Japan Holds 1st National-Level Tournament Since Feb. as High Schoolers Take Mat

Monday, October 19, 2020 - 01:06 By Ken Marantz

NIIGATA, Japan---The loudest sounds came from the referees' whistles, even though they were blown behind plastic face shields. Other than shouts from the coaches in the corners, the only encouragement was from teammates in the stands in voices muted by obligatory masks.

Japan took another small step forward toward normalcy in the pandemic era, cautiously and optimistically holding its first national-level tournament since February with the three-day Kazama Cup National High School Invitational Championships Oct 9-11.

Protocols to prevent the spread of the coronavirus were firmly in place as over 300 of the top second- and third-year high schoolers converged on the port city of Niigata for the tournament which had been originally scheduled for March---and had one point been canceled outright.

But less than a month ago, as restrictions on sports and other large-scale events began easing, the Niigata Prefecture wrestling federation stepped up and took up the challenge of hosting what will likely act as a template for tournaments in the near future.

A referee wearing a face shield keeps an eye on the action. (Japan Wrestling Federation photo)

"My feeling is, 'The wait is finally over,'" said Yoshihiko HARA, vice-chairman of the tournament organizing committee on what it was like to finally see the event, which included separate team and invidividual competitions, actually being held.

"We need one month to prepare, but it got pushed back another week and we had to wait until there was only three weeks before it was decided. In the first week of September, the Niigata Prefecture government vastly eased the restrictions and we were able to become the host."

The Kazama Cup is one of three tournaments making up the high school "triple crown" for boys, along with the Inter-High and the National Games (Kokutai). With the latter two canceled for good, national wrestling officials wanted to give the outgoing seniors a final goal to strive for.

"For the 3rd-year students, this is their final tournament," Japan Wrestling Federation Vice-President Hideaki TOMIYAMA said. "They had nothing because the Inter-high and Kokutai weren't held. It's good they have one."

Tomiyama denied the suggestion that the federation might be pulling the trigger too soon and pressing to hold the event.

Everyone entering the facility had their temperature automatically taken. (Japan Wrestling Federation photo)

"Looking at other sports, the pro sports have gradually been allowing spectators back in," he said, referring to Japan's leading pro sports of sumo, baseball and soccer. "First of all, you have to move forward. As long as you prepare thoroughly and take firm countermeasures, it can be done."

There was also a precedent of sorts, as Niigata last month hosted the national collegiate championships in athletics.

"Before this, there was a national college track and field meet and the restrictions were very tough," said Hara, a Niigata native and former five-time national freestyle champion and two-time Olympian. "The athletes and coaches weren't allowed to leave their hotels and had to submit a written pledge. It had 1,300 athletes."

Allaying local fears
While Niigata city, located on the Sea of Japan coast about 250 kilometers northwest of Tokyo, has a population of 810,000, the prefecture of the same name in which it sits is a mix of rural and mountainous regions.

The prefecture has been spared much of the brunt of the pandemic--there have been less than 200 total cases and no deaths recorded. That is in stark contrast with Tokyo, which continually has 100 to 200 cases per day and accounts for about one-fourth of the nation's 1,670-plus deaths. There is constant concern among locals about "outsiders" spreading infection.

"We are far away from Tokyo and there were many complaints about holding the tournament," Hara said. "'Why are we holding a national event? Why are people from Tokyo coming here?' There is still an 'allergy' in terms of events."

A wrestler bows to his opponent's corner after his match instead of shaking hands. (Japan Wrestling Federation photo)

Unlike other individual sports such as athletics, tennis and golf, wrestling and other contact sports are in a much tougher position when it comes to preventing the spread of infection. That was true even before the coronavirus came along, but is now even more so.

As such, other contact sports, along with the media, took great interest to see how wrestling handled the Kazama Cup. Hara noted that three national officials from boxing came to observe.

"Among contact sports, it is the first national tournament," Hara said. "Rugby was canceled. Judo is also halted. We're holding the first high school event on a national scale, so it has become mainstream news. Interview requests are coming not for those of us involved in wrestling, but the doctor on site and the volunteers checking temperatures at the entrance. Still, we're grateful."

