#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 GR day one finals set

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 07:58 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (March 25) -- The 2025 Asian Championships begins in Amman with Japan hoping for continental domination after a rich show at the Paris Olympics. Iran, the leader in Greco-Roman and Freestyle, will be challenged by Japan. In Women's Wrestling, Japan has China and DPR Korea.

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Iran comes out of the sessions with four finalists and Uzbekistan manages three. All three Uzbekistan's gold medal bouts will be against Iran wrestlers.

Kazakhstan, Iraq and Japan with a finalist each. The gold medal bouts will begin at 18:00 hours local time.

130kg gold medal bout: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) vs Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)

14:33: In the final semifinal bout of the session, Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) assures himself of a fourth career Asian medal with a 4-1 win over Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) in their 130kg semifinal. Nasimov gets the first-period passivity call, but can't turn Syzdykov. In the second period, Syzdykov gains a stepout, then pretty much puts the match away with a gut wrench from par terre as Nasimov can find no way to break through the Kazakh's defenses. Syzdykova has the full collection of medals — a silver in 2021, a gold in 2022 and a bronze in 2023. What color will this year's be?

14:28: U23 world champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) makes it to the 130kg final with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yuta NARA (JPN). Takedown, stepout, takedown and two turns help him win 9-0 in one minute and seven seconds.

87kg gold medal bout: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) vs Yasin YAZDI (IRI)

14:21: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) is into the final at 87kg in just his second international tournament on the senior level, getting the points in par terre for a correct throw while avoiding giving any away while in bottom in a 3-1 victory over Sunil KUMAR (IND).

14:20: Former Asian champion Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) is into the final at 87kg after a fairly one-sided victory over Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) in the semifinal. Berdimuratov hit a suplex from par terre to lead 5-0 before defending the par terre position in the second period to win 5-1.

77kg gold medal bout: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) vs Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI)

14:10: Two-time reigning world U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is into the final at 77kg in his senior Asian debut, outlasting a determined Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) in a lively 4-3 victory. Maksatbek Uulu, winner of the Tirana Ranking Series tournament and a 2023 world U23 bronze medalist, is on top in par terre first, but Abdevali extricates himself from a front headlock. The Iranian then dances out of potential stepouts and, in final seconds of the first period, gets behind for a takedown and a 2-1 lead. Abdevali scores a pair of stepouts, and those points prove vital when Maksatbek Uulu gets behind for a takedown.  

14:05: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), who has only a bronze medal at the Asian Championships back in 2018, is guaranteed a silver medal as he moves into the 77kg final with a 9-0 win over Amro SADEH (JOR), dashing the hopes of the hosts.  

63kg gold medal bout: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) vs Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB)

13:58: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), the returning bronze medalist at 63kg, hits off a correct throw for two points from par terre to lead Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) 3-0 at the break. Keshtkar gets the par terre in the second period and he fails to put his hands on Chung twice and is asked to resume in standing. A huge blunder from Keshtkar. Chung leads 3-1. Keshtkar gets the third passivity advantage and par terre. This time he puts his hands correctly and completes a throw outside for a point. Chung is docked two points for an aggressive elbow and asked to restart in par terre. Chung sneaks out. He pressures Keshktar for a stepout but the Iranian hits a chest wrap for four to lead 8-3 with 13 seconds on the clock. Challenge from Korea for stepout. On review, the step is inside and Keshtkar gets four points. He leads 9-3 and will win with hte same score.

13:56: It doesn't get more fast and furious than the 63kg semifinal between Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) and Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB). Assetuly opens the scoring with a takedown and a 2-point throw, only to see Khalmakhanov come back with a 4-point fireman's carry, to which he added a 4-point throw. But when he tried another throw at the edge, Assetuly shut it down and forced the Uzbek to land on his back to get 2, with an unsuccessful challenge tacking on another point. Assetuly caps the first period with a stepout for a 9-7 lead. The second period is all Khalmakhanov, who finishes off a 16-7 win with a takedown straight to a roll.

