WrestleXian

Icho Aims to Reclaim Asian Gold in Next Stage of Comeback Eyeing Tokyo 2020

By Ken Marantz

XI'AN, China (April 22) - When Kaori ICHO (JPN) takes the mat at the Asian Championships, it will mark her first international competition in 32 months. The last one, of course, was the Rio 2016 Olympics, where she became the first four-time wrestling gold medalist in Olympic history.

Icho ended a long layoff last year to launch a bid for a fifth gold at Tokyo 2020, and while the tournament in Xi'an, China, starting Tuesday will have no direct bearing on her Olympic aspirations, it does not diminish her determination to emerge victorious.

"There's some uneasiness, but I'm also looking forward to it," Icho said at a recent national team practice open to the media in Tokyo. "To think of it as just a stepping stone [to the Olympics] would be taking it too lightly.

"Since Rio de Janeiro, the members [in the weight class] have completely changed. So there is not one wrestler that I've ever fought against or even know. This will be a measure of the current level in Asia."

The 34-year-old Icho can certainly be regarded as the favorite at women's 57kg as she aims for the sixth Asian title of her storied career, having won her first in 2004 in Tokyo and most recent in 2015 in Doha.

But the path will not be easy, as standing in the way will be rising star RONG Ningning (CHN), who has been wreaking havoc on the weight class in recent years. Rong, winner of both the Klippan Lady and Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournaments this year, will be one of two current world champions in Xi'an, as well as one of 12 gold medalists from last year's Asian Championships in Bishkek.

"The world champion is a Chinese wrestler, and the venue is China," Icho said. "I think this a big event leading up to the Tokyo Olympics. I want to be properly prepared. It will likely be the first meeting with every opponent."

Those two will have formidable company in the form of Budapest 2018 world bronze medalist Pooja DHANDA (IND), the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov winner at 59kg; Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), the world U23 bronze medalist and Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix winner; and JONG Myong-Suk (PRK), the Asian Games champion and a world bronze medalist at 55kg.

"I can watch videos [of opponents], but in wrestling, until you actually get out there, you never know," Icho said. "To say there is not some anxiety would be a lie. Part of me looks forward to testing myself, but I also firmly want to win. But above all, I'm happy to get the chance."

Regardless of who she faces, Icho can hardly have to clear a bigger hurdle that the one she did to get to Xi'an. At the Japan national championships last December, she defeated fellow Rio 2016 gold medalist Risako KAWAI, the world champion at 59kg who had dropped down to the Olympic weight. Another showdown looms in June at the national invitational championships, with a ticket to the Nul-Sultan world championships hanging in the balance.

The other reigning world champion in Xi'an will be Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN), the 55kg gold medalist in Budapest who has dropped to the Olympic division of 53kg. She was in line for a clash with the world champion in that weight class, Haruna OKUNO, at the Japan nationals, but Okuno withdrew due to a stomach virus.

Mukaida, the 2017 Asian champion at 53kg in New Delhi, has not lost since the final of that year's world championships in Paris. She also faces a potential clash with a highly regarded Chinese opponent in PANG Qianyu (CHN), a world bronze medalist and winner at both the Klippan Lady and Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov.

Others expected to be in the mix are defending champion and Asian Games gold medalist PAK Yongmi (PRK) and Vinesh VINESH (IND), the Asian Games champion and Bishkek 2018 silver medalist at 50kg who was runner-up to Pang at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov.

Here's a look at some other weight classes of particular interest:

Freestyle, April 23-24

A highly anticipated rematch of the UWW's Freestyle Match of the Year from 2018 between 65kg world champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) was put on hold after the Japanese pulled out of the tournament due to the onset of bursitis in his knee.

That makes Bajrang, who had to settle for third place last year in Bishkek, the prohibitive favorite to regain the Asian gold he won before a home crowd in 2017. He won the Asian Games gold last summer, beating Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) in the final to avenge a quarterfinal loss in Bishkek.

But Bajrang will have to contend with veteran Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ), the defending champion who will be aiming for his fourth Asian gold and seventh medal overall, as well as Asian Games bronze medalist Sirojiddin KHASANOV (UZB).

