China rebuilds women's team, one medal at a time

Saturday, February 25, 2023 - 20:34 By Vinay Siwach

ALEXANDRIA, Egypt (February 25) -- Over the two days of women's wrestling Alexandria, China took another step towards regaining its spot below Japan as the best country in the sport.

Having lost that place to the USA in the last three years and Ukraine on its heels, China needed to rebuild the team that can match, if not overtake Japan. It also included grooming younger wrestlers for international competition, the lack of which was evident at the World Championships last year as only Jia LONG (CHN) reached the final. Nine others did not even reach the semifinals.

Before Belgrade, the Chinese team traveled extensively in Europe to get back to the peak after being in China for more than a year. They camped in Germany, wrestled in Romania and Poland, camped in Serbia and participated in the World Championships. That is four months away from home.

Once they returned, a full lockdown was in effect in Beijing which meant being in the Olympic training center. No one was allowed to go out.

China flew to Iowa for the World Cup with little practice and made it to the final before losing to Ukraine. It was a big blow to the team which was considered second to Japan in the world. The wrestlers realized they have little time to regain their top form as the Paris Olympic qualifying World Championships was fast approaching.

The team began training together in Beijing in January and competed at the Zagreb Open in February. It won five medals but not a single gold as Japan continued its dominance in women's wrestling. The team flew to Hungary for the international camp before coming to Egypt for another competition.

In Alexandria, China ended the women's competition with eight medals including one gold and only three wrestlers out of 11 did not finish on the podium.

China The 50kg podium with three China wrestlers. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Moreover, the three 50kg wrestlers from China reached the podium for a second straight tournament. In Zagreb, Jiang ZHU (CHN) won silver while Ziqi FENG (CHN) and Meng FAN (CHN) won bronze medals. The latter two reached the final in Alexandria while Zhu won bronze.

The three wrestlers will add more Swiss Francs to the ones they won in Zagreb. Feng will pocket 1500 Swiss Francs for her gold while Fan will get 750 Swiss Francs. Zhu will get 500 Swiss Francs.

UWW began awarding prize money to Ranking Series medal winners this year and also allowed wrestlers to compete with a two-kilogram weight allowance at these tournaments.

Feng, a former U23 World silver medalist, is trying to fill the spot left vacant after Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Yanan SUN's (CHN) elongated break from international competition. Zhu, second fiddle to Sun for a long time, is in the same queue.

But Feng may well be the front-runner now as she defeated Zhu in the quarterfinals 12-2. She also defeated Oksana LIVACH (UKR), who had defeated Zhu in the World Cup, 15-4 in the opening round.

Feng wrestled Fan in the 50kg final and won that convincingly to all but seal her place for the Asian Championships. Fan defeated Feng in the final of the Ion Corneanu & Ladislau Simon Memorial in Bucharest, Romania last year.

Just before the end of the first period in the final, Feng stopped a right-side swing single and used a counter-offensive go-behind to pick up her first takedown. She quickly dropped below Fan’s knees, locked up an ankle lace and barrel-rolled her way to a staggering 10-1 lead. With a minute left in the second, Feng dumped Fan for the match-winning takedown, winning 50kg gold with 12-1 technical superiority.

While Feng emerged as the only gold medalist for China in Alexandria, Xiaojuan LUO (CHN) won silver at 62kg while Juan WANG (CHN) earned the same medal at 76kg after inspiring performances.

The other wrestlers with medals were Li DENG (CHN) with bronze at 53kg, Mengyu XIE (CHN) won bronze at 55kg, Qi ZHANG (CHN) won bronze at 57kg and ZHUOMALAGA (CHN) won bronze at 59kg.

At 53kg and 57kg, China will see the return of Tokyo silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) and Ningning RONG (CHN) respectively as they continue to recover from injuries. At 68kg, veteran Feng ZHOU (CHN) is likely to make a return for the Asian Championships.

Yuliia TKACH (UKR) celebrates after beating world champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) in the 59kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Ukraine wins 2 golds

After a gold-less day on Friday, Ukraine returned to the podium with veteran Yulia TKACH (UKR) and Tatiana RIZKHO (UKR).