55kg gold medal bout: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) vs Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ)

13:45: Defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) falls to Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) after a tense semifinal at 55kg. Ro built a 5-0 lead in the first period but Yamagiwa answers with a a big four from par terre to lead 5-5 on criteria. Ro tries a arm-throw that is blocked by Yamagiwa who gets a out-of-bounds point. DPR Korea challenge but lost and Yamagiwa leads 7-5. Ro with a front headlock two to make it 7-7 but Yamagiwa leads on criteria. The Japanese brings out a arm-throw to make it 11-7. With five seconds left, Ro manages to hit a body throw which is scored only two points. Yamagiwa is asked to be in par terre but fails to score and Yamagiwa wins 11-9.

13:37: In the 55kg semifinals, Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) fights back from a five-point deficit to not only take the lead, but finish off Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a fall and assured a better medal than the bronze he took home last year. Botirov, a bronze medalist in 2023, makes the most of his first shot at par terre, scoring with a gut wrench and then going top for a headlock roll, although Albidhan squirmed out of that and got behind for a reversal. Trailing 5-1, he then scores a 4-point takedown to the back when Botirov momentarily loses his balance to go ahead 5-5 on criteria. In the second period, Albidhan scores a takedown, gets 2 for an exposure, then holds Botirov down for the fall at 4:27.  

Semifinals in the five weight classes begin now

13:15: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) gets Sanghyeok PARK (KOR) in par terre and Park is cautioned for fleeing. Berdimuratov finishes the bout 10-0 after Park is asked to restart in par terre. Berdimuratov into the 87kg semifinal.

13:14: Sunil KUMAR (IND), a silver medalist back in 2019 looking to regain some of his old magic, gives India a presence in the opening-day semifinals with a 10-1 victory over Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK) at 87kg. Sunil scores all of his points in the second period, getting two gut wrenches from par terre with a 2-point penalty tacked on after the second one; a point for an unsuccessful challenge of the penalty; then a 2-point roll to finish the match at 4:25.

13:04: World U23 and U20 champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) emulates his compatriot Yazdi, building up a 7-0 lead in his 130kg quarterfinal before using a stepout to defeat Asian U23 champion Wenhao JIANG (CHN) 8-0.

13:03: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) gives Iran another semifinalist with an 8-0 win over Jiaxin HUANG (CHN). Yazdi scores three rolls in par terre for a 7-0 lead. He needs just 28 seconds of the second period to finish off the victory.

13:00: Seonjae KIM (KOR) with two turns from par terre to lead 5-0 against Yuta NARA (JPN) at the break in the 130kg quarterfinal. But Nara shows up in the second and scores six turns from par terre to win 13-5 and enter the semifinals. But Korea challenge for the last turn and wins the challenge to give a lifeline to Kim. But Nara holds on to win to However, Nara scores a stepout in the final second and a caution for fleeing against Kim. A 13-5 win for Nara.

13:00: Former Asian champion and three-time medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) proves too much for Ali AL SHARIJEE (IRQ), chipping away before posting an 8-0 victory to advance to the 130kg semifinals.

12:56: Russian-born Shamil OZHAEV (KGZ) gets a takedown late in the first period to take a 2-2 lead on criteria over world U23 bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) in their 87kg quarterfinal. in the second period, Ozhaev appears to get a takedown-roll combination at the edge, but on challenge, it is ruled a stepout for Zhanyshov. Just when it looks like he's going to hold on for a win, Ozhaev arm drags him to the mat for the winning takedown in the final seconds. The move is upheld on challenge for a 5-3 win. 

12:49: Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ), the 2023 world U23 champion and 2021 Asian champion at 67kg, cruised into the 63kg semifinals with a 9-0 rout of Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ).

12:45: Incredible strength from AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) to throw Chan KIM (PRK) with a underhook setup. He gets the par terre and then scores another four-pointer to win 9-0 in a minute and 43 seconds at 63kg.