At 57kg, Budapest 2018 bronze medalist Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) will look to repeat his successful run in New Delhi in 2017, the year he also won the world title in Parix. Takahashi, who failed to make the Rio 2016 Olympics, is determined to be at Tokyo 2020, and noted the importance of the UWW ranking points available at the continental championship that can affect seedings at the worlds, where he can clinch an Olympic berth.

Takahashi knows he faces stiff competition, mainly from defending champion KANG Sumsong (PRK), who pulled off a stunning victory over the Japanese in the first round of the Asian Games en route to the silver medal. Also vying for gold will be Makhmudjon SHAVKATOV (UZB), the runner-up to Kang last year in Bishkek; Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI), an Asian Games bronze medalist along with Takahashi;  and world U23 medalists ZOU Wanhao (CHN) and Kumar RAVI (IND).

"Asia has many strong wrestlers at 57 [kg]," Takahashi said. "I feel the Asian Championships will give me an idea of where I stand."

The 92kg class features both world bronze medalists, Asian Games champion Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) and Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN), along with Bishkek 2018 bronze medalist Azizbek SOLIEV (UZB). Matsumoto already has two Asian silver medals---but in different styles. He finished second at 86kg in freestyle in 2015, then again at 85kg in Greco-Roman in 2017.

Russian-born Adam BATIROV (BRN), coming off winning the world silver medal at 70kg, will aim for his first Asian title since 2016 when he takes the mat at 74kg. Also in the gold chase will be Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN), an Asian Games bronze medalist who finished third at 70kg at Paris 2017, and Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ), a Bishkek 2018 bronze medalist and Asian Games runner-up.

One intriguing wrestler to watch is Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) at 125kg, who will be looking for his first major medal on the senior level. He was a four-time national collegiate champion in Japan at powerhouse Yamanashi Gakuin University from 2013-2016, and splits his time training in the two countries.

"Japan works more on stamina with a lot of sparring, while Kazakhstan works on techniques," said Boltin, the Asian junior silver medalist in  2013. "This allows me to do both."

Women's Wrestling, April 25-26
A year ago, Japan sent an understrength squad to Bishkek, preferring to save its top wrestlers for the Women's World Cup held less than a month later. World junior and U23 champion Saki IGARASHI (JPN) was the lone gold medalist from that team, but she will certainly have company this time if she can successfully defend her 55kg title.

In addition to Mukaida and Icho, the Japan team in Xi'an includes Budapest 2018 silver medalist and world U23 gold medalist Yukako KAWAI (JPN) at 62kg, and two-time world bronze medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA SUZUKI (JPN) at 76kg.

The one to watch, however, is Yuki IRIE (JPN) at 50kg. Irie is the only wrestler on the planet who can boast of having defeated two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN)---which she has done three times, including once in each of the past two years. But she has not been able to follow that up with sustained global success. Although the Asian champion in 2015, she finished third last year in Bishkek and second at the Asian Games.

"As long as I win, it doesn't matter how," Irie told the Japanese media.

With Vinesh moving up to 53kg, the battle for gold looks to be a two-way clash between Irie and the Chinese representative---either Budapest 2018 and Rio 2016 bronze medalist SUN Yanan, or Bishkek 2018 champion LEI Chun, according to the preliminary entry list.

Another major Japan-China battle appears to loom at 62kg between Kawai, the younger sister of Olympic champion Risako who will be making her continental debut, and PEI Xingru, the Bishkek 2018 champion at 57kg and world bronze medalist at 59kg. Pei placed second behind the Democratic People's Republic of Korea's Jong at 57kg at the Asian Games, and made the podium at both the Klippan Lady and Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournaments this year.

Also in the field are Bishkek 2018 bronze medalist Sakshi MALIK (IND); Asian Games silver medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ); Nabira ESENBAEVA (KAZ), the 2018 silver medalist at 59kg; and world U23 bronze medalist Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL).

At 68kg, Rio 2016 gold medalist Sara DOSHO (JPN), who was unable to defend her world title in Budapest after undergoing shoulder surgery, will be gunning to add to the Asian titles she won in 2014, 2016 and 2017.  Defending champion and Asian Games gold medalist Feng ZHOU (CHN) and the two Asian Games bronze medalists, Divya KAKRAN (IND) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), will aim to prevent that.

Greco-Roman, April 27-28

Hossein NOURI (IRI), the 2017 world bronze medalist at 85kg, is the lone Iranian among the five in the two men's styles who will be back to defend his Asian title.

