#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Live Blog: Asian Championship day six

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 24) -- The final of the Asian Championships is here. After 10 champions in Greco-Roman and women's wrestling each, the freestyle will get the 10 champions as well.

Five of the 10 were decided Saturday and the remaining five will be on Sunday. Rio Olympics silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) is wrestling at 61kg and is the favorite to win the gold.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

13:40: The morning session is over. The 10 finalists in 5 weight classes are set and the medal bouts will begin 1800 hours local time.

13:36: Yergali did give up a takedown but did not let Jung get a turn. He wins 9-6 by countering Jung's final attack. Yergali will face Yadollah MOHEBI (IRI) in the 125kg final. Mohebi had to stepouts and a takedown against Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL) in the first period before Ekhtuvshin scored a takedown of his own in the second. But all his other attacks were easily countered by Mohebi as he secured a 12-2 win. 

13:33: Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), the Asian champion at 97kg, leads Yeihyun JUNG (KOR) 7-0 in the 125kg semifinal. Yergali lost his concentration for a moment and now Jung has scored a four-pointer. Can Jung score 4 more with 40 seconds remaining?

13:27: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) once again leads a series of leg laces to lead 5-0 against Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) at the break in the 74kg semifinal. Orozbekov gets a takedown in the second period but gives up one as well. He then gets a duck under and gut to make it 9-6. Kaipanov counters with a single leg and leads 11-6. Orozbekov's attack is countered with a double to four-pointer exposure from Kaipanov as he wins 15-8.

13:22: Higuchi starts out the second period with a low single-leg attack, and stops Zholdoshbekov's attempt to counter to gain a takedown for an 8-4 lead. He repeats it and how he's up 10-4. With 1:24 left, it's the same move for another takedown, and this time he pops a gut wrench for a 14-4 technical fall at 4:50. A short time earlier,  Darioush HAZRATCGHOLIZADEH (IRI) fought back from a 5-0 deficit against Akbar KURBANOV (KAZ) in the other semifinal, scoring the winning takedown with :12 left to win 6-5. 

13:21: Deepak PUNIA (IND) hits a four with a whizzer in the second period to lead 5-0 against Gwanuk KIM (KOR). The underhook defense of Punia keeps giving him the advantage over his opponents.

13:19: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) with a strong performance as he stuns Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ) with a series of gut wrenches to make it to the 86kg final in which he will face the winner of Deepak PUNIA (IND) vs Gwanuk KIM (KOR)

13:16: In the featured match of the session in the 61kg semifinals, Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) comes out with a takedown, but Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) responds with a 4-point counter lift. Higuchi ties the score with a roll from an attack, but he's trailing on criteria. With :04 left in the first period, the Rio Olympic silver medalist bulls his way to a takedown and a 6-4 lead. 

13:10: 2021 world junior champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) easily puts away Takuma OTSU (JPN) with a 10-0 technical fall to make the final at 92kg. The other semifinal was equally one-sided, as Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL) gains a spin-behind takedown to top Viky CHAHAR (IND) 11-0.

13:03: Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) has Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) in the semifinal and he begins with a takedown and roll to lead 4-0. A series of takedowns and he wins 10-0 to reach the 74kg final

12:57: Two 125kg quarterfinals and Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) beats Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) 14-4 while home favorite Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL) beats Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) 5-1

12:50: In another 86kg quarterfinal, Muhammad INAM (PAK) trailed 5-0 against Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ) but then scored a takedown before getting a point for passivity. He got an exposure to lead 5-5 with 6 seconds remaining but Usupov scores the reversal to win 6-5

12:45: Anirudh KUMAR (IND) had made it 4-4 after Yeihyun JUNG (KOR) had hit an early four-point throw. But Jung scored a takedown with 30 seconds remaining and adds another as he counters an attack to make it 8-4 and win the bout.

12:42: At 86kg, world silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND) is wrestling against Mohsen MOSTAFAVI (IRI). He gets the first point for Mostafavi's inactivity before giving a takedown on edge. Punia leads 3-0. A lost challenge gives him 4-0 in the second period. None of Mostafavi's attacked worked and Punia wins 6-0

12:40: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) is in real form at 74kg. He gets a takedown and then locks Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) in lace to win 11-0 inside the first minute.

12:35: The semifinal in the bottom half of the bracket at 61kg has been set. It will be Akbar KURBANOV (KAZ), who ousted 2021 world U23 bronze medalist Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL) by a 10-0 technical fall, and Darioush HAZRATCGHOLIZADEH (IRI), who took advantage of a clearly winded 2021 world junior bronze medalist Alibeg ALIBEKOV (BRN) to rally from an 11-4 deficit with 2 minutes to a 14-11 win. 

