European Championship Preview

Friday, April 5, 2019 - 13:52 By Eric Olanowski

BUCHAREST, Romania (April 4) – The Polyvalent Hall in Bucharest is set to host the deepest continental championship in the world on April 8-14 when it welcomes over 520 athletes from 38 nations to the 2019 European Championships.

The star-studded competition will feature 22 champions from last year’s Kaspiisk European Championships, and six wrestlers who captured gold medals at the both the World and Continental Championships

Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling each return eight title-winners, while freestyle has six returning champions.

Freestyle

The Return of “The Russian Tank”
The freestyle competition returns six of ten champions, but none more important than Russia’s top-ranked Abdulrashid SADULAEV.

On Wednesday morning, the Russian Federation pulled the mat out from undeath the feet of wrestling fans when they announced that three-time world and Rio Olympic champion Abdulrashid Sadulaev’s knee is healthy enough to compete at the European Championships.

Wednesday's announcement trumped the previous reports that “The Russian Tank” was unlikely to compete in Bucharest and would be preparing for the June’s European Games, which take place in Minsk, Belarus.

That announcement that Sadulaev will indeed be competing removed Vladislav BAITCAEV (RUS), the returning 97kg European champion, from the entry list, but kept the freestyle total at six returning champions who’ll be looking to at least repeat their title-winning efforts from last season.

For the heavily favored Sadulaev to repeat as a European champion, he'll have to go through three of the four returning medalists from last season. They are Kaspiisk silver medalist Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR), and both bronze medalists, Nurmagomed GADZHIYEV (AZE) and Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO).

Sadualev hasn’t recently met Hushtyn, but he’d be favored against Odiakdze or Gadzhiyev, as he’s defeated each wrestler in their previous meeting. Most recently, the Russian roared past Odiakdze in the world semifinals, 10-0, and defeated Gadzhiyev at the 2015 European Games in Baku, Azerbaijan.

Ranked Wrestlers at 97kg
No. 1 Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) (60 points)
No. 16 Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR) (14 points)
No. 18 Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR) (14 points)

Handful of Other Returning Champions
The five other returning European title holders who’ll be joining Sadulaev are Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE) (57kg), Haji ALIYEV (AZE) (65kg), Magomed KURBANALIEV (RUS) (74kg), Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) (79kg), and Taha AKGUL (TUR) (125kg).

Azerbaijan’s returning 57kg champion Giorgi Edisherashvili scored his second consecutive European gold and secured his third overall continental championship with a late four-point throw against eventual world champion Zavur UGUEV (RUS).

If Edisherashvili expects to win his third consecutive European title, he’ll have to upend Turkey’s talented rising star Suleyman ATLI, who closed out last year’s Budapest World Championships by upsetting returning world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA), claiming a surprising world bronze medal.

Ranked Wrestlers at 57kg
No. 2 Suleyman ATLI (TUR) (41 points)
No. 7 Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE) (18 points)
No. 10 Givi DAVIDOVI (ITA) (16 points)
No. 11 Muslim SADULAEV (RUS) (16 points)

Azerbaijan’s Haji Aliyev is the third returning freestyle champion.

In last year’s 65kg finals, Aliyev, the three-time world champion, sparked one of the most memorable European Championship comebacks by scoring six unanswered points in the final 49 seconds to defeat Russia’s Ilias BEKBULATOV (RUS), 8-7.

Aliyev has hopes of repeating his magical run and win his third overall European title, but to do so, he’ll have to avenge his Rio Olympic loss to eventual Olympic champion Vladimer KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO), who will be looking for his fourth European title.

Ranked Wrestlers at 65kg
No. 11 Andrei PERPELITA (MDA) (16 points)
No. 15 Nachyn KUULAR (RUS) (14 points)

The fourth returning champion is Russia’s 70kg gold-medal winner from a year ago, Magomed Kurbanaliev. Although the 2016 world champion won’t be competing at his title-winning weight from last year. He’ll be representing Russia at 74kg, replacing defending world champion Zaubek SIDAKOV, who is preparing for the European Games.

Kurbanaliev will have a steep road to repeating, and the odds will be stacked against him. To repeat, he’ll have to stop the trio of title-worthy competitors in Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA), Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), and Yakup GOR (TUR).

Chamizo, one of the sport’s biggest superstars, is a two-time world champion and a Rio Olympic bronze medalist. He’s coming off a fifth-place finish in Budapest, and only dropped matches to eventual world champion Zaurbek Sidakov, and the four-time world and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA).

