#WrestleAlexandria

African Championships 2024 entry list

By United World Wrestling Press

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (March 11) — The fourth continental championships of the year, the African Championships, will be held in Alexandria, Egypt from March 14 to 19.

The tournament will see wrestlers from U17, U20 and Seniors and with the senior competition scheduled on March 19 and 20. The first day of the senior competition will see bouts in all 10 Greco-Roman and Women’s Wrestling and the second day will host 10 Freestyle weight classes.

Here the wrestlers registered for the senior Asian Championships.

Freestyle

57kg 
Salah Eddine KATEB (ALG)
Islam ZERROUGUI (ALG)
Roland TAMBI NFORSONG (CMR)
Alexander Joseph BUCKMAN (CPV)
Abdelrahman Elsayed Abdelrahman MAHMOUD (EGY)
Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS)
Younes LACHGAR (MAR)
John Kenneth Willbert LEOPOLD (MRI)
Omar FAYE (SEN)
KHALIL BARKOUTI (TUN)

61kg
Abdelhak KHERBACHE (ALG)
Hassan Mohamed  Elshahat Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY)
Thierno Sadou DIALLO (GUI)
Eugine Osale OMULULE (KEN)
Solomon Thato LOPENG (RSA)
Mika LEHMKUEHL (RSA)
Didier Awene DIATTA (SEN)

65kg
Zohier IFTENE (ALG)
Manaceu Nkunga NGONDA (ANG)
Samuel DOHYA KALE (CMR)
Anthony Sterling WESLEY (CPV)
Shehabeldin Emam Abdelraouf MOHAMED (EGY)
Gibriel CHOW (GAM)
Wotna Cana NDOC (GBS)
Rafael Nze NZE OYANA (GEQ)
Yassine JAA (MAR)
Stephen Simon IZOLO (NGR)
Sylvio Siyewoutima DIATTA (SEN)
Mohamed BEN HAFSIA (TUN)

70kg
Abderrahmane BENAISSA (ALG)
Ahmed Sadek Abdelfattah MOHAMED (EGY)
Brendin LOUW (RSA)
Ya Mouhamed NDONG (SEN)

 74kg
Saad BOUGUERRA (ALG)
Francisco de Deus KADIMA (ANG)
Israel NIYONKURU (BDI)
Baki TCHANI (BEN)
Honore Daniel ESSOMBA (CMR)
Joao  Paulo BARBOSA VICENTE JR (CPV)
Mohamed Tarek Abdou Khalil ABDELHADY (EGY)
Bacar NDUM (GBS)
Pedro Levi Ndong MESII NZANG (GEQ)
Mathayo Matonya MAHABILA (KEN)
Aime Mbolalalaina Joel RAKOTONIAINA (MAD)
Yassine SARDI (MAR)
Oyeinkeperemo BRAVEMAN (NGR)
Arno VAN ZIJL (RSA)
Mamadou DIOUF (SEN)
Jamal Spartan ABDUL (UGA)

79kg
Chems Eddine FETAIRIA (ALG)
Nasser Sayed Fares SAYED (EGY)
Benjamin RUBIO RONDA (GEQ)
Mohammed Amine BOUAZOUNI (MAR)
Linus Lucius VAN RENSBURG (RSA)
Mohamed Aziz BEN JAAFAR (TUN)
Jacob NTUYO (UGA)

86kg
Oussama ABDELLAOUI (ALG)
Cedric ABOSSOLO (CMR)
Matteo Alcidio Louis MONTEIRO FURTADO TRESSE (CPV)
Mohamed Ahmed Farghaly ABDELAAL (EGY)
Mohamed CAMARA (GUI)
Mark Omumasaba ONGUYESI (KEN)
Saad AMANDAR (MAR)
Oussama REGANI (MAR)
Jean David STE MARIE (MRI)
Harrison ONOVWIOMOGBOHWO (NGR)
Machiel Johannes GROBLER (RSA)
Siny SEMBENE (SEN)
Imed KADDIDI (TUN)
Ivan MASAKWE (UGA)

92kg
Yacine LAKROUT (ALG)
Aubin KAMGANG MOLOU (CMR)
Mohamed Mostafa Aly Elshamy SALAHELDIN (EGY)
Edward Louwis LESSING (RSA)
Issa RHIMI (TUN)

