#WrestleBelgrade

Higuchi, chasing Olympic gold, ready for Belgrade pit stop

By Vinay Siwach

TOKYO, Japan (August 28) -- In two Olympic cycles, Rei HIGUCHI's (JPN) life has come full circle.

As a 20-year-old, Higuchi took the wrestling world by storm at the Rio Olympics, claiming the silver medal at 57kg. His path to victory saw him overcome formidable opponents, including fan favorites like Yowlys BONNE (CUB) and Hassan RAHIMI (IRI).

By the time the Tokyo Olympics came, half of the 57kg wrestlers from Rio moved up to 65kg including gold medalist Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) and bronze medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE). Higuchi followed suit.

While Aliyev and Khinchegashvili managed to keep their form in the new weight class, Higuchi’s form tailed away after a U23 world title. He even failed to win the domestic playoff in 2019 against the then 65kg world champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN). He realized that he didn't belong in the new Olympic weight class.

“When Otoguro won the playoff for the 2019 World Championships, then I decided to move back to 57kg,” Higuchi says. “Everyone in 65kg is taller and has more reach than me. It's difficult at 65kg. My aim is to win the Olympic gold and I thought if Otoguro is fifth in the World Championships, then it will be difficult for me to win gold in Tokyo at 65kg.”

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) wrestles Yowlys BONNE (CUB) at the Rio Olympics. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Little did Higuchi know that he wouldn't even qualify for the Tokyo Olympics for one of the most eyebrow-raising reasons in wrestling -- missing the weight.

Higuchi moved down to 57kg and at the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Almaty, Kazakhstan in 2021, he was 50 grams over 57kg on the day of competition. Japan sent 2017 world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) to the World Olympic Qualifiers and later he defeated Higuchi 4-2 in a playoff to win the spot on the Japan team for the Tokyo Games.

"I took care of everything, including diet, exercise, and caloric intake," Higuchi would later say about missing weight in Almaty. "I've done everything without compromise. But I didn't lose (the last 50 grams) in extreme conditions. It can't be helped. I have no choice but to accept reality. This is the result, it cannot be overturned."

More than seven years since that Rio final loss and two years since the weight debacle, Higuchi is making another bid to win the Olympic gold medal. All he has to do is win a medal in Belgrade next month.

“I was not interested in other competitions,” Higuchi says. “I only wanted to return to the Olympics and win. This year, I get to go to the Paris Olympics directly if I win the World Championships.”

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)Rei HIGUCHI clinched his spot on the Japan team for the World Championships after winning the gold medal at 57kg. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

The 2023 world champion at 61kg began his Paris Olympics journey in June by winning the 57kg weight class at the Meiji Cup, the second of Japan's two-step qualifying process for the 2023 World Championships in Belgrade. A medal at the World Championships would mean that Higuchi automatically books his spot on the Japan team for Paris.

Two days after winning the Meiji Cup, Higuchi is back at his base, the Nippon Sports Science University in Yokohama, southwest of Tokyo. He isn't supposed to spar as he just finished the Meiji Cup and is recovering from a niggle in his knee. In March, Higuchi hit his knee hard on the mat and water accumulated inside it. Only in May, did it heal to a level that allowed Higuchi to wrestle.

Yet, he decides to take part in the evening practice. After the initial instructions from Shingo MATSUMOTO (JPN), the wrestlers are divided into two groups – Freestyle and Greco-Roman. Higuchi is drilling with youngsters one after another. He goes over various techniques including his trademark outside leg-attack, the brutal lace and defense from par terre. An arm-drag good enough to win in Greco-Roman.

While others rush for a sip of water or juice in the break, Higuchi is still on the mat shadow practicing his moves and talking to himself with hand movements as if reciting a script of an attack. He is back to work as soon as the whistle blows. The constant movements of legs, and those singles are a work of art that Higuchi has perfected over 23 years.

Like most Japanese wrestlers, Higuchi began wrestling when he was in elementary school. The native of Ibaraki in the Osaka Prefecture was three years old when his mother took him to practice in the school. For the next nine years, Higuchi would continue honing his skills at the same school before moving to Sakai for junior high school.

