Russia Edges Iran to Claim U17 World Freestyle Team Title

BAKU, Azerbaijan (August 2) -- Russia claimed its first Freestyle team title at the U17 World Championships in six years after edging Iran by a single point in a dramatic finish to the tournament on Sunday in Baku.

Iran held a narrow 110-106 lead over Russia after three of the five weight classes on the final day. With one gold-medal bout and one bronze-medal bout remaining for each team, Iran needed to win both matches or have Russia lose one to secure the title. Neither scenario unfolded.

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Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI) won the gold medal at 71kg, while Mokhmad BAISULTANOV (RUS) earned bronze, extending Iran's lead to 135-121 heading into the final weight class.

Abdurazak SHABANOV (RUS) tries to score on Salah TSARNI (USA) during the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

It all came down to the final bout of the tournament at 92kg. After Reza ISAZADEH (IRI) lost his bronze-medal bout, Iran was stuck at 145 points. All Abdurazak SHABANOV (RUS) needed to do was win the 92kg final against Salah TSARNI (USA) to clinch the team title for his country by one point.

Shabanov did not have the best of starts to the final as Tsarni took a 3-0 lead in the opening period. The Russian opened the second period with a stepout before scoring a go-behind and lead 3-3 on criteria.

Tsrani was quick to return to his feet but Shabanov maintained control from behind and executed a four-pointer before giving up a reversal. Tsarni, down 7-4 with 43 seconds remaining, needed at least four points to win. Instead, Shabanov controlled the bout, adding a late stepout along with a point after Tsarni was called for fleeing to seal a 9-4 win.

The win secured Russia the team title with 146 points and broke the hearts of Iran which finished second with 145 points. India finished third with 123 points, followed by Uzbekistan and Kazakhstan with 101 and 93 points respectively.

Defending champion the United States finished seventh with 68 points, an uncharacteristically low finish for one of the world's traditional wrestling powers.

Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI) tries to score on Bohdan KVANTALIANI (GEO) during the 71kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 71kg, Shamsipour survived a tense finish to defeat Bohdan KVANTALIANI (GEO), 5-4, and claim Iran's third Freestyle gold medal of the tournament.

After conceding a passivity point, Shamsipour stormed back with quick takedowns in the second period to build a 4-1 lead. With 19 seconds remaining, he was penalized for fleeing, and then again with two seconds from the end when Kvantaliani forced a stepout. However, Shamsipour held the criteria at 4-4, thanks to his higher-scoring techniques.

Georgia challenged for another fleeing call in the closing seconds, but the challenge was unsuccessful, awarding Shamsipour an additional point and confirming the victory.

Benyamin ASHOFTEH (IRI) celebrates after winning the 51kg final against Ibrahim HASANOV (AZE). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Iran's won the gold medal at 51kg as well after U17 Asian champion Benyamin ASHOFTEH (IRI) defeated Ibrahim HASANOV (AZE), 5-1, in the final.

Hasanov was the first to score after Ashofteh failed to score during the activity period, giving a point to the Azerbaijan wrestler. In the second period, Ashofteh took a 1-1 criteria lead after Hasanov was placed on the activity clock.

Soon after, Ashofteh managed to score a takedown with 55 seconds remaining as Hasanov backed away, then transitioned into a gut-wrench for two more points to lead 5-1 with 37 seconds remaining.

Ashofteh would hang on to his lead while Hasanov, the U17 European champion, settled for silver in front of the home crowd, which was again denied a home world champion.

SITENDER (IND) using the two-on-one to set up his takedown against Sergei KARMRIAN (RUS). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Sitender Repeats

World champion Sushil KUMAR (IND) had been India's only wrestler to win consecutive U17 world titles, but SITENDER (IND) joined him on Sunday by successfully defending his 60kg crown.

Sitender, who maintains a strong position and powerful defense, never seemed troubled by either U17 European champion Sergei KARMRIAN (RUS) or the pressure of the World Championships final.

The opening period saw little action before Sitender was put on the activity clock. As he failed to score during the 30-second period, Karmrian took a 1-0 lead into the break.

The bout did not change in the second period as well with Karmrian eventually put on the activity clock. During the 30-second window, Sitender capitalized, using a two-on-one grip and a slide-by, to score the decisive takedown for two points.

Karmrian pressed until the final whistle but was unable to produce the takedown he needed, allowing Sitender to retain his world title.

RESULTS

45kg
GOLD: Nelson VILLAFANE (PUR) df. Rylen WAX (USA), 7-1

BRONZE: Mukhammad RAKHIMJONOV (UZB) df. Luka DOTIASHVILI (GEO), 9-8
BRONZE: Hanumant JADHAV (IND) df. Mahdi DAMERCHELI (IRI), 7-1

51kg
GOLD: Benyamin ASHOFTEH (IRI) df. Ibrahim HASANOV (AZE), 5-1

BRONZE: Islam KURAKHMAEV (RUS) df. Giorgi NARIMANIDZE (GEO), 7-3
BRONZE: Masamune USHIMADO (JPN) df. William SOTO (PUR), 15-13

60kg
GOLD: SITENDER (IND) df. Sergei KARMRIAN (RUS), 3-1

BRONZE: Mardan ORYNBASSAR (KAZ) df. Davit MDZEVASHVILI (GEO), via fall (5-2)
BRONZE: Mykyta KUZMENKO (UKR) df. Bekzodbek IBROHIMOV (UZB), via fall (4-1)

71kg
GOLD: Reza SHAMSIPOUR (IRI) df. Bohdan KVANTALIANI (GEO), 5-4

BRONZE: Mokhmad BAISULTANOV (RUS) df. Vitali HARDZEI (BLR), 10-0
BRONZE: Adilet RYSBAY (KAZ) df. Mekan HUDAYBERENOV (TKM), 6-4

92kg
GOLD: Abdurazak SHABANOV (RUS) df. Salah TSARNI (USA), 9-4

BRONZE: Marshall EVERETT (GBR) df. Nuradin MUSTAFAEV (GEO), 10-6
BRONZE: SAKSHAM (IND) df. Reza ISAZADEH (IRI), 3-2