97kg
Fares YAHI (ALG)
Franck Lionel ANABA (CMR)
Abdelrahman Ibrahim Labib ABOUHEIBA (EGY)
Babacarr MBOGE (GAM)
Emmanuel OSEI SARFO (GHA)
Anas SAMIR (MAR)
Pape NDIAYE (SEN)
 

125kg
Djahid BERRAHAL (ALG)
Amoussou Nicolas CAKPO (BEN)
Georges TCHADIE (CMR)
Youssif Mohamed Badea HEMIDA (EGY)
Issah FUSEINI (GHA)
Ahmed SEREHALI (MAR)
Ashton Adeyemi Amin MUTUWA (NGR)
Justin VAN ZYL (RSA)
Nicolaas Johannes Steyn DE LANGE (RSA)
Modou FAYE (SEN)
Hamza RAHMANI (TUN)

Greco-Roman

55kg
Sefiane GUEZZANIA (ALG)
Bofenda David KALUWEKO (ANG)
Shaaban Safy Abdelrazek ABDELLATIF (EGY)
Virinao Cliff NGUATJITI (NAM)
Gift SIKHOSANA CHOCHI (RSA)

 60kg
Mohamed Yacine DRIDI (ALG)
Reginaldo Goncalves da SILVA (ANG)
Latuf MADI (COM)
Haithem Mahmoud Ahmed Fahmy MAHMOUD (EGY)
Fouad FAJARI (MAR)
Given SIKHOSANA (RSA)
Ibrahim BUNDUKA (SLE)

63kg
Abdennour LAOUNI (ALG)
Adham Ayman Gharib Abdou ELSAYED (EGY)
Mouad JAHID (MAR)
Romio Ricardo GOLIATH (NAM)
Kian DU TOIT (RSA)

67kg
Fayssal BENFREDJ (ALG)
Moustafa Hussein Fathy ALAMELDIN (EGY)
Souhaib KHDAR (MAR)
Sahid Tejan KARGBO (SLE)
Oussama NASR (TUN)

72kg
Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG)
Manuel Chaula BENZA (ANG)
Anthony Sterling WESLEY (CPV)
Emad Mohamed Ibrahim Mohamed Elemam GHALY (EGY)
Daniel Johannes DU TOIT (RSA)
Barend Jacobus BADENHORST (RSA)
Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN)

 77kg
Chawki DOULACHE (ALG)
Francisco de Deus KADIMA (ANG)
Mohamed Ehab Mohamed Zahab KHALIL (EGY)
Shafaihuuna Devin BENHARD (NAM)
Dean VAN ZYL (RSA)
Slim MEJRI (TUN)

82kg
Amar MOUMENE (ALG)
Mahmoud Walid Abdelfattah IBRAHIM (EGY)
Aziz BOUALEM (MAR)
Belhasan AZAOUZI (TUN)
 
87kg
Haithem ISSAAD (ALG)
Roberto Mbaio NSANGUA (ANG)
Noureldin Hany Mohamed Gomaa HASSAN (EGY)
Wadii OUALAL (MAR)
Richard FERREIRA (RSA)
Hakim TRABELSI (TUN)
 
97kg
Amine BENDJELLOUL (ALG)
Emad Ashraf Mohamed ABOUELATTA (EGY)
Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR)
Christiaan BURGER (RSA)
Yassine BEN AICHA (TUN)
Mohamed Skander MISSAOUI (TUN)

130kg
Hichem KOUCHIT (ALG)
Abdellatif Mohamed Ahmed MOHAMED (EGY)
Ahmed SEREHALI (MAR)
Brahim MELKI (TUN)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
Ibtissem DOUDOU (ALG)
Rosine NTSA ASSOUGA (CMR)
Malak Ahmed Mohamed Hassan Mohamed AHMED (EGY)
Debora Valeria TURE (GBS)
Emma Nekesa WANGILA (KEN)
Victorine RASOARIMALALA (MAD)
Miesinnei Mercy GENESIS (NGR)
Matilda KOKERA (RSA)
Nourhene HEDHLI (TUN)
 
