Susaki Returns from Elbow Injury with Victory as Junior, but Laments Struggles

Wednesday, April 3, 2019 - 22:56 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO---Two-time senior world champion Yui SUSAKI went into the Japan Junior Queens Cup with the objective of winning a title in her comeback from a serious elbow injury in December, and going home with a smile.

She got half of what she wanted.

Susaki had to fight back tears after struggling to defeat relatively unheralded Remina YOSHIMOTO, 2-1, in the 50kg final of the junior division of the two-day tournament for Japan's young females at Tokyo's Komazawa Gym.

While a junior tournament, even on the national level, may seem below Susaki's pay grade, she saw it as a chance to get back on the mat following her injury, and, as she turns 20 in June, have one last fling as a junior. What she did not foresee was the immense pressure that she would put on herself to perform.

"In this final, I really felt the pressure," Susaki said. "Having that fear going into the match, it was the first time I wrestled feeling such pressure. Only a person who has become a champion can experience this. I will get over this and work hard to become a dominant, true champion."

Susaki, who won her second straight senior world title last October in Budapest, suffered a dislocated elbow just prior to the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships in December. That tournament was the first of two qualifiers for Japan's team to this year's world championships in Astana---where winning a medal will automatically clinch a spot on the squad for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.

"Where I am at this point, I can't achieve my goal," Susaki said. "I will urgently pick up the pace to overcome my shortcomings, and renew my determination to make it to the Tokyo Olympics. Compared to myself at the world championships, I am still far behind my ideal level."

(Yui SUSAKI holds off Remina YOSHIMOTO in the junior 50kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

To get back to the worlds---and have a shot at the coveted ticket to Tokyo 2020---Susuki will next have to enter a qualifying tournament for the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships in June, the second national team qualifier. She would then have to win the Meiji Cup, then defeat Emperor's Cup champion Yuki IRIE in a playoff.

Not impossible, as she did it last year to get to Budapest. But that time, she wasn't coming off a serious injury that has seemed to sap some of her confidence.

"She's only just returned and her elbow has healed, now she needs to increase the amount of practice," said Shoko YOSHIMURA, Susaki's coach during her days at the JOC Elite Academy who was in her corner on Wednesday. "She had a tough time in the final, but up to then, she had very good matches. We saw a lot of good things. She just needs to have confidence going into matches."

Susaki, her elbow taped, completely outclassed her first three opponents, winning by first-period 10-0 technical falls in her first two matches on Tuesday, then routing Ayaka HIRATA by the same score in their semifinal Wednesday morning.

But Yoshimoto, who just entered her freshman year at powerhouse Shigakkan University, proved to be formidable opponent, one who might crash the three-women 50kg party of Susaki, Irie and Rio 2016 champion Eri TOSAKA. Like Susaki, Yoshimoto needs to qualify for the Meiji Cup.

In the final, all three points came with the opponent on the activity clock, with Susaki scoring the go-ahead point with :40 left in the match. Yoshimoto had the best chance to score, as she got in on a deep single-leg early in the first period, but Susaki reached over and locked a leg and the move ended in a stalemate.

"In the final, I wasn't able to wrestle my way, and it became a tough match," Susaki said.

Yoshimoto, the 2017 world cadet champion at 46kg, sensed Susaki's anxiety, and regretted she could not take advantage to score a major upset over one of world wrestling's most popular stars.

"I think that she was under a lot of pressure this time, as this was her comeback from an injury," Yoshimoto said. "Psychologically, I was the challenger, which was an advantage for me. That I wasn't able to come away with a win was due to my weakness. She was under many times more pressure than me, and by winning, it shows how strong Yui is. That's something that I'm still lacking."

(Yui SUSAKI fights off a takedown attempt by Remina YOSHIMOTO in the junior 50kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

Yoshimoto made an impression as a high schooler at the Emperor's Cup last December, when she lost 8-4 to Irie in the quarterfinals, then pushed Tosaka in the third-place match before falling 7-3. She followed that up with a strong showing at this year's Klippan Lady Open, where she lost 4-4 to Chinese veteran SUN Yanan.

"She's a very good wrestler," Yoshimura said. "She uses the typical Japanese low stance. She had a great tournament."

Yoshimura added that Susaki's tough final proved only further how loaded Japanese women's wrestling is in the lower weight classes, and will only get stronger as the stakes rise.

"From now, they will raise each other's level, and the strongest wrestler will represent Japan at the world championships and Olympics," she said. "Looking at that, Japan has incredible depth, with many strong wrestlers. To win this fight is very difficult. If you beat them, you're very close to being a world champion."

Following Tuesday's session, Susaki spoke more in depth about her current condition and the recovery process. She also said the experience of being away from the sport only served to renew her devotion for it.

"My left elbow has pretty much healed, it's about at 90 percent," she said. "When I was injured before the Emperor's Cup and couldn't compete, it was really tough to take. It was the first time to have such a serious injury, and experience such hard times.

