#WrestleAstana

Asian Championships freestyle brackets breakdown

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 - 13:29 By Vinay Siwach

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 12) -- If freestyle is exciting on the mat, the draws paint an even better picture. The freestyle draws for the Asian Championships concluded Wednesday with wrestlers from 10 weight classes receiving them. Freestyle begins Thursday with 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg wrestlers going on the mat and the wrestlers from the remaining five on Friday.

Wrestling will begin at 11:00 am on Thursday and Friday instead of the regular 11:00 am. The timing for the medal bouts remains the same -- 18:00 hours.

57kg
Wanhao ZOU (CHN) gets the number seed and he will be waiting for the winner of Nodirjon SAFAROV (UZB) and Sunggwon KIM (KOR) to meet in the quarterfinal. If he wins, he will reach the semifinals which will be a tough battle.

The top half has Alireza SARLAK (IRI) wrestling Rikuto ARAI (JPN) in the qualification and the winner will take on AMAN (IND) in the quarterfinal as he is the fourth seed.

The bottom half of this bracket has Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) as the second seed and he faces the winner of Gayan KATHURANGANA (SRI) and Sunatullo BOBOEV (TJK).

Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) is seeded third and already in the quarterfinals. He has to wait for the winner of Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) and Muhammad BILAL (PAK) to know his opponent.

61kg
PANKAJ (IND) gets the top seed in this weight class and a direct quarterfinal spot. He will face the winner of Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB) and Ibrahim GUZAN (YEM).

Two qualification bouts will be held to know the other quarterfinalists in the top half. Muhamad IKROMOV (TJK) will take on Tokyo Olympian Minghu LIU (CHN) in the first bout and Nurbolat ABDUALIYEV (KAZ) will face  Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) to decide the quarterfinalists.

In the bottom half, U23 world champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) gets the winner of Kodai OGAWA (JPN) and Myrat HOJANEPESOV (TKM). Third seed Yasin REZAEI (IRI) will wait for the winner of Hyeonsik SONG (KOR) and Eddy BIN KHIDZER (SGP) in the quarterfinal.

65kg
World champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) will be hoping to defend his Asian title as he is the top seed for the competition. He sits in the quarterfinal with Sanzhar MUKHTAR (KAZ) and Mohammed KAREEM (IRQ) trying to earn the spot to wrestle him.

Others will go through qualification to fill the quarterfinal spot. Changsu KIM (KOR) will wrestle Gurbanmuhammet CHARYYEV (TKM) for a spot in the last eight. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) has fourth seed Ryoma ANRAKU (JPN) in the other bout.

The lower side of the bracket has second seed Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) in the quarterfinal with the winner of Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) and Chlovelle ADOLFO (PHI) wrestling him.

U20 world champion Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) will be wrestling Charles FERNANDO (SRI) for a spot in the quarterfinal while Shaohua YUAN (CHN) has Anuj KUMAR (IND).

70kg
Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) will be the top seed for the weight class and as the weight class has 16 wrestlers, it will kick off with the 1/16 finals.

Toktomambetov wrestles Perman HOMMADOV (TKM) in the first bout while the second one sees Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ) take on Suhyeon PARK (KOR). 

Mohamed BIN ABDULLAH (SGP) will be up against Mustafo AKHMEDOV (TJK) for a spot in the quarterfinal while Inayat ULLAH (PAK) has Morteza GHIASI CHEKA (IR) in the other 1/16 final.

The bottom half will have second seed AGUDAMU (CHN) take on Anil PELI GEDARA (SRI). Ali AL OBAIDI (IRQ) faces Orts ISAKOV (JOR) for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) gets Khanburged GANKHUYAG (MGL) and U20 bronze medalist Mulaym YADAV (IND) will be up against third seed Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB).

74kg
While the big names are missing, 74kg will not be short of action. The top seed will be Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) and he will face Abdullrahman IBRAHIM (QAT) in his 1/16 final. Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) and Jumadurdy MAMISHOV (TKM) will be the second face-off before former Asian champion Byungmin GONG (KOR) faces Udayantha FERNANDO (SRI). Fourth seed Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) has YASH (IND) in his 1/16 finals.

In the bottom half, Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) will face  HONG YEOW LOU (SGP) and Jafar CHULIBOYEV (UZB) gets to take on Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ). Hossein ABOUZARIPASHKOLAEI (IRI) will be up against Erzo ISAKOV (JOR). Third seed Shengsong XIA (CHN) will be facing Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN).

79kg
Veteran Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) will be the top seed for this weight class and will be in the quarterfinals. The winner of Gunwoo LEE (KOR) and Shuhrat BOZOROV (TJK) will be his first opponent.

Peilong LI (CHN) and Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) will be wrestling for a spot in the quarterfinal against DEEPAK (IND) who will be the fourth seed.

Second seed Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI) will be in the quarterfinal as well with one of Adilet MARATBAEV (KGZ) or Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) to be his opponent.

Yajuro YAMASAKI (JPN) will face Vepa HEMENEKOV (TKM) and the winner earning a spot in the quarterfinal against Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) who is the third seed.

