Top Asian stars battle for Paris 2024 spots at Olympic qualifier

Thursday, April 18, 2024 - 09:53 By Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 18) -- Japan is the only nation from Asia to earn all six quotas in any style but other nations will be hoping to increase their 2024 Paris Olympic qualification as the Asian OG Qualifier begins in Bishkek from April 19.

The competition will offer 36 quotas in three styles, 12 in each style. The winner of the semifinals in each Olympic weight class will earn a Paris Olympic quota for their countries. There will be no gold and bronze-medal bouts as well as no repechage.

At the World Championships, wrestlers from Asia were able to win 32 out of the 90 available quotas with 12 each in Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling. Freestyle wrestlers, however, could only win eight quotas. That being the case, the qualifiers in Bishkek have received more entries in Freestyle than the other two.

Here's a brief preview of each Olympic weight class:

57kg: Asian champion AMAN (IND) will be looking to earn a spot for India but will face a big challenge from Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) who will look to return to the Olympics. As Aman is seeded number two and Abdullaev is three, both should clash in the semifinal if the seeds hold.

Asian Games silver medalist Chong Song HAN (PRK) will have the responsibility of winning the quota for the DPR Korea. Iran is banking on Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) while Kyrgyzstan has U23 Asian champion Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ). Yerassyl MUKHTARULY (KAZ), who was second to Almaz Uulu at the U23 event, will be in for Kazakhstan.

65kg: With only Iran qualifying from the World Championships, a few strong countries will battle it out for the two spots at 65kg. Local star Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), who qualified for the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 with a dramatic pin over Ilyas BELBULATOV (UZB), will hope to repeat that success.

Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) failed to win the domestic competition in Japan and lost his right to represent Japan at the qualifiers and the Olympics. Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), who defeated Otoguro in the final in Japan, will have the responsibility of earning the qualification for Japan.

Asian Championships silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) lost in the national trials to Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) who will be in Bishkek. Asian Games bronze medalist Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) is entered for the DPR Korea.

Former U20 world champion Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) will be one of the favorites to win the quota as well along with U20 Asian champion Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) who is seeded number one.

74kg: If the seeds hold, seed number two Yones EMAMI (IRI) likely gets number three Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) in the semifinals for the Paris quota. Former Asian champion Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) is unseeded for the tournament and drawn at random.

Feng LU (CHN) is seeded number one in the bracket and also has Asian Games bronze medalist Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) in the mix. Former Asian Championships Byungmin GONG (KOR) will look to earn one for Korea.

86kg: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) will look to earn the second Paris Olympic quota after Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN). Sharipov will be seeded number one for the tournament and can face Tokyo Olympic fifth-placer Deepak PUNIA (IND) for a place in Paris.

Zushen LIN (CHN) is the number two seed for the tournament with Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) taking the third spot. But it will be Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) who will be the biggest threat to all the competitors.

97kg: It won't be the 92kg world champion Aitmukhan RIZABEK (KAZ) for Kazakhstan at 97kg in the qualifiers. He won a silver medal at the Asian Championships but Kazakhstan is going ahead with Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), who also gets the top seed.

His seed avoids a battle with Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) who defeated Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the Zagreb Open at the beginning of the year. Veteran and Rio 2016 bronze medalist Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) is seeded third and battle with Azarpira for the spot in Paris looks unavoidable.

Fourth seed and former Asian silver medalist Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) will fancy his chances as well. 20-year-old Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), who finished a commendable fifth at last year's World Championships at 92kg, can upend all the established wrestlers.

125kg: Tokyo Olympians Zhiwei DENG (CHN) and Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) will avoid each other in the tournament and hope to earn Olympic quotas for their respective nations. Former world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) will be one of the favorites to win the quota along with Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) and former age-group star Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB).

Vinesh PHOGAT (IND) will compete at 50kg at the Asian OG Qualifier. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg: With three out of five quotas won by Asian countries at the World Championships, the 50kg weight class is wide open. The biggest surprise is 53kg world bronze medalist and Tokyo Olympian VINESH (IND) moving down to 50kg in a bid to earn the quota for India.

