Dosho Earns Shot at Olympic Repeat With Win in Japan Team Playoff

Monday, March 9, 2020 - 13:33 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (March 8)—Having stuck it out through trying times since her triumph in Rio four years ago, Sara DOSHO (JPN) finally assured that she will be able to defend her Olympic crown at this summer's Tokyo Games.

Dosho edged world junior champion Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) 3-1 in a special playoff to fill the Olympic spot at 68kg that she herself secured for Japan by placing fifth at last year's World Championships in Nur-Sultan. Morikawa had forced the playoff by winning the All-Japan title last December, where she defeated Dosho 9-2 in the semifinals.

"I had a lot of injuries, but I was able to come back and be here today," Dosho said. "I want to be completely healthy for the Tokyo Olympics and wrestling at a high level. From the time I won in Rio, my aim was to win again in Tokyo. That has not changed. I'll do what I can to make that happen."

Meanwhile, Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) will join younger brother Takuto on Japan's team at Tokyo 2020 after he chalked up a 5-2 victory over Mao OKUI (JPN) at freestyle 74kg in the other playoff held behind closed doors at the National Training Center in Tokyo. Okui had earned Japan's spot by finishing fifth at Nur-Sultan.

Dosho had been through a lot in recent years, most notably missing almost the entire 2018 season after suffering a shoulder injury at the Women's World Cup that required surgery and kept her from defending the world title she won in 2017.

While less dominant than before, Dosho managed to win the national tournaments that earned her a ticket to Nur-Sultan, but she lost in the quarterfinals to Tamyra MENSAH (USA) and the bronze-medal match to Anna SCHELL (GER).

Sara DOSHO (JPN) defeated Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) 3-1 and will represent Japan at the Olympic Games at 68kg. (Photo: ©JWF/Sachiko HOTAKA)

According to Japan federation criteria, any Japanese winning a medal in an Olympic weight in Nur-Sultan automatically filled the berth for Tokyo 2020. Fifth-place finishers could secure the spot by winning the ensuing All-Japan Championships, also referred to as the Emperor's Cup. A loss there set up a playoff with the Emperor's Cup champion for the Tokyo 2020 ticket.

Of the three fifth-place finishers, only Takuto Otoguro followed up with a victory at the Emperor's Cup. Dosho and Okui both went down to defeat, setting up the playoffs.

The wrestle-offs were originally scheduled for Feb. 1, but were postponed when both Keisuke Otoguro and Dosho suffered injuries.

Dosho, 25, said she injured her knee in January and did not restart full-fledged practice until mid-February, and she seemed to need every ounce of energy to hold off the 20-year-old Morikawa.

There was little action in the first period, with Dosho scoring the lone point from the activity clock. Dosho padded her lead early in the second, countering a single-leg attempt by Morikawa and working around behind for 2.

Sara DOSHO (JPN) gets coached by fellow Rio Olympic champions Eri TOSAKA (JPN) and Risako KAWAI (JPN) (Photo: ©JWF/Sachiko HOTAKA)

"My main weapon is my tackle, but in my head, I was hesitant to launch attacks," Dosho said. "The way the match went, it turned out to be a good thing. I can't say it went as a I planned because I didn't get any tackles, but I worked in practice on putting pressure on the opponent and using counters, and that went well."

Morikawa, who is coached at Nippon Sports Science University by four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO and 2008 Olympic silver medalist Kenichi YUMOTO, kept up the attack, and it nearly paid off. She launched a driving double-leg tackle that forced Dosho backward, but was only able to gain a 1-point stepout for the effort.

"If I moved in the first period like I did in the second, it might have changed the flow of the match," Morikawa said. "At first, I thought I could get her to use up her energy, but she ties up well and she's strong. I kept attacking, but my opponent's defense was stiff, and I couldn't finish it off. It's good to keep attacking, but if you don't get points, you won't do well overseas or in Japan."

Before her surprisingly one-sided loss at the Emperor's Cup, Dosho had faced Morikawa three times—all while Morikawa was still a high schooler—and won all three by technical falls. It was certainly a much-improved and matured version with whom she now had to contend.

