#WrestleAmman

Uzbekistan dominates first day with 3 Greco golds, all at Iran's expense

By Ken Marantz

AMMAN, Jordan (March 25) -- While the ageless wonder Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) no longer wreaks havoc on the mat, his influence was strongly felt off it on the opening day of the Asian Championships on Tuesday.

With Assakalov offering encouragement and inspiration from the coach's corner, Uzbekistan came away with three of the five Greco-Roman golds on offer -- all with victories over Iranian opponents -- with teenager Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) joining veterans Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) and Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) on the top of the podium.

"Generally speaking, we’ve been working hard for this," said Assakalov, a three-time Asian champion who retired after placing fifth at the 2024 Paris Olympics three weeks after his 40th birthday. "We were aiming to wrestle in at least four finals. Our 130kg wrestler is still a bit weak, but we will work on it and improve."

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) kept Iran from being shut out of the gold medals by keeping the 130kg title safely in Iranian hands, while Japan picked up the other title when collegian Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) triumphed at 55kg.

Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB)Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) won the 63kg final against Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI), 13-4, in Amman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Khalmakhanov started the gold rush for Uzbekistan in dramatic fashion, coming back from a four-point deficit to stun Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) with a 13-4 win in the 63kg final that included a pair of 4-point throws.

Keshtkar, among a number of young, unproven wrestlers being given a chance by Iran, jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a takedown and 2-point throw. Khalmakhanov responded with a stepout and 2-point arm throw to cut the gap to 4-3 at the break.

In the second period, Khalmakhanov got the first chance at par terre and he took advantage, launching a 4-point throw to take the lead. He then brought an abrupt end to the match with a 4-point hip throw at 4:16.

The victory avenged a 5-4 loss in the quarterfinals at the Zagreb Ranking Series, where Kashtkar finished second and Khalmakhanov, the 2022 world U17 champion, took a bronze medal.

"Khalmakhanov was the first to set the bar high," Assakalov said. "This guy is only 18 years old, which is why all the others followed his example."

In the 77kg final, Vardanyan also needed a comeback to defeat two-time reigning world U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI), and he couldn't have cut it any closer, scoring a takedown with one second left on the clock for a dramatic 4-2 victory.

Vardanyan, who placed fifth at the 2024 Paris Olympics following an extended drought of results in major competitions, gave up a first-period takedown and trailed 2-1 with the clock ticking down in the second period.

But he managed to drive in low and secure a body lock, then forced Abdevali backward to the mat for the winning takedown as time expired. An Iran challenge was unsuccessful, tacking on an additional point.

The 29-year-old Vardanyan had failed to make a major podium since winning a world silver medal at 72kg in 2019. His best previous finishes at the Asian Championships were a pair of bronzes back in 2016 and 2017.

Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) won his second career Asian Championships gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Unlike his compatriots, two-time world medalist Berdimuratov never had to play catch-up in defeating Yasin YAZDI (IRI) 7-2 to take the 87kg gold for his fifth Asian medal overall.

Berdimuratov stormed to a 7-0 lead in the first period with a 4-point throw and 2-point roll from par terre, then held on after giving up a passivity point and a penalty point for grabbing fingers in the second period.

Berdimuratov, the 2023 Asian Games champion, had previously won an Asian gold at 82kg in 2021. He also has a silver and two bronzes in his collection.

"We are on our way to becoming the best team in the world," Assakalov said. "It doesn’t matter if we’re competing against the national teams of Iran, Russia -- every one of our guys gave it their all and wrestled until the very end. Thank God, we showed a good result today."

At 130kg, Hedayati established himself as a rising force in Iran's packed heavyweight corps by cruising to a 7-0 victory over three-time Asian medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ).

"It was a good competition and at a relatively high level," Hedayati said. "I managed to wrestle four matches and become the champion without losing a single point."

Hedayati, last year's world U23 champion and the 2023 world U20 gold medalist, combined two stepouts, an arm-throw takedown and a passivity point for a 5-0 lead in the first period. In the second, he got behind for a takedown while completely neutralizing an attacks by Syzdykov.

Hedayati's victory gave Iran the 130kg gold for the fourth straight year and ninth time in 10 years. The only year in that span that Iran missed out was 2020 -- the winner? Syzdykov.

"I’m grateful to everyone who supported me along the way," Hedayati said. "I hope to keep progressing so I can win the most beautiful medal at the World Championships and the Olympics."

Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN)Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) won his first-ever Asian Championships on debut. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Yamagiwa won the first gold of the tournament when he nailed a 4-point back suplex to clinch a 7-1 victory over Iranian-born Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) in the 55kg final.

