BUDAPEST (September 22) – Japan’s final three entries in greco-roman could only manage one win between them as the Japanese men finished the senior wrestling world championships without a medal for the first time since 2005.
Takehiro KANAKUBO defeated London 2012 bronze medalist Aleksandr KAZAKEVICH (LTU), 5-4, in the round of 32 at 74kg but it would be Japan’s only win on the final day of the championships at Papp Laszlo Budapest Sports Arena.
KANAKUBO fell in the next round on criteria to former world silver medalist Mark MADSEN (DEN) while teammates Hiroyuki SHIMIZU (66kg) and Shori MAEKAWA (120kg) both lost in their opening bouts of the day.
Norikatsu SAIKAWA posted the highest finish among the Japanese men with a fifth place at 96kg in greco-roman. Japan’s finish in men’s freestyle was a seventh place at 74kg by Sosuke TAKATANI on the third day of the week-long championships.
Greco-roman
66kg – SHIMIZU, Hiroyuki (24th, 39 entries)
R1 – bye
R2 – lost to Edgaras VENCKAITIS (LTU), 3-7
SHIMIZU is placed down in par terre at 2:14 and is lifted for three points and gives up a force-out just before the intermission. SHIMIZU pulled one point back with a gut wrench in the second period, but was trapped on his back for a 1-7 deficit.
SHIMIZU tags the London 2012 Olympian with a second caution in the final minute for more point. He gets a force-out with 12 seconds remaining and the judge signals a third caution, but the final decision is only for one point.
74kg – KANAKUBO, Takehiro (16th, 39 entries)
R1 – bye
R2 – df. Aleksandr KAZAKEVIC (LTU), 5-4
KANAKUBO gets the advantage in par terre just before the 2-minute mark and converts with a low-level reverse waistlock for points and adds a throw from standing for a 5-0 lead. KAZAKEVICH cuts the lead to 5-4 with an arm trap and throw just before the break. In the second period, KANAKUBO is placed down in par terre but defends successfully to preserve his win over the London 2012 Olympian.
R3 – lost to Mark MADSEN (DEN), 1-1=cautions
KANAKUBO is hit with a caution early, but defends successfully as the first period ends scoreless. In the second period, KANAKUBO is hit with his second caution for an 0-1 deficit. KANAKUBO appears to score two points with a go-behind takedown at 5:54, but a challenge from the Denmark corner reduces the score to a one-point force-out. KANAKUBO cannot score in the final five seconds and loses on criteria with more cautions, 2-1.
120kg – MAEKAWA, Shori (18th, 27 entries)
R1 – lost to Radhouane CHEBBI (TUN) by disq., 5:25 (1-2)
After a scoreless first period, MAEKAWA tags the Africa champion with a second caution and one point at 3:45, but CHEBBI answers back at 4:28 to draw level at 1-1 with a second caution at 4:28. A minute later, CHEBBI forces another caution on MAEKAWA for the win by disqualification.
==End Item