Ozaki awaits as Kawai among Olympic medalists set to return for Meiji Cup

Tuesday, June 14, 2022 - 00:00 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO, Japan (June 14) -- While the cats who hauled in the medals for Japan at the Tokyo Olympics were away, the mice were not only playing, but showing they could be world-beaters as well.

Most of Japan's Olympic medalists, including three of the five who won golds, will be returning to action for the first time since the Tokyo Games at this week's Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, and most will be facing stiff challenges from wrestlers who filled the global gaps in their absences.

The sparks will particularly be flying in the women's competition, in which one weight class could see a showdown between the Olympic and world champions (Yui SUSAKI and Remina YOSHIMOTO at 50kg) and other between the Olympic champion and a world medalist (Yukako KAWAI and Nonoka OZAKI at 62kg).

One potential clash of the titans was put on hold when the Tokyo gold medalist moved up a weight class. Teenaged world champion Akari FUJINAMI will put her 97-match winning streak on the line in a quest to defend her 53kg title, but she won't have to contend with Mayu SHIDOCHI (formerly MUKAIDA).

Shidochi, the Olympic champion and 2021 newlywed, is entered at 55kg, the weight class in which she won world titles in 2016 and 2018. Among her competition, there will be newly crowned Asian champion Umi IMAI.

Fujinami, now a freshman at Nippon Sports Science University, will likely have her toughest competition in two-time former world champion Haruna OKUNO and 2019 world 55kg silver medalist Nanami IRIE, both of whom she has already beaten twice.

The Meiji Cup, to be held June 16-19 at Tokyo's Komazawa Gym, is the second of Japan's two qualifying tournaments for this year's World Championships in Belgrade. Winners at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships held last December who triumph at the Meiji Cup automatically earn tickets to Serbia; if the champion is different, a playoff will be held at the end of that day's action.

None of Japan's Olympic medalists -- and only one of the 12 Olympic team members --competed at the Emperor's Cup, meaning the majority will have to win the Meiji Cup title and the subsequent playoff to go to the World Championships.

The tournament will mark the first time in three years that family members, teammates and spectators will be allowed, as the Japan federation had maintained strict protocols throughout the pandemic. The number of daily infections has been steadily decreasing, and the Japanese government has this month reopened the door to foreign tourists.

The two Tokyo gold medalists who the fans will have to wait to see again are women's 57kg champion Risako KAWAI and freestyle 65kg titlist Takuto OTOGURO, neither of whom are entered.

Kawai, who like Mukaida got married soon after her Tokyo triumph, gave birth to her first child in May, and is eyeing a return at this year's Emperor's Cup in December. An inquiry to Otoguro's Japan Self-Defense Forces team for a reason for his absence went unanswered.

Yukako KAWAI (JPN) is set to return to action for the first time since the Tokyo Olympic Games. (Photo: UWW / Gabor Martin)

The fans, however, will be treated to the return of the other half of the golden Kawai sisters, and Yukako could feature in the match of the tournament if she and 19-year-old defending champion Ozaki clash as expected at 62kg. The two have never faced each other.

Ryo KANEHAMA, Kawai's coach at Suntory Beverage, said that Kawai restarted full-time training about a month after the Olympics and is well prepared for the Meiji Cup. "She has returned to top shape," he said. "About the same level as for the Olympics."

Asked what will be the key point in facing Ozaki, Kanehama replied, "Not allowing her to get her ankles [for a lace lock]. If she gets the ankles, that will lead to big points, so first of all she has to prevent her from using that technique."

On their feet, Kanehama says it's a toss-up between the two. "Until they face each other, we won't know. Ozaki has a really good low single, so the main point will be how well Kawai can keep her from grabbing her leg."

Ozaki, who won consecutive world U17 titles in 2018 and 2019, is coming off a confidence-boosting victory at the Asian Championships in April in Ulaanbaatar, where she beat Olympic silver medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) in the final to avenge a first-round loss to her at 2021 World Championships.

Last year in Oslo, Ozaki jumped out to a 4-0 lead against Tynybekova, only to see the Kyrgyz star storm back for a 6-4 victory. Ozaki battled back through the repechage to take the bronze in her international senior debut, while Tynybekova won the gold.

