#WrestleAstana

Teen Aman steps up, keeps Asian 57kg title in Indian hands

Thursday, April 13, 2023 - 14:56 By Ken Marantz

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 13) -- Stepping in for the injured three-time reigning champion, teenager AMAN (IND) ended up stepping right up to the top of the podium.

Aman capped an amazing run at the Asian Championships by keeping the 57kg gold in Indian hands, and Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) retained his 65kg crown as freestyle got underway with competition in five weight classes on Thursday in Astana.

Aman, who made Indian history last year by becoming the country's first-ever world U23 champion, went on a takedown spree to defeat Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) 9-4 in the final and follow in the footsteps of star Ravi KUMAR (IND), who last year won a third straight 57kg gold.

"Before coming here, I just wanted to win gold," Aman said.

Host Kazakhstan gave the packed crowd at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace plenty to cheer by capturing two of the five golds at stake, with Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) edging veteran Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) for the 79kg title and unheralded Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ) triumphing at 70kg.

Eight different countries were represented in the gold-medal matches, and the one least expected to produce a champion did just that when Russian-born Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) won the 97kg gold to become just the second Asian gold medalist in Bahrain history.

Aman, who will turn 20 in July, belied his youth with a masterful performance of confidence, power and speed that establishes him as a future force for India.

In the final, Aman received an activity point before Smanbekov went behind a counter for 2. Aman responded with a leg scoop for a takedown and a 3-2 lead going into the second period.

The two traded takedowns before Aman pulled away with two more well-executed takedowns.

"I made two mistakes in the final," Aman said. "I did watch his bouts before the final and he only has counters. But I thought that I should [be able to] score. I thought that I will not get tired, so keep trying to score. So I got countered twice. I then put my head down and focused."

Aman's route to the final was paved with tough wins over 2022 bronze medalist Rikuto ARAI (JPN) and Ranking Series Bucharest champion Wanhao ZOU (CHN). He beat Arai 7-1 and Zou 7-4.

"I thought the Chinese was a good wrestler," Aman said. "I always think that if they cannot put me in danger in par terre, I will win. They score from par terre and the lead is too much, I won't be able to cover up. I am sure to win from standing. I am a little concerned about getting caught in a lace.

"The Japanese wrestler gets tired a lot. I had watched his bouts and I told myself to not get caught in any locks or lace and for a minute or a minute and a half, I have to defend and then he will be tired."

Aman came into Astana riding a third-place finish at the Ranking Series Zagreb Open in January, where he was dealt a 15-5 loss in the semifinals by Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN). He said he learned from that experience.

"I lost in the Ranking Series to a Japanese wrestler," he said. "Here it was a different wrestler. I worked a lot on the mistakes I made in Croatia."

Aman still has a way to go to catch up to Kumar, to whom he lost 10-0 at the 2022 world trials. But as he showed in Astana, he has the drive and desire to succeed, and India is taking notice.

"If you told him to do 30 repetitions of an exercise, he would do 60," his coach Lalit KUMAR was quoted as telling the website Sportstar. "If a training session was 60 minutes, he would be training by himself for two hours."

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI)Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) defeated Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) 3-1 in the 65kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Amoudzad was surprisingly the only Iranian to make the finals, and he had his hands full in forging out a 3-1 victory at 65kg over a defiant Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL).

An activity point for Tumur Ochir was the lone score of a staid first period in which the Mongolian consistently fended off Amoudzad's attacks. In the second period, Tumur Ochir attempted an arm spin, but Amoudzad kept his feet and scrambled behind for a takedown. He then received an activity point to complete the scoring.

"I try with my heart and my soul to train hard to make the Iranian people happy," said Amoudzad, who had preceded his 2022 world title by winning the world junior gold the previous year. "I hope to repeat this medal at the next World Championships and the Olympic Games."

All three of Amoudzad's matches went the distance, which the Iranian says shows the high level of the weight class -- and makes it fun for him.

"[The] 65kg [division] is the toughest weight category in the world, and I am happy about that and I enjoy it," he said. "The Japan, Kazakhstan and Mongolia wrestlers were good and I succeeded to win gold to make my family and Iranian people happy."

