#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships day one semis set

Saturday, September 10, 2022 - 08:03 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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BELGRADE, Serbia (September 10) -- The first day of the World Championships is here. Belgrade is all set for the biggest event of the year. Greco-Roman kicks off the competition with a lot of anticipation from the local crowd as they hope to win two of the four gold medals.

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What a session we had on the first day of the competition. The semifinals for the evening session are set.

55kg
Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) vs. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO)
Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Max NOWRY (USA)

72kg
Selcuk CAN (TUR) vs. Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE)
Ali ARSALAN (SRB) vs. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA)

77kg
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) vs. Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR)
Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) vs. Viktor NEMES (SRB) 

87kg
Ali CENGIZ (TUR) vs. Turpan Ali Alvievich BISULTANOV (DEN)
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) vs. David LOSONCZI (HUN)

14:30: The final bout of the morning session is a thriller. Olympic champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) began with a four but Yunus BASAR (TUR) got the exposure in the same move before adding a four for himself. Makhmudov with a takedown before challenging for another. Basar held 7-7 criteria lead before he was cautioned for a singlet pull when Makhmudov was attacking. Makhmudov got the 9-7 lead and the win.

14:25: Veteran Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) showed he still has medal-winning potential when the 33-year-old scored all of his points early in the first period and cruised to a 6-0 victory over Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) in the 77kg quarterfinals. 

14:25: Viktor NEMES (SRB) is moving into the 77kg semifinals. The former world champion gets a 7-0 win over Rui LIU (CHN). The local fans are absolutely thrilled with it.

14:24: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), who started the day by knocking off the 2021 world 72kg champion, continued his mission at 77kg by routing Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) by 9-0 technical fall. Levai scored 4 points in the par terre in the first period, then ended the match with a takedown in the second.

14:15: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) kept his hopes alive of regaining the world title he won in 2019, but he came dangerously close to missing out. The 2021 world bronze medalist had to fight off his back in the first period, then scored a 2-point throw in the second to clinch a 5-2 quarterfinal victory over Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB). 

14:09: Top seed Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) powered his way into the 55kg semifinals, scoring three gut wrenches from the par terre before putting away Asian champion Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) with a second-period takedown for a 9-0 technical fall.

14:07: Max NOWRY (USA) with a fall in the quarterfinals! Fabian SCHMITT (GER) cannot come out of the headlock after par terre.

14:05: 55kg quarterfinals and Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) is wrestling Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) who gets the 1-0 lead for the passivity of Dad Marz. In the second period, Bekbolatov begins with a takedown before a point for Dad Marz.

13:59: If Gevorg SAHAKYAN (POL) takes home a medal from Belgrade, at best it will only be the same as the bronze he won in Oslo last year. Selcuk CAN (TUR) scored a 2-point throw from par terre in the second period, giving him a 3-1 victory and the final place in the 72kg semifinals.

13:55: On Mat D, Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) built a 4-0 lead before adding two more stepouts to lead 6-0 against Valentin PETIC (MDA). No more score in that bout as Ghanem reached the semifinals.

13:53: European bronze medalist Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) takes full advantage of par terre, scoring a pair of 4-point throws to overwhelm Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) by 10-0 technical fall in just over two minutes to make the 72kg semifinals.

13:50: At 72kg, Ali ARSALAN (SRB) and top seed Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU) in the quarterfinal. Arsalan gets the advantage with par terre. He gets two turns to lead 5-0. He then goes behind Sleiva for a takedown before continuing the move to get the 9-0 win and a place in the semifinal.

13:40: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), aiming to become Denmark's first world Greco medalist since 2015, stayed in the running at 87kg when he scored a stepout midway through the second period and held on for a 2-1 quarterfinal victory over Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI). 

13:42: 87kg quarterfinal between Damian VON EUW (SUI) and Ali CENGIZ (TUR) and it's Von Euw who gets the first par terre position. Cengiz commits a leg foul while defending which gives Von Euw a 3-0 lead. Chengiz with a stepout and he tries a body lock throw. It's only a stepout but Switzerland is asking for exposure but lost the challenge. Von Euw lead 3-3 on criteria. But Chengiz with a turn from par terre and caution against Von Euw. Chengiz wins 8-3

13:38: Defending champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) kept alive his hopes of a golden repeat at 87kg, scoring three points in the first period and a stepout in the second to defeat Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) 4-1 and advance to the semifinals.

