Asian Championships entry list

Monday, March 27, 2023 - 16:00 By Eric Olanowski & Vinay Siwach

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (March 27) -- The Paris Olympics qualification cycle will officially begin with the Asian Championships. Astana will host the continental championships from April 9 to 14 and the nations competing in Astana will be eligible to compete at the World Championships in September, the first qualifying event for Paris 2024.

China, India, Japan and Kazakhstan are the four nations with 30 entries which means that these countries will be allowed to place 30 wrestlers at the World Championships as well. Iran has a full squad for freestyle and Greco-Roman.

In freestyle, Iran will be the favorite to lift the team trophy but Kazakhstan and India will be its biggest challenges, especially with the home advantage for the former. Kyrgyzstan too has a strong squad for freestyle.

In women's wrestling, Japan is bringing a mixed squad with defending champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) leading the charge. World champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), 2021 world champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) and Sae NANJO (JPN) are also part of the squad.

But China, returning to Asian Championships after four years, will be keen on making a mark after finishing second to Japan in the team race at the World Championships. Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) will be wrestling at 55kg while world silver medalist Jia LONG (CHN) is at 65kg.

In Greco-Roman, Iran is bringing a solid team with world silver medalist Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) leading. While the squad is young, it still has hammers like Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) and various other U23 world medalists.

Kyrgyzstan will see world champions Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) taking the mat in Astana. Hansu RYU (KOR) and Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) will also feature in the tournament.

World and Asian champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI), right, will be wrestling at 65kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Freestyle

57kg
Wanhao ZOU (CHN)
AMAN (IND)
Alireza SARLAK (IRI)
Rikuto ARAI (JPN)
Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ)
Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ)
Sunggwon KIM (KOR)
Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL)
Muhammad BILAL (PAK)
Ali M M ABURUMAILA (PLE)
Ekanayaka MUDIYANSELAGE (SRI)
Sunatullo BOBOEV (TJK)
Nodirjon SAFAROV (UZB)

61kg
Minghu LIU (CHN)
PANKAJ (IND)
Yasin REZAEI (IRI)
Kodai OGAWA (JPN)
Nurbolat ABDUALIYEV (KAZ)
Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ)
Hyeonsik SONG (KOR)
Ali ALMOHAINI (KUW)
Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL)
Eddy BIN KHIDZER (SGP)
Muhamad IKROMOV (TJK)
Myrat HOJANEPESOV (TKM)
Ibrahim GUZAN (YEM)
Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB)

65kg
Shaohua YUAN (CHN)
Anuj KUMAR (IND)
Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)
Mohammed KAREEM (IRQ)
Ryoma ANRAKU (JPN)
Sanzhar MUKHTAR (KAZ)
Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ)
Changsu KIM (KOR)
Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL)
Zi Xyan LIM (SGP)
Divoshan CHARLES FERNANDO (SRI)
Ahmad DIRKI (SYR)
Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK)
Gurbanmuhammet CHARYYEV (TKM)
Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB)

70kg
Agudamu AGUDAMU (CHN)
Mulaym YADAV (IND)
Morteza GHIASI CHEKA (IRI)
Ali AL OBAIDI (IRQ)
Orts ISAKOV (JOR)
Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN)
Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ)
Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ)
Suhyeon PARK (KOR)
Mohammed ABDULKAREEM (KUW)
Khanburged GANKHUYAG (MGL)
Inayat ULLAH (PAK)
Mohamed BIN ABDULLAH (SGP)
Karuna PELI GEDARA (SRI)
Mustafo AKHMEDOV (TJK)
Perman HOMMADOV (TKM)
Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB)

74kg
Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN)
Shengsong XIA (CHN)
YASH (IND)
Hossein ABOUZARIPASHKOLAEI (IRI)
Erzo ISAKOV (JOR)
Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN)
Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ)
Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ)
Byungmin GONG (KOR)
Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL)
Abdullrahman IBRAHIM (QAT)
Hong LOU (SGP)
Udayantha FERNANDO (SRI)
Magomet EVLOEV (TJK)
Jumadurdy MAMISHOV (TKM)
Jafar CHULIBOYEV (UZB)

