#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Live Blog: Asian Championships day three

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 21) -- Women's wrestling begins at the Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia with five weight classes.

The wrestlers from 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg and 76kg will be in action on day three of the championships which saw Greco-Roman on the first two days.

MATCH ORDER | WATCH LIVE

13:45: That's all from the morning session. Japan has clinched two gold already while two more are in the final. Kyrgyzstan's two superstars Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) are also in the final.

13:43: Namuuntsetseg TSOGTOCHIR (MGL) uses a big four-point move and then secures a fall over MANISHA (IND) at 50kg and she moves into the semifinal against Yoshimoto.

13:37: The 76kg final will be a rematch from the group stage as both Medet Kyzy and Kagami prevailed in their semifinals with one-sided wins. Medet Kyzy notched a 10-0 technical fall in 2:31 over Ganbat, while Kagami finished off an 11-0 win over Yerkebayeva in 4:58. 

13:32: Zhumanazarova starts off with a 4-point tackle to the back and makes her first Asian final with a 7-2 win in the other 68kg semifinal over Enkhsaikhan. 

13:30: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) is giving nothing away. She moves into the 50kg final with another leg lace to a 10-0 win over Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB)

13:28: A stunner in the 68kg semifinal, as Bakbergenova scores a takedown off a counter with 28 seconds left to beat Matsuyuki 3-3 on last-point criteria. 

13:14: Kagami concluded the group stage at 76kg with an 11-0 technical fall over Sushma SHOKEEN (IND) to finish second in Group A. She will face Yerkebayeva for a place in the final, while the other semifinal will be a clash between Medet Kyzy and Ganbat. 

13:10: Sarita MOR (IND) gets her second win of the day and is now back in the medal reckoning. She defeats Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) 5-2 at 59kg

12:57: The semifinals at 68kg are set: It will be Zhumanazarova against Enkhsaikhan, and Matsuyuki vs Bakberganova. In the final match of Group B, Matsuyuki scores a takedown early in the second period against Enkhsaikhan and that holds up for a 2-1 victory. 

12:50: Sara NATAMI (JPN) has all but secured the gold medal at 59kg as she wins 4-2 against Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL). All she has to do is win her Round 4 bout against Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB)

12:35: Medet Kyzy wastes no time clinching the top spot in 76kg Group A, gaining a takedown and four consecutive lace locks for a 10-0 technical fall over Sudesh KUMARI (IND) in 56 seconds. A few minutes later, Yerkebayeva wins Group B with an 11-0 technical fall over Valentina TORENIYAZOVA (UZB)

12:25: Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) and Matsuyuki both won their second matches in 68kg Group B by technical falls to assure their spots in the semifinals. They will clash in the third match from now on Mat C to see who wins the group.

12:19: Zhumanazarova clinches the top spot in Group A at 68kg and a place in the semifinals with a 10-0 technical fall over Sujin PARK (KOR)

12:18: Umi IMAI (JPN) with another top-class win. It was not as easy as the first but she manages to beat Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL) 12-3 and inch closer to the gold.

12:10: Sara NATAMI (JPN) works her way to a 6-0 lead before pushing Sarita MOR (IND) towards and sticking her to her back for four. She wins 10-0. Not the best start for defending champion Mor.

12:08: In one of the featured matches of the morning session, world bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) scored a takedown and gut wrench in the final 20 seconds to defeat 2019 world junior champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) 7-3 in Group A at 76kg. 

12:00: Namuuntsetseg TSOGTOCHIR (MGL) thrills the local crowd with a 10-0 win over Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) at 50kg

11:55: Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) fought out of a 0-3 hole to defeat Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL) in their Group B match at 76kg.  Yerkebayeva is looking to make the final after winning bronze medals in 2015, 2016 and 2017. 

11:53: World champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) breezes past Miran CHEON (KOR) at 50kg. She uses a leg lace to win 10-0 in 56 seconds.

11:50: World champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) launched her campaign for a first Asian title after previously winning two bronzes with a 5-0 victory at 68kg over Madina BAKBERGERNOVA (KAZ), a two-time Asian bronze medalist herself. The two are in Group A of the weight class. 

