#WrestleAlmaty

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

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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

#WrestleNoviSad

Yakushenko levels up with first U23 World Championships gold

Wednesday, October 22, 2025 - 15:49 By Vinay Siwach

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NOVI SAD, Serbia (October 22) -- Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) has lost only one bout in 2025 but that one loss remains tied to him when he steps on the mat.

At the U20 European Championships final, Yakushenko lost to Darius KIEFER (GER), 5-3, losing his gold medal to the German wrestler. But using that loss as a lesson and motivation, Yakushenko has now won two world titles in the space of two months.

The 19-year-old won gold at the U20 World Championships in August and on Wednesday at the U23 World Championships in Novi Sad, Yakushenko won his first U23 world title.

"If I hadn’t lost at the Europeans, I wouldn’t have won at Worlds," Yakushenko said. "Sometimes a loss can be for the better. It motivated me and helped me mentally."

Yakushenko, who avenged that loss to Kiefer at U20 Worlds, wrestled with great temperament at the U23 Worlds despite carrying an injury after his first bout. In four matches, he began with a win over Luka GABISONIA (GEO), held off Abubakar KHASLAKHANU (UWW) and defeated Richard KARELSON (EST) in the semifinals.

Facing senior Asia silver medalist Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) in the final, Yakushenko used a stepout and turn from par terre to lead 4-0. Matsiyev was docked two points for a defensive foul as Yakushenko extended his lead to 6-0.

When Matsiyev got the par terre position in the second period, Yakushenko easily defended it and managed to win the final 6-1, thus claiming gold.

"I’m euphoric right now," he said. "I feel that it really wasn’t that easy. I guess I just worked hard and prepared well, went through good training. My shoulder hurts a little. But I think it’s actually from the rib."

Yakushenko was in Porec, Croatia at the preparatory camp for senior World Championships. Though he did not participate in the tournament, Yakushenko was part of the Ukraine team and watched the matches in Zagreb.

"We had a camp in Croatia, where many countries were present," he said. "I watched, got motivated, I was overwhelmed with emotions. My weight category is very strong, but I think everything is within my reach."

The two-time U20 world champion believes that needs to build more strength to be ready for the senior level but will not shy from a chance to earn his spot on the senior Ukrainian team next year.

"I still need to build more physical strength," he said. "But technically, I don’t think I have problems, and my endurance is good too. 

"There should be the Ukrainian Cup in November, I’m not sure yet. It’s the qualification event for the European Championships. Maybe I’ll compete there, give our senior team a bit of a shake-up. I don’t know yet, I’ll depend on what my coach says. Whatever he decides, I’ll do."

Iran closer to cleansweep

Iran won its third gold medal in Greco at the U23 World Championships and has now all-but-confirmed the team trophy. With the team title in Novi Sad, Iran will assert its domination in Greco as it won team titles in all World Championships -- U17 in Athens, U20 in Samokov and senior in Zagreb -- to go with the one in Novi Sad, Serbia.

It consolidated its position on the top when former U23 world champion at 63kg, Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) won gold at 72kg on Wednesday. Mohammadi defeated Abror ATABAEV (UZB), 5-1, in the final.

Mohammadi was awarded the par terre in he first period and he hit a front headlock which was scored two and one more point was awarded for a stepout. But Iran challenged, claiming four points on the throw, which was confirmed on review but the stepout point was removed as it was a push.

After the challenge, Mohammadi led 5-0 and when Atabaev was given par terre in the second period, Mohammadi defended that position with ease and went on to win the gold medal.

Azerbaijan won its second gold medal in Greco-Roman after Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) held off Alibek AMIROV (UWW), 3-2, in the 55kg final. With the win, he also avenged his U23 European Championships semifinals loss to Amirov.

Egypt got its first world title at any level since 2023 and first at U23 in six years after Hassan ABDELREHIM (EGY) blanked Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), 3-0, in the 67kg. Incidentally, Egypt's other two U23 world titles, both won by Mohamed EL SAYED (EGY) in 2018 and 2019, have come at 67kg.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA)Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) completes a five-pointer. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Gutu in third straight final

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) is a win away from becoming the first three-time U23 world champion after he reached the 82kg final in Novi Sad.

Gutu, wrestling at the U23 Worlds for the fifth time, reached the his fourth straight final after beating Ibrahim TABAEV (BEL) in the semifinals. Gutu won gold medals in 2023 and 2024 and has a silver medal from 2022.

He began with a takedown before adding a stepout for a 3-0 lead. The par terre gave him one more point and he threw Tabaev out-of-bounds for one more point and lead 5-0. The second period saw him add one stepout as he won the semifinal 6-0.

For his third straight gold medal, Gutu will face Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR) who defeated Data CHKHAIDZE (GEO), 1-1, in the other semifinal, thanks to the first-point criteria in a 1-1 finish.

