#WrestleOslo

#WrestleOslo: Intrepid Geraei Adds World 67kg Greco Title to Olympic Gold

By Ken Marantz

OSLO, Norway (October 10) -- Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) ended the World Championships just as did at the Tokyo Olympics two months ago. At the top of the medal podium.

Geraei was one of two Iranian champions on the final night of the nine-day tournament in Oslo, winning the 67kg gold with a 5-2 victory over Nazir ABDULLAEV (RWF) as the last three titles in Greco-Roman were decided on Sunday night at the Jordal Amfi arena.

"After the lockdown, I was able to win the gold medal at the Olympics and World Championships, so 2021 is the best year of my life," Gereai said.

Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) preceded his fellow Shiraz city native as a world champion by taking the title at 63kg, while Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) capped the tournament with a dazzling 5-point throw that gave him the 87kg title and a long-awaited world gold.

The Russian Wrestling Federation, which earlier won the freestyle team title, had already clinched its fifth straight Greco-Roman crown heading into the final night. With Iran's two golds, the final tally put the RWF on top with 152, followed by Iran with 146. Azerbaijan was third with 107.

Geraei, the 2019 world U23 champion at 72kg, had a pair of very close calls in the opening rounds, but never wavered nor panicked as he battled his way to his first final on the senior level.

Against 2020 European silver medalist Abdullaev, Geraei was unable to score off the par terre in the first period and took a tenuous 1-0 lead into the second.

But the 25-year-old took matters into his own hands, transitioning from a body lock to a headlock and throwing Abdullaev to the mat for 4. Abdullaev, the 2020 Individual World Cup, picked up 2 points countering a throw attempt at the edge, but that was all he could muster against the cagey Iranian.

Mohammadreza GERAEIMohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) scored four points through a headlock. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Geraei's triumph came two days after older brother Mohammadali won a bronze at 77kg. "I want to thank everyone from my hometown Shiraz as we won medals," he said.

If Mohammadali is nicknamed "The Falcon," then Mohammadreza could be called "The Phoenix" for how he continually arose from the ashes of near-defeat.

In his opening match, Geraei fell behind 1-6 against Asian champion Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN), only to pull off a miracle comeback and score a fall with a bear hug. In the semifinals, a pair of 2-point fleeing penalties and an unsuccessful challenge in the final seconds gave him a 7- 6 win over Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO).

"I know most of my victories were last-second, but I believed in myself and thank God that I was able to pull it off," Geraei said.

The 30-year-old Abdullaev made the final despite coming to Oslo without a long list of honors. He had a triumph at the Individual World Cup, however, that was noteworthy in that his quarterfinal victory over Davor STEFANEK (SRB) ended up being the final match of the 2016 Rio Olympic champion's career.

Meysam DALKHANIMeysam DALKHANI (IRI) won the 63kg in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In a seesaw battle between young, upcoming stars at 63kg, 2019 world U23 champion Dalkhani scored a decisive stepout with 1:08 left to defeat European bronze medalist Leri ABULADZE (GEO) 5-4.

"I am very happy and I was expected to get this gold," Dalkhani said. "It's been difficult since the corona pandemic and it's been an endeavour to get this title and I am happy that I would reach the expectations of my coaches and country. I am just a soldier for my country."

Dalkhani, this year's Asian silver medalist, took a 3-1 lead when he scored with a gut wrench from the par terre, off of which Abuladze gained a reversal. Abduladze then went up 4-3 in the second period when he mirrored Dalkhani with a gut wrench from par terre.

Meysam DALKHANIMeysam DALKHANI (IRI) won one of the four gold medalists from Iran. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

With the clock winding down, Dalkhani kept the pressure on, and just managed to force Abuladze to step outside the ring before the Georgian slapped him down and spun behind, putting the Iranian ahead on criteria.

The Georgian side challenged the call but was rejected, giving Dalkhani a fifth point, and he held on for the win. Abuladze flopped to the mat in misery, while Dalkhani's coach flung him to the mat in celebration.

