#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

U20 World Championships Freestyle Day 1 Results and Highlights

Sunday, August 17, 2025 - 06:36 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 17) -- The U20 World Championships kicks off in Samokov, Bulgaria on a Sunday. Four weight classes will be in action -- 70kg, 74kg, 97kg and 125kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | U20 WORLD PREVIEW

19:22: In the final match of the day one of the U20 World Championships, Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) manages to hang on to his 1-1 criteria lead against former world U17 champion Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE). Mohmmad Nezhad got the one point for passivity in the second period which gave him the criteria.

19:15: A mini-upset in the 125kg semifinal as Asian U20 Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) beats Cole MIRASOLA (USA), 11-0, inside the first period. Two excellent counter takedowns from Kassimbek and then a locks Mirasola's legs around his head and turns him twice. A double-leg to finish things.

19:10: Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) gets the better of European U20 champion Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO). Rademacher led 4-3 at the break but then scores a takedown for two points to start the second period, add another go-behind and another single-leg to takedown to lead 10-3. Petriashvili gets an attack for  two points but Rademacher is relentless in his wrestling and three more takedowns to win 16-5 and reach the final.

18:55: Magomedgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (UWW) hangs on for an 11-9 win over VISHAL (IND) who had Magomedov in all sorts of trouble. Magomedov led 10-4 when Vishal mounted a comeback against absolutely broken Magomedov. He scored a takedown and Magomedov was cautioned for a singlet foul which made it 10-7. As the bout was restart in par terre, India challenged for two more points but the referee had blown the whistle before control from Vishal. That challenge gave enough breathing time to Magomedov to managed to hang on to his lead and win 11-9 at 97kg.

18:40: Raul CASO (ITA) cannot repeat his heroics in the semifinal against Adilet AKYLBEKOV (KGZ) at 74kg. Caso was down 3-2 and almost got a takedown but Akylebkov sneaks out and then Caso jumps over for control but the Kyrgyz wrestler is stands up quickly. Akylebkov wins 3-2. Italy challenge for two points but never there. One more point for Akylebkov

18:30: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) survives a scare against Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) in the 74kg, pulling off a 7-3 win. However, it was Yamaguchi who threatened to score in the final 25 seconds when Khaniev was leading 3-3 on criteria. Yamaguchi hit a double-leg attack and planed Khaniev who did not landed in danger and exposed Yamaguchi for two points. Yamaguchi tried a desperate throw in the final 15 seconds but Khaniev blocked it for two more points to win and enter the final at 74kg.

18:20: Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) has had a dream run in Samokov and he has made it to the 70kg finals after beating Nurlan AGHAZADA (AZE) in the semifinals. What a turnaround after finishing 18th last year at the World U20 Championships. He rallies with three takedowns in the second period against Aghazada to win 7-4.

18:10: PJ DUKE (USA) is into the final! He beats Erfan ELAHI (IRI) 2-2 on criteria. Elahi gets the first point after Duke is put on activity clock but Duke gets a takedown when Elahi tries a stepout and lead 2-1. A stepout in the second period for Elahi to make it 2-2 but Duke leads on criteria. Elahi does not realize that he is down on criteria and doesn't really attack in the final minute. Duke beats Elahi 2-2 and enters hte final at 70kg

The semifinals will begin at 18:00 hours local time

13:40: Cole MIRASOLA (USA) downs Inal GAGLOEV (UWW) in the final bout of the session. Mirasola with a takedown to start off the scoring in the bout. he He added a stepout to lead 3-0 at the break. No more action in the second period and Mirasola wins 3-0 and enter the 125kg semifinal against Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ).

13:30: Ashab DADAEV (FRA) thought he is winning against Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 97kg quarterfinals but he was down 3-2. Petriashvili had a takedown and stepout while Dadaev scored a stepout and a point for lost challenge from Petriashvili.

13:20: Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) beats Levan LAGVILAVA (FRA) 11-4 at 125kg and storms into the semifinals in which he will face Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) who defeated Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO) 5-0 in the quarterfinals

13:15: Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), the Asian U20 champion, pins Baejoon JANG (KOR) in the 125kg quarterfinals. Kassimbek has lost two world U17 finals and now has a chance to win at U20 level.

13:10: European fifth-placer Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) hands Islam KAZHAROV (UWW) a 8-3 loss. Big win for Gaidarli who finished 18th last year but has a silver medalist from 2024 European U20 Championships.

13:05: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI) keeps a strong defense after taking a 4-1 lead against Sungkar SEIDAKHMET (KAZ) at 70kg and wins 4-2. Elahi will face PJ DUKE (USA) in the semifinals after the U.S. wrestler defeated Abdoullah NAKAEV (FRA), 14-4, in the quarterfinals. This was Duke's third victory via fall or technical superiority. Nakaev had some good scrambles but Duke managed to finish better.