Assessing Ozaki's matches with Tynybekova, who has been a longtime nemesis of Kawai, Kanehama observed, "At the World Championships, as I think Ozaki also believes, she made a mistake in strategy. At the recent Asian Championships, I think she reflected on that and used it in her wrestling. She wrestled smart, and I think that shows her progress."

The possible match between Kawai and Ozaki is generating wide interest, and Kanehama is no exception. Asked if he's looking forward to it, he replied, "Sure, they have to eventually face each other somewhere. Heading to the Olympics, it will have to be decided sometime. That day is going to come."

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will lace her boots up for the first time since outscoring her opponents 41-0 en route to the 50kg Olympic gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The other titanic clash could come at 50kg between Susaki and Yoshimoto, although Susaki has to be regarded as the favorite in that one. Susaki, a recent graduate of Waseda University who can now train full-time under corporate sponsorship, defeated Yoshimoto in their two previous encounters, most recently a close 2-1 win at the 2019 Junior Queens Cup.

But Yoshimoto, a senior at Shigakkan University, has made great strides in recent years, as seen in her performance at last year's World Championships, where she reeled off four straight wins by fall or technical fall before beating Olympic bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) 5-3 in the final. She was even more dominant at the Asian Championships.

How sharp Susaki will be after her long layoff could determine the outcome.

Meanwhile, Tsugumi SAKURAI has since moved up to 57kg from 55kg, the weight class in which she won the gold in Oslo, as she aims to eventually thwart Risako Kawai's attempt to win a third straight Olympic gold. Sakurai won the Emperor's Cup in December, defeating world bronze medalist Sae NANJO in the final, and a rematch looks likely.

World champion Masako FURUICHI has returned to 72kg after an unsuccessful outing at 68kg at the Emperor's Cup. She could face a showdown with Emperor's Cup champion Sumire NIIKURA, who won a silver medal at the Asian Championships in her first-ever international competition.

Japan's top cat in Greco-Roman, Olympic silver medalist Kenichiro FUMITA, returns as he looks to earn a shot at a third career world title at 60kg. Nicknamed by the Japanese press as the "Cat Wrestler" for his backbone flexibility and love for felines, he will be gunning for his fourth career Meiji Cup title and first since 2019.

Waiting in the wings will be Ayata SUZUKI, who won his second straight Asian bronze medal in April. The two train together at their alma mater Nippon Sports Science University and met in the final of the 2020 Emperor's Cup, with Fumita coming away with a 2-1 victory.

Suzuki won last year's Emperor's Cup, meaning that Fumita will have to beat him in a playoff to earn a ticket to Belgrade. "This time with the Olympics over, Fumita might not be at his sharpest," Suzuki told the Japan federation website. "So I think I have a chance."

At 77kg, Shohei YABIKU will have to perform under the new-found pressure that comes with being an Olympic bronze medalist. As Emperor's Cup champion Kodai SAKURABA is skipping the tournament due to injury, Yabiku can secure a place on the world team outright with a victory.

His main competition will likely come from Nippon Sports Science University's Nao KUSAKA, the Emperor's Cup runner-up and a double collegiate champion.

At 55kg, world champion Ken MATSUI would like nothing better than to have a chance to avenge his humiliating defeat in the Emperor's Cup final to Yu SHIOTANI, who won a second straight Asian gold in Ulaanbaatar.

Shiotani tossed Matsui around like a rag doll, scoring consecutive five-point throws in an 11-0 technical fall in 1:42.

World 63kg bronze medalist Kensuke SHIMIZU, the nephew of a former Olympic speed skating gold medalist, has moved up to 67kg after failing to medal at the Asian Championships. He could clash with Emperor’s Cup champion Katsuaki ENDO, who won a bronze medal at 67kg in Ulaanbaatar.

In freestyle, the weight class to watch will be 61kg, which looks to come down to a rematch of the Emperor's Cup final between 2020 Asian bronze medalist Ryuto SAKAKI and Rio Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI. Sakaki won that encounter 4-0, but much has changed since then.