Tkach put on a special performance by winning the 59kg gold medal over world champion Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) in a close final. She came out with heavy hands, using a left-side collar tie to dictate the match's pace. Aware of Nichita's tactics of setting up her for the off-the-elbow duck-under, Tkach attacked her head-on instead of straying away from Nichita’s go-to offense.

The 33-year-old was the first to put points on the board with a shot clock point. She used an elbow-post high crotch with her head to the outside of Nichita’s left hip but ran out of time, ending the first period with a 1-0 lead.

When the second period started, Tkach got right back to the shot that she failed to finish on in the first period. But this time, she stayed persistent, fighting for 60 seconds to pick up the takedown. She surrendered a takedown with :19 seconds left but hung out to win the match, 3-2.

The loss to Tkach ended Nichita's run of five straight gold medals in one year. It all started with the gold at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event in Istanbul exactly a year ago.

Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR), right, wrestles Emma BRUNTIL (USA) in their Round 2 bout at 65kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 65kg, European champion Rizhko put on a spirited show to win the gold in a five-wrestler bracket. She began with a victory via fall over BHATERI (IND) and followed that up with a 6-2 win over Emma BRUNTIL (USA) in what was her closest bout of the tournament.

Ayatalla AHMED (EGY) never came close to troubling Rizhko as she won 10-0 and Khadija JLASSI (TUN) managed one point in a 10-1 loss.

Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) defeated Li DENG (CHN) in the 53kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In other gold medal bouts, former U23 world champion Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) was the standout performer of the day as she won the 53kg gold medal.

Yepez came out on the top in a weight class that included world champion Dom PARRISH (USA), European champion Emma MALMGREN (SWE), former U23 world champion Andreea ANA (ROU), Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN), Nina HEMMER (GER) and Iulia LEORDA (MDA) among others.

In the final, she wrestled Deng and survived a scare before winning 9-4 for her first gold medal at a UWW event since the 2021 U23 World Championships.

After picking up the shot clock point, Yepez used a four-point double leg and a pair of gut wrenches to pick up the 9-0 lead. In the second period, Yepez gave up a four-point throw while trying to stay in bounds, cutting her lead to 9-4. It was here that Deng tried the fall as Yepez was on her back for 30 seconds. However, Yepez's one shoulder always stayed in the air.

Earlier in the day, Yepez combined aggressive wrestling with tight defense to reach the final. In the quarterfinals, she wrestled Hemmer and secured an 11-3 win before a 2-0 win over Ana as she completely shut off in the second period.

On the other side of the bracket, Malmgren eliminated Parrish but lost to Orshush who then suffered a 1-1 loss to Deng in the semifinal.

Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) and Bediha GUN (TUR) scramble in the 55kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 55kg, Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) had mentioned her World Championships rematch with Xie and she got that in the semifinal. In Belgrade, Winchester led 12-6 but suffered an injury and lost via fall.

But she avenged that loss to Xie, winning 4-0 and securing a place in the final against Bediha GUN (TUR). In the final, Winchester scored on an early stepout, followed by a head inside single leg to lead, 3-0.

Winchester remained the attacking wrestler throughout the bout and was rewarded when she pressured Gun, who fell in a clumsy manner and gave up four. In the closing seconds of the bout, Winchester went for the same move she began the bout and got a takedown which she tried transitioning into a fall but the time ran out.

Dalma CANEVA (ITA) secures a takedown against Alina LEVYTSKA (UKR) in the 72kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Dalma CANEVA (ITA) upgraded her silver from Zagreb Open to gold in Alexandria as she won the 72kg weight class over Alina LEVYTSKA (UKR) who had defeated her in Round 3.

After two dominating wins, Caneva wrestled Levytska in Round 3 and failed to break the Ukrainian's defense. Levytska got a point for Caneva's passivity and then a stepout which was challenged. Caneva scored a takedown but that was all as she lost 4-2.

Caneva defeated REETIKA (IND) via fall and got a chance to set the record straight with Levystka who clearly had the advantage after defeating her just hours before.