86kg
Defending champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) will be the top seed for the competition and he is placed in the quarterfinal. He will face the winner of Noman ZAKA (PAK) and Weng CHOW (SGP).

The second quarterfinal will be between the winner of Jointy KUMAR (IND) and Nurtilek KARYPBAEV (KGZ). Though he is the fourth seed Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) will have to wrestle Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) for a place in the quarterfinal against the previous winner.

Second seed Zushen LIN (CHN) will be in the quarterfinal and his opponent will be decided by a bout between Gwanuk KIM (KOR) and Alireza KARIMI (IRI). In the other quarterfinal of the bottom half, third seed Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) will wait for Mustafa AL OBAIDI (IRQ) or Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL).

92kg
The top seed and a quarterfinal spot at 92kg go Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL). He will face the winner of Arashk MOHEBI (IRI) and Arash YOSHIDA (JPN). In the other quarterfinal, fourth seed Abdul ABUIDAIJ (JOR) will wait for the winner of Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) and Woomin JANG (KOR).

In the bottom half, Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) is the second seed and will face one of Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ) or Issa AL OBAIDI (IRQ). The third seed Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) will have a test against Xiao SUN (CHN) or Deepak PUNIA (IND).

97kg
Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) is the top seed and will have a spot in the quarterfinal. He will face the winner of DEEPAK (IND) and Arslanbek TURDUBEKOV (KGZ). The second quarterfinal of the top half will see fourth seed Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB) take on Juhwan SEO (KOR).

Going to the bottom half, Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) is seeded second and will face the winner of Ulziisaikhan BAASANTSOGT (MGL) and Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI).

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) enjoys the third seed and will be in the quarterfinals. He will wait for the winner of Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) and Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM).

125kg
World silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) will be the top seed for the weight class and will face one of BUHEEERDUN (CHN) and Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ). U23 world champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) will be in the quarterfinal against fourth seed Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM).

The bottom half has second seed Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) in the quarterfinal. He has to wrestle the winner of Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) and Anirudh KUMAR (IND).

Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB) is third seed and will be facing the winner of Muzafar ZHAPPUEV (KGZ) and Yeihyun JUNG (KOR).

#WrestleAstana

Asian Championships, WW Day 3 finals set

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 - 05:00 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 11) -- After Iran's domination in Greco-Roman, it's time for women's wrestling and don't be surprised if you witness Japanese wrestlers winning most of their bouts. Five weight classes in action are 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The finals for the night are set

50kg
Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) vs Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN)

55kg
Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) vs. Qianyu PANG (CHN)

59kg
ZHUOMALAGA (CHN) vs. Yui SAKANO (JPN)

68kg
Ami ISHII (JPN) vs. NISHA (IND)

76kg
Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) vs. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)

14:31: Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) thrilled the home crowd and assured herself of a seventh career Asian medal when the 2021 champion held on for a 6-4 victory over Juan WANG (CHN) to advance to the 76kg final. After scoring an activity point and takedown in the first period, Syzdykova padded the lead to 5-0 with a spin-behind takedown. But Wang came back with a stepout and fleeing penalty with 1:29 left, then scored a takedown with :10 on the clock to make it 5-4. Her efforts to turn Syzydykova failed, as did a challenge to get points that were not there.

14:25: Defending champion Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) moves into the final with a controlled 3-2 win over Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN). She got a 3-1 lead and did give up a late stepout but was aware that she won't be affected by that.

14:19: What a win for Nisha DAHIYA (IND) over Feng ZHOU (CHN) in the 68kg semifinal. Zhou led 6-3 after a scramble and had no business losing it but Dahiya got on a low double and Zhou lay flat to defend it. Dahiya then used two exposures from a lift to win 7-6. She will wrestle for gold against Ami ISHII (JPN)

14:16: World silver medalist Ami ISHII (JPN) survives a tough clash in the 68kg semifinals with 2021 world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), scraping out a 6-2 win. With the match limited to an activity point for Ishii in the first period, it opened up with Ishii on the clock when she got in on a low single. Zhumanazarova used a counter lift to turn Ishii over, but the Japanese twisted to expose her opponent's back, giving Ishii a 3-2 lead. She added a stepout, then spun behind for a takedown in the dying seconds. 

14:01: Yui SAKANO (JPN), making her senior Asian debut at 28, will get a chance to add to the U20 Asian titles she won in 2012 and 2014 when she barged into the 59kg final with a 10-0 technical fall over Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ). Kayumova was working on a front headlock when Sakano lunged for a low ankle pick and scored a takedown. She then used an inner thigh pancake for 4, followed by a lace lock for an 8-0 lead. A low fireman's carry gave her another takedown and the victory in 3:27. 

14:00: ZHUOMALAGA (CHN) had a slow start to the semifinal against Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) but she gets a 3-0 lead at the break. A stepout in the second period makes it 4-0. Bilimbek Kyzy gets a takedown to cut the lead to 4-2. She needs a takedown for the win. However, Zhuomalaga is solid in defense and avoids any last-second mishappenings. She wins 6-2

13:52: Qianyu PANG (CHN) denies Japan. She beats Rino KATAOKA (JPN) 6-1 to reach the final at 55kg. Pang, an Olympic silver medalist from Tokyo, was called passive which gave Kataoka a 1-0 lead. Pang scored a stepout just before the break and got another point for Kataoka's passivity in the second period. The Japanese tried tripping Pang, only to fall on her own back, giving up four points.

