#WrestleAstana

Asian Championships freestyle brackets breakdown

By Vinay Siwach

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 12) -- If freestyle is exciting on the mat, the draws paint an even better picture. The freestyle draws for the Asian Championships concluded Wednesday with wrestlers from 10 weight classes receiving them. Freestyle begins Thursday with 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg wrestlers going on the mat and the wrestlers from the remaining five on Friday.

Wrestling will begin at 11:00 am on Thursday and Friday instead of the regular 11:00 am. The timing for the medal bouts remains the same -- 18:00 hours.

57kg
Wanhao ZOU (CHN) gets the number seed and he will be waiting for the winner of Nodirjon SAFAROV (UZB) and Sunggwon KIM (KOR) to meet in the quarterfinal. If he wins, he will reach the semifinals which will be a tough battle.

The top half has Alireza SARLAK (IRI) wrestling Rikuto ARAI (JPN) in the qualification and the winner will take on AMAN (IND) in the quarterfinal as he is the fourth seed.

The bottom half of this bracket has Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) as the second seed and he faces the winner of Gayan KATHURANGANA (SRI) and Sunatullo BOBOEV (TJK).

Rakhat KALZHAN (KAZ) is seeded third and already in the quarterfinals. He has to wait for the winner of Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ) and Muhammad BILAL (PAK) to know his opponent.

61kg
PANKAJ (IND) gets the top seed in this weight class and a direct quarterfinal spot. He will face the winner of Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB) and Ibrahim GUZAN (YEM).

Two qualification bouts will be held to know the other quarterfinalists in the top half. Muhamad IKROMOV (TJK) will take on Tokyo Olympian Minghu LIU (CHN) in the first bout and Nurbolat ABDUALIYEV (KAZ) will face  Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) to decide the quarterfinalists.

In the bottom half, U23 world champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) gets the winner of Kodai OGAWA (JPN) and Myrat HOJANEPESOV (TKM). Third seed Yasin REZAEI (IRI) will wait for the winner of Hyeonsik SONG (KOR) and Eddy BIN KHIDZER (SGP) in the quarterfinal.

65kg
World champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) will be hoping to defend his Asian title as he is the top seed for the competition. He sits in the quarterfinal with Sanzhar MUKHTAR (KAZ) and Mohammed KAREEM (IRQ) trying to earn the spot to wrestle him.

Others will go through qualification to fill the quarterfinal spot. Changsu KIM (KOR) will wrestle Gurbanmuhammet CHARYYEV (TKM) for a spot in the last eight. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) has fourth seed Ryoma ANRAKU (JPN) in the other bout.

The lower side of the bracket has second seed Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) in the quarterfinal with the winner of Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) and Chlovelle ADOLFO (PHI) wrestling him.

U20 world champion Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) will be wrestling Charles FERNANDO (SRI) for a spot in the quarterfinal while Shaohua YUAN (CHN) has Anuj KUMAR (IND).

70kg
Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) will be the top seed for the weight class and as the weight class has 16 wrestlers, it will kick off with the 1/16 finals.

Toktomambetov wrestles Perman HOMMADOV (TKM) in the first bout while the second one sees Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ) take on Suhyeon PARK (KOR). 

Mohamed BIN ABDULLAH (SGP) will be up against Mustafo AKHMEDOV (TJK) for a spot in the quarterfinal while Inayat ULLAH (PAK) has Morteza GHIASI CHEKA (IR) in the other 1/16 final.

The bottom half will have second seed AGUDAMU (CHN) take on Anil PELI GEDARA (SRI). Ali AL OBAIDI (IRQ) faces Orts ISAKOV (JOR) for a spot in the quarterfinals.

Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) gets Khanburged GANKHUYAG (MGL) and U20 bronze medalist Mulaym YADAV (IND) will be up against third seed Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB).