The rules were strict and encompassing. Only the wrestlers, coaches and tournament officials and staff were allowed into the venue, the Higashi General Sports Center; that meant no family members, friends or general spectators. As teams were limited in their preparation, wrestlers were recommended not to cut excessive weight, and a 2-kilogram allowance was adopted.

Everyone entering the arena had to submit a form with their daily temperature for the previous 14 days. At the reception desk, infrared cameras were set up to take temperatures again. Inside, everyone other than the wrestlers in action on the four mats had to wear a mask at all times.

Access to the warm-up room was limited to avoid crowding. "The biggest problem was trying to get people to maintain social distancing in there," Hara said. The referees on the mat wore face shields, and, following a match, the wrestlers bowed to the opponent's coach, instead of the normal handshake.

"You need to carefully handle the reception area," Tomiyama said. "If you do that, there's no real problem. With no spectators, we can confirm everyone who comes here."

Tuvaadorj BUKHCHULUUN (NSSU Kashiwa) battles Kyo KITAWAKI (Nirasaki Technical) in the 92kg final. (Japan Wrestling Federation photo)

Mongolian leaves final mark
The tournament is set up for 48 entries in the team competition and in each of the eight individual weight classes, selected from nine regions and host Niigata. The number of allotments per region ranged from eight each from Kanto (which includes Tokyo) and Kyushu to one from Hokkaido. The draw that was made in March was used as is, so there were about five to 10 no-shows in each division.

Starting things off was the team competition, which was held on the first day and the morning of the second, and consisted of a knockout-style competition of duel meets between seven-man squads.

Nippon Sports Science University Kashiwa High School of Chiba Prefecture won its fourth straight title, defeating Saitama Sakae 5-2 in the final. NSSU Kashiwa advanced to the final by edging another Saitama Prefecture school, Hanasaki Tokuharu, 4-3 in the semifinals.

Mongolian Tuvaadorj BUKHCHULUUN provided the decisive victory at 125kg in the semifinal win over Hanasaki Tokuharu, then became the lone NSSU Kashiwa wrestler out of three in the finals to win an individual crown, taking the gold at 92kg.

Bukhchuluun chalked up four straight technical falls without surrendering a point before blanking Kyo KITAWAKI of Yamanashi Prefecture's Nirasaki Technical 6-0 in the final.

For Bukhchuluun, the victory marked not only the end of his career as a high schooler, but as a freestyle wrestler as well. He said he will be joining the sumo team at Nippon Sports Science University next year, the first step toward a career in that sport, which has in recent years been dominated by Mongolians.

Bukhchuluun, who speaks conversational Japanese, said the switch was to fulfill a pledge he made to his father before he died in 2018. "I wanted to wrestle in college, but he wanted me to go into sumo," he said.

Bukhchuluun only started wrestling in 2016 and won the Mongolian junior high school championship the following year. That drew the notice of former sumo yokozuna (grand champion) Asashoryu, who helped arrange for the youngster to enter NSSU Kashiwa as a foreign student.

Last year, Bukhchuluun won the 92kg title at both the Inter-High and Kokutai, beating Atsushi Miura of Kyoto Prefecture's Amino High School in the final both times. Those avenged a loss to Miura in the final of the Kazama Cup. This year, they both emerged victorious, as Miura moved up to 125kg and won the gold for his second title.

One big difference for Bukhchuluun as he prepares for a sumo career is that his weight concerns will no longer be about making a certain weight (although at a natural weight of 83kg, that wasn't really a factor). He will now have to bulk up in a sport where 100kg is considered light. "I have to get bigger to win," he said.

Kaisei TANABE (NSSU Kashiwa), the son of an Olympic medalist, had to settle for the silver after a loss in the 55kg final to Kento YUMIYA (Inabe Sogo Gakuen). (Japan Wrestling Federation photo)

Family ties with mixed results
In other finals, there was a handful of names that global wrestling fans might recognize, although their owners had mixed success.

NSSU Kashiwa's Kaisei TANABE, the son of 2004 Athens Olympic bronze medalist Chikara TANABE, had to settle for a silver medal for the second year in a row when he was dealt a close 4-2 loss in the 55kg final by Kento YUMIYA of Mie Prefecture's Inabe Sogo Gakuen.

