#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Sharshenbekov makes it two 1st-time Asian champions in family

Wednesday, April 20, 2022 - 15:37 By Ken Marantz

Share this article

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 20) -- After watching his cousin become a first-time Asian champion the day before, world silver medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) was determined to do the same.

The 22-year-old did just that, matching kinsman Tynar by winning the Greco-Roman 60kg title when Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) defaulted in the second period of the final due to injury on Wednesday, the second day of the six-day Asian Championships at the Buyant Ukhaa Sports Palace.

“Thanks to God this Asian Championships has been successful for us,” a jubilant Sharshenbekov said. “We have been preparing for this tournament with the whole team for quite a long time. With God's help, we will win the Olympics many times in the future as well.”

Sharshenbekov had built up a 4-0 lead and was in control when Mohsen Nejad was forced to stop due to a painful left side injury with 1:40 left in the match, making him settle for a silver medal for the second straight year.

Even with Iran coming away with the three other gold at stake, it was Kazakhstan that walked off with the team title with 190 points thanks to five silver medals to go with its two gold. Iran was second with 176 points, followed by Kyrgyzstan in third with 148.

In the 60kg final, Sharshenbekov gained a passivity point in the first period but was unable to turn Mohsen Nejad. In the second period, Sharshenbekov again gained the par terre position and this time he was able to roll his opponent for a 4-0 lead.

Mohsen Nejad came up holding his side and received treatment from the tournament doctor. He continued the match, but soon after the pain became too unbearable and he conceded with 1:38 left.

“All the opponents are very tough,” said Sharshenbekov, who finished seventh at the Tokyo Olympics. “I was getting ready to wrestle against each of them as if he was the strongest one."

His victory, which ended a run of second-place finishes over the past four years -- two each at both the World and Asian Championships -- completed a remarkable two days for the Sharshenbekov clan. On Tuesday, Tynar Sharshenbekov won the 63kg gold.

“Thanks a lot to my brother,” Zholaman, referring to Tynar, who is three years his senior. “He is the reason for all my results and achievements.”

Sharshenbekov said he draws inspiration from Kyrgyzstan’s other gold medalist in Ulaanbaatar, Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 77kg.

“Akzhol is my close friend forever,” he said. “I take him as an example. We both participated in the Olympics and many other tournaments. I learn a lot from him.”

ShermakhanbetMeiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) celebrates with his coaches after winning gold at 67kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

In other action, Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) notched arguably the biggest win of his career, chalking up an 11-3 technical fall over four-time champion Hansu RYU (KOR) in the 67kg final to avenge a loss to the Korean star in 2019 final.

Shermakhanbet, a world bronze medalist in 2018, took a slim 4-3 lead over the former world champion into the second period, before scoring a takedown off a counter.

From there, he latched on and executed a dazzling throw that was originally awarded four points but was changed to a match-ending five on the challenge.

“I wasn't surprised,” Shermakhanbet said of bringing the match to an early end. “I had to do so. I'm very happy. It's my second time meeting this guy [Ryu]. The first time I lost, so I paid off my debt.”

Mohammad MOKHTARIMohammad MOKHTARI (IRI) won gold on his Asian Championships debut at 72kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Triple play for Iran

Iran monopolized the last three finals of the night, with Mohammad MOKHTARI (IRI) at 72kg and Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI) at 82kg taking titles in their senior Asian debuts, and Medhi BALIHAMZEDEH (IRI) capping the Greco competition by successfully defending his 97kg crown.

Mokhtari scored a takedown and gut wrench late in the first period and held on for a 4-1 victory in the 72kg final over Abylaikhan AMZEYEV (KAZ).

In an earlier sequence, Amzeyev scored a four-point counter to the back that Mokhtari reversed before adding a two-point roll. But Amzeyev’s initial move was ruled a tackle below the waist, and all of those points were wiped off the board.

Mokhtari, a 2016 world cadet silver medalist, placed fifth at the 2021 World Championships, and now is aiming for a chance to return to the world stage in Belgrade later this year.

“I am glad to win the gold, it’s my first time at Asians,” Mokhtari said. “I began wrestling 12 years ago. My father was a wrestler and watching him wrestle got me excited to train in wrestling.

