#Bishkek2018

Iran, Japan Prepped to Reign in Bishkek

Monday, February 26, 2018 - 16:06 By Ken Marantz

At last year's Asian Senior Championships in New Delhi, Iran swept the titles in the four heaviest Greco-Roman weight classes. Three of those wrestlers will aim for back-to-back crowns in this year's tournament in Bishkek as Iran looks again to dominate the men's competitions.

Hossein NOURI (87kg), Seyedmostafa SALEHIZADEH (97kg) and Behnam MEHDIZADEH (130kg) are among the seven gold medalists from New Delhi 2017 who are listed among the entries for the 2018 edition, although with the adjustments of weight classes in line with expansion from eight to 10, not all with be "defending" their titles.

In men's freestyle, Paris 2017 world and Rio 2016 Olympic champion Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (92kg) will lead a vastly different Iranian lineup from the team that took three golds and seven medals overall a year ago.

Iran's lone returning freestyle medalist is Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (57kg), who finished third in New Delhi. But the Asian powerhouse will still present a formidable force, as it includes 2014 Asian champion and two-time world medalist Seyed Ahmad MOHAMMADI (70kg), and Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (74kg), an Asian champion and world bronze medalist in 2016.

Others looking to strike gold for the second straight year are: in freestyle, the Uzbekistan pair of Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (74kg) and Magomed IBRAGIMOV (97kg), and India's Bajrang BAJRANG (65kg); Kazakhstan's Maxat YEREZHEPOV (77kg) in Greco-Roman; and Paris 2017 bronze medalist Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (57kg) of host Krygyzstan in women's wrestling.

In women's wrestling, Japan, which took home five golds from New Delhi, will send none of those winners, nor any of its reigning world and Olympic champions for that matter, opting instead to give their understudies more international experience. Part of the reason is the proximity of the tournament to the Women's World Cup, to be hosted by Japan in mid-March.

"This tournament is a bit early, as the last Asian [Championships] was in May," Japan Wrestling Federation managing director Hideaki TOMIYAMA said. "There is the factor of the season. Of course [the Women's World Cup] is the main thing."

The spotlight will be on Yuki IRIE (50kg), who won her first national title with an amazing run that included a stunning semifinal victory over Paris 2017 champion Yui SUSAKI. Irie won the 2015 Asian gold, and will head to Bishkek coming off a victory at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix.

While most of the Japan team is filled with runners-up from the Japan championships--including world junior champion Yuzuru KUMANO (59kg)--Irie became a rare case and opted to join the Asian squad. "I want to enter various international tournaments and gain experience," said Irie, a member of the Japan Self-Defense Forces' Physical Training School.

Tomiyama agreed that Irie made the right decision, giving the fierce competition among Japanese women in the lightest weight class that includes Rio 2016 Olympic champion Eri TOSAKA. "She herself decided," he said. "The others at 48 [kg] have had success, and internationally, she has to keep up."

Meanwhile, the tournament lost the chance to see the return to continental competition of Indian legend Sushil KUMAR, a two-time Olympic freestyle medalist. He had been entered at 74kg, but Indian media reported that the 34-year-old had withdrawn to avoid aggravating a knee injury ahead of the Commonwealth Games in April.

Kumar had come out of retirement and earned a place on India's team to Bishkek, where 11 years ago he won the second of his three Asian medals.

In total, 33 medalists from New Delhi will be looking to add to their collection in the Krygyzstan capital for the tournament, which has been extended from five days to six to accomodate the additional weight classes.

Here's a look at some weight classes of particular interest:

Greco-Roman, Feb. 27-28

Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ) will be looking for a second straight Asian gold and fifth medal overall when he takes the mat in the new weight class of 77kg. Standing in his way will be Paris 2017 bronze medalist Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), who warmed up for frigid Bishkek with a victory at the Takhti Cup. YANG Bin (CHN), a New Delhi 2017 bronze medalist, will also aim to be in the medal mix.

For Japan's Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist Shinobu OTA (60kg), just getting to Bishkek was a major challenge---he had to beat world and Asian champion Keniichiro FUMITA at the national championships to make the team. Still, he can expect stiff competition from Paris 2017 silver medalist KIM Seunghak (KOR) and Takhti Cup winner Kanybek ZHOLCHUBEKOV (KGZ).