12:45: World U23 bronze medalist Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) hits a nifty 4-point spinning arm throw in the second period to top off a 6-0 victory Yun LU (CHN) to book his spot in the 55kg semifinals.

12:36: World U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is through to the semifinals at 77kg with an 11-2 victory over Lai Hsing YAO (TPE).

12:35: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) gets the par terre advantage in the 63kg bout against Godai MITANI (JPN) and he fails to score. Iran quickly challenge for a fleeing foul against Mitani who is cautioned for fleeing and returned in par terre with Keshtkar leading 2-0. However, he fails to add any points. Keshtkar make it 4-0 with a takedown. In the second period, Keshtkar scores a stepout as Mitani's head touched out of bounds. Mithani gets a lifeline with par terre with 1:55 left on the clock. Mitani's a few tricks but fails to add any points. He later scores a stepout and makes it 5-2. Keshtkar answers with a four-pointer and wins the bout 9-2

12:35: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB), a bronze medalist two years ago, makes short work of 2024 bronze medalist Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ), scoring four gut wrenches from par terre for a 9-0 victory and a place in the 55kg semifinals.

12:31: In one of the feature bouts of the session, defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) gets the first shot at par terre in his 55kg quarterfinal with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), but the Iranian doesn't budge. In the second period, Dad Marz gets his shot, and he also can't get any points. With 1:16 to go, Ro gets a second chance, and this time he muscles Dad Marz over for 2, then hangs on for hard-fought 3-1 victory. It was a far different result from last year in Bishkek, when Ro scored a 9-0 win for the gold medal.

12:30: Back and forth match at 55kg between Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) and Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ). Albidhan races to a 7-0 lead but Kamaliyev adds a takedown from scramble to cut it to 7-2 at the start of the second period. Kamaliyev keeps the pressue and as Albidhan tries to evade, he called for a foul and par terre with a 7-3 lead. He reverses the position and scores two turns to win 12-3.

12:22: Amro SADEH (JOR) gives the home crowd another impressive victory, capping a 10-0 victory over Sagar THAKRAN (IND) with a 4-point throw from par terre to book a place in the semifinals at 77kg.

12:20: Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) got two points on Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) at 77kg but Maksatbek Uulu, who recently won gold in Tirana Ranking Series, scores 10 to win 10-2

12:17: Kim CHAN (PRK), a bronze medalist at 63kg a year ago, has a scary moment when he was stopped on his back during a roll by Suhib ALHASANAT (JOR), but otherwise has no trouble scoring a 13-2 victory.

12:10: Paris Olympics fifth placer Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) needs one par terre advantage to sprint to a 9-0 technical superiority victory over 2022 Asian champion Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) at 77kg

12:08: Two-time Asian U23 champion Haodong TAN (CHN) pulls off a miracle victory over Iranian-born Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT), scoring 4 points in the final seconds for a 6-3 win. Mohammadi had gone ahead 3-2 with a second-period takedown and appeared to have the victory well in hand. Qatar has had just one Asian medalist in its history, a freestyle silver in 2018 from Georgian-born Giorgi Sakandelidze.

12:07: Ali AL SHARUEE (IRQ) with a big 9-0 win over PREM (IND) at 130kg. Al Sharuee with a stepout and caution to lead 2-0. He gets the par terre advantage to lead 3-0. Three turns from par terre and he wins 9-0

12:03: Takedown and three turns will do it for multiple time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) against Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL) at 63kg. Chung is chasing the elusive gold he fell short in 2023

12:00: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a takedown and gut-wrench for a 4-0 lead over Abduvali RAHIMBAYEV (TKM). Botirov blocks an attempted takedown from Rahimbayev which is scored two. Turkmenistan challenges but lost. The restart is in par terre and Botirov gets the turn for a 9-0 win

11:59: Can Mostafa ALQADE (JOR) make it 2-for-2 for the hosts? He gets the roll from par terre against Asian U23 champion Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), but Kamaliyev reverses him to his back. A foul, puts Kamaliyev on top and he adds a gut wrench for a 6-3 lead. In the second period, Kamaliyev gets the passivity call, and from par terre bulls Alqade over for 2 before ending the match by fall.