The lead switched hands three times in the final as Caneva picked up a shot clock point before the two traded takedowns. Caneva stopped a desperation shot attempt from Levytska and added two more points -- extending her lead to 5-2.

That was the final scoreline of the final as Caneva won the gold. She has now pocketed 2250 Swiss Francs, thanks to her two medals in three weeks.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) launches a leg lace against Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) in the 125kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

No surprises in freestyle

There were no surprises in freestyle as world champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) won the 125kg gold and World bronze medalist Batyrbek TCAKULOV (SVK) won the 97kg title.

Akgul was wrestling for the first time since winning the world title in Belgrade and showed no signs of rust, winning the gold in Alexandria with a 5-0 victory over Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL).

The 2016 Olympic champ did what he had to do in the first period before shutting things down in the second. After picking up the shot clock point in the first, the defending world champ scored a takedown from an underhook throw, then transitioned to a leg lace for a 5-0 first-period lead.

He sat on that lead with confidence, knowing that it was enough for him to claim the gold in his first competition in five months. Akgul was part of the rescue efforts after two devastating earthquakes hit Turkiye just 20 days ago.

Batyrbek TCAKULOV (SVK) won the 97kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Tcakulov too had a fruitful day as he captured his first gold medal of the season and warmed up for the April European Championships, in which he will be a returning bronze medalist, with a 7-1 win over Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL).

He was called passive in the first period but seemed more active in the second and picked up a three-point takedown, as he struck with a takedown just as Baranowski’s shot clock expired. With :10 left, Tcakulov stopped Baranowski’s desperation shot attempt and picked up one for the step out. But the Polish wrestler still had his challenge, so he threw the brick and won the challenge, keeping the Slovakian’s lead to 5-1. But as action resumed, Tcakulov halted Baranowski’s bull rush attempt and scored on an easy drop-level double leg, winning the bout, 7-1.

The remaining eight freestyle weight classes will be in action Sunday, the final day of the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking series.

RESULTS

50kg
GOLD - Ziqi FENG (CHN) df. Meng FAN (CHN), 12-1

BRONZE - Alyssa LAMPE (USA) df. Madison PARKS (CAN), via inj. def.
BRONZE - Jiang ZHU (CHN) df. Oksana LIVACH (UKR), 4-1

53kg
GOLD - Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) df. Li DENG (CHN), 9-4

BRONZE - Andreea ANA (ROU) df. Nina HEMMER (GER), 11-2
BRONZE - Stalvira ORSHUSH (HUN) df. Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER), 9-4

55kg
GOLD - Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Bediha GUN (TUR), 9-0

BRONZE - Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) df. Sushma SHOKEEN (IND), via inj. def.
BRONZE - Mengyu XIE (CHN) df. Tatiana DEBIEN (FRA), 7-4

59kg
GOLD - Yuliia TKACH (UKR) df. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA), 3-2

BRONZE - Yuliia LESKOVETS (UKR) df. SIMRAN (IND), via fall
BRONZE - ZHUOMALAGA (CHN) df. Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ), 11-0

65kg
GOLD - Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR)
SILVER - Emma BRUNTIL (USA)
BRONZE - Khadija JLASSI (TUN)

Key match: Tetiana RIZHKO (UKR) df. Emma BRUNTIL (USA), 6-2

72kg
GOLD - Dalma CANEVA (ITA) df. Alina LEVYTSKA (UKR), 5-2

BRONZE - REETIKA (IND) df. Lilly SCHNEIDER (GER), 10-0

Freestyle

97kg
GOLD - Batyrbek TCAKULOV (SVK) df. Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL), 7-1

BRONZE - Vladislav BAITCAEV (HUN) df. Benjamin HONIS (ITA), 8-0
BRONZE - Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) df. Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR), 7-0

125kg
GOLD - Taha AKGUL (TUR) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 5-0

BRONZE - Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) df. Benxin DUAN (CHN), 6-0
BRONZE - Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) df. Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), 11-0

