#WrestleAlmaty

Kyrgyzstan's Akmataliev Adds Wild Win for 65kg Gold to Elation Over Olympic Ticket

Sunday, April 11, 2021 - 15:43 By Ken Marantz

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ALMATY, Kazakhstan (April 11) --- The wild victory that gave Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) the freestyle 65kg gold seemed more appropriate for an Olympic final than a  low-stakes clash between wrestlers who had already achieved their goal of securing Olympic spots.

Akmatiev's counter style of wrestling trumped the attacking of Amir Mohammad YAZDANI (IRI) in a rough-and-tumble 15-13 victory on the final day of the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament on Sunday in Almaty.

The fact that nothing was at stake other than the color of the medal that they would be taking home failed to dissuade the two from going all out in a match that produced 20 points in the first period alone.

While Yazdani was putting on a takedown clinic -- he scored five in the first period -- Akmataliev effectively used counters to keep the match from getting away from him. A 4-point counter lift off a tackle attempt and a 2-point counter at the edge helped him end the first period trailing only 12-8.

In the second period, Akmataliev came close to finishing the match when he used a front headlock to put Yazdani onto his back, but the Iranian managed to escape the predicament. Still trailing by 2 points, Akmataliev converted a double-leg tackle attempt into a pair of 2-point exposures with 30 seconds left to take the lead.

"In those final 30 seconds, my mind was blank and I was only thinking of winning the gold medal," Akmataliev said.

A challenge sorted out the confusing flurry, with Yazdani awarded a point for a reversal but Akmataliev gaining one himself because the challenge was lost, resulting in the final score of 15-13.

"This was the second time I have wrestled him," Akmataliev said. "I wrestled him before in Iran and I was young back then. I lost 6-16. He got me in a gut wrench. But now we are tied 1-1."

The 65kg class was the most open at the tournament, as Asian wrestlers had secured four berths at the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan. Akmataliev, a silver medalist at the International Ukrainian Tournament in February, took advantage and took the title with three hard-fought wins.

In another entertaining final, Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) scored a takedown in each period to offset three stepout points for each wrestler in a 7-3 victory at 86kg over Zushen LIN (CHN).

The Russian-born Shapiev, who began competing for Uzbekistan in 2017, missed a chance to qualify for Tokyo when he finished 12th at Nursultan, but showed he was prepared for Almaty by placing third at the Ukrainian Tournament.

In the 57kg final, Ukrainian Tournament champion Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) made short work of 2019 Asian silver medalist Minghu LIU (CHN), hitting a 4-point fireman's carry to finish off a 10-0 technical fall in 3:46.

The final gold of the tournament went to the host nation's 2020 Asian champion Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ), who outmuscled Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) for a 4-2 victory at 125kg. All but one point in the match were scored on stepouts.

"To win a medal in the Olympics, I need to train and there is a lot of work to do to achieve a medal there," Batimurzaev said. "This is one of the best days in my career."

Batirmurzaev's victory was a repeat of the Asian U-23 final in 2019, the year they both won bronze medals at the World U-23 Championships.

"This is a second time I have wrestled Munkhtur in a final and thankfully it went my way," he said.

Munkhtur's disappointment with the defeat was tempered by the reality he will be going to the Olympics for the first time.

"I think I made a lot of mistakes in the final, the second period especially," Munkhtur said. "A lot of things were going on in my mind and I lost focus.

"I began wrestling when I was 10 years old. This will be my first Olympics and I am feeling awesome."

Iran's two other finalists came away with golds, although without a fight as their opponents are nursing injuries and opted not to risk making things worse.

Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) was one of three Iranian wrestlers who qualified their nation for the Olympic Games on Sunday in Almaty. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) took the 74kg title when Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) defaulted, and Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) received a forfeit from Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) at 97kg.

"There is now no pressure on me," said Abdurakhmonov, who will be making his second Olympic appearance. "It’s easier to wrestle at the Olympics than qualifying, so I am done with the hard part. I'll definitely work a lot on my mistakes."

As for what lies ahead after Tokyo, the 31-year-old said, "I will continue wrestling as long as I am healthy. We have Asian Games, Asian Indoor Games, World Championships, Paris Olympics."

