#WrestleHangzhou

Tazhudinov adds Asian Games title; Iran finishes with 3 golds

Saturday, October 7, 2023 - 11:39 By Vinay Siwach

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LIN'AN, Hangzhou, China (October 7) -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) has not been home to Dagestan yet. The world champion is on the road since winning the gold medal in Belgrade, traveling to Bahrain and now to Hangzhou, China for the Asian Games.

If his village Gergebil was planning for a welcome for his world title, it would now need to be a grand one as Tazhudinov added an Asian Games title on Sunday.

After beating Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) in back-to-back matches at the World Championships, Tazhudinov had to travel to Bahrain. The much-awaited welcome in Dagestan was postponed with the Asian Games scheduled from October 4-7 in Hangzhou.

And since it's a once-in-a-four- years Games, Tazhudinov decided to give it a shot.

"This tournament is a bit different from others because it happens only once in four years," Tazhudinov said. "That’s why we didn’t take any rest. We didn’t fly to Dagestan. We went directly to Bahrain, rested a little bit, and started the preparations for the Asian Games. And won it."

If the World Championships saw a high-flying Tazhudinov, the Asian Games witnessed a Tazhudinov who was content with scoring points in a much-reserved manner.

Out of his four wins to the gold medal, only one was a fall while others were on points. He defeated Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) 7-3 in the opening bout, pinned Kanybek ABDULKHAIROV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals, and won 6-1 against Juhwan SEO (KOR) in the semifinals.

Wrestling Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) in the final, Tazhudinov put out his best performance with Goleij struggling to break the world champion's defense and giving up two takedowns in Tazhudinov's 6-1.

The 20-year-old had beaten Goleij at the Asian Championships semifinal as well but that victory was much closer as he won 13-8. Tazhudinov explained that wrestling at two tournaments in the space of two weeks made him tired which forced him to change the approach.

"I didn’t have enough time to recover after the World Championships that’s why the games went a bit tough for me," he said.

The gold medal made Tazhudinov the first wrestler from Bahrain to win a medal. Before Hangzhou, Bahrain had only entered wrestling at the Asian Games once, in 2018 when Adam BATIROV (BRN) finished seventh in Jakarta. Tazhudinov also credited his coach Shamil OMAROV for his contribution to the historic achievement.

"My coach is very experienced, he raised a two-time Olympic champion [Sadulaev]," he said. "I learn a lot from him, he supports us and he is always here with us."

For now, both Tazhudinov and Omarov will fly to Dagestan and plan for the next season.

"I haven’t been home yet in Dagestan. But I hope they will meet me there nicely," he said. "I don’t know yet about the next tournament. I just want to rest now."

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) defeated Deepak PUNIA in the 86kg gold medal bout. (Photo: UWW / Sachiko Hotaka)

Yazdani defends gold

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) was easily the biggest attraction of the final day in wrestling as Iranian fans cheered every point he scored. And Yazdani was cheered on several occasions as he comfortably defended his 86kg gold medal at the Asian Games beating Deepak PUNIA 10-0, his fourth technical superiority win in four bouts in Hangzhou.

Wrestling two weeks after the World Championships in which he reached the final but suffered a fall against David TAYLOR (USA), Yazdani was once again in top form despite a heavily tapped right shoulder.

After a slow first period with Yazdani being the only active wrestler, the final finished in just 2:29 as Yazdani's gut wrenched Punia.

There were little celebrations from Yazdani as he continued to stress that only an Olympic gold medal would make him celebrate a victory.

"Paris Olympics!," Yazdani said to the waiting media in the mixed zone at the Lin'an Sports Culture and Exhibition Center.

Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI)Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) completed a 7-0 win over Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL). (Photo: UWW / Sachiko Hotaka)

World champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) won his first Asian Games gold medal by beating Asian champion Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) 7-0. His high-paced wrestling at this weight makes it extremely difficult for his opponents to remain in the contest.

"His conditioning is very high," Munkhtur said after the final. "The strength part is normal but it's his conditioning which keeps him going for six minutes."

Zare hardly broke a sweat and forced stepout in the final before getting two takedowns to finish the bout.

Zare reclaimed the 125kg world title from Taha AKGUL (TUR) after beating both Akgul and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the semifinals and final in Belgrade.

