End of the year freestyle rankings

Friday, November 11, 2022 - 11:18 By Eric Olanowski & Vinay Siwach

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (November 11) -- The final set of rankings for the freestyle wrestlers is out. With more than six ranking events and two championships, wrestlers had the opportunity to finish in the top three and collect the prize money.

The wrestlers managed to claim the points from the four Ranking Series events, continental championships and the World Championships. Two Games were also included in the Rankings Series but a total of only four events were counted for awarding the points.

Here are the rankings after the 2022 season.

Thomas GILMAN (USA) claimed the top spot at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

57kg
1. Thomas GILMAN (USA) - $5000
2. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) - $3000
3. Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) - $2000

Thomas GILMAN (USA) earned the top billing at 57kg after medaling in three point-earning events. He won the Pan-American Championships and the Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series event before closing the season with a runner-up finish at the World Championships. Altogether, the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist was 10-1 on the season.

Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) grabbed gold in Belgrade and collected 45,000 Ranking Series points, which was good enough to catapult him to the No. 2 spot in the 57kg rankings. With his win over Gilman in the 57kg world finals, the 29-year-old Albanian made history for his country, becoming the first wrestler to win a world title.

Abakarov’s gold in Belgrade also earned a berth on the All-World team for the 2022 Freestyle World Cup, which will take place in Coralville, Iowa, USA, December 10-11.

Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) finished the season tied with Abakarov with 45,000, but due to the Albanian’s higher placement at the World Championships, the Mongolian ended up in the third position in the 57kg rankings. His 2022 body of work included fifth-place finishes at the Asian Championships and Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event, before finishing the season with a bronze medal at the 2022 World Championships.

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) won the world title and the top spot at 61kg. (Photo: UWW /Kadir Caliskan)

61kg
1. Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) - $5000
2. Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) - $3000
3. Suleyman ATLI (TUR) - $2000

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) went 8-0 during his 2022 season and finished the year as the 61kg’s top guy. He won four matches in each of his outings and submitted to the podium at the Asian Championships and World Championships.

Armenian youngster Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) rounds out the year ranked second in the world at 61kg after collecting European gold and a world bronze.

Harutyunyan had his handed raised in 11 of the 12 bouts he competed in this season, and only fell to eventual world champion Higuchi in the world quarterfinals. Despite it not counting towards his senior-level point total, the 23-year-old native of Masis, Armenia, won his second consecutive U23 world title.

Suleyman ATLI (TUR) ended the year ranked third in the world at 61kg with 39,120 points. He was a runner-up at the European Championships and a bronze-medal finisher at the Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series. Although he didn’t win a medal, he did finish in the top ten of the World Championships and Yasar Dogu Ranking Series event.

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) won the Asian and world titles to leapfrong his opponents for the number one rank at 65kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

65kg
1. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) - $5000
2. Bajrang BAJRANG (IND). - $3000
3. Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) - $2000

Belgrade world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) topped the rankings at 65kg after snagging golds at the Continental and World Championships. During his 2022 campaign, the 20-year-old Iranian youngster beat Tokyo Olympic medalists Haji ALIYEV (AZE) and Bajrang BAJRANG (IND).

Amouzad took out Bajrang, a Tokyo bronze medal winner, to win the Asian title. Then, he cruised to a 9-2 win over three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Aliyev in the world semifinals.

Bajrang edged Hungary’s Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) by 200 points for the No. 2 spot at 65kg.

Bajrang earned a silver medal at the Asian Championships and bronze medals at the Bolt Turlykhanov Cup and World Championships and finished the season with 44,200 points.

Muszukajev won the European Championships and took home a bronze from the World Championships, completing the year with 44,000 points.

Sebastian RIVERIA (PUR) also had 44,000 points but he did not win a medal at the World Championships while Muszukajev did to finish ahead of Riveria.

Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) finished with 57720 points to claim the top rank at 70kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

70kg
1. Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) - $5000
2. Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) - $3000
3. Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) - $2000

At 70kg, 2,720 points were the difference between the first and third-ranked wrestlers.

Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO) edged Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) for the top spot with three medals in point-based events. He won European gold in Hungary and finished with bronze medals at the World Championships and Yasar Dogu Ranking Series events.

Akmataliev laid it on the line at a pair of Ranking Series events, and the Asian and World Championships. He medaled in three of those events, finishing with gold, silver and bronze at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup, Asian Championships and World Championships, respectively. He fell short of the top spot by 2,200 points – which could have happened with a mere 10th place or better finish at a Ranking Series event.

Despite winning Asian and world gold, Narikuni fell 2,720 points -- equivalent to a ninth-place finish at a Ranking Series event -- short of claiming the top spot at the weight.

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) and Kyle DAKE (USA) finished 1-2 respectively at 74kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

74kg
1. Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) - $5000
2. Kyle DAKE (USA) - $3000
3. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) - $2000

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) grabbed the No. 1 spot in the world rankings after winning 15 consecutive matches before falling in the world finals to No. 2 Kyle DAKE (USA).

Salkazanov won his second consecutive European title and grabbed Ranking Series titles at the Matteo Pellicone and the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup. He competed in two more competitions than his American foe and outscored him by 13,000 points.

This season, Dake competed at the World and Pan-American Championships and won gold at both events. It was his fourth consecutive gold-medal finish at the World Championships and second title-winning effort at the Pan-Am C’ships. He finished the season with 58,000 ranking points, which was 11,000 points ahead of the third-ranked wrestler.

Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) rounded out the season ranked No. 3 in the world after a trio of top ten finished. He started the season with a gold-medal win at the Yasar Dogu, then finished in fifth and eighth place at the World and European Championships, respectively.

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) remained untouched at the top spot at 79kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

79kg
1. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) - $5000
2. Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) - $3000
3. Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) - $2000

There was no one challenging Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) for the top spot at 79kg and he never gave anyone a chance as well. In Belgrade, Burroughs won a record sixth world title. He finished at the top of the rankings with 63000 points with 45000 points coming from the gold in Belgrade. Apart from that, he won the Yasar Dogu event at the beginning of the year for 13000 points before the Pan-Am gold awarded him 5000 points.

The second spot sees a surprise as Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) jumped from 14th to second. He has 51700 points with 31000 points coming from the bronze medal at the World Championships. He was also a bronze medalist at the Yasar Dogu for 10200 points. Another bronze at the Asian Championships awarded him 6500 points. He decided to participate in the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup as well and finished fifth for 4000 points.

But his participation in various events helped him finish better than World Championships silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) who has 45000 points. The silver in Belgrade was worth 37000 points and the other 8000 points were won at the Zouhaier Sghaier event as he finished that with a gold medal.

Boris MAKOEV (SVK) outclassed other acclaimed wrestlers at 86kg and won the top spot. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

86kg
1. Boris MAKOEV (SVK) - $5000
2. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) - $3000
3. David TAYLOR (USA) - $2000

There was little separating the top two at 86kg but Boris MAKOEV (SVK) clinched the top spot with 100 points more than Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ). Makoev finished with 49100 points thanks to his participation in four events. He began with a ninth-place finish at the European Championships for 6500 points before winning silver at Bolat Turlykhanov Cup and bronze at Matteo Pellicone. The two medals were worth a combined 11600 points. He finished the season with a bronze medal at the World Championships for 31000 points.

Dauletbekov also participated in four events with Asian Championships being his first. He won gold at 86kg for 10000 points before adding 4000 points for a fifth-place finish at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup, perhaps the most crucial tournament in hindsight.

The Kazakhstan wrestler did win the Zouhaier Sghaier event but the gold was worth only 4000 points for him. He matched Makoev for the bronze at the World Championships but failed to overtake him for the top rank.

The third spot was claimed by world champion David TAYLOR (USA) who finished with 45000 points, all of which came from the gold he won in Belgrade.

