#WrestleKonya

Kyrgyzstan close out Islamic Solidarity Games with 3 golds

By Ali Feizasa

KONYA, Turkey(August 13) -- Two Kyrgyzstan Greco-Roman stars affirmed their status as the top wrestlers in their respective weight classes by winning gold medals at the 5th Islamic Solidarity Games in Konya, Turkey.

The wrestling competition ended Saturday in Konya with Kyrgyzstan winning two Greco-Roman golds while Azerbaijan, Iran and Uzbekistan won one each. Women's wrestling also had two weight classes with Azerbaijan and Kyrgyzstan winning a gold medal each.

Overall, Iran and Azerbaijan won three gold medals each in both Greco-Roman and women's wrestling and emerged as the top two teams in both styles.

But Saturday belonged to Kyrgyzstan as two-time world silver medalist Zholman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) rose to the top of the podium with a decisive 10-2 win over Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final of 60kg.

Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) wrestled world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) in the 77kg final which turned out to be a close battle. Suleymanov managed to score two points over Makhmudov but the Kyrgyzstan star got a total of four points after Suleymanov was put in par terre. That remained the winning sequence as he captured the gold medal with a score of 5-2.

The third gold of the night for Kyrgyzstan was captured by world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) at 68kg in women's wrestling.

Olympic bronze medalist Zhumanazarova was on a roll on Saturday and capped off her brilliant performance by pinning 2022 Asian champion Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) final.

In her previous bouts, Zhumanazarova won three bouts with technical superiority and one via fall. None of her opponents were able to score a single point on the Asian silver medalist.

Azerbaijan won two gold medals on Saturday with U23 world champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) capturing the gold at 67kg and Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) winning the 57kg weight class in women's wrestling.

At 67kg, European bronze medalist Jafarov wrestled Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) in the final and put a solid defensive performance to win 3-1. The difference was that Jafarov was able to score when Ismailov was put in par terre while the Kygyrzstan wrestler failed to do so.

For Aliyeva, the 57kg final turned out to be a high-scoring bout against former African champion Omolayo KOLAWOLE (NGR). A total of 20 points were scored in the gold medal bout but Aliyeva, a U23 European champion, won 14-6.

With that gold, Azerbaijan matched the tally of Kyrgyzstan as both countries won three gold medals each. Turkey won two gold medals in the home Games while Nigeria and Kazakhstan managed to win one each.

Iran finished with three Greco-Roman gold medals after world champion at 130kg Aliakbar YOUSEFI came out on top against Turkey's star wrestler Osman YILDIRIM (TUR).

Carrying a foot injury into the final, Yousefi was determined to step on the top of the podium and managed to hold off Yildirim, 3-2, in the gold medal bout.

The other gold medal went to Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) at 87kg and joined Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) as the country's Greco-Roman gold medalist.

In a battle of Asian champions, Berdimuratov faced three-time Asian gold medalist Ramin TAHERI (IRI) twice in the day and won both of the bouts.

The 2019 world bronze medalist defeated first wrestled Taheri in Round 5 of the Nordic bracket but managed to beat the Iranian with the barest of the margins -- 5-5.

The two managed to win their semifinals and wrestled again in the gold medal bout. But Berdimuratov made sure he doesn't run it as close as the Round 3 bout and stunned Taheri with an 11-2 superiority win in the 87kg weight class.

Iran and Azerbaijan finished the Greco-Roman event with three gold medals each while Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan shared the remaining 4 other golds by winning two each.

Day 4 Results

Greco-Roman

60kg
GOLD: Zholman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 10-2

BRONZE: Ayhan KARAKUS (TUR) df. Yernar FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), 6-2
BRONZE: Muhammadkodir YUSUPOV (UZB) df. Omid ARAMI (IRI), 8-1

67kg
GOLD: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) df. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), 3-1

BRONZE: Mohammad REZAEI (IRI) df. Begmyrat NOBATOV (TKM), 11-0
BRONZE: Abror ATABAEV (UZB) df. Bilal El BAHJA (MAR), 9-0

