Munkhbold clinches women's 55kg gold with match to spare as Tokyo-bound trio advance to finals

Thursday, April 15, 2021 - 09:33 By Ken Marantz

After moving up from the bronze to silver last year, Dulguun MUNKHBOLD (MGL) assured that she would finish on top of the medal podium at this year's Asian Championships with a match to spare.

The women's competition, diluted by the absences of powerhouses Japan China as well as the People's Republic of Korea, got underway Thursday at the spectator-less Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports with all of the five weight classes in action having six entries or less.

The 55kg division, with just four participants, is being run as a straight round-robin with no semifinals or final. By winning both of her matches in the afternoon session by fall, Munkhbold clinched the gold regardless of the outcome of her final match in the night session.

"I definitely wanted to win the gold medal here and I still have a bout remaining which I would
like to win," Munkhbold said. "I saw some of [my opponents'] videos, but I have never wrestled them before. I love to win by falls. It's a great feeling."

Meanwhile, Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ), who came to Almaty already in possession of a berth at the Tokyo Olympics, and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), who clinched spots at the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament held last week at this venue, all earned a chance to leave the Kazakh city with a continental crown.

Islamova Brik, who secured a ticket to Tokyo by placing third at 50kg at the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan, made mince meat of the competition, winning both of her group
matches by fall, then decking Yung Hsun LIN (TPE) in just :23 in the semifinals.

"I have qualified for the Olympics and till then, every tournament I will prepare for will be a
practice tournament for me," Islamova Brik said.

In the final, the Russian-born Islamova Brik will aim for a first career Asian gold after winning bronzes the past two years when she takes on Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB), who edged Seema SEEMA (IND) 3-2 in the other semifinal.

"I have never won the Asian Championships," Islamova Brik said. "I always finished with a bronze medal. So it's good to be in the final and hopefully win the gold medal."

As for the "secret" of her powerful display today, she replied, "My body feels very good. My training has been at a level where I can say that I am fully fit."

Zhumanazarova, a 2019 Asian bronze medalist coming off a successful run in the Asian Olympic qualifier at 68kg, will battle for the gold in that weight class against 2018 world junior silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL).

"The last month I was training at my center in Kyrgyzstan and before the Asian qualifiers, so it has been good training for the last month," said Zhumanazarova, the 2019 world junior silver medalist. "The hard work paid off as I qualified for the Olympics and now I am in the final of the Asian Championships."

Zhumanazarova chalked up a pair of technical falls before using a lift-and-dump to score a semifinal victory by fall in 4:11 over Eun Sun JEONG (KOR). Enkhsaikhan advanced to the final with a 10-0 technical fall in 2:09 over Azoda ESBERGENOVA (UZB).

"I thought I was mentally very strong today and the preparation was up to the mark," Zhumanazarova said. "Every day and every tournament, I prepare in a certain manner and it has worked well for me. Let's see what happens in the final."

Jeong had earned her spot in the semifinals with a remarkable comeback against Nisha NISHA (IND). Trailing 6-0, Jeong took the Indian to the mat with a headlock with 1:10 left, then secured a fall with :17 remaining on the clock.

Medet Kyzy, Tokyo-bound after winning at 76kg in the Asian Olympic qualifier, will look to improve on the silver medal she won last year in New Delhi when she faces 2020 bronze medalist Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) in a rematch of their group encounter.

Both wrestlers sailed into the final with dominant victories, as Medet Kyzy followed a takedown with four straight rolls for a 10-0 technical fall over Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) in 1:41, while Syzdykova took a half-minute less to put away Pooja POOJA (IND) by fall after slamming her to the mat by lateral drop.

In their group match, Medet Kyzy scored two takedowns in the second period to secure a 6-1 victory.

Sarita SARITA (IND), the lone defending champion in action Thursday, went down to defeat in
a group match at 59kg, but earned a shot at revenge and the gold when she set up a final clash with two-time world bronze medalist Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL).

Baatarjav battled to a razor-thin 5-4 victory over Sarita in their opening match of the day, then
the two dominated all others to advance to the final.

In the semifinals, Sarita swept past Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ), winning by 11-0 technical fall in 1:35 with a succession of gut wrenches, while Baatarjav gained 4 points with a slick fireman's carry en route to a 10-0 technical fall in 2:08 over Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB).

Sarita, the 2017 Asian silver medalist, will be looking to become the first Indian to defend an Asian title. For Baatarjav, the final gives her a chance for an elusive senior Asian gold after winning a silver in 2014 and bronze in 2018.