“I will now rest for one week and, if I qualify for the World Championships in Iran, I will train to win there.”

Rasoul GARMSIRIRasoul GARMSIRI (IRI) eked out a close 4-3 win over Dias KALEN (KAZ). (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

At 82kg, Garmsiri scored a stepout point with 1:08 left to clinch a 4-3 victory over Dias KALEN (KAZ) in the final of his first individual competition as a member of Iran national team.

Kalen gained the par terre position first and got two points with a throw that was otherwise well defended, but Garmsiri reversed him to his back to cut the lead to 3-2. In the second period, Garmiri gained a passivity point to go ahead on criteria, then secured the win with the stepout.

Balihamzehdeh’s final hurdle to a second straight 97kg gold came in the form of one of Asia’s most decorated active wrestlers in Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), but the Iranian was up to the task in forging a 5-1 victory.

“I fought with an expert who won a world medal and he was also in the Olympic Games,” Balihamzehdeh said. “Thank God I won.”

Balihamzehdeh took a 4-0 lead in the first period after receiving a passivity point, then scoring with a stepout and a two-point counter to a takedown. He added a stepout early in the second period, gave up a point on a lost challenge, then fended off all attempts in finishing off the win.

For Assakalov, who was third last year at 87kg, it was the eighth Asian medal of his career that includes three gold. The Russian-born 37-year-old is also a two-time world medalist and two-time Olympian.

In the bronze medal matches, host Mongolia’s last chance for a first-ever Asian medal in Greco ended with a valiant but unsuccessful effort by Baljinnyam TSEVEENRAVDAN (MGL), who dropped a 12-6 decision to Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ).

Fidakhmetov scored seven points from the par terre position in the first period, but Tsveenravdan ended the run with defensive two points and went into the break trailing 8-2. The Mongolian countered a back-drop attempt with a bear hug for four points, but Fidakhmetov reversed to the back, then added a roll to make it 12-6.

Japan, which failed to advance any of its wrestlers to the finals on the second day, went 4-for-5 in third-place matches, with Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) winning his second straight Asian bronze at  60kg.

Suzuki finished off an 11-0 technical fall over Gyanender DAHIYA (IND) with a four-point bear hug counter.

Katsuaki ENDO (JPN), the 2018 world U23 champion at 63kg, took home a 67kg bronze with a 7-1 victory over Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (IRI), a 2019 world junior bronze medalist at 63kg.

For Endo, it was a small consolation for his 6-2 loss in the semifinals to Korea’s Ryu.

“Looking at the tournament, I thought I could beat him [Ryu], who has been on top for a long time,” Endo said. “But I lost. He was able to stop what I do best. More than strong, he’s really good. The Asian Games are ahead, and I hope to get revenge there.”

At 72kg, Shogo TAKAHASHI (JPN) added to the bronze he won in 2019 with an 11-3 technical fall over Jiyeon LEE (KOR). Takahashi trailed 0-3 early on, but regrouped with a four-point throw,  then pulled away in the second period. The match ended on a two-point penalty for finger-grabbing.

Unheralded Takahiro TSURUDA (JPN) had a tougher time securing his first-ever international medal, taking advantage of a winded Sanzhar SERIKKAN (KAZ) to rally to a 6-6 victory on criteria.

Kyrgyzstan added a pair of bronze to its tally, with Adlikhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ) edging Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB) 3-3 at 72kg, and Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) overwhelming Jewoo PARK (KOR) by 11-1 technical fall at 97kg.

Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND) took the other bronze at 67kg when he used a slick arm throw to send Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) to his back and secure a fall with :11 left in a match he had been trailing 2-3.

The 82kg bronze went to Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB), who defeated Yuya OKAJIMA (JPN) 5-1, and Harpreet SINGH (IND), who picked up his fourth Asian bronze and fifth medal overall with a victory by default.

