#WrestleBudapest

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

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)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)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 INDTANNU (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)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 FSIndia 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 GR day one finals set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 25) -- The 2025 Asian Championships begins in Amman with Japan hoping for continental domination after a rich show at the Paris Olympics. Iran, the leader in Greco-Roman and Freestyle, will be challenged by Japan. In Women's Wrestling, Japan has China and DPR Korea.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW

Iran comes out of the sessions with four finalists and Uzbekistan manages three. All three Uzbekistan's gold medal bouts will be against Iran wrestlers.

Kazakhstan, Iraq and Japan with a finalist each. The gold medal bouts will begin at 18:00 hours local time.

130kg gold medal bout: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) vs Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)

14:33: In the final semifinal bout of the session, Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) assures himself of a fourth career Asian medal with a 4-1 win over Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) in their 130kg semifinal. Nasimov gets the first-period passivity call, but can't turn Syzdykov. In the second period, Syzdykov gains a stepout, then pretty much puts the match away with a gut wrench from par terre as Nasimov can find no way to break through the Kazakh's defenses. Syzdykova has the full collection of medals — a silver in 2021, a gold in 2022 and a bronze in 2023. What color will this year's be?

14:28: U23 world champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) makes it to the 130kg final with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yuta NARA (JPN). Takedown, stepout, takedown and two turns help him win 9-0 in one minute and seven seconds.

87kg gold medal bout: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) vs Yasin YAZDI (IRI)

14:21: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) is into the final at 87kg in just his second international tournament on the senior level, getting the points in par terre for a correct throw while avoiding giving any away while in bottom in a 3-1 victory over Sunil KUMAR (IND).

14:20: Former Asian champion Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) is into the final at 87kg after a fairly one-sided victory over Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) in the semifinal. Berdimuratov hit a suplex from par terre to lead 5-0 before defending the par terre position in the second period to win 5-1.

77kg gold medal bout: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) vs Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI)

14:10: Two-time reigning world U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is into the final at 77kg in his senior Asian debut, outlasting a determined Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) in a lively 4-3 victory. Maksatbek Uulu, winner of the Tirana Ranking Series tournament and a 2023 world U23 bronze medalist, is on top in par terre first, but Abdevali extricates himself from a front headlock. The Iranian then dances out of potential stepouts and, in final seconds of the first period, gets behind for a takedown and a 2-1 lead. Abdevali scores a pair of stepouts, and those points prove vital when Maksatbek Uulu gets behind for a takedown.  

14:05: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), who has only a bronze medal at the Asian Championships back in 2018, is guaranteed a silver medal as he moves into the 77kg final with a 9-0 win over Amro SADEH (JOR), dashing the hopes of the hosts.  

63kg gold medal bout: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) vs Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB)

13:58: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), the returning bronze medalist at 63kg, hits off a correct throw for two points from par terre to lead Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) 3-0 at the break. Keshtkar gets the par terre in the second period and he fails to put his hands on Chung twice and is asked to resume in standing. A huge blunder from Keshtkar. Chung leads 3-1. Keshtkar gets the third passivity advantage and par terre. This time he puts his hands correctly and completes a throw outside for a point. Chung is docked two points for an aggressive elbow and asked to restart in par terre. Chung sneaks out. He pressures Keshktar for a stepout but the Iranian hits a chest wrap for four to lead 8-3 with 13 seconds on the clock. Challenge from Korea for stepout. On review, the step is inside and Keshtkar gets four points. He leads 9-3 and will win with hte same score.

13:56: It doesn't get more fast and furious than the 63kg semifinal between Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) and Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB). Assetuly opens the scoring with a takedown and a 2-point throw, only to see Khalmakhanov come back with a 4-point fireman's carry, to which he added a 4-point throw. But when he tried another throw at the edge, Assetuly shut it down and forced the Uzbek to land on his back to get 2, with an unsuccessful challenge tacking on another point. Assetuly caps the first period with a stepout for a 9-7 lead. The second period is all Khalmakhanov, who finishes off a 16-7 win with a takedown straight to a roll.

55kg gold medal bout: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) vs Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ)

13:45: Defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) falls to Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) after a tense semifinal at 55kg. Ro built a 5-0 lead in the first period but Yamagiwa answers with a a big four from par terre to lead 5-5 on criteria. Ro tries a arm-throw that is blocked by Yamagiwa who gets a out-of-bounds point. DPR Korea challenge but lost and Yamagiwa leads 7-5. Ro with a front headlock two to make it 7-7 but Yamagiwa leads on criteria. The Japanese brings out a arm-throw to make it 11-7. With five seconds left, Ro manages to hit a body throw which is scored only two points. Yamagiwa is asked to be in par terre but fails to score and Yamagiwa wins 11-9.

