Morikawa reigns at 68kg, all but shatters Kawai's Olympic quest

Friday, June 16, 2023 - 15:17 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (June 16) -- When the dust settled on the battle royale that is the women's 68kg division of Japanese wrestling, it was Miwa MORIKAWA who emerged unscathed, while Yukako KAWAI's dream of a second straight Olympic gold was left in tatters.

Morikawa defeated Kawai in the final at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Championships on Friday, a victory in the second of Japan's domestic qualifiers for this year's World Championships that refortifies her own chances of ultimately making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Morikawa preceded her 3-0 win over the Tokyo Olympic champion at 62kg by knocking off world silver medalist Ami ISHII 8-5 in the semifinals, which avenged a loss to her last December in the final at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships, the first of the world team qualifiers.

"A half-year ago I lost, and I came to get revenge at this tournament," said Morikawa, the reigning world 65kg champion who had moved up to the Olympic weight class. "I kept in mind that if I lost this time, there would be no Paris."

Winners at both the Emperor's Cup and Meiji Cup earn a place on Japan's team to the World Championships in September in Belgrade, where in the Olympic weight classes, a medal will also mean an automatic ticket to the Paris Olympics. If the winners are different, the two will face off in a playoff slated for July 1.

Morikawa's triumph puts her into a playoff with Ishii, who had beaten her 5-2 at the Emperor's Cup. "I am now back at the start line with Ishii. If I don't win again, it all means nothing," Morikawa said.

Among those booking tickets to Belgrade was world 59kg bronze medalist Sakura MOTOKI, who repeated her triumph at the Emperor's Cup in the equally stacked women's 62kg class by beating Yuzuka INAGAKI in the final.

Brothers Hayato and Takashi ISHIGURO will also be on the plane to Belgrade. Hayato won the freestyle 86kg crown by handing veteran Sohsuke TAKATANI his first loss to a Japanese wrestler in a decade, and elder sibling Takashi followed by triumphing at 97kg.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) Miwa MORIKAWA celebrates after beating Emperor's Cup champion Ami ISHII in the 68kg semifinal. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

The women's 68kg class got a little more crowded for the Meiji Cup when Kawai, the Tokyo Olympic champion at 62kg, made the surprising jump up to the next Olympic weight after falling to Motoki in the 62kg semifinals at the Emperor's Cup.

Kawai seemed to be managing the extra weight when she finished unbeaten in three matches in her round-robin Nordic group on Thursday -- including a 4-4 victory over Morikawa -- then advanced to the final earlier Friday with a 4-3 victory over the three-time world 72kg medalist Masako FURUICHI.

But the final played out differently, as Morikawa scored an activity point and a double-leg takedown in the first period, then held off Kawai's attacks for a 3-0 victory.

"I've faced her a few times and I had never beaten her," Morikawa said. "This time, I wanted revenge on everyone. I came in with a positive attitude."

Kawai occasionally broke down in tears as she reflected on her bold performance. "I lost, but I gave it my all," said Kawai, whose older sister and fellow Olympic champion Risako KINJO will begin her quest at 57kg on Saturday.

"It was my first time in this weight class. When I look back at how I had wanted to run away and quit, I think it's something that I made it this far."

Morikawa was motivated by her loss at the Emperor's Cup and the harsh love meted out by her coaches, who include four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO.

"After the final, [Icho] said, 'You fought well.' She never normally says that," Morikawa said. "At the Emperor's Cup, I didn't move like I usually do and the coaches were especially brutal in their comments. I realized that to win here, if I don't use my strengths, it would be a waste. I thought I have to give everything and be at my best to win, and I was able to do it."

Kawai still has a slim chance to get to Paris, but it is predicated on whoever goes to Belgrade not coming home with a medal. The odds would seem against her, as Japan's women won medals in four of the six Olympic weight classes at the 2019 World Championships that served as the first qualifier for the Tokyo Olympics.

Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) Sakura MOTOKI confirmed her spot at 62kg for the World Championships by winning the Meiji Cup. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

Motoki has been dreaming of going to the Olympics since she started wrestling as a toddler, hoping to emulate her father Yasutoshi, who competed at the 2000 Sydney Olympics at Greco 63kg.

"From when I started wrestling when I was little, I have been aiming at the Olympics," the 22- year-old Motoki said. "Everything my coach taught me when I was in elementary school, what my high school coach said, and my coach at Ikuei University, it all culminated in today's result."

