All Japan Championships

Left Behind in the Run to Tokyo 2020, Okuno Plods into 53kg Final at All Japan

Friday, December 20, 2019 - 16:00 By Ken Marantz

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TOKYO (Dec. 20) — Throughout her career on the global stage, Haruna OKUNO has blown away all in her path, a trend she continued this year by winning both the world junior and U-23 titles over a two-month span. 

Back home in Japan, however, missing out on the senior World Championships and subsequently a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics seemed to take the wind out of her sails.

Okuno put together two underwhelming victories to advance to the final of the women’s 53kg class on the second day of the All Japan Championships in Tokyo, setting up a rematch of a recent disappointing loss to world silver medalist Nanami IRIE.

Okuno could manage only two activity-clock points in fending off Asian junior champion Umi IMAI 2-0 in the quarterfinals, then rode a lone first-period takedown to beat unheralded Yuka YAGO 3-1 in the semifinals.

“After the World Cup [in November], I didn’t get in enough practice,” said Okuno, who won two matches in helping host Japan win a fifth straight World Cup. “Without practice, this is what happens. As I wanted focus on tying up, I think overall that went well. I’m not injured, but I’m not in good condition.”

Okuno, whose only international losses came at the world cadet in 2014 and Asian Games in 2018 (she finished third at both), picked up a second senior world gold in 2018 when she won the 53kg title in Budapest. 

But both she and Irie lost out for the place in that weight class for the team to the World Championships in Nur-Sultan to Mayu MUKAIDA, the 55kg world champion who dropped down to the Olympic weight. 

Okuno and Irie both entered the wrestle-off for the 55kg spot, and Irie pulled off a surprising 3-1 win to earn the ticket to Nur-Sultan, where she captured the silver medal in her senior world debut. Okuno, who had won two previous meetings between the two, never seemed to have her heart in the match.

“In the playoff for the World Championships, 55kg was the only weight class open [for us],” Okuno said. “Before the playoff, I hardly practiced for two months. I only trained for two days. This year was the least I’ve practiced in my life.”

There was speculation that Okuno might drop down to 50kg—the only women’s weight class in which Japan did not clinch an Olympic berth at Nur-Sultan—and enter the fray for the coveted ticket to the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament with Yui SUSAKI, Yuki IRIE (Nanami’s older sister) and Eri TOSAKA.   

But she said Friday she never thought of going down to 50kg, citing the example of gold medalist Hitomi Obara’s struggle to get down to 48kg for the London 2012 Olympics. 

“Obara cut weight for London, when the weigh-in was held the day before, and she spent two years to get down to the weight,” Okuno said. “Now, with the same-day weigh-in, it’s not so easy to just go out and win.”

Nanami Irie made the final with a 10-0 technical fall in the semifinals over Yumi SHIMONO. 

Mukaida and the other world medalists in Olympic weights at Nur-Sultan automatically clinched Tokyo 2020 spots, and are sitting out the All-Japan tournament, also referred to as the Emperor’s Cup. 

In the few weight classes in which Japan clinched an Olympic spot but did not medal, the winner at Komazawa Olympic Park Gym will fill the berth. In the remaining divisions, the winners will represent Japan at the Asian qualifier in Xi’an, China, in March. 

Of the three wrestlers who failed to secure Olympic spots in Nur-Sultan and were involved in finals contested on Friday, two earned tickets to Xi’an and another shot. 

Naoya AKAGUMA gained a point in each period with Takeshi YAMAGUCHI on the activity clock for a 2-0 victory to capture his second straight national freestyle 97kg title and third overall.  

At Greco 97kg, Yuta NARA made it four national titles in a row with a 2-2 win over Yuri NAKAZATO. In Nur-Sultan, outside of the three medalists in the lightest weight classes, Nara was Japan’s only Greco wrestler to post a victory.

Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA’s two-year reign at freestyle 125kg ended when he had to default during the final to Tetsuya TANAKA due to a right elbow tendon injury that he originally suffered in Nur-Sultan.

“It’s disappointing to lose, but I knew going into the final I would put priority on the injury,” he said. “I knew that defaulting would be the best option.”

Meanwhile, there was high anticipation that the Emperor’s Cup would get its first-ever high school Greco champion and first in freestyle in 30 years—a direct result of all the maneuvering into Olympic weight classes that thinned out the non-Olympic divisions.