Mohammadian, who returned from a four-year doping ban, said he will try to live up to the Iranian tradition of excellence in the 97kg class set by the legendary two-time world champion Reza YAZDANI (IRI).

"Definitely I feel the pressure of replicating what Reza Yazdani did for Iran at 97," Mohammadian said. "I have forgotten about the bad times when I was banned for four years and now I am only training to win gold at the Olympics. That is the only thing that will satisfy me after what happened."

Meanwhile, although Muhammad INAM (PAK) was unable to secure Pakistan's first Olympic freestyle spot since 1996, his performance in winning a bronze medal at 97kg epitomized how a wrestler can still make a solid effort regardless of what is at stake.

Taking on Symbat SULAIMANOV (KGZ), Inam never gave up in fighting back from 6-0 and 7-4 deficits as his opponent became winded. The two-time Commonwealth Games champion came through with a 4-point takedown-roll combination with just under a minute left for well-earned victory.

Freestyle Results

57kg
GOLD - Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) df. Minghu LIU (CHN) by TF, 10-0, 3:46
BRONZE - Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) df. Sunggwon KIM (KOR) by TF, 11-0, 3:53
BRONZE - Muhammad IKROMOV (TJK) df. Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL), 7-6

65kg
GOLD - Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Amir Mohammad YAZDANI (IRI), 15-13
BRONZE - Kerim HOJAKOV (TKM) df. Ilyas BEKBULATOV (UZB) by Default
BRONZE - Haji ALI (BRN) df. Mohammed ABDULKAREEM (KUW) by TF, 10-0, :58

74kg
GOLD - Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) df. Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) by Default
BRONZE - Elaman DOGDURBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 2-2
BRONZE - Menghejigan MENGHEJIGAN (CHN) df. Sandeep MANN (INDIA) by TF, 14-4, 3:40

86kg
GOLD - Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) df. Zushen LIN (CHN), 7-3
BRONZE - Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) df. Nurtilek KARYPBAEV (KGZ), 6-1
BRONZE - Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Bakhodur KODIROV (TJK), 6-3

97kg
GOLD - Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) df. Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) by Default
BRONZE - Muhammad INAM (PAK) df. Symbat SULAIMANOV (KGZ), 10-7
BRONZE - Satywart KADIAN (IND) df. Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM), 5-0

125kg
GOLD - Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) df. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), 4-2
BRONZE - Sumit SUMIT (IND) df. Donghwan KIM (KOR), 5-0
BRONZE - Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) df. Tetsuya TANAKA (JPN) by Default

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 6 Blog

Sunday, March 30, 2025 - 08:02 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (March 30) -- The ultimate day of the Asian Championships is here. Freestyle weight classes 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg will be in action in Amman.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 RESULT

125kg gold medal bout: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) vs. Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI)

14:27: Amireza MASOUMI (IRI), currently on a six-tournament win streak that includes world U23 and U20 titles, will get a chance to make it seven straight as he knocks off Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) 8-0 in their 125kg semifinal. Masoumi does his best Jordan Burroughs imitation when he launches a blast double-leg takedown for 4 in the first period. He tries again in the second period, but it only results a stepout. 

14:25: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) is back in the Asian Championships 125kg final with a solid 5-1 win over DINESH (IND). He scores a takedown and turn in the second period to go ahead 5-1 and set up a final against World U23 and U20 champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI). Mukhtur had stunned Masoumi in the semifinal of the 2023 Asian Championships.

92kg gold medal bout: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) vs. Deepak PUNIA (IND)

14:18: Deepak PUNIA (IND) assures himself of fourth career Asian medal, but will it finally be gold? Punia, a losing finalist three years ago, advances to the 92kg final with an 8-1 victory over Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN). Punia opens by with an arm drag takedown, to which a fleeing point is tacked on. In the second period, Punia receives an activity point, then twice presses Ishiguro down and goes behind for takedowns. Ishiguro gains a late stepout to avoid the shutout. 

