Fujinami's pre-Paris prepping includes victory in rare clash with fellow world champ Sakurai

Sunday, January 21, 2024 - 12:45 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (January 18) -- It wasn't exactly Rocky and Apollo Creed settling their score in a dank empty boxing gym. But on a winter morning in Tokyo, two reigning women world champions met in a rare clash that would have been a marquee match-up on a global stage but was seen only by a sparse crowd in a nondescript high school gym.

Akari FUJINAMI got the best of fellow world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI when they faced off not for individual glory, but for collegiate pride in the East Japan Women's Collegiate League, a team competition held on Jan. 14.

A crowd of 150 or so was on hand for the clash of titans at Kokugakuin High School in central Tokyo, almost solely teammates, coaches, referees and officials from the organizing Tokyo Wrestling Association. The only sign that something special was at hand were the 30-plus media members there to witness the historic event.

JPN1 Nippon Sport Science University's Akari FUJINAMI looks for an opening in her match with fellow world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI of Ikuei University in a collegiate team tournament in Tokyo on Jan. 14. (photo by Ikuo Higuchi / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Fujinami, the reigning world gold medalist at 53kg from Nippon Sports Science University, defeated three-time 57kg titlist Sakurai of Ikuei University 5-0 in a 59kg match as both continue their preparations for the Paris Olympics, where they will both be favorites to strike gold.

Fujinami and Sakurai have practiced together before at national team camps, most recently at the start of the new year, but had not met in an official match since their high school days.

"We have practiced together many times," Fujinami said. "I was nervous in the actual match and it had a different feel. I think things came out that I can work on going into Paris, and I hope the two of us can win gold medals in Paris."

The five-team competition (actually four, with Nihon University a no-show) paired squads of three in the 53kg, 59kg and over-59kg weight classes in a duel meet format. Fujinami's victory was not enough to prevent Sakurai's Ikuei from beating NSSU 2-1, with Paris hopeful Ami ISHII scoring the decisive victory. Ikuei went on to win the title.

Fujinami, however, won her two other matches on the day, running her current winning streak to 133 that dates back to her junior high school days and includes two world senior titles.

So what led such stars to risk injury in an Olympic year in a match that would normally only have occurred had a national team berth been at stake?

"For sure, there were various things I thought of, but I wanted to make some contribution to Nittaidai," Fujinami said, using the common term for NSSU. "I heard that Sakurai would be participating, and I knew Sakurai would be ready, so I wanted to do it. I thought it would be a match that will have a connection to Paris. I entered because I will do everything to get ready for Paris, and I did it for Nittaidai."

Sakurai, at 22, is two years older. The two had met three times previously, most recently in July 2019, when Fujinami won for the first time, notching a 7-4 victory in the final at the Inter High School Championships.

Before that, Sakurai scored technical falls in their first two matches, both in 2016, when Fujinami was still in junior high school. It would be in June the following year that Fujinami would lose 7-2 to Umi ITO in the 44kg final of the All-Japan Junior High School Championships---and has not lost since.

"The last time I faced [Sakurai] I was in my first year of high school, so some time has passed since then," Fujinami said. "Both of us have made progress, and both of us will be putting it all on the line in Paris, so we will practice together again with the aim of making us both better."

JPN2 Fujinami gets behind for a first-period takedown. Fujinami's father and coach calls out in the background on the left. (photo by Ikuo Higuchi / Japan Wrestling Federation)

In the match, Sakurai tried to use her strength advantage to tie up Fujinami's arms, which thwarted any attacks but led to a passivity point for Fujinami. At the end of the first period, Fujinami finally broke through with a classic single leg takedown to take a 3-0 lead into the second frame.

Neither wrestler could create a good opening in the second period. At one point, Fujinami shot and was temporarily knocked back off balance, but she quickly recovered, and she later squirmed out of an arm spin. With time running out, Sakurai attempted a last-ditch headlock, but Fujinami fought it off for a takedown at the buzzer.

"At this level, I knew it would be a match in which you couldn't let the chance get away if given even a little opening," Fujinami said. "She's an opponent with a strong defense."

