#WrestleUlaanbaatar Asian Championships entries

Monday, April 11, 2022 - 16:46 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 11) -- For most participating nations, the Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia will be the first opportunity to return to the mat after a long break. The Continental Championships will be held from April 19-24. More than 270 wrestlers will aim to become Asian champions.

In freestyle, India and Iran are bringing strong teams with Tokyo medalists Ravi KUMAR (IND) and Bajrang PUNIA (IND) leading the charge for the former, while the latter will have Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI), Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI), Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) and Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI).

Kyrgyzstan and Uzbekistan can surprise in a few weight classes. For Kyrgyzstan, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) and Uluukbek ZHODOSHBEKOV (KGZ) are the big names. Uzbekistan will bank upon Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), veteran Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) and Mukhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB).

Rio silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), 2019 Asian silver medalist Minghu LIU (CHN), Deepak PUNIA (IND) and Zhiwei DENG (CHN) are other names to keep an eye on.

The women's wrestling will see the return of Japan and China teams after six months. The two nations last competed at the Oslo World Championships. Both teams had missed last year's edition due to travel issues.

Japan is the favorite to win the team title as they are bringing five wrestlers, including three gold medalists, who were in Oslo. World champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) will be the star attraction of the competition as the 18-year-old wrestles at her second senior tournament.

Kyrgyzstan's world champions Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) will try to defend their titles from Almaty. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will be hoping to upgrade her Almaty silver to gold at 76kg.

Tokyo silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN), Ningning RONG (CHN), Jia LONG (CHN), World silver medalist Anshu MALIK (IND), two-time Asian champion Sarita MOR (IND) and Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) are other storylines to follow.

The Greco-Roman will be headlined by Tokyo silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and former World and Olympic champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) at 77kg.

Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), Ayata SUZUKI (JPN), Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) and Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) are all entered at 60kg to make it one of the most stacked weight class.

Hansu RYU (KOR) will wrestle at 67kg. Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) has moved up to 97kg and will wrestle in Ulaanbaatar after winning the Ranking Series title in Istanbul.

Wrestling begins with Greco-Roman Tuesday followed by women's wrestling Thursday and freestyle will finish the competition.

All the action and recaps will be live on uww.org.

Mohammadian

Freestyle

57kg

Seeds
1. Ravi KUMAR (IND)
2. Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB)
3. Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ)
4. Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL)

Ravi KUMAR (IND)
Reza MOMENIJOUJADEH (IRI)
Rikuto ARAI (JPN)
Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ)
Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ)
Sunggwon KIM (KOR)
Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL)
Muhammad BILAL (PAK)
Ali ABURUMAILA (PLE)
Gayan KATHURANGANA (SRI)
Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB)

61kg

Seeds:
1. Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ)
2. Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN)
3. Akbar KURBANOV (KAZ)
4. Mangal KADYAN (IND)

Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN)
Mangal KADYAN (IND)
Darioush HAZRATGHOLIZADEH (IRI)
Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)
Akbar KURBANOV (KAZ)
Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ)
Insang CHOI (KOR)
Ali ALMOHAINI (KUW)
Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL)
Sampath BANDARA (SRI)
Muhamad IKROMOV (TJK)
Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB)

65kg

Seeds:
1. Bajrang PUNIA (IND)
2. Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ)
3. Kaiki YAMAGUCHI (JPN)
3. Haji ALI (BRN)

Haji ALI (BRN)
Bajrang PUNIA (IND)
Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI)
Kaiki YAMAGUCHI (JPN)
Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ)
Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ)
Seonho YOO (KOR)
Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL)
Inayat ULLAH (PAK)
Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB)

70kg

Seeds:
1. Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ)
2. Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)

Naveen NAVEEN (IND)
Mohammadmehdi YEGANEHJAFARI (IRI)
Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN)
Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)
Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ)
Yongseok JEONG (KOR)
Mohammed ABDULKAREEM (KUW)
Temuulen ENKHTUYA (MGL)
Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB)

74kg

Seeds:
1. Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI)
2. Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ)
3. Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)
4. Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL)

