#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

#WrestleAmman

Medet Kyzy pulls off late miracle for 3rd Asian gold

Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 19:00 By Ken Marantz

Share this article

AMMAN, Jordan (March 27) -- Winning the tight ones is a sign of a true champion, and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) couldn't have cut it any closer in retaining her Asian crown and becoming a three-time champion.

Medet Kyzy thwarted an upset bid from REETIKA (IND) with a takedown and gut wrench in the dying seconds for a 7-6 victory in the 76kg final at the Asian Championships on Thursday as women's wrestling took the stage on the third day in Amman, Jordan.

"I prepared for the Asian Championships really well," said Medet Kyzy, who will turn 26 on Sunday. "In the last 20 seconds, I said to myself, 'Aiperi, you have to win.'"

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) also became a three-time champion at 50kg, while young compatriot Sakura ONISHI (JPN) had a miracle victory of her own at 59kg as the powerful Japanese squad was limited to two of the five titles at stake, albeit they lost a world champion to a last-minute withdrawal due to injury.

The two other finals were match-ups between wrestlers from China and the DPK Korea, which they split as Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) and Zelu LI (CHN) became first-time champions at 55kg and 68kg, respectively.

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) scores the winning turn against REETIKA (IND) in the 76kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the 76kg final, Medet Kyzy, a two-time world medalist, was facing an opponent bent on avenging a close 1-1 loss in the quarterfinals at last year's Paris Olympics.

And for much of the match, it looked like it was payback time for 2023 world U23 champion Reetika, an Asian bronze medalist a year ago in Bishkek.

After Medet Kyzy opened with a counter for a takedown, Reetika scored a single-leg takedown to go into the break up 2-2 on criteria. In the second period, Reetika twisted Medet Kyzy over in a scramble for a 2-point exposure, then added a double-leg takedown to make it 6-2.

It looked bleak for Medet Kyzy when, in the final seconds, she managed to get behind for a takedown, then barely muscled Reetika's shoulders past the 90-degree point with a gut wrench with :02 left on the clock. The 2-point exposure was upheld on challenge.

Medet Kyzy said she was inspired by her Kyrgyzstan teammates, including Greco-Roman brothers Zholaman and Tynaar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) cheering her on from the stands.

"They cheered so badly for me I couldn’t lose," she said. "I worked till the very end." Medet Kyzy said that she and her coaches have been working on improving her quickness on the mat, which paid off on Thursday.

"After the Olympics, I sat down with the coaches and we did a full analysis of my wrestling," she said. "Now I’m more efficient compared to before."

Medet Kyzy, who finished fifth at the Paris Olympics, had also previously struck gold in 2022 and now has a total of eight Asian medals, along with a gold and bronze from the Asian Games.

"The Olympics were half a year ago," Medet Kyzy said. "It was very hard for me, because I ended up being fifth. All this time my friends, family, and coaches supported me a lot. Now we have started preparation for the 2028 Olympics."

At 50kg, Yoshimoto, taking advantage of a chance to compete internationally with high-profile rival Yui SUSAKI (JPN) still on hiatus, put on a takedown clinic in an 8-0 victory over world U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN).

Yoshimoto chalked up two takedowns in each period with a combination of single-leg attacks and counters to outclass the Chinese teen and add to her previous Asian golds from 2022 and 2023 -- she also has gold from the 2023 Asian Games.

"I didn't make the team last year, but I went into my third [Asian Championships] with a new feeling and not thinking about it too deeply," said Yoshimoto, the 2021 world champion in Susaki's absence. "I feel like the opponents came up with a strategy against me, so it wasn't so easy.

"I wasn't looking to win in any particular way, but I wasn't moving like I wanted. It was different from the first and second times and there is much I need to reflect on."

Yoshimoto has not lost to a non-Japanese opponent since 2019, when she was defeated by Chun LEI (CHN) at the test event for the Tokyo Olympics. Her only other international loss was to two-time Olympic medalist Yun SUNAN (CHN) in the final of the Klippan Lady earlier that year.

Next up for Yoshimoto is the Meiji Cup in June, the second of two domestic qualifiers for this year's World Championships where she will likely have to encounter Susaki, who has not competed since taking a bronze at the Paris Olympics.

Onishi, one of Japan's brightest rising stars, looked to be headed to just her second defeat in seven international tournaments when she pulled off a last-second 6-4 victory over Pyol HONG (PRK) in the 59kg final, thanks to a favorable call.

"This is my first time at the senior Asian Championships, and I knew it would not be easy to win," Onishi said. "That's exactly how it was. The final was a tough match. There was a moment when I thought I was going to lose. But I stayed strongly determined to win."

The reigning world U20 champion took a 3-0 lead with a single-leg takedown, to which a 1-point penalty was tacked on for grabbing the wrists.

In the second period, all of Onishi's tackle attempts were well thwarted by Hong, who spun behind after one counter for a takedown, after which she added a gut wrench to go up 4-3.

With the clock ticking down, Onishi launched a desperate surge forward that forced Hong over the edge for a stepout with :02 left that, by itself, would not have been enough. But the referee signaled an additional point for fleeing that was upheld by the side judges, leaving Hong stunned and Onishi elated.

"There was only a little time left, but I thought I had to do something and just go for it," the 19- year-old Onishi said. "All I thought was that I wanted to win. I have no recollection of what I actually did."

The match marked Onishi's first encounter with an opponent from the DPR Korea. "She was very powerful and she was able to keep me from doing my usual winning pattern. I couldn't get in on a tackle, and honestly speaking, I was panicking a little. But it was a good experience."

