Nanjo, Ozaki deny Kawai sisters tickets to Belgrade

Monday, July 17, 2023 - 11:14 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (July 17) -- When sisters Risako and Yukako KAWAI won gold medals together at the Tokyo Olympics, they were the toast of the nation, appearing on countless TV shows and being treated as celebrities.

That was then and this is now, and two years after their triumph, neither sibling was able to make Japan's team to this year's World Championships, even after taking a shot at a non-Olympic weight class.

Risako, who now goes by her married name of KINJO, suffered a stunning last-second loss to Sae NANJO at 59kg, while Yukako was outdueled by Nonoka OZAKI at 65kg in playoffs for Japan's world team in non-Olympic divisions on Monday at Tokyo's National Training Center.

"Even if it's not [to qualify] for the Olympics, I wanted to go to the World Championships as sisters with Yukako," said Kinjo, the two-time Olympic champion and three-time world gold medalist. "It's very hard to take that I lost, but I felt I was better than at the Meiji Cup."

Both Nanjo and Ozaki went on to win their respective weight class in the ladder-style format to secure their tickets to Belgrade, along with Haruna OKUNO at 55kg and Miwa MORIKAWA at 72kg.

In Greco-Roman, Shohei YABIKU, a Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist at 77kg, claimed the spot at 82kg, while teenage Asian champion Arash YOSHIDA triumphed at freestyle at 92kg to earn his first trip to a World Championships on any level.

Under the criteria set by the Japan federation, any wrestler who finished in the top two in an Olympic weight class at the two domestic qualifiers for the World Championships -- the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships held last December and the Meiji Cup All-Japan Championships held in June -- but failed to make the world team in that division, either outright or in a playoff, could challenge for a spot at a non-Olympic weight.

The competition to qualify in the Olympic weights was fierce, as the federation proclaimed that any wrestler winning a medal in Belgrade will automatically fill the spot at the Paris Olympics that comes with it.

In Monday's playoffs, the winner of the Meiji Cup in each non-Olympic weight class was placed at the top of the ladder. But the real competition came in the earlier rungs, when those who failed to make an Olympic weight class clashed in pairings equivalent to a global championship.

Sae NANJO scores two points over Risako KINJO during their 59kg bout. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation)

Nanjo, who had lost out at 57kg to world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI, set up her clash with Kinjo by defeating Sara NATAMI by an 11-1 technical fall.

Kinjo, who had lost to Sakurai in the semifinals at the Meiji Cup to end her quest at 57kg, was eligible for the playoffs because she won the 59kg title at the Emperor's Cup, her first major competition after returning from childbirth.

Kinjo looked to be well on her way toward gaining a shot at a fourth world title when she stormed to a 6-0 lead over Nanjo, scoring a first-period takedown, then adding another early in the second period that she topped off with a lace-lock roll.

Nanjo knows something about losing last-second decisions -- Sakurai has done it to her three times, including at the Olympic weight class playoffs on July 1 -- so she was not yet ready to concede to her elder fellow Shigakkan University alum.

"When she turned me with the ankle hold and made it a six-point lead, I thought it might be over," Nanjo said.

Nanjo got on the scoreboard with a single-leg takedown, then levered Kinjo over for another two while very nearly ending the match with a fall. Kinjo manages to squirm out for a tenuous two-point lead.

In the final 10 seconds, Nanjo went for broke and secured a headlock, then desperately tried to twist Kinjo over at the edge. With just a couple of ticks on the clock remaining, she managed to expose Kinjo's back for a dramatic 6-6 victory.

Nanjo said she found strength in the woman in her corner, fellow Japan Olympic Academy product and former world champion Masako FURUICHI, who has always been there to encourage her when times are rough. "Whenever she is there, it gets me looking forward," Nanjo said.

Nanjo, a two-time world U23 champion who finished third in her lone appearance at a senior worlds in 2021, secured her ticket to Belgrade with a 10-0 technical fall over Sena NAGAMOTO in less than a minute.

"After I lost the 57kg playoff, it was tough to get back in the right frame of mind," said Nanjo, who graduated from Shigakkan in March and joined Toshin Construction company, which sponsors several elite wrestlers. "But I regained the desire to fight, more for all the people who support me than myself."

Kinjo knows that the path to a third Olympic gold is all but closed, and she says she will not be rooting for Sakurai to slip up in Belgrade and reopen it. But neither does she say we have seen the last of her.

