#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships Day 5 Greco-Roman Finals Set

Monday, April 15, 2024 - 05:34 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 15) -- The Asian Championships moves on to Greco-Roman with five weight classes in action. All eyes will be on world champion and birthday boy Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) who won his first Asian title in 2018 at the same arena.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 REPORT

The finals for the five Greco-Roman weight class

55kg: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) vs. Yu Chol RO (PRK)

63kg: Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) vs. Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ)

77kg: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) vs. Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)

87kg: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) vs. Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ)

130kg: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) vs. Lingzhe MENG (CHN) 

14:30: Minseok KIM (KOR) denies Lingzhe MENG (CHN) a shot against Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) as he wins the 130kg semifinals 1-1. Kim got the par terre advantage in the second period to lead 1-1 on criteria. Kim was warned for passivity but Meng asked to resume in standing. Meng failed to score despite Kim's extreme passive wrestling.

14:24: Once again, Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) showed the perils of allowing him the first shot at par terre. Erlan MANATBEKOV (KGZ) seemed helpless as the defending champion reeled off four rolls in succession to win their 130kg semifinal 9-0 in 1:44.

14:20: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) sets up last year's final rematch with Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) after beating Masato SUMI (JPN) 1-1 in the 87kg semifinals. Alizadeh got the par terre advantage in the second period to take the criteria win.

14:13: Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ), still going strong at 33, will get a chance to win an Asian gold at 87kg a decade after his last after executing two big throws from par terre for a 9-0 victory over Rahimjon UZOKOV (UZB). He will see in a few minutes if he will get a rematch with Naser ALIZADEH (IRI), who beat him in last year's final.

14:05: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) was surprised by Yeonghun NOH (KOR) with a headlock throw for four but he kept his calm and scored nine points via stepouts and fleeing and two takedowns to win 13-4 and set up a final against Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ).

14:04: Reigning champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) gave the packed crowd what they came to see, spectacularly tossing Amir Ali ABDI (IRI) twice for 5 points in a 12-2 victory to make the 77kg final. Makhmudov was trailing 2-0 and in the bottom of par terre when he turned it all around, stepping over on a reverse body lift attempt by Abdi. From there he gained a reverse lock himself, and tossed the Iranian like a rag doll not once, but twice.

13:59: After taking home two bronze medals in 2021 and 2022, Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) will get a chance to fight for a gold after knocking off defending champion Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) with a come-from-behind 11-4 victory in the 63kg semifinals. With Mohammadi leading 2-0, Suzuki attempts a front headlock throw, but Mohammadi isn't fooled and lands on top for 2 to take a 4-0 lead into the second period. Suzuki gets his chance at par terre and takes advantage, scoring three rolls. He later adds a takedown and a stepout, with a fleeing point tacked onto the latter.

13:50: A big arm throw from Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ) to take a 4-0 lead against Chan KIM (PRK) and he adds a stepout in the second period to make it 5-0. Kim with a par terre and roll to cut it to 5-3 but fails to stop Zharlykassyn from winning.

13:42: Defending champion Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) with a gut wrench late in the second period to claim a 3-2 win over Taemin KIM (KOR). The first two par terre were awarded to Kim but Dad Marz got the third which has no points but an advantage on top.

13:39: Yu Chol RO (PRK) manhandles two-time world bronze medalist Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) 10-1 to earn a place in the 55kg final.

The semifinals for the session begin at 13:30

13:17: Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ), the losing finalist at 87kg last year to Alizadeh, makes short work of Seunghwan LEE (KOR), storming into the semifinals with a 9-0 win in 1:31.

13:16: Two reigning champions from Iran post wins on adjacent mats to advance to the semifinals. World champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) scored three quick rolls from par terre to finish off an 8-0 victory Islomjon RAKHMATOV (UZB) in just under two minutes at 130kg, and a few minutes later, Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) topped Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ) 8-1 at 87kg.