Onishi, the world U17 champion at 53kg in 2023, prepped for Amman by winning the Tirana Ranking Series event in February. She was dealt her lone international loss in the final at the 2022 U17 worlds to Maria YEFREMOVA (UKR).

Oh, the losing finalist at 55kg last year, moved up to the top of the medal podium by grinding out an 8-1 victory over Yuxuan LI (CHN), who finished third in Tirana.

Oh gained a takedown off a counter, then went to a lace lock, but was limited to one roll through by Li to make it 4-0. In the second period, Oh padded her lead with a single-leg takedown and added another lace lock roll. As she tried another, Li managed to execute a switch and scored a reversal for her lone point.

Oh had earned her place in the final for the second year in a row by knocking off three-time world champion Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) with a nail-biting 6-5 win in the semifinals. Last year, she lost in the final to Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), who will be going for the 53kg gold on Friday.

Zelu LI (CHN)Zelu LI (CHN) works a cradle against Sol Gum PAK (PRK) in the 68kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

The 68kg final was a quick affair when Zelu Li defeated Sol Gum PAK (PRK) by fall in just 35 seconds.

Li forced in a half-nelson from the standing position, then slammed Pak directly to her back and clamped down for the fall.

Li finished second at the Tirana Ranking Series to world 72kg champion Ami ISHII (JPN), who was entered at 68kg in Amman but withdrew prior to the competition due to a knee injury she suffered a week ago in training.

Murayama Okuno bounces back to take bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Murayama Okuno assured she would not leave her first Asian Championships empty-handed, while two Indian teenagers made it onto the medal podium in their international senior debuts.

Murayama Okuno bounced back from her semifinal loss to Oh by shutting out Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB) 8-0 at 55kg.

Murayama Okuno jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a takedown and a stepover exposure. In the second period, she broke through Matnazarova's defenses to get a late takedown off a counter and a gut wrench for her final points.

The other 55kg bronze went to two-time Asian U23 champion Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL), who got behind countering a takedown attempt by NISHU (IND), applied a chicken wing and turned her over for a fall in 2:13.

At 50kg, Myonggyong WON (PRK), last seen on the continental stage winning a bronze at the Asian juniors (U20) in 2019, now has a senior medal after overwhelming Miran CHEON (KOR) 10-0.

Won twice went out the back door for a takedown, and after the second one, secured a high- thigh lock and executed one roll, then moved down to the laces and ripped off two more to end the match at 2:01.

Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL), in her second appearance at the Asian Championships five years after placing fifth, came away with the other 50kg bronze after scoring a deep double-leg takedown late in the first period and making that hold up in a 3-0 victory over Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ).

At 59kg, teenager MUSKAN (IND), a 2024 world U17 bronze medalist at 53kg, received two activity points and scored a late takedown to defeat Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) 4-0.

Mengyu XIE (CHN) made short work of Guldana BEKESH (KAZ), storming to a 10-0 technical fall in :48 to add the other 59kg bronze to the gold she won back in 2019.

Xie, a 2022 world bronze medalist at 55kg, opened with a takedown-gut wrench combination, then did it again, adding a second roll to finish off Asian U23 bronze medalist Bekesh.

In a battle between last year's bronze medalists at 68kg, 2023 world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) added to her extensive collection of Asian medals by finishing off Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) 14-2 with a driving 4-point takedown in the final seconds.

Enkhsaikhan scored three takedowns in the first period to lead 6-2, then added two more and looked headed for a 10-2 win. But she got in deep on a double-leg, lifted up and drove Tashtanbekova to the mat for a 4-pointer.

Enkhsaikan now has five Asian medals, all bronze save for a silver from 2021.

The second Indian teen, world U17 champion Mansi LATHER (IND), used a snap-down, spin-behind attack to maximum effect to rout Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) 12-2 for the other bronze at 68kg.

In an entertaining bout at 76kg, YANGLA (CHN) twice threw Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) to her back, only to be reversed to her own back, but scored a late takedown to clinch an 8-5 victory. Yangla got the big move of the match with a back suplex for 4.

Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) added to the Japanese medal tally, showing surprising speed and agility for a heavyweight in charging to a 10-0 win over Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) for the other 76kg bronze.

Yamamoto opened with a single-leg takedown and two gut wrenches, added a snap-down, go-behind takedown, then finished things off at 2:00 with a single-leg takedown at the edge.

Photo

Day 3 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) df. Yu ZHANG (CHN), 8-0

BRONZE: Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) df. Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ), 3-0
BRONZE: Myonggyong WON (PRK) df. Miran CHEON (KOR) by TF, 10-0, 2:01

55kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) df. Yuxuan LI (CHN), 8-1

BRONZE: Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) df. Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB), 8-0
BRONZE: Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) df. NISHU (IND) by Fall, 2:13 (4-0)

59kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) df. Pyol HONG (PRK), 6-4

BRONZE: MUSKAN (IND) df. Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL), 4-0
BRONZE: Mengyu XIE (CHN) df. Guldana BEKESH (KAZ) by TF, 10-0, :48

68kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Zelu LI (CHN) df. Sol Gum PAK (PRK) by Fall, :35 (4-0)

BRONZE: Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) by TF, 14-2, 6:00
BRONZE: Mansi LATHER (IND) df. Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) by TF, 12-2, 4:43

76kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. REETIKA (IND), 7-6

BRONZE: YANGLA (CHN) df. Mi Hyang KIM (PRK), 8-5
BRONZE: Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) df. Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) by TF, 10-0, 2:00