53kg
Chahinez RABAH (ALG)
Mbuka Madalena CAROLINA (ANG)
Nogona Celine Josee BAKAYOKO (CIV)
Hadir Wael Imbabi AHMED (EGY)
Elisa Emma Patricia RASOANANTENAINA NOMENJANAHARY (MAD)
Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR)
Christianah Tolulope OGUNSANYA (NGR)
Kyla MEYER (RSA)
Chahrazed AYACHI (TUN)

55kg
Aya Eid Gomaa SOLIMAN
Adijat Avorshai IDRIS
Lobna ICHAOUI

57kg
Chaimaa Fouzia AOUISSI (ALG)
Lassaleth Esperanca David ANTONIO (ANG)
Natacha Veronique NABAINA (CMR)
Shaimaa Khalifa Hussein ABDELZAHER (EGY)
Malala SOLONIAINA (MAD)
Zineb HASSOUNE (MAR)
Odunayo Folasade ADEKUOROYE (NGR)
Kara Ronelle LE ROUX (RSA)
Faten HAMMAMI (TUN)
Veronica AYO (UGA)

59kg
Hana Ali Hamada Mohamed HUSSEIN (EGY)
Ester ABRAHAM (NAM)
Mercy Bolafunoluwa ADEKUOROYE (NGR)
Chahd JELJELI (TUN)

62kg
Mastoura SOUDANI (ALG)
Gloria Lynca NIYONKURU (BDI)
Grace Nervine ABONA NKOUMOUDIE (CMR)
Angelina RODRIGUES MIRANDA (CPV)
Farah Ali Hamada Mohamed HUSSEIN (EGY)
Fatoumata Yarie CAMARA (GUI)
Eunice Wathira MBURU (KEN)
Esther Omolayo KOLAWOLE (NGR)
Minette KRUGER (RSA)

65kg
Ikome VIOLETTE NAMONDO (CMR)
Mouda Badawi Hamed Ahmed HAMDOUN (EGY)
Ebipatei MUGHENBOFA (NGR)

68kg
Yasmine BOUREGBA (ALG)
Kawiyatou ISSIFOU (BEN)
Blandine Nyeh NGIRI (CMR)
Menatalla Ahmed Osman Mostafa BADRAN (EGY)
Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR)
Bea MEIRING (RSA)
Patricia Saifeldin Elhah ELNOUR (SUD)
Nour JELJELI (TUN)
Khadija JLASSI (TUN)

72kg
Aimelda NDIFFO (CMR)
Heba Sapry Mohamed Abdelnaby IBRAHIM (EGY)
Ebi BIOGOS (NGR)
AYA ICHAOUI (TUN)

76kg
Amy YOUIN (CIV)
Pelagie WILITA (CMR)
Arianna  Olympia XAVIER (CPV)
Jana Emad Sayed Abdelrazek SAYED (EGY)
Jemima NYARKO OFORI (GHA)
Marie Celeste Andrea VILBRUN (MRI)
Hannah Amuchechi RUEBEN (NGR)
Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN)

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 6 Blog

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 30) -- The ultimate day of the Asian Championships is here. Freestyle weight classes 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg will be in action in Amman.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 RESULT

125kg gold medal bout: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) vs. Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI)

14:27: Amireza MASOUMI (IRI), currently on a six-tournament win streak that includes world U23 and U20 titles, will get a chance to make it seven straight as he knocks off Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) 8-0 in their 125kg semifinal. Masoumi does his best Jordan Burroughs imitation when he launches a blast double-leg takedown for 4 in the first period. He tries again in the second period, but it only results a stepout. 

14:25: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) is back in the Asian Championships 125kg final with a solid 5-1 win over DINESH (IND). He scores a takedown and turn in the second period to go ahead 5-1 and set up a final against World U23 and U20 champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI). Mukhtur had stunned Masoumi in the semifinal of the 2023 Asian Championships.

92kg gold medal bout: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) vs. Deepak PUNIA (IND)

14:18: Deepak PUNIA (IND) assures himself of fourth career Asian medal, but will it finally be gold? Punia, a losing finalist three years ago, advances to the 92kg final with an 8-1 victory over Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN). Punia opens by with an arm drag takedown, to which a fleeing point is tacked on. In the second period, Punia receives an activity point, then twice presses Ishiguro down and goes behind for takedowns. Ishiguro gains a late stepout to avoid the shutout. 