If Chamizo happens to win the 74kg bracket, it’ll be the third European first-place finish on his resume. He also finished the 2016 and 2017 European Championships with a gold medal.

Avatandil Kentchadze is another serious threat at 74kg. Kentchadze was the last year’s U23 world champion and senior-level world silver medalist.

Turkey’s Yakup Gor will also be looking to make some noise and continue to rise in the 74kg world rankings. The two-time world bronze medalist is making his return to the Turkish lineup for the first time since 2017 after Turkey elected to insert Gor at 74kg over three-time defending European champion Soener DEMIRTAS. Gor bumped up to 74kg after finishing the 2017 Paris World Championships with a 70kg bronze medal but lost his starting spot to Demirtas in 2018.

Gor comes into the European Championships ranked No. 6 in the world at 74kg. He has 28 Ranking Series points after his falling to Sidakov in the Ivan Yariguin finals, and a bronze-medal finish at the Dan Kolov.

Ranked Wrestlers at 74kg
No. 4 Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) (40 points)
No. 5 Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ (ITA) (34 points)
No. 6 Yakup GOR (TUR) (28 points)
No. 7 Azamat NURYKAU (BLR) (24 points)
No. 16 Magomed KURBANALIEV (RUS) (12 points)

At 79kg, The reigning European champion Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) is going to be challenged by 2018 world runner-up Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) and 2018 U23 world champion Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO).

Hasanov will be looking to reach the top of the podium for the third time, but first since he last won back-to-back titles in 2010 and 2011. Since then, Hasanov has fallen short in the finals twice and finished with a pair of bronze medals.

Ranked Wrestlers at 79kg
No. 2 Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) (40 points)
No. 3 Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) (39 points)
No. 10 Grigor GRIGORYAN (ARM) (16 points)
No. 13 Omaraskhab NAZHMUDINOV (ROU) (14 points)
No. 19 Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO) (12 points)

The final returning European champion is Turkey’s two-time world and Olympic champion, Taha Akgul. The larger than life Turkish heavyweight has won the last two 125kg European titles and has aspirations of claiming his third consecutive title. If he’s successful in doing so, it’ll bring his overall continental gold medal total to seven.

He’ll most likely take on Georgia’s Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), who is looking to reach the top of the podium at a European Championship for the first time since 2016. Since his last continental title run, the Georgian big man has won back-to-back world titles in Paris and Budapest.

Last year, Petriashvili fell to Akgul in the finals, 2-1, and settled for a silver medal.

Ranked Wrestlers at 125kg
No. 1 Geno PETRIASHVILI (70 points)
No. 4 Anzor KHIZRIEV (RUS) (34 points)
No. 5 Taha AKGUL (TUR) (30 points)
No. 6 Daniel LIGETI (HUN) (26 points)
No. 13 Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) (14 points)

Greco-Roman

Trio of World and European Champions Entered
Three of the first four weights will feature reigning world and European champions Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), Sergey EMELIN (RUS), and Artem SURKOV (RUS).

Azizli, the 55kg world and European champion should have no problem making it to the finals, where he’ll most likely be joined by 2018 world and European bronze medalist Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO).

These two met twice last season, and it was Azizli who came out on top of both matches. The Azeri cruised to the 9-0 victory in Kaspiisk and picked up the 6-3 victory over the Georgian in the world semifinals.

Ranked Wrestlers at 55kg
No. 1 Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) (60 points)
No. 6 Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) (25 points)

The 60kg world and European titleholder from a season ago Sergey Emelin will be targeted by the man he defeated in Budapest to win his world title, Victor CIOBANU (MDA). The Russian won that Budapest finals matchup, 10-1.

Outside of Emelin and Ciobanu, the two others competitors that can make a title run at this weight are 2018 European bronze medalist Jacopo SANDRON (ITA) and two-time junior world champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR).

Ranked Wrestlers at 60kg
No. 1 Sergey EMELIN (RUS) (60 points)
No. 2 Victor CIOBANU (MDA) (40 points)
No. 11 Kerem KAMAL (TUR) (18 points)
No. 13 Etienne KINSINGER (GER) (16 points)
No. 18 Erik TORBA (HUN) (14 points)

Artem SURKOV (RUS) is the reigning world and European champion at 67kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

The third reigning world and European champion is Russia’s Artem Surkov, who’ll wrestle at 67kg. Surkov’s toughest competition will be last year’s bronze medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM).

The pair met in the European quarterfinals, where Surkov was the victor, 6-3.

