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Freestyle World Cup: Updated Results and Notes

Saturday, April 11, 2015 - 21:23 By United World Wrestling Press

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Head to United World Wrestling's Freestyle World Cup page for links to the live stream, results and photographs. 
HERE: https://unitedworldwrestling.org/event/world-cup-senior-7
Pool A W L Pool B W L United States 3 0 Iran 3 0 Russia 2 1 Azerbaijan 2 1 Mongolia 1 2 Belarus 1 2 Cuba 0 3 Turkey 0 3

CHAMPIONSHIP FINAL: United States vs. Iran
THIRD PLACE: Russia vs. Azerbaijan
FIFTH PLACE: Mongolia vs. Belarus
SEVENTH PLACE: Cuba vs. Turkey

THIRD PLACE
AZERBAIJAN 4, RUSSIA 4 (15-15)
Azerbaijan wins by technical points 34-28
Azerbaijan need to go to the second tiebreaking criteria to defeat Russia for third place at the World Cup. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) picked up 12 crucial technical points in a 12-1 technical fall over Timur KOTSOEV (RUS) at 125kg. Magomedov's win was big because it tied the match score at four matches apiece, then tied the classification score at 15 apiece. With those 12 points, Jamaladdin's victory pushed Azerbaijan through. 

57 kg - Viktor RASSADIN (RUS) df. Yashar ALIYEV (AZE), 8-1
61 kg - No.12 Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. No.15 Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS), 9-4
65 kg - No.4 Magomed MUSLIMOV (AZE) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 6-0
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. No.12 Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE), 6-4
74 kg - Iakubali SHIKHDZHAMALOV (RUS) df. Murad SULEYMANOV (AZE), 4-1
86 kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE), 4-0
97 kg - No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. No.13 Yury BELONOVSKIY (RUS), 1-1
125 kg - No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Timur KOTSOEV (RUS) by TF, 12-1

FIFTH PLACE
BELARUS 5, MONGOLIA 3
Despite upset wins by Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR and Mandakhan GANZORIG, Belarus proved to be too much for Mongolia. Wins by Ivan YANKOUSKI at 97kg and Aleksey SHEMAROV at 125kg lifted Belarus to a fifth-place finish. Shemarov defeated World No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN 11-1 to finish off the dual. 

57 kg - No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL) df. No.7 Vladzislav ANDREEV (BLR) by FALL
61 kg - Dzianis MAKSIMAV (BLR) df. Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 10-10
65 kg - No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) df. No.5 Azamat NURIKOV (BLR), 11-5
70 kg - Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR), 11-9
74 kg - No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR) df. No.14 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL), 8-2
86 kg - Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR) df. Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL), 8-5
97 kg - Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 7-5
125 kg - No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR) df. No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL), 11-1

SEVENTH PLACE
CUBA 5, TURKEY 3
Cuba finished seventh after several wrestlers were unable to compete due to injury. In the four matches that were wrestled, the Cubans swept them all, with the biggest victory coming at 57kg as No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ earned a 10-0 technical fall over past World medalist Sezar AKGUL (TUR).

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. Sezar AKGUL (TUR) by TF, 10-0
61 kg - Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR) won by forfeit
65 kg - Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) df. Mustafa KARTAL (TUR) by TF, 10-0
70 kg - Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) df. Sefa AKSOY (TUR), 4-2
74 kg - Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) won by forfeit
86 kg - Serdar BOKE (TUR) won by forfeit
97 kg - No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR) by FALL
125 kg - Tanju GEMICI (TUR) won by forfeit

Pool B, Round 6
IRAN 7, AZERBAIJAN 1
The only loss for Iran was one of its best as No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) topped No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI) at 97kg 9-1. Iran would win the other seven bouts, with solid wins registered by No.18 Benham EHSANPOOR (IRI) over World Champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) at 61kg. A wild matchup occurred at 65kg as World No.2 Sayed MOHAMMADI (IRI) outlasted Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE) 14-10. Iran will face the host United States in the championship final.

57 kg - No.8 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. Jalal SULEYMANOR (AZE), 8-2
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. No.12 Haji ALIYEV (AZE), 5-5
65 kg - No.2 Seyed AHMAD MOHAMMADI  (IRI) df. Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE), 14-10
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. No.12 Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE), 10-8
74 kg - Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) df. No.9 Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) by TF, 10-2
86 kg - No.4 Meisam MOSTAFAJOUKAR (IRI) df. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) by TF, 12-1
97 kg - No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI), 9-1
125 kg - No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) df. No.11 Jamalladin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) by TF, 12-2

Pool A, Round 6
RUSSIA 4, CUBA 4
Russia wins by classification points, 24-12
Russia won two of its four matches by forfeit and the other two by fall to get past an injury-depelted Cuban squad in the final round of Pool A competition. The big win was delivered at 125kg as Yuri BELONOVSKIY (RUS) bumped up from 97kg to pick up a fall and give Russia the dual-tying win. Russia would win on criteria. 