JPN5 Hosei University's Narumi NAKAMURA scores a rare 2-point exposure on Fujinami. (photo by Ikuo Higuchi / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Not surprisingly, Fujinami had an easier time in her two other matches, winning by either fall or technical superiority. She did, however, give up a rare 2-point exposure to Hosei University's Narumi NAKAMURA, who normally wrestles at 57kg. Fujinami had scored a takedown and was trying for a turn when her opponent reached down and pulled up Fujinami's leg from the inside. But the action came at the edge and was limited to the exposure.

According to the Japan federation website, it was the 12th time in Japan history that two reigning world champions faced each other, dating back to 1965. The most recent occurred in 2019, when then-women's 55kg champion Mayu MUKAIDA (now SHIDOCHI) defeated 53kg counterpart Haruna OKUNO in a 53kg match at the All-Japan Invitational Championships.

In almost all of the previous cases, the clash of titans came about because of the funneling of top wrestlers into the fewer weight classes used for the Olympics. Champions in non-Olympic weights would shift into Olympic ones, creating marquee match-ups. None drew more attention than the epic battles between reigning Olympic champions Kaori ICHO and Risako KAWAI for the 57kg spot at the Tokyo Olympics.

What made the Fujinami-Sakurai encounter so unique was that it occurred in such an innocuous event. While NSSU and Ikuei have emerged as the collegiate powerhouses in women's wrestling, no major title nor individual glory was on the line, and both schools had an alternate on the roster.

"We're in an era now where the strong wrestlers want to face each other," said NSSU assistant coach and former Olympic medalist Chikara TANABE. "If you avoid each other, you won't get stronger. There was also the pride of representing their university. The tournament organizer thought they wouldn't face each other, but they wanted to do it."

JPN3 Sakurai attempts a last-ditch headlock, which Fujinami fights off for a late takedown. (photo by Ikuo Higuchi / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Fujinami agrees that facing tough domestic competition, even if it means risking injury -- she has often expressed indifference about the winning streak -- can only be a positive thing.

"I knew deep down that there was a big risk in the challenge itself, but I felt it was something I could not run away from," Fujinami said. "In the end, I won. Looking back on this competition, I will look for things to work on, all in preparation for Paris."

Sakurai concurred, saying, "I went in with the intention of winning, so there is some disappointment. But it is a good thing to to face a wrestler who is above me. Practicing with wrestlers like her at the national camp should help me in my bid to win at the Olympics. I'm glad that I participated in this."

Fujinami would not reveal what her actual weight was on the day, but 59kg marks the heaviest weight class in which she has ever competed. She had gone up to 55kg twice recently and won both times, at the national collegiate championships in 2022 and the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov international tournament in Bulgaria last year.

"I have to lose a lot to get down to 53, so I decided to go at 59," she said.

JPN6 Ikuei's Ami ISHII works for a takedown against Kanagawa's Makoto KOMADA. (photo by Ikuo Higuchi / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Ishii preps for playoff with wins

It might have been a small surprise to also see Ishii taking the mat as well, given that she is two weeks away from an all-or-nothing playoff for the women's 68kg spot in Paris coming up against Nonoka OZAKI.

Ishii had secured the 68kg berth by winning the fifth-place playoff in Belgrade, but because she did not medal, as per Japan federation criteria, she did not automatically fill it herself. A victory at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships in December would have clinched it, but she lost in the first round to Ozaki, who went on to win the title. Now the two will go at again in a playoff on Jan. 27.

"I went into the Emperor's Cup with the intention of winning, so I had already committed to entering this before that," Ishii said. "It is a good rehearsal to have a tension-filled match before the playoff."

Ishii all but assured Ikuei the championship when she defeated NSSU's Kokona TAKADA 11-0 in the over-59kg match, then later won again by technical superiority in Ikuei's victory over Kanagawa University. Ishii was selected as the Most Outstanding Wrestler of the tournament.

