Ranking Series

Olympic Champ Kim Remains Lone Non-European No. 1 Ranked Wrestler

By Eric Olanowski

VEVEY, Switzerland (June 25) – Korea's Olympic champion KIM Hyeonwoo captured a gold medal at the Sassari City Matteo Pellicone Memorial last month on the Italian island of Sardinia and remained the lone non-European to hold a No. 1 ranking heading into the final Greco-Roman Ranking Series event, the Oleg Karavaev (July 26-28). 

Of the nine top spots held by European wrestlers, five Russian wrestlers are ranked first in their respective weight class. The Russian-five are Sergey EMELIN (60kg), Stepan MARYANYAN (63kg), Artem SURKOV (67kg), Musa EVLOEV (97kg), and Sergey SEMENOV (130kg).

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), Frank STAEBLER (GER), Emrah KUS (TUR), and Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) give Azerbaijan, Germany, Turkey, and Ukraine the remaining four top spots. 

Azizli Remains Top-Ranked Wrestler at 55kg 
Eldaniz Azizli comes in as the No.1 seed at 55kg. The Azeri has a resounding 30-point lead over second-ranked Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) and has the luxury of sitting out of the Oleg Karavaev and still keeping his top spot.  

Bakhromov has the narrow six-point lead over Budapest world runner-up Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), and a nine-point lead over fourth-ranked Ekrem OZTURK (TUR). But this may not matter because there are only two athletes entered into the Oleg Karavaev at 55kg and neither are within striking distance of earning a seed for Nur-Sultan World Championships. 

If the entry list stays the same, this weight won't change before September, leaving the potential semifinals matchup between Azizli and Ozturk on the top side, and Bakhromov and Sharshenbekov on the bottom side. 

Top 10 at 55kg 
76 - Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE)
46 - Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB)
40 - Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)
37 -Ekrem OZTURK (TUR)
35 - Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
27 - Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG)
24 - Reza Kheirollah KHEDRI (IRI)
20 - Liguo CAO (CHN)
20 - Norayr HAKHOYAN (ARM)
20 - Vitalii KABALOEV (RUS)

Emelin Holds Criteria over Ciobanu, Will be No. 1 Seed at 60kg
Sergey Emelin and Victor CIOBANU (MDA) traded golds at the World and European Championships and could meet each other in another gold-medal match if the rankings hold through the World Championships. 

Emlin, the first ranked wrestler at 60kg, holds an 18-point advantage over the man who upset him in the European finals, Vicotr Ciobanu, but the Russian holds criteria and has locked up the top seed because of it. 

KIM Seunghak (KOR) climbed to the third spot in the latest rankings and established himself as a credible threat to win a 60kg medal at the world championships after winning back-to-back Ranking Series titles. Earlier this year, Kim won the Hungarian Grand Prix, then won the Sassari City Matteo Pellicone Memorial last month. 

Ivan LIZATOVIC (CRO) is ranked fourth in the world at 60kg and only sits four points behind Kim. But Kazakhstan's 11th ranked Aidos SULTANGALI sits 17 points behind Lizatovic and will wrestle at the final Ranking Series event. He'd need a gold medal in a weight class with greater than 20 athletes to earn the 18 points he needs to overthrow Lizatovic for the fourth spot.

Top 10 at 60kg 
78 - Sergey EMELIN (RUS)
60 - Victor CIOBANU (MDA)
46 - Seunghak KIM (KOR)
42 - Ivan LIZATOVIC (CRO)
39 - Sailike WALIHAN (CHN)
38 - Se Ung RI (PRK)
34 - Kerem KAMAL (TUR)
28 - Firuz TUKHTAEV (UZB)
28 - Gyanender GYANENDER (IND)
26 - Virgil MUNTEANU (ROU)

Top Three at 63kg Locked in For Nur-Sultan 
Reigning world champion Stepan Maryanyan's record has remained unblemished since he won the world title in Budapest. He's since won the Dan Kolov - Nikola Petrov Tournament and the European Championships and has cemented his spot at the top of the 63kg weight class with 80 Ranking Series points. 

The two wrestlers right behind him, Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) and TUO Erbatu (CHN), have also locked up their top-four seed, but only six points separate the two. Tasmuradov, who got hurt at the Asian Championships, holds a six-point lead over Tuo. 

Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) is ranked fourth in the world at 63kg, 22 points behind Tuo. Galstyan still has some work to do if he hopes to lock up a seed at Worlds. Thirty-three wrestlers can still catch him, and one of the wrestlers looking to steal a spot is 22nd ranked Shinobu OTA (JPN). Ota is entered into the Oleg Kavaraev and needs 15 to take over the fourth spot from the Armenian. 

Top 10 at 63kg 
80 - Stepan MARYANYAN (RUS)
56 - Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB)
50 - Erbatu TUO (CHN)
28 - Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM)
28 - Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE)
26 - Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR)
26 - Andres Roberto MONTANO ARROYO (ECU)
25 - Rahman BILICI (TUR)
25 - Lenur TEMIROV (UKR)
20 - Hassan Hassan Ahmed MOHAMED (EGY)

Surkov Stands at No. 1 at 67kg 
Defending world champion Artem Surkov has a 30-point advantage over second-ranked RYU Hansu (KOR) and will sit out of the Oleg Kavaraev because he's locked up the No. 1 seed. 

But Korea's Ryu only has a three-point cushion over Poland's third-ranked Gevorg SAHAKYAN and Kazahkstan's Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET. 

From there, six wrestlers can claim a seed, but only two of them will wrestle at the Oleg Kavaraev, and they both happen to be from Japan. Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA and Shogo TAKAHASHI, who are ranked ninth and tenth respectively, are tied with 28 points. 

Since they are the only two top-ten ranked wrestlers entered into the final Ranking Series event, if more than 20 wrestlers show up in their bracket and either win a gold medal, they could jump inside the top-three just before the World Championships. 

Top 10 at 67kg 
78 - Artem SURKOV (RUS)
48 - Hansu RYU (KOR)
45 - Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL)
43 - Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ)
40 - Davor STEFANEK (SRB)
30 - Danijel JANECIC (CRO)
30 - Mate NEMES (SRB)
28 - Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA)
28 - Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN)
28 - Shogo TAKAHASHI (JPN)

Mnatsakanian Moves to No. 1 After Staebler Dropping Down to 67kg 
Germany's Frank STAEBLER has been making his way down to the Olympic weight of 67kg since winning his third world title in Budapest and will be forfeiting his top-ranked at 72kg. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) will be the beneficiary of the German wrestler's move. After he moves up to No. 1, and with no ranked wrestlers entered into the Oleg Kavaraev, the other top-three seeded wrestlers at the World Championships will be Balint KORPASI (HUN), Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS), and Tarek Aziz BENAISSA (ALG), respectively.

Top 10 at 72kg 
60 - Frank STAEBLER (GER)
55 - Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL)
52 - Balint KORPASI (HUN)
40 - Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS)
38 - Tarek Aziz BENAISSA (ALG)
32 - Hujun ZHANG (CHN)
30 - Cengiz ARSLAN (TUR)
26 - Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN)
26 - Mateusz Lucjan BERNATEK (POL)
25 - Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE)

Kim Remains Lone Non-European No.1-Ranked Wrestler
Korea's London Olympic champion Kim Hyeonwoo is the lone non-European wrestler to hold the world's No. 1 ranking. Kim won the Asian Championships and the Sassari City Matteo Pellicone Memorial, while also finishing with bronze medals at the Zagreb Open and Hungarian Grand Prix. His 87 points are 26 more than second-ranked Viktor NEMES (SRB), which means he'll be the top-seeded wrestler at 77kg when the World Championships roll around. 

Nemes has a one-point lead over reigning world champion Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS), though it's not clear if Russia will go with Chekhirkin or two-time Olympic champion Roman VLASOV (RUS), who won the European title at this weight. 

Hungary's Tamas LORINCZ is the fourth-ranked wrestler and is only in danger of losing his seed to Kamal BEY (USA), but since the American failed to make the world team, Lorincz should be safe not competing in Belarus. 

