#WrestleUlaanbaatar Greco-Roman bracket reactions

Monday, April 18, 2022 - 17:48 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 18) -- The Asian Championships kick off with Greco-Roman on Tuesday in Ulaanbaatar.

Mongolia, the host country, is searching for their first Asian Championships medalist in Greco-Roman while many other will try to defend their gold medals from the 2021 edition.

The draws for all 10 weight categories were completed Monday in Ulaanbaatar.

55kg

Two big match-ups at 55kg will get the ball rolling. Defending champion Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) faces second seed Hyeokjin JEON (KOR) in quarterfinals while Ali NOURBAKHSH (IRI) will have Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) in the opening round on the top side.

The winner of that bout will get top seed Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) in the quarterfinals. If Bekbolatov wants to reach the final, he is most likely face Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL) in a though semifinal.

Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) and Balbai DORDOKOV (KGZ) will face each other in the quarterfinal and the winner is most likely to face Shiotani in the semifinal.

60kg

World silver medalist Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) is the top seed and will be the favorite to reach the final from the top side of the bracket. For that, he needs to beat Baljinnyam TSEVEENRAVDAN (MGL) in the first bout before waiting for the semifinal opponent which could be fourth seed Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ).

The lower side of the bracket is packed with second seed Gyanender DAHIYA (IND) wrestling '21 silver Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) in quarterfinal. Bronze medalist from 2021 and fourth seed Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) will take on Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) in a bid to reach the semifinal against one of Dahiya or Mohsen Nejad.

63kg

A bronze medalist from Oslo World Championships and top seed Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN) will be looking for his first Asian title but standing in his way is Iman KHOONMOHAMMADI (IRI) who is likely to his first opponent in the quarterfinals.

If he goes past Khoonmohammadi, a semifinal against Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) will be another tough test for him before the gold medal bout.

The second finalist will be one of NEERAJ (IND), Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), Jinseub SONG (KOR) and Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB).

If the Uzbek wrestler can repeat his gold-winning performance from Istanbul, he will be unstoppable. But a likely semifinal against Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) may give a reality check.

67kg

He won the gold at 72kg in 2021 but Hansu RYU (KOR) is back to his Olympic weight of 67kg in a bid to win another Asian gold. But the top seed will have some work to do if he wants to go past Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (IRI) in quarterfinals and one of Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) or Eldiiar SATAROV (KGZ) to reach the final.

Second seed Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) will face Nyamdorj BATTULGA (MGL) in the quarterfinal while third sed Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) will face Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND). A semifinal between Bakhshilloev and Shermakhanbet is a possibility before a showdown with Ryu for the gold.

72kg

A fifth place at World Championships will fire up top seed Mohammad Reza MOKHTARI (IRI) to win his first Asian title but Adilkhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals is a start many would avoid. If he manages to win, a likely semifinal against Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB) or fourth seed VIKAS (IND) will be another big test.

Jiyeon LEE (KOR) would like to keep the 72kg gold with Korea but he has local hope Khanburged GANKHUYAG (MGL) in the quarterfinal before a semifinal against one of third seed Abylaikhan AMZEYEV (KGZ) or Shogo TAKAHASHI (JPN). None of the two will be an easy opponent for Lee.

77kg

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) is making only his second appreance at the Asian Championships and would like to maintain a clean record. After winning gold in 2018, he will wrestle in Ulaanbaatar as the Olympic silver medalist.

Facing Aref HABIBOLLAHI (IRI) in the quarterfinal, Makhmudov's real test can be the semifinal. He will face one of London Olympic champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) or fourth seed Aram VARDANYAN (UZB). Makhmudov has wins over both of them in the past.

The lower side of the bracket will see second seed and former U23 silver medalist Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) face Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) and third seed and multiple time age-group World medalist Sajan BHANWALA (IND) facing Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ). If the seeds hold true, a semifinal between Sakuraba and Bhanwala will be nail-biting.

82kg

The biggest bracket in Greco-Roman will see 10 wrestlers compete for the gold. Dias KALEN (KAZ) is seeded number one while Harpreet SINGH (IND) is at number two.

But the favorite is the silver medalist from 2021 Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ) as he got pinned in the final last year. He will face Yuya OKAJIMA (JPN) in the quarterfinal before a possible clash with Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) or Kalen.

Singh has to await the winner of Sultan EID (JOR) and Sejin YANG (KOR) to find his quarterfinal opponent. But he manages to reach the semifinal, he is likely to face Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI) for a place in the final.

87kg

The toughest weight class will see defending champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) face Melis AITBEKOV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals before a likely semifinal against top seed and Olympian Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ). The semifinal could prove to be Alizadeh's toughest bout.