11:50: Defending 55kg champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) advances to the quarterfinals with a 9-0 victory over NITIN (IND), setting up a rematch of the 2024 final with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI). 

11:55: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) has to do it twice but he beats Junsik YU (KOR) 11-1 at 55kg. Yamagiwa with a reverse lift and then a front headlock throw to  lead 7-1. He then gets a four-pointer for the win.

11:45: Another fall on Mat A. Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) needs only a minute to pin Orgil NYAM ERDENE (MGL) at 77kg. 55kg weight class matches on Mat A now.

11:42: Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), the 2022 gold medalist at 72kg, gets three rolls from par terre, then gives up nothing from the bottom for a 7-1 victory over Dowon LEE  (KOR) at 77kg. 

11:42: Amro SADEH (JOR) gets off to a good start at 77kg for the host nation, which hasn't had an Asian medalist since 2013. He scores a 4-point throw in the first period, then hangs for a 6-6 victory on criteria over Jixin YU (CHN).    

11:30: Not the ideal start for Japan here. Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) gives an injury walkover to U20 world champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) at 77kg. Next match on Mat A, Sagar THAKARAN (IND) gets a quick fall over Aryan BIN AZMAN (SGP) at 77kg in the first 30 seconds.

11:15: Welcome to Amman! The Asian Championships is here with Greco-Roman on day one. Wrestling in 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg will wrestle today.

#JapanWrestling

Ozaki powers to 4th career national title in return to 62kg

Friday, December 20, 2024 - 15:49 By Ken Marantz

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Nonoka OZAKI works the lace lock during the women's 62kg final against high schooler Shirin TAKEMOTO. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

TOKYO (December 20) -- Having made an unintended move up to 68kg that still resulted in an Olympic medal, Nonoka OZAKI is back at 62kg. She can't say for sure that that's where she will be at the time of the next Olympics, but she's off to a good start in a bid to make that happen.

Ozaki, the only one of Japan's 11 medalists at the Paris Olympics entered in the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships, swept to the 62kg gold on Friday at Tokyo's Yoyogi No. 2 Gym for her fourth career national title.

The 21-year-old Ozaki, last year's 68kg champion, completed an unscored-upon run to the gold with a 10-0 technical fall over high schooler Shirin TAKEMOTO in the final to add to the 62kg titles she won in 2020 and 2021.

"I realize that to compete against the top wrestlers, I have to raise my level both technically and physically," Ozaki said. "It was a relief to come out with a win at this stage, but it also made me aware there are many things I need to work on."

In other highlights on the second day of the four-day tournament that is also serving as one of the two domestic qualifiers for next year's World Championships, three-time former world champion Haruna MURAYAMA needed a dramatic last-second victory at women's 55kg to win her first title in five years, and Katsuaki ENDO denied training room collegue's bid for a historic first by regaining the Greco 67kg title.

Ozaki was the world champion at 62kg in 2022 and seemingly on a fast track to Olympic glory when her plans were derailed by Sakura MOTOKI, who moved up from 59kg and snatched the Paris berth in the Olympic weight.

Ozaki famously made the daring decision to bump up all the way to 68kg, and it paid off when she scored a miraculous playoff victory over Ami ISHII at the buzzer for the ticket to Paris. There, she came away with a bronze medal -- below expectations, no doubt, but a solid performance nonetheless.

JPN4Paris Olympic 68kg bronze medalist Nonoka Ozaki scores a takedown in the women's 62kg final against Shinrin TAKEMOTO. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

The Emperor's Cup marked Ozaki's first competition since Paris, after which she took about two months off and comtemplated which direction she wanted to go. While Japan's other Olympic medalists are still recovering while enjoying the fruits of their labor, Ozaki said she came to the decision in October that it was time to get back into action.

