#JapanWrestling

Inagaki deals Ozaki shocking loss; Kawai solid at 68kg

By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (June 15) -- Among the slew of highly anticipated showdowns at this year's Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, Nonoka OZAKI was looking for revenge against Sakura MOTOKI. She never got the chance, thanks to Yuzuka INAGAKI.

Inagaki stunned world champion Ozaki by rallying to a 6-6 victory on last-point criteria in the quarterfinals at women's 62kg on the opening day of the four-day tournament on Thursday, then later earned a place in Friday's final against Motoki.

"Deep down, I'm glad I could beat Ozaki today, but tomorrow is for all the marbles, so I see this as a step along the way," said Inagaki, a world U23 and junior champion in 2019.

The Meiji Cup is serving as the second domestic qualifier for this year's World Championships in Belgrade, where winning a medal will also earn a Japanese wrestler a ticket to the 2024 Paris Olympics. So the competition is fierce.

Winners of the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships, the first qualifier held last December, can automatically clinch a place on the team to Belgrade with a victory at the Meiji Cup. In Olympic weight classes, if the champions are different, they will meet in a playoff on July 1.

Motoki, a world bronze medalist at 59kg who moved up to the Olympic weight with an eye on Paris, won the title at the Emperor's Cup by beating Ozaki in the final. She can secure the world team spot with a win over Inagaki; a loss will set up a playoff between the two.

One wrestler who had left the 62kg picture after a loss at the Emperor's Cup was Tokyo Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI, who made the surprise move all the way up to the next Olympic weight of 68kg. She kept her hopes of a second straight Olympic gold alive by making the semifinals on Thursday.

In the tournament at Tokyo Metropolitan Gym, the Olympic weight classes are being run over two days, while the non-Olympic divisions are completed in a single day.

Yuzuka INAGAKI (JPN)Yuzuka INAGAKI completes a takedown against Nonoka OZAKI in their 62kg quarterfinal. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

The fact that the 20-year-old Ozaki -- who last year completed a trifecta of world senior, U23 and U20 titles -- will not be around for finals on the second day at 62kg sent shock waves through the arena. But credit has to go to a determined Inagaki, who was looking for some revenge of her own.

The two had been rivals since their junior high school days, and in their most recent meeting, at last year's Meiji Cup, Ozaki came away with a 2-1 win.

"I've faced Ozaki a number of times," said the 21-year-old Inagaki. "I lost to her recently, but I seriously studied her and trained for this match. In the end, I had a strong determination to win."

Ozaki jumped out to a 3-0 lead with a takedown and an activity point in the first period. In the second period, Inagaki got on the scoreboard with a takedown, but as she was trying for a gut wrench, Ozaki stepped over for a 1-point reversal. She then added a takedown to go up 6-2.

As the taller Ozaki tried to keep Inagaki at arm's length, Inagaki fought to create an opening and scored a takedown with :48 left. As the clock was ticking down, Inagaki got in deep on a single and as she tried to finish off the move, Ozaki went out of bounds. Inagaki was awarded a stepout and a point for fleeing, giving her the last point for a 6-6 victory.

"In practice, we work on finishing off a scoring move in the final seconds, and I was glad I could do it today," Inagaki said.

"It all came down to the last 30 seconds," Ozaki said. "When I am winning, I want to stay on the attack and not give the opponent an opening. I had practiced for when it comes down to a battle of wills at the end, but more than losing because of heart, I felt like it was because I kept my hips up. Also, my heart and body weren't in sync."

Of course, there is no assurance that whoever wins out at 62kg will win a medal in Belgrade, so Ozaki still has a chance to get to Paris, however slim. But she would prefer to have her fate in her own hands.

"I came into this tournament in the situation where there was nothing else and I had to win," Ozaki said. "But I lost before the final, and it is very difficult to make the Olympics. Right now I don't know what to think."

Ozaki, a rarity among top Japanese wrestlers in that she attends academically elite Keio University, said that whatever happens in the upcoming months, she remains dedicated to the sport.