But all three high schoolers in men’s finals on Friday were taught a harsh lesson by collegiate opponents on just how intense the senior level can be. 

Hikaru TAKADA came closest, falling 5-3 to Shin HARAGUCHI at freestyle 70kg. But the two Greco finals turned into routs, as Asian silver medalist Hiromu KATAGIRI needed just over a minute to crush Yu SHIOTANI with a 12-0 technical fall that he ended with a 5-point throw, and Ayata SUZUKI followed suit with a 9-0 technical fall of Kosei TAKESHITA.

“The opponent was a high school student, so I thought there is no way I’m going to lose,” Katagiri declared. 

Sara NATAMI upset Yuzuka INAGAKI, 2-2, in the 59kg finals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

One of Japan’s top female high schoolers, Yuzuka INAGAKI, was not immune from the carnage. She was stunned by collegian Sara NATAMI, who pancaked her for 2 points in the second period of the 59kg final for a 2-2 win on big-point criteria. 

Inagaki, the world junior and U-23 champion at 62kg, had beaten Natami 5-0 in their Nordic group the day before. 

“Yesterday was under the Nordic system, so I knew I would have another chance,” said Natami, a 2018 Asian silver medalist. “I just had to build off [the loss].”

While the high schoolers came up short, Nao KUSAKA became the youngest-ever national Greco champion when, at 19 years and 22 days, he defeated Takuya TOMIZUKA 5-4 for the 72kg title.

Satoki MUKAI joined his father as a national champion with a 2-1 victory over Yoji KAWAMURA in the Greco 82kg final. His father Takahiro, a two-time Olympian, won eight straight titles at 74-82kg from 1982 to 1988.

In weight classes that ran through the semifinals on Friday, former world silver medalist Sosuke TAKATANI advanced to the final at freestyle 86kg as he pursues a berth in a third career Olympics.

Fellow world team member Yudai TAKAHASHI could give the tournament a male high school champion just yet after securing a spot in the freestyle 79kg final. 

Former two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI and Rio 2016 Olympic champion Eri TOSAKA could square off in the 50kg semifinals on Satruday. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Susaki, Tosaka drawn in same bracket
Former two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI and Rio 2016 Olympic champion Eri TOSAKA could meet in the women’s 50kg semifinals following the draw for Saturday, when the action starts for the marquee weight classes. 

Yuki IRIE, who defeated Susaki in a playoff for a place on the team to Nur-Sultan, is the top seed in the other bracket of the high-profile division.

Susaki defeated Tosaka by technical fall in the final at the All-Japan Invitational Championships last June, which put her in the playoff with Irie.

In the women’s 68kg class, Rio champion Sara DOSHO, who finished fifth at Nur-Sultan, was handed a tough test to start out with, as she was drawn with highly touted high schooler Yuka KAGAMI.

Kagami, the world 72kg junior champion, had tried to make Tokyo 2020 at 76kg, but could not unseat world silver medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA. Now she has gone the other way, dropping down to 68kg.  

At Greco 67kg, world 63kg champion Shinobu OTA could face defending national champion Shogo TAKAHASHI in the quarterfinals, which would be the second match for both.

Ota was the Rio 2016 silver medalist at 59kg, but failed to beat eventual world champion Kenichiro FUMITA for the place on the team to Nur-Sultan at 60kg. He moved up to 63kg and came away with his first world title, and has now jumped another division in a bid to return to the Olympics.

At freestyle 57kg, former world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI and Rio 2016 silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI were drawn in separate brackets, meaning they would not meet until Sunday’s final. 

Day 2 results

Freestyle

61kg (19 entries)
Final - Ryuto SAKAGI df. Keita SHIMIZU, 5-3
3rd Place - Kodai OGAWA df. Raimu MAEDA by TF, 10-0, 3:22 
3rd Place - Ryutaro HAYAMA df. Takumi YOSHIMURA, 7-1

70kg (16 entries)
Final - Shin HARAGUCHI df. Hikaru TAKADA, 5-3
3rd Place - Ryo YONEZAWA df. Tsuyoshi NAKAMURA, 10-8 
3rd Place - Hidetaka SAKANO df. Shinnosuke SUWAMA by Def. 

