#WrestleHangzhou

Asian Games Wrestling GR 60kg, 67kg, 77kg, 87kg Finals Set

Wednesday, October 4, 2023 - 01:47 By Vinay Siwach

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LIN'AN, Hangzhou, China (October 4) -- The 19th Asian Games are being held in Hangzhou, China with wrestling taking place at the Lin'an Sports and Culture Exhibition Center. Greco-Roman will kick off proceedings with 60kg, 67kg, 77kg and 87kg wrestlers taking the mat.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | BRACKETS

Here are the finals for the evening session

60kg
Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) vs Ayata SUZUKI (JPN)

67kg
Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) vs Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ)

77kg
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) vs Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI)

87kg
Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) vs Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)

12:29: World champion Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and Ayata SUZUKI (JPN) confirm their 60kg final spots! Sharshenbekov with a fall over Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) while Suzuki beats Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) 9-0 in the other semifinals

12:25: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) will wrestle for the 87kg gold medal as he beats Masato SUMI (JPN) 3-1 after a turn for par terre. Alizadeh had beaten Berdimuratov in the Asian Championships in 2022.

12:23: Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) will face Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) in the 77kg. He dashes the hopes of the hosts by beating Rui LIU (CHN) 1-1 as he got the second par terre advantage. Liu was given a third advantage but he failed to score. The Iranian had forfeited his 77kg Asian Championships final against Makhamudov in April

12:20: World and Asian champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) returns to the Asian Games final. He beats Azat SADYKOV (KAZ) 9-0 using a takedown, exposure and two turns. Makhmudov lost the 2018 Asian Games final to Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI).

12:17: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) into the final at 87kg at the expense of Sunil KUMAR! Alizadeh had two turns from par terre while Kumar failed to score any to go down 5-1.

12:15: Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) books his spot in the 67kg against Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ). He defended his par terre against Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) before scoring a takedown in the second period. Bakhshilloev challenged the call but lost it. Endo with a par terre point and a throw on the edge to make it 6-1 and won with the same score.

12:10: What a start to the semifinals as Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) pins Danial SOHRABI (IRI) in 67kg. Sohrabi got the par terre advantage and scored three turns but he trapped Shermakhanbet's head when defending a reversal. Shermakhanbet challenged the call as it was not initially awarded. Sohrabi was put in par terre for that foul but he was quick to get a reversal to lead 9-2. When he was trying to finish the bout with a headlock, Shermakhanbet grabbed his arm. Sohrabi tried to hit a whizzer but that arm lock from Shermakhanbet was too tight as he put Sohrabi on his back and held him till the referee called it a pin. Top energy from Shermakhanbet who is coming back from an injury

12:00: Meysam DALKHANI (IRI) falls! Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) led 3-1 before a stepout from Dalkhani. But a late flurry of action saw Dalkhani score which was seen as a foul on challenge from Kazakhstan. A 4-2 win for Sultangali.

11:55: Masato SUMI (JPN) has no troubles in his quarterfinal at 87kg against Veasna CHHOEUNG (CAM). An 8-0 technical superiority win over the Cambodian. On Mat B, another win for Japan! Former Asian Championships bronze medalist Ayata SUZUKI (JPN), with the help of two challenges, survives Seung RI (PRK). Suzuki led 3-1 but Ri launched a headlock throw in the final 5 seconds. Referees called it a dangerous throw as Ri had locked Suzuki's head with both hands. Suzuki won 4-1.

11:50: In a battle of the two World Championships bronze medalists at 60kg, Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) gets the better of birthday boy Liguo CAO (CHN) 3-1. A turn the difference between the two wrestlers.

11:45: Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) with a winning takedown in the second period at 77kg. He beats Dilshod OMONGELDIYEV (UZB) 5-3 and advances to the semifinal against Rui LIU (CHN)

11:40: Azat SADYKOV (KAZ) with an 8-0 win over Wisit THAMWIRAT (THA) in the 77kg quarterfinals. On Mat B, Rui LIU (CHN) with two suplexes to beat VIKAS 9-1 and advance to the 77kg semifinals

11:30: Sunil KUMAR into the semifinals with a 9-1 technical superiority over Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK) at 87kg. He will take on three-time Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI)

11:25: Mansur NURBERDIYEV (TKM) got a takedown but that was not enough as Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) won 8-3 at 67kg. On Mat A, Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) is made to work hard by Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) but the Japanese won 3-1.

11:15: Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) takes his time but beats Azym ANNAMAMMEDOV (TKM) 7-1 in the 87kg quarterfinals. Then comes Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) with an 11-0 quick win over Maksat SAILAU (KAZ). And in no time world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) with a fall over SOPHAK KEO (CAM).