12:40: Raul CASO (ITA) with a takedown in the final second to beat Parvinder SINGH (IND) at 74kg. Caso had just six seconds to score two points to win 5-4.

12:37: European U20 silver medalist Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) with a quick fall over Ruije LI (CHN) at 125kg. The former world U17 champion is looking for a U20 world title.

12:35: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) got on board with a passivity point against Manuel WAGIN (GER) in their 74kg quarterfinal. Wagin could not get his duckunders going in that match as Khaniev underhooks were solid. Khaniev avenges his European U20 semifinal loss by beating Wagin 10-0

12:27: Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO), with his brother and Olympic champ Geno cheering from the stands, works a good 10-0 win over Andriyan VALKANOV (BUL) at 97kg.

12:20: Incredible comeback from Asian U20 champ Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) against Narantulga DARMAABAZAR (MGL) at 125kg. In a rematch of the Asian U20 final which the Kazakh wrestler won, Kassimbek breaks Darmaabazar and wins 15-12 after being down 12-5 at the break.

12:15: A third U.S. vs Turkiye head-to-head match today. Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) is countered by Ibrahim BENEKLI (TUR) a couple of times in the first period but he holds a 6-6 lead for his four-pointer. The second period is very straightforward as Rademacher gets the leg lace to lead 10-6. Benekli gets two points on board but Rademacher ultimately gets the fall with a 17-8 score. The head-to-head score is 3-0 for U.S.

12:05: Returning fifth-place Nikolaos KARAVANOS (GRE) brings down Asian U20 champion Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI), beating the Iranian 7-5. He led 5-5 on criteria and Alizadeh tried to hit a takedown but Karavanos counters with a takedown and wins at 97kg.

11:40: Noah LEIBOWITZ (JPN) begins with a 5-0 win over Aitenir MAKSATOV (KGZ) at 97kg. Leibowitz is one of the more exciting talents in Japan heavyweight and right behind Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)

11:30: Unlikely that PJ DUKE (USA) will be stopped in Samokov! He pins Gabriel SANCHEZ (MEX) in his second bout and has stormed to the quarterfinals at 70kg.

11:20: European U20 silver medalist Raul CASO (ITA) hangs on for a 9-8 wins at 74kg over Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IR). A four-pointer at the start of the match keeps him ahead. 

11:10: A potential final but we have it in 1/8 as returning silver medalist Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) takes on European U23 champion Ismail KHANIEV (UWW). Both trade stepout and Lockett leads 1-1 at the break. Khaniev gets another stepout for a 2-1 lead. Lockett is called for aggressive push and gets caution. Khaniev gets another point to make it 3-1. Khaniev is given another stepout but U.S. challenges the call. But clear stepout from Lockett and challenge is lost. A 5-1 lead for Khaniev with 24 seconds remaining. A stepout is all Lockett gets and Khaniev wins 5-2.

10:55: Big match at 74kg! European U20 champion Manuel WAGIN (GER) takes on senior European bronze medalist Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) at 74kg. Novruzov put on the shot clock but he scores a takedown after breaking Wagin's chest wrap and lead 2-0 at the break. Wagin gets on the leg in the second period but gets only a stepout. He adds another and a fleeing caution for Novruzov for Wagin to lead 3-2. Two beautiful duckunders from Wagin and earned two takedowns to lead 7-4. He wins the bout 7-2.

10:40: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI), a former world U17 champion, almost made a mess of his first bout at 70kg against SAGAR (IND). He led 6-1 before Sagar tries to make a comeback against a tiring Elahi. A stepout for Sagar makes it 6-3 but only 13 seconds left. Elahi gives up another stepout and docked a point for fleeing, score changes to 6-5. But Sagar can't get two points to win in the final three seconds.

10:25: PJ DUKE (USA) hits the leg lace over Umut USLU (TUR) in his first bout to win 11-0 at 70kg. Duke will be on the senior U.S. team as well for the World Championships, a spot he won after beating Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) in the trials.

10:20: Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) leg laces Catalin SPINU (MDA) to get the win at 74kg, a weight class which has good wrestlers on the same side. Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IRI) breaks Aliaksandr VIARBITSKI (UWW) to win 9-2, eight of his points were scored in the second period.

10:10: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) and Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) roll to 10-0 win over Vatan ANNAORAZOV (TKM) and Tolui MUNKHBAT (MGL) respectively. Novruzov has to work little harder but wins against Stiliyan DZHOROV (BUL)

10:00: What a line-up to start the day in Samokov! Ismail KHANIEV (UWW), Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) and Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) all in action on three actions at 74kg.