Motoki also has some unfinished business at the World Championships, as she still feels the sting of settling for a bronze medal last year in Belgrade, where she was dealt a 7-5 loss in the semifinals by Anastasia NICHITA (MDA).

"Last year, I lost at the World Championships, but I learned a lot from it, and I am determined not to make the same mistakes again," she said.

Motoki scored a takedown followed by a two-point roll in each period to cruise to an 8-2 victory in the final against Yuzuka INAGAKI, who had pulled off a stunning upset of world champion Nonoka OZAKI in the semifinals.

Ozaki, who returned to the mat to take home a bronze medal, said that she will likely try to earn a ticket to the World Championships in a non-Olympic weight class.

According to Japan Wrestling Federation rules, any wrestler who finishes in the top two of an Olympic weight class but does not qualify in that division for Belgrade can opt to challenge for a place in a non-Olympic weight. Those playoffs will be held on July 17.

Hayato ISHIGURO handed Sohsuke TAKATANI his first domestic loss in a decade to win at 86kg. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

The Ishiguro brothers can be content with not having to concern themselves with the playoffs after both put on masterful performances to clinch their world places outright.

Hayato Ishiguro, coming off a bronze-medal finish at the Asian Championships in April, scored a takedown and a stepout in the first period, and that was enough to top Takatani 3-0 in the 86kg final.

The 34-year-old Takatani had won his 12th straight Emperor's Cup over four weight classes in December at 92kg but dropped to 86kg in an attempt to make a fourth career Olympics. The 2014 world silver medalist at 74kg, Takatani had not lost to a Japanese opponent since the National Games in October 2013.

"I had faced him several times but I had never beaten him," Ishiguro said. "I had beaten foreign wrestlers who had beaten him and that boosted my confidence, but I still never beat him. Finally, I have topped him, and that makes me feel a mix of relief and joy."

Ishiguro then watched as older sibling Takashi, an Asian bronze medalist in 2021, follow up with a 4-1 victory in the 97kg final over Taira SONODA. Like Hayato, Takashi scored all of his points in the first period, combining a takedown and gut wrench after giving up an activity point.

"I was focused on myself [during the tournament] and didn't see much of his matches, but my final was first so I was able to see his match," Hayato said. "When he won the title, I was happy because it means we can both compete at the World Championships."

In another final, 2022 Asian bronze medalist Katsuaki ENDO avenged a loss in the Emperor's Cup final to Kyotaro SOGABE, this year's Asian silver medalist, by scoring a two-point exposure in his second attempt at par terre for a 3-3 victory on last-point criteria in the Greco-Roman 67kg gold medal bout. The two will go at it again in the July 1 playoff.

Fujinami, Higuchi win away from worlds

The Olympic weight classes are being run over two days, and two of Japan's top medal hopes for Belgrade, but with eyes firmly on Paris, advanced to their respective finals.

Former world champion Akari FUJINAMI followed up her historic victory over Tokyo Olympic champion Mayu SHIDOCHI (formerly MUKAIDA) in the quarterfinals by advancing to the women's 53kg final on Saturday with a victory by fall over Karen SASAKI.

Her two victories stretched Fujinami's current winning streak to 121 matches in a row dating back to her junior high school days in 2017. While she says she has little interest in it, the Japanese media is quick to note she has surpassed the 119-match winning streak put together by three-time Olympic champion and fellow Mie Prefecture native Saori YOSHIDA from December 2001 to January 2008.

Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) Moe KIYOOKA overcame two-time world champion Haruna OKUNO in the 53kg semifinal. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

Fujinami's opponent in the final will be fellow 19-year-old Moe KIYOOKA, who gained one of the biggest scalps of her career by knocking off two-time former world champion Haruna OKUNO 4-2 in the other semifinal.

Kiyooka, who is one month and two days Fujinami's senior, has recently established herself as Japan's top wrestler at 55kg, winning both the world U20 and U23 golds and the Emperor's Cup in 2022. Her dropping down to 53kg for the Meiji Cup only added to an already stacked weight class.

Fujinami had moved halfway to Belgrade by beating Okuno in the final of the Emperor's Cup, where Okuno defeated Shidochi. Fujinami all but closed the door to Paris for Shidochi with her victory by fall on Friday in the first-ever meeting between the titans.