79kg
Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN)
Peilong LI (CHN)
DEEPAK (IND)
Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI)
Yajuro YAMASAKI (JPN)
Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ)
Adilet MARATBAEV (KGZ)
Gunwoo LEE (KOR)
Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL)
Shuhrat BOZOROV (TJK)
Vepa HEMENEKOV (TKM)
Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB)

86kg
Zushen LIN (CHN)
Jointy KUMAR (IND)
Alireza KARIMI (IRI)
Mustafa AL OBAIDI (IRQ)
Zaid SHISHANI (JOR)
Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN)
Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)
Nurtilek KARYPBAEV (KGZ)
Gwanuk KIM (KOR)
Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL)
Noman ZAKA (PAK)
Weng CHOW (SGP)
Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM)
Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB)

92kg
Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN)
Xiao SUN (CHN)
Deepak PUNIA (IND)
Arashk MOHEBI (IRI)
Issa AL OBAIDI (IRQ)
Abdul ABUIDAIJ (JOR)
Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)
Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)
Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ)
Woomin JANG (KOR)
Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL)
Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB)

97kg
Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)
Awusayiman HABILA (CHN)
DEEPAK (IND)
Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI)
Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN)
Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ)
Arslanbek TURDUBEKOV (KGZ)
Juhwan SEO (KOR)
Ulziisaikhan BAASANTSOGT (MGL)
Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM)
Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB)

125kg
Zhiwei DENG (CHN)
Anirudh KUMAR (IND)
Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI)
Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ)
Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN)
Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)
Muzafar ZHAPPUEV (KGZ)
Yeihyun JUNG (KOR)
Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
Omar SAREM (SYR)
Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM)
Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB)

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) and Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) will be renewing their rivarly in Astana. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
Ziqi FENG (CHN)
NEELAM (IND)
Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN)
Ellada MAKHYADDINOVA (KAZ)
Miran CHEON (KOR)
Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL)
Lachyn ANNAMURADOVA (TKM)
Yi Jing CHEN (TPE)
Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB)
Thi Xuan NGUYEN (VIE)

53kg
Li DENG (CHN)
ANTIM (IND)
Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)
Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ)
Hyunyoung OH (KOR)
Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL)
Hsiao LIM (SGP)
Ahinsa PORUTHOTAGE (SRI)
Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE)
Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)
Thi Dao BUI (VIE)

55kg
Qianyu PANG (CHN)
SITO (IND)
Rino KATAOKA (JPN)
Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ)
Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ)
Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL)
Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)
Thi NGUYEN (VIE)

57kg
Qi ZHANG (CHN)
ANSHU (IND)
Sae NANJO (JPN)
Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ)
Bermet NURIDIN KYZY (KGZ)
Youngjin KWON (KOR)
Erdenesuvd BAT ERDENE (MGL)
Danielle LIM (SGP)
Yu Han CHENG (TPE)
Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB)
Thi Anh TRAN (VIE)

59kg
ZHUOMALAGA (CHN)
SARITA (IND)
Yui SAKANO (JPN)
Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ)
Kalmira BILIMBEKOVA (KGZ)
Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL)
Sarbinaz JIENBAEVA (UZB)

62kg
Xiaojuan LUO (CHN)
SONAM (IND)
Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)
Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ)
Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
Subeen JO (KOR)
Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)
Sachini WERADUWAGE (SRI)
Hsin Ping PAI (TPE)
Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB)
Anh Tuyet TRAN (VIE)

65kg
Jia LONG (CHN)
MANISHA (IND)
Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN)
Albina KAIRGELDINOVA (KAZ)
Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ)
Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL)
Nadeesha PERERA (SRI)
Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB)

68kg
Feng ZHOU (CHN)
NISHA (IND)
Ami ISHII (JPN)
Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ)
Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)
Minji HA (KOR)
Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL)
Deepthika KUMARASINGHE (SRI)
Oguljan EGEMBERDIYEVA (TKM)
Dieu Thuong LAI (VIE)
Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB)