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) also finished with 45000 points but in fourth place as Taylor won gold in Belgrade while Yazdani won silver.

Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) finished with 53000 points in 2022. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

92kg
1. Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) - $5000
2. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) - $3000
3. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) - $2000

World champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) was the clear favorite to finish at the first spot and he did that by winning the gold medal in Belgrade at 92kg. He got 45000 points for the win and 8000 points more from the gold he won at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup for a total of 53000 points.

Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) made a big jump from the 11th spot to the second by winning a bronze medal at the World Championships. With 49700 points, the made sure he was clear of the other bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE). In the three events he participated in for points, Maisuradze won bronze at the European Championships for 6500 points, the same as Nurmagomedov who also won a bronze.

At the Matteo Pellicone, the two met in the final that was won by Nurmagomedov who got 8000 points while Maisuradze got 6400 points. Both then went on to win the bronze medals at the Worlds.

Maisuradze's 5800 points more than Nurmagomedov came from the Yasar Dogu event in which he finished ninth.

Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) were in the world finals and finished number one and two in the rankings. (Photo: UWW / Kostandin Andonov)

97kg
1. Kyle SNYDER (USA) - $5000
2. Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) - $3000
3. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) - $2000

The world finalists Kyle SNYDER (USA) and Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) were in a close battle for the top spot and the former clinched it with 500 points more than Tsakulov.

Snyder won the Pan-Am gold medal for 10000 points before winning the Zouhaier Sghaier gold and World gold for 8000 points and 45000 points respectively to finish with 63000 points.

Tsakulov began with a bronze medal at the European Championships for 6500 points before winning two rankings series -- Bolat Turlykhanov and Matteo Pellicone -- for 8000 points and 11000 points respectively. His silver at World Championships was worth only 37000 points as he fell short of Snyder's tally.

Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) claimed the third spot with 47520 points which he accumulated by winning the European Championships for 10000 points, finishing seventh at Matteo Pellicone for 6520 points and winning bronze at World Championships for 31000 points.

Taha AKGUL (TUR) claimed the world gold and the first rank at 125kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostandin Andonov)

125kg
1. Taha AKGUL (TUR) - $5000
2. Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) - $3000
3. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) - $2000

Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) exchanged the top two spots for a long time but the former raced ahead after winning the European and World Championships. The two gold medals were worth 55000 points and he also won the gold at Yasar Dogu for 13000 points, taking his total to 63000 points.

Petriashvili won silver at the European Championships for 8000 points but won the Matteo Pellicone and Zouhaier Sghaier rankings events, for 8000 points each. With 24000 points, gold at World Championships would have taken him to the top but he finished with bronze and 31000 points to settle for the second spot with 55000 points.

The third spot went to Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) who stunned Petriashvili to reach the World Championships final at 125kg. He reach the final at Yasar Dogu and got 11400 points. A bronze medal at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup added 5200 points more to his account. With 37000 points from the World Championships, he finished with 53600 points and the third spot.

#wrestlebishkek

India, DPR Korea and China top nations at Asian Olympic qualifier

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 04:03 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 20) -- Asian OG Qualifier enters its second day with Women's Wrestling in six Olympic weight classes. 12 Olympic quotas will be awarded for Paris 2024.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | FREESTYLE REPORT

76 wrap: World U23 champion REETIKA (IND) gives India its third win of the night with an untroubled 7-0 victory over Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE). Reetika scores a pair of takedowns by spinning to the side off a front headlock, then adds a stepout for a 5-0 lead. It is much the same tactic in the second period to add another takedown to the tally as she keeps Chang at bay and is content to run out the clock in her fourth match of the day.

China won its third quota as well with Juan WANG (CHN) defeating Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) 6-1 in the semifinal. Bakbergenova got on board first as for Wang's passivity but was put on the activity clock in the second period and she failed to score to give Wang a 1-1 criteria lead. Wang held on to that lead till the final 10 seconds when she made a desperate attempt and Wang circled and pulled off a suplex for four. Kazakhstan challenged the call but lost giving one more point to Wang.

