#AsianGames2018

World and Olympic Champs Yazdani, Kawai Aim to Add Asiad Golds

By Ken Marantz

JAKARTA, Indonesia (August 17) - Six months after the Asian Championships in Bishkek, the continent's elite wrestlers are back together again, but with fewer prizes at stake. That aspect only enhances the competition. 

The wrestling program at the 18th Asian Games in Jakarta runs from Aug. 19 to 22, but the fields in this edition of the quadrennial event are limited to the 18 Olympic weight classes---six each in the three styles. A number of Bishkek medalists, including three champions, from the four missing divisions have either gone up or down in a bid to get in on the action.

Heading the list of entries are two wrestlers currently holding both the world and Olympic titles, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and Risako KAWAI (JPN). Both will be aiming to add a first Asiad gold to their extensive medal collections.

Yazdani, who won the Rio 2016 Olympic gold in the freestyle 74kg class, has successfully made the jump up two divisions to the next Olympic weight class of 86kg, capturing the world title at Paris 2017. He followed that up by cruising to his first career Asian gold in Bishkek. 

The 23-year-old Yazdani is the prohibitive favorite at 86kg, where the runner-up in Bishkek, Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL), will try to get another shot at beating the Iranian star. Also entered is Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), who was third in Bishkek and, for what it's worth, the only opponent to score a point on Yazdani among his three technical fall victories. Rashid KURBANOV (UZB), the 2014 Asiad champion at 74kg, will have to deal with moving up a weight class, after winning the 79kg gold in Bishkek.

World and Olympic champion, Risako KAWAI (JPN). Photo by Martin Gabor 

Kawai, one of the four Japanese women's champions in Rio, is entered at 62kg, although she will drop down to 59kg in a bid for a second straight world title in Budapest in October. Because of the early deadline for entries, Japan's team to Jakarta was based on the results from the national championships back in December, in which Kawai won at 62kg. 

Kawai, who has not lost since being defeated in the final of the 2015 world championships by Battsetseg SORONZONBOLD (MGL), could clash with another Mongolian world champion in Jakarta. 

Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), the gold medalist at 63kg at Paris 2017, has won nine consecutive international tournaments, including a victory in Bishkek. Another wrestler who can't be overlooked is Sakshi MALIK (IND), whose bronze medal at Rio 2016 made her India's first female Olympic medalist. She was second in Asia in 2017 and third this year. 

In addition to Yazdani, Kawai and Purevdorj, there are three other reigning world champions making the trip to Jakarta. Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) will be the favorite in freestyle 57kg, while Haruna OKUNO (JPN), the women's 55kg champion in Paris, has dropped down to 53kg. RYU Han-Soo (KOR), one of eight defending Asian Games champions in the tournament, heads the field at Greco-Roman 67kg.

In total, there will be 15 medalists from Paris 2017 and eight from Rio 2016 (including Yazdani and Kawai in both groups) taking the mat in Jakarta. There are 17 champions from Bishkek 2018, and 10 weight classes could see rematches between the finalists.

In terms of depth, two weight classes in particular stand out. The brackets in Greco-Roman 77kg will not only include the gold and silver medalists from Bishkek 2018, but the champions from the weight classes immediately above and below it. 

YANG Bin (CHN) by Martin Gabor. 

Champion YANG Bin (CHN) will contend in a division that also features teenager Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), who thrilled the home crowd in Bishkek when he won the 72kg gold, as well as Ashkat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ), who captured the 82kg title. 

Added to that trio is KIM Hyeong-Woo (KOR), who won the 75kg title at the last Asian Games in Incheon in 2014 and the world title the previous year, and Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), the runner-up to Yang in Bishkek and a world bronze medalist.

Fireworks can also be expected at freestyle 74kg, in which Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB) will aim to win a second straight Asian Games gold and make up for a disappointing showing at Bishkek, where, as defending Asian champion, he finished out of the medals. Standing in his way will be Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI), veteran Susil KUMAR (IND) and Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN). 

Hosseinkhani, a two-time Asian champion and former world bronze medalist, had to settle for the bronze in Bishkek. Kumar, the 35-year-old two-time Olympic medalist, had to skip Bishkek due to injury, but prepped for Jakarta by taking the gold at the Commonwealth Games. Fujinami, who has fully recovered from a cheek fracture suffered in May, won a bronze medal at Paris 2017, where he defeated Hosseinkhani in the third round.

Here's a look at other weight classes of interest:

Yui TAKAHASHI (JPN) by Tony Rotundo. 

Freestyle, Aug. 19-20
World champion Takahashi skipped the Asian Championships, and in his absence, unheralded KANG Kum-song (PRK) impressively scraped his way to the 57kg gold. At Paris 2017, Takahashi had his hands full in a third-round clash with Bekhbayar ERDENET (MGL), scoring a 4-4 win by big point. Those three, along with 2017 Asian bronze medalist Reza ATRINAGHARCHI and Sandeep TOMAR (IND), should battle for the medals.