72kg
QIANDEGENCHAGAN (CHN)
REETIKA (IND)
Sumire NIIKURA (JPN)
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)
Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ)
Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL)
Ping Tsen HUNG (TPE)
Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB)

76kg
Juan WANG (CHN)
PRIYA (IND)
Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN)
Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ)
Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)
Seoyeon JEONG (KOR)
Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL)
Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE)
Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB)
Thi Linh DANG (VIE)

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) will lead Iran's charge in Astana. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman

55kg
Sailike WALIHAN (CHN)
RUPIN (IND)
Poya DAD MARZ (IRI)
Mostafa ALQADE (JOR)
Taiga ONISHI (JPN)
Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ)
Sardarbek KONUSHBAEV (KGZ)
Hyeokjin JEON (KOR)
Abduvali RAHIMBAYEV (TKM)
Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (CHN)

60kg
Liguo CAO (CHN)
SUMIT (IND)
Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI)
Maito KAWANA (JPN)
Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ)
Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)
Hanjae CHUNG (KOR)
Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK)
Umit DURDYYEV (TKM)
Jui Chi HUANG (TPE)
Akmal KHAMROEV (UZB)

63kg
Haodong TAN (CHN)
NEERAJ (IND)
Iman Hossein Khoon MOHAMMADI (IRI)
Chiezo MARUYAMA (JPN)
Mukhamedali MAMURBEK (KAZ)
Dastan KADYROV (KGZ)
Jinseub SONG (KOR)
Siyovush ACHILOV (TJK)
Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB)

67kg
HUSIYUETU (CHN)
ASHU (IND)
Reza Mahdi ABBASI (IRI)
Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN)
Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ)
Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)
Hansu RYU (KOR)
Firuz MIRZORAJABOV (TJK)
Begmyrat NOBATOV (TKM)
Hong Yu CHEN (TPE)
Abror ATABAEV (UZB)

72kg
Jian TAN (CHN)
VIKAS (IND)
Sajjad IMENTALABFOUMANI (IRI)
Ali Mohammed ALABODA (IRQ)
Taishi HORIE (JPN)
Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ)
Adilkhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ)
Jiyeon LEE (KOR)
Loiqi AMIRKHONZODA (TJK)
Toyly ORAZOV (TKM)
Jamol JUMABAEV (UZB)

77kg
Rui LIU (CHN)
SAJAN (IND)
Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI)
Amro SADEH (JOR)
Kodai SAKURABA (JPN)
Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ)
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)
Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR)
Bakhit K BADR (QAT)
Gadiel MISSO (SGP)
Jeyhun OVEZDURDYYEV (TKM)
Lai Hsing YAO (TPE)
Aram VARDANYAN (UZB)

82kg
Halishan BAHEJIANG (CHN)
Rohit DAHIYA (IND)
Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI)
Sultan EID (JOR)
Yuya MAETA (JPN)
Dias KALEN (KAZ)
Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ)
Akylbek TALANTBEKOV (KGZ)
Sejin YANG (KOR)
Aryan BIN AZMAN (SGP)
Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK)
Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB)

87kg
Chengwu WANG (CHN)
Sunil KUMAR (IND)
Naser ALIZADEH (IRI)
Masato SUMI (JPN)
Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ)
Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ)
Byeongcheol SHIN (KOR)
Saidislomiddin ASLAMOV (TJK)
Shyhazberdi OVELEKOV (TKM)
Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)

97kg
Yiming LI (CHN)
Narinder CHEEMA (IND)
Mehdi BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI)
Ali AL KAABI (IRQ)
Yuta NARA (JPN)
Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ)
Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ)
Seyeol LEE (KOR)
Azizdzhon ZARIPOV (TJK)
Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM)
Abrorbek NURMUKHAMMEDOV (UZB)

130kg
Lingzhe MENG (CHN)
NAVEEN (IND)
Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)
Ali AL SHARUEE (IRQ)
Sota OKUMURA (JPN)
Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)
Roman KIM (KGZ)
Minseok KIM (KOR)
Timothy Yu LOH (SGP)
Aybegshazada KURRAYEV (TKM)
Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB)

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Greco-Roman Preview

Tuesday, September 9, 2025 - 14:16 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 9) -- The last time the Azerbaijan Greco-Roman team did not finish on the podium in the team rankings was back in 2019. Since then, it has remained in the top three for four consecutive editions of the World Championships, including two first-place finishes in 2023 and 2024.

