Burroughs Rides Classic Takedown to 5th World Title, 1st at 79kg

Monday, October 4, 2021 - 19:12 By Ken Marantz

OSLO, Norway (October 4) -- The tiger-like leap forward. The vice-like grip behind the knees. The head to the chest. The opponent tumbling helplessly backwards.

With the same classic takedown that has kept him at the pinnacle of the sport for a decade, Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) added to his self-proclaimed legend by capturing a fifth world title and first in the freestyle 79kg division.

Burroughs scored twice with his trademark double-leg takedown in the second period to outclass world junior champion Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) 5-1 in one of the four finals on tap Monday night at the World Championships in Oslo.

"I've been waiting a long time to get back here," Burroughs said. "It's been four years since I won a world championship. It's been so much that I've gone through this last year. It's been a really difficult year for me."

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) also gave the U.S. a gold with a victory at 57kg, as Iran came away with only one title on the night despite having a presence in all four finals.

The Russian federation and Iran split the other two golds at stake, with European champion Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) capturing the 65kg gold and Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) coming through at 92kg to give Iran its third gold overall of the tournament at Jordal Amfi arena.

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) won the 79kg title after beating Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI) 5-1 in the final. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Burroughs, by adding to the world titles he won in 2011, 2013, 2015 and 2017 (all at 74kg), is now the first American male to become a five-time world champion. Combined with his Olympic gold in 2012, he tied John Smith for the U.S. record of six world and Olympic crowns.

"I knew that this was going to be a big moment for me, and it was only six minutes of wrestling to solidify myself in history," Burroughs said. "I just wanted to be in the moment. My coaches told me to be thankful, show heart and gratitude, let the light inside you shine brighter than the lights on you."

The 33-year-old Burroughs revealed that he suffered a severe calf injury at the U.S. team trials three weeks ago that nearly derailed his trip to Oslo. He also had to deal with mental strain of his wife having fourth child two days before his departure. That was on top of missing out on the Tokyo Olympics when he was beaten for the 74kg spot by Kyle DAKE (USA).

"I was able to persevere through strong faith and a great encouraging team around me," he said. "I'm just super-blessed to be in this position. I really don't take any of this for granted....Even if I never wrestle another match in my life, I feel like I'm certified, I'm a legend in this sport and no one can take that away from me."

Burroughs joked that the epic story of how he won the 2013 world title despite a severe ankle injury might have cost him credibility had he pulled out of Oslo.

"Nobody listens to me now," he said with a smile. "They're like, you did it in 2013, you can do it again."

Burroughs said that making the victory sweeter was the fact that he faced an Iranian in the final, as he and that country share a long-held mutual respect.

"I knew coming into this match-up tonight that it was really cool that I get to wrestle an Iranian in the final, since I hadn't done that since 2013," said Burroughs, who also joked about facing such a younger opponent. "He was junior world champion, but that's all they had to tell me, that he was junior world champion, in 2021! I'm like, nope, I can't lose to this guy."

Still, Burroughs knows never to underestimate anyone, so he did his homework and found the chink in Nokholdilarimi's armor. From earlier matches, Burroughs saw how the Iranian liked to square up and work for an underhook, which he countered by circling and deflecting the arm.

Nokholdilarimi never launched an attack, and in the first period, Burroughs scored the only point off the activity clock. In the second period, it was Classic Burroughs and his driving takedown.

"If you leave your legs in a square position, half of the work is done for me," Burroughs said. "I don't have to have a set-up. Now all I have to do is just lower my stance and shoot a hard one. Fortunately, I was able to get my hands behind his knees and get through him a few times."

So will Burroughs head off into the sunset in triumph? Not on your life, he says. He's not only going to continue, but has aims of eventually dropping back down to 74kg and making it to the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"I'm sore. I'm getting old, man. I feel it, but I also feel good," he said. "I feel strong at this weight class and I'm going to stay here at 79 kilos for the foreseeable future, then work my way back down to 74 for the Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

"I'm not done. I still feel like I have a lot to give."