#WrestleAmman

Asian C'ships 2025 Day 4 Women's Wrestling Finals Set

Friday, March 28, 2025 - 08:28 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 28) -- After five Women's Wrestling weight classes, it's turn for the remaining five -- 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg -- at the Asian Championships which enters day four.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 REPORT

72kg gold medal bout: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs Yuqi LIU (CHN)

14:17: Yuqi LIU (CHN) earns a shot at adding the senior Asian 72kg gold to the U20 one she won last year when she notches a 5-2 victory over Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB). Early in the first period, Liu misses an opportunity when she gets Oknazarova's leg into the air, only to see the Uzbek twist herself free. Liu gets an activity point and that accounts for the lone score of the first period. The action opens in the second period, and Liu scores with a single-leg takedown, but Oknazarova responds with a double-leg that puts Liu onto her back, but is scored only as a 2-pointer. Liu adds an insurance takedown on a counter.

14:15: Former world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) and four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) battle it out in the 72kg semifinals and it's a snoozefest. Bakbergenova gets the 1-0 lead after Furuichi fails to score when put on activity clock in the first period. Furuichi gets the 1-1 criteria lead when Bakbergenova fails to score in the second. Bakbergenova is hit with another passivity in the second period and Furuichi leads 2-1 with 43 seconds on the clock. Bakbergenova gets Furuichi out of bounds but she is on her knees and it's called no points. Furuichi defends with all might but Bakbergenova scores the stepout this time to win 2-2. Bakbergenova with the win with 0.6 seconds left despite Japan's challenge.

65kg gold medal bout: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL)

14:02: World 59kg champion Qi ZHANG (CHN) manages to cut Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) lead to 4-2 with a takedown but Morikawa gets two takedowns in the final minute and Zhang gets one. Morikawa wins 8-4 to enter the final at 65kg. In her only other Asian Championships appearance in 2022, Morikawa won gold but it was a round-robin bracket in which she did not get to celebrate the win in final, a fact she rued that year.

13:58: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) will get a chance to improve on her silver from last year, advancing to the 65kg final with victory by fall over Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB). Tuvshinjargal gets in deep on a double, and when Allaniyazova goes over the top in defense, Tuvshinjargal twists backward for a 2-point exposure. She then works her way up to fall position and pins Allaniyazova down at 1:59.

62kg gold medal bout: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) vs MANISHA (IND)

13:54: After three consecutive bronze medals, MANISHA (IND) will finally be fighting for the gold when she chalks up a 5-1 victory at 62kg over Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ). Limited to an activity point in the first period, Manisha starts the second period with a stepout, then adds a snap-down takedown. She scores another stepout with a minute to go, then inadvertently gives up one when she goes out spinning behind for a takedown.

13:50: In perhaps the match of the semifinal session, Ok Ju KIM (KIM) secures the fall over Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) at 62kg. Kim tried the cradle, then went for the half-nelson before pinning Ozaki and make it to the 62kg final on international debut for the 24-year-old.

57kg gold medal bout: Il SIM SON (PRK) vs Sara NATAMI (JPN)

13:42: Il Sim SON (PRK) follows Natami by also bringing an early end to her 57kg semifinal, using a barrel roll to put Youngjin KWON (KOR) onto her back, then moving to a headlock and leg wrap to secure the fall in 2:08.

13:41: Kexin HONG (CHN) can't catch a break getting pinned via step overs from her opponents. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) did it in the semifinals at the Paris Olympics now at the Asian Championships, Sara NATAMI (JPN) gets the fall.

53kg gold medal bout: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Hyogyong CHOE (PRK)

13:40: In a much-anticipated clash between young stars, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) goes on the offensive as expected in their 53kg semifinal and ANTIM (IND) does what she does best, fending off. For one period at least. Kiyooka, limited to an activity point in the first period, breaks through with Antim on the activity clock for a single-leg takedown, then adds a thigh-lock roll. The world 55kg champion then repeats the process to end the match with a 10-0 win in 4:10.

13:35: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) takes only a minute and 13 seconds to complete her leg lace and win 10-0 against Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) and reach the 53kg final.

Semifinals will begin 13:30 Amman time.

