#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships Day 3 Women's Wrestling Finals Set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 13) -- Women's Wrestling at the Asian Championships with Japan hoping to win all five gold medals. Yui SUSAKI (JPN), Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), Risako KINJO (JPN), Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) and Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) will be the five Japanese wrestlers in action.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 REPORT

Here are the finals for tonight

50kg
Yui SUSAKI (JPN) vs. Ziqi FENG (CHN)

55kg
Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Kyong Ryong OH (PRK)

59kg
Qi ZHANG (CHN) vs. Anudari BATKHUYAG (MGL)

68kg
Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) vs. RADHIKA (IND)

76kg
Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs. Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN)

14:19: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) avenges a loss from last year's final with a 5-1 victory over Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) in the 76kg semifinals in which she got some help from a Kazakhstan challenge. Medet Kyzy was leading 1-1 on criteria from a pair of activity points when she was put on the clock again. She scores a takedown much to the delight of the home crowd, then goes for a gut wrench. Medet Kyzy gets stopped midway through, and the Kazakh side challenges, thinking they should have gotten 2. Instead, Medet Kyzy is awarded 2 for exposure in a challenge "won" by the opponent.

14:16: Yuanyuan HUANG (CHN) with takedowns in each period to see off Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) 4-0 and reach the 76kg final.

14:04: RADHIKA (IND) into the final at 68kg a fall over local star Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KAZ). She gets Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) as her opponent for the gold medal.

14:04: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) is having no trouble with the extra weight at 68kg, storming to a 10-0 victory in 1:28 over world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) to make the final. She will be looking to add to the Asian gold she won at 62kg in 2022.

13:58: While the 14-3 score doesn't show it, Anudari BATKHUYAG (MGL) and Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) had a wild match in which the Kazakh wrestler kept trying to hit a four-pointer but it was Batkhuyag who got the big throws and points. The Mongolian wins 14-3 and advances to the 59kg final.

13:55: World champion Qi ZHANG (CHN) follows up her victory over Japanese star Risako KAWAI (JPN) with a 10-0 rout of  Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB) to advance to the 59kg final. Zhang shrugs by Aimbetova for a takedown, which she follows with two gut wrenches. A snap-down takedown then sets her up for another gut wrench that ends the match after 1:06.

13:51: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) advances to her first senior Asian final with a 10-0 win over Dulguun BOLORMAA (MGL) at 55kg. Kiyooka opens with a low single-leg takedown for the lone score of the first period. She continues to attack at ankle level and chalks up four more takedowns to finish off the match with 23 seconds to spare.

13:44: Into the final at 55kg is Kyong Ryong OH (PRK). She rolls to an 11-0 win over Zulfiya YAKHYAROVA (KAZ) and will face Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) for the gold medal.

13:36: Ziqi FENG (CHN) sets up a final against Yui SUSAKI (JPN) at 50kg after destroying world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) 11-0 in the semifinal. A strong statement from Feng who lost 8-2 against Susaki in the World Championships semifinal.

13:33: World and Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will get a shot at her first Asian title since 2017 after cruising to a 10-0 win over Thi NGUYEN at 50kg. Susaki opens with a front headlock roll for 2, then adds a double-leg takedown. From there she applies a lace lock, and three quick rolls and it's all over in just over a minute. 

The semifinals in the women's wrestling will begin at 13:30 local time

13:00: Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN), a 2022 world U23 bronze medalist, scores a takedown with 20 seconds left to defeat Zagardulam NAIGALSUREN (MGL) 4-4 on criteria in their 76kg quarterfinal. Naigalsuren had gone ahead with a takedown just over a minute earlier.

12:51: World silver medalist and three-time Asian medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) wastes little time in disposing of Hyeongyeong PARK (KOR), scoring a takedown and arm-barring her over for a fall in 48 seconds and meeting with Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) in the 68kg semifinals.

12:48: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), the 2023 world U23 champion, takes out the reigning Asian U23 champion Min ZHANG (CHN) 5-1 to make the 55kg semifinals. Kiyooka gets an activity point in the first period. In the second, Zhang gets in deep on a single, but Kiyooka forces a stalemate. The Japanese comes back with a double-leg takedown, and Zhang responds with a stepout with a minute left. Kiyooka spins behind on a poor shot by Zhang to make it 5-1.