Yamagiwa scored his first points from the bottom of par terre in the first period, when he stopped a roll with a headlock for a 2-1 lead.

A scramble that would have put him up 5-3 was wiped out by a challenge that ruled the original move a slipped throw, but Yamagiwa came back by locking up the head and an arm, then tossing Albidhan to his back for 4 with just under a minute left. The Japanese added a late stepout for his final point.

"He suppressed my wrestling and I didn't get a chance in par terre," Yamagiwa said. "To be honest, I have to wonder if I really did enough to win. But I gave it everything I had at the end and scored a 4-point move and I'm glad I was able to win."

Yamagiwa got over his biggest hurdle in the semifinals, when he won an action-packed battle with defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) 11-9 in which the lead changed hands several times.

"He was the champion last year, and if I beat him I could see a championship for me," Yamagiwa said. "It was a back-and-forth match, but I came out as the winner."

In winning the Asian gold, Yamagiwa emulated two of his predecessors and role models at powerhouse Nippon Sports Science University, Shinobu OTA (JPN) and Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), who both won senior Asian golds. The latter, who is still active, is among his training partners.

Now he hopes he can follow in their footsteps to Olympic glory -- Ota was a silver medalist at Rio 2016, while Fumita was the Tokyo 2021 silver medalist before winning the gold at Paris 2024.

Host Jordan denied first medal since 2013

In the bronze-medal matches, Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) completed the collection of Asian medals while denying the host country its first hardware since 2013, making the most of his chance at par terre to storm to an 11-3 victory at 77kg over Amro SADEH (JOR).

Sadeh had raised hopes of becoming the third Asian medalist in Jordanian history when he scored a roll from par terre for a 3-0 first period lead. But in the second period, he had no answer from the bottom as Magomadov ripped of five rolls this way and that to end the match in 4:21.

Magomadov's previous medals had come at 72kg, taking the silver in 2020 in New Delhi and the gold two years ago at home in Astana.

Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ), winner at this year's Zagreb Ranking Series, needed little time to grab the other 77kg bronze, taking down Lai Hsing YAO (TPE) to his back and securing a fall in 1:28.

At 55kg, the DPR Korea's Ro wasn't able to successfully defend his title, but he won't leave Amman empty-handed after muscling to a 5-0 victory over Yun LU (CHN) for a bronze.

Ro secured an underhook, dropped down and pancaked Lu to his back for a quick 4, then added a passivity point. Lu did a good job to keep from getting turned in par terre, but in a scoreless second period, Ro kept the enough pressure and never had to go on bottom.

Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) picked up the other bronze at 55kg and the second of his career with an 8-4 come-from-behind victory over 2023 Asian U23 champion Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ).

Botirov had scored a gut wrench from par terre in the first period, only to fall behind in the second when Kamaliyev returned the favor using a front body lock. But Botirov rolled through and reversed Kamaliyev to his back, then added a gut wrench for good measure.

At 63kg, Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) really earned his third Asian bronze and fourth medal overall, scoring three takedowns in the second period for a 6-3 victory over Godai MITANI (JPN), who was making his international debut in Amman.

Chung trailed 3-0 in the second period when he countered a throw attempt for a takedown, then went ahead with a hip throw that, on challenge, was degraded from 4 points to 2 because Mitani skillfully avoided landing on his back. A third takedown clinched the win for the Korean.

Chan KIM (PRK) won his second straight Asian bronze with a dominant 7-0 win over 2021 Asian champion Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ). Kim ripped off two rolls from par terre in the first period, then added an arm spin in the second for a takedown to ice the victory.

At 87kg, Russian-born Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ), a former world U23 bronze medalist, unleashed a 4-point throw from par terre and was never really challenged the rest of way in posting a 5-1 victory over Sanghyeok PARK (KOR).

It was the same scoreline in the other match at 87kg, as Sunil KUMAR (IND) captured his fifth Asian medal by defeating Jiaxin HUANG (CHN) 5-1. Sunil, the 2020 gold medalist, piled up the points with a pair of rolls from par terre.

At 130kg, Ali AL SHARUEE (IRQ) prevented Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) from joining the Uzbek parade to the medal podium, rebounding after giving up a 4-point move to triumph 6-4.

After scoring a stepout, Al Sharuee gave up a 4-point arm throw, but reversed Nasimov and added a 2-point exposure to trail 4-4 on criteria. He rectified that by scoring a stepout in the final second of the first period to take a 5-4 lead. An unsuccessful challenge gave the Iraqi his lone point of the second period as he went on to capture Iraq's second medal of the night.