13:00: ANTIM (IND) with a low single as soon as the whistle goes for the 53kg quarterfinal against world U20 champion and senior world silver medalist Jin ZHANG (CHN). She adds a takedown to make it 4-0 inside the first minute. Zhang with a double hand lock throw but Antim survives the pin attempt. Another takedown for Antim and she leads 6-2 at the break. Antim adds another takedown with snapdown for an 8-2 lead. Her double underhooks help her defend whatever Zhang is throwing at her. Zhang gets two points after Antim defends with a chestwrap but Zhang exposes her. She adds another to cut the lead to 8-6. Both wrestlers in a tangle and referees call for a consultation. It is scored two for Antim, two for Zhang, giving Antim a 10-8 win. China challenge the decision. On review it is Antim is awarded two points twice and she wins 10-6

12:47: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) with a fall over Jeongae BARK (KOR) in the 65kg quarterfinal. Perfect headlock for the fall

12:44: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) had to launch a big four-pointer to lead 4-2 against Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) in the 65kg quarterfinal.. Mukatay had countered the first attack secured a 2-0 lead. Morikawa begins the second period with a stepout. Step over defense from Morikawa to make it 9-2 before securing the fall with 1:46 left on the clock.

12:41: MANISHA (IND) muscles her way into the 62kg semifinals with a victory by fall over Hanbit LEE (KOR). As she receives an activity point, Manisha uses double underhooks on the mat to leverage Lee over and gains the fall in 2:25.

12:38: Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) explodes for nine points in the second period to notch a 10-4 victory over Miyasar KUSHMURATOVA (UZB) and advance to the 62kg semifinals

12:36: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) gets over a major hurdle in her quest for a third Asian gold when she grinds out a 4-1 victory over Lili LILI (CHN) to make the 62kg semifinals. Ozaki gets an activity point in the first period and early in the second to lead 2-0. She gets in on a single-leg and gets the leg into the air, only for Lili to mule-kick her way out of the predicament. Lili receives an activity point, adding to the tension as the clock ticks down. With :10 left, Lili attempts a last-ditch front headlock roll, but Ozaki stuffs it for a final 2.

12:33: Sara NATAMI (JPN) puts on a technical masterclass of takedowns and wins 11-0 against Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) to enter 57kg semifinals.

12:27: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), last year's world and Asian champion at 55kg who has moved down to 53kg, puts on a takedown clinic in cruising to a 10-0 victory over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE). She topped off her fourth takedown with a quick lace lock to end the match in 1:58.

12:25: Youngjin KWON (KOR) did not let Danielle LIM (SGP) from the headlock and secures the fall after a 7-0 lead to advance to the 57kg semifinals.

12:24: Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) loses a challenge for a counter to a counter-lift by Maysa YUSUPJANOVA (TKM) that would have ended the match on a technical fall, but goes on to pancake her opponent to mat and score an actual fall to advance to the 65kg semifinals.

12:21: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) needs just 46 seconds to get a takedown against Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ), rip off four lace-lock rolls and secure her spot in the 53kg semifinals with a 10-0 win.

12:20: Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) begins the 72kg quarterfinal with the typical Mongolian headlock throw for four against Yuqi LIU (CHN). Liu answers with a takedown but Zorigt leads 4-2. With just over a minute remaining, Liu gets Zorigt on her back to the mat and secures a fall and enter the semifinals.

12:20: Qi ZHANG (CHN) builds up a 7-2 lead in the first period against Asian U23 silver medalist Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ). The two trade stepouts in the second period before Zhang adds a late takedown for a 10-3 win and a possible semifinal clash with Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN).

12:12: Il Sim SON (PRK) is into the semifinals at 57kg with a victory by fall over Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

12:10: Four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) begins her quest for a third Asian gold and sixth medal overall with a 10-0 victory over Sehee KIM (KOR) to advance to the semifinals at 72kg. After her third takedown, Bakbergenova rolls Kim twice to end the proceedings.

