Asian Championships women's wrestling finals set

Wednesday, April 12, 2023 - 05:26 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 12) -- Japan expectedly dominated day three of the Asian Championships with three gold medals out of five and it will be a similar story on Wednesday. Watch out for Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) and Akari FUJINAMI (JPN).

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The finals for the evening session are set

53kg
ANTIM (IND) vs. Akari FUJINAMI JPN)

57kg
Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) vs. Sae NANJO (JPN)

62kg
Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) vs. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ)

65kg
Jia LONG (CHN) vs. Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN)

72kg
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) Sumire NIIKURA (JPN)

14:25: Sumire NIIKURA (JPN) made it 3 for 3 for Japan in the semifinals against India with a nerve-wracking 5-4 win over Reetika HOODA (IND) at 72kg. Hooda gets an activity point in the first period, and Niikura is on the clock when she attempts a fireman's carry that Hooda stuffs for 2 points and a 4-0 lead. With :41 left, Niikura spins behind for a takedown, then gets a lace lock and muscles Hooda over to go ahead 4-4 on criteria. At the end, Hooda very nearly gets a reversal, but Niikura, with her bottom on the mat, clamps down and manages to run out the clock. An Indian challenge is unsuccessful and Niikura is back in the final for a second straight year.

14:21: Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) thought she can better of Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ). Not today. Bakbergenova races to an 11-1 win after a combination of leg and gut laces.

14:14: Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) finally got inside the defenses of MANISHA (IND), and it paid off big time with a spot in the 65kg final. Having given up an activity point in the first period and on the clock again in the second, Yoshitake got in deep with a single, then locked up Manisha's elbow and rolled her onto her back for a fall at 4:08.

14:10: An absolute top ankle pick from Jia LONG (CHN) and she rolls Albina KAIRGELDINOVA (KAZ) using a gut wrench. Long will wrestle for the gold, her first final at the Asian Championships.

14:05: In the featured match of the session, Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) avenges losses in her last two meetings with defending champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), making a 2-point counter lift in the first period hold up for a 2-2 victory in the 62kg semifinals. Ozaki gained an activity point, then Tynybekova fended off everything the Japanese threw at her. Ozaki gets in deep on a single, but Tynybekova holds out to limit it to a stepout. The match ends with Ozaki in on a single, but unable to finish it off as Tynybekova applies a tight whizzer.

14:00: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) still has the ability to win from anywhere. Down 3-0 at the break, she returns to score seven points in the second period and races to a 7-3 win over Xiaojuan LUO (CHN). Purevdorj will wrestle Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), haven't we seen that before?

13:55: Sae NANJO (JPN) is into the final at 57kg with a hard-fought 5-1 victory over Anshu MALIK (IND). Nanjo gets an activity point for the lone score of the first period. Malik gets one herself in the second to go ahead on the criteria. But Nanjo steps up the attack and scores with a sweeping single-leg takedown. Malik's knee was twisted outward as Nanjo goes for back points, and the action stopped with an injury break. Resuming the match in par terre, Nanjo scores an exposure. It was the second meeting between the two -- Nanjo won 10-0 in the semifinals at the 2018 World Junior Championships.

13:45: Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) is moving into the final at 57kg after beating Bermet NURIDIN KYZY (KGZ) via technical superiority. She gets two big throws and exposure to race to 10-0 in just over a minute

13:36: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) looks as unstoppable as ever, putting on a takedown clinic in a 10-0 technical fall in 2:33 over Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) to advance to the 53kg final and get a shot at a second straight gold. Fujinami uses her shrug-and-go to a low single so effectively that Bat Ochir can do little in defense. The win extends the 19-year-old Fujinami's current streak of combined domestic and international wins to 118 dating back to junior high school.

13:30: Semifinals time! ANTIM (IND) gets a quick 4-0 lead against Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB). An excellent counter from Antim when Keunimjaeva was trying to get on her legs. Antim is cautioned for locking fingers and Keunimjaeva is on the board. She tries a headlock but Antim firmly keeps her to the back and secures the fall. Antim gets a shot at gold albeit with Fujinami standing in the way

13:00: World silver medalist Jia LONG (CHN) gets her third takedown, then scores with two exposures for an 11-0 technical fall over MANISHA (IND) in the match to determine the top spot in Group A at 65kg. Long wins the group with three wins, while Manisha finishes second and will face Group B winner Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) in the semifinals.