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. Viktor RASSADIN (RUS), 12-6
61 kg - No.15 Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS) by forfeit
65 kg - Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 5-4
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) by FALL
74 kg - No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) df. Isa DAUDOV (RUS), 7-2
86 kg - Akhmed MAGOMEDOV (RUS) by forfeit
97 kg - No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) df. Azret SHOGENOV (RUS), 8-2
125 kg - No.13 Yury BELONOVSKIY (RUS) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB) by FALL

Pool A, Round 5
UNITED STATES 8, MONGOLIA 0
The United States swept Mongolia 8-0 to win Pool A and move into the championship dual against the winner of the Iran-Azerbaijan dual in Pool B. The U.S. won three matches against higher-ranked opponents while Saturday's hero, Tervel DLAGNEV (USA), was dominant at 125kg, earning a 10-0 techincal fall over World No.9 Chluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL). 

57 kg - No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) df. No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL), 1-1
61 kg - Coleman SCOTT (USA) df. Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 8-5
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL), 8-2
70 kg - No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA) df. Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL), 4-1
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. No.14 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL), 6-0
86 kg - No.10 Clayton FOSTER (USA) df. Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL), 2-2
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 3-0
125 kg - No.8 Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) df. No.9 Chluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) by TF, 10-0

Pool B, Round 5
BELARUS 5, TURKEY 3
57 kg - No.7 Vladzislav ANDREEV (BLR) df. Sezar AKGUL (TUR), 5-3
61 kg - Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAV (BLR) by TF, 14-4
65 kg - No.5 Azamat NURIKOV (BLR) df. Mustafa KARTAL (TUR) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - Zhan SAFYAN (BLR) df. (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
74 kg - Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) df. No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR), 4-3
86 kg - Serdar BOKE (TUR) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR), 8-7
97 kg - Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR) by TF, 20-9
125 kg - No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR) df. Tanju GEMICI (TUR) by TF, 10-0

WORLD CUP NOTEBOOK
Cuban Contingent Happy to Participate in World Cup in Los Angeles

Cuba's Livan LOPEZ AZCUY was excited for the 2015 United World Wrestling World Cup. He wasn't exactly excited about the arrival time into Los Angeles as the Cuban delegation arrived at 2 a.m. local time, approxmiately 13 hours prior to competition.

"This is my first trip to Los Angeles and we arrived very late so I haven’t seen anything. I’d like to see a little of the city," said Lopez. "We arrived late and I haven't had any time to recover."

Being sleep-deprived adds another level of sluggishness. Heavy legs and new timezones can be problematic for timing and quickness. Lopez had to take that into consideration when facing his first opponent on Saturday -- American Jordan BURROUGHS. 

"Jordan is an amazing wrestler and he would have been tough even if I was rested," said Lopez, a three-time World and Olympic medalist, who was still looking forward to wrestling Burroughs for the second time. "I've been fighting at 65kg and just moved up," said Lopez. "I have a great opportunity to work on my tactics at this weight and I know when I get home, I'll need to work on my strength."

Cuban head coach Julio MENDIETA CUELLAR was a bit awestruck of the Forum.

“When I walked in the front entrance of The Forum and saw all the pictures of the people who have performed here, I felt “WOW.”   I felt elevated that I was in the same facility as all these important people," said Mendieta Cuellar.

Funding is always an issue for the small Caribbean island nation, which sits just 90 miles from the United States mainland. Bringing top wrestlers to the World Cup is an opportunity, but even Mendieta Cuellar doesn't know if everyone in Los Angeles will be on the quad that competes at the World Championships in Las Vegas, Nevada come September.

“It’s too soon to decide that, but I expect that some of the wrestlers here in Los Angeles will go to the World Championships," said Mendieta Cuellar. "Bottom line, it the best performers that will go to Las Vegas.”

The Cuban contingent will have to fight the rest of the way without the dynamic Reineris SALAS PEREZ. The multi-time World medalist was injured in competition leading up to the World Cup and re-injured his ankle in a wild 22-13 loss to Ed RUTH of the United States.

"We brought a doctor with us and he will check it, but we don’t want to make the ankle worse with the World Championships coming up," said Mendieta Cuellar. Salas reportedly had a cast on his ankle removed two days prior. 

Burroughs Wins 100th International Match

Three-time World and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS of the United States won two matches on Saturday to push his senior-level international record to 100-2. Burroughs' 100th win was over Russia's Iakubali SHIKHDZHAMALOV. Burroughs jumped out to a 4-0 on four pushouts, then hit his trademark doubleleg to extend his lead to 8-0. Burroughs finished off the match with four points, converting on another double leg in the second period. Burroughs' only two losses are to fellow American Nick MARABLE and to three-time World and Olympic champion Denis TSARGUSH of Russia. 

Pool A, Round 4
MONGOLIA 5, CUBA 3
57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL) by TF, 15-5
61 kg - Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Moikel ANTONIO PEREZ GONZALEZ (CUB), 9-5
65 kg - No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) df. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) by TF, 11-0
74 kg - No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) df. No.14 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL), 6-4
86 kg - Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL) by forfeit, 0-0
97 kg - No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 3-1
125 kg - No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB) by TF, 10-0

Pool B, Round 4
AZERBAIJAN 6, BELARUS 2
57 kg - Jalal SULEYMANOR (AZE) df. Uladzislau ANDREYEU (BLR) by TF, 12-2
61 kg - Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAU (BLR) by TF, 12-2
65 kg - Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE) df. Azamat NURYKAU (BLR), 6-2
70 kg - Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR), 8-0
74 kg - Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) df. Ali SHABANAU (BLR), 1-1
86 kg - Amarhajy MAHAMEDAU (BLR) df. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE), 1-1
97 kg - Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) by TF, 11-1
125 kg - Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR) df. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE), 5-3

Pool A, Round 3
UNITED STATES 4, RUSSIA 4
USA wins by classification points, 17-16
Two-time World bronze medalist Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) came through in the clutch to beat Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS) 10-0 at 125kg to push the host United States to a tie-breaker victory over Russia in the second round of Pool A competition. Russia made things extremely interesting after Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) pinned Ed RUTH (USA) in 52 seconds at 86kg and then No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKIY (RUS) scored two takedowns to beat Olympic champion Jake VARNER (USA) at 97kg. Dlagnev's 10-0 technical superiority gave the U.S. four classification points, but more importantly, the shut out kept Aliev from scoring a classification point, which would have sent the match to the next criteria. 