74kg
While the big names are missing, 74kg will not be short of action. The top seed will be Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) and he will face Abdullrahman IBRAHIM (QAT) in his 1/16 final. Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) and Jumadurdy MAMISHOV (TKM) will be the second face-off before former Asian champion Byungmin GONG (KOR) faces Udayantha FERNANDO (SRI). Fourth seed Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) has YASH (IND) in his 1/16 finals.

In the bottom half, Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) will face  HONG YEOW LOU (SGP) and Jafar CHULIBOYEV (UZB) gets to take on Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ). Hossein ABOUZARIPASHKOLAEI (IRI) will be up against Erzo ISAKOV (JOR). Third seed Shengsong XIA (CHN) will be facing Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN).

79kg
Veteran Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) will be the top seed for this weight class and will be in the quarterfinals. The winner of Gunwoo LEE (KOR) and Shuhrat BOZOROV (TJK) will be his first opponent.

Peilong LI (CHN) and Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) will be wrestling for a spot in the quarterfinal against DEEPAK (IND) who will be the fourth seed.

Second seed Amirhossein KAVOUSI (IRI) will be in the quarterfinal as well with one of Adilet MARATBAEV (KGZ) or Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) to be his opponent.

Yajuro YAMASAKI (JPN) will face Vepa HEMENEKOV (TKM) and the winner earning a spot in the quarterfinal against Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) who is the third seed.

86kg
Defending champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) will be the top seed for the competition and he is placed in the quarterfinal. He will face the winner of Noman ZAKA (PAK) and Weng CHOW (SGP).

The second quarterfinal will be between the winner of Jointy KUMAR (IND) and Nurtilek KARYPBAEV (KGZ). Though he is the fourth seed Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) will have to wrestle Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) for a place in the quarterfinal against the previous winner.

Second seed Zushen LIN (CHN) will be in the quarterfinal and his opponent will be decided by a bout between Gwanuk KIM (KOR) and Alireza KARIMI (IRI). In the other quarterfinal of the bottom half, third seed Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) will wait for Mustafa AL OBAIDI (IRQ) or Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL).

92kg
The top seed and a quarterfinal spot at 92kg go Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL). He will face the winner of Arashk MOHEBI (IRI) and Arash YOSHIDA (JPN). In the other quarterfinal, fourth seed Abdul ABUIDAIJ (JOR) will wait for the winner of Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) and Woomin JANG (KOR).

In the bottom half, Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) is the second seed and will face one of Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ) or Issa AL OBAIDI (IRQ). The third seed Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) will have a test against Xiao SUN (CHN) or Deepak PUNIA (IND).

97kg
Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) is the top seed and will have a spot in the quarterfinal. He will face the winner of DEEPAK (IND) and Arslanbek TURDUBEKOV (KGZ). The second quarterfinal of the top half will see fourth seed Makhsud VEYSALOV (UZB) take on Juhwan SEO (KOR).

Going to the bottom half, Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) is seeded second and will face the winner of Ulziisaikhan BAASANTSOGT (MGL) and Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI).

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) enjoys the third seed and will be in the quarterfinals. He will wait for the winner of Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) and Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM).

125kg
World silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) will be the top seed for the weight class and will face one of BUHEEERDUN (CHN) and Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ). U23 world champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) will be in the quarterfinal against fourth seed Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM).

The bottom half has second seed Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) in the quarterfinal. He has to wrestle the winner of Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) and Anirudh KUMAR (IND).

Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB) is third seed and will be facing the winner of Muzafar ZHAPPUEV (KGZ) and Yeihyun JUNG (KOR).

#wrestlebishkek

India, DPR Korea and China top nations at Asian Olympic qualifier

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 20) -- Asian OG Qualifier enters its second day with Women's Wrestling in six Olympic weight classes. 12 Olympic quotas will be awarded for Paris 2024.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | FREESTYLE REPORT

76 wrap: World U23 champion REETIKA (IND) gives India its third win of the night with an untroubled 7-0 victory over Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE). Reetika scores a pair of takedowns by spinning to the side off a front headlock, then adds a stepout for a 5-0 lead. It is much the same tactic in the second period to add another takedown to the tally as she keeps Chang at bay and is content to run out the clock in her fourth match of the day.

