#WrestleNewDelhi

Host India Takes 3 Golds on Opening Day of Women’s Wrestling

Thursday, February 20, 2020 - 18:09 By Ken Marantz

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NEW DELHI (Feb. 20)—Going into this year’s Asian Championships, host India had had only one champion in women’s wrestling in the history of the tournament. In the space of one glorious day, they suddenly now have four.

Pinki PINKI (IND) and Sarita SARITA (IND) joined Divya KAKRAN (IND), who clinched her title in the afternoon session, as gold medalists with victories in the finals on the day three of the tournament Thursday in New Delhi.

Pinki won her first senior Asian title on the third try with a tense 2-1 victory over Dulguun BOLORMAA (MGL) in the 55kg final. A short time later, Sarita walked off with the 59kg crown with an equally close 3-2 win over Battsetseng ALTANTSETSEG (MGL), who was relegated to the silver medal for a second straight year.

“I feel fantastic,” Pinki said of the host nation’s success, albeit it came with powerhouses China and the DPR Korea absent due to circumstances related to the new coronavirus outbreak.

Earlier, Kakran clinched the 68kg gold by winning all four of her matches—all by fall—in the five-woman round-robin during the afternoon session, making her India’s first female Asian champion since Navjout KAUR (IND) won the 65kg title two years in Bishkek.

Japan won the other two golds at stake, as Miho IGARASHI (JPN) prevented India from gaining another title when she held on for a 3-2 victory over Devi NIRMALA (IND) in the 50kg final. 

World silver medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) capped the night with a 4-1 victory in the 76kg final over world U-23 bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) to pick up her third Asian gold and first since 2015. 

Sarita SARITA (IND) edged Battsetseng ALTANTSETSEG (MGL), 3-2, and claimed her first Asian title. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Sarita had joined the long list of Indians with Asian silver medals when she finished second at the 2017 tournament in New Delhi. 

“In 2017, I had a silver, so I knew the silver was not important,” said Sarita, who has also been on the Indian team to the senior World Championships five times, with a career-high finish of seventh in 2018. 

“From the first bout, I considered each one the final, because I can’t win if I don’t win every bout. There was no motivation for a silver, I just wanted to win the gold.”

Sarita said she didn’t feel pressure of performing in front of the home crowd at K.D. Jadrav Wrestling Stadium. “I just had to do what I have always learned on the mat, and this is what I did today and won the gold medal.”

In the final, Altantsetseg took the lead with a stepout, but Sarita came back with a takedown to take a 2-1 lead into the third period. With :21 left, Altantsetseg gained another stepout, meaning one more would give her the one. 

But Sarita was ready. As soon as Altantsetseg stepped forward, the Indian dipped down and shot for her legs. She ended up behind and gained a stepout herself with :11 to make it 3-2.

“I had watched some of her bouts before, I was just hoping to not give up a point,” Sarita said. “The moment she jumped, I thought I should flip her over, but I couldn’t get the hold and so it was like, let’s finish this with a one and win the match.”  

In the 55kg final, all of the points came on the activity clock, with Pinki going ahead 2-1 with :47 left. A late flurry of action at the end yielded no points, giving Pinki her first major senior title.

“I wasn’t feeling any kind of pressure, I was confident was I was going to win the match in the end,” she said.

Miho IGARASHI (JPN) stopped Indian from winning a fourth gold medal with a 3-2 win over Devi NIRMALA (IND) in the 50kg finals. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Igarashi, a two-time world champion at both the U-23 and junior levels, capped her senior national team debut by matching the exploit of her younger sister Saki, the 2018 Asian champion at 55kg.  

In the final, Igarashi scored with a double-leg takedown in the first period, to which a penalty point was added. In the second period, she continued to attack, but Nirmala was able to fend her off, nearly turning her over with a three-quarter nelson. 

With the seconds ticking down, Nirmala grabbed a foot and reeled in Igarashi for a 2-point takedown, but it was too little, too late. 

“She was really strong,” Igarashi said. “I didn’t really think about a strategy, but I thought to go on the attack first. It was good that I got points off that.

“After that I got a bit scared and I didn’t stay aggressive. But I really wanted to win the championship, I was obsessed, so I think I took the title by emotions.”

Igarashi came to New Delhi coming off a disappointing showing at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix in January, where she lost in the quarterfinals.

