BANGKOK (February 19) – Everything came up sunshine and gold medals for China on Friday as SUN Yanan (CHN) toppled world champion Eri TOSAKA (JPN) at the Asian wrestling championships and two more teammates joined her at the top of the medals podium.

Sun’s semifinals victory at 48kg over Tosaka appeared to spark her teammates as she was joined by PANG Qianyu (53kg) and HAN Yingyan (60kg), both making their debut at the Asian championships.

After her hard-fought win over Tosaka, Sun wasted little time in subduing junior world silver medalist Irina BORISSOVA (KAZ) with a technical fall, featuring a textbook arm-throw and then a hiplock to stop the clock at 4:00.

The victory for the 2013 world champion was her second of the year, following her triumph over European Games bronze medalist Valentina ISLAMOVA (RUS) at the Rio 2016 Test Event in Brazil last month.

Meanwhile, 19-year-old Pang nailed down her first international victory with a come-from-behind fall over 2014 Asian silver medalist NGUYEN Thi Lua (VIE) in the 53kg final.

Han, wrestling in only her third international event in three years, scored a step-out point and a go-behind counter for a 5-4 lead over Ayaka ITO (JPN) in the 60kg final. She then held on for the win with Ito in deep on a leg for the go-ahead takedown in the closing seconds of the bout.

World bronze medalist Sara DOSHO (JPN) salvaged some pride for Team Japan in the day’s finale at 69kg. Dosho got rolling in the second period with a four-point takedown and a quick tilt for two to defeat Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) by technical fall.

In the day’s fifth gold medal bout at 55kg, DAVAASUKH Otgontsetseg (MGL) dragged the arm to sneak behind Priyanka PRIYANKA (IND) in the second period and made it stand for a 2-2 win on last point criteria.

Wrestling continues Saturday with four events in men’s freestyle and the final weight category in women’s wrestling – 58kg.  With one female event to go, China leads the race for the team title with 57 points while Japan trails at 53.

Women’s wrestling

48kg (10 entries)
Gold – SUN Yanan (CHN) df. Irina BORISSOVA (KAZ) by TF, 12-2, 4:00
Bronze – VU Thi Hang (VIE) df. KANG Eunju (KOR) by TF, 10-0, 2:57
Bronze – Eri TOSAKA (JPN) df. Dauletbike YAKSHIMUROVA (UZB) by TF, 12-2, 1:40

53kg (13 entries)
Gold – PANG Qianyu (CHN) df. NGUYEN Thi Lua (VIE) by Fall, 4:47 (8-6)
Bronze – OH Hyunyoung (KOR) df. Orasa SOOKDONGYOR (THA) by Fall, 1:44 (6-0)
Bronze – Vinesh VINESH (IND) df. PAK Yong-Mi (PRK) by Fall, 5:53 (9-4)

55kg (9 entries)
Gold – DAVAASUKH Otgontsetseg (MGL) df. Prinyanka PRINYANKA (IND), 2-2
Bronze – KIEU Thi Ly (VIE) df. Bermet NURLANBEZKYZY (KGZ) by TF, 14-3, 3:28
Bronze – UM Jieun (KOR) df. Momoko KADOYA (JPN), 4-2

60kg (8 entries)
Gold – HAN Yingyan (CHN) df. Ayaka ITO (JPN), 6-4
Bronze – OTGONBAT Oyuntuya (MGL) df. DAO Thi Huong (VIE) by Fall, 0:46 (4-0)
Bronze – Madina BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Sakshi MALIK (IND) by Fall, 1:43 (2-0)

69kg (8 entries)
Gold – Sara DOSHO (JPN) df. Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) by TF, 11-1, 4:57
Bronze – BOLORTUNGALAG Tsorigt (MGL) df. PARK Chaerin (KOR) by Fall, 2:06 (8-0)
Bronze – WANG Jiao (CHN) df. Navjot KAUR (IND) by Fall, 3:32 (7-0)