Higuchi has rebounded well from his calamitous bid to make the Tokyo Games that was scuttled when he failed to make weight at 57kg for the Asian qualifying tournament. When an injury kept Sakaki out of the Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Higuchi stepped in and came away with the 61kg gold, capped by a 46-second win in the final. It was his first major international title since winning the 2018 world U23 gold at 65kg.

Sakaki, the 2017 world 58kg U17 champion, skipped the East Japan college league tournament in April due to injury, so it remains to be seen how effective he will be against the high-flying Higuchi.

Japan's other freestyle Asian champion, the somewhat eccentric Taishi NARIKUNI, will look to make his first senior World Championships by adding the Meiji Cup title at 70kg to his inaugural Emperor's Cup triumph from last December.

Narikuni, whose mother was a two-time world champion and runs the kids club where he started the sport, has been an outlier of sorts in Japan, as he prefers to focus his training mostly in the weight room instead of on the mat. He harbors a bold dream of someday winning world titles in both freestyle and Greco-Roman.

Narikuni won the Asian title when he came back from a 1-3 deficit in the final to defeat world silver medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) 4-3.

Also worth watching is veteran Sohsuke TAKATANI, who is making his first Meiji Cup outing since 2019. The three-time Olympian was the only member of the Tokyo 2021 squad to compete at the Emperor's Cup, where he moved up from 86kg and won the 92kg crown -- his 11th straight title over four weight classes.

He has entered again at 92kg and will be aiming for his fourth straight Meiji Cup title and sixth in seven years. Takatani was a 2014 world silver medalist at 74kg.

Takatani will be looking to repeat a sibling double with younger brother Daichi, the Emperor's Cup champion at 74kg who won a bronze medal at the Asian Championships.

Among the entries at 86kg is Mao OKUI, who has made a big jump up in weight classes after placing fifth at the 2019 World Championships at 74kg. That earned a place for Japan at the Tokyo Olympics, but Okui failed to fill it himself when he lost to Keisuke OTOGURO, Takuto's older brother, in a playoff for the spot.

At 57kg, Toshihiro HASEGAWA, a 2021 world bronze medalist at 61kg, will be looking to follow up his victory at the Emperor's Cup and return to the World Championships at the Olympic weight. Aiming to stop him will be Yuto TAKESHITA and Rikuto ARAI, Asian bronze medalists in 2021 and 2022, respectively.

This year's Meiji Cup will also be unique in that the federation has taken the rare move of charging a nominal admission fee for general fans. This is likely due to the combination of the Olympic medalists returning to the mat and the fact that this will be the first event fans can see live in such a long time.

A Japan federation official said the last time he can recall tickets being sold for a wrestling tournament was in 2007, when Norifumi "Kid" YAMAMOTO, who had become a popular mixed martial arts competitor, returned to freestyle wrestling at the All-Japan Championships in a bid to make the Beijing Olympics.

The tournament ended for the older brother of multi-world champions Miyu and Seiko YAMAMOTO when he suffered a dislocated elbow 16 seconds into his second-round match at 60kg and lost by fall.

Schedule

June 16 (Thursday)

FS 65kg-79kg; GR 63kg-97kg-130kg; WW 59kg-68kg-76kg

10:00 - 12:30 1st round through quarterfinals
13:00 - 14:00 Semifinals
14:00 - 15:45 Repechage
15:45 - 16:15 3rd-Place Finals
16:15 - 17:35 Finals

June 17 (Friday)

FS 61kg-74kg-125kg; GR 67kg-72kg-87kg; WW 57kg-65kg

10:00 - 12:30 1st round through quarterfinals
12:30 - 13:30 Semifinals
13:30 - 15:15 Repechage
15:15 - 15:45 3rd-Place Finals
15:45 - 17:05 Finals

June 18 (Saturday)

FS 70kg-86kg-92kg-97kg; GR 55kg-82kg; WW 53kg-72kg

10:00 - 12:30 1st round through quarterfinals
12:30 - 13:30 Semifinals
13:30 - 15:15 Repechage
15:15 - 15:45 3rd-Place Finals
15:45 - 17:05 Finals

June 19 (Sunday)

FS 57kg; GR 60kg-77kg; WW 50kg-55kg-62kg

10:00 - 12:30 1st round through quarterfinals
12:30 - 13:15 Semifinals
13:15 - 14:45 Repechage
14:45 - 15:05 3rd-Place Finals
15:05 - 15:30 Ceremony for return of Meiji Cup, etc.
15:30 - 16:50 Finals

*Playoff for World Championships team in weight classes between winners of Emperor's Cup and Meiji Cup will be held approximately one hour after the completion of that day's competition.