"I really struggled with this decision," she said. "I was coming off the break, so I had to become resolved to do it. If I was going to enter, I didn't want to lose. That was the main thing.

"There was pressure that by coming back and entering the tournament, I was expected to win, and that's tough. But I lived up to the challenge and was in good condition, so I'm glad I did it. I put the Olympics in the past. It was a great experience, but I saw this as a making a new start."

Starting with a victory by fall over world U20 bronze medalist Nagisa ITO, Ozaki faced her toughest challenge in the semifinals from Misuzu ENOMOTO, who had won a bronze medal at the Korean Open in September. Ozaki was never in trouble in carving out a 4-0 win.   

The final was vintage Ozaki, as she scored a quick takedown against Takemoto and transitioned to a high-leg roll. From there, she moved down to a lace lock to make it 6-0, then added a takedown to go into the break up 8-0. She needed just 18 seconds of the second period to end the match with a quick shrug-by takedown.

"This tournament, I felt I was in the bracket with strong opponents leading up to the final," Ozaki said. "I thought the semifinal would be the mountain I had to get over. But anyone who makes it to the final will be tough, the key was to not let down my guard. This time it was a high schooler, and they have a lot of spunk and want to knock off those at the top. I remember back to when I was a high schooler. I fought hard with that in mind."

Ozaki makes no secret of her desire to get to and win the gold at the Los Angeles Olympics. She's just not sure in what weight class fate will put her.

"I'm not thinking yet that four years from now I'll be at 62kg, but my weight has come down from its peak and at this time it seemed that 62kg was the most suitable for me and that's what I entered here," she said.

"Looking at my next objectives, there is the Asian Championships next year, the [world] under-23 and qualifying for various tournaments. My goal is to be well prepared and come out with victories."

JPNHaruna MURAYAMA, top, bowls over Sowaka UCHIDA for a 4-point takedown in the final seconds of the women's 55kg final. (photo by Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

Murayama foils high schooler's upset bid

In women's wrestling in Japan, there always seems to be another new prospect coming on to the scene, and Murayama ran headlong into one of the latest rising stars, and only barely avoided a stunning upset.

Murayama, who had won her three world titles (2017, 2018 and 2023) under her maiden name of OKUNO, scored a 4-point takedown in the final seconds of the 55kg final for a 6-3 victory over 18-year-old world U20 champion Sowaka UCHIDA.

In a defensive battle, Murayama was leading 2-1 in the second period, with all of the points coming on the activity clock, when Uchida suddenly charged ahead and scored a stepout as Murayama defended with whizzer. A challenge was unsuccessful, putting Uchida up 3-2 with 11 seconds left.

Murayama was not to be denied and came out charging like a bull, managing to plow Uchida over backwards during the final ticks of the clock for the 4-pointer.

"If I could get one point, I would win, so I didn't need a takedown," Murayama said. "I pressed for one, but she's flexible and can keep from being forced out, so I thought I couldn't get her out. I felt her power making a stand, so I changed direction and got the points."

Uchida, a member of the JOC Academy that produced such stars as Ozaki, Yui SUSAKI and Takuto OTOGURO, had made a name for herself at last year's Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, when she scored a stunning 11-9 victory over Emperor's Cup champ Moe KIYOOKA.

Murayama has arguably been the biggest victim of the depth of Japanese women's wrestling. First she lost out on a place to the Tokyo Olympics to Mayu MUKAIDA (now SHIDOCHI), then was pushed aside in the race to Paris by phenom Akari FUJINAMI.

