#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Live Blog: Asian Championships day four

Friday, April 22, 2022 - 02:34 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 22) -- The Asian Championships enters day four and women's wrestling continues with more exciting matchups. The biggest of them is the potential 62kg final between two-time world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) and Nonoka OZAKI (JPN).

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), Anshu MALIK (IND) and Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) will also be in action.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

13:54: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) scores all of her points in the first period of her 53kg semifinal against Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) and holds on for a 3-0 victory in the last match of the morning session. That puts the Mongolian into the final against Fujinami -- who beat her by technical fall in the group stage, although she took the match into the second period.

13:42: Anshu MALIK (IND) is stepping on the mat for the first time since the silver medal at Worlds in Oslo and she looks dominant. She begins her semifinal against Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) with four points and then she builds on it to win 11-0. She will face 55kg world champion Sakurai who goes past Akhmedov 12-2 and also had a four-point tackle in her win.

13:36: Can anyone or anything stop Fujinami. The freshman at Nippon Sports Science University, with her father and coach in her corner, rolled into the final with a 10-0 technical fall over Keunimjaeva. Fujinami scored the final six points with three exposures using a cross-face with legs. Her opponent in the final will be decided in the final match of the session

13:35: Ozaki and Tynybekova have set up a rematch of the 2021 world opening round. Ozaki will be well-rested for the final; she needed just 40 seconds to get a takedown and rip off four straight lace locks in a 10-0 technical fall over Manisha. Tynybekova took 2:24 to record a fall over Esinbaeva. 

13:15: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) thrilled the home crowd when, while trailing, she slammed Swati SHINDE (IND) to the mat and clamped down for a fall to finish second in 53kg Group B. That puts her into the semifinals against Group B winner Eshimova. In the other semifinal, Fujinami will face Keunimjaeva.

13:15: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) and Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) are on Mat B wrestling for a gold medal at 72kg. Bakbergenova will win the gold if she wins the match here. But she is trailing 1-0 at the break. In the second period, she is once again put on the clock but she gets a four-point throw. Niikura with a takedown to make it 4-4 but the Kazak wins on criteria.

13:03: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) is wrestling Dargis ABEN (KAZ) for the gold medal at 65kg. He gets exposure and then in the same action gets a leg lace going. She beats Aben 10-0 to win the gold medal at 65kg

12:55: Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) is wrestling Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) to confirm the top spot in Group B at 57kg. She begins with a stepout and then adds a takedown to lead 3-0 at the break

12:43: Fujinami was at her dominant best in swiftly putting away Swati SHINDE (IND) 10-0 in 43 seconds to clinch the top spot in 53kg Group A. The Japanese star got a takedown, then twisted Shinde like a pretzel twice for a 6-0 lead, then a pair of lace locks ended the proceedings.

12:42: RADHIKA (IND) was in some trouble early but then secures the fall over Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB) at 65kg. This gives her a chance to return and still be in silver medal contention

12:36: In one of the surprises of the session, unheralded Hyungyoung OH (KOR) jumped out to an 8-0 lead against veteran Eshimova in their 53kg Group B match, only to see the 34-year-old Kazakh storm back with nine points in the final minute. The winning points came on a gut wrench with 8 seconds on the clock. 

12:28: Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) may not have been ready for that. Davaanasan ENKHAMAR (MGL) came back every time Niikura scored a takedown with stepout added with cautions to make it 6-6. But she was not able to break the criteria.

12:22: Anshu MALIK (IND) notches up another 10-0 win. She gut wrenches Danielle LIM (SGP) at 57kg. She confirms her spot in the semifinals as the topper of the group

12:21: Dariga ABEN (KAZ) keeps her gold medal hopes alive as she wins 10-0 against Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB). All she needs to do is beat world silver medalist Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN)

12:20: Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) gets the cradle against Nilafur RAIMOVA (KAZ) and secures the fall as well at 57kg.

12:11: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) wins her Round 2 bout against Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) 13-2 which included a big four-pointer from the Kazak wrestler

12:10: Mira MORIKAWA (JPN) was looking for a pin leading 6-0 but RADHIKA (IND) manages to survive. Morikawa begins the second period with a takedown which was an attempted throw from Radhika. She finishes off with another takedown to win 10-0

12:04: In a match that will likely decide who avoids Fujinami in the semifinals, veteran Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) got the second of the two passivity points awarded, giving her a 1-1 victory on criteria over Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB ). Keunimjaeva might be bound for a third straight Asian bronze medal. 

12:01: Super-teen and world champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) needed a little time to break down the defenses of Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) in her opening group match at 53kg, but capped a 10-0 technical fall in 3:24 with a 4-point tackle to the back. The weight class has six entries, and Fujinami is in Group A of the two groups. 