Ranked Wrestlers at 67kg
No. 1 Artem SURKOV (RUS) (60 points)
No. 3 Danijel JANECIC (CRO) (30 points)
No. 8 Fredrik Holmquist BJERREHUUS (DEN) (18 points)
No. 16 Mate NEMES (SRB) (14 points)

Russia is Heavily Favored
The clear cut favorites to win the Greco-Roman team title is the Russian Federation. Their team boasts five returning world champions, two Olympic champions, and a four-time age-group world champion whose record remains unblemished during his international career.

In addition to Emelin and Surkov who are favored at their respective weights, the frontrunner at 63kg is Russia’s returning world champions, Stepan MARYANYAN.

Maryanyan has won a European Games title but has never represented the Russian Federation at a European Championships. The path for Maryanyan to win his first European Championship title is no easy one, as his weight features a Budapest bronze medalist, the returning European champion, and two other medalists.

Although Budapest bronze medalist Rahman BILICI (TUR) is the only other returning world medal winner, last year’s European finalists, Mihai MIHUT (ROU) and Olympic bronze medalist Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) have entered their names into the 63kg entries.

Though he's a dark horse, Moldova’s 2018 European bronze medalist Donior ISLAMOV is also expected to compete for a title at this weight.

Ranked Wrestlers at 63kg
No. 1 Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS) 60 points)
No. 5 Rahman BILICI (TUR) (25 points)
No. 9 Donior ISLAMOV (MDA) (16 points)
No. 12 Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) (14 points)
No. 17 Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) (12 points)

Russia’s fourth world champion Musa EVLOEV will represent his country at the continental championships for the fourth time. In his previous four appearances, Evloev has only medaled once, and has never competed in a gold-medal match.

Even if Evloev is successful in making his first gold-medal match appearance, he’ll have to scrap it out with either Kiril MILOV (BUL) or Mihail KAJALA (SRB).

Milov is the man that Evloev defeated in Budapest to win his world title, while Mihail Kajala fell in last year’s European finals.

Ranked Wrestlers at 97kg
No. 1 Musa EVLOEV (RUS) (60 points)
No. 5 Mihail KAJALA (SRB) (25 points)
No. 19 Mélonin NOUMONVI (FRA) (12 points)

The fifth and final Russian Greco-Roman reigning world champion is Sergey SEMENOV (RUS). Semenov will compete at the senior-level European champions for the first time in his career.

Semenov’s path to a 130kg European title is likely to go through defending champion Riza KAYAALP (TUR). The Turkish super heavyweight in on track to win his eighth consecutive European title, and tenth overall Continental Championship gold medal. Since dropping the 2011 European finals match to Russia’s Khassan BAROEV, Kayaalp has gone undefeated at seven straight continental champions.

Ranked Wrestlers at 130kg
No. 1 Sergey SEMENOV (RUS) (60 points)
No. 3 Heiki NABI (EST) (38 points)
No. 5 Oskar MARVIK (NOR) (28 points)
No. 8 Marko KOSCEVIC (CRO) (24 points)
No. 9 Eduard POPP (GER) (20 points)
No. 14 Oleksandr CHERNETSKYY (UKR) (14 points)
No. 16 Balint LAM (HUN) (14 points)
No. 19 Miloslav METODIEV (BUL) (12 points)

In addition to the five reigning world champions, Russia’s team will also feature Olympic champions Roman VLASOV and Davit CHAKVETADZE, and four-time age-group world champion Aleksandr KOMAROV.

At 77kg, defending champion and two-time Olympic gold medalist Roman Vlasov will be making his return to the Russian lineup after withdrawing from the World Championships two weeks before the start of the competition in Budapest due to knee surgery.

Viktor NEMES (SRB) will be waiting to exact revenge on Vlasov after the Russian scored a four-point throw to grab the 5-1 victory in last year’s 77kg gold-medal match.

Ranked Wrestlers at 77kg
No. 3 Viktor NEMES (SRB) (43 points)
No. 6 Alex BJURBERG KESSIDIS (SWE) (20 points)
No. 9 Elvin MURSALIYEV (AZE) (16 points)
No. 10 Bozo STARCEVIC (CRO) (16 points)
No. 20 Laszlo SZABO (HUN) (12 points)

Olympic champion Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS) will represent Russia at 82kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Russia's second Olympic champion that's entered into the European Championships is Davit Chakvetadze. Though he’s an Olympic champion, Chakvetadze comes in as an extreme underdog in the deepest and most open Greco-Roman weight class of the tournament.

