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

Olympic champs prevail as Iran bounces back with 4 golds

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - 19:27 By Ken Marantz

AMMAN, Jordan (March 26) -- With its two Olympic champions in action, it was a pretty sure thing that Iran would do better than its disappointing showing the previous day in Greco-Roman at the Asian Championships.

The wrestling powerhouse sure did, rebounding all the way to the top of four medal podiums. Paris Olympic gold medalists Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) and Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) defended their Asian titles in leading a quartet of Iranians who captured titles on Wednesday in Amman, a day after Iran came away with just a single gold.

Danial SOHRABI (IRI) and Mohammad NAGHOUSI (IRI) also emerged victorious as Iran stormed to the team title with 201 points, well ahead of the 168 chalked up by second-place Uzbekistan, which claimed three golds on the opening day Tuesday -- all in head-to-head clashes with Iranian opponents. Japan finished third with 131 points.

Olympic bronze medalist Se Ung RI (PRK) won the other gold on offer on Wednesday with a victory at 60kg after taking silvers in 2018 and 2019.

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) wrestles Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN) in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Saravi, competing for the first time since Paris, showed again why he has been the dominant force at Greco 97kg in recent years when he easily outclassed 2023 world U23 bronze medalist Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN) 8-0 in the final.

"This is my first official appearance after the Olympic Games," Saravi said. "Thank God I was able to put on a good performance and win the gold medal."

Put in par terre, Saravi scored a roll against the gutsy but outmanned Nakazato, then added an arm drag takedown for a 5-0 lead. Just seconds into the second period, Saravi got behind for a takedown during a scramble that landed him out of bounds.

The Japanese side took a risk and challenged the call, even though losing it would give Saravi the winning point. That's just what happened, and Saravi was champion at 3:08 with his third technical fall in three matches without conceding a point.

"After the Olympics, I suffered a knee injury, but thankfully, I’m in much better condition now," Saravi said. "Over the past two or three months, I’ve been able to train at the camp under the supervision of the national team and I’ve reached a decent level of readiness and felt good.

"I hope to reach full readiness by the World Championships and deliver a strong performance there to achieve the best possible result."

The 27-year-old Saravi, who also won a bronze medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, has not lost since falling 3-0 to Gabriel ROSSILO (CUB) in the semifinals of the 2023 World Championships.

Perhaps more impressively, he has finished in the top-three in every competition he has entered since the 2019 worlds, a streak of 18 tournaments that includes a world gold in 2021 and Asian gold in 2020.

Saravi said he looks forward to renewing his rivalry with four-time Olympic medalist Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM), whom he defeated in the final in Paris.

"Artur Aleksanyan is a great wrestler and someone I have a lot of respect for," Saravi said. "I see it as motivation for myself to face him several times in the coming years.

"I hope Aleksanyan can achieve the best results in the European Championships, and that we can put on a great match together at the World Championships so that the fans can enjoy it."

Saied ESMAEILI (IRI) sets up to throw Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) during the 67kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Earlier, Esmaeili, also making his first appearance since the Olympics, had to work a bit harder than Saravi to prevail 3-0 in the 67kg final over world U23 champion Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), a repeat of the outcome of last year's final.

"This edition of the Asian Championships had a high level of competition, with renowned wrestlers from Japan, Uzbekistan, and Kyrgyzstan," Esmaeili said. "The Kyrgyz wrestler was the world U23 champion and a strong competitor. The Japanese wrestler was the Asian Games champion and showed a high level of performance."

Esmaeili got a 2-point throw from par terre in the first period, then held his ground to avoid giving up a passivity point in a scoreless second to relegate Beishekeev to the silver medal again.

"In the final, I fought for those six minutes, but my opponent wasn’t really there to wrestle with me," Esmaeili said. "I attacked him during those six minutes, and in the second period, he kept stopping the match to catch his breath. Honestly, the final was the toughest match."

Esmaeili said he had to make the tough transition that comes with the notoriety of becoming an Olympic champion.

"After becoming an Olympic champion, people expect a lot from me, and because of the matches I’ve had, their expectations have increased," he said. "Every competition we enter is more stressful than before because people say, 'He’s an Olympic champion, so he has to perform well.'

"That’s why we have to be careful not to lose. The pressure of competition has become much heavier for us since the Olympics."

The loss was Beishekeev's first since last year's final in Bishkek, after which he won titles at the 2024 World U23 Championships and at this year's Tirana Ranking Series tournament. He also has bronze medals from both the Asian Games and Asian Championships in 2023.

Danial SOHRABI (IRI) celebrates after winning the 72kg final against Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 72kg, Sohrabi completed a dominant run to the title by putting away 2024 bronze medalist Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) 8-0 in the final for his fourth technical fall in four matches -- all without giving up a point.

Sohrabi, the 2023 world U23 champion, took advantage of the first shot at par terre by scoring consecutive rolls for a 5-0 lead, added a stepout, then finished the match with a takedown at 2:38.

Mohammad NAGHOUSI (IRI) wrestles Omar SATAYEV (KAZ) in the 82kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

World U23 champion Naghousi had his work cut out for him in forging a 3-1 victory over Omar SATAYEV (KAZ) in the 82kg final.

Naghousi used a body lock throw to score from par terre in the first period, then defended well from the bottom in the second period, avoiding giving up points on a rolling throw attempt by Satayev, whose silver marks his first senior-level medal.

Se Ung RI (PRK) celebrates after winning the gold medal at the 60kg weight class. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 60kg, Ri used his agility to step over and gain a 2-point exposure on a takedown attempt by world U23 champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB) in the second period, giving him a 6-4 win and his first victory in three trips to the Asian final.

