Kim, Nouri Add to Asian Greco Gold Collections; Tasmuradov Denied by Tuo, Back Injury

Saturday, April 27, 2019 - 16:15 By Ken Marantz

XI’AN, China (April 27)— Former Olympic champion KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) didn’t need much help in capturing a fifth gold medal at the Asian Championships, but got some anyway in the form of a risky decision by his opponent.

Hossein NOURI (IRI), meanwhile, didn’t dominate the opposition, but was never really challenged either in capturing a fourth career gold.

Iran won two gold medals out of five on the first day of the Greco-Roman competition in Xi’an, while host China gained a title when a bad day for four-time Asian champion Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) only got worse.

Olympic champion KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) won his fifth Asian title with an 8-0 win over India's Singh GURPREET in the 77kg gold-medal match. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Kim, who had two falls and a technical fall leading up to the final at 77kg, secured the gold with an 8-0 technical fall over Singh GURPREET (IND). But the match ended on an odd note--with the winning point being awarded on an unsuccessful challenge by the Indian side.

Kim, a 2018 world bronze medalist, had a five-point lead when he spun behind for a takedown to make it 7-0. The Indian coach threw the stuffed toy used for a challenge, and Gurpreet approved the move, despite the risk that it could cost him the bout.

“His leg was outside the zone,” Gurpreet said of his decision. “So I said OK to the coach.”

For Kim, it was his first Asian gold since winning three straight from 2013-15. The London 2012 Olympic champion and Rio 2016 bronze medalist, who finished third at last summer’s Asian Games in Jakarta, looks to be on track to being a contender at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

Hossein NOURI (IRI) won his second consecutive Asian title with a 2-0 win over India's Kumar SUNIL (IND) in the 87kg finals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Nouri, the defending champion at 87kg, also faced an Indian opponent in his final, and struck gold again after scoring a first-period takedown against Kumar SUNIL (IND) then holding on for a 2-0 victory.

Nouri gained his points when he deftly avoided a stepout by slipping to the side, then shrugging Sunil past him and getting behind.

“My opponent was good, but when I scored two points, I thought, no problem, I can hold him and I can win,” Nouri said. As for the scoreless second period. “I was reacting to the action of the opponent. Everything he did, I had a strategy for,” he said.

Nouri, a 2017 world bronze medalist and last year’s Asian Games champion, said this Asian title was the hardest to win, as he won all four of his matches by two points.

“The competition was very high and strong, and all of my matches were very hard,” Nouri said.

TUO Erbalu (CHN) was awarded the 63kg gold medal after Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) was unable to complete the match. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

China gained its title when Tasmuradov was unable to continue in the 63kg final against TUO Erbalu (CHN) after suffering a severe back strain. The bout was ended 37 seconds into the second period with Tuo leading 4-3.

“I know he was second at the world championships in 2018, and I feel very sorry for him to get an injury,” said Tuo, who graciously assisted Tasmuradov in descending the steps from the mat, much to the appreciation of the crowd at Xidian University’s Invengo Gymnasium.

Asked by Chinese TV if he thought he could have won anyway, Tuo replied: “He is really strong and an outstanding wrestler. But I think I have the confidence to challenge him. I have been building up my strength and fitness.”

Circumstances notwithstanding, Tuo, the Chinese national champion, was ecstatic over winning his first major international title.

“I’m really excited, even shocked,” he said. “I’m still hesitant to believe this is real.”

For Tasmuradov, who missed the medal ceremony, the injury was the last blow of a forgettable day. Already suffering from an upset stomach, his nose started to bleed early in the final and he had to take a break several times to staunch the flow.

In the first period, Tasmuradov scored two points with a slick arm throw, but Tuo came back with two-point lift from a front headlock. After scoring on a stepout, Tasmuradov suddenly dropped to the mat, holding the right side of his back. He later said he suffered the injury while twisting during the earlier lift.

He finished the period, but the pain became too much and he gave up the fight, which drew a fleeing penalty. That was immaterial, as he quickly dropped again to the mat, where he remained to be examined by the tournament doctor, who deemed him unable to continue.

After helping Tasmuradov off the mat, Tuo returned to take a victory lap holding the Chinese flag.

Amir GHASEMIMONJEZI (IRI) snuck past Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 3-2 in the 130 gold-medal match. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Iran also grabbed the last of the gold medals at stake on the fifth day of the six-day tournament when Amir GHASEMIMONJEZI (IRI) edged Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) 3-2 in the 130kg final.

All of the points came in a quick flurry early in the first period. Ghaseminmonjezi stopped a back-drop attempt to go up 2-0, but Abdullaev gained two back by stepping over on a roll attempt, only to see the Iranian get behind again for a one-point reversal.

Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) captured the first gold of the night at 55kg, getting a point by stepout with 1:25 left to defeat Hiromu KATAGIRI (JPN), 1-1, and add the senior Asian title to the junior one he captured in 2016

.Katagiri’s point came for passivity in the first period. He launched a number of positive throw attempts, but while some came close, none were enough to pick up points as he was denied in his bid to keep the Asian title in the lightest Greco weight class in Japanese hands for a third straight year.

The tournament concludes Sunday with competition in the five remaining Greco-Roman weight classes, which could see a rematch of the 59kg final from the 2017 world championships between winner Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) and Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) at 60kg.

Day 5 results

Greco-Roman

55kg (10 entries)
Gold – Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) df. Hiromu KATAGIRI (JPN), 1-1
Bronze – Asan SULAIMANOV (KGZ) df. Reza KHEDRI (IRI), 3-1
Bronze – Khorlan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ) df. JEON Hyeokjin (KOR) by TF, 9-0, 3:50

63kg (9 entries)
Gold – TUO Erbalu (CHN) df. Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) by Injury Def., 2;23 (4-3)
Bronze – JUNG Jinwoong (KOR) df. Urmalbek AMATOV (KGZ), 7-3
Bronze – Saman ABDOUVALI (IRI) df. Kudaibergen TURSYNOV (KAZ), 2-1

77kg (11 entries)
Gold – KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) df. Singh GURPREET (IND) by TF, 8-0, 2:28
Bronze – Tamerlan Shadukayev (KAZ) df. Bakhit BADR (QAT) by TF, 8-0, 1:11.
Bronze – Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) df. Naotsugu SHOJI (JPN) by TF, 9-0, 1:43

87kg (10 entries)
Gold – Hossein NOURI (IRI) df. Kumar SUNIL (IND), 2-0
Bronze – Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ) df. Tokhirdzhon OKHONOV (TJK) by TF, 8-0, 4:35
Bronze – Ruslam ASSAKALOV (UZB) df. Masato SUMI (JPN) by TF, 9-1, 2:39

130kg (8 entries)
Gold – Amir GHASEMIMONJEZI (IRI) df. Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 3-2
Bronze – Damir KUZEMBAYEV (KAZ) df. Prem PREM (IND) by Fall, 1:27 (5-0)
Bronze – Murat RAMONOV (KGZ) df. KIM Minseok (KOR) by TF, 10-2, :55

#wrestlebishkek

Hong Ends Bronze Age, Helps China Usher in Possible Golden Era

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 18:28 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 10) -- By ending her own personal Bronze Age, Kexin HONG (CHN) helped China possibly usher in the beginning of a new Golden Era.

Hong was one of four Chinese to strike gold on the final day of the women’s competition at the Asian Championships, winning the 57kg title on Friday to end a rash of recent third-place finishes.

“Each bronze medal made me a little bit stronger by the competition,” Hong said. “So this time, I feel really happy, especially when yesterday I finished the semifinal and made it to the final. Finally, a final.”

The other Chinese who made the top of the podium in Bishkek’s Zhastkyk Arena were Jin ZHANG (CHN) at 53kg, LILI (CHN) at 65kg and Jia LONG (CHN) at 72kg, capping a performance in which all 10 of the country’s wrestlers took home medals.

The lone other medal at stake on Friday went to two-time former world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), who had ousted a Chinese opponent in the quarterfinals the previous day before snatching the 62kg gold by avenging one of her few international losses -- which led to a nice surprise for her on the medal podium.

China pipped rival Japan for the team title when Lili and Long defeated Japanese opponents in their gold-medal matches. China, with five golds overall, finished on top with 205 points, followed by Japan with 191 and Mongolia in third with 126.

“It shows that every single member of our team has been working hard behind the scenes,” Long said. “And because we have a good coach who draws up excellent plans for us, we execute them with dedication, all for the sake of our shared dream.”

Kexin HONG (CHN) celebrates after winning the gold medal at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Hong completed a spotless run to the gold with a victory by fall over former world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) in the 57kg final.

Hong is no stranger to ending tournaments with victories, and her resume includes medals from every major global event. Unfortunately, none of those wins had come in finals over the past three years.

Her Chinese teammates tease Hong about having an affinity for bronze in major competitions, and it’s not hard to see why. In the past three years, she has taken home medals of that color at the 2023 Asian Games, the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 2025 Asian Championships and the 2025 World Championships.

The closest she came to breaking the hex came in Paris, where she was leading 7-0 in her semifinal against Anastacia NICHITA (MDA) when disaster struck and she got caught and pinned.

“Nobody wants to lose, but that's part of competition,” Hong said. “I really felt sad for that moment, but it also meant there was some weakness in my wrestling.

“So, I accepted and recovered, and told myself that I can become better and better. Now I’m happy to see myself improve.”