13:08: Chan KIM (PRK) knocks off world 60kg bronze medalist Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) 3-1 to advance to the 63kg semifinals. Kim gets the gut wrench from par terre, then doesn't budge when he is put on the bottom.

12:58: World bronze medalist Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) moves a step closer to a second straight gold at 55kg, scoring three rolls with a front headlock from par terre in the first period, then hanging on for a 7-2 win when Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) tries the same technique in the second.

12:52: Lingzhe MENG (CHN), the losing finalist at 130kg last year, begins his campaign with a 6-0 victory over Ali AL SHARUEE (IRQ).

12:52: Minseok KIM (KOR) with a 5-1 victory over Ganzolboo BUYANTOGTOKH (MGL) to advance to the 130kg semifinals. He will face second seed Lingzhe MENG (CHN) for a spot in the final.

12:47: World 77kg bronze medalist Nao KUSAKA (JPN), aiming to eventually avenge a close semifinal loss to Makhmudov at the World Championships, finishes off a 10-0 victory over Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB) with a 4-point front body lock throw.

12:42: World champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) dodges a bullet and Kyrgyzstan breathes a sigh of relief! In a battle of Asian champions from 2023, Makhmudov scores 2 with a lift in his second time in par terre to pull off a 3-3 victory over Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) in the 77kg quarterfinals. Makhmudov couldn't budge Magomadov, the 72kg champion last year, in par terre in the first period, while Magamadov got a gut wrench when it was his turn.

12:40: Yu Chol RO (PRK) got a huge throw over Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ) for a 10-2 win at 55kg but Kyrgyzstan challenged for a leg four. A review confirms it but Ro ultimately gets a takedown and gut to win 10-2.

12:36: Asian Games silver medalist Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) powers to a 9-0 victory over Asian U23 champion Haodong TAN (CHN) to advance to the 63kg semifinals. Suzuki gets four points from par terre to take a 5-0 lead into the second period, where he scores a takedown and gut wrench to end it.

12:30: World bronze medalist Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) starts his 55kg campaign with a 10-1 against Nurzat KABDYRAKHIMOV (KAZ). A solid show of gut wrenches from par terre in the second period.

12:29: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) gets the defense of his 63kg title off to a good start,  defeating Karrar ALBIDHAN (IRQ) 9-0 to advance to the semifinals. Mohammadi scores a takedown and gut wrench, a stepout and another takedown to lead 7-0 in the first period. He finishes it off with a takedown in the second.

12:23: Amir Ali ABDI (IRI) with six stepouts in his 8-0 win over SAJAN (IND) at 77kg. Relentless from Abdi!

12:23: Mansur SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) hits a nice lateral drop for such a big man, and comes out a 5-2 winner over Aybegshazada KURRAYEV (TKM) to advance at 130kg.

12:12: 40-year-old Eduard BABENOSHEV (TJK) managed to be on the mat and even lead 9-8 against Ganzolboo BUYANTOGTOKH (MGL) but he injured his foot and was ruled ineligible to continue at 130kg.

12:11: Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), looking to repeat a golden sibling double with brother Ilkhom that they accomplished in 2019, gives up the lead, but comes back with a takedown and stepout in the final minute to beat Dastan KADYROV (KGZ) 8-5 at 63kg. Bakhramov was leading 5-0 when Kadyrov scored a pair of gut wrenches to go ahead 5-5 on criteria.

12:09: Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ), a three-time medalist aiming for his first gold, rolls to a 9-0 victory over Turbold GANBOLD (MGL) at 87kg.  

12:07: Dokyung JUNG (KOR) got two points from par terre in the first period and Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ) managed to throw Jung from par terre in the second for which he got four points. However, Jung challenged the call but lost as the judges confirmed the four-point move. Zharlykassyn led 6-4 with under two minutes left and he held on to that lead till time expired.