Thomas GILMAN (USA) won his first world title in Oslo, Norway. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 57kg, Gilman, who won a bronze medal at the Tokyo Olympics, had a takedown in each period to build up a five-point cushion that he rode to a 5-3 victory over 2019 world U23 bronze medalist Alireza SARLAK (IRI).

"I am glad that we finally did it," Gilman said. "It has been four, five years in the making. Checked that one off the list. We have three years and hopefully I can do this again in Paris. But we are here. It's sinking a little bit."

Gilman, the 2017 world silver medalist who finished fifth in 2018, said the key to victory was the single-leg takedown he scored early in the second period, in which he got Sarlak's leg in the air and twisted him down for a 5-0 lead.

"I was looking for maybe 4, maybe lift him and step through," Gilman said. "But I was getting to the edge, and he was strong there, so I dumped him. If I don't get that takedown, maybe I lose. It was important, looking back.

"I can win with five points. With three points, I'm not confident I can win that match and stay in there. That's something I have to continue to work on."

Sarlak, this year's Asian silver medalist, despearately tried to rally, but his takedown with 30 seconds left and stepout with :06 on the clock proved too little, too late.

Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) made short work of Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) to win 65kg gold. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

In one of the strangest matches of the day, Shakhiev notched a 14-4 technical fall in the first period over Amir YAZDANI (IRI) in the 65kg final that took some time to sort out all of the points.

"I was well prepared for the final match," Shakhiev said. "I could concentrate really well. I was planning to wrestle for six minutes. I knew the Iranian wrestler was definitely not a bad one. It was expected to be an interesting match for the fans. I could finish it ahead of time. I believed I could make it. And I’ve made it."

The fireworks started when Shakhiev got in on a single and Yazdani went to his backside for a counter lift. Shakhiev kept an inside grip on Yazdani's arm as well as the leg, and the two then flip-flopped over several times, with Shakhiev getting credit for four exposures and Yazdani two.

Leading 8-4, Shakhiev came out behind, then secured a standing lace lock, from which he rolled three times to end the match at 1:25 to add the senior title to his 2016 world cadet gold.

"I am glad I could win this," Shakhiev said. "It’s my first time and I could make it, thank God. Thanks a lot to all those people who supported me....I am glad I could make so many people happy. My parents back home worry about me, I can imagine."

Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) won the 92kg World title in Oslo. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Ghasempour salvaged Iranian pride in the final bout of the night when he forged an 8-4 victory in the 92kg final over Magomed KURBANOV (RWF) in a battle between reigning continental champions.

Ghasempour, the 2018 and 2019 world U23 champion who won his second Asian title this year, scored a takedown at the first-period buzzer to take a 3-2 lead into the second period.

A takedown and penalty point increased the lead to 6-2, but Kurbanov had a chance to turn the match around when he scored a takedown with 30 seconds left. As the Russian worked for a gut wrench that would give him the win on criteria, Ghasempour stopped the move by stepping over, adding the final 2 points to his tally to clinch the win.

"I am so happy to finally win the world championship gold and I hope I can continue this and win more," Ghasempour said. "It's great for me, for the team and everyone and I hope now we can be team champions as well."

Meanwhile in the bronze-medal matches, Horst LEHR (GER) gave Germany its first world freestyle medal since 1999 with consecutive takedowns in the second period that gave him a well-earned 6-4 victory over Abubakar MUTALIEV (RWF).

Horst LEHR (GER) defeated Abubakr MUTALIEV (RWF) to claim the bronze medal at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Lehr, the 2020 European bronze medalist, had never placed higher than seventh in several trips to World Championships at different age-group levels.

