Rising Sun: Chinese Star Aims for Olympic Glory in Land of Top Rivals

Friday, October 18, 2019 - 17:10 By Ken Marantz

Once SUN Yanan (CHN) made the bold decision at 15 to leave home for the unknown to pursue a wrestling career, she knew there was no turning back.

"At the beginning, I told myself I needed to be independant, because I already left home," she recalls. "I cannot go back. If I go back, it would be shameful."

Sun has never looked back and, despite her late start in the sport, has forged a solid career that includes a world gold medal, an Olympic bronze and numerous other laurels. After a setback at the recent World Championships, the 27-year-old has her sights set firmly on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"Step by step, I felt I really enjoyed wrestling and it already became part of my life," Sun says of her development in the sport. "And I wanted to realize my dream to be more confident and become a perfect lady because of wrestling. I really grew up."

Yanan SUN celebrates during a match with Japan's Yui SUSAKI. (Photo: Max Rose-Fyne)

The 27-year-old Sun speaks easily and openly through an interpreter during an interview at last week's Tokyo 2020 test event, a women's tournament in the six Olympic weights. While Sun attended with the Chinese team but did not take part, the trip gave her a first glimpse of the Olympic venue, located in the Makuhari Messe convention center in neighboring Chiba city.

"I'm very excited when I imagine that next year maybe I will compete here at the Olympics," she says. "I hope I can be much stronger and show my best next year."

Sun secured a spot for China at 50kg by placing fifth at the World Championships in the Kazakh capital of Nur-Sultan last month. Although she finished out of the medals, she showed she could still be a factor in the weight class.

Throughout her career, Sun has inevitably found herself in high-level clashes with opponents from powerful Japan, and the draw in Nur-Sultan put her into a quarterfinal against Yuki IRIE (JPN). Irie, who knocked off two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) to make the Japanese team, had beaten Sun in their last two meetings over the past two years.

But on this September day in Central Asia, Sun got the best of her nemesis with the kind of confidence and audacity that develops by leaving home as a teenager to strike out on one's own.

Sun built up a 9-1 lead with two bold moves before holding on for a nail-biting 13-12 win.

The first big move was a backdrop off a front headlock, a 4-point move more likely to be seen in Greco-Roman matches. She had used the move before in a 15-7 win over Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) in India's Pro Wrestling League in January 2018.

"In China, the women also practice that move," Sun says. "[The one against Vinesh] was better than this one."

She topped that soon after, getting behind Irie in the standing position and popping a slick back suplex for 5 points. That proved crucial as she saw an 11-3 lead with 1:30 left whittled down before coming away with the win.

After falling 6-4 to eventual champion Mariya STADNIK (AZE) in the semifinals, Sun lost the bronze-medal match to Ekaterina POLESHCHUK (RUS), although she can take some solace in the way she fought back from a 9-3 deficit with :19 left, scoring 6 points but losing on big-point criteria (the difference was 4-point headlock throw with :40 left).

That experience reaffirmed her policy of not concentrating solely on the Japanese, who will have to earn their own Olympic spot at 50kg at the Asian qualifier in March.

"I haven't only focused on Japan," Sun said. "Because my dream is to become the Olympic champion, so no matter if [the opponent] is Japanese or from other countries, I need to win, I need to improve myself."

As a rambunctious daughter of an electric welder growing up in Fengsheng village in Lioaning Province, located near the border with the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Sun stood out for her prowess in sports, particularly for her speed as a runner. It caught the eyes of local sports officials.

"When I was young, I was really good at sports," Sun says. "Sprinting, all kinds of sports. One of the wrestling coaches went to my school and found me and invited me to train, and I found that it was very interesting."

One month after completing her studies at the time, Sun left home for the sports school. While she developed a passion for the sport, "at the time, I missed my home very much," she says, adding she returned home for visits just three times in two years. It's during those trips home she can indulge in her favorite dishes from the region, her mom's chicken mushroom stew and pickled cabbage with boiled pork.

Sun, who has a brother nine years her junior who also wrestled but has since stopped, says her family was concerned about her leaving at first, but always supported her efforts.

"At the beginning, my parents thought it would be very hard work," she says. "Later, they could feel that I am very happy when I am involved and I can fight for my team and country, and they supported me."