Yuta NARA (JPN) won the other 130kg bronze in spectacular fashion, scoring a 4-point amplitude throw with :05 left to stun Erlan MANATBEKOV (KGZ) 7-3 and deny him a second straight bronze medal.

Nara, a 2023 bronze medalist at 97kg who moved up to the heaviest weight last year, appeared to go ahead with a gut wrench from par terre, but Manatbekov managed to stop the Japanese in mid-roll for 2 and a 3-3 lead on last-point criteria.

Photo

Day 1 Results

Greco-Roman

55kg
GOLD: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) df. Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ), 7-1

BRONZE: Yu Chol RO (PRK) df. Yun LU (CHN), 5-0
BRONZE: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) df. Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 8-4

63kg
GOLD: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) by TF, 13-4, 4:16

BRONZE: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) df. Godai MITANI (JPN), 6-3
BRONZE: Chan KIM (PRK) df. Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ), 7-0

77kg
GOLD: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) df. Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI), 4-2

BRONZE: Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) df. Amro SADEH (JOR) by TF, 11-3, 4:21
BRONZE: Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) df. Lai Hsing YAO (TPE) by Fall, 1:28 (2-0)

87kg
GOLD: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) df. Yasin YAZDI (IRI), 7-2

BRONZE: Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) df. Sanghyeok PARK (KOR), 5-1
BRONZE: Kumar SUNIL (IND) df. Jiaxin HUANG (CHN), 5-1

130kg
GOLD: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) df. Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ), 7-0

BRONZE: Ali AL SHARUEE (IRQ) df. Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB), 6-4
BRONZE: Yuta NARA (JPN) df. Erlan MANATBEKOV (KGZ), 7-3

#WrestleAmman

Asian C'ships 2025 Day 4 Women's Wrestling Finals Set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 28) -- After five Women's Wrestling weight classes, it's turn for the remaining five -- 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg -- at the Asian Championships which enters day four.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 REPORT

72kg gold medal bout: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs Yuqi LIU (CHN)

14:17: Yuqi LIU (CHN) earns a shot at adding the senior Asian 72kg gold to the U20 one she won last year when she notches a 5-2 victory over Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB). Early in the first period, Liu misses an opportunity when she gets Oknazarova's leg into the air, only to see the Uzbek twist herself free. Liu gets an activity point and that accounts for the lone score of the first period. The action opens in the second period, and Liu scores with a single-leg takedown, but Oknazarova responds with a double-leg that puts Liu onto her back, but is scored only as a 2-pointer. Liu adds an insurance takedown on a counter. 

14:15: Former world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) and four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) battle it out in the 72kg semifinals and it's a snoozefest. Bakbergenova gets the 1-0 lead after Furuichi fails to score when put on activity clock in the first period. Furuichi gets the 1-1 criteria lead when Bakbergenova fails to score in the second. Bakbergenova is hit with another passivity in the second period and Furuichi leads 2-1 with 43 seconds on the clock. Bakbergenova gets Furuichi out of bounds but she is on her knees and it's called no points. Furuichi defends with all might but Bakbergenova scores the stepout this time to win 2-2. Bakbergenova with the win with 0.6 seconds left despite Japan's challenge.

65kg gold medal bout: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL)

14:02: World 59kg champion Qi ZHANG (CHN) manages to cut Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) lead to 4-2 with a takedown but Morikawa gets two takedowns in the final minute and Zhang gets one. Morikawa wins 8-4 to enter the final at 65kg. In her only other Asian Championships appearance in 2022, Morikawa won gold but it was a round-robin bracket in which she did not get to celebrate the win in final, a fact she rued that year. 

13:58: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) will get a chance to improve on her silver from last year, advancing to the 65kg final with victory by fall over Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB). Tuvshinjargal gets in deep on a double, and when Allaniyazova goes over the top in defense, Tuvshinjargal twists backward for a 2-point exposure. She then works her way up to fall position and pins Allaniyazova down at 1:59.

62kg gold medal bout: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) vs MANISHA (IND)

13:54: After three consecutive bronze medals, MANISHA (IND) will finally be fighting for the gold when she chalks up a 5-1 victory at 62kg over Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ). Limited to an activity point in the first period, Manisha starts the second period with a stepout, then adds a snap-down takedown. She scores another stepout with a minute to go, then inadvertently gives up one when she goes out spinning behind for a takedown.

13:50: In perhaps the match of the semifinal session, Ok Ju KIM (KIM) secures the fall over Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) at 62kg. Kim tried the cradle, then went for the half-nelson before pinning Ozaki and make it to the 62kg final on international debut for the 24-year-old.