13:35: The first quarterfinal win! David LOSONCZI (HUN) with a huge four-pointer against Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) and it's a technical superiority 12-3 win for him at 87kg.

13:12: At 77kg, Idris IBAEV (GER) is in some trouble as Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ) builds a 7-0 at the break. Ibaev begins with a takedown in the second period but Shadukayev with an arm throw for four and he wins 11-2 

13:08: Max NOWRY (USA) assured an American presence in the quarterfinals on the opening day with a stunning victory at 55kg over Arjun HALAKURKI (IND). Trailing 3-1, Nowry launched a spectacular arm throw for 4, then clamped down for a fall with just under a minute left. 

13:05: Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) with a roll from par terre against Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI)to lead 3-0 in their 77kg bout. Geraei can't do the same from par terre as no control when he was trying to roll Kim. A 4-1 win for Kim

13:03: Asian silver medalist Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) books his place in the 55kg quarterfinals with a 3-1 win over Nedyalko PETROV (BUL)

12:58: At 55kg, Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) rallies from a 5-0 deficit, scoring a stepout with :06 left to knock off Ekrem OZTURK (TUR) 6-5 and advance to the quarterfinals. 

12:52: Yu SHIOTANI (JPN), aiming to keep the 55kg title in Japanese hands, couldn't turn Koriun SAHRADIAN (UKR) from par terre, but came right back with a takedown and 2-point exposure to lead 5-0 after one period. A front headlock roll in the second gave him a 9-0 victory and a showdown in the quarterfinals with Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE). 

12:51: Home hero Viktor NEMES (SRB) with a four from par terre and he leads Yasaf ZEINALOV (UKR) at 77kg. Zeinalov gets a stepout and then a passivity advantage but gets no points. Nemes wins the bout 6-2

12:48: The returning bronze medalist at 55kg, Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), had no problem in putting away Mostafa ALQADE (JOR) 10-0 in just under two minutes to make the last eight.

12:47: Here are the quarterfinals at 87kg

David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ)
Damian VON EUW (SUI) vs. Ali CENGIZ (TUR)
Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) vs. Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN)
Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) vs. Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) 

12:42: European champion and 2021 world bronze medalist Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) makes short work of Giovanni FRENI (ITA), gaining a takedown and three gut wrenches for an 8-0 technical fall in 1:32. 

12:39: At 72kg, 2021 world U23 bronze medalist Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) secures a place in the quarterfinals with a hard-fought 4-2 win over Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ). 

12:36: In a clash of continental bronze medalists, Asia wins out as Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) caps his 9-0 technical fall over Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) with a leaping 4-point roll to advance to the 55kg quarterfinals. 

12:32: Fabian SCHMITT (GER) became the first into the quarterfinals at 55kg with a close 3-2 win over Artiom DELEANU (MDA). 

12:30: Kristupas SLEIVA (LTU), a bronze medalist at 72kg a year ago in Oslo, began his campaign with a 6-3 victory over Matias LIPASTI (FIN). Sleiva was trailing 0-1 in the second period when he started a scramble with an arm throw; when the dust cleared and the referees sorted it out, he ended with six points and his opponent two. 

12:15: Ali ARSALAN (SRB) rides on the local support to come back from 3-0 down and beat Robert FRITSCH (HUN) 7-3 at 72kg. He is into the quarterfinals. That bout is followed by Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) beating Mohammad Reza MOKHTARI (IRI) at 72kg. 

12:11: European champion Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), aiming to improve on his fifth-place finish in 2021, took as much time waiting for the result of Barthelemy TSHOSHA (COD)'s an unsuccessful challenge to be announced than he did in scoring his 9-0 victory to make the quarterfinals at 87kg. 

12:10: World champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) up against Hannes WAGNER (GER) in the 87kg pre-quarterfinals. He gets the early point for Wagner's passivity. He leads 1-0 at the break. Wagner tries a tie but Datunashvili gets the takedown for two. One point for fleeing the mat. Wagner challenges but lost. Datunashvili wins 5-0.

