Otoguro-Punia III set up for 65kg Asian gold; Iranians make 3 of 5 finals

Saturday, April 17, 2021 - 10:21 By Ken Marantz

There won't be a crowd to go crazy, but the atmosphere will be electric when Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and Bajrang PUNIA (IND) clash for the third time in their budding rivalry after both advanced to the 65kg final as the freestyle competition started Saturday at the Asian Championships in Almaty.

Otogoro will defend the title he won a year ago -- by beating Punia before his home crowd in New Dehli -- in the feature match of the five finals to be held in the night session at the empty Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports.

Ravi KUMAR (IND) will also put the title he won in 2020 on the line at 57kg when he takes on Alireza SARLAK (IRI), one of three Iranians who secured places in the gold-medal matches. Kazakhstan has two finalists, and Korea and Uzbekistan one each.

Few can forget the first Otoguro-Punia showdown, at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest for the gold medal. In a classic that was named that year's UWW Freestyle Match of the Year, Otoguro emerged from a non-stop whirlwind battle with a 16-9 victory.

Otoguro dominated the rematch in New Dehli, winning 10-2, and Punia will seek revenge as the two prep for the ultimate prize at the Tokyo Olympics. Both have already earned their spots in Tokyo, Punia after taking a bronze medal at the 2019 World Championships in Nursultan and Otoguro by placing fifth.

On Saturday, neither encountered any trouble on the mat, although Otoguro could not hide his frustration with the constant grabbing of fingers by semifinal opponent Morteza GHIASI CHEKA (IRI).

Otoguro cruised to an 8-2 victory over the Iranian, with two of his points coming on penalties for finger-grabbing and the rest from takedowns off his trademark single-leg attack.

For Otoguro, just back into competition for the first time since last year's tournament is a pleasure in itself.

"It was fun, it's been one year," he said. "Of course, I have wrestled [Punia] several times, so I think it will be an exciting match."

Asked about his condition, he smiled and replied, "I didn't get the coronavirus, so I'm OK."

Punia, limited to just an activity-clock point in the first period, turned it on in the second against Bilguun SARMANDAKH (MGL), spinning behind for a takedown then using grapevine legs and a crossface to turn him over. In the end, he shifted around to the front and secured a fall in 4:42.

Punia arrived in Almaty coming off a victory at last month's Matteo Pellicone tournament in Rome. Now assured of a sixth Asian medal, he will be aiming to make it his third gold.

Kumar, also Tokyo-bound as a 2019 world bronze medalist, earned a chance for back-to-back titles when he recorded a late 10-0 technical fall over an outclassed but valiant Ali ABURUMAILA (PLE) in the semifinals.

"The championship is not at the highest level so I was just trying to be relaxed," Kumar said. "I am wrestling after four months so I was just keeping it simple. It'll all about managing your body.

"The final is against Iran, but I am just focusing on my wrestling, and my style is something I am very confident about."

Kumar built a 5-0 lead going into the second period, but Aburumaila bravely fought on, twice tackling the Indian to his backside but being unable to finish off the moves and gain the points.

Kumar ended the match with a takedown with :08 left on the clock.

Aburumaila, just the fourth Palestinian to ever compete at an Asian Championships, showed he has the moves when he made it to the semifinals with a 7-4 victory over Hyeonsik SONG (KOR).

"I am without any coach here and this is my first international tournament," said Aburumaila, who still has a chance to become Palestine's first-ever Asian medalist. "It is a dream for every wrestler to wrestle at such a stage.

"To reach the semifinal is itself a great thing for me. I hope the level in my country will increase. I need to get better in wrestling if I want to win something. Maybe a coach should also be here to help me."

Sarlak, a 2019 world U-23 bronze medalist, assured himself of a medal after a seven-place finish last year when he scored an early takedown and then three stepouts to defeat Yuto TAKESHITA (JPN) 5-1 in the other semfinal.

"You have to be very careful about wrestling Japan wrestlers in the lightweight categories," Sarlak said. "They have high speed and agility. Thank God I was able to beat him."

At 79kg, 2020 bronze medalist Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) advanced to the final with an 8-2 victory over Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ). He will face 2018 Asian Games bronze medalist Byungmin GONG (KOR), who got a stepout point with :37 left clinch a 5-5 victory on criteria over Narsingh YADAV (IND).

"I hope with the prayers of my people I can win gold here," said Savadkouhi, the 2019 Asian U-23 champion. "I had to wrestle hard against the Kazakhstan wrestler to reach the final. So now I will try to do the same and continue wrestling hard from first minute in the final as well."

Savadkouhi made it to the semifinals with the most exciting match of the session, a barn-burning 14-10 victory over Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ) in which he had trailed 8-5 going into the second period.

Another 2020 bronze medalist with a shot at gold is Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), who powered his way to a 6-2 victory at 97kg over Altangerel CHINBAT (MGL) that included five stepouts.

