#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Alizadeh defends Asian title in clash of '21 champs

Tuesday, April 19, 2022 - 16:02 By Ken Marantz

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 19) -- Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) can certainly take pride in winning a second straight gold medal at the Asian Championships. Particularly since he had to beat another champion from 2021 to do it.

Defending champion Alizadeh defeated Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) 3-1 in an intense Greco-Roman 87kg final on the opening day of the six-day tournament at the Buyant Ukhaa Sports Palace in the Mongolian capital.

"I am part of the national team and it’s an honor," said Alizadeh, who was also a world U23 bronze medalist in 2021.

Alizadeh's ability to take advantage of the par terre position, while being able to defend when he was put on bottom, made the difference in beating Berdimuratov, who won the 82kg gold last year in Almaty.

"The final is always tough and I had the point for passivity in the first period. I managed to score from par terre and lead 3-0," Alizadeh said. "In the second period, he got the passivity but I was determined to defend. In my mind, I was thinking that I have to only defend this attack to win."

Alizadeh was somewhat amazed that he could achieve the golden repeat.

"It’s a special feeling to win two Asian gold medals," he said. "Last year and now I am again champion. Incredible."

Akzhol MAKHMUDOVAkzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) captured his second Asian Championships title. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Kyrgyzstan took two of the four other titles at stake Tuesday, with Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) winning at 77kg and unheralded Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) putting on an impressive run to capture the 63kg gold.

Makhmudov wasn't overly dominant in picking up his second Asian gold but got the job done in notching a 3-1 victory over veteran Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ) in the 77kg final.

Makhmudov, who won the 72kg title on home soil in Bishkek in 2018 as a teenager, scored with a gut wrench in his chance at par terre in the second period to win.

"What's the difference between 2018 and now?" Makmudov said. "I can say that today I am more experienced, I am not a young guy like I was back in 2018."

For his part, Yerezhepov, who will turn 32 years old later this week, added a seventh Asian medal to his collection, which includes gold from 2017.

In another indication of the changing of the guard, Makhmudov had to get by former Olympic champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR), who had won five Asian titles between 2010 and 2019. Makhmudov won their semifinal clash 4-1.

"It's a great honor to me to defeat such a wrestler as Kim, he won the Olympic Games, World Championship, and Asian Games," Makhmudov said.

sharshenbekovTynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) pinned his three opponents on the way to the 63kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Sharshenbekov earned his first Asian title with his third straight victory by fall of the day, stopping two-time world medalist Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) at 4:06 of the 63kg final.

With a 1-0 lead in the second period, Sharshenbekov pancaked Ainagulov onto his back, although the Kazakh wrestler believed his opponent used his leg inappropriately in the maneuver and all but gave up.

An unsuccessful challenge upheld the initial move, giving Sharshenbekov the gold. Ainagulov, meanwhile, now has five Asian medals, but still no gold.

"Thanks a lot to all my coaches," said Sharshenbekov, whose main claim to fame up to his point was a 2017 Asian junior title and a fifth-place finish at the 2019 World Championships.

"This is my first victory and God bless not the last one. I want to become an Olympic champion and world champion."

Yu SHIOTANIYu SHIOTANI (JPN) defended his 55kg gold medal in Ulaanbaatar. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Shiotani never says die, repeats at 55kg

In other action, young Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) successfully defended his 55kg crown, although the score in the final -- a 13-2 technical fall over Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) -- does not reflect the fact that it was his third come-from-behind victory of the day.

"There was a lot of pressure," Shiotani said of being the defending champion. "I was able to wrestle my way [in the final], so I'm very happy."

Shiotani spotted Bekbolatov an early takedown, then came back with a takedown of his own. From there, he took matters into his own hands, ripping off a pair of his trademark big throws, the first for 4 and the second for 5 to end the match at 2:58.

"At first I gave up points, but I thought I could come back," the 20-year-old Tokyo native said. "I took advantage of my chances and that led to the win."

Shiotani also had to rally late in snatching a 6-5 victory in the first round over Hyeokjin JEON (KOR) after trailing 0-5, then again in the semifinals, where he overcame a 4-point deficit to defeat Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) 10-8.

