japan national, yui susaki, susaki, dosho, higuchi, wrestling, Greco-Roman, ota, paris

Shock as Rio 2016 Silver-Medal Duo Fail to Make Japan Squad for Paris

Monday, June 19, 2017 - 01:22 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (June 18) - Having an Olympic silver medal to one’s name is a remarkable accomplishment certainly worth being proud of. But as both Rei HIGUCHI and Shinobu OTA found out, it counts for little when the 2017 world team is being selected.

Both Higuchi and Ota, who won silver medals at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, failed to make Japan's team to this summer's World Championships in Paris after going down to defeat on the final day of the three-day Japan National Invitational Championships in Tokyo.

Higuchi, the freestyle runner-up at 57kg in Rio de Janeiro, lost in the 61kg final to longtime collegiate rival Rinya NAKAMURA, 14-5, and then blew an early lead and dropped a 9-5 decision in a special world team wrestle-off as Nakamura snatched the berth to Paris.

Asian champion Kenichiro FUMITA, having defeated Ota for the Greco-Roman 59kg crown at the National Championships in December, needed only one win over Ota on Sunday, which he wrapped up with a 6-2 victory in the featherweight final to punch his ticket to Paris.

"I've been to a number of world championships as a warm-up partner and watched the competition right in front of my eyes, which was really hard to take," Fumita said.

"I thought I have to make it there myself and win a medal. That has now become a reality and I will be going as a competitor, so I'll aim for the top and get myself ready."

For the Japanese men, selection is based on the results from the two national competitions. The winners at the December championships, known as the Emperor's Cup, automatically clinched a world team berth by winning the invitational meet, called the Meiji Cup.

Two more categories in the men’s disciplines on Sunday were also decided in playoff bouts.

In freestyle, Yuhi FUJINAMI posted a pair of one-sided victories at 70kg over Emperor's Cup champion and Asian bronze medalist Momojiro NAKAMURA, rolling to a 10-0 technical fall in 1:14 of the semifinal, then repeating that score in 4:28 of the wrestle-off.

In between the two wins over Nakamura, Fujinami earned a place in the playoff by sweeping past defending champion Nobuyoshi TAKOJIMA, 10-2, in the final.

Atsushi MATSUMOTO continues to make progress in his transition from freestyle to Greco-Roman, although the Emperor's Cup champion at 85kg needed a hard-fought 4-1 victory over Kanta SHIOKAWA in the playoff to make the team to Paris.

Matsumoto, who won the Asian title in New Delhi in May, lost in the semifinals, 2-1, to Masato SUMI, who in turn fell 4-1 to Shiokawa in the final.

Matsumoto, whose brother Ryutaro was a London 2012 bronze medalist in Greco-Roman, won the last of his five Meiji Cup freestyle titles last year before switching to Greco-Roman after failing to qualify for Rio de Janeiro.

Fumita and Ota have been well aware of each other for years as former teammates at Nippon Sport Science University, where the 21-year-old Fumita is still a student. Ota and Fumita, currently ranked No.2 and No.3 by United World Wrestling, continue to train together at NSSU.

Fumita grabbed the spotlight when he knocked off the Rio 2016 silver medalist at the Emperor's Cup, then went on to win the gold medal at the Asian Championships. But Ota showed he was not ready to yield easily when he beat Fumita in the final of the Cerro Pelado International in Cuba.

"In February, I lost to him in the final in Cuba, that was really disappointing," Fumita said. "I took part in the Asian Championships and won, but was not satisfied with my performance. So I put everything into preparing for this tournament."

In the final, both wrestlers gained a point on the opponent's passivity when Ota was awarded a second to put him ahead with less than a minute left in the bout. But, at that precise moment, Fumita executed a back drop to regain the lead. He added a second a short time later to clinch the victory, which he celebrated with a back flip.

"I wasn't scared," Fumita said of falling behind late in the match. "I didn't feel the need to panic. If I don't make a mistake, one minute is enough time. Keeping calm led to my getting points."