He participated in the All-Japan Junior High School and finished third. Higuchi wasn't happy.

“I won a bronze medal and I wasn't happy (with the result) so I became very serious about wrestling,” he recalls.

Soon, Higuchi would find himself at the Kasumigaura High School, regarded as one of the best, in Ibaraki Prefecture. The move meant he would shift 500 kilometers away from home to the east part of Japan but closer to Tokyo. 

Higuchi rose through the ranks, making the Japan team for the 2012 U17 Asian Championships and winning gold, and later the 2013 U17 World Championships. He would finish eighth after losing to Uruzbeg TCUMARTOV (RUS) 7-5. In 2015, Higuchi would finish 21st at the U20 World Championships, the lowest in a 21-wrestler bracket after losing to Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV 10-0 at 60kg.

Who would then bet on a 20-something Japanese wrestler who finished last at the U20 Worlds to win an Olympic medal a year later? But Higuchi won the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in 2016 at 57kg and the rest is history.

His silver was celebrated at NSSU, home to Higuchi for nine years now. NSSU has produced numerous world and Olympic champions not just in wrestling but in other sports as well including gymnastics, swimming, marathon and judo (think Abe siblings.)

Like many others, Higuchi came here after high school to study Sports Science learning nutrition and functional anatomy among other subjects.

“I actually remember most of my studies in Sports Science,” he says before correcting himself, “I don't remember functional anatomy (one of the subjects).”

One would assume a student of sports science should not have much trouble related to weight. But here is Higuchi whose bout begins long before he steps on the mat.

If you follow Higuchi on social media, it's likely you have seen him posting his weight after the weigh-ins before a competition. He puts it on record that he has passed the weigh-ins. After all, it was his undoing two years ago.

Before most tournaments, Higuchi begins the process of cutting weight two months in advance. Earlier, he would skip meat and resort to eating only vegetables. But after missing Tokyo, Higuchi went for a deep dive to understand the process.

“I watched and learned a lot about cutting weight, especially fat, from various bodybuilders on YouTube. I now focus on food, weight training and cardio,” he says.

Higuchi now cooks his own meals when he wants to maintain weight, an addition to his long list of precautions during peak season.

“It's very difficult to skip meat,” he says. “I am trying to find a way to eat everything. I eat chicken, mushroom, white rice and tea.”

But the battle is not that easy for the 1.62-meter-tall wrestler.

“Cutting fat is okay,” he says. “But the one or two days when it's about the water, that kills me. I have to prepare for the weight cut around 2 months in advance.”

After missing the cut for Tokyo, a disheartened Higuchi would say “With all of the weight loss, I've been through a dark time.”

So what does Higuchi miss eating the most during his wrestling season?

“Chocolate,” he says while taking another bite of a chocolate cake, his first sweet in over three months.

As the training session at NSSU nears its end, Higuchi has decided to train with Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), a world champion and Olympic silver medalist in Greco-Roman at 60kg. Fumita dominates the sparring, putting Higuchi down numerous times. The Freestyle wrestler tries to roll Fumita from par terre. No chance. Only if a lace was allowed in Greco-Roman. A few wrestlers stop their training to watch two of the best having a go at it.

The two Mikihouse teammates, a clothing brand based in Osaka, will be on a flight to Belgrade hoping to become world champs. A medal will see them directly qualify for the Paris Olympics where both will try to upgrade their previous silver medals.

But a lot has changed at 57kg since he last wrestled internationally at this weight class. Most of the wrestlers have changed weight classes or have retired. Zaur UGUEV is the defending Olympic champion. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) is the world champion. Two youngsters are champions in Europe and Asia. Iran has lost its stronghold on the lightest weight. But Higuchi is updated.

“I don't care about the World Championships,” Higuchi says. “I watched Final X and Zain RICHARDS (USA) winning it. AMAN (IND), Abakarov, Uguev, Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE). I watched them all.”

At 57kg, 34 wrestlers will try and stop Higuchi from winning the gold. Abakarov is the defending champion, Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) lost to Higuchi 10-0 last year but 57kg is a different ball game. There is Rzazade, Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) who has defeated Higuchi before, former world finalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR), Richards and Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) who almost beat Uguev in Tokyo.