12:06: Asian silver medalist Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) makes short work of Haitao QIAN (CHN), winning 8-0 to secure a place in the 87kg quarterfinals. He will face David LOSONCZI (HUN). 

12:01: Georgio PREVOLARAKIS (GRE), trailing 4-1 against Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB), uses a front headlock roll for six points and advances at 77kg with a 7-5 victory. The Greek squirmed out of a takedown attempt in the final seconds to secure the win.

11:55: Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) got the four over Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) but the two-time World Championships bronze medalist Iran wrestler wins 5-4 as he had the throw from par terre.

11:50: At 77kg, 2021 world U23 bronze medalist Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) hit a 4-point back suplex with :20 left to grab a 5-1 victory over European bronze medalist Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL). That sets up a second-round clash with the red-hot Zoltan LEVAI (HUN).   

11:41: In a thriller at 77kg, 2021 world U23 champion Idris IBAEV (GER) stormed out to a 7-0 lead in the first period against the senior world silver medalist, Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), only to allow him to come back with 7 points in the second. But Ibaev held the advantage by criteria, and a late unsuccessful challenge gave him an 8-7 victory.  

11:26: Two-time Asian champion Yu SHIOTANI (JPN), who knocked off 2021 world champion Ken MATSUI (JPN) in a playoff to make the squad at 55kg to Belgrade, used a 5-point throw to finish off an 8-0 technical fall over Jiahao LIU (CHN) and advance to the round of 16. 

11:20: He defeated Amoyan and now Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) beats Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) at 77kg with a 4-1 score line. Huge win for Levai  

11:10: At 72kg, Matias LIPASTI (FIN) scores a big 4-point throw with :40 left, giving him a 5-5 victory over Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB), who slammed the mat in disgust.

11:12: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) was facing some trouble with a 5-5 criteria against Mirco MINGUZZI (ITA) but lets the lead 6-5 to win his 87kg opening bout  

11:07: Two-time European bronze medalist Rudik MKRTCHYAN (ARM) advanced out of the qualification round at 55kg with an 8-0 technical fall over Hyeokjin JEON (KOR). He will next face an Asian bronze medalist, Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB).

10:56: Continuing the first-round matches at 87kg, Damian VON EUW (SUI) used a massive lift-and-dump for 5 from par terre, then added a 2-point exposure for an 8-0 technical fall over Bachir SID AZARA (ALG) in 2:01.

10:51: In a battle of Tokyo Olympians, Jinhyeok KIM (KOR) had a successful challenge overturn a 4-point move in the final 30 seconds, preserving his 3-1 victory over Mohamed METWALLY (EGY) to send him into the round of 16.

10:45: A world champion goes down early. Malkas AMOYAN (ARM) got the turn from par terre in the first period but Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) also got the turn for a 3-3 win. Amoyan won the gold medal at the 2021 Worlds at 72kg.

10:42: Alex KESSIDIS (SWE), the silver medalist at 77kg in 2019, gets his campaign started at 87kg by tossing about Masato SUMI (JPN) from the par terre to post an 11-2 technical fall. 

10:30: The first whistle at the World Championships! Mat A has Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) going up against Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) at 77kg. Mat B has Vjekoslav LUBURIC (CRO) vs Hannes WAGNER (GER) at 87kg, Masato SUMI (JPN) vs Alex KESSIDIS (SWE) at 87kg and Mat D has Nurbek KHASHIMBEKOV (UZB) vs Yoan DIMITROV (BUL).

10:25: Greetings from Belgrade! The sun is playing hide-and-seek with the clouds, but the action will be in full view on the four mats. We're about to get the opening day started with the morning session through the quarterfinals at Greco 55kg, 72kg, 77kg and 87kg. 

#wrestlebishkek

Yoshida Repeats as Asian Champ as Japan, India Grab 2 Golds

Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 18:46 By Ken Marantz

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 11) – Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) brought further glory to a country with little prior success in the upper weights, while also standing out for his Iranian heritage.

And now he has company in that dynamic combination.

