#WrestleXian

Less-Than-Tip-Top Tasmuradov Leads Trio of Uzbekis into Asian Greco Finals; 2 Each from Iran, India

By Ken Marantz

XI’AN, China (April 27)--World silver medalist Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) overcame a stomach bug to lead a trio of Uzbekis into the finals as the Greco-Roman competition kicked off on the fifth day of the Asian Championships in Xi’an.

Tasmuradov, the defending champion at 63kg, showed little sign of his tender tummy as he executed his trademark flashy throws,  chalking up a pair of technical fall victories to advance to the final against Erbalu TUO (CHN).

“Today I am not in form,” said Tasmuradov, a Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist aiming for his fifth career Asian gold. “I have a stomach ache.”

Tuo, urged on by the home crowd at Xidian University’s Invengo Gymnasium, scored an early 4-point throw from a front headlock and defeated Saman ABDOUVALI (IRI), 6-4, in the semifinals.

That was just one of several setbacks for Iran, which placed just two wrestlers—the same as India--in the five finals to be held in the night session. Most notably missing will be Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), last year’s silver medalist at 77kg.

KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) blanked 2017 world bronze medalist Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), 8-0 to reach the 77kg finals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Geraei, the Asian Games champion last summer in Jakarta and 2017 world bronze medalist, was ungraciously ousted in the semifinals by KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR), whose long list of honors includes bronze medals at last year’s world championships in Budapest and at Rio 2016, and an Olympic gold at London 2012.

Kim, who finished third in Jakarta, scored a 4-point takedown early in the match and led 6-0 after the first period. In the second period, a frustrated Geraei was hit with a 2-point penalty for a head butt, ending the match in a technical fall at 5:27.

“I made one big mistake,” Geraei said of the big-point move. “My hand wasn’t in a good position, and I could not compensate for that.”

Singh GURPREET is one of two Indian wrestlers who'll be wrestling for gold in tonight's finals. The second Indian joining Gurpreet in the finals is 87kg finalist Kumar SUNIL. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka) 

Kim, who won three straight Asian titles from 2013-15, will aim for a fifth overall when he faces Singh GURPREET (IND) in the final.

Gurpreet and compatriot Kumar SUNIL (IND) at 87kg became perfect examples of the benefits of hard training. They both were losing by wide margins in their semifinals to Kazakhstan wrestlers, but pulled out victories by fall as their opponents became winded.

Gurpreet’s fall at 2:31 came at the expense of Tamerlan Shadukayev (KAZ), who was third at the Dan Kolov-Nikola Petrov tournament. Sunil turned the trick in 2:41 against Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ), the Asian Games bronze medalist.

Sunil earned a shot at dethroning reigning champion Hossein NOURI (IRI), who notched a 3-1 win in the other semifinal over Ruslam ASSAKALOV (UZB), the 2018 champion at 97kg. 

“I had good training and I am confident,” Sunil said.

In the quarterfinals, Nouri reprised his victory in last year’s Asian final in Bishkek by beating Masumi SUMI (JPN), 4-2.

Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) edged Damir KUZEMBAYEV (KAZ), 3-3 to reach the 130kg finals where he'll take on Iran's Amir GHASEMIMONJEZI. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), who lost in last year’s 130kg final to an Iranian opponent, will get a chance for a measure of revenge when he faces Amir GHASEMIMONJEZI (IRI) for the gold.

Abdullaev survived an intense semifinal battle with Damir KUZEMBAYEV (KAZ), holding on for a 3-3 victory. Ghasemimonjezi had less trouble routing KIM Minseok (KOR) by 8-0 technical fall in just 1:05. His tougher test came a round earlier, when he edged 2018 bronze medalist Murat RAMANOV (KGZ), 2-1.

lkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) topped Asan SULAIMANOV (KGZ) by 11-3 technical fall in the semifinals, setting up a meeting with Japan's Hiromu KATAGIRI. (Photo: Gabor Martin)

The 55kg final will pit Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) against Hiromu KATAGIRI (JPN). Bakhramov topped Asan SULAIMANOV (KGZ) by 11-3 technical fall, while Katagiri scored a 9-3 win over 2018 bronze medalist Khorlan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ). 

