#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Asian Championships 10 freestyle brackets

Friday, April 22, 2022 - 12:47 By Vinay Siwach

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ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 22) -- The final two days of the Asian Championships will see freestyle wrestlers take the mats. The draw for all 10 freestyle weight classes was held in Ulaanbaatar on Friday.

Olympic medalist Ravi KUMAR (IND) and Bajrang PUNIA (IND) will be in action alongside a strong Iran team as well. Japan, Kazakhstan and Kyrgyzstan are also bringing some known names to the competition.

57kg

Ravi KUMAR (IND) and Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) will clash for a second time in two months if both can hold true to their number one and two seedings respectively.  

Kumar is sitting in the quarterfinal on the top side and will face Rikuto ARAI (JPN) in that bout. The semifinal will see Kumar or Arai facing the winner of Reza MOMENIJOUJADEH (IRI) and Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) who is seeded third.

The lower side has Abdullaev in the quarterfinal and is likely to face Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) in that bout. Third seed Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) has to wait for the winner of Sunggwon KIM (KOR) and Muhammad BILAL (PAK).

61kg

The 61kg can see the clash of top seed Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) and Rio silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) in the semifinal on the upper side. The Kyrgyzstan wrestler is in the quarterfinal and will likely face defending champion Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB) in that bout.

For Higuchi, he needs to beat Ali ALMOHAINI (KUW) to reach the quarterfinals where he can face one of Mekan MUHAMMEDOV (TKM) or Mangal KADIYAN (IND) who is seeded fourth.

The lower side of the bracket has the second seed Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) in the quarterfinals. He will have to wait to find out his opponent as Darioush HAZRATGHOLIZADEH (IRI) and Insang CHOI (KOR) wrestle it out in the 1/8 finals.

Third seed Akbar KURBANOV (KAZ) will get one of the U23 world bronze Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL) or Muhamad IKROMOV (TJK) in the quarterfinals before a potential semifinal against Alibegov.

65kg

If Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB) can beat Seonho YOO (KOR) in his opening bout, he will face top seed Bajrang PUNIA (IND) in the quarterfinal. The winner is likely to face fourth seed Haji ALI (BRN) in the semifinal.

Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL) and Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ) are meeting in the first round on the lower side and the winner will get to face Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) in the quarterfinal.

The lower side, however, has junior world champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) as well. He makes his debut in the Olympic weight class of 65kg and will face Inayat ULLAH (PAK) in his first bout before a quarterfinal against third seed Kaiki YAMAGUCHI (JPN). That bout could be a clash of the styles as both like to take their time to attack.

70kg

The favorite to win the gold and world silver medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and defending champion Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ) are seeded number one and two respectively and can only meet in the final.

For that, Akmataliev will have to first beat one of Perman HOMMADOV (TKM) or NAVEEN (IND) in the quarterfinals. In the semifinals, he is likely to face the U23 Asian champion from 2019 Temuulen ENKHTUYA (MGL)

Talgat will get either Yongseok JEONG (KOR) or Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB) in the quarterfinals but the semifinals can be a bigger test as he will have to beat one of Mohammademehdi YEGANEHJAFARI (IRI) or Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN).

74kg

Defending champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) is seeded third at 74kg which means he will have Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) in the semifinals if they hold true to their seeding. Orozbekov was bronze when Kaipanov won gold in 2021.

But Kaipanov will have to go past either the '21 Asian bronze Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) or the upcoming Yash TUSHIR (IND). The Navruzov-Tushir bout will be a display of some willy wrestling and Tushir's stamina.

Orozbekov has to beat one of CHARLYYEV (TKM) or Hong LOU (SGP).

Top seed and former world bronze medalist Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) will be leading the charge for Iran and a quarterfinal against Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) who won a bronze in 2020.

Fourth seed Byambadorj BAT-ERDENE (MGL) will have to wrestle against Seungbong LEE (KOR) or Lakmal Wijesooriya (SRI) for a spot in the semifinals.

79kg

Number one seed and '20 Asian champion Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) can set up a rematch of that final from New Delhi against Gourav BALIYAN (IND) in the semifinal in Ulaanbaatar. That can only happen if they both win their first bout.

Budazhapov will wrestle one of Jasurbek USMONOXUNOV (UZB) or Bumgue SEO (KOR) in the quarterfinal to reach the semifinal while Baliyan has to beat Gurbanmyrat OVEZBERDIYEV (TKM).

