Turkey Gets First Champ as Four Countries Win #WrestleBudapest WW Titles

Thursday, July 22, 2021 - 20:10 By Vinay Siwach

The Tuske Csarnok stadium in Budapest has seen a lot of historic feats over the years in wrestling. It witnessed yet another historic day as four countries crowed five world champions Thursday.

At the cadet World Championships, Turkey got their first-ever woman world champion while home country Hungary also won the gold medal, eight years since their last, at home. India had two world champions while Ukraine won their first title in six years.

Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) became her country's first ever cadet world champion since Turkey began participating in the tournament from 2011 – the year the Championships were reinstated in the calendar. In the 49kg final she defeated Tindra DALMYR (SWE) 4-0 to capture the gold medal.

Her two takedowns came in the first period and then she defended the lead despite continuous efforts from Dalmyr to get an opening. Ilyasoglu was at a loss of words after the win.

“I can't explain how I feel now,” Ilyasoglu said. “I am now the world champion, it was my goal, I believed in myself and won the title in the end."

Talking about the final bout, she said that she was excited before going on the mat but once she was there, she felt confident. The 17-year-old credited her coach for the win.

“My coach Elis Yldiz prepared me for the World Championships,” she said. “She paid for herself to come here to support me. I heard everything she was shouting.”

Now the Turk wrestler wants to repeat her golden performance in a month's time. “The next step is the junior World Championships in Ufa. My goal is to win another gold there.”

Eniko ELEKES (HUN) won the gold at 65kg in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Eniko ELEKES (HUN) received the loudest cheer from her Hungarian teammates as she claimed the 65kg world title in her home city by beating Ekaterina OLEINIKOVA (RUS) 10-6 in the final.

It was a tough victory as she trailed 2-4 at the end of the first period but racked up eight points compared to Oleinikova's two to secure the victory. Despite her thrilling win, the celebrations were subdued from the local girl.

“I don't feel something different. I am the same,” Elekes said but added “it feels different when I wrestle in different countries. Here, Hungarians are screaming”

The 16-year-old who trains in Budapest won the cadet European title just a month ago in dominating fashion and is now moving up to the junior group. But she has to go step-by-step.

“The first step is to wrestle in junior in Hungary and be the champion,” she said. “I have never wrestled at junior before.”

PRIYA IND Priya MALIK (IND) won the 73kg world title in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Out of the five golds, India captured two at 43kg and 73kg as Tannu MALIK (IND) and Priya MALIK (IND) dominated their finals. The two had incredible run at the competition and did not concde a single points their four respective matches.

At 43kg, Malik wrestled like a pro and her constant snapping made Valeryia MIKITSICH (BLR) struggle to hold positions. Every time the Belarusian tried to attack, Malik's strength would proved to be too much for her.

The Indian continued with a series of takedowns and finally exposed her opponent to the back to get the fall. In her previous three bouts, Malik had a wins via fall, technical superiority and fall, scoring 42 points over her opponents.

“I was a little nervous before the final,” Malik said. “But I had trained hard for this. Everyone is so happy.”

The Malik at 73kg was a little less dominant as she scored 30 points over her opponents but was equally superior. She also defeated a wrestler from Belarus to capture the gold medal at 73kg.

Kseniya PATAPOVICH (BLR) gave up a stepout point before two takedowns on either side of the break to surrender the final to the Indian.

Incidentally, the two hail from villages that have already seen produced world champions. Tannu Malik hails from Nidani in Jind, Haryana, the same village from which former cadet world champion and Tokyo Olympian Anshu MALIK (IND) comes from.

Priya Malik was born in Mokhra village which has produced the likes of India's first-ever woman Olympic medalist in wrestling Sakshi MALIK (IND).

Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) claimed the world title at 49kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Ukraine also had a world champion as Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) denied Svenja JUNGO (SUI) a historical gold at 49kg. She dominanted the final for a 11-0 win. She scored six points in the first period and five in the second. It was Ukraine's first gold medal at cadet Worlds after six years.

“It's great to be the world champion,” Yerfremova said. “I am so thankful to people who supported me. I am glad it all happened. I was sure I would win the bout.”

She revealed that it was a pleasant surprise for her and her family to win the gold medal.

“My dad and uncle [coaches] were shocked when I got the gold medal. I also didn't expect that to happen. I still can't believe in it,” she said.