The 21-year-old Ishii was a silver medalist at 68kg in her senior world debut in 2022. But last year in Belgrade, she lost 11-1 to eventual champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) in the semifinals, then lost a heartbreaking 8-8 decision in the bronze-medal match to Irina RINGACI (ROM). She bounced back to defeat Emma BRUNTIL (USA) 2-0 in the fifth-place playoff.

Ozaki, the 2022 world silver medalist at 62kg, failed to displace Sakura MOTOKI -- Ishii's teammate at Ikuei -- in that weight class, and as a sort of consolation, won the 65kg world title in Belgrade. She then bumped up another weight class at the Emperor's Cup in a last-chance bid to get to Paris.

JPN9 The nine Japanese who have already secured tickets to the Paris Olympics pose together after being introduced to the crowd on the final day of the All-Japan Championships in December. (photo by Takeo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Next stop, Bishkek

Next up for both Fujinami and Sakurai will be the Asian Championships on April 11-16 in the Kyrgyzstan capital of Bishkek, where they will look to solidify their UWW rankings and ensure high seeds at the Paris Olympics.

Both won golds at the Asian Games in China last October to follow up their triumphs the previous month at the World Championships. Fujinami will be aiming for her third straight Asian Championships title, while Sakurai will attempt to add to the title she won in 2022.

"We would be concerned if she didn't enter a tournament [before Paris]," said Fujinami's coach and father Shinichi. "At this point the biggest fear is injury. We have to prepare carefully and methodically for Paris."

The Asian Championships is expected to be the last opportunity for the world will get a glimpse of either wrestler before the Paris Olympics, although Shinichi said there is a slight possibility of his daughter appearing at the Ranking Series tournament in Budapest in June.

He noted that the Budapest has a two-kilogram weight allowance, but said at this point the Japan federation will not be dispatching wrestlers, meaning anyone who wants to go would have to do so as an individual.

Of the three other Japanese women who have already clinched tickets to Paris, Yui SUSAKI at 50kg and Sakura MOTOKI at 62kg have not publicly announced their intentions regarding Bishkek, while Yuka KAGAMI at 76kg said she will be there.

Kagami was an Asian champion in 2019 and silver medalist in 2022. Susaki and Motoki just finished competing at the Zagreb Open, where the former captured the gold while the latter lost in the semifinals to rival Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) and defaulted the bronze-medal match.

As for the four Japanese men who already have tickets to Paris, it appears only Nao KUSAKA at Greco 77kg will be competing in Bishkek, according to his coaches. Kusaka, who won a bronze in Zagreb, will also enter the Wladyslaw Pytlasinski Cup in Warsaw in June. Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Kenichiro FUMITA will bypass an attempt at a third career Asian title at Greco 60kg, but intends to travel to Warsaw in his lone tuneup for Paris.

In freestyle, neither Rei HIGUCHI at 57kg nor Daichi TAKATANI at 74kg will be going to Bishkek. Higuchi is expected to enter the Budapest Ranking Series event, as much to experience getting down to weight as anything else, while a source said that Takatani will head to Paris with only practice under his belt.

While Susaki was keeping her immediate plans under wraps, she recently made a surprisingly forthcoming -- and bold -- statement regarding her post-Paris future.

At the All-Japan Championships in December, Susaki and the other eight wrestlers who had already clinched berths in Paris did not compete, but were in attendance on the final day and were introduced to the crowd.

Later, Susaki met with the Japanese press and said that she is not only aiming to win a second straight Olympic title in Paris, but to also win golds at the Olympics after that in Los Angeles in 2028 and Brisbane in 2032.

Such a feat would equal that of Kaori ICHO, the only woman in Olympic history to win four consecutive golds in one event.

#wrestlebishkek

Unheralded Gharehdaghi Stuns Olympic Champ Jamalov

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 05:12 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 10) -- Unheralded Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) weighed 76kg in the morning on Friday. But in the semifinal of the Asian Championships, he punched well above his weight, beating 74kg Olympic champion Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) at 79kg.