Ironically, both wrestlers cut it close in the semifinals. Fumita was trailing, 2-2, on criteria to Hayanobu SHIMIZU when he scored with a throw with 40 seconds left to win, 4-2. Likewise, Ota fell behind, 2-0, to Masuto KAWANA before grabbing a decisive takedown in a wild flurry with 4:20 left.

"I thought I was prepared," Ota said. "But I couldn't attack like I needed to."

Like Fumita and Ota, Nakamura and Higuchi are quite familiar with each other, having faced each other going back to their days in youth wrestling and more recently as collegiate rivals. Nakamura goes to Senshu University, while Higuchi is among the strong group at NSSU.

"We've had over 10 matches, but this is the first time since junior high school that I won in an individual tournament," said Nakamura, who won the Meiji Cup at 57kg last year. "So it makes me feel like I've gotten over a wall."

In the final, Nakamura scored big with counters to Higuchi's single-leg takedown attempts, gaining four points with one crotch lift and two with another. He led 8-2 after the first period before finishing up the 14-5 win.

Higuchi was more cautious in the playoff, and built up a 5-1 lead early in the second period. But Nakamura cut the gap with another lift to counter a takedown, then went ahead with a single-leg takedown followed by an ankle roll with 50 seconds left.

"Today I was not good enough to win," said Higuchi, who suffered a surprise semifinal loss at New Delhi 2017 and had to settle for a bronze medal. "He (Nakamura) did his research on me very well. I wasn't strong enough."

Nakamura's victory capped his recovery from shoulder surgery which he underwent following last year's tournament. It was Higuchi's performance in Rio that motivated him.

"It was from the hospital bed that I saw Higuchi perform so well," Nakamura said. "I thought he looked so cool. The only things I could do while I was injured I went all out to do, and that paid off today."

No Stopping the Golden Girls

There were no surprises in the women's competition, in which Rio gold medalists Risako KAWAI (60kg) and Sara DOSHO (69kg) had little trouble winning titles after skipping last year’s tournament.

Teen titan Yui SUSAKI picked up her second straight title at 48kg with Rio 2016 champion Eri TOSAKA still on the sidelines, scoring all of her points in the first period and holding on for 3-0 victory in the final over junior world champ Miho IGARASHI.

All three, who won gold medals at the Asian Championships, are all but certain to be on the team for Paris, but will have to wait for confirmation until a later date. Unlike the men, the women's team will be chosen by the Japan Wrestling Federation based on the results of the two national tournaments and other factors.

Kawai, who was awarded the Meiji Cup as the tournament MVP, had an early scare in the final against defending champion Yui SAKANO, giving up a four-point throw.

But she soon took control and stormed back to win by technical fall, 14-4, at 5:02. It was her third career title after winning in 2012 at 51kg and in 2015 at 63kg.

"I knew she was an opponent that likes to use that throw," Kawai said. "I was doing only what I wanted to do and wasn’t paying attention to what my opponent was doing."

Assuming she is selected for Paris, Kawai will aim for her first world gold after taking a silver medal at 63kg in 2015.

"I don't think I can win if I keep going like this," Kawai said. "I have to rethink what I am doing from the beginning."

Dosho, a three-time world medalist also looking for her first gold, jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the final against high school student Miwa MORIKAWA before finishing up a 12-1 technical fall in 4:35.

Dosho had a tougher time in her only other match, a 4-2 win the semifinals over Chiaki IIJIMA, en route to her fifth career title and first since 2015.

Results

Freestyle

61kg (12 entries)

Final - Rinya NAKAMURA df. Rei HIGUCHI, 14-5
3rd Place - Taishi NARIKUNI and Shoya SHIMAE

70kg (12 entries)

Final - Yuhi FUJINAMI df. Nobuyoshi TAKOJIMA, 10-2
3rd Place - Momojiro NAKAMURA and Shun ITO

Greco-Roman

59kg (13 entries)

Final - Kenichiro FUMITA df. Shinobu OTA, 6-2
3rd Place - Hayanobu SHIMIZU and Masuto KAWANA

85kg (8 entries)

Final - Kanta SHIOKAWA df. Masato SUMI, 4-1
3rd Place - Atsushi MATSUMOTO and Taichi OKA