"If I am asked if I will retire because this time I wasn't able to make it to the World Championships, I will say I'm not going out that easy," the 28-year-old said. "I've been given a job by my company because of wrestling, so we'll have to talk it over, but I won't be easily saying 'sayonara.'"

Nonoka OZAKI controls Yukako KAWAI after a takedown at 65kg. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation)

Earlier, younger sister Yukako's fate was decided by Ozaki, the world champion at 62kg who lost out to Sakura MOTOKI in that weight class.

Ozaki scored a takedown in each period for a 4-0 victory that left Kawai empty-handed in her attempts to make it to Belgrade in three different weight classes during the process.

Kawai had lost to Motoki in the 62kg semifinal at the Emperor's Cup, then came up short again when she moved up to 68kg at the Meiji Cup, losing to Morikawa in the final.

It was the second career meeting between the Ozaki and Kawai. Ozaki took the first clash, a 3-1 win in the 2022 Meiji Cup final at 62kg that clinched her place on the team to last year's worlds, where she won her first senior title.

Ozaki punched her ticket to Belgrade by overwhelming Meiji Cup champ Mahiro YOSHITAKE by fall in 51 seconds after building a 10-0 lead.

"I failed in the Olympic weight class, that was heartbreaking because that was what I was aiming for," Ozaki said. "To decide to go up a weight class to 65kg was a big deal. It was not easy to turn the switch back on. But it was important that I decided to do it."

Haruna OKUNO will be aiming for her third world title in Belgrade. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation)

At 55kg, two-time former world champion Okuno scored all of her points in the second period to chalk up a 7-2 victory over 2021 world U20 and U23 champion Moe KIYOOKA in the preliminary round. She then forged a 4-1 victory over Rina KATAOKA to secure the world team spot.

"Today, my goal was to decisively win out," Okuno said. "After the Meiji Cup was over, I tested some different things and I was able to use some of it on the mat. It really hit me that there's a big difference between practice and actual matches."

Okuno was the first of the five wrestlers in history who have completed the grand slam of all four age-group titles -- Yui SUSAKI made it a "golden" slam by adding an Olympic title. Furuichi is another, and Ozaki and Amit Elor (USA) joined the club last year. Okuno won world golds as a cadet in 2016, a junior in 2019, at U23 in 2017, 2019 and 2022, and on the senior level in 2017 and 2018.

Since that last appearance at the senior worlds in 2018, Okuno's path to global glory at 53kg was first shut off by Tokyo Olympic champion Mayu MUKAIDA, and in recent years by the phenomenal 2021 world champion Akari FUJINAMI.

Even at 55kg, Okuno has to be considered a title favorite this year in Belgrade, having suffered just two losses to non-Japanese opponents in her entire career. The first was a 6-4 loss in the third round at the 2014 world cadets to Alina Kazymova (RUS), and the second a 7-7 nail-biter to Yong-Mi PAK (PRK) in the semifinals at the 2018 Asian Games.

65kg world champion Miwa MORIKAWA will be competing at 72kg in Belgrade. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation)

Morikawa, the world champion at 65kg who lost out to Ami ISHII in an attempt to make it to Belgrade at 68kg, had her hands full with the extra weight at 72kg but made it through with a 4-1 victory over Sumire NIIKURA and a 4-2 win over fellow Nippon Sports Science University alum Mei SHINDO.

"Yesterday we practiced together," Morikawa said of Shindo. "We have made each other stronger, but in a match, we both go out with the aim of beating the other."

Having moved up two weight classes, Morikawa said she feels the added weight of her opponents but looks forward to the challenge, particularly a possible meeting with defending champion Elor.

"I can't compare it with last year," Morikawa said. "The opponents, it may be rude to say, are monsters two weight classes up. I know that you can't take the World Championships lightly. But no matter the weight class, I want to show I can be the champion. As long as I'm entered, I'm there to win."

YABIKU Shohei YABIKU, Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist at 77kg, claimed the spot at 82kg. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation)

In Greco, Yabiku earned a trip to a fifth World Championships -- he has never placed higher than 13th -- by defeating Meiji Cup champion Yuya OKAJIMA by injury default.

Yabiku executed a throw from par terre that did not expose Okajima's back but was good for 2 points and a 3-1 lead. But Okajima landed awkwardly on his left foot and was unable to continue the match.

In freestyle, Yoshida scored a pair of stepouts and a takedown before holding on for a 5-3 victory at 92kg over Yudai TAKAHASHI.

