#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.

#WrestleBudapest

Kusaka, Losonczi shine on final day of Budapest Ranking Series

Sunday, June 9, 2024 - 08:31 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 9) -- The final day of the Ranking Series with seven Greco-Roman weight classes. Four Olympic weights will be in action -- 67kg, 77kg, 87kg and 97kg -- with ranking points to be earned.

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Incredible session of wrestling. The finals are set and Iran is likely to have a few wrestle-offs for the Paris Olympics

14:30: Ali CENGIZ (TUR) and David LOSONCIZ (HUN) wrestle in the 87kg semifinal. Cengiz and Losonciz shared the World Championships gold after Losonciz won an appeal for a judge's error. But in the rematch here, Losonciz pins Cengiz in the second period after racing to a 5-0 lead. He knows what it means! This is the first time the two have wrestled after that World Championships final

14:10: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) with a stepout in the second period to beat world silver medalist Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) 2-1 and enter the 77kg final against Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) who defeated Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) 1-1 

13:50: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) has defeated world champion Luis ORTA (CUB)! OH WAIT WHAT?! What did we just witness here! Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) was clearly the better wrestler for five minutes and 58 seconds. He led 6-0 at the break but gave up a four pointer in the second as Orta closed the gap to 6-4. Iran challenged the call asking for two points for counter but lost to make the score 6-5. Esmaeili did well to keep the lead but for the last two seconds. As Orta dropped his guard, Esmaeili began celebrating but Orta launched a massive throw for four. It was originally not scored as the clock expired but Cuba challenged the call. On review, the move was completed with 0.1 seconds remaining on the clock. Esmaeili is inconsolable.

13:35: 63kg world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) hands Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) a 6-1 loss at 67kg. A big setback for Geraei and his Olympic dreams. He would now hope that Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) fails to win the gold medal here and the two get to have a playoff later in the evening.

13:25: David LOSONCZI (HUN) gives up a turn from par terre in the second period but that is not enough for Mohammadhossein MAHMOODI (IRI) to win their 87kg bout. Losonczi had a 5-0 lead from the first period and he looked in control of the bout.

13:22: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) has given a walkover to Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) in their 77kg quarterfinal. Akbudak will now wrestle Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) for a spot in the final.

13:00: Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) may feel he has been hard done here against Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg. Geraei defended two par terre positions and led 1-1 on criteria with 23 seconds left on the clock. He made an arm throw but had no contact with Suleymanov who was awarded two points and two more for a turn. Geraei was not defending thinking the referees would call it a risk. Iran challenged for the same but it called points and Geraei dropped his bout 6-1.

12:55: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) beats Mohammad Reza MOKHTARI (IRI) at 77kg to enter the semifinals. He will now wait for the winner of Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) and Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI). 

12:40: World champion Luis ORTA (CUB) and Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) now wrestling at 67kg. Orta launches a big four-pointer on the edge for the early lead. He then is then awarded a point for Sogabe's passivity. No turn in par terre but he scored a takedown to lead 7-0 at the break. Sogabe is unable to break Orta's defense in the second period. Orta closes out the match 7-1.

12:00: A tough opening round for world champion Ali CENGIZ (TUR) as he needs six minutes to beat Payton JACOBSON (USA) 6-1 at 87kg. He is on his way for a clash with David LOSONCIZ (HUN). Both were awarded the World Championships gold medal after Hungary won an appeal for a referee error in the final

11:40: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) continues to chip away at 77kg. He beats Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) 6-0 to advance to the 1/8 finals. In the same weight class, Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) has set up a 1/8 final with Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE).

11:30: A minute and 29 seconds is all Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) needs to win 8-0 against Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) in their round two bout at 55kg. Azizli looking absolutely dominant so far.

11:05: Mohmmadreza GERAEI (IRI) did not look his best in his opening match against Souleymen NASR (TUN) at 67kg as he failed to perform his throw from par terre. Nasr was called for negative wrestling twice which gave Geraei a 4-0 lead. But a lost challenge from Gereaei and par terre in the second period made it 4-2. Geraei holds on to that score to win. Iran's second wrestler at 67kg, Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) rolls to a 10-0 win over Nestor ALMANZA (CHI) in no time.

10:55: World champion Luis ORTA (CUB) shows up and rolls over David MANYIK (HUN) for a technical superiority win at 67kg. He earns a quarterfinal date with Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN).

10:50: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) dominates his first bout over Abd Elkrim OUAKALI (4), winning 11-3 and marching on at 77kg. He will face Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) next. In the same weight class, a quick finish as Zoltán LEVAI (HUN) pins Levente LEVAI (HUN).

10:40: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) has been trying to get the better of Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) at 55kg but he will have to wait another day for that as Azizli beats Dad Marz in the first bout at 55kg. On Mat A, Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) beats Marat GARIPOV (BRA).

10:30: Long day ahead in Budapest with some top matches scheduled. Nao KUSAKA (JPN), Geraei brothers, Ali CENGIZ (TUR), David LOSONCIZ (HUN), Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) are among the stars to be on the mat.