Women's Wrestling

48kg (9 entries)

Final - Yui SUSAKI df. Miho IGARASHI, 3-0
3rd Place -Yuki IRIE and Miyu NAKAMURA

60kg (7 entries)

Final - Risako KAWAI df. Yui SAKANO by TF, 14-4, 5:02
3rd Place - Atena KODAMA and Miki KAWAUCHI

69kg (6 entries)

Final - Sara DOSHO df. Miwa MORIKAWA by TF, 12-1, 4:35
3rd Place - Chiaki IIJIMA and Yuka KAGAMI

#WrestleAmman

Rising star Masoumi gains revenge, joins gold rush by young Iran squad

Sunday, March 30, 2025 - 20:27 By Ken Marantz

AMMAN, Jordan (March 30) -- Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) settled an old score as he continued his emergence as the new face in the heavyweight class.

Rising star Masoumi defeated Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the 125kg final as Iran won three of the five Freestyle titles at stake on the final day of the Asian Championships on Sunday in Amman, Jordan.

The 20-year-old Masoumi's 6-0 victory over Munkhtur avenged a loss in the quarterfinals two years ago at the Asian Championships, and gave the reigning world U23 and U20 champion the first of what could be many senior Asian titles to come.

Iran also got golds from teenager Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) at 86kg and world U23 champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), who successfully defended his 92kg title, while collegian Takara SUDA (JPN) gave Japan its third freestyle gold with a victory at 61kg and Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) triumphed at 74kg to become a three-time Asian champion.

The young Iran squad, which medaled in all but one weight class, compiled 190 points to run away with the team title for the second straight year and sixth time in seven years. Japan finished second with 146, while Kazakhstan edged Mongolia by two points for third place with 125.

"Iran did something really great and valuable this year by bringing young wrestlers to the Asian Championships, proving that we can win the title with them and that they deserve our trust," said Masoumi, whose father Fardin was a two-time world medalist and finished fifth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"The championship age is getting lower in the world, and I believe the more opportunities we give these young athletes, the bigger achievements they can accomplish."

Masoumi came into Amman riding high from a victory at the Zagreb Ranking Series event in February, a year after losing in the final to compatriot, world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Amir ZARE (IRI). Lanky for a heavyweight, Masoumi combines a lethal combination of speed, agility and power.

In the final against Munkhtur, a two-time world medalist and the 2023 Asian champion, Masoumi quickly took advantage of an opening and tripped the Mongolian backward at the edge for a 4-point takedown. He then used a double underhook to muscle Munkhtur over the edge to get a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on.

Although Masoumi went scoreless in the second period, he was never put in danger and fended off all of Munkhtur's efforts.

"Munkhtur is a tough and respectable opponent," Masoumi said. "He’s a world silver medalist, a world bronze medalist, the runner-up at the Asian Games, and an Asian champion.

"Thank God, with my coaches’ analysis and my own progress over the past few years, I was able to wrestle a smart match, winning 6-0 and avenging my loss to him in the Asian Championships two years ago."

Masoumi said his next competition will be the domestic Takhti Cup, which will serve as a national team qualifer for this year's World Championships in Zagreb.

"All of the top heavyweight contenders, including the biggest names, will compete there," he said. "I’ll also participate and test my chances for the Zagreb competition."

Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) posted an 11-4 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) in the 86kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 86kg, Rahmani put on an impressive performance in roaring to an 11-4 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), the 2023 Asian champion at 79kg who, at 32, was an opponent nearly twice his age.

Rahmani, less than one year removed from taking an Asian U20 silver, started his quest for senior gold with a single-leg takedown, then gave up one to Sakayev. Rahmani gained an activity point to lead 3-2 going into the second period.

The Iranian increased the gap by stepping over for a 2-point exposure on the edge, then really got rolling when he got behind for a takedown and hit a gut wrench. Another takedown put him up 11-2 before Sakayev capped the scoring with a late takedown.

Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) wrestles Deepak PUNIA (IND) in the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Firouzpour, like Masoumi a world U23 champion and winner in Zagreb, turned in the most dominant victory of the night's finals, crushing Deepak PUNIA (IND) 10-0 for his second straight gold at 92kg and third overall.

