before firing off a double leg and driving Baran to the edge of the mat for a takedown. Baran would get a late step out, but it would be too little, too late. 

Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) gets in on a shot against Haydar YAVUZ (TUR) in the 70kg final (Photo: Gabor MARTIN, UWW)

Baran was one of two Polish wrestlers competing for gold Thursday night. The other, Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), came through to win the title at 70kg by injury default over 2020 European bronze medalist Haydar YAVUZ (TUR). Gadzhiev, a two-time world medalist and two-time European champion, held a 5-0 lead on the strength of two takedowns in the second period prior to Yavuz defaulting.

Turkey finished the day with three medals. In addition to Yavuz's silver medal, Fazli ERYILMAZ (74kg) and Erhan YAYLACI (92kg) won bronze medals.

Kyrgyzstan won a pair of medals, with Islambek OROZBEKOV (70kg) and Aiaal LAZAREV (125kg) securing bronze. 

Andrii YATSENKO (UKR) and Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) won the bronze medals at 57kg. Yatsenko scored a late takedown to defeat Stevan MICIC (SRB), while Amouzadkhalili shut out Uladzislau ANDREYEU (BLR).

Other bronze medalists included Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) at 70kg, Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) at 74kg, Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) at 92kg and Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR) at 125kg.

Freestyle Medal Match Results

57kg
GOLD: Zavur UGUEV (RUS) df. Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) by VSU, 10-0
BRONZE: Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) df. Uladzislau ANDREYEU (BLR) by VPO, 4-0
BRONZE: Andrii YATSENKO (UKR) df. Stevan MICIC (SRB) by VPO1, 4-2

70kg
GOLD: Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) df. Haydar YAVUZ (TUR) by VIN, 5-0
BRONZE: Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) df. Chermen VALIEV (RUS) by VIN, 0-0
BRONZE: Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) df. Gitinomagomed GADZHIYEV (AZE) by VPO1, 6-5

74kg
GOLD: Razambek ZHAMALOV (RUS) df. Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) by VPO1, 4-2
BRONZE: Fazli ERYILMAZ (TUR) df. Azamat NURYKAU (BLR) by VPO1, 7-2
BRONZE: Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) df. Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN) by VPO1, 2-2

92kg
GOLD: Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) df. Georgii RUBAEV (MDA) by VPO, 6-0
BRONZE: Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) df. Gadzhimurad MAGOMEDSAIDOV (AZE) by VPO1, 4-2
BRONZE: Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) df. Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR) by VPO1, 8-4

125kg
GOLD: Shamil SHARIPOV (RUS) df. Robert BARAN (POL) by VPO1, 4-1
BRONZE: Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) df. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) 
by VSU, 11-0
BRONZE: Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (BLR) df. Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) 
by VPO1, 6-5
 

#WrestleBelgrade

Japan puts four in World Championships finals

By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 19) -- A few legends of the sport have fallen at this World Championships in Belgrade and Adeline GRAY (USA) joined that unwanted list as Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) defeated her in the quarterfinals at 76kg.

Gray, coming back to wrestling after giving birth to twins, was looking to become a seven-time world champion which would have made her the United States' most successful wrestler. But Kagami ruined that plan by etching a 4-1 win after two takedowns against Gray's one point in the activity period.

Kagami then return to beat Milaimys MARIN (CUB) 5-1 and confirm her ticket to Paris Olympics as Japan will be sending the medalist from the World Championships directly to the 2024 Games.

"I was very excited and nervous for the Gray bout," Kagami said. "But I think I came prepared to win the match."

Kagami will take on Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) for the gold medal as the Kyrgyzstan wrestler defeated Tatiana RENTERIA (COL), another Pan-Am star, via fall in the other semifinal.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN)Yui SUSAKI (JPN) managed to win 4-2 against Ziqi FENG (CHN). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

While she did not lose, Yui SUSAKI (JPN) had a rare off day on the mat as her opponents managed to score three points on her in two bouts. The first was Alisson CARDOZO (ECU) who scored a stepout before Susaki punished her with a leg lace. Susaki pinned Emilia VUC (ROU) in the quarterfinals.

Ziqi FENG (CHN) pushed Susaki to the limits, even scoring exposure over Susaki, but the Tokyo Olympic champion hung on for a 4-2 win and an automatic ticket to Paris where she will look to defend her title.

Susaki, who failed to hold her tears back in an interview, said that it was a tough bout but she was prepared.

"The Chinese wrestler was strong in defense and power," Susaki said. "Before this tournament, I was in a difficult situation which I will talk about only after gold medal tournament."

In a repeat of last year's final, Susaki will take on Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) who now has a 2-1 head-to-head record over Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA).

Dolgorjav defeated Hildebrandt 7-5 in a rematch of last year's semifinal also won by Dolgorjav. Hildebrandt had won by technical superiority when the two met in the Ranking Series in Budapest.

Hildebrandt's loss also means that Mariya STADNIK (AZE), who lost to the USA wrestler, will have to travel to another Olympic Qualifiers to secure a trip to  Paris.

Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN)Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) beat Helen MAROULIS (USA) for the second straight year. (Photo: Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the third Olympic weight class of the day, Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) also confirmed her ticket to Paris after beating (and also spoiled her birthday) Rio Olympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA) 6-0 in the semifinal. This was her second win over the American as Sakurai won the final last year over Maroulis.

But a tought test awaits her in the final as 59kg world champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) dropped to the Olympic weight and dominated her opponents.

She opened with a win over Olympic bronze medalist Evlina NIKOLOVA (BUL) and then went on to beat Odunayo ADEKUROYE (NGR) 10-0 in the quarterfinals. Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) was no match as Nichita once again won 10-0.

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) reached the 65kg final at the World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the only non-Olympic weight class in action on Tuesday, 62kg world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) returned to the world finals, this year at 65kg. She beat Tatsiana PAULAVA 10-0 in what was her third win of the day, all without giving up a point.

Macey KILTY (USA) will try to stop her from winning the gold for a second straight year.