At 63kg, Paris 2017 silver medalist Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) will attempt to improve on his runner-up finish from New Delhi, where he lost in the 59kg final to Fumita. Look for challenges from Rio 2016 bronze medalist Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB), world junior champion Keramat ABDEVALI (IRI) and Takhti Cup winner Kaly SULAIMANOV (KGZ).

Women’s Wrestling, March 1-2

The absence of the top Japanese leaves the fields a bit more open, while providing a good test of the depth of the Far East powerhouse. That's not to say it's a completely inexperienced team. Yu MIYAHARA, a 2014 Asian champion and winner at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix in January, can certainly be considered among the favorites at 53kg, in which Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) will look to improve on her runner-up finish from 2017.

Paris 2017 champion PUREVDORJ Orkhon (MGL) will make her senior continental debut at 62kg, having gone unbeaten in individual events in 2017 and opening this year with a victory at the Ivan Yaryguin Grand Prix. Tasked with stopping her will be 2014 Asian and former world junior champion Yurika ITO (JPN) and New Delhi 2017 bronze medalist Ayaulym KASSYMOVA (KAZ).

In the upper weights, Paris 2017 bronze medalist HAN Yue (CHN) heads the field at 72kg that includesz New Delhi 2017 silver medalist Masako FURUICHI (JPN), while at 76kg, Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) and world bronze medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA (JPN) look to be the ones to beat. Minagawa will be looking to give herself a wedding present--she formerly competed at Hiroe SUZUKI.

Freestyle, March 3-4

Only two of the 30 weight classes could feature a rematch of a final from New Delhi 2017, and both are in freestyle.

Last year, Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) thrilled the hometown crowd when he defeated LEE Seungchul (KOR) for the 65kg gold, but the two will be on neutral ground if they set up a rematch in Bishkek. Look for Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ), a New Delhi 2017 bronze medalist at 61kg, to try to crash the party.

At 74kg, Muslim EVLOEV (KGZ) will have the home mat advantage if he earns another shot at Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB), who defeated him in the final a year ago. Also challenging for the gold will be Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI), a two-time world medalist and 2014 Asian champion.

Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) will look to improve on his silver medal from New Delhi at 70kg, with opposition from double world medalist Seyed Ahmad MOHAMMADI (IRI), who will aim to add to his Asian gold from 2014.

Schedule

Monday, Feb. 26
16:30 - Draw: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg

Tuesday, Feb. 27
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg
13:30 - Draw: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg
17:30-18:00 - Opening Ceremony
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 55, 63, 77, 87 & 130kg

Wednesday, Feb. 28
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg
13:30 - Draw: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: GR 60, 67, 72, 82 & 97kg

Thursday, March 1
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg
13:30 - Draw: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 50, 55, 59, 68 & 76kg

Friday, March 2
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg
13:30 - Draw: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: WW 53, 57, 62, 65 & 72kg

Saturday, March 3
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg
13:30 - Draw: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 57, 65, 70, 79 & 97kg

Sunday, March 4
8:30-9:00 - Medical Examination and Weigh-In: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
10:30-13:30 - Qualification Rounds & Repechage: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
18:00-20:00 - Finals and Award Ceremonies: FS 61, 74, 86, 92 & 125kg
20:30 - Official Banquet

#JapanWrestling

Gomi Takes Big Strides as Japan’s Next Greco-Roman Hope

Wednesday, February 18, 2026 - 13:33 By Vinay Siwach

JAPAN (February 18) -- Koto GOMI (JPN) has been racking up titles in recent times. Last year, he won the U23 world title, the first for Japan in six years. He then won the All-Japan Championships gold in December for the first time.

Making his senior debut in 2026, the 21-year-old had an extraordinary run at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series event, winning the 60kg gold medal and giving up only three points in four bouts. In the final, Gomi defeated world silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB), 10-0, using three arm-throws to secure the victory inside the first period.

Koto GOMI (JPN) defeated Alisher GANIEV (UZB) in the Zagreb Open final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

While it may be too early to call Gomi a protégé, he may have already ended Japan's search for a new star at 60kg and a replacement for Olympic champion Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN).

The 30-year-old Fumita is a two-time world champion and won silver at the 2023 World Championships. A silver medalist from the Tokyo Olympics, he turned it into gold at Paris 2024.