12:39: Dulgunn BOLORMAA (MGL), who completed the full set of Asian medals by winning the gold in 2021, posts a 4-0 victory over Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB) to advance to the 55kg semifinals.

12:39: Returning from her injury at the World Championships, Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) with a solid showing in the quarterfinal against Priya MALIK (IND) at 76kg. Malik was put on the activity clock in the first period before Medet Kyzy got the takedown to lead 3-0 at the break. Malik did get close to scoring a takedown thrice but failed to finish the move. Medet Kyzy moves into the semifinal with a 3-1 win.

12:30: World silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) trailed Irina ZHANIBEKOVA BORISSOVA (KAZ) 4-4 on criteria but Dolgorjav hits a four to take an 8-4 lead. Borissova with a reversal but loses her steam in the match to go down 12-5 at 50kg

12:29: Thi NGUYEN (VIE) scores a victory by fall over Miseon KWON (KOR) in their 50kg quarterfinal. Her reward is a clash with Susaki in the semifinals. 

12:25: Another thriller involving a Kyrgyz wrestler revs up the crowd, but ends up going the opposite way. In a back-and-forth match, Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ) scores a stepout against Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB) with 10 seconds left for what appears to be a 6-6 win on criteria. But a challenge overturns the call and gives Aimbetova the point.

12:22: Did Yui SUSAKI (JPN) just survive a scare there? The world champion got a 2-0 lead after Yong Ok HWANG (PRK) was called passive in both periods. Hwang got attacking in the last minute but Susaki kept her at bay. With 12 seconds remaining on the clock, Hwang got a stepout and got Susaki in the zone but the Japanese got on her knees and stopped Hwang. A desperate attempt from Hwang for a front roll but Susaki blocks it to win 4-1 at 50kg.

12:21: Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) gets the defense of her 76kg title started by using a headlock trip to throw Seoyeon JONG (KOR) onto her back and score a quick fall to advance to the semifinals.

12:17: Returning bronze medalist and world bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) advances to the 50kg semifinals with a victory by fall over Shivani PAWAR (IND). She is in the opposite bracket as Yui SUSAKI (JPN).

12:13: RADHIKA (IND), a silver medalist at 65kg in 2022, rolls into the 68kg semifinals with a 12-2 victory over Albina KAIRGELDINOVA (KAZ)

12:12: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) with a 10-0 win at 55kg against Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ). Next up on Mat C is Yui SUSAKI (JPN) at 50kg against Yong Ok HWANG (PRK)

12:08: In the marquis match of the session, two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (JPN) faces reigning world champion Qi ZHANG (CHN) in their opening match at 59kg. Kinjo (formerly KAWAI) gets an activity point for the lone score of the first period as neither takes any risks. In the second period, Zhang gets an activity point and then fends off Kinjo's attacks for a 1-1 victory. It was Kinjo's first international match since winning the 57kg gold at the Tokyo Olympics, after which she got married and gave birth. She moved up to 59kg after failing to make Japan's team to the Paris Olympics.

12:03: Gulnara TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) thrills the home crowd when trailing 6-1 to Po Gyong RI (PRK), she throws her to her back with a whirling back trip and records the fall for a spot in the 68kg semifinals.

12:00: A minute and seven seconds to win her international debut bout at 68kg for Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)! She rolls to a 10-0 win over Zelu LI (CHN).

11:58: Anudari BATKHUYAG (MGL) with a pin over Pushpa YADAV (IND) at 59kg. Yadav left it too late and broke down in the second period.

11:52: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), the 2022 world U20 and U23 champion at 55kg, gets her campaign started in her first senior Asian Championships with a 9-0 victory over TAMANNA (IND), last year's Asian U23 silver medalist at 53kg. Kiyooka will next face the reigning Asian U23 champion Min ZHANG (CHN).

11:48: Priya MALIK (IND), the U20 world champion and returning bronze medalist, starts her Asian Championships with a 10-0 win over Valentina TORENIYAZOVA (UZB) at 76kg in just two minutes.

