Asian Championships day six finals set

Friday, April 14, 2023 - 04:23 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 14) -- The final day of the Asian Championships is here. Kazakhstan leads the team title race after two gold medals on Thursday. But others are not out of the race. Five weight classes -- 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg -- will be in action.

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The finals for the evening sessions are set

61kg - Minghu LIU (CHN) vs. Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ)

74kg - Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) vs. Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ)

86kg - Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) vs Alireza KARIMI (IRI)

92kg - Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)

125kg - Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) vs. Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)

14:30: No better way to end the session! Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) was trailing Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) 6-3 with 10 seconds remaining and he comes out with a trip and gets the four. He does fall off the platform but is safe. Masoumi challenges but the action began inside the zone and it is confirmed on review. Munkhtur into the final 8-7

14:28: A big back trip to a fall and Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) is the host country's fourth finalist. The 2020 Asian champion is down 1-0 in the second period of a 125kg semifinal when he uses an inner leg trip to slam down Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB) and end the match at 4:47.

14:17: Kazakhstan puts a third wrestler into the finals, and again at the expense of Bahrain. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) scores all of his points in the second period for a 6-1 win at 92kg over Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN). Down by a point in the second frame, Aitmukhan scores a takedown off a scramble, adds an activity point and stepout, then finishes up the win by countering a single and going behind for 2. The crowd loved it.

14:15: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) breaks Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) with a technical masterclass. Yoshida adds takedowns at consistent intervals and moves into the 92kg final with a 13-2 win.

14:08: Alireza KARIMI (IRI) proves a bridge too far for a determined Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), advancing to the 86kg final and showdown with Dauletbekov with a 9-2 victory. Karimi gets all the points he will need in the first period, scoring a takedown and a stepout. In the second period, he gets in on a single, where he fights off a counter-lift attempt for 2. Ishiguro is not done yet, and gets behind and takes Karimi down for 2. In the final seconds, Karimi fends off a throw attempt with a 4-point tackle.

14:05: Defending champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) is a crowd favorite and they can't stop cheering as he moves into the 86kg final with a 10-0 technical superiority over Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB). A strong gut wrench there from Dauletbekov.

13:57: Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) sends the home crowd wild by advancing to the 74kg final with a nail-biting 2-1 win over Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) -- the same result and scoreline from their meeting two months ago in the repechage round at the Zagreb Open. Yessengali gets an activity point and stepout in the first period. Asluev pulls to within one with an activity point, but Yessengali fends off all of his attacks to seal the victory.

13:52: Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) dominates Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) 12-2 to reach the final at 74kg. He got to those single-leg attacks and made a figure 4 in the second period to get the technical superiority win.

13:46: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) is into the 61kg final with an entertaining 11-2 victory over Yasin REZAEIAGHOUZGOLEH (IRI). Each gets a stepout, then Zhumashbek Uulu gets Rezaeiaghouzgoleh's leg in the air, but the Iranian escapes with a backward counter roll, and gets a stepout to boot. But Zhumashbek Uulu comes right back with a 4-point backlift to go ahead 5-2. The second period is all Zhumashbek Uulu, as he adds a pair of takedowns and stepout. It was a similar result to their semifinal clash at the Zagreb Open, in which Zhumashbek Uulu won 18-6.

13:40: Minghu LIU (CHN) is into the 61kg final. He led 2-1 at the break against Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB) but worked a takedown to extend the lead. A lost challenge made it 5-1. Ruzimov tried a few attacks however Liu was confidently tackled them and won 8-2

The semifinals are underway.

13:02: Home favorite Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) fills the final semifinal spot up for grabs in the session with a 4-0 victory over Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ) at 74kg.

12:58: In a stunner on Mat B, Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) snatches a last-second 5-3 victory over Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI) in their 74kg quarterfinal. Abouzari had dominated and was leading 3-0 midway through the second period when Asluev cut the gap with a takedown. With the final seconds ticking down, Asluev put everything into turning the Iranian with a front body lock, and on the second try, got him over enough for a 2-point exposure. Iran challenged the call but it was upheld.

12:52: With the score tied 1-1 in the second period of their 74kg semifinal, Byungmin GONG (KOR) scores a 2-point exposure in a scramble, but Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) works around for a reversal, then applies a lace lock to go ahead 4-3. The Japanese adds a takedown, and he's into the semifinals with a 6-3 win.

12:47: The host country puts another wrestler into the semifinals when Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) scores a takedown and a pair of 2-point exposures in the second period to finish up a 14-3 technical fall over Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ) at 92kg.

