#WrestleHangzhou

Asian Games Wrestling GR 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg Finals Set

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 - 01:47 By Vinay Siwach

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LIN'AN, Hangzhou, China (October 4) -- The 19th Asian Games are being held in Hangzhou, China with wrestling taking place at the Lin'an Sports and Culture Exhibition Center. Greco-Roman will kick off proceedings with 60kg, 67kg, 77kg and 87kg wrestlers taking the mat.

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Here are the finals for the evening session

60kg
Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) vs Ayata SUZUKI (JPN)

67kg
Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) vs Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ)

77kg
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) vs Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI)

87kg
Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) vs Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)

12:29: World champion Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) confirm their 60kg final spots! Sharshenbekov with a fall over Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) while Suzuki beats Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) 9-0 in the other semifinals

12:25: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) will wrestle for the 87kg gold medal as he beats Masato SUMI (JPN) 3-1 after a turn for par terre. Alizadeh had beaten Berdimuratov in the Asian Championships in 2022.

12:23: Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) will face Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) in the 77kg. He dashes the hopes of the hosts by beating Rui LIU (CHN) 1-1 as he got the second par terre advantage. Liu was given a third advantage but he failed to score. The Iranian had forfeited his 77kg Asian Championships final against Makhamudov in April

12:20: World and Asian champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) returns to the Asian Games final. He beats Azat SADYKOV (KAZ) 9-0 using a takedown, exposure and two turns. Makhmudov lost the 2018 Asian Games final to Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI).

12:17: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) into the final at 87kg at the expense of Sunil KUMAR! Alizadeh had two turns from par terre while Kumar failed to score any to go down 5-1.

12:15: Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) books his spot in the 67kg against Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ). He defended his par terre against Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) before scoring a takedown in the second period. Bakhshilloev challenged the call but lost it. Endo with a par terre point and a throw on the edge to make it 6-1 and won with the same score.

12:10: What a start to the semifinals as Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) pins Danial SOHRABI (IRI) in 67kg. Sohrabi got the par terre advantage and scored three turns but he trapped Shermakhanbet's head when defending a reversal. Shermakhanbet challenged the call as it was not initially awarded. Sohrabi was put in par terre for that foul but he was quick to get a reversal to lead 9-2. When he was trying to finish the bout with a headlock, Shermakhanbet grabbed his arm. Sohrabi tried to hit a whizzer but that arm lock from Shermakhanbet was too tight as he put Sohrabi on his back and held him till the referee called it a pin. Top energy from Shermakhanbet who is coming back from an injury

12:00: Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) falls! Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) led 3-1 before a stepout from Dalkhani. But a late flurry of action saw Dalkhani score which was seen as a foul on challenge from Kazakhstan. A 4-2 win for Sultangali.

11:55: Masato SUMI (JPN) has no troubles in his quarterfinal at 87kg against Veasna CHHOEUNG (CAM). An 8-0 technical superiority win over the Cambodian. On Mat B, another win for Japan! Former Asian Championships bronze medalist Ayata SUZUKI (JPN), with the help of two challenges, survives Seung RI (PRK). Suzuki led 3-1 but Ri launched a headlock throw in the final 5 seconds. Referees called it a dangerous throw as Ri had locked Suzuki's head with both hands. Suzuki won 4-1.

11:50: In a battle of the two World Championships bronze medalists at 60kg, Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) gets the better of birthday boy Liguo CAO (CHN) 3-1. A turn the difference between the two wrestlers.

11:45: Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) with a winning takedown in the second period at 77kg. He beats Dilshod OMONGELDIYEV (UZB) 5-3 and advances to the semifinal against Rui LIU (CHN)

11:40: Azat SADYKOV (KAZ) with an 8-0 win over Wisit THAMWIRAT (THA) in the 77kg quarterfinals. On Mat B, Rui LIU (CHN) with two suplexes to beat VIKAS 9-1 and advance to the 77kg semifinals

11:30: Sunil KUMAR into the semifinals with a 9-1 technical superiority over Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK) at 87kg. He will take on three-time Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI)

11:25: Mansur NURBERDIYEV (TKM) got a takedown but that was not enough as Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) won 8-3 at 67kg. On Mat A, Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) is made to work hard by Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) but the Japanese won 3-1.

11:15: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) takes his time but beats Azym ANNAMAMMEDOV (TKM) 7-1 in the 87kg quarterfinals. Then comes Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) with an 11-0 quick win over Maksat SAILAU (KAZ). And in no time world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) with a fall over SOPHAK KEO (CAM).