In addition to Chakvetadze’s Olympic gold, 87kg also features two other Olympic medalists, three senior-level world champions, a U23 world champion, the returning European champion, and last year’s European bronze medalist.

The three senior-level world champions at this weight are Metehan BASAR (TUR), Zhan BELENIUK (URK), and Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM).

Basar is the reigning two-time world champion, Beleniuk won his world title back in 2015, and Manukyan reached the top of the world podium in 2017.

Maksim Manukyan, last year’s 82kg gold medalist will be bumping up to 87kg, where he’ll try to stop defending 87kg champion Roberti KOBIASHVILI (GEO) from winning his second consecutive European title.

Olympic bronze medalist Denis KUDLA (GER), Hungary’s U23 world champion Erik SZILVASSY, and 2018 European bronze medalists Kristoffer BERG (SWE) are also entered at this weight.

Ranked Wrestlers at 87kg
No. 1 Metehan BASAR (TUR) (60 points)
No. 2 Zhan BELENIUK (40 points)
No. 6 Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) (26 points)
No. 8 Roberti KOBLIASHVILI (GEO) (25 points)
No. 10 Islam ABBASOV (AZE) (20 points)
No. 13 Kristoffer Zakarias BERG (SWE) (16 points)
No. 20 Mikalai STADUB (BLR) (12 points)

Aleksandr Komarov is the last credentialed Russian entered into the European Championships. Komarov, the four-time age-group world champion, will wrestle at 82kg. His resume remains unblemished, as he’s won every cadet, junior and senior-level international tournament he’s ever entered.

The two wrestlers stopping him from winning his first senior European title are Emrah KUS (TUR) and Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR).

Kus is last year’s world runner-up, while Sasunouski was the Budapest bronze medalist at 82kg.

Ranked Wrestlers at 82kg
No. 2 Emrah KUS (TUR) (54 points)
No. 4 Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) (25 points)
No. 16 Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN) (14 points)
No. 20 Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) (12 points)

Women’s Wrestling

Two Defending World and European Champions
Outside of Mariya STADNIK (AZE) and Anastasia BRATCHIKOVA (RUS), every reigning women’s wrestling European champion has entered their name into the Bucharest field.

The eight returning champions are Stalvira ORSHUSH (RUS) (53kg), Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) (57kg), Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) (57kg), Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) (59kg), Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) (62kg), Petra OLLI (FIN) (65kg), Anna FRANSSON (SWE) (68kg), and Yasemin ADAR (TUR) (76kg).

The women’s wrestling portion of the tournament is highlighted by two of the most consistent wrestler's from last year, world and European champions Taybe Yusein and Petra Olli.

Yusein, the reigning 62kg world and European champion's toughest test will be Ukraine’s 2018 European bronze Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK, while Olli, on the other hand, will have to again defeat 2018 European runner-up Elis MANOLOVA (AZE) and 2018 European bronze medal winner Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) if she hopes to reach the top of the podium.

Six Returning Champions; 57kg Doubling up with Two Champs
Russia’s returning 53kg champion Stalvira Orshush will have one of the top-five most difficult roads to repeat out of the 22 returning champions.

To win her second consecutive title, Orshush will have to go through 2018 runner-ups Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) and Roksana Marta ZASINA (POL). The Russian defeated Kaladzinskaya in last year’s 53kg finals, but her potential Polish opponent is dropping down from 55kg where she fell in last year's finals.

Outside of the three 53kg returning finalists, Sweden’s six-time world medalist and Rio bronze-medal finisher Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) is also entered at this weight.

Ranked Wrestler at 53kg
No. 17 Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR) (12 points)

Arguably the toughest women’s weight of the competition, 57kg, there will be a pair of returning champions, Bilyana Dudova and Iryna Kurachkina. Dudova is the current titleholder at this weight, but, Kurachkina is coming up from her gold-medal weight of 55kg.

In addition to the pair of reigning champions, last year’s U23 world champion Grace BULLEN (NOR), 2018 European runner-up Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS), and the pair of continental bronze medalists, Emese BARKA (HUN) and Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE), are also entered at 57kg.

Ranked Wrestler at 57kg
No. 2 Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) (62 points)
No. 3 Grace BULLEN (NOR) (45 points)
No. 5 Emese BARKA (HUN) (25 points)
No. 7 Kateryna ZHYDACHEVSKA (FOU) (20 points)
No. 13 Iryna KURACHKINA (BLR) (14 points)
No. 15 Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) (12 points)
No. 17 Sara Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) (12 points)

At 59kg, Elif Yesilirmak will look to defend her title from a season ago. Yesilirmak, who closed out the year with a world silver, will again have to stop 2018 European silver medalist Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL), and Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS), 2018 European runner-up, if she has plans of repeating.

