Dauletbekov settles score with Karimi to win Asian 86kg gold

Friday, April 14, 2023 - 13:30 By Ken Marantz

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 14) -- Although he was the reigning champion, Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) could have been regarded as the challenger in the final, given how his opponent had dominated him over the years. Spurred on by a vocal home crowd, the futility came to a joyous end.

Daultetbekov defended his 86kg title with an inspired victory over powerful Alireza KARIMI (IRI), capturing one of Kazakhstan's two gold medals in the last five freestyle weight classes on the final day of the Asian Championships on Friday in Astana.

"It means a lot to win the Asian Championships on home soil," Daultetbekov said. "I'm very happy. I thank all the fans who came here to support us."

Teenager Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), whose wrestling bloodline runs deep and to a faraway land, marked his international debut with a spectacular run to the 92kg gold, while Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) brought down the curtain on the tournament by taking the 125kg title and exorcising a demon of his own.

Kazakhstan put four wrestlers into the finals at the packed Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial ArtsPalace, but only Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) could join Dauletbekov at the top of the podium.

Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) won the other gold at stake at 61kg, adding to the Asian U23 title he won last year.

Combined with its two golds from Thursday, Kazakhstan easily secured the team title with 179 points. Japan finished second at 129, while Iran slipped to a surprising third with 124, just four points ahead of Mongolia.

Dauletbekov, a 2022 world bronze medalist, earned his second career Asian gold and fourth medal overall by finally settling a score with Karimi, who had beaten him numerous times over nearly a decade. The most recent loss was a 4-0 defeat at the World Cup in December.

But with his adrenaline in overdrive, Dauletbekov dug deep and found the will to finally come out on top, beating the two-time former Asian champion 4-1 and sending the home crowd into a frenzy.

After Karimi got the lone point of the first period with an activity point, the match opened up in the second period. Dauletbekov struck by using a snapdown and spin behind to take the lead, which he padded with a similar takedown gained after blunting a Karimi tackle attempt.

"I’ve wrestled with that Iranian athlete five or six times, and lost all the matches," Dauletbekov said. "I'm very happy to win today at home. At the last match, I followed the strategy of our coaches. This victory is important for me and I am happy to win in Kazakhstan."

For the 29-year-old Dauletbekov, the next objective is clear -- making it to an elusive Olympics for the first time, which he hopes to do by qualifying at this year's World Championships.

"The goal is to get qualified for the Olympic Games at the World Championships," he said. "We will train hard to reach the goal."

At 92kg, Yoshida won a battle of 19-year-olds over Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), putting on an impressive show of speed and power for an 11-4 victory in the final.

Yoshida's victory made him, at 19 years and 3 months, Japan's youngest-ever male Asian champion. Yu Shiotani was 19 years and 5 months when he won the Greco 55kg gold at the 2021 Asian Championships.

Yoshida continually took the fight to Aitmukhan, scoring three stepouts and a single-leg takedown for a 6-0 first period lead. Aitmukhan got on the scoreboard with a single-leg takedown of his own to start the second period. But after that, Yoshida twice scored a takedown that Aitmukhan could only answer with a stepout, and Yoshida finished up the scoring with go-behind takedown.

"Honestly speaking, I never imagined it," Yoshida said of his victory, which gave Japan its lone freestyle gold of the tournament. "It was my first international tournament. The anxiety and nervousness were big."

For Yoshida, the key match came in the quarterfinals, when he trailed 6-3 against Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) before rallying to a 9-7 victory.

"That match was the toughest," Yoshida said. "The last minute, I was just going on emotions and was able to pull out the win."

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) is now the youngest male wrestler from Japan to win the Asian Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

If Yoshida's aggressive, in-your-face style seems to resemble that of the Iranians, that's no coincidence. Yoshida's father Javid ESFANJANI is Iranian, a former wrestler who settled in Japan and started a kids' wrestling school in Chiba Prefecture, east of Tokyo. That's where Arash and his siblings got their start in the sport.

As if part of a Hollywood script, Yoshida's first international match coincidentally came against an Iranian -- which he won by a 10-0 technical fall over Arashk MOHEBI (IRI). The significance was not lost on the Nihon University student.

"I wrestled an Iranian for the first time [in my career]," Yoshida said. "Iran is strong, a wrestling powerhouse. Honestly speaking, I could not have said for sure that I was going to win. I was very anxious. But I was able to do what I do best, which was good."

Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) became the first Mongolian heavyweight to win the Asian gold in 22 years. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Like Dauletbekov, Munkhtur's path to the gold was blocked by an opponent whom he had had his trouble with in recent years and was the defending champion wrestling at home to boot.

But the Mongolian eked out a 1-1 victory over Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ), by virtue of receiving the second of the two activity points in a match in which neither could launch an effective attack.

Batirmurzaev got his activity point in the first period, and Munkhtur's came in the second. That, and the crowd urging him on, sparked Batirmurzaev, who at one point worked in for a body lock throw, but the Mongolian slipped out of the hold.

"I have wrestled him before and lost twice. I have one win against him, but I really planned this win," Munkhtur said. "Because I have wrestled him before, I know his positions and I know the good and bad ones."

The two had faced each other three times in the past three years, with Batirmurzaev winning the first two and Munkhtur winning the most recent, 2-1 in the first round at last year's Yasar Dogu tournament in Istanbul.

Munkhtur only made the final in Astana by the skin of his teeth. In the semifinals, the Mongolian pulled out an 8-7 victory over Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) by scoring a 4-point trip in the final 10 seconds left.

"I had a knee injury and I have been on a break," Munkhtur added. "It was really hard mentally. So I meditated a lot, now I am healthy and I will go to the next Ranking Series event."

Yessengali, the 2019 Asian U23 silver medalist, burst out of the blocks in the 74kg final against Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN), taking a quick six-point lead that he rode to a 7-2 victory.

Yessengali secured a front headlock, from which he scored a 4-point throw that he followed up with a 2-point roll. He added a stepout in the second period, before giving up a stepout and fleeing point to Kinoshita which had little effect on the outcome.

Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) scored a 4-2 win over Minghu LIU (CHN) in the 61kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In the 61kg final, Zhumashbek Uulu was able to neutralize the speed of Minghu LIU (CHN) to forge a 4-2 victory and give Kyrgyzstan its lone freestyle gold.

"It was my first senior Asian championships and the final opponent, the Chinese wrestler, was good," said Zhumashbek Uulu, the 2022 world U23 silver medalist and Asian U23 champion. "But he got tired, and our score was 4-2."

Liu had the advantage after the first period, coming back with an explosive double-leg takedown to go ahead 2-1. But Zhumashbek Uulu fended off all of Liu's attacks in the second period and went ahead to stay with a pair of stepouts before receiving an activity point.

Mongolia picks up 3 bronzes; Bahrain gets 2

In the third-place matches, Mongolia came away with three bronzes to cap a productive night, while BUHEEERDUN (CHN) gets the award for best snatching of a victory from what seemed like a sure defeat.

At 61kg, Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) kept the pressure on and got the takedown he needed with :04 left for a 4-4 win over Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB), giving him a second Asian bronze -- seven years after his first.

Compatriot Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) earned his first major medal on any level when he cobbled together a 6-0 victory at 74kg over Byungmin GONG (KOR), a gold medalist two years ago at 79kg.

Olonbayar led 3-0 courtesy of two activity points and a penalty point when he scored his first technical points with a driving takedown off a counter. He added a takedown for good measure.

Ganbaatar also came away with a second career bronze several years after his first one, when the Zagreb Open bronze medalist used a pair of 4-point throws to put away Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) by 10-0 technical fall at 92kg.

Ganbaatar stuck Saparniyazov with a hip throw for 4, then after scoring a takedown, unleashed a 4-point arm throw to end the match at 1:18. For Saparniyazov, he was left with his third fifth-place finish in four years.

At 125kg, 2019 Asian junior silver medalist Buheeerdun pulled a victory out of his hat with a fall over Masoumi, adding more misery to the Iranian.

Buheeerdun had sheepishly given up three straight stepouts to the powerful Masoumi, but when the two locked up and the Iranian attempted a backdrop, the Chinese landed on top of him with a mighty thud, then clamped down for the fall in 1:05.

The Russian-born pair of Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) and Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) gave Bahrain its second and third medals of the tournament with victories in their bronze-medal matches.

Asluev scored a double-leg takedown just after receiving an activity point early in the second period and held on for a 3-2 victory over Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ) at 74kg.