At 79kg, Sakayev denied 33-year-old Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Abdurakhmonov a third career Asian gold and first since 2017 when he held on for a 7-4 victory in his first continental competition on any level.

In the first period, the 30-year-old Sakayev had just given up an activity point when he scrambled behind for a takedown, which he topped off with a lace lock for a 4-1 lead. In the second period, Abdurakhmonov had a chance to cut the gap when he got Sakayev's leg in the air, but the Kazakh managed to slip out of the hold.

As the match was winding down, Abdurakhmonov tried a desperation throw that Sakayev stopped for 2. The last seconds saw a flurry in which Sakayev scored a stepout and Abdurakhmonov got a stepout and takedown.

Doszhanov, who failed to make it out of the qualification round at 65kg last year in Mongolia, picked up his first major medal of any color with a 2-0 victory over Asian U20 bronze medalist Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) in the 70kg final.

Doszhanov scored a stepout just moments after receiving an activity point in the first period and made that lead hold up through a scoreless second period, much to the appreciation of the partisan crowd.

In the final match of the night, the 20-year-old Tazhudinov proved too much for Awusayiman HABILA (CHN), twice executing rolls after a takedown and cruising to an 11-0 technical fall to capture the 97kg gold.

"I was very well prepared," Tashudinov said. "I had a very good training camp in the mountains back in my Motherland. It was quite a tough championship, the opponents were very good. But this time I was the strongest."

Tazhudinov had defeated Habila two months ago at the Ranking Series Ibrahim Moustafa in Egypt, where he ended up placing seventh.

"With the Chinese opponent from the final, we wrestled each other recently at the Ranking Series, that match was really tough, I won 8-5, but this time it was much easier to win," he said.

Tazhudinov's hardest test came in the semifinals when he rallied to a 13-6 victory over 2021 world bronze medalist Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI).

"The semifinal match was really hard, I did my best, it was very tough," he said. "With the Iranian wrestler by the end of the match I had no energy left, but there was a big difference on the scoreboard, so I could win."

With his victory Thursday, Tazhudinov joined fellow Russian-born Adam BATIROV (BRN) as Asian champions from Bahrain. Batirov won the 70kg gold in Bangkok in 2016.

Tazhudinov said he plans to next enter the Asian U20 Championships in June, "and after that, we will start getting ready for the Worlds." He is currently training at the sports school run by two-time Olympic champion Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF).

"He is training me, we have nice matches together. So, I think I'll get the experience from him," Tazhudinov said.

Zholdoshbekov bags bronze in move up to 65kg

Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) might not yet have fully adjusted to the extra weight from his move up to 65kg, but he did enough to come away from Astana with his fourth career Asian bronze medal and fifth medal overall.

Zholdoshbekov, the 2020 Asian champion at 61kg, scored a stepout with :35 left to edge Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) 2-2 on last-point criteria. He previously won bronzes at 61kg in 2016, 2018 and last year.

Meanwhile, Japan went 3-for-4 in bronze-medal matches, with Arai capturing his second straight bronze at 57kg and world U23 bronze medalist Ryoma ANRAKU (JPN) and world U20 bronze medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) also making the podium at 65kg and 70kg, respectively.

Anraku, making his senior national team debut, scored a 4-point driving takedown in the first period, then added three spin-behind takedowns in the second for a 10-0 technical fall over Sanzhar MUKHTAR (KAZ).

Arai cobbled together a solid 6-1 victory at 57kg over Zou. After the Chinese scored a stepout while on the activity clock, Arai quickly struck back with a low-single takedown to go up 2-1. In the second period, a speedy tackle and a grapevine roll padded the lead.

At 70kg, Aoyagi joined the Japanese bronze parade with an entertaining 12-2 technical fall over lanky teenage Orts ISAKOV (JOR), who became a crowd favorite with his unorthodox style and flashy throws.

Aoyagi had trouble getting past the long arms of Isakova and had to settle for four stepouts in building a 6-2 lead in the first period. He added a takedown early in the second, then ended the match with a 4-point counter hip throw after Isakov got in deep with a duck under.

Isakov, who was looking to become Jordan's first-ever Asian medalist in freestyle, thrilled the crowd with a 5-point back suplex in the quarterfinals that capped a wild 20-7 victory over Agudamu AGUDAMU (CHN).

Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ), the silver medalist a year ago at 57kg, assured he wouldn't leave empty-handed by posting a dramatic 6-4 victory over Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) that brought the crowd to its feet.

Trailing 4-1, Kalzhan could hardly have cut it closer when he sent Zandanbud tumbling backward with an inner leg trip with five seconds left, a decisive 4-point move that would be confirmed on the challenge. The win avenged a 4-2 loss to Zandanbud in the first round of last year's Yasar Dogu tournament.

Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), the Asian U23 champion, gave Kyrgyzstan a second bronze by winning a battle of unmovable forces at 70kg. He edged 2021 bronze medalist Morteza GHIASI CHEKA (IRI) 2-1, with all of the points scored on the activity clock. Both of Toktomambetov's points came in the second period.

Iran found success in the two remaining weight classes, as Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI) outmuscled Yajuro YAMASAKI (JPN) with five stepouts in a 6-0 victory at 79kg, and Goleij rolled over Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) for an 11-0 technical fall.

It was Kavousi's second Asian bronze, having won one at 74kg in 2019, while Goleij completed the Asian medal set by adding to the gold he captured in 2020 and silver from 2018.

DEEPAK (IND) added the senior bronze to his Asian U20 bronze from last year by storming to a 12-1 technical fall over Shuhrat BOZOROV (TJK) at 79kg.

Compatriot Deepak NEHRA (IND) did not fare as well at 97kg, losing a freewheeling 12-9 decision to Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB), who had jumped out to a 10-3 lead in the first period with a takedown, two gut wrenches and a 4-point hip throw counter.

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Day 5 Results

Freestyle

57kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Aman AMAN (IND) df. Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ), 9-4

BRONZE: Rikuto ARAI (JPN) df. Wanhao ZOU (CHN), 6-1
BRONZE: Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) df. Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), 6-4

Semifinal: AMAN (IND) df. Wanhao ZOU (CHN), 7-4
Semifinal: Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) df. Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), 8-6

65kg (14 entries)
GOLD: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), 3-1

BRONZE: Ryoma ANRAKU (JPN) df. Sanzhar MUKHTAR (KAZ) by TF, 10-0 (5:36)
BRONZE: Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) df. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB), 2-2

Semifinal: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) df. Ryoma ANRAKU (JPN), 2-1
Semifinal: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB), 5-2

70kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ) df. Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB), 2-0

BRONZE: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) df. Morteza GHIASI CHEKA (IRI), 2-1
BRONZE: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Orts ISAKOV (JOR) by TF, 12-2, 4:04

Semifinal: Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ) df. Morteza GHIASI CHEKA (IRI), 4-1
Semifinal: Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) df. Orts ISAKOV (JOR) by TF, 10-0, :53

79kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) df. Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB), 7-4

BRONZE: Deepak DEEPAK (IND) df. Shuhrat BOZOROV (TJK) by TF, 12-1, 5:13
BRONZE: Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI) df. Yajuro YAMASAKI (JPN), 6-0

Semifinal: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) df. Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI) by Fall, 5:46 (8-5)
Semifinal: Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) df. Deepak DEEPAK (IND) by TF, 10-0, 3:31

97kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) by TF, 11-0, 3:32

BRONZE: Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB) df. Deepak NEHRA (IND), 12-9
BRONZE: Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) df. Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) by TF, 11-0, 4:10

Semifinal: Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) df. Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 3:52
Semifinal: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI), 13-8

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 GR day one finals set

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 07:58 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (March 25) -- The 2025 Asian Championships begins in Amman with Japan hoping for continental domination after a rich show at the Paris Olympics. Iran, the leader in Greco-Roman and Freestyle, will be challenged by Japan. In Women's Wrestling, Japan has China and DPR Korea.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW

Iran comes out of the sessions with four finalists and Uzbekistan manages three. All three Uzbekistan's gold medal bouts will be against Iran wrestlers.

Kazakhstan, Iraq and Japan with a finalist each. The gold medal bouts will begin at 18:00 hours local time.