Yoshida, whose father is Iranian and runs the kids wrestling club where he started the sport, had won the Meiji Cup title after capturing an impressive gold at the Asian Championships. He represents Japanese hope for future glory in the upper weights.

Among other weight classes, Kodai OGAWA denied high schooler and Meiji Cup champion Rin SAKAMOTO a trip to the senior worlds at freestyle 61kg by breaking open a close match in the second period and rolling to an 11-4 victory.

Japan's World Championships team

Freestyle
57kg: Rei HIGUCHI
61kg: Kodai OGAWA
65kg: Takuto OTOGURO
70kg: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI
74kg: Daichi TAKATANI
79kg: Yuto MIWA
86kg: Hayato ISHIGURO
92kg: Arash YOSHIDA
97kg: Takashi ISHIGURO
125kg: Daiki YAMAMOTO

Greco-Roman
55kg: Taiga ONISHI
60kg: Kenichiro FUMITA
63kg: Ryuto IKEDA
67kg: Kyotaro SOGABE
72kg: Shingo HARADA
77kg: Nao KUSAKA
82kg: Shohei YABIKU
87kg: Masato SUMI
97kg: Yuta NARA
130kg: Sota OKUMURA

Women
50kg: Yui SUSAKI
53kg: Akari FUJINAMI
55kg: Haruna OKUNO
57kg: Tsugumi SAKURAI
59kg: Sae NANJO
62kg: Sakura MOTOKI
65kg: Nonoka OZAKI
68kg: Ami ISHII
72kg: Miwa MORIKAWA
76kg: Yuka KAGAMI

#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships 2026 Preview

Friday, April 3, 2026 - 20:30 By Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 3) -- Soon after Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) became the Olympic champion in 2024, he went missing from the wrestling world. Past injuries and two surgeries kept him out of action for close to two years, skipping the entire 2025 and early 2026 season.

But the Paris Olympic champion at 74kg is returning to action at the Asian Championships in Bishkek, from April 6 to 12 at 79kg, leading a young Uzbekistan team.

"I missed wrestling," Jamalov said. "It was tough watching others win medals while I couldn't. It made me feel more motivated to win."

Jamalov will have a chance to win his first medal at the Asian Championships, which will be his debut continental championships in Asia. At 79kg, Jamalov should not face much trouble but will be checked as he has wrestled only five matches against Asian wrestlers in his career.

The foremost will be Iran's defending Asian champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI), who also won U20 world gold last year. Another challenge will be the weight class itself as Jamalov will be wrestling at his highest weight in his career.

"I have wrestled Asian wrestlers before and I know their style," he said. "I will try to wrestle according to my style and make it challenging for them."

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), red, and Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) during the 70kg final at the 2022 Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Weight to Watch

The 70kg weight class will be one of the toughest in Bishkek with three world medalists entered along with two returning medalists.

Defending champion and world bronze medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) will lead the challenge against a field that also has world silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) and former world and Asian champion Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN).

Returning to the Asian Championships for the first time in four years, Narikuni will also be wrestling 72kg Greco-Roman in a bid to win double titles. In 2022, won Freestyle 70kg gold after beating Akmataliev in a memorable final.

Akmataliev will look to avenge that loss in front of his home fans and also keep the gold medal with himself. He defeated Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) last year but the Tajikistan wrestler is returning with the hopes of upgrading his silver to gold.

U23 world silver medalist and returning bronze medalist Sina KHALILI (IRI) will also be looking for some revenge especially against Rassadin who defeated the Iranian in the opening round last year.

97kg battle

Can Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) return to golden ways or will Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) defend his title? Will Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) come back and sail through the field?

All the questions will be answered in Bishkek as the 97kg battle heats up. World silver medalist Azarpira and world bronze medalists Yoshida and Tazhudinov are among the favorites to win gold. Yoshida is the defending champion but did not wrestle Tazhudinov, who pulled out late from the tournament last year.

Tazhudinov has been off-color for a few tournaments now, losing at the World Championships and later at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Azarpira was the one who handed Tazhudinov the defeat in the semifinals of the World Championships in a very tactical bout. He will be in the race to win gold in Bishkek but a match against Yoshida will be a fan-delight.

Former U20 world champion at 92kg, Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) will also be in the mix but may find the going tough as he is still adjusting to the new weight class.

Zare Leads Iran

Iran is bringing a young team to Bishkek but has world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) lead the pack. He will be the favorite to win the 125kg gold medal despite the presence of Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN), perhaps the second-best heavyweight around the world in action.