The 24-year-old Dalkhani won a bronze medal at the 2016 world juniors, and finished fifth in his senior world debut in Nursultan in 2019. Abuladaze, 22, was a world junior silver medalist in 2019, and has a full set of European junior medals with a 2017 gold, 2019 silver and 2018 bronze.

"I was in Nursultan and I did not manage to get anything, but I thank God that I managed to get gold here," Dalkhani said.

Zaurabi DATUNASHVILIZaurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) won the 87kg gold medal after a big five point throw. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

The final match of the tournament ended with a bang, or more specifically, a thud -- the sound of Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) hitting the mat after being majestically tossed for 5 by four-time European champion Datunashvili in the 87kg final.

"It was a hard match but I had the strategy," Datunashvili said. "Me and my coach worked it out."

Datunashvili scored all of his points in the second period, capped with his arching 5-point throw that finished off a 9-1 technical fall at 3:46 and made his first medal in four senior world appearances a gold one.

Behind 0-1 in the second period, the Georgian-born Datunashvili stopped a lateral drop attempt for 2, then got 2 more when Maskevich was penalized for fleeing by bridging out of bounds. That also put Datunashvili into par terre, and he thrilled the crowd with the spectacular throw.

"I know a lot about him, his wrestling," Datunashvili said. "He made a mistake and I won at that moment."

Zaurabi DATUNASHVILIZaurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) is the third Greco-Roman world champion from Serbia. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The two met twice before over the past 10 months, with each winning one. Maskevich won 11-3 in the semifinals en route to the gold at the 2020 Individual World Cup, while Datunashvili avenged the loss with a 5-1 win in the European final this past April.

"He is one of the best wrestlers in our weight category," Datunashvili said. "He won, then I won, and now I won. It was now the final. I am king."

The European gold preceded Datunashvili's run to the Olympic bronze, where he lost in the first round to eventual champion Zhan BELINIUK (UKR) but worked his way back through the repechage.

"In Tokyo, I won bronze and my psychology was very good after that," Datunashvili said. "I rested for one month and prepared for Oslo for one month."

Datunashvili, who began competing for Serbia in 2020, had qualified for his third Olympics at the last-chance qualifier by defeating 2016 Olympic champion Davit CHAKVETADZE (RUS).

Maskevich also qualified for Tokyo, but was eliminated after a first-round loss. The 2019 world U23 bronze medalist had been hoping to become Belarus' first senior world champion since 2011.

In the bronze-medal matches, Lasha GOBADZE (GEO), unable to win a second straight world gold, came away with a second career bronze by defeating Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) 5-2 at 87kg.

Gobadze, the 2019 world champion at 82kg, scored 4 points with a crafty move from the par terre position to avenge a 4-3 loss to the 20-year-old Bisultanov in the 2019 European final.

Gobadze lifted Bisultanov into the air, but finding he could not get enough leverage for a throw, he just fell forward and dumped him onto his back for 4. Bisultanov scrambled behind for a 1-point reversal, but could not get points from par terre himself in the second period, sealing the win for Gobadze.

Bisultanov, just three years removed from winning a bronze at the world cadets, had lost in the bronze-medal match at this year's European Championships to Milad ALIRZAEV (RWF) -- who Gobadze defeated in the repechage earlier in the night.

In the other 87kg match, Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL) took the lead in the second period, then scored a fall at 4:54 when he stuffed a desperate lateral drop attempt by Istvan TAKACS (HUN).

The unheralded Kulynycz, who had notched only one win at two previous World Championships, trailed 2-0 in the second period when he received a passivity point. From the par terre, he scored a 2-point exposure from a front reverse lock to go ahead 3-2.

The two had met earlier this year at the Poland Open in June, where Takacs defeated Kulynycz in the quarterfinals en route to taking the silver medal.