Vinesh moved up from 50kg to 53kg in 2019 and won the world bronze medal to earn a Tokyo Olympics spot. But ANTIM (IND) won with a 53kg quota for the Paris Olympics at the World Championships, Vinesh moved to 50kg to remain in contention for Paris.

The biggest challenge for the Indian star will be Asian Games silver medalist Son Hyang KIM (PRK) who is one of the strongest 50kg wrestlers. Asian Games bronze medalist Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) is also in the mix.

53kg: Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) is the biggest name at 53kg with the Paris 2024 quota on line. 2022 world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) is also entered as she replaces Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bortulya BAT OCHIR (MGL).

57kg: Kexin HONG (CHN) won a bronze medal at the Asian Games and began this year with a big win over Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) at the Zagreb Open. She will be the top seed in the tournament. She will avoid a clash with Asian Games silver medalist In Sun JONG (PRK) who is seeded third. Jong defeated Hong 4-2 in the semifinals in Hangzhou.

Tokyo Olympian ANSHU (IND) returns to international competition since last year's Asian Championships and will look to win a 57kg quota for India. Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) and former Asia silver medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) are also in the mix.

62kg: Asian Games champion Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) will be the best bet for the DPR Korea to win a quota at 62kg. She will unlikely to face any challenges unless Tokyo Olympian Jia LONG (CHN) and former world champs Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) are drawn on her side.

68kg: With only seven wrestlers entered at 68kg, the draw will be Nelson style and the wrestlers will be divided into two groups of four and three. The top two wrestlers from each wrestler will reach the semifinal. The top wrestler in Group A will face second-placed wrestlers in Group B.

Feng ZHOU (CHN) will be in Group A as the top seed and will avoid Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) who is number two. Former world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) is seeded number three and likely to be placed in Group B.

That leaves former Asian Championships silver medalist NISHA (IND) and Sol Gum PAK (PRK) to be drawn at random in the bracket.

76kg: Another weight class with seven wrestlers and two groups. Asian Games bronze medalist and silver medalist at the Zagreb Open this year Juan WANG (CHN) takes the top spot in the seeding. But two-time world silver medalist at 72kg Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) has to be the favorite to win one of the two spots available at 76kg.

U23 world champion REETIKA (IND) and Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) also can win the Paris spots.

Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) and Abror ATABAEV (UZB) will be wrestling at 67kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman

60kg: The Greco-Roman 60kg was the only weight class at the World Championships that saw all five qualifications from one continent. With Kyrgyzstan, Japan, China, Uzbekistan and Iran qualified, two more Asian countries have a chance to win the quota for Paris.

A bronze medalist at the 2022 World Championships Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) will have a good chance to put Kazakhstan in for the Paris 2024 along with India represented by U20 World Championships silver medalist SUMIT (IND).

Former two-time Asian silver medalist and Asian Games bronze medalist Se Ung RI (PRK) will be an unseeded wrestler in the bracket with Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) taking the top seed.

67kg: A few stars will have to return empty-handed from Bishkek as the 67kg bracket draws some big names. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) will be the top seed and Rovshen ATDAYEV (TKM) the second but it is Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN), HUSIYUETU (CHN), Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), Hansu RYU (KOR), Yong Jin RO (PRK) and Abror ATABAEV (UZB) who look to the top names to earn the two spots for Paris.

Sogabe was involved in a thrilling bout against Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) which he lost. He would be keen to earn the spot he missed in Belgrade. However, for that, he will have to go through a strong bracket. Challenging him will be Ryu, who is looking to enter his fourth Olympics. Asian Games silver medalist Shermakhanbet is another big threat to all other competitors.

Former U17 world champiom Atabaev along with Husiyuetu and Ro can upset the established stars in Bishkek.

77kg: Asian Games silver medalist Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) will have the task of earning a Paris 2024 quota for Iran. He will be the favorite as he lost only to Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at the Games.

He defeated Rui LIU (CHN), who is entered, 1-1 at the Asian Games. Liu earlier defeated VIKAS (IND) 9-1. This leaves top seed Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) as the other favorite to secure a place.

87kg: Asian Games champion Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) are seeded number two and three for the qualifiers which means only one of Uzbekistan and Iran will earn a quota for Paris 2024. Berdimuratov reached the quarterfinals at the World Championships while Mohmadipiani moved to 87kg at the start of this year.