Katagiri, a third-year collegian making his senior debut, is looking to follow in the footsteps of 2018 gold medalist Shota TANOKURA (JPN), his predecessor as national champion.

“My preparations went well, I feel I am at my best,” Katagiri said. 

“The Japan champion before me, Tanokura, showed that Japan was strong and I’m going to fight hard to keep the connection going.”

Day 5 results

Greco-Roman

55kg (10 entries)
Gold – Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) v Hiromu KATAGIRI (JPN)
Bronze – Reza KHEDRI (IRI) v Asan SULAIMANOV (KGZ)
Bronze – JEON Hyeokjin (KOR) v Khorlan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ)

Semifinals
Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) df. Asan SULAIMANOV (KGZ) by TF, 11-3, 4:44
Hiromu KATAGIRI (JPN) df. Khorlan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ), 9-3 

63kg (9 entries)
Gold – Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) v Erbalu TUO (CHN)
Bronze – Urmalbek AMATOV (KGZ) v JUNG Jinwoong (KOR)
Bronze – Kudaibergen TURSYNOV (KAZ) v Saman ABDOUVALI (IRI)

Semifinals
Erbalu TUO (CHN) df. Saman ABDOUVALI (IRI), 6-4
Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) df. JUNG Jinwoong (KOR) by TF, 12-2, 3:33

77kg (11 entries)
Gold – Singh GURPREET (IND) v KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR)
Bronze – Bakhit BADR (QAT) v Tamerlan Shadukayev (KAZ)
Bronze – Naotsugu SHOJI (JPN) v Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI)

Semifinals
KIM Hyeonwoo (KOR) df. Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) by TF, 8-0, 5:27
Singh GURPREET (IND) df. Tamerlan Shadukayev (KAZ) by Fall, 2:31 (6-5)

87kg (10 entries)
Gold – Kumar SUNIL (IND) v Hossein NOURI (IRI)
Bronze – Tokhirdzhon OKHONOV (TJK) v Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ)
Bronze – Masato SUMI (JPN) v Ruslam ASSAKALOV (UZB)

Semifinals
Hossein NOURI (IRI) df. Ruslam ASSAKALOV (UZB), 3-1
Kumar SUNIL (IND) df. Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ) by Fall, 2:41 (6-6)

130kg (8 entries)
Gold – Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) v Amir GHASEMIMONJEZI (IRI)
Bronze – Prem PREM (IND) v Damir KUZEMBAYEV (KAZ)
Bronze – Murat RAMONOV (KGZ) v KIM Minseok (KOR)

Semifinals
Amir GHASEMIMONJEZI (IRI) df. KIM Minseok (KOR) by TF, 8-0, 1:05
Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) df. Damir KUZEMBAYEV (KAZ), 3-3

#WrestleBudapest

Budapest Ranking Series 2026 Day 2 Results & Highlights

By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 16) -- The second day of the Budapest Ranking Series will see four Freestyle and two Women's Wrestling weight classes. In Freestyle, it will be 79kg, 92kg, 97kg and 125kg while for Women's it will be 50kg and 55kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 RESULTS

WW 55kg semifinals - Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA (UKR) scored one takedown before the break and then hung on that 2-1 lead to beat Karla GODINEZ (CAN) and enter the final. She will face Hansika LAMBA (IND) for the gold medal after the Indian mounted a comeback to beat Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER), 10-7. Down 7-2, Lamba powered her way to four different takedowns to claim the win and a spot in the final.

WW 50kg semifinals - Samara CHAVEZ (USA) with a fall over Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) to move into the final at 50kg. She scored a takedown and then turn to hold Bayanova in the position and secure the pin. She will face Ziqi FENG (CHN) for the gold after she rolled to a 12-2 victory over Jacqueline MOLLOCANA (ECU).

125kg semifinals - Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) uses the lace to beat BUHEEERDUN (CHN) via technical superiority and set up a clash against Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) in the final. Kosciolek used a headlock and three turns to be up 6-0 against Mason PARRIS (USA) and got one point for lost challenge from the United States. He then used a bodythrow to get his 13-0 victory.