Yumiya, the Kokutai champion, followed in the footsteps of older brother Hayato, the 55kg champ in 2019, when he scored a stepout with :25 left and Tanabe leading 2-2 on criteria.

"The latter part of my match is my weakest part," Tanabe said. "I have to fix that for the next tournament."

For Tanabe, who lost in the 51kg final last year, the match was his 11th over the three days, combining team and individual bouts.

"It was tough, but coming into the tournament I wanted to win the team and individual titles. I was good through the semifinal," he said, adding that he felt adequately prepared.

Next year, Tanabe will join older sister Yumeka TANABE, the 2019 world U-23 champion at 59kg, at Nippon Sports Science University, where their father is the coach. His father would normally have been at his side in Niigata, but could not attend because of the coronavirus restrictions.

"He gave me advice by phone," Kaisei said. "That was enough."

In the 51kg final, Taiga ONISHI of Saga Prefecture's Tosu Technical chalked up an 11-1 technical fall over Hanasaki Tokuharu's Akito MUKAIDA, the younger brother of two-time women's world champion Mayu MUKAIDA.

It was the second major title for Onishi, who last year won the 55kg title in Greco-Roman at the Kokutai.

The eight gold medalists gather for a group photo. (Japan Wrestling Federation photo)

Meanwhile, Tosu Technical's Iori KOSHIBA, the son of 1998 Asian Games silver medalist Kenji KOSHIBA, picked up his first major title with a 10-0 technical fall of Wakayama Kita's Taishin YAMAJI in the 71kg final.

Saitama Sakae wrestlers took home two of the three other golds at stake, with Kenji OGINO winning at 60kg and Fumiya IGARASHI at 80kg. Hanasaki Tokuharu's Ryosuke KERA triumphed at 65kg.

In a snapshot of the times, the top eight wrestlers in each weight class received their awards (medals for top four, certificates for fifth places) while wearing masks, which they kept on for the memorial photo. The eight champions later took off the masks for a group shot together.

While the tournament seemed to come off without a major hitch, officials know they are not out of the woods yet, given the time that it takes for symptoms of infection to be detected.

"I don't think I'll be able to sleep until two weeks after the tournament ends," one official told the federation website prior to the tournament. "I'll be worried that someone will test positive."

#wrestlebishkek

Local stars Makhmudov, Tynybekova among 10 world champs on quest for Asian gold

Tuesday, April 9, 2024 - 16:02 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 9) -- They are both defending champions, both world gold medalists and Olympic silver medalists, and together will be competing in front of a partisan Kyrgyz crowd that absolutely adores them.

For local heroes AKZHOL MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at Greco 77kg and Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) at women's 62kg, the setting for the upcoming Asian Championships in Bishkek could not be more perfect.

But that does not mean it will be easy. Another thing that the two superstars have in common is that a Japanese opponent is waiting in the wings for each, fully determined to avenge a close semifinal loss at last year's World Championships. Makmudov and Tynybekova are among 10 current world champions, including compatriot Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) at Greco 60kg, who will be taking the mat during the six-day tournament at Bishkek Arena that starts on Thursday.

The field has been thinned a bit by the fact that the Asian Olympic Qualifier will be held three days after the tournament ends, but there are still more than enough top competitors to ensure a lively event.

Makmudov, Tynybekova and Sharshenbekov are among 13 returning champions, although a weight class change has put two of them together. Among the baker's dozen, Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at Greco 130kg and Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) at freestyle 97kg also completed the world-Asian double.

Powerhouse Iran has sent a freestyle contingent with a mixed bag of experience, led by former world champion and defending Asian champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) at 65kg, three-time world medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) at 79kg and reigning world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) at 125kg.

A clash of world champions is possible at 97kg, although Tazhudinov, who established his credentials with one-sided victories over both Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) in Belgrade last September, handily defeated 92kg gold medalist Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) in a meeting last month.

In Greco, Mirzazadeh is among four returning champions for Iran, along with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) at 55kg, Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) at 63kg and Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) at 87kg. Olympic bronze medalist and three-time world medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) will look to keep the 97kg gold in Iranian hands while adding to his 2020 Asian title.

In women's wrestling, the all-mighty Japanese can be expected to dominate, particularly since four of the six wrestlers who qualified for the Paris Olympics are making the trip to Bishkek, including Tokyo Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and fellow world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN).

