Antim, India's first U20 world champion

Friday, August 19, 2022 - 20:53 By Vinay Siwach

SOFIA, Bulgaria (August 19) -- Her name may translate to 'the last', but ANTIM (IND) did a first for India.

Before Antim, six Indian wrestlers reached the finals at the previous U20 World Championships, but it took the 17-year-old to win the country's first-ever gold medal at the tournament.

Not only did she win the gold, but she also ran through the 53kg weight class. She defeated U20 European champion Amory ANDRICH (GER) 11-0 in the first round, pinned Ayaka KIMURA (JPN) in the quarterfinal and won via technical superiority against Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA (UKR) in the semifinal.

"Everyone always said that Japan is the best," Antim said. "All I wanted to do was beat Japan."

In the final, Antim destroyed Alytn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) 8-0, using her counters to perfection. She began with a double leg attack and then went for an outside head for another takedown. At the break, Antim had a 6-0 lead.

With the bout under control, the Tunis Ranking Series champion was happy to play out the three minutes and only scored one takedown.

"I really love counters but here she was not attacking much so I had to initiate a few attacks," she said.

Born after three daughters to Ram Niwas Panghal and Krishna Kumari, the parents decided to name her Antim hoping that it would be their last daughter. Little did the Panghal household know in 2004 that Antim will, one day, be the first in the world.

"My elder sister plays kabaddi and she was the one who forced my parents to let me wrestle," she said. "But they never stopped me or pulled me down. My parents have contributed to this success.

"We moved closer to the academy and stayed at a rented place. Now we are building our own house. I don't like staying in the academy."

Though Antim, who celebrates her 18th birthday on August 31, had collected titles at various age-group nationals, she made news after the selection trials for the Commonwealth Games in June.

In the final, she wrestled world bronze medalist Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) and was leading 3-1 till the final 10 seconds when Phogat used a seatbelt for exposure to win 3-3.

"I wrestled Vinesh without any pressure because my coach had told me that it doesn't matter if I win or lose," she said. "I am way younger than Vinesh so it didn't matter."

ANTIM (IND) scores a takedown against Alytn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) in the 53kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

But when she was selected for the U20 Worlds in Sofia, Antim wanted to win the gold, a medal she missed at the U17 World Championships last year. In Budapest, she finished with a bronze after a 4-3 loss to Katie GOMEZ (USA), who won a bronze medal in Sofia on Friday.

"I didn't think too much about that loss," she said. "I moved on and thought of winning in the next World Championships."

Although a year later, Antim did achieve the goal she set and made it even sweeter.

"I knew it [first gold]," she said. "My coach had told me that if I win, my name will be in the history books."

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) pins Sonam MALIK (IND) in the 62kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

India had two more wrestlers in the final on Friday but they failed to cross the Japan hurdle for the gold medal.

Senior World bronze medalist Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) won the 62kg gold medal by beating two-time U17 world champion Sonam MALIK (IND).

"She's an opponent I've been facing since my cadet [U17] days," Ozaki said. "I know what her wrestling style is. I'm happy that I was able to do what I wanted to do on the big stage of the final."

Ozaki shot for the leg and stood up for the lace. Instead of going for turns she put Malik on her back and secured the fall.

Three years back, Ozaki had won her first world title in Sofia and said the place brought back sweet memories.

"I've already been to the senior Asian Championships and World Championships, so I feel that I definitely should win at this age group," she said. "This is my second time in Bulgaria. I'm really happy to win again here, and it brought back memories of my U17 gold medal."

For Ozaki, who will be in Belgrade for the senior Worlds, wrestling at the U20 level was important to get international exposure before the big tour in which she will try to step on the top of the podium.

"Even though we will be heading out next month, before the World Championships I wanted to compete here and get a feel for facing foreign wrestlers," she said.

"From the time I return to Japan, up to the World Championships, there is not much time," she said. "I wanted to use this tournament for self-reflection and to build a little strength, so in the end, I'm in top shape going into the tournament."