11:05: A thriller on Mat A! Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) took a 10-7 lead with two four-point throws against Lei LI (CHN) who also had a big move. Li made it 10-8 with a stepout. He scored a takedown to lead 10-10 on criteria but Kazakhstan challenged the call and it was a slip from Shermakhanbet who won 10-8

11:01: Daniel SOHRABI (IRI) ends the reign of two-time defending champion Hansu RYU (KOR) in the Asian Games! Sohrabi with two body throws to win 9-0 in the first period and move to the quarterfinals at 67kg

10:55: Meysam DALKHANI (IRI), who is wrestling at 60kg for the first time in his career, with a body lift and throw from par terre to beat GYANENDER 7-1 at 60kg. On Mat C, world champion Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) was down 5-0 against Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) but has three turns from par terre plus a caution warning against Azizov to win 8-5.

10:50: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) wins 11-1 against Chi Jui HUANG (TPE) and 2014 Youth Olympic champion Seung RI (PRK) gets his gut wrench going against Arslanbek ZAKIRBAYEV (TKM) to win 8-0. Both at 60kg.

10:45: Another world bronze medalist and birthday boy Liguo CAO (CHN) with a takedown and three turns to finish his pre-quarterfinal bout against Pros CHRAY (CAM) 8-0 in just 34 seconds. The crowd appreciates it.

10:40: World bronze medalist at 60kg Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) with a takedown and three turns to finish the bout 8-0 technical superiority over Tien Hai BUI (VIE). Asian silver medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) survived a close call to beat Suparmanto SUPARMANTO (INA) with an 11-3 win

10:30: London Olympic champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) got a solid headlock over Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) but failed to get the pin. Kaviyaninejad answered with a four-point throw and Kim failed to find an opening to comeback. Kaviyaninejad wins 8-3.

10:25: Three-time 87kg Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) gets three turns from par terre to beat A. AZISBEKOV (KGZ) 7-1 at 87kg. A battle on Mat B between former Asian champion Sunil KUMAR and Fei PENG (CHN). Peng with a turn from par terre and leads 3-0. But Kumar stops Peng in the middle during the second turn and gets close to a fall but Peng survives to lead 3-2. Kumar gets the passivity advantage in the second period to make it 3-3 and lead on criteria. A stepout to make it 4-3 and Kumar wins at 87kg 

10:22: Back-to-back victories for Japan! Former U23 world champion Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) with two four-point moves over Firuz MIRZORADZHABOV (TJK) in a 10-0 rout at 67kg. Masato SUMI (JPN) with a match-winning stepout over Byeongcheol SHIN (KOR) to advance at 87kg.

10:18: Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) gets to turns from par terre while defending his own to down NEERAJ 5-3 in the 67kg opening encounter. Neeraj scored a takedown in the first period but failed to get any points in the second.

10:15: Two-time defending champion Hansu RYU (KOR) with a big four-pointer from par terre and then defends that lead to win 5-1. He defends in the second period before a big upcoming bout against the U23 world champion Daniel SHORABI (IRI). Shorabi with a beautiful suplex over Yong RO (PRK) to win 5-2. Ryu vs Sohrabi confirmed

10:05: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) with a quick 10-0 superiority over Nuttapong HINMEE (THA) to kick off proceedings at 67kg. He moves into the quarterfinals.

10:00: Welcome to the Asian Games! The Greco-Roman in four weight classes will kick off the action. World champions Azkhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will be in action at 60kg and 77kg.

Stadnik retires: Europe's best who rewrote history

Wednesday, February 5, 2025 - 11:06 By Vinay Siwach

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BAKU, Azerbaijan (February 4) -- Four Olympic medals, six World Championships medals, 10 European titles, two European Games golds, many triumphs and heartbreaks later, Mariya STADNIK (AZE) has called it a day.

Stadnik, who debuted 22 years ago in 2003, announced her decision to retire from wrestling in an event organized by Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation in Baku on Monday. In an emotional video, Stadnik can be seen removing her shoes on the mat in front of a crowd and then speaking about her career.

"I recorded my name in the history of Women's Wrestling. Thank you to everyone who created this story together with me," Stadnik wrote on Instagram. "Now it's time to close this page of my life and write a new history."

Back in 2003, Stadnik began with a gold medal at the U17 European Championships, won a U20 world title two years later, added senior one as well and had a storied Olympic career which was laden with heartbreaks.

"I always had the motivation and will to win," Stadnik said last year. "I have had this will since early childhood, and this is endless."