At 96kg, Russian-born Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) will look to add the Asiad gold to the Asian titles he won in 2017 and 2018 and his Olympic bronze in Rio. While a heavy favorite, he could be challenged by Magomed MUSAEV (KAZ), another Russian native who won a silver medal at the 2014 Asian Games, and Alizreza KARAMIMACHIANI, the 2017 Asian champion at 86kg who is returning from a six-month ban for purposely losing a match at the U-23 World Championships in November to avoid facing an Israeli opponent in the next round. 

Georgian-born David MODZMANASHVILI (UZB), a London 2012 silver medalist, will look for more Asian success at 125kg to go with his gold in Bishkek, while Parvis HADI BASMANJ (IRI) aims to defend his Asiad title.

Yuki IRIE (JPN) by Max Rose-Fyne

Women's Wrestling, Aug. 20-21
Yuki IRIE (JPN) earned her ticket to Jakarta at 50kg by beating world champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) at the national championships. That also put her on the team to Bishkek, but she suffered a close loss to Vinesh VINESH (IND) and had to settle for a bronze. Irie has since lost twice to Susaki to miss out on the world championships, giving her even more incentive to take the Asian Games gold. 

Vinesh will try to improve on her runner-up finish from Bishkek, while also in the mix will be Rio 2016 bronze medalist SUN Yanan (CHN) and KIM Son-Hyang (PRK), a bronze medalist at Paris 2017. Of note is that Irie defeated Sun by fall at the Women's World Cup in March, but just edged Kim 8-7 at the Yarygin Grand Prix in January. 

At 53kg, world champion Okuno, like most top Japanese, skipped the Asian Championships to focus on the World Cup hosted by Japan. In her absence, PAK Yong-Mi (PRK) and Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL) took the gold and silver medals, respectively, and should be her main competition in Jakarta.

China can be expected to dominate the two heaviest weight classes, with Bishkek 2018 champions FENG Zhou (68kg) and ZHOU Qian (76kg) well established as the favorites. Feng is a defending Asiad champion, while Zhou was the 2015 world silver medalist.

Shinobu OTA (JPN) by Sachiko Hotaka

Greco-Roman, Aug. 21-22
Now that Rio 2016 silver medalist Shinobu OTA (JPN) has finally gotten the best of Paris 2017 champion and top domestic rival Kenichiro FUJITA (JPN), he can start concentrating on bringing home more international hardware at 60kg. Coming off his victory in Bishkek, Ota could face a rematch with teenager RI Se-Ung. 

The division also includes Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ), who was second at both the Asian and World Championships in 2017, losing both finals to Fumita. He was third in Bishkek at 63kg.

At 67kg, world champion Ryu will face a challenge from a pair of Asian champions. Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) won the 63kg gold in Bishkek, but has moved up to join 67kg champion Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ). And for good measure, Bishkek silver medalist Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN) joins the fray. 

The heavier weights are currently the domain of Iran. Hossein NOURI (87kg) and Behnam MEHDIZADEH (130kg) both successfully defended their Asian titles in Bishkek and are the hot favorites, while Aliakbar HEIDARI (97kg), third at the World Military Championships, heads what is arguably the most open weight class. 

Schedule 
Saturday,  Aug. 18
11:00 - 12:00 - Draw for all weight classes

Sunday,  Aug. 19
11:00-12:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 57, 65, 74, 86 & 97kg 
13:00-17:00 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 57, 65, 74, 86 & 97kg 
19:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 57, 65, 74, 86 & 97kg 

Monday,  Aug. 20
11:00-12:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 125kg; WW 50, 53, 57, 62kg 
13:00-17:00 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 125kg; WW 50, 53, 57, 62kg 
19:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 125kg; WW 50, 53, 57, 62kg 

Tuesday,  Aug. 21
11:00-12:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 68, 76kg; GR 60, 67 kg
13:00-17:00 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 68, 76kg; GR 60, 67 kg
19:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 68, 76kg; GR 60, 67 kg

Wednesday,  Aug. 22
11:00-12:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 77, 87, 97, 130kg
13:00-17:00 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 77, 87, 97, 130kg
19:00-21:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 77, 87, 97, 130kg

#WrestleSamokov

Iliasov levels up to win 130kg gold; Iran Greco champ again

By Vinay Siwach

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 24) -- Ali ILIASOV (UWW) made his international wrestling debut at the European U20 Championships in July and won a silver medal. Two months later, the 18-year-old is a world champion.

Wrestling at his career first World U20 Championships on Sunday, Iliasov emerged at the champion in the 130kg weight with victories over rivals more experienced and heavier, literally, than him.

Weighing only 115kg for the 130kg final, Iliasov defeated returning silver medalist Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI) in the semifinals and on Sunday, he managed to humble two-time world U17 champion Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) in the final and win the gold medal.

"I’m underweight for the class but I feel a kind of relief," Iliasov said. "I’ve fulfilled a small dream of mine. I still haven’t fully realized that I’ve become a world champion."

Overall, Iran became the team champions with 117 points. Armenia managed second-place finish with 98 points and Azerbaijan was third with 90 points. This was Iran's fourth straight team win in Greco at the World U20 Championships.