But Fumita has not stepped on the mat since. He took time off and was entered in the All-Japan Championships at 63kg, but later pulled out. Though he did not mention it, most in Japan cite weight-cut issues for his delayed return.

That leaves Yu SHIOTANI (JPN), Kaito INABA (JPN) and Gomi as the front-runners for the spot if Fumita cannot make it. Gomi pinned Shiotani and then beat Inaba via technical superiority at the National Sports Festival in October.

Two months later in December, he again beat Shiotani to earn a spot on Japan’s Asian Championships team.

Koto GOMI (JPN), left, after winning the All-Japan University Championships. (Photo: Koto Gomi / Instagram)

Early start

Gomi was born in the Yamanashi Prefecture, west of Tokyo. The prefecture has given wrestling some of its biggest stars including Olympic champions Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and Tatsuhiro YONEMITSU (JPN).

He was introduced to wrestling by his father Joe, a kickboxer. Joe would take his eldest son Koto to far away tournaments to compete. Though the results were not always satisfying, Shiro wanted his son to face high-level competition every year.

"Wrestling has few injuries," he was quoted as saying by Japan Wrestling Federation in 2010. "It's a sport that develops physical ability and trains both the body and mind. I think it's the perfect martial art for children.

"It's a sport where older students take care of younger students. They naturally take care of you without you having to teach them."

It's true in Gomi's case. Like Gomi, both Fumita and Inaba hail from the same prefecture and attended the same high school.

Fumita's father, Toshiro, introduced most wrestlers to Greco in their high school. While Fumita and Inaba moved to Nippon Sports Science University, Gomi is at the Ikuei University, same as the world and Olympic champions in women's Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) and Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN).

Koto GOMI (JPN), blue, at the 2022 U20 World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Gomi began competing exclusively in Greco-Roman around 2022 but did not get satisfactory results internationally, finishing fifth and ninth at the two U20 World Championships.

In one of the memorable matches early in his career, Gomi had troubled the now Olympic Saied ESMAEILI (IRI). At the 2022 U20 Worlds, he was led 6-4 and then 9-4 at one point in the match against the Iranian but he lost it 13-9.

Two years later, Gomi emerged as a dominant force. He won the gold medal at the U20 Asian Championships and all age-group domestic competitions. His only losses came at the senior All-Japan Championships, winning bronze at three of them.

Gomi said his recent success was the result of years of hard work, particularly at university.

"I don't seem to be the athletic type, but rather a refreshing liberal arts type, and that's how I'm often seen," Gomi said. "I'm competitive. I get really annoyed and frustrated when I lose in practice. The hard work I've put in over the past four years at university is starting to show in the past year."

Domestic challenges

In 2025, Gomi suffered only one loss in five tournaments -- a 10-0 humiliation to Shiotani in May. But in December, he avenged that loss in the final of the All-Japan Championships and earned a chance to represent Japan at the 2026 Asian Championships in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan in April.

The December win also put Gomi a step closer to the 2026 World Championships and Asian Games. He now has to win the Japan National Championships in May to qualify for both. If he fails to win, he will have a wrestle-off with the winner on the same day.

Both the U23 World Championships and the Zagreb Open showcased Gomi's technical excellence. He often uses a two-on-one to set up his arm-throws and arm-drags. It is his swiftness, rather than brute force, that allows him to complete his attacks.

In par terre, Gomi has an excellent high gut-wrench, which he used effectively against Sajjad ABBASPOUR (IRI) in Zagreb and Maxwell BLACK (USA) at the U23 Worlds.

"I'm starting to find my strengths, like in terms of technique, so I think that's a good thing," he said.

Despite his rapid rise, Gomi is cautious about calling himself the best yet. He knows he still needs to get past several domestic rivals before becoming Japan’s first-choice wrestler at 60kg.

"It's not like that, but I was conscious of focusing on my strengths and techniques and taking the initiative to attack," he said. "But, there are many other players in Japan, like Fumita and Inaba, and I don't think I can beat them yet, so I'll continue to practice hard."

But if Zagreb was any indication, it may not take long.

Iran, Japan Prepped to Reign in Bishkek

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Gomi Takes Big Strides as Japan’s Next Greco-Roman Hope