India Wins Historic Title; Eight Nations in #WrestleBudapest WW Finals

Wednesday, July 21, 2021 - 20:51 By Vinay Siwach

Ever since the cadet World Championships were reinstated in the wrestling calendar, only two countries have shared the team title. In the past nine tournaments, Russia and Iran shared the top honors with the former winning eight times while Iran won once in 2018.

But on Wednesday, that streak was broken as India claimed their first-ever freestyle team title at the cadet World Championships in Budapest, Hungary. This is the country's first freestyle team title at any Worlds.

India, USA and Russia were involved in a three-way battle but with India winning two medals on Wednesday and USA losing the 92kg bronze medal bout, India jumped ahead on the lead. Russia needed to win two of their three finals on Wednesday but they failed to capture even one, place them third behind USA.

Iran claimed the fourth spot after two gold medals while Kazakhstan ended at the fifth spot as freestyle wrestling came to and end in Budapest. Iran had two finalists on Wednesday and both won gold medals while USA, Uzbekistan and Turkey claimed the remaining three titles.

Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) and Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI) captured the gold medals at 51kg and 71kg as Iran finished the tournament with three gold medals, the most for any country.

Ali Mahmoud KHORRAMDEL (IRI) Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) celebrates after winning the 51kg world title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

In the 51kg final, Khorramdel overcame a stiff challenge from Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB) to claim a 2-0 win and the gold medal. He scored a takedown in the first period and maintained that lead going into the final few seconds.

Jumanazarov's continus attacks were too little too late to give him the gold as the young wrestler failed to control his emotions in the end.

Esmaeilnezhad Archi had a more convincing win in the final over Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS) as he wrestled back in the second period to win 3-1.

Musaev led 1-0 at the break after a step out point but gave up a takedown and push out to trail 1-3. With Musaev's energy running out, Esmaeilnezhad Archi managed to keep him away in the dying seconds.

Another disappointment for Russia came at 92kg as Rifat GIDAK (TUR) defeated Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS) in a thrilling final. Dzhioev lead 3-0 after a stepout and takedown but as the second period began, Gidak paced up the bout.

Gidak got a takedown and then a stepout to lead on criteria and claim the win and the first gold medal for Turkey at this tournament.

“It was hard [in the final],” Gidak said. “But I prepared very well. I will now go back home with the gold medal, everybody is waiting for me there.”

Bowen William BASSETT (USA) Bowen BASSETT (USA) won the 45kg gold in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

USA added a gold medal to the one from Tuesday as Bowen BASSETT (USA) maintained his perfect record of winning by fall or superiority.

In the 45kg final, Bassett and Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS) traded a takedown each before the USA wrestler defended a big double leg attack from Ashinov. He then scored two exposures and on the latest, managed to keep Ashinov on his back.

The 14-year-old, with his family watching in the stands, was expecting a tough challenge from Ashinov but was prepared for anything that came towards him.

“It feels amazing to be a world champion,” Bassett said. “My match went great. I expected it to be tough, a lot of respect to the guy from Russia, I knew he was well-prepared. But it’s great to win by pin, especially at the World Championships.”

Uzbekistan crowned a world champion as well as Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) defeated Jaskaran SINGH (IND) 6-2 in the final at 60kg.

Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) won the gold medal at 60kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

The Uzbek went on the attack from the beginning as he countered Singh's trademark snap-down to go-behind takedown and instead got a takedown on the edge before a gut wrench made it four points.

Singh then tried to get his single leg attacks going but Kadamov held on to his defence and did concede any points. On once such attack, Singh ended giving up a point for step out.

With a 5-0 lead going into the second period, Kadamov took a step back and wrestled less aggressively. Singh got two points for head pinch exposure but then gave up a stepout in the final 20 seconds as Kamadov held on to a 6-2 win.

Singh failed to replicate his strong defence and sneak attacks that he used on Tuesday to reach the final. Kamadov said that it was the 'toughest bout of his career.'