Yash TUSHIR (IND)
Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI)
Daichi TAKATANI (JPN)
Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)
Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ)
Seungbong LEE (KOR)
Abdullah ABDALKAREEM (KUW)
Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL)
Hong LOU (SGP)
Lakmal WIJESOORIYA (SRI)
Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB)

79kg

Seeds:
1. Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ)
2. Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI)
3. Zhiger ZAKIROV (KAZ)
4. Gourav BALIYAN (IND)

Gourav BALIYAN (IND)
Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI)
Yudai TAKAHASHI (JPN)
Zhiger ZAKIROV (KAZ)
Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ)
Bumgue SEO (KOR)
Abdullah HAIDAR (KUW)
Byambadorj ENKHBAYAR (MGL)
Shuhrat BOZOROV (TJK)
Jasurbek USMONOXUNOV (UZB)

86kg

Seeds
1. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)
2. Deepak PUNIA (IND)
3. Gwanuk KIM (KOR)
4. Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ)

Deepak PUNIA (IND)
Mohsen MOSTAFAVI (IRI)
Shota SHIRAI (JPN)
Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)
Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ)
Gwanuk KIM (KOR)
Temuujin MENDBILEG (MGL)
Muhammad INAM (PAK)
Weng CHOW (SGP)
Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB)

92kg

Seeds:
1. Takuma OTSU (JPN)
2. Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL)
3. Viky CHAHAR (IND)
4. Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ)

Viky CHAHAR (IND)
Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI)
Takuma OTSU (JPN)
Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ)
Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ)
Jinmyeong KIM (KOR)
Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL)
Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB)

97kg

Seeds:
1. Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)
2. Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI)
3. Satywart KADIAN (IND)
4. Minwon SEO (KOR)

Satywart KADIAN (IND)
Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI)
Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN)
Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ)
Minwon SEO (KOR)
Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)
Mukhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB)

125kg

Seeds:
1. Anirudh KUMAR (IND)
2. Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN)
3. Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB)
4. Alisher YERGALI (KAZ)

Anirudh KUMAR (IND)
Yadollah MOHEBI (IRI)
Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN)
Alisher YERGALI (KAZ)
Yeihyun JUNG (KGZ)
Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL)
Rustam ISKANDARI (TJK)
Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB)

Anshu

Women's Wrestling

50kg

Seeds:
1. Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN)
2. Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL)
3. Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB)
4. Miran CHEON (KOR)

MANISHA (IND)
Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN)
Aigul NURALIM (KAZ)
Miran CHEON (KOR)
Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL)
Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB)

53kg

Seeds:
1. Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)
2. Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)

Swati SHINDE (IND)
Akari FUJINAMI (JPN)
Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ)
Hyunyoung OH (KOR)
Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL)
Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)

55kg

Seeds:
1. Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ)

Sushma SHOKEEN (IND)
Umi IMAI (JPN)
Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ)
Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL)
Sarbinaz JIENBAEVA (UZB)

57kg

Seeds:
1. Anshu MALIK (IND)
2. Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ)
3. Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL)
4. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)

Anshu MALIK (IND)
Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN)
Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ)
Hyungjoo KIM (KOR)
Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL)
Danielle LIM (SGP)
Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)

59kg

Seeds:
1. Sarita MOR (IND)
2. Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL)
3. Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ)

Sarita MOR (IND)
Sara NATAMI (JPN)
Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ)
Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL)
Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB)

62kg

Seeds:
1. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
2. Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)
3. Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ)

MANISHA (IND)
Nonoka OZAKI (JPN)
Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ)
Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)
Hanbit LEE (KOR)
Khongorzul BOLDSAIKHAN (MGL)
Sachini SILVA (SRI)
Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB)

65kg

Seeds:
1. Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN)
2. Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB)
3. Dariga ABEN (KAZ)

RADHIKA (IND)
Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN)
Dariga ABEN (KAZ)
Purevsuren ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)
Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB)

68kg

Seeds:
1. Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)
2. Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL)
3. Azoda ESBERGENOVA (UZB)

Sonika HOODA (IND)
Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN)
Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)
Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)
Sujin PARK (KOR)
Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL)
Azoda ESBERGENOVA (UZB)