14:18: World U23 champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) beats three-time Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and books a spot in the 92kg final. Dauletbekov tried a cut-back from standing but Firouzpour defend well and had Dauletbekov's back on the mat for two points. Two stepouts for Firouzpour as he extended his lead to 4-0. Dauletbekov put on the 30-second activity clock in the second period. Firouzpour adds another stepout and Dauletbekov fails to score during the activity clock and Firouzpour's lead swells to 6-0. Firouzpour adds another stepout to lead 7-0. Firouzpour elevates Dauletbekov's leg and throws him on the mat for two and a turn gives him two more. Lost challenge from Kazakhstan and Firouzpour wins 11-0.

86kg gold medal bout: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) vs Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI)

14:05: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) heads to the 86kg final after a 12-1 victory over Nan CAO (CHN). Sakayev with counters that hurt Cao immensely. Coa kept the forward pressure but Sakayev scored three go-behind and a turn to win.

13:59: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) storms into the 86kg final with an 11-0 rout of Mukul DAHIYA (IND), ending their semifinal with the second of two 4-point moves. After opening with a stepout, Rahmani adds a takedown, then gets 4 with an underhook takedown to the back. Rahmani then hits a duck under, keeps Dahiya's arm locked and drives him straight to his back. He doesn't try for a fall and the match ends at 2:45.

74kg gold medal bout: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) vs. Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)

13:55: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with a stepout to begin his 74kg quarterfinal against Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB). He builds a 5-0 lead, including a takedown, at the break. Toktomambetov is awarded a stepout but Uzbekistan challenge and Nasritdinov is awarded the stepout on review as Toktomambetov stepped outside to complete the action. A bodylock throw from Toktomambetov for four but Uzbekistan challenge again. No problems this time and Toktomambetov leads 10-1 with one minute remaining in the bout. Tokyomambetov is happy to defend till the end and win 10-1 and enter the final.

13:52: Experience triumphs over youth as Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) nails a 4-point takedown with :20 left to clinch a 6-1 victory over Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) and advance to the 74kg final. Kaipanov, the world champion at 70kg, receives an activity point in the first period, then adds a stepout in the second. It looks like the match will end that way when Kaipanov suddenly steps up and slams Shakeri over the edge with a double-leg takedown. Shakeri, the 2023 world U20 champ at 65kg, adds a consolation stepout in the final seconds.

61kg gold medal bout: Takara SUDA (JPN) vs UDIT (IND)

13:42: UDIT (IND), the runner-up last year at 57kg, earns a chance for a gold at 61kg after barely holding on for a 2-0 win over Wanhao ZOU (CHN). In the final seconds, Zou gets behind Udit in the standing position, but time runs out before he can get Udit to the mat.

13:40: Japan and Iran with a head-to-head in the 57kg semifinals. Sweep single from Takara SUDA (JPN) to lead 2-0 against Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) in the first minute of the bout. Both wrestlers scramble in and out of holds but there is no points scored. Suda is put on the activity clock in the second period. Javan gets on the scoreboard with one point as Suda doesn't score in the 30-second period. Javan doesn't give up chasing Suda and scores a stepout to make it 2-2 but Suda has criteria. And he keeps Javan at bay without fleeing to win 2-2 and enter the final

13:18: With his opponent on the activity clock, Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) ties up Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) with a front headlock, then proceeds to roll five times to end their 125kg quarterfinal match with a 11-0 win in 2:01 to end the session.

13:16: World U23 and U20 champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI), the prohibitive favorite at 125kg, finally takes to the mat for his quarterfinal match against Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ), and needs a little less than one period to notch an 11-1 victory. Masoumi's only blip comes after he opens with a takedown and gut wrench, then transitions to a headlock. Al Jamie rolls out of the predicament for a reversal. He makes up for the gaffe with a slick back-trip for 4.

13:12: Former Asian champion and world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) was down 2-1 against Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) in the 125kg quarterfinal. But he is all work in the second period as he scores a four-pointer and finishes the bout with an 13-2 win.

13:09: Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) is through to the 74kg semifinals with a 4-0 victory over Hikaru TAKATA (JPN). Shakeri gets an activity point in the first period, then adds a stepout and a takedown in the second.

13:07: The host nation's hopes for a gold medal, that were slim at best, officially end when Fazlidden NASRITDINOV (UZB) builds a big lead and defeats a spunky Orts ISAKOV (JOR) 10-3 to advance to the 74kg semifinals. Isakov never gives up, scoring all of his points in the final minute.