A short time later Sharipov had a much easier time in dispatching Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ) by a 10-0 technical fall at 92kg. A takedown and two gut wrenches, then consecutive single-leg takedowns, and that was it for Chynybekov in 1:43.

At 61kg, Yasin REZAEIAGHOUZGOLEH (IRI) gave Iran its lone win of the medal matches when he put on a clinic of counter wrestling, scoring a pair of 2-point exposures and a stepout off counters to the single-leg attack of Kodai OGAWA (JPN) and riding that to a 7-4 victory.

Ogawa's points came after he twice got behind and in control, but he could not get the Iranian's knees to the mat and had to settle for stepouts, with a fleeing point tagged on each time. Rezeiaghouzgoleh had a takedown of his own early in the second period.

Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) won his second straight bronze medal, overwhelming Weng Gary CHOW (SGP) with a 10-0 technical fall in 1:30 at 86kg, the same result and scoreline when the two met in the first round last year in Mongolia.

Islomov got a quick takedown and, locking up an arm, added a tilt and two rolls for an 8-0 lead. The overmatched Chow showed some spirit by attempting an arm throw, but Islomov stopped it and got behind for the takedown that ended the match.

Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), coming off winning a silver medal at the Zagreb Open, picked up his first major senior medal with an 11-0 technical fall over LIN Zushen (CHN) at 86kg.

Ishiguro, who has a 2019 World U23 bronze and 2018 world junior gold to his credit, showed his dexterity with a nifty ankle pick for one of his three takedowns. He finished off the win in the second period with a takedown-gut wrench combination.

Anirudh KUMAR (IND) took home the other bronze at 125kg with a 12-2 technical fall over Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB).

Kholmatov had drawn first blood with a driving takedown over the edge, but Kumar came right back with one of his own, although his was good for four points. He repeated the move for 2, then recorded three straight go-behind takedowns to end the proceedings in 2:29.

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

61kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) df. LIU Minghu (CHN), 4-2

BRONZE: Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) df. Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB), 4-4
BRONZE: Yasin REZAEIAGHOUZGOLEH (IRI) df. Kodai OGAWA (JPN), 7-4

Semifinal: LIU Minghu (CHN) df. Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB), 8-2
Semifinal: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Yasin REZAEIAGHOUZGOLEH (IRI), 11-2

74kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) df. Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN), 7-2

BRONZE: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) df. Byungmin GONG (KOR), 6-0
BRONZE: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ), 3-2

Semifinal: Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) df. Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) by TF, 12-2, 4:43
Semifinal: Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) df. Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), 2-1

86kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Alireza KARIMI (IRI), 4-1

BRONZE: Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) df. Weng Gary CHOW (SGP) by TF, 10-0, 1:29
BRONZE: Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) df. LIN Zushen (CHN) by TF, 11-0, 3:31

Semifinal: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 2:14
Semifinal: Alireza KARIMI (IRI) df. Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), 9-2

92kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), 11-4

BRONZE: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) df. Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 1:18
BRONZE: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ) by TF, 10-0, 1:43

Semifinal: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) by TF, 13-2, 4:10
Semifinal: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) df. Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN), 6-1

125kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) df. Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ), 1-1

BRONZE: Buheeerdun BUHEEERDUN (CHN) df. Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) by Fall, 1:05 (4-2)
BRONZE: Anirudh KUMAR (IND) df. Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB) by TF, 12-2, 2:29

Semifinal: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) df. Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI), 8-6
Semifinal: Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) df. Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB) by Fall, 4:46 (7-0)

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 GR Day 2 Finals Set

Wednesday, March 26, 2025 - 08:14 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 24) -- Asian Championships 2025 enters day two with Greco-Roman weights 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg and 130kg wrestlers on the mat. Uzbekistan won three gold medals on day one with Iran and Japan winning one each.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 RESULTS

97kg gold medal bout: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) vs Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN)

14:32: Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN) earns a shot at the Olympic champion in the 97kg final by edging Youfang ZHANG (CHN) 3-2. The two traded stepouts with a fleeing point added on, with Nakazato's coming second to put him ahead on criteria 2-2. Nakazato gets the passivity point in the second period and opts to remain the standing position. It doesn't result in any more points for him, but neither is Zhang able to break through the Japanese wrestler's defenses.

14:25: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) storms into the 97kg final with a technical superiority win over NITESH (IND). He scores a takedown and then gets the par terre advantage. Nitesh defends the first attempt for gut but Saravi persists and turns, which breaks Nitesh and Saravi adds two suplexes, both for two points each.

