#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Yoshimoto adds Asian gold to world title with eyes on Paris 2024

Thursday, April 21, 2022 - 13:39 By Ken Marantz

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 21) -- World champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) had one small stumble early in the final, but it was smooth sailing the rest of the way as she cruised to her first senior Asian title.

Yoshimoto scored a late fall over home favorite Namuuntsetseg TSOGTOCHIR (MGL) in the 50kg final, and powerhouse Japan took three of the five titles at stake as the women's competition started Thursday at the Asian Championships.

"I wasn't concerned about giving up points, but to achieve my ultimate goal, I have to raise my attacking ability so I don't give up points," the 21-year-old Yoshimoto said.

With China missing from the tournament due to travel issues as well as the DPR Korea, the women's fields had limited entries and all five weight classes competed in a group stage.

Meanwhile, the other reigning world champion in action, Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), suffered a stunning loss in the 68kg final to Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), while world bronze medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) captured her first Asian title at 76kg.

Remina YOSHIMOTORemina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) won the gold at 50kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Yoshimoto showed the domination that propelled her to the world title last year in Oslo when she needed just 2:13 to win her two group matches with a technical fall and fall, then made the final with a 10-0 technical fall in 1:07.

In the gold-medal bout, Yoshimoto lost her balance when Tsogtochir slipped away from a tackle attempt, allowing the Mongolian to rush her and gain a takedown. That got the partisan crowd at the Buyant Ukhaa Sports Palace vocally involved.

"The crowd was really something, but this [my opponent's] country, so there's nothing I can do about it, it's only natural," Yoshimoto said. "I tried not to pay attention to during the match."

There would be no more slipups, as Yoshimoto built up a 6-2 lead in the first period, and added six more points before ending the match by fall at 5:04.

"I allowed her to get points, which made the match more touch-and-go," Yoshimoto said. "I need to reflect on [that mistake]."

The match gives Yoshimoto, a student at powerhouse Shigakkan University, something to work on.

"I have to address the issue of having my attack lead to points," Yoshimoto said. "There were times when I wasn't able to turn an attack into points or let my opponent get away, or had points scored on me. I came to realize this, and I'll work on it to achieve my next goal."

That next goal is crystal clear -- to get to the 2024 Paris Olympics. But to do that, it means a clash with the reigning Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN), who has not competed since her triumph at the Tokyo Games last summer.

The two could meet in June at the All-Japan Invitational Championships, where Susaki will make her return to action. The tournament will serve as a qualifier for this year's World Championships, although Yoshimoto will definitely not be defending her title, as she has already committed to the Asian Games.

So there won't be anything but a psychological edge at stake if the two clash in June, as the qualifying process for Paris starts at the All-Japan Championships in December. Susaki has already beaten Yoshimoto twice, most recently in a close 2-1 decision in 2019.

"The 'real' competition is the [first] Paris qualifier which will be in December, that and the next in June, so I have to get a win there," Yoshimoto said. 

"The [upcoming tournament] is before that, so it's like I just want to see how it goes. But in reality, I have to win. It's really been awhile, so I have to go all out, as I will be the challenger."

Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) upset world champion Meerin ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) to win the 68kg gold. (Photo: Bayrem Ben Mrad)

At 68kg, Bakbergenova scored three points in the final 25 seconds of the summit clash to stun Olympic bronze medalist Zhumanazarova 4-2 and pick up her first Asian gold after two previous bronzes.

In a staid match, Zhumanazarova had gone ahead 2-0 after receiving her second activity point, before the gap was cut to one when Bakbergenova gained an activity point. With the clock ticking down, the Kazakh came to life, spinning behind on a takedown attempt to force a stepout.

An additional point was tacked on for fleeing, and another when the Kyrgyz side unsuccessfully challenged the call. The match ended with Zhumanazarova desperately clutching an ankle but Bakbergenova fending off the tackle attempt.

"With the help of God I’ve won the Asian Championships," said Bakbergenova, who had lost 5-0 to Zhumanazarova in the group stage. "We’ve been preparing for a very long time here in Ulaanbaatar. We had a two-week training camp here. Thanks a lot to the Mongolian girls, it was a good camp with nice training."