"I am still in college, and I will continue wrestling," she said. "My big goal of getting to the Olympics and winning a gold medal has not changed. Each year, I will aim at making the World Championships and becoming No. 1 in the world. I want to be a wrestler who can win, whether it is in Japan or in the world."

Yukako KAWAI (JPN)Yukako KAWAI defeated Miwa MORIKAWA 4-4 at 68kg. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

In women's wrestling, it is perhaps only in Japan that an Olympic champion -- and two-time world medalist to boot -- can be regarded as the underdog. But that was the situation that Kawai, who won the Tokyo gold along with older sister Rikako, placed herself in with her bold move up two weight classes.

The 68kg division has just seven entries, but most are current or former world champions or medalists. Kawai won all three of her round-robin matches in her Nordic group, including a thrilling 4-4 victory over world 65kg champion Miwa MORIKAWA.

Either of the resulting semifinals could be a world final in their own right. World silver medalist Ami ISHII will face Morikawa in a rematch of the Emperor's Cup final won by Ishii, while Kawai will take on Masako FURUICHI, whose three world medals at 72kg include a 2021 gold.

Kawai, who said she remained at her normal weight of 63kg for the tournament, said she is feeling the burden of the extra poundage of her opponents.

"All of my opponents seemed so heavy, but despite that, I got this far," Kawai said. "I didn't think I would be unbeaten. I think I really gave a good effort. My first match was my first [at 68kg] and I was nervous. While my opponents were heavy and I gave up points, they came off technical mistakes on my part, so it doesn't bother me."

Facing Morikawa in her second match, Kawai trailed after giving up a stepout and an activity point in the first period. In the second, she scored with a double-leg takedown, which she followed with a 2-point exposure to go up 4-2. Morikawa scored a takedown with :38 left, but it was not enough as Kawai won on big-point criteria.

"In that match, more than victory or defeat, I just wanted to give everything I had," Kawai said.

"When I got the tackle and went ahead, I thought, 'If it goes like this, I can definitely win.' I put it all out there and, even though it turned into a close match, it made me believe I can hold my own at 68kg."

Looking ahead, Kawai is ready for the challenge and force a playoff.

"I'm coming up from a lower weight class, so I am absolutely the challenger," she said. "It's no sure thing that I can win. All of the opponents are really strong. Giving everything I have is No. 1 and I will fight my hardest for the remaining matches."

Ishii won both of her group matches but was taken to the limit in a 3-2 victory over Furuichi. After receiving an activity point in the first period, Ishii scored a single-leg takedown for a 3-0 lead. Furuichi battled to the end and notched a takedown with :20 left, but Ishii held on for the win.

In a non-Olympic weight, world U20 champion Mahiro YOSHITAKE followed up her Emperor's Cup triumph at 65kg by beating Rin TERAMOTO 7-1 in the final, putting her on the inside track to Belgrade.

The Japan federation will allow the second-place finishers in Olympic weights at both the Emperor's Cup and Meiji Cup to enter the playoffs in non-Olympic weights, so it remains to be seen whether or not Yoshitake will have competition for her place.

Katsuaki ENDOKatsuaki ENDO hits a five-point suplex on Taishi NARIKUNI in the 67kg semifinal. (Photo: Japan Wrestling Federation / Takeo Yabuki)

Narikuni meets match in Greco

In the men's competitions, world 70kg freestyle champion Taishi NARIKUNI's bold bid to pick up a world title in Greco-Roman came crashing down with a pair of flashy throws by Katsuaki ENDO in the semifinals at 67kg.

Narikuni, looking to join his mother as a two-time world champion but with a twist, looked out of his league against technician Endo, a 2022 Asian bronze medalist. Endo had a 2-0 lead when put on top in par terre, he put on a master performance, first scoring a 4-point throw, then adding the coup de grace with a spectacular 5-point back suplex.

"There was a difference in technical ability, but it was really how the match progressed," Narikuni said. "Endo really knows how to control the flow of a match. I took that too lightly."