USA gets three finalists

Amit ELOR (USA) will wrestle for the 69kg gold in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Returning bronze medalist Amit ELOR (USA) led the way as USA entered three wrestlers in the final, one more than Russia. Romania, India, Azerbaijan Ukraine and Bulgaria managed one each Thursday.

Elor was so dominant in Budapest that she only wrestled for a minute and 41 seconds over two bouts, winning both of them via technical superiority.

Barbara SERE (ROU) and Viktoryia RADZKOVA (BLR) were the two victims of Elor's wrath as she looks to win her first world title after losing in the semifinal last time.

“I feel amazing. The last time I competed at cadet Worlds, I lost my semifinal match,” the 17-year-old said. “To go out there and win is amazing.”

In the final, she will face Yevheniia SIEDYKH (UKR) who finished 10th at the 2019 edition in Sofia. The Ukrainian was also on song Thursday as she reached the final without conceding a single point.

Elor said she will like to work on some defence in the final. “I am going to work on defence of two techniques that my opponent will do and rest,” she said.

At 40kg, Erica PASTORIZA (USA) reached the final defearing her two opponents 10-0 and 4-0. She will wrestle Alexandra VOICULESCU (ROU) in the final. The Romanian was lucky to escape the Elvina KARIMZADA (AZE) in the semifinal as she was trailing 5-2 but Karimzada tried for a big four. She ended up on her back to give Voiculescu four points.

“I was so nervous,” Pastoriza said who came to Budapest with her mother. “She was fast but I controlled her till the end of the match. For the final, I will get my head in it and not worry about it.”

Natalia KHRAMENKOVA (RUS) will like to add to her European title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Katie GOMEZ (USA) was the third wrestler from USA to enter the final after a 9-1 win over Tuba DEMIR (TUR) in the semifinal. But she will wrestle cadet European champion Natalia KHRAMENKOVA (RUS) in the 53kg final.

With Beijing Olympic silver medalist Alena KARTASHOVA (RUS) and two-time World silver medalist Lorisa OORZHAK (RUS) in her corner, Khramenkova wrestled tough throughout the day to reach the final.

“I train in a very small town of Russia in Tetyushi, Tatarstan,” the 17-year-old said. “I was a bit anxious before stepping on the mat, but the moment I was there all the nerves were gone. I did what I was supposed to do. Everything my coach told me to do. I calmed down since I am now in the final match already.”

Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (RUS) was the second Russian to reach the final as she booked the spot at 61kg. With wins recorded via technical superiority, fall and fall, Khusainova would like to finish the tournament with a gold medal.

But in her parth will be Sofi TENEVA (BUL). She scored two comebacks in the three matches to reach the final against Khusainova.

KOMAL IND KOMAL (IND) will defend her world title in Budapest. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 46kg, returning world champion from 43kg in 2019, KOMAL (IND) secured the spot in the final against Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE). Komal survived a scare in the quarterfinal against Ava WARD (USA) as she trailed 7-4. But Komal produced the fall and later humbled Sviatlana KATENKA (BLR) 11-0 in the semifinal.

Mammadova too got a pin in the semifinal against Sevval CAYIR (TUR) after the Turkey wrestler went for a double leg but could not finish. Mammadova used this to pin Cayir to her back and get the fall.

“I hope I’ll win the gold medal. My semifinal bout was great,” Mammadova said. “I did everything I could. In the final I’ll wrestle either against an Indian girl or Belarusian, but it doesn’t matter to me.”

Greco-Roman wrestling will begin in Budapest on Friday with five weight classes apart from the medal bouts of the women in the evening session.

RESULTS: WW Medal Bouts

43kg
GOLD: Tannu MALIK (IND) df Valeryia MIKITSICH (BLR), via fall

BRONZE: Angelina DILL (USA) df Aida ALZHANOVA (KAZ), via fall
BRONZE: Liliana KAPUVARI (HUN) df Eda ERSOY (TUR), via fall

49kg
GOLD: Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR) df Svenja JUNGO (SUI), 11-0

BRONZE: Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) df Delia VOICULESCU (ROU), 10-0
BRONZE: Sevim AKBAS (TUR) df Wiktoria KAMELA (POL), 10-6

57kg
GOLD: Selvi ILYASOGLU (TUR) df Tindra DALMYR (SWE), 4-0

BRONZE: Uladzislava KUDZIN (BLR) df Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ), 10-5 BRONZE:Angelina PERVUKHINA (RUS) df Khaliun BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 9-6