79kg (11 entries)
Semifinals
Yudai TAKAHASHI df. Taro UMEBAYASHI, 9-2
Shinkichi OKUI df. Yuta ABE, 5-2

86kg (11 entries)
Semifinals
Sosuke TAKATANI df. Shutaro YAMADA, 8-0
Hayato ISHIGURO df. Shota SHIRAI, 2-1

92kg (9 entries)
Semifinals
Takuma OTSU df. Yudai YOKOTA by TF, 12-1, 4:33
Ryoichi YAMANAKA df. Takumi TANIZAKI, 4-1

97kg (14 entries)
Final - Naoya AKAGUMA df. Takeshi YAMAGUCHI, 2-0 
3rd Place - Taira SONODA df. Keiwan YOSHIDA, 6-2 
3rd Place - Takashi ISHIGURO df. Atsushi MATSUMOTO by TF, 10-0, 3:42

125kg (14 entries)
Final - Tetsuya TANAKA df. Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA by Inj. Def., 3:00 (2-0) 
3rd Place - Yasuhiro YAMAMOTO df. Takuto YASUDA by TF, 14-3, 4:55
3rd Place - Katsutoshi KANAZAWA df. Taiki YAMAMOTO, 5-4

Greco-Roman

55kg (23 entries)
Final - Hiromu KATAGIRI df. Yu SHIOTANI by TF, 12-0, 1:07 
3rd Place - Takumi HOSHINO df. Kagetora OKAMOTO by TF, 8-0, 2:07 
3rd Place - Hirokazu ONO df. Mizuki ARAKI, 9-3

60kg (12 entries)
Final - Ayata SUZUKI df. Kosei TAKESHITA by TF, 9-0, 3:16 
3rd Place - Kaito INABA df. Tatsuto OSHIRO by TF, 9-0, 2:17 
3rd Place - Kensuke SHIMIZU df. Maito KAWANA, 8-3 

63kg (15 entries)
Semifinals
Yoshiki YAMADA df. Harushi SHIMAYA, 7-1
Masaki ISHIKAWA df. Ichito TOKUHIGA by TF, 10-0, 1:44

72kg (22 entries)
Final - Nao KUSAKA df. Takuya TOMIZUKA, 5-4
3rd Place - Minto MAEDA df. Ibuki KATSUURA by TF, 9-1, 5:13
3rd Place - Takahiro YAMAMOTO df. Masaki KONDO by Fall, 1:53 (4-0)

82kg (15 entries)
Final - Satoki MUKAI df. Yoji KAWAMURA, 2-1 
3rd Place - Yuto MATSUZAKI df. Masao TANAKA, 5-3
3rd Place - Rai HAYASHI df. Shoma YAMASAKI by Fall, 4:44 (7-0) 

87kg (12 entries)
Semifinals
Masato SUMI df. Kanta SHIOKAWA, 5-1
Takahiro TSURUDA df. Kaito MIYAMOTO, 7-0 

97kg (14 entries)
Final - Yuta NARA df. Yuri NAKAZATO, 2-2
3rd Place - Suguru KINOSHITA df. Masayuki AMANO, 2-1
3rd Place - Masaaki SHIKIYA df. Sanjuro TAKAHASHI by TF, 10-0, 2:06

130kg (10 entries)
Semifinals
Arata SONODA df. Shoma SUZUKI by TF, 8-0, 1:12
Ryota KONO df. Keita BANCHI by Fall, 1:58 (5-0)

Women’s Wrestling

53kg (14 entries)
Semifinals
Haruna OKUNO df. Yuka YAGO, 3-1
Nanami IRIE df. Yumi SHIMONO by TF, 10-0, 3:26 

55kg (10 entries)
Final - Kana HIGASHIKAWA df. Tsugumi SAKURAI by Fall, 1:02 (2-0)
3rd Place - Tomoha UCHIJO df. Saki IGARASHI by Def.
3rd Place - Michika OHASHI df. Hikari HIGUCHI, 6-3 

57kg (8 entries)
Semifinals
Akie HANAI df. Chiho HAMADA, 3-1
Sae NANJO df. Hanako SAWA by TF, 10-0, 2:06

59kg (6 entries)
Final - Sara NATAMI df. Yuzuka INAGAKI, 2-2 
3rd Place - Yumi KON df. Ayami SUGIMOTO, 5-2 

62kg (11 entries)
Semifinals
Atena KODAMA df. Suzu YABIKU, 7-0
Ami ISHII df. Kumi IRIE, 4-3 

65kg (7 entries)
Final - Naomi RUIKE df. Miyu IMAI, 7-2
3rd Place - Miki KAWAUCHI df. Rin TERAMOTO, 6-6

72kg (3 entries)
Round-Robin
(Standings after 2 rounds)
1. Mei SHINDO (2-0), 2. Kanon KOBAYASHI (0-1), Mai HAYAKAWA (0-1).