Making his international senior debut, Gharehdaghi upset Jamalov 4-3 to advance to the 79kg final. He used an effective shrug to set up two second-period takedowns in a turbo-charged match that featured a number of wild scrambles.

In the final one, Jamalov scored a stepout to pull within one point with :33 left. But the third-year student at Tokyo's Waseda University, whose father is Iranian, held off a final surge from Jamalov, with his legs sailing in the air during a sprawl.

"I didn't really think about a strategy," Gharehdaghi said. "I just wanted the opponent to feel that I was tough. I stayed aggressive and on the attack. In the second period, it was so hard I could hardly stand up."

Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) battles it out witb Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) during the 79kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

While he defeated Jamalov, Gharehdaghi said he always admired the Olympic champion and he was glad that he could wrestle the Uzbekistan wrestler.

"I have admired him for a long time," he said. "More than winning or losing, I'm glad I could face him."

For the gold medal, the Japanese will face another unexpected finalist Sandeep MANN (IND) who completed a dominant 10-0 win over Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK) using three takedowns and two turns.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) scores on Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) during the 97kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Another Japan wrestler who denied an Olympic champion was Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) as he defeated Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) in the 97kg semifinals.

Defending champion Yoshida, who also has an Iranian father, broke Tazhudinov down with his relentless pressure and scored takedowns at will in the final minute. He built a 4-4 criteria lead at the break but Tazhudinov fired a takedown at the start of the second period to lead 6-4.

However, Yoshida scored two points for exposure in the next exchange. Bahrain challenged the call but lost it, giving one more point to Yoshida and extend his lead to 7-6. He added two quick stepouts to make it 9-6 before making it 11-0 with a go-behind takedown.

The two got in a scramble towards the end of the bout but it was Yoshida who managed to score a takedown and then turned Tazhudinov to make it 15-6, his winning score.

Yoshida will face world silver medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) in the final after the Iranian posted a danger-free 2-0 win over VICKY (IND). Azarpira, who is making his senior Asian debut, got an activity point in the first period, then, while on the activity clock himself, added a stepout point in the second period.

SUJEET (IND) reached his first-ever Asian Championships final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In other semifinals, U23 world champion SUJEET (IND) set up final against world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg. The two met in the U23 World Championships final last year in which Sujeet won 10-0.

65kg semifinals - SUJEET (IND) continues his hot start to the season by scoring three takedowns in the second period and defeating Russian-born Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) 7-2. Sujeet, winner of two Ranking Series events earlier this year, strikes first by scoring a stepout, but Kudiev comes back with a takedown while on the activity clock to take a 2-1 lead into the break. Sujeet then puts on an exhibition of how to perfectly set up and execute takedowns, scoring three in a row from the midway point of the second period. First, he gets in deep on a double-leg, then scores with a sweeping single, then goes back with the double-leg.

A rematch of the U23 World Championships final as Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) enters the Asian Championships final after Sujeet does the same from other side. Jalolov beats Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) 5-3 using a late takedown.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) presents his case to referee after the semifinal against ABHIMANYOU (IND). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 70kg, Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will face ABHIMANYOU (IND) after he defeated Sina KHALILI (IRI), 5-1. Abhimanyou stunned local hero and defending champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 6-3.

70kg semifinals - Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) reached the final after a controlled 5-1 victory over U23 world silver medalist Sina KHALILI (IRI). Apart from the one point he got for Khalili's passivity, Tumur Ochir scored four stepouts in the second period to claim the victory and a shot at the gold medal.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) saw his title defense at 70kg end in confusion and tears when he fell 6-3 to ABHIMANYOU (IND). Abhimanyou was leading 3-3 on criteria in the second period when he got deep on a double-leg takedown. Akmataliev attempted a counter lift at the edge, and the referee originally awarded him a 4-point throw with 1:08 left. But upon discussion and without an official challenge, the score was changed to give the Indian a two-point takedown, which Akmataliev apparently did not realize. He never tried to attack in the final seconds, and was taken aback when he saw the scoreboard and dropped to the mat in despair. A challenge from Kyrgyzstan went nowhere and Abhimanyou, a 2024 bronze medalist, gave a sly grin over his unusual win.