130kg gold medal bout: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) vs Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)

14:33: In the final semifinal bout of the session, Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) assures himself of a fourth career Asian medal with a 4-1 win over Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) in their 130kg semifinal. Nasimov gets the first-period passivity call, but can't turn Syzdykov. In the second period, Syzdykov gains a stepout, then pretty much puts the match away with a gut wrench from par terre as Nasimov can find no way to break through the Kazakh's defenses. Syzdykova has the full collection of medals — a silver in 2021, a gold in 2022 and a bronze in 2023. What color will this year's be?

14:28: U23 world champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) makes it to the 130kg final with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yuta NARA (JPN). Takedown, stepout, takedown and two turns help him win 9-0 in one minute and seven seconds.

87kg gold medal bout: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) vs Yasin YAZDI (IRI)

14:21: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) is into the final at 87kg in just his second international tournament on the senior level, getting the points in par terre for a correct throw while avoiding giving any away while in bottom in a 3-1 victory over Sunil KUMAR (IND).

14:20: Former Asian champion Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) is into the final at 87kg after a fairly one-sided victory over Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) in the semifinal. Berdimuratov hit a suplex from par terre to lead 5-0 before defending the par terre position in the second period to win 5-1.

77kg gold medal bout: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) vs Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI)

14:10: Two-time reigning world U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is into the final at 77kg in his senior Asian debut, outlasting a determined Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) in a lively 4-3 victory. Maksatbek Uulu, winner of the Tirana Ranking Series tournament and a 2023 world U23 bronze medalist, is on top in par terre first, but Abdevali extricates himself from a front headlock. The Iranian then dances out of potential stepouts and, in final seconds of the first period, gets behind for a takedown and a 2-1 lead. Abdevali scores a pair of stepouts, and those points prove vital when Maksatbek Uulu gets behind for a takedown.  

14:05: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), who has only a bronze medal at the Asian Championships back in 2018, is guaranteed a silver medal as he moves into the 77kg final with a 9-0 win over Amro SADEH (JOR), dashing the hopes of the hosts.  

63kg gold medal bout: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) vs Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB)

13:58: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), the returning bronze medalist at 63kg, hits off a correct throw for two points from par terre to lead Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) 3-0 at the break. Keshtkar gets the par terre in the second period and he fails to put his hands on Chung twice and is asked to resume in standing. A huge blunder from Keshtkar. Chung leads 3-1. Keshtkar gets the third passivity advantage and par terre. This time he puts his hands correctly and completes a throw outside for a point. Chung is docked two points for an aggressive elbow and asked to restart in par terre. Chung sneaks out. He pressures Keshktar for a stepout but the Iranian hits a chest wrap for four to lead 8-3 with 13 seconds on the clock. Challenge from Korea for stepout. On review, the step is inside and Keshtkar gets four points. He leads 9-3 and will win with hte same score.

13:56: It doesn't get more fast and furious than the 63kg semifinal between Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) and Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB). Assetuly opens the scoring with a takedown and a 2-point throw, only to see Khalmakhanov come back with a 4-point fireman's carry, to which he added a 4-point throw. But when he tried another throw at the edge, Assetuly shut it down and forced the Uzbek to land on his back to get 2, with an unsuccessful challenge tacking on another point. Assetuly caps the first period with a stepout for a 9-7 lead. The second period is all Khalmakhanov, who finishes off a 16-7 win with a takedown straight to a roll.

55kg gold medal bout: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) vs Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ)

13:45: Defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) falls to Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) after a tense semifinal at 55kg. Ro built a 5-0 lead in the first period but Yamagiwa answers with a a big four from par terre to lead 5-5 on criteria. Ro tries a arm-throw that is blocked by Yamagiwa who gets a out-of-bounds point. DPR Korea challenge but lost and Yamagiwa leads 7-5. Ro with a front headlock two to make it 7-7 but Yamagiwa leads on criteria. The Japanese brings out a arm-throw to make it 11-7. With five seconds left, Ro manages to hit a body throw which is scored only two points. Yamagiwa is asked to be in par terre but fails to score and Yamagiwa wins 11-9.

13:37: In the 55kg semifinals, Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) fights back from a five-point deficit to not only take the lead, but finish off Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a fall and assured a better medal than the bronze he took home last year. Botirov, a bronze medalist in 2023, makes the most of his first shot at par terre, scoring with a gut wrench and then going top for a headlock roll, although Albidhan squirmed out of that and got behind for a reversal. Trailing 5-1, he then scores a 4-point takedown to the back when Botirov momentarily loses his balance to go ahead 5-5 on criteria. In the second period, Albidhan scores a takedown, gets 2 for an exposure, then holds Botirov down for the fall at 4:27.  

