Makhmudov becomes first male Kyrgyz world champion

Sunday, September 11, 2022 - 22:18 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 11) -- A year ago, Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) came just short of becoming his country's first-ever Olympic gold medalist in any sport. On Sunday night, he never let his opponent come close to preventing him from becoming its first male world champion in wrestling.

Makhmudov emerged from a stacked Greco-Roman 77kg weight class to win the gold medal with a one-sided 8-0 technical fall over Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) on the first night of finals at the World Championships in Belgrade.

"I am very happy to get this opportunity to win the first Greco-Roman gold for the Kyrgyz people," Makhmudov said. "I dedicate this victory to my Kyrgyzstan."

The host country won two of the three other Greco-Roman golds at stake on Sunday, with Georgian-born Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) successfully defending his title at 87kg, and Iranian-born Ali ARSALAN (SRB) winning the 72kg in his first appearance at senior worlds.

European champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) capped off about as dominant a tournament as a wrestler can have by storming to 55kg gold with his fourth straight technical fall without conceding a point.

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) uses a four-point exposure to win against Zoltan LEVAI (HUN). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The 23-year-old Makhmudov, the silver medalist at last year's Tokyo Olympics, threw caution to the wind in scoring a pair of bold 4-point moves to blow away Levai in 2:06 of the final.

Makhmudov started with a daring back suplex with a headlock grip that put Levai straight to his back. When the Hungarian fought out of the predicament to his stomach, Makhmudov moved to the front, applied a front headlock and flipped Levai backward for the winning move.

"Yesterday I said that I wanted to show what Kyrgyz wrestling school was capable of," Makhmudov said. "I think I have shown it. I took revenge. Last time I lost to that wrestler and now I took revenge."

Makhmudov has been making waves since he won the gold at the 2018 Asian Championships hosted by Kyrgyzstan, a triumph that he repeated in April in Mongolia.

Only a knee injury that caused him to miss all of 2019 kept him from more titles.

In 2019, Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) beat him to the punch as Kyrgyzstan's first-ever world champion when she won the women's 62kg title in Nursultan. The country has had four male silver medalists, including Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) twice.

For Makhmudov, there are many others who share in the credit for his success.

"I know my family supports me a lot, thanks a lot to them, my coaches and my friends," he said. "And I would like to say something else. We have a coach Ulukbek Karacholokov, his father past away recently, and I would like to dedicate my victory to him because Ulukbek is one of the best coaches and thanks to his father for bringing up such a good son."

At the Tokyo Olympics, Makhmudov lost a heartbreaking 2-1 decision in the final to Tamas LORINCZ (HUN), with a second-period stepout providing the margin of victory. Still, the silver medal made him Kyrgyzstan's fifth Olympic medalist in history and a hero in the country.

"I know my country supports me a lot," he said. "We have a wrestling country. Everybody there loves wrestling and supports it. It gives me the energy to train, I always feel their support when I am on the mat even if they are not present in the wrestling hall."

Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) defended his 87kg world title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

The Serbs in the finals could certainly hear the support of the partisan crowd in Stark Arena, particularly when Datunashvili ended the day's festivities with a thrilling 6-2 victory over Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN) in the final match of the night.

Bisultanov was looking to become his country's first-ever world champion but immediately fell into a 4-point hole when Datunashvili caught him with a nifty arm throw about one minute into the match.

"I had some tactics but I got the opportunity to get the throw and I did and I got four points," Datunashvili said.

In the second period, Bisultanov received a passivity point, but was unable to turn Datunashvili from par terre. The Serb then added a go-behind takedown to pad his lead, and was untroubled when he gave up a stepout.

"He is a young guy, he will get the gold later," Datunashvili said. "Maybe after three years he can beat me."

Datunashvili has been competing for Serbia since 2020 and appeared for the first time at the Olympics for his adopted country in Tokyo, where he took home a bronze medal. He also won the European title that year.

Ali ARSALAN (SRB) defeated Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) 4-3 in the 63kg final. (Photo: Martin Gabor)

In a clash between the European bronze medalists in the 72kg final, Arsalan was trailing 4-3 when he slammed Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) backward to the mat for 4 points, giving him a 7-4 victory and making him the fourth world champion in Serbia's young history.

Arsalan, a 2017 Asian bronze medalist for Iran, scored with a gut wrench from par terre to lead 3-0 going into the second period. But Ganizade tied the match with a passivity point and 2-point penalty, then went ahead 4-3 with a stepout.

"This is what I dreamt of and now I have changed that dream into fact," Arsalan said. "You don’t know the struggles to reach here. This is what it means to be a world champion. For all in Iran and Serbia who supported me, thank you."

Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) blanked Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) 8-0 in the 55kg final. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

At 55kg, Azizli maintained his domination over Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), pummeling the 2019 world champion with an 8-0 technical fall to regain the world title he won in 2018.