13:02: DINESH (IND) upsets former Asia bronze medalist BUHEEERDUN (CHN) at 125kg. He scores two takedowns, gets one point for lost challenge and adds a stepout to lead 6-0. He then gets a four-pointer which China challenges but loses. Dinesh wins 11-0

12:59: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) builds up a 6-0 lead against Daegil HAN (KOR), then hits a headlock throw and secures the fall in the first period to charge into the 74kg semifinals.

12:54: Three-time Asian medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND), six years removed from a world bronze medal, put on one of those comebacks that Indian wrestlers do so well. Down 6-0 against Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) in their 92kg quarterfinal, Punia gradually chipped away at the lead before going ahead 8-6 with a 4-point throw early in the second period. He scores two takedowns and goes on to notch a 12-7 win.

12:52: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) finishes his 74kg quarterfinal against Batbayar BATSUKH (MGL) in the first period. Kaipanov brought out those big doubles.

12:48: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) with a grand amplitude throw against Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) and that is his only action in the match. It is, however, enough for him to win 5-3 and book a place in the 92kg semifinals.

12:44: Two-time world bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) begins his quest for a fourth consecutive Asian title and first at 92kg in the quarterfinals against LIN Zushen (CHN). Dauletbekov gets an activity point for the lone score of the first period. Lin gets the activity point to start the second period, and Daultetbekov immediately scores a takedown and gut wrench to go up 5-1. He adds a classic counter-lift for 2 for a 7-1 victory.

12:43: Two-time defending champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) opens his 92kg title defense with a 5-0 victory over Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) that includes a rare penalty point when Poyonov takes a swat at the Iranian.

12:35: Wanhao ZOU (CHN) scores two takedowns in the second period to clinch a 6-1 victory over Mukhamed BALGABAY (KAZ) and advance to the 61kg semifinals

12:38: Silver medalist at 57kg in 2024, UDIT (IND) mounts a comeback to beat Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) 9-6 at 61kg. Myrzanazar Uulu developed a 6-4 lead with two minutes left on the clock but Udit scored a reversal and then two takedowns to move into the 61kg semifinals.

12:30: Returning bronze medalist at 61kg Kum Chol RI (PRK) gets Muhamet Malo Ranking Series winner Takara SUDA (JPN) in the quarterfinal. Suda with a four-pointer during Ri's activity time to lead 5-1. Ri gets a stepout in the second period. Ri continues his attacks but Suda with some solid defense to deny Ri. Suda put on activity clock in the final minute of the match. Ri gets on another single-leg attack but only gets a stepout to make it 5-3 with 13 seconds left. He tries the head pinch but Suda blocks and gets two. A reversal for Ri but Suda will win 7-4

12:28: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), winner at this year's Zagreg Ranking Series event, hits a 4-point headlock throw en route to a 9-1 victory over Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) to advance to the 61kg semifinals. 

12:25: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) books his spot in the 86kg semifinals by holding off a final single-leg attempt by Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) to clinch at 3-1 win.

12:19: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) has little trouble disposing of Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) in their 86kg quarterfinal. He jumps out to a 4-0 lead with a fireman's carry and lace-lock roll and adds a takedown in the first period, then finishes the match in the second period with a 4-point throw for a 10-0 win.

12:17: At 86kg Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) scores a takedown right to a gut wrench early in his match with Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), and, other than an activity point for the Mongolian, it looks like that's going to end the scoring. But Naadambat gains a takedown with :12 left to cut the lead to 4-3, then forces Sakayev out at the buzzer. But was it in time? The challenge says no, and Sakayev is into the semifinals with a 5-3 win.

12:11: Batbayar BATSUKH (MGL) gets a takedown with :15 left to clinch a hard-fought 4-2 vicory over Ok Chol HAN (PRK) at 74kg.  

12:06: Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), the 2023 world U20 champion at 65kg, starts his day at 74kg with a 5-0 victory over Perman HOMMADOV (TKM). Leading 1-0, Shakeri scores a takedown with Hommadov on the activity clock early in the second period, then adds a stepout.