“I watched a lot of videos to prepare about all the wrestlers for Belgrade,” he says referring to the 61kg wrestlers who entered the World Championships in 2022. “I like to watch videos of all the wrestlers."

For a wrestler who has been active internationally for close to a decade, Higuchi, admittedly, watches too much film on other wrestlers. While it gives insights into his opponents' style and he studies it to learn about them, Higuchi has another reason to do so.

“I am not very confident about myself that's why I watch so many videos,” he says.

It is a scarcely believable statement from a wrestler who outscored his opponents 46-7 in 2022. But then he did it at the Meiji Cup. On the day of his final against Yudai FUJITA (JPN), Higuchi would spend most of his day watching every possible video of Fujita, studying his defense and go-to attack. He remained untroubled in the final winning 4-0.

“I watch videos of all the wrestlers in my weight class. In the Meiji Cup, I watched all of Fujita's videos I could in the morning. His movements, how he gives the points, how he attacks,” Higuchi says. “Internationally, everyone is very tough so I need to watch more videos.”

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN)Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) on a motorbike in Tokyo. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Higuchi rides a motorbike to reach the interview spot. Taking the slower train meant arriving two minutes later than the agreed time. Higuchi, wearing a purple plain T-shirt, sat on a bench just outside the train station.

“Not in Japan,” Higuchi says when asked if anyone has recognized him or asked for a photo.

As the conversation moved towards that final against Khinchegashvili, Higuchi was quick to move on.

“I don't look back at my matches. I want to move on. Next match,” he says.

A lot of wrestling experts believe that Khinchegashvili went into a shell in the final two minutes, not allowing Higuchi to attack. No warning from the referee meant that a frustrated Higuchi would lose the final, 4-2, and the chance to become Japan's youngest male Olympic champion.

He may not agree to it but the loss lingers. Same way as the Tokyo Olympics miss. Higuchi denies both but that is what fuels his gold quest in Paris.

“No. I don't feel bad about missing the Tokyo Olympics,” Higuchi says. “The day I lost the chance to represent at the Tokyo Games, I began preparing for Paris.”

Higuchi pauses before his baby face beamed and he spoke English.

“Only Olympic gold.”

#WrestleBelgrade

World C'ships: Tynybekova fends off latest Japanese challenge; Fujinami regains world crown

By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 21) -- Wily Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) found a way to beat the latest hot-shot wrestler that Japan threw at her and end a recent series of losses at the hands of the premier powerhouse in women's wrestling.

Tynybekova claimed her third world title and a ticket to her fourth Olympics by masterfully beating back the attack of Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) for a 4-1 victory in the 62kg final as women's wrestling at the World Championships wrapped up on Thursday night.

"The Japanese wrestlers are very strong," Tynybekova said. "We were preparing specifically for them. The coaches knew who I would have to wrestle at this World Championships, so they prepared a strategy for me.

"I just had to go up on the mat and follow all the instructions they had given me. I think I have met their expectations."

Superteen Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) regained the world title at 53kg to give Japan its sixth women's gold of the tournament, while Buse TOSUN (TUR) became the second Turkish women's champion in history with a dramatic victory at 68kg.

In the lone remaining non-Olympic weight, teen titan Amit ELOR (USA) successfully defended her 72kg title, giving the U.S. its lone gold in the women's competition.

The tournament is also serving as the first qualifying tournament for the 2024 Paris Olympics, with five berths available in each of the Olympic weight classes. Japan was the lone country to secure spots in all six divisions of women's wrestling.

Not surprisingly, with six champions Japan also captured its ninth straight team title, compiling 195 points to finish well ahead of the second-place United States with 135. Mongolia, with three silver medalists, finished third with 80.

Tynybekova, who became a national hero in Kyrgyzstan when she became its first-ever women's world champion and Olympic medalist, has had her share of victories and defeats against Japanese opponents.

In recent years, she lost to Yukako KAWAI (JPN) in the final of the Tokyo Olympics, and fell to Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) at last year's World Championships in Belgrade (she would avenge the latter loss at this year's Asian Championships).