Azizli, who had to settle for bronze medals in 2019 and 2021, scored an early stepout, then was put on top in par terre. That proved the beginning of the end for Tsurtsumia, also a bronze medalist last year. After a 2-point penalty, Azizli fired off two consecutive gut wrenches to end the match in 2:06.

"The Georgian wrestler is also a world champion, he was in 2019 and I was the world champion before him," Azizli said. "The match was great, thank God I won."

According to Azizli, he has now beaten Tsurtsumia nine consecutive times. Even so, he was not going to take his opponent lightly.

"This is wrestling," Azizli said. "Anything could happen. Every world championship I had a medal. But not always I was able to win."

Yusu BASAR (TUR) Yunus BASAR (TUR) won the bronze medal at 77kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Meanwhile, Turkey came away with three bronze medals after victories by Selcuk CAN (TUR) at 72kg, Yunus BASAR (TUR) at 77kg and Ali CENGIZ (TUR) at 87kg.

Can, a 2020 European bronze medalist, eked out a 3-3 win on last-point criteria over Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), scoring a 2-point throw in the second period. Andrii KULYK (UKR) won the other 72kg bronze with a 4-3 win over Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA).

Basar, who won a second straight European silver medal this year, held on for a 4-1 victory over former world champion Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR), a two-time Olympic medalist who was aiming for his first world medal since 2018.

European champion Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM), the 72kg champion a year ago in Oslo, capped a busy day by defeating Viktor NEMES (SRB) 7-1 to take home the other 77kg bronze.

Amoyan, who lost a close 3-3 decision to Levai in the opening qualification match on Saturday, had to win three repechage matches.

At 87kg, Cengiz scored 4 points with a front lift in the second period to defeat two-time Asian champion Naser ALIZADEH (IRI) 7-1. The other bronze was won by David LOSONCZI (HUN), a 6-2 winner over Alex KESSIDIS (SWE).

At 55kg, Asian champion Yu SHIOTANI (JPN), who had to beat 2021 world champion Ken MATSUI (JPN) just to make the Japanese team, assured he would not leave Belgrade empty-handed when he defeated Max NOWRY (USA) 7-0. Shiotani opened with a 4-point arm throw, then added a stepout and a defensive takedown, all in the first period.

Asian bronze medalist Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) picked up the other 55kg bronze by rallying from a 5-0 deficit, scoring a 4-point throw among nine second-period points to defeat Asian silver medalist Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ), 9-5.

Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) entered the 97kg final after beating defending champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI). (Photo : UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Aleksanyan returns to 97kg final by dethroning Saravi

In semifinal action in four other weight classes earlier in the session, Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) earned a shot at a fourth world title and first since 2017 when he defeated reigning world champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) 3-1 at 97kg.

Aleksanyan, scored a gut wrench during his turn in par terre to defeat rising star Saravi, a bronze medalist at last year's Tokyo Olympics and set up a final with European champion Kiril MILOV (BUL).

Milov spotted Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) a 3-0 lead in the other semifinal but came alive in the second period when put in the par terre. First a classic gut wrench, then a 4-point throw to the back that set up a fall at 4:35.

Aleksanyan, who won a third career Olympic medal when he took the silver in Tokyo, has already assured himself of a sixth career world medal -- Milov is hoping to make it a third silver for the Armenian star.

Host Serbia had another good night, putting two of its wrestlers into the finals to match its results from the opening night. Sebastian NAD (SRB) will be going for the gold at 63kg and Mate NEMES (SRB), Viktor's twin brother, will follow at 67kg.

Nad, a 2019 European U23 silver medalist who is having a breakout tournament, scored a creative exposure from par terre in posting a 5-0 victory over European silver medalist Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE).

In Monday's final, Nad will try to ensure that Leri ABULADZE (GEO) leaves the World Championships with a silver medal for the second year in a row.

Abuladze, this year's European champion, scored a first-period stepout that proved the difference in a 2-1 win over 2019 world bronze medalist Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI).

Nemes, the other world bronze medalist in 2019, defeated a formidable Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) 5-2 in the semifinals. After trading first-period takedowns, Nemes received a passivity point, then got 2 for a penalty to clinch the victory.

For his efforts, Nemes gets a shot at the reigning world and Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), who posted an unusual technical fall over Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO).

Geraei made the unusual choice of challenging a call in which he scored the points, but it paid off by giving him even more than he expected for an 8-0 technical fall.

From the par terre, Geraei lifted up Khetsuriani and dumped him onto his back. The original call was for 4, but Geraei insisted that his coach hit the challenge button, saying his opponent should also be assessed a leg penalty. He not only got the 2-point penalty but the throw was upgraded to 5 points, giving him the victory at 2:02.

Ironically, another semifinal also ended in a technical fall on a challenge call, but that one went against the one lodging the protest.

At 82kg, Asian silver medalist Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) hit a 4-point throw to take a 7-0 lead against Tamas LEVAI (HUN), who decided to take a chance and claim that the Uzbek used his legs. The judges didn't agree and that gave Berdimuratov the 8-0 victory at 2:23, denying a second Levai brother a place in the finals.