"The Asian Championships will be my last competition before the Paris Olympics," Susaki said in a recent video posted on the Japan federation's Facebook page. "I want to take the mat with the same emotion as at the Olympics, definitely win the gold medal and make a good start heading towards the Olympics."

The tournament will mark the international debut at 68kg of Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), who failed to make the squad to Paris at 62kg, the weight in which she won the world title in 2022. She won the gold at 65kg last year, then made a bold move up to 68kg and won a dramatic playoff for the Olympic spot.

Bishkek will also see the return to the global stage of two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (JPN) after she missed out on Paris at 57kg. Kinjo, who is entered at 59kg, last competed internationally at the Tokyo Olympics and has since gotten married and given birth. She won two Olympic, four world and four Asian titles under her maiden name of KAWAI.

The wild card of the tournament will be the presence of wrestlers from the DPR Korea, which has four entries in freestyle, four in Greco and six in the women's competition.

From 2020 and the disruption of the pandemic up to this year, the nation has entered just one international tournament, sending two Greco wrestlers to last October's Asian Games.

While Yong Ok HWANG (PRK) was a senior bronze medalist at women's 50kg in 2019, most of the team members are relative unknowns, with some having won Asian medals on the cadet or junior level in the pre-pandemic years. Other teams will underestimate them at their own peril.

India, which will be competing under its name and flag following the lifting of the suspension of its national federation, is sending a young squad built around two-time champion SARITA (IND) at women's 57kg. There are a number of wrestlers with recent success on the age-group levels, including world U20 champion PRIYA at women's 76kg.

World champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) is making his Asian Championships debut in Bishkek. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Here is a short overview of each weight class:

Freestyle (April 11-12)

57kg: This division is wide open, with Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) the lone returning medalist after adding the silver last year to the bronze he won in 2022. Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), a world bronze medalist in 2022, will be looking to improve on his Asian silver from 2017. The draw also includes the finalists from last year's Asian U20 tournament, champion UDIT (IND) and runner-up Ebrahim KHARI (IRI).

61kg: The host country's Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ), the defending champion and a world bronze medalist, and 2022 world silver medalist Reza ATRI (IRI) look like the ones to beat. Atri was the Asian champion at 57kg in 2019 and finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics. Also worth watching is two-time world U23 bronze medalist Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ).

65kg: Amouzad, who earned Asia's lone spot at the Paris Olympics in this weight class by placing fifth in Belgrade, will be the favorite to win his third title in a row. The 2022 world champion, who placed second at the Zagreb Ranking Series tournament in January, could see a rematch of the 2023 final with Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), a 2021 world bronze medalist.

The two can expect competition from Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ), who picked up his fifth senior Asian medal last year when he took bronze. His lone gold came in 2020 at 61kg. Also in the field is two-time Asian bronze medalist Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB) and Masanosuke ONO (JPN), surprise winner at last month's Yasar Dogu tournament in Antalya, Turkey.

70kg: World bronze medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) heads a field that includes returning bronze medalist and world U23 silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), two-time Asian bronze medalist Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) and 2021 world bronze medalist Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ).

74kg: This Olympic weight is a bit light on name recognition, with two medalists from the past two years at 70kg coming in as the favorites. Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) was a bronze medalist in 2022 and the champion in 2021, while Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) has moved up after his runner-up finish last year. Iran will be represented by Hossein ABOUZARIPASHKOLAEI (IRI), who was second at this year's Zagreb Open, with 2022 world U23 bronze medalist Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) also in the draw.

79kg: The gold medal is Nokhodi's to lose as the Iranian makes his first Asian appearance since winning a bronze in 2019. The 2023 world bronze medalist, who lost to Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) in the finals at both the 2021 and 2022 worlds, arrives in Bishkek with a victory at the Zagreb Open under his belt.

Looking to upend Nokhodi are Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) and Byambadorj ENKHBAYAR (MGL), the champion and runner-up, respectively, in Antalya, and 2022 world U20 silver medalist Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN).

86kg: Two-time world bronze medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) will be going for his third straight Asian title and fifth medal overall, and could get a chance to avenge a 4-3 loss at the Asian Games to eventual bronze medalist Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB). Shapiev, who was fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, earned a ticket to Paris by winning the fifth-place playoff in Belgrade.