Nouri, the Asian Games champion, could face a rematch of the 87kg final in Bishkek with Masato SUMI (JPN), the runner-up at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tourney. Not to be counted out is Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), the 2018 champion at 97kg who finished second to Nouri at last summer's Asian Games in Jakarta.

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), the 2017 world and Asian champion at 59kg, won out in his latest duel with Rio 2016 silver medalist Shinobu OTA (JPN) at the national championships to earn his ticket to Xi'an at 60kg, and will look to make up for lost time and follow up on his world U23 gold medal.

Standing in his way will be Budapest 2018 bronze medalist WALIHAN Sailike (CHN), who finished second at Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov, and Mehrdad MARDANI (IRI) and Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ), the bronze medalists at the Asian Games won by Ota. Ainagulov, who was third at Bishkek 2018 at 63kg, lost to Fumita in the Paris 2017 final.

Korea will send out a pair of current world and Asian Games bronze medalists in KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) at 77kg and KIM Minseok (KOR) at 130kg, while former world champion RYU Han-Soo (KOR) looks to add to his medal collection at 67kg.

Ryu, who won his second straight Asian Games gold in Jakarta, will face challenges from Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), a Budapest 2018 bronze medalist; Mohammad Reza GERAEI (IRI), a bronze medalist at the Asian Games; and Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB), a bronze medalist a year ago in Bishkek.

The other defending champion on the entry list is Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB)at 63kg, who added the world silver medal in Budapest to an extensive resume that includes a Rio 2016 bronze medal and four Asian titles. He could face a rematch of the Bishkek 2018 final with Urmatbek AMATOV (KGZ).

At 77kg, Mohammad Ali GERAEI (IRI) will look to step up to the top of the medal podium after runner-up finishes in 2015 and 2018. The 2017 world bronze medalist at 71kg, he won the Asian Games gold ahead of Korea's Kim.

Iran's lone Greco medalist in Budapest, third-place finisher Mahdi ALIYARIFEIZABADI (IRI), leads a 97kg field that includes Asian Games silver medalist XIAO Di (CHN) and bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ).

Schedule

Monday, April 22
17:00 - Draw: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg

Tuesday, April 23
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg
14:45 - Draw: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
17:30-18:00 - Opening Ceremony
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg

Wednesday, April 24
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
14:45 - Draw: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg

Thursday, April 25
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg
14:45 - Draw: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg

Friday, April 26
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg
14:45 - Draw: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg

Saturday, April 27
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg
14:45 - Draw: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg
18:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg

Sunday, April 28
9:30-10:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg
11:30-14:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg
18:00-21:30 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Freestyle Live Blog

By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 1) -- The fourth and final day of the Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 will see seven weight classes in Freestyle with Olympic bronze medalist AMAN (IND) returning as well.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER

14:15: Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) has a rematch with Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) after beating Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR) 12-1 in the 125kg semifinal. Mukhtur defeated Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL) 5-0.

14:05: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) makes it to the final at 97kg and the small crowd here is all for it. He defeated VICKY (IND) 4-2 in the semifinal, a match the Indian complained of wrong score on the scoreboard.

He will face Ahmad BAZRI (IRI) in the final after the Iranian won 8-0 over Resul GUNE (TUR) in the other semifinal.

13:50: In the 79kg semifinals, Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) with a fall over Dalaitseren JAVKHLANKHUU (MGL) and Fariborz BABAEIR (IRI) with a controlled win over AMIT (IND).

13:33: Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI) with a last-ditch attempt to win against Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) but his head pinch is only worth two points as he goes down 10-6 in the 70kg semifinal. Fazli trailed 4-1 but scored consistently to make it 9-4 before Amouzad got two points to exposure, too little too late. 

Konstantin KAPRYNOV (UWW) needs only two minutes and 26 seconds to finish his semifinal against Usukhbayar BAATARKHUU (MGL) and win 10-0.

13:20: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) holds off Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) for a 3-3 win in the 65kg semifinal and enter the final in which he will face Dzhambulat KIZINOV (UWW) who proved extremely strong for Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ) and won 9-3.

13:11: Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) takes out compatriot Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) 9-1 in the other 61kg semifinal and he will wrestle UDIT (IND) in the final.

