#Bishkek2018

Makhmudov Sends Home Crowd into Frenzy with Victory over Zhadrayev in 72kg Greco Thriller

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 - 17:58 By Ken Marantz

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With the crowd at fever pitch as the seconds ticked down, Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) managed to preserve his slim lead and give the host country its much-awaited first gold medal of the Asian Championships.

One volunteer said it sparked "a national celebration."

Makhmudov, a world junior silver medalist a year ago, introduced himself to the senior level by forging an 8-6 win over Paris 2017 world silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) in the 72kg final of Greco-Roman on the second day at the Kozhomkul Sports Palace.

"The biggest help for me was that the Kyrgyz people screamed for me to be strong and also to do better," Makhmudov told the Kyrgyz media of the thunderous roar from the crowd.

"When I heard it, I thought, 'I can die here on the floor but I will still win. This win will be for them.'"

The other head-to-head clash in a final between the hosts and Kazakhstan was a more staid affair and ultimately went the latter's way, as Askhat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ) edged Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ) 5-2 for the 82kg gold.

Kazakhstan earlier picked up the gold at 67kg when veteran Almat KEBISPAYEV, a three-time world medalist, captured his first Asian title since 2010 by outclassing Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN) 5-1.

Even so, in the end, it was Kyrgyzstan's day to shine as the hosts claimed the team by title by a single point over neighbor Kazakhstan with 157. Uzbekistan finished third with 146, seven points ahead of Japan. Traditional powerhouse Iran won three golds but had little else to show for its efforts and placed fifth with 129.

Kyrgyzstan picked up two bronze medals on the night to one for Kazakhstan, but much of the credit for the team championship will surely go to Makhmudov.

In the final, Makhmudov bounced back after giving up an early 4-point throw by ripping off a spectacular 5-point hip throw of his own. He added a takedown just before the first-period buzzer to take a 7-4 lead into the break.

Zhadrayev bravely fought on as the decibel level of the crowd steadily rose. He scored two points from step-outs but then gave up a passivity point.

From the par terre position, Makhmudov had a chance to put the match away but failed to turn the Kazakh over, keeping the lead at 2 with a minute to go. In an intense finish, Makhmudov held on for a victory that drove the crowd into a frenzy.

"I couldn't make use of my chances," Zhadrayev said. "I made mistakes in tactics."

For Shinobu OTA (JPN), there was no way he was going to let the chance to win the only Asian medal missing from his collection get away--particularly since he had to beat the world champion just to get the opportunity.

Ota, a Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist, captured the 60kg gold with a victory by technical fall over teen RI Se Ung (PRK). Ota ended the match 20 seconds into the second period with a highlight-reel---at least he wants it to be---4-point throw from a front head lock that made the score 11-2.

Ota added the gold in Bishkek to the silver he won in 2014 and bronze in 2015. He missed last year's tournament in New Delhi after losing out to Kenichiro FUMITA for the place on Japan's team. Fumita went on to win the world title.

"I beat last year's world champion Kenichiro Fumita to make the Japan team to these Asian Championships, so I came with the mindset that I couldn't lose," Ota said.

o"Also, if I wrestled solidly, I was confident I wouldn't lose. I prepared well in training. If I get to the world championships and can continue like this, I can win the title."

After receiving a point for passivity and starting from the par terre position, Ota used his favored front head lock, only to be stopped midway through a roll to give Ri two points. But Ota continued to press on, and reeled off three rolls to take a 7-2 lead into the second period.

"I wanted to end it there but the opponent was strong," Ota said. "Even though I didn't put him away, it was good that I could use a move I worked on in practice. It's the move I have the most confidence in."

He used it once more, this time from a standing position. Latching on from the front again, Ota bridged backward to flip the North Korean over him and conclude the match.

"I was aiming to make it onto the 'Big Move'," Ota said half-jokingly, referring to UWW site's highlighted move. "I wanted to do it so the UWW would show it (around the world)."

Meanwhile, Sayedmostafa SALEHIZADEH (IRI) salvaged some Iranian pride when he grinded out a 4-0 victory in the 97kg final over Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), giving him a second straight Asian gold.

Iran's only other shot at a medal on the day ended with Shirzad Ali BEHESHTITALA (IRI) losing by fall to Kanybek ZHOLCHUBEKOV (KGZ) in their 60kg bronze-medal match.

Uzbekistan came away with three bronze medals, while China, Japan, South Korea and India had one each.