#wrestlebishkek

Sharshenbekov cruises to 3rd straight Asian gold; Japanese pair stuns Iranians

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - 17:35 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 16) -- Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) also had to contend with a Japanese opponent in the final but never came close to suffering the same fate as his famous compatriot. A pair of Iranians were not so fortunate.

Sharshenbekov achieved a three-peat of Asian Championships titles with an 11-0 victory over Kaito INABA (JPN) in the Greco 60kg final on Tuesday in Bishkek, as the host nation ended a well-attended and organized tournament with four golds overall.

"First of all, I dedicate this victory to all the fans, coaches, and family," Sharshenbekov said. "This is not just my victory, it belongs to everyone. I really wanted to give the joy of victory to my country wrestling at home."

Shingo HARADA (JPN) at 72kg and teenager Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) at 82kg won over the hearts of the crowd with stunning victories over Iranian opponents, which they capped by donning traditional Kyrgyz caps as part of their victory celebrations.

Iran, which put four wrestlers into the final, won the other golds at stake, with former world champion and Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) completely dominating at 97kg, and young Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) winning his first Asian title at 67kg.

Iran won four golds overall and easily won the team title for the third straight year with 200 points. Kyrgyzstan, with one champion, finished second with 144, just two points ahead of third-place Japan and its three gold medalists.

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) celebrates after winning the 60kg gold medal in Bishkek. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Sharshebekov thrilled a home crowd still buzzing from the loss the previous night in the 77kg final by national hero Akzhol MAKHMODOV (KGZ) as both wrestlers begin their final preparations for a run at elusive gold medals at the Paris Olympics.

The defending champion was taken into the second period for the first time in four matches on the day, but the outcome was still the same as he fended off a determined but overmatched Inaba.

Sharshenbekov got the scoring started by limp-arming out of a whizzer for a takedown, to which a fleeing point was tacked on. That became significant, as it put Sharshenbekov on top of par terre, from which he scored a 2-point throw. He added a driving takedown to take a 7-0 lead into the second period.

Inaba, desperate for points as the clock winded down, secured a front headlock from standing, but Sharshenbekov showed what separates the best from the rest when he quickly squirmed out and secured a bear hug himself, then slammed Inaba down for 4 to end the match with 32 seconds left.

It was a testament to Sharshenbekov's high-tempo style that he was not assessed a passivity point in the second period, as would typically be the case for a wrestler nursing a lead.

"He built up a lead, but I thought in terms of response that it was still within a range in which I could catch up," Inaba said. "In the end, I lost by technical [superiority]. There are still many areas where I am lacking and need to improve on."

Inaba, who was seventh at the 2023 world U23, earned the trip to Bishkek by winning his first national title last December in the absence of Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), one of his training partners in the group of current and past Nippon Sports Science University wrestlers.

Fumita, the losing finalist to Sharshenbekov at last year's World Championships, opted to skip the Asian Championships as he preps for a potential rematch in Paris.

Sharshenbekov also earned his fifth Asian medal overall, having lost in the 2018 final to Shota TANOKURA (JPN) and again in 2020 to Fumita. Shashenbekov also has world silver medals from 2019 and 2021.

"It’s been my fourth time wrestling with a Japanese wrestler, they’re very strong," Sharshenbekov said. "There are no weak wrestlers there, everyone is world-level strong."

Asked about competing in the wake of Makhmudov's shocking loss in the 77kg final the day before to Nao KUSAKA (JPN), Sharshenbekov said it is just part of the sport.

"I think maybe Akzhol was sick or something, only God knows the reason," he said. "This is a big sport, it is impossible to never lose. Sometimes you win, another day you lose. I believe fans shall support him at these kinds of moments. Sometimes athletes can lose. With God’s help, I think he will show his best at the Olympics."