65kg
GOLD: Eniko ELEKES (HUN) df Ekaterina OLEINIKOVA (RUS), 10-6

BRONZE: VARSHA (IND) df Duygu GEN (TUR), via fall
BRONZE: Khurshida KASIMOVA (UZB) df Daria KONSTANTYNOVA (UKR), 8-3

73kg
GOLD: Priya MALIK (IND) df Kseniya PATAPOVICH (BLR), 5-0

BRONZE: Lillian FREITAS (USA) df Bukrenaz SERT (TUR), 4-0
BRONZE: Mariia AKULINCHEVA (RUS) df Veronika NYIKOS (HUN), via fall

RESULTS: Semifinal bouts

40kg
GOLD: Alexandra VOICULESCU (ROU) vs Erica PASTORIZA (USA)

SF 1: Erica PASTORIZA (USA) df Anastasiia POLSKA (UKR), 4-0
SF 2: Alexandra VOICULESCU (ROU) df Elvina KARIMZADA (AZE), 6-5

46kg
GOLD: KOMAL (IND) vs Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE)

SF 1: Ruzanna MAMMADOVA (AZE) df Sevval CAYIR (TUR), via fall
SF 2: KOMAL (IND) df Sviatlana KATENKA (BLR), 11-0

53kg
GOLD: Natalia KHRAMENKOVA (RUS) vs Katie GOMEZ (USA)

SF 1: Katie GOMEZ (USA) df Tuba DEMIR (TUR), 9-1
SF 2: Natalia KHRAMENKOVA (RUS) df Annatina LIPPUNER (SUI), 11-6

61kg
GOLD: Sofi TENEVA (BUL) vs Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (RUS)

SF 1: Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (RUS) df Nitika NITIKA (IND), via fall
SF 2: Sofi TENEVA (BUL) df Kseniya TSIARENIA (BLR), 6-4

69kg
GOLD: Amit ELOR (USA) vs Yevheniia SIEDYKH (UKR)

SF 1: Yevheniia SIEDYKH (UKR) df HARSHITA (IND), 9-0
SF 2: Amit ELOR (USA) df Viktoryia RADZKOVA (BLR), via fall

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 5 Blog

Saturday, March 29, 2025 - 07:58 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 29) -- Greco-Roman and Women's Wrestling past us, the Asian Championships moves to Freestyle. The wrestlers in 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg are in action. The big news is that Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), who was making a comeback after his shoulder surgery, has decided to skip the tournament as his "shoulder is not ready" yet.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

97kg gold medal bout: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) vs. Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)

14:35: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) cannot get that last-second win over Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) this time! In the 97kg semifinals at the Asian Championships Aitmukhan beats Azimi 2-0 and avenges his world U20 loss from 2023. Aitmukhan scores a stepout to lead 1-0 early in the bout and Azimi is hit with a passivity in the second period. Down 2-0, Azimi gets on Aitmukhan's legs but the Kazakh manages to scramble out of the hold and hold his 2-0 lead for the win.

In 2023, Azimi had defeated Aitmukhan in the 92kg final to win gold at the world U20 Championships, incidentally in Amman.

14:33: Two years after winning the 92kg title, rising young star Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) will go for gold at 97kg after grinding down Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) in a 11-2 victory. Yoshida shows his power from the get-go, opening with a quick stepout. He gets behind for a takedown, with a penalty point added when Habila won't release the wrist. Habila comes back with a takedown, but Yoshida replies with a stepout for a 5-2 lead at the break. The second period is all Yoshida, who presses his way to three uncontested takedowns.

70kg gold medal bout: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) vs. Viktor RASSADIN (TJK)

14:23: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) seems to get hit with a double punch in his 70kg semifinal with Viktor RASSADIN (TJK). leading 1-0 in the second period, he had just had a stepout taken away on challenge when he is the one who gets put on the activity clock. That activity point puts Rassadin ahead 1-1 on last-point criteria. With time running out, Tumur Ochir desperately fights for the go-ahead points, which leads to a stepout point for Rassadin. A challenge after time expires gives Rassadin another point and he advances 3-1.

14:23: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) is back in the Asian Championships final. He beats returning silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) 8-8 in a thrilling 70kg semifinal. Aoyagi hit a four on the edge to lead 5-1 and then added a stepout to make it 6-1. But Akmataliev with a over-under hold and throws Aoyagi for four to cut the lead to 6-5. An arm throw which is scored two for Akmataliev and he leads 7-6. Japan challenge hte call but it is confrimed two, making it 8-6 for Akmataliev with 35 seconds remaining. Aoyagi with a stepout with 4 seconds on the clock. A caution is also added but Akmataliev leads 8-8 on criteria and he hangs on!