57 kg - No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) df. Omak SYURUUN (RUS), 4-2
61 kg - No.15 Murshid MUTALIMOV (RUS) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 10-1
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. No.16 Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) by TF, 13-3
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA), 6-4
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Iakubali SHIKHDZHAMALOV (RUS) by TF, 12-0
86 kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Ed RUTH (USA) by FALL, 0:52
97 kg - No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKIY (RUS) df. Jake VARNER (USA), 4-0
125 kg - No.8 Tervel DLAGNEV (USA) df. Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS) by TF, 10-0

IRAN 7, TURKEY 1
Sezar AKGUL (TUR) opened up the dual with an exciting 13-10 victory over World No.16 Younes SARMASTIDIZAJI (IRI) at 57kg. The Iranian jumped out to an 8-1 lead before Akgul began his comeback with several front headlock rolls for exposure. Akgul would score 12 of the next 14 points to pick up the win. Iran would power through the rest of the dual with two technical falls, two forfeits and a fall by second-ranked Komeil GHASEMI (IRI). Iran ends the day 2-0 and will face Azerbaijan at 12:30 p.m. Pacific. If Iran wins, they will advance to the World Cup final. 

57 kg - Sezar AKGUL (TUR) df. No.16 Younes SARMASTIDIZAJI (IRI), 13-10
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR), 5-0
65 kg - No.2 Masmoud ESMAILPOUR (IRI) df. Sefa AKSOY (TUR) by TF, 10-0
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
74 kg - No.12 Peyman YARAHMADI (IRI) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
86 kg - No.4 Meysam JOKAR (IRI) df. Serdar BOKE (TUR) by TF, 10-0
97 kg - No.3 Mohammad HOSSIEN MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR), 4-4
125 kg - No.2 Komeil GHASEMI (IRI) df. Tanju GEMICI (TUR) by FALL 1:06

Pool A, Round 2
RUSSIA 5, MONGOLIA 3
Even without their best possible lineup, the Russian Federation fought past Mongolia in Pool A competition 5-3. Omak SYURUUN (RUS) opened up at 57kg with a crisp 8-1 victory over 2014 Asian silver medalist Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL). World No.9 Egor PONOZMARIOV (RUS) would give Russia a 2-0 lead with a 3-1 win over Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL) at 61kg. Russia stole any Mongolian momentum at 70kg as No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) trailed Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) 10-4 late in the first period, but Kasumov tossed Batchuluun to his back for the fall at 2:18. In a battle of ranked wrestlers, World No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKI (RUS) beat No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKAND (MGL) 2-0 at 97kg to clinch the dual victory for the Russians. 

57 kg - Omak SYURUUN (RUS) df. No.10 Tsogtbaatar DAMDINBAZAR (MGL), 8-1
61 kg - No.9 Egor PONOMARIOV (RUS) df. Nemekhbayar BATSAIKHAN (MGL), 3-1
65 kg - No.6 Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS), 6-4
70 kg - No.8 Israil KASUMOV (RUS) df. Ankhbayar BATCHULUUN (MGL) by FALL, 2:18
74 kg - Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL) df. Isa DAUDOV (RUS), 6-6 (highest scoring move)
86 kg - Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS) df. Usukhbaatar PUREVEE (MGL) by TF, 10-0
97 kg - No.13 Yuri BELONOVSKI (RUS) df. No.9 Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL), 2-0
125 kg - No.9 Chuluunbat JARGALSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Arslanbek ALIEV (RUS), 8-1

Pool B, Round 2
AZERBAIJAN 7, TURKEY 1
Yashar ALIYEV (AZE) got Azerbaijan off to a strong start at 57kg as he defeated two-time World medalist Sezar AKGUL (TUR) 9-4. Akgul was a World silver medalist in 2009 and a bronze medalist in 2013. Reigning World champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) was ranked just 12th at 65kg, but he's back at 61kg and he put on a spectacular performance with several highlight-reel worthy throws to earn a 17-4 technical fall over Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR). Togrul ASGAROV (AZE), the Olympic champion in 2012 at 60kg, is back at 65kg after competing at 70kg in two international events this year. He made quick work of Sefa AKSOY (TUR) 11-0. Turkey's lone win came at 125kg where Tanju GEMICI (TUR) rallied from an 8-0 deficit, hitting a lateral drop to pin No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) at 1:33. 