76kg (5 entries)
Round-Robin, Final Standings
1. Yasuha MATSUYUKI (4-0)
2. Rino ABE (3-1)
3. Mizuki NAGASHIMA (1-2)
Key match: Yasuha MATSUYUKI df. Rino ABE, 10-1

#wrestlebishkek

Yoshida Repeats as Asian Champ as Japan, India Grab 2 Golds

Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 18:46 By Ken Marantz

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 11) – Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) brought further glory to a country with little prior success in the upper weights, while also standing out for his Iranian heritage.

And now he has company in that dynamic combination.

Yoshida successfully defended his 97kg title at the Asian Championships on Saturday, one of two golds captured by Japan on the first night of finals in Freestyle – both by wrestlers born and raised in Japan with Iranian fathers.

WATCH ARASH YOSHIDA (JPN) vs AMIRALI AZARPIRA (IRI) FINAL: CLICK HERE

Yoshida outlasted Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) in a battle of world medalists, notching a second-period takedown for the key score in a 4-0 victory.

“I'm glad I was able to beat an opponent I had been aiming to defeat, and to win the Asian championship,” said Yoshida, who also won the Asian gold at 92kg in 2023.

His victory came a short time after unheralded compatriot Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) – who also has an Iranian father and Japanese mother – won the 79kg gold in his first major senior tournament.

It was also a big night for India, which claimed golds from SUJEET (IND) at 65kg and ABHIMANYOU (IND) at 70kg, while Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) won the other title at stake with a somewhat distasteful triumph at 57kg.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), blue, and Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) battle it out in the 97kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

For Yoshida, his facing – and beating – an Iranian in a major international tournament final had long been the dream of his father, who runs the kids wrestling club outside of Tokyo where Arash and his siblings started the sport.

“It's a bit [special],” Yoshida said of beating Azarpira. “It's not so good that my father is so happy about it, but at the same time, I'm glad. I am my own self, and I came here as a Japanese to represent Japan.”

In the final at Bishkek’s Zhastyk Arena, neither wrestler could make inroads early on as Yoshida received an activity point for the lone score of the first period.

In the second period, Azarpira launched an attack, but Yoshida sprawled and started to work his way behind. When Azarpira tried to get to his feet, Yoshida deftly lunged for an ankle and sent the Iranian to the mat for a takedown and a 3-0 lead. A penalty for hands to the face accounted for Yoshida’s final point.

“I wasn’t able to attack much, so I ended up focusing solely on finding a way to win,” Yoshida said. “The match itself wasn’t very interesting. The Iranian was strong, and I thought it would come down to a battle of power. I thought it was good that I kept the pressure on when we tied up.”

As for achieving a golden repeat, Yoshida said, “That wasn't really an issue for me. It’s more to just do each and everything I needed to do as it comes up. When it comes to repeating, it’s like I’m thankful because it’s something that becomes mine.”

At last year’s World Championships in Zagreb, Yoshida took a bronze medal after losing in the semifinals to Kyle SNYDER (USA), who then beat Paris Olympic bronze medalist Azarpira for the gold.

Yoshida can secure a trip to this year’s World Championships with a victory at next month’s Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, or in a playoff in the unlikely event that he loses. The winner will also earn a ticket to the Asian Games that Japan will host in October.

“The top wrestlers will come up with a strategy against me, so I think the world is going to get tougher for me,” Yoshida said. “I will have to put my whole heart into training.”

Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN)Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) celebrates after winning the 79kg gold medal at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

As Yoshida continue to establish himself among the world elite, collegian Gharehdaghi took a big first step when he forged out a 2-1 victory over Sandeep MANN (IND) for the 79kg, with activity points accounting for all of the scoring.

Gharehdaghi, a 20-year-old third-year student at Tokyo’s Waseda University, spent the match trying to break through Mann’s defensive shell, while his opponent would not launch a legitimate attack until the final seconds.

It was a far cry from the Gharehdaghi’s action-packed semifinal win over Olympic bronze medalist Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) that suddenly cast him into the spotlight.