Koto GOMI (JPN)Koto GOMI (JPN) celebrates after winning the 60kg semifinal against Maxwell BLACK (USA). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 60kg, Koto GOMI (JPN) will try to the six-year gold medal drought for Japan after he reached the 60kg final on Wednesday after a dominant performance. He faced Maxwell BLACK (USA) in the semifinals and like his previous bouts, he began by scoring as soon as the match began.

An arm-drag to takedown gave him a 2-0 lead before he got the par terre position and scored three rolls using high gut-wrench and win 9-0.

He will face Sajjad ABBASPOUR (IRI) for gold after he made a remarkable comeback in the final 20 seconds. Down 3-1 against Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB), Abbaspour scored a stepout which was also called fleeing with 13 seconds left. However, Bakhramov still held the criteria at 3-3 as he had a two-point move.

But Abbaspour did not give up and scored another stepout with five seconds left, giving him a match-winning 4-3 lead. Uzbekistan challenged it but only to lose it and add one more point to Abbaspour's score.

The 5-3 defeat left the teenager Bakhramov in tears while the Iran corner celebrated the unexpected win in the semifinals.

U.S. perfect

Audrey JIMINEZ (USA) will get another chance of winning her first-ever world title after she reached the 50kg finals after posting a controlled 5-2 win against Aida KERYMOVA (UKR) in the semifinals. Jiminez, who had four age-group world silver medals, scored a takedown and one turn in the second period to overcome a 2-1 deficit and post the win.

She will face Jinyue LIANG (CHN) for that much-awaited gold after Liang saw off Natalia PUDOVA (UWW) in the other semifinal. Liang scored a takedown in the second period to lead 2-1 and then got in scramble which that scored two points each. She then hit a headlock for four to make the score 8-3, her winning score in the final.

Former U20 world champion Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) reached the final at 72kg with her third technical superiority win in three bouts. She defeated former U17 world champion Veronika VILK (CRO), 10-0, in the semifinals using her trademark double blasts.

Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) will look to stop Robinson from winning her first U23 world title after she reached the final at 72kg after beating Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), 6-3.

Returning champion at 72kg, Kylie WELKER (USA), who moved up to 76kg, reached the final after a 16-6 technical superiority win over Edna JIMENEZ VILLALBA (MEX).

Welker began with a four-pointer before two turns made it 8-0. But Villalba also hit a four-pointer to cut the lead to 8-4. She then had Welker in danger to make it 8-6 bit a reversal and three lace turns tilted the semifinal 15-6 in favor to Welker, who scored a stepout in the second period for the win.

She will take on returning bronze medalist Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) who posted a 4-1 win over Elmira YASIN (TUR) in the other semifinal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) df. Alibek AMIROV (UWW), 3-2

BRONZE: Khojiakbar KUCHKAROV (UZB) df. Armin SHAMSIPOUR (IRI), 8-0
BRONZE: Vishvajit MORE (IND) df. Yerassyl MAMYRBEKOV (KAZ), 5-4

67kg
GOLD: Hassan ABDELREHIM (EGY) df. Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), 3-0

BRONZE: Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) df. Hleb MAKARANKA (UWW), 7-1
BRONZE: Otto BLACK (USA) df. Attila JOZSA (HUN), via inj. def.

72kg
GOLD: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. Abror ATABAEV (UZB), 5-1

BRONZE: Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) df. Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM), 3-1
BRONZE: Merey MAULITKANOV (KAZ) df. Danil GRIGOREV (UWW), 10-0

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ), 6-1

BRONZE: Richard KARELSON (EST) df. Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (UWW), 7-7
BRONZE: Maksim AVERIN (UWW) df. Arshak GEGHAMYAN (ARM), 1-1

Greco-Roman Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Koto GOMI (JPN) vs. Sajjad ABBASPOUR (IRI)

SF 1: Koto GOMI (JPN) df. Maxwell BLACK (USA), 9-0
SF 2: Sajjad ABBASPOUR (IRI) df. Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB), 5-3

82kg
GOLD: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) vs. Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR)

SF 1: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) df. Ibrahim TABAEV (BEL), 6-0
SF 2: Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR) df. Data CHKHAIDZE (GEO), 1-1

Women's Wrestling Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) vs. Jinyue LIANG (CHN)

SF 1: Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) df. Aida KERYMOVA (UKR), 5-2
SF 2: Jinyue LIANG (CHN) df. Natalia PUDOVA (UWW), 8-3

72kg
GOLD: Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) vs. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ)

SF 1: Jasmine ROBINSON (USA) df. Veronika VILK (CRO), 10-0 
SF 2: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) df. Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), 6-3

76kg
GOLD: Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) vs. Kylie WELKER (USA)

SF 1: Valeriia TRIFONOVA (UWW) df. Elmira YASIN (TUR), 4-1
SF 2: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Edna JIMENEZ VILLALBA (MEX), 16-6