#WrestleHangzhou

Makhmudov, Sharshenbekov continue Kyrgyzstan's meteoric rise with Asian Games golds

By Vinay Siwach

LIN'AN, Hangzhou, China (October 4) -- At the 2018 Asian Games, Kyrgyzstan was expected to open its gold medal account from wrestling. Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), the then Asian champion, was the hero of the wrestling-mad nation and in the 77kg final. However, he fell to Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) in the 77kg final.

At the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou on Wednesday, Makhmudov did not disappoint. Although it was not Kyrgyzstan's first gold medal of the game, world champs Makhmudov and Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) ended the nation's long wait for a second gold medal in this edition of the Asian Games in which it won the first gold on September 24.

Both the Kyrgyzstan superstars were in action Wednesday in Lin'an Sports and Culture Exhibition Center in Hangzhou, China as wrestling got underway at the 19th Asian Games with four Greco-Roman weights.

Apart from Makhmudov and Sharshenbekov, Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) and Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) captured the remaining two gold medals. Berdimuratov's gold was Uzbekistan's fourth in the history of Asian Games history.

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) defeated Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) in the 77kg final to win the gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Sachiko Hotaka)

Wrestling against an Iranian wrestler in the final again, Makhmudov took a cautious approach and controlled the bout for six minutes against Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI).

The two-time world champion from Kyrgyzstan, who won his second world title just 10 days ago in Belgrade, struggled with some fatigue and discomfort in his knee during the day. But he managed to navigate his quarterfinal against Sophak KEO (CAM) with a fall and defeated Azat SADYKOV (KAZ) 9-0 in the semifinal.

Kaviyaninejad took out former Asian Games champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) in his opening bout before winning his quarterfinal against Dilshod OMONGELDIYEV (UZB). A tough semifinal against Rui LIU (CHN) saw him hang on to a 1-1 win.

In the final Makhmudov, like the World Championships, did not try any flamboyant actions and was happy to give up par terre in the first period. Kaviyaninejad failed to turn his Kyrgyz opponent. When Makhmudov got the par terre advantage and the 1-1 criteria lead, Kaviyaninejad managed to defend as well.

Makhmudov defended his 1-1 criteria lead as the clock expired and he won his first-ever Asian Games gold medal. He had won the World Championships final with a 1-1 scoreline as well.

As usual, Makhmudov did not celebrate his gold medal beyond acknowledging the few Kyrgyzstan fans in the crowd. He would later say that he is not feeling any joy.

“Honestly, I have no emotions now,” Makhmudov said. “The only thing I really want is the gold medal in Paris. For now, I don't feel any happiness.”

Makhmudov suffered a 2-1 loss in the Tokyo Olympics final, finishing with a silver medal and falling short of becoming Kyrgyzstan's first-ever Olympic champion in any sport. Yet, Kyrgyzstan fell in love with the shark-singlet-wearing wrestler. Having already won the 2024 Paris Olympic quota for Kyrgyzstan, and being the first choice to go, Makhmudov is in no mood to finish second this time.

“I think I will do my best [till Paris],” he said. “We will discuss with the coaches and I will do ten out of ten.”

The 24-year-old also played down his knee injury, saying that the pain has reduced, but did express the difficulties of wrestling at two big events in two weeks.

“Definitely it was very difficult [to wrestle back-to-back events],” he said. “The hardest part was the weight cut and after the World Championships, it was difficult for me to recover.”

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), red, pins Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) in the 60kg final. (Photo: UWW / Sachiko Hotaka)

Sharshenbekov expressed similar views but that was after he also won the gold medal like Makhmudov which was perhaps the reason for the 60kg world champion struggling in his opening bout against Aslamjon AZIZOV (TJK). He gave up five points to the Tajik but won 8-5. He then moved past Asian silver medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) 9-0 in a rematch of this year's Asian Championships final.

Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) was pinned by Sharshenbekov, 10 days after winning 9-0 in the World Championships quarterfinals.

From the other side of the bracket, Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) made it to the final with wins over Thanwa SUTDI (THA), Seung RI (PRK) and Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ).

Both came out flying and Sharshenbekov got the first big lift. He failed to make the most of it but scored two points. Suzuki landed on Sharsenbekov's chest to earn two points as well. He then showed intent and launched a four-pointer to lead 6-2.

Sharshenbekov replied with an underhook and held Suzuki's back to the mat, securing the fall. Suzuki challenged for a leg four but it was declared clean. The pin ended the bout in two minutes and 34 seconds.