Bakbergenova also had a close call to get into the final. Facing former world junior champion Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN) in the semifinals, Bakbergenova scored a takedown with 30 seconds left to win 3-3 on criteria.

"I wrestled against the Japanese wrestler in the semifinal, before that I knew I was gonna wrestle her, and I did my best to win the match," Bakbergenova said.

Aiperi MEDET KYZYAiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) counter for four points secured her the first Asian Championships gold. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Medet Kyzy, a two-time Asian silver medalist, finally moved to the top of the podium with a 5-3 victory in the 76kg final over former world junior champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN).

Medet Kyzy scored 4 points with a twisting counter lift from the standing position that Kagami reversed to the back, putting the Kyrgyz ahead 5-2. Kagami, the 2019 Asian champion at 72kg, scored a late stepout, but it was too little, too late.

Umi IMAI (JPN)Umi IMAI (JPN) defeated Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL) in Round 2 to all but confirm the gold. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Imai, Natami add to Japan gold tally

Japan's two other gold came from Umi IMAI (JPN) at 55kg and Sara NATAMI (JPN) at 59kg, who both became first-time senior Asian champions. Both weight classes had just five entries and were run in a round-robin format.

Imai, the 2018 world junior champion at 53kg, had her 'gold medal' match in the second round of the round-robin when she defeated Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL), 12-3. She clinched the title in her final match in the night session with victory by fall over winless Sarbinaz JIENBAEVA (UZB).

"It was my intention to definitely bring the title home, so it's a bit of a relief," Imai said. "I'm glad I can take a medal home.

"I gave it my all and did my style of wrestling. In my first match, my legs weren't moving well and other things, but instead of becoming timid, I stuck with my wrestling and stayed on the attack, so it was good."

Imai said she overcame jitters that were from more than appearing in her first Asian Championships.

"It's my first international tournament in a while," Imai said. "So there was an aspect of being nervous. But if I think too much, I tighten up. I thought to just go like I always do. I just focused on practicing as usual."

Imai took a practical approach to a question about the missing Chinese and DPR Koreans.

"Those two countries are on the top level in Asia. My feeling was that I wanted to face them and test myself. But it is what it is, and it was good that I fought in my own style."

In a final round-robin match that ended up deciding the silver medal, Ganbaatar defeated Sushma SHOKEEN (IND) 15-5, overcoming a 5-4 deficit with a reversal and five straight lace locks. Shokeen took the bronze.

Sara NATAMI Sara NATAMI (JPN), blue, won her first Asian gold after winning a silver in 2018. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Natami, a Shigakkan teammate of Yoshimoto's, had previously appeared at the Asian Championships as a high schooler in 2018 in Bishkek, where she finished second to Chinese opponent Xingru PEI (CHN). She wishes she had a chance for a rematch.

"The Chinese athletes are strong," Natami said. "I work to win each and every match. I want to [face] the Chinese again."

Natami defeated eventual silver medalist Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) 4-2 in the third round of the morning session. In her final match, she got caught three times in a counter lift by Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) and trailed 6-4, but scored six points in the second period for a 10-6 win.

"My attack was good, but the finishing up was poor," Natami said. "When I get back to Japan, I will closely address this problem."

Earlier in the day, Baatarjav edged defending champion and world bronze medalist Sarita MOR (IND), 2-1, and the Indian eventually had to settle for the bronze medal.

Because of the limited fields, there was only one bronze medalist in each weight class. At 50kg, 2021 silver medalist Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) scored a fall over MANISHA (IND); Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) sent Matsuyuki home empty-handed after a 4-0 win at 68kg; and Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) took the 76kg bronze by beating Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL), 7-4.