Iran got a finalist at 57kg as Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) destroyed Fuga SASAKI (JPN), 11-0 and set up a final against Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) who defeated Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), 4-1.

57kg semifinals - Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) became the first finalist of the Asian Championships in Bishkek for Iran. He countered Fuga SASAKI (JPN) multiple times to score two-point moves and completed an 11-0 victory. A lost challenge for Japan also added a point to his score.

Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) assured that he will improve on his bronze medal from last year, scoring three stepouts in a 4-1 victory over Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ). Batkhuyag took a 2-0 lead in the first period by scoring a stepout while Karachov was on the activity clock. In the second period, Karachov got an activity point to cut the gap to 1. But it was Batkhuyag who goes on the attack, and he chalked up two stepouts off driving single-leg takedown attempts. The 2023 world U23 bronze medalist then fended off Karachov's late attacks to finish up the victory.

Qualification Highlights

13:14: In the final match of the session, returning bronze medalist Sina KHALILI (IRI) books his place in the 70kg semifinals with a solid 10-3 victory over 2023 champion Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ). Khalili gains a takedown, then adds a "wishbone" roll, in which he locks his head between opponent's legs, then repeats the combination for an 8-0 lead. Doszhanov secures a stepout in the final seconds of the first period. In the second, the two trade takedowns and, beside temporary timeouts to stop a bloody nose, the Iranian goes through unscathed.

12:50: Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), competing for the first time since winning the 74kg gold at the Paris Olympics and undergoing two surgeries on his shoulder, is at his slippery best in besting defending champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) 5-2 in their 79kg quarterfinal. The Russian-born Jamalov constantly wiggles out of solid takedown attempts by Yousefi, limiting him to a pair of stepouts. Jamalov gets an activity point and stepout in the first period for a 2-1 lead. After cartwheeling out of a certain double-leg takedown by Yousefi, Jamalov connects with a single-leg shot while on the activity clock to go ahead, and an unsuccessful Iranian challenge puts him up 5-1. With time running out, Yousefi grabs a single leg and lifts it high in the air, but again he is forced to settle for a stepout.

12:37: World U23 champion SUJEET (IND), winner of two Ranking Series events this year, uses an ankle pick to great effect in cruising to a 10-0 victory over Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ) in 3:22 to advance to the 65kg semifinals.

12:32: In the marquee match-up of the morning, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) did not disappoint. Narikuni blocked a front headlock from Akmataliev for two points and then turned him using a gut-wrench to lead 4-0. As he was trying to turn him again, Akmataliev blocks him and gets two points. A reversal from Narikuni makes it 5-2. He tries another gut-wrench to extend the lead to 7-2 but Akmataliev once again blocks him for two points and holds Narikuni for a pin. Narikuni flees out of bounds and is docked two points and asked to return in par terre. He escapes and gets a reversal point to lead 8-6. Akmataliev scores a takedown to make it 8-8 and take the criteria lead. Narikui with a desperate flying squirrel but Akmataliev slams him on the mat for four points. A stepout for Narikuni at the end but Akmataliev wins 12-9 at 70kg

12:31: World bronze medalist Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) gets a takedown and two stepouts in the first period of his 97kg quarterfinal against Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ), then needs less than a half-minute to get a snapdown takedown and two gut wrenches in the second for a 10-0 victory. Next up for him is a clash with Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN).

12:26: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) fights out of a six-point hole against returning bronze medalist Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) with a pair of late first-period takedowns, then goes on a 10-point rampage in the second period against his visibly winded opponent to grind out a 14-9 victory and advance to the 79kg semifinals.

12:23: World silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) powers to five stepouts against Sherzod POYONOV (UZB), but ends their 97kg with a takedown with six seconds remaining for a 10-0 win.

12:15: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) with a 25-second 10-0 victory over ANKUSH (IND) at 57kg! What an anti-climatic finish to the match. He reaches the semifinal

12:00: World bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) catches Zeneemeder BYAMBASUREN (MGL) by the leg and slams him on the mat. He holds him long enough to secure the fall and advance at 65kg.