97kg semifinals - Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) forfeits his 97kg semifinal against Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) due to an injury. Tsakulov, the European silver medalist, will face Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) for the gold medal after the Bahrain wrestler pinned Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL). Tazhudinov built a 6-0 lead before a takedown and cradle for the fall.

92kg semifinals - Mukhammed ALIIEV (UKR) has no problem in seeing off Zeteny GANGL (HUN) completing an 11-0 win. But he will have his task cut out in the final against European champion Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) who also posted an 11-0 win over Fatih ALTUNBAS (TUR).

79kg semifinals - Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) with a late takedown to complete a 5-3 win over Luka CHKHITUNIDZE (GEO) and make the final. He will take on Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) who scored a come-from-behind victory over Aykan SEID (BUL), winning 9-7.

13:05: Upset of the day as U17 world champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) scores a takedown in final 10 seconds to beat world bronze medalist Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) 4-3 at 125kg and advance to the semifinals.

12:55: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) with a comeback and win over Karadeniz SULEYMAN (TUR) to advance to the 97kg semifinal. Aitmukhan was down 3-1 but scored a takedown to make it 3-3 on criteria before chipping away for a 6-4 win.

12:40: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) into the 97kg semifinals with a 12-0 win over Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA). He began with a stepout when Viskhanov was on the activity clock and then scored two points for exposure to lead 4-0. Viskhanov was cautioned for fleeing and the bout restarted in par terre with Tazhudinov leading 6-0. He did not score there but managed four-pointer little later to win

12:30: A stunning result at 50kg as Samara CHAVEZ (USA) beats European champion Oksana LIVACH (UKR), 11-0, in the quarterfinals. She did not let Livach settle down and went for it straight off the whistle. Solid win for Chavez

12:05: Asian bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) with that strong gut-wrench to beat Katie DUTCHAK (CAN) and advance at 50kg.

12:00: Priyanshi PRAJAPAT (IND) with a fall over Pan-American champion Katie GOMEZ (USA) at 50kg. Gomez was the first to take the lead but Prajapat gets on the legs and finishes the bout with a pin.

11:45: Aykan SEID (BUL) will move into the second round at 79kg after Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (BLR) forfeits due to an injury. 

11:40: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) left it late but still managed to beat DINESH (IND) in his opening bout at 125kg. Sharipov was called passive and then gave a stepout as Dinesh built a 2-0 lead. But Sharipov with a takedown and turn in the final 30 seconds to claim the victory.

11:30: European champion Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) survives a scare against Dustin PLOTT (USA) at 92kg. After a sequence, Tcokaev was down 6-2 but managed to score a four-point throw when Plott tried to hit a head pinch but Tcokaev blocked him. He then scored a takedown to claim an 8-6 win.

11:25: 2023 world champion at 92kg Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) with a fall over Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO) at 97kg. Aitmukhan trailed Margishvili but managed to score a takedown and hold the Georgian till the fall was called. 

11:20: Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) rolls to a 10-0 technical superiority win over Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR) in his opening bout.

11:15: Mukhammed ALIIEV (UKR) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) kept scoring on each other and put on 28 points in the 92kg bout. Aliiev comes out as a 16-12 winner against Maisuradze is really bizarre bout

11:05: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) holds on to his 3-1 lead against Robert BARAN (POL) and start his campaign at 125kg with a win.

11:00: Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (BLR) manages to hold on for a 5-3 win over Yerkhan ABIL (KAZ) at 79kg. He led 4-3 and went into the defensive. Kazakhstan challenged at the end for fleeing but lost the challenge to add one more point to his score.

10:50: A close win for European champion Oksana LIVACH (UKR) in her opening bout against former U17 world champion Kaura COLES (CAN) at 50kg. Livach with a double-leg attack for the takedown and two stepouts to claim a 4-0 win.

10:40: Former world silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND), who is wrestling to at 97kg, drops his opening bout against Benjamin HONIS (ITA), 6-3. He led 1-0 at the break but Honis clearly had the upper hand in strength and answered with three takedowns in the second period.