End of 2020 Olympic Road for Rio Medalists Tosaka, Ota; Susaki, Irie Set up Latest Showdown

Saturday, December 21, 2019 - 17:07 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (Dec. 21)—Looking to add to the medals they won at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Eri TOSAKA and Shinobu OTA faced difficult paths to Tokyo 2020. The road came to a disappointing and official end for both on Saturday.

Rio champion Tosaka fell in the women’s 50kg semifinals at the All Japan Championships to a determined Yui SUSAKI, who set up yet another showdown with nemesis Yuki IRIE in her rejuvenated bid for a place at Tokyo 2020.

Ota, denied at Greco-Roman 60kg, moved up two weight classes to 67kg in a desperate attempt to make it to Tokyo 2020, but the Rio silver medalist at 59kg was dealt an unceremonious thrashing in his first-round match.

Meanwhile, the Olympic ambitions of two other Rio medalists—Sara DOSHO and Rei HIGUCHI—remained alive for now, but after very different outcomes on the third day of action at Tokyo’s Komazawa Olympic Park Gym.

Following her triumph at 48kg at Rio, Tosaka missed two years after being plagued by injuries and undergoing foot surgery. During her time off, Susaki emerged as the new star in the lightest weight class, taking senior world titles in 2017 and 2018 while still a teenager.

Yui SUSAKI, a two-time world champion, defeated Olympic champion Eri TOSAKA, 6-0, in the 50kg semifinals and will meet rival Yuki IRIE in the gold-medal bout. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

For Susaki, Tosaka had been a role model.

“She was an athlete I really looked up to,” Susaki said of Tosaka after beating her 6-0 on Saturday. “Whenever something appeared in the newspaper about her, I always read it closely. When things got tough, I would think about how Tosaka would deal with it, and that I should do the same.”

But the 20-year-old Susaki, who won the last of three consecutive world cadet titles in 2016, quickly went from fan to rival.

“The moment that the [match at the] Rio Olympics ended and she was on the medal podium, she changed from an athlete I admire to the athlete I want most to beat,” Susaki said.

Susaki, who had beaten Tosaka by technical fall at the All-Japan Invitational Championships in June, came out aggressively in Saturday’s match.

In the first period, she scored with a powerful double-leg takedown, then added a step-out for a 3-0 lead that she padded with a spin-behind takedown and another step-out in the second.

“There was some fear and uneasiness, but my feeling of wanting to win was so strong, it overcame that,” Susaki said. “That’s why I kept attacking at the end.”

Tosaka said she was better prepared, both mentally and physically, for this encounter.

“In June, I had the desire to win, but I didn’t think I could,” a tearful Tosaka said. “After a half year, I thought, I want to win and I believe I can win. I wrestled with the same mentality hat I had at the Rio Olympics.”

While Susaki moved a step closer to the Olympics, she is far from out the woods. She will have to find a way to get past Irie, the defending champion in the tournament also referred to as the Emperor’s Cup. In the other semifinal, Irie defeated Remina YOSHIMOTO 4-1.

Her recent battles with Irie have been epic, and are indirectly the reason Japan did not gain a spot at Tokyo 2020 at the World Championships in Nur-Sultan in a weight class it has dominated for more than a decade.

Irie remains the only wrestler on the planet to have ever beaten Susaki, and the third time she did it was in a playoff in July for a place on the team to the Nur-Sultan.

A medal there, regarded as a foregone conclusion, would have automatically earned Irie a spot at Tokyo 2020. But when she failed to finish even in the top six, the door reopened for Susaki and the others.

“I am back at the starting line, and I am absolutely determined to get revenge for the playoff, win [in the final of] the Emperor’s Cup and get to the Tokyo Olympics,” Susaki declared.

In that and the other Olympic weight classes in which Japan did not qualify for Tokyo 2020 at the worlds, the Emperor’s Cup winner will get a chance to earn a berth at the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament in Xi’an, China, in March.

