Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series preview

Monday, July 11, 2022 - 12:15 By Vinay Siwach

TUNIS, Tunisia (July 11) -- The final stop of the Ranking Series moves to the Tunisian capital -- Tunis. After wrestlers grabbed ranking points at the continental championships and the three Ranking Series events, the Zouhaier Sghaier is the final event from which wrestlers can earn those all-important points.

The World Championships in September will see the top eight wrestlers from each weight class receive a seed. While some of the seeds have been locked up, a few wrestlers can still move around and change their numbers.

A top-seeded wrestler and defending world champion who will be in Tunisia is Thomas GILMAN (USA). He will be in action for the first time since winning his maiden Pan-Am title in May.

Gilman, who defeated Alireza SARLAK (IRI), in the final in Oslo last year, is likely to face the same opponent in Tunis. Not only Sarlak, but Gilman's semifinal opponent Horst LEHR (GER) will also be eyeing to avenge his loss from last year.

For Sarlak, beating Gilman in Tunis will not be as important as getting past Amhad MOHAMMADNEZHAD (IRI). The two are battling for a spot on the Iran national team.

Sarlak, the silver medalist at World Championships, lost to Mohammadnezhad at the Takhti Cup last month which resulted in the Iran federation going for another selection in Tunisia. Mohammadnezhad will fancy his chances against Sarlak and then pick up other wins over international wrestlers.

Winner of Ranking Series in Almaty, Aman SEHRAWAT (IND) will be hoping to continue his medal run with a third straight Ranking Series medal at 57kg.

Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) is wrestling at 79kg for a spot on Iran's World Championships team. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

That is not the only weight class in which Iran is trying to finalize its team for Belgrade. At 79kg, a huge battle awaits as World Championships silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) and Asian champion Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) are wrestling for the spot.

While the winner among the two will get the spot, if they do not face each other, the higher positioned wrestler may get a look in. But both will have their task cut out against European champion Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), Asian silver medalist Gourav BALIYAN (IND) who fell agonizingly to Savadkouhi in the Asian final.

Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) has been the second-best for the USA after world champ Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and gold in Tunis can further cement his name as one of the top stars of the weight class.

Iran also has Yones EMAMI(IRI) at 74kg but he has already confirmed his spot on the team along with Asian champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) at 65kg. For all other weight classes, Iran held a selection trial Sunday in Tehran with defending world champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and Amir ZARE (IRI) all set to defend their titles.

None of the three are taking the trip to Tunisia but still, there are some big stars in action at the four-day tournament.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) is eyeing his second straight Ranking Series gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) will be the favorite to win the gold at 125kg. Kazakhstan is sending Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) and Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) with the hope to finalize one name for the World Championships.

Hayden ZILLMER (USA) will also be tested for the first time after making the USA world team over Nicholas Gwiazdowski (USA).

The USA is sending a strong team to the Ranking Series event and Kyle SNYDER (USA) will be their leader as Burroughs and Kyle DAKE (USA) decided to skip the event.

Snyder will have a trio of Turkey wrestlers in Oktay CIFTCI (TUR), Polat POLATCI (TUR) and Burak SAHIN (TUR) on his path to gold. Others entered in the weight class include U20 world bronze medalist Deepak NEHRA (IND), Serik BAKYTKHANOV (KAZ) and Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ).

At 65kg, Kazakhstan is hoping that Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) can cement his place with a good showing in Tunis. But he will have Tokyo Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG), U23 Asian champion SUJEET (IND) and former U17 world champion John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA).

Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) is entered at 50kg for the USA. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Even in women's wrestling, the USA is sending a full-strength squad with Olympic champion Taymra MENSAH STOCK (USA) and bronze medalists Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) and Helen MAROULIS (USA) leading the charge.

Hildebrandt, who has already locked up the top seed, will have compatriot Emily SHILSON (USA) at 50kg along with European champion Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR) and U23 European champion Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA).

Other world team members of the USA will be in action as well. Dominique PARRISH (USA) will have two Canadians at 53kg in Karla GODINEZ (CAN) and Diana WEICKER (CAN). Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) is also taking the trip to Tunisia to grab some points before the seeds are finalized.

African champion Sarra HAMDI (TUN), who is currently ranked 11 and ninth in seedings, will like to break into the top 10 and hope that she will get the seed for the World Championships.

Maroulis at 57kg will the favorite to win the gold and certain her top seed with a gold medal-winning performance. Trying to stop her will be Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR), Giullia RODRIGUES (BRA), Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) and Mansi AHLAWAT (IND) among others.