“I feel great after my victory. I still can’t believe I have become the world champion,” Kamadov said. “It was a tough final. I can say that it was the toughest bout in my career. The Indian wrestler was very strong.”

The Uzbek now plans to move up to the junior age group and planning to wrestle the at the continental and world championships.

“My next competition will be among juniors in my country Uzbekistan,” he said. “Then we are planning to compete at the Asian championships and World championships.”

Eight nations in WW finals

Svenja JUNGO (SUI) became her country's first-ever cadet World finalist in women's wrestling. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Women's wrestling began at the cadet World Championships in Budapest with five weight classes – 43kg, 49kg, 57kg, 65kg and 73kg -- getting their finalists, including a historic one for Switzerland.

Eight different nations qualified their wrestler for the finals as India and Belarus qualifying two each. Ukraine, Switzerland, Turkey, Sweden, Russia and Hungary were the other six countries to enter a finalists each.

Incidentally, the two wrestlers that India and Belarus advanced to the finals will face off against each other. Valeryia MIKITSICH (BLR) will take on TANNU (IND) in the 43kg final and PRIYA (IND) will face Kseniya PATAPOVICH (BLR) in the 73kg final on Thursday.

Svenja JUNGO (SUI) made history as she became Switzerland's first-ever medalist in women's wrestling at cadet Worlds. This also their first in 18 years at age group Worlds. In the last 39 years at cadet Worlds, no wrestler from Switzerland won a medal in any style until Jungo did it Wednesday.

She will now look to become Switzerland first-ever cadet world champion when she takes on Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) in the 49kg final Thursday.

Jungo defeated Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) in the semifinal 8-6, coming back every time Jimenez looked like taking the lead. She had defeated cadet European champion Delia VOICULESCU (ROU) 2-2 in the quarterfinals.

“I train in Switzerland and Germany,” Jungo said. “She did a leg attack and I defended. She scored some points and I thought I need to do more.

“I will train mentally and then looking forward to the final.”

But it won't be easy against Yefremova, who outscored her opponents 29-0 in the morning session. She made it to the final after beating Sevim AKBAS (TUR) 9-0 in the semifinal.

TANNU IND TANNU (IND) won the semifinal via fall at 43kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 43kg, Tannu made a mockery of her competition winning her three bouts via fall, technical superiroty and fall. In the three bouts, she did not let her opponents score a single point and herself scored 31. She will face Mikitsich who defeated local girl Liliana KAPUVARI (HUN) 6-2 in the semifinal.

15-year-old Mikitsich knows that it won't be easy for her in the final but she will leave no stone unturned to win the gold medal.

“The semifinal was tough.” Mikitsich said. “It is never easy at the World Championships. My opponent was well prepared. I will prepare for the final just like I did before. I will listen to some music in my headphones, I’ll concentrate, I’ll plan ahead the match.”

To the delight of the Hungarian team, Eniko ELEKES (HUN) reached the final as well. She will take on Ekaterina OLEINIKOVA (RUS) in the 65kg final. The cadet European champion prevented India from having a third finalist with a 4-2 win over VARSHA (IND).

Oleinikova, 15, had a close semifinal against Daria KONSTANTYNOVA (UKR) and pulled off a 4-4 win, thanks to her four-point move over the two takedowns of the Ukrainian.

Eniko ELEKES (HUN) will wrestle for the 65kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

“In last seconds of the match the score was 4-4, but I knew that I was still winning because the 4 point throw [fireman’s carry]saved me,” she said. “That’s one of my best techniques. I was so scared to lose everything after such a long preparation, I went through injuries, broken bones. I can’t believe I am in the final now.

“I’ll prepare for the final in a better way than I did for that match. I realize there is no way back.”

At 57kg, Tindra DALMYR (SWE) scored four points in the second period to beat Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ) 5-5 in the semifinal against book a final against Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR).