12:45: Returning silver medalist Anshu MALIK (IND) gets the first point for Qi ZHANG (CHN) passivity and just before the break, she manages a takedown to lead 3-0. A real scare in the second period as Zhang manages a takedown and gut to make it 5-4. But she had only 20 seconds to score more but failed. Malik into the semis with a 5-4 win

12:34: World bronze medalist Sae NANJO (JPN), making her first appearance at the Asian Championships since winning the gold in 2017, cruised into the 57kg semifinals with a 10-0 technical fall in 1:47 over Erdenesuvd BAT ERDENE (MGL).

12:33: Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) was tested by Hyunyoung OH (KOR) but not enough. She beats the Korean 6-0 at 53kg to advance to the semifinal.

12:32: Defending champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) set up a fourth career showdown with Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) -- shall we call it Tynozaki IV? -- in the 62kg semifinals with a quick 10-0 technical fall in the quarterfinals over Hsin PAI (TPE). Ozaki scored a takedown and four lace-lock rolls for a victory in 32 seconds -- 18 more than Tynybekova took in her quarterfinal win.

12:28: Defending champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), who has brought a 116-match winning streak to Astana, added another by putting on a takedown clinic in an 11-0 technical fall over Meng HSIEH (TPE) to secure a place in the 53kg semifinals.

12:23: Wow, blink and you missed it. Superstar Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), prepping for a possible showdown with rival Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), needed just 14 seconds to wrap up Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB) and record a fall to advance to the semifinals at 62kg.

12:18: In a nail-biter on Mat B, world U20 bronze medalist Reetika HOODA (IND) barely pulls out a 6-3 win over Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) in the 72kg quarterfinals. Hooda led 3-1 when Nurtaeva used a counter-lift to turn her over, but the Indian scrambled to get Nurtaeva onto her back --- all in the final seconds. Kyrgyzstan challenged, and the original call of 2 points for each stood, giving Hooda the win.

12:05: Asian U23 champion Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) brings the home crowd to their feet by snatching a victory from the jaws of defeat over Subeen JO (KOR) to advance to the 62kg quarterfinals with a 5-4 win. Trailing 4-1 with 30 seconds left, Kuznetsova hit a picture-perfect lateral drop that sent Jo to her back.

12:01: Sumire NIIKURA (JPN), the runner-up last year to Bakbergenova at 72kg, spins behind for a takedown, then applies the lace lock for three rolls and an 11-1 technical fall in 4:06 over Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB). Niikura and Bakbergenova are in opposite brackets, so a rematch in the final remains a possibility.

11:53: Defending 72kg champion Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) is into the semifinals after slamming Ping HUNG (TPE) onto her back, then twisting her over like a pretzel to complete a 10-0 technical fall in the first period.

11:51: Anshu MALIK (IND), the losing finalist at 57kg last year, started her bid to regain the Asian title she won in 2021 with an 11-0 technical fall over Danielle LIM (SGP).

11:46: Meng HSIEH (TPE) gives up a late stepout to Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ), but survives a near takedown in the final seconds and a challenge to the call for a 4-3 win in their qualification round bout at 53kg. Her reward? A quarterfinal clash with teen superstar Akari FUJINAMI (JPN).

11:40: In a clash of medalists in different weight classes from 2022, MANISHA (IND) edges Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL) 2-1 in their Group A match at 65kg. Baatarjav was the silver medalist at 59kg last year, while Manisha took home a bronze at 62kg.

11:38: Jia LONG (CHN), a world silver medalist at 65kg, begins her quest for the first Asian title with a 10-0 superiority over Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB). 65kg is a Nelson bracket so we will have three rounds before the semifinals

11:37: Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), the champion at the Ranking Series Zagreb Open and world U20 champion, begins her senior Asian debut in style, rolling to a quick 10-0 technical fall over Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ) at 65kg. The weight class has seven entries and is being competed in the Nordic round-robin group system.

11:30: We're ready to go with the fourth day of the Asian Championships, with the women's competition finishing up with action in five weight classes: 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg. Three champions from 2022 -- Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) at 53kg, Nonoka OZAKI at 62kg and Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) at 72kg -- are aiming to defend their titles.

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview

Monday, September 8, 2025 - 13:14 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 6) -- For nearly a decade, the 97kg Freestyle wrestling division was defined by two names: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) and Kyle SNYDER (USA). From 2015 to 2017, Snyder ruled the mat, winning Olympic and World titles.