Rodrigues will receive a seed at Worlds if she enters the competition but Paruszewski, currently ranked 16th, needs to break into the top-12 to be certain that she will receive a seed at the World Championships.

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), red, is returning to competition after nine months. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) will be wrestling for the first time since winning the bronze medal at the Oslo World Championships. She lost her top seed to world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) and can now only move up to second.

But her path to gold will not be easy as U23 world champion Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) and even Forrest MOLINARI (USA) are wrestling at 68kg.

Larroque has been out of action for more than nine months nursing her knee injury. But she will be hoping to return to full form as she battles with Lecarpentier for a spot on France's team for Belgrade.

Two other weight classes in which the USA is hoping to do well are 72kg and 76kg. Pan-Am champion and winner of the Rome Ranking Series event Skylar GROTE (USA) will once again try to win the gold, her second in as many Ranking Series events.

But U17 and U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) will have other ideas. Elor blanked Grote at the World Team Trials in June and a closer battle is expected between the two if they clash in Tunisia.

Despite the two accomplished stars, Buse TOSUN (TUN) will be the favorite to win the gold at 72kg. Ranked fourth in the world, Tosun missed out on a medal in Istanbul and but the world bronze medalist won a silver medal at the European Championships in March.

A medal in Tunis can take her to third in the world, a spot better than world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN).

Yelena MAKOYED (USA) dominated the competition to win the 76kg gold in Rome. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The 76kg weight class offers even tougher competition. Canadian veteran Justina DI STASIO (CAN), world bronze medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY), U20 World silver medalist BIPASHA (IND), the USA world team member Precious BELL (USA), Dymond GUILFORD (USA) and star of Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series Yelena MAKOYED (USA) are entered.

Makoyed stunning a top-class field in Rome, winning the gold medal with victories over Martina KUENZ (AUT), world silver medalist Epp MAE (EST), Francy RAEDELT (GER), Catalina AXENTE (ROU) and U23 world champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR).

Once again she will be expected to perform on a similar level but Bell and Guilford will provide more resistance, having wrestled Makoyed domestically.

Top-ranked wrestler in the world at 59kg Sarita MOR (IND) will be wrestling for her second straight Ranking Series gold medal. She is clubbed against Elena BRUGGER (GER) and Siwar BOUSETA (TUN).

Rio Olympic bronze medalists Sakshi MALIK (IND) and Marwa AMRI (TUN) are both entered at 62kg. While Malik won the gold in Almaty, Amri is coming off a golden performance at the African Championships and Mediterranean Games. Both will fancy their chances to win the gold in Tunis with Amri holding the home advantage.

Lais NUNES and Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) are the other contenders for gold at 62kg.

Sunil KUMAR (IND) is the favorite to win the 87kg gold in Tunis. (Photo: UWW / Assem Shalgumbayeva)

The Greco-Roman field is highlighted by wrestlers from Turkey, India and a few from Africa. Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) is entered at 60kg with Salim HAMDI (TUN) and Ayhan KARAKUS (TUR) also in the field.

India has entered two wrestlers at 67kg in NEERAJ (IND) and Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND). The battle for gold will be played out between the two and Koussay MELKI (TUN) and Volkan CAKIL (TUR).

Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) will be the favorite to win the 77kg weight class. But for that, he will have to wrestle past Joilson DE BRITO (BRA) and Furkan BAYRAK (TUR).

Home star Lamjed MAAFI (TUN) will hope to win the 82kg weight category in front of his home crowd. Trying to stop him will be Harpreet SINGH (IND), Sajan BHANWALA (IND) and Emrah KUS (TUR).

Former Asian champion at 87kg Sunil KUMAR (IND) has his eyes on gold and for that, he has to only beat Mohamed MISSAOUI (TUN).

At 97kg, Adem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG), Igor DE QUEIROZ (BRA), DEEPANSHU (IND), Mohamed JABRI (TUN) and Muhittin SARICICEK (TUR) will be in the Nordic bracket hoping to clinch the top medal.

A similar process will be followed at 130kg as NAVEEN (IND), Amine GUENNICHI (TUN) and Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) hope to claim the gold.

The action begins July 14 with Greco-Roman action and women's wrestling beginning the next day. Freestyle will be on July 16 and 17. All the live-action and highlights will be available on uww.org.

#wrestlebishkek, #WrestleParis

Top Asian stars battle for Paris 2024 spots at Olympic qualifier

Thursday, April 18, 2024 - 09:53 By Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 18) -- Japan is the only nation from Asia to earn all six quotas in any style but other nations will be hoping to increase their 2024 Paris Olympic qualification as the Asian OG Qualifier begins in Bishkek from April 19.