"I was not sure if I would be able to come here for the tournament because I had a lot of injuries and I was recovering," Lehr said. "But to come here and win, I am glad and I think I will be the guy for Paris 2024."

Russian-born Aryan TSIUTRYN (BLR), making his debut on the international stage after stagnating in his native country, denied European champion Suleyman ATLI (TUR) a third world medal with a 3-1 victory that had no technical points.

Tsuitryn, who was fifth at this year's world championships, scored two activity points, then got his final point on an unsuccessful match-ending challenge as Atli failed to add to his 2019 world silver and 2018 bronze.

At 65kg, 2019 Asian U23 champion Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) had a pair of 4-point moves against ROHIT (IND), the second coming from a pancake that he finished off with a fall at 5:47.

Tumur Ochir, who lost to eventual gold medalist Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) in the first round of the Tokyo Olympics, used a spinning arm throw right off the opening whistle for 4 points. He led 10-4 before securing the fall.

Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) won the 0ther 65kg bronze when he scored two first-period takedowns and held on for a 4-1 win over European silver medalist Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL), who made a medal match for the first time in five trips to the World Championships.

At 79kg, 2019 world U23 bronze medalist Radik VALIEV (RWF) picked up a senior bronze by overwhelming Ryuki YOSHIDA (JPN) by 11-0 technical fall. After bulling his way to three takedowns, he slammed the Japanese down for 4 to end the match in 2:25.

Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO) followed with a near-identical win for the other 79kg bronze, putting away Arman AVAGYAN (ARM) 10-0 in 2:07. Using an arm drag for an opening takedown, he locked up the ankles and whipped off four lace rolls.

At 92kg, dethroned two-time champion J'den COX (USA) made sure he would not leave Oslo empty-handed after surging late to an 11-0 technical fall of Andriy VLASOV (UKR).

Leading 3-0, Cox slammed Vlasov to the mat off a single-leg for 4 points, then added a takedown and gut wrench to end the match at 5:20 for his fourth career world medal.

European bronze medalist Osman NURMAGODMEDOV (AZE) defeated Amarhajy MAHAMEDAU (BLR) 2-0 for the other 92kg bronze, with both points coming off the activity clock.

With the final two weight classes to finish on Tuesday, Iran had a one-point lead over the United States in the team standings with 141. The Russian federation is third with 133.

Day 3 Results

Freestyle

57kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Thomas GILMAN (USA) df. Alireza SARLAK (IRI), 5-3

BRONZE: Horst LEHR (GER) df. Abubakar MUTALIEV (RWF), 6-4
BRONZE: Aryan TSIUTRYN (BLR) df. Suleyman ATLI (TUR), 3-1

65kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) df. Amir YAZDANI (IRI) by TF, 14-4, 1:25

BRONZE: Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ) df. Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL), 4-1
BRONZE: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Rohit ROHIT (IND) by Fall, 5:47 (10-4)

70kg (26 entries)
Semifinal: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Evgenii ZHERBAEV (RWF), 9-5
Semifinal: Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 4-2

79kg (25 entries)
GOLD: Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) df. Mohammad NOKHODILARIMI (IRI), 5-1

BRONZE: Radik VALIEV (RWF) df. Ryuki YOSHIDA (JPN) by TF, 10-0, 2:25
BRONZE: Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO) df. Arman AVAGYAN (ARM) by TF, 10-0, 2:07

92kg (20 entries)
GOLD: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Magomed KURBANOV (RWF), 8-4

BRONZE: Osman NURMAGODMEDOV (AZE) df. Amarhajy MAHAMEDAU (BLR), 2-0
BRONZE: J'den COX (USA) df. Andriy VLASOV (UKR) by TF, 11-0, 5:20

97kg (22 entries)
Semifinal: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF) df. Mahamed ZAKARIIEV (UKR) by TF, 11-0, 5:29
Semifinal: Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI), 3-2