77kg
GOLD: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 5-2

BRONZE: Amin KAVIANINEJAD (IRI) df. Lamjed MAAFI (TUN), 3-1
BRONZE: Furkan BAYRAK (TUR) df. Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), 9-0

87kg
GOLD: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) df. Ramin TAHERI (IRI), 11-2

BRONZE: Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mahammad AHMADIYEV (AZE), 3-2

130kg
GOLD: Aliakbar YOUSEFI (IRI) df. Osman YILDIRIM (TUR), 3-2

BRONZE: Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) df. Anton SAVENKO (KAZ), 5-0

Women's wrestling

57kg
GOLD: Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) df. Omolayo KOLAWOLE (NGR), 14-6

BRONZE: Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) df. Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ), via fall

68kg
GOLD: MEERIM ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), via fall

BRONZE: Asli DEMIR (TUR) df. Oguljan EGEMBERDIYEVA (TKM), 10-0

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Day 3 Blog: China, DPR Korea shine

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 27) -- Asian Championships enters day three with Women's Wrestling in 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 RESULTS

76kg gold medal bout: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs REETIKA (IND)

14:11: REETIKA (IND) gives India a presence in the finals with a victory by fall over Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) at 76kg, giving her a chance to avenge a quarterfinal loss at the Paris Olympics to Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ). Reetika, the 2023 world U23 champion, had an answer for everything Yamamoto attempted. The Indian opened the scoring with a double-leg takedown, getting the points by going over the edge as Yamamoto attempted a counter lift, then added a takedown to go ahead 4-0 at the break. In the second period, Reetika got 2 more with a counter-lift of her own off a scramble, then ended the match when she slammed Yamamoto to the mat for 4 and secured the fall at 4:13.

14:07: Quick movement from Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and she cradles Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) for a fall in the 76kg semifinals! Kim escaped Medet Kyzy's cradle but the Kyrgyz managed to still pin Kim on her back.

68kg gold medal bout: Zelu LI (CHN) vs Sol Gum PAK (PRK)

14:02: In a clash of Paris Olympians, Sol Gum PAK (PRK) gets a pair of stepouts, the second coming with Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) on the activity clock, to take a 3-0 lead in their 68kg semifinal. In the second period, Pak gets 2 when she counters a takedown attempt with a Greco-like back throw. Pak adds another stepout, then scores 2 when she stops a headlock attempt and, despite giving up a late takedown, she's through to the final in her senior Asian debut with an 8-2 win. Enkhsaikhan, a 2023 world silver medalist, will have to be content battling for a fourth career Asian bronze and fifth medal overall.

14:00: Zelu LI (CHN) will clash with Paris fifth-placer Sol Gum PAK (PRK) for the 68kg gold medal after she takes down world U17 champion Mansi LATHER (IND) 10-1 in the semifinal with some brute strength and counters. Li was pretty defensive in the first period and got put on the activity clock. Lather led 1-0 and tried getting a stepout but Li defended and circled to score a takedown. She laced with a bent knee to make it 4-1 at the break. Lather was on the attack in the second period as well but Li's strength was little too much as she fails to finish after a single-leg attack. Li manages to get out of the hold and scores a takedown for a 6-1 lead. A double leg throw for four to make it 10-1 which she defends for the final minute and win.

59kg gold medal bout: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) vs. Pyol HONG (PRK)

13:51: Pyol HONG (PRK), a newcomer onto the international scene, takes it directly to veteran Mengyu XIE (CHN), a former world bronze medalist and Asian champion, in their 59kg semifinal. Hong scores a single-leg takedown in the first period, then adds another in the second. Hong defends against a pair of tackle attempts and she's through to the final with a 4-0 victory. 

13:46: World U20 champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) needs only 42 seconds to beat Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) in the 59kg semifinal. Onishi with a head-outside single and gut-wrenches for a 4-0 lead. She transitions into a lace and gets the 10-0 win to enter the final.

55kg gold medal bout: Yuxuan LI (CHN) vs Kyong Ryong LI (PRK)

13:42: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) will get a chance to improve on her silver medal from last year at 55kg after overwhelming Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB). Oh starts out with a single-leg takedown and adds a lace lock. Matnazarova squirms out of the lock and attempts a switch, but Oh presses forward and stuffs Matnazarova onto her back, then secures a fall at 1:58.