11:43: Shivanee PAWAR (IND), a 2021 world U23 silver medalist, falls into a surprising six-point hole against Samnang DIT (CAM) in her opening match at 50kg, but fights back to tie the score, then records a fall to advance to the quarterfinals.

11:40: On her comeback after five years, Yong HWANG (PRK) wins 4-0 against Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) at 50kg. Hwang is looking to better on the bronze medal she won at the 2019 Asian Championships in Xi'an. 

11:30: A late start to the third day of the Asian Championships as the number of matches is less today. Some of the biggest names in wrestling will be on the mat in a short while.

#WrestleBratislava

Olympic champ Novikov sets up Paris rematch with Losonczi

By Vinay Siwach

BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 11) -- Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) had to make three comebacks in three bouts to reach the European Championships final.

Novikov was up against Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the semifinal and got the par terre advantage first. He scored a gut-wrench to lead 3-0. Abbasov got the chance in the second period and scored exposure with reverse lock. Novikov blocked Abbasov after the exposure and got the one point for reversal and keep the lead 4-3. A late stepout made it 5-3 for Novikov.

In a rematch of the Paris Olympic semifinal, Novikov will face world champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) who defeated defending champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) in the other semifinal. Losonczi hit a perfect suplex for four points to win 5-1 against Komarov.

Armenia and Turkiye were the most successful countries of the semifinals session as they had two finalists each. Armenia had Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) and Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) while Turkiye put Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Hamza BAKIR (TUR).

Kamal, who won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, entered his fourth European Championships with an inspiring performance in which he defeated former champion Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4.

He will face Aslanyan for the gold medal after he made it to his first-ever final after he scored a takedown four-pointer and a turn to beat Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0.

Bakir made sure a Turkish wrestler was in the final of 130kg after he defeated Jello KRAHMER (GER) 3-2 in the semifinal. Bakir made a turn from par terre to lead 3-0. Krahmer hit a takedown in the final seconds of the bout but time ran out for any further action.

Bakir will take on defending champion Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) who pinned Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) in the other semifinal.

In an entertaining 77kg semifinal, Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) earned his first trip to the European Championships final after he defeated Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) 10-2.

Zoidze scored a takedown before hitting a headlock throw to get a fall. But Olofsson defended and reversed the positions to get two points. Zoidze escaped and had Olofsson in danger again for two points and the scramble ended with Zoidze leading 8-2. Sweden challenged the scoring and lost a point for the lost challenge.

A stepout finished the bout and Zoidze booked a face-off with four-time European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) who defeated Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1, in the other semifinal of 77kg. Amoyan got the first par terre advantage and he scored two turns to lead 5-1. Mnatsakanian never got off to a start despite getting two par terre.

In the 55kg final, four-time world and two-time European champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will take on Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) for the gold medal.

Azizli defeated Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM) after scoring two exposures from front locks and defended his par terre position to win 5-1.

Sefershaev defeated defending champion Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1, in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW)

SF 1: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 5-1
SF 2: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1

63kg
GOLD: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) vs. Kerem KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) df. Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0
SF 2: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4

77kg
GOLD: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) vs. Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE), 10-2
SF 2: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1

87kg
GOLD: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) vs. David LOSONCZI (HUN)

SF 1: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 5-3
SF 2: David LOSONCZI (HUN) df. Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB), 5-1

130kg
GOLD: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) vs. Hamza BAKIR (TUR)

SF 1: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) df. Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW), via fall
SF 2: Hamza BAKIR (TUR) df. Jello KRAHMER (GER), 3-2

Morning session qualification results and blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

13:48: In the final match of the session, David LOSONCZI (HUN) makes sure he secures his place in the semifinals in 87kg. He defeated Hannes WAGNER (GER) 2-1 to enter the semifinal. Wagner got the first par terre advantage but Losonczi scored a stepout. However, according to the new rule, Wagner held the criteria advantage as the score was 1-1. But Losonczi gets the second par terre and wins 2-1

13:42: Defending 87kg champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) with a turn from par terre to lead 3-1 against Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW). He tries to defend the lead but Alirzaev scores a stepout to make it 3-2. Another stepout for Alirzaev with 45 seconds remaining to make it 3-3 but Komarov leads on criteria for the turn. Komarov defends the 3-3 lead and enters the semifinal. Alirzaev challenges for a finger grabbing foul but he loses the challenge and Komarov wins 4-3.