Asked if he had any regrets about attempting the difficult crossover of styles, he replied. "I regret nothing, of course. This is something I decided to do on my own. I had people around me providing their support. I have one more match tomorrow [for the bronze medal], so I want to finish up with a solid win."

In the final, Endo will face Asian silver medalist Kyotaro SOGABE in a rematch of the Emperor's Cup final won by Sogabe.

Meanwhile, Emperor's Cup-winning brothers Hayato and Takashi ISHIGURO kept alive their hopes of making the trip to Belgrade together by advancing to their respective finals in freestyle.

Hayato, coming off a bronze medal at this year's Asian Championships, defeated 2022 world U23 champion Tatsuya SHIRAI 3-0 in the semifinals at 86kg, setting up a gold-medal clash with three-time Olympian Sohsuke TAKATANI.

Takatani, who had spent the past two years at 92kg, won the Emperor's Cup at that weight but has dropped down in an attempt to make a fourth Olympics.

Takashi Ishiguro advanced to the 97kg final with a 12-3 victory over Keivan YOSHIDA, and will face Taira SONODA in the final.

In the final match of the day, Yoshida's younger brother Arash won the 92kg title. The Asian champion won all three of his matches by technical fall, including a 10-0 rout of Satoshi MIURA in the final.

Day 1 Results

Freestyle

86kg (12 entries)
Semifinal -- Hayato ISHIGURO df. Tatsuya SHIRAI, 3-0
Semifinal -- Sohsuke TAKATANI df. Yudai TAKAHASHI, 6-4

92kg (6 entries)
GOLD -- Arash YOSHIDA df. Satoshi MIURA by TF, 10-0, 3:12

BRONZE -- Kuya MOCHINAGA df. Akinobu TAKEUCHI, 4-1

Semifinal -- Arash YOSHIDA df. Kuya MOCHINAGA by Fall, 1:46 (8-0)
Semifinal -- Satoshi MIURA df. Akinobu TAKEUCHI by TF, 10-0, 2:29

97kg (9 entries)
Semifinal -- Takashi ISHIGURO df. Keivan YOSHIDA, 12-3
Semifinal -- Taira SONODA df. Hibiki ITO by TF, 10-0, 1:05

Greco-Roman

55kg (9 entries)
GOLD -- Taiga ONISHI df. Kohei YAMAGIWA, 7-3

BRONZE -- Mizuki ARAKI df. Sosuke MASUDA, by TF, 9-0, 4:10
BRONZE -- Taketo NINOMIYA df. Shu HIRATA by TF, 8-0, 2:01

Semifinal -- Taiga ONISHI df. Mizuki ARAKI, 2-0
Semifinal -- Kohei YAMAGIWA df. Taketo NINOMIYA by TF, 11-1, 2:03

67kg (13 entries)
Semifinal -- Kyotaro SOGABE df. Kensuke SHIMIZU, 6-3
Semifinal -- Katsuaki ENDO df. Taishi NARIKUNI by TF, 12-0, 1:55

Women

55kg (12 entries)
GOLD -- Rino TAKAOKA df. Ruka NATAMI, 4-2

BRONZE -- Karina HONDA df. Narumi NAKAMURA, 3-2
BRONZE -- Neon GOMI df. Riko TAKAYAMA, 2-1

Semifinal -- Rino TAKAOKA df. Narumi NAKAMURA, 2-1
Semifinal -- Ruka NATAMI df. Neon GOMI by Fall, 5:00 (3-0)

62kg (13 entries)
Semifinal -- Sakura MOTOKI df. Naomi RUIKE by Fall, 4:19 (10-0)
Semifinal -- Yuzuka INAGAKI df. Suzu SASAKI by TF, 10-0, 4:47

65kg (9 entries)
GOLD -- Mahiro YOSHITAKE df. Rin TERAMOTO, 7-1

BRONZE -- Nagisa ITO df. Momoko Kitade by TF, 5:39, 13-3
BRONZE -- Kaede HIRAI df. Kaede MATSUYAMA by Fall, 4:50 (7-0)