79kg gold medal bout: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) vs Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN)

14:10: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) rallies to defeat Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) 8-5 and advance to the 79kg final. Evloev, attempting to become just the second Asian champion in Tajikistan history, starts off with a takedown in the first period and a 2-0 lead. In the second period, Yousefi gets behind Evloev while they are still on their feet, but when the Iranian tries a gut wrench, Evloev steps over for a 2-point exposure. Yousefi continues the sequence with an exposure and stepout to cut the gap to 4-3. Then things get interesting. Yousefi again gets behind, but this time scores a 4-point takedown before Evloev reverses, making it 7-5 for Yousefi. He adds a stepout for his final point.

14:07: Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) with three takedowns in the second period against Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) to enter the final at 79kg. Saipudinov really got going in the second period after being down 1-0 at the break.

65kg gold medal bout: Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) vs Kaisei TANABE (JPN)

13:58: Kaisei TANABE (JPN) ensures himself of his first major medal since winning a world cadet (U17) bronze eight years ago. He shows remarkable speed and power on both offense and defense in putting away Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) 13-1 at 65kg. Tanabe spins behind for a takedown, then goes into the lace lock and, bang, two rolls and he's up 6-0. He gets in on a single, then fights off a standing counter-lift at the edge to gain a stepout. When Ebrahimzadeh tries to counter another takedown attempt, Tanabe steps over for a 2-point exposure. In an ensuing scramble, the Iranian gains a reversal, but Tanabe scores a 4-pointer, sorted out on challenge, to end the match early.

13:57: Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) confirms his first Asian medal as he walks into the 65kg final after a solid 5-2 win over Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) in the semifinal. He led 1-0 at the break and then extended it to 5-0. A takedown at the end for Zhumashbek Uulu but Tseveensuren gets it done.

57kg gold medal bout: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) vs. Chong Song HAN (PRK)

13:45: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) hangs on for the win and enter the 57kg final! A takedown and stepout was enough for the Iranian to beat Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) and confirm Iran's first medal in this weight class at the Asian Championships in four years. Alireza SARLAK (IRI) win silver in 2021 and since then Iran has drawn a blank at this weight.

13:45: Chong Song HAN (PRK) falls behind 4-0 against Munkh BATKHUYAG (MGL) in the second period of their 65kg semifinal, but then he goes to work. He scores 2 with a reverse leg and wrist lock, but Batkhuyag manages a 2-point exposure on defense to restore the 4-point gap. No matter. Han reverses, then reels off three gut wrenches to notch a 9-6 victory.

13:30: In the final match of the session, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) keeps alive his hopes of a third straight Asian title and first at 65gk with a 2-0 victory over Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), with both of his points coming on the activity clock.

13:24: Returning silver medalist Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) was slow to start off but he gets in the grove and scores a 13-0 win over Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) and set up a 97kg semifinal against Mobin AZIMI (IRI), a rematch of the U20 World Championships final from 2023, that incidentally was in Amman.

13:22: Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) muscles Nursultan SADYK (KAZ) over for a 4-point takedown, then reels off two high-thigh lock rolls to go ahead 8-0 in their 65kg quarterfinal. Sadyk sparks to life in the second period with a nice out-the-backdoor takedown. But with time running out, it is Tseveensuren who traps Sadyk's leg and gains a reverse headlock, then presses forward for a fall at 5:34.

13:13: Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) walks away with a 2-1 victory over Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) in a 97kg quarterfinal in which no technical points were scored. Ganbaatar gets an activity point in the first period, and Habila gets one in the second. Losing on criteria, Ganbaatar launches a last-ditch attack and forces out Habila, but it is not in time. The Mongolian side challenges, but is not upheld.

13:10: Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) with a driving takedown right to a gut wrench, and he's into the 65kg semifinals with an 10-0 win over Baowen WEI (CHN).

13:10: Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) scored two takedoans to lead 4-0 against CHANDERMOHAN (IND). But the Indian gets a takedown after a scramble to cut it to 4-2 at the break in the 79kg quarterfinals. Chandermohan begins the second period with a double-leg for takedown and adds a lace to lead 6-4. Evloev with a cradle and fall in a stunning turn of events.

