#WrestleOslo: Gray Grabs 6th World Title as Teen Fujinami Lives Up to Hype

Wednesday, October 6, 2021 - 18:28 By Ken Marantz

OSLO, Norway (October 6) -- As Adeline GRAY (USA) maintained her tenuous grip on the women's 76kg title by winning a U.S.-record sixth world gold, teenager Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) put on a golden performance well beyond her years.

Gray was forced to rally before securing a last-second fall over Epp MAEE (EST) in the 76kg final to cap a historic fifth day of action at the World Championships in Oslo on Wednesday.

"I am a smart wrestler and adjust and that's what smart wrestlers do -- make mid-match adjustments," Gray said. "My coach helped me understand where my power was and found a few positions where my strength really is."

Fujinami, a 17-year-old dynamo making her international senior debut, stole the show at the Jordal Amfi arena by storming to her fourth straight technical fall -- all without conceding a point -- to take the 53kg gold by crushing Iulia LEORDA (MDA).

Moldova, denied first by Fujinami, got its first-ever female world champion in the next final, when Irina RINGACI (MDA) forged out an 8-6 victory over Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) at 65kg in a clash of current and past world junior champions.

"Here as well as at the junior worlds, we have a small team, only three girls flew in Norway, and two out of three got medals," Ringaci said. "We have made history for our country."

Japan won the other women's title at stake, when 2019 world cadet champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) came from behind in the 50kg final to defeat Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) 5-3.

Adeline GRAY (USA) celebrates after winning her record sixth World title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Two days after Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) joined Gray as a five-time world champion by winning the freestyle 79kg gold, she became the sole U.S. leader again by taking a sixth.

"Great feeling," Gray said. "Better than five times is six. Sixth one feels good. Jordan is still chasing me. so that's good."

The victory, however, was never a sure thing until the final minute.

Maee, who previously lost to Gray at the 2014 and 2018 World Championships, seemed to have come up with the right strategy to emulate Aline ROTTER FOCKEN (GER), who stunned the American in the final at the Tokyo Olympics in August.

After gaining an activity point, Maee scored on the edge with a high ankle pick, which became a 4-0 lead after an unsuccessful challenge of the call. In the second period, Gray got on the scoreboard by bulling Maee over for 2.

With :42 left, Gray took the lead on criteria with a takedown off a counter. She then added to the tally with a 2-point trap-arm exposure. It looked like she would run out the clock, but she kept applying the pressure and secured a fall with two seconds left.

"I could have finished the last shot a bit better," Maee said. "It's hard to tell about these things right after the match, but there is still a lot going on here [in the mind]. First period, I really thought I was in control, but at this level one mistake matters everything.

Adeline GRAY (USA) and Epp MAEE (EST) were involved in a tense battle in the 76kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Gray added to the world titles she won in 2012, 2014, 2015, 2018 and 2019, giving her a total of eight world medals. Adding to her elation was the fact that her latest gold came with falls in all four matches.

"How many times do you pin your way to the world title?" Gray said. "I was so jealous when Helen [MAROULIS] did it, or Yui [SUSAKI] doing 42-0 at the Olympics. I mean that's dominance. That's power. That's dynamic wrestling and not letting people score. To have four pins in a world championship, I've never done that."

Gray accomplished the feat despite problems dealing with the fast turnaround trying to get ready for Oslo so soon after the Olympics.

"It was a struggle every single day and my coaches were talking me into it," Gray said. "It's just too short of a time period to cope with everything that happened."

While Japan did not enter its Olympians, which included four women's gold medalists, nor was China entered at all, Gray was among all but one U.S. medalist who committed to participating in Oslo.

"That buzzing high kind of stayed through the Olympics because 14 days later we had to decide if we had to do this world or not," Gray said. "Especially when we saw the lineup of the people and how many No. 1s were not there. I looked up to [U.S. coach] Terry [STEINER] and asked why we were sending our No. 1s. So it was just a lot of decisions through the way.

"I am glad we did this but it's hard and wouldn't recommend it."

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) outscored her opponents 41-0 en route the 53kg title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Fujinami, a 2018 world cadet champion, came to Oslo amid a mountain of hype and high expectations, despite the fact that her only other senior-level tournaments were the two national championships over the past year that served as qualifiers to the World Championships.

Fujinami won both, beating a two-time world champion and a world silver medalist along the way at each. She has not lost since the final at the 2017 national junior high school championships and, adding in the four victories in Oslo, now has an 83-match win streak.

"I feel amazing, I am so grateful, thank you to my family, my friends, my teammates, the people who supported me," Fujinami said in English, before continuing her post-match comments in Japanese.

In the final, Fujinami blitzed Leorda with a barrage of lightning-quick single-leg takedowns, ending a 10-0 rout with a 2-point exposure at 2:14.