JPN2Katsuaki ENDO launches a throw that was good for 2 points in the Greco 67kg final against Kaisei TANABE. (photo by Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

Endo intervenes in Tanabe's quest for history

A day after Kaisei TANABE successfully defended his freestyle 61kg crown, he set out to become the first wrestler to complete the national freestyle-Greco double in over 50 years. Endo had other ideas.

Endo, competing domestically for the first time since seeing his Olympic dream end with a loss in last year's final to Kyotaro SOGABE, denied Tanabe with a one-sided 8-0 victory in Friday's Greco 67kg gold-medal match.

Endo, last year's Asian Games gold medalist, had stepped away from the mat after his loss to Sogabe, who ended up winning the Asian qualifier to earn a ticket to Paris. Endo came back this fall and headed to the Bundesliga, where he compiled a 12-0 record despite sometimes competing in weight classes over 70kgs.

En route to Friday's final, Endo scored less-than-satisfying victories over a pair of 2023 world U23 bronze medalists, beating Chiezo MARUYAMA (who won a bronze at 63kg in Tirana) 3-2 and Haruto YABE 3-1 in the semifinals.

"My impression is that my matches were pretty disappointing,"  Endo said. "Last December, I lost here, after which I started thinking about my form and I took a long break. After that, I went over to compete in the Bundesliga for three months. This was the tournament where I was going to turn things around. But I didn't have a match that went as I had imagined and that was disappointing."

In the final, experience paid off for Endo, a graduate of Nippon Sports Science University where he still trains and where Tanabe is currently a student. Their paths do not cross very often as Tanabe focuses more on freestyle.

From par terre, Endo launched two throws that, while not putting Tanabe on his back, were good for two points each, then added a roll for a 7-0 lead. He clinched the technical fall with a stepout midway through the second period, regaining the title he won in 2021. He also won at 63kg in 2018.

Tanabe came up just short of becoming the first wrestler to win freestyle and Greco titles at the same All-Japan since 1973, when Mitsuo YOSHIDA won golds in the 100kg class of both styles. He went on to become a professional wrestler with the ring name Choshuriki.

Endo applauded Tanabe, whose father Chikara was a freestyle bronze medalist at the 2004 Athens Olympics and is currently one of the coaches at NSSU.

"I totally respect him," Endo said. "Kaisei is strong in freestyle and strong in Greco. It makes me a bit jealous. This was the final of the All-Japan, and it would have been disrespectful if I hadn't given it my all."

Asked if he also didn't have the urge to show Tanabe that he can't take Greco for granted, Endo replied, "There's a little of that. But once he takes the mat, he's one of us and I respect that."

One reason that there has not been a freestyle-Greco double achieved in so long is that for several decades, no wrestler thought to attempt it. There was no rule against it, but it was never encouraged.

No wrestler since the 1980s had entered both styles until last year, when 2022 world 70kg freestyle champion Taishi NARIKUNI did it as part of the quest to also become a world Greco champ, only to pull out of both due to an injury.

Along with Tanabe, among the 20 or so that tried this year was Waseda sophomore Leon KAKEGAWA, who for the second straight year came home with medals in both styles -- and the same ones, in fact.

A day after taking bronze at Greco 82kg, he secured the silver in freestyle 92kg, losing to Takashi ISHIGURO 5-0 in the final. Ishiguro had moved down from 97kg, where he won back-to-back titles in 2021-22.

JPN3Arash YOSHIDA gets in deep on a single-leg takedown against Yohei SHINADA in the freestyle 97kg final. (photo by Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

Yoshida continues dominance of upper weights

In other action, 2023 Asian champion Arash YOSHIDA, Japan's top hope to end a global medal drought in the men's upper weight classes,  won a second straight title at freestyle 97kg with a first-period victory by fall over Yohei SHINADA.

Yoshida, a junior at Nihon University, opened with a takedown, then took Shinada down again directly to his back before securing the fall at 1:49.

Yoshida's father is Iranian and runs the kids club in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo, where he and his siblings got their start in the sport. Arash first showed his potential by winning the gold at last year's Asian Championships, where he beat an Iranian in the first round. He followed that by making the semifinals before placing fifth at the World Championships in Belgrade.