“I the Japanese wrestler is very strong but he is a very comfortable opponent for me,” Sharshenbekov said.

Incidentally, Sharshenbekov defeated Olympic silver medalist Kenichito FUMITA (JPN) in the World Championships final in Belgrade after an equally stunning first period.

The turnaround from the World Championships to the Asian Games was a challenge for Sharshenbekov but he said he was prepared to win.

“I cut around eight kilograms for each competition,” Sharshenbekov said. “Every sport has its own difficulties and wrestling also. The process of cutting weight was incredibly challenging. However, right after the World Championships, I shifted my focus to the Asian Games. Despite all the hardships, I'm thrilled to have won the gold medal here. This is not the end of my journey. With God's guidance, I am planning to prepare for the Olympics and aim to bring home the gold medal for Kyrgyzstan."

Wrestling Fumita and Suzuki in the space of 10 days did break different sets of challenges for Sharshenbekov who said that he was up for both the Japanese wrestlers.

"Fumita is a great athlete who consistently ranks in the top five of the world," he said. "He is an exceptionally strong wrestler, which is why our coaches devised an effective strategy. I believe we showed good wrestling. Suzuki is also a talented wrestler. The match against him was far from easy, particularly considering that I had just competed in the World Championships."

Suzuki reflected on the final saying that he needs to work on the areas which made his lose even after leading 6-2.

“At the end, I made a misjudgment,” he said. “I knew the opponent [Sharshenbekov] is good in attacking from the side and I did well till 6-2. But I let him close the gap and win.”

Katsuaki ENDO (JPN)Katsuaki ENDO (JPN), second from left, won the 67kg gold medal for Japan. (Photo: UWW / Sachiko Hotaka)

His Japan teammate Endo made sure he didn't slip up in the 67kg final, winning 4-3 against Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ).

“Since I was chosen for these Games, I was going to win,” Endo said. “To be honest, when I saw the draw, I thought I could win this.”

And the former U23 world champion began his confident run with a 9-0 win over Firuz MIRZORAJABOV (TJK) in the opening bout, won 5-1 against Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals and defeated Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB), 6-1, to reach the final against Shermakhanbet who was on song as well, marking his return to a major competition in more than one year with a silver medal.

After opening with a 10-0 win over Nuttapong HINMEE (THA), Shermakhanbet was involved in a thriller against home favorite Lei LI (CHN). Taking a 10-7 lead with two four-point throws, Shermakhanbet gave up a stepout and Li scored a takedown to lead 10-10 on criteria but Kazakhstan challenged the call and it was called a slip and the score was reversed to 10-8 which gave Kazakhstan the win.

If that close bout was not enough, Shermakhanbet pinned Danial SOHRABI (IRI) after trailing 9-2 in the semifinals. While Sohrabi was trying to defend a turn from par terre by standing up, Shermakhanbet locked Sohrabi's right hand and strangled him for space, putting the Iranian back on the mat for the pin.

However, there was no such comeback in the final against Endo after trailing 4-1. Endo scored a correct throw from par terre to lead 3-0. Japan challenged, asking for four points but lost, giving one point to Shermakhanbet.

In the second period, Endo gave up a stepout and passivity point but still held a 4-3 lead, the final score of the gold-medal bout.

“I trained with very strong opponents in my club back home, I didn't feel he [Shermakhanbet] has the same power,” Endo said about the Kazakhstan wrestler.

Endo's immediate goal is to win the Emperor's Cup in December which will give him the opportunity to wrestle at the Asian Olympic Qualifier in April 2024 in Bishkek and earn a 2024 Paris Olympic quota for Japan at 67kg.

Shermakhanbet will also look to secure the Olympic quota for Kazakhstan but like Endo, he will have to win the right to compete in Bishkek.

"I only returned to the training process three months ago," Shermakhanbet said. "It is indeed very challenging to compete after a long pause. I need more time to get back in shape. At the beginning of the next year, we have our national championships, and we'll see how that goes."

Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), blue, throws Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) during the 87kg final. (Photo: UWW / Sachiko Hotaka)

The first day of wrestling closed out as Berdimuratov avenged his 2022 Asian Championships loss to Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) with a 7-4 win. Berdimuratov led 7-0 at the break, thanks to penalty points against Alizadeh but gave up four including caution points. But he held on to win his first Asian Games gold and the fourth for Uzbekistan in Greco-Roman Asian Games history.