Fujinami had said before the tournament that she felt excited instead of nervous, and that's how she described her feeling before the final.

"Everyone says I'm 17 and I'm young, but thinking about all the time I've put into wrestling up to now, I think the time I spent thinking about wrestling wasn't wasted," she said. "I think the reason [for being excited] was how confident I was taking the mat."

With the one-sided victory, Fujinami ended up with four wins by a combined score of 41-0.

"I don't really think about not giving up a point," she said. "I only keep in mind to keep attacking. And that just leads to these results."

Asked if any of her wins stood out above the others, she said, "Really, all of them left an impression. It's a first experience for me. All of the matches will be remembered. I'm really happy to be able to compete on this stage. I really want to get back to this stage and win again many times."

Fujinami, who is coached by her father at Inabe Gakuin High School in central Japan's Mie Prefecture, said she received encouragement from her classmates.

"Before the final, our teacher sent a video of everyone together saying 'Ganbare (fight hard)! That made me really happy," she said. "It made me feel they were really behind me and I had to win for them."

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) won the world title on senior debut. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Looking ahead, Fujinami is ready to clash with Tokyo Olympic 53kg champion Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) in her quest to make it to the 2024 Paris Olympics. The gold in Oslo only adds to her confidence.

"Mukaida is a really strong wrestler," Fujinami said. "From the time I was small, I looked up to her. She is strong, but I am absolutely determined to be the one going to Paris [in 2024]. When the time comes to face her, I definitely want to win."

Leorda, this year's European bronze medalist, joined Ringaci as Moldova's first-ever female world medalists, although she would not become the first to get to the top of the podium.

Still, a silver is a noteworthy accomplishment for a wrestler who had never placed higher than seventh at seven previous World Championships.

Irina RINGACI (MDA) became her country's first-ever world women's wrestling champion. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 65kg, the 20-year-old Ringaci came out on top by wrestling a tactically strong match, continually fending off the aggressive 2019 world junior champion Morikawa and scoring on counters.

After Ringaci scored two takedowns in the first period, Morikawa finally broke through with a double-leg takedown to start the second. But Ringaci picked up a crucial 4-point counter to go ahead 8-2, then held on as Morikawa scored two takedowns late in the match.

"All the matches were tough," Ringaci said. "The Japanese girls are the best in the world in women wrestling, so it was really difficult to wrestle in the final, especially to win."

Ringaci nearly lost out on her chance to make history for her country when she trailed 8-2 in her semifinal against Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL), only to use a counter to reverse the tide and score a fall.

"It’s really emotional," Ringaci said. "I have no words to explain it. I am just really happy."

Ringaci has had quite a year, winning both the European senior and U23 titles before taking the world junior crown two months ago in Ufa, Russia. Her only slip-ups were at the two Olympic qualifiers and the European juniors.

She said she does not plan to go for a "triple crown" at the world U23 next month in Serbia.

"I think I showed quite a good result at senior worlds, so I’ll give the change to somebody else to wrestle at the U23 worlds," Ringaci said.

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) reclaimed the 50kg world title for Japan. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

With Japan's Olympians opting not try to make the team to Oslo, Yoshimoto made the most of a rare chance to compete on the senior level at 50kg, where Tokyo gold medalist Susaki has become a fixture.

In the final, Hildebrandt, the 2018 world silver medalist at 53kg, took a 3-0 lead on an activity point and 2-point exposure off a counter, before Yoshimoto cut the gap with a takedown to end the first period.

"She's a veteran, and I can feel her strong determination," the soft-spoken Yoshimoto said. "But I was determined to not lose and to fight to the end, and it was good that I did it."

Yoshimoto went ahead on criteria with a stepout, then clinched the win with a 2-point exposure off a wild scramble in which both wrestlers had a grasp of an ankle or thigh.

"I wasn't able to attack much, but I could stop her when I needed to stop her, and I got points when I could," Yoshimoto said. "I made it smoothly to the final, but the final wasn't so easy.

"I had confidence in my strength during the match, and in the second period, I was thinking that I definitely wanted my hand to be raised at the end."

Yoshimoto's ability to hold up in the pressure-cooker that is a World Championships stems from being on the team at Shigakkan University, the powerhouse that has produced innumerable world and Olympic champions, many of whom still train there after graduating.

"I got advice from many people, Risako [KAWAI], Yukako [KAWAI], Eri [TOSAKA]," Yoshimoto said. "Risako and Yukako always helped with techniques. That I was able to make good use of what I learned, I see as a way of honoring them."

Asked about knocking Susaki off the 50kg perch, Yoshimoto said, "I will keep practicing and work to get stronger not only physically, but technically and emotionally. We will probably butt heads someday, so until then, I want to get stronger and challenge her."