Shingo HARADA (JPN) donned a traditional Kyrgyz hat during his celebration after winning the 72kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 72kg, the unheralded Harada rallied from a five-point deficit to defeat 2019 world U20 bronze medalist Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) 9-5 for an unlikely gold.

Rostami, getting the first chance at par terre, used a front headlock for a pair of rolls to go up 5- 0, although Harada delivered a psychological hit when he rolled Rostami with a whizzer for 2 with two seconds left in the first period.

Harada then went ahead on criteria 5-5 when, on top in par terre, he missed a reverse body lift, but was successful with a second attempt. A second exposure was waved off on challenge because his hands went to the legs.

But Rostami had little in the tank and it was Harada who picked up points, padding his lead with a takedown and a tilt.

"I didn't expect it, but it seemed that he was running out of steam," Harada said. "I thought I had probably put in more time training."

Harada was not a totally unknown quantity, having opened eyes by making the semifinals at last year's World Championships in Belgrade and eventually finishing a commendable fifth. He said he takes something away with each overseas outing.

"I always train with Japanese, so there are actions and dynamic movements that I can't anticipate from people from overseas," Harada said. "You don't see them very much in Japan, so it is a learning experience."

After his victory, Harada was handed a Japanese flag as well as an "ak-kalpak," the elongated wool Kyrgyz hat, which he put on for his victory lap to the delight of the crowd.

"I also fought against a Kyrgyz wrestler [in the quarterfinals], but I was happy because in the end they still supported me," Harada said.

Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) scores upon Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI) in the 82kg final during the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The 17-year-old Yoshida's remarkable accomplishment at 82kg came as he was making his international senior debut as the first male high schooler to represent Japan at the Asian Championships since 1989, and the first-ever in Greco.

The reigning world U17 champion, Yoshida looked like a seasoned pro by combining power, technique and composure in toppling Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI) 9-0 in the final, blissfully unaware his opponent was the 2022 champion.

"Last year I won the U17, so I had the experience of being in a final and the atmosphere of the venue," Yoshida said. "I wasn't very nervous and I was able to stay relaxed."

Yoshida got a bit of a break in the first period when he was reversed while in par terre, but Garmsiri was instead tagged with a 2-point leg-blocking penalty. Leading 3-0 in the second period, it was Yoshida who was the aggressor, and he scored 4 with a reverse body lock throw. He then stopped a front headlock roll attempt for 2 to end the match at 5:31.

"I was the challenger and I didn't know anything about my opponent," Yoshida said. "When I heard he was the champion from two years ago, I was surprised."

Yoshida, who won the national high school title at freestyle 80kg in his most recent tournament before coming to Bishkek, said Kusaka's momentous victory over Makhmudov inspired him.

The two share a special relationship beyond being teammates in Bishkek -- Yoshida is currently a student at Kusaka's alma mater of Takamatsu Kita High School in western Japan.

"Yesterday, my 'senpai' Kusaka won the title by beating Makhmudov, and I thought he was so cool," Yoshida said. He added that roommates Harada and Inaba encouraged him. "Even though I am a high school student, my elder teammates were saying 'you're gonna win it.' That made me determined to win the championship."

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In restoring some pride for Iran after the two defeats, Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) showed the might of the top tier of wrestlers from the Middle East powerhouse when he overwhelmed Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) 9-0 in the 97kg final.

Saravi, a world bronze medalist the past two years after winning the gold in 2021, put together a pair of gut wrenches from par terre, then executed a takedown-roll combination to put away 2022 world U20 silver medalist Matsiyev in just under two minutes.

Saravi has now medaled in 16 consecutive international tournaments dating back to 2019, all of which ended with victories -- 11 golds and five bronzes. His most recent triumphs include last October's Asian Games and the Yasar Dogu tournament in Turkiye in March.

Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) defeated Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) in the 67kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Earlier, 2022 world U20 champion Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) denied the host country a gold when he edged Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) 3-1 in the 67kg final.

The 21-year-old Esmaeili Leivesi held out while on the bottom of par terre in the first period, then scored 2 in the second period with a good second effort when he was on top.