Greco-Roman
60kg (11 entries)
Gold - Shinobu OTA (JPN) df. RI Se Ung (PRK) by TF, 11-2, 2:40

Bronze –  Kanybek ZHOLCHUBEKOV (KGZ) df. Shirzad Ali BEHESHTITALA (IRI) by Fall, 0:33 (10-3)
Bronze – Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) df. LIN Yu Hung (TPE) by TF, 8-0, 4:54

67kg (12 entries)
Gold - Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) df. Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN), 5-1

Bronze –  Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB) df. Manish MANISH (IND), 6-4
Bronze – ZHANG Gaoquan (CHN) df. Seydylla TAZAYEV (TKM), 6-0

72kg (12 entries)
Gold - Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), 8-6

Bronze –  Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) df. JIANG Yuan (CHN) by TF, 9-0, 3:27.
Bronze – Tomohiro INOUE (JPN) df. Kuldeep MALIK (IND) by Fall, 0:59 (11-0)

82kg (10 entries)
Gold - Askhat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ) df. Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ), 5-2

Bronze –  KIM Jinhyeok (KOR) df. Yuya MAETA (JPN), 5-1
Bronze – Singh HARPEET (IND) df. Nurbek KHASHIMBEKOV (UZB), by TF, 11-3, 1:48

97kg (10 entries)
Gold - Sayedmostafa SALEHIZADEH (IRI) df. Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), 4-0

Bronze –  Yerulan ISKAKOV (KAZ) df. Ali Majeed AL KAABI (IRQ), 6-0
Bronze – Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) df. GU Hakbon (KOR), 6-4

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 8: GR 63kg, 67kg, 87kg Highlights

Saturday, September 20, 2025 - 08:39 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 20) -- The World Championships are close to its end with the final full day of action on Saturday. Three packed weight classes -- 63kg, 67kg and 87kg -- go on the mat.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 7 RESULTS

67kg semifinals
SF 1: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) vs Daniial AGAEV (UWW)
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)

14:28: Daniial AGAEV (UWW) ends the bid of former Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) for a second world title when he gets a 2-point lift and dump from par terre -- after being given more than ample time to complete the move -- in the second period for a 4-2 win at 67kg. Agaev will face Esmaeili for a place in the final.

14:27: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) completes a correct throw from par terre which gives him a 4-3 lead and ultimately the victory over Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) in the 67kg quarterfinals. Galstyan threaten to upset the world silver and Olympic bronze medalist as he turned him when he got the par terre. However, Jafarov scored a stepout to make it 3-1 at the break.

14:23: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) remains on fire, chalking up his third straight victory by technical superiority without giving up a point as he annihilates Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) 8-0 at 67kg. Esmaeili comes out of the blocks with quick 4-point arm throw. Set up in par terre, he then executes a roll, then charges Joergensen out for a stepout. The final point was awarded on challenge, ending the match at 1:54.

14:21: Host Croatia's quest for a world finalist ends as Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) drops his quarterfinal at 67kg 10-0 to Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) who absolutely manhandled Etlinger. A reverse lift throw for four and suplex for four in his win.

63kg semifinals
SF 1: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) vs. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI)
SF 2: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) vs. Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA)

14:15: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) puts Moldova in the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) at 63kg. A two-point turn from par terre is difference between the two wrestlers.

14:14: Seven years after winning his lone world title, Sergey EMELIN (UWW) sees his quest end in Zagreb due to the newest rule change in the sport, as three-time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) gains the first of two passivity points to win 1-1 on "first-point" criteria and advance to the 63kg semifinals.

14:13: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), the world U20 and senior Asian champion, reaches the semifinals at 63kg with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ). Unreal forward pressure from Khalmakhanov.

14:10: Asian silver medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) continued his quest for a world gold with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) to make the 63kg semifinals. Keshtkar powers Mammadov down for a takedown, then unleashes a 2-point throw, which gets a 2-point foul attached. That puts Keshtkar on top of par terre, and he takes advantage with another 2-point throw to end the match at 2:07.

87kg Semifinals
SF 1: David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI)
SF 2: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) vs. Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW)

14:02: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) somehow manages to defend against a throw from par terre by Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) even after being lifted in the air, landing on top for two points, which are awarded on challenge. Alirzaev then puts the match away when he goes on top in par terre in the second period, scoring two rolls for a 7-1 victory and a place in the 87kg semifinals.