"Up until recently, I would beat her by technical falls," Dosho said. "But she really got strong and made it a tough match."

As precautionary measures against the new coronavirus, only Japan federation officials and accompanying team personnel were allowed into the NTC wrestling room where the playoffs were held. Even family members were barred. The media had to watch a livestream of the matches via Twitter or Instagram in the pressroom of the nearby soccer stadium. The wrestlers were later brought in one by one for interviews.

Given the limitations, it was interesting to note that all four women's Olympic champions from Rio were involved in the playoff. In Dosho's corner were 48kg gold medalist Eri TOSAKA (JPN) and 63kg winner Risako KAWAI (JPN), who has qualified for Tokyo 2020 at 57kg by winning the world title. On the opposite side of the mat, Icho, the Rio gold medalist at 58kg, was supporting Morikawa.

Dosho, Tosaka and Kawai all have a connection as products of powerhouse Shigakkan University. Dosho said Tosaka's advice before the match was simple: "Have confidence, and don't let your opponent dictate the pace of the match."

Of the four Rio champions, only Kawai and Dosho will be able to attempt a golden repeat. Tosaka failed to make it to the qualifiers at 50kg, while Icho lost out to Kawai, who set up a clash of Olympic champions by moving down to 57kg.

"I feel I can finally relax," Dosho said. "I lost at the World Championships, then I lost at the Emperor's Cup. This would have been the end. I staked everything on this and came into today looking at it as a challenge."

Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) celebrates after beating Mao OKUI (JPN), 5-2, in a special 74kg Olympic wrestle-off. (Photo: ©JWF/Sachiko HOTAKA)

Otoguro Makes Tokyo 2020 a Family Affair
Although the older of the two, Keisuke Otoguro has had to yield the spotlight to brother Takuto, who in 2018 became at 19 Japan's youngest-ever world freestyle champion by winning the 65kg title. Keisuke was also at those World Championships in Budapest, but was ousted in the first round at 70kg.

On Sunday, it was Keisuke's turn to shine, and he did it with help from his family—in this case, his father. While dad was not allowed to watch the match in person, he met with Otoguro before it and offered some advice that would pay off.

As with the women's match to follow, the clash between Otoguro and Okui—who are teammates at the Self-Defense Forces Training School—featured little action in the first period as both remained tentative, and the only scoring was an activity clock point awarded to Otoguro.

Okui, who was hampered by a severe knee injury suffered a month ago, went on the attack in the second period. But he was halted on a fireman's carry attempt, and Otoguro was able to spin behind for a takedown.

From the ground position, Otoguro recalled his father's words and, while pinning one of Okui's leg behind him, gained an arm and body lock that allowed him to lever him over for an eventual roll and a 5-0 lead.

"I thought I could turn him," Otoguro said. "Before the match, I met my father, who wasn't allowed into the match, at the entrance. He said to me that I would probably be able to use that move. Even though he just kind of mentioned it off hand, that was in my head as I fought. I got in that position and I was able to turn him.

"I might have used a different move and it might have changed the outcome of the match. I'm glad we had that chat."

Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) stops a Mao OKUI (JPN) shot in the 74kg special wrestle-off. (Photo: ©JWF/Sachiko HOTAKA)

Okui closed the gap with a single-leg takedown in the final minute, but Otoguro held off later attempts to clinch the win.

The Otoguros will become the first brothers to compete at the same Olympics for Japan since Yumoto and his twin brother Shinichi made the squad for the 2012 London Olympics. Shinichi joined Kenichi as an Olympic medalist at those Games with a bronze at 55kg. Japan will also have a female sibling combination at Tokyo 2020 with Risako and Yukako Kawai.

"Since we were young, we've had a dream of winning the Olympics together," Otoguro said. "At this New Year's, we were reaffirmed our determination to go to the Olympics together, and next, that we will both win gold medals."