Yoshida successfully defended his 97kg title at the Asian Championships on Saturday, one of two golds captured by Japan on the first night of finals in Freestyle – both by wrestlers born and raised in Japan with Iranian fathers.

WATCH ARASH YOSHIDA (JPN) vs AMIRALI AZARPIRA (IRI) FINAL: CLICK HERE

Yoshida outlasted Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) in a battle of world medalists, notching a second-period takedown for the key score in a 4-0 victory.

“I'm glad I was able to beat an opponent I had been aiming to defeat, and to win the Asian championship,” said Yoshida, who also won the Asian gold at 92kg in 2023.

His victory came a short time after unheralded compatriot Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) – who also has an Iranian father and Japanese mother – won the 79kg gold in his first major senior tournament.

It was also a big night for India, which claimed golds from SUJEET (IND) at 65kg and ABHIMANYOU (IND) at 70kg, while Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) won the other title at stake with a somewhat distasteful triumph at 57kg.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), blue, and Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) battle it out in the 97kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

For Yoshida, his facing – and beating – an Iranian in a major international tournament final had long been the dream of his father, who runs the kids wrestling club outside of Tokyo where Arash and his siblings started the sport.

“It's a bit [special],” Yoshida said of beating Azarpira. “It's not so good that my father is so happy about it, but at the same time, I'm glad. I am my own self, and I came here as a Japanese to represent Japan.”

In the final at Bishkek’s Zhastyk Arena, neither wrestler could make inroads early on as Yoshida received an activity point for the lone score of the first period.

In the second period, Azarpira launched an attack, but Yoshida sprawled and started to work his way behind. When Azarpira tried to get to his feet, Yoshida deftly lunged for an ankle and sent the Iranian to the mat for a takedown and a 3-0 lead. A penalty for hands to the face accounted for Yoshida’s final point.

“I wasn’t able to attack much, so I ended up focusing solely on finding a way to win,” Yoshida said. “The match itself wasn’t very interesting. The Iranian was strong, and I thought it would come down to a battle of power. I thought it was good that I kept the pressure on when we tied up.”

As for achieving a golden repeat, Yoshida said, “That wasn't really an issue for me. It’s more to just do each and everything I needed to do as it comes up. When it comes to repeating, it’s like I’m thankful because it’s something that becomes mine.”

At last year’s World Championships in Zagreb, Yoshida took a bronze medal after losing in the semifinals to Kyle SNYDER (USA), who then beat Paris Olympic bronze medalist Azarpira for the gold.

Yoshida can secure a trip to this year’s World Championships with a victory at next month’s Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, or in a playoff in the unlikely event that he loses. The winner will also earn a ticket to the Asian Games that Japan will host in October.

“The top wrestlers will come up with a strategy against me, so I think the world is going to get tougher for me,” Yoshida said. “I will have to put my whole heart into training.”

Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN)Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) celebrates after winning the 79kg gold medal at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

As Yoshida continue to establish himself among the world elite, collegian Gharehdaghi took a big first step when he forged out a 2-1 victory over Sandeep MANN (IND) for the 79kg, with activity points accounting for all of the scoring.

Gharehdaghi, a 20-year-old third-year student at Tokyo’s Waseda University, spent the match trying to break through Mann’s defensive shell, while his opponent would not launch a legitimate attack until the final seconds.

It was a far cry from the Gharehdaghi’s action-packed semifinal win over Olympic bronze medalist Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) that suddenly cast him into the spotlight.

“I wanted to be aggressive and do my style of wrestling,” Gharehdaghi said. “But it was a final. The feeling of not wanting to make a mistake comes to the forefront, and there were times I couldn't do the wrestling that I wanted to.

“I''m happy that I won the title, but above that, I wanted it to be more my type of wrestling.”

WATCH: KEYVAN GHREHDAGHI (JPN) BEATS OLYMPIC CHAMPION RAZAMBEK JAMALOV (UZB)

Gharehdaghi’s win ended a run of victories by India in the two previous finals.

“The Indians were really on a roll, starting from 65kg,” Gharehdaghi said. “I wasn't trying to stop the streak. I was just thinking about myself.”

