#Bishkek2018

Exhausted Ibragimov Captures 2nd Straight Asian Title

Saturday, March 3, 2018 - 19:21 By Ken Marantz

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It might not have been the longest minute of Magomed IBRAGIMOV's life. But he was sure glad to get through it, especially after the exhausted Uzbekistan star received the gold medal for his efforts.

Ibragimov expended every ounce of energy to hold on for a 5-3 victory over Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) in the 97kg final as Uzbekistan came away with two golds on the first day of freestyle at the Asian Championships.

"I'm really satisfied because the Asian Championships is one of the most important tournaments for wrestlers," said Ibragimov, who now has back-to-back golds after winning last year in New Delhi.

Uzbekistan advanced four wrestlers into the five finals at Kozhomkul Sports Palace, but only Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) would join fellow Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Ibragimov as a champion after taking the 70kg title--his first Asian gold after two silvers and a bronze.

KANG Kumsong (PRK) shed tears of joy after holding off Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB), 4-2, in the 57kg final, while Ezzatollah AKBARIZARINKOLAEI (IRI) built up a commanding 5-0 lead before Rashid KURBANOV (UZB) defaulted with a knee injury with 0:19 remaining in their 79kg gold-medal match.

The other gold at stake on the fifth day of competition went to five-time Asian medalist Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ), who clamped a front headlock in the second period on Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) and reeled off five consecutive rolls to win the 65kg gold with an 11-0 technical fall with 2:07 remaining.

Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) celebrates after winning the 97kg Asian championship. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne. 

In the final match of the night, Ibragimov jumped out to a 4-0 lead after one period on a step-out, an activity clock point and a takedown. But in the second period, Goleij, a 2017 world under-23 champion, went on the offensive.

The Iranian scored a takedown with :44 left, then forced a step-out with :13 remaining on the clock. A final takedown attempt came up just short as Ibragimov managed to barely remain on his feet.

The image of the night was the sight of Ibragimov collapsing to the mat and remaining prone as the referees reviewed an Iranian challenge of the final move, which was refused. After having his hand raised, he again dropped to the mat, where he stayed during the medal ceremony for the previous weight class.

"I wouldn't say it was the most, but it was one of the hardest minutes of my career,"  Ibragimov said after his own medal ceremony. "After the wrestling, I couldn't leave the mat and had to stay there. Only now do I feel pretty good. Before that, I was super tired."

Asked if the victory boosted his confidence for the World Championships, to be held in Budapest in October, Ibragimov replied, "I can't say that I feel confident because the performance depends on a couple of things, like luck and training. So if I train well and I feel lucky, maybe I will be able to get a medal. "

Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) gets his hand raised after winning the 70kg crown. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne.

For Navrusov, his main problem was contending with what he claims was oil on opponent LEE Seungbong (KOR), which made it difficult to get a grasp and apply moves. Navrusov came out a 3-0 winner, with two of his points coming with Lee on the activity clock and one on a head-butt penalty.

"I found that my opponent was oiled and he was sweaty, and I didn't want to take a risk," Navrusov said. "That's why I started to act passive. I just tried to keep my poise and I succeeded."

While it might not have been the performance he would have liked, Navrusov credited the victory to perseverance.

"I worked hard to reach this medal, and everybody actually deserves this medal, but the one who was stronger, the one who worked harder, is the one that won," he said.

Navrusov said that winning the gold in the neighboring country of Kyrgyzstan made it a bit more special.

"As we are neighbors and we are close, my relatives came and also my coach was supporting me," he said. "I felt as if I was back in Uzbekistan in my home country."

KANG Kumsong (PRK) gets emotional after winning the 57kg title. Photo by Max Rose-Fyne. 

In the 57kg final, Kang led 2-0 when Shavkatov got behind on a takedown attempt in the second period. But as he pressed to force a knee down, Kang reversed him to his back to make it 4-0.  Shavkatov scored two step-outs in the final 10 seconds, but it was too little, too late.

"I thought that one step by one step with mental spirit I cannot give up, however difficult it was," said Kang, who was so elated, he jumped to the top step of the podium when the bronze-medal winners were announced, and happily waved to the crowd.

"I was very confident this competition was mine. I will be the winner. That's how I will bring honor to my nation, my family."

Every Uzbekistan wrestler came away with a medal when Temurjon USMONOHUNOV (UZB) won a bronze at 65kg.