Day 3 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg (6 entries)
GOLD: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) df. Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL) by Fall, 5:04 (12-2)

BRONZE: Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) df. MANISHA (IND) by Fall, 2:31 (10-0)

55kg (5 entries)

GOLD: Umi IMAI (JPN), 4-0
SILVER: Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL), 3-1
BRONZE: Sushma SHOKEEN (IND) , 2-2

Key match: Umi IMAI (JPN) df. Otgonjargal GANBAATAR (MGL) 12-3 in Round 2

59kg (5 entries)
GOLD: Sara NATAMI (JPN), 4-0
SILVER: Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL), 3-1
BRONZE: Sarita MOR (IND), 2-2

Key match: Sara NATAMI (JPN) df. Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) 4-2 in Round 3

68kg (7 entries)
GOLD: Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), 4-2

BRONZE: Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Naruha MATSUYUKI (JPN), 4-0

76kg (6 entries)
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Yuka KAGAMI (JPN), 5-3

BRONZE: Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) df. Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL), 7-4

#WrestleZagreb

Reasco becomes Ecuador's first world champ as Maroulis adds to gold tally

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - 22:22 By Ken Marantz

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 16) -- While Helen MAROULIS (USA) was adding to her mountainous pile of world medals with a fourth career gold, Genesis REASCO (ECU) made history by becoming Ecuador's first-ever world champion.

Reasco reached the pinnacle of the sport with a 4-2 victory in the 76kg final over Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), denying the two-time world medalist her first gold in the last of four women's finals on Wednesday at the World Championships in Zagreb.

"I went in, gave my all, and it worked," Reasco said. "That’s how the gold medal was achieved, because honestly, I have a lot of respect for all my opponents. They gave everything out there on the mat, and they were really good matches -- both yesterday’s and today’s. Everything was very tough, very close."

Maroulis, who will turn 34 on Friday, showed why she has accumulated eight medals overall in 12 trips to the World Championships when she scored a dramatic takedown with :05 left to edge Il Sim SON (PRK) 3-2 in the 57kg final.

In other finals, Myonggyong WON (PRK) gave the DPR Korea its second women's title in two nights -- and just the third in its history -- with an emotional victory at 50kg , while Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) earned her second world gold and fifth medal overall with a dominant run to the 65kg title.

Reasco's historic victory came two years after Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) became the South American country's first-ever world medalist, and a day before Yepez gets a chance to join her as a gold medalist after making the 53kg final earlier in the day.

Reasco had long been seen as having the potential for a breakthrough, but never seemed to be able to make that final step up to the big time. She finished fifth at the 2022 World Championships and 2024 Paris Olympics, and was third at this year's Pan American Championships.

But after knocking off Paris bronze medalist Milaimy MARIN (CUB) in Tuesday's semifinals, the impossible suddenly became possible.

"At the Olympics, I was close to winning bronze, but it didn’t happen," she said. "But now the world medal came, and I’m very happy after all the sacrifices."

In the final, Reasco scored with a double-leg takedown in the first period, then scored another at the edge in the second. Medet Kyzy, a three-time Asian champion, tried desperately to launch a comeback, but she had to settle for 2 with a late throw attempt and came up short.

The 27-year-old Reasco got a relatively late start to the sport, saying she was not even aware of wrestling's existence until she was introduced to it at age 15.

"At that time, I practically didn’t know what wrestling was," she said. "I was going for another sport, but the coach of that sport took me to wrestling -- it was thanks to his influence. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even known what wrestling was.

"The first day I saw it, I was shocked. Since I was little, I always liked sports -- I liked basketball, football. So I always had that love for sports. Any sport, any other sport, I liked."

But her dedication to training eventually led to the greatest of achievements, which she surmises will be widely celebrated back in her hometown of Esmeraldas and the province of Manabi where she trains.

"When I focus on competition, I even put my phone aside," she said.

In the 57kg final, Maroulis had her work cut out for her with the quick and powerful Son, this year's Asian silver medalist.

"She's an amazing opponent," Maroulis said. "I knew she was going to be tough. I watched all of her film. I'm like, my gosh, she's so good."

Maroulis had to fight out of a double-leg attempt in the first period, in which she received an activity point for the only score. In the second, Son received an activity point, then went ahead 2-1 by scoring a stepout at 1:32.