Semifinals in the five weight classes begin now

13:15: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) gets Sanghyeok PARK (KOR) in par terre and Park is cautioned for fleeing. Berdimuratov finishes the bout 10-0 after Park is asked to restart in par terre. Berdimuratov into the 87kg semifinal.

13:14: Sunil KUMAR (IND), a silver medalist back in 2019 looking to regain some of his old magic, gives India a presence in the opening-day semifinals with a 10-1 victory over Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK) at 87kg. Sunil scores all of his points in the second period, getting two gut wrenches from par terre with a 2-point penalty tacked on after the second one; a point for an unsuccessful challenge of the penalty; then a 2-point roll to finish the match at 4:25.

13:04: World U23 and U20 champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) emulates his compatriot Yazdi, building up a 7-0 lead in his 130kg quarterfinal before using a stepout to defeat Asian U23 champion Wenhao JIANG (CHN) 8-0.

13:03: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) gives Iran another semifinalist with an 8-0 win over Jiaxin HUANG (CHN). Yazdi scores three rolls in par terre for a 7-0 lead. He needs just 28 seconds of the second period to finish off the victory.

13:00: Seonjae KIM (KOR) with two turns from par terre to lead 5-0 against Yuta NARA (JPN) at the break in the 130kg quarterfinal. But Nara shows up in the second and scores six turns from par terre to win 13-5 and enter the semifinals. But Korea challenge for the last turn and wins the challenge to give a lifeline to Kim. But Nara holds on to win to However, Nara scores a stepout in the final second and a caution for fleeing against Kim. A 13-5 win for Nara.

13:00: Former Asian champion and three-time medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) proves too much for Ali AL SHARIJEE (IRQ), chipping away before posting an 8-0 victory to advance to the 130kg semifinals.

12:56: Russian-born Shamil OZHAEV (KGZ) gets a takedown late in the first period to take a 2-2 lead on criteria over world U23 bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) in their 87kg quarterfinal. in the second period, Ozhaev appears to get a takedown-roll combination at the edge, but on challenge, it is ruled a stepout for Zhanyshov. Just when it looks like he's going to hold on for a win, Ozhaev arm drags him to the mat for the winning takedown in the final seconds. The move is upheld on challenge for a 5-3 win. 

12:49: Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ), the 2023 world U23 champion and 2021 Asian champion at 67kg, cruised into the 63kg semifinals with a 9-0 rout of Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ).

12:45: Incredible strength from AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) to throw Chan KIM (PRK) with a underhook setup. He gets the par terre and then scores another four-pointer to win 9-0 in a minute and 43 seconds at 63kg.

12:45: World U23 bronze medalist Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) hits a nifty 4-point spinning arm throw in the second period to top off a 6-0 victory Yun LU (CHN) to book his spot in the 55kg semifinals.

12:36: World U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is through to the semifinals at 77kg with an 11-2 victory over Lai Hsing YAO (TPE).

12:35: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) gets the par terre advantage in the 63kg bout against Godai MITANI (JPN) and he fails to score. Iran quickly challenge for a fleeing foul against Mitani who is cautioned for fleeing and returned in par terre with Keshtkar leading 2-0. However, he fails to add any points. Keshtkar make it 4-0 with a takedown. In the second period, Keshtkar scores a stepout as Mitani's head touched out of bounds. Mithani gets a lifeline with par terre with 1:55 left on the clock. Mitani's a few tricks but fails to add any points. He later scores a stepout and makes it 5-2. Keshtkar answers with a four-pointer and wins the bout 9-2

12:35: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB), a bronze medalist two years ago, makes short work of 2024 bronze medalist Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ), scoring four gut wrenches from par terre for a 9-0 victory and a place in the 55kg semifinals.