12:40: 2020 Asian champion Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) fires up the home crowd when he uses a front lock body roll seconds into the match to turn Anirudh KUMAR (IND) over, then locks up his arms for a quick fall and a place in the 125kg semifinals.

12:35: What a match on Mat B! Young Arashi YOSHIDA (JPN) goes into the second period trailing 6-3 against Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) in their 92kg quarterfinal. The Japanese uses a beautiful switch for a takedown, but then loses a challenge to fall behind 7-5. Yoshida puts the pressure on and scores a takedown to tie the score, but still trails on criteria. With the Mongolian visibly tiring, Yoshida fights off a headlock throw attempt for the go-ahead takedown with 1:15 left and goes on to win 9-7.

12:34: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN), looking to give Bahrain its second gold in two days, scores a takedown in each period and defeats Deepak PUNIA (IND) 5-0 to advance to the 92kg semifinals.

12:22: Alireza KARIMI (IRI) remains on a collision course for a gold-medal showdown with Azamat DAULTETBEKOV (KAZ), scoring two takedowns in the second period to complete a 10-0 technical fall in the 86kg quarterfinals over Zushen LIN (CHN).

12:25: World silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) works up a 6-0 lead over BUHEEERDUN (CHN) at the break in the 125kg quarterfinal. Another takedown for the Mongolian to begin the second period before he adds a stepout. Another one to finish the bout 10-0

12:16: Reigning champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) begins defense of his 86kg title by taking just 39 seconds to chalk up a 10-0 technical fall over Weng CHOW (SGP). A takedown and four gut wrenches going back and forth, and Dauletbekov is into the semifinals.

12:13: Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI), who picked the world U20 and U23 titles last year, meets little resistance in cruising to a 10-0 technical fall in just under two minutes over Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) to stake his place in the 125kg semifinals.

12:13: U23 world champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) gets a tough one against Kodai OGAWA (JPN) at 61kg. However, he gives up only a passivity point in the 4-1 win.

12:10: Minghu LIU (CHN), the 2019 Asian silver medalist, breaks open a close match with Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) with a takedown and roll to open the second period, then adds a takedown for good measure for an 8-1 win that puts him into the 61kg semifinals.

12:04: Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN), an Asian junior silver medalist in 2014 looking for his first major senior medal, gets off to a good start with an 8-2 win over YASH (IND) to advance to the quarterfinals at 74kg. Kinoshita puts the match away with a pair of second-period takedowns.

11:47: Anirudh KUMAR (IND) gives up a late first-period takedown to fall behind on criteria against 2017 bronze medalist Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) in their qualification match at 125kg. No matter, as he scores three takedowns in the second period to take the match 8-2.

11:35: Doveltetmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) leaves it just a little too late in his qualification match at 86kg with 2022 bronze medalist Bobur ISLOMOV (UZ). Trailing 10-4 with a minute left, Orazgylyjov scores a pair of takedowns, but ends up on the short end of a 10-8 decision.

11:32: What a moment for Arashi YOSHIDA (JPN)! The Japanese collegian, whose father is Iranian and runs the wrestling school where he got his start in the sport, is drawn against an Iranian in his international debut, and comes away with a 10-0 technical fall over Arashk MOHEBI (IRI). Yoshida scores all of his points on takedowns.

11:23: Three-time former Asian champion Alireza KARIMI (IRI), participating in his first major tournament since taking the world silver at 92kg in 2019, opens his campaign at 86kg with a 5-2 win over Gwanuk KIM (KOR). Karimi gets all of his points in the first period with an activity point, takedown and gut wrench. Kim gets in on a single in the second period, but the Iranian slips out to make it a stepout, plus one for fleeing.

11:15: Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL), a world bronze medalist five years ago, makes the quarterfinals at 61kg with a close 3-1 win over Nurbolat ABDUALIYEV (KAZ).

11:11: Deepak PUNIA (IND), the silver medalist a year ago at 86kg, starts off with a nifty 4-point arm throw against Xiao SUN (CHN) in their qualification match at 92kg. He adds a pair of double-leg takedowns and he's into the quarterfinals with an 8-1 victory.

11:00: Welcome to Astana as we wrap up the Asian Championships with the final day of action-packed competition. The tournament concludes with the final five weight classes in freestyle, 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg. Local star Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) at 86kg is the lone reigning champion back to defend his title.

#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)

Asian Championships day six finals set

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