The lower side will see another '21 gold medalist Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) eyeing for the top medal. The 82kg champion from Almaty faces Batbayar LUTBAYAR (MGL) in the quarterfinal. He will face one of Sunil KUMAR (IND) or Masato SUMI (JPN) in the semifianl. Kumar is a former Asian champion and seeded number two for this tournament.

97kg

Top seed and Olympian Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) is likely to meet defending champion Mehdi BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI) in the final as both are on the opposite sides of the bracket.

Assakalov won the Ranking Series event at 97kg and faces Takahiro TSURUDA (JPN) in the quarterfinal before a likely semifinal against fourth seed Sanzhar SERIKKAN (KAZ).

The lower side will have Balihamzehdeh facing Jewoo PARK (KOR) in the quarterfinal before a semifinal against second seed U. DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ).

130kg

Third at the Ranking Series event and seventh at the Olympics Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) is seeded number for the tournament and will face either PREM (IND) or Amir GHASEMIMONJAZI (IRI) in the quarterfinal.

If he wins, a semifinal against '21 bronze medalist Minseok KIM (KOR) will be another big test for the Uzbek wrestler. The two were supposed to meet in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers but Kim injury defaulted.

Silver medalist from '21, Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) will be the favorite to reach the final from the lower side of the bracket. He faces Roman KIM (KOR) in the quarterfinals before facing one of Arata SONODA (JPN) or Mongolia's Khuderbulga DORJKHAND, a former champion and bronze medalist from '21 but in freestyle.

The move to Greco-Roman is likely as the host nation is searching for its first Asian medalist in Greco-Roman at the senior level.

#WrestleSamokov

New challenges fail to stop Yakushenko as he defends gold

Sunday, August 24, 2025 - 08:28 By Vinay Siwach

SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 23) -- When Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) reached the final of the World U20 Championships in Samokov, he was aware that he will be facing a new challenge in Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI), the other finalist.

In his career, Yakushenko had never wrestled an Iranian wrestler. With the pedigree of Iran in Greco-Roman especially in age-group competition, Yakushenko knew that Seydi will be a tough opponent.

With his U20 world title on line, Yakushenko planned his final against Seydi to perfection to beat the Iranian 5-2 and capture his second straight gold medal at the World U20 Championships. He became the first Ukrainian wrestler to win two gold medals in Greco-Roman at this age-group Worlds.

Yakushenko had the first par terre position and he lifted Seydi and then completed a correct throw for two points and lead 3-0. Seydi managed to close out the first period with a stepout and cut the lead to 3-1.

Seydi had his chance to score in the second period from par terre but Yakushenko was solid in his defense and did not give up any points. Seydi tried a few attacks in the final second but there was no score. Yakushenko got two more points for a go-behind in the final second to win 5-2.

Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) celebrates after becoming the world U20 champion for the second time. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

While Seydi was a new challenge, Yakushenko faced a familiar foe in Darius KIEFER (GER) in the semifinals on Friday. Kiefer, who had lost three previous bouts to Yakushenko got one back when he defeated the Ukrainian in the final of the U20 European Championships. Yakushenko wasn't keen to letting him get one more win.

"When I saw my bracket, I understood that in the semifinals I would face Kiefer who beat me at the European Championships," Yakushenko said. "I really wanted to beat him. I trained and prepared only for him, focused only on him. Before him, in earlier matches, I just wrestled for six minutes straight, just to warm up. The bracket overall was pretty easy."

Yakushenko still has one more year left in this age-group and he wants to win the third gold medal at the U20 World Championships next year. He also plans to debut in the senior category.

"I still have one more year left in this age-group and next year the third belt will be mine," he said. "Starting next year, I plan to compete at the seniors, qualify for the Senior European Championship, and to be a strong competitor."

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However, to be on the Ukraine team, he will have beat a few senior wrestler and may find it slightly difficult than the U20s.

"At the senior level, we have good competition," he said. "But among juniors, not really. For example, before the U20 European Championships there was no one in my category. I had to call an old friend, Vladislav LUB, whom I had trained with. Thanks to him, I managed to push through, and because of him I improved a lot and beat Kiefer."

Among the medalist at 97kg was Ilia KOMAROV (UWW), younger brother of European 87kg champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB). Ilia defeated Andrej RODIN (CRO), 8-0, in the bronze medalist.

Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) celebrates after beating Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) in the 67kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Another returning champion was not as fortunate and Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) dropped his 67kg final to 2023 World U20 silver medalist Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ), 4-2, and finish with a silver medal.

Zakriev was hurt from the two stepouts Mirzaliev scored on him when was in the dominant position but the Kyrgyz wrestler switched the position and pushed Zakriev out.