12:30: A thrilling quarterfinal at 74kg. Byambadorj BAT-ERDENE (MGL) was leading 5-2 with 20 seconds remaining and a scramble resulted in Seungbong LEE (KOR) scoring a takedown. He tried to get a roll but could not. Baterdene wins 5-4

12:22: Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) sets up a semifinal clash at 61kg with Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) after breaking open a close match late in the second period and defeating defending champion Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB ) 6-2. 

12:17: Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) has countered Diachi TAKATANI (JPN) every time the Japanese has tried to attack. Emamichoghaei now leads 6-2 as they battle it out in the 74kg quarterfinal. Takatani with a leg attack and converts that into a takedown. The final 20 seconds had Emamichoghaei being passive which the Japanese corner challenges, asking for a caution and passivity point. However, the jury rules it out. Emamichogaei wins 7-5

12:15: Viky CHAHAR (IND) pulled a rabbit off his hat to defeat Mirian CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ) and advance to the semifinals at 82kg. Just seconds after giving up an exposure that put the Kyrgyz ahead 3-2, Charhar somehow reversed the situation with :05 left for a 4-3 win. The 92kg semifinals are now set: Takuma OTSU (JPN) vs Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI), and Charhar vs Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL)

12:08: Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), perhaps still smarting from missing out on the Tokyo Olympics and the chance to get the gold he was denied in Rio, looked like a man on a mission in handily putting away Mangal KADYAN (IND) by 10-0 technical fall. Higuchi started with a pair of takedown-gut wrench combinations, then ended the match with an exposure off a tackle attempt.

12:07: Shota SHIRAI (JPN) works hard to beat Temuujin MENDBILEG (MGL) 6-0 at 86kg. Shirai with a strong counter game and puts Mendbileg's conditioning to test

12:03: Yeihyun JUNG (KOR) exposes Rustam ISKANDARI (TJK) and then holds him to the back to secure the fall in the second period at 125kg.

12:02: Orgilokh DAVADORJ (MGL) gets the home crowd charged up with a 10-0 technical fall over Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB ) to advance to the semifinals at 92kg. 

11:59: 2020 silver medalist and top seed Takuma OTSU (JPN) turns Jinmyeong KIM (KOR) over on a takedown counter for a 5-0 lead, and looks to be content with just running out the last 80 seconds in their quarterfinal clash at 92kg. But he manages to lever the Korean over enough to record a fall with :13 left. 

11:55: Navruzov takes a stepout and leads 11-4. He is cautioned for headbutting Tushir who adds three takedwons to make it 11-10 but the time runs out. Navuroz moves into the quarterfinals.

11:50: Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) begins his 74kg qualification with two big arm throws to be up 8-0 against Yash TUSHIR (IND). He then gets countered for a takedown before Navruzov adds two stepouts to lead 10-2. Tushir gets a takedown to make it 10-4 at the break.

11:45: At 74kg, Atamyrat CHARLYYEV (TKM) with a clinical 11-0 win over HONG YEOW LOU (SGP) and Seungbong LEE (KOR) beats Lakmal Wijesooriya (SRI) via technical superiority as well

11:41: Diachi TAKATANI (JPN) is up at 74kg and he has a quick fall over Abdullah ABDALKAREEM (TKM) in the opening round.

11:39: Defending 61kg champion Jahongirmirza TUROBOV (UZB ) easily handles Sampath WATHTHE GEDARA (SRI) in a 12-0 technical fall. He will next face 2020 champion Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals, with the winner likely getting a semifinal clash with Higuchi who has Mangal KADYAN (IND) in the quarterfinals. Kadyan began with an 11-0 technical fall over Mekan MUHAMMEDOV (TKM).  

11:34: Rio Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) begins his campaign for the first Asian gold medal by overwhelming Ali ALHOHAINI (KUW) in their qualification match at 61kg. A takedown and four straight lace locks and that was all for the Kuwaiti in 26 seconds.

11:30: All ready for the start of the final day at Buyant Ukhaa Sports Palace, with the final five weight classes in freestyle, 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg. Let the action begin.

