#WrestleAstana

Asian Championships women's wrestling finals set

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

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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.

#WrestleSamokov

Onishi, Blaze reach final at U20 World Championships

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 06:38 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 18) -- Japan and India emerged as the two countries with two finalists each in Women's Wrestling at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Defending champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) will look to become a two-time world U20 champion after she reached the 59kg final and 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) made it to the 68kg final.

India had two wrestlers in action and both made the final. TAPSYA (IND) shocked returning champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) at 57kg while returning bronze medalist SRISHTI (IND) made it to the final after beating Laura KOEHLER (GER).

Onishi, a senior Asian champion, completed his third technical superiority of the day as she defeated Aubre KRAZER (USA), 10-0, in the semifinals. Onishi used a leg lace to lead 8-0 before an exposure finished the bout 10-0.

For the gold medal, she will face Karin SAMUELSSON (SWE) who earned the chance at the expense of European U20 and U23 champion Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), who was handed her first defeat of the year.

Samuelsson needed a challenge and some extra-ordinary defense in the final 10 seconds to win the bout 8-7 against Hurbanova. The match hung in balance when Samuelson had a 6-5 lead but Hurbanov managed to hit a leg-attack score a takedown. As Samuelson tried to attack, Hurbanova pulled the Sweden wrestler's hair and was cautioned after a challenge, giving a 7-7 criteria lead to Samuelson.

Hurbanova bodylocked Samuelson in the final seven seconds and tried to drive her out but Samuelson stood taller on her toes to overpower that attempt and win. Azerbaijan challenged but it was for no gain.

Another Nordic country made history as Norway got a finalist in Women's Wrestling. Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) rallied to beat Anna STRATAN (KAZ), 12-2, and became the first Norway wrestler to enter the World U20 Championships final in Women's Wrestling in 15 years.

She will now try to become the first world U20 champion from Norway in 37 years on Wednesday when she faces Tapsya in the final after the Indian defeated Uchida in the semifinal 4-3 with a takedown in the final 10 seconds.

Uchida had a 3-2 lead with a takedown in the second period but struggled with injury in her ankle and needed medical timeout with 15 seconds left in the match. Tapysa waited for the final five seconds before she went for the far and cradled Uchida for two points as time finished and she won 4-3.

At 68kg, Hoshino was in trouble in her semifinal, falling behind 5-0 at the break against Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) but she scored a quick takedown to cut it to 5-2. Another takedown later, she used the arm-bar to pin Erdenebat and win the semifinal.

Srishti scored a huge four-pointer in her semifinal against Kuehler and three setpout to complete a 7-3 win and set up a clash with Hoshino.

U.S. gets 2 more finalists

The United States had two more finalists in Freestyle as returning bronze medalist Marcus BLAZE (USA) and Maxwell MCENELLY (USA) won their respective semifinals at 61kg and 86kg respectively.

In the 61kg semifinals, Blaze rolled to a 15-4 technical superiority against Magomedkhan MAGAMEDKHANOV (UWW). The match began with Magamedkhanov chestwrap for two but Blaze planted him for two as well to take criteria lead.

The bout then turned one-sided as Blaze scored a takedown and Magamedkhanov was cautioned for locking hands with Blaze. The bout began in par terre with Blaze leading 5-2. Blaze scored four points by turning Magamedkhanov twice before a lost challenge added one more point to his score for a 10-2 lead at the break.

Blaze got another takedown when Magamedkhanov missed a shot and then a turn finished the bout 15-4.

The 2023 world U17 champion Blaze will now take on another former world U17 champion in Ahora KHATERI (IRI) who wrestled an almost perfect semifinal against Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), winning 3-1.

Saitiev opened the scoring when he was given a point for Khateri's passivity. But the Iranian scored a takedown and then was given a point for Saitiev's passivity in the second period.

At 86kg, Mcenelly needed a late takedown to overcome senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) and earn himself a chance to win gold medal. Rahmani was slow to pick up pace in the match and Mcenelly built a 3-1 lead.

But Rahmani did show more speed in the second period and he scored a takedown using a beautiful duck under to lead 3-3 on criteria. A stepout made it 4-3 for Rahmani.

With 30-seconds left on the clock, Rahmani planted one foot in the center with no position and Mcenelly pounced on him in a split second scoring a takedown after some effort and led 5-4.
Rahmani got a point for Mcenelly's fleeing but kept the criteria for a 5-5 win. He will now try to beat Bozigit ISLAMGEREEV (UWW) who defeated Ahmet YAGAN (TUR), 5-1, to enter the final.

The morning session updates follow

14:00: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) with a 12-2 win over Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR) at 68kg and then defending 59kg champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) completes a 10-0 win over Yifan ZHU (CHN) to enter the semifinal at 59kg.

13:54: No problems for Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) as she sees off ALIMOVA (LTU) 10-0 and reaches the semifinal at 57kg against TAPSYA (IND). In the other semifinal, European U20 champion Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) will take on Anna STRATAN (KAZ), a former world U17 bronze medalist 

13:45: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) with a fall over Mohammad UMKHADJIEV (FRA) at 86kg and moves into the semifinal. He is looking to upgrade his bronze medal from 2024.

13:40: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) gave up four stepouts and was cautioned once as Allan ORALBEK (KAZ) led 5-0. One stepout for Khateri before the break to make it 5-1. The second period is better for Khateri who begins with a takedown to cut the lead to 5-3. A point for passivity from Oralbek make it 5-4. Khateri with a leg attack and drives Oralbek out with takedown and scores two points to lead 6-5 and win the bout.

13:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is on a different level than the field at 61kg in Samokov. He gets his positions, waits for other wrestlers move and then launches his own. That's what Asian U20 champion Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) got in the 61kg quarterfinals. Blaze got the point for passivity first and then an ankle pick and turn made it 5-0. In the second period, Blaze waited for almost two minutes but got a cradle and then a turn to make it 9-0. A reversal point for Toktomatov but Blaze finishes with a takedown and wins 11-1.

13:22: Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), European U20 champion and unbeaten this year, gets an easy 6-0 win over Rahma BEDIWY (EGY) and moves into the quarterfinals at 59kg.

13:18: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) hangs on for a desperate 17-9 win at 61kg and makes the semifinals! Saitiev got good laces to lead 14-5 at the break against Ajay KAPADE (IND) who began with some good forward pressure in the second period and gets a takedown. Saitiev was struggling with conditioning but he scored one takedown in the second period as well the 9 point lead was too much to cover for Kapade.

13:10: A 27-second finish for defending champion at 59kg Sakura ONISHI (JPN). She leg laces Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR) to advance to the quarterfinals

12:57: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) overpowers Jordyn FOUSE (USA) in their 68kg bout and wins 13-2. Fouse failed to get past Hoshino in those scrambles.

12:55: Aubre KRAZER (USA) mounts a comeback after being 3-0 down against Erdenebolor LKHAGVASUREN (MGL) at 59kg and wins 10-3 and advance to the quarterfinals.

12:50: Defending 57kg champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) looks so comfortable. She warms up with a 10-0 win over Anna KOEBLO (HUN)

12:45: That is history for Angola! Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG), the first-ever woman enter for a World Championships from the country, pulls off a fall over Ilinka STEFANOVA (BUL) in a back-and-forth bout at 68kg. First win at the world level for Angola in women's wrestling.

12:32: Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) gets the fall over world U17 champion Wenjin QIU (CHN) at 68kg! Erdenbat reached the far leg of Qiu and picked her for four-points before finishing the bout 11-0 and advance

12:15: In a rematch of the European U20 final at 57kg, Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) once again beats Tindra DALMYR (SWE). Domajeva got a takedown and a point for passivity and hung to her 3-1 lead for the win at 57kg.

12:05: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) must thank his luck that he managed to hang on for an 8-6 victory over Omar AYOUB (PUR) at 61kg. Ayoub had a 6-1 lead at the break but a takedown and stepout made it 6-4 for Khateri. Ayoub then gave a point for passivity and takedown in final seconds and drop the bout against the Iranian who is former world U17 champ.

11:55: Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) tried pinning Takuto OSEDO (JPN) but the Japanese managed to survive. Toktomatov hit the same cut-back for four points again in the second period and pinned Osedo at 61kg and book a place in the quarterfinal against Marcus BLAZE (USA)

11:46: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) scores two takedowns in his 61kg bout against Andrii SHOKALIUK (UKR) and wins 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals.

11:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is into the quarterfinals at 61kg after European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) is given three cautions and is out. In typical Blaze style, he is on a relentless attacking spree and Begoyan keeps evading. But a takedown right at the break makes it 3-0 for Blaze. They offered one for fleeing but not given. Begoyan gets on board in the second period with a head-outside finish for a takedown and makes it 3-2. A flurry of action and Blaze gets a stepout which Armenia challenges but lost which makes it 5-2 for Blaze with over a minute left in the bout. Blaze gets another point for open hands from Begoyan to lead 6-2. A caution for for Blaze for not engaging and one point for Begoyan. But two cautions against Begoyan for aggressive open hands and he is cautioned out of the match. 

11:20: That match felt like it went on for ages! European U20 silver medalist Sevim AKBAS (TUR) falls to Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR), 7-5, at 59kg. Miziurko had a big four-pointer which proved to be the difference. 

11:07: Returning bronze medalist at 68kg SRISHTI (IND) with a big double-leg for four to get a 10-0 win over Pan-Am U20 champion Eduarda RODRIGUES (BRA). Srishti is also the Asian U23 champion this year.

11:05: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ), the Asian U20 champion at 68kg, scores a 10-0 win over Sheng Fang CAI (TPE) at 68kg. While she has frequently won medals at the Asian level, Tashtanbekova is looking for her first world medal.

10:55: Sabina TOREY (KAZ) with a quick fall over Michaela SEBOEKOVA (SVK) at 68kg to begin her international debut for Kazakhstan.

10:53: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) was in all sorts of trouble as returning silver medalist Ayse ERKAN (TUR) got her pinned on the mat in the 68kg bout. But Hoshino managed to move her head outside. Erkan had built a 6-0 lead before Hoshino scored a go-behind and then used an arm-bar to pin Erkan. All that in just two minutes.

10:50: Returning bronze medalist and senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) puts a takedown clinic and beats Grigor CHERNAKOV (BUL) at 86kg. Rahmani is one of the favorites to win the gold in Samokov.

10:35: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), who failed to medal last year, begins with a 10-1 win over Danoush JOWKAR (GBR) at 61kg. He won a silver medal at the European U20 Championships and now hoping for a world medal as well.

10:20: European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) completes a first-period technical superiority win over Haci ZADE (TUR) at 61kg. Begoyan is looking to a world medal to his resume after the bronze he won in 2022 world U17.

10:15: Marcus BLAZE (USA) has to be one of the most exciting talents in Freestyle out there. The returning bronze medalists takes only 87 seconds to gut-wrench Sandro HUNGERBUEHLER (SUI) and 10-0 at 61kg.

10:00: The U20 World Championships will see the final two Freestyle weight classes, 61kg and 86kg, in action on Tuesday and the start of Women's Wrestling with 57kg, 59kg and 68kg.