"I wasn't in very good condition, and that's why all of my wins were come-from-behind," Shiotani revealed, adding that he had trouble making weight.

The victory in the final made Shiotani the first-ever Japanese to win consecutive Asian titles in Greco, and only the second two-time champion after Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), who won the 60kg gold in 2017 and 2020.

The way that Shiotani won the final was reminiscent of his victory over world champion Ken MATSUI (JPN) at last December's All-Japan Championships, where he twice slammed Matsui down with five-point throws.

For Matsui to defend his world title, he now has to win the title at the All-Japan Invitational Championships in June, where he could face Shiotani, then beat Shiotani in a playoff for the spot on the team to Belgrade.

"I might have to face Matsui again in June, but I will do everything I can to win," Shiotani said.

SYZDYKOVAlimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) upgraded his silver from Almaty to gold at 130kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mard)

The most one-sided victory of Tuesday's finals came in the last bout of the night at 130kg, with 2021 silver medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) putting away 2020 runner-up Minseok KIM (KOR) by fall in 2:28 after scoring a pair of 4-point moves.

After opening the scoring with a quickfire stepout right off the whistle, Syzdykov used a back lift and roll to increase his lead to 5-0. He then got Kim into a bear hug that sent him back to the mat, where he clamped down for the fall.

Host nation denied

In the bronze-medal matches, host Mongolia had two chances to win its first-ever Asian medal in Greco, but its hopes were dashed by Indian opponents.

At 55kg, Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) was put on his back late in his match by Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL) but had built up enough of a lead to hold on for a 10-7 victory that included five stepouts.

Sunil KUMAR (IND), a 2019 silver medalist, had less trouble adding a bronze to his collection at 87kg in defeating Batbayar LUTBAYAR (MGL) by a 9-1 technical fall.

NEERAJ (IND) also picked up a bronze for India at 63kg, jumping out to a seven-point lead before holding on for a 7-4 win over Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), the 2019 champion at 60kg and a three-time Asian medalist.

Uzbekistan came away with two bronze courtesy of Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) at 55kg and Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) at 130kg, the latter scoring a 35-second fall over Timothy LOH (SGP), Singapore's first-ever entry in Greco at an Asian Championships.

Iran also had two bronze medalists in Iman KHOONMOHAMMADI (IRI) at 63kg and Aref HABIBOLLAHI (IRI) at 77kg, both of whom were awarded victories by default.

Kodai SAKURABA (JPN), the 2019 world U23 silver medalist, captured the other bronze at 77kg with an 11-1 technical fall over Sajan BHANWALA (IND) that included two 4-point throws.

At 87kg, Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ), a former Asian champion and runner-up, picked up a first bronze with a 7-2 victory over Melis AITBEKOV (KGZ). Tursynov scored all of his points from the par terre in the first period, when he reeled off three consecutive rolls.

Roman KIM (KGZ) took the other bronze at 130kg when Arata SONODA (JPN) defaulted due to a knee injury.

Asian Championships: See all photos

Day 1 Results

Greco-Roman

55kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) df. Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) by TF, 13-2, 2:58

BRONZE: Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) df. Hyeokjin JEON (KOR) by TF, 8-0, 2:22
BRONZE: Arjun HALAKURKI (IND) df. Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL), 10-7

63kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Tynar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) by fall, 4:06 (5-0)

BRONZE: NEERAJ (IND) df. Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), 7-4
BRONZE: Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) df. Ahmad AL NAKDALI (SYR) by def.

77kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ), 3-1

BRONZE: Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) df. Sajan BHANWALA (IND) by TF, 11-1, 2:39
BRONZE: Aref HABIBOLLAHI (IRI) df. Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) by inj. def.

87kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) df. Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB), 3-1

BRONZE: Sunil KUMAR (IND) df. Batbayar LUTBAYAR (MGL) by TF, 9-1, 3:58
BRONZE: Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) df. Melis AITBEKOV (KGZ) 7-2

130 kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) df. Minseok KIM (KOR) by fall, 2:28 (9-0)

BRONZE: Roman KIM (KGZ) df. Arata SONODA (JPN) by inj. def.
BRONZE: Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) df. Timothy LOH (SGP) by fall, :35 (4-0)

#WrestleTirana

Muhamet Malo 2025 Ranking Series Day 3 Finals Set

Friday, February 28, 2025 - 10:08 By Vinay Siwach

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TIRANA, Albania (February 28) -- Muhamet Malo Ranking Series enters day three with four Women's Wrestling and two Greco-Roman weight classes. Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) will be in action at GR 87kg alongwith silver medalist Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI) and both are on collision course as well. Other Paris Olympic medalist in action are Grace BULLEN (NOR) at WW 62kg and Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) at WW 65kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 RESULTS

16:45: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) will look to avenge her round-robin loss to Irina RINGACI (MDA) as she wins her semifinal against Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) to enter the gold medal bout. Koliadenko, a Paris silver medalist at 62kg, was 1-0 at the break after Morikawa's inactivity. But Morikawa launched a huge but sloppy double-leg to score four points at the start of the second period to lead 4-1. Koliadenko was put on activity clock but did not score which gave a point to Morikawa. Koliadenko then scored a takedown with a minute left to cut the lead to 5-3. Morikawa answered with another stepout and led 6-3, the winning score.

Irina RINGACI (MDA) won 10-0 over Aleah NICKEL (CAN). She finished the bout with an ankle pick for four. Ringaci won the round-robin bout against Morikawa 6-5. They both go against each other in about three hours time.

16:30: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) sees off Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) in the 59kg semifinal. She scored a takedown, stepout before Vynnyk was docked for cautioned for locking Onishi's neck. From forced par terre, Onishi used the head between legs to roll Vynnyk twice and make it 8-0. Vynnyk scored exposure using chestwrap but it was scored two for Onishi as she never got turned. Ukraine challenged the decision and won which made it 8-2 at the break. Vynnyk was docked a caution for blocking Onishi who finished the match with an ankle pick four-pointer on the edge. She won 13-2.

Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) survived an onslaught from Bediha GUN (TUR) in the final 30 seconds to win 4-4 in the other semifinal. Down 4-0, Gun scored a takedown and was awarded a caution point. Another takeodwn made it 4-4 but she could not get another point as Sidelnikova won 4-4 through points via bigger technique (2+2).

16:20: Idris IBAEV (GER) enters the 77kg final after beating Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) in an action-filled match. He got the par terre in first period and turned Sakuraba who also committed a foul. A stepout was awarded to Ibaev on review which made his lead 6-0. Sakuraba wasn't focused as he walked out of the zone thinking he has scored a stepout but Ibaev got the points. He then tried a headlock which Ibaev defended and scored four points. Japan challenged the call and won as it was a risk by Sakaruba who managed to get on board with a pushout. Ibaev challenged and got the pushout point as Sakuraba's hand was out before him.

Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) will face Ibaev in the final after he defeated Per Albin OLOFSSON (SWE) 6-1. Maksatbek Uulu blocked Olofsson from par terre and led 2-1 at the break. In the second period, Olofsson was about to take Maksatbek Uulu but lost his balance and the Kyrgyz scored a takedown which Olofsson challenged and lost. With a 5-1 lead, Maksatbek Uulu got a passivity call to make it 6-1 and won.

16:00: We have the 87kg finalists in Greco-Roman! Paris silver medalist Alireza MOHAMMADIPIANI (IRI) and David LOSONCZI (HUN) will wrestle for gold. Mohammadipiani with an impressive win -- 6-1 over Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB). He got the par terre advantage and turned Komarov twice to lead 5-0 at break. Komarov got his par terre chance in the second period but failed to score from the position and Mohammadipiani defended for the rest of the match to win and enter the final.

Losonczi brought his motor to the semifinal against Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) and led 2-1 at the break with two stepouts. Sterkenburg was cautioned for a move against bone joints and docked two points. He challenged and lost another as Losonczi led 5-1. Sterkenburg was called passive which added another point to Losonczi's score before a stepout added another for a 7-1 win for Losonczi and a place in the final. 

15:50: World champion Ami ISHII (JPN) marches on to the 68kg final. Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) scored the first takedown but Ishii with a reversal and then two turns to make it 5-2. Ishii counters an attempt to make it 7-2 at the break. Ishii continues attacking the legs of Zelenykh and finally gets a takedown with traparm and rolls Zelenykh twice to win 13-2.

Zelu LI (CHN) will be her opponent in the final after the Chinese laced her way to a 10-0 win over Noémi SZABADOS (HUN).

15:40: First semifinals of the day! Women's Wrestling 62kg has three Paris Olympians out of the four semifinalists. The only one not from Paris, LILI (CHN), takes out bronze medalist Grace BULLEN (NOR) and books her spot in the final. Bullen got a takedown and turn before Lili scored reversal and lace. Bullen led 4-3 and Lili scored another takedown and turn to make 7-4. Bullen get the gap to 7-5 with a stepout but Bullen couldn't break the defense and lost 8-3. Lili will face Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) for the gold medal who defeated  Anne NUERNBERGER (GER) in the other semifinal. Dudova led 3-0 at the break and then scored a takedown and gut wrench to make it 7-0. Solid snapdowns in the match from Dudova as she added another takedown before countering an attack to win 11-0.

15:25: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) with a different approach in the match against Abigail NETTE (USA). With a more cautious approach, Onishi was shut down by Nette who led 1-0 at the break for Onishi's passivity. But Onishi comes out blazing in the second and score 10 straight points using head in the middle. A takedown makes it 12-1 as Onishi advances at 59kg.

15:20: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) books herself a semifinal with Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) at 65kg. Morikawa with a 3-0 win over Yuqi RAO (CHN).

15:05: Back to Women's Wrestling, and Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) with a 34 second technical superiority win over Aleah NICKEL (CAN) at 65kg. She top her group with that win and enters the semifinal in which she likely to face Miwa MORIKAWAN (JPN).

14:55: Paris Olympic final rematch at Greco-Roman 87kg between Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) and Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI). Novikov had blanked Mohamadipiani 7-0 in the final in Paris. An aggressive start from Mohammadi and he gets a par terre but no score. He leads 1-0 at the break. A stepout and takedown to make it 4-0 in the second period. He is awarded the par terre for his active wrestling to lead 5-0 but he can't score from there. Mohammadi shuts Novikov down completely and wins 5-0. He celebrates with an acknowledgement from the coach.

14:42: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) scored a takedown and three turns after Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) got the par terre and he wins 9-2 at 87kg. A machine from par terre.

14:40: World champion at 72kg Ami ISHII (JPN) is back at 68kg for the Ranking Series. She begins her campaign with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Greda BARTH (GER).

14:30: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) isn't giving Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) any last-second points this time as in Zagreb. Down 4-2, Dudova scores a takedown and then an exposure when Nwachukwu tries to hold on to her 4-4 criteria lead in last 10 seconds to win 6-4. Nwachukwu scored a takedown in the final five seconds in Zagreb to beat Dudova.

14:15: Irina RINGACI (MDA) with a 10-0 technical superiority and Grace BULLEN (NOR) with a fall in their respective bouts at 65kg and 62kg.

14:10: U20 world champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Bediha GUN (TUR) in Round 2 of 59kg. She is the favorite to win the gold medal

13:35: Alireza MOHAMADIPIANI (IRI), who lost to Novikov in the Paris final, begins with a solid 8-0 win over Tamas LEVAI (HUN) at 87kg. Mohamadipiani got the part terre and turned Levai, who locked Mohamadipiani's neck which is a foul. Hungary challenged the call but lost. With a 6-0 lead, Mohamadipiani turned Levai once to win 8-0

13:30: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) is into the quarterfinal at 87kg after beating Istvan TAKACS (HUN). He got a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break. Novikov keeps the pressure in the second period and scores a stepout before getting the second par terre as well. No points but enough for Novikov to win 5-0.