Ranked Wrestler at 59kg
No. 2 Elif YESILIRMAK (TUR) (40 points)
No. 3 Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) (32 points)

Last year’s 72kg champion Anna Fransson will be competing at a different weight than last year’s title-winning weight. The Rio Olympic bronze medalist will be dropping down to the Olympic weight of 68kg, where Ukraine's reigning 68kg world champion Alla CHERKASOVA will be looking to stop her from winning back-to-back European golds.

The pair's toughest competition will be Russia’s young star and United World Wrestling’s 2018 Junior Women’s Wrestler of the Year, Khanum VELIEVA (RUS). Velieva won her fourth age-group world title last year, while also finishing in third place at the U23 world championships.

Ranked Wrestler at 68kg
No. 1 Alla CHERKASOVA (URK) (72 points)
No. 19 Khanum VELIEVA (RUS)

The final women's wrestling returning champions is Turkey’s 2017 world champion Yasemin Adar. Adar is on a quest to win her fourth consecutive European title and is the clear-cut favorite at 76kg.

Stopping her from doing so will be the pair of world runner-ups Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) and Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER). Both wrestlers are looking to bounce back after disappointing finishes at the world championships that left them leaving empty-handed.

Ranked Wrestler at 76kg
No. 2 Yasemin ADAR (TUR) (56 points)
No. 5 Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER) (40 points)
No. 8 Zsanett NEMETH (HUN) (20 points)
No. 12 Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) (12 points)
No. 16 Iselin Maria Moen SOLHEIM (NOR) (10 points)
No. 20 Epp MAE (EST) (20 points)

The European Championships begin on Monday in Bucharest, Romania, and can be watched live on www.unitedworldwrestling.org.

For news, interviews, and behind the scenes highlights, you can follow United World Wrestling on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

SCHEDULE

Monday (April 8)
9:30 - Medical examination & Weigh-in FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
15:00 - Draw FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
18: 00 - Semi Final FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg

Tuesday (April 9)
9:30 - Weigh-in FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
9:45 - Medical Examination & Weigh-in FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg Qualification rounds FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
11:30 - Repechage FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg
15:00 - Draw WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
16:15 - Opening Ceremony
17:15 - Semi Final FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
18:00 - Finals FS – 57-65-70-79-97kg / Award ceremonies

Wednesday (April 10)
9:30 - Weigh-in FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
11:30 - Repechage FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg
14:00 - Draw WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
17:15 - Semi Final WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
18: 00 - Finals FS – 61-74-86-92-125kg / Award ceremonies

Thursday (April 11)
9:30 - Weigh-in WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg page4image2914979424 page4image2914979968
14:00 - Repechage WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg
14:00 - Draw GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
17:15 - Semi Final WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
18:00 - Finals WW – 50-55-59-68-76kg / Award ceremonies

Friday (April 12)
9:30 - Weigh-in WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
11:30 - Repechage WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg
15:40 - Draw GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
17:15 - Semi Final GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
18:00 - Finals WW – 53-57-62-65-72kg / Award ceremonies

Saturday (April 13)
9:30 - Weigh-in GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
9:45 - Medical examination & Weigh-in GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
11:30 - Qualification rounds GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
11:30 - Repechage GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg
17:15 - Semi Final GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
18:00 - Finals GR – 55-63-77-87-130kg / Award ceremonies

Sunday (April 14)
9:30 - Weigh-in GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
16:00 - Repechage GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg
18:00 - Finals GR – 60-67-72-82-97kg / Award ceremonies

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 6 Blog

Sunday, March 30, 2025 - 08:02 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 30) -- The ultimate day of the Asian Championships is here. Freestyle weight classes 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg will be in action in Amman.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 RESULT

125kg gold medal bout: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) vs. Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI)

14:27: Amireza MASOUMI (IRI), currently on a six-tournament win streak that includes world U23 and U20 titles, will get a chance to make it seven straight as he knocks off Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) 8-0 in their 125kg semifinal. Masoumi does his best Jordan Burroughs imitation when he launches a blast double-leg takedown for 4 in the first period. He tries again in the second period, but it only results a stepout.

