#wrestlenursultan

Tynybekova Grabs Historic Gold for Kyrgyzstan at Women’s 62kg; Russia Rakes in 2 Freestyle Titles

Friday, September 20, 2019 - 17:25 By Ken Marantz

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NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan (Sept. 20)---The Olympic berth was secondary. This was the time and place for Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) to accomplish a more historic moment for her Central Asian nation.

Tynybekova earned a place in Kyrgyzstan's sporting history as the first wrestler to win a senior world title when she captured the women’s 62kg gold medal with a 5-3 victory over defending champion Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) on Day 7 at the World Championships.

“When I started wrestling, it was just a dream for me to become world champion,” the 26-year-old Tynybekova said. “But today, the dream came true.”

Since Kyrgyzstan made its debut at the world championships in 1994, the former Soviet republic had won nine medals---including Tynybekova’s bronze in 2017---but no one had made it to the top of the podium.

Until Friday night at the Barys Arena in the capital of neighboring Kazakhstan, where a large contingent of compatriots had made the trip and were witness to this moment of national glory.

“Last year, I couldn’t participate in the world championships [in Budapest] because of an injury,” said Tynybekova, who returned to action to win the gold at the Asian Championships in April. 

“It was a serious injury and I missed six months of training. At that time, it was hard watching [the World Championships] because I wanted to be there so badly.”

Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) scored a takedown with 10 seconds left to knock off reigning world champion Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), 5-3.(Photo: Kadir Caliskan)

In the final, Tynybekova gave up a point on the activity clock, then scored a takedown to lead 2-1 going into the second period. She added a stepout point, but fell behind 3-3 on criteria when Yusein scored 2 with a stepover with a minute to go.

“It was important for me to control the match from the first second to the last,” Tynybekova said. “That was the strategy of my coach. When the score was 3-3 and there was just 40 seconds, I didn’t panic. I knew I could score 2 points more.”

Indeed she did, tackling the Bulgarian to her back with about 10 seconds to go to secure the historic victory. 

“Everyone on my team, my coach and the federation believed in me, and that gave me the power to win,” Tynybekova said. 

Tynybekova was a relative late-comer to the sport, only taking it up when she was in her mid-teens. She explained that the countryside where she grew up did not have wrestling clubs. When she became aware of women’s wrestling, she knew that was the sport for her, and made a drastic life decision.

“I was 16 when I started wrestling,” she said. “Before that, I tried many kinds of sports. I was always searching for something interesting.…When I heard there was women’s wrestling in the capital [Bishkek], I gathered all my clothes and moved there.”

Along with the gold medal, Tynybekova also clinched a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics. The top six finishers in each of the Olympic weight classes secure berths for their countries. But that was never the main objective.

“My coach said to me that Olympic qualifying is not the main thing,” Tynybekova said. “He was confident I could get the Olympic license. 

“He said I have to make history for Kyrgyzstan. It’s not only my victory. It’s a victory of my team, of my country. This medal is not only from my effort. Many people contributed.”

After a pair of runner-up finishes, Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) finally got his long-awaited gold medal. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

Meanwhile, Russia captured the two freestyle golds at stake, with Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) triumphing in his move up to the Olympic weight of 65kg, and Zavur UGUEV (RUS) successfully defending his title 57kg. Both won by technical falls.

Rashidov, a silver medalist at 61kg the past two years, overwhelmed Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) 11-0 in just 1:42, capping the victory with a spin-behind takedown for the final points.

It was by far Rashidov’s easiest match of the tournament, after he had to emerge from a demolition-derby bracket that included victories over defending champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE).

“I took a very long road to reach this title,” Rashidov said. “My side of the draw was more difficult to get to the final, so that was why the final was easy.”

For Rashidov, the Olympic ramifications made finally taking a gold even more special.

“This victory means a lot for me because this championship is before the Olympic year,” he said. “Tokyo 2020 is waiting for us.” 

Uguev broke open a close match with European champion Suleyman ATLI (TUR) when he scored a takedown in the second period to take a 5-3 lead, then racked up a combination of tilts and rolls to complete a 13-3 victory in 4:40

Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) celebrates after dominating Jenny FRANSSON (SWE), 8-2, in the 68kg finals. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) gave the United States its third gold medal in women’s wrestling in Nur-Sultan when she grinded out an 8-2 victory over veteran Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) in the 68kg final.

The effervescent Mensah Stock, a bronze medalist a year ago who is unbeaten this year, reeled off three takedowns in the first period. Even when she got caught in a headlock for 2 in the second period, she slipped out of the hold for a reversal, and later got an additional point for an unsuccessful challenge. 

Mensah Stock, like 65kg champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) a first-time world champion, became the ninth woman in U.S. wrestling history to win a world gold.

In the bronze-medal matches, Japan had three wrestlers in action, but only one---Yukako KAWAI (JPN) at women’s 62kg---came out with a victory. That is significant because the Japanese federation had decreed that a wrestler winning a medal would automatically fill the Tokyo 2020 berth without further domestic qualifying.

Kawai joined older sister and 57kg champion Rikako on the Japan Olympic team when she rolled to a 12-1 technical fall of KIM Jong Sim (PRK). Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) took the other 62kg bronze by beating Marianna SASTIN (HUN) 4-1.

Rio 2016 Olympic champion Sara DOSHO (JPN) suffered a surprising 4-1 loss at women’s 68kg when Anna SCHELL (GER) scored a 2-point stepover early in the second period and won 4-1. 

Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL) defeated 2018 champion Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) 2-2 on last-point criteria for the other 68kg bronze.

Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) defeated reigning world champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), 5-3 in the bronze-medal bout at 65kg. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

In freestyle 65kg, Otoguro’s bid to add a bronze to his 2018 gold fell short when he lost 5-3 to Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) in a testy but high-energy bout. 

Otoguro had to play catch-up late in the match, but a caution for head-slapping meant he did not have the advantage of last-point criteria when he tied the match with :24 left. His desperate attempt for the winning points resulted in Muszukajev gaining a medal-clinching takedown.

In the other third-place playoff, 2018 silver medalist Bajrang PUNIA (IND) rallied from an early deficit and a precarious few seconds on his back to edge Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), 8-7.

At 57kg, the host country picked up a medal when Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) edged Stevan MICIC (SER) 4-3. Kumar RAVI (IND) took home the other bronze with a 6-3 win over Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI).

In the women’s team competition, Japan, which was surprisingly limited to just one gold medal, had six medalists overall to top the standings with 137 points. 

Russia, with two golds, a silver and a two bronzes, placed second with 108 points, edging the United States by 3 points. China finished another 3 points behind the Americans in fourth place. 

Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) scored a stepout with under two seconds left for the second consecutive year to defeat four-time world and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

Deja vu all over again: Sidanov stops Burroughs for 2nd year in row
Earlier in the night, defending champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) scored with one tick left on the clock for the second year in a row to end a bid by Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) for a fifth world title at 74kg

This year, Sidakov’s late point for a stepout came one round later than in Budepest, giving him a 4-3 victory in the semifinals. He will face two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) in the final on Saturday.

“The one thing that helps me during the match is I really believe and hope that I will win,” Sidakov said. “I know Jordan Burroughs very well and respect him. But I can say my desire to win was even stronger than last year.”

Sidakov went ahead 2-1 with a takedown in the second period, only to see Burroughs, who pulled off two come-from-behind victories in the qualification rounds, go ahead with a go-behind takedown with :45 left. 

As he did in Budapest, Sidakov desperately went on the attack, shooting for a double-leg tackle that Burroughs countered with a sprawl as he was pushed toward the edge. The two tumbled out of bounds together, and Sidakov was awarded a stepout point to clinch the win on criteria. An unsuccessful challenge accounted for the final score. 

“This year, I prepared better,” Sidanov said. “There were 12 training camps before this championships, and I trained for seven straight months. Last year, I didn’t have a world title, so I just went out onto the mat and wrestled.”

In regard to Chamizo, who defeated Zelimkhan KHADIEV (FRA) 4-1 in the other semifinal, Sidanov commented: “When me meet on the mat, it doesn’t matter who is older or younger or who has more titles. Opponents compete win me different than last year. The other wrestlers use all their power against me.”

Reigning two-time world champion Geno PETRAIASHIVILI (GEO) will take on rival Taha AKGAL (TUR) in the gold-medal bout at 125kg on Saturday night. (Photo: Tony Rotundo)

As expected, the 125kg final will feature the latest clash between Geno PETRAIASHIVILI (GEO) and Taha AKGAL (TUR), who both advanced with untroubled wins.

Petraishivili, the two-time defending champion, defeated Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) 6-2, while three-time former champion Akgal scored all of his points in the first period to sweep away 2018 silver medalist DENG Zhiwei (CHN) 5-0.

The final will be a rematch of the gold-medal match at the European Championships in April, which Akgal won 7-0.

At 92kg, J’den COX (USA) earned a shot at a second straight world gold by making the final, where he will face Asian champion Alireza KARAMIMACHIANI (IRI) in a rematch of the semifinals from 2018. 

Cox, a Rio 2018 bronze medalist topped Irakli MTSITURI (GEO) 3-0 and Karamimachiani stormed to a 10-0 technical fall over Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) in the semifinals.

The host nation will get another chance for a gold medal after Asian champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) edged Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) 7-6 in the 70kg semifinals. He will face David BAEZ (RUS), a 5-2 winner over Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL).

Day 7 Results

Freestyle

57kg (34 entries)
Gold – Zavur UGUEV (RUS) df. Suleyman ATLI (TUR) by TF, 13-3, 4:40 
Bronze – Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ) df. Stevan MICIC (SER), 4-3
Bronze – Kumar RAVI (IND) df. Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI), 6-3 

65kg (44 entries)
Gold – Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) df. Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) by TF, 11-0, 1:42 
Bronze – Bajrang PUNIA (IND) df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), 8-7 
Bronze – Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) df. Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), 5-3 

70kg (30 entries)
Semifinal – David BAEZ (RUS) df, Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), 5-2 
Semifinal – Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI), 7-6 

74kg (39 entries)
Semifinal – Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) df. Zelimkhan KHADIEV (FRA), 4-1 
Semifinal – Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) df. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), 4-3

92kg (18 entries)
Semifinal – J’den COX (USA) df. Irakli MTSITURI (GEO), 3-0 
Semifinal – Alireza KARAMIMACHIANI (IRI) df. Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RUS) by TF, 10-0, 4:16

125kg (28 entries)
Semifinal – Geno PETRAIASHIVILI (GEO) df. Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR), 6-2
Semifinal – Taha AKGAL (TUR) df. DENG Zhiwei (CHN), 5-0

Women’s Wrestling 

62kg (34 entries)
Gold – Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Taybe YUSEIN (BUL), 5-3
Bronze – Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) df. Marianna SASTIN (HUN), 4-1
Bronze – Yukako KAWAI (JPN) df KIM Jong Sim (PRK) by TF, 12-1, 4:03

68kg (32 entries)
Gold – Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) df. Jenny FRANSSON (SWE), 8-2 
Bronze – Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL) df. Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR), 2-2
Bronze – Anna SCHELL (GER) df. Sara DOSHO (JPN), 4-1 

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 5 Blog

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

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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.