Looking to knock off those two will be 2022 world U23 champion Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN), Asian U23 champion Batbilguun NAAMDAMBAT (MGL), and Yasar Dogu winner Hadi VAFAEIPOUR (IRI) -- who has the rare achievement of also being a champion in the Beach Wrestling series, having won at a tournament in Turkey last October.

92kg: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) is back on the Iranian team after a successful run in 2022, when he won the senior Asian and world U23 and U20 golds, and is coming off a victory in Antalya. Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) will be aiming to improve on the bronze he won last year, while Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) will be looking to strike gold after settling for silver in 2018 and bronze in 2022.

97kg: Tazhudinov got the best of his fellow world champion Aitmukhan in the semifinals in Antalya, winning by fall after leading 9-3 en route to the title. Tazhudinov has not been defeated since February 2023, when he fell 6-4 to Vladislav BAITCAEV (HUN) in the quarterfinals at the Alexandria Ranking Series tournament. Since then, he has been on a rampage, winning golds in succession at the Asian Championships, Bishkek Ranking Series, World Championships, Asian Games and Yasar Dogu.

It remains to be seen if veteran Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) can stop the juggernaut. The 31-year-old won his second Asian title in 2022, seven years after his first and following a blank between 2015 and 2019. Others to watch are returning bronze medalist Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB) and two-time silver medalist Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL).

125kg: Zare, a Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist, is the prohibitive favorite to triumph in his senior Asian debut, having captured the Asian Games gold in October. The two-time world champion opened the year with a victory at the Zagreb Open. Both bronze medalists from 2023, BUHEERDUN (CHN) and Anirudh KUMAR (IND), are back, as well as 38-year-old Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ), who will be gunning for his sixth Asian medal dating back to 2010. He won his lone gold in 2015.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) is returning to the Asian Championships after a gap of seven years. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Women's Wrestling (April 13-14)

50kg: Susaki has still never been defeated by a non-Japanese opponent, and while her ultimate goal is the successful defense of her Olympic title in Paris, she has no intention of letting her guard down in Bishkek. The three-time world champion is riding a 51-match winning streak since losing to compatriot Yuki IRIE (JPN) in a world team playoff in July 2019 -- with 39 of the victories by fall or technical superiority.

Susaki opened the season with a dominant performance at the Zagreb Open, beating one of her main competitors in Bishkek -- world bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) -- 10-0 in the final. She also faced two other medal contenders last year, world silver medalist Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) and Asian silver medalist Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB), beating them both by a similar result. In aiming to add to her lone Asian title from 2017, Susaki will need to be wary if she encounters the DPR Korea's Hwang--the reclusive nation's wrestlers have a recent history of tunning big-name Japanese opponents.

53kg: World champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) will not be returning for a three-peat after recently suffering a dislocated elbow in practice. That leaves the door wide open in a field with no obvious favorite. Taking Fujinami's place is Nagisa HARADA (JPN), who finished second at the Klippan Lady and seventh at the world U20 in 2023. Other contenders are Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL), the silver medalist at 55kg last year; 2018 gold medalist Chun LEI (CHN); and two-time Asian U20 silver medalist Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB). Ji Hyang KIM (PRK) was the 2019 Asian cadet champion, so it will be interesting to see what she brings to the table.

55kg: Dulguun MUNKHBOLD BOLORMAA (MGL) completed the full set of Asian medals when she won the gold in 2021 (following a silver in 2020 and bronze in 2019). Can she add to the collection and, if so, which color will it be? Looking to prevent it from being gold will be 2022 world U23 and U20 champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) -- a teammate of Harada's at Ikuei University -- Asian U23 champion Min ZHANG (CHN), and TAMMANA (IND), the Asian U23 silver medalist at 53kg. Kiyooka will be competing a few days before older brother Kotaro tries to earn an Olympic berth for Japan at freestyle 65kg.

57kg: Three-time reigning world champion Sakurai, a recent Ikuei grad, will be aiming for a second Asian gold as she begins final preparations for her first Olympics, having previously triumphed in 2022. India's Sarita has moved down from 59kg, the division in which she won back-to-back golds in 2020 and 2021 and a bronze in 2022, as well as a world bronze in 2021.

Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) has dropped down from 62kg, in which she won world bronze in 2021. Yongxin FENG (CHN) medaled at the Zagreb Open for the second straight year in January, while Hyon Ju PARK (PRK) was the 2019 Asian junior champion.

59kg: Kinjo lost out to Sakurai in a bid to make the Paris Olympics at 57kg, but does not view making Japan's team to Bishkek at 59kg as a consolation prize. She remains a serious competitor and ready to take on all challengers. Her main competition happens to be the reigning world champion, Qi ZHANG (CHN), who also has a pair of Asian bronzes from 2017 and 2019.

62kg: A rematch of the final at the World Championships -- and possibly a preview of Paris -- is a strong possibility between Tynybekova and rising star Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), who moved up from 59kg and snatched the Olympic spot at 62kg from Ozaki and Tokyo champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN). Tynybekova, with the crowd on her side, will be aiming for a sixth Asian gold and 11th medal overall. She also has four world medals, including three golds.

Tynybekova and Motoki have met twice over a recent four-month span--in Belgrade and Zagreb -- with the former winning both by close decisions. Motoki is ready to turn the tide. "The Asian Championships will be held in Kyrgyzstan, and that's the country of my biggest rival Aisuluu, and I will do all I can to beat [her]," Motoki declared in an interview.

The battle for the other medals will likely be between world 65kg bronze medalist LILI (CHN), 2015 world silver medalist and three-time Asian bronze medalist Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) and two-time Asian bronze medalist MANISHA (IND).

65kg: Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), the 2022 world U20 champion, has a golden opportunity to upgrade her 2023 silver to gold as the prohibitive favorite. Yoshitake won the Yasar Dogu title in January with an 11-1 victory in the final over Asian U23 champion Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL), who will likely be one of her main rivals in Bishkek. Also expected to be in the mix are world U20 silver medalist ANTIM (IND) and 2022 world U20 bronze medalist Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ).

68kg: Any doubts about whether Ozaki could handle the extra weight in moving up to 68kg were likely answered when she pulled off a dramatic victory over 2022 world silver medalist Ami ISHII (JPN) in the domestic Olympic playoff. She can expect a battle from the most recent world silver medalist, Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), who will be looking for her first Asian gold after taking home two bronzes and a silver over the past three years. RADHIKA (IND) has made a similar weight progression as Ozaki, from 2021 world U23 bronze medalist at 62kg to 2022 Asian silver medalist at 65kg.

72kg: After coming away with silver medals at the last two Asian Championships, Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) is well-positioned to capture an elusive gold. A world U20 and U23 bronze medalist in 2022, she gained a boost of confidence by winning the gold in Antalya. Two rivals in Bishkek, 2022 world U20 silver medalist Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ) and Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL), were also in Antalya, but both lost in the quarterfinals and neither faced Niikura. Also expected to be in the medal hunt are 2023 world U20 bronze medalist HARSHITA (IND) and Asian Games 68kg silver medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ).

76kg: With world champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) also withdrawing due to injury, a rematch of last year's final between defending champion Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) and world silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) could be in the cards. Looking to prevent that will be returning bronze medalist and world U20 champion PRIYA (IND), 2022 world U23 bronze medalist Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) and Yasar Dogu bronze medalist Zagardulam NAIGALSUREN (MGL).

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will look to defend his 60kg title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Greco-Roman (April 15-16)

55kg: In his quest to repeat as Asian champion, Iran's Dad Marz could encounter the wrestler with whom he shared the podium at the World Championships. Both Dad Marz and Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) took bronze medals home from Belgrade, and also have multiple Asian medals to their credit. Dad Marz, the 2022 world U23 champion, is coming off a gold-medal run in Antalya. Ortikboev, a two-time world bronze medalist, was second at the 2020 Asian Championships and third in 2022. Aiming to stop them will be two-time Asian bronze medalist Arjun HALAKURKI (IND), 2023 Zagreb Open champion HUSIYUETU (CHN) and Asian U23 champion Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ).