Looking ahead to the final, Fujinami commented, "If I don't win tomorrow, it means nothing," Fujinami said. "Winning in Paris is my ultimate goal."

Also moving closer to completing the Emperor's Cup-Meiji Cup double was Rei HIGUCHI, who is in his second Olympic cycle of trying to make up for his disappointing silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics.

Higuchi, the 2022 world champion at freestyle 61kg, has returned to the Olympic weight class of 57kg and -- despite an everlasting struggle to make weight -- advanced to Saturday's final, where he will face Yudai FUJITA.

Higuchi chalked up a 10-5 semifinal victory over Toshihiro HASEGAWA, a 2021 world bronze medalist at 61kg who was the defending Meiji Cup champion.

"I really struggled with losing weight, and that's why I gave up five points in the semifinals," Higuchi said. "I'll focus on the task at hand in the final. I am thinking only of winning."

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Shohei YABIKU kept his hopes alive of making it to Belgrade by advancing to the Greco 77kg final with a 5-1 victory over Minto MAEDA. He will face world U23 bronze medalist Nao KUSAKA.

Yabiku came up short at the Emperor's Cup after suffering a right knee injury 10 days before the competition. He has since had surgery, but his range of motion remains limited and he said he has to adjust his techniques.

A victory on Saturday would put Yabiku into a playoff with Emperor's Cup champion and two-time Asian bronze medalist Kodai SAKURABA, who was dealt a 5-1 loss in the quarterfinals by Maeda.

Day 2 Results

Freestyle

57kg (13 entries)
Semifinal -- Rei HIGUCHI df. Toshihiro HASEGAWA, 10-5
Semifinal -- Yudai FUJITA df. Yuto NISHIUCHI, 2-1

74kg (14 entries)
Semifinal -- Daichi TAKATANI df. Masaki SATO, 10-5
Semifinal -- Jintaro KINOSHITA df. Yuto MIWA, 2-1

86kg (12 entries)
GOLD -- Hayato ISHIGURO df. Sohsuke TAKATANI, 3-0

BRONZE -- Tatsuya SHIRAI df. Mao OKUI, 7-1
BRONZE -- Fumiya IGARASHI df. Yudai TAKAHASHI, 9-7

97kg (9 entries)
GOLD -- Takashi ISHIGURO df. Taira SONODA, 4-1

BRONZE -- Keivan YOSHIDA df. Hiroto NINOMIYA, 7-5
BRONZE -- Nariya MARUYAMA df. Hibiki ITO by Def.

125kg (4 entries)
GOLD -- Taiki YAMAMOTO (3-0)
SILVER-- Yuji FUKUI (2-1)
BRONZE -- Takuto YASUDA (1-2)

Key match: Taiki YAMAMOTO df. Yuji FUKUI, 2-1 in 3rd round

Greco-Roman

63kg (9 entries)
GOLD -- Ryuto IKEDA df. Chiezo MARUYAMA, 1-1

BRONZE -- Yamato HAGIWARA df. Komei SAWADA, 1-1
BRONZE -- Ryuta KOSHIBA df. Godai MITANI, 8-1

Semifinal -- Chiezo MARUYAMA df. Yamato HAGIWARA by TF, 10-2, 3:42
Semifinal -- Ryuto IKEDA df. Godai MITANI, 5-1

67kg (13 entries)
GOLD -- Katsuaki ENDO df. Kyotaro SOGABE, 3-3

BRONZE -- Ryoma HOJO df. Kensuke SHIMIZU by Def.
BRONZE -- Taishi NARIKUNI df. Yuji UEGAKI, 8-2

77kg (11 entries)
Semifinal -- Shohei YABIKU df. Minto MAEDA, 5-1
Semifinal -- Nao KUSAKA df. Tatsuya FUJII, 7-1

87kg (6 entries)
GOLD -- So SAKABE df. Masato SUMI, 1-1

BRONZE -- Kanta SHIOKAWA df. Daisei ISOE by Fall, 1:26 (4-0)

Semifinal -- Masato SUMI df. Daisei ISOE by TF, 8-0, 1:47
Semifinal -- So SAKABE df . Kanta SHIOKAWA, 5-1

97kg (8 entries)
Semifinal -- Yuta NARA df. Kyo KITAWAKI, TF, 8-0, 1;55
Semifinal -- Yuri NAKAZATO df. Masayuki AMANO, 5-0