The country will once again be one of the toughest to beat at the World Championships, bringing some of the strongest wrestlers to Zagreb to defend its team title.

Five world medalists, including three champions, and four former European medalists, including two champions, make up Azerbaijan's lineup, led by Olympic and world medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE). World champions Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) at 55kg, Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) at 60kg, and Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) at 72kg will be key to the team's success.

Supporting them are former European champion Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) at 63kg, world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg, European champion Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) at 82kg, European medalist Islam ABBASOV (AZE) at 87kg, former European U23 champion Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) at 97kg, and former European medalist Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) at 130kg.

The biggest rival for Azerbaijan will be Iran which is also bringing a strong team to Zagreb. With Olympic champions Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) at 97kg, Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) at 67kg, and Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI) at 87kg, Iran also has world champion and Olympic bronze medalist Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) who is looking to defend his 130kg gold.

Other names include world U20 champions Payam AHMADI (IRI) at 55kg, Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) at 60kg, world U23 champion Danial SOHRABI (IRI) at 72kg, and Zagreb Open champion Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) at 82kg.

Azerbaijan's Golden Trio

Azerbaijan's three world champions from 2024 -- Azizli, Mammadli, and Ganizade -- will face a stronger field than last year.

Azizli, a four-time world champion at 55kg, is the favorite. However, his loss to Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) in the European Championships final puts an asterisk on that tag.

Iran will send world U20 champion Payam AHMADI (IRI) over Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) after the former won a selection bout. It will be interesting to see how the young wrestler adjusts to the senior level. Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) and Taiga ONISHI (JPN) are also potential podium finishers at 55kg.

At 60kg, Mammadli aims for back-to-back world titles. After winning at 63kg last year, he has returned to his preferred 60kg, where he claimed European gold earlier this year. Mammadli is known for his dominant par terre wrestling, making it tough for opponents to turn him from that position.

Despite his advantage, Mammadli will face challenges in Zagreb. A European final rematch against Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) is likely, as Tibilov has troubled him in the past but never defeated him. Both could meet in the semifinals.

Paris Olympic bronze medalist Se Ung RI (PRK) will also be in contention for a medal, a feat DPR Korea has not achieved in Greco-Roman since 2015.

Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) is aiming for success at the senior level after winning gold at the 2024 U20 World Championships. He has the potential to challenge the top wrestlers. Former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA) will also be looking to regain his momentum, while Asian silver medalist Kaito INABA (JPN) will make his World Championships debut.

Ganizade, the third world champion from Azerbaijan, faces a tough road at 72kg, with two other world champions and an Olympic silver medalist in the mix. Experienced wrestlers like Selcuk CAN (TUR) and Danial SOHRABI (IRI) also add to the competition.

Ganizade narrowly defeated former world champion Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) 3-2 in last year’s final, and they are likely to meet again. Ghanem, who won gold at the European Championships, has been a consistent contender.

Ali ARSALAN (SRB), another world champion in this weight class, has been inconsistent. He earned a bronze last year after losing to Ghanem in the semifinals.

Parviz NASIBOV (UKR), a two-time Olympic silver medalist, still seeks his first world medal and will look to change that in Zagreb.

An incredible storyline is unfolding at 67kg as Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) attempts to win gold. Narikuni, who won gold at 70kg in Freestyle in 2023, now hopes to add a Greco-Roman world title to his list of achievements.