The 17-year-old Turk defeated cadet Euros silver medalist Angelina PERVUKHINA (RUS) 4-2 in the semifinal.

“When there was a challenge in the last seconds, it was a very risky position, but I was confident, so I won, and now I have to win the gold medal tomorrow,” Ilyasoglu said.

At the super-heavyweight, Priya maintained a perfect record and defeated cadet European champion Mariia AKULINCHEVA (RUS) 9-0 in the semifinal. She will take on Patapovich in the final after the Belarusian defeated Lillian FREITAS (USA) 3-1 in her semifinal.

"I came here to just win the gold medal,” Priya said.

Wrestling will continue with remaining five women's weight classes – 40kg, 46kg, 53kg, 61kg and 69kg – on Thursday along with the medal bouts in the evening session.

INDIA BUDAPEST FS India won the freestyle team title with USA second and Russia third. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

RESULTS: FS Medal Bouts

45kg
GOLD: Bowen BASSETT (USA) df Alikhan ASHINOV (RUS), via fall

BRONZE: Umidjon ISKANDAROV (UZB) df Yusif ISPAROV (AZE), 11-1
BRONZE: Imronbek RAKHMANOV (KGZ) df Shourya KUMAR (IND), 6-0

51kg
GOLD: Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI) df Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB), 2-0

BRONZE: CHIRAG (IND) df Elman MAMMADOV (AZE), 9-6
BRONZE: Nathanael JESUROGA (USA) df Tigran BUNIATYAN (ARM), 6-2

60kg
GOLD: Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) df Jaskaran SINGH (IND), 6-2

BRONZE: Abdulrahman IBRAHIMOV (AZE) df Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), 8-7
BRONZE: Alex GOMBOS (HUN) df Baris UNSAL (TUR), via fall

71kg
GOLD: Seyedhassan ESMAEILNEZHAD ARCHI (IRI) df Akhmed MUSAEV (RUS), 3-1

BRONZE: Yerkhan BEXULTANOV (KAZ) df Raul CASO (ITA), 8-3
BRONZE: JAIDEEP (IND) df Gigi SUBTIRICA (ROU), 7-3

92kg
GOLD: Rifat GIDAK (TUR) df Zhorik DZHIOEV (RUS), 3-3

BRONZE: Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) df Gavin NELSON (USA), 6-0
BRONZE: Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) df Roland ROSZ (HUN), 4-0

Tindra Olivia DALMYR (SWE) Tindra DALMYR (SWE) will wrestle for the 53kg gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

RESULTS: Women's Semifinals

43kg
GOLD: Valeryia MIKITSICH (BLR) vs TANNU (IND)

SF 1: Valeryia MIKITSICH (BLR) df Liliana KAPUVARI (HUN), 6-2
SF 2: TANNU (IND) df Aida ALZHANOVA (KAZ), via fall

49kg
GOLD: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) vs Svenja JUNGO (SUI)

SF 1: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) df Sevim AKBAS (TUR), 9-0
SF 2: Svenja JUNGO (SUI) df Audrey JIMENEZ (USA), 8-6

57kg
GOLD: Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) vs Tindra DALMYR (SWE)

SF 1: Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) df Angelina PERVUKHINA (RUS), 4-2
SF 2: Tindra DALMYR (SWE) df Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ), 5-5

65kg
GOLD: Ekaterina OLEINIKOVA (RUS) vs Eniko ELEKES (HUN)

SF 1: Ekaterina OLEINIKOVA (RUS) df Daria KONSTANTYNOVA (UKR), 4-4
SF 2: Eniko ELEKES (HUN) df VARSHA (IND), 4-2

73kg
GOLD: PRIYA (IND) vs Kseniya PATAPOVICH (BLR)

SF 1: PRIYA (IND) df Mariia AKULINCHEVA (RUS), 9-0
SF 2: Kseniya PATAPOVICH (BLR) df Lillian FREITAS (USA), 3-1

