U23 Worlds: More First Indian to Enter Greco Final, Jiang First for China

LAS VEGAS, United States (October 13) -- He was India's only Greco-Roman wrestler to win two medals at the U23 World Championships and now Vishvajit MORE (IND) has become his country's first-ever Greco-Roman finalist at the U23 World Championships in Las Vegas on Tuesday.

More, a two-time bronze medalist at the U23 world level, put on a stunning performance with three close wins. He opened the day with a 10-8 win over Isaac MARIN MATA (MEX) to set up a quarterfinal against U20 world champion Armin SHAMSIPOUR (IRI). He used a four-pointer throw against Shamsipour, who seemed to have injured his shoulder, for an 8-1 win.

The semifinal against Malik GIGIEV (RUS) was equally thrilling with challenges helping both the wrestlers. More was awarded the first par terre call after the Indian made three arm-throw attempts. As More lifted Gigiev from par terre and tried throw, the Russian countered and got four points for himself. More got a front headlock and managed to throw Gigiev for four points to lead 5-4 after a long review.

The second period did not see any passivity calls but More managed a stepout on counter to make it 6-4. Russia challenged for a stepout with 10 seconds left after More stopped wrestling complaining about a headbutt. The lost challenge added a point to More's score.

To become the first Indian wrestler to win gold medal in Greco-Roman at the U23 Worlds, More will need to beat Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) who also had a thrilling semifinal against Barsbek ASANKOZHOEV (KGZ).

Asankozhoev scored six points in one sequence to lead 6-0 but Karumidze bounced back and scored six points to make it 6-6 with Asanbkozhoev leading on criteria. However, Karumidze scored exposure which was awarded two points each and the Kyrgyzstan wrestler led 8-8 on criteria. Georgia challenged the decision and on review, only Karumidze was awarded two points, making him an 8-6 winner.

Wenhao JIANG (CHN) achieved a similar feat for China as he entered the 130kg final. He became the first wrestler from China to enter a Greco-Roman final at the U23 World Championships.

He used a four-point throw in his 9-1 technical superiority win over Kevin USPENSKI (EST), winning the semifinal 9-1. He will hope to become the first U23 world champion for China in Greco-Roman

However, that will be a daunting task as he faced U20 world champion and red-hot Ali ILIASOV (RUS) who dominated his way to the finals from other side of the bracket.

Iliasov pinned Jokhar UZAROV (KAZ) in the other semifinal after both wrestlers attempted a bodylock but it was the Russian who managed to bring Uzarov down and secure the fall.

Iran managed to enter two wrestlers in the final and remain in race for the team title with Russia. Erfan JAKRANI (IRI) made it to the gold medal bout at 63kg and Yasin YAZDI (IRI) entered the final at 87kg.

Jakrani managed to easily navigate past Servet ANGI (TUR), 5-1, and will now face Manato NAKAMURA (JPN) in the final. Nakamura frustrated Igor PUNCHENKO (RUS) with some stunning cartwheel defense and managed to win 5-3.

Yazdi got a turn from par terre against Martin LJOSAAK (NOR) to win his semifinal 3-1. He will now face Termirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ) who claimed a 2-1 win over Aleksandr KRIKUKHA (RUS).

In a blockbuster final at 77kg, former U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) will face European champion Levente LEVAI (HUN).

Alameldin denied defending champion Irfan MIRZOIEV (UKR), 9-0, in the semifinal after two big throws. Levai defeated U20 world champion Samvel TERTERYAN (ARM), 5-1, in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
SF 1: Koba KARUMIDZE (GEO) df. Barsbek ASANKOZHOEV (KGZ), 8-6
SF 2: Vishvajit MORE (IND) df. Malik GIGIEV (RUS), 7-4

63kg
SF 1: Manato NAKAMURA (JPN) df. Igor PUNCHENKO (RUS), 5-3
SF 2: Erfan JARKANI (IRI) df. Servet ANGI (TUR), 5-1

77kg
SF 1: Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) df. Irfan MIRZOIEV (UKR), 9-0
SF 2: Levente LEVAI (HUN) df. Samvel TERTERYAN (ARM), 5-1

87kg
SF 1: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) df. Martin LJOSAAK (NOR), 3-1
SF 2: Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ) df. Aleksandr KRIKUKHA (RUS), 2-1

130kg
SF 1: Ali ILIASOV (RUS) df. Jokhar UZAROV (KAZ), via fall (5-0)
SF 2: Wenhao JIANG (CHN) df. Kevin USPENSKI (EST), 9-1