Yones EMAMI (IRI)Yones EMAMI (IRI) became the Asian Games champion at 74kg. (Photo: UWW / Sachiko Hotaka)

At 74kg, Yones EMAMI (IRI) put away the disappointment of missing out on a medal at the World Championships with the 74kg gold in the Asian Games. Emami defeated Asian Championships silver medalist Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) 9-0 in the final.

With Iran winning three gold medals on the final day, it emerged as the most successful country at the 19th Asian Games, winning five gold, four silver and one bronze medal. Japan finished second with five gold, three silver and four bronze medals.

In the bronze medal bouts, China and Uzbekistan won two each finish the competition on a high.

Defending champion at 74kg Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) bounced back after losing to Emami in the semifinal. He pinned Perman HAMMADOV (TKM) to capture his third Asian Games medal.

Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) beat Magomet EVLOEV (TJK), 4-2, in a tense bout to win the second 74kg bronze.

Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) added the second bronze of the night to Uzbekistan's tally as he defeated Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) 3-0. He was joined by Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) on the podium after the Turkmen denied Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 12-4.

At 97kg, Asian Championships silver medalist Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) managed to hold off Juhwan SEO (KOR) for a 2-1 victory to give the home country a bronze medal on the final day. The other bronze medal went to Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) who used two big throws to beat Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), 8-1.

More glory was in store for China as BUHEEERDUN (CHN) managed to go past Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ), 5-2. Veteran Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) dished out a final-second gut-wrench to beat Khusanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB), 7-6. Lazarev trailed 6-3 but scored a takedown and turned Rakhimov just before the clock expired to win a hard-fought bronze.

Asian GamesThe 86kg medalists at the Asian Games. (Photo: UWW / Sachiko Hotaka)

RESULTS

74kg
GOLD: Yones EMAMI (IRI) df. Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN), 9-0

BRONZE: Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) df. Perman HOMMADOV (TKM), via fall
BRONZE: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) df. Magomet EVLOEV (TJK), 4-2

86kg
GOLD: Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. Deepak PUNIA, 10-0

BRONZE: Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) df. Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN), 3-0
BRONZE: Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) df. Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 12-4

97kg
GOLD: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI), 6-1

BRONZE: Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) df. Juhwan SEO (KOR), 2-1
BRONZE: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) df. Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), 8-1

125kg
GOLD: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), 7-0

BRONZE: BUHEEERDUN (CHN) df. Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ), 5-2
BRONZE: Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) df. Khusanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB), 7-6

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Live Blog: Day 2

Friday, May 30, 2025 - 02:48 By Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (May 30) -- The action after Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 continues with three Greco-Roman weight classes and five Women's Wrestling weight classes in the Mongolian capital. European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) is at 63kg while a strong women's field will also be on the mat.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 RESULTS

14:55: NEHA (IND) ends the 57kg semifinal with a double-leg attack for four points and beats Ana PEREIRA (BRA) 11-0 to enter the final at 57kg against Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL).

14:50: Mongolia has a finalist! Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) manages to beat European silver medalist Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR) 4-0 in the 57kg semifinal.

14:40: Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) enters the final at 53kg after an 11-4 win over Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL). Apart from the four-point throw from Chinbold, Malysheva never looked in trouble in the semifinal. She will face Antim in the final, who won their round-robin match.

14:27: ANTIM (IND) puts on a takedown masterclass in the 53kg semifinal and beats Ariunzaya ODONCHIMEG (MGL) 10-0 to enter the final.

14:24: Another pin in semifinals! Natalia PUDOVA (UWW) survives a pin attempt from Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) and then flips the script with a over-under throw and secures the fall. She will wrestle Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) for the gold medal.

14:20: Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) and NEELAM (IND) put on a show in the 50kg semifinal. Neelam tried to trip Demirhan who counter trips for four points. India challenge but is lost. Neelam goes behind in the next action and throw Demirhan for four points. But Demirhan keeps Neelam in a headlock and secures the pin.

14:10: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) books a rematch with Kerem KAMAL (TUR) in the 63kg final after a hard-fought victory over Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI). Keshtkar was cautioned early and Chung led 1-0. He got the par terre to be 2-0 up but failed to score. Keshtkar got on board with the par terre point in the second period but did not score any points. He threw everything he had at Chung who defended all attacks for a 2-1 win.