"My wrestling today was very good and I have been planning for this," said Yergali, who secured an Olympic spot by placing fifth at the Nursultan worlds. "Now in the final I want to wrestle till the end because everything is on line here. It's in my hands to win or lose, so I will give everything on the mat to win the gold."

Yergali will have his hands full with Ali SHABANIBENGAR (IRI), a 2018 world U-23 bronze medalist who dominated in his two matches. After a technical fall in the quarterfinals, Shabanibengar needed just 24 seconds to pulverize Satywart KADIAN (IND), getting a quick takedown and reeling off four gut wrenches for a 10-0 rout.

The 70kg final will pit Sirojiddin KHASANOV (UZB) against Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ). Khasanov, who was fifth in 2019, scored six points in the final 50 seconds to defeat Perman HOMMADOV (TKM) 8-3, while Talgat had a pair of takedowns in a 6-2 win over Seungbong LEE (KOR).

Early in the session, two silver medalists from 2020 were knocked out of the running for gold with losses just minutes apart.

Hikmatullo VOHIDOV (TJK) was knocked out in the 57kg quarterfinals by Takeshita, who countered a throw attempt for 2 points in the second period and added an activity clock point in a 4-1 victory.

At 70kg, Amirhossein HOSSEINI (IRI) saw his bid to improve from silver to gold end in the first round when Karan MOR (IND) scored a takedown in the final 30 seconds to notch a 3-1 win.

Mor subsequently lost in the quarterfinals to Talgat, ending the Iranian's tournament.

Day 5 Results: Freestyle

Semifinals
57kg (12 entries)
Ravi KUMAR (IND) df. Ali ABURUMAILA (PLE) by TF,11-0, 5:23
Alireza SARLAK (IRI) df. Yuto TAKESHITA (JPN), 5-1

65kg (11 entries)
Bajrang PUNIA (IND) df. Bilguun SARMANDAKH (MGL) by Fall, 4:43 (7-0)
Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) df. Morteza GHIASI CHEKA (IRI), 8-2

70kg (10 entries)
Sirojiddin KHASANOV (UZB) df. Perman HOMMADOV (TKM), 8-3
Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) df. Seungbong LEE (KOR), 6-2

79kg (11 entries)
Byungmin GONG (KOR) df. Narsingh YADAV (IND), 5-5
Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) df. Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ), 8-2

97kg (11 entries)
Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) df. Altangerel CHINBAT (MGL), 6-2
Ali SHABANIBENGAR (IRI) df. Satywart KADIAN (IND) by TF, 10-0, :24

#WrestleAlmaty

Ryu Makes Final in Move up to 72kg as 2 Iranian Defending Champions Dethroned

Wednesday, April 14, 2021 - 09:59 By Ken Marantz

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (April 15) --- As if qualifying for the Olympics six days earlier wasn't enough, Korean star Hansu RYU (KOR) made his bid for a third straight gold medal and fourth overall at the Asian Championships a bit more challenging.

Ryu, the reigning champion at 67kg, moved up to 72kg and used his speed and skill to overcome a disadvantage in girth and advance to the final, while two Iranian defending champions were dethroned on Wednesday, the second day of the tournament in Almaty.

"I didn't participate in any competitions due to COVID, so I decided to participate in all competitions now, hence the Asian Championships," said Ryu, a two-time world champion. "I was trying to stay in the bouts till the end and that was my way to win today."

Ryu held off a gutsy Muslihiddin UROQOV (TJK) in a 6-5 semifinal victory to make the final, where he will face 2020 bronze medalist Ruslan TSAREV (KGZ) in the night session at the spectator-less Baluan Sholak Palace of Culture and Sports.

"I don't know his strategy in the final but I am confident of winning because we have a lot of difference in weight, so I can use that to my advantage," said Ryu, who secured a spot at 67kg in the Tokyo Olympics at the Asian qualifying tournament held at the same venue April 9-11.

Unlike in his opening match, when he scored all of his points in the second period of a 10-1 technical fall victory over Taishi HORI (JPN), Ryu built up a 6-0 lead in the semifinal. But Uroqov caught the Korean with a pancake as he tried to spin behind for 4 points with 1:30 left. An unsuccessful challenge gave Uroqov another point, but Ryu hung on for the win.

Tsarev assured himself a move up the medal podium by avenging a loss from last year to defending champion Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI), beating him 3-1 in the semis with the decisive points coming on a 2-point penalty for leg-grabbing with :50 left.

Before that, Tsarev knocked off Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) -- the runner-up to Ryu last year at 67kg -- by 8-0 technical fall in the quarterfinals.

"The Iran wrestler was tougher than the Uzbek because he is coming from 67kg so he had less power," Tsarev said. "And I have trained with Bakhshilloev before, so I also know his strategy.