“I was really disappointed by my performance at last month’s tournament,” she said. “With only one month before a big tournament, I had to regroup. But my desire to win was so strong,”

Igarashi felt a sense of responsibility after being handed the place on the national team in a weight class in which Japan has so much depth. She placed third at the Japan Championships, but with winner Yui SUSAKI (JPN) heading to the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament and runner-up Yuki IRIE (JPN) opting out, she was next in line for the assignment.

“I thought, I can’t wrestle poorly or lose easily,” she said. “There was some pressure, but in the end, I had a good result.”

Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) downed Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and won her third Asian gold medal, but first since 2015. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

Minagawa’s win over Medet Kyzy was her second of the day. The two had met in their preliminary group, with the Japanese winning 3-0 before both won their semifinal matches to advance to a rematch in the final.

As she did earlier, Minagawa scored with stepouts, although this time she added in a 2-point title off a counter, from which Medet Kyzy gained a reversal to account for her point.

Minagawa said she was helped by recently training with sumo wrestlers on working in the arms to more effectively lock up in the standing position, a technique which is vital in Japan’s national sport.

“I think what I learned there was effective,” she said. 

In the final round of matches at 68kg, world junior champion Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN) defeated Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) by 11-0 technical fall in a bout that decided the silver and bronze medals. Both had lost to Kakran in the afternoon session and went into their clash with 2-1 records.

Kazakhstan, shut out of the finals, came away with four bronze medals from Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) at 50kg, Marina ZUYEVA (KAZ) at 55kg, Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) at 59kg and Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) at 76kg. 

Syzdykova, a 2016 Rio Olympic bronze medalist, won her fifth career Asian medal. She qualified for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics by placing fifth at last year’s World Championships.

Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) will square off with Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) in an opening-round top-three matchup. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

4th day to renew 2 major rivalries
The fireworks will start early on the fourth day of action Friday, as high-profile rivals in two weight classes were drawn to face each other in their opening bouts  as women’s wrestling finishes up. In both cases, it will be the third time the foes will face each other at a major tournament.

At 53kg, world silver medalist Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) was drawn to face local star Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) as they begin their quest for gold at the quarterfinal stage.

Last May at the Asian Championships in Xi’an, China, Mukaida also faced Phogat in the round of 8, winning by 10-0 technical fall before going on to take the silver medal. Then, at the World Championships in Nur-Sultan, Mukaida ousted Phogat in the second round with a 7-0 win. 

Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) will wrestle Yukako KAWAI (JPN) on Friday morning in a rematch of last year's Asian finals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

The quarterfinals at 62kg will see the latest clash between world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) and world bronze medalist Yukako KAWAI (JPN). Like the other two, they also met at both the World and Asian Championships, with Tynybekova winning both.

Tynybekova took the Asian gold with an 8-6 win over Kawai in the final, then beat her again by fall in the second round at Nur-Sultan.  

Day 3 Results

Women’s Wrestling

50kg (8 entries)
GOLD – Miho IGARASHI (JPN) df. Devi NIRMALA (IND), 3-2
BRONZE - Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) df. Thi Xuan NGUYEN (VIE) by TF, 10-0, :39
BRONZE - Dauletbike YAKHSHIMURATOVA (UZB) df. Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 8-3

55kg (6 entries)
GOLD – Pinki PINKI (IND) df. Dulguun BOLORMAA (MGL), 2-1
BRONZE - Marina ZUYEVA (KAZ) df. Kana Higashikawa (JPN) by Fall, :52 (8-0)

59kg (7 entries)
GOLD – Sarita SARITA (IND) df. Battsetseng ALTANTSETSEG (MGL), 3-2
BRONZE - Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Yuumi KON (JPN) by Fall, 1:58 (2-0)

68kg (5 entries)
Final Group Standings 
GOLD – Divya KAKRAN (IND), 4-0
SILVER - Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN), 3-1
BRONZE - Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), 2-2
Key Match: Divya KAKRAN (IND) df. Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN) by Fall, 4:21 (6-4) in Round 4

76kg (7 entries)
GOLD – Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), 4-1
BRONZE - Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) df. Arlunjargal GANBAT (MGL) by Fall, 1:58 (7-0)

#WrestleSamokov

U20 World Championships Freestyle Day 1 Results and Highlights

Sunday, August 17, 2025 - 06:36 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 17) -- The U20 World Championships kicks off in Samokov, Bulgaria on a Sunday. Four weight classes will be in action -- 70kg, 74kg, 97kg and 125kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | U20 WORLD PREVIEW

19:22: In the final match of the day one of the U20 World Championships, Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) manages to hang on to his 1-1 criteria lead against former world U17 champion Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE). Mohmmad Nezhad got the one point for passivity in the second period which gave him the criteria.