11:57: Olympic and two-time Asian champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), aiming to break out of recent slump, begins his campaign at 97kg by taking a 5-0 lead over Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) then plodding to a 6-2 win that included giving up two late stepouts.

11:56: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN), another Japanese wrestler with Iranian roots who is making his first appearance on the senior national team, looks impressive in scoring four takedowns in a 9-1 victory over Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) to gain a place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

11:55: Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) ends Takara SUDA (JPN) attempt of winning a second straight Asian gold with a 9-0 victory. Kudiev scored two stepouts and one point for Suda's activity clock to lead 3-0 at the break. Three different takedowns helped him to clinch an important victory at 65kg.

11:51: A marquee matchup on Mat A between past and reigning champions at 70kg — with an intriguing twist. Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN), the 2022 world and Asian champion, scores two takedowns in the final minute for a come-from-behind 7-4 win over defending champion Viktor RASSADIN (TJK). Narikuni leads 1-0 off an activity point in the first period when Rassidin opens the second by twice coming out the back door for takedowns to lead 4-1. Narikuni strikes back with a single-leg takedown, and barely misses an exposure with an arm bar, leaving him still trailing. But he fights off whizzer to get behind for the go-ahead takedown with :19 left, then adds a gut wrench for good measure. Narikuni, who is also doing the Freestyle-Greco double here, will be back on the mat tonight for his Greco 72kg bronze-medal match.

11:37: U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) scored a takedown in the last minute to take a 6-5 lead against Feng LU (CHN) and win the bout at 79kg. Lu had a 5-4 lead after a reversal but Yousefi showed no signs of panicking, picking up a single-leg, head-outside takedown for the win. He gets to face 74kg Olympic champion Razambek JAMALOV (UZB)

11:35: A wild one on Mat B! Asian U23 bronze medalist Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ) gets the home crowd going by opening his 65kg match with Zagreb Open silver medalist Peyman NEMATI (IRI) with a stepout, then gets behind and throws the Iranian to the mat for a takedown and a 3-0 lead. Nemati responds with a stepout off an attempted back trip, and then another to cut the lead to one at the break. Nemati goes ahead 4-3 with a single-leg takedown to start the second period, but Kakharov fights off a whizzer for a stepout to regain the lead 4-4 on criteria. In a wild scramble in the final seconds, Kakharov picks up a 2-point exposure to come away with a 6-4 win.

11:26: Reigning Asian U23 champion and 2024 world U23 bronze medalist VICKY (IND) manages just a stepout and activity clock in the first period of his 97kg bout with Triloki YADAV (NEP), but breaks down his opponent's defenses in the second to gain his first takedown, then gains two exposures after a second for a 10-0 win.

11:25: Takara SUDA (JPN), who is moving up from 61kg, is saved up the buzzer in his opening bout at 65kg against Adi SERIKULY (KAZ). Suda scored a stepout before a scramble gave two points to each wrestler. With a 3-2 lead, Suda managed an easy takedown to extend it to 5-2. Serikuly managed to get his first takedown in the final 10 seconds to make it 5-4 but the time expired before he could score any more points. Kazakhstan challenged hoping the last turn was in time but that was not the case and Suda won 6-4

11:19: Sherzod POYONOV (UZB), the 92kg Asian silver medalist and world U20 champion in 2024, hands the home team an early defeat with an 8-2 win over Kanybek ABDULKHAIROV (KGZ) to advance to the 97kg quarterfinals.

11:14: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL), who is doing the rare Freestyle-Greco double in Bishkek (he lost in the Greco 97kg quarterfinals), begins with a 3-0 win over Juhwan SEO (KOR) in their 97kg qualification-round match. Ganbaatar has a better shot at Freestyle, as he is a two-time past Asian bronze medalist who finished second at this year's Ranking Series tournament in Mongolia.

Fujinami's pre-Paris prepping includes victory in rare clash with fellow world champ Sakurai

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Unheralded Gharehdaghi Stuns Olympic Champ Jamalov