130kg (6 entries)
GOLD -- Sota OKUMURA df. Shion OBATA, 1-1

BRONZE -- Koei YAMADA df. Naoto YAMAGUCHI, 2-0

Semifinal -- Sota OKUMURA df. Koei YAMADA by TF, 9-0, 1:59
Semifinal -- Shion OBATA df. Naoto YAMAGUCHI, 4-0

Women

53kg (12 entries)
Semifinal -- Akari FUJINAMI df. Karen SASAKI by Fall, 1:55 (6-1)
Semifinal -- Moe KIYOOKA df. Haruna OKUNO, 4-2

59kg (10 entries)
GOLD -- Sena NAGAMOTO df. Himeka TOKUHARA, 6-3

BRONZE -- Yui SAKANO df. Kanami YAMAUCHI by TF, 9-0, 4:32
BRONZE -- Miyu NAKANISHI df. Sakura YAMAJI, 8-0

Semifinal -- Sena NAGAMOTO df. Yui SAKANO, 6-2
Semifinal -- Himeka TOKUHARA df. Miyu NAKANISHI, 3-0

62kg (13 entries)
GOLD -- Sakura MOTOKI df. Yuzuka INAGAKI, 8-2

BRONZE -- Naomi RUIKE df. Ayana GEMPEI, 5-0
BRONZE -- Nonoka OZAKI df. Suzu SASAKI, TF, 10-0, 4:13

68kg (7 entries)
GOLD -- Miwa MORIKAWA df. Yukako KAWAI, 3-0

BRONZE -- Ami ISHII df. Masako FURUICHI, 5-3

Semifinal -- Miwa MORIKAWA df. Ami ISHII, 8-5
Semifinal -- Yukako KAWAI df. Masako FURUICHI, 4-3

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 5 Blog

Saturday, March 29, 2025 - 07:58 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 29) -- Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling past us, the Asian Championships moves to Freestyle. The wrestlers in 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg are in action. The big news is that Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), who was making a comeback after his shoulder surgery, has decided to skip the tournament as his "shoulder is not ready" yet.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

97kg gold medal bout: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) vs. Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)

14:35: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) cannot get that last-second win over Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) this time! In the 97kg semifinals at the Asian Championships Aitmukhan beats Azimi 2-0 and avenges his world U20 loss from 2023. Aitmukhan scores a stepout to lead 1-0 early in the bout and Azimi is hit with a passivity in the second period. Down 2-0, Azimi gets on Aitmukhan's legs but the Kazakh manages to scramble out of the hold and hold his 2-0 lead for the win.

In 2023, Azimi had defeated Aitmukhan in the 92kg final to win gold at the world U20 Championships, incidentally in Amman.

14:33: Two years after winning the 92kg title, rising young star Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) will go for gold at 97kg after grinding down Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) in a 11-2 victory. Yoshida shows his power from the get-go, opening with a quick stepout. He gets behind for a takedown, with a penalty point added when Habila won't release the wrist. Habila comes back with a takedown, but Yoshida replies with a stepout for a 5-2 lead at the break. The second period is all Yoshida, who presses his way to three uncontested takedowns.

70kg gold medal bout: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) vs. Viktor RASSADIN (TJK)

14:23: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) seems to get hit with a double punch in his 70kg semifinal with Viktor RASSADIN (TJK). leading 1-0 in the second period, he had just had a stepout taken away on challenge when he is the one who gets put on the activity clock. That activity point puts Rassadin ahead 1-1 on last-point criteria. With time running out, Tumur Ochir desperately fights for the go-ahead points, which leads to a stepout point for Rassadin. A challenge after time expires gives Rassadin another point and he advances 3-1.

14:23: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) is back in the Asian Championships final. He beats returning silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) 8-8 in a thrilling 70kg semifinal. Aoyagi hit a four on the edge to lead 5-1 and then added a stepout to make it 6-1. But Akmataliev with a over-under hold and throws Aoyagi for four to cut the lead to 6-5. An arm throw which is scored two for Akmataliev and he leads 7-6. Japan challenge hte call but it is confrimed two, making it 8-6 for Akmataliev with 35 seconds remaining. Aoyagi with a stepout with 4 seconds on the clock. A caution is also added but Akmataliev leads 8-8 on criteria and he hangs on!