13:20: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) with another 8-0 technical superiority. A stepout, first par terre and four turns to beat Artur OVSEPYAN (UKR) and advance to the 87kg quarterifinals.

13:15: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED) up against Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO) at 87kg 1/8 final. He scores the opening takedown to be 2-0 up. Georgia challenge but lose. Sterkenburg gets par terre advantage to make it 4-0 but no turn from par terre. Sterkenburg with a strong start in the second and scores a stepout. Bolkvadze tries a headlock but falls on his back and Sterkenburg gets the fall.

13:10: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) was woken up by Albina DRAZHI (ALB) with the first takedown of their 65kg bout but Koliadenko works her way back and scores 12-2 technical superiority win in Round 1 at 65kg. 

13:00: Irina RINGACI (MDA) and Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) faced off in the 2021 World Championships final which Ringaci won. Four years later, they meet in Round 1 of 65kg in Tirana. Ringaci on the holds straightaway and she scores a takedown and a turn to lead 4-0. Morikawa is more active in the second period but a scramble results in Ringaci landing on top to take the lead 6-0. Morikawa keeps going but Ringaci split defense keeps her at bay before Morikawa scores exposure for two. Another leg elevation from Morikawa for a takedown to make it 6-4 with 17 seconds left. A double leg from Morikawa but Ringaci decides to run out of bounds than give a losing takedown. 6-5 with 6 seconds remaining. Japan challenge the call. Morikawa has no control over Ringaci during stepout. It's only one point and Japan lose the challenge, giving Ringaci a 7-5 lead. She defends the lead for the six seconds to win 7-5. They both can still meet in the final as 65kg is in Nelson system.

12:40: World champion at 59kg in 2023, Qi ZHANG (CHN) was down 8-0 against Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) but mounts a comeback. Zhang with a stepout, a takedown and exposure to make it 8-5 at the break. A caution against Tandelova made it 8-6. A takedown for Zhang but a double leg takedown from Tandelova to make it 10-8. As Zhang tries another attack, Tandelova counters for another two points. She wins 12-8 at 62kg.

12:30: That was quick from Grace BULLEN (NOR). The Paris bronze medalist beats Sara LINDBORG (SWE) 10-0 inside two minutes at 62kg.  

12:25: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) with all those counter attacks to beat Nikolett SZABO (HUN) 9-0 at 62kg. Dudova led only 1-0 at the break but as Szabo tried to score in the second, Dudova continued to counter those attacks.

12:00: Olympic champion Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) gets former U23 world champion Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the first round. Novikoc with a stepout to open the scoring. He turns Mukubu from par terre to lead 4-0. Excellent defense from Mukubu after the first turn. Mukubu begins the second period with a takedown. Novikov was pushing Mukubu towards the zone but Mukubu sneaked and scored a go-behind takedown. Then gets the par terre to make the score 4-3. Novikov blocks the turn attempt and score a gut-wrench to lead 8-3. Novikov wins 8-3.

11:52: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) with a quick 8-0 technical superiority win over Jiaxin HUANG (CHN). A takedown and gut wrench for Komarov.

11:50: U20 world champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) gets a taste of senior level competition as Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR) beats him 6-2 in the opening round at 87kg. Zhanyshov gets thrown for four from bodylock and is down 5-0. Both wrestlers exchange stepouts and Saricicek leads 6-1 at the break. A stepout from Zhanyshov in the second period is all he got as Saricicek wins 6-2.

11:45: Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO), one of the three Georgian wrestlers at 87kg, runs into Soh SAKABE (JPN) in the opening round. Sakabe gets the first par terre advantage but Bolkvadze blocks the turn and leads 2-1 at the break. Bolkvadze manages a throw from par terre in the second period to lead 7-1. Sakabe with a headlock throw and is awarded two and one point for reversal for Bolkvadze. Japan challenge for four. But on review, all the points are removed as no one landed in danger. A 7-1 win for Bolkvadze.

11:30: Another rainy day here in Tirana. But wrestlers are ready for day three of the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series with 59kg, 62kg, 65kg and 68kg in Women's Wrestling and 77kg and 87kg in Greco-Roman.