14:18: World U23 champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) beats three-time Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and books a spot in the 92kg final. Dauletbekov tried a cut-back from standing but Firouzpour defend well and had Dauletbekov's back on the mat for two points. Two stepouts for Firouzpour as he extended his lead to 4-0. Dauletbekov put on the 30-second activity clock in the second period. Firouzpour adds another stepout and Dauletbekov fails to score during the activity clock and Firouzpour's lead swells to 6-0. Firouzpour adds another stepout to lead 7-0. Firouzpour elevates Dauletbekov's leg and throws him on the mat for two and a turn gives him two more. Lost challenge from Kazakhstan and Firouzpour wins 11-0.

86kg gold medal bout: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) vs Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI)

14:05: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) heads to the 86kg final after a 12-1 victory over Nan CAO (CHN). Sakayev with counters that hurt Cao immensely. Coa kept the forward pressure but Sakayev scored three go-behind and a turn to win.

13:59: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) storms into the 86kg final with an 11-0 rout of Mukul DAHIYA (IND), ending their semifinal with the second of two 4-point moves. After opening with a stepout, Rahmani adds a takedown, then gets 4 with an underhook takedown to the back. Rahmani then hits a duck under, keeps Dahiya's arm locked and drives him straight to his back. He doesn't try for a fall and the match ends at 2:45.

74kg gold medal bout: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) vs. Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)

13:55: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with a stepout to begin his 74kg quarterfinal against Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB). He builds a 5-0 lead, including a takedown, at the break. Toktomambetov is awarded a stepout but Uzbekistan challenge and Nasritdinov is awarded the stepout on review as Toktomambetov stepped outside to complete the action. A bodylock throw from Toktomambetov for four but Uzbekistan challenge again. No problems this time and Toktomambetov leads 10-1 with one minute remaining in the bout. Tokyomambetov is happy to defend till the end and win 10-1 and enter the final.

13:52: Experience triumphs over youth as Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) nails a 4-point takedown with :20 left to clinch a 6-1 victory over Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) and advance to the 74kg final. Kaipanov, the world champion at 70kg, receives an activity point in the first period, then adds a stepout in the second. It looks like the match will end that way when Kaipanov suddenly steps up and slams Shakeri over the edge with a double-leg takedown. Shakeri, the 2023 world U20 champ at 65kg, adds a consolation stepout in the final seconds.

61kg gold medal bout: Takara SUDA (JPN) vs UDIT (IND)

13:42: UDIT (IND), the runner-up last year at 57kg, earns a chance for a gold at 61kg after barely holding on for a 2-0 win over Wanhao ZOU (CHN). In the final seconds, Zou gets behind Udit in the standing position, but time runs out before he can get Udit to the mat.

13:40: Japan and Iran with a head-to-head in the 57kg semifinals. Sweep single from Takara SUDA (JPN) to lead 2-0 against Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) in the first minute of the bout. Both wrestlers scramble in and out of holds but there is no points scored. Suda is put on the activity clock in the second period. Javan gets on the scoreboard with one point as Suda doesn't score in the 30-second period. Javan doesn't give up chasing Suda and scores a stepout to make it 2-2 but Suda has criteria. And he keeps Javan at bay without fleeing to win 2-2 and enter the final

13:18: With his opponent on the activity clock, Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) ties up Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) with a front headlock, then proceeds to roll five times to end their 125kg quarterfinal match with a 11-0 win in 2:01 to end the session.

13:16: World U23 and U20 champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI), the prohibitive favorite at 125kg, finally takes to the mat for his quarterfinal match against Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ), and needs a little less than one period to notch an 11-1 victory. Masoumi's only blip comes after he opens with a takedown and gut wrench, then transitions to a headlock. Al Jamie rolls out of the predicament for a reversal. He makes up for the gaffe with a slick back-trip for 4.

13:12: Former Asian champion and world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) was down 2-1 against Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) in the 125kg quarterfinal. But he is all work in the second period as he scores a four-pointer and finishes the bout with an 13-2 win.

13:09: Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) is through to the 74kg semifinals with a 4-0 victory over Hikaru TAKATA (JPN). Shakeri gets an activity point in the first period, then adds a stepout and a takedown in the second.