It looked like it might end that way until Maroulis, using a trip to great effect as she had done all tournament, sent Son reeling backward, then spun behind as Son tried to whip her over with :05 on the clock.

"I had to really, really dig deep for that and, I don't know, before the last exchange started, I just had to dig deep and find it," Maroulis said. "It was just some scramble flurry and just that it came out my way. I'm grateful."

The U.S. wrestler added the title to the ones she won in 2015, 2017 and 2021. She also has an Olympic gold from 2016, when she dealt the legendary Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) her lone international loss, and three Olympic medals overall.

Maroulis said that she had to deal with a blood vessel problem that curtailed her training starting in the spring, and did not return to full-fledged practice until about two weeks ago.

With her conditioning limited, she said she aimed to end her matches early, which resulted in her ending all three of her matches leading up to the final by fall.

"I was like, I'm just going to start working on training because I'm not conditioned enough to go six minutes," Maroulis said. "I'm literally not conditioned enough. But if I pin, no one has to know that."

Maroulis said she is currently undecided about continuing her career. But should she go on, it could put her on a collision course with one of the sport's rising stars, Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), the Paris Olympic champion at 53kg who announced that she was moving up to 57kg in the runup to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"I would love to wrestle her," she said. "I've been wrestling for so many years, I want to wrestle the best of the best, and she's phenomenal. I've heard and seen great things about her.

Maroulis said the two have never had a chance to work out together. "We message back and forth, actually we were trying to go to a camp together, it just didn't work out in time for the Olympics. I found she was going to 57[kg], I said, 'Oh my gosh.' It's a great opportunity for both of us."

At 50kg, Won dominated her gold-medal showdown with Asian silver medalist Yu ZHANG (CHN) from the start, storming to an eight-point lead in the first period and holding on for an 8-2 victory.

"This medal and the championship belt I’ve won are just the first step in repaying my parents for all their sacrifices," Won said. "From now on, I’ll work even harder to become an Olympic champion."

Her victory came a day after Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) won the 55kg gold to become the second women's world champion in their country's history. They joined Yong-Mi PAK (PRK), who won the 53kg gold in Nur-Sultan in 2019.

Won became so overcome with emotion, she tearfully hugged the referee after the match, then went over and did the same with the side judges. Then she hugged her coaches, and during the medal ceremony, shed tears as the national anthem was played.

"The moment I took first place, all the tough days of training flashed before my eyes and I couldn’t hold back my tears," she said. "And when I thought about sharing the news with my mom and dad, the tears came again."

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN)Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) celebrates after winning the 65kg final at the World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 65kg, Morikawa cruised to an 8-0 victory over Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) to regain the title she won in 2022, capping a year in which she also won the Ranking Series Tirana event and a second career gold at the Asian Championships.

Morikawa scored all of her points by shooting for a single, then fighting off a whizzer by Kasabieva to gain control for a pair of takedowns in each period.

"It's my first time to face her, but comparatively she was easier to wrestle than my semifinal opponent," Morikawa said, referring to her semifinal victory over former world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA), albeit a 10-0 decision.

"I couldn't get in on my tackles, and that part is something that I have to change. I'll be going to a heavier weight class and I want to be able to knock off the top wrestlers."

For Morikawa, competing at 65kg now is part of a process aimed at being competitive in the race to make the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, almost surely at 68kg, after missing out on Paris.

"It was great that I won the championship, but the next step will be starting soon. I can be happy today, but from tomorrow I'll have to start working hard in practice."

In between her two world titles, Morikawa took a world bronze at 72kg in 2023, then returned to 65kg in 2024, only to have to settle for a bronze again.

"It was a long time [between titles], and there was the time that I missed out on the Olympics, but I will use this victory as inspiration for what is coming next. It will be the start of a much more difficult fight than up to now, so I have to renew my determination."

While two world golds is no small accomplishment, Morikawa joked that it still leaves her well behind her coach, who was in her corner on Wednesday and accompanied her on the victory lap on the mat.

"I still only have two titles, so I'm about 10 behind the coach who was in my corner," Morikawa said of Kaori ICHO (JPN), the four-time Olympic and 10-time world champion.