With the silver, Beishekeev improved on the bronze he won last year. He was also a bronze medalist at the Asian Games.

World bronze medalist Liguo CAO (CHN) earned a bronze medal at 60kg at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

China chalks up 4 bronze medals

China came away with four bronze medals, including one captured by Houzhi HAO (CHN) at 97kg when he defeated Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) 5-3 and prevented him from joining his more famous younger brother Akzhol as a medalist in their home tournament.

Hao gave up a passivity point and roll in the first period, but went ahead with a roll of his own when put on top in par terre. He added a late counter takedown to win 5-3.

Liguo CAO (CHN) got the ball rolling for China when he added to his expansive collection of bronze medals with a 7-3 victory over Galym KABDUNASSAROV (KAZ) at 60kg. Cao, a world bronze medalist, scored six points in the second period to secure his second straight Asian bronze.

At 67kg, Lei LI (CHN) spoiled Turkmenistan's hopes of a first Asian medal since 2018, scoring a stepout and takedown in the second period for a 4-2 victory over a fatigued Rovshen ATDAYEV (TKM).

Ji LENG (CHN) earned the first major medal of his career when he got a roll from par terre and a stepout in the second period for a 4-2 victory over Adilkhan SATAYEV (KAZ) for a 72kg bronze.

Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), the silver medalist at 60kg last year, moved up to two divisions and took the other bronze at 67kg by edging Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ) 1-1 on last-point criteria after both wrestlers received a passivity point.

Chung had to endure a second turn on the bottom of par terre a second time, but Amanbek was unable to take advantage.

Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI), the lone Iranian to fail to make the final, assured he would not leave empty-handed when he stormed to a 9-0 victory at 60kg over former champion Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB).

Dehbozorgi, the world U20 bronze medalist, put the Uzbek away in his first chance at par terre, scoring a roll, a 4-point throw and a second roll to end it in just under two minutes.

At 72kg, Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) struck with a slick 2-point throw soon after the opening whistle and made that hold up in a 2-2 criteria victory over Adilkhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ), who was denied a third straight Asian bronze. Nurlanbekov had a chance in the second period, but his throw from par terre yielded only a stepout point.

Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ) added a bronze medal to the home team's tally that made the difference in the team race with a 3-1 victory over Sejin YANG (KOR) at 82kg, scoring with a somewhat unorthodox front roll off par terre in the first period.

Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) posted a nearly identical victory over Rohit DAHIYA (IND) for the other 82kg bronze, getting a more conventional gut wrench to also win 3-1.

Jeongyul KWON (KOR) won the other bronze at 97kg, scoring a 2-point exposure in the first period and holding on for a 2-2 victory on big-point criteria over Badamdorj BALTMUNKH (MGL). Mongolia has yet to win an Asian medal in Greco.

Day 5 Results

Greco-Roman

60kg (17 entries)
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Kaito INABA (JPN) by TF, 11-0, 5:28

BRONZE: Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) df. Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) by TF, 9-0, 1:57
BRONZE: Liguo CAO (CHN) df. Galym KABDUNASSAROV (KAZ), 7-3

67kg (15 entries)
GOLD: Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) df. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), 3-1

BRONZE: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) df. Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ) 1-1
BRONZE: Lei LI (CHN) df. Rovshen ATDAYEV (TKM), 4-2

72kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Shingo HARADA (JPN) df. Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI), 9-5

BRONZE: Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) df. Adilkhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ) 2-2
BRONZE: Ji LENG (CHN) df. Adilkhan SATAYEV (KAZ), 4-2

82kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI) by TF, 9-0, 5:31

BRONZE: Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) df. Rohit DAHIYA (IND), 3-1
BRONZE: Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ) df. Sejin YANG (KOR), 3-1

97kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) by TF, 9-0, 1:59

BRONZE: Jeongyul KWON (KOR) df. Badamdorj BALTMUNKH (MGL), 2-2
BRONZE: Houzhi HAO (CHN) df. Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) 5-3

Ozaki awaits as Kawai among Olympic medalists set to return for Meiji Cup

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Sharshenbekov cruises to 3rd straight Asian gold; Japanese pair stuns Iranians