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 5 Blog

Saturday, March 29, 2025 - 07:58 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 29) -- Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling past us, the Asian Championships moves to Freestyle. The wrestlers in 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg are in action. The big news is that Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), who was making a comeback after his shoulder surgery, has decided to skip the tournament as his "shoulder is not ready" yet.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

97kg gold medal bout: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) vs. Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)

14:35: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) cannot get that last-second win over Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) this time! In the 97kg semifinals at the Asian Championships Aitmukhan beats Azimi 2-0 and avenges his world U20 loss from 2023. Aitmukhan scores a stepout to lead 1-0 early in the bout and Azimi is hit with a passivity in the second period. Down 2-0, Azimi gets on Aitmukhan's legs but the Kazakh manages to scramble out of the hold and hold his 2-0 lead for the win.

In 2023, Azimi had defeated Aitmukhan in the 92kg final to win gold at the world U20 Championships, incidentally in Amman.

14:33: Two years after winning the 92kg title, rising young star Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) will go for gold at 97kg after grinding down Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) in a 11-2 victory. Yoshida shows his power from the get-go, opening with a quick stepout. He gets behind for a takedown, with a penalty point added when Habila won't release the wrist. Habila comes back with a takedown, but Yoshida replies with a stepout for a 5-2 lead at the break. The second period is all Yoshida, who presses his way to three uncontested takedowns.

70kg gold medal bout: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) vs. Viktor RASSADIN (TJK)

14:23: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) seems to get hit with a double punch in his 70kg semifinal with Viktor RASSADIN (TJK). leading 1-0 in the second period, he had just had a stepout taken away on challenge when he is the one who gets put on the activity clock. That activity point puts Rassadin ahead 1-1 on last-point criteria. With time running out, Tumur Ochir desperately fights for the go-ahead points, which leads to a stepout point for Rassadin. A challenge after time expires gives Rassadin another point and he advances 3-1.

14:23: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) is back in the Asian Championships final. He beats returning silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) 8-8 in a thrilling 70kg semifinal. Aoyagi hit a four on the edge to lead 5-1 and then added a stepout to make it 6-1. But Akmataliev with a over-under hold and throws Aoyagi for four to cut the lead to 6-5. An arm throw which is scored two for Akmataliev and he leads 7-6. Japan challenge hte call but it is confrimed two, making it 8-6 for Akmataliev with 35 seconds remaining. Aoyagi with a stepout with 4 seconds on the clock. A caution is also added but Akmataliev leads 8-8 on criteria and he hangs on!

79kg gold medal bout: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) vs Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN)

14:10: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) rallies to defeat Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) 8-5 and advance to the 79kg final. Evloev, attempting to become just the second Asian champion in Tajikistan history, starts off with a takedown in the first period and a 2-0 lead. In the second period, Yousefi gets behind Evloev while they are still on their feet, but when the Iranian tries a gut wrench, Evloev steps over for a 2-point exposure. Yousefi continues the sequence with an exposure and stepout to cut the gap to 4-3. Then things get interesting. Yousefi again gets behind, but this time scores a 4-point takedown before Evloev reverses, making it 7-5 for Yousefi. He adds a stepout for his final point.

14:07: Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) with three takedowns in the second period against Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) to enter the final at 79kg. Saipudinov really got going in the second period after being down 1-0 at the break.

65kg gold medal bout: Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) vs Kaisei TANABE (JPN)

13:58: Kaisei TANABE (JPN) ensures himself of his first major medal since winning a world cadet (U17) bronze eight years ago. He shows remarkable speed and power on both offense and defense in putting away Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) 13-1 at 65kg. Tanabe spins behind for a takedown, then goes into the lace lock and, bang, two rolls and he's up 6-0. He gets in on a single, then fights off a standing counter-lift at the edge to gain a stepout. When Ebrahimzadeh tries to counter another takedown attempt, Tanabe steps over for a 2-point exposure. In an ensuing scramble, the Iranian gains a reversal, but Tanabe scores a 4-pointer, sorted out on challenge, to end the match early.