"Some people were texting me that I would never be able to become the world champion again, Asian champion, world champion," Tynybekova said. "I just kept silent. I needed just a little time to prove that we are the best."

Facing her this time on the other side of the mat was Motoki, a bronze medalist at 59kg last year who had moved up to the Olympic weight and beat both Kawai and Ozaki to make the team to Belgrade.

Motoki was the aggressor from the get-go, launching her low single attacks. But each time, Tynybekova calmly sat back on Motoki's shoulder and forced a stalemate. It seemed little concern to Tynybekova when she gave up an activity point for the only point of the first period.

In the second period, Tynybekova suddenly and without warning took her first shot, and hit the target, scoring a takedown with a low single to take the lead.

Motoki increased the pressure, but that only played into Tynybekova's hands, as she scored 2 off a counter lift to pad the lead and put Motoki into a bigger hole. Tynybekova never let her get out of it.

"In order to win this gold, I had to work hard for two years, I had to have patience, overcome all the obstacles," Tynybekova said. "Together with the team, coaches, federation, all together we won this gold."

Amid the sting of the defeat, Motoki can be content with having achieved her objective of securing a ticket to the Paris Olympics. The Japan federation has ruled that any wrestler who wins a medal at the World Championships in an Olympic weight would automatically fill the spot without any further playoffs.

For Motoki, that holds even more significance. Her father, Yasutoshi, wrestled at the 2000 Sydney Olympics in Greco-Roman, and it has been her dream since childhood to join him as an Olympian.

Still, the stinging defeat offered a dose of reality, which she will surely use to motivate her in the years ahead.

"I came into the tournament confident that my wrestling could be competitive on the world level," a sobbing Motoki said. "But I'm still a long way away."

Making it to Paris was also the prime motivation for the 19-year-old Fujinami, who regained the 53kg title that she won in 2021 but was unable to defend when a foot injury kept her out of last year's World Championships.

"Last year an injury kept me from competing and it is a bitter memory," Fujinami said. "I thought, 'Next year, I will definitely win the title at the World Championships and later win the gold at the Paris Olympics.' I achieved one of them, the world title, so I'm really happy."

Facing two-time former champion Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) in the final, Fujinami was at her devastating best, scoring all of her points on takedowns off her lethal single-leg attack en route to a 10-0 technical fall in 4:43.

The victory, combined with her four wins in the preliminary round Wednesday, extended her current winning streak to 127 matches. She has not lost since the national junior high school championships in June 2017.

Although she secured her ticket to Paris when she won her semifinal on Wednesday, Fujinami kept her focus on the championship match.

"I clinched the spot in Paris, but I've been working the past year to become the world champion," she said. "I was happy yesterday, and I felt relieved. But I still had today to go, so I couldn't be too happy."

Like Tynybekova, Kaladzinskaya has an interesting history in relation to Japanese wrestlers. Both of the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist's world titles came at the expense of Japanese who ironically would go on to win Olympic titles.

The 30-year-old defeated Eri TOSAKA (JPN) in the 48kg final in 2012 and scored a last-second victory over Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN) at 53kg in 2017.

"I got advice from various people and I was able to do my wrestling," Fujinami said of facing Kaladzinskaya. "She's powerful, not a type you find in Japan."

While Fujinami again stamped herself as one of the most dominant wrestlers on the planet, she also showed a hint of vulnerability in her quarterfinal match on Wednesday against Lucia YEPEZ (ECU). But it only makes her more determined to improve.

Yepez opened the match by taking a 5-0 lead and finished with seven points overall, the most-ever scored on Fujinami by a non-Japanese opponent. Fujinami, who ended up winning the match by fall, regarded having to face adversity as a good experience.

"I think I'm still weak, but I want to be the one who stands out, so I have to get stronger and train harder," she said.

"Honestly speaking for this tournament I kept telling myself, 'Just have fun, just have fun.' In reality, it's not that it wasn't enjoyable, but I wasn't able to do much that was fun. I felt the pressure and I couldn't get my legs to move. It's the first time I experienced that, but I feel it's a sign I have also grown."