Semifinal -- Mahiro YOSHITAKE df. Nagisa ITO by TF, 10-0, 3:40
Semifinal -- Rin TERAMOTO df. Kaede MATSUYAMA, 4-1

72kg (6 entries)
GOLD -- Mei SHINDO df. Sumire NIIKURA, 4-3

BRONZE -- Yuka FUJIKURA df. Kokona TAKADA, 2-0

Semifinal -- Sumire NIIKURA df. Kokona TAKADA by TF, 10-0, 5:58
Semifinal -- Mei SHINDO df. Yuka FUJIKURA, 2-2

#wrestlebishkek

Badaghimofrad First Qatar Wrestler to Reach Asian Championships Greco Final

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 7) -- Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) won a historic bronze medal for Qatar at the 2025 Asian Championships. In Bishkek, he created another history.

Badaghimofrad became the first-ever Qatar wrestler to reach the final in Greco-Roman at the Asian Championships on Tuesday after he defeated Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), 9-8, in a thrilling bout at 82kg.

In an all but lost semifinals, the Qatar wrestler, made a huge comeback against the former Asian champion, who led 7-2 at one point. Badaghimofrad scored a stepout but Qatar challenged for two points. It, however, lost it which made the score 8-3 for Magomadov.

But it was all Badaghimofrad after that as he scored a takedown, two stepouts, a point for par terre and also got a fleeing point for his 9-8 win.

He will now look to become Qatar's first-ever Asian champion in any style when he faces Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) in the final on Tuesday.

Hosseini became the sixth Iran wrestler to reach the final at this Asian Championships after he defeated PRINCE (IND) 10-0. Hosseini scored a four-point throw from par terre to lead 5-0 and then Iran challenged for a leg foul from Prince which was confirmed on review. With a 7-0 lead, Hosseini completed a correct throw for two points. India challenged asking for no points but lost it to give one more point to Hosseini.

In other weight classes, Hadi SARAVI (IRI) is a win away from defending his Asian title at 97kg after he reached the final in Bishkek with a 3-1 win over Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) in the semifinal. He scored a turn from par terre and was content to defend his lead. He will face returning bronze medalist NITESH (IND) in the final after the Indian scored a 7-2 win over Zegang WANG (CHN).

Nitesh got the par terre in the first period and turned Wang for a 3-0 lead before launching a throw for four points to make it 7-0. No par terre was awarded in the second period but Wang scored a drag to takedown to score two points but with just five seconds left.

72kg semifinals - Javad REZAEI (IRI) had to throw Shakhzod KUCHKOROV (UZB) twice to complete a 9-0 victory in the semifinals. Rezaei began the semifinal with a takedown and turn to lead 4-0. He then threw Kuchkorov for four points, giving him an 8-0 win. But Uzbekistan challenged and on review, Kuchkorov's head was outside before the throw, reversing the score to 4-0. Soon, Rezaei was awarded the par terre position and he made no mistake this time, completing a 9-0 win.

He will face Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ) for the gold medal after the Kazakhstan wrestler got a 3-1 win over Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) in the other semifinal. Amanbek was leading 1-1 on criteria when he got the par terre position, making his lead 2-1. He then scored a stepout against a tiring Ismailov which was enough to confirm his winning score.

67kg semifinals - Kyrgyzstan got it's fourth finalist when returning silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) defeated Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) in the 67kg semifinals. Awarded the first par terre, Beishekeev used two reverse body throws for four points each to win. Iran challenged and the first throw was scored two points after review. However Mohsen Nezhad had committed a defensive foul while defending the second period. He was docked two points for the foul, which eventually still gave the win to the Kyrgyz wrestler.

Beishekeev will look to change the color of his medal on Wednesday when he faces Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN) who got the better of Abdumalik AMINOV (UZB), 5-2, in the semifinal. Aminov was awarded a par terre and a stepout in the first period to lead 2-0.