13:45: Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) wastes little time in making the first major final of her career, storming to a quick 10-0 technical fall in the 55kg semifinals over 2019 bronze medalist Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ). Chinbold swept in for a takedown, then ripped off four consecutive rolls to end the match in 48 seconds. 

13:40: Two big four-point throws for Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) as she beats Miran CHEON (KOR) 8-1 in the semifinal. She will wrestle Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) for the gold.

13:36: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) will get a shot at a second straight title after putting away NEELAM (IND) by fall in the 50kg semifinals. Yoshimoto scored three takedowns, and after the third one, secured an arm bar and levered Neelam over for the fall with :16 to spare in the first period.

13:01: Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) scores 4 with a tackle to the back to complete an 11-0 technical fall over Sarbinaz JIENBAEVA (UZB) and clinch the top spot in round-robin Group A at 59kg. 

12:54: Six-time Asian medalist (and 2021 champion) Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) gets a pair of stepouts in the second period to finish off an 11-1 technical fall over Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZ) in the 76kg quarterfinals. Syzdykova closed the first period with a takedown and two tilts for a 9-1 lead and was close to turning her opponent again to end the match when time ran out. She will face Juan WANG (CHN) for a place in the final. 

12:45: In a thriller on Mat C, NISHA (IND) scores a takedown with :14 left to notch a 10-10 victory over Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) in the 68kg quarterfinals. Nisha was leading 8-2 when Enkhsaikhan locked her up in a cradle while countering a takedown attempt for 4, then went ahead with a pair of lace-lock rolls. 

12:45: Defending champion Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) is up against U17 world champion PRIYA (IND) but doesn't take much time for the win. A fall using the cradle in 43 seconds.

12:40: Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL) was awarded a point for Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN) passivity in the first period. Nagashima tried to be more attacking in the second period but never got a hold of her throws. Ganbat got a takedown to lead 3-0. However, Nagashima with an absolute arm throw for four to lead 4-3. That remains the difference as Nagashima wins 4-3

12:35: Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZ), a bronze medalist a year ago at 50kg, is into the semifinals with a 10-0 technical fall over Yi Jing CHEN (TPE).  She will next face Miran CHEON (KOR).

12:30: Feng ZHOU (CHN), a two-time former Asian champion and two-time world medalist, puts up five points in the second period to secure an 8-2 victory over Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB) and advance to the 68kg semifinals.

12:30: Ami ISHII (JPN), the world silver medalist from 2021, is returning after an injury break. She asserts her dominance with a 10-0 win over Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ). As solid as you like.

12:28: Yui SAKANO (JPN), a 2017 world U23 gold medalist who could never seem to find a place on the national senior team, scores all of her points in the first period to defeat SARITA (IND) 6-1. She uses a barrel roll for the takedown, then adds a pair of gut wrenches. That gives Sakano two wins in her four-woman round-robin group.

12:20: NEELAM (IND) will face Remia YOSHIMOTO (JPN) after she pinned Ellada MAKHYADDINOVA (KAZ) in the 50kg quarterfinal. A tough test for Neelam against the defending champion

12:18: Defending champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) is into the 50kg semifinals with a 10-2 win over 2019 world U23 silver medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN). Yoshimoto gets a pair of takedowns in the first period for a 4-0 lead. In the second, Feng uses a counter lift off a takedown attempt for 2, but when she tries another, Yoshimoto steps over for 2. The Japanese adds two late takedowns to top off the win.

12:08: Rino KATAOKA (JPN) earns a shot at Pang in the 55kg semifinals, finishing off an 11-0 technical fall of her own over Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ) with a 2-on-1 to a single leg takedown. 

12:02: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN), looking to add to the Asian gold she won in 2016, begins with an 11-0 technical fall over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) to make the semifinals at 55kg.

12:00: Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) and ZHUOMALAGA (CHN), both of whom have lost their Round 1 bouts, are on Mat A. Khurelkhuu with a two and two but a reversal from Zhuomalaga. Khurelkhuu leads 4-1. She tries a one-on-two to trip but Zhuomalaga survives and gets the takedown to make it 4-3. Zhuomalaga is definitely tiring her out. She now has built a 6-4 lead. She eventually wins with the same score.

12:00: Up-and-coming PRIYA (IND), the world U17 champion and world U20 silver medalist last year, gets a first-period takedown then holds on for a 2-1 victory over Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE) in the qualification round at 76kg.

11:40: Defending champion and former world gold medalist Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) begins her campaign at 50kg with a quick 10-0 technical fall over Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL). The rematch of the 2022 final in Mongolia lasted just 1:16.

11:30: The women take the mat today in 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg weight classes. Defending champions in action will be Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) at 50kg and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) at 76kg.