13:37: In the 55kg semifinals, Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) fights back from a five-point deficit to not only take the lead, but finish off Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a fall and assured a better medal than the bronze he took home last year. Botirov, a bronze medalist in 2023, makes the most of his first shot at par terre, scoring with a gut wrench and then going top for a headlock roll, although Albidhan squirmed out of that and got behind for a reversal. Trailing 5-1, he then scores a 4-point takedown to the back when Botirov momentarily loses his balance to go ahead 5-5 on criteria. In the second period, Albidhan scores a takedown, gets 2 for an exposure, then holds Botirov down for the fall at 4:27.  

Semifinals in the five weight classes begin now

13:15: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) gets Sanghyeok PARK (KOR) in par terre and Park is cautioned for fleeing. Berdimuratov finishes the bout 10-0 after Park is asked to restart in par terre. Berdimuratov into the 87kg semifinal.

13:14: Sunil KUMAR (IND), a silver medalist back in 2019 looking to regain some of his old magic, gives India a presence in the opening-day semifinals with a 10-1 victory over Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK) at 87kg. Sunil scores all of his points in the second period, getting two gut wrenches from par terre with a 2-point penalty tacked on after the second one; a point for an unsuccessful challenge of the penalty; then a 2-point roll to finish the match at 4:25.

13:04: World U23 and U20 champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) emulates his compatriot Yazdi, building up a 7-0 lead in his 130kg quarterfinal before using a stepout to defeat Asian U23 champion Wenhao JIANG (CHN) 8-0.

13:03: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) gives Iran another semifinalist with an 8-0 win over Jiaxin HUANG (CHN). Yazdi scores three rolls in par terre for a 7-0 lead. He needs just 28 seconds of the second period to finish off the victory.

13:00: Seonjae KIM (KOR) with two turns from par terre to lead 5-0 against Yuta NARA (JPN) at the break in the 130kg quarterfinal. But Nara shows up in the second and scores six turns from par terre to win 13-5 and enter the semifinals. But Korea challenge for the last turn and wins the challenge to give a lifeline to Kim. But Nara holds on to win to However, Nara scores a stepout in the final second and a caution for fleeing against Kim. A 13-5 win for Nara.

13:00: Former Asian champion and three-time medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) proves too much for Ali AL SHARIJEE (IRQ), chipping away before posting an 8-0 victory to advance to the 130kg semifinals.

12:56: Russian-born Shamil OZHAEV (KGZ) gets a takedown late in the first period to take a 2-2 lead on criteria over world U23 bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) in their 87kg quarterfinal. in the second period, Ozhaev appears to get a takedown-roll combination at the edge, but on challenge, it is ruled a stepout for Zhanyshov. Just when it looks like he's going to hold on for a win, Ozhaev arm drags him to the mat for the winning takedown in the final seconds. The move is upheld on challenge for a 5-3 win. 

12:49: Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ), the 2023 world U23 champion and 2021 Asian champion at 67kg, cruised into the 63kg semifinals with a 9-0 rout of Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ).

12:45: Incredible strength from AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) to throw Chan KIM (PRK) with a underhook setup. He gets the par terre and then scores another four-pointer to win 9-0 in a minute and 43 seconds at 63kg.

12:45: World U23 bronze medalist Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) hits a nifty 4-point spinning arm throw in the second period to top off a 6-0 victory Yun LU (CHN) to book his spot in the 55kg semifinals.

12:36: World U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is through to the semifinals at 77kg with an 11-2 victory over Lai Hsing YAO (TPE).

12:35: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) gets the par terre advantage in the 63kg bout against Godai MITANI (JPN) and he fails to score. Iran quickly challenge for a fleeing foul against Mitani who is cautioned for fleeing and returned in par terre with Keshtkar leading 2-0. However, he fails to add any points. Keshtkar make it 4-0 with a takedown. In the second period, Keshtkar scores a stepout as Mitani's head touched out of bounds. Mithani gets a lifeline with par terre with 1:55 left on the clock. Mitani's a few tricks but fails to add any points. He later scores a stepout and makes it 5-2. Keshtkar answers with a four-pointer and wins the bout 9-2

12:35: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB), a bronze medalist two years ago, makes short work of 2024 bronze medalist Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ), scoring four gut wrenches from par terre for a 9-0 victory and a place in the 55kg semifinals.