11:57: Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) storms to a quick 8-0 victory over two-time bronze medalist Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) at 55kg. He will next face defending champion Poya DAD MARZ (IRI).

11:55: Nurzat KABDYRAKHIMOV (KAZ) scores all of his points countering throws in a 8-7 victory over  Kagetora OKAMOTO (JPN) at 55kg. That included a 4-pointer that played a role as it was the key criteria when the Japanese came back from an 8-2 deficit but needed more than a stepout to win.

11:43: Yu Chol RO (PRK) comes out all guns blazing in his 55kg qualification bout against Baosheng HUANG (CHN) and gets a 10-2 win. He uses front headlock exposure to score his points

11:41: Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), the 2023 champion at 72kg, has the opening match on Mat B at 77kg. He fights off a headlock throw by Temuulen ENKHTUYA (MGL) for a takedown, then rolls twice for a 6-0 lead. The Mongolian challenges for a missed throw, but it is denied. There is no score in the second period, and Magamodov wins 7-0 to earn a place in the quarterfinals against defending champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ). 

11:30: After a memorable day with Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) winning the gold medal, the Kyrgyzstan fans will be cheering for Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) as Greco-Roman kicks off at the Asian Championships.

#WrestleParis

Wrestling at Paris 2024: Lopez beats Mirzazadeh, Ozaki falls

Monday, August 5, 2024 - 12:41 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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PARIS (August 5) -- Welcome to wrestling at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Day one here at the Champs de Mars Arena with Greco-Roman in 130kg and 60kg and Women's Wrestling in 68kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 NEWS

What a session of wrestling! Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) marches towards a fifth Olympic gold medal after reaching the semifinals at 130kg. He downed world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) 3-1. At 60kg, Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) vs Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) in the semifinal. 

In women's wrestling, Amit ELOR (USA) has Sol Gum PAK (PRK) while Blessing OBURODUDU (NGR) wrestles Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)

17:20: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) looks like a man on a mission as he puts away Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) on his first chance of par terre, going back and forth for four exposures and a 9-0 win in 1:43 at Greco 60kg. That sets up a mouth-watering encounter with Sharshenbekov for a place in the finals.

17:17: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) pulls off one of the biggest victories of her career, scoring a takedown with seven seconds left to stun Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) 8-6 at women's 68kg after squandering a six-point lead. Zhumanazarova counters a single leg for a takedown and adds a roll, then picks up a second takedown to go up 6-0 at the break. Ozaki comes back in the second period with a takedown and gut wrench, then goes ahead on criteria with a takedown with 1:10 left. But Zhumanazarova still has some fight left in her, and gets behind on a single for the win.

17:15: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) rides a 4-point throw from par terre to a 9-0 victory over Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) to secure his place in the Greco 60kg semifinals.

17:07: Liguo CAO (CHN) gets a 4-point throw from par terre and that makes the difference in a 5-3 victory over a gutsy Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) to advance to the Greco 60kg semifinals.

17:06: Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) relied on her wits and experience to defy the home crowd and get past Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) 6-2 and advance to the women's 68kg semifinals. Oborududu trailed 2-1 in the second period when she scored a takedown with 1:10 left. With Larroque pressing for the winning score, it was Oborududu who came up with a takedown to clinch the win.

17:03: A semifinal for Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) as he hangs on for a 2-1 win over Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) at 130kg. He will wrestle Lingzhe MENG (CHN) for a spot in the final

16:53: Teenager Sol Gum PAK (PRK) and a right shoulder injury prove too much for NISHA (IND), who can't hang on and is eliminated with a 10-8 loss at women's 68kg. Nisha was the dominant force, building up an 8-2 lead when she injured her shoulder during a Pak takedown. She could offer little resistance as Pak continued to score points until getting the winning takedown with 8 seconds left to earn a semifinal clash with Elor.