Japan captured three bronzes, while Kazakhstan and India had two each. Mongolia and South Korea each won one.

Freestyle
57kg (14 entries)
Gold - KANG Kumsong (PRK) df. Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB), 4-2

Bronze - Zhandos ISLMAILOV (KAZ) df. Nader HAJIAG HANIASAMAKOUSHI (IRI), 10-3
Bronze - Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN) df. SONG Hyeonsik (KOR) by TF, 10-0, 5:08

65kg (14 entries)
Gold - Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) df. Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) by TF, 11-0, 2:07

Bronze - Temurjon USMONOHUNOV (UZB) df. KIM Kukgwang (PRK) by Fall, 0:11 (10-6)
Bronze - Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) df. Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI), 10-4

70kg (12 entries)
Gold - Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) df. LEE Seungbong (KOR), 3-0

Bronze - Kumar VINOD (IND) df. Elaman DOGDURBEK UULU (KGZ), 3x-3
Bronze - Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) df. Byambadorj BAD ERDENE (MGL), 4-3

79kg (12 entries)
Gold - Ezzatollah AKBARIZARINKOLAEI (IRI) df. Rashid KURBANOV (UZB) by Default, 0:19 (5-0)

Bronze - Tsubasa ASAI (JPN) df. LEE Yunseok (KOR), 7-1
Bronze - Turbold GANBOLD (MGL) by Walkover

97kg (11 entries)
Gold - Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) df. Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI), 5-3

Bronze - KIM Jaegang (KOR) df. Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) by TF, 11-0, 2:47
Bronze - Takeshi YAMAGUCHI (JPN) df. Aibek USUPOV (KGZ), 6-3

 

 

 

#WrestleZagreb

Motoki works her magic to snatch elusive world gold

Thursday, September 18, 2025 - 22:33 By Ken Marantz

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 17) -- Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) finally has a world gold to go with the one she won at the Paris Olympics. And she did it with another
dramatic victory, this time in the final.

As is becoming her forte, Motoki snatched a victory in the dying seconds of a match, beating Asian silver medalist Ok Ju KIM (PRK) 5-4 in the 62kg final at the World Championships on Thursday, as the women's competition concluded with a banner day for Japan.

"Just like at the Olympics, I went from a point where I thought I would lose, then the outcome suddenly changed and I was able to win," Motoki said. "It's the same feeling of happiness and feeling of relief, and brought me to tears."

Japan won two of the three other golds at stake, with Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) winning at 53kg for her fourth career world gold, and Ami ISHII (JPN) triumphing
at 68kg to become a two-time world champion.

The fourth and final gold of the night went to Alla BELINSKA (UKR), who repeated her victory over Nesrin BAS (TUR) from the final of the European Championships -- right down to winning by fall.

The three golds padded Japan's total in the team race, as the Asian powerhouse had clinched the title before the night began. Japan, which won five of the 10 golds, finished on top with 162 points, followed by the DPR Korea with 115 points. China edged the United States for third, 87-83.

Motoki made a name for herself around the world at the Paris Olympics, where her hopes of a gold seemed to be over in the semifinals, when she was trailing Grace BULLEN (NOR) 7-2 and was being tripped backwards for what might end the match.

But Motoki suddenly locked Bullen's arms and bridged, then turned her over and recorded a stunning fall to the shock of those in the Champ de Mars Arena and around the world. The next day she defeated Irina KOLIADENKO (UKR) for the gold.

Motoki had to survive a grueling qualifying process just to get to Paris. A world bronze medalist at 59kg, she moved up to the Olympic weight and had to win out among a domestic field that included Tokyo Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN) and world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN).

And she basically had to repeat the process to get to Zagreb. As she did in Paris, Motoki pulled a rabbit out of the hat and defeated Ozaki by scoring a takedown literally in the final second of a playoff for Japan's team.

On Thursday, Kim became the latest to fall victim to the Motoki magic. The Japanese took a 3-0 lead in the first period on an activity point and a sweeping single-leg takedown.

Trying to defend in the second period, Motoki gave up a single-leg takedown to Kim, which the Japanese was willing to concede. But she wasn't prepared for being
gut-wrenched over to suddenly fall behind 4-3 with :35 left.

"I had a three-point lead and when she got in on a single leg, I thought it would be alright to give up two [points]," Motoki said. "But then when I was rolled, I thought, 'This is bad. Once again I'm going to get this far and not win?'"