12:31: In one of the feature bouts of the session, defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) gets the first shot at par terre in his 55kg quarterfinal with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), but the Iranian doesn't budge. In the second period, Dad Marz gets his shot, and he also can't get any points. With 1:16 to go, Ro gets a second chance, and this time he muscles Dad Marz over for 2, then hangs on for hard-fought 3-1 victory. It was a far different result from last year in Bishkek, when Ro scored a 9-0 win for the gold medal.

12:30: Back and forth match at 55kg between Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) and Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ). Albidhan races to a 7-0 lead but Kamaliyev adds a takedown from scramble to cut it to 7-2 at the start of the second period. Kamaliyev keeps the pressue and as Albidhan tries to evade, he called for a foul and par terre with a 7-3 lead. He reverses the position and scores two turns to win 12-3.

12:22: Amro SADEH (JOR) gives the home crowd another impressive victory, capping a 10-0 victory over Sagar THAKRAN (IND) with a 4-point throw from par terre to book a place in the semifinals at 77kg.

12:20: Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) got two points on Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) at 77kg but Maksatbek Uulu, who recently won gold in Tirana Ranking Series, scores 10 to win 10-2

12:17: Kim CHAN (PRK), a bronze medalist at 63kg a year ago, has a scary moment when he was stopped on his back during a roll by Suhib ALHASANAT (JOR), but otherwise has no trouble scoring a 13-2 victory.

12:10: Paris Olympics fifth placer Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) needs one par terre advantage to sprint to a 9-0 technical superiority victory over 2022 Asian champion Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) at 77kg

12:08: Two-time Asian U23 champion Haodong TAN (CHN) pulls off a miracle victory over Iranian-born Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT), scoring 4 points in the final seconds for a 6-3 win. Mohammadi had gone ahead 3-2 with a second-period takedown and appeared to have the victory well in hand. Qatar has had just one Asian medalist in its history, a freestyle silver in 2018 from Georgian-born Giorgi Sakandelidze.

12:07: Ali AL SHARUEE (IRQ) with a big 9-0 win over PREM (IND) at 130kg. Al Sharuee with a stepout and caution to lead 2-0. He gets the par terre advantage to lead 3-0. Three turns from par terre and he wins 9-0

12:03: Takedown and three turns will do it for multiple time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) against Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL) at 63kg. Chung is chasing the elusive gold he fell short in 2023

12:00: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a takedown and gut-wrench for a 4-0 lead over Abduvali RAHIMBAYEV (TKM). Botirov blocks an attempted takedown from Rahimbayev which is scored two. Turkmenistan challenges but lost. The restart is in par terre and Botirov gets the turn for a 9-0 win

11:59: Can Mostafa ALQADE (JOR) make it 2-for-2 for the hosts? He gets the roll from par terre against Asian U23 champion Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), but Kamaliyev reverses him to his back. A foul, puts Kamaliyev on top and he adds a gut wrench for a 6-3 lead. In the second period, Kamaliyev gets the passivity call, and from par terre bulls Alqade over for 2 before ending the match by fall.

11:50: Defending 55kg champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) advances to the quarterfinals with a 9-0 victory over NITIN (IND), setting up a rematch of the 2024 final with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI). 

11:55: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) has to do it twice but he beats Junsik YU (KOR) 11-1 at 55kg. Yamagiwa with a reverse lift and then a front headlock throw to  lead 7-1. He then gets a four-pointer for the win.

11:45: Another fall on Mat A. Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) needs only a minute to pin Orgil NYAM ERDENE (MGL) at 77kg. 55kg weight class matches on Mat A now.

11:42: Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), the 2022 gold medalist at 72kg, gets three rolls from par terre, then gives up nothing from the bottom for a 7-1 victory over Dowon LEE  (KOR) at 77kg. 

11:42: Amro SADEH (JOR) gets off to a good start at 77kg for the host nation, which hasn't had an Asian medalist since 2013. He scores a 4-point throw in the first period, then hangs for a 6-6 victory on criteria over Jixin YU (CHN).    

11:30: Not the ideal start for Japan here. Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) gives an injury walkover to U20 world champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) at 77kg. Next match on Mat A, Sagar THAKARAN (IND) gets a quick fall over Aryan BIN AZMAN (SGP) at 77kg in the first 30 seconds.

11:15: Welcome to Amman! The Asian Championships is here with Greco-Roman on day one. Wrestling in 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg will wrestle today.