72kg

Seeds:
1. Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)
2. Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL)

NIKKI (IND)
Sumire NIIKURA (JPN)
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)
Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL)
Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB)

76kg

Seeds:
1. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)

Sudesh KUMARI (IND)
Yuka KAGAMI (JPN)
Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ)
Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)
Seoyeon JEONG (KOR)
Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL)
Valentina TORENIYAZOVA (UZB)

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV

Greco-Roman

55kg

Seeds:
1. Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ)
2. Hyeokjin JEON (KOR)

Arjun HALAKURKI (IND)
Ali NOURBAKHSH (IRI)
Mostafa ALQADE (JOR)
Yu SHIOTANI (JPN)
Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ)
Balbai DORDOKOV (KGZ)
Hyeokjin JEON (KOR)
Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL)
Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB)

60kg

Seeds:
1. Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)
2. Gyanender DAHIYA (IND)
3. Ayata SUZUKI (JPN)
4. Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ)

Gyanender DAHIYA (IND)
Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI)
Ayata SUZUKI (JPN)
Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ)
Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)
Hanjae CHUNG (KOR)
Baljinnyam TSEVEENRAVDAN (MGL)
Firuz TUKHTAEV (UZB)

63kg

Seeds:
1. Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN)
2. Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB)

NEERAJ (IND)
Iman KHOONMOHAMMADI (IRI)
Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN)
Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ)
Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)
Jinseub SONG (KOR)
Baljinnyam DAMJIN (MGL)
Ahmad AL NAKDALI (SYR)
Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB)

67kg

Seeds:
1. Hansu RYU (KOR)
2. Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB)
3. Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ)

Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND)
Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (IRI)
Katsuaki ENDO (JPN)
Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ)
Eldiiar SATAROV (KGZ)
Hansu RYU (KOR)
Nyamdorj BATTULGA (MGL)
Mohamad FAWAZ (SYR)
Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB)

72kg

Seeds:
1. Mohammad MOKHTARI (IRI)
2. Jiyeon LEE (KOR)
3. Abylaikhan AMZEYEV (KAZ)
4. VIKAS (IND)

VIKAS (IND)
Mohammad MOKHTARI (IRI)
Shogo TAKAHASHI (JPN)
Abylaikhan AMZEYEV (KAZ)
Adilkhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ)
Jiyeon LEE (KOR)
Khanburged GANKHUYAG (MGL)
Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB)

77kg

Seeds:
1. Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)
2. Kodai SAKURABA (JPN)
3. Sajan BHANWALA (IND)
4. Aram VARDANYAN (UZB)

Sajan BHANWALA (IND)
Aref HABIBOLLAHI (IRI)
Kodai SAKURABA (JPN)
Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ)
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)
Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR)
Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL)
Aram VARDANYAN (UZB)

82kg

Seeds:
1. Dias KALEN (KAZ)
2. Harpreet SINGH (IND)

Harpreet SINGH (IND)
Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI)
Sultan EID (JOR)
Yuya OKAJIMA (JPN)
Dias KALEN (KAZ)
Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ)
Sejin YANG (KOR)
Batzul DAMJIN (MGL)
Jafar KHAN (QAT)
Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB)

87kg

Seeds:
1. Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ)
2. Sunil KUMAR (IND)
3. Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)

Sunil KUMAR (IND)
Naser ALIZADEH (IRI)
Masato SUMI (JPN)
Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ)
Melis AITBEKOV (KGZ)
Jinhyeok KIM (KOR)
Batbayar LUTBAYAR (MGL)
Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)

97kg

Seeds:
1. Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB)
2. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ)
3. Jewoo PARK (KOR)
4. Sanzhar SERIKKAN (KAZ)

RAVI (IND)
Mehdi BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI)
Takahiro TSURUDA (JPN)
Sanzhar SERIKKAN (KAZ)
Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ)
Jewoo PARK (KOR)
Munkhbayar TSOGTBAYAR (MGL)
Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB)

130kg

Seeds:
1. Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB)
2. Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)
3. Arata SONODA (JPN)
4. Minseok KIM (KOR)

PREM (IND)
Amir GHASEMIMONJEZI (IRI)
Arata SONODA (JPN)
Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)
Roman KIM (KGZ)
Minseok KIM (KOR)
Khuderbulga DORJKHAND (MGL)
Timothy LOH (SGP)
Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB)

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ranking Series: Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Preview

Monday, May 26, 2025 - 06:43 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (May 23) -- While most Paris Olympic medalist have returned to action in either the first two Ranking Series or the recent continental championships, there are still who will be wrestling for the first time since Games in August 2024.