Shimizu got similar scoring the second period to lead 2-2 on criteria. Aminov challenged for a point when Shimizu did not complete a throw and Aminov landed on top. But Uzbekistan lost the challenge which gave the additional point to the Japanese wrestler. Aminov tried an arm throw but Shimizu blocked it for a takedown which gave him two more points.  

60kg semifinals - The 60kg gold medal bout will be a repeat of last year's Asian Championships final as both Se ung RI (PRK) and Alisher GANIEV (UZB) marched into final with commanding victories.

Defending champion and world and Olympic bronze medalist Ri took just 27 seconds to reach a second straight Asian Championships. He used a four-pointer and then two front chestwrap rolls to finish the bout 8-0 against Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ).

In the other semifinal, Ganiev got first par terre against Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) and lifted before slamming him on the mat for four points. He continued the sequence and completed another four-point throw to win the bout. Japan challenged for a foul but lost the challenge to give one more point to Ganiev, making him a 10-0 winner.

RESULTS

60kg
SF 1:
Alisher GANIEV (UZB) df. Yu SHIOTANI (JPN), 10-0
SF 2: Se ung RI (PRK) df. Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 8-0

63kg
SF 1:
Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) df. Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI), 9-0
SF 2: Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN) df. Abdumalik AMINOV (UZB), 5-2

72kg
SF 1:
Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ) df. Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ), 3-1
SF 2: Javad REZAEI (IRI) df. Shakhzod KUCHKOROV (UZB), 9-0

82kg
SF 1:
Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) df. Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), 9-8
SF 2: Mohammadamin HOSSEINI (IRI) df. PRINCE (IND), 10-0

97kg
SF 1:
Hadi SARAVI (IRI) df. Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), 3-1
SF 2: NITESH (IND) df. Zegang WANG (CHN), 7-2

Qualification Highlights

13:13: Former Asian champion Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) picks up a 3-1 victory over Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) who is moving up to 82kg from 77kg in which he won Asian gold last year. Magomadov with a turn after being awarded the par terre to build a 3-0 lead. Vardanyan was the par terre position in the second period which gave him the one point but that was as the Kazakhstan wrestler advanced to the semifinals.

13:03: Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), who won Qatar's historic first medal in Greco-Roman at the Asian Championships last year and with hopes to change the color this year, begins with a 5-3 victory over Rui LIU (CHN). He scores two turns from par terre while allowing Liu only one to keep the lead. He advances to the semifinals at 82kg

12:57: Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) sees his bid to add an Asian Greco gold to the one he won in Freestyle in 2022 end with a thud, as the Japanese went down to a quick 9-0 loss to Javad REZAEI (IRI) at 72kg. Rezaei, a former world U23 silver medalist who won the gold at this year's Tirana Ranking Series tournament, got the passivity call and went ahead 3-0 with a gut wrench. But the Iranian was hardly finished, as he then launched Narikuni for a 4-point throw, then ended the proceedings at 2:01 with another gut wrench to advance to the semifinals. Narikuni, who is also entered at Freestyle 70kg, is the first Japanese to compete in both styles at an Asian Championships since 1983.

12:52: Former world and Asian bronze medalist Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) scores a takedown and 2-point roll, then finishes off ANIL (IND) with a 4-point arm throw to end their 72kg quarterfinal with an 8-0 win in 1:05.

12:50: A takedown and two massive four-point throws from returning silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB) for a 10-0 win in just a minute and four seconds at 60kg. Highlights stuff from Ganiev!

12:45: Former Asian champion Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) slips out from the bottom of par terre and gains a 2-point exposure and reversal in the second period, clinching a 6-2 victory over SAHIL (IND) and berth in the 60kg semifinals.

12:41: Reigning champion and World and Olympic bronze medalist Se Ung RI (PRK) starts his title defense at 60kg with a hard-fought 6-2 victory over 2024 world U23 and U20 champion Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI). After giving up an early takedown, Ri spins out of an arm throw to go behind for a takedown, then goes ahead 4-2 with a gut wrench. In the second period, Ri adds another takedown and holds on for a place in the semifinals. 