57kg gold medal bout: Il SIM SON (PRK) vs Sara NATAMI (JPN)

13:42: Il Sim SON (PRK) follows Natami by also bringing an early end to her 57kg semifinal, using a barrel roll to put Youngjin KWON (KOR) onto her back, then moving to a headlock and leg wrap to secure the fall in 2:08.

13:41: Kexin HONG (CHN) can't catch a break getting pinned via step overs from her opponents. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) did it in the semifinals at the Paris Olympics now at the Asian Championships, Sara NATAMI (JPN) gets the fall.

53kg gold medal bout: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Hyogyong CHOE (PRK)

13:40: In a much-anticipated clash between young stars, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) goes on the offensive as expected in their 53kg semifinal and ANTIM (IND) does what she does best, fending off. For one period at least. Kiyooka, limited to an activity point in the first period, breaks through with Antim on the activity clock for a single-leg takedown, then adds a thigh-lock roll. The world 55kg champion then repeats the process to end the match with a 10-0 win in 4:10.

13:35: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) takes only a minute and 13 seconds to complete her leg lace and win 10-0 against Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) and reach the 53kg final.

Semifinals will begin 13:30 Amman time.

13:00: ANTIM (IND) with a low single as soon as the whistle goes for the 53kg quarterfinal against world U20 champion and senior world silver medalist Jin ZHANG (CHN). She adds a takedown to make it 4-0 inside the first minute. Zhang with a double hand lock throw but Antim survives the pin attempt. Another takedown for Antim and she leads 6-2 at the break. Antim adds another takedown with snapdown for an 8-2 lead. Her double underhooks help her defend whatever Zhang is throwing at her. Zhang gets two points after Antim defends with a chestwrap but Zhang exposes her. She adds another to cut the lead to 8-6. Both wrestlers in a tangle and referees call for a consultation. It is scored two for Antim, two for Zhang, giving Antim a 10-8 win. China challenge the decision. On review it is Antim is awarded two points twice and she wins 10-6

12:47: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) with a fall over Jeongae BARK (KOR) in the 65kg quarterfinal. Perfect headlock for the fall

12:44: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) had to launch a big four-pointer to lead 4-2 against Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) in the 65kg quarterfinal.. Mukatay had countered the first attack secured a 2-0 lead. Morikawa begins the second period with a stepout. Step over defense from Morikawa to make it 9-2 before securing the fall with 1:46 left on the clock.

12:41: MANISHA (IND) muscles her way into the 62kg semifinals with a victory by fall over Hanbit LEE (KOR). As she receives an activity point, Manisha uses double underhooks on the mat to leverage Lee over and gains the fall in 2:25.

12:38: Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) explodes for nine points in the second period to notch a 10-4 victory over Miyasar KUSHMURATOVA (UZB) and advance to the 62kg semifinals

12:36: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) gets over a major hurdle in her quest for a third Asian gold when she grinds out a 4-1 victory over Lili LILI (CHN) to make the 62kg semifinals. Ozaki gets an activity point in the first period and early in the second to lead 2-0. She gets in on a single-leg and gets the leg into the air, only for Lili to mule-kick her way out of the predicament. Lili receives an activity point, adding to the tension as the clock ticks down. With :10 left, Lili attempts a last-ditch front headlock roll, but Ozaki stuffs it for a final 2.

12:33: Sara NATAMI (JPN) puts on a technical masterclass of takedowns and wins 11-0 against Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) to enter 57kg semifinals.

12:27: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), last year's world and Asian champion at 55kg who has moved down to 53kg, puts on a takedown clinic in cruising to a 10-0 victory over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE). She topped off her fourth takedown with a quick lace lock to end the match in 1:58.

12:25: Youngjin KWON (KOR) did not let Danielle LIM (SGP) from the headlock and secures the fall after a 7-0 lead to advance to the 57kg semifinals.

12:24: Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) loses a challenge for a counter to a counter-lift by Maysa YUSUPJANOVA (TKM) that would have ended the match on a technical fall, but goes on to pancake her opponent to mat and score an actual fall to advance to the 65kg semifinals. 

12:21: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) needs just 46 seconds to get a takedown against Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ), rip off four lace-lock rolls and secure her spot in the 53kg semifinals with a 10-0 win.

12:20: Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) begins the 72kg quarterfinal with the typical Mongolian headlock throw for four against Yuqi LIU (CHN). Liu answers with a takedown but Zorigt leads 4-2. With just over a minute remaining, Liu gets Zorigt on her back to the mat and secures a fall and enter the semifinals.