The Ulaanbaatar Open, the third stop of the Ranking Series, will see two such wrestlers -- AMAN (IND) and Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ).

Aman, the bronze medalist at 57kg in Paris, will mark his return to competition after dropping out from first two Ranking Series tournaments. Dzhuzupekov, who won bronze at Greco-Roman 97kg in Paris, will also be returning for the first time.

Barring those, a few world medalists are also wrestling in Ulaanbaatar. The tournament, which will see more than 200 wrestlers, throws up some top match-ups despite a several nations preparing for their domestic trials or national championships.

The tournament will run through May 29 to June 1 and will be live on UWW+ on uww.org and UWW App.

Freestyle

In a hugely viral clip of United World Wrestling, Zagir SHAKHIEV (UWW) is getting pinned by Shamil MAMMEDOV (UWW) who has Shakhiev in a cradle. That was January 2022 at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series.

More than three years after his last international bout, Shakhiev is making a comeback. The 2021 world 65kg champion will take the mat at 70kg at the Ulaanbaatar Open as he tries to find a way back to the top in international wrestling.

However, it's won't be an easy journey. The 70kg in Ulaanbaatar will se Shakhiev clash with Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI), Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) and Viktor RASSADIN (TJK).

Tumur Ochir will be looking avenge his 4-4 loss to Shakhiev from that 2021 World Championships, a match which had all the drama in the final minute. How Shakhiev comes out now is yet to be seen.

Asian silver medalist Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) can trouble Shakhiev and so can Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI) and Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI) with their gas-tanks.

For Tumur Ochir, it will be a perfect opportunity to perform in front of his home crowd and regain some form before the World Championships in September.

Mongolia will be keen on its wrestlers finishing on podium at the home tournament. Their biggest hope, apart from Tumur Ochir, will be Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) at 125kg.

The Asian silver medalist will have DINESH (IND),Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR), Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW) and Abdulla KURBANOV (UWW) as some of his opponents but is expected to finish better than them.

At 57kg, Aman may be the only Olympic medalist entered but the field seems challenging for anyone. European U23 champion Lev PAVLOV (UWW) brings a lot of craft with him and Aman will like face him if he wants to win another Ranking Series gold medal. Then there is Pan-Am champion Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) who too is coming off a good run in Monterrey.

Kyrgyzstan is sending two wrestlers -- Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) and Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) -- and both can trouble their opponents. The hosts Mongolia is banking on Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL).

Asian silver medalist UDIT (IND) will be another top name in Freestyle but his weight class also has quite a few challengers. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) and Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) will be there from Kyrgyzstan along with Artem GOBAEV (UWW), who won the European U23 Championships gold last year.

Another Asian silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) will continue to be at 92kg and not 86kg, his previous weight class. Punia made his return from surgery at the Asian Championships and won silver medal at 92kg, only dropping the final to Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI).

He will be put to further test in Ulaanbaatar and Askhab SAADULAEV (UWW) may emerge as his biggest competitor.

At 74kg, Iran is sending three wrestlers in the hope of finding the best for the World Championships. Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI), who recently moved up from 70kg and won the Takhti Cup, will be challenged by Yones EMAMI (IRI) and Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI).

To win gold, Yazdani will also face competition from JAIDEEP (IND), Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) and former world medalist Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), who Yazdani defeated in a club competition in Iran recently.

European bronze medalist Osman GOECN (TUR) will be Türkiye chance to win gold medal at the Ranking Series. Gocen will largely be unchallenged at 86kg given his experience and style.