Correction: An earlier version of the story referred to Tynar as Zholaman's brother. We have updated it to correct the fact that the two are cousins 

Day 2 Results

Greco-Roman

60kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) by inj. def., 4:20 (4-0)

BRONZE: Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) df. Baljinnyam TSEVEENRAVDAN (MGL), 12-6
BRONZE: Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) df. Gyanender DAHIYA (IND) by TF, 11-0, 5:34

67kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) df. Hansu RYU (KOR) by TF, 11-3, 3:14

BRONZE: Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) df. Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (IRI), 7-1
BRONZE: Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND) df. Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) by Fall, 5:48 (7-3)

72kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Mohammad MOKHTARI (IRI) df. Abylaikhan AMZEYEV (KAZ), 4-1

BRONZE: Adlikhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB), 3-3
BRONZE: Shogo TAKAHASHI (JPN) df. Jiyeon LEE (KOR) by TF, 11-3, 4:33

82kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI) df. Dias KALEN (KAZ), 4-3

BRONZE: Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) df. Yuya OKAJIMA (JPN), 5-1
BRONZE: Harpreet SINGH (IND) by Jafar KHAN (QAT) by inj. def.

97kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Medhi BALIHAMZEDEH (IRI) df. Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), 5-1

BRONZE: Takahiro TSURUDA (JPN) df. Sanzhar SERIKKAN (KAZ), 6-6
BRONZE: Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) df. Jewoo PARK (KOR) by TF, 11-1, 3:00

#WrestleZagreb

Uguev ends six-year world title drought with 61kg gold

Sunday, September 14, 2025 - 22:03 By Ken Marantz

Share this article

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 13) -- With a spectacular display of his old form over two days, Zavur UGUEV (UWW) went from an afterthought back to one of the sport's most dominant wrestlers.

Uguev finessed his way to a third world title and first in six years when he captured the freestyle 61kg gold at the World Championships in Zagreb on Sunday, on the first night of finals in four Freestyle weight classes.

Uguev, the Tokyo Olympic champion at 57kg, rolled to the gold with a comprehensive 11-2 victory in the final over Asian bronze medalist Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), adding to the world titles he won in 2018 and 2019, also at 57kg.

"This is a very joyful event in my life -- I am once again on the top of the podium," Uguev said. "I am very happy and grateful to my team, my coach, my sparring partners, our national team -- thanks to everyone who played a part in my victory."

In other finals, Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) also became a three-time world champion with his third victory in five years at 125kg, while the two other golds at stake went to first-time winners who had previously made the podium, Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) at 70kg and Zahid VALENCIA (USA) at 86kg.

Uguev had been the dominant lightweight for the span from his first world title in 2018 to his Olympic triumph in 2021. But then he hit a slump with a fifth-place finish in 2023, a result he repeated in 2024, even after moving up to the non-Olympic weight class of 61kg.

This year, he gave an indication of what might lie ahead when he won his first-ever European title, having previously won a bronze in 2017 and a silver in 2018.

"I didn’t change much," Uguev said. "I just worked on our mistakes, that’s all. We didn’t invent anything new. There were mistakes, we thought them through, corrected them, and this time made only minimal ones."

Zavur UGUEV (UWW)Zavur UGUEV (UWW) tries to score against Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) in the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev said he welcomes new challengers coming along to try to knock him off the throne again.

"The more new names that appear, the better," he said. "They don’t let us relax. The young wrestlers are improving a lot, and it also makes me want to work harder — to compete with the younger generation."

Regarding a possible return to 57kg, Uguev replied, "I think it’s already clear that I’ve settled into this weight and built up my physique well. I feel comfortable here now, in this weight.

"There’s still time before the [2028] Olympic Games -- we’re not thinking about that yet. For now, there’s a goal for next year. I will work, move only forward. And later we’ll see how things go."

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) wrestles Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) in the 125kg final at the World Championships. (Photo: United World Championships / Kostadin Andonov)

At 125kg, Zare reconfirmed himself as the preeminent heavyweight with a 5-0 victory in the final over European champion and Olympic bronze medalist Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), with all of the points coming in the first period.

"I’m thankful that this [winning the title] has happened for the third time now," Zare said. "My hope is that as long as I wrestle, I can keep winning gold medals. This third one feels just as good as the others, and I dedicate it to the people of Iran."