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) celebrates after winning the gold medal in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

It will be her second senior World Championships but the first in which she is the favorite to win the gold. Last year in Oslo, Ozaki suffered an opening round loss to world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ). Though she avenged that loss in the Asian Championships final, Ozaki believes that Tynybekova remains her toughest opponent.

"Aisuluu," she said when asked about her toughest opponent in Belgrade. "At the Asian Championships, my opponent hurt her ankle. This time it will certainly be a tough match. I will be sure not to let my guard down and go for a solid win.

"The wrestlers entered at the World Championships have power and many techniques. I've watched many videos, and I've rethought how my wrestling can work against the overseas wrestlers."

Ozaki's ultimate aim is to win the Olympic gold medal. But for that, she will have to go through rounds of selection process beginning with the Emperor's Cup in December this year. Earlier in May, she defeated Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN) to win the Meiji Cup and book the ticket to Belgrade.

But the 19-year-old says that living in the past will not help her cause.

"The match [against Kawai in May] was for qualifying for Serbia, not the Olympics," she said. "If I don't win the Emperor's Cup in December and the Meiji Cup next year, I can't make the team to the World Championships and can't secure a place at the Olympics. I've put the win over Kawai in the past and now I'm thinking of how I can beat her the next time."

Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) controls an attack from PRIYANKA (IND) in the 65kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In another Japan-India final, Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) showed some top defense to overcome PRIYANKA (IND), 8-0, in the 65kg final.

Priyanka tried shooting for Yoshitake's leg but she was countered by the Japanese with ease. She built on her 2-0 lead and extended it to 4-0 in the second period with a takedown before a go-behind and lace made it 8-0, the final score.

Yoshitake was wrestling at her first World Championships but showed no sign of inexperience, dominating all her bouts and giving up only two points in four bouts.

Ruka NATAMI (JPN) won the 57kg gold medal in Sofia. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The third gold for Japan was won by Ruka NATAMI (JPN), another U17 world champion from Sofia in 2019. She wrestled Sofia MACALUSO (USA) in the 57kg final and controlled the final from the first whistle until the end winning 6-1.

Only senior European silver medalist Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) was able to score on Natami. But the Japan wrestler scored a final second exposure to beat Khomenets in the quarterfinals.

The three golds and two bronze medals on Friday along with the five golds on Thursday helped Japan win the title with 230 points. It finished 70 points ahead of second-placed India. The defending champion the USA finished third with 134 points.

Amit ELOR (USA) repeated as the U20 world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Elor repeats

The USA received a huge boost in the team race when returning champion Amit ELOR (USA) won her second straight gold medal at the U20 Worlds.

Last year, she won the gold at 68kg but jumped up to 72kg for this edition. But there was no change in the performance as she managed to ease her way to the gold medal.

Wrestling Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ) in the final, Elor defended a few upper-body locks early in the bout before countering them for takedowns.

Elor, who won a bronze medal in the 2019 U17 Worlds in Sofia, made it look easy against Panassovich and showed that she is ready for the senior Worlds in Belgrade.

"It's hard to believe that I won another world title," Elor said. "I am still shocked but it's just another match.

"I took a close loss in the U17 Worlds in Sofia. Ever since then, I remember that moment. [At] every tough practice, I remember that loss, and I am like if only I worked a little harder, those last two seconds. I keep imagining that in practice and it has helped me become a lot stronger wrestler both physically and mentally."

Elor will now head to Belgrade to win her first senior-level medal before moving to Spain for the U23 World Championships.

"[I learned] how to handle stress at an international competition," she said. "Every time I wrestle internationally I think I can handle it better. I will take my experiences here and try to use them in the upcoming World Championships."

Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI) won the semifinal against Lachin VALIYEV (AZE). (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Iran puts 3 in Greco finals

Greco-Roman wrestling began at the U20 World Championships on Friday with five weight classes. Iran emerged as the most successful team with three wrestlers in the gold medal bouts.

At 63kg, Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) gave no chance to Chiezo MARUYAMA (JPN) and won the semifinal 4-0 with ease. He will now wrestle Baiaman KARIMOV (KGZ) who defeated Arman VARDANYAN (ARM), 3-2 in the other semifinal.