At 65kg, Kyrgyzstan is trying to find its best bet for a medal at the World Championships as both Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) and Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ) are entered.

Greco-Roman

Kyrgyzstan and Türkiye are bringing strong teams for the Ranking Series. Kyrgyzstan will be led by Olympic bronze medalist Dzhuzupbekov while Turkiye has European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) and former world champion Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR). Barring those, only India is sending a full team for the tournament.

Iran has two wrestlers namely Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) and Danial SOHRABI (IRI) at 63kg and 72kg respectively.

Kamal, who has found a lifeline since switching to 63kg from 60kg, won the European Championships gold medal in spectacular fashion and is now out to win his second Ranking Series gold of the year.

He has Keshtkar in his weight class along with Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ), Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) and Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT). However, Kamal remains the favorite. Akbudak should have an easy path to gold at 82kg.

European silver medalist Hamza BAKIR (TUR) at 130kg is also unlikely to face much challenge in the competition at the highest weight class.

The Kyrgyzstan vs Turkiye may emerge as the theme of the tournament in Greco-Roman for the rest of the weight classes.

Paris Olympian Enes BASAR (TUR) may have to navigate a stronger field at 60kg with former world U17 champion SURAJ (IND) and two of Kyrgyzstan's rising stars Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ) and Kurmanbek ZHAPAROV (KGZ).

Kyrgyzstan's Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), who won gold at Muhamet Malo and silver at Asian Championships, will be the favorite at 67kg despite the presence of Murat FIRAT (TUR).

Same goes for Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) who won gold at 77kg in Albania and later a bronze medal at the Asian Championships. His battle with European bronze medalist Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) will be one to watch out for.

At 87kg, two former age-group world champions will be fighting it out. Former world U20 champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) had a rather disappointing Asian Championships as he finished seventh and will be looking to win gold in Ulaanbaatar to regain confidence.

Alperen BERBER (TUR), who has all age-group world titles, has not wrestled this year in any Ranking Series or Championships and will be test at 87kg.

Sohrabi, who won the Asian title at 72kg in Amman, will start as the favorite but has to be careful with Yryskeldi KHAMZAEV (KGZ) who can upset the Iranian.

Women's Wrestling

India, Turkiye and Mongolia are in a three-way battle in Women's Wrestling. A few UWW wrestlers are also in the fray in the tournament but not in all weight classes. The Indian and Turkish teams have some of their continental medalists and will make for an exciting clash in the respective weight classes.

No weight class in Women's Wrestling is expected to have eight wrestlers and will be competed in Nelson or round-robin format. That throws big match ups in most weight classes.

At 62kg, Asian champion MANISHA (IND) will be clashing with Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), Saruul ERDENEBILEG (MGL) and Alina KASABIEVA (UWW).

Sukhee, a former world champion, is known for her big moves and can easily reach the top of the podium in Ulaabaatar. But Purevdorj, who surprisingly missed the Asian Championships, will be keen on displaying her skills and reclaim the top spot in the weight class.

Kasabieva, world silver medalist at 65kg, has to face the Asian challenge and style and a good performance in Ulaabaatar can work wonders for her future tournaments.

Asian bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) will be the favorite at 53kg but has to step up against the likes of Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL) andNatalia MALYSHEVA (UWW).

Similarly, NEELAM (IND) may find it tough against European silver medalist Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) and European U23 champion Natalia PUDOVA (UWW). A direct India-Turkiye battle is expected at 57kg as European silver medalist Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) will be tested by world U20 bronze NEHA (IND).

In most other weight classes, Mongolia is likely to have podium finishes as it has three wrestlers in each weights.

Former world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) is at 55kg along with Dulguun MUNKHBOLD BOLORMAA (MGL) and 2023 world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) is the favorite at 68kg despite her bronze-medal finish at the Asian Championships.

At 72kg, European U23 champion Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW) will test herself against the Asian style of wrestling. Former U17 world champion HARSHITA (IND) will be her biggest test.

#WrestleUlaanbaatar Asian Championships entries

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