11:55: At 57kg, Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) begins with a 10-0 win over Hyungjoo KIM (KOR) and on Mat A, world silver medalist Anshu MALIK (IND) beats Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) 10-0

11:50: The 62kg division has eight entries, so it is in the usual knockout format. In the semifinals, Tynybekova will face Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB ), whom she beat by TF at the 2019 Asian Championships in Xi'an. Ozaki will next face Manisha MANISHA (IND)

11:45: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), aiming to avenge her loss in the 2021 world final to Tynybekova, followed her on Mat A with a quick-fire 10-0 technical fall over Hanbit LEE (KOR). Time of victory: 28 seconds. 

11:40: World silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) is wrestling Davaanasan ENKH-AMAR (MGL). She gives up a point for passivity and gets one as well. But Ekhamar scores a takedown to lead 3-1. Bakbergenova counters with a takedown as well. It's 3-3 Kazakhstan lead and she hangs on to it.

11:35: World champion and Olympic silver medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) launched her campaign for a fifth Asian title with a steady 7-3 over a tough Khongorzul BOLDSAIKHAN (MGL), a fifth-place finisher at the Tokyo Olympics.

11:30: We're all set for the start of Day 4 of the Asian Championships by finishing up the women's competition at 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg, 72kg. Mat C will be in the early spotlight, with Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), Sumire NIIKURA (JPN), Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) and Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) up in succession from the second match. 

#WrestleBratislava

Olympic champ Novikov sets up Paris rematch with Losonczi

Friday, April 11, 2025 - 08:55 By Vinay Siwach

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BRATISLAVA, Slovakia (April 11) -- Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) had to make three comebacks in three bouts to reach the European Championships final.

Novikov was up against Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the semifinal and got the par terre advantage first. He scored a gut-wrench to lead 3-0. Abbasov got the chance in the second period and scored exposure with reverse lock. Novikov blocked Abbasov after the exposure and got the one point for reversal and keep the lead 4-3. A late stepout made it 5-3 for Novikov.

In a rematch of the Paris Olympic semifinal, Novikov will face world champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) who defeated defending champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) in the other semifinal. Losonczi hit a perfect suplex for four points to win 5-1 against Komarov.

Armenia and Turkiye were the most successful countries of the semifinals session as they had two finalists each. Armenia had Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) and Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) while Turkiye put Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and Hamza BAKIR (TUR).

Kamal, who won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series, entered his fourth European Championships with an inspiring performance in which he defeated former champion Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4.

He will face Aslanyan for the gold medal after he made it to his first-ever final after he scored a takedown four-pointer and a turn to beat Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0.

Bakir made sure a Turkish wrestler was in the final of 130kg after he defeated Jello KRAHMER (GER) 3-2 in the semifinal. Bakir made a turn from par terre to lead 3-0. Krahmer hit a takedown in the final seconds of the bout but time ran out for any further action.

Bakir will take on defending champion Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) who pinned Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) in the other semifinal.

In an entertaining 77kg semifinal, Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) earned his first trip to the European Championships final after he defeated Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) 10-2.

Zoidze scored a takedown before hitting a headlock throw to get a fall. But Olofsson defended and reversed the positions to get two points. Zoidze escaped and had Olofsson in danger again for two points and the scramble ended with Zoidze leading 8-2. Sweden challenged the scoring and lost a point for the lost challenge.

A stepout finished the bout and Zoidze booked a face-off with four-time European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) who defeated Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1, in the other semifinal of 77kg. Amoyan got the first par terre advantage and he scored two turns to lead 5-1. Mnatsakanian never got off to a start despite getting two par terre.

In the 55kg final, four-time world and two-time European champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) will take on Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) for the gold medal.

Azizli defeated Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM) after scoring two exposures from front locks and defended his par terre position to win 5-1.

Sefershaev defeated defending champion Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1, in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW)

SF 1: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM), 5-1
SF 2: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 4-1

63kg
GOLD: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) vs. Kerem KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) df. Andrii SEMENCHUK (UKR), 8-0
SF 2: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4

77kg
GOLD: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) vs. Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE), 10-2
SF 2: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-1

87kg
GOLD: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) vs. David LOSONCZI (HUN)

SF 1: Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 5-3
SF 2: David LOSONCZI (HUN) df. Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB), 5-1

130kg
GOLD: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) vs. Hamza BAKIR (TUR)

SF 1: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) df. Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW), via fall
SF 2: Hamza BAKIR (TUR) df. Jello KRAHMER (GER), 3-2