Number two seed Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) will likely wrestle Byambadorj ENKHBAYAR (MGL) in the quarterfinal. A win will take him to the semifinal.

That bout can be against third seed Zhiger ZAKIROV (KAZ) but first, he will have to go past the winner of Yudai TAKAHASHI (JPN) and Shuhrat BOZOROV (TJK).

86kg

Since world champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) is not entered, Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) takes the top seed and can face Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) in the quarterfinal. A semifinal against either Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ) or Muhammad INAM (PAK) awaits.

Second seed and former world silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) will begin his campaign against Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) or Mohsen MOSTAFAVI (IRI). If he manages to reach the semifinal he can face third seed Gwanuk KIM (KOR). Kim will have to beat one of Shota SHIRAI (JPN) and Temuujin MENDBILEG (MGL).

92kg

Junior world champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) did not get a seed but will be primed to win the gold at 92kg. He wrestles Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) in the quarterfinal and can face the top seed and '20 Asian silver Takuma OTSU (JPN).

The Japanese wrestler has Jinmyeong KIM (KOR) first up in the quarterfinal.

The lower side has Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL) as the second seed and two-time age-group world medalist Viky CHAHAR (IND) as the third seed. Stopping them from facing other in the semifinal will be Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) and Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ).

Chahar has Chynybekov in the quarters while Dagvadorj will wrestle Saparniyazov.

97kg

Second seed Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) is the favorite to win the gold at 97kg and for that, he has to beat Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) in the quarterfinal and one of third seed Satywart KADIAN (IND) or Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) in the semifinal.

His finalist will come from the top side which has top seed Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) who was second at the 2019 Asian Championships. He wrestles Yasar Dogu 2022 bronze medalist Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) in the quarterfinal.

The other quarterfinal will see Minwon SEO (KOR) against Mukhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB).

125kg

Top seed and junior World bronze Anirudh KUMAR (IND) will have to battle it out against Rustam ISKANDARI (TJK) in the quarterfinal. Iskandari is a three-time Asian medalist and is the favorite to reach the final from the top side.

But he has Tokyo Olympian at 97kg Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) waiting in the semifinals. The fourth seed Yergali still has to beat Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) in the quarterfinal.

The lower side quarterfinals have second seed Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) wrestling Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL) while Yadollah MOHEBI (IRI) is wrestling Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB).

The winner of these quarterfinals will clash in the semifinal before the final.

#WrestleAthens

U17 World Wrestling Championships: Day 2 Highlights

Tuesday, July 29, 2025 - 06:57 By Vinay Siwach

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ATHENS, Greece (July 29) -- The second day of the World U17 Championships in Athens will see five more Greco-Roman weight classes -- 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg and 92kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 RESULTS

READ THE SEMIFINALS REPORT HERE

The semifinals will begin at 17:00 hours local time and the medal bouts from Monday's weight classes will start at 18:00 hours.

15:50: Asian bronze medalist Otabek TURSUNOV (UZB) takes out European champion Marat ATSHEMYAN (ARM) 5-2 in the 51kg quarterfinal.

15:45: Ionut PATRU (ROU) stuns Mamuka BIDZINASHVILI (GEO) in the 92kg quarterfinals and reaches the semifinal. Earlier in the day, he had said that he will become the world champion tomorrow.

15:30: In a match that took forever, Asian U17 champion Damir AKAN (KAZ) has been cautioned out after his second defensive four against Abolfazl ZARE (IRI) at 60kg. Akan led 7-0 as he scored from par terre and Zare fouled. But in the second period, Zare scored a turn and one foul from Akan made it 7-5. As the bout resumed in par terre, Akan made a second defensive leg foul which handed Zare the win.

15:15: Asian U17 champion Behruzbek VALIEV (UZB) defends from par terre and holds on to his 1-1 criteria lead against Hossein KAZEMI (IRI) to enter the semifinal at 71kg. Kazemi challenged for a stepout from par terre but lost it and Valiev won 2-1.

15:05: Benyamin KHEZLI (IRI) with gut-wrench from par terre and he beats Juntao LUO (CHN) 9-0 at 45kg to enter the semifinals at 45kg.