SUN Yanan smiles during a training session during the Toyko Test Event. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Three years after starting the sport, Sun was invited to train with the national team in Beijing for the first time. Like any youngster from a rural upbringing, she was awed by the big city and star-struck by the heroes with whom she trained.

"I felt that Beijing was a gorgeous city, the center of China, and I was very excited," Sun recalls. "I met so many world champions on the national team, and I so admired them.

"We trained with Wang Jiao, who was an Olympic champion [in 2008 at 72kg], and all I could do was just stare at her all the time," she says with a laugh. "Actually, Wang Jiao is also from Liaoning, the same team [as me], but I met her in Beijing."

Soon after arriving in the capital, she got her first taste of international competition at the 2010 Asian Junior Championships, although she did not have to leave the country. The tournament was held in the eastern China city of Huangshan, known for its World Heritage Site mountain peaks.

"At the time, it was my first time to see so many foreign faces," Sun says. "Some were fat, some were short, some were tall. It was very interesting to compete with so many foreigners."

Scaling her first wrestling mountain, Sun successfully reached the summit, and not surprisingly the final step to the top involved a Japanese. Sun faced Arisa TANAKA (JPN) in the 51kg final and came away with a hard-fought 2-0 (6-2, 9-6) win under the old scoring system.

"The final was with a Japanese wrestler, and I felt at the time the competition was very fierce," she says. "It was a very tough match for me."

Just over one month later, Sun made her first international trip, heading to Budapest for the junior World Championships. Once again, the title came down to her and a Japanese, and Sun walked off with the gold with a 2-1 (2-1, 3-3, 3-2) win over Haruka HIRANO (JPN).

In 2011, she achieved the Asian senior-junior double in tournaments held three weeks apart. Her first senior continental title came at 48kg in Tashkent in May, and the next month in Jakarta, she repeated as 51kg junior gold medalist. In both finals, she defeated Davaanchimeg ERKHEMBAYAR (MGL).

In September that year, she made her first appearance at the senior World Championships, but finished eighth at 51kg in Istanbul after losing to eventual champion Zamira RAKHMANOVA (RUS) in the third round and Jessica MACDONALD (CAN) in the repechage.

After finishing second to MacDonald at the World Championships the following year in Strathcona County, Canada, Sun reached the top of the podium on her third try at 51kg in Budapest in 2013. After gaining revenge by beating MacDonald in the semifinals, she defeated Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL) for the elusive gold.

SUN Yanan gets emotional after defeating Yuki IRIE (JPN) at the 2019 World Championships. (Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

It took awhile for the magnitude of the accomplishment to sink in.

"At that time I didn't really pay that serious attention to the World Championships because I was still very young, even though I already attended many international competitions and in 2012, I got second [at the worlds]," Sun says. "It was my third time to attend the World Championships in 2013 and I was still feel very relaxed and did not know what it really meant, not like now."

From 2014, Sun dropped down to the Olympic weight of 48kg, which put her on a direct collision course with Japan's new lightweight star Eri TOSAKA (JPN). Tosaka, a year younger than Sun, was the 48kg champion at the 2011 Asian juniors, the year the Chinese won the 51kg title.

Their first encounter was a close one, with Tosaka winning 6-4 at the 2014 Women's World Cup. Six months later, the setting was the 48kg final at the Asian Games in Incheon, Korea, and the Japanese came away with a 5-1 win and the gold.

Sun would finally get the better of her rival at the 2016 Asian Championships in Bangkok, handing the three-time world champion her first defeat in almost 3 1/2 years with a dramatic victory in the semifinals.

Trailing 2-1, Sun turned Tosaka over with a crotch lift counter with :12 left, but in a final rolling flurry, Tosaka was awarded 2 points for an apparent 4-3 win. The Chinese side challenged the call, and it was amended to give each 2 points, reversing the outcome and making Sun a 5-4 winner.

Sun then went on to capture her second senior continental title with a 12-2 technical fall over Irina BORISSOVA (KAZ) in the final.

For Tosaka, the loss relieved some of the pressure she had put on herself, which would bear fruit when the two would meet with much more at stake six months later.

"Part of me feels relieved," Tosaka was quoted as saying on the Japan federation website at the time. "Up to now, I felt somehow I would always find a way to win. In the back of my mind, I would think, I'm still going to win. I didn't want to lose [today], but to win the gold medal at the Olympics, I think it was probably best to lose once."