A stepout and a snap-down takedown gave the 22-year-old Firouzpour a 3-0 lead in the first period. In the second, he added three more stepouts -- with a fleeing point added to one -- and an activity point to go up 8-0, then ended the match by countering a trip attempt and getting behind with 39 seconds left.

Firouzpour finished the tournament with two technical falls in three matches, and without conceding a point.

"My main goal was to not give up any points and wrestle my best in this tournament," Firouzpour said. "I’m happy that I achieved the result I wanted. I hope to perform well in the upcoming Takhti Cup...and to win gold at the World Championships in Croatia."

Firouzpour also praised Iran coach Pejman DOROSTKAR for taking the chance to assemble such a young team for the tournament.

"Not every head coach would take that risk, but he embraced the challenge and built a U23 team," Firouzpour said. "In fact, most of our team was under 21. Only one other wrestler and I were 22, while almost everyone else was under 20.

"Thanks to his decision, we won nine medals and dominated Asia. With a coach and federation president like we have now, I’m confident we’ll achieve the best results at the World Championships as well."

Punia, a world silver medalist at 86kg in 2019, earned his fourth Asian medal and first since 2022. He also has a silver from the 2023 Asian Games and placed fifth at the Tokyo Olympics.

Takara SUDA (JPN) defends against UDIT (IND) in the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Suda, winner at the Tirana Ranking Series event in February in his international senior debut, made it 2 for 2 on this level with a 6-4 victory in the 61kg final over UDIT (IND), last year's silver medalist at 57kg.

"I was determined to win the gold medal," Suda said. "To win my second senior tournament, following the Ranking Series, shows I can be competitive on this level."

Suda fired straight out of the blocks and scored a stepout with a charging single leg, then added a single-leg takedown to go into the break 3-0.

Udit went on the offensive in the second period, but couldn't seem to keep hold of the elusive Suda, who twice jumped free when Udit grabbed a low single. Udit kept his grip a third time, but Suda still managed to squirm free.

An activity point put Udit onto the scoreboard, but Suda quickly responded with a snap-down takedown. The two traded late stepouts before Udit scored a takedown in the final seconds that still left him short.

"In the final, I knew the Indian opponent would be strong physically," Suda said. "At the very least, I wanted to be aggressive in the first period."

Suda earned his ticket to Amman by winning his first national title last December in the absence of injured world champion Masanosuke ONO (JPN), his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate and training partner. Ono has since announced he will compete for Penn State University in the United States next season.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) added a third Asian title to his name. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the 74kg final, Kaipanov put on a masterclass in defending against a dangerous opponent, with a stepout and activity point in the second period lifting him to a 2-1 victory over Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) and his first Asian title since 2021.

Toktomambetov, the 2024 world U23 silver medalist who took an Asian bronze at 70kg in 2023, gained an activity point for the lone score of the first period. But he couldn't break through Kaipanov's defenses in the second as the Kazakh veteran took the lead and held on for the win.

The victory makes Kaipanov a four-time Asian medalist, having won his first gold at 70kg in 2019 and a silver medal in 2022. He also took a world bronze at 70kg in 2019.

Dauletbekov grabs 92kg bronze for 6th career medal

Veteran Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), who moved up 92kg late last year, was unable to continue his remarkable streak of Asian titles, but assured he would not leave Amman empty-handed when he defeated Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) 2-1 for a bronze medal.

Dauletbekov scored a stepout in the first period, and that proved the difference when the two had offsetting activity points to give him a sixth career Asian medal dating back to 2017.

The world bronze medalist, who won three straight Asian golds at 86kg from 2022-2024, bumped up a weight class following the Paris Olympics, where he placed 11th.

The other 92kg bronze went to Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN), who stormed to an 11-0 victory over Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) to add to his bronze at 97kg in 2021. Ishiguro barged to a 4-point takedown right off the bat, then got behind in standing position and took Rakhimov to the mat while executing a gut wrench, then added another roll for the 10-point gap at 1:52. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

In one of the oddest matches of the tournament, DINESH (IND) scored a takedown with :40 left to cap a comeback in a wild 14-12 victory over an obviously fatigued Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) for a 125kg bronze.