13:07: The host nation's hopes for a gold medal, that were slim at best, officially end when Fazlidden NASRITDINOV (UZB) builds a big lead and defeats a spunky Orts ISAKOV (JOR) 10-3 to advance to the 74kg semifinals. Isakov never gives up, scoring all of his points in the final minute.

13:02: DINESH (IND) upsets former Asia bronze medalist BUHEEERDUN (CHN) at 125kg. He scores two takedowns, gets one point for lost challenge and adds a stepout to lead 6-0. He then gets a four-pointer which China challenges but loses. Dinesh wins 11-0

12:59: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) builds up a 6-0 lead against Daegil HAN (KOR), then hits a headlock throw and secures the fall in the first period to charge into the 74kg semifinals.

12:54: Three-time Asian medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND), six years removed from a world bronze medal, put on one of those comebacks that Indian wrestlers do so well. Down 6-0 against Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) in their 92kg quarterfinal, Punia gradually chipped away at the lead before going ahead 8-6 with a 4-point throw early in the second period. He scores two takedowns and goes on to notch a 12-7 win.

12:52: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) finishes his 74kg quarterfinal against Batbayar BATSUKH (MGL) in the first period. Kaipanov brought out those big doubles.

12:48: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) with a grand amplitude throw against Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) and that is his only action in the match. It is, however, enough for him to win 5-3 and book a place in the 92kg semifinals.

12:44: Two-time world bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) begins his quest for a fourth consecutive Asian title and first at 92kg in the quarterfinals against LIN Zushen (CHN). Dauletbekov gets an activity point for the lone score of the first period. Lin gets the activity point to start the second period, and Daultetbekov immediately scores a takedown and gut wrench to go up 5-1. He adds a classic counter-lift for 2 for a 7-1 victory.

12:43: Two-time defending champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) opens his 92kg title defense with a 5-0 victory over Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) that includes a rare penalty point when Poyonov takes a swat at the Iranian.

12:35: Wanhao ZOU (CHN) scores two takedowns in the second period to clinch a 6-1 victory over Mukhamed BALGABAY (KAZ) and advance to the 61kg semifinals

12:38: Silver medalist at 57kg in 2024, UDIT (IND) mounts a comeback to beat Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) 9-6 at 61kg. Myrzanazar Uulu developed a 6-4 lead with two minutes left on the clock but Udit scored a reversal and then two takedowns to move into the 61kg semifinals.

12:30: Returning bronze medalist at 61kg Kum Chol RI (PRK) gets Muhamet Malo Ranking Series winner Takara SUDA (JPN) in the quarterfinal. Suda with a four-pointer during Ri's activity time to lead 5-1. Ri gets a stepout in the second period. Ri continues his attacks but Suda with some solid defense to deny Ri. Suda put on activity clock in the final minute of the match. Ri gets on another single-leg attack but only gets a stepout to make it 5-3 with 13 seconds left. He tries the head pinch but Suda blocks and gets two. A reversal for Ri but Suda will win 7-4

12:28: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), winner at this year's Zagreg Ranking Series event, hits a 4-point headlock throw en route to a 9-1 victory over Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) to advance to the 61kg semifinals. 

12:25: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) books his spot in the 86kg semifinals by holding off a final single-leg attempt by Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) to clinch at 3-1 win.

12:19: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) has little trouble disposing of Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) in their 86kg quarterfinal. He jumps out to a 4-0 lead with a fireman's carry and lace-lock roll and adds a takedown in the first period, then finishes the match in the second period with a 4-point throw for a 10-0 win.

12:17: At 86kg Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) scores a takedown right to a gut wrench early in his match with Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), and, other than an activity point for the Mongolian, it looks like that's going to end the scoring. But Naadambat gains a takedown with :12 left to cut the lead to 4-3, then forces Sakayev out at the buzzer. But was it in time? The challenge says no, and Sakayev is into the semifinals with a 5-3 win.

12:11: Batbayar BATSUKH (MGL) gets a takedown with :15 left to clinch a hard-fought 4-2 vicory over Ok Chol HAN (PRK) at 74kg.  

12:06: Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), the 2023 world U20 champion at 65kg, starts his day at 74kg with a 5-0 victory over Perman HOMMADOV (TKM). Leading 1-0, Shakeri scores a takedown with Hommadov on the activity clock early in the second period, then adds a stepout.