At 55kg, Munkhbold can avoid having the title decided on tiebreaking criteria if, as expected, she defeats winless Hyungjoo KIM (KOR) in the final group match.

If the Mongolian loses, she will finish with a 2-1 record and tied with the winner of the match between Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB) and Aisha UALISHAN (KAZ). But because Munkhbold has beaten both of them, she will get the gold based on the head-to head result.

Kim, who appeared at the 2008 and 2012 Olympics and is still going strong at 36, suffered a pair of close losses that dropped her out of title contention. She lost a 5-5 decision to Ualishan, then fell 5-3 to Usmonjonova.

The tournament received the stunning news last week that the Japanese women's team would not be coming after an unspecified number of team members were suspected of coming into contact with someone infected with the coronavirus. The announcement came just before the team was to fly to Almaty.

The Chinese women pulled out as they were undergoing two days of testing arranged by the Chinese embassy, a team official said. The team was to leave from Kazakhstan on Thursday night.

Day 3 Results

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

50kg (6 entries)
Valentina ISLAMOVA BRIK (KAZ) df. Yung Hsun LIN (TPE) by Fall, :23 (4-0)
Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) df. Seema SEEMA (IND), 3-2

55kg (4 entries)
Standings (after 2 rounds)
1. Dulguun MUNKHBOLD (MGL), 2-0; 2. Madina USMONJONOVA (UZB), 1-1; 3. Aisha UALISHAN (KAZ), 1-1; 4. Hyungjoo KIM (KOR), 0-2.
Munkhbold clinched gold medal

59kg (6 entries)
Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) df. Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 2:08
Sarita SARITA (IND) df. Nuraida ANARKULOVA (KGZ) by TF, 11-0, 1:35

68kg (6 entries)
Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. Eun Sun JEONG (KOR) by Fall, 4:11 (6-0)
Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Azoda ESBERGENOVA (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 2:09

76kg (6 entries)
Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) df. Pooja POOJA (IND) by Fall, 1:11 (4-0)
Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) vs Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) by TF, 10-0, 1:41

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo Day 4 Results: Medet Kyzy Beats Reasco to Win 76kg Gold

Saturday, February 28, 2026 - 09:53 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (February 28) -- The stakes were not the same but Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will be very satisfied with her win over world champion Genesis REASCO (ECU).

World champion Reasco and silver medalist Medet Kyzy met in the 76kg final of the 2026 Muhamet Malo Ranking Series on Saturday. In the rematch of the World Championships final, Medet Kyzy changed her strategy and kept Reasco tangled in upper body match-up. It worked out well for Medet Kyzy as she defeated Reasco 5-4 to clinch the gold medal.

Five months ago in Zagreb, Reasco led 4-0 with two different takedowns before Medet Kyzy cut it to 4-2 but was unable to score another takedown which would have given her the win.

In Tirana on Saturday, the Kyrgyzstan wrestler did not let Reasco settle down and dictate. She scored the first stepout of the bout to take a 1-0 lead. Reasco and Medet Kyzy then were locked in par terre but the former managed to get her hand out and score a takedown to lead 2-1. Medet Kyzy got a two-on-one and snapped Reasco for takedown and turned her using a gut-wrench to step ahead 5-2 at the break.

Reasco tried her getting a two-on-one on Medet Kyzy but was blocked as Medet Kyzy kept her left arm on the Ecuadorian's forehead. Reasco then switched plans and went for her favorite double-leg attack to get the takedown and cut the lead to 5-4.

But Medet Kyzy did not panic and locked Reasco in double underhooks and then standing to run out the time and claim the victory.

While there were no celebrations from Medet Kyzy but her win makes her the favorite not just for the April's Asian Championships but also the October's World Championships.

Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) finishes her final against Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Bakbergenova Dominates

Three-time world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) was dominant throughout the day and won the gold medal at 72kg.

Coming out of the Nelson bracket as the number one from the group, she won the semifinal, 10-0, against Diksha MALIK (IND). From the other side, world bronze medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) reached the final.

Bakbergenova was put on the activity clock in the first period and Nurtaeva was on the board with a 1-0 lead. But a slide-by from Bakbergenova threw the bout wide open. Bakbergenova elevated Nurtaeva's leg and rolled over for four points but the latter kept her control to get two points.