"I have already had the goal to medal before in 2014. I lost to the Iran wrestler at the Asian Championships in Delhi last year 1-2. This is our top competition and it's was good to avenge that loss.

"I don't fight in an Olympic weight, so my focus is always on Asian Championships and World Championships, and the Olympics is not really my thing right now."

Iran's other defending champion to lose his crown was Mahdi EBRAHIMI (IRI), who lost both of his Nordic group matches at 82kg and failed to make the semifinals. Proof that their group was the dominant came when both of Ebrahimi's conquerors made the final.

In the semifinals, 2020 bronze medalist Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) edged Satoki MUKAI 3-2, while Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ) rode a big 4-point throw from the par terre position to a 7-3 win over Yevgeniy POLIVADOV (KAZ). Berdimuratov won the group-stage clash between them, 3-0.

"The toughest wrestler today was Asykeev, but if you see, the Iran wrestler was not easy as well," Berdimuratov said. "I had to fight very hard against both of them. I want to bring glory to Uzbekistan by winning the gold medal here."

Berdimuratov's 6-0 victory earlier over Ebrahimi, which consisted of nifty 2-point and 4-point arm throws, was pay back for a 6-5 loss to the Iranian in last year's semifinals.

The other group was somewhat diluted by the absence of 2019 Asian champion and Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR), who defaulted his three matches for unspecified reasons. Kim had tried but failed to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics at 77kg last week.

Revenge was also sweet for Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN), who will get a chance for more when he faces Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) in the final at 67kg. The two met for the gold three years ago in Bishkek, with Kebispayev coming out on top 5-1.

In the semifinals, Shimoyamada defeated Hossein ASSADI KOLMATI (IRI) 3-2 by scoring a 2-point reverse lift with :40 left. That avenged a 5-3 loss to the Iranian in their bronze-medal match last year.

"He's a difficult opponent," Shimoyamada said. "At last year's Asian Championship in New Dehli, I lost to him. I'm happy I won."

Asked about coming back from a 2-point deficit to win, Shimoyamada said, "When I couldn't get points I thought I wouldn't win. But miracles happen, sometimes."

Kebispayev, a 2019 world bronze medalist at 63kg, scored a takedown and a front headlock exposure in the first period en route to a 4-1 victory over Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ).

At 60kg, Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) will get a chance to improve on his bronze medal from a year ago after rolling to a 9-1 technical fall in the semifinal over Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) -- a repeat of the result between them at the 2019 world U-23, where the Iranian took a bronze medal.

Opposing him in the final will be Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), who chalked up a solid 7-2 win over Karrar Abbas ALBEEDHAN (IRQ) in the other semifinal.

"I came here with a fixed target of winning the gold medal at the Asian Championships," Mohsen Nejad said. "I am lucky enough to reach the final and I am now ready for it."

Suzuki produced a surprise in the quarterfinals when he stormed to a 9-0 technical fall over Islomojon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), the 2019 champion and the other bronze medalist last year, with a pair of 4-point throws.

"The level of competition has been very good and all wrestlers are tough," Mohsen Nejad said. "The Japanese and Uzbek had a tough bout, and then I was with Japan, which was tough as well."

Iran, which won three of five golds on Tuesday, will get another chance to add to the tally when 2017 Asian junior champion Mehdi BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI) takes on 2017 Asian silver medalist Seungjun KIM (KOR) for the 130kg title.

In the semifinals, Balihamzehdeh emerged victorious from one of the day's most convoluted but exciting bouts, beating Yerulan ISKAKOV (KAZ) 11-9 on a takedown with one minute to go after having squadered a 9-4 lead. Just before the takedown, Iskakov had hit a second 4-point throw that put him ahead on criteria.

Kim's 2-1 victory over Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) was decided on an unsuccessful challenge with Kim holding the criteria advantage after each had received a passivity point.

Day 2 Greco-Roman Results

Semifinals

60kg (10 entries)
Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) df. Karrar Abbas ALBEEDHAN (IRQ), 7-2
Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) df. Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) by TF, 9-1, 5:03

67kg (10 entries)
Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN) df. Hossein ASSADI KOLMATI (IRI), 3-2
Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) df. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), 4-1

72kg (9 entries)
Hansu RYU (KOR) df. Muslihiddin UROQOV (TJK), 6-5
Ruslan TSAREV (KGZ) df. Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI), 3-1

82kg (7 entries)
Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) df. Satoki MUKAI (JPN), 3-2
Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ) df. Yevgeniy POLIVADOV (KAZ), 7-3

97kg (9 entries)
Mehdi BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI) df. Yerulan ISKAKOV (KAZ), 11-9
Seungjun KIM (KOR) df. Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), 2-1

Otoguro-Punia III set up for 65kg Asian gold; Iranians make 3 of 5 finals

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Ryu Makes Final in Move up to 72kg as 2 Iranian Defending Champions Dethroned