Women's Wrestling

55kg (14 entries)
Semifinal: Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) df. Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (RWF), 6-2
Semifinal: Nina HEMMER (GER) df. Pinki PINKI (IND), 8-6

62kg (17 entries)
Semifinal: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Ilona PROKOPEVNIUK (UKR), 5-2
Semifinal: Kayla MIRACLE (USA) df. Lais NUNES DE OLIVEIRA (BRA), 2-0

#wrestlebishkek

Six countries win Paris quotas at Asian qualifier

Friday, April 19, 2024 - 04:08 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 19) -- Six countries earned two Paris Olympic spots each in Freestyle on the first day of the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Hosts Kyrgyzstan won at 57kg and 65kg while Iran added quotas at 74kg and 97kg. Japan earned the Paris spots at 65kg and 86kg and Uzbekistan got it at 57kg and 74kg. Kazakhstan pulled off the spots at 97kg and 125kg while Mongolia was successful at 86kg and 125kg.

125kg wrap: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) earns a ticket to a second straight Olympics at 125kg, while denying Zhiwei DENG (CHN) for now what would be his third trip, by gaining an activity point in each period for a 2-0 win. Munkhtur's victory in the clash between the losers of the bronze-medal matches in Tokyo, gives Mongolia its second Paris quota of the night.

Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) held on to a 7-3 win over Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) to win the second Paris 2024 quota for Kazakhstan and deny Bahrain its second. Batirmurzaev scored a takedown and used his strong gut wrench to deny Sharipov.

97kg: Iran filled its fifth Freestyle quota for the Paris Olympics as Zagreb Open champion Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) defeated Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) 3-0 at 97kg. Azarpira got a point for Ganbaatar's passivity and then scored a takedown in the second period to win. 57kg is the only weight in which Iran has not qualified for the Paris Olympics.

Three-time Asian medalist Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) earns a ticket to Paris and a possible second Olympics for himself at 97kg by edging Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) 3-2 at 97kg. Yergali takes a 2-0 lead in the first period with an activity point and a stepout off a takedown attempt. In the second, Habila was on the activity clock again when he got in on a single leg. But the clock ran out before the Chinese could finish off the takedown, leaving Yergali ahead 3-2. The outcome was a virtual replay of Yergali's 2-1 win over Habila in the first round at last year's World Championships.

86kg wrap: Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) needs just 34 seconds to book his ticket to Paris, gaining a takedown and then reeling off four quick gut wrenches to defeat Gwanuk KIM (KOR) 10-0. Ishiguro, a 2023 Asian bronze medalist and 2018 world junior champion at 79kg, did not have to wrestle in the afternoon session, as he received a victory by default in his lone match. It gives Japan a fourth Paris quota in freestyle.

Mongolia gets on the Paris 2024 quota list as Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) wins a snooze fest against Zushen LIN (CHN). After Lin got one point for Byambasuren's passivity, Lin failed to score in the second period when he was put on the activity clock. Byambasuren held on to that 1-1 criteria win and the quota.

74kg wrap: Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) shows he still has a lot of life left in his 34-year-old body when he earns a shot at a third career Olympics with a well-executed 6-0 victory at 74kg over home favorite Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ). Abdurakhmonov came out firing from the opening whistle, scoring a lightning-quick single-leg takedown that caught his opponent so off guard, that he was able to lift him full up in the air and slam him to the mat, where he then immediately went to a high-chest roll. Toktomambetov gets in a deep single in the second period, but two-time world bronze medalist Abdurakhmonov starts a counter scramble that ends with him on top for a takedown.

Iran now has its fourth Paris 2024 quota in Freestyle as Yones EMAMI (IRI) puts on a takedown show to beat Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) in three minutes and 49 seconds. Emami had failed to win a quota at the World Championships after losing to Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and later to Hetik CABALOV (SRB) in the repechage. But a dominant performance in Bishkek sees him tick one more spot for Iran.