The Kazakhstan wrestler kept her position and was awarded a point for reversal and then tried to pin Nurtaeva, however, the Kyrgyzstand wrestler flee out of bounds. At the end of the exchange, Bakbergenova led 11-3. Kyrgyzstan challenged the call and lost one more point and Nurtaeva was put in forced par terre.

Bakbergenova sat on Nurtaeva as the latter tried to get out of the hold but going between the former's legs. That was the two points Bakbergenova needed to complete her victory.

Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) turns NEHA (IND) during the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Vynnyk Edges Neha

Albania is turning out to be a happy hunting ground for Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR). After winning her two U23 World Championships gold medals here in 2023 and 2024, Vynnyk won the 57kg gold medal at the Ranking Series on Saturday.

In one of the most exciting finals of the night, Vynnyk defeated NEHA (IND), 8-7, with 13 points coming in the second period. It was the Indian who opened the score with an early takedown to lead 2-0 at the break, before Vynnyk who used a chest wrap to throw her over and led 2-2. She continued the exchange with three turns before a reversal and came out with an 8-3 lead.

Neha, who looked clueless in her defense, used strength to put Vynnyk down for two points to cut the lead to 8-5. With 50 seconds remaining and needing three points to win, Neha elevated Vynnyk's leg, trying to score four points. But Vynnyk defended all attempts to trip her and killed the time as Neha tried to find a way to score.

Eventually, Vynnyk fell on the edge and Neha got only two points, that too after a challenge. Neha was left with only six seconds to win the match and that was always too little against Vynnyk, who improved her bronze from last year.

At 53kg, Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) won all her four bouts in the Nelson bracket to win the gold medal. She outscored her four opponents 36-3 to stamp her authority.

MEENAKSHI (IND) won the silver medal after beating Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), 2-1, in the Round 5 bout. Yetgil ended with a bronze medal.

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) won the 67kg gold after a 5-1 win over Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Shermakhanbet Returns With Gold

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), who has been out of action for close to a year, returned to international competition with a gold medal at 67kg. The former Asian champion took out Zagreb Open champion Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 5-1, in the final. He was the second Georgian who Shermakhanbet defeated as he took out European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) in the semifinals.

In the final, Shermakhanbet scored a turn from par terre in the first period and then defended his par terre in the second period despite desperate efforts from Chkhikvadze.

The Kazakhstan wrestler got the last two points when Chkhikvadze tried to throw him but landed on his back.

At 63kg, Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) defeated compatriot Sakit GULIYEV (AZE), 1-1, thanks to the first par terre call he got and held criteria.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW)
SILVER: MEENAKSHI (IND)
BRONZE: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)

57kg
GOLD: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) df. NEHA (IND), 8-7

BRONZE: Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) df. Kristina MIKHNEVA (UWW), via fall (7-7)
BRONZE: Amanda MARTINEZ (USA) df. Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR), 5-4

72kg
GOLD: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), 14-3

BRONZE: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Diksha MALIK (IND), via fall

76kg
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Genesis REASCO (ECU)

BRONZE: Dymond GUILFORD (USA) vs. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU)
BRONZE: Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) vs. Elmira YASIN (TUR)

Greco-Roman

63kg
GOLD: Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) df. Sakit GULIYEV (AZE), 1-1

BROBZE: Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) df. Ali HAJIVAND (IRI), 6-3
BRONZE: Morten THORESEN (NOR) df. Bakytzhan KABDYL (KAZ), 2-1

67kg
GOLD: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) df. Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 5-1

BRONZE: Mahammad SHUKURZADE (AZE) vs. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO)
BRONZE: Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) df. Otto BLACK (USA), 8-0

Morning Session Highlights

15:00: Greco 67kg semifinals - Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) books his spot in the 67kg final after a 4-4 criteria over Otto BLACK (USA). This is the second straight Ranking Series final for Chkhikvadze. Black threatened to upset the Georgian as he scored two takedowns in the first period to lead 4-0. But Chkhikvadze managed to control the second period and scored two takedowns against a tiring Black to win.

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) denied European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO), 3-1, in the other semifinal. A takedown from Shermakhanbet which was challenge by Georgia but lost, giving a 3-0 lead to the Kazakhstan. A stepout is all Khetsuriani could score in the second period.

14:45: Greco 63kg semifinals - Sakit GULIYEV (AZE) goes high gut-wrench from par terre and turn (NOR) Morten THORESEN (NOR) four times to finish the semifinal 9-0. He will face compatriot Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) who rode on a strong first period to beat Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), 7-3. Babashov hit a four-pointer and turn from par terre to score his points.