U20 world and Asian champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) will be making his senior debut at 125kg and will look to at least finish on the podium.

At 86kg, Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) will look to put a disappointing end to last year and start with a gold medal at the Asian Championships, a feat that should not be a hard one to achieve.

Mobin AZIMI (IRI) may face a tougher battle at 92kg with the likes of Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN), Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) entered in the field. However, Azimi appears to be little ahead in the race to win gold.

Aoyagi Aims 74kg Glory

In the premier weight 74kg, world champion at 70kg Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) will look to add an Asian title to his name. He finished with a bronze medal at 70kg last year. He will face the likes of Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) and Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), among others in the field.

The 57kg weight remains an open one with returning silver medalist Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) hoping to upgrade his medal. He will be the favorite to be crowned champion. The field also has Zagreb Open bronze medalist Fuga SASAKI (JPN), ANKUSH (IND) and Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ).

Returning bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) and former U23 world silver medalist Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) are also in the mix to win medals.

Olympic Medalists Collide at 61kg

Paris Olympic bronze medalists Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) and AMAN (IND) are likely to clash at 61kg. Abdullaev, who also won world bronze, has struggled with conditioning in recent times and a bout against Aman will test him. Aman, who won the 61kg gold medal in Zagreb and a former Asian champion at 57kg, will also need to find a way to win a second Asian title.

World silver medalist Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) will challenge them both in the bracket along with former U23 world champion Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), who last wrestled when he won gold at the 19th Asian Games in 2023.

Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), world silver medalist at 57kg, will be at 61kg and wrestling in front of home fans which makes him one of the favorites to win gold.

SUJEET (IND) is unbeaten so far this year, winning golds in Zagreb and Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Will Sujeet Breakthrough?

India's last Asian champion, in a weight class not 57kg, was crowned in 2019 when Bajrang PUNIA (IND) won the 65kg gold in a comeback for ages in Xi'an, China. Now, SUJEET (IND) will look to end that drought and also look to give India an Asian title in three years.

The two gold medals to start the season, in Zagreb and Tirana, put Sujeet in the top position to win gold at 65kg. He will have a familiar foe in Umidjon JALALOV (UZB) in the weight class. When a match between Sujeet and Jalalov has taken place, the Indian has won all four times and the Uzbekistan wrestler will be keen on getting one back to the Indian.

Last year's 61kg Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) will be at 65kg in Bishkek and a challenge for Sujeet.

Kaisei TANABE (JPN), Freestyle 65kg champion last year, will try his luck in Greco 63kg this year. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

GRECO-ROMAN

The Greco-Roman field at the Asian Championships in Bishkek will be highlighted with Olympic and world champions. But a standout story will be that of Kaisei TANABE (JPN). The 65kg Asian champion in Freestyle, is attempting to win the Greco gold at 63kg this year.

Tanabe switching the styles of wrestling was not forced. He tried making the Japan team for both Freestyle and Greco but failed to win the qualifying tournament in the former.

A step ahead of Tanabe is his compatriot Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN), a Freestyle world and Asian champion, who is entered in both styles for Bishkek. Narikuni was crowned champion in Freestyle 70kg and Greco 72kg in Japan, making him to first to complete the double in 52 years. He will try to regain his Asian 70kg title and also win gold at Greco 72kg.

A win in Japan at 63kg does make Tanabe a threat but competition in Bishkek will be tough. Erfan JARKANI (IRI), the Zagreb Open champion this year, will be the biggest test for Tanabe as Iran usually brings a style that depends both on strong par terre and conditioning.

Another potential challenger is Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), a former Asian champion in search of another Asian medal since 2021. Despite his lack of form in recent years, Bakhramov brings a tough style.

Narikuni's path at 72kg is similar with Javad REZAEI (IRI), former U23 world silver medalist and Muhamet Malo Ranking Series champion last month, being a favorite to win. Narikuni has an exceptional record in Freestyle but his Greco international debut at the Zagreb World Championships ended in a first-round loss.

Paris Olympic fifth-placer Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) can stop Narikuni in his quest as well. Ismailov will be wrestling in front of his home crowd, giving another advantage. Uzbekistan is going with newbie Shakhzod KUCHKOROV (UZB), who won the bronze medal at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series.

Olympic and world champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI) will aim to defend his Asian title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran's Champions

Iran still remains the team to beat in Asia and once again the country is bringing a solid squad. Olympic champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI) leads at 97kg along with world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg.