82kg gold medal bout: Omar SATAYEV (KAZ) vs. Mohammad NAGHOUSI (IRI)

14:20: Mohammad NAGHOUSI (IRI) gets a stepout and a fortunate call on a challenge to defeat former compatriot Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) 4-3 and advance to the 82kg final. Badaghimofrad gets the first chance at par terre, but Naghousi reverses, then receives a second point when the Qatari unsuccessfully challenges for a foul. With Naghousi up 2-1 in the second period, Badaghimofrad retakes the lead with a nice go-behind takedown. In the final seconds, Naghousi uses a slick duck under to a body lock, but has to settle for a stepout. Iran challenges for a fleeing point, and they get it! With eight seconds left, a stunned Badaghimofrad lets the time run out with no effort.

14:11: Unheralded Omar SATAYEV (KAZ) rocks defending champion Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) in the 82kg semifinal with two big throws and a fall. Satayev, leading 2-0, hit a big counter throw for four and then headlock for four. He held Yoshida on the mat and secured a first-period fall.

72kg gold medal bout: Danial SOHRABI (IRI) vs Abdullo ALIEV (UZB)

14:07: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) assures he will improve on his bronze medal from a year ago when he defeats Issei HONNA (JPN) 6-1 to advance to the 72kg final. Aliev starts fast and hard with a takedown followed by a roll and a 2-point throw for a quick 6-0 lead. Honna picks up a point when Uzbekistan unsuccessfully challenges a possible takedown that would have ended the match. In the second period, there are no scoring chances nor passivity calls.

13:59: Danial SOHRABI (IRI) gets the par terre and then turns Ji LENG (CHN), gets the suplex for four before adding another roll to win 9-0 and enter the final at 72kg.

67kg gold medal bout: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) vs Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)

13:55: There was no second miracle comeback for 2023 Asian Games champion Katsuaki ENDO (JPN), who falls 5-1 to Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) in the 67kg semifinals. Beishekeev, looking to avenge a quarterfinal loss to Endo at the Asian Games, starts strong with a 4-point throw from par terre. Endo gets his chance in the second period and, although he lifts Beishekeev off the mat, he can't get the leverage for a turn. Beishekeev manages to run out the clock and earn a chance to add an Asian gold to his silver from last year and bronze in 2023.

13:50: In the Iran-Uzbekistan battle which Uzbekistan won yesterday, Iran seems to dominate it today. The 67kg semifinal between Olympic champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) and Nozimjon BOYKUZIEV (UZB) ends in Esmaeili winning 8-0. Esmaeili scored a takedown, added another before rolling Boykuziev for the win.

60kg gold medal bout: Se Ung RI (IRI) vs Alisher GANIEV (UZB)

13:40: Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) defended the par terre position in the first period against Se Ung RI (PRK) in the 60kg semifinal but Ri isn't waiting for par terre advantages in the second period. He scores a takedown and then blocks a arm-throw attempt from Nasepour for another two points and leads 5-0. However, after a review among the referees, the arm-throw is scored four points for Naserpour and then a takedown for Ri who now leads 6-4. Naserpour with a deperate attempt to score but Ri circles for go-behind and wins 8-4. He will face Alisher GANIEV (UZB) in the final.

13:34: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) starts his 60kg semifinal against Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) in good form, using a duck under for a takedown and immediately going to a gut wrench for a 4-0 lead. Ganiev gets the passivity call, and he wastes no time hitting a 2-point throw, then repeats the move. Sulaimanov, knowing it's over, doesn't resist and officially the match ends in a fall at 2:04.

Semifinals at 13:30 local time

13:18: Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN) puts in the strides and works for an 8-0 win against Melis AITBEKOV (KGZ) to enter 97kg semifinal

13:18: Omar SATAYEV (KAZ) hits a pair of 4-point rolling flip throws to knock off Boseong KANG (KOR) 11-0 in the 82kg quarterfinals. That earns Satayev a final-four clash with defending champion Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN).

13:14: Two-time Asian U23 medalist and 2022 world U23 bronze medalist NITESH (IND), looking for his first senior medal, gets off to a good start, rolling Ilyas GUCHIGOV (KAZ) four times from par terre for a 9-0 victory in 1:58 and place in the 97kg semifinals.