68kg wrap: Hosts Kyrgyzstan gets its third Paris 2024 quota as former world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) holds on to a 7-3 win over Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB).

Sol Gum PAK (PRK) pulls off a thrilling 7-4 victory over three-time Asian Games champion and two-time Olympian Feng ZHOU (CHN) to give the DPR Korea its third win in four matches. Pak, who needed to beat Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) in her final round-robin group match to make the qualifying match, opens with a takedown, but the lanky Zhou comes back with a counter lift from a front body lock to lead 2-2 on criteria at the break. In the second period, Pak goes ahead with a single-leg takedown from an underhook. As the clock ticks down, Zhou secures a front headlock and tries to muscle Pak over. Pak stops the throw for a moment to get a 2-point exposure before Zhou completes the roll. An unsuccessful challenge upholds Pak's exposure.

62kg wrap: Former world champion Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) proves too much for unheralded Hanbit LEE (KOR), scoring a fall for a victory that puts her back in the Olympics for the first time since 2016. Purevdorj, who won her lone Asian gold in Bishkek in 2018, uses a single for a takedown, then applies an arm bar and plies her opponent over for the fall in 1:57.

Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) wins a second wrestling quota for the DPR Korea with a controlled 6-2 win over MANSI (IND). Mun used three takedowns against an agile Mansi who could have won India's third quota of the night.

57kg wrap: Zagreb Open champion Kexin HONG (CHN) pulls off a miracle comeback and avenges a loss at last October's Asian Games to In Sun JONG (PRK), storming back from an eight-point deficit to not only tie the match, but secure a fall and the ticket to Paris. Jong opened the match with a single-leg takedown, then put on a fine display of counter wrestling with consecutive counter-lifts to make it 6-0, then another to take an 8-0 lead into the break. But Hong got behind when Jong shot right off the whistle in the second period and added a lace-lock roll to cut the gap to 8-4. Hong then works out of a deep single for a takedown, flips Jong onto her back and secures the fall at 4:36. Jong had beaten Hong 4-2 in the Asian Games semifinals.

India gets its second quota of the night and third overall as ANSHU (IND) uses gut wrench to beat the 2023 Asian Championships silver medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) 11-0 inside the first period. She won 10-0 but Uzbekistan was challenged as the last roll was not exposure but a review confirmed the two points.

53kg wrap: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) puts the DPR Korea in the Paris Olympics. She wins the first wrestling quota for the country with a 4-0 win over Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ). Choe scored a takedown in the first period and tried holding that lead till the end. Eshimova, who needed a takedown to win, made a desperate attempt but Choe countered for another two points and the win.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and two-time world bronze medalist PANG Qianyu (CHN) earned her ticket to Paris after cruising to a 10-0 victory over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). Pang forces her way behind for an opening takedown, then gets a 2-point tilt and a pair of gut wrenches for an 8-0 lead. In the second period, Pang eludes a single-leg attempt and spins behind for a takedown that ends the match.

50kg wrap: Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) becomes the first woman in Uzbekistan history to clinch a spot in the Olympics when she hangs on desperately to a 4-2 victory over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE). Keunimjaeva takes a 3-0 lead with a single-leg takedown with Hsieh on the activity clock, but a late shot at another is countered, and Hsieh slips behind for 2 with five seconds left in the first period. Keunimjaeva, who takes a timeout for treatment on her knee, keeps shooting in the second period, and although she can't finish them off, she eats away at precious time. After a late shot in the final seconds, Hsieh tries to slip away, but Keumjaeva clings onto the toes for dear life and gets the win. A challenge is unsuccessful. It is a reverse of their meeting at the 2021 Asian Olympic Qualifier at 53kg, which Hsieh won 16-8, although neither wrestler ended up qualifying.