After her victory, Fujinami celebrated on the mat with her coach, who also happens to be her father Toshikazu and has been coaching her since she started wrestling as a toddler. After playfully tackling him, the two set out together on a victory lap around the mat carrying the Japanese flag.

At 68kg, Tosun made it to the top of the medal podium after twice winning bronze medals at 72kg with a spectacular victory by fall over Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) that left the Turk as stunned as her opponent.

Tosun took a 1-0 lead in the first period after scoring a stepout while on the activity clock. Mongolians are well known for their big throws, and in the opening moments of the second period, Enkhsaikhan hit a beauty for a 4-point move.

The only problem was that Tosun never stopped the momentum and rolled through, putting Enkhsaikhan onto her back before clamping down for the fall in 3:15.

With the triumph, Tosun joined Yasmin ADAR (TUR) as the lone woman to win world titles for Turkiye. Adar won 75/76kg golds in 2017 and 2022. She did not return this year to Belgrade to defend her title.

In the non-Olympic weight on the program, Elor kept a firm grip on the 72kg title by holding off the attacks of Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL), using her tremendous strength to power to an 8-2 victory.

"That was my game plan, I wanted to keep pressure on, I wanted to have close contact, and it looks like that's what she wanted also," Elor said. "So it was interesting, I think it's a really good match for me to look back on and learn from.

"I have a lot to work on, a lot to get better and improve at. But at the end of the day, I'm a world champion, which is amazing. I'm so happy."

Elor took a 3-0 lead in the first period with two stepouts sandwiched around an activity point. In the second period, the American scored a snap-down takedown before Enkh Amar finally broke through the armor and scored a takedown of her own, only to see Elor quickly gain a reversal. Elor then added her final points when she stopped a late throw attempt.

"I'm very confident with my hips," Elor said. "I love to rethrow, I like to score off of someone else's throw. But I need to work on my positioning. I shouldn't get in those positions. But it was a great match and I really enjoyed the fight."

The question now for the two-time world champion is what her plans are regarding the Paris Olympics.

"I don't know for sure yet, but most likely I'll go down [to 68kg]," she said. "We'll see because ever since a young age, I've never cut weight. And so if I do go down, it has to be in a healthy way. It has to be what feels best for me and my body."

Yepez gives Ecuador first medal

Another country joined the list of medal winners when Yepez gave Ecuador its first-ever world medal in any style by sweeping to a 10-3 victory over Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) in a bronze-medal match at 53kg.

In avenging a 14-4 loss to Prevolaraki in the bronze-medal match last year in the same venue, the lightning-quick Yepez blasted out to a 6-0 lead with three takedowns, then held off a late push to secure the historic bronze.

Another up-and-coming wrestler, world U20 champion ANTIM (UWW), took home the other 53kg bronze by beating Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) in arguably the most entertaining match of the night session, a freewheeling 16-6 technical fall completed as time expired.

The 19-year-old Antim, who had a 4-point barrel roll in the first period to lead 6-6 on criteria, went on a 10-point scoring spree in the second to put the match away and win a medal in her senior world debut.

The most dramatic match came at 68kg, where Irina RINGACI (MDA) squandered a 6-1 lead against 2022 silver medalist Ami ISHII (JPN) and fell behind with 45 seconds left, only to score the winning 2 with a counter-lift with 10 seconds for her second straight bronze.

Ishii, needing to win the match to clinch an Olympic berth for herself, gave up a 4-point counterthrow in the first period that would factor into criteria situations, so she worked to take the outright lead. She managed to do it with three takedowns in the second period.

But as she tried to hold off a late throw from Ringaci, the Moldovan reached over the top and lifted her up and over for 2 and a miracle finish. It was Ringaci's third world medal, having also won the gold at 65kg in 2021.

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) gave the Olympic host country its first women's quota when she overwhelmed Emma BRUNTIL (USA) by a 10-0 technical fall for the other 68kg bronze and her fourth career world medal.

Larroque, a bronze medalist last year at 65kg, struck early with a 4-point arm throw in the first period, then reeled off three takedowns in the second to end the match in 5:13.