That prove prescient, as Tosaka went on to win the gold medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, taking out Sun in the semifinals 8-3 when she scored a takedown, then ripped off three straight ankle-lace rolls. Sun made sure she didn't leave Brazil empty-handed, as she defeated Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) by 10-0 technical fall for a bronze medal.

Following the Rio Games, Tosaka took time off and underwent foot surgery, but the 48kg hole (later to become 50kg) in the Japanese lineup was quickly filled by a new kid on the block, the teenaged Susaki. She marked her emergence by beating Sun 9-4 in the quarterfinals of the 2017 Asian Championships in New Dehli before going on to win the gold. Sun finished fifth.

Sun suffered another setback the following year at the Asian Games in Jakarta, where Vinesh, who suffered a dislocated knee during their quarterfinal match at Rio 2016, made amends by defeating the Chinese 8-2 in the qualification round. Vinesh went on to win the title by beating Irie in the final.

Sun got back on track by winning a bronze medal at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest, where she lost in the quarterfinals to Stadnik, whose subsequent loss in the final to Susaki gave the Japanese a second straight world title. At this year's Asian Championships, Sun took the silver after losing 6-4 in the final to Irie.

When Sun takes the mat at Makuhari Messe in pursuit of her dream of winning a gold medal at Tokyo 2020, there will be no shortage of rivals more than ready to burst her bubble.

Whoever earns the place for Japan---Susaki, Irie, Tosaka or anyone else---will have extra motivation in gunning for gold in front of the home crowd. And Stadnik, coming off her golden performance in Nur-Sultan, will surely be aiming to make up for her silver at Rio 2016 as her career winds down.

Sun, of course, is still young enough to be considered a candidate for the Paris 2024 Olympics, but she does not foresee sticking around for that one. Asked if she has considered retirement, she replied, "After this Tokyo Games and the year after, there is a National Games held once every four years. After that, maybe," then adds, "What I think most is how to realize my dream first. Then maybe travel around the world."

While an Olympic gold would certainly lead to more fame and fortune than she currently has accumulated like the medals in her trophy case, Sun says it would not have a personal effect on her.

"It will change nothing for me," she says. "I will still be myself. After this is realized, I will find my next dream and try to realize it."

And if it means leaving home, so be it. She will keep looking ahead.

#wrestlebishkek

Makhmudov Repeats Triumph in Bishkek as Kyrgyzstan Strikes Three Gold

Tuesday, April 7, 2026 - 19:08 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 7) -- The decibel level was just as deafening, and the outcome the same. The only thing different was the venue, although it was only about 50 meters across the street.

Local hero Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) gave the host country the victory it most wanted to see, winning the 77kg gold in Greco-Roman at the Asian Championships on Tuesday in Bishkek to repeat his breakout victory of 2018 in the same city.

Makhmudov held off a fierce challenge from Ali OSKOU (IRI) for a 3-3 victory in the final to secure his fourth career Asian gold and fifth medal overall, much to delight of the thunderous partisan crowd packed into Zhastyk Arena.

“It’s a huge, huge joy,” Makhmudov said. “Of course, it’s hard to put into words, but at the same time, I’m not going to stop here or dwell on it. Yes, I became the Asian champion, the anthem was played, the flag was raised. Now it’s time to move forward.”

While the spotlight shined brightest on Makhmudov, he had to share it a bit with compatriots Aftandil TAALAIBEK UULU (KGZ) and Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ), who also defeated Iranian opponents in striking gold at 63kg and 87kg, respectively, on the first night of medal matches in the seven-day tournament.

The night wasn’t a total wash for Iran, however, as reigning world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) showed he was still the preeminent power at 130kg by snatching his fourth career Asian gold, while Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) won the other gold at stake at 55kg.

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) after winning his first Asian title in Bishkek in 2018. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Max Rose-Fyne)

It was eight years ago that a then-teenaged Makhmudov burst onto the international stage at Bishkek’s Soviet-era Kojomkul Sports Palace on the other side of Togolok Moldo Street, sending the home crowd into a cacophonous frenzy by winning the 72kg gold.

“I still remember 2018 the most, because I was younger then and the wrestling was much more spectacular,” Makhmudov said. “Right now, I’m not in my best shape, but I still managed to win my fourth gold medal. At the moment, I’m only at about 25–30 percent of my form.”