Ota was hoping to be on that flight, but will now only be an observer to the Olympic process.

Ota had been beaten out at 60kg for a place on the team to Nur-Sultan by Kenichiro FUMITA, who clinched the Tokyo 2020 spot by winning the gold medal. Ota gained some consolation by moving up to 63kg and impressively winning his first world title.

But the Olympics were always his goal, and the only opening was at 67kg. He had hoped to gain some experience at that weight class at the World Cup, but the event was canceled due to political unrest in host Iran.

Still, he felt he was well prepared, although things could hardly have gone worse.

Looking ahead to a second-round clash with fellow world team member Shogo TAKAHASHI, Ota was taken to task by his unheralded first-round opponent, Takayuki INOGUCHI, a fifth-place finisher at the 2018 Asian Championships at 63kg.

Inoguchi stuffed Ota when the Olympic medalist attempted a reverse arm throw, sticking him onto his back and making him fight desperately to avoid a fall. A somewhat mysterious 2-point caution put Ota into a 4-0 hole.

Less than a minute into the second period, Inoguchi caught Ota with the same move that Ota had botched in the first period, a 4-point throw that sent him to his back again. When Ota avoided the fall, it only served to make the official result an 8-0 technical fall at 3:50.

“From the mistake I made on the first throw, and I don’t know why I got the caution, that changed the complexion of the match,” Ota said. “I panicked a little. The throw that he executed he timed perfectly.”

Ota admits that looking ahead to the next match contributed to his downfall.

“I thought too much about the second-round match with Takahashi, and this was the result,” he said.

Despite the loss, Ota said he didn’t feel a physical difference in the higher weight class, having prepared by training in Russia with heavier wrestlers.

“I prepared my body to compete at 67kg,” he said. “I didn’t feel a difference in weight class. That will not be an excuse. It was a match I feel I should have won.”

Miwa MORIKAWA upset Olympic champion Sara DOSHO, 9-2, in the semifinals at 68kg. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Dosho in decline; Higuchi on a high
Dosho hardly looked like an Olympic champion in losing 9-2 to World Cup teammate Miwa MORIKAWA in the semifinals at women’s 68kg, which puts up another barrier for her to get to Tokyo 2020.

Dosho secured a berth for Japan by placing fifth at Nur-Sultan, and would have filled it herself with a victory in the Emperor’s Cup. Now she will have to win a playoff on Feb. 1 against the winner of the final between Morikawa and Naruha MATSUYUKI , who knocked off world 72kg bronze medalist Masako FURUICHI, 3-0 in the other semifinal.

Dosho could be considered fortunate to even get to the semifinals, after barely squeezing out a 5-3 win over world 72kg junior champion Yuka KAGAMI in her previous match.

With Dosho leading 2-1, with all points scored on the activity clock, Kagami shot for a single and, with Dosho atop her back, she cleverly rose up and fell backwards, so that Dosho landed on her back, giving her 2 points with :17 left. After scrambling back to her knees, Dosho started trying to lever Kagami over, and finally got her past a 90-degree angle in the last five seconds for the win.

Higuchi, the Rio 2016 silver medalist at freestyle 57kg, had also shifted two weight classes in a bid to get to Tokyo 2020. But in direct contrast to Ota, Higuchi went down two divisions.

The 2018 U-23 world champion at 65kg, he had attempted but failed to unseat that year’s senior world champion Takuto OTOGURO for a ticket to Nur-Sultan. So he went down to 57kg, the division in which 2017 world gold medalist Yuki TAKAHASHI was unable to secure an Olympic berth.

On Saturday, Higuchi advanced to the final by scoring a takedown in the final half-minute to edge Kaiki YAMAGUCHI 3-2. That sets up a clash with Takahashi, who chalked up a fall and two technical falls en route to earning a chance for a fourth straight national title.