13:05: Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) gets a takedown and two stepouts against Sina KHALILI (IRI) who scores only one takedown. Rassadin's 4-2 lead with a 1:30 remaining on the clock extended when Khalili steps out again. Khalili struggling to keep up with conditioning. Rassadin uses that and scores a takedown and two lace turns to lead 11-2 and win the 70kg quarterfinal.

13:04: Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) takes a 3-0 lead into the second period, falls behind when Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) scores a 4-pointer, but turns on the jets and scores two takedowns and a gut wrench for an 11-4 victory and a spot in the 79kg semifinals.

13:02: Kaisei TANABE (JPN) advances to the 65kg semifinals when he builds up a 9-0 lead late in the first period, but SUJEET (IND) suffers a knee injury during a rolling sequence and is unable to continue.

12:56: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), using that underhook that he learned from his Iranian father, gets two early takedowns against Kanybek ABDULKHAIROV (KGZ) in their 97kg quarterfinal. The two trade stepouts before the break as Yoshida, the 2023 champion at 92kg, leads 5-1. Yoshida gets a double-leg takedown, then spins behind for another takedown before emulating the lightweights with a lace-lock roll to finish off an 11-1 win.

12:52: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) is into the 79kg semifinals with a 4-0 win over Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN). A stepout and takedown in the first period and another stepout in the second does the trick for the Mongolian.

12:49: Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) accepts the victory by forfeit at 97kg over world and Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), who opted to pull out of the competition due to injury.

12:45: Returning silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) controls the bout against Mohammed KAREEM (IRQ) and takes his own time to win 7-0 and advance to the semifinal at 70kg.

12:41: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) scores three takedowns in the second period and he's into the 70kg semifinals with a 7-1 win over Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB).

12:40: Another match decided at the buzzer! Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) had scored a double-leg takedown with :18 left to take back the lead, when Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) hits a front chest-wrap roll with one tick left on the clock for a 6-6 win on big-point criteria to advance to the 79kg semifinals. Budazhapov seemed to be cruising to the victory on the back of an activity point and takedown in the first period when SaipudInov scored a 4-pointer to go ahead.

12:35: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) upsets Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) 8-8 in the 57kg quarterfinals.

12:31: Chong Song HAN (PRK) gets three gut wrenches after a reversal, then heads off a comeback from Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN) to advance to the 57kg semifinals with a 12-6 win. With Han leading 9-2 in the second period, Sakamoto scores a takedown and a lace-lock roll, but Han puts the match away with a takedown with :22 left.

12:30: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) is into the 70kg semifinals with a 10-0 win over Tao WEI (CHN). Tumur Ochir starts out with a takedown and two gut wrenches in the first period. In the second, he scores a takedown, then uses a high-thigh lock roll to end the match at 4:32.

12:20: Two-time Asian medalist Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) showed why no lead is safe until the final buzzer sounds when he pulls off a last-second 5-3 victory over Paris Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZ) at 57kg. Abdullaev seems on his way to 3-1 win when Kalzhan scores with a counter that, upon challenge, is ruled as a 4-pointer.

12:09: World 61kg bronze medalist Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) comes away with a 2-2 win on last-point criteria in his 65kg quarterfinal when Asian Games bronze medalist Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) just can't beat the activity clock while trying to score what could have been a winning takedown but ended up becoming a stepout.

12:07: Zagreb Ranking Series champion Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI) seems to hurt his back after scoring a takedown-gut wrench combination against Gurbanmuhammet CHARYYEV (TKM) to go ahead 5-0 in their 65kg quarterfinal. But he looks fine lifting Charyyev high into the air to finish off a single-leg for a 7-0 lead at the break. Ebrahimzadeh gets a 2-point exposure on a counter lift, then finishes the match with a takedown for a 11-0 win.

12:05: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) goes out and gut wrenches Divoshan CHARLES FERNANDO (SRI) for a 10-0 win at 65kg.

11:58: World U20 champion Mobin AZIMI (IRI) makes no mistakes in his 97kg bout against Jointy KUMAR (IND) and wins 10-0 and advance to the quarterfinals.

11:57: Kaisei TANABE (JPN), whose father and coach was an Olympic medalist, is limited to stepouts before scoring a takedown with a minute to go, then adding a late stepout, to secure a 6-0 victory over Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg.