57 kg - Yashar ALIYEV (AZE) df. Sezar AKGUL (TUR), 9-4
61 kg - No.12 Haji ALIYEV (AZE) df. Munir RECEP AKTAS (TUR) by TF, 17-4
65 kg - Toghrul ASGAROV (AZE) df. Sefa AKSOY (TUR) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - Ruslan DIBIRGADZHIYEV (AZE) df. (TUR) by forfeit, 0-0
74 kg - No.9 Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), 6-3
86 kg - Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) df. Serdar BOKE (TUR), 4-2
97 kg - No.5 Sharif SHARIFOV (AZE) df. Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR), 2-0
125 kg - Tanju GEMICI (TUR) df. No.11 Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) by FALL, 1:33

Session I
Pool A, Round 1
UNITED STATES 6, CUBA 2

Cuba opened up quickly by winning the first two bouts against the host Americans. Ranked fourth in the World at 61kg, Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) made the move down to 57kg and rallied to pin No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA)  in the second period. Bonne Herndanez used a cradle to secure the fall. Unheralded Maikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) picked up an outstanding 9-1 decision over 2012 Olympic bronze medalist Coleman SCOTT (USA) at 61kg. The United States would sweep the final six weights, with the first key victory coming at 74kg where three-time World and Olympic champion and World No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) topped two-time world medalist and World No.5 Livan LOPEZ (CUB) 6-2. It was wild at 86kg as Ed RUTH (USA) upended World No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) 22-13. Ruth jumped out to a 6-3 lead before Salas scored 10 straight to take a 13-6 lead. Ruth would then score 16 straight points. Jake Varner (USA), the 2012 Olympic champion, defeated World No.7 and 2014 World bronze medalist Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) 3-0 at 97kg to clinch the dual for the USA. 

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) by FALL 4:57. 
61 kg - Moikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 9-1
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB), 7-2
70 kg - No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) by TF, 10-0
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB), 6-2
86 kg - Ed RUTH (USA) df. No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB), 22-13
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB), 3-0
125 kg - No.15 Zach REY (USA) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB), 3-0

 

Pool B, Round 1
IRAN 8, BELARUS 0

Buoyed by a large contingent of fans in Los Angeles, Iran opened up with an impressive 8-0 shutout victory over Belarus. World No.8 and 2013 World Champion Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) opened up with a strong win over World No.7 and 2014 World bronze medalist Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR) at 57kg. One of the biggest victories came at 74kg where unranked Moteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) defeated Ali SHABANOV (BLR). Shabanov, a two-time World bronze medalist led 4-2 with 40 seconds left but Rezaei picked up a match-tying takedown to knot the score at four apiece. No further scoring would take place giving Rezaei the victory by criteria. Four-time World medalist and two-time champion Reza YAZDANI (IRI) was solid, earning a 10-0 technical fall over Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) at 97kg. The Iranians would make it a clean sweep after World No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) would defeat World No.7 and 2011 World Champion Aleksey SHEMAROV (BLR) 6-0.

57 kg - No.8 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. No.7 Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR), 5-2
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAU (BLR), 7-0
65 kg - No.2 Seyed AHMAD MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. No.5 Azamat NURYKAV (BLR) by TF, 11-0
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR) by TF, 12-1
74 kg - Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) df. No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR), 4-4 (last point scored)
86 kg - No.13 Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR), 7-4
97 kg - No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) by TF, 10-0
125 kg - No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) df. No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR), 6-0

 

Competition Schedule (All Times are PDT; GMT -7)
Sunday, April 12
Session IV
4:15 p.m. – Mat A: Third Place Dual
5:45 p.m. – Mat A: Championship Dual

Session I
Pool A, Round 1
ETATS UNIS 6, CUBA 2

Cuba a commencé par gagner les deux premiers matchs face aux Américains. Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) , No. 4 à 61 kg, est descendu à 57 kg et a battu le No. 19 Tony RAMOS (USA) en seconde période. Maikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) a battu le médaillé de bronze des Jeux Olympiques de 2012 Coleman SCOTT (USA) 9-1 à 61kg. Les Etats Unis ont gagné dans les six catégories de poids restantes. L’une des victoires les plus importantes a été remportée par le triple champion du monde et champion olympique Jordan BURROUGHS à 74 kg ; le lutteur a battu le doublé médaillé et No. 5 mondial  Livan LOPEZ (CUB) 6-2. Le combat était dur à 86kg, ou Ed RUTH (USA) a battu le No. 2 mondial No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) 22-13. Ruth menait 6-3 au début du match avant que Salas de marque 10 points d’affilée et ne mène 13-6 ; Ruth a alors repris le dessus et a marqué 16 points consécutifs. Jake Varner (USA), champion olympique en 2012, a battu le No.7 mondial et médaillé de bronze des Championnats du Monde de 2014 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB) 3-0 à 97kg.