Karimov trailed 2-0 after the first period was Vardanyan was called passive and Karimov got the turn from par terre to lead 3-2.

A rematch of the U20 European semifinal at 87kg was on the cards as Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) made the final in Sofia by beating Maksat SAILAU (KAZ), 9-0, but Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI) build an 8-1 lead over European champion Lachin VALIYEV (AZE) before the Azerbaijan wrestler was forced to retire due to injury.

Valiyev twisted his ankle in the first minute of the bout and wrestled in pain until he was officially told to not continue the bout.

The 130kg final will feature U20 European and Asian champions. Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) and Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) won their respective semifinal in contrasting fashion.

Vyshnyvetskyi thrashed Aden ATTAO (USA) 10-0 in the semifinals using two four-point throws. Hedayati struggled but beat Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB), 5-1.

At 55kg, the final will be a repeat of the U20 European Championships final between Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) and Denis MIHAI (ROU). The Romania wrestler will be keen on avenging his loss from the final in Rome.

In the semifinal, Mihai got the par terre position against '21 U17 world champion Nuristan SUIORKULOV (KGZ) and hit a four to lead 5-0 at the break. Suiorkulov failed to score from par terre in the second period.

Guluzade planned his semifinal to perfection against Karapet MANVELYAN (ARM). After giving up a point for passivity, he defended par terre and scored a stepout to lead 1-1 at the break. He then extended his lead to 2-1 with passivity in the second period. Manvelyan defended the position but Guluzade was happy to win 2-1.

Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR) reached the 77kg final after avenging his loss from the U20 European Championships against Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) in some manner, using two big throws to win via technical superiority. Gutu was put in par terre and Saricicek managed to lift him for a four before adding another four from the zone.

The U20 European bronze medalist will now wrestle the other bronze medalist from Rome, Deni NAKAEV (GER) in the final. Nakaev defeated U20 Asian silver medalist Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB), 9-4.

RESULTS

Women's wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Antim PANGHAL (IND) df. Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ), 8-0

BRONZE: Ayaka KIMURA (JPN) df. Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA (UKR), 6-4
BRONZE: Katie GOMEZ (USA) df. Shaimaa MOHAMED (EGY), 12-2

57kg
GOLD: Ruka NATAMI (JPN) df. Sofia MACALUSO (USA), 6-1

BRONZE: Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) df. Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ), 12-2
BRONZE: SITO (IND) df. Melda DERNEKCI (TUR), via fall (11-5)

62kg
GOLD: Sonam MALIK (IND) df. Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), via fall (6-0)

BRONZE: Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) df. Bermet NURIDIN KYZY (KGZ), 10-0
BRONZE: Iryna BONDAR (UKR) df. Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE), 9-1

65kg
GOLD: Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) df. PRIYANKA (IND), 8-0

BRONZE: Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ) df. Gulmira AITMURATOVA (UZB), 12-2
BRONZE: Khadija JLASSI (TUN) df. Reese LARRAMENDY (USA), 9-2

72kg
GOLD: Amit ELOR (USA) df. Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ), 10-0

BRONZE: Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) df. Vanesa GEORGIEVA (BUL), 4-1
BRONZE: REETIKA (IND) df. Zaineb SGHAIER (TUN), 4-3

Japan Japan won the team title with 230 points. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Greco-Roman semifinals

55kg
GOLD: Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) vs. Denis MIHAI (ROU)

SF 1: Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) df. Karapet MANVELYAN (ARM), 2-1
SF 2: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df. Nuristan SUIORKULOV (KGZ), 5-1

63kg
GOLD: Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) vs. Baiaman KARIMOV (KGZ)

SF 1: Iman Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. Chiezo MARUYAMA (JPN), 4-0
SF 2: Baiaman KARIMOV (KGZ) df. Arman VARDANYAN (ARM), 3-2

77kg
GOLD: Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR) vs. Deni NAKAEV (GER)

SF 1: Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR) df. Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), 10-0
SF 2: Deni NAKAEV (GER) df. Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB), 9-4