The victory helps alleviate some of the sting of a defeat in the final at the Paris Olympics, where he was dealt a heartbreaking 10-9 loss by Geno PETRASHVILI (GEO).

"That tough experience at the Olympics was really painful, and I’ll never forget it," said Zare, who previously won world titles in 2021 and 2023. "I made mistakes myself. For the last 13 months, I’ve only been focused on training -- so that my next medal would be gold and to make up for those mistakes. I’ll keep grinding, keep pushing, until I get better and finally win that Olympic gold."

Zare also has bronze medals from the 2021 Olympics and 2022 World Championships, as well as a gold from his debut at the Asian Championships last year.

At 70kg, Aoyagi wasn't as dominating as he had been in storming into the final, but he took advantage of the opportunities presented and forged a 5-1 victory over Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL).

"The opponent completely had a strategy to counter my movement, so it made it tough," Aoyagi said. "But I also had a plan for the opponent, so I never thought I would lose."

Aoyagi's victory made up for losing in last year's final, a defeat that caused him to make changes in his approach to training and competition.

"After I lost, I dedicated myself to practice and to expanding my horizons in terms of going different places to train, and going overseas," Aoyagi said.

His overseas ventures resulted in victories at the Ranking Series events in Tirana and Budapest, along with a bronze medal at the Asian Championships, where he lost a close semifinal match to Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) -- a loss he avenged in spades in his opening match in Zagreb en route to outscoring four opponents 34-1.

Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN)Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) celebrates after winning the 70kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Aoyagi also suffered a setback domestically in June, when he was beaten in the semifinals of the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, the second of two qualifiers for the World Championships. But he came back to earn his ticket to Zagreb by winning a playoff with the eventual champion.

"A little while ago, I lost at a Japan tournament, so right now I'm No. 3 in Japan," he said. "But I never give up in trying to win. I always fight only believing that I can win."

In Sunday's final, Aoyagi gave up an activity point -- the first and only point he surrendered all tournament -- but stuffed a half-hearted arm throw attempt by Tumur Ochir for a 2-point exposure.

In the second period, he was on the verge of giving up a stepout when he suddenly rose up, reversed their positions and gained the stepout himself, which was upheld on challenge to increase his lead to 4-1.

"I knew I had my knee down and it would be no point," said Aoyagi, who would add another stepout in the final seconds. "I was aware of going out, and the opponent pushed me up a bit.

"I didn't want to let the chance get away and I reversed our positions and scored a point. Even if it had been no points, it wouldn't have changed the flow of the match."

Zahid VALENCIA (USA)Zahid VALENCIA (USA) scores a takedown against Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) in the 86kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 86kg, Valencia denied Japan a second gold on the night when he overwhelmed 2023 Asian bronze medalist Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) 12-0 to cap a successful drop from 92kg.

"I felt like I was always the best in the world," Valencia said. "I was confident in myself."

The 28-year-old Valencia, a 2023 world bronze medalist at 92kg, changed his own fortunes when, about a year ago, he decided to train with the Oklahoma State University group under the leadership of former star David TAYLOR (USA) -- a one-time nemesis of his.

"Being able to learn from someone like him, it's been amazing," Valencia said. "That's ultimately why I made the move. He's beat me so many times. I wanted to learn from him and get into his mindset of what it takes to become a world champion. I was able to do it and replicate it and bring home another one for our Team USA."

Zahid VALENCIA (USA)Zahid VALENCIA (USA), right, with coach David TAYLOR, after winning the 86kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Just to make Team USA was a challenge in itself. Valencia had to beat four-time world champion Kyle DAKE (USA) twice at the U.S. trials to earn his ticket to Zagreb. That in itself can be quite a confidence booster.

"If you make the team in the U.S., you're prepared to go be a world champ," he said. "So just go out there and let go of your fears and be courageous and let fly, go up there and score points and enjoy every moment and have fun with it."

Robert BARAN (POL)Robert BARAN (POL) celebrates after winning his bronze-medal bout at 125kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Poland's Baran earns elusive world medal

Making his seventh trip to the World Championships, Robert BARAN (POL) finally made it onto the medal podium at age 34. And he says he wants to get come back for more.