Top 10 at 77kg 
87 - Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR)
61 - Viktor NEMES (SRB)
60 - Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS)
52 - Tamas LORINCZ (HUN)
36 - Kamal Ameer BEY (USA)
32 - Bilan NALGIEV (UZB)
22 - Roman VLASOV (RUS)
20 - Alex Michel BJURBERG KESSIDIS (SWE)
20 - Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB)
20 - Roland SCHWARZ (GER)

Kus' European Bronze Pushes Him Past Bacsi Who Recently Retired 
Emrah KUS (TUR) and Peter BACSI (HUN) are ranked first and second respectively heading into July, but since Bacsi has announced his retirement, Saeid Morad ABDVALI (IRI) will move into to the second slot come September. 

Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR) is the fourth-ranked wrestler, but that's likely to change because two top-eight wrestlers who are close enough to steal the fourth seed will wrestle in Belarus. 

Reigning European champion Rajbek BISULTANOV (DEN) is three points away from Sasunouski, and Asian bronze medalist Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ), who is seven points from the Belarusian, are both aiming for gold at the Oleg Karavaev. 

Top 10 at 82kg 
70 - Emrah KUS (TUR)
60 - Peter BACSI (HUN)
38 - Saeid Morad ABDVALI (IRI)
37 - Viktar SASUNOUSKI (BLR)
36 - Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR)
34 - Rajbek Alvievich BISULTANOV (DEN)
32 - Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)
30 - Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ)
25 - Maksim MANUKYAN (ARM)
20 - Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ)

87kg Seeds Set Heading into Oleg Karavaev 
The seeds at 87kg for the World Championships are set in stone. The reason being, Hungary has two wrestlers in the top-four and can only enter one of them into the World Championships. In addition to that, there's only one unseeded wrestler who can jump into the top four, but he'll receive a bump because of the two seeded Hungarians. 

Reigning European champion Zhan Beleniuk will be first. Turkey's two-time world champion Metehan BASAR will follow him in the second spot. Hungary will most likely go with fourth-ranked Viktor LORINCZ, who has defeated third-ranked Erik SZILVASSY three times this year. This means Lorincz will be the third-seeded wrestler, with Islam ABBASOV (AZE) moving into the fourth slot. 

Top 10 at 87kg 
62 - Zhan BELENIUK (UKR)
60 - Metehan BASAR (TUR)
56 - Erik SZILVASSY (HUN)
52 - Viktor LORINCZ (HUN)
40 - Islam ABBASOV (AZE)
32 - Radzik KULIYEU (BLR)
32 - Hossein Ahmad NOURI (IRI)
32 - Bachir SID AZARA (ALG)
28 - Mikalai STADUB (BLR)
26 - Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB)

Evloev Enters Nur-Sultan No. 1 at 97kg
You can lock in Musa Evloev, Kiril MILOV (BUL), and Tracy HANCOCK (USA) to the top three seeds at 97kg for the World Championships. They've built enough points to sit out of the final Ranking Series event and still sit in the top three.

The remaining top-four ranked wrestler who hasn't locked up his spot is Mahdi ALIYARIFEIZABADI (IRI). Aliyarifeizabadi sits in fourth with 39 points. There are still seven wrestlers, none of which are entered into the Oleg Karavaev, that could pass him if they were to show up. Of those seven wrestlers that can catch Aliyarifeizabadi, four of them sit within nine points. That means, a medal at the Oleg Kavaraev would steal the spot from the Iranian.

Top 10 at 97kg 
82 - Musa EVLOEV (RUS)
74 - Kiril Milenov MILOV (BUL)
60 - Tracy Gangelo HANCOCK (USA)
39 - Mahdi Abbas ALIYARIFEIZABADI (IRI)
35 - Mihail KAJALA (SRB)
32 - Luillys Jose PEREZ MORA (VEN)
32 - Fatih BASKOY (TUR)
30 - Balazs KISS (HUN)
28 - Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA)
28 - Jahongir TURDIEV (UZB)

Semenov Seals No. 1 Spot at 130kg
Similar to 97kg, the top-three wrestlers at 130kg have locked up their spot for at least a top-four seed for the World Championships. Sergey Semenov, Adam Jacob COON (USA), and Heiki NABI (EST) will be the top-three seeds respectively come September's World Championships. 

When it comes to the fourth-ranking, KIM Minseok (KOR) holds the spot as of now. Though it's unlikely to happen because there are only eight wrestlers entered into the Oleg Kavaraev, Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) can still overtake the Korean with a gold-medal performance in a bracket with 20+ wrestlers.