Otoguro, who had won national titles at 61kg in 2015 and 70kg in 2017, purposely moved up to 74kg last year in a bid to make the Olympics. It didn't go so well at first. In the second qualifying tournament for the 2019 World Championships, the All-Japan Invitational Championships (Meiji Cup), he lost in the first round. The unheralded Okui won that tournament and earned the ticket to Nur-Sultan, then pulled a surprise by making it to the semifinals and clinching the Olympic spot.

But Otoguro was not discouraged, and came back the following December to win the Emperor's Cup and set up the playoff with Okui.

"A year ago at this time, I didn't get the qualification at the Meiji Cup," Otoguro said. "I stayed calm, and I set my target to meet the standard at the Emperor's Cup. It worked out, and then I could go for the Tokyo Olympics."

Otoguro said it was awkward preparing for the big match in the same wrestling room as his opponent, even though the two had their own training regimens.

"We practice in the same place and our [dormitory] rooms are next to each other, so it made it difficult," Otoguro said. "But we were able to stay separate and keep our focus, as you need to do when everything is on the line. The coaches allowed us to put together a training schedule that best fits us. We prepared separately for this match in our own way."

Okui suffered an anterior cruciate ligament injury that will likely require surgery, but said that was not the cause of his defeat. "I decided that I would wrestle, and I don't want to use that as an excuse," he said. "I thought I had to win however I can, but midway through, I panicked a bit and that led to this result. If I had stayed calmer..."

For his part, he wishes Otoguro well at the Olympics. "I want Keisuke to win the gold medal for us," he said.

Talking about calm, Otoguro said he is not the type to feel pressure and was quite relaxed before the match; Takuto, he said, was "more nervous that me" and was the one who couldn't sleep until 2 a.m.

"I suppose there was a lot of pressure, but I'm the type that doesn't feel it," Keisuke said. "When I woke up this morning, I felt, 'I have a match today, don't I?' After I arrived here, while I was warming up, I felt, 'Yeah, I have a match.' I wasn't feeling nervous."

Otoguro, however, said he started feeling nerves about 10 days ago, mostly because of all the attention he was receiving from those around him. He said it darkened the mood.

"Ten days ago, everyone was saying, 'good luck' and 'we're counting on you,'" Otoguro said. "It subconsciously put pressure on me. At one point, I lost my desire. I was like, who cares about wrestling? But I took some time off, and remembered all I had accomplished since I was little. The hunger came back."

#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships: Mirzazadeh finally topples giant Kayaalp; Makhmudov repeats

Friday, September 22, 2023 - 21:48 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 22) -- After losses to Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in each of the past two years, Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) finally found a way to topple the giant. The way to do it was laterally.

Mirzazadeh scored two stepouts for a dramatic 2-2 victory on last-point criteria late in the Greco-Roman 130kg final over five-time champion Kayaalp at the World Championships on Friday night, avenging losses to the Turkish great in last year's final and at the Tokyo Olympics.

"Right after last year's World Championships where I won the silver medal, after about two weeks, I started training to achieve this gold medal," Mirzazadeh said. "I’m happy that I got the answer for my efforts and was able to win this gold medal."

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) also needed last-point criteria to successfully defend his 77kg crown, holding off a fierce challenge from Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) in a 1-1 nail-biter.

Meanwhile, Azerbaijan claimed the golds in the two non-Olympic weight classes up for grabs, with Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) repeating at 55kg in a rematch of the 2022 final and Olympic bronze medalist Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) regaining the title at 82kg.

The tournament is also serving as the first qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with all of the medalists in the Olympic weights as well as winners of special fifth-place playoffs secured quotas for their countries. Interestingly, all 10 places on the first night of the Greco finals went to different countries.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) celebrates after winning the 130kg final in Belgrade. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

The 25-year-old Mirzazadeh's victory over Kayaalp marked the pinnacle of a journey that started when he first burst onto the senior international scene by winning the gold medal at the 2020 Asian Championships. A year later, he was appearing in his first Olympics, where he lost 7-3 in Tokyo to Kayaalp in the bronze-medal match.

Three months later, he was in Belgrade, where he won the gold at the World U23 Championships. Mirzazadeh and Kayaalp would cross paths for the second time when he returned to Belgrade for last year's worlds, where Kayaalp came away with a 1-1 win for his fifth world title.