12:00: World Military champion JAIDEEP (IND) hits a four-pointer but Hikaru TAKATA (JPN) comes back with two takedowns to make it 4-4 at the break in their 74kg bout. Takata completes a takedown in a scramble before adding a lace to lead 8-4. A stepout adds to his lead. Jaideep scores a stepout with a minute remaining. Takata defends an attack and Jaideep is forced to move out of bounds and Takata runs out the clock to win 10-5

11:58: Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN), a bronze medalist back in 2017 at 125kg, trails 2-1 against Nursultan AZOV (KAZ), with all of the points coming on the activity clock, when he finally makes an offensive move and scores a stepout with :30 left. Azov comes back with a shot that forces a sprawling Yamamoto out, but is originally scored as no points. On challenge, the call is changed to a stepout. With :03 left, Yamamoto gets in on a single and forces to the edge for a stepout, and that one is upheld on challenge. Yamamoto walks off a 4-3 winner. 

11:52: World U23 silver medalist Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), who won an Asian bronze at 70kg two years ago, rolls to an 11-0 victory at 74kg over Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN).

11:52: World 70kg champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) fell 1-0 behind against Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) in their 74kg opening bout but he comes back in the second period and wins 2-1 to advance.

11:45: At 125kg, Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ) squanders a 3-1 lead to fall behind 4-3 against Gyeongmin KIM (KOR), but comes back with a takedown with :32 left for a 5-4 win.

11:43: Returning silver medalist and Asian U20 champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) gives up an early stepout to Abdul ABUIDAIJ (JOR), but that's all he concedes in an 11-1 victory at 92kg. Poyonov chalks up four takedowns in the first period, then finishes the match by getting behind 15 seconds into the second.

11:34: Veteran Gwanuk KIM (KOR), a bronze-medal winner at the 2014 Asian Games and 2021 Asian Championships, falls 6-4 in his 92kg match with Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ), an Asian U23 bronze medalist. Trailing 4-2 in the second period, Kim receives an activity point, then appears headed for a go-ahead score when he gets Rakhimov's leg in the air. But the Kyrgyz wrestler deftly hits a switch and gets behind for 2. Kim scores a late stepout, but it's too little, too late.

11:26: A back-and-forth first period leaves Gyeongyeon LEE (KOR) with a 5-4 lead against Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) going into the second period at 86kg. Abdullaev receives a caution point for Lee's fleeing, and from par terre, hits two gut wrenches, but Lee reverses to the back after the second. So now it's 9-7, Abdullaev, with 40 seconds to go. Abdullaev gets behind when Lee tries to spin out of an underhook and walks off an 11-4 winner.

11:26: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) will accept an injury walkover from Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) at 92kg.

11:23: 2023 Asian bronze medalist Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) hangs on for a 4-2 win against Behruzbey TURANMURATOV (UZB) in the 61kg opening round bout. He went into a defense mode in the second period after leading 4-0 at the break.

11:16: Kum Chol RI (PRK), a bronze medalist a year ago at 61kg, drives Hyeonsik SONG (KOR) out for a 2-point takedown with his opponent on the activity clock for a quick 3-0 lead that he extends to 9-0 at the break. Ri ends the match with a takedown a minute into the second period.  

11:15: World U20 bronze medalist Abolfazl RAHMANI  (IRI) gets started with a 10-0 win over Mustafa AL AZZAWI (IRQ), capped with a 4-point pancake early in the second period.

11:12: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) has a good warm-up at 86kg with a 12-0 win over Weng CHOW (SGP) after two big throws. India did not reach the medal bouts on Saturday and would be hoping to change that today.

11:09: Asian U20 champion Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL) takes a 2-0 lead into the second period of his 86kg bout with Salimzhoni KHALIMZODA (TJK) with a stepout and activity point, but Khalimzoda goes ahead with a 2-point counter lift. Naadambat  counters a takedown attempt and gets behind for 2 and holds on for a 4-2 win.

11:09: Returning 86kg bronze medalist Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) completes a 10-0 win over Fahriansyah FAHRIANSYAH (INA) just inside the first period. 

11:03: Nan CAO (CHN), last year's Asian U23 champion at 79kg, gets his campaign started at 86kg with quick victory by fall over Abdallah MAKOON (JOR) in the opening match on Mat C.