VINESH (IND) wins the second quota for India for the Paris Games. Down at 50kg from her favored 53kg, she rolls to a 10-0 win over Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ). Leading 4-0 into the second period, Vinesh scored a takedown and then used two gut wrenches to finish the bout.

Here's the schedule for the Paris Qualification bouts

50kg
Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) vs. Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE)
VINESH (IND) vs. Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ)

53kg
Qianyu PANG (CHN) vs. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)
Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) vs. Hyogyong CHOE (PRK)

57kg
Kexin HONG (CHN) vs. In Sun JONG (PRK)
Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) vs. ANSHU (IND)

62kg
Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) vs. Hanbit LEE (KOR)
Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) vs. MANSI (IND)

68kg
Feng ZHOU (CHN) vs. Sol Gum PAK (PRK)
Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) vs. Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB)

76kg
REETIKA (IND) vs. Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE)
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. Juan WANG (CHN)

12:25: Sol Gum PAK (PRK) stuns Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) 6-2 in their final group match at 62kg to advance at the expense of NISHA (IND) after all three finished 2-1. Pak leads 2-0 when Zhumanazarova goes ahead in the second period with a takedown. Pak works out from the bottom and grabs a leg, then slips out of a whizzer throw for a takedown and a 4-2 lead. She counters a late takedown for her final points. Zhumanazarova still topped the group, while Pak advanced despite losing to Nisha in the first round of matches.

12:20: REETIKA (IND) hangs on for a 9-6 win over Juan WANG (CHN) in the final Group bout at 76kg. Wang was cautioned for fleeing twice as Reetika scored stepouts. The Indian got a four-pointer to lead 8-0 at the break. Wang began her comeback with a takedown. She scored another in the 10 seconds, and added a gut but before she could tie it 8-8, the time ran out. China challenged but lost giving Reetika another point. Reetika tops the group and will face Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE).

12:15: Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) wins a 6-4 thriller at 53kg over Aizhan SABYRBEK KYZY (KGZ). Down 2-0, Akhmedova scores a takedown, then in a scramble, gives up a 2-point exposure before getting one herself with 49 seconds left. That puts her ahead 4-4 on criteria, and she fights off a fierce attack, scoring a consolation takedown in the final seconds.

12:05: Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) hangs on in a nail-biter for a 5-2 victory over a feisty Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) to make the qualifying match at 53kg. Pang is ahead 2-0 on a pair of stepouts when she pads the lead to 4-0 with a spin-behind takedown. With time running out, Batkhuyag works for a big move, and nearly gets it with a back trip for 2. She lifts Pang's legs and turns her over, but it comes after time expires. An unsuccessful challenge gives Pang her fifth point.

12:01: NISHA (IND) looks to have clinched second place in her 68kg group with a 10-0 victory over Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ).

11:53: Asian Games bronze medalist Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) continues her dramatic tournament at 50kg, scoring a 2-point counter on a deep takedown attempt by Thi Xuan NGUYEN (VIE) in the last 20 seconds to clinch a 3-1 victory and advance to the Olympic qualifying match.

11:49: Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ), the Grand Dame of 53kg, hangs on for a 2-1 victory over Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) to advance to the Olympic qualifying match. The 36-year-old Eshimova, whose collection of Asian medals dates back to 2007, will be aiming to make her third Olympics, having appeared at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

11:45: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) limps but that is after she has pinned Nethmi AHINSA (SRI) to enter the 53kg semifinal. Can Choe win the first Paris 2024 wrestling quota for the DPR Korea

11:44: Asian Games bronze medalist Juan WANG (CHN) takes a 2-0 lead against Eunju HWANG (KOR) in the second period, where she scores a takedown and three gut wrenches for a 10-0 victory at 76kg. She is 2-0 in her group with one match to go.

11:41: VINESH (IND) is too good for Samnang DIT (CAM) as the Indian pins her inside the first minute to enter the 50kg semifinals. She is now one win away from winning the Paris 2024 quota.