"It made me happy that I was able to wrestle again, and it made me realize how much I really like wrestling. Before I had to watch from the stands and bear the frustration, but to be able to now wrestle in a match, it's fun and I really know how happy it makes me. It makes me feel deep inside how important wrestling is to me."

Susaki said she was so desperate to get back into action, during rehab she even practiced one-handed. Unfortunately, she said, she ended up developing some bad habits which she had since amended.

As for entering the junior tournament, she replied, "Conversely, I didn't feel I had the choice not to enter. When I was unable to compete at the Emperor's Cup, I decided I would get back to full health and win the Queens Cup."

(Haruna OKUNO puts the pressure on Umi IMAI in the junior 53kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

Okuno also makes victorious comeback

Like Susaki, fellow world champion Haruna OKUNO missed out on the Emperor's Cup---in her case due to a stomach virus---and entered the Junior Queens Cup as part of her comeback.

Okuno was a rock of stability in winning the 53kg title, notching four without conceding a point, including a solid 6-0 win in the final over world junior and Klippan champion Umi IMAI.

That was Okuno's second 6-0 victory of the tournament, which also included a 10-0 technical fall and a victory by fall in which she had built a 12-0 lead.

(Haruna OKUNO defends against a takedown attempt by Umi IMAI in the junior 53kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

"More than a technical fall, I wanted to solidly score points," Okuno said. "Even when [Imai] got my legs, I was able to break free. Up to now, most times when the opponent got in my legs, they were able to lock it up. But I worked on breaking the hold."

Okuno is a product of the same wrestling club that produced legendary Saori YOSHIDA, and although the club stressed aggressiveness, her forte became defense, which she showed in the Junior Queens.

"I come from the same place as Saori [Yoshida], so attacking, going for tackles is the image that we have. But when I was in kids wrestling, I wasn't strong on tackling. I was the type of wrestler that had low scores, or come-from-behind wins or losses. To not give up points has been my strong point."

Okuno, who bounced back from finishing third at the Asian Games last summer by winning the gold in Budapest, has her work cut out for her to get onto the team for Astana. Mayu MUKAIDA, the world champion at 55kg, has dropped down to the Olympic weight of 53kg, and moved halfway to Astana by winning the weight class at the Emperor's Cup. Head-to-head, Mukaida has won all eight of their encounters.

(Yuka KAGAMI works for a takedown against Kanon KOBAYASHI during their round-robin match in the junior 72kg class. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

In other action, two-time world cadet champion Yuka KAGAMI moved up to the junior division and made mincemeat of that group, posting four 10-0 technical falls and one fall to win the 72kg gold.

Kagami, who was named the UWW cadet wrestler of the year in 2018, said she has been inspired by JOC Elite Academy alum Susaki to take shots at the older divisions, and this year she finished second at the Ivan Yarygin Grand Prix and third at the Klippan.

"I didn't really think about that, but I watched Yui and other older teammates win on the senior level," she said. "I thought if I worked hard, I could do it, too."

The 17-year-old Kagami revealed that she will make her most bold challenge to date in June, when she moves up to 76kg for the Meiji Cup in a bid for Tokyo 2020 that few thought was in her range.

Kagami won the 72kg title at the Emperor's Cup in a field of four as the top wrestlers went either up or down to the Olympic divisions of 68kg or 76kg. But she wants to fulfill her Olympic dream sooner than later, which will put her on a collision course with two-time world medalist and defending champion Hiroe MINAGAWA.

"Right now, I'm in a non-Olympic weight, but it's my plan to enter the Meiji Cup at 76kg, win that and then the playoff, then go to the world championships," Kagami said. "Everyone's saying to me 'Paris [2024]', but for myself, I'm aiming for Tokyo."

In the 55kg class, world U23 and junior champion Saki IGARASHI scraped out a 3-0 win over high schooler Tsugumi SAKURAI in the final.

Two of Japan's reigning world junior champions came up short of national titles, as Atena KODAMA fell 5-2 in the 62kg final to Yuzuka INAGAKI, and Akie HANAI decked Hanako SAWA with two seconds left in the 57kg final.

Twin sisters Naruha and Yasuha MATSUYUKI won the 68kg and 76kg titles, respectively.

The tournament also decided the nation's best females in the schoolgirl, junior high school and cadet age groups.

(Akari FUJINAMI works to turn over Mako ONO in the cadet 53kg final. Photo: Takeo Yabuki, JWF)

Among the future stars, Akari FUJINAMI remains untouchable at the cadet level as the younger sister of 2017 world freestyle bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI put together three technical falls and a fall to take the 53kg crown.

"I was satisfied that I was able to be the aggressor," said Fujinami, who will compete in her first high school tournament in August. "I want to continue to raise my level, and work hard to be able to challenge those at the next level."

In a battle between Asian U15 champions and Klippan cadet medalists, Moe KIYOOKA edged Yu SAKAMOTO 2-1 in a nail-biting 49kg final.

World cadet champions Nonoka OZAKI (61kg) and Honoka NAKAI (69kg) both stormed to gold medals in their respective divisions.

#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)

Susaki Returns from Elbow Injury with Victory as Junior, but Laments Struggles

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