Gharehdaghi said he will eventually move down to 74kg when the Olympic qualifying process begins, and remains unsure at this time what weight class he will enter at the Meiji Cup.

For now, he can bask in the glory of a well-earned triumph without letting it go to his head.

“It gives me confidence, but I am telling myself to not be satisfied with this and to work to get to a higher level,” he said.

SUJEET (IND)SUJEET (IND) claimed the 65kg gold medal in Bishkek after an 8-1 victory over Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

India’s mini gold rush began with Sujeet’s 8-1 win over world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg, which he secured with three second-period takedowns.

Sujeet, the 2025 world u23 champion and winner of two Ranking Series events this year, gained an activity point and stepout to go ahead in the first period. In the second, the run of takedowns started, disturbed only by a stepout by Jalolov and ending with a nice duck under.

“He is a very good competitor,” Sujeet said of Jalolov, “but I want to give my best. I don’t want to consider any opponent weak or strong.”

It was Sujeet’s fourth win in four meetings with Jalalov, most recently in the final at the last year’s World U23 Championships.

Sujeet still has an axe to grind about his disappointing showing at last year’s senior worlds, where he fell in the quarterfinals, then was eliminated in the repechage to finish out of the medals.

“Last year, there were a lot of shortcomings at the World Championships,” Sujeet said. “I was under a lot of pressure. But this year, I have started to improve. There is a difference between this year and last. I am improving day by day.”

ABHIMANYOU (IND)ABHIMANYOU (IND) scores a takedown on Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) in the 70kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Abhimanyou, a bronze medalist in 2024, followed Sujeet’s victory by rallying for a 5-3 victory in the 70kg final over world silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL).

“I just wanted to give 100 percent in the final,” said Abhimanyou, who became the first Indian to win an Asian gold in a weight class above 66kg since 2010.

“I focused on a few things in the final. The Mongolian wrestler has a great underhook on his right side. And my defense on my left side is very good so I could cancel him.”

Tumur Ochir scored first when he spun out of a near takedown for a stepout, then received an activity point to take a 2-0 lead at the break.

Abhimanyou started the second period with a double-leg takedown, with an unsuccessful challenge giving the Indian a 4-2 lead. After limiting Tumur Ochir to a stepout despite getting in deep on a single, Abhimanyou gained a stepout with :54 left to cap the scoring.

“I was not worried even when he scored the first two points,” Abhimanyou said. “I could feel that I will catch him for a takedown whenever I want.”

Milad VALIZADEH (IRI)Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) won the 57kg gold, the only champion for Iran on Saturday. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 57kg, what started as an exciting match between two dynamos ended with returning silver medalist Valizadeh being booed after completing an easy victory over an injured Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL).

Batkhuyag suffered an apparent rib injury while scoring a stepout midway through the first period that cut Valizadeh’s lead to 4-3. After the restart, Valizadeh shot in for a takedown, at which time Batkhuyag seemed to have was stopped fighting.

But Valizadeh didn’t, and flip-flopped the lifeless Batkhuyag back and forth until he piled up enough points for a 14-3 victory that ended the match at 1:47.

To be fair, the referee never blew the whistle, and Valizadeh was under no obligation to stop. And after the initial boos, the crowd actually applauded when he celebrated his victory with a gymnastics back flip.

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) returned with a bronze medal at 97kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Tazhudinov takes home 97kg bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) assured he would not leave Bishkek empty-handed, emphatically beating Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) 14-0 at 97kg.

Tazhudinov, a two-time former gold medalist, jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first period, then poured it on after tackling Urkimbay, turning him over again and again to end the match in 3:53.

In the other 97kg match, Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) scored a defensive takedown and gut wrench combination in the second period that made the difference in a 7-5 win over VICKY (IND) in a match that was otherwise filled mainly with stepouts.

Poyonov, the world U20 champion at 92kg, added the bronze to the silver he won at 92kg in 2024.

At 70kg, local star Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) completed his collection of Asian medals with a vintage performance of his counter wrestling as he won one of three bronze medals claimed by the host nation.