12:20: Qi ZHANG (CHN) builds up a 7-2 lead in the first period against Asian U23 silver medalist Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ). The two trade stepouts in the second period before Zhang adds a late takedown for a 10-3 win and a possible semifinal clash with Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN). 

12:12: Il Sim SON (PRK) is into the semifinals at 57kg with a victory by fall over Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

12:10: Four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) begins her quest for a third Asian gold and sixth medal overall with a 10-0 victory over Sehee KIM (KOR) to advance to the semifinals at 72kg. After her third takedown, Bakbergenova rolls Kim twice to end the proceedings. 

12:08: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), former Asian champion and Paris bronze medalist at 68kg, is back to 62kg. She had to make the desperate move to 68kg but losing the domestic qualifiers at 62kg in Japan. She defeated Ami ISHII (JPN) to get the spot at 68kg for Paris. She returned to 62kg at the Emperor's Cup and won the gold to qualify for Asian Championships. Up against Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), Ozaki opens up a 4-0 lead before takedowns are exchanged and Ozaki leads 6-2 at the break. The second period starts with a single-leg attack from Ozaki for two. Sukhee is quick with her attacks as well but Ozaki resets and defends to score takedwon. Sukhee keeps shooting on the legs and score a stepout as Ozaki is feeling the heat of the weight cut. Another sweep single from Sukhee, Ozaki defends for a while but gives up another takedown as Sukhee cuts her lead to 10-5 with 25 seconds remaining. Sukhee attempts a big throw but Ozaki with a whizzer and secures a 12-5 win.

12:06: Masako FURUICHI (JPN), one of the few wrestlers on the planet who has completed the "Grand Slam" of all four world age-group titles, faces a rising star in her opening match at 72kg in Jyoti BERWAL (IND), the world U20 champion at 76kg. An actionless first period sees Berwal take a 1-0 lead into the second. It's more of the same, as Berwal gets an activity point, but gives up a penalty point. In the final 20 seconds, Furuichi comes to life and completes a single-leg takedown with :10 left for a 3-2 win. 

12:05: Asian U23 bronze medalist Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) is trailing 2-0 when she slams Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) to her back for a fall at 72kg.  Nurtaeva was last year's Asian U23 champion at 68kg.

12:02: Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE), a silver medalist from 2021, with a buzzer-beating exposure to beat Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) at 53kg! Akhmedova was leading 5-3 but allowed Hsieh the leg attacks and while backtracking on her hips, there was exposure. Uzbekistan challenged but the decision was upheld as Hsieh won 6-5

11:57: Another historic first at these Asian Championships as Aylah MAYALI (PLE) becomes the first-ever female participant from Palestine when she faces Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) in a qualification-round match at 65kg. Allaniyazova opens the scoring with a double-leg takedown, then counters a Mayali shot to a stalemate. Allaniyazova adds another takedown at the edge to lead 4-0 at the break. In the second period, Allaniyazova gets a takedown and gut wrench, but Mayali reverses for her first points. In the end, the Uzbek proves too much and comes away with a 12-2 win, but not a bad effort for the debutante.

11:56: MANISHA (IND), last year's champion at 65kg, has dropped down to 62kg and starts strong with an 11-0 win over Asian U23 silver medalist.  Tynys DUBEK (KAZ).

11:49: Il Sim SON (PRK), looking to do her part for DPR Korea in the team standings, starts off with a nice fireman's carry and never lets off the gas in posting an 11-0 win over Pei Ying LIAO (TPE) at 57kg in just under two minutes.

11:50: Jordan had its first wrestler in women's wrestling at the senior Asian Championships on Thursday and today Balqis TAAIBIN (JOR) is the second. However, she cannot produce a win for the hosts as Jeongae BARK (KOR) beats her 12-2 at 65kg.

11:45: Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) with a headlock to fall over Dieu Thuong LAI (VIE) at 65kg. Lai was leading 6-0 but Mukatay with a reversal to get the fall.

11:42: World U23 bronze medalist Neha SHARMA (IND) advances at 57kg with an 8-1 victory over Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), a 2023 Asian bronze medalist.

11:39: Qi ZHANG (CHN), last year's champion and the 2023 world chamipion at 59kg, gets her campaign at 65kg started with lightning quick 10-0 rout of MONIKA (IND).

11:38: Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) only got going in the second but she did well and secured a fall over Thi Hien DANG (VIE) after building a 14-7 lead.

11:38: In the opening match on Mat B, Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) seemed on the road to a rare victory for Sri Lanka, using an impressive double-leg takedown in taking leads of 6-0 and 8-4, only to get caught in a cradle by Youngjin KWON (KOR) and lose by fall at 57kg.