15:00: In a rematch of the European final, Abdurrahman HUSEYNLI (AZE) comes back from 6-0 deficit and beats Saba ABASHIDZE (GEO) 9-6. Abashidze hit a big four and then a turn to lead 6-0. But Huseynli scored a takedown and two arm-trap guts to make it 6-6. Another gut-wrench made it 8-6. Huseynli got par terre in second period but did score. Abashidze could not turn around the 9-6 score and lost the quarterfinal.  

14:42: Down goes European U17 champion Giorgi GOGELASHVILI (GEO) at 71kg. Yusif AHMADLI (AZE) beats the Georgian 7-2. He got going in the second period with a takedown and four-pointer.

14:35: Pavlos TSENTIDIS (GRE) with a banger of a throw to finish all hopes of Daniyar BAZARBEK (KAZ) in their 51kg match. Tsentidis was leading 5-0 when Bazarbek jumped for a big move. Tsentidis grabbed and locked him and slammed him on the mat for four! Great throw

14:25: Asian champion and returning bronze medalist Behruzbek VALIEV (UZB) with a beautiful suplex for five and then pins Radoslav PERYANSKI (BUL) at 71kg. He looks good to upgrade his bronze to gold this year.

14:15: Marat ATSHEMYAN (ARM), European champ at 51kg, reaches the quarterfinals with a 8-0 quick win over Yuvraj KAMANNA (IND).

European bronze medalist Abu Bakar SAGA (NOR) takes a minute and 26 seconds to win 10-2 over Kaloyan BORISOV (BUL)

13:45: Amirsam MOHAMMADI (IRI) wins a tough battle against Said PASHAYEV (AZE) at 92kg, 6-1. Just better defense from Mohammadi as he beats Pashayev, who is actually a European champion in Freestyle.

13:30: Asian champion Damir AKAN (KAZ) rolls to a 10-0 win over RITESH (IND) at 60kg and Mika LABES (GER) blanks Imre JUHASZ (HUN) 6-0 in the next bout.

13:15: Benyamin KHEZLI (IRI) pulls off a great win over European bronze medalist Ararat AVETISYAN (ARM) 8-1 at 45kg. Another big win for Iran.

13:00: Asian champion Behruzbek VALIEV (UZB) takes 2 minutes and 48 seconds to win his 71kg bout against Matias ONNENLEHTO (FIN)

12:45: Giorgi GOGELASHVILI (GEO), European champion at 71kg, just keeps his calm and despite losing a challenge in the bout, he roars in the second period to beat Balaz UJHELJI (SRB) 7-1 

12:15: Abu Bakar SAGA (NOR) hangs on for a 6-3 win over Herman BASARAB (UKR) at 51kg. Saga won bronze medal at the European Championships in Skopje

12:00: Pavlos TSENTIDIS (GRE) sends the local crowd in a frenzy with a final-second throw against Carter SHIN (USA) and wins hi 51kg bout 3-2. USA challenge but lose it on review.

11:45: Amirsam MOHAMMADI (IRI) looks so good at 92kg! He rolls Vladislav VASYLEVSKYI (MDA) and wins his bout 8-0.

11:35: Denys SEREDIN (UKR) with a massive throw on the edge to get five points and Vasileios TSAROUCHAS (GRE) is called for leg foul as well which give two more points to Seredin. The Ukraine finishes the 60kg bout 10-3

11:25: Amangeldi YSAKBAEV (KGZ) rallies to win 11-7 against Zaven MEZHLUMYAN (ARM) after being down 7-1 at 60kg. Ysakbaev throws Mezhlumyan for a four and adds a two to lead 7-7 on criteria and when the Armenian tries a flying squirrel, Ysakbaev throws him down for four more

11:15: Asian U17 champion Damir AKAN (KAZ) was never in danger against Kodai HIHARA (JPN). Akan manages an 8-1 lead before winning his 60kg bout 8-2

11:00: Abolfazl ZARE (IRI) begins day two for Iran with a big 9-0 win over Wail BEN AISSA (ALG) at 60kg. Zare got the par terre and two exposure for the lead. He then gets the par terre in the second period as well and wins with another turn.

10:30: The repechage matches will kick off day two in Athens before we move into the qualification rounds of 45kg, 51kg, 60kg, 71kg and 92kg.