"I trained really hard to make sure I would win first place here," Ri said. "In the match against the Uzbekistan athlete, since I was stronger overall, I tried my best to overpower him tactically and secure the gold medal."

Ri took the early lead with an arm drag takedown and gut wrench to go up 4-0, but Ganiev came back with a lateral drop for 2, then spun behind after stopping an arm throw to make it 4-4 with the criteria in his favor.

In the second period, Ganiev got in tight on a takedown attempt on the mat, but Ri stepped over the top to wrench Ganiev temporarily onto his back for the 2 that would give him the title.

Ri, who prevented Iran from having finalists in all five weight classes when he defeated Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) 8-4 in the semifinals, said he prepared well for what he knew would be a tough competition in the Olympic weight class.

"The 60kg category is an Olympic category, that's why I studied all of the opponents carefully, watched a lot of match footage and worked hard to win," Ri said.

Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) edged Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) 6-5 in the 82kg bronze-medal bout. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Qatar gains 2nd-ever Asian medal, with an Iranian tint

In the bronze-medal matches, Qatar picked up just its second-ever medal -- again thanks to the efforts of an import -- when Iranian-born Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) edged two-time bronze medalist Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) 6-5 at 82kg.

Badaghimofrad, who finished fifth for Iran at the 2023 Asian Championships and made his debut for Qatar earlier this year, had fallen behind 5-4 from a scramble that was started from a nice 4-point fireman's carry by Rasulov. But Badaghimofrad used an arm drag for a takedown to go ahead before the break, then held off Rasulov in a second period that saw no passivity points assessed.

Qatar's only previous medal was a silver won at freestyle 125kg by Georgian-born Giorgi SAKANDELIDZE (QAT) in 2018 in Bishkek. There have been a handful of fifth-place finishes by native Qataris.

In the other 82kg match, Boseong KANG (KOR) pulls a surprise with a 6-6 victory over dethroned defending champion Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), using an effective arm throw to build a six-point lead before holding off a late charge from the Japanese teen.

At 60kg, Kaito INABA (JPN) added a bronze to the silver he won last year in Bishkek, defeating Iran's Naserpour 1-1 on last-point criteria in a match limited to passivity points.

With Inaba on top in the second period, Naserpour did an amazing job of preventing being thrown, but Inaba clinched the win when he wriggled out of a Naserpour arm spin late in the match.

The second bronze-medal match at 60kg was also decided on last point, as Ziyue XI (CHN) used a high-chest wrap to turn over Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) from par terre and secure a 3-3 victory for the first major medal of his career.

Sulaimanov, who won an Asian U23 bronze here last year, converted a reverse body roll in his turn from par terre in the first period.

At 67kg, Man Gwang SON (PRK) scored a stepout with :43 second left, giving him the criteria advantage and a 2-2 victory over Nozimjon BOYKUZIEV (UZB). Boykuziev had gone ahead with a stepout during a throw in par terre to go up 2-1.

Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) won the 67kg bronze medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Asian Games champion Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) hit a rolling 4-point throw from par terre in the first period and that was more than enough to defeat NEERAJ (IND) 5-0 in a battle between the 2022 bronze medalists. The loss denied Neeraj a third career Asian bronze.

In a bizarre finish at 72kg, Ji LENG (CHN) was on his way to a victory over Omar AL DARAGHMEH (JOR) when a misguided challenge from the Jordan side gave the Chinese the points he needed for an 11-3 technical fall.

Leng had a pair of stepouts and a takedown-roll combination in the second period to build up a 9-3 lead when Al Daraghmeh attempted a pancake that was stopped and originally scored as 2 for Leng. The call was overturned as a slipped throw, but Jordan challenged anyway -- and "won" the challenge because Al Daraghmeh was instead assessed a 2-point leg foul penalty which ended the match.

Issei HONNA (JPN) earned the other 72kg bronze for his first international medal, ripping off three rolls from par terre en route to a 10-0 victory over Begmyrat NOBATOV (TKM) in 2:13.

At 97kg, NITESH (IND), a two-time Asian U23 medalist, earned his first senior medal with a one-sided 9-0 victory over Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM). Nitesh scored three gut wrenches from par terre, then ended the match with an arm drag takedown with :04 left in the first period.

Youfang ZHANG (CHN) snatched the other 97kg bronze in impressive fashion, reversing Jewoo PARK (KOR) during a gut wrench and securing a fall at 2:00.

Day 2 Results

Greco-Roman

60kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Se Ung RI (PRK) df. Alisher GANIEV (UZB), 6-4

BRONZE: Kaito INABA (JPN) df. Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI), 1-1
BRONZE: Ziyue XI (CHN) df. Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ), 3-3

67kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), 3-0

BRONZE: Man Gwang SON (PRK) df. Nozimjon BOYKUZIEV (UZB), 2-2
BRONZE: Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) df. NEERAJ (IND), 5-0

72kg (14 entries)
GOLD: Danial SOHRABI (IRI) df. Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) by TF, 8-0, 2:38

BRONZE: Ji LENG (CHN) df. Omar AL DARAGHMEH (JOR) by TF, 11-3, 5:14
BRONZE: Issei HONNA (JPN) df. Begmyrat NOBATOV (TKM) by TF, 10-0, 2:13

82kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Mohammad NAGHOUSI (IRI) df. Omar SATAYEV (KAZ), 3-1

BRONZE: Boseong KANG (KOR) df. Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), 6-6
BRONZE: Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) df. Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB), 6-5

97kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN) by TF, 8-0, 3:08

BRONZE: NITESH (IND) df. Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM) by TF, 9-0, 2:56
BRONZE: Youfang ZHANG (CHN) df. Jewoo PARK (KOR) by Fall, 2:00 (3-3)

Asian Championships day six finals set

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Olympic champs prevail as Iran bounces back with 4 golds