Mirzazadeh came into Belgrade this year having won a second Asian title in April and a victory at the Bishkek Ranking Series event in June under his belt.

"I’ll try my best to improve day by day to become better and be able to shine for my country in the next competitions, and be a message of happiness for my people and be able to win a gold medal," Mirzazadeh said. "And also I hope to be able to win a gold medal in the upcoming Olympics."

In Friday's final, Kayaalp received the first of two passivity points, but Mirzazadeh slipped out of the big Turk's grasp in par terre. Only through his remarkable dexterity did Kayaalp avoid giving up a reversal or worse, leaving the score 1-0 as the first period ended.

In the second period, Kayaalp missed a chance to score when the Mirzazadeh lost his balance after a mighty shove but showed some nimbleness himself by scrambling to avoid a stepout. Kayaalp then got a second passivity point to go up 2-0.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) scoring the winning stepout against Riza KAYAALP (TUR). (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Over the past decade or more, at such a point a victory by Kayaalp was almost a done deal. But Mirzazadeh was not ready to concede, and when he scored a stepout with 1:13 left, the cheers from the large Iranian contingent in the crowd started growing louder.

A key point in the match came at :54, when Kayaalp was called for passivity. Mirzazadeh opted to remain standing, feeling that he had a better chance of scoring from his feet. It was the right strategy.

Securing an underhook, he drove Kayaalp toward the edge and, as the two spun completely around once, forced him over the edge with :06.2 on the clock. Kayaalp flopped to the mat in disbelief, and could only stand in shock in the middle as time ran out.

"I know that my family always worked hard for me and I’m always grateful to them," Mirzazadeh said. "For one year, they told me about this, that you should go to the final and beat Riza Kayaalp. 'It's time to do that, you must do that.' And I’m happy that I was able to make them happy."

With the silver he received on Friday, the 33-year-old Kayaalp now has a total of 10 world medals to go along with his silver and two bronzes from the Olympics.

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) defeated Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) in the 77kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Makhmudov, the silver medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, became along with Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) the first Greco-Roman world champions in Kyrgyzstan history when they struck gold together last year in Belgrade.

He needed all of his extraordinary power to stave off Suleymanov in the 77kg final and relegate the Azeri to a second silver medal in three years.

"I don’t know what to say now, it’s difficult to describe it with words," Makhmudov said. "I know one thing for sure, I am very glad. I would like to express my gratitude to all the people who supported me, and to all the Kyrgyz people who prayed for me."

Suleymanov got the first passivity point in the first period, but could not budge Makhmudov in par terre. The same occurred when the situation was reversed in the second period, which put Makhmudov ahead on criteria.

Suleymanov had one solid chance for a winning score, and he came oh so close to getting it. Put on top in par terre with just over a minute to go, he actually lifted Makhmudov off the mat, but couldn't get the inertia to launch a throw. Makhmudov then held on for the win.

"The final match was not very interesting, but it was tense," Makhmudov said. "As it is said, the champion shouldn’t be judged. Most important is that the hand was raised. I wrestled clean, and I am glad."

To make the final, Makhmudov had to survive an inspired comeback from unheralded Nao KUSAKA (JPN) in the semifinals on Thursday.

"The match against the Japanese wrestler was very interesting," Makhmudov said. "He later won the bronze medal. He is a very worthy opponent.

"I can’t say that I was in my best shape. It was only around 30-40 percent. An athlete can not always be in top physical shape. For now, I have to work hard for the Olympics in order to get into my best shape."

Makhmudov has a little turnaround time before preparing for his next challenge, the Asian Games in China in two weeks. But he is already considering the preparations for Paris.

"In order to win the Olympic gold, I must think about it all the time, when I wake up in the morning, and when I go to bed," he said. "There isn’t much time left, only 10 months.

"Hopefully, if don’t have any injuries or problems, I will do my best to prepare for the Olympics. I was one step away from the Olympic gold [in 2021]. I really want to win the Olympic gold medal for my people."