13:12: Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) chalks up a quick 4 points against Aslamjon AZIZOV (TJK) in their 60kg quarterfinal, then holds on for a 4-3 victory.

13:10: Mohammad NAGHOUSI (IRI) gets a second chance at par terre and manages to turn Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ), with another point tacked on for an unsuccessful challenge, for a 4-1 win and a place in the 82kg semifinals. At best, Orunkul Uulu can only aim for a second straight bronze medal

13:10: Olympic champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), in his first competition after Paris, opens with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM) and enters the semifinals at 97kg

13:04: Youfang ZHANG (CHN) blocks an attempted turn from Bekhruz BARNOEV (UZB) in par terre and wins the 97kg bout 5-1. Zhang had built a 3-1 lead from par terre in the first period.

13:03: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), looking to improve on his silver medal from a year ago, proves too much for NEERAJ (IND), storming to a 9-0 victory in less than two minutes in their 67kg quarterfinal.

13:00: Paris Olympic gold medalist and defending Asian champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) gets his campaign started at 67kg with a 10-4 win in the quarterfinals over Man Gwang SON (PRK). Esmaeili gives up an early takedown, but gets down to work, scoring a stepout and a takedown to take the lead, then adds a takedown-roll combination to go into the break leading 7-2. Esmaeili starts the second period with a stepout, before Son fights back with a takedown to cut the lead to 8-4. But Esmaeili gains another takedown before running out the clock.

12:58: World U23 champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB) breaks open a close match in the second period before securing a victory by fall over Ziyue XI (CHN) to advance to the semifinals at 60kg.

12:55: Shahin BADAGHI (QAT) gets four gut-wrenches after put in par terre to win 8-0 against RAHUL (IND) and advance at 82kg.

12:50: Likui SHI (CHN) kept defending champion Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) quiet in the first period of their 82kg bout with Yoshida getting only one point for par terre. However, Shi tried a bodylock but Yoshida put him on the back for two points, a turn added two more as Yoshida won 5-0.

12:48: Issei HONNA (JPN) spots Yryskeldi KHAMZAEV (KGZ) to start their 72kg quarterfinal, but hits a dazzling back suplex that sends Khazaev sailing into the air and onto his back, where Honna secures the fall.

12:47: A classic high-octane matchup is up on Mat C between Paris Olympic bronze medalist Se Ung RI (PRK) and Kaito INABA (JPN) for a place in the 60kg semifinals. Ri takes the lead by getting behind for a takedown, then gets the top in par terre. Ri adds a roll to go up 5-0. Inaba gets a pair of stepouts on each side of the break, but Ri comes roaring back with a pair of arm throws, one for 2 points and the second for 4 that is upheld on challenge. In the end, a 12-2 win for Ri.

12:42: In the final qualification-round match, Bekhruz BARNOEV (UZB) overwhelms Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA) for a 9-0 victory to earn a spot in the 97kg quarterfinals.

12:42: Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) builds a 6-2 lead over SUMIT (IND) in the 60kg quarterfinal and there is no more action in the second period and Naserpour is the winner as he advances to the semifinal.

12:37: The tournament gets an early Iran-Uzbekistan match-up as world U23 champion Mohammad NAGHOUSI (IRI) takes on 2024 Asian bronze medalist Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) in the qualification round at 82kg. Rasulov gets the passivity point in the first period, but can't add to his tally. In the second period, Naghousi gets his chance, and he also fails to turn his opponent. Neither can break the other's defenses the rest of the way and Naghousi advances with a 1-1 win on criteria.

12:30: Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) needs to thank his coach and the challenge as he mounts an incredible comeback from 7-0 down to stun Lei LI (CHN) in their 67kg quarterfinal and win 9-7. Li scored a stepout and then got par terre . He scored a turn to lead 4-0. A suplex was awarded four points and Endo was docked two points for foul with Li declared 10-0 winner. Japan challenged the call and on review, Li's last throw was only a two-pointer with no foul. Endo, down 6-0, got par terre in the second period, went for the grand amplitude throw to make it 7-6 and added two turns to win 9-7. Incredible bout!

12:29: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB), the other returning bronze medalist at 72kg, opens with a 2-point throw from par terre against Begmyrat NOBATOV (TKM) for a 3-0 lead. Nobotov gets his chance in the second period, but can't budge Aliev. Aliev adds a stepout and he's into the semifinals with a 4-1 win.