“I wanted to be aggressive and do my style of wrestling,” Gharehdaghi said. “But it was a final. The feeling of not wanting to make a mistake comes to the forefront, and there were times I couldn't do the wrestling that I wanted to.

“I''m happy that I won the title, but above that, I wanted it to be more my type of wrestling.”

WATCH: KEYVAN GHREHDAGHI (JPN) BEATS OLYMPIC CHAMPION RAZAMBEK JAMALOV (UZB)

Gharehdaghi’s win ended a run of victories by India in the two previous finals.

“The Indians were really on a roll, starting from 65kg,” Gharehdaghi said. “I wasn't trying to stop the streak. I was just thinking about myself.”

Gharehdaghi said he will eventually move down to 74kg when the Olympic qualifying process begins, and remains unsure at this time what weight class he will enter at the Meiji Cup.

For now, he can bask in the glory of a well-earned triumph without letting it go to his head.

“It gives me confidence, but I am telling myself to not be satisfied with this and to work to get to a higher level,” he said.

SUJEET (IND)SUJEET (IND) claimed the 65kg gold medal in Bishkek after an 8-1 victory over Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

India’s mini gold rush began with Sujeet’s 8-1 win over world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg, which he secured with three second-period takedowns.

Sujeet, the 2025 world u23 champion and winner of two Ranking Series events this year, gained an activity point and stepout to go ahead in the first period. In the second, the run of takedowns started, disturbed only by a stepout by Jalolov and ending with a nice duck under.

“He is a very good competitor,” Sujeet said of Jalolov, “but I want to give my best. I don’t want to consider any opponent weak or strong.”

It was Sujeet’s fourth win in four meetings with Jalalov, most recently in the final at the last year’s World U23 Championships.

Sujeet still has an axe to grind about his disappointing showing at last year’s senior worlds, where he fell in the quarterfinals, then was eliminated in the repechage to finish out of the medals.

“Last year, there were a lot of shortcomings at the World Championships,” Sujeet said. “I was under a lot of pressure. But this year, I have started to improve. There is a difference between this year and last. I am improving day by day.”

ABHIMANYOU (IND)ABHIMANYOU (IND) scores a takedown on Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) in the 70kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Abhimanyou, a bronze medalist in 2024, followed Sujeet’s victory by rallying for a 5-3 victory in the 70kg final over world silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL).

“I just wanted to give 100 percent in the final,” said Abhimanyou, who became the first Indian to win an Asian gold in a weight class above 66kg since 2010.

“I focused on a few things in the final. The Mongolian wrestler has a great underhook on his right side. And my defense on my left side is very good so I could cancel him.”

Tumur Ochir scored first when he spun out of a near takedown for a stepout, then received an activity point to take a 2-0 lead at the break.

Abhimanyou started the second period with a double-leg takedown, with an unsuccessful challenge giving the Indian a 4-2 lead. After limiting Tumur Ochir to a stepout despite getting in deep on a single, Abhimanyou gained a stepout with :54 left to cap the scoring.

“I was not worried even when he scored the first two points,” Abhimanyou said. “I could feel that I will catch him for a takedown whenever I want.”

Milad VALIZADEH (IRI)Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) won the 57kg gold, the only champion for Iran on Saturday. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 57kg, what started as an exciting match between two dynamos ended with returning silver medalist Valizadeh being booed after completing an easy victory over an injured Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL).

Batkhuyag suffered an apparent rib injury while scoring a stepout midway through the first period that cut Valizadeh’s lead to 4-3. After the restart, Valizadeh shot in for a takedown, at which time Batkhuyag seemed to have was stopped fighting.

But Valizadeh didn’t, and flip-flopped the lifeless Batkhuyag back and forth until he piled up enough points for a 14-3 victory that ended the match at 1:47.

To be fair, the referee never blew the whistle, and Valizadeh was under no obligation to stop. And after the initial boos, the crowd actually applauded when he celebrated his victory with a gymnastics back flip.

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) returned with a bronze medal at 97kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Tazhudinov takes home 97kg bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) assured he would not leave Bishkek empty-handed, emphatically beating Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) 14-0 at 97kg.

Tazhudinov, a two-time former gold medalist, jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first period, then poured it on after tackling Urkimbay, turning him over again and again to end the match in 3:53.

In the other 97kg match, Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) scored a defensive takedown and gut wrench combination in the second period that made the difference in a 7-5 win over VICKY (IND) in a match that was otherwise filled mainly with stepouts.