That 2018 win served as the launching pad for one of Asia’s top Greco wrestlers in history, although his ascent was delayed for some time due to a severe knee injury.

After taking a silver medal at the 2021 Tokyo Olympics, he reached the pinnacle in 2022 with victories at 77kg at both the World and Asian Championships, a feat he repeated in 2023. He added a second Olympic medal the next year with a bronze in Paris.

He took his time returning to the sport from a break after Paris, winning the title at the 2025 Islam Solidarity Games in his lone competition that year. This year, his only action ahead of Bishkek came at the Zagreb Ranking Series in February, where he failed to medal at 82kg.

If there were any concerns whether Makhmudov, who will turn 27 next week, has lost his edge, he put the matter to rest with his solid performance before the home fans.

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) sets up a throw against Ali OSKOU (IRI) during the 77kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the final against Oskou, the winner of the Zagreb tournament, Makhmudov got the first chance in par terre and muscled the Iranian over with a reverse body lock, although Oskou rolled through for a reversal. The Kyrgyzstan side challenged for a leg foul, but it was denied, leaving Makhmudov with a slim 3-2 lead.

In the second period, Oskou received a passivity point but could not turn Makhmudov, leaving the latter ahead 3-3 on criteria. Makhmudov got a second chance at par terre, but after failing to pad his lead, he successfully fended off Oskou for the final minute to clinch the win.

“Without a doubt, the toughest match for me was the final, as you saw yourselves,” Makhmudov said. “It was very hard and intense. I prepared for it like any other match, there was responsibility, and of course, I wanted to win, as always.”

Making the moment more special was that his family was among the throng packed into the arena.

“This victory was very important to me,” he said. “My family was here, my father was in the stands, supporting me, praying for my victory. To win in front of him and to justify his hopes means a lot.”

Aftandil TAALAIBEK UULU (KGZ) scored a 7-2 victory over Erfan JARKANI (IRI) in the 63kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Prior to Makhmudov’s triumph, Taalaibek Uulu fired up the crowd with a stunning 7-2 victory in the 63kg final over Zagreb Ranking Series champion Erfan JARKANI (IRI) for his first major medal of any kind.

Taalaibek Uulu scored an opening takedown, then hit a 4-point throw from par terre, off of which Jarkani scored a reversal to make it 7-1 after the first period. Jarkani got his chance at par terre in the second, but couldn’t budge Taalaibek Uulu, whose only previous senior international medal was a bronze in Antalya in 2024.

Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) celebrates after beating world champion Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) in the 87kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Not to be outdone, world bronze medalist Zhanyshov completed Kyrgyzstan’s triple crown of titles with a masterful 11-4 victory at 87kg over a very tough Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI), the 82kg champion at last year’s World Championships in Zagreb.

Zhanyshov, no doubt inspired by his compatriots’ success and the crowd’s fervor, stunned Farokhi with a spectacular 4-point lateral drop for a quick lead, which grew to 7-0 with an activity point, stepout and unsuccessful challenge.

Farokhi, also the 2025 world U23 champion in this weight class, surged back with a barrel roll for 2 and a 2-point exposure. But when he tried a roll, Zhanyshov stepped over for a 2-point exposure, and another 2 was tacked on after Farokhi bridged out of the ring, making it 11-4.

That was how it ended, as neither wrestler could generate any more points. A despondent Farokhi abandoned the fight with a full seven seconds still on the clock.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) captured his fourth Asian title at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 130kg, Mirzazadeh proved too much for Russian-born Rafael TSITSUASHVILI (UZB), as he was never threatened in a 9-0 victory to add to his previous Asian golds from 2020, 2023 and 2024.

Mirzazadeh, who won his second world title in Zagreb last September, rolled Tsitsuashvili twice from par terre in the first period for a 5-0 lead, then ended the match at 27 seconds into the second with a takedown-gut wrench combination.

“After the World Championships in 2025, my first competition in 2026 started with the Asian Championships and I was able to achieve the gold medal with a brilliant performance,” Mirzazadeh said. “This is the first step of my path this year in 2026 and I hope that I can achieve succes one after the other.”

For Mirzazadeh, getting to Bishkek was half the battle, given the limits on air travel out of his country.