14:30: 76kg semifinals - World Championships final rematch in Tirana. World champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) comes back after being 4-2 down against Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) and scores two take downs in the second period to win 6-4. World silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) gets past the young Elmira YASIN (TUR), 9-0, to book her chance to avenge that loss from Zagreb

14:20: 72kg semifinals - Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) was put on the activity clock in the second period but she instantly hits Diksha MALIK (IND) with a double leg and then score six points with a lace to lead 9-1. She scores a stepout to finish the semifinal 10-0. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) will face Bakbergenova in the final after she held off Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) for a 2-1 win

14:10: 57kg semifinals - NEHA (IND), a U20 world bronze medalist, with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) in just one minute and 32 seconds. A stiffer challenge awaits in the final as Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), a U23 world champion, will stand between her and the gold medal. Vynnyk used a strong gut-wrench and then a four-pointer to win her semifinal against Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), 14-2.

Semifinals will begin at 14:00 hours local time

12:55: Quick finish for Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) as she rolls Vanesa GEORGIEVA (BUL) after a takedown to win 10-0 at 76kg. She will wrestle in the semifinals.

12:50: World champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) is too good for European champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) at 76kg. She opens with a double-leg four-pointer before Alpyeyeva is hit with caution which makes her score 5-0. A scramble is score two points for Reasco and one for Alpyeyeva which Ukraine challenges but loses the challenge, giving extra point to Reasco who wins 8-5

12:45: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) shits gears in the final minute to beat Bose TOSUN (TUR) 6-1 at 72kg. Bakbergenova led 2-1 after two activity clock points and then scored a double-leg takedown and roll to complete the victory

12:40: In a battle of age-group stars, Elmira YASIN (TUR) beats KAJAL (IND), 7-5, at 76kg. Kajal led 3-0 when Yasin hit double-leg for four points which Kajal challenged but lost to give Yasin a 5-3 lead. The first two minutes of the second period were slow before Kajal got a takedown but that only made it 5-5 with Yasin holding criteria. A desperate throw from Kajal at the end resulted in Yasin on top, giving the Turkiye wrestler two more points

12:35: Another excellent win for Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) over Samantha STEWART (CAN) at 57kg. Once again, Domajeva with a comeback from 4-0 down to make it 4-4 in the second period and win on criteria.

12:20: Ali HAJIVAND (IRI) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) took a long time to finish their 63kg bout and it is the Iranian who comes out on top 6-3. Mammadov took a 3-0 lead in the first period. But, Hajivand got the par terre in the second and Mammadov committed a defensive foul which gave a 3-3 criteria lead to Hajivand. He then hit a correct throw to make it 5-3. Hajivand then almost got Mammadov in a fall but did not complete it but his lead swelled to 7-3. Mammadov challanged that asking for leg foul but lost it which gave Hajivand the additional one point.

12:00: Zagreb Open champion Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) with first-period victory over Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) 67kg. Chkhikvadze hits an opening four-pointer and then gets a pushout which was actually a throw but Zakriev did not land in danger. Zakriev challenges for two points for himself but challenge is lost. A two-point takedown and stepout gives Chkhikvadze the 9-1 win

11:50: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) gets a win over Buse TOSUN (TUR), 12-1, in the Nelson bracket bout. Tosun unusually clueless in that bout was even docked a caution point

11:25: World silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) recovers from the first takedown that Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) scored on her to complete a 12-2 victory in her opening bout at 76kg in Tirana.

11:15: World champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) needed a stepout with 20 seconds left to pull off a victory against Dymond GUILFORD (USA) in the opening round bout at 76kg. The United States challenged the call but Guilford stepped out first, giving Reasco another point as she wins 3-2.

11:05: U20 world silver medalist Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) with a activity clock point and a stepout to complete a 2-2 win over Jenna HEMIAE (FIN) at 57kg. Really clutch from Domajeva

10:55: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), a three-time world silver medalist, with a 4-3 victory over Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) at 72kg

10:45: Starting the day with 53kg as Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) takes out MEENAKSHI (IND), 5-0, and then Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) hangs on for a 3-3 criteria win over Roksana ZASINA (POL), also at 53kg

10:30: A big day in Tirana as a World Championships final rematch on the cards between champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) at women's 76kg.

Munkhbold clinches women's 55kg gold with match to spare as Tokyo-bound trio advance to finals

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Muhamet Malo Day 4 Results: Medet Kyzy Beats Reasco to Win 76kg Gold