Morning session qualification results and blog follows below

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

13:48: In the final match of the session, David LOSONCZI (HUN) makes sure he secures his place in the semifinals in 87kg. He defeated Hannes WAGNER (GER) 2-1 to enter the semifinal. Wagner got the first par terre advantage but Losonczi scored a stepout. However, according to the new rule, Wagner held the criteria advantage as the score was 1-1. But Losonczi gets the second par terre and wins 2-1

13:42: Defending 87kg champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) with a turn from par terre to lead 3-1 against Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW). He tries to defend the lead but Alirzaev scores a stepout to make it 3-2. Another stepout for Alirzaev with 45 seconds remaining to make it 3-3 but Komarov leads on criteria for the turn. Komarov defends the 3-3 lead and enters the semifinal. Alirzaev challenges for a finger grabbing foul but he loses the challenge and Komarov wins 4-3.

13:35: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) with a second come-from-behind victory at 87kg. He fell behind 3-1 after European silver medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) blocked him during the turn which Novikov challenged and lost. Novikov began the second period with a pushout to cut the lead to 3-2. He gets the second par terre as well to make it 3-3 but Filchakov who still leads on criteria. With time running out, Novikov is desperate and he tried a double-arm lock on which Filchakov tried to evade and stepped in the danger zone and Novikov scored a stepout to win 4-3. Filchakov challenges but no change in decision as Olympic champion Novikov wins 5-3.

13:22: If you watched Mat A and wonder why Jello KRAHMER (GER) won against Heiki NABI (EST) despite getting the first par terre advantage and not the second, it is because UWW is testing a new rule change that if the Greco-Roman bout ends 1-1, the wrestler with first point will win on criteria. That is only for 1-1 bouts.

13:00: Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) with a big 6-1 win over Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) in the 77kg quarterfinals. Levai got the third passivity and as he tiring to headpinch Mnatsakanian, he failed to move his leg and got thrown for two points and then put his hand on Mnatsakanian's face to be docked two more points. Levai challenged the call but lost and Mnatsakanian won 6-1.

12:48: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) with four reverse lift throws after getting par terre to beat world U23 champion at 63kg Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA). He moves into the semifinals.

12:42: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) counters Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) when the Georgian scored a turn from par terre and then scored a stepout to lead 5-3. Bolkvadze challenges the call but he is docked a point for fleeing as well. He goes down 6-3 to Alirzaev at 87kg 

12:30: Islam ABBASOV (AZE) with two takedowns against Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) to post a 4-1 win and advance at 87kg. Azerbaijan is gunning for that team title in Greco-Roman after it won it in Freestyle.

12:28: Defending champion at 87kg Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) streamrolls Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) 9-0 and moves into the quarterfinals.

12:22: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) got turned from par terre and fell 3-0 behind against Karen KHACHATRYAN (ARM) but he answers with six points in the second period and wins 6-3 at 87kg

12:15: Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) hangs on for a 2-1 win over Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg. Big result for Yilmaz and Turkiye at the European Championships. 

12:10: Defending champion and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) stuns with two back-to-back four points throws to win 9-0 against Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) at 77kg.

12:05: Big match at 77kg as World silver medalist Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) takes on Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) who won the Zagreb Ranking Series in January. Levai with a counter four-pointer to start off the bout. Stepanov tried locking Levai but failed to lock his hands behind Levai who threw him on the mat for four. A stepout made it 5-0 at the break for Levai. There is no more scoring action or any par terre decisions and Levai beats Stepanov 5-0 to move into the quarterfinals.

11:45: Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) pins Apostolos TSIOVOLOS (GRE) at 130kg. While two-time Olympic medalist Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) is the favorite at 130kg, their are others who can upset him.

11:40: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) pins European U23 champion Mykhailo VYSHNYVETSKYI (UKR) at 130kg. Kandelaki with two head throws which shocked Vysgnyvetskyi

11:35: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW), the defending champion at 130kg, with a 6-0 win over Darius VITEK (HUN) to begin his title defense. Semenov denied Riza KAYAALP (TUR) his historic 13th European title last year which would have put him ahead of Aleksandr KARELIN.

11:30: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) opens his European Championships with a 6-0 win over Tino OJALA (FIN) at 63kg. Kamal won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series gold at 63kg and has new-found motivation.

11:20: Hannes WAGNER (GER) rolls to a 10-0 technical superiority win over Vladimeri KARCHAIDZE (GEO) in the opening round at 77kg. Karchaidze was hoping to build on his European U23 silver medal but falls at the first step

11:00: Mairbek SALIMOV (POL) with the first big move of the day with a flowing suplex over Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) for a 9-0 win at 63kg.

10:30: Greco-Roman will begin at the European Championships with five weight classes. The morning session will run with it and semifinals at 16:45. Women's Wrestling medal bouts will be at 18:00.