“Emotionally, it was definitely different,” he said. “We were probably on the road for fifty hours, on the ground, because our country is in a difficult situation right now, but I thank God that I was able to win the gold medal despite these issues and the difficulty of the route.

“I hope that I was able to bring a smile to the faces of the people of my country for a moment."

Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) celebrates after winning his first Asian title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 55kg, two-time bronze medalist Botirov struck gold at last with an impressive 9-0 win in 1:47 over LALIT (IND).

Botirov got the first chance in par terre, and that was all he needed, as he reeled off four gut wrenches despite some tough resistance from Lalit, who had been looking to become India’s first Asian champion in Greco since 2020.

“This is the result of all our efforts, my first gold medal at the senior Asian Championships,” Botirov said. “I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my coaches who supported me closely throughout this journey. We prepared very ntensively for this competition. Before coming here, my coach told me, ‘You will become a champion,’ and sent me here with that belief.”

Botirov, who added to the bronze medals he took home in 2023 and 2025, had avenged a loss in this year’s Zagreb Ranking Series final to Mohammad HOSSEINVAND (IRI) in the quarterfinals.

“I lost that match by two points,” Botirov said of the defeat in Zagreb. “But this time, I changed my tactics. I started attacking from the very beginning, took the first period, and studied his movements. That’s how I managed to win.”

Kaisei TANABE (JPN), Freestyle 65kg Asian champion last year, won a Greco bronze this year. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Ex-Freestyle champ Tanabe joins exclusive club with Greco bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Kaisei TANABE (JPN) joined an exclusive club of wrestlers in Asian Championships history who have won medals in both Freestyle and Greco when he took home a bronze at 63kg.

Tanabe, the champion last year at Freestyle 65kg, secured his place in history when he forged out a 9-0 victory over Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM), securing the winning point with a stepout at the first-period buzzer.

“My feeling is that I’m relieved, but I also have a strong regret that I didn’t put out in yesterday’s match what I did today,” Tanabe said, referring to his loss on Monday in the semifinals to Taalaibek Uluu.

Tanabe pulled away with a 4-point back drop from par terre, then reeled off three consecutive stepouts. An unsuccessful challenge that the final one was scored in time added the final point.

Regarding the flashy 4-pointer, Tanabe said, “A lot of people said they wanted me to put on an exciting match for the people watching. Whether I win or lose, I want to liven things up.”

Tanabe, who father and coach Chikara TANABE (JPN) was an Olympic bronze medalist, was unable to defend his Freestyle crown after losing in the semifinals at the All-Japan Championships in December, but earned his ticket to Bishkek by winning at Greco 63kg.

Tanabe, a product of powerhouse Nippon Sports Science University, said he will continue competing in both styles “as long as it continues to be fun for me. I want to be a wrestler who people find incredibly entertaining, whether or not they wrestle or whether or not that know about wrestling.”

On Wednesday, Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN), the Freestyle 70kg champion in 2022, will get a chance to join Tanabe in becoming a double-style medalist when he competes in the bronze-medal match at Greco 72kg.

The other 63kg bronze on Tuesday went to Hyunwoong CHOI (KOR), who jumped out to a 7-0 lead after a 4-point headlock throw, then held on to deny former champion Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) a fourth career Asian medal.

Korea also picked up a bronze in the wildest match of the tournament so far, with Yeonghun NOH (KOR) chalking up three 4-point throws while also nearly being pinned in coming away with a crazy 15-14 win at 77kg over AMAN (IND).

Noh used a back trip, headlock and hip throw for his 4-pointers, the last of which should have ended the match at 12-3, but Aman rolled through to continue the movement and came up with a 2-point exposure that kept him alive.

Behind 14-7 heading into the second period, Aman countered for 2-point takedown, then stopped a throw attempt to send Noh straight to his back for 4 – and what the mat referee indicated was a fall. But it was not confirmed, and Noh survived the final 23 seconds, albeit there were the obligatory challenges that added to the drama but did not change the outcome.

In the other 77kg match, Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB) got three gut wrenches from par terre in the first period, then finished up a 10-1 victory in the second over Kaharman KISSYMETOV (KAZ) for his second career Asian bronze.

At 55kg, Hosseinvand, the lone Iranian to fail to make the final on the first day, assured he would not return empty-handed, silencing the home crowd with a 7-1 victory over Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ).