The first such incident came in the second minute when Zakriev tried to push Mirzaliev towards the zone the Kyrgyz wrestler spun an arm-throw and managed to force a stepout for a 1-0 lead. Zakriev got one for himself to take make it 1-1 but Mirzaliev had the criteria according to the new Greco rule that when the score is 1-1 in bout, the first scorer will have criteria.

But Zakriev quickly made it 2-1. That's when the second instance of Mirzaliev getting a stepout when Zakriev was aggressive occurred. Zakriev had Mirzaliev in the zone when the latter hit the arm-throw but Zakriev kept his balance. He stepped out and conceded a point to Mirzaliev who now led 2-2 on criteria at the break.

The second period also began in this manger when Zakriev almost made Mirzaliev stepout but the Kyrgyz survived and circled inside. He then pushed Zakriev out and get a 3-2 lead. There no more points scored in the bout but Zakriev challenged at the end asking for passivity from Mirzaliev which was denied and he lost another point to lose 4-2.

The result is in contrast to the 10-0 win Zakriev scored on Mirzaliev just a month ago in Turkiye.

Payam AHMADI (IRI) scores a takedown against Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) in the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Payam AHMADI (IRI) won the first gold medal for Iran at this World Championships when he defeated former world U17 champion Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE), 5-3, in the 55kg.

In one of most thrilling finals, Ahmadi needed an acrobatic summersault to not give up points to Dashdamirov in the final minute and defend his lead for the win.

Dashdamirov got the par terre position first but Ahmadi escaped with ease and without any trouble. Soon, Ahmadi scored a takedown and turned the Azerbaijani wrestler using a high gut-wrench for a 4-1 lead.

The second period saw Ahmadi on the aggressive and he tried a bodylock but Dashdamirov blocked it with an overarm and flipped Ahmadi for two points. Ahmadi now led 4-3 and Dashdamirov needed two points for a win with 2:40 remaining.

Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE) hits a fireman carry for no points against Payam AHMADI (IRI) during the 55kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Dashdamirov failed to find an opening until the last 15 seconds when he did a fireman carry but Ahmadi landed on his feet. Dashdamirov was awarded two points but Iran challenged and the points were removed as there was no danger position. With 4-3 score, Ahmadi defended for the last 7 seconds remaining and won the gold medal.

After drawing a blank in Ponteverdra, Spain last year, Armenia crowned a world U20 champion in Greco-Roman Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) defeated Ahmad KODIROV (UZB), 1-1, in the 72kg final and win the gold medal.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Payam AHMADI (IRI) df. Turan DASHDAMIROV (AZE), 5-3

BRONZE: Omur YNTYMAK UULU (KGZ) vs. Arsen ZHUMA (KAZ)
BRONZE: Anil MOR (IND) vs. Daisuke MORISHITA (JPN)

67kg
GOLD: Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) df. Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW), 4-2

BRONZE: Fayozbek ESHMIRZAEV (UZB) df. Gholamreza ABDOVALI (IRI), 5-1
BRONZE: Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE) df. Takaku SUZUKI (JPN), 5-4

72kg
GOLD: Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM) df. Ahmad KODIROV (UZB), 1-1

BRONZE: Oliver PADA (FIN) df. Arvid STRAAKEVED (SWE), 14-5
BRONZE: Yussuf ASHRAPOV (KAZ) df. Arionas KOLITSOPOULOS (GRE), 2-0

97kg
GOLD: Yehor YAKUSHENKO (UKR) df. Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI), 5-2

BRONZE: Darius KIEFER (GER) df. Amirkhon BERDIKULOV (UZB), 8-0
BRONZE: Ilia KOMAROV (UWW) df. Andrej RODIN (CRO), 8-0

Semifinals

63kg
GOLD: Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM) vs. AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB)

SF 1: Aleks MARGARYAN (ARM) df. Kristiyan MILENKOV (BUL), 9-0
SF 2: AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Damir IBRASHOV (KAZ), 8-0

77kg
GOLD: Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) vs. Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO)

SF 1: Ahoura BOUVEIRI (IRI) df. Zaur BESLEKOEV (UWW), 8-0
SF 2: Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO) df. Kiryl VALEUSKI (UWW), 5-4

87kg
GOLD: Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) vs. Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW)

SF 1: Luka KOCHALIDZE (GEO) df. Elias LYYSKI (FIN), 6-0
SF 2: Abdurakhman ABDULKADYROV (UWW) df. Temirlan TURDAKYN (KAZ), 8-0

130kg
GOLD: Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) vs. Ali ILIASOV (UWW)

SF 1: Yusuf BAKIR (TUR) df. Ivan YANKOVSKYI (UKR), 8-0
SF 2: Ali ILIASOV (UWW) df. Abolfazl FATHITAZANGI (IRI), 5-4 .

#WrestleUlaanbaatar Greco-Roman bracket reactions

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New challenges fail to stop Yakushenko as he defends gold