12:23: Returning bronze medalist Ji LENG (CHN) gets a 4-point throw from par terre in the second period and advances at 72kg with a 5-1 win over Loiqi AMIRKHONZODA (TJK).

12:21: Two-time former bronze medalist NEERAJ (IND) hangs on for a 3-1 win over Ali ALBIDHAN (IRQ) to secure a place in the last eight at 67kg.

12:15: Danial SOHRABI (IRI) had to wait on the sidelines of the mat for his 72kg quarterfinals against Kuldeep MALIK (IND) but doesn't take his time on the mat and finishes the bout 8-0. Takedown, exposure and two rolls are enough for the win.

12:14: Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN), a 2023 world U23 bronze medalist, storms to a 12-1 win over Jewoo PARK (KOR) to advance to the 97kg quarterfinals.

12:10: The 97kg bout between Eduard BABENOSHEV (TJK) and Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM) goes to the second period but 49 seconds in, Agamammedov wins 9-0 and enters the quarterfinals at 97kg.

12:07: Meirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), the 2022 champion at 67kg and a former world bronze medalist, starts his campaign with an 11-5 to Minseong KWON (KOR). Shermakhanbet gets a 4-point lift-and-dump throw from par terre, but then has to spend nearly 20 seconds fighting off his back after Kwon slams him to the mat with a 4-point bear hug. Kwon is given an additional 2 points for a leg foul to lead 6-5. Kwon gets the passivity call in the second period and all but ends any chance for a comeback by adding a 4-point throw.

12:05: RAHUL (IND) battles out of a 7-point hole to defeat Habibjon ZUHUROV (TJK) 10-7 and advance at 82kg.

12:00: Another bout over in first period. Likui SHI (CHN) gets the par terre and then rolls to a 9-0 win over Toyly ORAZOV (TKM) in just over a minute at 82kg.

11:57: In a wild match at 72kg, Adilkhan SATAYEV (KAZ) trails on criteria 2-2 in the second period when he hits Yryskeldi KHAMZAEV (KGZ) with a 4-point front headlock. Khazaev fights out of near fall and reverses for 2. Kyrgyzstan challenges for a foul, but is unsuccessful, giving Satayev a 7-4 lead, only to see Khazaev bull him to the mat for a takedown, a move upheld on challenge, leaving Satayev ahead 7-7 on criteria. The instant the match resumes, Khamzaev charges Satayev straight to his back for 4 and he holds on for an 11-7 win.

11:55: SUMIT (IND) could not turn Minwoo KIM (KOR) from par terre in the first period but manages to roll to a 9-0 win and advance at 60kg.

11:49: Mat A is moving quickly! Man Gwang SON (PRK) rolls to a 9-0 win over Mcclaren Ravin MARREN (SGP) at 67kg and then former world U23 champion Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) needs only four minutes to beat Sunat ABDULLOEV (TJK) 9-0 at 67kg.

11:47: Kaito INABA (JPN), the silver medalist at 60kg a year ago in Bishkek, gets a 2-point exposure from par terre for a 3-0 lead over Bakytzhan KABDYL (KAZ), then counters an arm spin for a 2-point takedown. In the second period, he shrugs behind for 2, then ends the match by twisting Kabdyl over from the standing position for a 9-0 win.

11:45: Begmyrat NOBATOV (TKM) builds up to a 9-0 win over Ahmed M BARAHMAH (KSA) in the 72kg bout and wins via technical superiority in two minutes and five seconds.

11:40: Loiqi AMIRKHONZODA (TJK) with a headlock throw against JASON BAUCAS (PHI) and then holds Baucas in the danger position till the break as the referees calls them to return to their corners. The score is 8-0 and Amirkhonzoda is the winner.

11:38: Seyed SOHRABI (IRI) gets Iran started with an 8-0 victory over Omar AL DARAGHMEH (JOR) at 72kg that he ends just before the end of the first period.

11:36: Will we see another young Japanese with little international experience take home a gold? Issei HONNA (JPN) hits a 4-point throw and goes on to quickly defeat Yeonghun NOH (KOR) 8-0 at 72kig.

Dauletbekov settles score with Karimi to win Asian 86kg gold

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Asian Championships 2025 GR Day 2 Finals Set