Samar HAMZA (EGY) became Egypt's first senior World Championships medalist. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

In the bronze-medal matches, Samar HAMZA (EGY) added Egpyt to the list of countries with a female world medalist when she became the country's first with a 2-1 win over Kiran GODARA (IND) at 76 kg.

Hamza, a four-time African champion and two-time Olympian, scored a double-leg takedown in the first period and made that hold up to notch the historic victory.

Hamza, the product of a UWW scholarship program to help prospective wrestlers in emerging countries, had one of the more entertaining bouts at the Tokyo Olympics when she lost a 16-12 barnburner in the first round to Natalya VOROBIEVA (ROC).

Two-time Asian silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, earned her first world medal with a 12-1 rout of 2018 European U23 champion Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTOVA (UKR) for the other bronze at 76kg.

Medet Kyzy finished off a second takedown with three lace-lock rolls to end the proceedings in 1:39.

At 53kg, Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) denied a bid by Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) to become her country's first-ever world medalist of either gender when she rode a 4-point arm throw to a 7-1 victory.

The victory gave Krawczyk, a 2018 European bronze medalist, her first world medal after two fifth-place finishes in five previous World Championships dating back to 2011.

The other bronze went to 2016 Pan American champion Samantha STEWART (CAN), who gave 2018 world U23 bronze medalist Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR) no chance by backtripping her to the mat and securing a fall in 1:59.

Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) won a bronze medal at 50kg. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

At 50kg, unheralded Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) showed no fear in overpowering two-time world runner-up Emilia VUC (ROU) for a 10-0 technical fall.

Dolgorjav, the 2018 world cadet silver medalist appearing in just her fifth senior-level event, stormed to an 8-0 first-period lead when she fought off a headlock for a takedown, immediately went to two gut wrenches, then added a takedown.

In the second period, she scored the decisive takedown off a single at 4:18 to finish off Tokyo Olympian Vuc, denying her a third world medal just two days after her 28th birthday.

The other 50kg bronze went to two-time world U23 medalist Nadezhda SOKOLOVA, who had a pair of 4-point moves in a 12-2 technical fall over Bohdana KOKOZEI YASHCHUK (UKR).

Sokolova used a headlock for her first 4-pointer, then later dumped the Ukrainian with a fireman's carry to end the match at 2:29.

At 65kg, Forrest MOLINARI (USA) finally made the medal podium after two previous fifth-place finishes by overwhelming 2016 Rio Olympic silver medalist Maryia MAMASHUK (BLR) with a 12-1 technical fall in 4:50.

Johanna MATTSSON (SWE) picked up her second world bronze, adding to the one she won back in 2010, without a fight when Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) defaulted the other match at 65kg.

Podium 65kg The four medalists at 65kg at the World Championships in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Day 5 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg (20 entries)
GOLD: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) df. Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), 5-3

BRONZE: Nadezhda SOKOLOVA (RWF) df. Bohdana KOKOZEI YASHCHUK (UKR) by TF, 12-2, 2:29
BRONZE: Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) df. Emilia VUC (ROU) by TF, 10-0, 4:10

53kg (17 entries)
GOLD: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) df. Iulia LEORDA (MDA) by TF, 10-0, 2:14

BRONZE: Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) df. Luisa VALVERDE (ECU), 7-1
BRONZE: Samantha STEWART (CAN) df. Khrystyna BEREZA (UKR) by Fall, 1:59 (4-0)

57kg (17 entries)
Semifinal: Helen MAROULIS (USA) df. Sae NANJO (JPN), 6-4
Semifinal: Anshu MALIK (IND) df. Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) by TF, 11-0, 3:54

59kg (17 entries)
Semifinal: Akie HANAI (JPN) df. Maya NELSON (USA), 4-1
Semifinal: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) df. Sarita MOR (IND), 3-0

65kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), 8-6

BRONZE: Johanna MATTSSON (SWE) df. Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) by Def.
BRONZE: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) df. Maryia MAMASHUK (BLR) by TF, 12-1, 4:50

68kg (15 entries)
Semifinal: Rin MIYAJI (JPN) df. Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) by Fall, :20 (2-0)
Semifinal: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. Khanum VALIEVA (RWF), 3-3

72kg (14 entries)
Semifinal: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Buse CAVUSOGLU TOSUN (TUR) by TF, 13-2, 5:44
Semifinal: Masako FURUICHI (JPN) df. Anna SCHELL (GER), 6-2

76kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Adeline GRAY (USA) df. Epp MAEE (EST) by Fall, 5:58 (6-4)

BRONZE: Samar HAMZA (EGY) df. Kiran KIRAN (IND), 2-1
BRONZE: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Anastasiia OSNIACH SHUSTOVA (UKR) by TF, 12-1, 1:37

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 5 Blog

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

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

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 RESULTS

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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Asian Championships 2025 Freestyle Day 5 Blog