13:42: Yuxuan LI (CHN), who made her international debut at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series 2025, is into the final at 55kg of Asian Championships. A meek surrender by Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) as Li gut-wrenches her way to the final.

50kg gold medal bout: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) vs. Yu ZHANG (CHN)

13:39: Two-time Asian champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) with a strategic win over Myonggyong WON (PRK) in the 50kg semifinal. Won got a 1-0 lead after Yoshimoto was put on the activity clock. But Yoshimoto scores a takedown in the second period when Won is on the clock to lead 3-1. Won tries a arm-throw which is blocked by Yoshimoto and she countries with a go-behind and gets a takedown. She defends her 5-1 lead, never allowing Won to reach her legs.

13:36: World U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN) will battle for her first senior-level gold after sweeping to a 10-0 victory over Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ) in the 50kg semifinals. Zhang starts off with a single-leg takedown, then adds 2 with a high-thigh lock and roll. She spins behind for another takedown to make it 6-0. Ankicheva attempts an inside trip, but Zhang thwarts the effort and spins behind for 2, then hits a regular lace lock to finish her off in 2:43. 

The semifinals will begin at 13:30 local time in Amman

12:47: In the final bout of the session, world U23 bronze medalist Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) scores an opportunistic takedown with :23 left to defeat Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) 4-2 and advance to the 76kg semifinals. Yamamoto opened the scoring with a takedown, but Enkh Amar, the 2023 world silver medalist at 72kg, came back with a takedown at the first-period buzzer. It looked like the Mongolian's defenses would hold in the second period when Yamamoto appeared to stumble. Enkh Amar made a charge at her, but Yamamoto deftly shrugged her aside and spun behind for the winning takedown.

12:38: REETIKA (IND), the 2023 world U23 champion, books her place in the 76kg semifinals with a one-sided 10-0 win over Seoyeon JEONG (KOR). 

12:40: Aiperi MEDEY KYZY (KGZ) passes the Chinese test with ease. She got a point for YANGLA (CHN) passivity and then scored a nice double-leg attack for two points. With a 3-0 lead, Medet Kyzy defends it and wins to enter the 76kg semifinals

12:37: Sol Gum PAK (PRK), fifth at the Paris Olympics, secures her spot in the 68kg semifinals with an 11-4 victory over returning bronze medalist Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ).

12:36: In an unexpected twist, Mansi LATHER (IND) is awarded a victory by forfeit in her 68kg quarterfinal when world 72kg champion and tournament favorite Ami ISHII (JPN) becomes a late withdrawal due to injury. 

12:34: Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) ends 33-year-old Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ)'s bid for a third Asian gold at 76kg when she wears down the eight-time Asian medalist and 2016 Olympic bronze medalist before securing a 12-0 victory at 5:16. 

12:30: World silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) keeps hitting double-leg attacks and scores two takedowns and a stepout for a 5-0 lead against Miju KIM (KOR). Another takedown and turn for a 9-0 lead before Enkhsaikhan holds Kim on the mat and secures the fall inside first period and reach the 68kg semifinals.

12:25: China puts another wrestler into the semifinals when Mengyu XIE (CHN), a 2022 world bronze medalist at 55kg and former Asian champion, storms to a 10-0 victory over Hyeonju KWON (KOR) at 59kg. 

12:25: Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) led 2-1 at the break against Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ) but she changes levels in the second period and adds takedowns on counter to win 8-2 and advance to the semifinals.

12:22: It's simultaneous wins for China wrestlers named Li on Mats B and C. On Mat B, Zelu LI I(CHN) secures a quick fall over Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) to advance to the 68kg semifinals, and seconds later, Yuxuan LI (CHN) completes a 2-0 victory in the 55kg quarterfinals over Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE).

12:19: In one of the feature matches of the afternoon session, it's multi-world champion Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) up against Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) for a place in the 55kg semifinals. Murayama Okuno gets an activity point, but Oh responds with a single-leg takedown to lead 2-1 at the break. In the second period, Murayama Okuno scores a takedown after she finally gets behind Oh, who looks like a U.S. collegiate wrestler doing sit-outs. Then things get real interesting, as Oh scores a takedown, but Murayama Okuno responds with one of her own with :35 to go for a 5-4 lead. But with :10 left, Oh gets behind for a takedown for a dramatic 6-5 win. Whew!