Baran won a bronze at 125kg with a solid 5-0 victory over Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN), ending a run of futility that started in 2017.

"I feel very good, it is my long-awaited first [world] medal," Baran said. "I'm very happy, very pleased, and I hope that it is not the last medal."

Baran's previous best finish was a seventh place in Belgrade in 2023. He came close at last year's Paris Olympics, but lost in the bronze-medal match to Meshvildishvili.

On Sunday, he received an activity point in each period before scoring a stepout in the second to go ahead 3-0. He capped his win with a last-second 2-point exposure.

"During the match, I was feeling great," Baran said. "We worked on a plan with the coaches and I made it work 100 percent."

The other bronze at 125kg went to Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN), who caught Jonovan SMITH (PUR) with a 4-point counter that sent him to his back, then secured a fall in 4:08.

Meanwhile, Assylzhan YESSENGELDI (KAZ), a world medalist on the U23 and U20 levels, picked up his first one as a senior, but it didn't come easy nor without a bit of drama.

Yessengeldi emerged from a wild encounter with high school phenom Jax FORREST (USA) with a 10-8 victory in a bronze-medal match at 61kg that, for an agonizing moment, he had thought he had lost.

Yessengeli came back from a 8-3 deficit to go ahead 9-8 following a scramble that earned him four points. But with the seconds ticking away, he was suddenly flagged for grabbing the singlet, giving Forrest a point -- and the lead on criteria -- with :03 left. But on challenge, his despondence turned to joy when the penalty was overturned.

The other 61kg bronze went to Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE), who put on a master class of counter wrestling to defeat Kum Hyok KIM (PRK) by fall with the last of three scoring moves.

After chalking up a pair of 2-point exposures off Kim's attacks, Novruzov countered him right to his back to secure the fall in 2:19 and gain the bronze medal that evaded him last year.

Akmataliev and Nurkosha KAIPANOV (KAZ) both added to burgeoning world medal collections by taking home the 70kg bronze medals.

Akmataliev went on a six-point run in the second period to finish up an 8-2 victory over Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM) and add to his world silver from 2021 and bronze from 2022.

Kaipanov, who came into Zagreb as the defending champion, also went on a second-period blitz, with his culminating in a 13-2 victory over Vasile DIACON (MDA) in 4:48. Kaipanov also has a silver from 2019.

At 86kg, Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), a two-time world champion at 92kg, bounced back from a disappointing loss to Valencia in the semifinals by manhandling Mukul DAHIYA (IND) with a 10-0 technical fall in 3:33.

Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) gave Azerbaijan its second bronze of the night by handily defeating Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) 7-0 in the other 86kg match.

READ THE DAY 2 SEMIFINALS REPORT HERE

RESULTS

Freestyle

57kg (31 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Chongsong HAN (PRK) df. Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) by Fall, 3:47 (4-1)
SEMIFINAL: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) df. Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 8-0

61kg (26 entries)
GOLD: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), 11-2

BRONZE: Assylzhan YESSENGELDI (KAZ) df. Jax FORREST (USA), 10-8
BRONZE: Nuraddin NOVRUZOV (AZE) df. Kum Hyok KIM (PRK) by Fall, 2:18 (6-0)

70kg (29 entries)
GOLD: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), 5-1

BRONZE: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), 8-2
BRONZE: Nurkosha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Vasile DIACON (MDA) by TF, 13-2, 4:47

74kg (35 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) df. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW), 6-4
SEMIFINAL: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) df. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), 6-4

79kg (27 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) df. Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), 8-3
SEMIFINAL: Levi HAINES (USA) df. Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL), 4-1

86kg (29 entries)
GOLD: Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) by TF, 12-0, 4:22

BRONZE: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Mukul DAHIYA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 3:32
BRONZE: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA), 7-0

92kg (26 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Trent HIDLAY (USA) df. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) by TF, 15-4, 6:00
SEMIFINAL: Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) df. Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), 11-6

125kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), 5-0

BRONZE: Robert BARAN (POL) df. Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN), 5-0
BRONZE: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Jonovan SMITH (PUR) by Fall, 4:07 (5-0)