Takuto OTOGURO will square off with Rinya NAKAMURA in the 65kg. If Otoguro wins, he'll earn the Tokyo 2020 berth outright at 65kg. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Otoguro brothers stay in Olympic chase
Otoguro, also a fifth-place finisher at Nur-Sultan, kept his chances of earning the Tokyo 2020 berth outright at 65kg when he made it to the final against Rinya NAKAMURA, whom he beat by fall at last year’s Emperor’s Cup.

The other Japanese wrestler who clinched an Olympic berth at Nur-Sultan but did not medal, Mao OKUI at freestyle 74kg, will have to take the playoff route to Tokyo 2020 after losing 4-3 in the first round to Yuto MIWA.

Miwa subsequently lost to Keisuke OTOGURO, Takuto’s older brother, who had moved up from 70kg and kept his long-shot Olympic dream alive by making the 74kg final.

His opponent will be Daichi TAKATANI, who will be looking for revenge of sorts. Takatani had tried to make the worlds at 65kg, but lost to Takuto Otoguro in last year’s Emperor’s Cup final.

Takatani had an eventful day to say the least, using his bold and somewhat unorthodox counters to score four straight technical falls. That included a dramatic 15-5 win in the quarterfinals over Yuhi FUJINAMI, a 2017 world bronze medalist at 70kg who has returned from an injury-plagued season.

Haruna OKUNO captured the 53kg title with a 3-2 win over Nanami IRIE. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Okuno gains revenge, 2nd national title
Former world champion Haruna OKUNO, squeezed out of the Tokyo 2020 chase during the scramble into the Olympic weight classes, picked up her second national title at 53kg with a 3-2 victory over Nanami IRIE.

That win avenged a loss to Irie in a playoff in July for the world team to Nur-Sultan at 55kg, in which Irie went on to win the silver medal. Okuno, the 2018 world champion at 53kg, had been beaten out at that weight class by 55kg world gold medalist Mayu MUKAIDA.

In the final, Okuno scored a first-period takedown, but Irie went ahead on criteria with a takedown of her own early in the second period. Pressing to get the winning points, Okuno forced Irie out for a 1-point stepout with 1:03 left and held on for the win.

Sosuke TAKATANI, a 2014 world silver medalist at freestyle 74kg and Daichi’s older brother, will get another shot to qualify for his third Olympics after defending his 86kg crown, his ninth straight national title overall.

Takatani scored a takedown in each period in rolling to a 6-0 victory over Hayato ISHIGURO to earn his ticket to the Asian qualifying tournament after failing to secure an Olympic berth at Nur-Sultan.

In two Olympic weight classes in Greco with tickets to Xi’an on the line, the representative in Nur-Sultan came out on top, with Masato SUMI winning at 87kg for his third straight title and fourth overall, and Arata SONODA making it six straight at 130kg.

High schooler Yudai TAKAHASHI nearly grabbed the 79kg title but fell short on criteria against Shinkichi OKUI. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

High school hex strikes again
The high school hex continued in the men’s styles at the Emperor’s Cup when Yudai TAKAHASHI had the freestyle 79kg title ripped from his grasp in the final seconds by Shinkichi OKUI.

Okui’s spin-behind takedown at the buzzer, awarded on challenge, gave him a 3-3 win on last-point criteria over Takahashi, who was bidding to become the first high schooler to win a freestyle championship since Yuji ISHIJIMA won the 52kg gold exactly 30 years ago.

On Friday, two high schoolers attempting to become the first-ever Emperor’s Cup champs in Greco-Roman both lost in their respective finals, as well as another in a freestyle final.

