Junior Asian Championships

Zhumanazarova Captures Third Straight Gold at Junior Asian C'ships

Thursday, July 11, 2019 - 14:11 By United World Wrestling Press

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CHON BURI, Thailand (July 11) - Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) made it three gold medals in three attempts at the Junior Asian Championships.

Zhumanazarova, a returning junior world bronze medalist, topped cadet Asian champion Rin MIYAJI (JPN) 8-6 in the finals at 68kg to win her third straight title on the first day of the women's wrestling competition at the Junior Asian Championships in Chon Buri, Thailand. 

In the finals, Zhumanazarova found herself down early in the match. Miyaji, a past cadet Asian champion, picked up a takedown 40 seconds into the match. A short time later, Miyaji fired off an attack, which Zhumanazarova countered for a takedown and exposure before the Japanese woman reversed the action and scored two points, giving her a 4-4 criteria lead. Zhumanazarova then retook the lead with an exposure to go ahead 6-4 at the break. She added to her lead in the second period with a takedown to go up 8-4, but Miyaji turned the tables by stepping over and earning two points of her own, which cut the deficit to 8-6. The two wrestlers continued to battle. A late flurry at the end of the match resulted in no points as Zhumanazarova held on to win.

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) claimed the gold medal at 50kg. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Remina YOSHIMOTO, a 2017 cadet world champion, was the lone gold medalist for returning team champion Japan on Thursday. She claimed a 13-6 victory over Yuhong ZHONG (CHN) in the gold-medal match at 50kg. Yoshimoto led by two points with just over 30 seconds remaining before scoring five points late from two takedowns and a step out to win by seven. 

Qian JIANG (CHN) celebrates after winning gold at 76kg. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Cadet world silver medalist Qian JIANG (CHN) made quick work of Shakhribonu ELLIEVA (UZB) in the finals at 76kg. Jiang secured a takedown early in the match off a single leg before transitioning to her leg lace, which she used to turn Ellieva four consecutive times to pick up a 10-0 technical superiority. 

Hyon Ju YUN (PRK) embraces her coach after a 14-4 finals victory. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Hyon Ju YUN (PRK) earned the gold medal at 55kg by defeating Enkhtsetseg BATBAATAR (MGL) 14-4 in the finals. Yun raced out to an early 8-0 lead and appeared to be on her way to a first-period technical superiority, but the Mongolian fought hard and stayed in the match, scoring four points in the final minute of the first period. Yun closed out the match just over a minute into the second period with a takedown and exposure.  

Anshu ANSHU (IND) dominated in the finals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Anshu ANSHU (IND) won the gold medal in dominant fashion at 59kg, beating Nazira MARSBEK KYZY (KGZ) by 10-0 technical superiority in the finals. Anshu scored her first takedown just 20 seconds into the match. A short time later she used a feet-to-back takedown to build her lead to 6-0. She added two more takedowns to end the match in the first period. 

The five remaining women's wrestling weight categories, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg, will be contested Friday at the Junior Asian Championships, with action set to begin at 10 a.m. local time.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD - Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) df. Yuhong ZHONG (CHN), 13-6
BRONZE - Myonggyong WON (PRK) df. Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL), 11-0
BRONZE - Thi Hong CAN (VIE) df. Miran CHEON (KOR), 6-1

55kg
GOLD - Hyon Ju YUN (PRK) df. Enkhtsetseg BATBAATAR (MGL), 14-4
BRONZE - Anju ANJU (IND) df. Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB), 3-2
BRONZE - Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) df. Sandugash DYUSSENGALIYEVA (KAZ), 10-0

59kg
GOLD - Anshu ANSHU (IND) df. Nazira MARSBEK KYZY (KGZ), 10-0
BRONZE - Zhuomalaga ZHUOMALAGA (CHN) df. Anh Tuyet TRAN (VIE), 9-0
BRONZE - Ayami SUGIYAMA (JPN) df. Khodicha NAJIMOVA (UZB), 10-0

68kg
GOLD - Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. Rin MIYAJI (JPN), 8-6
BRONZE - Kim Ngan PHẠM (VIE) df. Albina KAIRGELDINOVA (KAZ), 6-4
BRONZE - Xin LI (CHN) df. Yarinda AIRLANG (THA), 12-2

76kg
GOLD - Qian JIANG (CHN) df. Shakhribonu ELLIEVA (UZB), 10-0
BRONZE - Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN) df. Karuna KARUNA (IND), INJURY
 

#WrestleBudapest

World C'ships hopefuls battle it out in Budapest Ranking Series

Monday, July 14, 2025 - 14:51 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 13) -- The Budapest Ranking Series, held at this time of year, serves as the primary team selection event for most countries heading into the World Championships. Rather than conducting domestic trials, nations use this international competition to identify their top wrestlers for each weight class.