Top 10 at 130kg 
76 - Sergey SEMENOV (RUS)
60 - Adam Jacob COON (USA)
52 - Heiki NABI (EST)
47 - Minseok KIM (KOR)
30 - Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB)
28 - Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI)
28 - Oskar MARVIK (NOR)
28 - Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU)
26 - Lingzhe MENG (CHN)
26 - Balint LAM (HUN)

#WrestleAmman

Asian C'ships 2025 Day 4 Women's Wrestling Finals Set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 28) -- After five Women's Wrestling weight classes, it's turn for the remaining five -- 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg -- at the Asian Championships which enters day four.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 REPORT

72kg gold medal bout: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs Yuqi LIU (CHN)

14:17: Yuqi LIU (CHN) earns a shot at adding the senior Asian 72kg gold to the U20 one she won last year when she notches a 5-2 victory over Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB). Early in the first period, Liu misses an opportunity when she gets Oknazarova's leg into the air, only to see the Uzbek twist herself free. Liu gets an activity point and that accounts for the lone score of the first period. The action opens in the second period, and Liu scores with a single-leg takedown, but Oknazarova responds with a double-leg that puts Liu onto her back, but is scored only as a 2-pointer. Liu adds an insurance takedown on a counter. 

14:15: Former world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) and four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) battle it out in the 72kg semifinals and it's a snoozefest. Bakbergenova gets the 1-0 lead after Furuichi fails to score when put on activity clock in the first period. Furuichi gets the 1-1 criteria lead when Bakbergenova fails to score in the second. Bakbergenova is hit with another passivity in the second period and Furuichi leads 2-1 with 43 seconds on the clock. Bakbergenova gets Furuichi out of bounds but she is on her knees and it's called no points. Furuichi defends with all might but Bakbergenova scores the stepout this time to win 2-2. Bakbergenova with the win with 0.6 seconds left despite Japan's challenge.

65kg gold medal bout: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL)

14:02: World 59kg champion Qi ZHANG (CHN) manages to cut Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) lead to 4-2 with a takedown but Morikawa gets two takedowns in the final minute and Zhang gets one. Morikawa wins 8-4 to enter the final at 65kg. In her only other Asian Championships appearance in 2022, Morikawa won gold but it was a round-robin bracket in which she did not get to celebrate the win in final, a fact she rued that year. 

13:58: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) will get a chance to improve on her silver from last year, advancing to the 65kg final with victory by fall over Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB). Tuvshinjargal gets in deep on a double, and when Allaniyazova goes over the top in defense, Tuvshinjargal twists backward for a 2-point exposure. She then works her way up to fall position and pins Allaniyazova down at 1:59.

62kg gold medal bout: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) vs MANISHA (IND)

13:54: After three consecutive bronze medals, MANISHA (IND) will finally be fighting for the gold when she chalks up a 5-1 victory at 62kg over Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ). Limited to an activity point in the first period, Manisha starts the second period with a stepout, then adds a snap-down takedown. She scores another stepout with a minute to go, then inadvertently gives up one when she goes out spinning behind for a takedown.

13:50: In perhaps the match of the semifinal session, Ok Ju KIM (KIM) secures the fall over Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) at 62kg. Kim tried the cradle, then went for the half-nelson before pinning Ozaki and make it to the 62kg final on international debut for the 24-year-old.

57kg gold medal bout: Il SIM SON (PRK) vs Sara NATAMI (JPN)

13:42: Il Sim SON (PRK) follows Natami by also bringing an early end to her 57kg semifinal, using a barrel roll to put Youngjin KWON (KOR) onto her back, then moving to a headlock and leg wrap to secure the fall in 2:08.

13:41: Kexin HONG (CHN) can't catch a break getting pinned via step overs from her opponents. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) did it in the semifinals at the Paris Olympics now at the Asian Championships, Sara NATAMI (JPN) gets the fall.

53kg gold medal bout: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Hyogyong CHOE (PRK)

13:40: In a much-anticipated clash between young stars, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) goes on the offensive as expected in their 53kg semifinal and ANTIM (IND) does what she does best, fending off. For one period at least. Kiyooka, limited to an activity point in the first period, breaks through with Antim on the activity clock for a single-leg takedown, then adds a thigh-lock roll. The world 55kg champion then repeats the process to end the match with a 10-0 win in 4:10.