14:25: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) is back in the Asian Championships 125kg final with a solid 5-1 win over DINESH (IND). He scores a takedown and turn in the second period to go ahead 5-1 and set up a final against World U23 and U20 champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI). Mukhtur had stunned Masoumi in the semifinal of the 2023 Asian Championships.

92kg gold medal bout: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) vs. Deepak PUNIA (IND)

14:18: Deepak PUNIA (IND) assures himself of fourth career Asian medal, but will it finally be gold? Punia, a losing finalist three years ago, advances to the 92kg final with an 8-1 victory over Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN). Punia opens by with an arm drag takedown, to which a fleeing point is tacked on. In the second period, Punia receives an activity point, then twice presses Ishiguro down and goes behind for takedowns. Ishiguro gains a late stepout to avoid the shutout.

14:18: World U23 champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) beats three-time Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and books a spot in the 92kg final. Dauletbekov tried a cut-back from standing but Firouzpour defend well and had Dauletbekov's back on the mat for two points. Two stepouts for Firouzpour as he extended his lead to 4-0. Dauletbekov put on the 30-second activity clock in the second period. Firouzpour adds another stepout and Dauletbekov fails to score during the activity clock and Firouzpour's lead swells to 6-0. Firouzpour adds another stepout to lead 7-0. Firouzpour elevates Dauletbekov's leg and throws him on the mat for two and a turn gives him two more. Lost challenge from Kazakhstan and Firouzpour wins 11-0.

86kg gold medal bout: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) vs Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI)

14:05: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) heads to the 86kg final after a 12-1 victory over Nan CAO (CHN). Sakayev with counters that hurt Cao immensely. Coa kept the forward pressure but Sakayev scored three go-behind and a turn to win.

13:59: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) storms into the 86kg final with an 11-0 rout of Mukul DAHIYA (IND), ending their semifinal with the second of two 4-point moves. After opening with a stepout, Rahmani adds a takedown, then gets 4 with an underhook takedown to the back. Rahmani then hits a duck under, keeps Dahiya's arm locked and drives him straight to his back. He doesn't try for a fall and the match ends at 2:45.

74kg gold medal bout: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) vs. Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)

13:55: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with a stepout to begin his 74kg quarterfinal against Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB). He builds a 5-0 lead, including a takedown, at the break. Toktomambetov is awarded a stepout but Uzbekistan challenge and Nasritdinov is awarded the stepout on review as Toktomambetov stepped outside to complete the action. A bodylock throw from Toktomambetov for four but Uzbekistan challenge again. No problems this time and Toktomambetov leads 10-1 with one minute remaining in the bout. Tokyomambetov is happy to defend till the end and win 10-1 and enter the final.

13:52: Experience triumphs over youth as Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) nails a 4-point takedown with :20 left to clinch a 6-1 victory over Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) and advance to the 74kg final. Kaipanov, the world champion at 70kg, receives an activity point in the first period, then adds a stepout in the second. It looks like the match will end that way when Kaipanov suddenly steps up and slams Shakeri over the edge with a double-leg takedown. Shakeri, the 2023 world U20 champ at 65kg, adds a consolation stepout in the final seconds.

61kg gold medal bout: Takara SUDA (JPN) vs UDIT (IND)

13:42: UDIT (IND), the runner-up last year at 57kg, earns a chance for a gold at 61kg after barely holding on for a 2-0 win over Wanhao ZOU (CHN). In the final seconds, Zou gets behind Udit in the standing position, but time runs out before he can get Udit to the mat.

13:40: Japan and Iran with a head-to-head in the 57kg semifinals. Sweep single from Takara SUDA (JPN) to lead 2-0 against Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) in the first minute of the bout. Both wrestlers scramble in and out of holds but there is no points scored. Suda is put on the activity clock in the second period. Javan gets on the scoreboard with one point as Suda doesn't score in the 30-second period. Javan doesn't give up chasing Suda and scores a stepout to make it 2-2 but Suda has criteria. And he keeps Javan at bay without fleeing to win 2-2 and enter the final

13:18: With his opponent on the activity clock, Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) ties up Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) with a front headlock, then proceeds to roll five times to end their 125kg quarterfinal match with a 11-0 win in 2:01 to end the session.

13:16: World U23 and U20 champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI), the prohibitive favorite at 125kg, finally takes to the mat for his quarterfinal match against Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ), and needs a little less than one period to notch an 11-1 victory. Masoumi's only blip comes after he opens with a takedown and gut wrench, then transitions to a headlock. Al Jamie rolls out of the predicament for a reversal. He makes up for the gaffe with a slick back-trip for 4.