Georgia, Hungary, Azerbaijan, Moldova, Uzbekistan, Kazakhstan will be among the top countries looking to finalize their Greco-Roman teams during the July 17-20 tournament in Hungary capital.

Azerbaijan, one of the strongest Greco-Roman nations, is bringing all three of its 2024 world champions. Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), the 55kg world champion, and Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE), the 63kg world champion, are both entered at 60kg. Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), the 72kg world champion, will compete at 77kg alongside Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE).

Mammadli is on a hot streak, having claimed European and world titles in 2024 before adding the 2025 European gold at 60kg. Meanwhile, Azizli, a European silver medalist at 55kg, enters the 60kg bracket for two key reasons: to challenge Mammadli and avoid a significant weight cut.

Ganizade and Suleymanov did not win medals at the European Championships but will battle it out at 77kg in Budapest to make the team.

Paris Olympic bronze medalist and European champion Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is at 72kg, up from his preferred 67kg as he prepares for the World Championships without forcing himself to reduce weight.

Similarly, hosts Hungary will have tough battles among local wrestlers. European 72kg champion Levente LEVAI (HUN) is moving up to 77kg and his brother Zoltan, a regular at 77kg, is now at 82kg. But so is world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and it will be toss-up between the two to make the World Championships team.

The 87kg continues to be a heavily contested weight class as Tamas LEVAI (HUN), Istvan TAKACS (HUN) and European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) are entered and the winner is likely to take the spot for the Zagreb Worlds.

At 130kg, Darius VITEK (HUN) and Koppany LASZLO (HUN) will fight it out for the spot.

The competition, however, won't be limited to these team selection battles. Many other top wrestlers are also entered, aiming for final preparations before the World Championships in Zagreb from September 13-21.

Here's the breakdown of each weight class:

55kg: European champion Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) will be the favorite in the bracket which also has 2024 European champ Artiom DELEANU (MDA), United States phenom Jayden RANEY (USA), Mongolia Ranking Series winner Anil MOR (IND) and world bronze medalist Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB).

The Budapest tournament will be a big test for teenagers Mor and Raney as they compete at the senior level.

60kg: Apart from Azizli and Mammadli, Pridon ABULADZE (GEO), world U20 medalist SUMIT (IND), Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), former world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA), European silver medalist Georgij TIBILOV (SRB), Sadyk LALAEV (UWW), Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (UWW) and world U23 champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB) rack up a stacked bracket.

Mammadli will still be the favorite, coming in as the European champion. He will also be keen on avenging his Zagreb Open loss to Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB). Azizli, who has tried to make 60kg before in his career, will have a big task as he has struggled to match up against bigger-sized wrestlers at this weight class.

Tibilov made the finals in Bratislava but lost to Mammadli. He will be keen on getting a rematch in Budapest. Lalaev, who lost to Tibilov, has a chance to avenge that loss to the Serbian. He also has to battle it out with Allakhiarov as both are fighting for a spot at the World Championships as UWW wrestlers in Zagreb.

Ganiev, who has impressed with world U23 gold and Asian Championships silver, can be a problem for others in the bracket.

63kg: Red-hot Kerem KAMAL (TUR) will try to maintain his winning streak of 2025 as he enters the fourth tournament of the year. He won gold in Tirana, Bratislava and Ulaanbaatar in dominant fashion. He will be in Budapest at 63kg as the favorite.

European silver medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) has a chance to avenge his loss in the final to Kamal but a strong bracket means he has bigger hurdles as well.

World U23 champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT), Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) and Sergey EMELIN (UWW) are entered to gain ranking points in Budapest.