The competition will offer 36 quotas in three styles, 12 in each style. The winner of the semifinals in each Olympic weight class will earn a Paris Olympic quota for their countries. There will be no gold and bronze-medal bouts as well as no repechage.

At the World Championships, wrestlers from Asia were able to win 32 out of the 90 available quotas with 12 each in Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling. Freestyle wrestlers, however, could only win eight quotas. That being the case, the qualifiers in Bishkek have received more entries in Freestyle than the other two.

Here's a brief preview of each Olympic weight class:

57kg: Asian champion AMAN (IND) will be looking to earn a spot for India but will face a big challenge from Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) who will look to return to the Olympics. As Aman is seeded number two and Abdullaev is three, both should clash in the semifinal if the seeds hold.

Asian Games silver medalist Chong Song HAN (PRK) will have the responsibility of winning the quota for the DPR Korea. Iran is banking on Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) while Kyrgyzstan has U23 Asian champion Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ). Yerassyl MUKHTARULY (KAZ), who was second to Almaz Uulu at the U23 event, will be in for Kazakhstan.

65kg: With only Iran qualifying from the World Championships, a few strong countries will battle it out for the two spots at 65kg. Local star Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 with a dramatic pin over Ilyas BELBULATOV (UZB), will hope to repeat that success.

Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) failed to win the domestic competition in Japan and lost his right to represent Japan at the qualifiers and the Olympics. Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), who defeated Otoguro in the final in Japan, will have the responsibility of earning the qualification for Japan.

Asian Championships silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) lost in the national trials to Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) who will be in Bishkek. Asian Games bronze medalist Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) is entered for the DPR Korea.

Former U20 world champion Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) will be one of the favorites to win the quota as well along with U20 Asian champion Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) who is seeded number one.

74kg: If the seeds hold, seed number two Yones EMAMI (IRI) likely gets number three Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) in the semifinals for the Paris quota. Former Asian champion Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) is unseeded for the tournament and drawn at random.

Feng LU (CHN) is seeded number one in the bracket and also has Asian Games bronze medalist Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) in the mix. Former Asian Championships Byungmin GONG (KOR) will look to earn one for Korea.

86kg: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) will look to earn the second Paris Olympic quota after Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN). Sharipov will be seeded number one for the tournament and can face Tokyo Olympic fifth-placer Deepak PUNIA (IND) for a place in Paris.

Zushen LIN (CHN) is the number two seed for the tournament with Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) taking the third spot. But it will be Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) who will be the biggest threat to all the competitors.

97kg: It won't be the 92kg world champion Aitmukhan RIZABEK (KAZ) for Kazakhstan at 97kg in the qualifiers. He won a silver medal at the Asian Championships but Kazakhstan is going ahead with Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), who also gets the top seed.

His seed avoids a battle with Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) who defeated Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the Zagreb Open at the beginning of the year. Veteran and Rio 2016 bronze medalist Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) is seeded third and battle with Azarpira for the spot in Paris looks unavoidable.

Fourth seed and former Asian silver medalist Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) will fancy his chances as well. 20-year-old Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), who finished a commendable fifth at last year's World Championships at 92kg, can upend all the established wrestlers.

125kg: Tokyo Olympians Zhiwei DENG (CHN) and Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) will avoid each other in the tournament and hope to earn Olympic quotas for their respective nations. Former world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) will be one of the favorites to win the quota along with Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) and former age-group star Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB).

Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) will compete at 50kg at the Asian OG Qualifier. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg: With three out of five quotas won by Asian countries at the World Championships, the 50kg weight class is wide open. The biggest surprise is 53kg world bronze medalist and Tokyo Olympian VINESH (IND) moving down to 50kg in a bid to earn the quota for India.

Vinesh moved up from 50kg to 53kg in 2019 and won the world bronze medal to earn a Tokyo Olympics spot. But ANTIM (IND) won with a 53kg quota for the Paris Olympics at the World Championships, Vinesh moved to 50kg to remain in contention for Paris.

The biggest challenge for the Indian star will be Asian Games silver medalist Son Hyang KIM (PRK) who is one of the strongest 50kg wrestlers. Asian Games bronze medalist Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) is also in the mix.

53kg: Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) is the biggest name at 53kg with the Paris 2024 quota on line. 2022 world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) is also entered as she replaces Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bortulya BAT OCHIR (MGL).