87kg
GOLD: Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI) vs. Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI) df. Lachin VALIYEV (AZE), 8-1 (via injury)
SF 2: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) df. Maksat SAILAU (KAZ), 9-0

130kg
GOLD: Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) vs. Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI)

SF 1: Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) df. Aden ATTAO (USA), 10-0
SF 2: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) df. Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB), 5-1

#WrestleAmman

Rising star Masoumi gains revenge, joins gold rush by young Iran team

Sunday, March 30, 2025 - 20:27 By Ken Marantz

AMMAN, Jordan (March 30) -- Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) settled an old score as he continued his emergence as the new face in the heavyweight class.

Rising star Masoumi defeated Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the 125kg final as Iran won three of the five Freestyle titles at stake on the final day of the Asian Championships on Sunday in Amman, Jordan.

The 20-year-old Masoumi's 6-0 victory over Munkhtur avenged a loss in the quarterfinals two years ago at the Asian Championships, and gave the reigning world U23 and U20 champion the first of what could be many senior Asian titles to come.

Iran also got golds from teenager Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) at 86kg and world U23 champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), who successfully defended his 92kg title, while collegian Takara SUDA (JPN) gave Japan its third freestyle gold with a victory at 61kg and Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) triumphed at 74kg to become a three-time Asian champion.

The young Iran squad, which medaled in all but one weight class, compiled 190 points to run away with the team title for the second straight year and sixth time in seven years. Japan finished second with 146, while Kazakhstan edged Mongolia by two points for third place with 125.

"Iran did something really great and valuable this year by bringing young wrestlers to the Asian Championships, proving that we can win the title with them and that they deserve our trust," said Masoumi, whose father Fardin was a two-time world medalist and finished fifth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"The championship age is getting lower in the world, and I believe the more opportunities we give these young athletes, the bigger achievements they can accomplish."

Masoumi came into Amman riding high from a victory at the Zagreb Ranking Series event in February, a year after losing in the final to compatriot, world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Amir ZARE (IRI). Lanky for a heavyweight, Masoumi combines a lethal combination of speed, agility and power.

In the final against Munkhtur, a two-time world medalist and the 2023 Asian champion, Masoumi quickly took advantage of an opening and tripped the Mongolian backward at the edge for a 4-point takedown. He then used a double underhook to muscle Munkhtur over the edge to get a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on.

Although Masoumi went scoreless in the second period, he was never put in danger and fended off all of Munkhtur's efforts.

"Munkhtur is a tough and respectable opponent," Masoumi said. "He’s a world silver medalist, a world bronze medalist, the runner-up at the Asian Games, and an Asian champion.

"Thank God, with my coaches’ analysis and my own progress over the past few years, I was able to wrestle a smart match, winning 6-0 and avenging my loss to him in the Asian Championships two years ago."

Masoumi said his next competition will be the domestic Takhti Cup, which will serve as a national team qualifer for this year's World Championships in Zagreb.

"All of the top heavyweight contenders, including the biggest names, will compete there," he said. "I’ll also participate and test my chances for the Zagreb competition."

Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) posted an 11-4 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) in the 86kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 86kg, Rahmani put on an impressive performance in roaring to an 11-4 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), the 2023 Asian champion at 79kg who, at 32, was an opponent nearly twice his age.

Rahmani, less than one year removed from taking an Asian U20 silver, started his quest for senior gold with a single-leg takedown, then gave up one to Sakayev. Rahmani gained an activity point to lead 3-2 going into the second period.

The Iranian increased the gap by stepping over for a 2-point exposure on the edge, then really got rolling when he got behind for a takedown and hit a gut wrench. Another takedown put him up 11-2 before Sakayev capped the scoring with a late takedown.

Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) wrestles Deepak PUNIA (IND) in the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Firouzpour, like Masoumi a world U23 champion and winner in Zagreb, turned in the most dominant victory of the night's finals, crushing Deepak PUNIA (IND) 10-0 for his second straight gold at 92kg and third overall.