A win for Mohmadipiani and Kaviyaninejad at 77kg will make Iran the first time to qualify all six weights in Greco-Roman.

Former Asian champion Sunil KUMAR (IND) and Soh SAKABE (JPN) will also be in the bracket.

97kg: Veteran Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), the top seed, is looking to qualify for yet another Olympics. He will have to go through a bracket that has Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) and Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) as the biggest challengers.

Yiming LI (CHN) and NITESH (IND) will be the dark horses in this weight class.

130kg: Seungchan LEE (KOR), who finished 12th at the World Championships, will be seeded number one at 130kg. Iran and China, the two biggest nations in Greco-Roman in Asia, have already won the quotas.

Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) and Roman KIM (KGZ) will have the best chance to earn the spot for Paris with NAVEEN (IND) and Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) also in the fray if the bracket plans out well for them.

#WrestleBucharest

Semenov denies Kayaalp European gold, history

Wednesday, February 14, 2024 - 06:31 By Vinay Siwach

BUCHAREST, Romania (February 13) -- Riza KAYAALP (TUR) seemed unstoppable. He got the par terre position, he got the stepout in the second period to reduce the chances of a passivity call against him, the stands were full of his supporters and his family was waiting patiently like everyone else.

Kayaalp was two minutes and 30 seconds away from becoming a 13-time European champion. He was on track. Then Sergei SEMENOV (AIN) wrapped Kayaalp with his arms like a seatbelt and threw the 130kg wrestler for a slam. He held Kayaalp in that position till the referee called it a pin.

In a match where Kayaalp was hoping to go past Aleksandar KARELIN's record of 12 European Championships gold medals, Kayaalp got pinned and fell short. Semenov would get the pin with just over two minutes remaining in the bout.

"I’ve been practicing that throw for a long time, it’s my signature move," Semenov said.

Sergei SEMENOV (AIN) pins Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in the 130kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Leading 1-0 at the break after his par terre advantage, Kayaalp got a stepout to make it 2-0. Semenov remained calm and began pushing Kayaalp toward the zone with a body lock. Kayaalp maintained his distance from Semenov. As Semenov tried to push Kayaalp more, the latter resisted it and Semenov was smart enough to use Kayaalp's forward momentum to complete the throw.

Kayaalp was on the mat. The Bucharest crowd let out a sigh together. Semenov was not letting Kayaalp move. The referee asked for a pin and the judges confirmed it.

A heartbroken and shocked Kayaalp took his time to stand up but he knew that it was over. He will have to wait to be Europe's most successful wrestler.

Semenov on the other hand rushed to his coach who slammed him in a celebration.

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"Everyone knows, that only a few can clinch, but I could do it and I felt that I could make that throw and I’ve done it," Semenov said. "I think we wrestled equally. He pushed me out at the beginning of the second period, but I was calm and I knew I could score points."

Despite his celebrations, Semenov showed to his opponent, walking to him after both were off the mat and sharing a hug.

"I didn’t pay attention to his records. He is a legendary wrestler," he said. "It’s even more enjoyable to win against such wrestlers, there is two times more motivation. It’s possible to say that it’s one of the biggest victories in my career."

Aleksandar KOMAROV (SRB) won his first-ever European Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Turkiye suffered more heartbreak as world champion Ali CENGIZ (TUR) dropped his 87kg final 4-1 against Aleksandar KOMAROV (SRB) who won his first European gold medal.

As soon as the final began, Komarov used an arm drag to pull Cengiz who fled towards the zone. Komarov scored a stepout and was also awarded a point for Cengiz's fleeing. He was awarded the par terre advantage but Cengiz did well to avoid conceding any points. In the second period, Cengiz got the par terre advantage but he appealed to the referee that Komarov was blocking his attack.

The referee called it clean and Turkiye challenged. The jury upheld the decision of the referee, giving one more point to Komarov.

"I am very thrilled, I don't even know what to say, to be honest," Komarov said. "I was ready and I did some good wrestling. I'm very satisfied with everything that happened today."