11:45: Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN), a silver medalist in 2020 and a 2019 world junior champion had her hands full in notching a 3-1 win over Sonika HOODA (IND) in Group B at 68kg. With 7 entries, the weight class is divided into two groups.

11:42: Sarita MOR (IND) and Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) battle out a close one at 59kg. Mor got a point for passivity before Baatarjav scored one for stepout. Mor was passive and that gave the Mongolian a 2-1 lead and the win in the first round

11:40: Two contrasting first-round bouts at 55kg. Umi IMAI (JPN) comes out all guns blazing and leg laces her way to a 10-0 win over Sushma SHOKEEN (IND). On Mat B, Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL) takes longer but ultimately beats Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) 11-1 using the same move.  

11:35: Good morning, another crisp, chilly day in Ulaanbaatar for Day 3 of the Asian Championships. Today the women take the mat with competition in three weight classes, 50kg, 55kg, 59kg, 68kg, and 76kg

Development

2025 UWW Pat Shaw Memorial concludes in Guatemala City

By United World Wrestling Press

GUATEMALA CITY, Guatemala (June 2) -- The 2025 UWW Pat Shaw Memorial - Regional Education Development Tournament (REDT) successfully concluded once again in Guatemala City, continuing the tradition of excellence in wrestling development across the Americas.

From May 26 to June 1, athletes, coaches, referees, and officials gathered at the Center for High-Performance and Development of America (CARDA) and the Erick Barrondo Sports Complex for a week of intensive educational activities and training camps. The event offered a unique platform where participants could simultaneously improve their technical, pedagogical, and competitive skills.

The coaches’ course was conducted under the leadership of Iranian expert Professor Reza AZIMI, assisted by Ardeshir ASGARI (NCA), who also supported with translation. A total of 22 coaches from 11 countries took part in these sessions, which combined theoretical classes with practical on-mat application, allowing for immediate implementation of newly acquired knowledge.

In parallel, the referees’ course was led by Guatemalan international referee Hugo FIGUEROA, with the participation and support of UWW Referee Commission Member Rafael GALVA LEBRON (Puerto Rico). A total of 13 referees from 9 countries attended the seminar, actively engaging in discussions, case studies, and on-mat evaluations.

Throughout the entire week, participants demonstrated strong enthusiasm and commitment, sharing experiences and strengthening the regional wrestling community.

The educational portion of the event officially opened on May 26, with an inauguration ceremony attended by several dignitaries, including Ramón Francisco GONZÁLEZ PINEDA, President of the Guatemalan Wrestling Federation, and Francisco Eduardo LEE LÓPEZ, President of United World Wrestling Americas, who addressed all participants with words of encouragement.

The training camp allowed athletes from across the continent to train together, guided by both educators and coaches from the participating nations. Thanks to the excellent facilities at CARDA and the availability of five official mats, strength and conditioning areas, saunas, and recovery facilities, athletes were able to prepare under optimal conditions.

GUAWrestlers warm up and get ready to compete at the XXXIV "Pat Shaw" Memorial Cup. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The week culminated with the XXXIV "Pat Shaw" Memorial Cup, held on May 31 and June 1. This year’s competition featured 619 matches across three wrestling styles: Freestyle (FS), Greco-Roman (GR), and Women’s Wrestling (WW), in four age groups: Senior, U20, U17, and U15. Over 308 athletes from 16 countries competed, including delegations from Barbados, Brazil, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, Israel, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Peru, Puerto Rico, and the United States.

The entire competition was managed using UWW’s official Arena system, with full implementation of the latest UWW standards in terms of competition management, medical protocols, anti-doping education, and technological support, with valuable collaboration from the UWW Americas T&R team.

The Pat Shaw Memorial - Regional Education Development Tournament continues to serve as a cornerstone for the development of wrestling in the Americas, providing athletes, coaches, and referees an invaluable opportunity for growth within a fully integrated educational and competitive framework.

United World Wrestling firmly believes that programs like these represent the ideal path for sustainable development, offering new generations of participants access to high-level international events while enhancing both their technical and personal growth within our sport.