57 kg - No.4 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) df. No.19 Tony RAMOS (USA) par tombé 4:57. 
61 kg - Moikel ANTONIO PEREZ (CUB) df. Coleman SCOTT (USA), 9-1
65 kg - No.8 Brent METCALF (USA) df. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB), 7-2
70 kg - No.11 Nick MARABLE (USA) df. Andy YOAN MORENO GONZALEZ (CUB) par sP, 10-0
74 kg - No.2 Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. No.5 Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB), 6-2
86 kg - Ed RUTH (USA) df. No.2 Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB), 22-13
97 kg - Jake VARNER (USA) df. No.7 Javier CORTINA LACERRA (CUB), 3-0
125 kg - No.15 Zach REY (USA) df. Eduardo MESA RABI (CUB), 3-0

Pool B, Round 1
IRAN 8, BIELORUSSIE 0

Encouragés par leurs nombreux fans à los Angeles, les iraniens ont brillamment battu la Biélorussie 8-0. Le No. 8 mondial et champion du monde de 2013 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) a battu le No. 7 mondial et médaillé de bronze mondial Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR) à 57kg. L’une des victoires les plus impressionnantes a été celle remportée par Moteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) à 74 kg ; le lutteur non classé a battu Ali SHABANOV (BLR). Shabanov, double médaillé de bronze des Championnats du monde, menait 4-2 à 40 secondes de la fin mais Rezeai a finalement marqué deux points et a gagné sur critères.

Le quadruple médaillé mondial et double champion Reza YAZDANI (IRI) n’a rien laché et a battu Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) 10-0 par supériorité technique à 97 kg. Le No. 10 mondial Parviz HADI (IRI) a finalement battu le No. 7 mondial et champion du monde de 2010 Aleksey SHEMAROV (BLR) 6-0.

57 kg - No.8 Hassan RAHIMI (IRI) df. No.7 Vladislav ANDREEV (BLR), 5-2
61 kg - No.18 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI) df. Dzianis MAKSIMAU (BLR), 7-0
65 kg - No.2 Seyed AHMAD MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. No.5 Azamat NURYKAV (BLR) par SP, 11-0
70 kg - No.10 Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) df. Zhan SAFYAN (BLR) par sP, 12-1
74 kg - Morteza REZAEI GHALEH (IRI) df. No.4 Ali SHABANOV (BLR), 4-4 (dernier point marqué)
86 kg - No.13 Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAV (BLR), 7-4
97 kg - No.4 Reza YAZDANI (IRI) df. Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) par SP, 10-0
125 kg - No.10 Parviz HADI (IRI) df. No.7 Aleksei SHEMAROV (BLR), 6-0

Horaire de compétition (PDT; GMT -7)
Dimanche, 12 avril
Session III
11:00 a.m. – Tapis A: Etats-Unis vs. Mongolie; Mat B: Turquie vs. Biélorussie
12:30 p.m. – Tapis A: Azerbaïdjan vs. Iran; Mat B: Cuba vs. Russie
2:00 p.m. – Tapis A: match pour la 5ème place; Mat B: match pour la 7ème place
 
Session IV
4:15 p.m. – Tapis A: match pour la 3ème place
5:45 p.m. – Tapis A: match pour le championnat

#wrestlebishkek

Local stars Makhmudov, Tynybekova among 10 world champs on quest for Asian gold

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 - 16:02 By Ken Marantz

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 9) -- They are both defending champions, both world gold medalists and Olympic silver medalists, and together will be competing in front of a partisan Kyrgyz crowd that absolutely adores them.

For local heroes AKZHOL MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at Greco 77kg and Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) at women's 62kg, the setting for the upcoming Asian Championships in Bishkek could not be more perfect.

But that does not mean it will be easy. Another thing that the two superstars have in common is that a Japanese opponent is waiting in the wings for each, fully determined to avenge a close semifinal loss at last year's World Championships. Makmudov and Tynybekova are among 10 current world champions, including compatriot Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) at Greco 60kg, who will be taking the mat during the six-day tournament at Bishkek Arena that starts on Thursday.

The field has been thinned a bit by the fact that the Asian Olympic Qualifier will be held three days after the tournament ends, but there are still more than enough top competitors to ensure a lively event.

Makmudov, Tynybekova and Sharshenbekov are among 13 returning champions, although a weight class change has put two of them together. Among the baker's dozen, Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at Greco 130kg and Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) at freestyle 97kg also completed the world-Asian double.

Powerhouse Iran has sent a freestyle contingent with a mixed bag of experience, led by former world champion and defending Asian champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) at 65kg, three-time world medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) at 79kg and reigning world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) at 125kg.

A clash of world champions is possible at 97kg, although Tazhudinov, who established his credentials with one-sided victories over both Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) in Belgrade last September, handily defeated 92kg gold medalist Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) in a meeting last month.

In Greco, Mirzazadeh is among four returning champions for Iran, along with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) at 55kg, Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) at 63kg and Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) at 87kg. Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) will look to keep the 97kg gold in Iranian hands while adding to his 2020 Asian title.

In women's wrestling, the all-mighty Japanese can be expected to dominate, particularly since four of the six wrestlers who qualified for the Paris Olympics are making the trip to Bishkek, including Tokyo Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and fellow world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN).

"The Asian Championships will be my last competition before the Paris Olympics," Susaki said in a recent video posted on the Japan federation's Facebook page. "I want to take the mat with the same emotion as at the Olympics, definitely win the gold medal and make a good start heading towards the Olympics."

The tournament will mark the international debut at 68kg of Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), who failed to make the squad to Paris at 62kg, the weight in which she won the world title in 2022. She won the gold at 65kg last year, then made a bold move up to 68kg and won a dramatic playoff for the Olympic spot.

Bishkek will also see the return to the global stage of two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (JPN) after she missed out on Paris at 57kg. Kinjo, who is entered at 59kg, last competed internationally at the Tokyo Olympics and has since gotten married and given birth. She won two Olympic, four world and four Asian titles under her maiden name of KAWAI.