Saravi seems to be a notch above the field right now and should have no trouble winning gold. Mirzazadeh too has an upper hand at the highest weight class and will be a clear favorite to win.

Former U20 world champion and Zagreb Open silver medalist Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) has moved up to 97kg with his debut coming in Zagreb. Last year's silver medalist Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN) and bronze medalist NITESH (IND) are expected to repeat as medalists.

The breakout star of 2025 Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) will take on the 87kg field. He became the world champion at 82kg in Zagreb, then moved up to 87kg and won the U23 world title a month later.

He starts as the favorite at 87kg but experienced wrestler Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) and world bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) can make his path trickier.

Alisher GANIEV (UZB) will carry Uzbekistan's hopes for the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uzbekistan with Hopes

This may be the best chance for the ever-improving Uzbekistan team to clear Iran at the Asian level. Despite missing its star Aytjan KHALMANOV (UZB), Uzbekistan is still bringing a good team to Bishkek.

World silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB) has a chance to win his first Asian title at 60kg. He lost four of the five finals last year but with lessons from World Championships, in which he put himself under undue pressure, Ganiev is a strong favorite.

Olympic bronze medalist and defending champion Se Ung RI (PRK) will be one of the opponents he needs to get past. Ri has proven to be an extremely strong wrestler, winning bronze at the Asian Games and Paris.

Former U20 world champion Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) will try to establish himself at the senior level, a feat he failed to do at the World Championships. A medal in Bishkek can boost his confidence and make him Iran's first choice at 60kg.

Japan's big-throwing Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) will also hope for a medal. He lost to Ganiev at the Ranking Series in Zagreb but will get a chance to avenge that loss.

Another hopeful for Uzbekistan will be Asian champion Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), who is now jumping from 77kg to 82kg. Vardanyan won the gold medal last year with a buzzer-beating throw in the final and will hope to use it as motivation.

Former Asian champion and veteran Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) will look to challenge Vardanyan, both being perhaps the most experienced wrestlers in the field.

Then comes Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) who made his international debut in Tirana and won the 82kg gold medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) has a good chance to improve on his bronze medal he won last year and claim another historic medal, perhaps gold, for Qatar.

Makhmudov at Home

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) returned to competition at the Islamic Solidarity Games last year and won gold at 77kg. He also wrestled at 82kg in Tirana in February but went home without a medal.

But the Paris bronze medalist returns to the Asian Championships in Bishkek as the favorite at 77kg with fans eager to watch him perform at home.

Last time Makhmudov wrestled in Bishkek, he lost to Nao KUSAKA (JPN) at 77kg but with Kusaka not in the field, Makhmudov should find it smooth sailing to gold.

Iran is betting on Zagreb Open Ranking Series winner Ali OSKOU (IRI). His run in Zagreb was impressive and he will be confident going into the Asian Championships of winning a gold medal.

Chung's Chance

After bringing a long-awaited medal at the World Championships for Korea in Zagreb, Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) can win more silverware for Korea. Chung won silver in Zagreb at 63kg but is moving up to the Olympic weight class of 67kg for the Asian Championships.

Former U20 world champion Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) will be a tough opponent along with returning silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ). The change in weight class may hurt Chung's chances rather than improving them.

Others at this weight class include Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN), a world bronze medalist from 2022, U23 Asian champion Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ) and returning bronze medalist Man Gwang SON (PRK).

At 55kg, Zagreb Open finalists Mohammad HOSSEINVAND (IRI) and Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) are likely to reach the final in Bishkek as well. Botirov lost the final in Zagreb to Hosseinvand but will look to avenge that loss if the two meet in Bishkek.

Sara NATAMI (JPN) will look to defend her 57kg Asian title in Bishkek. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

WOMEN'S WRESTLING

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) pulled out of the Asian Championships after an injury. Despite her absence, the favorite at 57kg is still a Japanese, Fujinami's replacement Sara NATAMI (JPN).

The depth of the Japanese team will be on display once again at the Asian Championships as the country looks to dominate. Apart from Natami being the favorite to win as defending champion, world champion Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), former world and Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN), who is returning to competition for the first time since Paris Olympics, and two former world champions Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) and Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) are also in the squad.

For Natami to defend her title and win her third Asian gold she will have to go past Olympic bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) in her field. Natami had pinned Hong last year on her way to the gold.

Asian champion at 62kg MANISHA (IND) made a drastic step to drop to 57kg and she began the season with gold at the Zagreb Open. Asian Championships, however, will be a different test.