13:35: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) takes only a minute and 13 seconds to complete her leg lace and win 10-0 against Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) and reach the 53kg final.

Semifinals will begin 13:30 Amman time.

13:00: ANTIM (IND) with a low single as soon as the whistle goes for the 53kg quarterfinal against world U20 champion and senior world silver medalist Jin ZHANG (CHN). She adds a takedown to make it 4-0 inside the first minute. Zhang with a double hand lock throw but Antim survives the pin attempt. Another takedown for Antim and she leads 6-2 at the break. Antim adds another takedown with snapdown for an 8-2 lead. Her double underhooks help her defend whatever Zhang is throwing at her. Zhang gets two points after Antim defends with a chestwrap but Zhang exposes her. She adds another to cut the lead to 8-6. Both wrestlers in a tangle and referees call for a consultation. It is scored two for Antim, two for Zhang, giving Antim a 10-8 win. China challenge the decision. On review it is Antim is awarded two points twice and she wins 10-6

12:47: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) with a fall over Jeongae BARK (KOR) in the 65kg quarterfinal. Perfect headlock for the fall

12:44: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) had to launch a big four-pointer to lead 4-2 against Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) in the 65kg quarterfinal.. Mukatay had countered the first attack secured a 2-0 lead. Morikawa begins the second period with a stepout. Step over defense from Morikawa to make it 9-2 before securing the fall with 1:46 left on the clock.

12:41: MANISHA (IND) muscles her way into the 62kg semifinals with a victory by fall over Hanbit LEE (KOR). As she receives an activity point, Manisha uses double underhooks on the mat to leverage Lee over and gains the fall in 2:25.

12:38: Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) explodes for nine points in the second period to notch a 10-4 victory over Miyasar KUSHMURATOVA (UZB) and advance to the 62kg semifinals

12:36: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) gets over a major hurdle in her quest for a third Asian gold when she grinds out a 4-1 victory over Lili LILI (CHN) to make the 62kg semifinals. Ozaki gets an activity point in the first period and early in the second to lead 2-0. She gets in on a single-leg and gets the leg into the air, only for Lili to mule-kick her way out of the predicament. Lili receives an activity point, adding to the tension as the clock ticks down. With :10 left, Lili attempts a last-ditch front headlock roll, but Ozaki stuffs it for a final 2.

12:33: Sara NATAMI (JPN) puts on a technical masterclass of takedowns and wins 11-0 against Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) to enter 57kg semifinals.

12:27: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), last year's world and Asian champion at 55kg who has moved down to 53kg, puts on a takedown clinic in cruising to a 10-0 victory over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE). She topped off her fourth takedown with a quick lace lock to end the match in 1:58.

12:25: Youngjin KWON (KOR) did not let Danielle LIM (SGP) from the headlock and secures the fall after a 7-0 lead to advance to the 57kg semifinals.

12:24: Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) loses a challenge for a counter to a counter-lift by Maysa YUSUPJANOVA (TKM) that would have ended the match on a technical fall, but goes on to pancake her opponent to mat and score an actual fall to advance to the 65kg semifinals. 

12:21: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) needs just 46 seconds to get a takedown against Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ), rip off four lace-lock rolls and secure her spot in the 53kg semifinals with a 10-0 win.

12:20: Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) begins the 72kg quarterfinal with the typical Mongolian headlock throw for four against Yuqi LIU (CHN). Liu answers with a takedown but Zorigt leads 4-2. With just over a minute remaining, Liu gets Zorigt on her back to the mat and secures a fall and enter the semifinals.

12:20: Qi ZHANG (CHN) builds up a 7-2 lead in the first period against Asian U23 silver medalist Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ). The two trade stepouts in the second period before Zhang adds a late takedown for a 10-3 win and a possible semifinal clash with Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN). 

12:12: Il Sim SON (PRK) is into the semifinals at 57kg with a victory by fall over Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

12:10: Four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) begins her quest for a third Asian gold and sixth medal overall with a 10-0 victory over Sehee KIM (KOR) to advance to the semifinals at 72kg. After her third takedown, Bakbergenova rolls Kim twice to end the proceedings. 