11:51: World U23 champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) starts slow in his opening match at 79kg, giving up two stepouts to Kakamyrat ASHYROV (TKM), but then comes to life with takedown-gut wrench combinations that give him a 12-2 win just as the first period ends.

11:48: In the biggest match of the morning session, former world U23 champions compete as Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) takes on Nachyn KUULAR (KAZ). Akmataliev leads 1-0 after Kuular is put on the activity clock. But Kuular gets a over-under hold and throws Akmataliev for four to lead 4-1 at the break. Akmataliev starts the second period with a stepout to cut the lead to 4-2. Another stepout for Akmataliev and then he blocks a Kuular throw for two and turns to lead 7-4. Kazakhstan challenge the first throw as slip. It actually wins the challenge and Kuular is back to 4-3 lead with 1:36 remaining on the clock. Akmataliev with a stepout to make it 4-4 but Kuular leads on criteria. Akmataliev and Kuular both in danger zone and both go out of bounds. Not scored but Kyrgyzstan challenge and it seems Kuular's head went out first. One point for Akmataliev on review and he leads 5-4 with 15 seconds remaining. He defends his leads and wins 5-4 at 70kg.

11:44: Russian-born and 2022 world bronze medalist Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), nursing a 1-0 lead in his opening match at 79kg, gets put on the clock in the second period against world U23 silver medalist Feng LU (CHN) and immediately scores a takedown and 2-point exposure. Lu reverses for 1, and Budazhapov takes a timeout for an apparent knee injury. That seems to energize Lu, who spins behind for a takedown, then adds a gut wrench to go ahead 5-5 on criteria. With :08 left, Budazhapov unleashes a blast double-leg takedown that gives him a 7-5 victory.

11:37: Returning 97kg silver medalist Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) tosses Muhamad RUDIANSYAH (INA) like a rag doll for a 4-point takedown en route to quick 10-0 win.

11:34: Two-time Olympian and former world bronze medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), the silver medalist a year ago at 65kg, has moved up to 70kg, and he gets started with a 8-0 victory over Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND). Tumur Ochir with a takedown in the first period, then adds an activity point, stepout and spin-behind takedown in the second.

11:27: The home team is dealt another setback when Erzo ISAKOV (JOR) is able to fend off the attacks of Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN) at 79kg, but does little in the way of offense and gives away two activity points. That's all the scoring until Kamiya picks up a takedown with :02 left to secure a 4-0 win.

11:22: OSU recruit Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), wearing the headgear, falls behind 1-1 on criteria against Aiaal BELOLYUBSKII (TJK) who has defended well against everything Sakamoto has thrown at him. But it falls apart after Sakamoto, who is in a tripod defense, hits a cut back and then scores two more points for exposure. Leg lace to finish with an 11-1 win. You read about Sakamoto and OSU here

11:18: Russian-born Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), the silver medalist last year at 74kg, starts his bid for the 70kg gold with an 11-0 win over local favorite Zaid MESLAH (JOR) in just under two minutes.

11:15: Chongsong HAN (PRK), the 2023 Asian Games silver medalist at 57kg who failed twice to qualify for the Paris Olympics, opens with an 11-0 win over Abidin ZAINAL (INA).

11:14: Muqibullah NEZAMI (AFG), Afghanistan's lone entrant in any of the styles in Amman, finds himself in a 6-0 hole in his 57kg match with 2023 world U23 bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL), giving up a stepout plus fleeing point, and 4-point takedown. But Nezami responds with a takedown to make it 6-2 at the break. In the second period, Batkhuyag grabs a takedown and immediately goes to a gut wrench, then adds a 2-point tilt for a 12-2 win at 3:45.

11:14: 2023 Asian silver medalist explodes after the takedown against world U23 champion CHIRAG (IND) and scores four gut-wrenches to win 10-0 at 57kg.

11:11: Husein ALBEHADILALBORS (IRQ) starts with a quick 4 points against Tirana Ranking Series bronze medalist Weiyu LI (CHN) and goes on to an 11-3 victory at 57kg.

11:10: Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) with two back-to-back four-pointers against Jaeyong AN (KOR) for an 8-0 lead in their opening bout at 57kg. Kalzhan scores a stepout just before the break to extend it to 9-0. A stepout early in the second period and Kalzhan wins 10-0.

11:07: Only a scoreboard malfunction can slow down Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) who, competing in just his third senior-level tournament, starts what Iran hopes is a productive day with a 10-0 win over Gayan EKANAYAKA (SRI) at 57kg.

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Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 5 Blog