13:57: Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) confirms his first Asian medal as he walks into the 65kg final after a solid 5-2 win over Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) in the semifinal. He led 1-0 at the break and then extended it to 5-0. A takedown at the end for Zhumashbek Uulu but Tseveensuren gets it done.

57kg gold medal bout: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) vs. Chong Song HAN (PRK)

13:45: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) hangs on for the win and enter the 57kg final! A takedown and stepout was enough for the Iranian to beat Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) and confirm Iran's first medal in this weight class at the Asian Championships in four years. Alireza SARLAK (IRI) win silver in 2021 and since then Iran has drawn a blank at this weight.

13:45: Chong Song HAN (PRK) falls behind 4-0 against Munkh BATKHUYAG (MGL) in the second period of their 65kg semifinal, but then he goes to work. He scores 2 with a reverse leg and wrist lock, but Batkhuyag manages a 2-point exposure on defense to restore the 4-point gap. No matter. Han reverses, then reels off three gut wrenches to notch a 9-6 victory.

13:30: In the final match of the session, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) keeps alive his hopes of a third straight Asian title and first at 65gk with a 2-0 victory over Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), with both of his points coming on the activity clock.

13:24: Returning silver medalist Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) was slow to start off but he gets in the grove and scores a 13-0 win over Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) and set up a 97kg semifinal against Mobin AZIMI (IRI), a rematch of the U20 World Championships final from 2023, that incidentally was in Amman.

13:22: Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) muscles Nursultan SADYK (KAZ) over for a 4-point takedown, then reels off two high-thigh lock rolls to go ahead 8-0 in their 65kg quarterfinal. Sadyk sparks to life in the second period with a nice out-the-backdoor takedown. But with time running out, it is Tseveensuren who traps Sadyk's leg and gains a reverse headlock, then presses forward for a fall at 5:34.

13:13: Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) walks away with a 2-1 victory over Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) in a 97kg quarterfinal in which no technical points were scored. Ganbaatar gets an activity point in the first period, and Habila gets one in the second. Losing on criteria, Ganbaatar launches a last-ditch attack and forces out Habila, but it is not in time. The Mongolian side challenges, but is not upheld.

13:10: Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) with a driving takedown right to a gut wrench, and he's into the 65kg semifinals with an 10-0 win over Baowen WEI (CHN).

13:10: Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) scored two takedoans to lead 4-0 against CHANDERMOHAN (IND). But the Indian gets a takedown after a scramble to cut it to 4-2 at the break in the 79kg quarterfinals. Chandermohan begins the second period with a double-leg for takedown and adds a lace to lead 6-4. Evloev with a cradle and fall in a stunning turn of events.

13:05: Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) gets a takedown and two stepouts against Sina KHALILI (IRI) who scores only one takedown. Rassadin's 4-2 lead with a 1:30 remaining on the clock extended when Khalili steps out again. Khalili struggling to keep up with conditioning. Rassadin uses that and scores a takedown and two lace turns to lead 11-2 and win the 70kg quarterfinal.

13:04: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) takes a 3-0 lead into the second period, falls behind when Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) scores a 4-pointer, but turns on the jets and scores two takedowns and a gut wrench for an 11-4 victory and a spot in the 79kg semifinals.

13:02: Kaisei TANABE (JPN) advances to the 65kg semifinals when he builds up a 9-0 lead late in the first period, but SUJEET (IND) suffers a knee injury during a rolling sequence and is unable to continue.

12:56: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), using that underhook that he learned from his Iranian father, gets two early takedowns against Kanybek ABDULKHAIROV (KGZ) in their 97kg quarterfinal. The two trade stepouts before the break as Yoshida, the 2023 champion at 92kg, leads 5-1. Yoshida gets a double-leg takedown, then spins behind for another takedown before emulating the lightweights with a lace-lock roll to finish off an 11-1 win.