Hosseinvand, put on top in par terre for a second time in the first period after a foul, used the opportunity to score a 4-point throw to go up 7-0, then held out when he was on the bottom in the second period to deny Muratbek Uulu a second career Asian bronze.

Huoying SHI (CHN), who had his breakout year in 2025 with a bronze medal at the World Championships, added a continental bronze in his senior Asian debut with a 9-0 pasting of Mizuki ARAKI (JPN).

Shi, who had failed to medal on the U20 and U23 levels at either of the Asian or World Championships, scored 2 with a counter to the back, then pancaked Asian debutante Araki for 4. From there, he went to a gut wrench to finish the match in 1:17.

At 87kg, former champions Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) and Sunil KUMAR (IND) both added to hefty Asian medal collections, one with an one-sided win and other having to come from behind for a close victory.

Tursynov, who won the Asian title back in 2014 and won two silvers in the ensuing years, had little trouble demolishing Dovletmyrat BAYRAMOV (TKM), scoring a roll, 4-point back suplex and another roll from par terre for a 9-0 win in 1:41.

Kumar, the 2020 Asian champion, trailed by four points going into the second period when he used the par terre advantage to score two gut wrenches and walk off with a 5-4 victory over Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) – a two-time past bronze medalist himself – and boost his medal tally to six overall.

At 130kg, Korea made it 3 for 3 in bronze-medal matches by winning the battle of the Kims, as Minseok KIM (KOR) defeated namesake Roman KIM (KGZ) 4-0, scoring all of his points with slick first-period arm throw that emulated wrestlers half his size.

It was the Korean Kim’s fifth career Asian medal, adding to two bronzes from the Asian Games and another from the 2018 World Championships.

Three-time Asian U23 champion Wenhao JIANG (CHN) earned his first senior Asian medal with a 9-2 win over returning bronze medalist Yuta NARA (JPN) in the other 130kg match.

Day 2 Results

55kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) df. LALIT (IND) by TS, 9-0, 1:47

BRONZE: Huoying SHI (CHN) df. Mizuki ARAKI (JPN) by TS, 9-0, 1:17
BRONZE: Mohammad HOSSEINVAND (IRI) df. Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ), 7-1

60kg (10 entries)
SF 1: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) df. Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) by TS, 10-0, 2:00
SF2: Se Ung RI (PRK) df. Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ) by TS, 8-0, :27

63kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Aftandil TAALAIBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Erfan JARKANI (IRI), 7-2

BRONZE: Kaisei TANABE (JPN) df. Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) by TS, 9-0, 3:00
BRONZE: Hyunwoong CHOI (KOR) df. Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), 9-6

67kg (11 entries)
SF 1: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) df. Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) by TS, 9-0, 1:58
SF2: Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN) df. Abdumalik AMINOV (UZB), 5-2

72kg (10 entries)
SF 1: Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ) df. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), 3-1
SF2: Javad REZAEI (IRI) df. Shakhzod KUCHKOROV (UZB) by TS, 9-0, 1:55

77kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Ali OSKOU (IRI), 3-3

BRONZE: Yeonghun NOH (KOR) df. AMAN (IND), 15-14
BRONZE: Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB) df. Kaharman KISSYMETOV (KAZ) by TS, 10-1, 4:59

82kg (10 entries)
SF 1: Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) df. Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), 9-8
SF2: Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) df. PRINCE (IND) by TS, 10-0, 2:25

87kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) df. Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI), 11-4

BRONZE: Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) df. Dovletmyrat BAYRAMOV (TKM) by TS, 9-0, 1:41
BRONZE: Sunil KUMAR (IND) df. Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB), 5-4

97kg (11 entries)
SF 1: Hadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), 3-1
SF2: NITESH (IND) df. Zegang WANG (CHN), 7-2

130kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. Rafael TSITSUASHVILI (UZB) by TS, 9-0, 3:27

BRONZE: Minseok KIM (KOR) df. Roman KIM (KGZ), 4-0
BRONZE: Wenhao JIANG (CHN) df. Yuta NARA (JPN), 9-2

Rising Sun: Chinese Star Aims for Olympic Glory in Land of Top Rivals

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Makhmudov Repeats Triumph in Bishkek as Kyrgyzstan Strikes Three Gold