The wild card of the tournament will be the presence of wrestlers from the DPR Korea, which has four entries in freestyle, four in Greco and six in the women's competition.

From 2020 and the disruption of the pandemic up to this year, the nation has entered just one international tournament, sending two Greco wrestlers to last October's Asian Games.

While Yong Ok HWANG (PRK) was a senior bronze medalist at women's 50kg in 2019, most of the team members are relative unknowns, with some having won Asian medals on the cadet or junior level in the pre-pandemic years. Other teams will underestimate them at their own peril.

India, which will be competing under its name and flag following the lifting of the suspension of its national federation, is sending a young squad built around two-time champion SARITA (IND) at women's 57kg. There are a number of wrestlers with recent success on the age-group levels, including world U20 champion PRIYA at women's 76kg.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)World champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) is making his Asian Championships debut in Bishkek. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Here is a short overview of each weight class:

Freestyle (April 11-12)

57kg: This division is wide open, with Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) the lone returning medalist after adding the silver last year to the bronze he won in 2022. Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), a world bronze medalist in 2022, will be looking to improve on his Asian silver from 2017. The draw also includes the finalists from last year's Asian U20 tournament, champion UDIT (IND) and runner-up Ebrahim KHARI (IRI).

61kg: The host country's Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ), the defending champion and a world bronze medalist, and 2022 world silver medalist Reza ATRI (IRI) look like the ones to beat. Atri was the Asian champion at 57kg in 2019 and finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics. Also worth watching is two-time world U23 bronze medalist Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ).

65kg: Amouzad, who earned Asia's lone spot at the Paris Olympics in this weight class by placing fifth in Belgrade, will be the favorite to win his third title in a row. The 2022 world champion, who placed second at the Zagreb Ranking Series tournament in January, could see a rematch of the 2023 final with Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), a 2021 world bronze medalist.

The two can expect competition from Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ), who picked up his fifth senior Asian medal last year when he took bronze. His lone gold came in 2020 at 61kg. Also in the field is two-time Asian bronze medalist Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB) and Masanosuke ONO (JPN), surprise winner at last month's Yasar Dogu tournament in Antalya, Turkey.

70kg: World bronze medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) heads a field that includes returning bronze medalist and world U23 silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), two-time Asian bronze medalist Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) and 2021 world bronze medalist Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ).

74kg: This Olympic weight is a bit light on name recognition, with two medalists from the past two years at 70kg coming in as the favorites. Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) was a bronze medalist in 2022 and the champion in 2021, while Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) has moved up after his runner-up finish last year. Iran will be represented by Hossein ABOUZARIPASHKOLAEI (IRI), who was second at this year's Zagreb Open, with 2022 world U23 bronze medalist Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) also in the draw.

79kg: The gold medal is Nokhodi's to lose as the Iranian makes his first Asian appearance since winning a bronze in 2019. The 2023 world bronze medalist, who lost to Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) in the finals at both the 2021 and 2022 worlds, arrives in Bishkek with a victory at the Zagreb Open under his belt.

Looking to upend Nokhodi are Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) and Byambadorj ENKHBAYAR (MGL), the champion and runner-up, respectively, in Antalya, and 2022 world U20 silver medalist Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN).

86kg: Two-time world bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) will be going for his third straight Asian title and fifth medal overall, and could get a chance to avenge a 4-3 loss at the Asian Games to eventual bronze medalist Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB). Shapiev, who was fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, earned a ticket to Paris by winning the fifth-place playoff in Belgrade.

Looking to knock off those two will be 2022 world U23 champion Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN), Asian U23 champion Batbilguun NAAMDAMBAT (MGL), and Yasar Dogu winner Hadi VAFAEIPOUR (IRI) -- who has the rare achievement of also being a champion in the Beach Wrestling series, having won at a tournament in Turkey last October.

92kg: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) is back on the Iranian team after a successful run in 2022, when he won the senior Asian and world U23 and U20 golds, and is coming off a victory in Antalya. Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) will be aiming to improve on the bronze he won last year, while Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) will be looking to strike gold after settling for silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022.

97kg: Tazhudinov got the best of his fellow world champion Aitmukhan in the semifinals in Antalya, winning by fall after leading 9-3 en route to the title. Tazhudinov has not been defeated since February 2023, when he fell 6-4 to Vladislav BAITCAEV (HUN) in the quarterfinals at the Alexandria Ranking Series tournament. Since then, he has been on a rampage, winning golds in succession at the Asian Championships, Bishkek Ranking Series, World Championships, Asian Games and Yasar Dogu.

It remains to be seen if veteran Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) can stop the juggernaut. The 31-year-old won his second Asian title in 2022, seven years after his first and following a blank between 2015 and 2019. Others to watch are returning bronze medalist Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB) and two-time silver medalist Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL).

125kg: Zare, a Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, is the prohibitive favorite to triumph in his senior Asian debut, having captured the Asian Games gold in October. The two-time world champion opened the year with a victory at the Zagreb Open. Both bronze medalists from 2023, BUHEERDUN (CHN) and Anirudh KUMAR (IND), are back, as well as 38-year-old Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ), who will be gunning for his sixth Asian medal dating back to 2010. He won his lone gold in 2015.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN)Yui SUSAKI (JPN) is returning to the Asian Championships after a gap of seven years. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Women's Wrestling (April 13-14)

50kg: Susaki has still never been defeated by a non-Japanese opponent, and while her ultimate goal is the successful defense of her Olympic title in Paris, she has no intention of letting her guard down in Bishkek. The three-time world champion is riding a 51-match winning streak since losing to compatriot Yuki IRIE (JPN) in a world team playoff in July 2019 -- with 39 of the victories by fall or technical superiority.