#WrestleBucharest

European Championships FS 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg, 97kg semis set

By United World Wrestling Press

BUCHAREST, Romania (February 16) -- Freestyle will take over the European Championships on day five with 57kg, 65kg, 70kg, 79kg and 97kg weight classes. Unfortunately, Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) will not be competing. Still, big matches coming up.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 4 REPORT

Semifinals for the evening session

57kg
Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs. Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE)
Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO) vs. Muhammet KARAVUS (TUR)

65kg
Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (AIN) vs. Goderdzi DZEBISASHVILI (GEO)
Islam DUDAEV (ALB) vs. Ali RAHIMZADA (AZE)

70kg
Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) vs. Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO)
Ismail MUSUKAEV (HUN) vs. Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM)

79kg
Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) vs. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO)
Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) vs. Frank CHAMIZO (ITA)

97kg
Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Vladislav BAITCAEV (HUN)
Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) vs. Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR)

14:10: Top match between Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and Gazdhimurad RASHIDOV (AIN). Rashidov was called passive which gave Tevanyan the first point but Rashidov hit a arm-trap and rolled to make it 4-1. The second period saw Tevanyan score a takedown and stepout. Rashidov held a 4-4 criteria lead and despite Tevanyan trying hard to score, Rashidov managed to hold on to the win.

13:55: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) is into the semifinals of 79kg. He beats Orkhan ABBASOV (AZE) 6-5 in the quarterfinals. Once again, it was Chamizo's defense that made the difference. Abbasov scored a takedown and then a stepout. But Chamizo got a takedown and a point for Abbasov's passivity. Abbasov had Chamizo in all sorts of trouble but the Italian's defense saved him from a takedown. Abbasov was cautioned for fleeing when Chamizo scored a stepout. Azerbaijan challenged the fleeing call but lost. Abbasov did score a takedown but failed to change the winner.

13:45: Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) is toying with his opponents. After building a 6-0 lead against Marc DIETSCHE (SUI), he hits a four-point throw to finish the match 10-0. Perhaps the most casual four-pointer you will see

13:40: World champion Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) got the first point for Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) passivity and then hit a big four-pointer to lead 5-0. He added a takedown while Kougioumtsidis could not get a reversal and takedown. Usmanov moves into the semifinal with a 7-4 win.

13:30: Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) hits a huge throw for 5 and then a turn to beat Ramazan SARI (TUR) 10-0 and move into the 79kg semifinal. He will face the winner of Orkhan ABBASOV (AZE) and Frank CHAMIZO (ITA)

13:10: Batyrbek TCAKULOV (SVK) and Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) move into the 97kg quarterfinals. Tcakulov defeated Robert BARAN (POL) while Matcharashvili dominated Lukas KRASAUSKAS (LTU) 13-2

12:55: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) takes just two minutes to beat Kamil KERYMOV (UKR) 10-0 at 57kg and advance to this evening's semifinal. Harutyunyan is looking for his fourth European title. 

12:40: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) is a different beast in the second period. He trailed Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL) 2-0 but hit a beautiful four-pointer in the second before adding a takedown. He wins 7-2. Next up for Tevanyan is Rashidov 

12:20: Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (AIN), returning to the international scene for the first time since the Tokyo Olympics, begins with a solid 6-0 win over Andre CLARKE (GER). His defense still looks very strong.

12:00: Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) has a little more action in his second match as he beats Erik REINBOK (EST) 6-0 at 79kg. In the same weight category, Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) holds off Oleksii DOMANYTSKYI (UKR) 7-4 to advance to the quarterfinals.

11:50: Israil KASUMOV (AIN) was a late entry to the European Championships but his journey may have finished early. He drops his first match 4-3 to Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE) at 70kg

11:45: 65kg world champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) is wrestling at 70kg and he takes his good time to win the first match. Up against Egzon XHONI (KOS), Muszukajev wins 11-0.

11:30: Little upset on Mat C as Erik THIELE (GER) beats Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) 4-3 at 97kg. He hit an arm throw for four points when trailing 3-0. Batyrbek TCAKULOV (SRB) finishes his bout against Benjamin HONIS (ITA) 10-0 in 2 minutes and 45 seconds.

11:15: On Mat B, Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) and Pouria TAHERKHANI (GER) wrestle it bout and Shikhdzhamalov wins 4-4 after a late takedown. On Mat C, Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) has an easy 4-0 over Miroslav KIROV (BUL)

11:00: First big clash of the day! Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) and Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) are coming up on Mat A at 79kg. Chamizo is warned multiple times for passivity. He was put on the activity clock as well. Cabolov led 1-0 at the break. Chamizo put on the clock again in the second period but this time he scored a takedown before the clock expired. He was happy to play out the remaining time and win 2-1

10:30: A blockbuster day is on the cards at the European Championships. The 79kg weight class has multiple world and European medalists competing. 65kg will see Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and Gazdhimurad RASHIDOV (AIN).