14:02: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) got the first priority Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) but he fails to score any points from par terre and leads 1-0 at the break. Mohmadi gets the two points from par terre and a stepout to lead 4-1. Zhanyshov cannot break the defense of Mohamadi who wins with that scoreline.

1401: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) gets the par terre and a stepout to lead David LOSONCZI (HUN) 2-0 at the break. In the second period, Losonczi trips to grip Filchakov who is cautioned for fleeing and the bouts restarts in par terre. Losonczi with a four-pointer to lead 6-2. He defends that lead to enter the semifinals at 87kg.

14:00: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets the first of the two passivity points awarded, and that makes the difference in a 1-1 victory over Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) that puts him into the 87kg semifinals later today.

Quarterfinals begin at the same time.

13:34: Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) turns Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) from par terre to take a 3-0 lead in the first period but the Armenian unleashes a strong gut-wrench in the second period and scores four turns for eight points to lead 9-3 and win the bout at 67kg.

13:30: Former European champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) manages to turn Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) just enough to get the two points from par terre to lead 3-1. Qatar challenges against the scoring but that is lost and Eriomenco wins 4-1 at 63kg.

13:28: Host Croatia's long-shot hopes of winning a gold medal remained alive when Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) scored all of his points in the second period to knock off No. 2 seed Valentin PETIC (MDA) 7-4 at 67kg. Etlinger reeled of two rolls from par terre, then twice stopped throw attempts for 2-point counters. Of concern is that Etlinger was holding his left arm after the match, indicating a possible injury.

13:22: Luis ORTA (CUB) into the 67kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) as he gets the criteria according to the new Greco-Roman rules which gives the victory to the first scorer if the bout ends 1-1. As has become the norm, Turkiye challenge after the match which changes the score to 2-1 but Orta remains the winner.

13:13: A clutch takedown from Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final 8 seconds as he upsets European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-3. Kamal was leading 3-3 on criteria after both score two-point turns from their par terre position. However, Mammadov managed to find an opening in the final moments to hand Kamal his first loss of this year when he would have least liked it.

13:12: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) finishes off a victory over Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) with a spectacular 5-point throw to earn a spot in the 67kg quarterfinals. Put on top in par terre, Jafarov gets two points for a penalty when Shimoyamada blocks his throat while in the air. Australia challenges, but is unsuccessful, putting Jafarov up 4-0. It also puts Shimoyamada, the former Japan national champ, on bottom again, and he is helpless to stop Jafarov's big throw.

13:08: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) was sailing to  victory with a 5-0 lead over Damian VON EUW (SUI) but the Swiss wrestler slammed him for four to make it interesting in the last minute but Alirzaev with a reversal and he wins 6-4 at 87kg.

13:05: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) continues his devastating form, easily putting away Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB) 8-0 to advance to the 67kg quarterfinals. Esmaeli gets a roll from par terre, then picks up a takedown to go ahead 5-0 at the break. Another takedown followed by a stepout ends the match at 4:05.

13:01: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) keeps the winning streak of Iran going after beating Baosheng HUANG (CHN), 2-1, at 63kg.

12:57: Veteran Sergey EMELIN (UWW) uses a reverse head lock from standing to slam Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) to mat for 4 in the second period, paving the way for a 7-3 victory at 63kg that ends testily. Emelin's final points came on a 2-point penalty, and Aslanyan had some words for Emelin, although they ended up with a final hug as they exited the mat.

12:56: World U20 and Asian senior champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) gets a roll and exposure from par terre in the first period and he's through to the 63kg quarterfinals with a 5-1 victory over two-time European medalist Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR).

12:50: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), Paris Olympic bronze medalist, gets both par terre positions in his match against Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) and he adds a stepout plus a correct throw to win 5-0 and advance to the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:42: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gives up the first passivity point to Payton JACOBSON (USA) at 87kg, but does not allow a turn in par terre. When his chance comes in the second period, Komarov takes advantage and gut wrenches Jacobson over. An unsuccessful challenge for who-knows-what gives Komarov another point, and he gains a late stepout to win 5-1.

12:40: European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) uses his early 4-0 lead as a cushion to beat local favorite Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 4-3 at 87kg. He scored a turn from par terre and stepout to get the 4-0 lead before defending that in the second period.

12:34: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) gets the roll in par terre against Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) in the first period of their 87kg clash, then holds steady in the bottom in the second period. That puts last year's world U20 champion into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win.