11:05: A thriller on Mat A! Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) took a 10-7 lead with two four-point throws against Lei LI (CHN) who also had a big move. Li made it 10-8 with a stepout. He scored a takedown to lead 10-10 on criteria but Kazakhstan challenged the call and it was a slip from Shermakhanbet who won 10-8

11:01: Daniel SOHRABI (IRI) ends the reign of two-time defending champion Hansu RYU (KOR) in the Asian Games! Sohrabi with two body throws to win 9-0 in the first period and move to the quarterfinals at 67kg

10:55: Meysam DALKHANI (IRI), who is wrestling at 60kg for the first time in his career, with a body lift and throw from par terre to beat GYANENDER 7-1 at 60kg. On Mat C, world champion Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) was down 5-0 against Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) but has three turns from par terre plus a caution warning against Azizov to win 8-5.

10:50: Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ) wins 11-1 against Chi Jui HUANG (TPE) and 2014 Youth Olympic champion Seung RI (PRK) gets his gut wrench going against Arslanbek ZAKIRBAYEV (TKM) to win 8-0. Both at 60kg.

10:45: Another world bronze medalist and birthday boy Liguo CAO (CHN) with a takedown and three turns to finish his pre-quarterfinal bout against Pros CHRAY (CAM) 8-0 in just 34 seconds. The crowd appreciates it.

10:40: World bronze medalist at 60kg Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) with a takedown and three turns to finish the bout 8-0 technical superiority over Tien Hai BUI (VIE). Asian silver medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) survived a close call to beat Suparmanto SUPARMANTO (INA) with an 11-3 win

10:30: London Olympic champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR) got a solid headlock over Amin KAVIYANINEJAD (IRI) but failed to get the pin. Kaviyaninejad answered with a four-point throw and Kim failed to find an opening to comeback. Kaviyaninejad wins 8-3.

10:25: Three-time 87kg Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) gets three turns from par terre to beat A. AZISBEKOV (KGZ) 7-1 at 87kg. A battle on Mat B between former Asian champion Sunil KUMAR and Fei PENG (CHN). Peng with a turn from par terre and leads 3-0. But Kumar stops Peng in the middle during the second turn and gets close to a fall but Peng survives to lead 3-2. Kumar gets the passivity advantage in the second period to make it 3-3 and lead on criteria. A stepout to make it 4-3 and Kumar wins at 87kg 

10:22: Back-to-back victories for Japan! Former U23 world champion Katsuaki ENDO (JPN) with two four-point moves over Firuz MIRZORADZHABOV (TJK) in a 10-0 rout at 67kg. Masato SUMI (JPN) with a match-winning stepout over Byeongcheol SHIN (KOR) to advance at 87kg.

10:18: Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) gets to turns from par terre while defending his own to down NEERAJ 5-3 in the 67kg opening encounter. Neeraj scored a takedown in the first period but failed to get any points in the second.

10:15: Two-time defending champion Hansu RYU (KOR) with a big four-pointer from par terre and then defends that lead to win 5-1. He defends in the second period before a big upcoming bout against the U23 world champion Daniel SHORABI (IRI). Shorabi with a beautiful suplex over Yong RO (PRK) to win 5-2. Ryu vs Sohrabi confirmed

10:05: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) with a quick 10-0 superiority over Nuttapong HINMEE (THA) to kick off proceedings at 67kg. He moves into the quarterfinals.

10:00: Welcome to the Asian Games! The Greco-Roman in four weight classes will kick off the action. World champions Azkhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will be in action at 60kg and 77kg.

#WrestleBudapest

Sharshenbekov Cuts Down, Rises to Win Gold in Budapest Ranking Series

Sunday, July 19, 2026 - 20:27 By Vinay Siwach

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BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 19) -- Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) appears to be rounding into form just in time for the World Championships.

After almost two years away from the mat, the Paris 2024 bronze medalist won the 63kg title at the Ulaanbaatar Open. On Sunday in Budapest he returned to his original Olympic weight of 60kg and rolled to another gold medal with a dominant run.

"It has been two years since I was at 60kg," Sharshenbekov said. "There was a break after the Olympics. I feel like I am just beginning to feel it again."

Sharshenbekov did not wrestle in the final after his opponent, Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), forfeited because of an injury. Before that, however, Sharshenbekov was in dominant form.

He opened the day against Dalton ROBERTS (USA) and secured a fall in one minute, throwing Roberts on the mat using underhook. It set the tone for the rest of the day.

In his second bout, Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) offered little resistance in a 10-0 loss. Sharshenbekov earned the first par terre opportunity, turned Aliyev for two points and followed with a four-point throw. In the second period, he added a takedown that Azerbaijan challenged. The call stood, and the unsuccessful challenge gave Sharshenbekov another point.

Against Mahmoud SAAD (EGY) in the quarterfinals, Sharshenbekov built a 2-0 lead with a chasing takedown before extending it to 5-0 with a par terre turn. Just before the break, he circled behind Saad for another takedown to make it 7-0.

He needed only 25 seconds of the second period to complete another technical superiority victory and book a semifinal against world silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB).

Asian champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB), wrestling with a heavily taped left knee, came out aggressively from the opening whistle but could not break through Sharshenbekov's defense. Sharshenbekov countered with ease and scored the opening takedown just 15 seconds into the bout.