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) became a three-time world champion for Azerbaijan. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

At 55kg, Azizli got the best of Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) for the second year in a row, chalking up a 13-4 technical fall in a match that got off to an explosive start and was over in less than a minute.

In a blink-and-you-missed-it moment, Tsurtsumia, the 2019 world champion, caught Azizil with a 4-point arm throw. But the Azeri rolled through the move to get 2 of his own and landed in the top position. From there, Azizli hit a pair of lift-and-throws, and a 2-point fleeing penalty against Tsurtsumia put Azizli up 10-4.

Because of the caution, the match resumed with Azizli on top in par terre, and it ended after 49 seconds with another 2-point penalty against Tsurtsumia after his arm got caught between the two bodies and touched the leg. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

For Azizli, a seven-time European medalist, the victory gave him a third world title and fifth world medal overall. He first won the gold in 2018.

Huseynov followed a short time later by edging Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) 2-1 in the 82kg final, with a reversal from the bottom of par terre in the first period proving the difference.

The 35-year-old Huseynov regained the world gold he won two years ago in Oslo. He also has a silver medal from 2019.

Oscar PINO (CUB) won the bronze medal at 130kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Pino opens Olympic door for Lopez

In the bronze-medal matches, Oscar PINO (CUB) got an exposure that was upgraded after a challenge by his opponent and came away with a 5-1 victory over Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU) at 130kg for which compatriot Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) will likely be the beneficiary.

Pino was given two points for his effort from par terre, but when the Lithuanian challenged whether there was exposure or not, it backfired and the call was changed to four. Fridrikas gained a stepout point in the second period but could otherwise not budge the burly Cuban.

For Pino, it was his fourth world medal. But it also earned Cuba the Olympic quota, and it appears likely that Pino will yield the spot to the legendary Lopez so that he can make a run at an unprecedented fifth Olympic gold.

Six-time African champion Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) picked up his first global medal when he survived a late surge by Lingzhe MENG (CHN) and notched a 3-2 victory for the other 130kg bronze.

Mohamed had two passivity points and a stepout for a 3-0 lead when Meng put the pressure on, scoring two stepouts in the final minute. And he was pressing for another when time ran out.

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) tries to pin Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) on his way to win the 77kg bronze medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) will leave Belgrade with a bronze medal for the second straight year, with the added bonus of a Paris quota, after rallying with a 4-point throw to defeat Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) 9-7 in a thriller at 77kg.

Amoyan, the world champion in 2021, was leading 3-2 in the second period when Zhadrayev got a stepout, a failed challenge point and a passivity point to go ahead 5-3. But when he attempted a roll from par terre, Amoyan stepped over and stuffed it for 2.

Amoyan wasn't finished there. Ending up on top, he flung the Kazakh for 4 to put the match out of reach. Zhadrayev, a four-time Asian medalist still looking for his first world medal, got a late stepout and fleeing penalty point.

Nao KUSAKA (JPN) won his first bout against Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) at 77kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Kusaka, a world U23 bronze medalist, capped an impressive performance in his senior debut by notching an 8-0 technical fall over former world silver medalist Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) for the other 77kg bronze and Paris ticket.

Put in par terre in the first period, Kusaka responded with a somewhat unorthodox reverse headlock for 2, then later got a fourth point when the Uzbeki side unsuccessfully challenged a 4-point move that was judged a trip.

In the second period, Kusaka let fly with a lightning-quick arm throw for 4 that ended the match at 3:20, making him the heaviest Greco-Roman world medalist in Japanese history.

There had never been a Japanese on the podium over 68kg.

"It's my specialty," Kusaka said of his winning throw. "On the biggest stage, I wanted to use my top move."

Kusaka showed he had the potential to make his mark in Belgrade when he finished second at the Grand Prix of Germany in August, where he lost in the final to Victor NEMES (SRB), who fell in the quarterfinals on Thursday.

The 22-year-old Kusaka, an alumnus of wrestling power Nippon Sports Science University, put on quite a show in Belgrade, beating three-time world medalist Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI) in the first round and giving Makhmudov a run for his money in the semifinals.