Akmataliev, rebounding from a devastating loss in the semifinals when he was unaware of the score, rode his counters to a 14-7 win over Shuang CHEN (CHN).

The three-time world medalist, pulled away in the second period with a pair of takedowns off counters, adding a counter lift for his final points for good measure to add to the gold he won last year and a silver from 2022.

Even when Chen scored four earlier by somersaulting forward with Akmataliev on his back, Akmataliev managed to fenagle a 2-point exposure.

In the other 70kg match, Sina KHALILI (IRI) took home his second straight bronze with a one-sided 11-0 win over Shakhzodbek YARASHEV (UZB) that included a 4-point takedown in the second period.

Zhakshylyk BAITASHOV (KGZ) followed Akmataliev by taking a bronze at 79kg with a 6-0 win over Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK) for his first major medal.

After opening with a stepout and activity point in the first period, Baitashov padded the lead with a takedown in the second period, then scored another blocking a desperate throw attempt by Ikromov.

Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) received his second straight Asian bronze and third overall when Jamalov forfeited their match.

At 57kg, Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) also won a bronze without a fight after Sunggwon KIM (KOR) defaulted due to injury. It is the first senior medal for Karachov, the 2024 world U23 silver medalist and Asian U23 champion.

In the other 57kg match, Asian U20 champion ANKUSH (IND) earned his first senior Asian medal when he hit a 4-point hip throw in the second period, leading to an 8-2 victory over Fuga SASAKI (JPN).

Sasaki had gone ahead 2-1 with a takedown to open the second period when Ankush slammed him to the mat. An unsuccessful challenge and a late takedown sewed up the victory for the Indian.

At 65kg, Russian-born Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) survived a wild battle with Asian U23 bronze medalist Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ), gaining an early 4-point takedown and getting 4 during a second period scramble to prevail 10-7.

Kudiev, the 2024 world bronze medalist at 70kg, led 5-2 in the second period when Kakharov tried to secure a cradle as he tried to take Kudiev to the mat. In the ensuing chaos, Kakharov got 2, only for Kudiev to reverse for 2 then add a 2-point exposure.

A late 2-point throw and unsuccessful challenge pulled Kakharov to within two points, but Kudiev sewed up the win with a stepout.

In the other 65kg match, Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) was leading 1-1 on criteria when he secured a second-period takedown for a 3-1 victory over Zeneemeder BYAMBASUREN (MGL).

Photo

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

57kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) df. Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) by TS, 14-3, 1:47

BRONZE: Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) df. Sunggwon KIM (KOR) by Inj. Def.
BRONZE: ANKUSH (IND) df. Fuga SASAKI (JPN), 8-2

61kg (11 entries)
SF 1: AMAN (IND) df. Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), 11-9
SF 2: Kwang Myong KIM (PRK) df. Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) by Fall, 2:30 (3-0)

65kg (12 entries)
GOLD: SUJEET (IND) df. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB), 8-1

BRONZE: Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) df. Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ), 10-7
BRONZE: Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) df. Zeneemeder BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 3-1

70kg (10 entries)
GOLD: ABHIMANYOU (IND) df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), 5-3

BRONZE: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Shuang CHEN (CHN), 14-7
BRONZE: Sina KHALILI (IRI) df. Shakhzodbek YARASHEV (UZB) by TS, 11-0, 5:06

74kg (14 entries)
SF 1: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB), 4-3
SF 2: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) by TS, 10-0, 3:36

79kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) df. Sandeep Singh MANN (IND), 2-1

BRONZE: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) df. Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) by Forf.
BRONZE: Zhakshylyk BAITASHOV (KGZ) df. Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK), 6-0

86kg (15 entries)
SF 1: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM) by TS, 11-0, 3:30
SF 2: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 12-6

92kg (12 entries)
SF 1: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Iakov CHAPLIN (KGZ), 8-0
SF 2: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 6-0

97kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), 4-0

BRONZE: Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) df. VICKY (IND), 7-5
BRONZE: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) by TS, 12-0, 3:53

125kg (11 entries)

SF 1: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. BUHEEERDUN (CHN), 5-0
SF 2: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. DINESH (IND) by Fall, :41 (2-0)