13:12: Former Asian champion and world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) was down 2-1 against Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) in the 125kg quarterfinal. But he is all work in the second period as he scores a four-pointer and finishes the bout with an 13-2 win.

13:09: Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) is through to the 74kg semifinals with a 4-0 victory over Hikaru TAKATA (JPN). Shakeri gets an activity point in the first period, then adds a stepout and a takedown in the second.

13:07: The host nation's hopes for a gold medal, that were slim at best, officially end when Fazlidden NASRITDINOV (UZB) builds a big lead and defeats a spunky Orts ISAKOV (JOR) 10-3 to advance to the 74kg semifinals. Isakov never gives up, scoring all of his points in the final minute.

13:02: DINESH (IND) upsets former Asia bronze medalist BUHEEERDUN (CHN) at 125kg. He scores two takedowns, gets one point for lost challenge and adds a stepout to lead 6-0. He then gets a four-pointer which China challenges but loses. Dinesh wins 11-0

12:59: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) builds up a 6-0 lead against Daegil HAN (KOR), then hits a headlock throw and secures the fall in the first period to charge into the 74kg semifinals.

12:54: Three-time Asian medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND), six years removed from a world bronze medal, put on one of those comebacks that Indian wrestlers do so well. Down 6-0 against Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) in their 92kg quarterfinal, Punia gradually chipped away at the lead before going ahead 8-6 with a 4-point throw early in the second period. He scores two takedowns and goes on to notch a 12-7 win.

12:52: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) finishes his 74kg quarterfinal against Batbayar BATSUKH (MGL) in the first period. Kaipanov brought out those big doubles.

12:48: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) with a grand amplitude throw against Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) and that is his only action in the match. It is, however, enough for him to win 5-3 and book a place in the 92kg semifinals.

12:44: Two-time world bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) begins his quest for a fourth consecutive Asian title and first at 92kg in the quarterfinals against LIN Zushen (CHN). Dauletbekov gets an activity point for the lone score of the first period. Lin gets the activity point to start the second period, and Daultetbekov immediately scores a takedown and gut wrench to go up 5-1. He adds a classic counter-lift for 2 for a 7-1 victory.

12:43: Two-time defending champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) opens his 92kg title defense with a 5-0 victory over Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) that includes a rare penalty point when Poyonov takes a swat at the Iranian.

12:35: Wanhao ZOU (CHN) scores two takedowns in the second period to clinch a 6-1 victory over Mukhamed BALGABAY (KAZ) and advance to the 61kg semifinals

12:38: Silver medalist at 57kg in 2024, UDIT (IND) mounts a comeback to beat Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) 9-6 at 61kg. Myrzanazar Uulu developed a 6-4 lead with two minutes left on the clock but Udit scored a reversal and then two takedowns to move into the 61kg semifinals.

12:30: Returning bronze medalist at 61kg Kum Chol RI (PRK) gets Muhamet Malo Ranking Series winner Takara SUDA (JPN) in the quarterfinal. Suda with a four-pointer during Ri's activity time to lead 5-1. Ri gets a stepout in the second period. Ri continues his attacks but Suda with some solid defense to deny Ri. Suda put on activity clock in the final minute of the match. Ri gets on another single-leg attack but only gets a stepout to make it 5-3 with 13 seconds left. He tries the head pinch but Suda blocks and gets two. A reversal for Ri but Suda will win 7-4

12:28: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), winner at this year's Zagreg Ranking Series event, hits a 4-point headlock throw en route to a 9-1 victory over Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) to advance to the 61kg semifinals.

12:25: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) books his spot in the 86kg semifinals by holding off a final single-leg attempt by Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) to clinch at 3-1 win.

12:19: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) has little trouble disposing of Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) in their 86kg quarterfinal. He jumps out to a 4-0 lead with a fireman's carry and lace-lock roll and adds a takedown in the first period, then finishes the match in the second period with a 4-point throw for a 10-0 win.

12:17: At 86kg Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) scores a takedown right to a gut wrench early in his match with Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), and, other than an activity point for the Mongolian, it looks like that's going to end the scoring. But Naadambat gains a takedown with :12 left to cut the lead to 4-3, then forces Sakayev out at the buzzer. But was it in time? The challenge says no, and Sakayev is into the semifinals with a 5-3 win.

12:11: Batbayar BATSUKH (MGL) gets a takedown with :15 left to clinch a hard-fought 4-2 vicory over Ok Chol HAN (PRK) at 74kg.