12:31: In one of the feature bouts of the session, defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) gets the first shot at par terre in his 55kg quarterfinal with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), but the Iranian doesn't budge. In the second period, Dad Marz gets his shot, and he also can't get any points. With 1:16 to go, Ro gets a second chance, and this time he muscles Dad Marz over for 2, then hangs on for hard-fought 3-1 victory. It was a far different result from last year in Bishkek, when Ro scored a 9-0 win for the gold medal.

12:30: Back and forth match at 55kg between Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) and Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ). Albidhan races to a 7-0 lead but Kamaliyev adds a takedown from scramble to cut it to 7-2 at the start of the second period. Kamaliyev keeps the pressue and as Albidhan tries to evade, he called for a foul and par terre with a 7-3 lead. He reverses the position and scores two turns to win 12-3.

12:22: Amro SADEH (JOR) gives the home crowd another impressive victory, capping a 10-0 victory over Sagar THAKRAN (IND) with a 4-point throw from par terre to book a place in the semifinals at 77kg.

12:20: Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) got two points on Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) at 77kg but Maksatbek Uulu, who recently won gold in Tirana Ranking Series, scores 10 to win 10-2

12:17: Kim CHAN (PRK), a bronze medalist at 63kg a year ago, has a scary moment when he was stopped on his back during a roll by Suhib ALHASANAT (JOR), but otherwise has no trouble scoring a 13-2 victory.

12:10: Paris Olympics fifth placer Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) needs one par terre advantage to sprint to a 9-0 technical superiority victory over 2022 Asian champion Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) at 77kg

12:08: Two-time Asian U23 champion Haodong TAN (CHN) pulls off a miracle victory over Iranian-born Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT), scoring 4 points in the final seconds for a 6-3 win. Mohammadi had gone ahead 3-2 with a second-period takedown and appeared to have the victory well in hand. Qatar has had just one Asian medalist in its history, a freestyle silver in 2018 from Georgian-born Giorgi Sakandelidze.

12:07: Ali AL SHARUEE (IRQ) with a big 9-0 win over PREM (IND) at 130kg. Al Sharuee with a stepout and caution to lead 2-0. He gets the par terre advantage to lead 3-0. Three turns from par terre and he wins 9-0

12:03: Takedown and three turns will do it for multiple time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) against Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL) at 63kg. Chung is chasing the elusive gold he fell short in 2023

12:00: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a takedown and gut-wrench for a 4-0 lead over Abduvali RAHIMBAYEV (TKM). Botirov blocks an attempted takedown from Rahimbayev which is scored two. Turkmenistan challenges but lost. The restart is in par terre and Botirov gets the turn for a 9-0 win

11:59: Can Mostafa ALQADE (JOR) make it 2-for-2 for the hosts? He gets the roll from par terre against Asian U23 champion Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), but Kamaliyev reverses him to his back. A foul, puts Kamaliyev on top and he adds a gut wrench for a 6-3 lead. In the second period, Kamaliyev gets the passivity call, and from par terre bulls Alqade over for 2 before ending the match by fall.

11:50: Defending 55kg champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) advances to the quarterfinals with a 9-0 victory over NITIN (IND), setting up a rematch of the 2024 final with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI). 

11:55: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) has to do it twice but he beats Junsik YU (KOR) 11-1 at 55kg. Yamagiwa with a reverse lift and then a front headlock throw to  lead 7-1. He then gets a four-pointer for the win.

11:45: Another fall on Mat A. Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) needs only a minute to pin Orgil NYAM ERDENE (MGL) at 77kg. 55kg weight class matches on Mat A now.

11:42: Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), the 2022 gold medalist at 72kg, gets three rolls from par terre, then gives up nothing from the bottom for a 7-1 victory over Dowon LEE  (KOR) at 77kg. 

11:42: Amro SADEH (JOR) gets off to a good start at 77kg for the host nation, which hasn't had an Asian medalist since 2013. He scores a 4-point throw in the first period, then hangs for a 6-6 victory on criteria over Jixin YU (CHN).    

11:30: Not the ideal start for Japan here. Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) gives an injury walkover to U20 world champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) at 77kg. Next match on Mat A, Sagar THAKARAN (IND) gets a quick fall over Aryan BIN AZMAN (SGP) at 77kg in the first 30 seconds.

11:15: Welcome to Amman! The Asian Championships is here with Greco-Roman on day one. Wrestling in 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg will wrestle today.