But he came up short in the Olympic qualifiers, showing he still has a way to go.

"Watching the [Olympic] matches, I gained the feeling that I'm not yet at that level. Both from the technical and physical aspects, there is still much that I need to do. I have to build my strength, then firm up my techniques, then I think I can get there. It's still an unknown world for me. Anyway, I need to practice more."

Since Akira OTA won a silver medal at freestyle 90kg at the 1988 Seoul Olympics, Japan has had only a handful of wrestlers over 90kg qualify for the Olympics, and none since London 2012.

Looking closer ahead, he is aiming for this year's Asian Championships and perhaps a chance meeting with one of the sport's newest stars.

"At the Asian Championships, I'm not sure, but the Olympic champion [Akhmed TAZHUNIDOV (BRN)] might be there. That would give me an idea of where I'm at, which I can take into the Meiji Cup and then on to the World Championships."

The Meiji Cup, to be held in June, is the second of the two domestic qualifiers for the World Championships.

Day 2 Results

Freestyle

92kg (16 entries)
GOLD -- Takeshi ISHIGURO df. Leon KAKEGAWA, 5-0
BRONZE -- Hiroto NINOMIYA df. Sorato KANAZAWA, 6-4
BRONZE -- Takato UCHIDA df. Yusuke SUZUKI by TF, 10-0, 1:45

97kg (9 entries)
GOLD -- Arash YOSHIDA df. Yohei SHINADA by Fall, 1:49 (6-0)
BRONZE -- Genki HOKI df. Ryusei FUJITA by Inj. Def.
BRONZE -- Takuma TACHIOKA df. Akinobu TAKEUCHI by Inj. Def.

125kg (13 entries)
GOLD -- Taiki YAMAMOTO df. Taira SONODA by TF, 10-0, 3:40
BRONZE -- Hosei FUJITA df. Koei YAMADA, 2-1
BRONZE -- Sota NAGANO df. Kaito UTSUNOMIYA, 5-1

Greco-Roman

67kg (17 entries)
GOLD -- Katsuaki ENDO df. Kaisei TANABE by TF, 8-0, 4:22
BRONZE -- Haruto YABE df. Chiezo MARUYAMA, 6-2
BRONZE -- Ryoma HOJO df. Taisei MAEDA by TF, 11-0, 2:24

72kg (13 entries)
GOLD -- Issei HONNA df. Yuji UEGAKI, 3-3
BRONZE -- Hajime KIKUTA df. Sanshiro ISHIHARA, 8-4
BRONZE -- Rei NAGAMATSU df. Kensaku ONO by TF, 14-4, 5:19

77kg (15 entries)
GOLD -- Kodai SAKURABA df. Shunsuke MIZUGUCHI by TF, 9-0, 1:38
BRONZE -- Shu YAMADA df. Isami HORIKITA by Inj. Def.
BRONZE -- Naoki KADODE vs Yuki AOYAGI by TF, 9-0, 1:56

Women's Wrestling

55kg (12 entries)
GOLD -- Haruna MURAYAMA df. Sowaka UCHIDA, 6-3
BRONZE -- Minami MARU df. Karen SASAKI, 6-4
BRONZE -- Ruka NATAMI df. Risa MOTOHARA, 3-0

62kg (10 entries)
GOLD -- Nonoka OZAKI df. Shirin TAKEMOTO by TF, 10-0, 3:18
BRONZE -- Hiyori MOTOKI df. Ayana HISHINUMA, 6-5
BRONZE -- Misuzu ENOMOTO df. Nagisa ITO by TF, 10-0, :59

72kg (7 entries)
GOLD -- Masako FURUICHI df. Sumire NIIKURA, 2-0
BRONZE -- Haruka KOBARU df. Yuka FUJIKURA, 3-3