14:00: In the first semifinal at 63kg, Kerem KAMAL (TUR) manages to hold off an attacking Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) for a 6-3 win. Mohammadi scored a takedown early to lead 2-0 but Kamal got a reverse left for two points from par terre and then a takedown to lead 6-2. A stepout late made it 6-3 but that was all as Kamal enters the final.

13:40: In the final match of the session, Enes BASAR (TUR) bounces back after being 2-0 down with a series of gut wrenches and wins 10-2 at 60kg. The semifinals for a few weight classes will begin now. 

13:10: ANTIM (IND) was kept quiet for the first two minutes of the bout but Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) gives up a takedown and Antim goes for the leg lace for a turn. Malysheva defends but Antim then goes the other way for lace and gets the 11-0 win at 53kg.

13:00: Asian medalist and former world U17 champion HARSHITA (IND) with her second win at 72kg. She beats Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW) 11-0 in Round 3

12:55: Bediha GUN (TUR) would be upset with herself as he lets go off an advantageous situation and leads 6-6 on criteria to Anudari BATKHUYAG (MGL) at 59kg.

12:45: Kerem KAMAL (TUR) continues to power his way at 63kg as he downs Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) majorly with his defense. Chung got the par terre advantage but Kamal managed to sneak out of a bodylock. He failed to score from par terre as well but scored a takedown later to make it 3-1. Lost challenge from Korea gave him another point.  

12:35: NEHA (IND) seems unfazed in her first senior international tournament. She pins Munkhchimeg URJIN (MGL) in her second bout of the day.

12:30: Enes BASAR (TUR) needs only one minute and 18 seconds to beat SURAJ (IND) 8-0 at 60kg and take a big step towards the gold medal.

12:15: Hamza BAKIR (TUR) keeps his winning run at 130kg. He beats PREM (IND) via technical superiority and is now the favorite to win the gold medal.

11:55: Big win for world U20 bronze medalist NEHA (IND) over European silver medalist Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) at 57kg. The 18-year-old physical overpowered Kamaloglu and scored takedown. Kamaloglu scored a four-pointer but still went down 7-4 in a Round 2.

11:45: Natalia PUDOVA (UWW) with a big comeback win over NEELAM (IND). Pudova claims a 6-5 win at 50kg. The two wrestlers may wrestle again in the final if they can win all their remaining matches.

11:35: Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) gave a scare to Enes BASAR (TUR) when he made it 5-5 with two minutes to go but Basar never got deterred with the score. He remains calm and wins 15-5.

11:26: European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) with a 4-1 win over Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ). Kamal scored a turn from par terre and also had a point for lost challenge and then defended from par terre to win 4-1 at 63kg.

11:15: The only Brazil wrestler to have made the long trip to Ulaanbaatar Open makes it worth it as Ana PEREIRA (BRA) begins with a 2-1 win over Enkhtuvshin BALJINNYAM (MGL) at 57kg.

11:00: A little heated bout on Mat C between Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) and Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) at 63kg, which ends in a thrilling fashion. Mohammadi was given both passivity advantages and he led 2-0 till the final 10 seconds. However, Keshtkar tried desperate headlock which Mohammadi seemed to have blocked. As Mohammadi scored the takedown, Keshtkar countered with a continuous roll and got two points. It was scored two points for Mohammadi and two points for Keshtkar. However, Iran challenged the call and on review, it was scored only two points for Keshtkar, as his attempted headpinch was called a slip throw. Keshtkar wins 2-2 on criteria.

10:55: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) with two massive throws to stun Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ) in the Round 1 bout of 63kg. Chung has been a former Asian Championships medalist and always a threat for medal.

10:50: Former world U17 champion SURAJ (IND) got throw for a four-pointer from Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL) but that was his only loss in concentration as he wins 8-5 against Namsrai at 60kg.

10:45: Paris Olympian Enes BASAR (TUR) defended well from par terre and beats Kurmanbek ZHAPAROV (KGZ) 8-3 to start his 63kg campaign.

10:30: Mongolia had some wrestle-offs to decide its competitors for the main draw as it had 5 wrestlers entered in a few categories. But we are all set for the Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling now.