READ MORE: Stadnik, 34, remains unbeaten in Europe

Though her will has stretched her career over two decades, Stadnik's decision to retire came after a lot of thought.

"In wrestling, I used all my chances," Stadnik said. "Now I understand that the time has come when I can be useful for wrestling in another role."

The 36-year-old, who was born in Ukraine but competed for Azerbaijan, will be moving into a caretaker role with the Azerbaijan Wrestling Federation in Women's Wrestling and will be responsible for churning out new stars.

When Stadnik made her debut in 2003, Japan, China, United States and Canada were top nations. However, Stadnik changed that. She won her first World Championships medal in 2007 and qualified for the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games in which she won a bronze medal as an 18-year-old.

Soon, she won her first world title in 2009 and emerged as the new force from Europe. She went on to win the European Championships as well. Stadnik brought competition to Women's Wrestling.

"For these countries, the competition with me was always serious," she said. "We always had tense and intriguing fights that were followed by the whole world. Mariya Stadnik from Azerbaijan was always a danger for them."

Mariya STADNIK (AZE)Mariya STADNIK (AZE) won a silver medal at the 2012 London Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Martin Gabor)

Perhaps it was no surprise that she was in the final of 2011 World Championships and 2012 London Games. However, she came up short both times to Hitomi OBARI (JPN).

"I give a lot of respect to Obara because she was stronger than me at that moment and the London gold was hers," she said. "She was my strongest opponent whom I respect very much."

Barring those Japanese hurdles, Stadnik was unstoppable. She added more medals at the continental level and always stood on the podium at the World Championships.

Mariya STADNIK (AZE)A dejected Mariya STADNIK (AZE) at the 48kg medal ceremony of the 2016 Rio Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Tony Rotundo)

Then came the 2016 Rio Olympic Games. Stadnik was at the peak of her wrestling her. A Olympic gold would take so much off her back. She was in the final of the 48kg in Rio and the gold medal was within touching distance as she was leading Eri TOSAKA (JPN) 2-1 in the final. But Tosaka crushed those dreams in the final five seconds, beating Stadnik 3-2.

Stadnik till today has no explanation as to what happened in those last five seconds of the final against Tosaka.

"I didn't watch my match from Rio for two years and still can't find an explanation why that competition ended like that," Stadnik said. "I knew and felt that the Rio gold should have been mine."

Stadnik geared up for one more time. The 2020 Tokyo Olympics would have been perfect ending for her. But by then, wrestling had changed with two-day weight ins, a newer generation of wrestlers had come up and Yui SUSAKI (JPN) was on a mission.

Mariya STADNIK (AZE)Mariya STADNIK (AZE) lost her first meeting with Yui SUSAKI (JPN) 2-2 at the Klippan Lady Open in 2018. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Max Rose-Fynn)

The first time Stadnik and Susaki faced each other was in the Klippan Lady Open final in 2018. Stadnik was winning the final but Susaki scored a stepout in the final second to shock Stadnik.

People doubted Stadnik and her mental strength. The 2019 World Championships gave a huge boost of confidence for Stadnik who won her second of the two world titles in Astana, exactly ten years after winning her first.

The Tokyo Olympics were just 10 months away and Stadnik was ready for it. However, with COVID-19 pandemic, it got pushed to 2021 and Susaki went on to win the gold medal with a 41-0 record in four bouts including a 10-0 rout of Stadnik in the semifinals.

Stadnik still managed to win a bronze medal, her fourth of the Olympics, tying her with Kaori ICHO (JPN) and Saori YOSHIDA (JPN). Icho was four golds and Yoshida has three silver and one bronze.

"I know people talk about the gold medal but I am so happy with this bronze. It's satisfying," she said back in 2021.

But Stadnik wasn't satisfied with wrestling. After being away from the mat in 2022, she returned in 2023 and won her ninth European title, the most in Women's Wrestling, extending her unbeaten streak in European Championships to 34 bouts.

Then she made a run for the Paris Olympics and though that meant taking losses to opponents she used to toy with in the past, the mother of two secured her place for Paris in the final qualifiers in Istanbul. Her body was ageing, reducing weight was becoming gruesome and her opponents were becoming quicker.

She returned home without a medal but became the first female wrestler to compete at five Olympics. Soon after Paris, Stadnik reflected on what she has left for wrestling and decided that a role off the mat was more suited now. Letting go off something so big in her life was hard and emotional for her.

"When I watched the video in which I take my shoes off, I had tears," she said. "This is the end of an important part of my life. What I loved so much for many years is ending."