Big-throwing and Sri Lanka's history-maker Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI), former world 53kg silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) and former Asian silver medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) will have a chance to put themselves on the podium.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will return to the mat for the first since the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Susaki 2.0

Susaki's return will be at 50kg as she prepares for another Olympic cycle after suffering a shock and first international loss at the 2024 Paris Games. The Asian Championships should be a good test for Susaki, who incidentally wrestled her last Asian Championships in Bishkek in 2024 in which she won gold. Susaki will face some familiar foes at the weight class including fellow Paris Olympic bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN).

The Chinese star almost pinned Susaki in the final of the Asian Championships in 2024 before the Japanese managed to comeback and win the gold medal. Feng would look to finally get a win over her.

Son Hyang KIM (PRK), who has wrestled Susaki three times, will look to get one back against the three-time world champion. The two first met at the 2017 Asian Championships and Susaki blanked her en route toher first Asian gold as an 18-year-old.

Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB), who has four bronze medals to her name, will have her eyes on reaching the final this time. NEELAM (IND), a returning bronze medalist, can be among the medalists.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) is a two-time Asian champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Morikawa Eyes Hat-Trick

Morikawa has a perfect record at Asian Championships, winning two golds in as many attempts. But Bishkek will be different as those came at 65kg.

Now at 68kg, it presents a tougher challenge with Olympic silver medalist and home favorite Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) as the biggest one. Zhumanazarova has previously shown her mettle on quite a few occasions and with the home fans behind her, Zhumanazarova can upset Morikawa.

Defending champion Zelu LI (CHN) will be another strong contender. Li won bronze at the World Championships at 72kg but is now back to 68kg

Former world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) and young star Mansi LATHER (IND), a 72kg silver medalist at Zagreb Open, also have a chance to stand on the podium.

Ozaki Back at 62kg

After a whirlwind journey from 62kg to 65kg and then to 68kg which saw her win the world title and Olympic bronze, Ozaki is back to 62kg. She won gold at the Zagreb Open and now starts as the favorite for the Asian Championships.

She would also hope to avenge a loss. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Ozaki was leading the final against Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) when the latter used an arm-throw to clinch a 6-6 criteria win. Mun will be in Bishkek, giving an opportunity to Ozaki to avenge that loss.

Two former world champions are also in the fray -- Qi ZHANG (CHN) and Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL). Both will be in line for medals if not the gold along with world bronze medalist Nigina SABIROVA (UZB).

At 53kg, Kiyooka will hope to regain the Asian title she lost last year. In a one-sided final, Hyo Gyong CHOE (PRK) defeated her 12-1 at 53kg. With Choe not in the field, Kiyooka will be keen to win the gold medal.

She will still have to deal with former U20 world champion and senior silver medalist Jin ZHANG (CHN) and MEENAKSHI (IND) among others.

Japan will also hope that two youngsters can win gold medals in Bishkek.

Zagreb Open champion Nana IKEHATA (JPN) at 65kg and Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) have a great chance to add to Japan's gold tally. While Ikehata doesn't have a deep field at 65kg, world fifth-placer Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) will have to face returning silver medalist Yuxuan LI (CHN) at 55kg. Li remains the favorite to win the title, despite not wrestling internationally since.

U23 world champion Shugyla OMIRBEK (KAZ) is also in the mix as she wrestles in her first senior level continental event.

Home Star Medet Kyzy

Kyrgyzstan will witness world silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) wrestling at home when she steps on the mat to defend her 76kg title. Medet Kyzy is a huge favorite to win gold, unless U20 world champion KAJAL (IND) can spring a surprise.

Another young star India can bet on is NEHA (IND) at 59kg. In an impressive performance, she managed to win silver at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in February.

But navigating a bracket with Asian Championships debutant Sena NAGAMOTO (JPN), winner at the Zagreb Open, and returning bronze medalist Mengyu XIE (CHN) will be tough for Neha. Xie will also like to change the color of her medal and given the depth (or lack of it) at 59kg, she can certainly hope for gold.

Stars Merge at 72kg

A few stars have merged at 72kg. The weight class has former 65kg world champion Jia LONG (CHN), world silver medalist and Asian champion Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), world bronze medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), former Asian champion Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) and former silver medalist HARSHITA (IND), who defeated Bakbergenova last year in Budapest.

Long won bronze at 68kg at the World Championships but is looking for an Asian title at 72kg. But going through Bakbergenova, a legend at 72kg, will be difficult. U23 world champion Nurtaeva is searching for her first Asian medal and wrestling at home may well be the motivation she needs.

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