Ok Ju KIM (PRK)Ok Ju KIM (PRK) turns Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) to take a 4-3 lead in the 62kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In her two previous trips to the World Championships, Motoki fell short of the gold, taking the bronze in 2022 and the silver in 2023, losing to Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) in the final. Would she miss out on the gold again?

With 12 seconds left, she launched her attack, transitioning from one thing to another in a desperate attempt. First a low single, then an arm throw, then back to
a single. All were defended. Then she tried a headlock throw, and that sent Kim sideway to the mat as time ran out.

The referee gave no points, but on challenge, it was determined that Kim's shoulders broke the 90-degree plane -- with :00.3 seconds on the clock.

"In the last 12 seconds, I launched an attack, and when the tackles failed, I thought, 'Oh no, that's the end,'" Motoki said. "When I looked back, she was on my back. I thought if I threw her, I could make it. I just put everything into the throw, but I didn't know if I turned her. Really, it was lucky."

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN)Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) won her first world gold medal in Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Motoki said her earlier losses at the worlds served as incentive to work harder and always give everything up to the final whistle. She told the Japanese press earlier this year that she uses the UWW music played during the medal ceremony as her morning alarm -- a constant reminder of the agony she never wanted to experience again.

"Three years ago and two years ago, I lost on this stage, and the feeling of disappointment and of being inferior, even after winning at the Olympics, did not go away," Motoki said. "But by losing, it made me stronger and made me what I am now. To win here makes me so happy."

Motoki will embark on another quest in a month's time when she competes at the World U23 Championships on October 20-27. Already a world U17 and U20 champion, a victory in Novi Sad, Serbia, will make her just the third member -- along with Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Amit ELOR (USA) -- of the elite "Golden Grand Slam" club, those who have won on the senior and all three age-group levels as well as at the Olympics.

"One might think that winning on the age-group level would put you at the forefront, but that's not the case," Motoki said. "After I won the U17, I had an injury and became weaker. I lost in the first round at the Inter High. Then I went to college and thought I had progressed, only to have a major injury.

"To achieve the Grand Slam would be due to overcoming the hard times with the support of many others."

Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN)Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) controls Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) during the 53kg final at the World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 53kg, Murayama established herself as the frontrunner in the weight class in the runup to the 2028 Los Angeles, following the decision by Paris gold medalist Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) to move up to 57kg.

Murayama scored takedowns in each period to defeat Paris silver medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) 5-0 and add to her world golds from 2017, 2018 and 2023, all won under her maiden name of OKUNO.

It marks the continuation of a remarkable turnaround for Murayama, who sank into the depths of despair after losing out on the berth for the Tokyo Olympics to collegiate teammate and eventual gold medalist Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN).

"I had half given up on the idea of competing at events like the World Championships in an Olympic weight class," Murayama said. "So just being able to stand on this stage and leave this kind of result behind -- it’s something that two or three years ago, I couldn’t even have imagined."

It was Yepez who famously scored seven points off Fujinami in the quarterfinals at the 2023 World Championships, albeit the Japanese came back and scored 16 of
her own before winning by fall. But the Ecuadorean, her country's first-ever world and Olympic medalist, established herself as a dangerous foe.

In the final, Murayama wrestled cautiously but methodically, using a front headlock to spin behind for a takedown just as she was receiving an activity point in the first period. She added a second takedown by getting behind again in the second period.

Murayama and Yepez had met once before, with the Japanese winning 10-0 in the final of the U23 World Championships in October 2022.

Ami ISHII (JPN)Ami ISHII (JPN) tries to score on Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) in the 68kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 68kg, Ishii had plowed through the field to make the final, where she met stiff resistance from four-time European medalist Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) and needed a second-period takedown to secure a 4-2 victory.

It was Yaneva who struck first when she adroitly used a counter lift for a two-point lead. Ishii came back with a stepout, but an apparent takedown was wiped out on challenge as having been completed after the buzzer.

Down by a point, Ishii warily avoided the counter and went with an arm drag to get behind for a takedown to go ahead 3-2. A short time later, Yaneva shot in for a single, but Ishii slipped under and grabbed Yaneva's leg, then clung on to force a stalemate. An unsuccessful challenge at the end gave Ishii her final point.

"I thought I might get countered again," Ishii said of her strategy for the second period. "Still, I had to get points. It would be the end if I lost my nerve. Even if I couldn't get in [on a tackle], I had to find a way to get points."