Susaki opened the season with a dominant performance at the Zagreb Open, beating one of her main competitors in Bishkek -- world bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) -- 10-0 in the final. She also faced two other medal contenders last year, world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) and Asian silver medalist Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB), beating them both by a similar result. In aiming to add to her lone Asian title from 2017, Susaki will need to be wary if she encounters the DPR Korea's Hwang--the reclusive nation's wrestlers have a recent history of tunning big-name Japanese opponents.

53kg: World champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) will not be returning for a three-peat after recently suffering a dislocated elbow in practice. That leaves the door wide open in a field with no obvious favorite. Taking Fujinami's place is Nagisa HARADA (JPN), who finished second at the Klippan Lady and seventh at the world U20 in 2023. Other contenders are Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL), the silver medalist at 55kg last year; 2018 gold medalist Chun LEI (CHN); and two-time Asian U20 silver medalist Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB). Ji Hyang KIM (PRK) was the 2019 Asian cadet champion, so it will be interesting to see what she brings to the table.

55kg: Dulguun MUNKHBOLD BOLORMAA (MGL) completed the full set of Asian medals when she won the gold in 2021 (following a silver in 2020 and bronze in 2019). Can she add to the collection and, if so, which color will it be? Looking to prevent it from being gold will be 2022 world U23 and U20 champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) -- a teammate of Harada's at Ikuei University -- Asian U23 champion Min ZHANG (CHN), and TAMMANA (IND), the Asian U23 silver medalist at 53kg. Kiyooka will be competing a few days before older brother Kotaro tries to earn an Olympic berth for Japan at freestyle 65kg.

57kg: Three-time reigning world champion Sakurai, a recent Ikuei grad, will be aiming for a second Asian gold as she begins final preparations for her first Olympics, having previously triumphed in 2022. India's Sarita has moved down from 59kg, the division in which she won back-to-back golds in 2020 and 2021 and a bronze in 2022, as well as a world bronze in 2021.

Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) has dropped down from 62kg, in which she won world bronze in 2021. Yongxin FENG (CHN) medaled at the Zagreb Open for the second straight year in January, while Hyon Ju PARK (PRK) was the 2019 Asian junior champion.

59kg: Kinjo lost out to Sakurai in a bid to make the Paris Olympics at 57kg, but does not view making Japan's team to Bishkek at 59kg as a consolation prize. She remains a serious competitor and ready to take on all challengers. Her main competition happens to be the reigning world champion, Qi ZHANG (CHN), who also has a pair of Asian bronzes from 2017 and 2019.

62kg: A rematch of the final at the World Championships -- and possibly a preview of Paris -- is a strong possibility between Tynybekova and rising star Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), who moved up from 59kg and snatched the Olympic spot at 62kg from Ozaki and Tokyo champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN). Tynybekova, with the crowd on her side, will be aiming for a sixth Asian gold and 11th medal overall. She also has four world medals, including three golds.

Tynybekova and Motoki have met twice over a recent four-month span--in Belgrade and Zagreb -- with the former winning both by close decisions. Motoki is ready to turn the tide. "The Asian Championships will be held in Kyrgyzstan, and that's the country of my biggest rival Aisuluu, and I will do all I can to beat [her]," Motoki declared in an interview.

The battle for the other medals will likely be between world 65kg bronze medalist LILI (CHN), 2015 world silver medalist and three-time Asian bronze medalist Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) and two-time Asian bronze medalist MANISHA (IND).

65kg: Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), the 2022 world U20 champion, has a golden opportunity to upgrade her 2023 silver to gold as the prohibitive favorite. Yoshitake won the Yasar Dogu title in January with an 11-1 victory in the final over Asian U23 champion Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL), who will likely be one of her main rivals in Bishkek. Also expected to be in the mix are world U20 silver medalist ANTIM (IND) and 2022 world U20 bronze medalist Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ).

68kg: Any doubts about whether Ozaki could handle the extra weight in moving up to 68kg were likely answered when she pulled off a dramatic victory over 2022 world silver medalist Ami ISHII (JPN) in the domestic Olympic playoff. She can expect a battle from the most recent world silver medalist, Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), who will be looking for her first Asian gold after taking home two bronzes and a silver over the past three years. RADHIKA (IND) has made a similar weight progression as Ozaki, from 2021 world U23 bronze medalist at 62kg to 2022 Asian silver medalist at 65kg.

72kg: After coming away with silver medals at the last two Asian Championships, Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) is well-positioned to capture an elusive gold. A world U20 and U23 bronze medalist in 2022, she gained a boost of confidence by winning the gold in Antalya. Two rivals in Bishkek, 2022 world U20 silver medalist Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ) and Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL), were also in Antalya, but both lost in the quarterfinals and neither faced Niikura. Also expected to be in the medal hunt are 2023 world U20 bronze medalist HARSHITA (IND) and Asian Games 68kg silver medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ).