79kg gold medal bout: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) vs Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN)

14:10: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) rallies to defeat Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) 8-5 and advance to the 79kg final. Evloev, attempting to become just the second Asian champion in Tajikistan history, starts off with a takedown in the first period and a 2-0 lead. In the second period, Yousefi gets behind Evloev while they are still on their feet, but when the Iranian tries a gut wrench, Evloev steps over for a 2-point exposure. Yousefi continues the sequence with an exposure and stepout to cut the gap to 4-3. Then things get interesting. Yousefi again gets behind, but this time scores a 4-point takedown before Evloev reverses, making it 7-5 for Yousefi. He adds a stepout for his final point.

14:07: Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) with three takedowns in the second period against Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) to enter the final at 79kg. Saipudinov really got going in the second period after being down 1-0 at the break.

65kg gold medal bout: Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) vs Kaisei TANABE (JPN)

13:58: Kaisei TANABE (JPN) ensures himself of his first major medal since winning a world cadet (U17) bronze eight years ago. He shows remarkable speed and power on both offense and defense in putting away Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) 13-1 at 65kg. Tanabe spins behind for a takedown, then goes into the lace lock and, bang, two rolls and he's up 6-0. He gets in on a single, then fights off a standing counter-lift at the edge to gain a stepout. When Ebrahimzadeh tries to counter another takedown attempt, Tanabe steps over for a 2-point exposure. In an ensuing scramble, the Iranian gains a reversal, but Tanabe scores a 4-pointer, sorted out on challenge, to end the match early.

13:57: Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) confirms his first Asian medal as he walks into the 65kg final after a solid 5-2 win over Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) in the semifinal. He led 1-0 at the break and then extended it to 5-0. A takedown at the end for Zhumashbek Uulu but Tseveensuren gets it done.

57kg gold medal bout: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) vs. Chong Song HAN (PRK)

13:45: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) hangs on for the win and enter the 57kg final! A takedown and stepout was enough for the Iranian to beat Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) and confirm Iran's first medal in this weight class at the Asian Championships in four years. Alireza SARLAK (IRI) win silver in 2021 and since then Iran has drawn a blank at this weight.

13:45: Chong Song HAN (PRK) falls behind 4-0 against Munkh BATKHUYAG (MGL) in the second period of their 65kg semifinal, but then he goes to work. He scores 2 with a reverse leg and wrist lock, but Batkhuyag manages a 2-point exposure on defense to restore the 4-point gap. No matter. Han reverses, then reels off three gut wrenches to notch a 9-6 victory.

13:30: In the final match of the session, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) keeps alive his hopes of a third straight Asian title and first at 65gk with a 2-0 victory over Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), with both of his points coming on the activity clock.

13:24: Returning silver medalist Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) was slow to start off but he gets in the grove and scores a 13-0 win over Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) and set up a 97kg semifinal against Mobin AZIMI (IRI), a rematch of the U20 World Championships final from 2023, that incidentally was in Amman.

13:22: Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) muscles Nursultan SADYK (KAZ) over for a 4-point takedown, then reels off two high-thigh lock rolls to go ahead 8-0 in their 65kg quarterfinal. Sadyk sparks to life in the second period with a nice out-the-backdoor takedown. But with time running out, it is Tseveensuren who traps Sadyk's leg and gains a reverse headlock, then presses forward for a fall at 5:34.

13:13: Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) walks away with a 2-1 victory over Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) in a 97kg quarterfinal in which no technical points were scored. Ganbaatar gets an activity point in the first period, and Habila gets one in the second. Losing on criteria, Ganbaatar launches a last-ditch attack and forces out Habila, but it is not in time. The Mongolian side challenges, but is not upheld.

13:10: Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) with a driving takedown right to a gut wrench, and he's into the 65kg semifinals with an 10-0 win over Baowen WEI (CHN).

13:10: Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) scored two takedoans to lead 4-0 against CHANDERMOHAN (IND). But the Indian gets a takedown after a scramble to cut it to 4-2 at the break in the 79kg quarterfinals. Chandermohan begins the second period with a double-leg for takedown and adds a lace to lead 6-4. Evloev with a cradle and fall in a stunning turn of events.

13:05: Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) gets a takedown and two stepouts against Sina KHALILI (IRI) who scores only one takedown. Rassadin's 4-2 lead with a 1:30 remaining on the clock extended when Khalili steps out again. Khalili struggling to keep up with conditioning. Rassadin uses that and scores a takedown and two lace turns to lead 11-2 and win the 70kg quarterfinal.