Poyonov, the world U20 champion at 92kg, added the bronze to the silver he won at 92kg in 2024.

At 70kg, local star Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) completed his collection of Asian medals with a vintage performance of his counter wrestling as he won one of three bronze medals claimed by the host nation.

Akmataliev, rebounding from a devastating loss in the semifinals when he was unaware of the score, rode his counters to a 14-7 win over Shuang CHEN (CHN).

The three-time world medalist, pulled away in the second period with a pair of takedowns off counters, adding a counter lift for his final points for good measure to add to the gold he won last year and a silver from 2022.

Even when Chen scored four earlier by somersaulting forward with Akmataliev on his back, Akmataliev managed to fenagle a 2-point exposure.

In the other 70kg match, Sina KHALILI (IRI) took home his second straight bronze with a one-sided 11-0 win over Shakhzodbek YARASHEV (UZB) that included a 4-point takedown in the second period.

Zhakshylyk BAITASHOV (KGZ) followed Akmataliev by taking a bronze at 79kg with a 6-0 win over Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK) for his first major medal.

After opening with a stepout and activity point in the first period, Baitashov padded the lead with a takedown in the second period, then scored another blocking a desperate throw attempt by Ikromov.

Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) received his second straight Asian bronze and third overall when Jamalov forfeited their match.

At 57kg, Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) also won a bronze without a fight after Sunggwon KIM (KOR) defaulted due to injury. It is the first senior medal for Karachov, the 2024 world U23 silver medalist and Asian U23 champion.

In the other 57kg match, Asian U20 champion ANKUSH (IND) earned his first senior Asian medal when he hit a 4-point hip throw in the second period, leading to an 8-2 victory over Fuga SASAKI (JPN).

Sasaki had gone ahead 2-1 with a takedown to open the second period when Ankush slammed him to the mat. An unsuccessful challenge and a late takedown sewed up the victory for the Indian.

At 65kg, Russian-born Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) survived a wild battle with Asian U23 bronze medalist Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ), gaining an early 4-point takedown and getting 4 during a second period scramble to prevail 10-7.

Kudiev, the 2024 world bronze medalist at 70kg, led 5-2 in the second period when Kakharov tried to secure a cradle as he tried to take Kudiev to the mat. In the ensuing chaos, Kakharov got 2, only for Kudiev to reverse for 2 then add a 2-point exposure.

A late 2-point throw and unsuccessful challenge pulled Kakharov to within two points, but Kudiev sewed up the win with a stepout.

In the other 65kg match, Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) was leading 1-1 on criteria when he secured a second-period takedown for a 3-1 victory over Zeneemeder BYAMBASUREN (MGL).

Photo

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

57kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) df. Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) by TS, 14-3, 1:47

BRONZE: Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) df. Sunggwon KIM (KOR) by Inj. Def.
BRONZE: ANKUSH (IND) df. Fuga SASAKI (JPN), 8-2

61kg (11 entries)
SF 1: AMAN (IND) df. Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), 11-9
SF 2: Kwang Myong KIM (PRK) df. Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) by Fall, 2:30 (3-0)

65kg (12 entries)
GOLD: SUJEET (IND) df. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB), 8-1

BRONZE: Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) df. Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ), 10-7
BRONZE: Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) df. Zeneemeder BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 3-1

70kg (10 entries)
GOLD: ABHIMANYOU (IND) df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), 5-3

BRONZE: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Shuang CHEN (CHN), 14-7
BRONZE: Sina KHALILI (IRI) df. Shakhzodbek YARASHEV (UZB) by TS, 11-0, 5:06

74kg (14 entries)
SF 1: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB), 4-3
SF 2: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) by TS, 10-0, 3:36

79kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) df. Sandeep Singh MANN (IND), 2-1

BRONZE: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) df. Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) by Forf.
BRONZE: Zhakshylyk BAITASHOV (KGZ) df. Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK), 6-0

86kg (15 entries)
SF 1: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM) by TS, 11-0, 3:30
SF 2: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 12-6

92kg (12 entries)
SF 1: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Iakov CHAPLIN (KGZ), 8-0
SF 2: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 6-0

97kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), 4-0

BRONZE: Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) df. VICKY (IND), 7-5
BRONZE: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) by TS, 12-0, 3:53

125kg (11 entries)

SF 1: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. BUHEEERDUN (CHN), 5-0
SF 2: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. DINESH (IND) by Fall, :41 (2-0)