12:52: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) is into the 79kg semifinals with a 4-0 win over Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN). A stepout and takedown in the first period and another stepout in the second does the trick for the Mongolian.

12:49: Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) accepts the victory by forfeit at 97kg over world and Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), who opted to pull out of the competition due to injury.

12:45: Returning silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) controls the bout against Mohammed KAREEM (IRQ) and takes his own time to win 7-0 and advance to the semifinal at 70kg.

12:41: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) scores three takedowns in the second period and he's into the 70kg semifinals with a 7-1 win over Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB).

12:40: Another match decided at the buzzer! Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) had scored a double-leg takedown with :18 left to take back the lead, when Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) hits a front chest-wrap roll with one tick left on the clock for a 6-6 win on big-point criteria to advance to the 79kg semifinals. Budazhapov seemed to be cruising to the victory on the back of an activity point and takedown in the first period when SaipudInov scored a 4-pointer to go ahead.

12:35: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) upsets Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) 8-8 in the 57kg quarterfinals.

12:31: Chong Song HAN (PRK) gets three gut wrenches after a reversal, then heads off a comeback from Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN) to advance to the 57kg semifinals with a 12-6 win. With Han leading 9-2 in the second period, Sakamoto scores a takedown and a lace-lock roll, but Han puts the match away with a takedown with :22 left.

12:30: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) is into the 70kg semifinals with a 10-0 win over Tao WEI (CHN). Tumur Ochir starts out with a takedown and two gut wrenches in the first period. In the second, he scores a takedown, then uses a high-thigh lock roll to end the match at 4:32.

12:20: Two-time Asian medalist Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) showed why no lead is safe until the final buzzer sounds when he pulls off a last-second 5-3 victory over Paris Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZ) at 57kg. Abdullaev seems on his way to 3-1 win when Kalzhan scores with a counter that, upon challenge, is ruled as a 4-pointer.

12:09: World 61kg bronze medalist Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) comes away with a 2-2 win on last-point criteria in his 65kg quarterfinal when Asian Games bronze medalist Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) just can't beat the activity clock while trying to score what could have been a winning takedown but ended up becoming a stepout.

12:07: Zagreb Ranking Series champion Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) seems to hurt his back after scoring a takedown-gut wrench combination against Gurbanmuhammet CHARYYEV (TKM) to go ahead 5-0 in their 65kg quarterfinal. But he looks fine lifting Charyyev high into the air to finish off a single-leg for a 7-0 lead at the break. Ebrahimzadeh gets a 2-point exposure on a counter lift, then finishes the match with a takedown for a 11-0 win.

12:05: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) goes out and gut wrenches Divoshan CHARLES FERNANDO (SRI) for a 10-0 win at 65kg.

11:58: World U20 champion Mobin AZIMI (IRI) makes no mistakes in his 97kg bout against Jointy KUMAR (IND) and wins 10-0 and advance to the quarterfinals.

11:57: Kaisei TANABE (JPN), whose father and coach was an Olympic medalist, is limited to stepouts before scoring a takedown with a minute to go, then adding a late stepout, to secure a 6-0 victory over Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg.

11:51: World U23 champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) starts slow in his opening match at 79kg, giving up two stepouts to Kakamyrat ASHYROV (TKM), but then comes to life with takedown-gut wrench combinations that give him a 12-2 win just as the first period ends.

11:48: In the biggest match of the morning session, former world U23 champions compete as Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) takes on Nachyn KUULAR (KAZ). Akmataliev leads 1-0 after Kuular is put on the activity clock. But Kuular gets a over-under hold and throws Akmataliev for four to lead 4-1 at the break. Akmataliev starts the second period with a stepout to cut the lead to 4-2. Another stepout for Akmataliev and then he blocks a Kuular throw for two and turns to lead 7-4. Kazakhstan challenge the first throw as slip. It actually wins the challenge and Kuular is back to 4-3 lead with 1:36 remaining on the clock. Akmataliev with a stepout to make it 4-4 but Kuular leads on criteria. Akmataliev and Kuular both in danger zone and both go out of bounds. Not scored but Kyrgyzstan challenge and it seems Kuular's head went out first. One point for Akmataliev on review and he leads 5-4 with 15 seconds remaining. He defends his leads and wins 5-4 at 70kg.