13:04: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) takes a 3-0 lead into the second period, falls behind when Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) scores a 4-pointer, but turns on the jets and scores two takedowns and a gut wrench for an 11-4 victory and a spot in the 79kg semifinals.

13:02: Kaisei TANABE (JPN) advances to the 65kg semifinals when he builds up a 9-0 lead late in the first period, but SUJEET (IND) suffers a knee injury during a rolling sequence and is unable to continue.

12:56: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), using that underhook that he learned from his Iranian father, gets two early takedowns against Kanybek ABDULKHAIROV (KGZ) in their 97kg quarterfinal. The two trade stepouts before the break as Yoshida, the 2023 champion at 92kg, leads 5-1. Yoshida gets a double-leg takedown, then spins behind for another takedown before emulating the lightweights with a lace-lock roll to finish off an 11-1 win.

12:52: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) is into the 79kg semifinals with a 4-0 win over Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN). A stepout and takedown in the first period and another stepout in the second does the trick for the Mongolian.

12:49: Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) accepts the victory by forfeit at 97kg over world and Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), who opted to pull out of the competition due to injury.

12:45: Returning silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) controls the bout against Mohammed KAREEM (IRQ) and takes his own time to win 7-0 and advance to the semifinal at 70kg.

12:41: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) scores three takedowns in the second period and he's into the 70kg semifinals with a 7-1 win over Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB).

12:40: Another match decided at the buzzer! Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) had scored a double-leg takedown with :18 left to take back the lead, when Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) hits a front chest-wrap roll with one tick left on the clock for a 6-6 win on big-point criteria to advance to the 79kg semifinals. Budazhapov seemed to be cruising to the victory on the back of an activity point and takedown in the first period when SaipudInov scored a 4-pointer to go ahead.

12:35: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) upsets Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) 8-8 in the 57kg quarterfinals.

12:31: Chong Song HAN (PRK) gets three gut wrenches after a reversal, then heads off a comeback from Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN) to advance to the 57kg semifinals with a 12-6 win. With Han leading 9-2 in the second period, Sakamoto scores a takedown and a lace-lock roll, but Han puts the match away with a takedown with :22 left.

12:30: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) is into the 70kg semifinals with a 10-0 win over Tao WEI (CHN). Tumur Ochir starts out with a takedown and two gut wrenches in the first period. In the second, he scores a takedown, then uses a high-thigh lock roll to end the match at 4:32.

12:20: Two-time Asian medalist Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) showed why no lead is safe until the final buzzer sounds when he pulls off a last-second 5-3 victory over Paris Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZ) at 57kg. Abdullaev seems on his way to 3-1 win when Kalzhan scores with a counter that, upon challenge, is ruled as a 4-pointer.

12:09: World 61kg bronze medalist Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) comes away with a 2-2 win on last-point criteria in his 65kg quarterfinal when Asian Games bronze medalist Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) just can't beat the activity clock while trying to score what could have been a winning takedown but ended up becoming a stepout.

12:07: Zagreb Ranking Series champion Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) seems to hurt his back after scoring a takedown-gut wrench combination against Gurbanmuhammet CHARYYEV (TKM) to go ahead 5-0 in their 65kg quarterfinal. But he looks fine lifting Charyyev high into the air to finish off a single-leg for a 7-0 lead at the break. Ebrahimzadeh gets a 2-point exposure on a counter lift, then finishes the match with a takedown for a 11-0 win.

12:05: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) goes out and gut wrenches Divoshan CHARLES FERNANDO (SRI) for a 10-0 win at 65kg.

11:58: World U20 champion Mobin AZIMI (IRI) makes no mistakes in his 97kg bout against Jointy KUMAR (IND) and wins 10-0 and advance to the quarterfinals.

11:57: Kaisei TANABE (JPN), whose father and coach was an Olympic medalist, is limited to stepouts before scoring a takedown with a minute to go, then adding a late stepout, to secure a 6-0 victory over Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg.

11:51: World U23 champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) starts slow in his opening match at 79kg, giving up two stepouts to Kakamyrat ASHYROV (TKM), but then comes to life with takedown-gut wrench combinations that give him a 12-2 win just as the first period ends.