12:06: Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), the 2023 world U20 champion at 65kg, starts his day at 74kg with a 5-0 victory over Perman HOMMADOV (TKM). Leading 1-0, Shakeri scores a takedown with Hommadov on the activity clock early in the second period, then adds a stepout.

12:00: World Military champion JAIDEEP (IND) hits a four-pointer but Hikaru TAKATA (JPN) comes back with two takedowns to make it 4-4 at the break in their 74kg bout. Takata completes a takedown in a scramble before adding a lace to lead 8-4. A stepout adds to his lead. Jaideep scores a stepout with a minute remaining. Takata defends an attack and Jaideep is forced to move out of bounds and Takata runs out the clock to win 10-5

11:58: Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN), a bronze medalist back in 2017 at 125kg, trails 2-1 against Nursultan AZOV (KAZ), with all of the points coming on the activity clock, when he finally makes an offensive move and scores a stepout with :30 left. Azov comes back with a shot that forces a sprawling Yamamoto out, but is originally scored as no points. On challenge, the call is changed to a stepout. With :03 left, Yamamoto gets in on a single and forces to the edge for a stepout, and that one is upheld on challenge. Yamamoto walks off a 4-3 winner.

11:52: World U23 silver medalist Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), who won an Asian bronze at 70kg two years ago, rolls to an 11-0 victory at 74kg over Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN).

11:52: World 70kg champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) fell 1-0 behind against Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) in their 74kg opening bout but he comes back in the second period and wins 2-1 to advance.

11:45: At 125kg, Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ) squanders a 3-1 lead to fall behind 4-3 against Gyeongmin KIM (KOR), but comes back with a takedown with :32 left for a 5-4 win.

11:43: Returning silver medalist and Asian U20 champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) gives up an early stepout to Abdul ABUIDAIJ (JOR), but that's all he concedes in an 11-1 victory at 92kg. Poyonov chalks up four takedowns in the first period, then finishes the match by getting behind 15 seconds into the second.

11:34: Veteran Gwanuk KIM (KOR), a bronze-medal winner at the 2014 Asian Games and 2021 Asian Championships, falls 6-4 in his 92kg match with Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ), an Asian U23 bronze medalist. Trailing 4-2 in the second period, Kim receives an activity point, then appears headed for a go-ahead score when he gets Rakhimov's leg in the air. But the Kyrgyz wrestler deftly hits a switch and gets behind for 2. Kim scores a late stepout, but it's too little, too late.

11:26: A back-and-forth first period leaves Gyeongyeon LEE (KOR) with a 5-4 lead against Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) going into the second period at 86kg. Abdullaev receives a caution point for Lee's fleeing, and from par terre, hits two gut wrenches, but Lee reverses to the back after the second. So now it's 9-7, Abdullaev, with 40 seconds to go. Abdullaev gets behind when Lee tries to spin out of an underhook and walks off an 11-4 winner.

11:26: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) will accept an injury walkover from Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) at 92kg.

11:23: 2023 Asian bronze medalist Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) hangs on for a 4-2 win against Behruzbey TURANMURATOV (UZB) in the 61kg opening round bout. He went into a defense mode in the second period after leading 4-0 at the break.

11:16: Kum Chol RI (PRK), a bronze medalist a year ago at 61kg, drives Hyeonsik SONG (KOR) out for a 2-point takedown with his opponent on the activity clock for a quick 3-0 lead that he extends to 9-0 at the break. Ri ends the match with a takedown a minute into the second period.

11:15: World U20 bronze medalist Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) gets started with a 10-0 win over Mustafa AL AZZAWI (IRQ), capped with a 4-point pancake early in the second period.

11:12: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) has a good warm-up at 86kg with a 12-0 win over Weng CHOW (SGP) after two big throws. India did not reach the medal bouts on Saturday and would be hoping to change that today.

11:09: Asian U20 champion Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL) takes a 2-0 lead into the second period of his 86kg bout with Salimzhoni KHALIMZODA (TJK) with a stepout and activity point, but Khalimzoda goes ahead with a 2-point counter lift. Naadambat counters a takedown attempt and gets behind for 2 and holds on for a 4-2 win.

11:09: Returning 86kg bronze medalist Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) completes a 10-0 win over Fahriansyah FAHRIANSYAH (INA) just inside the first period.

11:03: Nan CAO (CHN), last year's Asian U23 champion at 79kg, gets his campaign started at 86kg with quick victory by fall over Abdallah MAKOON (JOR) in the opening match on Mat C.

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Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 6 Blog