12:15: World U20 champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN), making her Asian Championships debut, is tested by MUSKAN (IND). Onishi scores two takedowns but cannot finishes her lace. Muskan fakes a couple of attempts and scores a go-behind to make it 4-2. Onishi keeps her calm, comes back for another takedown to lead 6-2. No more trouble for Onishi as she laces her way to a 12-2 win at 59kg.

12:13: Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) is into the 55kg semifinals with an 11-0 win over Zulfiya YAKHYAROVA (KAZ). Leading 3-0 in the second period, Bayanmunkh twice scores a double-leg takedown and adds a 2-point exposure.

12:12: Myonggyong WON (KOR) makes it two wins out of two and enters the 50kg semifinals! She needs 19 seconds in the second period against Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) to finish the bout 11-0.

12:08: Yu ZHANG (CHN) gets a takedown, uses a grapevine and cross-face to put Nipuni WASANA (SRI) on her back, then secures a fall in 1:02 to secure a spot in the 50kg semifinals.

12:05: YANGLA (CHN) too unleashes the strong gut-wrench before pinning Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB) at 76kg. Yangla had a 10-0 lead but decided to secure the fall.

12:04: Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ) gets creative in her 50kg quarterfinal with Yi Hui LIN (TPE), locking up an arm and a leg with her back to Lin to score a takedown and gain two 2-point exposures. In the second period, Ankicheva uses an inside trip to slam Lin to back and secures the fall.

12:00: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) gets another technical superiority win at 50kg. Miran CHEON (KOR) tried a few tricks but Yoshimoto has the arm-bar which gets her a 4-0 lead before she finishes 11-0, including a lost challenge from Korea.

11:57: Layal SUKKAR (JOR) makes history when she takes the mat against Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB) for her 55kg quarterfinal match, becoming the first-ever Jordanian woman to compete at the senior Asian Championships. Matnazarova works a 2-on-1 and Sukkar is put on the activity clock, during which Matnazarova scores a takedown for a 3-0 lead. She adds another takedown before the break. In the second period, Matnazarova gets a quick takedown and ends the match by fall.  

11:55: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) shows why you never give up, coming back to defeat Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) by fall while trailing 8-0 at 68kg. 

11:51: Another big win for the DPR Korea as Pyol HONG (PRK) cruises to a 10-0 victory over Sarbinaz JIENBAEVA (UZB) at 59kg. 

11:47: Yuxuan LI (CHN) adds to India's loss column. She gets the takedown on NISHU (IND) and then enforces the lethal gut-wrench that Chinese wrestlers have mastered to win 10-0 at 55kg.

11:46: Two-time Asian U23 champion Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) has no trouble putting away Hyerim LEE (KOR) 10-0 to advance to the 55kg quarterfinals. 

11:44: Two-time Asian champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) got the arm-bar to pin ANKUSH (IND), who managed to roll over and survive. But she failed to defend Yoshimoto's lace. Yoshimoto wins 10-0 at 50kg

11:42: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK), last year's losing finalist at 55kg, gives up a 2-point counter against Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ) in their 50kg match, but comes back with a pair of deep double-leg takedowns, then turns her opponent over enough times for a 13-2 win. She will next face three-time world champion and top seed Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN). 

11:40: Yi Hui LIN (TPE) was made to work hard for her 8-1 win over Thi Nga DUONG (VIE) in the opening bout at 50kg. Duong kept going for attacks while Lin countered them perfectly to score four different takedowns.

11:37: Myonggyong WON (PRK), an Asian U20 bronze medalist back in 2019, needs some time to get Gozel KURBANOVA (TKM) to hit her knees to the mat in their 50kg opener. But once she does, Won goes immediately to a lace lock, rolls four times and the match is over 10-0 in 45 seconds. 

11:35: World U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN), competing in her second senior international tournament, gets off to a strong start with a 10-0 victory over Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) at 50kg.