65kg wrap: Kyrgyzstan picked up its second Freestyle quota for Paris 2024 as Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) posted a controlled 5-3 win over Kwang Jin KIM (PRK). Trailing 2-1 at the break, Akmataliev got a takedown in the second period before being awarded a point for Kim's passivity. The two exchanged stepouts but Akmataliev led 5-3 with little time left for Kim to score a takedown for a win.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) picked up Japan's third quota in Paris -- and a chance to keep the 65kg Olympic gold in Japanese hands -- with a comprehensive 11-0 victory over Shaohua YUAN (CHN). Kiyooka used a low single to maximum effect to score two takedowns in the first period which, combined with an activity point, gave him a 5-0 lead. In the second, he landed a double-leg takedown, applied the lace lock and rolled twice to end the match in 4:30. Kiyooka knocked off Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to earn the right to represent Japan in Bishkek. His victory came six days after his younger sister Moe won the women's 55kg gold at the Asian Championships in the same venue.

57kg wrap: Kyrgyzstan won the first Paris 2024 quota of the Asian OG Qualifier as Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), winner of this year's Yasar Dogu tournament in Turkey and a two-time world U23 bronze medalist, pulled a ticket to Paris out of his hat with a counter takedown with 14 seconds to edge Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) 3-3 on criteria. After each received an activity point that gave the Kyrgyz the lead on criteria, Batkhuyag fought out of a deep double-leg takedown to score a takedown with a minute left to go ahead 3-1. Batkhuyag grabs a single and tries to hang on for dear lift, but Almaz Uulu breaks the hold and gets behind to give Kyrgyzstan its first freestyle quota in Paris.

The second Paris quota at 57kg was won by Uzbekistan as Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) pinned 2023 Asian champion AMAN (IND) in the first period. Abdullaev used a takedown before hitting a duckunder for four. He used a takedown and roll and kept Aman on his back to secure the fall.

Here are the qualification bouts for Paris 2024

57kg
Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) vs. Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL)
Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) vs. AMAN (IND)

65kg
Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Shaohua YUAN (CHN)
Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) vs. Kwang Jin KIM (PRK)

74kg
Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) vs. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ)
Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) vs. Yones EMAMI (IRI)

86kg
Gwanuk KIM (KOR) vs. Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN)
Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) vs. Zushen LIN (CHN)

97kg
Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) vs. Awusayiman HABILA (CHN)
Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) vs. Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)

125kg
Zhiwei DENG (CHN) vs. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) vs. Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)

12:50: Zagreb Open champion Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) proves too high of a hurdle for rising Japanese star Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) to overcome, pulling away in the second period for a 9-1 win at 97kg. Azarpira extended his lead to 3-1 early in the second period with a third stepout while on the activity clock, then began piling up the points.

12:48: Former world champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) turned his match around in a hurry, overcoming a six-point deficit in the second period to chalk up a 12-6 win at Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL). Akmataliev starts the comeback with a takedown and two gut wrenches to go ahead on criteria. But he doesn't stop there, adding a 4-point counter lift, and still having time to add a takedown.

12:45: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) led 2-0 after two passivity points against Kwang Jin KIM (PRK). But Jalolov gets called for fleeing and is docked a caution and one. A stepout for Kim makes it 2-2 criteria lead for him. Jalolov can't match the pace of Kim who gets a stepout and fleeing to win 5-2.

12:38: In the candidate for Match of the Day, Shaohua YUAN (CHN) outlasts Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ) with a wild 16-15 win at 65kg. Yuan is leading 4-2 when in a wild flurry, Aliyev gets 4, Yuan gets 4, then Aliyev gets 3, giving the Kazakh at 9-8 lead going into the second period. The madness doesn't stop there, as Aliyev goes ahead with two takedowns, only for Yuan to storm back with an arm throw for 2 and a chest lift for 4. Yuan gets a stepout that could have gone either way, and Aliyev scores a takedown with :03 left. He tries a lace lock, but it is ruled too late, and an unsuccessful challenge point is tacked on.

12:27: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) with five takedowns to beat Junsik YUN (KOR) 10-0 and enter the semifinals at 65kg. He has to win one more bout to qualify Japan for the Paris Games.

12:22: China and Korea go at it on adjacent mats, and the Chinese take both. Two-time Olympian and two-time world medalist Zhiwei DENG (CHN), who placed fifth in Tokyo, gets a takedown and gut wrench in the first period and beats Yeihyun JUNG (KOR) 5-0 at 125kg. At 97kg, Asian Games bronze medalist Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) scores a takedown and exposure in the last 20 seconds to put away a fatigued Juhwan SEO (KOR) 6-2.

12:22: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN), who won a bronze medal in the just completed Asian Championships, gets his points in the first period and makes it hold up in a 2-1 victory over Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) at 125kg.

12:20: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) with a pin over Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB). He hits two four-pointers for a 12-5 lead before 40-year-old Ibragimov just gave up.

12:11: In a 74kg quarterfinal with non-stop action, two-time world medalist Yones EMAMI (IRI) proves too much for Byungmin GONG (KOR), scoring four takedowns on counters in the second period for a 15-4 win. The two put together an 11-point first period when Emami scored three takedowns against Gong's two.

12:10: Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) gives no chance to Erzo ISAKOV (JOR) and wins his 86kg quarterfinal 7-1 and advances to the semifinal.

12:10: Tokyo Olympian Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) finishes off Andrey ARONOV (KGZ) with a 4-point takedown in a 10-0 victory at 97kg.

12:01: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) hangs for a thrilling 3-2 win over Wanhao ZOU (CHN) at 57kg. Almaz Uulu gets a stepout to lead 1-1 on criteria at the break. In the second period, he gets a stepout with Zou on the activity clock, which gives him a 3-1 lead when it expires. Zou drives him out, but what could have been a takedown was ruled a stepout, and Almaz Uulu managed the run out the clock the rest of the way.

12::00: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) with a leg lace to end SUMIT's (IND) Olympic hopes in Bishkek. He advances to the 125kg semifinals and is a win away from the Paris Olympic quota.

11:57: Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) in a high-scoring battle with top seed Feng LU (CHN) but comes out on top with a fall at 74kg. The Uzbek star led 15-9 before he got the fall 23 seconds into the second period.

11:56: Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) hits a textbook-perfect lateral drop to throw Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) onto his back before securing a fall at 2:49 and booking his place in tonight's 125kg Olympic qualifying match.

11:50: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) gives up a takedown to JAIDEEP (IND), then comes back with one of his own, and that makes the difference as he holds on to win 2-2 on last-point criteria in their 74kg quarterfinal.

11:50: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) shows the perfect strategy against Chongsong HAN (PRK) to advance to the 57kg semifinals. He was put on the activity clock in the first period but hit a cradle to lead 4-1. Han is called for blocking with hands and Abdullaev wins 7-1. He faces AMAN (IND) for a Paris 2024 quota

11:45: Asian Games bronze medalist Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) advances to the 65kg quarterfinals by rolling to a 9-0 victory over Jelaletdin SEYIDOV (TKM).

11:43: AMAN (IND) books his spot in the 57kg semifinals with an 11-1 win over Sunggwon KIM (KOR). Slow off the blocks, Aman ups the charge in the second period and wins 11-1

11:41: Iran dealt with a huge blow! Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) drops his 57kg quarterfinals to Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) 14-3. Two four-pointers, a takedown and two rolls for Batkhuyag.

11:37: Young Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) continues to impress, powering his way to a 10-0 victory over DEEPAK (IND) at 97kg. Yoshida will next face Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) for a spot in the semifinals, a meeting with an opponent from his father's country of origin.

11:30: Gwanuk KIM (KOR, an Olympian in 2016, took a step toward making it to Paris by holding off Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) for a 6-5 victory at 86kg.