There were no slipups in her demolition of Batkhuyag in Friday’s final. Hong opened with a takedown and lace lock for a quick 4-0 lead. After a second takedown and exposure, she got her arm between Batkhuyag’s knees, lifted up and planted the Mongolian on her back, securing the fall in 1:31.

“Before, I never thought about that I can finish so fast,” said Hong, who won all three of her matches by technical superiority or fall, without conceding a point.

“Just before the competition, I just thought to be ready for the six minutes, ready to fight to the last second and just try my best to show all my advantages.”

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) defeated Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) to win her third Asian gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 62kg, Japan’s Ozaki completed an equally flawless run to her third Asian gold and fifth medal overall by scoring two 4-point takedowns in a 10-0 victory over Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK).

“I was able to win by technical superiority, but before the match, I never thought I could have such a large gap in points like this, so I'm really happy,” said Ozaki, a Paris Olympic bronze medalist at 68kg.

The victory in 2:15 avenged a particularly frustrating loss to Mun in the final of the 2023 Asian Games. Ozaki had been leading when Mun used an arm throw to toss her onto her back, then held her in the near fall position for the final minute to win 6-6 on criteria.

“One of my main objectives coming here was to beat that DPR Korean wrestler,” Ozaki said. “There were also big hurdles to get over. As such, I want to view this result in a positive light and regard it as doing a good job.”

Ozaki’s reward for a job well done came on the medal podium, where she was surprised to see that the presenter was none other than longtime rival and local superstar Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), the three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist who is currently on a hiatus.

They shared a hug after the medal was placed around a beaming Ozaki’s neck.

“Aisuluu-san is a hero,” Ozaki said. “I have so much respect for her. Of course, I respected her while she was competing. She's really a special person. To be at a competition and receive the medal this way is really an honor and I am proud of it.”

To get to Bishkek, Ozaki had to defeat reigning world and Olympic champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) at the All-Japan Championships in December. Now, to achieve her goal of getting to this year’s World Championships and Asian Games, she will have to beat Motoki again, either at next month’s Meiji Cup or a subsequent playoff.

Jin ZHANG (CHN) works on a takedown against MEENAKSHI (IND) during the 53kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 53kg, Zhang picked up her first gold in her second trip to the Asian Championships with a lightning-quick 10-0 victory over MEENAKSHI (IND). A single-leg takedown, a lace lock and four quick spins gave Zhang the victory in 53 seconds.

Zhang, the 2024 world silver medalist at 55kg, got over her biggest hurdle in the semifinals, when she pancaked former world champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) for a stunning victory by fall.

“I never think about when what kind of action I can win from,” Zhang said. “I just follow the coach’s instructions, to be tough and do your attack.”

Zhang said she will not succumb to the pressure that comes with being a newly crowned Asian champion.

“After I stepped off this podium, everything will go to zero and it's a new start,” she said. “I will never think about I'm Asian champion now. I will surely fight for the higher step of the podium.”

Going into the last two finals, Japan could have won the team title with victories in both. Instead, the Chinese swept the two, with one match coming down to a challenge decision and the other a more forthright victory.

LILI (CHN) tries to score a takedown against Nana IKEHATA (JPN) during the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 65kg, China’s Lili had the winning takedown confirmed by challenge for a 3-2 victory after it appeared that Nana IKEHATA (JPN) had held on for the title.

Ikehata, the winner at the Zagreb Ranking Series this year and the 2024 world U20 champion, was leading 2-1 with all of the points coming on the activity clock when Lili made a low lunge for Ikehata’s leg with :30 to go.

Lili caught Ikehata’s heel and the Japanese tumbled onto her backside, but immediately got up and fought desperately to keep Lili from completing the takedown as time ran out.

But on challenge, it was decided that Ikehata’s initial drop to the mat constituted a takedown for Lili, who was awarded the 2 and the victory, giving her an Asian gold to go with her 2023 world bronze, and leaving Ikehata stunned.

Jia LONG (CHN) turns Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) using a high gut wrench. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the final bout of the night, Long completed the Chinese gold rush with a 10-2 victory in the 72kg final over Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) -- a repeat of the 65kg final in 2023.

After a stepout and activity clock gave Long a 2-0 lead at the break, she finally got Yoshitake to the mat with a single-leg takedown. From there she used her deadly high gut wrench for three consecutive rolls.

That should have ended the proceedings right there, but on the final one, Yoshitake managed to fluidly step over for a 2-point exposure that kept the action going with 1:20 left. But Yoshitake never threatened and Long came away with her second Asian gold.

Long has been gradually moving up in weight, having won the 2022 world silver and 2024 world gold at 65kg and a bronze at last year’s World Championships at 68kg.