China won its third quota as well with Juan WANG (CHN) defeating Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) 6-1 in the semifinal. Bakbergenova got on board first as for Wang's passivity but was put on the activity clock in the second period and she failed to score to give Wang a 1-1 criteria lead. Wang held on to that lead till the final 10 seconds when she made a desperate attempt and Wang circled and pulled off a suplex for four. Kazakhstan challenged the call but lost giving one more point to Wang.

68kg wrap: Hosts Kyrgyzstan gets its third Paris 2024 quota as former world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) holds on to a 7-3 win over Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB). 

Sol Gum PAK (PRK) pulls off a thrilling 7-4 victory over three-time Asian Games champion and two-time Olympian Feng ZHOU (CHN) to give the DPR Korea its third win in four matches. Pak, who needed to beat Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) in her final round-robin group match to make the qualifying match, opens with a takedown, but the lanky Zhou comes back with a counter lift from a front body lock to lead 2-2 on criteria at the break. In the second period, Pak goes ahead with a single-leg takedown from an underhook. As the clock ticks down, Zhou secures a front headlock and tries to muscle Pak over. Pak stops the throw for a moment to get a 2-point exposure before Zhou completes the roll. An unsuccessful challenge upholds Pak's exposure.

62kg wrap: Former world champion Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) proves too much for unheralded Hanbit LEE (KOR), scoring a fall for a victory that puts her back in the Olympics for the first time since 2016. Purevdorj, who won her lone Asian gold in Bishkek in 2018, uses a single for a takedown, then applies an arm bar and plies her opponent over for the fall in 1:57.

Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) wins a second wrestling quota for the DPR Korea with a controlled 6-2 win over MANSI (IND). Mun used three takedowns against an agile Mansi who could have won India's third quota of the night.

57kg wrap: Zagreb Open champion Kexin HONG (CHN) pulls off a miracle comeback and avenges a loss at last October's Asian Games to In Sun JONG (PRK), storming back from an eight-point deficit to not only tie the match, but secure a fall and the ticket to Paris. Jong opened the match with a single-leg takedown, then put on a fine display of counter wrestling with consecutive counter-lifts to make it 6-0, then another to take an 8-0 lead into the break. But Hong got behind when Jong shot right off the whistle in the second period and added a lace-lock roll to cut the gap to 8-4. Hong then works out of a deep single for a takedown, flips Jong onto her back and secures the fall at 4:36. Jong had beaten Hong 4-2 in the Asian Games semifinals.

India gets its second quota of the night and third overall as ANSHU (IND) uses gut wrench to beat the 2023 Asian Championships silver medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) 11-0 inside the first period. She won 10-0 but Uzbekistan was challenged as the last roll was not exposure but a review confirmed the two points.

53kg wrap: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) puts the DPR Korea in the Paris Olympics. She wins the first wrestling quota for the country with a 4-0 win over Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ). Choe scored a takedown in the first period and tried holding that lead till the end. Eshimova, who needed a takedown to win, made a desperate attempt but Choe countered for another two points and the win.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and two-time world bronze medalist PANG Qianyu (CHN) earned her ticket to Paris after cruising to a 10-0 victory over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). Pang forces her way behind for an opening takedown, then gets a 2-point tilt and a pair of gut wrenches for an 8-0 lead. In the second period, Pang eludes a single-leg attempt and spins behind for a takedown that ends the match.

50kg wrap: Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) becomes the first woman in Uzbekistan history to clinch a spot in the Olympics when she hangs on desperately to a 4-2 victory over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE).  Keunimjaeva takes a 3-0 lead with a single-leg takedown with Hsieh on the activity clock, but a late shot at another is countered, and Hsieh slips behind for 2 with five seconds left in the first period. Keunimjaeva, who takes a timeout for treatment on her knee, keeps shooting in the second period, and although she can't finish them off, she eats away at precious time. After a late shot in the final seconds, Hsieh tries to slip away, but Keumjaeva clings onto the toes for dear life and gets the win. A challenge is unsuccessful. It is a reverse of their meeting at the 2021 Asian Olympic Qualifier at 53kg, which Hsieh won 16-8, although neither wrestler ended up qualifying.