11:36: Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) virtually assures she will be fighting for a ticket to Paris tonight when she defeats NISHA (IND) for her second fall in two matches in her 68kg round-robin group.

11:33: In a battle of world U23 bronze medalists from the past two years, MANSI (IND) scores a takedown with 1:12 left for a 6-4 come-from-behind victory over Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) at 62kg.

11:32: U23 world champion REETIKA (IND) controls her Round 2 bout against Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) at 76kg throughout and wins 11-0.

11:27: Asian Games champion Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK), leading 4-0, opens the second period with a headlock takedown to the back of Tokyo Olympian Jia LONG (CHN), the 2023 Asian gold medalist at 65kg. It takes a while, but eventually, Mun records the fall.

11:25: Asian Games champion Feng ZHOU (CHN) with another strong performance. She uses the ever-reliable gut wrench to win 10-0 against Ohyoung HA (KOR).

11:22: Former world champion Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), looking to get back to the Olympics after placing 7th at Rio 2016, moves one win away at 62kg by posting a 13-2 rout of Gulmira AITMURATOVA (UZB).

11:20: Tokyo Olympian ANSHU (IND), the 2021 world silver medalist, completes her third 4-point takedown-roll combination at the first-period buzzer to oust Kalmira BILIMBEKOVA (KGZ) 12-1 at 57kg

11:14: Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) scores a shocking 7-7 victory on criteria at 50kg over Son Hyang KIM (PRK), the Asian Games silver medalist and a 2017 world bronze medalist, with the winning point coming on a fingers-grabbing penalty in the final seconds that was awarded on the challenge. Kim was leading 6-2 when she gave up a 4-point counter lift with 12 seconds left, but went ahead by getting behind for a 1-point reversal with :07 on the clock.

11:02: Veteran Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) sees her bid to make a third Olympics -- she appeared at Beijing 2008 and London 2014 -- are all but ended when she is dealt a 10-0 loss to Sol Gum PAK (PRK) for her second loss in her 68kg round-robin group.

11:02: Asian Games bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) goes out the back door and lifts up and back for 4, part of a comprehensive 11-0 victory over Emma TISSINA (KAZ) at 57kg.

11:00: Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) gets Youngjin KWON (KOR) in a strangle for a pin but Kwon survives. Sobiraova, an Asian silver medalist, finishes with a 12-2 win at 57kg

10:59: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), the 2022 world silver medalist, begins her campaign at 53kg with an 8-6 victory over Seoyoung PARK (KOR), who scores all of her points in the final 10 seconds. Next up for Batkhuyag is Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN).

10:56: Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ) wins a wild one at 50kg over Vatansulton SHAKARSHOEVA (TJK), taking the big point-filled match 12-7.

10:52: REETIKA (IND) begins her senior debut at 76kg with a 10-0 hammering of Eunju HWANG (KOR). That is followed with another Indian-Korea bout and Vinesh, who has moved down to 50kg as India already has the 53kg quota, rolls to a 10-0 win over Miran CHEON (KOR).

10:49: In a round-robin group match at 76kg, Asian Games bronze medalist Juan WANG (CHN) breaks open a 1-1 match with a takedown and two rolls in the second period for a 7-2 win over 2023 world 72kg silver medalist Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL). There's a good chance they could meet again for the Paris quota.

10:40: Feng ZHOU (CHN) rolls to an 11-0 win over Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) at 68kg. Total dominance from Zhou. In the same weight class, NISHA (IND) beats Sol Gum PAK (PRK) 7-3 and wins the Round 1 bout.

10:35: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) with a bright start for the local fans in Bishkek with a technical superiority win over Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) at 68kg. This was a Round 1 bout which means that Shalygina can still make it to the semifinal.

10:30: 12 Paris Olympic quotas in Women's Wrestling on offer here in Bishkek. Japan already has all six so none of the Japanese are competing

End of the year freestyle rankings

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India, DPR Korea and China top nations at Asian Olympic qualifier