#WrestleAlmaty

LIVE BLOG: Senior Asian Championships, Day Five

By United World Wrestling Press

The rivalries are back in action as freestyle actions begins in Almaty. Bajrang PUNIA (IND) and Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) are the biggest superstars in action

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

1440 hrs: Alisher YERGALI (KAZ)  and Ali Khalil SHABANIBENGAR (IRI) are the finalist at 97kg. 

1425 hrs: Ali Bakhtiar SAVADKOUHI (IRI) has done it. He will wrestle for gold at 79kg after beating defending champion USSERBAYEV (KAZ) 8-2 in semifinal. Byungmin GONG (KOR) pulls of thriller against Narsingh Pancham YADAV (IND) 5-5

1410 hrs: Sirojiddin KHASANOV (UZB) will wrestle for a gold medal at 70kg against Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)

1355 hrs: We have a rematch! Bajrang PUNIA (IND) and Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) will redo the final of 65kg after they did that in New Delhi last year. Otoguro came out on top last year

1340 hrs: Ravi KUMAR (IND) will defend his 57kg title as he makes it to the final with a 11-0 win over Ali M M ABURUMAILA (PLE). In his way, however, is Alireza Nosratolah SARLAK (IRI) who takes out Yuto TAKESHITA (JPN) 5-1

1315 hrs: Narsingh Pancham YADAV (IND) will go up against Byungmin GONG (KOR) in the 79kg semifinal but it's the other one which should be a top match.  Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ) takes on Ali Bakhtiar SAVADKOUHI (IRI)

In the 97kg weight category, Altangerel CHINBAT (MGL) will be up against Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) while the other semifinal will see Ali Khalil SHABANIBENGAR (IRI) wrestling Satywart KADIAN (IND)

1310 hrs: We are moving closer to the the semifinals! At 57kg, Ravi KUMAR (IND) will wrestle Ali M M ABURUMAILA (PLE) while the second semifinal will see Alireza Nosratolah SARLAK (IRI) take on Yuto TAKESHITA (JPN)

65kg is set as Bajrang PUNIA (IND) goes against Bilguun SARMANDAKH (MGL). Defending champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) Morteza Hassanali GHIASI CHEKA (IRI)

1250 hrs: Two minutes and 10 seconds is all Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) needs to win 13-0 against Nodir RAKHIMOV (UZB) and move into the semifinal of his title defence at 65kg

1245 hrs: Bajrang PUNIA (IND) with a tactical 3-0 win at 65kg to reach the semifinal. Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) up next on Mat B

1235 hrs: Ravi KUMAR (IND) begins his title defence at 57kg with a dominant 9-2 win over Nodirjon SAFAROV (UZB) in the quarterfinal

1230 hrs: Down go both silver medalists! Karan MOR (IND) beats Amirhossein Ali HOSSEINI (IRI) 3-1 while young Yuto TAKESHITA (JPN) does it against Hikmatullo VOHIDOV (TJK)

1215 hrs:  Amirhossein Ali HOSSEINI (IRI) and Hikmatullo VOHIDOV (TJK), both silver medalist in their respective weights in Delhi last year are on Mat B and Mat C respectively

1200 hrs: Defending champion at 79kg Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ) rallies back from 1-4 down to win his qualification round bout 13-4 against Gurbanmyrat OVEZBERDIYEV (TKM)

1145 hrs: 2020 silver medalist Hikmatullo VOHIDOV (TJK), Yuto TAKESHITA (JPN) and Alireza Nosratolah SARLAK (IRI) all begin on a winning note 

1130 hrs: The whistle are off! Almaty is ready for men's freestyle action. Many star wrestlers to claim the five gold medals on offer

#UnitedWorldWrestling

Lalovic attends WADA Conference, completes development visits in Asia

By United World Wrestling Press

CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (December 8) -- United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC, who serves on the WADA Executive Committee as an IOC representative, attended the 2025 WADA World Conference held from December 1 to 5 in Busan, Korea.

The conference brought together the global anti-doping community for high-level discussions on the World Anti-Doping Program, with a key focus on approving the 2027 World Anti-Doping Code and International Standards. The revision process, launched in September 2023, has allowed stakeholders to contribute to strengthening and modernizing the global anti-doping system.

Nenad LALOVIC

Development visits

President Lalovic also completed wrestling-related visits to China, Korea, and Kyrgyzstan, reinforcing UWW’s commitment to supporting National Federations and expanding the sport across the region.

In each country, Lalovic emphasized UWW’s ongoing efforts to deepen cooperation with National Federations, increase engagement, and grow wrestling at the elite and grassroots levels. He encouraged federations to integrate wrestling programs into schools, offering more opportunities for young athletes to enter the sport.

Nenad LALOVIC

A key area of discussion was UWW’s development strategy leading into the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic cycle, including updates on Olympic qualification, the Pro Series, and opportunities available to National Federations.

In China, meetings were held with Vice Minister of General Administration of Sport of China Lixin TONG and Vice President of National Olympic Committee of China Jinqiang ZHOU.

UWW also recently announced the addition of Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ, longtime coach of Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and recipient of the 2025 IOC Coaches Lifetime Achievement Award, to support global development of Greco-Roman. Lalovic highlighted that such initiatives strengthen the sport and promote valuable exchanges of expertise among federations and coaches.

MoU

MoU signed in Kyrgyzstan

During the visit to Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan inaugurated a new wrestling arena and academy, marking a significant step forward in its cooperation with UWW.

A Memorandum of Understanding was also signed between UWW and Izabekov Wrestling Academy to expand development programs and training opportunities in the country.

Accompanied by UWW Asia President Mohammad Al-AWAMLEH and Secretary General Carlos ROY, Lalovic met with representatives of the Kyrgyzstan federation to discuss regional initiatives and long-term development plans.

On December 6, Lalovic was received by Sadyr JAPAROV, President of the Kyrgyz Republic, to whom he presented the UWW medal in recognition of his support for wrestling.