11:44: Russian-born and 2022 world bronze medalist Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), nursing a 1-0 lead in his opening match at 79kg, gets put on the clock in the second period against world U23 silver medalist Feng LU (CHN) and immediately scores a takedown and 2-point exposure. Lu reverses for 1, and Budazhapov takes a timeout for an apparent knee injury. That seems to energize Lu, who spins behind for a takedown, then adds a gut wrench to go ahead 5-5 on criteria. With :08 left, Budazhapov unleashes a blast double-leg takedown that gives him a 7-5 victory.

11:37: Returning 97kg silver medalist Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) tosses Muhamad RUDIANSYAH (INA) like a rag doll for a 4-point takedown en route to quick 10-0 win.

11:34: Two-time Olympian and former world bronze medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), the silver medalist a year ago at 65kg, has moved up to 70kg, and he gets started with a 8-0 victory over Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND). Tumur Ochir with a takedown in the first period, then adds an activity point, stepout and spin-behind takedown in the second.

11:27: The home team is dealt another setback when Erzo ISAKOV (JOR) is able to fend off the attacks of Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN) at 79kg, but does little in the way of offense and gives away two activity points. That's all the scoring until Kamiya picks up a takedown with :02 left to secure a 4-0 win.

11:22: OSU recruit Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), wearing the headgear, falls behind 1-1 on criteria against Aiaal BELOLYUBSKII (TJK) who has defended well against everything Sakamoto has thrown at him. But it falls apart after Sakamoto, who is in a tripod defense, hits a cut back and then scores two more points for exposure. Leg lace to finish with an 11-1 win. You read about Sakamoto and OSU here

11:18: Russian-born Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), the silver medalist last year at 74kg, starts his bid for the 70kg gold with an 11-0 win over local favorite Zaid MESLAH (JOR) in just under two minutes.

11:15: Chongsong HAN (PRK), the 2023 Asian Games silver medalist at 57kg who failed twice to qualify for the Paris Olympics, opens with an 11-0 win over Abidin ZAINAL (INA).

11:14: Muqibullah NEZAMI (AFG), Afghanistan's lone entrant in any of the styles in Amman, finds himself in a 6-0 hole in his 57kg match with 2023 world U23 bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL), giving up a stepout plus fleeing point, and 4-point takedown. But Nezami responds with a takedown to make it 6-2 at the break. In the second period, Batkhuyag grabs a takedown and immediately goes to a gut wrench, then adds a 2-point tilt for a 12-2 win at 3:45.

11:14: 2023 Asian silver medalist explodes after the takedown against world U23 champion CHIRAG (IND) and scores four gut-wrenches to win 10-0 at 57kg.

11:11: Husein ALBEHADILALBORS (IRQ) starts with a quick 4 points against Tirana Ranking Series bronze medalist Weiyu LI (CHN) and goes on to an 11-3 victory at 57kg.

11:10: Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) with two back-to-back four-pointers against Jaeyong AN (KOR) for an 8-0 lead in their opening bout at 57kg. Kalzhan scores a stepout just before the break to extend it to 9-0. A stepout early in the second period and Kalzhan wins 10-0.

11:07: Only a scoreboard malfunction can slow down Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) who, competing in just his third senior-level tournament, starts what Iran hopes is a productive day with a 10-0 win over Gayan EKANAYAKA (SRI) at 57kg.

India Wins Historic Title; Eight Nations in #WrestleBudapest WW Finals

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Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 5 Blog