A stepout and a snap-down takedown gave the 22-year-old Firouzpour a 3-0 lead in the first period. In the second, he added three more stepouts -- with a fleeing point added to one -- and an activity point to go up 8-0, then ended the match by countering a trip attempt and getting behind with 39 seconds left.

Firouzpour finished the tournament with two technical falls in three matches, and without conceding a point.

"My main goal was to not give up any points and wrestle my best in this tournament," Firouzpour said. "I’m happy that I achieved the result I wanted. I hope to perform well in the upcoming Takhti Cup...and to win gold at the World Championships in Croatia."

Firouzpour also praised Iran coach Pejman DOROSTKAR for taking the chance to assemble such a young team for the tournament.

"Not every head coach would take that risk, but he embraced the challenge and built a U23 team," Firouzpour said. "In fact, most of our team was under 21. Only one other wrestler and I were 22, while almost everyone else was under 20.

"Thanks to his decision, we won nine medals and dominated Asia. With a coach and federation president like we have now, I’m confident we’ll achieve the best results at the World Championships as well."

Punia, a world silver medalist at 86kg in 2019, earned his fourth Asian medal and first since 2022. He also has a silver from the 2023 Asian Games and placed fifth at the Tokyo Olympics.

Takara SUDA (JPN) defends against UDIT (IND) in the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Suda, winner at the Tirana Ranking Series event in February in his international senior debut, made it 2 for 2 on this level with a 6-4 victory in the 61kg final over UDIT (IND), last year's silver medalist at 57kg.

"I was determined to win the gold medal," Suda said. "To win my second senior tournament, following the Ranking Series, shows I can be competitive on this level."

Suda fired straight out of the blocks and scored a stepout with a charging single leg, then added a single-leg takedown to go into the break 3-0.

Udit went on the offensive in the second period, but couldn't seem to keep hold of the elusive Suda, who twice jumped free when Udit grabbed a low single. Udit kept his grip a third time, but Suda still managed to squirm free.

An activity point put Udit onto the scoreboard, but Suda quickly responded with a snap-down takedown. The two traded late stepouts before Udit scored a takedown in the final seconds that still left him short.

"In the final, I knew the Indian opponent would be strong physically," Suda said. "At the very least, I wanted to be aggressive in the first period."

Suda earned his ticket to Amman by winning his first national title last December in the absence of injured world champion Masanosuke ONO (JPN), his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate and training partner. Ono has since announced he will compete for Penn State University in the United States next season.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) added a third Asian title to his name. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the 74kg final, Kaipanov put on a masterclass in defending against a dangerous opponent, with a stepout and activity point in the second period lifting him to a 2-1 victory over Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) and his first Asian title since 2021.

Toktomambetov, the 2024 world U23 silver medalist who took an Asian bronze at 70kg in 2023, gained an activity point for the lone score of the first period. But he couldn't break through Kaipanov's defenses in the second as the Kazakh veteran took the lead and held on for the win.

The victory makes Kaipanov a four-time Asian medalist, having won his first gold at 70kg in 2019 and a silver medal in 2022. He also took a world bronze at 70kg in 2019.

Dauletbekov grabs 92kg bronze for 6th career medal

Veteran Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), who moved up 92kg late last year, was unable to continue his remarkable streak of Asian titles, but assured he would not leave Amman empty-handed when he defeated Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) 2-1 for a bronze medal.

Dauletbekov scored a stepout in the first period, and that proved the difference when the two had offsetting activity points to give him a sixth career Asian medal dating back to 2017.

The world bronze medalist, who won three straight Asian golds at 86kg from 2022-2024, bumped up a weight class following the Paris Olympics, where he placed 11th.

The other 92kg bronze went to Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN), who stormed to an 11-0 victory over Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) to add to his bronze at 97kg in 2021. Ishiguro barged to a 4-point takedown right off the bat, then got behind in standing position and took Rakhimov to the mat while executing a gut wrench, then added another roll for the 10-point gap at 1:52. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

In one of the oddest matches of the tournament, DINESH (IND) scored a takedown with :40 left to cap a comeback in a wild 14-12 victory over an obviously fatigued Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) for a 125kg bronze.