19:15: A mini-upset in the 125kg semifinal as Asian U20 Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) beats Cole MIRASOLA (USA), 11-0, inside the first period. Two excellent counter takedowns from Kassimbek and then a locks Mirasola's legs around his head and turns him twice. A double-leg to finish things.

19:10: Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) gets the better of European U20 champion Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO). Rademacher led 4-3 at the break but then scores a takedown for two points to start the second period, add another go-behind and another single-leg to takedown to lead 10-3. Petriashvili gets an attack for  two points but Rademacher is relentless in his wrestling and three more takedowns to win 16-5 and reach the final.

18:55: Magomedgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (UWW) hangs on for an 11-9 win over VISHAL (IND) who had Magomedov in all sorts of trouble. Magomedov led 10-4 when Vishal mounted a comeback against absolutely broken Magomedov. He scored a takedown and Magomedov was cautioned for a singlet foul which made it 10-7. As the bout was restart in par terre, India challenged for two more points but the referee had blown the whistle before control from Vishal. That challenge gave enough breathing time to Magomedov to managed to hang on to his lead and win 11-9 at 97kg.

18:40: Raul CASO (ITA) cannot repeat his heroics in the semifinal against Adilet AKYLBEKOV (KGZ) at 74kg. Caso was down 3-2 and almost got a takedown but Akylebkov sneaks out and then Caso jumps over for control but the Kyrgyz wrestler is stands up quickly. Akylebkov wins 3-2. Italy challenge for two points but never there. One more point for Akylebkov

18:30: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) survives a scare against Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) in the 74kg, pulling off a 7-3 win. However, it was Yamaguchi who threatened to score in the final 25 seconds when Khaniev was leading 3-3 on criteria. Yamaguchi hit a double-leg attack and planed Khaniev who did not landed in danger and exposed Yamaguchi for two points. Yamaguchi tried a desperate throw in the final 15 seconds but Khaniev blocked it for two more points to win and enter the final at 74kg.

18:20: Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) has had a dream run in Samokov and he has made it to the 70kg finals after beating Nurlan AGHAZADA (AZE) in the semifinals. What a turnaround after finishing 18th last year at the World U20 Championships. He rallies with three takedowns in the second period against Aghazada to win 7-4.

18:10: PJ DUKE (USA) is into the final! He beats Erfan ELAHI (IRI) 2-2 on criteria. Elahi gets the first point after Duke is put on activity clock but Duke gets a takedown when Elahi tries a stepout and lead 2-1. A stepout in the second period for Elahi to make it 2-2 but Duke leads on criteria. Elahi does not realize that he is down on criteria and doesn't really attack in the final minute. Duke beats Elahi 2-2 and enters hte final at 70kg

The semifinals will begin at 18:00 hours local time

13:40: Cole MIRASOLA (USA) downs Inal GAGLOEV (UWW) in the final bout of the session. Mirasola with a takedown to start off the scoring in the bout. he He added a stepout to lead 3-0 at the break. No more action in the second period and Mirasola wins 3-0 and enter the 125kg semifinal against Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ).

13:30: Ashab DADAEV (FRA) thought he is winning against Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 97kg quarterfinals but he was down 3-2. Petriashvili had a takedown and stepout while Dadaev scored a stepout and a point for lost challenge from Petriashvili.

13:20: Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) beats Levan LAGVILAVA (FRA) 11-4 at 125kg and storms into the semifinals in which he will face Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) who defeated Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO) 5-0 in the quarterfinals

13:15: Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), the Asian U20 champion, pins Baejoon JANG (KOR) in the 125kg quarterfinals. Kassimbek has lost two world U17 finals and now has a chance to win at U20 level.

13:10: European fifth-placer Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) hands Islam KAZHAROV (UWW) a 8-3 loss. Big win for Gaidarli who finished 18th last year but has a silver medalist from 2024 European U20 Championships.

13:05: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI) keeps a strong defense after taking a 4-1 lead against Sungkar SEIDAKHMET (KAZ) at 70kg and wins 4-2. Elahi will face PJ DUKE (USA) in the semifinals after the U.S. wrestler defeated Abdoullah NAKAEV (FRA), 14-4, in the quarterfinals. This was Duke's third victory via fall or technical superiority. Nakaev had some good scrambles but Duke managed to finish better.

12:40: Raul CASO (ITA) with a takedown in the final second to beat Parvinder SINGH (IND) at 74kg. Caso had just six seconds to score two points to win 5-4.