12:25: Paris Olympic and 2023 world silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) trails 3-1 going into the second period against Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL). But he rectifies the situation quickly, getting behind and then launching a beautiful 4-point throw. Mohmadi gets a chance at par terre and repeats the 4-pointer. Another throw is not executed as well, but gives him a 1-point stepout and an 11-3 win and a spot in the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:15: Asian silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) sticks Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) to his back off the whistle for a 4-point takedown at 67kg. As he works for a fall, Beishekeev stands up and slams Sogabe down for a 4-point throw, ending the match 8-0 in 1:30. That avenged a loss by fall to Sogabe in the first round at the 2023 Asian Championships, where Sogabe took the silver.

12:14: Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS), a former Asian champion who has made the rare move for a Japanese of changing his national affiliation to Australia, shows he's still got it. The 30-year-old takes Gjete PRENGA (ALB) down to his back for 4, then sends him flying for a 4-point throw to win their 67kg clash 8-0 in 39 seconds.

12:10: European champion and Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is taken into the second period by Neiser MARIMON HIDALGO (VEN) at 67kg, albeit with a 3-0 lead, but ducks under for a takedown, then launches a slick 4- point throw for a 9-0 win in 3:52.

12:07: Luis ORTA (CUB), after a four-pointer, gets the par terre and two turns to win Maksym LIU (UKR) to win 9-0. Ukraine corner challenges asking for the last turn to be cancelled but it is valid and the challenge is lost, giving another point to Orta.

12:03: Daniial AGAEV (UWW), a 2024 world U23 bronze medalist,  has a 2-point throw after a takedown annulled on challenge, but comes back in par terre with a trap-arm roll for a 5-0 lead over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) at 67kg. In the second period, Khetsuriani charges to a stepout. then gets a chance at par terre. but Agaev resists, and he walks off a 5-2 winner.

11:51: Paris Olympic 67kg champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI), who added a second straight Asian title earlier this year and is aiming for his first senior world title, has a challenging opening match in former world champion Sebastian NAD (SRB). Esmaeili scores first by successfully challenging for a singlet-grabbing foul, then muscles Nad down for a takedown. A passivity point gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. In the second period, Esmaeili spins behind for a takedown, then quickly gut wrenches for a 9-0 win.

11:35: Former world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) drops his opening bout to Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sergey EMELIN (UWW), 1-1, on the basis of first-point criteria.

11:27: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) with a controlled 4-0 victory over Jianwen LUO (CHN) at 87kg. A position in par terre, a turn for two points and a stepout in his win.

11:21: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), world U20 champion in 2024, lifts Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) from par terre for a fine suplex for four points. Gobadze is cautioned for two points for a leg foul and the bout restarts in par terre. Yevloyev with a correct throw to finish the bout 9-1

11:17: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) held off an aggressive Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the final minute to win 1-1 at 87kg. Nazaryan got the first-point criteria

11:11: Paris Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) needed a correct throw and a bodylock to takedown for a 5-1 victory over Hannes WAGNER (GER) at 87kg

11:07: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), a world U23 silver medalist, starts his senior World Championships with a 4-1 victory over Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB). He scored a stepout to make it 1-1 before getting the par terre and leading 2-1. A turn from par terre extended his lead to 4-1, also the winning score.

11:05: Former European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets a bloody lip early in his 87kg match with Soh SAKABE (JPN), but is otherwise untroubled in rolling to a 5-2 win. Two rolls from par terre gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. Sakabe gets a chance at par terre in the second period but hardly budges Komarov, although he gets a stepout in the final seconds.

11:00: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) comes from 5-1 down to beat Hasan KILINC (TUR), 6-5, at 87kg. Kilic got a reverse lift throw for four points from par terre in the second period to lead 5-1 but Zhanyshov with setpouts and cautions against Kilinc to win.

10:55: Two-time world bronze medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) has little trouble disposing of Erion RAMLJAK (AUS) with an 8-0 victory at 87kg. Filchakov starts with a stepout, then reels off three exposures from par terre to end the proceedings in 1:46.

10:50: After Karlo KODRIC (CRO) ended the 11-year wait for a world medal for hosts Croatia, Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) is looking to add to that bronze medal. He wins with a 9-0 win over Patrik GORDAN (ROU) at 87kg

10:30: The 63kg, 67kg and 87kg wrestlers are set to take the mat on day eight of the World Championships in Zagreb.