Three-Way Battle at 67kg

Esmaeili, the biggest gold-medal favorite, won gold at the Asian Championships. He has never wrestled at a senior Worlds but is a former world U20 champion. He won gold at the Asian Championships with a 3-0 win over Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ). He will now look to win his first world medal.

Like Esmaeili, Jafarov has also never won gold at the World Championships. He missed his chance in 2023 after losing to Tokyo Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) in the final. Jafarov went on to win bronze at the Paris Olympics and will be a favorite in Zagreb.

Orta has defeated both Esmaeili and Jafarov but lost to the Iranian in Paris. He will be looking to add a second world gold to his name despite winning bronze in Paris.

Saravi: From Challenger to Leader

For years, Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) has been a challenger to Artur ALEKANYAN (ARM) in the 97kg weight class. But after defeating Aleksanyan at the Paris Olympics and seeing the Armenian lose at the European Championships, Saravi has emerged as the new leader in the 97kg class. Now, Aleksanyan, a four-time world champion, will try to reclaim his place at the top of the podium.

Both Saravi and Aleksanyan lost to Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) at the 2023 World Championships -- Saravi in the semifinals and Aleksanyan in the final. While Rosillo's surprise victory in 2023 shocked many, it's unlikely he'll repeat that, meaning Saravi vs Aleksanyan might be the final showdown in Zagreb.

The 97kg field also features Paris Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ), Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) [who moved up from 87kg this season], European silver medalist Lucas LAZOGIANIS (GER), and former world U23 champions Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) and Alex SZOKE (HUN).

Kusaka's Return

Nao KUSAKA (JPN), Olympic champion, returns for the first time since winning gold at the Paris Games, aiming to claim his first world title after falling short in 2023 to Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ). Kusaka is the favorite for gold but will face tough competition from Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), who is seeded fifth. Both Kusaka and Zhadrayev could meet in the quarterfinals.

World champion and Paris bronze medalist Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) will try to avenge his loss to Kusaka, while Asian champion Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), who has been having a career resurgence, aims to add a world medal.

Other potential challengers include Robert FRITSCH (HUN), Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ), Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), Sergei KUTUZOV (UWW), and Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI), all of whom are capable of causing upsets.

Mohmadi’s Chance at 87kg

Though missing Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL), the 87kg weight class remains highly competitive. Paris silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI), a favorite, is known for his excellent conditioning and ability to score from par terre.

Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), the Paris bronze medalist, will also be in the mix for gold, capable of defeating anyone on his best day with his high-paced style and big throws.

Other threats include European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN), Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), Asan ZHANYSHOV (KAZ), and Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB).

At 130kg, Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) will aim to defend his 2023 world title after stunning Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in the final. Mirzazadeh is the favorite but faces competition from former world silver medalist Oscar PINO (CUB), European champion Sergei SEMENOV (UWW), age-group world champion Hamza BAKIR (TUR), and Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW).

63kg: Abuladze vs Kamal

The battle for 63kg gold could come down to Leri ABULADZE (GEO) and Kerem KAMAL (TUR). Kamal, the most improved wrestler of the year, has won Ranking Series golds and European gold after moving up from 60kg to 63kg.

Abuladze, the 2023 world gold medalist, will return to 63kg, aiming to defend his title after struggling at 67kg. His defense is at par with the best, but scoring from par terre will be key to his success.

Challengers include Asian and world U20 champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI), Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), and Sergey EMELIN (UWW), a bronze medalist from Tokyo.

Gurban GURBANOV (AZE), the European champion, has gold medals from all age-group World Championships and will now aim for senior-level success. GURBANOV’s confidence will be high after winning the European Championships in dominating fashion at 82kg.

However, facing off against the Asian wrestlers, Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI), Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), and Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), will pose significant challenges.

Turkiye's 2024 European champion Alperen BERBER (TUR) will debut at the World Championships and is considered a strong medal contender.

Asian Championships entry list

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World Championships 2025 Greco-Roman Preview