12:37: European U20 silver medalist Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) with a quick fall over Ruije LI (CHN) at 125kg. The former world U17 champion is looking for a U20 world title.

12:35: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) got on board with a passivity point against Manuel WAGIN (GER) in their 74kg quarterfinal. Wagin could not get his duckunders going in that match as Khaniev underhooks were solid. Khaniev avenges his European U20 semifinal loss by beating Wagin 10-0

12:27: Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO), with his brother and Olympic champ Geno cheering from the stands, works a good 10-0 win over Andriyan VALKANOV (BUL) at 97kg.

12:20: Incredible comeback from Asian U20 champ Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) against Narantulga DARMAABAZAR (MGL) at 125kg. In a rematch of the Asian U20 final which the Kazakh wrestler won, Kassimbek breaks Darmaabazar and wins 15-12 after being down 12-5 at the break.

12:15: A third U.S. vs Turkiye head-to-head match today. Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) is countered by Ibrahim BENEKLI (TUR) a couple of times in the first period but he holds a 6-6 lead for his four-pointer. The second period is very straightforward as Rademacher gets the leg lace to lead 10-6. Benekli gets two points on board but Rademacher ultimately gets the fall with a 17-8 score. The head-to-head score is 3-0 for U.S.

12:05: Returning fifth-place Nikolaos KARAVANOS (GRE) brings down Asian U20 champion Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI), beating the Iranian 7-5. He led 5-5 on criteria and Alizadeh tried to hit a takedown but Karavanos counters with a takedown and wins at 97kg.

11:40: Noah LEIBOWITZ (JPN) begins with a 5-0 win over Aitenir MAKSATOV (KGZ) at 97kg. Leibowitz is one of the more exciting talents in Japan heavyweight and right behind Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)

11:30: Unlikely that PJ DUKE (USA) will be stopped in Samokov! He pins Gabriel SANCHEZ (MEX) in his second bout and has stormed to the quarterfinals at 70kg.

11:20: European U20 silver medalist Raul CASO (ITA) hangs on for a 9-8 wins at 74kg over Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IR). A four-pointer at the start of the match keeps him ahead. 

11:10: A potential final but we have it in 1/8 as returning silver medalist Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) takes on European U23 champion Ismail KHANIEV (UWW). Both trade stepout and Lockett leads 1-1 at the break. Khaniev gets another stepout for a 2-1 lead. Lockett is called for aggressive push and gets caution. Khaniev gets another point to make it 3-1. Khaniev is given another stepout but U.S. challenges the call. But clear stepout from Lockett and challenge is lost. A 5-1 lead for Khaniev with 24 seconds remaining. A stepout is all Lockett gets and Khaniev wins 5-2.

10:55: Big match at 74kg! European U20 champion Manuel WAGIN (GER) takes on senior European bronze medalist Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) at 74kg. Novruzov put on the shot clock but he scores a takedown after breaking Wagin's chest wrap and lead 2-0 at the break. Wagin gets on the leg in the second period but gets only a stepout. He adds another and a fleeing caution for Novruzov for Wagin to lead 3-2. Two beautiful duckunders from Wagin and earned two takedowns to lead 7-4. He wins the bout 7-2.

10:40: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI), a former world U17 champion, almost made a mess of his first bout at 70kg against SAGAR (IND). He led 6-1 before Sagar tries to make a comeback against a tiring Elahi. A stepout for Sagar makes it 6-3 but only 13 seconds left. Elahi gives up another stepout and docked a point for fleeing, score changes to 6-5. But Sagar can't get two points to win in the final three seconds.

10:25: PJ DUKE (USA) hits the leg lace over Umut USLU (TUR) in his first bout to win 11-0 at 70kg. Duke will be on the senior U.S. team as well for the World Championships, a spot he won after beating Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) in the trials.

10:20: Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) leg laces Catalin SPINU (MDA) to get the win at 74kg, a weight class which has good wrestlers on the same side. Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IRI) breaks Aliaksandr VIARBITSKI (UWW) to win 9-2, eight of his points were scored in the second period.

10:10: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) and Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) roll to 10-0 win over Vatan ANNAORAZOV (TKM) and Tolui MUNKHBAT (MGL) respectively. Novruzov has to work little harder but wins against Stiliyan DZHOROV (BUL)

10:00: What a line-up to start the day in Samokov! Ismail KHANIEV (UWW), Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) and Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) all in action on three actions at 74kg.