Day 3 results

Freestyle

57kg (25 entries)
Semifinals
Yuki TAKAHASHI df. Kotaro KIYOOKA by TF, 11-1, 5:48
Rei HIGUCHI df. Kaiki YAMAGUCHI, 3-2

65kg (21 entries)
Semifinals
Takuto OTOGURO df. Ryoma ANRAKU, 8-1
Rinya NAKAMURA df. Takuma TANIYAMA by TF, 11-0, 4:21

74kg (26 entries)
Semifinals
Keisuke OTOGURO df. Ken HOSAKA, 3-3
Daichi TAKATANI df. Jintaro MOTOYAMA by TF, 12-2, 4:42

79kg (11 entries)
Final - Shinkichi OKUI df. Yudai TAKAHASHI, 3-3
3rd Place - Taro UMEBAYASHI df. Yoshiaki NARABU by Def.
3rd Place – Yuta Abe df. Katsuya MURASHIMA by TF, 11-0, 3:47

86kg (11 entries)
Final - Sosuke TAKATANI df. Hayato ISHIGURO, 6-0
3rd Place - Shutaro YAMADA df. Takahiro MURAYAMA, 6-4
3rd Place - Shota SHIRAI df. Masao MATSUSAKA, 7-6

92kg (9 entries)
Final - Takuma OTSU df. Ryoichi YAMANAKA, 9-1
3rd Place - Koji YAMANE df. Yudai YOKOTA, 3-0
3rd Place - Takumi TANIZAKI df. Akinobu TAKEUCHI, 5-0

Greco-Roman

63kg (15 entries)
Final - Yoshiki YAMADA df. Masaki ISHIKAWA by TF, 9-1, 4:09
3rd Place - Harushi SHIMAYA df. Yusuke KITAOKA by TF, 8-0, 2:16
3rd Place - Ichito TOKUHIGA df. Shinsei YAMAMOTO by TF, 10-0, :56

67kg (21 entries)
Semifinals
Shogo TAKAHASHI df. Katsuaki ENDO by TF, 9-0, 4:01
Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA df. Yuji UEGAKI by Fall, 1:18 (7-0)

77kg (17 entries)
Semifinals
Shohei YABIKU df. Tomohiro INOUE, 5-1
Kodai SAKURABA df. Takeshi IZUMI by TF, 13-5, 4:41

87kg (12 entries)
Final - Masato SUMI df. Takahiro TSURUDA, 6-1
3rd Place - Kanta SHIOKAWA df. Ryota NASUKAWA, 3-1
3rd Place - Ryosei OGATA df. Kaito MIYAMOTO by Fall, 2:27 (2-5)

130kg (10 entries)
Final - Arata SONODA df. Ryota KONO by TF, 9-0, 1:52
3rd Place - Shoma SUZUKI df. Tsuyoki HISAKA, 5-1
3rd Place - Sota OKUMURA df. Keita BANCHI by Def.

Women’s Wrestling

50kg (25 entries)
Semifinals
Yuki IRIE df. Remina YOSHIMOTO, 4-1
Yui SUSAKI df. Eri TOSAKA, 6-0

53kg (14 entries)
Final - Haruna OKUNO df. Nanami IRIE, 3-2
3rd Place - Umi IMAI df. Yuka YAGO, 7-5
3rd Place - Yumi SHIMONO df. Yu MIYAHARA by Def.

57kg (8 entries)
Final - Sae NANJO df. Akie HANAI, 4-0
3rd Place - Sena NAGAMOTO df. Chiho HAMADA, 7-6
3rd Place - Hanako SAWA df. Wakana OTA by TF, 10-0, 5:09

62kg (11 entries)
Final - Ami ISHII df. Atena KODAMA, 4-2
3rd Place - Yuzuru KUMANO df. Suzu YABIKU by Fall, 1:22 (4-0)
3rd Place - Kumi IRIE df. Yui SAKANO, 4-1

68kg (9 entries)
Semifinals
Miwa MORIKAWA df. Sara DOSHO, 9-2
Naruha MATSUYUKI df. Masako FURUICHI, 3-0

72kg (3 entries)
Round-Robin, Final Standings
1. Mei SHINDO (2-0)
2. Kanon KOBAYASHI (1-1)
3. Mai HAYAKAWA (0-2).
Key match: Mei SHINDO df. Kanon KOBAYASHI by Fall, 2:20 (5-0)

#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.

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