67kg: With Jafarov moving up to 72kg for this tournament, former world champions Leri ABULADZE (GEO) and Sebastian NAD (SRB) along with a few others can win the gold.

Abuladze needs to win gold to make the World Championships over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) who will also look to beat his compatriot and earn his ticket to Zagreb.

Kazakhstan's world U23 champion Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) has not shown the same form since winning the world gold in 2023. He has a chance to be in Zagreb with good performance in Budapest. He also has Din  KOSHKAR (KAZ) fighting for the same spot.

Add Ruslan BICHURIN (UWW) to the bracket as he can easily take the gold medal to surprise the field at 67kg.

Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO)Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) is a world U23 champion at 72kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

72kg: Three Georgians are entered at 72kg -- Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), Otar ABULADZE (GEO), Giorgi CHKHIKVADZE (GEO). The winner will get the spot on the Georgian team for the World Championships but the challenge is to win the tournament.

Lomadze failed to win a medal at the European Championships which created an opportunity for world bronze medalist Abuladze and world U23 champion Chkhikvadze to enter the race for a spot on the team.

Former world champion Ali ARSALAN (SRB), who missed out on a medal at the Europeans, would be keen on getting back to winning ways before the World Championships where he won bronze last year.

Jafarov won't be too worried about his result here as he neither gains ranking points nor is his Azerbaijan team spot in danger.

77kg: Both Ganizade and Suleymanov have a chance to make the world team for Azerbaijan. Even if Ganizade misses the podium, he will most likely be back to 72kg. Still, it spices up the 77kg in Budapest.

Levai, who won 72kg European gold, will be challenging the 77kg field in Budapest as he prepares for the World Championships. His win in Bratislava has forced his brother Zoltan to move to 82kg. Levai has rock-solid defense and can score points from different positions.

But big-throwing wrestlers like Alexandrin GUTU (MDA), Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) and Sergei KUTUZOV (UWW) are entered in the competition.

Gutu missed the European Championships and his place was taken by Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA). Now, both are fighting for the 77kg spot for Moldova. Asian champion Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) will be hoping to build on his gold, his first-ever in any championships. 

Other significant names include Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO), Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR), Yunus BASAR (TUR) and Kamal BEY (USA).

82kg: European champion Gurban GURBANOV (AZE) will be challenged more than the Euros in Budapest. While he has mastered the European field, the Asian wrestlers can pose some unique challenges.

Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) and Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB) are the big names entered from Asia. Also add the two Kazakhstan wrestlers, Dias KALEN (KAZ) and Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ). World U23 silver medalist Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) will also be a tough competitor from the U.S.

Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO), Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) and Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) are some of the European stars.

87kg: Always regarded as the toughest weight class in Greco-Roman, the 87kg doesn't have a clear favorite. Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) will only be at his third competition this year after he won the Zagreb Open early in the year and then the invitational Thor Masters last month. It remains to be seen how rusty he looks coming back from the break.

Hungarian trio -- Levai, Takacs and Losonczi -- are fighting it out for the spot on the team and Losonczi will be the favorite to win, like last year.

The biggest challenge will come from Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW), Alan OSTAEV (UWW) and Aues GONIBOV (UWW). Only one of the three can be at the World Championships and that will add motivation for them to win the tournament.

Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) and Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) are also entered as they look to earn some ranking points for World Championships.

Islam ABBASOV (AZE), Ivan HUKLEK (CRO), Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) and Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) are also in the bracket, making it even more unpredictable.

97kg: A mini-battle for Azerbaijan will be between Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) and Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE), while Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) and Magomed MURTAZALIEV (UWW) will vie for UWW spots. Sargasian suffered a surprising loss at the European Championships but will hope to make the world team.

Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) and Alex SZOKE (HUN) are other big names in the competition.

130kg: European silver medalist Hamza BAKIR (TUR) will be the favorite to win the gold medal at 130kg despite the presence of Beka KANDELAKI (AZE),  Heiki NABI (EST), Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) among others.

Hungary has Darius VITEK (HUN) and Koppany LASZLO (HUN) competing for the 130kg spot for Hungary. 

Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) is a surprise entry at 130kg from Serbia as he seems to struggle to make the 97kg weight class

The United States has three entries -- Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA), Aden ATTAO (USA) and Courtney FREEMAN (USA).