16:52: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) survived a second passivity call against himself to beat Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) 1-1 and enter the semifinal at 130kg in Greco-Roman

16:47: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), who ended the Tokyo Olympics in tears after losing to a Cuban in the Greco 60kg, showed no mercy for Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB) as he cruised to an 11-1 victory. Fumita gets three rolls from par terre in the first period, then finishes off the proceedings with a 4-point headlock throw in the second.

16:39: Three-time Asian medalist Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) makes short work of Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG), reeling off a series of gut wrenches for a 9-0 victory in 1:48 at Greco 60kg.

16:40: Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) gets both the par terre to lead 2-0 against Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ). The Kazakh is then docked two points for his aggressive open hand. Shariati wins 4-0 to enter the semifinals against Lopez

16:37: Amit ELOR (USA) proves too much for Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) and she's comfortably into the women's 68kg semifinals with an 8-0 victory. Elor gets two takedowns and a stepout in the first period, then adds an activity point and takedown in the second.  

16:35: Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) uses a nice arm drag for a first-period takedown, then adds a second 2-point in the second in a 4-2 win over Enes BASAR (TUR) at Greco 60kg. Basar used the over-the-top jump to score a late takedown, but the clock ran out before he completed a turn.

16:30: Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) in the 130kg quarterfinal. Lopez defeated the Iranian in the Tokyo Olympics. In Paris, he gets the first par terre advantage and, hold your breath, gets a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break! What a moment in the match. Three minutes to wrestle. Mirzazadeh used a much more aggressive approach in the second period. Lopez is called for passivity and is now in par terre. Mirzazadeh needs a turn to take the criteria lead. Mirzazadeh wants to resume in standing. That strategy from Iran will need three points for a win. Lopez is still standing tall over Mirzazadeh. Mijain LOPEZ beats Mirzazadeh 3-1 and moves into the semifinal

16:27: Like her compatriot minutes before Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) needs a comeback to get by Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 8-3 at women's 68kg. Zhumanazarova trails 3-0 going into the second period when she hits a 4-point takedown, then tangles up Enkhsaikhan's legs and scores a pair of rolls. She will next face Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) for a place in the semifinals later tonight.

16:21: Two-time reigning world champion and top seed Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), aiming to become his country's first-ever gold medalist, survives a tough first test from neighbor Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), scoring two takedowns in the second period for a 6-3 win at Greco 68kg.

16:20: World bronze medalist Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) pins age-group world champion Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) at 130kg. He moves into the quarterfinals. But it's time for the big one. Lopez vs Mirzazadeh

16:16: World 65kg champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) needs just 32 seconds to get past Soleymi CARABALLO (VEN) 10-0 to start her quest for the women's 68kg gold after missing out on Japan's place at her usual weight at 62kg.

16:14: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) spotted former world champion Linda MORAIS (CAN) an early takedown, but came back with three of her own in the second period for an 8-2 victory at women's 68kg. 

16:10: Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) hangs on to a 1-1 win over Kiril MILOV (BUL) at 130kg. Acosta got the passivity advantage in the second period which was enough for him to win 1-1. Milov, a regular at 97kg, moved to 130kg after Bulgaria was awarded a quota.

16:07: World bronze medalist Liguo CAO (CHN) hits a 4-point throw from par terre in the second period to secure a 6-2 victory over Moamen MOHAMED (EGY) at Greco 60kg. Cao was trailing 2-1 when he received the passivity point with 1:47 left to put him ahead on criteria, but sealed the deal with his big throw at the edge.

16:01: World bronze medalist Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), urged on by a loud partisan crowd in the Champs de Mars Arena, scores two takedowns in the first period and one in the second in a 6-0 victory over Tayla FORD (NZL).

15:59: Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) gets the par terre and never allows to Oussama ASSAD (MAR) to defend. He scores four turns and wins 9-0 to enter the quarterfinals at 130kg in Greco-Roman.