Ali ILIASOV (UWW)Ali ILIASOV (UWW) turns Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) for two points during the 130kg final at the World U20 Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iliasov was only 10 seconds into the final against Bakir when he used an arm-drag and had Bakir in trouble. Bakir managed to stop the takedown but he stepped out and was cautioned for fleeing as well. Iliasov led 2-0 after this sequence.

A similar arm drag brought down Bakir to the mat and Iliasov scored his first takedown. A stepout made the score 5-0. Iliasov remained relesntless in his attacks and a snapdown helped him score another takedown on Bakir. He then turned Bakir for the match-winning gut-wrench.

"I managed to beat my opponent so decisively was because I was extremely confident in myself, even more confident than he was," he said.

While he blanked Bakir in the final, Iliasov did have his share of close bout in Samokov. In his opening bout, Iliasov had a close 7-6 victory over Viachaslau FEDARYNA (UWW). He scored a technical superiority win over Leonhard JUNGER (AUT) in the second match before facing Fathitanzangi in the semifinals.

"I would say I was warming up, a little nervous [in the first bout]," he said. "After that first match I completely opened up."

In the semifinals, Iliasov led 3-0 when Fathitanzangi went for a pushout. Iliasov tried to stop it by throwing Fathitanzangi but he landed on his back and the Iranian wrestler was given two points.

As Fathitanzangi was awarded par terre position in the second period, he also got the 3-3 criteria lead over Iliasov. The Iranian tried defending his lead for the win but Iliasov managed to circle around and bring him down for two points. Fathitanzangi pulled one back with a stepout but that was all as Iliasov entered the gold-medal bout with a 5-4 win.

"My performance can be rated 9 out of 10," he said. "Because in the semifinal I strayed a bit from my tactics, lost focus, and almost gave away points."

With experience from this World U20 Championships, Iliasov now wants to switch to senior level as early as next year.

"I’ll try at the senior level," he said. "Of course, that’s another level, wrestler with much more experience. But I’ll do my best to test myself."

Georgia double

Georgia earned two gold medals on the final day of the World U20 Championships, a feat the country has not achieved since 2016.

Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) and Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) came out with dominant performances in the 77kg and 87kg finals respectively to bring home two golds for Georgia.

Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO)Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) hits a counter attack against Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) during the 77kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 77kg, Putkaradze was up against Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) in the final and got the par terre position. He managed to turn Bouveiri two times for a 5-0 lead. In the second period Bouveiri had the chance to turn it around when he the top position in par terre.

Things, however, did not go that way. As Bouveiri was trying lift Putkaradze, the Georgian countered with a bodylock and then slammed him for two-point takedown. He then turned the Iranian for two more points and won the gold medal, 9-1. Iran challenged for a foul but there was none and one more point was added to his score to make it 10-1.

Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO)Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) celebrates with his coach after winning the 87kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The second gold came from Kochalidze as he pinned Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW) in the 87kg final. In a rematch of the European U20 Championships final at 87kg, Abdulkadyrov was hoping to avenge his loss from Carole, Italy.

He was given the par terre advantage in the first period and he tried turning Kochalidze, who blocked the turn but lost his grip as well and the turns were called neutral. As Abdulkadyrov was back on top, he again tried to turn Kochalidze who managed stop Abdulkadyrov and kept him on the mat till the fall was called.

Georgia was the only country to win two gold medals in this competition in Greco-Roman.

At 63kg, senior Asian champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) proved why he will be medal threat in Zagreb with a dominant run to gold-medal. He defeated Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM), 12-2, with two big four-point throws.

Khalmakhanov began with a underhook throw for a takedown in the first 20 seconds. He tried the same move again but Margaryan blocked and scored a takedown for a 2-2 criteria lead. Late in the first period, Khalmakhanov was awarded the par terre position for one point but he failed to score and led 3-2 at the break.

If Margaryan hoped for a better second period, Khalmakhanov had no such idea. He slammed Margaryan from standing using the underhook for four points. He continued the sequence and lifted Margaryan and slammed him forward for four more points.

The two big throws for Khalmakhanov were enough for him for the win despite a challenge from Armenia. The lost challenged made his score 12-2.

RESULTS

63kg
GOLD: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM), 12-2

BRONZE: Mohammad ABOUTALEBI (IRI) df. Kristiyan MILENKOV (BUL), 9-0
BRONZE: Igor PUNCHENKO (UWW) df. Damir IBRASHOV (KAZ), 5-1

77kg
GOLD: Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) df. Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI), 10-1

BRONZE: Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW) df. Raatbek PAIAZBEKOV (KGZ), 8-0
BRONZE: Kiryl VALEUSKI (UWW) df. Leister BOWLING (USA), 9-0

87kg
GOLD: Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) df. Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW), via fall

BRONZE: Erik TER MATEVOSYAN ( ARM) df. Elias LYYSKI (FIN), 1-1
BRONZE: Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ) df. Orkhan HAJIYEV (AZE), 4-4

130kg
GOLD: Ali ILIASOV (UWW) df. Yusuf BAKIR (TUR), 9-0

BRONZE: Ivan YANKOVSKYI (UKR) df. Mazaim MARDANOV (AZE), 8-0
BRONZE: Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI) df. Viachaslau FEDARYNA (UWW), 5-1