57kg: Kexin HONG (CHN) won a bronze medal at the Asian Games and began this year with a big win over Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) at the Zagreb Open. She will be the top seed in the tournament. She will avoid a clash with Asian Games silver medalist In Sun JONG (PRK) who is seeded third. Jong defeated Hong 4-2 in the semifinals in Hangzhou.

Tokyo Olympian ANSHU (IND) returns to international competition since last year's Asian Championships and will look to win a 57kg quota for India. Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) and former Asia silver medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) are also in the mix.

62kg: Asian Games champion Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) will be the best bet for the DPR Korea to win a quota at 62kg. She will unlikely to face any challenges unless Tokyo Olympian Jia LONG (CHN) and former world champs Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) are drawn on her side.

68kg: With only seven wrestlers entered at 68kg, the draw will be Nelson style and the wrestlers will be divided into two groups of four and three. The top two wrestlers from each wrestler will reach the semifinal. The top wrestler in Group A will face second-placed wrestlers in Group B.

Feng ZHOU (CHN) will be in Group A as the top seed and will avoid Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) who is number two. Former world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) is seeded number three and likely to be placed in Group B.

That leaves former Asian Championships silver medalist NISHA (IND) and Sol Gum PAK (PRK) to be drawn at random in the bracket.

76kg: Another weight class with seven wrestlers and two groups. Asian Games bronze medalist and silver medalist at the Zagreb Open this year Juan WANG (CHN) takes the top spot in the seeding. But two-time world silver medalist at 72kg Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) has to be the favorite to win one of the two spots available at 76kg.

U23 world champion REETIKA (IND) and Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) also can win the Paris spots.

Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) and Abror ATABAEV (UZB) will be wrestling at 67kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman

60kg: The Greco-Roman 60kg was the only weight class at the World Championships that saw all five qualifications from one continent. With Kyrgyzstan, Japan, China, Uzbekistan and Iran qualified, two more Asian countries have a chance to win the quota for Paris.

A bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) will have a good chance to put Kazakhstan in for the Paris 2024 along with India represented by U20 World Championships silver medalist SUMIT (IND).

Former two-time Asian silver medalist and Asian Games bronze medalist Se Ung RI (PRK) will be an unseeded wrestler in the bracket with Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) taking the top seed.

67kg: A few stars will have to return empty-handed from Bishkek as the 67kg bracket draws some big names. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) will be the top seed and Rovshen ATDAYEV (TKM) the second but it is Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN), HUSIYUETU (CHN), Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), Hansu RYU (KOR), Yong Jin RO (PRK) and Abror ATABAEV (UZB) who look to the top names to earn the two spots for Paris.

Sogabe was involved in a thrilling bout against Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) which he lost. He would be keen to earn the spot he missed in Belgrade. However, for that, he will have to go through a strong bracket. Challenging him will be Ryu, who is looking to enter his fourth Olympics. Asian Games silver medalist Shermakhanbet is another big threat to all other competitors.

Former U17 world champiom Atabaev along with Husiyuetu and Ro can upset the established stars in Bishkek.

77kg: Asian Games silver medalist Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) will have the task of earning a Paris 2024 quota for Iran. He will be the favorite as he lost only to Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at the Games.

He defeated Rui LIU (CHN), who is entered, 1-1 at the Asian Games. Liu earlier defeated VIKAS (IND) 9-1. This leaves top seed Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) as the other favorite to secure a place.

87kg: Asian Games champion Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) are seeded number two and three for the qualifiers which means only one of Uzbekistan and Iran will earn a quota for Paris 2024. Berdimuratov reached the quarterfinals at the World Championships while Mohmadipiani moved to 87kg at the start of this year.

A win for Mohmadipiani and Kaviyaninejad at 77kg will make Iran the first time to qualify all six weights in Greco-Roman.

Former Asian champion Sunil KUMAR (IND) and Soh SAKABE (JPN) will also be in the bracket.

97kg: Veteran Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), the top seed, is looking to qualify for yet another Olympics. He will have to go through a bracket that has Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) and Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) as the biggest challengers.

Yiming LI (CHN) and NITESH (IND) will be the dark horses in this weight class.

130kg: Seungchan LEE (KOR), who finished 12th at the World Championships, will be seeded number one at 130kg. Iran and China, the two biggest nations in Greco-Roman in Asia, have already won the quotas.

Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) and Roman KIM (KGZ) will have the best chance to earn the spot for Paris with NAVEEN (IND) and Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) also in the fray if the bracket plans out well for them.

Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series preview

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Top Asian stars battle for Paris 2024 spots at Olympic qualifier