Smirnova stuns Yoshimoto for 50kg bronze

Elizaveta SMIRNOVA (UWW) pulled off the surprise of the bronze-medal matches, stunning former world champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) at 50kg with a stepout in the final seconds for a 3-3 win on criteria.

Yoshimoto, a two-time Asian champion, received an activity point, then gave up a takedown when Smirnova countered and got behind to a 2-1 lead. In the second period, Yoshimoto finally got through, scoring a takedown with :54 left. But she failed to hold off Smirnova's final push, leaving her devastated and in tears.

Prior to coming to Zagreb, Yoshimoto's only losses in any competition since 2019 were to compatriot and Tokyo Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN), whom she lost to four times. That limited her to a single previous appearance at the World Championships in 2021, when she won the gold.

The other 50kg bronze went to Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), who also needed a late score in posting a 3-2 victory over Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) and adding to the world bronze she won back in 2017.

Byambasuren scored a takedown while on the activity clock to take a 2-0 lead into the second period, and it looked like that might hold up when Demirhan gained a 2-point exposure off an inner thigh block with :15 left. Byambasuren came close to getting behind in the final seconds, but fell short and an unsuccessful challenge handed Demirhan her final point.

The victory took some of the sting out a serious knee injury that Demirhan suffered in the final exchange. She limped off the mat and was taken from the main floor in a wheelchair, then was carried by two fellow medalists to the podium during the medal ceremony wearing a walking cast.

Japan was dealt another set back a short time later in the 57kg bronze-medal bouts, when three-time European champion Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) scored a takedown and exposure in the second period to upend Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN) 4-1.

As with Demirhan, Khoroshavtseva's victory ended a long medal drought -- her previous bronze had come in 2019.

Paris Olympic bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) picked up her first world medal, surging to a 10-0 victory over Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) in the other 57kg match.

Moldova's national hero Ringaci earned a fourth career world medal by beating Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) 6-3 for a 65kg bronze, scoring a takedown in the first period and two in the second.

Two-time Asian silver medalist Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) had the lead on criteria when she scored an exposure at the edge while holding off an attack by Macey KILTY (USA) to clinch a 4-2 win for the other 65kg bronze.

At 76kg, another Olympic bronze medalist added a world bronze when Marin stormed to a 10-0 victory over PRIYA (IND), setting the mood when she scored the first of her five takedowns by lifting the Indian in the air and dumping her to the mat.

Kylie WELKER (USA) added to the bronze she won last year at 72kg by holding on for a 6-2 victory over Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) for the other 76kg bronze. Welker scored a takedown and gut wrench in the first period, then after Alpyeyeva came back with two stepouts,

clinched the win with a takedown with :14 left. 

Day 5 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg (21 entries)
GOLD: Myonggyong WON (PRK) df. Yu ZHANG (CHN), 8-2

BRONZE: Elizaveta SMIRNOVA (UWW) df. Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN), 3-3
BRONZE: Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 3-2

53kg (23 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) df. ANTIM (IND), 5-3
SEMIFINAL: Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) df. Hyongyong CHOE (PRK), 2-1

57kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Helen MAROULIS (USA) df. Il Sim SON (PRK), 3-2

BRONZE: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) df. Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN), 4-1
BRONZE: Kexin HONG (CHN) df. Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) by TF, 10-0, 2:22

62kg (22 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) df. Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) by TF, 14-1, 4:15
SEMIFINAL: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) df. Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) by TF, 14-3, 6:00

65kg (17 entries)
GOLD: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), 8-0

BRONZE: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), 6-3
BRONZE: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) df. Macey KILTY (USA), 4-2

68kg (24 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Buse TOSUN (TUR) by TF, 11-0, 2:34
SEMIFINAL: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) df. Jia LONG (CHN), 6-1

72kg (17 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) by Fall, 5:00 (11-6)
SEMIFINAL: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Zelu LI (CHN), 9-6

76kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Genesis REASCO (ECU) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), 4-2

BRONZE: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), 6-2
BRONZE: Milaimy MARIN (CUB) df. PRIYA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 4:07