Saparov, the 2023 Asian U23 champion, looked chipper at the start, hitting Dinesh with a slick arm throw for 2, then using an arm spin for another takedown and adding a gut wrench to lead 6-0.

But from there, it became clear he was struggling for breath, and the only thing that seemed to save him were constant breaks to stop a bloody nose. Dinesh continually chipped away at the lead, although Saparov managed one spurt in the second period when he got behind for a takedown and added a gut wrench to go ahead 12-7.

Dinesh kept pressing and kept scoring, inevitably getting the winning points to clinch his first major medal. With Saparov's loss, Turkmenistan continued a medal drought at the Asian Championships dating back to 2018.

Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) claimed the other 125kg bronze and his second in a row with a victory by fall over Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ).

Leading 4-1 in the second period, Sharipov was sprawling when he reached under and pulled in Al Jamie's leg, forcing him to his back for a 4-point move before pressing down for the fall in 4:53.

At 61kg, Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), the winner at this year's Zagreb Ranking Series event, capped his debut at the Asian Championships with a solid 6-1 victory that relegated Kum Chol RI (PRK) to a second straight silver medal.

After thwarting a nice ankle pick by Ri and converting it into a takedown, Javan went on the offensive and got two takedowns off a high crotch, sandwiched around a stepout by Ri. Javan then defended well in a scoreless second period to add the Asian bronze to those at the world U20 in 2022 and world U23 in 2021 at 57kg.

Wanhao ZOU (CHN) won the other 61kg bronze, getting a takedown and stepout in the first period in a 4-2 victory that denied Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) a second career bronze.

At 74kg, Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN) received an activity point in each period, while putting up a Great Wall of Defense to defeat Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB) 4-0. Aheiyou got his last two points when he stopped a last-ditch throw attempt by Nasritdinov.

Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) became the lone Iranian in freestyle to leave without a medal when was dealt a heartbreaking 2-2 defeat by Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), despite being the aggressor throughout their 74kg match.

Shakeri, the 2023 world U230 champion at 65kg, gained an activity point in the first period, but Asluev went ahead in the second when he managed to gain control long enough for a takedown during a scramble that ended with Shakeri gaining a stepout.

To his credit, Asluev deftly slipped out when Shakeri got behind on the ankles, and whizzered out of another takedown attempt as he added to his bronze from 2023.

At 86kg, Asian U20 champion Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), burned once by an arm spin by Nan CAO (CHN), was ready the second time, stopping his opponent in mid-twist and securing a second-period fall.

Cao, the Asian U23 champion at 79kg, took the lead with an acrobatic takedown in the first period. But Naadambat was ready the second time and it resulted in his first senior medal.

Stocky Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) came away with his second straight 86kg bronze, using his low center of gravity to score four stepouts and defeat Mukul DAHIYA (IND) 4-2.

Shirai, the 2022 world U23 champion, chalked up two stepouts in each period before 2023 Asian U20 champion Dahiya finally got on the scoreboard with a takedown late in the second period.

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

61kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Takara SUDA (JPN) df. UDIT (IND), 6-4

BRONZE: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) df. Kum Chol RI (PRK), 6-1
BRONZE: Wanhao ZOU (CHN) df. Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ), 4-2

74kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 2-1

BRONZE: Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN) df. Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB), 4-0
BRONZE: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), 2-2

86kg (15 entries)
GOLD: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 11-4

BRONZE: Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL) df. Nan CAO (CHN) by Fall, 3:56 (2-2)
BRONZE: Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) df. Mukul DAHIYA (IND), 4-2

92kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) df. Deepak PUNIA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 5:21

BRONZE: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Sherzod POYONOV (UZB), 2-1
BRONZE: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) df. Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) by TF, 11-0, 1:53

125kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) df. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), 6-0

BRONZE: DINESH (IND) df. Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM), 14-12
BRONZE: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ) by Fall, 4:53 (8-1)

Antim, India's first U20 world champion

Comments

Rising star Masoumi gains revenge, joins gold rush by young Iran team