Sadulaev then took over from 2018 to 2021, claiming every major gold. When Sadulaev missed the 2022 Worlds, Snyder reclaimed the top spot.

But in 2023, a new force emerged -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN). He stunned the wrestling world by beating both Snyder and Sadulaev in Belgrade, claiming the world title. In 2024, he repeated his feat in Paris, solidifying his status as the man to beat at 97kg.

Now, Tazhudinov enters Zagreb as the wrestler to beat, but he’ll face stiff competition from veterans looking for redemption and rivals who came close to beating him.

Snyder, who missed the podium in Paris, remains dangerous. He once pushed Sadulaev to the limit before the latter adjusted. Snyder also fell in Albania to Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), the current Asian champion. Yoshida, blends Iranian and Japanese techniques and has excellent underhook defense and is a serious medal contender.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is a three-time European champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is another name to watch. He won Olympic silver in Paris but was pinned quickly by Tazhudinov. Still, as the number two seed, he avoids Tazhudinov until the final and must contend with Snyder, Yoshida, and possibly Sadulaev on his side of the bracket.

Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), seeded number five, came closest to beating Tazhudinov in Paris, leading 3-0 before surrendering two late takedowns to lose 4-3. Back from injury, his fitness will be key if the two meet again in Zagreb.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), Kazakhstan’s first freestyle world champion, also pushed Tazhudinov hard at the Asian Championships but couldn’t close the match. He’s a strong bet for the podium. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) returns after a bronze in Paris and a silver at the 2023 World Championships, remains a serious threat in one of the deepest brackets in the championships.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) defeated Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) in the 65kg Olympic final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Olympic final rematch on cards

Apart from Tazhudinov, Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) is the only other Freestyle Olympic champion in Zagreb. At 65kg, all four returning medalists from Paris are entered, though Islam DUDAEV (ALB) will wrestle at 70kg.

A repeat of the 2024 Olympic final is expected at 65kg, with Kiyooka and silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) on course to collide if seeding holds. Kiyooka has never wrestled at a World Championships and skipped the season after winning gold in Paris, but his resume includes wins over world-class opponents. He beat Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to earn Japan’s Paris spot, and then defeated Asian champion Kaisei TANABE (JPN) twice to make the team for Zagreb.

Amouzad will be his biggest threat, looking to avenge the Olympic final. Barring that loss, the Iranian has been a consistent force, using his under-over technique to catch opponents off guard. If he can limit Kiyooka's relentless attacks and keep the match low-scoring, he may have a chance.

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European champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), the world U23 champion, brings a full arsenal to challenge both Kiyooka and Amouzad. He could be the biggest disruptor in the bracket.

Sebastian RIVERA (PUR), an Olympic bronze and world silver medalist, could medal again despite not competing since Paris. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and SUJEET (IND) are also aiming for podium finishes.

Gold drought for Uguev

Beyond Kiyooka and Yoshida, other Japanese medal hopefuls include Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) at 61kg, world silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) at 70kg, Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) at 74kg, and the Ishiguro brothers at 86kg and 92kg.

Suda will have big shoes to fill as his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate Masanosuke ONO (JPN) rose to become the world champ last year. Suda faces an equally tough field with Zavur UGUEV (UWW), Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), and UDIT (IND) among others.

Takara SUDA (JPN) is the Asian champion at 61kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev, Olympic and 2019 world champion, returned to form by winning the European title in April. He finished fifth last year after losses to Ono and Vitali ARAJAU (USA). Can he now stop Suda, the Ranking Series and Asian champion? Suda has found ways to win but struggles with conditioning.

Abakarov, a former world champion, will also be in the mix, having beaten Uguev in 2023. Other contenders include Asian silver medalist Udit, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) -- back at 61kg -- and Jaxen FORREST (USA), who beat Arajau to claim the U.S. team spot.

Sidakov set to return

At 74kg, 2023 world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) has managed to recover just in time for the World Championships. He suffered an injury in his European Championships loss to Chermen VALIEV (ALB) and will likely go through the Albanian if he wants to defend his gold.

Also Read: Valiev opens up Olympics, his style

Valiev has had close encounters against Sidakov and the win at Europeans was his first over Sidakov. His strategy to keep a close score or defend a lead may not always play out well. But his defensive skills are top notch, and he doesn't let anyone score easily.

Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) and David CARR (USA) are two youngsters who can surprise a few. Both have lethal attacks and can move quickly. Takahashi won the clash in Budapest but Carr nearly pulled off a comeback against a tiring Takahashi.

World silver medalist Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) would like to return to the podium, while Yones EMAMI (IRI) and veteran Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) remain strong contenders.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), blue, and Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) wrestled in the 70kg final at 2024 World Championships. Kaipanov won gold. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Top-seeded Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) and world champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) will go for the 70kg title. Kaipanov defeated Aoyagi in last year’s final to win gold. Aoyagi seemed in form with a win at the Budapest Ranking Series but will be challenged in Zagreb.

Kaipanov won 74kg gold at the Asian Championships but is now back at 70kg to defend his world title. While Aoyagi is a key challenger, others may break Kaipanov’s defensive wall.

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Former world silver medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will be the biggest threat as he hunts for his first world title. His attacking style troubles many, though his conditioning is still a work in progress. The field is deeper with Asian champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), who entertains with crafty moves, though that can be his undoing.

Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), a Paris Olympian and second to Akmataliev in Asia, is also a medal threat. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will be at 70kg. Saiyn KAZYRYK (UWW) can make a run to the final but will be tested on the international level.

PJ DUKE (USA), coming off a world U20 gold, and world medalist Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), will look to add to their success.

Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE (USA) is chasing his first world title at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Lee chases world gold

In other weight classes, Spencer LEE (USA) will be looking to win a world medal. A United States wrestler winning the gold medal in the lowest weight category is a rare occurrence. Thomas GILMAN (USA) won gold in 2021 and silver in 2022; however, the country drew a blank in 2023.

Now, Paris Olympic silver medalist Lee is primed to win gold at 57kg in Zagreb. This will be his first World Championships, but he is the favorite to claim the title. It is unlikely he will face much trouble, but if he does, it will likely come from 2023 world bronze medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) and Paris bronze medalists AMAN (IND) and Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB).

The field is further intensified by Asian champion Chong Song HAN (PRK), European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), and Iran’s Ali MOMENI (IRI).

At 79kg, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW), world champion in 2023, should have no trouble winning his second title despite familiar foes like Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI).

Usmanov defeated both en route to his 2023 gold and has since won the European Championships in 2024 and 2025. In the final in Slovakia, Usmanov overcame veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA).

Khadjiev remains a podium contender but recently suffered a close loss to Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) in Budapest, making the Greek wrestler a real medal threat. Also not to be counted out is Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), who has consistently been competitive at the World Championships.

New dawn at 86kg
The 86kg category will see a big shift in Zagreb. Since 2017, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and David TAYLOR (USA) have shared the gold medals at Worlds. However, that near-decade-long reign is ending. Taylor has retired, and Yazdani has moved up a weight class, skipping this year.

So who will be champion in Zagreb? Two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), second to Yazdani at 86kg, will be the favorite. He was competing at 92kg and was close to a third world title before losing heartbreakingly in the semifinals to Sadulaev.

Also Read: "I was destroyed" - Ghasempour on Sadulaev loss

Now back at the Olympic weight class, Ghasempour aims to deliver his best performance in Zagreb. He is unseeded, which means he can be drawn anywhere in the bracket.

The weight class is packed with talent. European silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) is thriving at 86kg and nearly won gold at the European Championships. Former world U20 champion Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) is another strong contender despite limited top-level international experience.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) has improved significantly over the past year and is a potential podium finisher with his attacking pace. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) are dark horses who could surprise in this competitive field.

Podium All four 2025 European Championships medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), left, Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), second from left, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), third from left, and Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) are medal threats in Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time world silver medalists Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), European champion Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), and former world silver medalists Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) and Deepak PUNIA (IND) make the 92kg category one of the toughest in Zagreb.

Though he lacks a World Championships medal, Trent HIDLAY (USA) is a top gold-medal contender after winning gold in Budapest. He is currently one of the strongest wrestlers globally.

Firouzpour, moving into the spotlight after Ghasempour’s shift down a weight class, enters Zagreb as a favorite. Though new to Worlds, his Iranian style with underhook pushouts and takedowns makes him a serious threat.

Nurmagomedov and Kurugliev battled at the European Championships and Budapest, with Kurugliev prevailing both times. Maisuradze remains a strong competitor despite a recent dip in form.

At 125kg, Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) stands head and shoulders above the rest, though European champion Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), and Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) aim to challenge him.

Asian Championships women's wrestling finals set

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World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview