Choe crushes Kiyooka to become frontrunner at 53kg

Friday, March 28, 2025 - 21:28 By Ken Marantz

AMMAN, Jordan (March 28)--It can be said that with a victory in the 53kg final at the Asian Championships, Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) has become the favorite to fill the hole left by the move up to 57kg by Paris Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN).

Choe, a Paris bronze medalist herself, powered to a comprehensive 12-1 victory over world 55kg champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) at the Asian Championships on Friday in Amman, Jordan, establishing herself as the one to beat in the runup to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

Choe had an answer for everything Kiyooka threw at her, and seemed to score at will both offensively and defensively to give the DPR Korea its lone win in three finals on the final day of the women's competition.

"Our national wrestling team has trained together as one united group, supporting each other along the way," Choe said. "I was only focused on training to raise our national flag high on the world stage."

Japan picked up golds by Sara NATAMI (JPN) at 57kg and Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) at 65kg to finish with four overall -- a somewhat disappointing showing for the preeminent women's powerhouse -- and win the team title with 186 points. China finished second with 157, two ahead of DPR Korea in third.

The other golds at stake Friday went to MANISHA (IND), who won the 62kg title to end a streak of three consecutive bronzes, and four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), who took home her fourth career gold at 72kg.

In the 53kg final, Kiyooka, who moved down to the Olympic weight with eyes firmly on Los Angeles, scored first with an activity point, but who would have thought that would be the extent of her efforts for the rest of the match?

Choe got onto the scoreboard by getting in on a single, raising the leg into the air and, after a struggle, finishing off the takedown to lead 2-1 at the break.

In the second period, Choe took advantage of some anxiousness on Kiyooka's part. Choe layed in wait for Kiyooka to take a shot, then sprung the trap by reaching back and whipping Kiyooka onto her back for 2.

From there, Kiyooka failed to properly set up two tackle attempts and it cost her when Choe had little trouble fending off the attacks and spinning behind for takedowns. After the second one, Choe latched onto the laces and rolled twice to finish off the win with 39 seconds to spare.

Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) completes the lace against Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) in the 53kg final during the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

"Our team, led by our esteemed Supreme Commander, had absolute confidence in victory and felt no fear at all," said Choe, who took home a third career continental medal, having won an Asian bronze at 55kg in 2010 and an Asian Games bronze in 2023.

It was an eye-opening setback -- and just her third loss ever to a non-Japanese -- for the 21-year-old Kiyooka, whose older brother Kotaro won the freestyle 65kg gold at the Paris Olympics. She had preceded her world title by winning the Asian gold last year at 55kg, and came into Amman coming off a victorious run at the Tirana Ranking Series event in February.

The match-winning sequence between Sara NATAMI (JPN) and Il Sim SON (PRK) during the 57kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the 57kg final, 2023 world U23 champion Sara NATAMI (JPN) learned from an early mistake and avoided giving up the same points to Il Sim SON (PRK) to preserve a hard-earned 2-2 victory on last-point criteria.

"I gave everything I had to win," Natami said. "Without thinking about how much time was left, I tried to put together moves to create a chance that would lead to points all the way up to the end."

Natami, the 2022 Asian champion at 59kg, gave up a takedown in the first period when Son spun out of an underhook and got behind for a 2-0 lead. In the second period, Natami emerged from a scramble by flipping Son onto her back to go ahead 2-2 on criteria.

With Natami desperately clinging to the lead, Son once again spun out of an underhook, but this time the Japanese was ready and managed to keep Son from getting behind.

Sara NATAMI (JPN) secured her second career title at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

"She was very powerful, and I didn't want to give in to the pressure," said Natami, who earlier advanced to the final with a victory by fall over Paris Olympics bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN). "In the first period, my aim was to see how far I could keep her from scoring points."

Natami now faces the daunting task of trying to knock off Fujinami when the young superstar returns for her first individual competition at the All-Japan Invitational Championships [Meiji Cup] in June, a qualifier for the World Championships.

"Akari Fujinami will be entered, and although it's not just her, my goal right now is to beat Fujinami," Natami said. "If I can do that, next will be the World Championships."

MANISHA (IND) defends an arm-spin attempt from Ok Ju KIM (PRK) In the 62kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

The match of the finals came at 62kg, where MANISHA (IND) rallied from a five-point deficit for a thrilling 8-7 victory over Ok Ju KIM (PRK) for her first Asian gold after winning three consecutive bronzes.

"At every competition my start is very slow. Even at the World Championships you must have seen this last year," Manisha said, referring to her fifth-place finish in Tirana. "I am working on it. Today, I had this positive feeling about myself that I will perform my best."

After giving up an activity point to Kim, Manisha came back with a nice ankle pick for a takedown to take a 2-1 lead into the second period. That's where the action really got going.

Manisha constantly used an underhook offense, which Kim countered with a sitout spin that enabled her to get behind. She used the technique to score three takedowns of different variations to move in front 7-2.

But Manisha finally wised up and avoided the same mistake, opting for a snapdown attack that led to two takedowns to cut the gap to one. With 20 seconds left, she pancaked Kim for a 2-point exposure to clinch the victory.

"I was trailing in the first period but I could feel that she was tired," Manisha said. "As wrestlers we know when our opponent is tired. When the second period began, I could feel she was very tired. I had worked on it and I wanted to be pushing at full force all the time. So it was easy to cover."

Manisha said that tribulation of making the Indian team served as good preparation for the tournament in Amman.

"The competition in India is also tough," Manisha said. "But I did my best there and when I won, I realized that I can do well here as well. I was very positive from the start. Maybe the hard work of previous years will help me in 2025."

Kim made the final in her senior international debut with a stunning victory by fall in the semifinals over Paris Olympic 68kg bronze medalist and two-time world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN).

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) works to finish a takedown against Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) in the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 65kg, Morikawa added to her gold from 2022 with a solid 6-2 victory over Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL), who had to settle for the silver for the second straight year.

"I won the title and was able to do a victory lap for the first time in awhile, so I am happy about that," said Morikawa, a three-time world medalist, including a gold in 2022. "But this time, the opponents were not so strong, so there are some things I need to look back on about how I wrestled. Most of all, I won the gold, so that's good."

Morikawa, coming off a victory at the Tirana Ranking Series, scored a takedown with Tuvshinjargal on the activity clock, then forced her over for a 2-point exposure to take a 5-0 lead into the break.

Tuvshinjargal mounted a comeback of sorts with a takedown in the second period, but couldn't further break through the defenses of Morikawa, who added a stepout on a counter. It was the second straight year that Tuvshinjargal lost to a Japanese in the final, having fallen to Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) last year in Bishkek.

Morikawa lamented the fact that the DPR Korea had no entry in the weight class as she prepares for her next shot at a world title.

"At first, it had an entry but was withdrawn, so I had to fight who was here," Morikawa said. "I felt like there's no way I would be allowed to lose. My goal this year is to win the gold at the World Championships, so first of all to win in Asia is a good step.

"But globally, there are many strong opponents...I am well aware that the level around the world is continually getting better, so to keep from losing, I want to practice harder and harder, keep improving and make it so that people will still say that Japan is the strongest."

In the 72kg final, Bakbergenova capped the women's competition by scoring all of her points in the second period to forge a 4-1 victory over world U20 silver medalist and Asian U20 champion Yuqi LIU (CHN) for her fourth Asian gold and sixth medal overall.

There were plenty of shots in the first period, but none of them connected and an activity point for Liu was the lone score going into the break.

In the second period, Bakbergenova received an activity point, then pulled ahead with a 2-point exposure from a single-leg attack, which she followed by forcing a stepout. In the waning seconds, Bakbergenova defended against a single-leg attack to secure the victory.

Olympic medalists Hong, Ozaki settle for bronzes

In bronze-medal matches, the two Olympic bronze medalists who suffered stunning losses by fall in the semifinals, Hong and Ozaki, swallowed their pride and came back to secure some consolation from their trip to Amman with quick wins.

At 57kg, Kexin HONG (CHN) took little time in finishing off a not-so-easy opponent in two-time Asian medalist Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL), scoring a takedown and going straight to the lace lock, whipping off four rolls for a 10-0 win in :59.

Three matches later, Ozaki made it look like an instant replay, although she needed just 28 seconds to overwhelm local teenager Tala ABUKHEIT (JOR) in the exact same way for a 62kg bronze and her fourth career Asian medal.

Coming off the mat, Ozaki could only manage a wry smile over a tournament that went awry. Ozaki, who won the bronze in Paris and last year's Asian gold at 68kg after losing out to Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) at 62kg, earned her ticket to Amman by winning the All-Japan [Emperor's Cup] title in her return to 62kg.

"I was defeated [here], but after the Olympics, I moved back to this weight class, so I see it as an experience," Ozaki said. "It's a disappointing memory here, but I'm going to do what I can to be a contender again."

Ozaki said the psychological effect of cutting weight was bigger than the physical.

"I had to drop some weight, but mentally it was really tough," she said. "After the Olympics, where I had taken the bronze, i was really nervous about coming back, more nervous than I've ever been. But I look at it all as an experience."

The other bronze at 57kg went to Youngjin KWON (KOR), who picked up her first major medal when she survived a dangerous situation and went on to notch a victory by fall over Pei Ying LIAO (TPE).

Kwon came out like gangbusters with a 4-point headlock throw and a 2-point roll, but when she went for a gut wrench, Liao stepped over and put her on her back. Kwon escaped the predicament, and in the second period, put Liao onto her back during a counter takedown and secured the fall in 5:13.

Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) gave Kyrgyzstan its lone medal of the night and her second career bronze at 62kg, breaking open a stepout-a-thon to build a 10-3 lead before defeating Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) by fall.

Bilimbek Kyzy led at one point 4-3, with all of the points coming on stepouts, then finally connected on three takedowns before securing the fall.

At 53kg, Asian U23 bronze medalist Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) scored in a variety of ways to grind out a 10-6 victory over world U23 bronze medalist Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL).

Bayanova employed an arm drag, an inside leg trip and a counter tilt among her techniques to deny a third Asian bronze to Chinbold, whose three stepouts in the second period left her on the short end of the decision.

ANTIM (IND) earned her second career Asian medal with powerful 10-0 win over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE) in the other 50kg bout, getting a 4-point takedown in an eight-point first period, then ending the match 25 seconds into the second with a double-leg takedown.

At 65kg, Qi ZHANG (CHN), last year's 59kg champion, earned her fourth career Asian medal dating back to 2017 with a 10-0 victory over Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ).

Zhang opened with a 4-point takedown and went to the gut wrench for three rolls or tilts to end the match in 1:43.

Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) claimed her first-ever major medal by winning the other 65kg bronze, scoring a juicy 4-point takedown off an arm drag early in the second period and then defending well to defeat Jeongae BARK (KOR) 5-1.

At 72kg, former world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN), denied a chance for a first-ever Asian title with a close loss to Bakbergenova in the semifinals, rolled to a 10-0 win over teenager Sehee KIM (KOR) as she settled for a third continental medal in her first appearance since 2018.

Furuichi, who has completed the "Grand Slam" of all four world age-group golds, spun behind on a takedown counter, then reeled off four gut wrenches this way and that for the victory in 1:37. The victory added to her silver in 2017 and bronze in 2018.

In the other 72kg match, veteran Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) added a second straight Asian bronze and fifth overall to her collection with a victory by fall over two-time Asian U23 medalist Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB).

Zorigt, who also has an Asian gold from 2021 --the year Japan did not participate -- pancaked Oknazarova for a 2-point exposure, then twisted her onto her back for the fall in 52 seconds.

Day 4 Results

Women's Wrestling

53kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) df. Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) by TF, 12-1, 5:21

BRONZE: Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) df. Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL), 10-6
BRONZE: ANTIM (IND) df. Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE) by TF, 10-0, 3:25

57kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Sara NATAMI (JPN) df. Il Sim SON (PRK), 2-2

BRONZE: Kexin HONG (CHN) df. Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) by TF, 10-0, :59
BRONZE: Youngjin KWON (KOR) df. Pei Ying LIAO (TPE) by Fall, 5:13 (12-2)

62kg (10 entries)
GOLD: MANISHA (IND) df. Ok Ju KIM (PRK), 8-7

BRONZE: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Tala ABUKHEIT (JOR) by TF, 10-0, :48
BRONZE: Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) df. Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) by Fall, 5:38 (10-3)

65kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL), 6-2

BRONZE: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) by TF, 10-0, 1:43
BRONZE: Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) df. Jeongae BARK (KOR), 5-1

72kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Yuqi LIU (CHN), 4-1

BRONZE: Masako FURUICHI (JPN) df. Sehee KIM (KOR) by TF, 10-0, 1:37
BRONZE: Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) df. Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) by Fall, :52 (4-0)

#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships 2026 Preview

Friday, April 3, 2026 - 20:30 By Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 3) -- Soon after Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) became the Olympic champion in 2024, he went missing from the wrestling world. Past injuries and two surgeries kept him out of action for close to two years, skipping the entire 2025 and early 2026 season.

But the Paris Olympic champion at 74kg is returning to action at the Asian Championships in Bishkek, from April 6 to 12 at 79kg, leading a young Uzbekistan team.

"I missed wrestling," Jamalov said. "It was tough watching others win medals while I couldn't. It made me feel more motivated to win."

Jamalov will have a chance to win his first medal at the Asian Championships, which will be his debut continental championships in Asia. At 79kg, Jamalov should not face much trouble but will be checked as he has wrestled only five matches against Asian wrestlers in his career.

The foremost will be Iran's defending Asian champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI), who also won U20 world gold last year. Another challenge will be the weight class itself as Jamalov will be wrestling at his highest weight in his career.

"I have wrestled Asian wrestlers before and I know their style," he said. "I will try to wrestle according to my style and make it challenging for them."

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), red, and Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) during the 70kg final at the 2022 Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Weight to Watch

The 70kg weight class will be one of the toughest in Bishkek with three world medalists entered along with two returning medalists.

Defending champion and world bronze medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) will lead the challenge against a field that also has world silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) and former world and Asian champion Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN).

Returning to the Asian Championships for the first time in four years, Narikuni will also be wrestling 72kg Greco-Roman in a bid to win double titles. In 2022, won Freestyle 70kg gold after beating Akmataliev in a memorable final.

Akmataliev will look to avenge that loss in front of his home fans and also keep the gold medal with himself. He defeated Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) last year but the Tajikistan wrestler is returning with the hopes of upgrading his silver to gold.

U23 world silver medalist and returning bronze medalist Sina KHALILI (IRI) will also be looking for some revenge especially against Rassadin who defeated the Iranian in the opening round last year.

97kg battle

Can Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) return to golden ways or will Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) defend his title? Will Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) come back and sail through the field?

All the questions will be answered in Bishkek as the 97kg battle heats up. World silver medalist Azarpira and world bronze medalists Yoshida and Tazhudinov are among the favorites to win gold. Yoshida is the defending champion but did not wrestle Tazhudinov, who pulled out late from the tournament last year.

Tazhudinov has been off-color for a few tournaments now, losing at the World Championships and later at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Azarpira was the one who handed Tazhudinov the defeat in the semifinals of the World Championships in a very tactical bout. He will be in the race to win gold in Bishkek but a match against Yoshida will be a fan-delight.

Former U20 world champion at 92kg, Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) will also be in the mix but may find the going tough as he is still adjusting to the new weight class.

Zare Leads Iran

Iran is bringing a young team to Bishkek but has world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) lead the pack. He will be the favorite to win the 125kg gold medal despite the presence of Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN), perhaps the second-best heavyweight around the world in action.

U20 world and Asian champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) will be making his senior debut at 125kg and will look to at least finish on the podium.

At 86kg, Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) will look to put a disappointing end to last year and start with a gold medal at the Asian Championships, a feat that should not be a hard one to achieve.

Mobin AZIMI (IRI) may face a tougher battle at 92kg with the likes of Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN), Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) entered in the field. However, Azimi appears to be little ahead in the race to win gold.

Aoyagi Aims 74kg Glory

In the premier weight 74kg, world champion at 70kg Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) will look to add an Asian title to his name. He finished with a bronze medal at 70kg last year. He will face the likes of Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) and Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), among others in the field.

The 57kg weight remains an open one with returning silver medalist Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) hoping to upgrade his medal. He will be the favorite to be crowned champion. The field also has Zagreb Open bronze medalist Fuga SASAKI (JPN), ANKUSH (IND) and Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ).

Returning bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) and former U23 world silver medalist Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) are also in the mix to win medals.

Olympic Medalists Collide at 61kg

Paris Olympic bronze medalists Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) and AMAN (IND) are likely to clash at 61kg. Abdullaev, who also won world bronze, has struggled with conditioning in recent times and a bout against Aman will test him. Aman, who won the 61kg gold medal in Zagreb and a former Asian champion at 57kg, will also need to find a way to win a second Asian title.

World silver medalist Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) will challenge them both in the bracket along with former U23 world champion Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), who last wrestled when he won gold at the 19th Asian Games in 2023.

Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), world silver medalist at 57kg, will be at 61kg and wrestling in front of home fans which makes him one of the favorites to win gold.

SUJEET (IND) is unbeaten so far this year, winning golds in Zagreb and Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Will Sujeet Breakthrough?

India's last Asian champion, in a weight class not 57kg, was crowned in 2019 when Bajrang PUNIA (IND) won the 65kg gold in a comeback for ages in Xi'an, China. Now, SUJEET (IND) will look to end that drought and also look to give India an Asian title in three years.

The two gold medals to start the season, in Zagreb and Tirana, put Sujeet in the top position to win gold at 65kg. He will have a familiar foe in Umidjon JALALOV (UZB) in the weight class. When a match between Sujeet and Jalalov has taken place, the Indian has won all four times and the Uzbekistan wrestler will be keen on getting one back to the Indian.

Last year's 61kg Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) will be at 65kg in Bishkek and a challenge for Sujeet.

Kaisei TANABE (JPN), Freestyle 65kg champion last year, will try his luck in Greco 63kg this year. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

GRECO-ROMAN

The Greco-Roman field at the Asian Championships in Bishkek will be highlighted with Olympic and world champions. But a standout story will be that of Kaisei TANABE (JPN). The 65kg Asian champion in Freestyle, is attempting to win the Greco gold at 63kg this year.

Tanabe switching the styles of wrestling was not forced. He tried making the Japan team for both Freestyle and Greco but failed to win the qualifying tournament in the former.

A step ahead of Tanabe is his compatriot Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN), a Freestyle world and Asian champion, who is entered in both styles for Bishkek. Narikuni was crowned champion in Freestyle 70kg and Greco 72kg in Japan, making him to first to complete the double in 52 years. He will try to regain his Asian 70kg title and also win gold at Greco 72kg.

A win in Japan at 63kg does make Tanabe a threat but competition in Bishkek will be tough. Erfan JARKANI (IRI), the Zagreb Open champion this year, will be the biggest test for Tanabe as Iran usually brings a style that depends both on strong par terre and conditioning.

Another potential challenger is Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), a former Asian champion in search of another Asian medal since 2021. Despite his lack of form in recent years, Bakhramov brings a tough style.

Narikuni's path at 72kg is similar with Javad REZAEI (IRI), former U23 world silver medalist and Muhamet Malo Ranking Series champion last month, being a favorite to win. Narikuni has an exceptional record in Freestyle but his Greco international debut at the Zagreb World Championships ended in a first-round loss.

Paris Olympic fifth-placer Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) can stop Narikuni in his quest as well. Ismailov will be wrestling in front of his home crowd, giving another advantage. Uzbekistan is going with newbie Shakhzod KUCHKOROV (UZB), who won the bronze medal at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series.

Olympic and world champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI) will aim to defend his Asian title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran's Champions

Iran still remains the team to beat in Asia and once again the country is bringing a solid squad. Olympic champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI) leads at 97kg along with world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg.

Saravi seems to be a notch above the field right now and should have no trouble winning gold. Mirzazadeh too has an upper hand at the highest weight class and will be a clear favorite to win.

Former U20 world champion and Zagreb Open silver medalist Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) has moved up to 97kg with his debut coming in Zagreb. Last year's silver medalist Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN) and bronze medalist NITESH (IND) are expected to repeat as medalists.

The breakout star of 2025 Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) will take on the 87kg field. He became the world champion at 82kg in Zagreb, then moved up to 87kg and won the U23 world title a month later.

He starts as the favorite at 87kg but experienced wrestler Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) and world bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) can make his path trickier.

Alisher GANIEV (UZB) will carry Uzbekistan's hopes for the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uzbekistan with Hopes

This may be the best chance for the ever-improving Uzbekistan team to clear Iran at the Asian level. Despite missing its star Aytjan KHALMANOV (UZB), Uzbekistan is still bringing a good team to Bishkek.

World silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB) has a chance to win his first Asian title at 60kg. He lost four of the five finals last year but with lessons from World Championships, in which he put himself under undue pressure, Ganiev is a strong favorite.

Olympic bronze medalist and defending champion Se Ung RI (PRK) will be one of the opponents he needs to get past. Ri has proven to be an extremely strong wrestler, winning bronze at the Asian Games and Paris.

Former U20 world champion Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) will try to establish himself at the senior level, a feat he failed to do at the World Championships. A medal in Bishkek can boost his confidence and make him Iran's first choice at 60kg.

Japan's big-throwing Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) will also hope for a medal. He lost to Ganiev at the Ranking Series in Zagreb but will get a chance to avenge that loss.

Another hopeful for Uzbekistan will be Asian champion Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), who is now jumping from 77kg to 82kg. Vardanyan won the gold medal last year with a buzzer-beating throw in the final and will hope to use it as motivation.

Former Asian champion and veteran Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) will look to challenge Vardanyan, both being perhaps the most experienced wrestlers in the field.

Then comes Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) who made his international debut in Tirana and won the 82kg gold medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) has a good chance to improve on his bronze medal he won last year and claim another historic medal, perhaps gold, for Qatar.

Makhmudov at Home

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) returned to competition at the Islamic Solidarity Games last year and won gold at 77kg. He also wrestled at 82kg in Tirana in February but went home without a medal.

But the Paris bronze medalist returns to the Asian Championships in Bishkek as the favorite at 77kg with fans eager to watch him perform at home.

Last time Makhmudov wrestled in Bishkek, he lost to Nao KUSAKA (JPN) at 77kg but with Kusaka not in the field, Makhmudov should find it smooth sailing to gold.

Iran is betting on Zagreb Open Ranking Series winner Ali OSKOU (IRI). His run in Zagreb was impressive and he will be confident going into the Asian Championships of winning a gold medal.

Chung's Chance

After bringing a long-awaited medal at the World Championships for Korea in Zagreb, Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) can win more silverware for Korea. Chung won silver in Zagreb at 63kg but is moving up to the Olympic weight class of 67kg for the Asian Championships.

Former U20 world champion Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) will be a tough opponent along with returning silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ). The change in weight class may hurt Chung's chances rather than improving them.

Others at this weight class include Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN), a world bronze medalist from 2022, U23 Asian champion Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ) and returning bronze medalist Man Gwang SON (PRK).

At 55kg, Zagreb Open finalists Mohammad HOSSEINVAND (IRI) and Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) are likely to reach the final in Bishkek as well. Botirov lost the final in Zagreb to Hosseinvand but will look to avenge that loss if the two meet in Bishkek.

Sara NATAMI (JPN) will look to defend her 57kg Asian title in Bishkek. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

WOMEN'S WRESTLING

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) pulled out of the Asian Championships after an injury. Despite her absence, the favorite at 57kg is still a Japanese, Fujinami's replacement Sara NATAMI (JPN).

The depth of the Japanese team will be on display once again at the Asian Championships as the country looks to dominate. Apart from Natami being the favorite to win as defending champion, world champion Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), former world and Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN), who is returning to competition for the first time since Paris Olympics, and two former world champions Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) and Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) are also in the squad.

For Natami to defend her title and win her third Asian gold she will have to go past Olympic bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) in her field. Natami had pinned Hong last year on her way to the gold.

Asian champion at 62kg MANISHA (IND) made a drastic step to drop to 57kg and she began the season with gold at the Zagreb Open. Asian Championships, however, will be a different test.

Big-throwing and Sri Lanka's history-maker Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI), former world 53kg silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) and former Asian silver medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) will have a chance to put themselves on the podium.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will return to the mat for the first since the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Susaki 2.0

Susaki's return will be at 50kg as she prepares for another Olympic cycle after suffering a shock and first international loss at the 2024 Paris Games. The Asian Championships should be a good test for Susaki, who incidentally wrestled her last Asian Championships in Bishkek in 2024 in which she won gold. Susaki will face some familiar foes at the weight class including fellow Paris Olympic bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN).

The Chinese star almost pinned Susaki in the final of the Asian Championships in 2024 before the Japanese managed to comeback and win the gold medal. Feng would look to finally get a win over her.

Son Hyang KIM (PRK), who has wrestled Susaki three times, will look to get one back against the three-time world champion. The two first met at the 2017 Asian Championships and Susaki blanked her en route toher first Asian gold as an 18-year-old.

Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB), who has four bronze medals to her name, will have her eyes on reaching the final this time. NEELAM (IND), a returning bronze medalist, can be among the medalists.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) is a two-time Asian champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Morikawa Eyes Hat-Trick

Morikawa has a perfect record at Asian Championships, winning two golds in as many attempts. But Bishkek will be different as those came at 65kg.

Now at 68kg, it presents a tougher challenge with Olympic silver medalist and home favorite Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) as the biggest one. Zhumanazarova has previously shown her mettle on quite a few occasions and with the home fans behind her, Zhumanazarova can upset Morikawa.

Defending champion Zelu LI (CHN) will be another strong contender. Li won bronze at the World Championships at 72kg but is now back to 68kg

Former world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) and young star Mansi LATHER (IND), a 72kg silver medalist at Zagreb Open, also have a chance to stand on the podium.

Ozaki Back at 62kg

After a whirlwind journey from 62kg to 65kg and then to 68kg which saw her win the world title and Olympic bronze, Ozaki is back to 62kg. She won gold at the Zagreb Open and now starts as the favorite for the Asian Championships.

She would also hope to avenge a loss. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Ozaki was leading the final against Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) when the latter used an arm-throw to clinch a 6-6 criteria win. Mun will be in Bishkek, giving an opportunity to Ozaki to avenge that loss.

Two former world champions are also in the fray -- Qi ZHANG (CHN) and Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL). Both will be in line for medals if not the gold along with world bronze medalist Nigina SABIROVA (UZB).

At 53kg, Kiyooka will hope to regain the Asian title she lost last year. In a one-sided final, Hyo Gyong CHOE (PRK) defeated her 12-1 at 53kg. With Choe not in the field, Kiyooka will be keen to win the gold medal.

She will still have to deal with former U20 world champion and senior silver medalist Jin ZHANG (CHN) and MEENAKSHI (IND) among others.

Japan will also hope that two youngsters can win gold medals in Bishkek.

Zagreb Open champion Nana IKEHATA (JPN) at 65kg and Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) have a great chance to add to Japan's gold tally. While Ikehata doesn't have a deep field at 65kg, world fifth-placer Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) will have to face returning silver medalist Yuxuan LI (CHN) at 55kg. Li remains the favorite to win the title, despite not wrestling internationally since.

U23 world champion Shugyla OMIRBEK (KAZ) is also in the mix as she wrestles in her first senior level continental event.

Home Star Medet Kyzy

Kyrgyzstan will witness world silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) wrestling at home when she steps on the mat to defend her 76kg title. Medet Kyzy is a huge favorite to win gold, unless U20 world champion KAJAL (IND) can spring a surprise.

Another young star India can bet on is NEHA (IND) at 59kg. In an impressive performance, she managed to win silver at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in February.

But navigating a bracket with Asian Championships debutant Sena NAGAMOTO (JPN), winner at the Zagreb Open, and returning bronze medalist Mengyu XIE (CHN) will be tough for Neha. Xie will also like to change the color of her medal and given the depth (or lack of it) at 59kg, she can certainly hope for gold.

Stars Merge at 72kg

A few stars have merged at 72kg. The weight class has former 65kg world champion Jia LONG (CHN), world silver medalist and Asian champion Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), world bronze medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), former Asian champion Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) and former silver medalist HARSHITA (IND), who defeated Bakbergenova last year in Budapest.

Long won bronze at 68kg at the World Championships but is looking for an Asian title at 72kg. But going through Bakbergenova, a legend at 72kg, will be difficult. U23 world champion Nurtaeva is searching for her first Asian medal and wrestling at home may well be the motivation she needs.

Choe crushes Kiyooka to become frontrunner at 53kg

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