Now he is setting his sights even higher. By winning a medal in Belgrade, Kusaka automatically fills the Olympic spot himself in accordance with criteria established by the Japanese federation.

"The real competition starts from now," Kusaka said. "You don't get anything just for being in the Olympics, in the end, you have to win a medal. Well, a medal, I want to win the gold."

At 55kg, Asian champion Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) added a senior bronze to the world U23 gold he won last year, getting two gut wrenches in par terre in the first period and holding on to defeat Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) 6-3.

Dad Marz looked well on his way to victory when he held out on the bottom of par terre in the second period. But Mukashev suddenly came to life and scored a takedown with 25 seconds, then lifted Dad Marz into the air for what could have been a winning throw. But he never got one off, and a challenge that had no chance added the final point.

Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) came away with a world bronze for the second straight year, defeating Artiom DELEANU (MDA) 6-1 in the other third-place match at 55kg.

Ortikboev, a two-time Asian medalist, used an arm drag for a takedown, then added an exposure and gut wrench to put Deleanu into a six-point hole. Deleanu managed a stepout off a whizzer counter in the second period, but nothing more.

Aues GONIBOV (AIN) will take home a bronze in his senior world debut, and it only took defeating the reigning world and European champion. The 2019 world junior (U20) silver medalist defeated Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) 6-3 at 82kg.

Gonibov opened with a stepout, then, put on top in par terre, received a 2-point penalty while trying to execute a throw. He followed that with a 2-point throw to go up 6-0. In the second period, Akbudak had his chance in par terre, but could only manage one roll from a reverse body lock.

Akbudak will leave Belgrade empty-handed after winning a silver in 2021 and the gold last year.

European silver medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) also became a bronze medalist for the second straight year when he came out on top of Mihail BRADU (MDA) in an 82kg match limited to passivity points.

Bradu received a point in the first period and Filchakov in the second, and when neither could generate any technical points, it gave the Ukrainian the win.

Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) won the Olympic playoff at 77kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling)

Uzbekistan, China gain Paris places

In the Olympic weights, Vardanyan and Meng gave Uzbekistan and China, respectively, a Paris berth by coming back to the mat and winning fifth-place playoffs.

Vardanyan exected two gut wrenches from par terre in the first period, then held on for a 5-4 victory over Zhadrayev at 77kg.

For Meng, getting the second passivity point gave him a 1-1 victory on last-point criteria over Fridrakas at 130kg.

Day 7 Results

Greco-Roman

55kg (20 entries)
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) by TF, 13-4, :49

BRONZE: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) df. Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ), 6-3
BRONZE: Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) df. Artiom DELEANU (MDA), 6-1

60kg (40 entries)
GOLD: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) vs. Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)

Semifinal: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) df. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM), 5-1
Semifinal: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), 4-3

72kg (24 entries)
GOLD: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) vs. Robert FRITSCH (HUN)

Semifinal: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) df. Selcuk CAN (TUR), 4-0
Semifinal: Robert FRITSCH (HUN) df. Shingo HARADA (JPN), 3-1

77kg (45 entries)
GOLD: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 1-1

BRONZE: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), 9-7
BRONZE: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) df. Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) by TF, 8-0, 3:20

5th-Place Playoff: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) df. Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), 5-4

82kg (24 entries)
GOLD: Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) df. Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI), 2-1

BRONZE: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) df. Mihail BRADU (MDA), 1-1
BRONZE: Aues GONIBOV (AIN) df. Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), 6-3

97kg (37 entries)
GOLD: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) vs Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB)

Semifinal: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU) by TF, 9-0, 2:02
Semifinal: Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) df. Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), 3-0

130kg (30 entries)
GOLD: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. Riza KAYAALP (TUR), 2-2

BRONZE: Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) df. Lingzhe MENG (CHN), 3-2
BRONZE: Oscar PINO (CUB) df. Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU), 5-1

5th-Place Playoff: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) df. Romas FRIDRIKAS (LTU), 1-1

Dosho Earns Shot at Olympic Repeat With Win in Japan Team Playoff

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World Championships: Mirzazadeh finally topples giant Kayaalp; Makhmudov repeats