Ganiev then limited the damage in par terre, defending Sharshenbekov's turn attempts to keep the deficit at 3-0 heading into the break.

The second period opened with both wrestlers battling for position as Ganiev searched for a takedown. But the relentless pace began to take its toll and after a minute of high-intensity wrestling, a tiring Ganiev surrendered a go-behind to fall further behind.

Ganiev threw everything at Sharshenbekov, working from body locks and underhooks to headlocks and two-on-one ties, but he could not move the Kyrgyzstan wrestler. Sharshenbekov eventually pull his arm out of Ganiev's hold and control Ganiev for another takedown to lead 5-0.

During a late scramble, Ganiev managed two exposure points, but Sharshenbekov immediately spun and came on top, brought Ganiev the mat and secured the fall.

As he prepares for the World Championships in Astana, Kazakhstan, in September, Sharshenbekov's dominant return to 60kg sent a message to the rest of the field.

"This isn't my peak," he said. "It is merely the beginning. I have plans and goals to prepare even better for the Asian Games, the World Championships and the Olympics. I need to reach an even higher level of fitness for those events."

Szoke Wins 97kg

Alex SZOKE (HUN) gave the home crowd plenty to cheer about, defeating Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS), 5-1, in the 97kg final. In one of the standout performances of the tournament, Szoke combined patience, strength and tactical awareness, scoring from par terre before sealing the victory with a counter takedown.

The final began at a high pace, with both wrestlers battling to secure the first par terre advantage. It was the Hungarian who received the activity point in the opening period to take a 1-0 lead. Szoke then capitalized from par terre with a turn to extend the lead to 3-0.

The second period saw Ermolenko on top but Szoke was at his best defense and did not allow the Russian to score any points. But there was a heart stopping moment for Szoke late in the match when Ermolenko locked Szoke and dragged him towards the zone. But Szoke showed exceptional skills and broke the lock.

Ermolenko earned the par terre advantage in the second period, but Szoke's defense held firm, denying the Russian any scoring opportunity. The home crowd was briefly on edge late in the match when Ermolenko locked up Szoke and drove him toward the edge of the mat. Szoke, however, showed exceptional composure, breaking the lock to escape the danger.

Moments later, Szoke circled behind Ermolenko for a takedown to stretch the lead to 5-1, effectively putting the match out of reach. Ermolenko slammed the mat in frustration as the Hungarian closed out the victory.

Russia Wins 3 Golds

It was not all disappointment for Russia, as its experienced wrestlers claimed three of the six Greco-Roman gold medals on offer Sunday.

European champion Sergey EMELIN (RUS) once again showcased the qualities that have made him one of the world's best at 63kg. Whether winning on criteria, scoring when an opening appears or protecting a lead, Emelin has an answer for almost every situation. He displayed all three in a 5-2 victory over Kerem KAMAL (TUR).

Emelin and Kamal were locked in a thrilling contest, with the Russian taking a 2-2 criteria lead. Kamal maintained the pressure and looked set to force a stepout, but Emelin circled behind for a takedown to move ahead 4-2. A stepout in the final minute extended the lead to 5-2, allowing Emelin to close out another Ranking Series title.

The 82kg final was a tactical affair as Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) edged Asian champion Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), 1-1 on criteria, to secure Russia's second gold medal.

Russia's third title came at 130kg, where Marat KAMPAROV (RUS) held on for a 1-1 criteria victory over U20 world champion Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), quieting the vocal home crowd.

Asian champion Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) added a Ranking Series title to his growing résumé with a comfortable 5-1 win over Brady KOONTZ (USA) in the 55kg final. Botirov set the tone from the opening whistle, earning the first par terre opportunity and scoring two gut-wrench turns for a 5-0 lead.

Koontz received the par terre opportunity in the second period, but Botirov defended it comfortably to seal the victory.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) df. Brady KOONTZ (USA), 5-1

BRONZE: Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) df. LALIT (IND), 18-10
BRONZE: Artiom DELEANU (MDA) df. Max NOWRY (USA), 3-0

60kg
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) df. Mahmoud SAAD (EGY), 14-2
BRONZE: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) df. Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 5-3

63kg
GOLD: Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df. Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-2

BRONZE: Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 7-0
BRONZE: Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) df. Sunny KUMAR (IND), 3-1

82kg
GOLD: Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) df Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), 1-1

BRONZE: Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO) df. Azimjon SOATULLAEV (UZB), 3-1
BRONZE: Mihail BRADU (MDA) df. Ognjen JAKOVLJEVIC (SRB), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS), 5-1

BRONZE: Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) df. Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), 1-1
BRONZE: Hayk KHLOYAN (ARM) df. Musa EVLOEV (RUS), via inj. def.

130kg
GOLD: Marat KAMPAROV (RUS) df. Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), 1-1

BRONZE: Wenhao JIANG (CHN) df. Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ), 2-2
BRONZE: Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) df. Aden ATTAO (USA), 3-1