Saparov, the 2023 Asian U23 champion, looked chipper at the start, hitting Dinesh with a slick arm throw for 2, then using an arm spin for another takedown and adding a gut wrench to lead 6-0.

But from there, it became clear he was struggling for breath, and the only thing that seemed to save him were constant breaks to stop a bloody nose. Dinesh continually chipped away at the lead, although Saparov managed one spurt in the second period when he got behind for a takedown and added a gut wrench to go ahead 12-7.

Dinesh kept pressing and kept scoring, inevitably getting the winning points to clinch his first major medal. With Saparov's loss, Turkmenistan continued a medal drought at the Asian Championships dating back to 2018.

Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) claimed the other 125kg bronze and his second in a row with a victory by fall over Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ).

Leading 4-1 in the second period, Sharipov was sprawling when he reached under and pulled in Al Jamie's leg, forcing him to his back for a 4-point move before pressing down for the fall in 4:53.

At 61kg, Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), the winner at this year's Zagreb Ranking Series event, capped his debut at the Asian Championships with a solid 6-1 victory that relegated Kum Chol RI (PRK) to a second straight silver medal.

After thwarting a nice ankle pick by Ri and converting it into a takedown, Javan went on the offensive and got two takedowns off a high crotch, sandwiched around a stepout by Ri. Javan then defended well in a scoreless second period to add the Asian bronze to those at the world U20 in 2022 and world U23 in 2021 at 57kg.

Wanhao ZOU (CHN) won the other 61kg bronze, getting a takedown and stepout in the first period in a 4-2 victory that denied Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) a second career bronze.

At 74kg, Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN) received an activity point in each period, while putting up a Great Wall of Defense to defeat Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB) 4-0. Aheiyou got his last two points when he stopped a last-ditch throw attempt by Nasritdinov.

Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) became the lone Iranian in freestyle to leave without a medal when was dealt a heartbreaking 2-2 defeat by Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), despite being the aggressor throughout their 74kg match.

Shakeri, the 2023 world U230 champion at 65kg, gained an activity point in the first period, but Asluev went ahead in the second when he managed to gain control long enough for a takedown during a scramble that ended with Shakeri gaining a stepout.

To his credit, Asluev deftly slipped out when Shakeri got behind on the ankles, and whizzered out of another takedown attempt as he added to his bronze from 2023.

At 86kg, Asian U20 champion Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), burned once by an arm spin by Nan CAO (CHN), was ready the second time, stopping his opponent in mid-twist and securing a second-period fall.

Cao, the Asian U23 champion at 79kg, took the lead with an acrobatic takedown in the first period. But Naadambat was ready the second time and it resulted in his first senior medal.

Stocky Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) came away with his second straight 86kg bronze, using his low center of gravity to score four stepouts and defeat Mukul DAHIYA (IND) 4-2.

Shirai, the 2022 world U23 champion, chalked up two stepouts in each period before 2023 Asian U20 champion Dahiya finally got on the scoreboard with a takedown late in the second period.

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

61kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Takara SUDA (JPN) df. UDIT (IND), 6-4

BRONZE: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) df. Kum Chol RI (PRK), 6-1
BRONZE: Wanhao ZOU (CHN) df. Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ), 4-2

74kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 2-1

BRONZE: Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN) df. Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB), 4-0
BRONZE: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), 2-2

86kg (15 entries)
GOLD: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 11-4

BRONZE: Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL) df. Nan CAO (CHN) by Fall, 3:56 (2-2)
BRONZE: Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) df. Mukul DAHIYA (IND), 4-2

92kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) df. Deepak PUNIA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 5:21

BRONZE: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Sherzod POYONOV (UZB), 2-1
BRONZE: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) df. Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) by TF, 11-0, 1:53

125kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) df. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), 6-0

BRONZE: DINESH (IND) df. Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM), 14-12
BRONZE: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ) by Fall, 4:53 (8-1)

Shock as Rio 2016 Silver-Medal Duo Fail to Make Japan Squad for Paris

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Rising star Masoumi gains revenge, joins gold rush by young Iran squad