15:55: Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) gives South America a rare victory by holding on to defeat two-time world medalist Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) 6-5 at Greco 60kg. Rodriguez, helped by a leg penalty, leads 6-1 before Mammadov scores a takedown with :45 left and adds a gut wrench to cut the gap to 1. Rodriguez then squirms out of a late takedown attempt to clinch the win and a place in the quarterfinals.

15:55: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) has a good warmup win over Jello KRAHMER (GER) at 130kg. He moves into the quarterfinals with a 4-1 win.

15:48: Sol Gum PAK (PRK) showed again how her country's wrestlers can never be underestimated when she outdueled former world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) in a 10-6 thriller at women's 68kg. The two traded takedowns throughout the bout and Ringaci led 6-4 when Pak went ahead on criteria with a takedown with :58 left. She then put the matter to rest with a late 4-point takedown.

15:42: Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) with a takedown in the second period to beat Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) 3-1 at 130kg. Both exchanged passivity points but Syzdykov kept the pressure up and got the takedown with just over a minute left in the bout.

15:39: World bronze medalist Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) gets started at Greco 60kg with a comfortable 9-0 victory over Refugee Team member Jamal VALIZADEH (EOR). Bakhramov was just unstoppable with his gut wrenches from par terre in ending the match at 3:52.

15:37: Asian bronze medalist NISHA (IND) bounces back after giving up an early 4-point takedown to Tatiana SOVA RIZHKO (UKR) at women's 68kg, scoring two takedowns in the second period for a 6-4 victory. Sova Rizhko used a nice reverse headlock-back trip combination for her 4 points. 

15:32: Victor Ciobanu (MDA), the 2021 world champion who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, falls at the first stage at Greco 60kg to Se Ung RI (PRK). From par terre, Ciobanu gets a reverse lock and pulls Ri back and over his head for 2, but Ri responds with a front headlock roll for 4 that was originally given 2 but upgraded on a challenge. Ri then catches Ciobanu when he tries the desperation over-the-head jump, throws him to his back and records the fall with 1:02 left.

15:30: Two veterans at 130kg. 2012 London Olympic silver medalist Heiki NABI (EST) and Rio bronze medalist Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) on Mat C. Nabi gets the first par terre advantage and leads 1-0. Shariati gets the par terre in the second and leads 1-1 on criteria. Shariati maintains the lead and wins 1-1 on criteria

15:22: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) pulls a surprise at women's 68kg, knocking off Zagreb Open champion Feng ZHOU (CHN) 10-3. Choluj uses a beautiful fireman's carry to take a 4-1 lead into the second period. The match hits a key point when Choluj gets in deep for a takedown and Zhou tries a counter lift. That gives both 2 points, but Choluj rolls through it and lands on top for 2 more to go ahead 8-3. 

15:22: Four-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) sets up a quarterfinal against world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg. He looks formidable in his 7-0 win over Seungchan LEE (KOR).

15:13: Beginning the action at Greco 60kg on Mat A, Enes BASAR (TUR) puts together an amazing rally to defeat Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) 8-7 in a battle of the world 63kg bronze medalists. Tibilov storms to a 7-0 lead in the first period, but Basar turns the tide in the second, scoring a takedown and gut wrench, then getting another gut wrench from par terre. An unsuccessful challenge of a late takedown attempt gives Basar his final point.

15:12: The women's 68kg competition gets started on Mat B with a clash of reigning world champions. Amit ELOR (USA), the gold medalist at 72kg, had little problem putting away the top-seed and world 68kg champion Buse TOSUN (TUR), scoring four takedowns in a 10-2 victory.

15:09: World champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) gets his first win as he beats Adam COON (USA) with no trouble. He scores a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break. Coon gets the par terre in the second period but no turn for him. Mirzazadeh wins 3-1 and enters the quarterfinals.

15:00: Wresting at the 2024 Paris Games could not have had a better story to follow on day one. Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) is going for his fifth Olympic gold medal at the Olympics. No athlete has done that before.