The 87kg weight class was one of the deepest brackets in Bucharest and Komarov had to go through beating defending champion Istvan TAKACS (HUN), Tokyo Olympic champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) and Islam ABBASOV (AZE) in the semifinal. However, Komarov said that he did not think too much about the bracket.

"I didn't look at the draw before the competition day," he said. "When I finally saw the draw, to be honest, I was very surprised in that moment. But, I set my head that I have to suffer and that I have to do what I do and what we practiced at the training."

Bucharest hosted the European Championships in 2019 and Komarov was part of that competition. He finished with a bronze medal which was his first international loss. In January, he was in Zagreb for the Ranking Series and won bronze.

"I went Porec for training camp after Zagreb," he said. "There were 250 athletes and after a couple of days we went back home to rest and then we went to Zrenjanin for 10 days for training."

In two months, Komarov will be looking to win an Olympic quota for Serbia in Baku,

"It is my wish and goal to get quota for the Olympic Games," he said. "I'm focused on that right now, it is my goal, and with God's help everything ends up like I wish to be."

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) throws Yunus BASAR (TUR) for four points in the 77kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Amoyan wins third gold

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) won his third consecutive European gold medal and second at 77kg after beating Yunus BASAR (TUR) 7-0 in a very one-sided final.

Basar never got going in the final as Amoyan got the first par terre and scored an out-of-bounds point which he got only after a challenge. Leading 2-0 at the break, there was no change in strategy from Amoyan in the second period and he continued his offense wrestling. Amoyan scored a takedown and then lifted Basr for a four-point throw.

Basar challenged the move but the jury saw no foul in any sequence, giving Amoyan a 7-0 lead and the win.

"Winning third time was particularly challenging because all my opponents were preparing specifically for me. I am thrilled," Amoyan said. "The Turkish wrestler [Basar] is one of the strongest wrestlers in our weight class. I never underestimate him, always prepare to wrestle him 100 percent to show my wrestling, and on the mat, the one who is in the best shape wins at that moment."

Amoyan was a world champion at 72kg but has won two bronze medals since moving to the Olympic weight class of 77kg.

"I'm doing everything to become a world champion in the 77 kg category. I will prepare properly. It's time to forget this victory and move forward. Time will reveal everything," he said. "I will prepare for the Olympics just like I prepare for other tournaments. I need to be mentally prepared to win gold there, and it's not far away."

At 55kg, Artium DELEANU (MDA) became the second Moldova wrestler to became the European champion in Greco-Roman after he pinned Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE).

Mammadov had a 3-0 lead but Deleanu used a body lock to pin Mammadov down in the 55kg final.

Azerbaijan did win a gold medal as world silver medalist Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) defeated Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR), 2-1 in the 63kg final. The gold was Mammadov first-ever gold medal at a world or continental championships.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Artium DELEANU (MDA) df. Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE), via fall (5-3)

BRONZE: Denis MIHAI (ROU) df. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), via fall (9-0)
BRONZE: Manvel KHACHATRYAN (ARM) df. Stefan GRIGOROV (BUL), 8-0

63kg
GOLD: Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR), 2-1

BRONZE: Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) df. Stefan CLEMENT (FRA), 1-1
BRONZE: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (AIN) df. Aleksandrs JURKJANS (LTA), 9-0

77kg
GOLD: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Yunus BASAR (TUR), 7-0

BRONZE: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) df. Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO), 8-0
BRONZE: Adlet TIULIUBAEV (AIN) df. Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), 13-4

87kg
GOLD: Aleksandar KOMAROV (SRB) df. Ali CENGIZ (TUR), 4-1

BRONZE: Kiryl MASKEVICH (AIN) df. Alex KESSIDIS (SWE), 12-1
BRONZE: Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) df. Islam ABBASOV (AZE), 2-1

130kg
GOLD: Sergei SEMENOV (AIN) df. Riza KAYAALP (TUR), via fall (4-2)

BRONZE: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) df. Oskar MARVIK (NOR), 2-2
BRONZE: Danila SOTNIKOV (ITA) df. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO), via fall (9-0)

Top Asian stars battle for Paris 2024 spots at Olympic qualifier

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Semenov denies Kayaalp European gold, history