11:48: In the biggest match of the morning session, former world U23 champions compete as Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) takes on Nachyn KUULAR (KAZ). Akmataliev leads 1-0 after Kuular is put on the activity clock. But Kuular gets a over-under hold and throws Akmataliev for four to lead 4-1 at the break. Akmataliev starts the second period with a stepout to cut the lead to 4-2. Another stepout for Akmataliev and then he blocks a Kuular throw for two and turns to lead 7-4. Kazakhstan challenge the first throw as slip. It actually wins the challenge and Kuular is back to 4-3 lead with 1:36 remaining on the clock. Akmataliev with a stepout to make it 4-4 but Kuular leads on criteria. Akmataliev and Kuular both in danger zone and both go out of bounds. Not scored but Kyrgyzstan challenge and it seems Kuular's head went out first. One point for Akmataliev on review and he leads 5-4 with 15 seconds remaining. He defends his leads and wins 5-4 at 70kg.

11:44: Russian-born and 2022 world bronze medalist Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), nursing a 1-0 lead in his opening match at 79kg, gets put on the clock in the second period against world U23 silver medalist Feng LU (CHN) and immediately scores a takedown and 2-point exposure. Lu reverses for 1, and Budazhapov takes a timeout for an apparent knee injury. That seems to energize Lu, who spins behind for a takedown, then adds a gut wrench to go ahead 5-5 on criteria. With :08 left, Budazhapov unleashes a blast double-leg takedown that gives him a 7-5 victory.

11:37: Returning 97kg silver medalist Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) tosses Muhamad RUDIANSYAH (INA) like a rag doll for a 4-point takedown en route to quick 10-0 win.

11:34: Two-time Olympian and former world bronze medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), the silver medalist a year ago at 65kg, has moved up to 70kg, and he gets started with a 8-0 victory over Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND). Tumur Ochir with a takedown in the first period, then adds an activity point, stepout and spin-behind takedown in the second.

11:27: The home team is dealt another setback when Erzo ISAKOV (JOR) is able to fend off the attacks of Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN) at 79kg, but does little in the way of offense and gives away two activity points. That's all the scoring until Kamiya picks up a takedown with :02 left to secure a 4-0 win.

11:22: OSU recruit Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), wearing the headgear, falls behind 1-1 on criteria against Aiaal BELOLYUBSKII (TJK) who has defended well against everything Sakamoto has thrown at him. But it falls apart after Sakamoto, who is in a tripod defense, hits a cut back and then scores two more points for exposure. Leg lace to finish with an 11-1 win. You read about Sakamoto and OSU here

11:18: Russian-born Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), the silver medalist last year at 74kg, starts his bid for the 70kg gold with an 11-0 win over local favorite Zaid MESLAH (JOR) in just under two minutes.

11:15: Chongsong HAN (PRK), the 2023 Asian Games silver medalist at 57kg who failed twice to qualify for the Paris Olympics, opens with an 11-0 win over Abidin ZAINAL (INA).

11:14: Muqibullah NEZAMI (AFG), Afghanistan's lone entrant in any of the styles in Amman, finds himself in a 6-0 hole in his 57kg match with 2023 world U23 bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL), giving up a stepout plus fleeing point, and 4-point takedown. But Nezami responds with a takedown to make it 6-2 at the break. In the second period, Batkhuyag grabs a takedown and immediately goes to a gut wrench, then adds a 2-point tilt for a 12-2 win at 3:45.

11:14: 2023 Asian silver medalist explodes after the takedown against world U23 champion CHIRAG (IND) and scores four gut-wrenches to win 10-0 at 57kg.

11:11: Husein ALBEHADILALBORS (IRQ) starts with a quick 4 points against Tirana Ranking Series bronze medalist Weiyu LI (CHN) and goes on to an 11-3 victory at 57kg.

11:10: Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) with two back-to-back four-pointers against Jaeyong AN (KOR) for an 8-0 lead in their opening bout at 57kg. Kalzhan scores a stepout just before the break to extend it to 9-0. A stepout early in the second period and Kalzhan wins 10-0.

11:07: Only a scoreboard malfunction can slow down Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) who, competing in just his third senior-level tournament, starts what Iran hopes is a productive day with a 10-0 win over Gayan EKANAYAKA (SRI) at 57kg.

Morikawa reigns at 68kg, all but shatters Kawai's Olympic quest

Comments

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 5 Blog