At 63kg, 2017 world junior champion Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN) scored six points off the par terre position en route to a 10-1 technical fall over 2020 European bronze medalist Erik TORBA (HUN).

After Torba scored an early stepout, Shimizu received a passivity point. The 22-year-old made the most of the par terre, launching a 4-point throw, then adding a 2-point roll. He finished the match with a takedown at 2:47.

Shimizu hails from the northern island of Hokkaido, where winter sports hold sway, and his family is a household name in Japan for speed skating. His uncle, Hiroyasu SHIMIZU, was a three-time Olympic medalist, including a gold in the 500 meters at the 1998 Nagano Games, and former world record-holder.

Shimizu took a somewhat curious path to Oslo. He won the first of the two national championships that serve as domestic qualifiers for the world championships, and would have clinched his ticket outright with a win at the second. But he missed the tournament because his entry form was submitted too late, and he was forced to defeat the champion in a playoff.

At this year's Asian Championships, Shimizu was hampered by a knee injury suffered two weeks before the tournament and lost in the quarterfinals, making him the only Japanese in the four lightest weight classes to fail to win a medal.

Ironically, Sultan ASSUTULY (KAZ), whom Shimizu beat 4-1 in the repechage on Sunday, went on to win the Asian gold by fall over Dalkhani.

In the other 63kg match, Lenur TEMIROV (UKR) won his second career world bronze, going ahead in the second period with an arm-drag takedown and defeating European silver medalist Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) 5-4.

Temirov, a two-time European bronze medalist who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, fell behind 4-2 in the first period, but went ahead on criteria with the takedown in the second. He received a passivity point to account for the final score as he added to the world bronze he won in 2018.

Mammodov came up short of the medals in his fourth World Championships, with his highest previous finish a seventh place in 2018.

At 67kg, Zoidze took teenager Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) to task, blasting his way to a quick-fire 8-0 technical fall to rebound from a fifth-place finish in Tokyo with his first senior world medal.

Zoidze used a slick arm throw for a 4-0 lead, then got 2 points tacked on when Jafarov, this year's world junior champion, was called for fleeing while on bottom. At the restart from par terre, Zoidze quickly executed a gut wrench to finish the match in 1:24.

Zoidze had previous success on the age-group levels, winning a world U23 silver and a European U23 gold, two world junior golds, and world cadet gold and silver medals.

Veteran Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) captured his fourth world bronze over an 11-year span by rallying to a 7-4 victory over European bronze medalist Murat FIRAT (TUR) in the other 67kg match.

The 33-year-old Kebispayev, who won his third Asian silver medal this year, fell into a three-point hole after Firmat scored with a gut wrench from par terre in the first period.

But in his chance on the ground in the second, Kebispayev resourcefully changed direction after being unable to execute a roll, shifting to a front headlock and scoring a 4-point throw that he followed with a 2-point exposure.

Kebispayev, a two-time Olympian who missed out on Tokyo, and Firat had previously met in the semifinals at the 2018 Takhti Cup, with the Kazakh coming out on top 4-2.

Kebispayev previously won world bronzes in 2010, 2015 and 2019, and also has a silver medal from 2011. He was the Asian champion in 2011 and 2018.

RWFRussian Wrestling Federation won the Greco-Roman team title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

 Results

Greco-Roman

63kg (21 entries)
GOLD: Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) df. Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 5-4

BRONZE: Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN) df. Erik TORBA (HUN) by TF, 10-1, 2:47
BRONZE: Lenur TEMIROV (UKR) df. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-4

67kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) df. Nazir ABDULLAEV (RWF), 5-2

BRONZE: Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO) df. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) by TF, 8-0, 1:24
BRONZE: Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 7-4

87kg (25 entries)
GOLD: Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df. Kiryl MASKEVICH (BLR) by TF, 9-1, 3:46

BRONZE: Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) df. Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), 5-2
BRONZE: Arkadiusz KULYNYCZ (POL) df. Istvan TAKACS (HUN) by Fall, 4:54 (5-2)

#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.