12:08: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), former Asian champion and Paris bronze medalist at 68kg, is back to 62kg. She had to make the desperate move to 68kg but losing the domestic qualifiers at 62kg in Japan. She defeated Ami ISHII (JPN) to get the spot at 68kg for Paris. She returned to 62kg at the Emperor's Cup and won the gold to qualify for Asian Championships. Up against Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), Ozaki opens up a 4-0 lead before takedowns are exchanged and Ozaki leads 6-2 at the break. The second period starts with a single-leg attack from Ozaki for two. Sukhee is quick with her attacks as well but Ozaki resets and defends to score takedwon. Sukhee keeps shooting on the legs and score a stepout as Ozaki is feeling the heat of the weight cut. Another sweep single from Sukhee, Ozaki defends for a while but gives up another takedown as Sukhee cuts her lead to 10-5 with 25 seconds remaining. Sukhee attempts a big throw but Ozaki with a whizzer and secures a 12-5 win.

12:06: Masako FURUICHI (JPN), one of the few wrestlers on the planet who has completed the "Grand Slam" of all four world age-group titles, faces a rising star in her opening match at 72kg in Jyoti BERWAL (IND), the world U20 champion at 76kg. An actionless first period sees Berwal take a 1-0 lead into the second. It's more of the same, as Berwal gets an activity point, but gives up a penalty point. In the final 20 seconds, Furuichi comes to life and completes a single-leg takedown with :10 left for a 3-2 win. 

12:05: Asian U23 bronze medalist Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) is trailing 2-0 when she slams Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) to her back for a fall at 72kg.  Nurtaeva was last year's Asian U23 champion at 68kg.

12:02: Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE), a silver medalist from 2021, with a buzzer-beating exposure to beat Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) at 53kg! Akhmedova was leading 5-3 but allowed Hsieh the leg attacks and while backtracking on her hips, there was exposure. Uzbekistan challenged but the decision was upheld as Hsieh won 6-5

11:57: Another historic first at these Asian Championships as Aylah MAYALI (PLE) becomes the first-ever female participant from Palestine when she faces Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) in a qualification-round match at 65kg. Allaniyazova opens the scoring with a double-leg takedown, then counters a Mayali shot to a stalemate. Allaniyazova adds another takedown at the edge to lead 4-0 at the break. In the second period, Allaniyazova gets a takedown and gut wrench, but Mayali reverses for her first points. In the end, the Uzbek proves too much and comes away with a 12-2 win, but not a bad effort for the debutante.

11:56: MANISHA (IND), last year's champion at 65kg, has dropped down to 62kg and starts strong with an 11-0 win over Asian U23 silver medalist.  Tynys DUBEK (KAZ).

11:49: Il Sim SON (PRK), looking to do her part for DPR Korea in the team standings, starts off with a nice fireman's carry and never lets off the gas in posting an 11-0 win over Pei Ying LIAO (TPE) at 57kg in just under two minutes.

11:50: Jordan had its first wrestler in women's wrestling at the senior Asian Championships on Thursday and today Balqis TAAIBIN (JOR) is the second. However, she cannot produce a win for the hosts as Jeongae BARK (KOR) beats her 12-2 at 65kg.

11:45: Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) with a headlock to fall over Dieu Thuong LAI (VIE) at 65kg. Lai was leading 6-0 but Mukatay with a reversal to get the fall.

11:42: World U23 bronze medalist Neha SHARMA (IND) advances at 57kg with an 8-1 victory over Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), a 2023 Asian bronze medalist.

11:39: Qi ZHANG (CHN), last year's champion and the 2023 world chamipion at 59kg, gets her campaign at 65kg started with lightning quick 10-0 rout of MONIKA (IND).

11:38: Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) only got going in the second but she did well and secured a fall over Thi Hien DANG (VIE) after building a 14-7 lead.

11:38: In the opening match on Mat B, Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) seemed on the road to a rare victory for Sri Lanka, using an impressive double-leg takedown in taking leads of 6-0 and 8-4, only to get caught in a cradle by Youngjin KWON (KOR) and lose by fall at 57kg.