12:00: World Military champion JAIDEEP (IND) hits a four-pointer but Hikaru TAKATA (JPN) comes back with two takedowns to make it 4-4 at the break in their 74kg bout. Takata completes a takedown in a scramble before adding a lace to lead 8-4. A stepout adds to his lead. Jaideep scores a stepout with a minute remaining. Takata defends an attack and Jaideep is forced to move out of bounds and Takata runs out the clock to win 10-5

11:58: Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN), a bronze medalist back in 2017 at 125kg, trails 2-1 against Nursultan AZOV (KAZ), with all of the points coming on the activity clock, when he finally makes an offensive move and scores a stepout with :30 left. Azov comes back with a shot that forces a sprawling Yamamoto out, but is originally scored as no points. On challenge, the call is changed to a stepout. With :03 left, Yamamoto gets in on a single and forces to the edge for a stepout, and that one is upheld on challenge. Yamamoto walks off a 4-3 winner. 

11:52: World U23 silver medalist Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), who won an Asian bronze at 70kg two years ago, rolls to an 11-0 victory at 74kg over Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN).

11:52: World 70kg champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) fell 1-0 behind against Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) in their 74kg opening bout but he comes back in the second period and wins 2-1 to advance.

11:45: At 125kg, Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ) squanders a 3-1 lead to fall behind 4-3 against Gyeongmin KIM (KOR), but comes back with a takedown with :32 left for a 5-4 win.

11:43: Returning silver medalist and Asian U20 champion Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) gives up an early stepout to Abdul ABUIDAIJ (JOR), but that's all he concedes in an 11-1 victory at 92kg. Poyonov chalks up four takedowns in the first period, then finishes the match by getting behind 15 seconds into the second.

11:34: Veteran Gwanuk KIM (KOR), a bronze-medal winner at the 2014 Asian Games and 2021 Asian Championships, falls 6-4 in his 92kg match with Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ), an Asian U23 bronze medalist. Trailing 4-2 in the second period, Kim receives an activity point, then appears headed for a go-ahead score when he gets Rakhimov's leg in the air. But the Kyrgyz wrestler deftly hits a switch and gets behind for 2. Kim scores a late stepout, but it's too little, too late.

11:26: A back-and-forth first period leaves Gyeongyeon LEE (KOR) with a 5-4 lead against Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ) going into the second period at 86kg. Abdullaev receives a caution point for Lee's fleeing, and from par terre, hits two gut wrenches, but Lee reverses to the back after the second. So now it's 9-7, Abdullaev, with 40 seconds to go. Abdullaev gets behind when Lee tries to spin out of an underhook and walks off an 11-4 winner.

11:26: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) will accept an injury walkover from Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) at 92kg.

11:23: 2023 Asian bronze medalist Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) hangs on for a 4-2 win against Behruzbey TURANMURATOV (UZB) in the 61kg opening round bout. He went into a defense mode in the second period after leading 4-0 at the break.

11:16: Kum Chol RI (PRK), a bronze medalist a year ago at 61kg, drives Hyeonsik SONG (KOR) out for a 2-point takedown with his opponent on the activity clock for a quick 3-0 lead that he extends to 9-0 at the break. Ri ends the match with a takedown a minute into the second period.  

11:15: World U20 bronze medalist Abolfazl RAHMANI  (IRI) gets started with a 10-0 win over Mustafa AL AZZAWI (IRQ), capped with a 4-point pancake early in the second period.

11:12: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) has a good warm-up at 86kg with a 12-0 win over Weng CHOW (SGP) after two big throws. India did not reach the medal bouts on Saturday and would be hoping to change that today.

11:09: Asian U20 champion Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL) takes a 2-0 lead into the second period of his 86kg bout with Salimzhoni KHALIMZODA (TJK) with a stepout and activity point, but Khalimzoda goes ahead with a 2-point counter lift. Naadambat  counters a takedown attempt and gets behind for 2 and holds on for a 4-2 win.

11:09: Returning 86kg bronze medalist Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) completes a 10-0 win over Fahriansyah FAHRIANSYAH (INA) just inside the first period. 

11:03: Nan CAO (CHN), last year's Asian U23 champion at 79kg, gets his campaign started at 86kg with quick victory by fall over Abdallah MAKOON (JOR) in the opening match on Mat C.