“Perhaps there were some challenges with strength,” Long said of competing at 72kg. “But in terms of speed, it might have been a bit better than at 68kg.”

Sara NATAMI (JPN) defeated MANISHA (IND) to win the 57kg bronze medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Kiyooka, Natami bounce back

Kiyooka and Sara NATAMI (JPN), who were both handed stunning losses by fall in the semifinals, bounced back to take home bronze medals with one-sided victories.

Kiyooka, the silver medalist a year ago, completed the collection of Asian medals with a 10-0 rout of Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ) in 1:24 at 53kg. Kiyooka also has 55kg gold from 2024, the year she also won a world title at that weight.

Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) took home the other bronze at 53kg, using a fireman’s carry to take Seoyoung PARK (KOR) directly to her back and secure a fall in 2:00.

Natami, whose defense of the 57kg title was ended in the semifinals by Batkhuyag, needed slightly more time than Kiyooka to finish up her 10-0 win over MANISHA (IND). The winning points were decided on a Japanese challenge when the referee undercounted the number of spins Natami accomplished with her lace lock.

Natami, who came to Bishkek as a substitute for injured Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), now also has the full collection of Asian medals. In addition to last year’s gold, she won a silver in 2018 and another gold in 2022.

In the other match at 57kg, Youngjin KWON (KOR) gave Korea its lone medal in Women’s Wrestling by scoring three 2-point exposures off a takedown counter in the second period to top Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) 7-2.

Qi ZHANG (CHN), the lone Chinese not wrestling in a final on the night, assured she would not leave Bishkek empty-handed when she converted her second takedown of Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) into a fall in 1:31 at 62kg.

The victory gave Zhang a second straight bronze and fourth of her career in a fourth different weight class. She also has a gold at 59kg from 2024, as well as the 2023 world gold at that weight.

A first-period fall also decided the other 62kg bronze, with Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) building up a 7-0 lead over Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) before using an arm bar to end the match at 1:48.

Both the home team and India bagged bronzes in the two heavier weights.

At 65kg, Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) gave up an early takedown to Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB), but came back with a 4-point takedown to the back that she topped off with a fall in 2:02 to add to the Asian bronze she won at 68kg in 2024.

Two-time world U23 bronze medalist MONIKA (IND) also had a 4-point takedown in a 9-0 victory over Hanbit LEE (KOR) for the other 65kg bronze.

Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), a world bronze medalist at 72kg, scored a first-period takedown while on the activity clock and that was enough to edge Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL) 2-0 for her first Asian bronze.

In the other 72kg bout, HARSHITA (IND) added to her 2024 silver medal with a victory by fall over Sevinchoy POLVONOVA (UZB) in 3:25 after building up a 5-0 lead.

Day 5 Results

Women’s Wrestling

53kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Jin ZHANG (CHN) df. MEENAKSHI (IND) by TS, 10-0, :53

BRONZE: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ) by TS, 11-0, 1:24
BRONZE: Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) df. Seoyoung PARK (KOR) by Fall, 2:00 (2-0)

57kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Kexin HONG (CHN) df. Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) by Fall, 1:31 (10-0)

BRONZE: Youngjin KWON (KOR) df. Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE), 7-2
BRONZE: Sara NATAMI (JPN) df. MANISHA (IND) by TS, 10-0, 1:50

62kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) by TS, 10-0, 2:15

BRONZE: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) by Fall, 1:31 (4-0)
BRONZE: Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) df. Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) by Fall, 1:48 (7-0)

65kg (9 entries)
GOLD: LILI (CHN) df. Nana IKEHATA (JPN), 3-2

BRONZE: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB) by Fall, 2:02 (4-2)
BRONZE: MONIKA (IND) df. Hanbit LEE (KOR), 9-0

72kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), 10-2

BRONZE: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) df. Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL), 2-0
BRONZE: HARSHITA (IND) df. Sevinchoy POLVONOVA (UZB) by Fall, 3:25 (5-0)

Freestyle

57kg (11 entries)
SF 1: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) df. Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), 4-1
SF 2: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) df. Fuga SASAKI (JPN) by TS, 11-0, 3:23

65kg (12 entries)
SF 1: SUJEET (IND) df. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), 7-2
SF 2: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), 5-3

70kg (10 entries)
SF 1: ABHIMANYOU (IND) df. Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 6-3
SF 2: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Sina KHALILI (IRI), 5-1

79kg (12 entries)
SF 1: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) df. Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), 4-3
SF 2: Sandeep Singh MANN (IND) df. Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK) by TS, 10-0, 3:13

97kg (13 entries)
SF 1: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. VICKY (IND), 2-0
SF 2: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), 15-6

Kim, Nouri Add to Asian Greco Gold Collections; Tasmuradov Denied by Tuo, Back Injury

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Hong Ends Bronze Age, Helps China Usher in Possible Golden Era