Grace BULLEN (NOR) earned a rare Olympic spot for Norway, scoring a takedown in the first period and a stepout in the second for a 3-0 victory over Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) at 62kg.

It was Bullen's second world medal, adding to the 59kg silver she won last year. Dudova was the gold medalist a year ago at 59kg.

The other 62kg bronze went to Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) with a 10-0 technical fall of Luisa NIEMESCH (GER), a repeat of her quarterfinal victory en route to the gold at the European Championships -- right down to the score.

Koliadenko got her first four points one at a time, with three stepouts and an activity point. Then she got a takedown and reeled off two gut wrenches to end the match at 4:29.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), the 2022 world 65kg champion who was wrestling at 72kg for the first time in her life after failing to make Japan's team at 68kg, will return with a bronze medal after beating Kendra DACHER (FRA) 4-2.

Morikawa went ahead with an activity point and stepout in the first period, then added a stepout with a fleeing point to go up 4-0. Dacher managed a consolation takedown with five seconds left.

For what it's worth, Morikawa completed the collection of world medals, having also won a silver in 2021 at 65kg. But what will be of more concern for her was that Ishii's loss reopened the door for her to the Paris Olympics.

Three-time Asian champion Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), the world silver medalist the past two years, will take home the other 72kg bronze after notching a 4-1 win over Natalia STRZALKA (POL).

Bakbergenova seemed to get the spark she needed after giving up an activity point to fall behind 1-1 on criteria, immediately scoring a stepout and then adding a takedown.

Ishii rebounds

Ishii managed to come back from her heartbreaking defeat and secure the only quota in Paris that Japan had not yet clinched -- although to make it hers, she's going to have to go through the same domestic fight that she went through to get to Belgrade.

Ishii, who could barely move off the mat after her exhausting loss to Ringaci, scored a takedown on a low single in the first period and made that stand in a 2-0 victory over Bruntil in the fifth-place playoff at 68kg.

Sweden and Germany gained the other Olympic spots at stake, with Malmgren beating Prevolaraki by fall at 53kg and Niemesch gaining a second-period takedown to edge Dudova 3-2 at 62kg.

Day 6 Results

Women's Wrestling

53kg (31 entries)
GOLD: Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) df. Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN) by TF, 10-0, 4:43

BRONZE: Luisa YEPEZ (ECU) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE), 10-3
BRONZE: ANTIM (UWW) df. Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) by TF, 16-6, 6:00

5th-Place Playoff: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) df. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) by Fall, 2:09 (2-0)

62kg (34 entries)
GOLD: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), 4-1

BRONZE: Grace BULLEN (NOR) df. Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), 3-0
BRONZE: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) df. Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) by TF, 10-0 4:29

5th-Place Playoff: Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) df. Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), 3-2

68kg (33 entries)
GOLD: Buse TOSUN (TUR) df. Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) by Fall, 3:14 (3-4)

BRONZE: Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) df. Emma BRUNTIL (USA) by TF, 10-0, 5:13
BRONZE: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Ami ISHII (JPN), 8-8

5th-Place Playoff: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Emma BRUNTIL (USA), 2-0

72kg (18 entries)
GOLD: Amit ELOR (USA) df. Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL), 8-2

BRONZE: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Natalia STRZALKA (POL), 4-1
BRONZE: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Kendra DACHER (FRA), 4-2

Greco-Roman

55kg (20 entries)
GOLD: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Poya DAD MARZ (IRI)

Semifinal: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), 3-2
Semifinal: Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) df. Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB), 7-4

77kg (45 entries)
GOLD: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) vs. Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)

Semifinal: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) df. Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM), 5-0
Semifinal: Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Nao KUSAKA (JPN), 7-5

82kg (24 entries)
GOLD: Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) vs. Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI)

Semifinal: Rafig HUSEYNOV (AZE) df. Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), 5-5
Semifinal: Alireza MOHMADIPIANI (IRI) df. Mihail BRADU (MDA), 5-1

130kg (30 entries)
GOLD: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) vs. Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)

Semifinal: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Lingzhe MENG (CHN), 3-1
Semifinal: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) df. Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB), 1-1