The gold has also kept Uzbekistan in the top five of the overall medals tally in Hangzhou as it has 16 gold medals on Wednesday.

Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), second from left, along with the other medalist in 87kg, Naser ALIZADEH (IRI), left, Masato SUMI (JPN), right, and Sunil KUMAR, second from right. (Photo: UWW / Sachiko Hotaka)

RESULTS

Greco-Roman

60kg
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Ayata SUZUKI (JPN), via fall (7-6)

BRONZE: Se ung RI (PRK) df. Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), 2-1
BRONZE: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) df. Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), 5-4

67kg
GOLD: Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) df. Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), 4-3

BRONZE: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) df. Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB), 1-1
BRONZE: Danial SOHRABI (IRI) df. Lei LI (CHN), 3-2

77kg
GOLD: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI), 1-1

BRONZE: Rui LIU (CHN) df. Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR), 5-3
BRONZE: Azat SADYKOV (KAZ) df. SOPHAK KEO (CAM), via inj. def.

87kg
GOLD: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) df. Naser ALIZADEH (IRI), 7-4

BRONZE: Masato SUMI (JPN) df. Maksat SAILAU (KAZ), 9-1
BRONZE: Sunil KUMAR df. A. AZISBEKOV (KGZ), 2-1

#WrestleAthens

U17 Worlds: U.S. wins 3 golds to shock Iran for FS team title

By Vinay Siwach

ATHENS, Greece (August 3) -- Three gold medals for the United States and Iran's incredible choke on Sunday saw the U.S. defend its Freestyle team title at the World U17 Championships in Athens, Greece.

Going into the final day, Iran needed to win one bout out of four it had wrestlers in to claim the title irrespective of U.S. results. On the other hand, U.S. needed to win all its four bouts, including two head-to-head finals, and hope that Iran loses all its other matches as well.

That is exactly what transpired on the mat as U.S. put on an inspired show and won three gold and one bronze medal to reach 154 points. Iran finished with 150 points after its three loses in the finals and one in a bronze-medal bout.

Kazakhstan managed to pip Azerbaijan by one point and finish third with 91 points. Azerbaijan finished fourth 90 points and Japan got 79 points and finished fifth.

On Saturday, Ariah MILLS (USA) had won one gold as well apart from Japan, Azerbaijan, Ukraine and one UWW wrestler winning gold medals.

It began with Keegan BASSETT (USA), who gave hope to U.S. by claiming the gold medal at 45kg, as he pinned Parsa TAHMASBI (IRI) in the final inside the first period.

The first scramble saw the two wrestlers called back to center as neither wrestler was able to break the arm-lock. Bassett got the first takedown to lead 2-0 and then a turn made it 4-0. The American wrestler got another takedown and kept Tahmasbi's back on the mat.

The referees took their time but eventually called the fall, giving Bassett the gold medal at 45kg. Incidentally, its the same weight class his brother Bowen won the world U17 gold medal in 2021.

"Ever since I started wrestling, this was one of my goals to be a world champ," Bassett said. "It feels unbelievable to find a way to do it."

Over the two days he wrestled, Bassett showed how technically sound and physically strong he is at the weight class.

"I wrestled pretty good overall. First match was a little rough; nerves, and it was my first match in about three months," he said. "But I think I got better overall as the weekend went on and that's what I needed."

Four years ago, he was in Budapest watching Bowen win the gold medal in similar fashion as he pinned his opponent in the final. Keegan recalled that day.

"I definitely had that in mind going into this," he said. "Four years, that's unreal. I was there for him when he won in Budapest. I cried then, I cried now. It's just means so much. We work so hard and it's just truly such a surreal moment."

Samuel SANCHEZ (USA)Samuel SANCHEZ (USA) scores the gold winning takedown against Ulugbek RASHIDOV (UZB) in the 51kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Samuel SANCHEZ (USA), a returning world champion facing another returning world champion Ulugbek RASHIDOV (UZB), consolidated U.S. position by winning a thrilling 51kg final.

Rashidov was put on the passivity clock in the first period which gave Sanchez a 1-0 lead. He tried to score a go-behind and was awarded two points in the sequence. The U.S. challenged the decision and on review, it was clear that Rashidov never passed behind Sanchez and the two points were removed.

Sanchez came out attacking in the second period and got on a single-leg attack. Rashidov got his best defense of the match and defended that attack. Soon, Sanchez was put on the clock but he got the takedown on the edge with another leg attack to lead 3-0 and also got the activity time removed .