11:29: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), who beat Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to represent Japan in Bishkek, wins his first bout over Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) 10-7. A strong leg-lace game from Kiyooka to keep Kudiev at bay. Last week, Kiyooka's sister, Moe won the Asian Championships at 55kg

11:21: Former 70kg world silver medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), looking to make his first Olympics at 65kg, cruises to a 10-0 victory over Mohammed KAREEM (IRQ). Akmataliev gets a takedown and three exposures for an 8-0 lead, then uses a counter lift for 2 to finish the match in 2:29.

11:19: 2022 Asian champion Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) puts Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) in a power battle and gives no chance to Yamamoto to even attack. A 10-0 technical superiority win for the former world silver medalist.

11:16: Andrey ARONOV (KGZ) avoids becoming the first Kyrgyz wrestler to lose when he rallies to a 10-9 victory over Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) at 97kg. He will next face top seed Alisher YERGALI (KAZ).

11:14: Byungmin GONG (KOR), the 2021 Asian champion at 79kg, follows his second takedown by applying a lace lock against 2023 Asian bronze medalist Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) at 74kg. Three quick rolls and it's over.

11:10: Big match on Mat C as Yeihyun JUNG (KOR) scores a stepout in the final second to pull off an incredible win over Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM). Jung led 6-4 but Saparov kept coming back and took a 9-9 criteria lead before Jung got a single-leg attack to finish outside the zone. A lost challenge from Turkmenistan made it 11-9

11:06: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), looking to fill one of the three quotas that Iran still lacks in freestyle, gets off to a slow start but pours it on in the second period for a 10-0 win over Aiaal BELOLYUBSKII (TJK) at 57kg.

11:03: Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ), the 2021 Asian champion, with the fall over Zaman ANWAR (PAK) at 125kg. He will face Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals.

11:00: Did Bekzod ABDURAKHAMOV (UZB) survive a pin there? Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) had him a cradle but Abdurakhamov made it out of the hold and hung on for a 6-4 lead. He scores two takedowns in the second period to win 10-6 at 74kg.

10:58: Asian Games bronze medalist Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) scores all of his points in the second period to defeat Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) 7-1 at 74kg. A takedown to a gut wrench, then a counter lift for 2 followed by a stepout does the trick for Toktomambetov.

10:50: AMAN (IND), the 2023 Asian champion and Asian Games bronze medalist, makes short work of Yerassyl MUKHTARULY (KAZ) with a 10-0 victory in their opening match 57kg.

10:50: Alp BEGENJOV (TKM) hit a solid arm throw for four over JAIDEEP (IND) but the Indian remains calm and pins Begenjov 30 seconds before the break to advance at 74kg

10:46: Chongsong HAN (PRK) takes a minute and five seconds to see off Gayan KATHURANGANA (PRK) in the 57kg qualification bout. His next opponent is Gulomjon ABDUALLEV (UZB).

10:45: Veteran Junsik YUN (KOR), trailing 5-1 at one point in the second period, storms back and defeats Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) 6-6 on criteria with a stepout with seven seconds left at 65kg.

10:43: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), a two-time world U23 bronze medalist, gives the home team a victory to open the proceedings on Mat B, defeating Ali ABURUMAILA (PLE) 9-2 at 57kg.

10:44: A 43-second pin for Tokyo Olympian Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) over Kabe MATJANOV (TKM). A solid arm-bar pin from Abdullaev to advance at 57kg.

10:43: The first match in 57kg and Sunggwon KIM (KOR) holds on for a 1-1 win over Khattab AL ANI (IRQ) after two passivity calls.

10:30: The first day of the Asian Olympic Qualifier with six Freestyle weights classes. Bishkek is ready for it

Burroughs Rides Classic Takedown to 5th World Title, 1st at 79kg

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Six countries win Paris quotas at Asian qualifier