VINESH (IND) wins the second quota for India for the Paris Games. Down at 50kg from her favored 53kg, she rolls to a 10-0 win over Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ). Leading 4-0 into the second period, Vinesh scored a takedown and then used two gut wrenches to finish the bout.

Here's the schedule for the Paris Qualification bouts

50kg
Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) vs. Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE)
VINESH (IND) vs. Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ)

53kg
Qianyu PANG (CHN) vs. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)
Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) vs. Hyogyong CHOE (PRK)

57kg
Kexin HONG (CHN) vs. In Sun JONG (PRK)
Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) vs. ANSHU (IND)

62kg
Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) vs. Hanbit LEE (KOR)
Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) vs. MANSI (IND)

68kg
Feng ZHOU (CHN) vs. Sol Gum PAK (PRK)
Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) vs. Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB)

76kg
REETIKA (IND) vs. Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE)
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. Juan WANG (CHN)

12:25: Sol Gum PAK (PRK) stuns Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) 6-2 in their final group match at 62kg to advance at the expense of NISHA (IND) after all three finished 2-1. Pak leads 2-0 when Zhumanazarova goes ahead in the second period with a takedown. Pak works out from the bottom and grabs a leg, then slips out of a whizzer throw for a takedown and a 4-2 lead. She counters a late takedown for her final points. Zhumanazarova still topped the group, while Pak advanced despite losing to Nisha in the first round of matches.

12:20: REETIKA (IND) hangs on for a 9-6 win over Juan WANG (CHN) in the final Group bout at 76kg. Wang was cautioned for fleeing twice as Reetika scored stepouts. The Indian got a four-pointer to lead 8-0 at the break. Wang began her comeback with a takedown. She scored another in the 10 seconds, and added a gut but before she could tie it 8-8, the time ran out. China challenged but lost giving Reetika another point. Reetika tops the group and will face Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE).

12:15: Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) wins a 6-4 thriller at 53kg over Aizhan SABYRBEK KYZY (KGZ). Down 2-0, Akhmedova scores a takedown, then in a scramble, gives up a 2-point exposure before getting one herself with 49 seconds left. That puts her ahead 4-4 on criteria, and she fights off a fierce attack, scoring a consolation takedown in the final seconds.

12:05: Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) hangs on in a nail-biter for a 5-2 victory over a feisty Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) to make the qualifying match at 53kg. Pang is ahead 2-0 on a pair of stepouts when she pads the lead to 4-0 with a spin-behind takedown. With time running out, Batkhuyag works for a big move, and nearly gets it with a back trip for 2. She lifts Pang's legs and turns her over, but it comes after time expires. An unsuccessful challenge gives Pang her fifth point.

12:01: NISHA (IND) looks to have clinched second place in her 68kg group with a 10-0 victory over Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ).

11:53: Asian Games bronze medalist Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) continues her dramatic tournament at 50kg, scoring a 2-point counter on a deep takedown attempt by Thi Xuan NGUYEN (VIE) in the last 20 seconds to clinch a 3-1 victory and advance to the Olympic qualifying match.

11:49: Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ), the Grand Dame of 53kg, hangs on for a 2-1 victory over Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) to advance to the Olympic qualifying match. The 36-year-old Eshimova, whose collection of Asian medals dates back to 2007, will be aiming to make her third Olympics, having appeared at London 2012 and Rio 2016. 

11:45: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) limps but that is after she has pinned Nethmi AHINSA (SRI) to enter the 53kg semifinal. Can Choe win the first Paris 2024 wrestling quota for the DPR Korea

11:44: Asian Games bronze medalist Juan WANG (CHN) takes a 2-0 lead against Eunju HWANG (KOR) in the second period, where she scores a takedown and three gut wrenches for a 10-0 victory at 76kg. She is 2-0 in her group with one match to go.