12:08: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), former Asian champion and Paris bronze medalist at 68kg, is back to 62kg. She had to make the desperate move to 68kg but losing the domestic qualifiers at 62kg in Japan. She defeated Ami ISHII (JPN) to get the spot at 68kg for Paris. She returned to 62kg at the Emperor's Cup and won the gold to qualify for Asian Championships. Up against Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), Ozaki opens up a 4-0 lead before takedowns are exchanged and Ozaki leads 6-2 at the break. The second period starts with a single-leg attack from Ozaki for two. Sukhee is quick with her attacks as well but Ozaki resets and defends to score takedwon. Sukhee keeps shooting on the legs and score a stepout as Ozaki is feeling the heat of the weight cut. Another sweep single from Sukhee, Ozaki defends for a while but gives up another takedown as Sukhee cuts her lead to 10-5 with 25 seconds remaining. Sukhee attempts a big throw but Ozaki with a whizzer and secures a 12-5 win.

12:06: Masako FURUICHI (JPN), one of the few wrestlers on the planet who has completed the "Grand Slam" of all four world age-group titles, faces a rising star in her opening match at 72kg in Jyoti BERWAL (IND), the world U20 champion at 76kg. An actionless first period sees Berwal take a 1-0 lead into the second. It's more of the same, as Berwal gets an activity point, but gives up a penalty point. In the final 20 seconds, Furuichi comes to life and completes a single-leg takedown with :10 left for a 3-2 win.

12:05: Asian U23 bronze medalist Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) is trailing 2-0 when she slams Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) to her back for a fall at 72kg. Nurtaeva was last year's Asian U23 champion at 68kg.

12:02: Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE), a silver medalist from 2021, with a buzzer-beating exposure to beat Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) at 53kg! Akhmedova was leading 5-3 but allowed Hsieh the leg attacks and while backtracking on her hips, there was exposure. Uzbekistan challenged but the decision was upheld as Hsieh won 6-5

11:57: Another historic first at these Asian Championships as Aylah MAYALI (PLE) becomes the first-ever female participant from Palestine when she faces Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) in a qualification-round match at 65kg. Allaniyazova opens the scoring with a double-leg takedown, then counters a Mayali shot to a stalemate. Allaniyazova adds another takedown at the edge to lead 4-0 at the break. In the second period, Allaniyazova gets a takedown and gut wrench, but Mayali reverses for her first points. In the end, the Uzbek proves too much and comes away with a 12-2 win, but not a bad effort for the debutante.

11:56: MANISHA (IND), last year's champion at 65kg, has dropped down to 62kg and starts strong with an 11-0 win over Asian U23 silver medalist. Tynys DUBEK (KAZ).

11:49: Il Sim SON (PRK), looking to do her part for DPR Korea in the team standings, starts off with a nice fireman's carry and never lets off the gas in posting an 11-0 win over Pei Ying LIAO (TPE) at 57kg in just under two minutes.

11:50: Jordan had its first wrestler in women's wrestling at the senior Asian Championships on Thursday and today Balqis TAAIBIN (JOR) is the second. However, she cannot produce a win for the hosts as Jeongae BARK (KOR) beats her 12-2 at 65kg.

11:45: Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) with a headlock to fall over Dieu Thuong LAI (VIE) at 65kg. Lai was leading 6-0 but Mukatay with a reversal to get the fall.

11:42: World U23 bronze medalist Neha SHARMA (IND) advances at 57kg with an 8-1 victory over Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), a 2023 Asian bronze medalist.

11:39: Qi ZHANG (CHN), last year's champion and the 2023 world chamipion at 59kg, gets her campaign at 65kg started with lightning quick 10-0 rout of MONIKA (IND).

11:38: Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) only got going in the second but she did well and secured a fall over Thi Hien DANG (VIE) after building a 14-7 lead.

11:38: In the opening match on Mat B, Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) seemed on the road to a rare victory for Sri Lanka, using an impressive double-leg takedown in taking leads of 6-0 and 8-4, only to get caught in a cradle by Youngjin KWON (KOR) and lose by fall at 57kg.

China rebuilds women's team, one medal at a time

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Asian C'ships 2025 Day 4 Women's Wrestling Finals Set