While Rashidov did get a front headlock turn in the final five seconds, Sanchez did not let him another and planted Rashidov's back on the mat for two more points as the time expired.

"I knew he was going to be a tough opponent," Sanchez said. "I got a little tired in the match, but I  kept going, kept digging deep and going through it. I got a couple shots but wasn't able to finish. But my last shot, I was able to take him out of bounce and get the two-point takedown."

Sanchez now has two gold medals at the World U17 Championships, having won at 45kg last year.

"This year I was definitely better than I was last year at controlling my opponent and moving him around," he said. "Not letting them on my legs as much. Last year, I was down like 5-0 in the finals. This year, didn't take me down."

Jayden JAMES (USA)Jayden JAMES (USA) defeated Arsham VAHABIAN (IRI), 9-2, in the 71kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Jayden JAMES (USA) put the U.S. closer to the title as he humbled Arsham VAHABIAN (IRI), 9-2, in the 71kg.

Vahabian was looking for his leg attacks but they never came as James showed some of the best defense of the night. He countered and scored a takedown. That remained the theme of the match as James kept going and did not even return to his corner during the break.

Soon, James had Vahabian broken and he ended the bout as Vahabian tried to pull of a headpinch. The win made U.S. go to 139 points while Iran was on 130 points.

In the 92kg bronze medal bout, Tanner HODGINS (USA) rallied to beat Elguja LOMIDZE (GEO), 10-0, and took the final tally of U.S. to 154 points.

David DZEBISOV (UWW)David DZEBISOV's (UWW) win over Amirali ALIZADEH (IRI) in the 92kg final indirectly helped the U.S. win the team title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

It was now on Amirali ALIZADEH (IRI), who needed to win his 92kg final, a win which would have propelled Iran to 155 points and the team title.

But David DZEBISOV (UWW) ruined that party. Dzebisov defeated Alizadeh 6-2 in the 92kg final to deny Iran and earn a world title for himself.

Dzebisov scored the first takedown to lead 2-0 but Alizadeh fired one back on the second period to make it 2-2 and lead on criteria. He went into defense mode after that.

He, however, got caught in a tangle with Dzebisov who managed to finish on top and score two points and a lead of 4-2. There was only desperation from Alizadeh after that as he gave up two more points to drop the final 6-2.

In the only final in which neither Iran nor the U.S. featured, SITENDER (IND) won India's first Freestyle gold medal by beating Rihito HIURA (JPN) in the 60kg final.

A takedown masterclass saw Sitender break Hiura to the core and he was not able to finish his attacks nor defend the ones from Sitender.

The gold was first in Freestyle for India at U17 Worlds since 2022 and only the second time ever that the country had gold medals in all three styles.

USAThe 10 United States Freestyle wrestlers with the champion's team trophy. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

RESULTS

45kg
GOLD: Keegan BASSETT (USA) df. Parsa TAHMASBI (IRI), via fall (6-0)

BRONZE: Mirjalol MUKAMMILOV (UZB) df. Arnur NURSAIDOV (KGZ), 4-4
BRONZE: Ibragim VELIULLOV (UWW) df. Bakdaulet AGABEK (KAZ), 9-2

51kg
GOLD: Samuel SANCHEZ (USA) df. Ulugbek RASHIDOV (UZB), 5-2

BRONZE: Danael ABDYKASSYM (KAZ) df. Temuri TUTARASHVILI (GEO), 9-4
BRONZE: Dzhamal BAKAEV (UWW) df. Haruku SHIINA (JPN), 12-5

60kg
GOLD: SITENDER (IND) df. Rihito HIURA (JPN), 9-4

BRONZE: Hasan HASANOV (AZE) df. Nathan NASH (CAN), 5-4
BRONZE: Bekassyl ASSAMBEK (KAZ) df. Arian MEHRALIZADEH (IRI), 9-0

71kg
GOLD: Jayden JAMES (USA) df. Arsham VAHABIAN (IRI), 9-2

BRONZE: Ayubjon BOZORZODA (TJK) df. Jason KEIL (GER), 6-0
BRONZE: Yeghishe MOSESYAN (ARM) df. Farrukhbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB), 7-6

92kg
GOLD: David DZEBISOV (UWW) df. Amirali ALIZADEH (IRI), 6-2

BRONZE: Tanner HODGINS (USA) df. Elguja LOMIDZE (GEO), 10-0
BRONZE: Said PASHAYEV (AZE) df. Beibarys YERGALI (KAZ), 5-3