11:41: VINESH (IND) is too good for Samnang DIT (CAM) as the Indian pins her inside the first minute to enter the 50kg semifinals. She is now one win away from winning the Paris 2024 quota.

11:36: Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) virtually assures she will be fighting for a ticket to Paris tonight when she defeats NISHA (IND) for her second fall in two matches in her 68kg round-robin group.

11:33: In a battle of world U23 bronze medalists from the past two years, MANSI (IND) scores a takedown with 1:12 left for a 6-4 come-from-behind victory over Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) at 62kg.

11:32: U23 world champion REETIKA (IND) controls her Round 2 bout against Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) at 76kg throughout and wins 11-0.

11:27: Asian Games champion Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK), leading 4-0, opens the second period with a headlock takedown to the back of Tokyo Olympian Jia LONG (CHN), the 2023 Asian gold medalist at 65kg. It takes a while, but eventually, Mun records the fall.  

11:25: Asian Games champion Feng ZHOU (CHN) with another strong performance. She uses the ever-reliable gut wrench to win 10-0 against Ohyoung HA (KOR).

11:22: Former world champion Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), looking to get back to the Olympics after placing 7th at Rio 2016, moves one win away at 62kg by posting a 13-2 rout of Gulmira AITMURATOVA (UZB).

11:20: Tokyo Olympian ANSHU (IND), the 2021 world silver medalist, completes her third 4-point takedown-roll combination at the first-period buzzer to oust Kalmira BILIMBEKOVA (KGZ) 12-1 at 57kg

11:14: Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) scores a shocking 7-7 victory on criteria at 50kg over Son Hyang KIM (PRK), the Asian Games silver medalist and a 2017 world bronze medalist,  with the winning point coming on a fingers-grabbing penalty in the final seconds that was awarded on the challenge. Kim was leading 6-2 when she gave up a 4-point counter lift with 12 seconds left, but went ahead by getting behind for a 1-point reversal with :07 on the clock.

11:02: Veteran Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) sees her bid to make a third Olympics -- she appeared at Beijing 2008 and London 2014 -- are all but ended when she is dealt a 10-0 loss to Sol Gum PAK (PRK) for her second loss in her 68kg round-robin group.

11:02: Asian Games bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) goes out the back door and lifts up and back for 4, part of a comprehensive 11-0 victory over Emma TISSINA (KAZ) at 57kg.

11:00: Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) gets Youngjin KWON (KOR) in a strangle for a pin but Kwon survives. Sobiraova, an Asian silver medalist, finishes with a 12-2 win at 57kg

10:59: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), the 2022 world silver medalist, begins her campaign at 53kg with an 8-6 victory over Seoyoung PARK (KOR), who scores all of her points in the final 10 seconds. Next up for Batkhuyag is Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN).

10:56: Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ) wins a wild one at 50kg over Vatansulton SHAKARSHOEVA (TJK), taking the big point-filled match 12-7.

10:52: REETIKA (IND) begins her senior debut at 76kg with a 10-0 hammering of Eunju HWANG (KOR). That is followed with another Indian-Korea bout and Vinesh, who has moved down to 50kg as India already has the 53kg quota, rolls to a 10-0 win over Miran CHEON (KOR).

10:49: In a round-robin group match at 76kg, Asian Games bronze medalist Juan WANG (CHN) breaks open a 1-1 match with a takedown and two rolls in the second period for a 7-2 win over 2023 world 72kg silver medalist Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL). There's a good chance they could meet again for the Paris quota.

10:40: Feng ZHOU (CHN) rolls to an 11-0 win over Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) at 68kg. Total dominance from Zhou. In the same weight class, NISHA (IND) beats Sol Gum PAK (PRK) 7-3 and wins the Round 1 bout.

10:35: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) with a bright start for the local fans in Bishkek with a technical superiority win over Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) at 68kg. This was a Round 1 bout which means that Shalygina can still make it to the semifinal.

10:30: 12 Paris Olympic quotas in Women's Wrestling on offer here in Bishkek. Japan already has all six so none of the Japanese are competing