60kg: Kyrgyzstan's Sharshenbekov has been the dominant figure at this weight for the past two years, monopolizing both the Asian and world titles while also picking up the Asian Games gold. A victory in his home country would give him a fifth Asian medal overall. Who can stop him? Liguo CAO (CHN), an Asian and world bronze medalist last year, will certainly give it a shot. As will Ilkhom BAKHRAMOV (UZB), who will be looking to combine with brother Islomjon at 63kg in a repeat of their golden sibling double of 2019. Also look out for world U20 bronze medalist Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) and 2021 Asian bronze medalist Seunghak KIM (KOR).

63kg: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI), the 2022 world U23 and U20 champion, is back to defend the title he won a year ago in Astana. Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), a 2023 world 60kg bronze medalist, will be looking to regain the title he won in 2019 and earn a fourth Asian medal overall. Others to watch are Asian U23 champion Haodong TAN (CHN), Asian Games bronze medalist Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) and 2018 Asian bronze medalist Dokyung JUNG (KOR).

67kg: With the cream of the weight class heading to the Olympic qualifier, returning bronze medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) has a chance to move up to gold in front of the home crowd. Beishekeev also won the Asian U23 title and an Asian Games bronze medal last year. Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), the silver medalist last year at 60kg, has jumped up two weight classes in a bid for a third career Asian medal. Others to watch are Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB), last year's silver medalist at 63kg, 2022 world U20 champion Saeid ESMAELI LEIVESI (IRI) and 2023 world U23 bronze medalist Haruto YABE (JPN).

72kg: This one looks like a toss-up between Adilkhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ), a bronze medalist the past two years, 2019 world junior bronze medalist Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) and Asian U20 champion Abdullo ALIEV (UZB).

77kg: Anyone who was in the Kozhomkul Sports Palace in 2018 to see a teenaged Makhmudov win a dramatic gold medal for host Kyrgyzstan on the final day knows how frenzied and passionate the home crowd can get. And Nao KUSAKA (JPN) would love nothing better than to spoil the mood.

Kusaka took Makhmudov to the limit at the World Championships before conceding a 7-5 loss in the semifinals. Kusaka went on to win a bronze medal and clinch his first trip to the Olympics, and avenging the loss to Makhmudov is all part of a grand plan to optimize his chances in Paris.

"I'm looking forward to it," Kusaka said in a video interview. "The opponent who I lost to in the semifinals at the World Championships is also entered. I looked back at the footage of our match and it was filled with places where I thought, 'If I only had done this more.' I'm really excited right now.

"After Asia, I will go the [UWW Ranking Series in] Hungary, because I want to be seeded for the Olympics," said Kusaka, who currently sits fourth in the UWW rankings. "Everyone looks at it differently, but for me, even one less match [at the Olympics] is best. That's because the concentration I can put out for each match is different."

Either Makhmudov and Kusaka could have to contend with a champion from 2023 in Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), who won the gold at 72kg in Astana. Also worth watching are SAJAN (IND), a 2022 world U23 bronze medalist with Kusaka, and Amir Ali ABDI (IRI), who also won a 2022 world U23 bronze, but at 72kg.

82kg: With just seven entries in the non-Olympic weight, 2o22 Asian champion Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI) looks like the wrestler to beat as the Iranian comes off a runner-up finish in Antalya. Others to watch are 2022 bronze medalist Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB), 2019 world U23 bronze medalist Yevgeniy POLIVADOV (KAZ) and 2023 world U17 champion Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN).

97kg: Tokyo Olympic and 2023 world bronze medalist Saravi is the clear favorite in a field that includes Makhmudov's brother Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), a bronze medalist in 2021. Saravi has one Asian title to his credit from 2020, as well as an Asian Games gold won last year. Also in medal contention will be 2022 world U20 silver medalist Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ).

130kg: It would be tough to bet against world champion Mirzazadeh, who won his second Asian title last year, and also has an Asian Games gold and 2022 world silver medal to his credit. Lingzhe MENG (CHN) will be gunning to avenge losses in the finals to Mirzazadeh at both the Asian Championships and Asian Games. Also in the mix will be 2018 world bronze medalist and two-time Asian silver medalist Minseok KIM (KOR), 2022 Asian U23 champion Erlan MANATBEKOV (KGZ) and 2020 Asian bronze medalist Mansur SHADUKAYEV (KAZ).

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Local stars Makhmudov, Tynybekova among 10 world champs on quest for Asian gold