13:35: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) with a second come-from-behind victory at 87kg. He fell behind 3-1 after European silver medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) blocked him during the turn which Novikov challenged and lost. Novikov began the second period with a pushout to cut the lead to 3-2. He gets the second par terre as well to make it 3-3 but Filchakov who still leads on criteria. With time running out, Novikov is desperate and he tried a double-arm lock on which Filchakov tried to evade and stepped in the danger zone and Novikov scored a stepout to win 4-3. Filchakov challenges but no change in decision as Olympic champion Novikov wins 5-3.

13:22: If you watched Mat A and wonder why Jello KRAHMER (GER) won against Heiki NABI (EST) despite getting the first par terre advantage and not the second, it is because UWW is testing a new rule change that if the Greco-Roman bout ends 1-1, the wrestler with first point will win on criteria. That is only for 1-1 bouts.

13:00: Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) with a big 6-1 win over Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the 77kg quarterfinals. Levai got the third passivity and as he tiring to headpinch Mnatsakanian, he failed to move his leg and got thrown for two points and then put his hand on Mnatsakanian's face to be docked two more points. Levai challenged the call but lost and Mnatsakanian won 6-1.

12:48: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) with four reverse lift throws after getting par terre to beat world U23 champion at 63kg Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA). He moves into the semifinals.

12:42: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) counters Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) when the Georgian scored a turn from par terre and then scored a stepout to lead 5-3. Bolkvadze challenges the call but he is docked a point for fleeing as well. He goes down 6-3 to Alirzaev at 87kg 

12:30: Islam ABBASOV (AZE) with two takedowns against Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) to post a 4-1 win and advance at 87kg. Azerbaijan is gunning for that team title in Greco-Roman after it won it in Freestyle.

12:28: Defending champion at 87kg Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) streamrolls Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) 9-0 and moves into the quarterfinals.

12:22: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) got turned from par terre and fell 3-0 behind against Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM) but he answers with six points in the second period and wins 6-3 at 87kg

12:15: Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) hangs on for a 2-1 win over Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg. Big result for Yilmaz and Turkiye at the European Championships. 

12:10: Defending champion and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) stuns with two back-to-back four points throws to win 9-0 against Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) at 77kg.

12:05: Big match at 77kg as World silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) takes on Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) who won the Zagreb Ranking Series in January. Levai with a counter four-pointer to start off the bout. Stepanov tried locking Levai but failed to lock his hands behind Levai who threw him on the mat for four. A stepout made it 5-0 at the break for Levai. There is no more scoring action or any par terre decisions and Levai beats Stepanov 5-0 to move into the quarterfinals.

11:45: Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) pins Apostolos TSIOVOLOS (GRE) at 130kg. While two-time Olympic medalist Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) is the favorite at 130kg, their are others who can upset him.

11:40: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) pins European U23 champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) at 130kg. Kandelaki with two head throws which shocked Vysgnyvetskyi

11:35: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW), the defending champion at 130kg, with a 6-0 win over Darius VITEK (HUN) to begin his title defense. Semenov denied Riza KAYAALP (TUR) his historic 13th European title last year which would have put him ahead of Aleksandr KARELIN.

11:30: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) opens his European Championships with a 6-0 win over Tino OJALA (FIN) at 63kg. Kamal won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold at 63kg and has new-found motivation.

11:20: Hannes WAGNER (GER) rolls to a 10-0 technical superiority win over Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (GEO) in the opening round at 77kg. Karchaidze was hoping to build on his European U23 silver medal but falls at the first step

11:00: Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) with the first big move of the day with a flowing suplex over Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) for a 9-0 win at 63kg.

10:30: Greco-Roman will begin at the European Championships with five weight classes. The morning session will run with it and semifinals at 16:45. Women's Wrestling medal bouts will be at 18:00.