13:10: UDIT (IND) reaches the final at 61kg with a 2-1 win over Artem GOBAEV (UWW). A takedown in the first period the difference between the two. The one point for Gobaev came from a lost challenge from India.

13:00: Another disappointing semifinal loss for India at 57kg as RAHUL (IND) falls to Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) 6-3 after the Mongolian scored three takedowns in the first period and defended his lead.

12:55: Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) two huge four-pointers which set up his 14-11 win over AMAN (IND), the Paris Olympic bronze medalist from India. Aman maintained continued pressure and scored at regular intervals. However, Bravo Young never let the lead swell too much. Aman led 11-10 in the final 20 seconds when Bravo Young scored a takedown and turn to win 14-11, ultimately called a pin.

Semifinals begins straightaway on Mat A and B

12:45: In the final match of the qualifications round, Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) wins 6-2 against Narantulga DARMAABAZAR (MGL) in Round 3 at 125kg.

12:35: Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) with a takedown with less than 30 seconds left in the match to claim a 5-1 win over Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) at 70kg. Fazli got a point for stepout during his activity period to take a 1-0 lead. Tumur Ochir took the 1-1 criteria lead after Fazli was called passive in the second period. However, Fazli got behind and then scored a takedown. Tumur Ochir was cautioned for fleeing but Mongolia challenged the call which was upheld and it lost the challenge making the score 5-1.

12:23: Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI), the twin brother of Paris Olympic silver medalist Rahman, with a clutch takedown over Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND) from disadvantageous position to win 3-2 at 70kg.

12:10: Ahmet DUMAN (TUR) with a bodylock throw for four and then laces ROHIT (IND) for an 11-0 victory at 65kg to enter the semifinals.

11:55: Iran's Ahmad BAZRI (IRI) opens his campaign at 97kg with a 4-0 win against Irbeg TAVGAZOV (UWW). Bazri will wrestle Resul GUNE (TUR) in the semifinal after he defeated Bady SAMDAN (UWW) via fall.

11:46: Magomet EVLOEV (TJK), silver medalist from Asian Championships, gets his first win of the day with a 6-0 shutout of AMIT (IND) at 79kg.

11:40: Asian silver medalist UDIT (IND) with a solid 11-0 win over Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) in the quarterfinals at 61kg. Great defense whenever Myrzanazar Uulu tried attacks.

11:30: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) beats compatriot Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL) 7-3 to book a semifinal spot at 57kg against RAHUL (IND) who defeated Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ).

11:20: Pan-Am champion Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) starts off at 57kg with a 12-2 win over Bekir KESER (TUR). With the win, he gets a shot at Paris bronze AMAN (IND) in the semifinals.

11:13: Zagir SHAKHIEV (UWW), the 2021 world champion at 65kg and hoping to make a comeback to international wrestling at 70kg, drops his opening bout to Konstantin KAPRYNOV (UWW). He gives up two stepouts and a takedown and scores only one stepout as Kaprynov wins 5-1. Kaprynov was silver medalist at the Yarygin tournament to David BAEV (UWW) this year.

11:10: Paris bronze medalist AMAN (IND), wrestling first time since the Games in August 2024, starts off with an 11-1 win over Almaz SAMABEKOV (KGZ). Typical Aman win where he wears his opponents out and then scores his takedowns. 

10:52: In 125kg Round 1, Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) started off well with two stepouts but world medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) rallies his attacks and wins 9-1.

10:48: Olympian Georgii OKOROKOVV (AUS) was almost pulling off a huge upset against Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ), taking a 6-0 lead but his conditioning gave up on him and Myrzanazar Uulu wins 13-6 at 61kg. As it is a round-robin bracket, Okorovv will wrestle again.

10:40: RAHUL (IND) with an upset win over European U23 champion Lev PAVLOV (UWW) at 57kg. Pavlov was warned for being passive in the first period which gave Rahul the 1-0 lead. But there was no change in Pavlov's intent in the second period and was warned again which made it 2-0 for Rahul. A beautiful duck under from Rahul for a takedown extended his lead 4-0. Pavlov, who had been warned for finger-grabbing before, was cautioned again and Rahul got one point. That was all as Rahul won 5-0.

10:36: Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) begins his 57kg campaign with a 12-2 win over Jiguur SARANTUYA (MGL) which included a huge arm throw for four points.

10:30: The Ulaanbaatar Open enters its last day with Freestyle action in 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg and 125kg.