Ishii has been a workhorse since missing out on the Paris Olympics when she suffered a heartbreaking, last-second loss for the 68kg spot to Ozaki. She won the 72kg gold at last year's Non-Olympic World Championships as a sort of consolation, so winning at 68kg holds more significance.

"Without a doubt, it's getting to a place closer to the Olympics," Ishii said, adding that her mission now will be staying at the top of the division in Japan. "It's tough to be at this level, and I can't just keep going as I am now. I need to raise my level, so I have to train even harder."

In the last match of the night, two-time European champion Belinska, who had received an activity point in the first period, came out in the second and caught Bas in a headlock before securing the fall in 4:25.

"The final was tense, but I had prepared my throw, and I’m very happy that I managed to execute it," Belinska said. "In the first period, I couldn’t make that move, and the tension started to build -- but even in a stressful situation, I was still able to pull it off."

Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) defeated Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) to win bronze at 62kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Purevdorj captures bronze 8 years after striking gold

Eight years after winning a world gold, Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) finally picked up her another medal, taking a 62kg bronze by rallying to a nail-biting 6-5 victory over Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR).

After Purevdorj received an activity point in the first period, she fell into a large hole by giving up a 4-point takedown at the edge to open the second period. Purevdorj picked up a 2-point exposure on a scramble, which, after a scramble, revealed a foul by Kolawole. That gave Purevdorj a point and, significantly, put her on top in par terre.

She took advantage by executing a gut wrench and, even though Kolawole reversed, it left the Mongolian with a 6-5 advantage that she maintained through the end.

Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) earned her first world medal when she scored a duck under takedown in the final minute to defeat Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) 4-2 for the other 62kg bronze.

Asian champion Hyongyong CHOE (PRK) added the senior world bronze to her Olympic bronze from Paris with a victory at 53kg by second-period fall over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) after building up an 8-0 lead.

Choe went for the kill at all times, scoring two exposures off a head lock, then ending the match when she scored a takedown and immediately applied a half-nelson to turn Akhmedova over.

Two-time Asian bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) gave India its first medal through six days in Zagreb, capping a 9-1 victory over Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) with a 4-point takedown for the other 53kg bronze.

Kennedy BLADES (USA), the Paris silver medalist at 76kg who made the drop all the way down to 68kg but couldn't get past Ishii, assured she wouldn't leave empty-handed when she routed Buse TOSUN (TUR) 12-1 for the bronze medal.

Jia LONG (CHN), last year's champion at 65kg at the Non-Olympic Worlds, defeated Sol Gum PAK (PRK) 6-1 for the other 68kg bronze. Long scored all of her points in the first period, with a takedown-roll combo followed by a go-behind takedown.

China also picked up a bronze at 72kg, when Zelu LI (CHN) fought off her back after a 4-point headlock by Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) to start the match, gradually chipping away until she came away with a 7-4 victory with three takedowns.

Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) scored a takedown in each period to top Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) 5-0 for the other 72kg bronze.

Day 6 Results

Women's Wrestling

53kg (23 entries)
GOLD: Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) df. Lucia YEPEZ (ECU), 5-0

BRONZE: ANTIM (IND) df. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE), 9-1
BRONZE: Hyongyong CHOE (PRK) df. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) by Fall, 4:00 (8-0)

62kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) df. Ok Ju KIM (PRK), 5-4

BRONZE: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) df. Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), 6-5
BRONZE: Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) df. Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), 4-2

68kg (24 entries)
GOLD: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Yuliana YANEVA (BUL), 4-2

BRONZE: Kennedy BLADES (USA) df. Buse TOSUN (TUR) by TF, 12-1, 5:22
BRONZE: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Sol Gum PAK (PRK), 6-1

72kg (17 entries)
GOLD: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Nesrin BAS (TUR) by Fall, 4:25 (5-0)

BRONZE: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) df. Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA), 5-0
BRONZE: Zelu LI (CHN) df. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU), 7-4

Greco-Roman

55kg (18 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) df. Emin CAKIR (TUR) 2-2
SEMIFINAL: Payam AHMADI (IRI) df. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) 3-1

77kg (33 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI), 5-1
SEMIFINAL: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) df. Robert FRITSCH (HUN), 3-1

82kg (26 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) df. Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), 8-5
SEMIFINAL: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) df. Karlo KODRIC (CRO), 7-1

130kg (27 entries)
SF 1: Darius VITEK (HUN) df. Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW), 3-1
SF 2: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. Wenhao JIANG (CHN), 3-1