12:33: The Asian gold-medal hopes of world silver medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) came to a painful end, as he had to default his match with Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) due to an elbow injury, shortly after giving up a 4-point throw that saw him fall behind 5-1. Whether Chung will be able to continue to add to his two Asian bronzes and one silver remains to be seen. 

12:30: Olympic and defending champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI) takes his sweet time to score a technical superiority 8-0 win over Minho LEE (KOR) at 97kg. While the match went on for more than four minutes, Saravi never looked in trouble.

12:27: Zegang WANG (CHN) ends the long-shot hopes of Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) for an improbable Greco-Freestyle double gold, storming to an 8-0 win to advance to the 97kg semifinals.  

12:24: Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN) uses a cross-body lift from par terre to slam down Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND) in their 67kg quarterfinal match, but keeps the hold and secures the fall at 1:39. 

12:23: In a battle of past 77kg bronze medalists, Rui LIU (CHN) takes a 4-1 lead into the second period of his 82kg bout with Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) when he gives up a 2-point fingers-grabbing foul to suddenly make things interesting. But Liu fends off everything the home wrestler throws at him for a 4-3 win and a place in the quarterfinals.

12:19: Another quick finish on Mat C. Returning silver medalist Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN) falls to Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), 8-0, in just 58 seconds at 97kg

12:16: Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) with quick 10-0 win over Sunat ABDULLOEV (TJK). The former U20 world champion took just 2:45 minutes to advance at 67kg.

12:15: Two-time Asian U23 champion Haodong TAN (CHN) hits a 4-point throw late in the first period to complete a stunning fightback against Kurmanbek ZHAPAROV (KGZ) for a 7-5 victory at 60kg. Tan had fallen behind 5-0 in the first period, with part of those points coming on a leg foul after he had apparently stopped a throw by Zhaparov. That foul came into play later after Tan cut the lead to 5-3, as the front headlock throw that he hit was initially scored as 2 points, which would have left him behind criteria. But after a referees' discussion, it was revised to 4, putting him over the top.

12:10: Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN), another wrestler trying to achieve a Greco-Freestyle double, gets his first international Greco win with a 11-2 win over Loiqi AMIRKHONZODA (TJK) at 72kg. Narikuni scored a takedown and then got the par terre position from which he scored an exposure to lead 5-0. Amirkhonzoda managed to get a reverse exposure to make it 5-2. Narikuni manages to come back on top and rolls Amirkhonzoda twice to win the 72kg bout

12:05: Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) built a 7-0 lead from par terre with three turns against Minwoo KIM (KOR) but used the full seconds period to score the final two points when Kim tried a desperate throw. Ahmadi Vafa was awarded the fall and he advances at 67kg.

12:00: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL), another of the gutsy wrestlers attempting the Greco-Freestyle double in Bishkek, doesn't get the venture off to a good start, as he falls behind 7-0 in the first period of his 97kg bout with Ibrahim FALLATAH (KSA). But the Mongolian hangs tough and scores a takedown before the period ends to make it 7-2. Ganbaatar gets shot at par terre, and while Fallatah resists at first, Ganbaatar's gut wrench takes him over four times. Ganbaatar adds a late takedown and walks off a 13-7 winner. 

11:49: Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN), a world bronze medalist at 63kg in 2021, rallies with a stepout and spin-behind takedown midway through the second period for a 4-3 win at 67kg over two-time Asian bronze medalist Ji LENG (CHN).

11:48: In a thriller right off the bat on Mat B, world silver medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) gets a second chance at par terre in the second period, and boy did he make the most of it, launching Asian U23 champion Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ) for a 4-point throw to win 7-4 in their opening match at 67kg

11:30: Welcome to Bishkek on a hazy spring day for the second day of competition in Greco-Roman. The qualifying rounds will be held in the remaining five weight classes of 60kg, 67kg, 72kg, 82kg and 97kg, with world and Olympic champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI) headlining the action as he goes for a fourth Asian title.