76kg: With world champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) also withdrawing due to injury, a rematch of last year's final between defending champion Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) and world silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) could be in the cards. Looking to prevent that will be returning bronze medalist and world U20 champion PRIYA (IND), 2022 world U23 bronze medalist Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) and Yasar Dogu bronze medalist Zagardulam NAIGALSUREN (MGL).

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will look to defend his 60kg title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Greco-Roman (April 15-16)

55kg: In his quest to repeat as Asian champion, Iran's Dad Marz could encounter the wrestler with whom he shared the podium at the World Championships. Both Dad Marz and Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) took bronze medals home from Belgrade, and also have multiple Asian medals to their credit. Dad Marz, the 2022 world U23 champion, is coming off a gold-medal run in Antalya. Ortikboev, a two-time world bronze medalist, was second at the 2020 Asian Championships and third in 2022. Aiming to stop them will be two-time Asian bronze medalist Arjun HALAKURKI (IND), 2023 Zagreb Open champion HUSIYUETU (CHN) and Asian U23 champion Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ).

60kg: Kyrgyzstan's Sharshenbekov has been the dominant figure at this weight for the past two years, monopolizing both the Asian and world titles while also picking up the Asian Games gold. A victory in his home country would give him a fifth Asian medal overall. Who can stop him? Liguo CAO (CHN), an Asian and world bronze medalist last year, will certainly give it a shot. As will Ilkhom BAKHRAMOV (UZB), who will be looking to combine with brother Islomjon at 63kg in a repeat of their golden sibling double of 2019. Also look out for world U20 bronze medalist Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) and 2021 Asian bronze medalist Seunghak KIM (KOR).

63kg: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI), the 2022 world U23 and U20 champion, is back to defend the title he won a year ago in Astana. Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), a 2023 world 60kg bronze medalist, will be looking to regain the title he won in 2019 and earn a fourth Asian medal overall. Others to watch are Asian U23 champion Haodong TAN (CHN), Asian Games bronze medalist Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) and 2018 Asian bronze medalist Dokyung JUNG (KOR).

67kg: With the cream of the weight class heading to the Olympic qualifier, returning bronze medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) has a chance to move up to gold in front of the home crowd. Beishekeev also won the Asian U23 title and an Asian Games bronze medal last year. Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), the silver medalist last year at 60kg, has jumped up two weight classes in a bid for a third career Asian medal. Others to watch are Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB), last year's silver medalist at 63kg, 2022 world U20 champion Saeid ESMAELI LEIVESI (IRI) and 2023 world U23 bronze medalist Haruto YABE (JPN).

72kg: This one looks like a toss-up between Adilkhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ), a bronze medalist the past two years, 2019 world junior bronze medalist Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) and Asian U20 champion Abdullo ALIEV (UZB).

77kg: Anyone who was in the Kozhomkul Sports Palace in 2018 to see a teenaged Makhmudov win a dramatic gold medal for host Kyrgyzstan on the final day knows how frenzied and passionate the home crowd can get. And Nao KUSAKA (JPN) would love nothing better than to spoil the mood.

Kusaka took Makhmudov to the limit at the World Championships before conceding a 7-5 loss in the semifinals. Kusaka went on to win a bronze medal and clinch his first trip to the Olympics, and avenging the loss to Makhmudov is all part of a grand plan to optimize his chances in Paris.

"I'm looking forward to it," Kusaka said in a video interview. "The opponent who I lost to in the semifinals at the World Championships is also entered. I looked back at the footage of our match and it was filled with places where I thought, 'If I only had done this more.' I'm really excited right now.

"After Asia, I will go the [UWW Ranking Series in] Hungary, because I want to be seeded for the Olympics," said Kusaka, who currently sits fourth in the UWW rankings. "Everyone looks at it differently, but for me, even one less match [at the Olympics] is best. That's because the concentration I can put out for each match is different."

Either Makhmudov and Kusaka could have to contend with a champion from 2023 in Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), who won the gold at 72kg in Astana. Also worth watching are SAJAN (IND), a 2022 world U23 bronze medalist with Kusaka, and Amir Ali ABDI (IRI), who also won a 2022 world U23 bronze, but at 72kg.

82kg: With just seven entries in the non-Olympic weight, 2o22 Asian champion Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI) looks like the wrestler to beat as the Iranian comes off a runner-up finish in Antalya. Others to watch are 2022 bronze medalist Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB), 2019 world U23 bronze medalist Yevgeniy POLIVADOV (KAZ) and 2023 world U17 champion Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN).

97kg: Tokyo Olympic and 2023 world bronze medalist Saravi is the clear favorite in a field that includes Makhmudov's brother Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), a bronze medalist in 2021. Saravi has one Asian title to his credit from 2020, as well as an Asian Games gold won last year. Also in medal contention will be 2022 world U20 silver medalist Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ).

130kg: It would be tough to bet against world champion Mirzazadeh, who won his second Asian title last year, and also has an Asian Games gold and 2022 world silver medal to his credit. Lingzhe MENG (CHN) will be gunning to avenge losses in the finals to Mirzazadeh at both the Asian Championships and Asian Games. Also in the mix will be 2018 world bronze medalist and two-time Asian silver medalist Minseok KIM (KOR), 2022 Asian U23 champion Erlan MANATBEKOV (KGZ) and 2020 Asian bronze medalist Mansur SHADUKAYEV (KAZ).