In the final, Berdimuratov will face last year's silver medalist Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR), who hit a 4-point throw at the edge in the second period to defeat Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) 5-1.

Day 3 will see the start of competition in the final two Greco weight classes, 60kg and 130kg, as well as two women's divisions, 55kg and 62kg.

Day 2 Greco-Roman Results

55kg (18 entries)
Gold - Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) df. Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO) by TF, 8-0, 2:06

Bronze - Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) df. Max NOWRY (USA), 7-0
Bronze - Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB) df. Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ), 9-5

63kg (30 entries)
Semifinal - Sebastian NAD (SRB) df. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE), 5-0
Semifinal - Leri ABULADZE (GEO) df. Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI), 2-1

67kg (30 entries)
Semifinal - Mate NEMES (SRB) df. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), 5-2
Semifinal - Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) df. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) by TF, 8-0, 2:02

72kg (25 entries)
Gold - Ali ARSALAN (SRB) df. Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE), 7-4

Bronze - Andrii KULYK (UKR) df. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA), 4-3
Bronze - Selcuk CAN (TUR) df. Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), 3-3

77kg (33 entries)
Gold - Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) by TF, 8-0, 2:06

Bronze - Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df. Viktor NEMES (SRB), 7-1
Bronze - Yunus BASAR (TUR) df. Hyeonwoo KIM (KOR), 4-1

82kg (25 entries)
Semifinal - Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) df. Tamas LEVAI (HUN) by TF, 8-0, 2:23
Semifinal - Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR) df. Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR), 5-1

87kg (30 entries)
Gold - Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) df. Turpan BISULTANOV (DEN), 6-2

Bronze - David LOSONCZI (HUN) df. Alex KESSIDIS (SWE), 6-2
Bronze - Ali CENGIZ (TUR) df. Naser ALIZADEH (IRI), 7-1

97kg (29 entries)
Semifinal - Kiril MILOV (BUL) df. Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) by Fall, 4:35 (7-3)
Semifinal - Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), 3-1

#wrestlebishkek

Six countries win Paris quotas at Asian qualifier

Friday, April 19, 2024 - 04:08 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 19) -- Six countries earned two Paris Olympic spots each in Freestyle on the first day of the Asian Olympic Games Qualifier in Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan.

Hosts Kyrgyzstan won at 57kg and 65kg while Iran added quotas at 74kg and 97kg. Japan earned the Paris spots at 65kg and 86kg and Uzbekistan got it at 57kg and 74kg. Kazakhstan pulled off the spots at 97kg and 125kg while Mongolia was successful at 86kg and 125kg.

125kg wrap: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) earns a ticket to a second straight Olympics at 125kg, while denying Zhiwei DENG (CHN) for now what would be his third trip, by gaining an activity point in each period for a 2-0 win. Munkhtur's victory in the clash between the losers of the bronze-medal matches in Tokyo, gives Mongolia its second Paris quota of the night.

Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) held on to a 7-3 win over Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) to win the second Paris 2024 quota for Kazakhstan and deny Bahrain its second. Batirmurzaev scored a takedown and used his strong gut wrench to deny Sharipov.

97kg: Iran filled its fifth Freestyle quota for the Paris Olympics as Zagreb Open champion Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) defeated Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) 3-0 at 97kg. Azarpira got a point for Ganbaatar's passivity and then scored a takedown in the second period to win. 57kg is the only weight in which Iran has not qualified for the Paris Olympics.

Three-time Asian medalist Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) earns a ticket to Paris and a possible second Olympics for himself at 97kg by edging Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) 3-2 at 97kg. Yergali takes a 2-0 lead in the first period with an activity point and a stepout off a takedown attempt. In the second, Habila was on the activity clock again when he got in on a single leg. But the clock ran out before the Chinese could finish off the takedown, leaving Yergali ahead 3-2. The outcome was a virtual replay of Yergali's 2-1 win over Habila in the first round at last year's World Championships.

86kg wrap: Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) needs just 34 seconds to book his ticket to Paris, gaining a takedown and then reeling off four quick gut wrenches to defeat Gwanuk KIM (KOR) 10-0. Ishiguro, a 2023 Asian bronze medalist and 2018 world junior champion at 79kg, did not have to wrestle in the afternoon session, as he received a victory by default in his lone match. It gives Japan a fourth Paris quota in freestyle.

Mongolia gets on the Paris 2024 quota list as Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) wins a snooze fest against Zushen LIN (CHN). After Lin got one point for Byambasuren's passivity, Lin failed to score in the second period when he was put on the activity clock. Byambasuren held on to that 1-1 criteria win and the quota.

74kg wrap: Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) shows he still has a lot of life left in his 34-year-old body when he earns a shot at a third career Olympics with a well-executed 6-0 victory at 74kg over home favorite Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ). Abdurakhmonov came out firing from the opening whistle, scoring a lightning-quick single-leg takedown that caught his opponent so off guard, that he was able to lift him full up in the air and slam him to the mat, where he then immediately went to a high-chest roll. Toktomambetov gets in a deep single in the second period, but two-time world bronze medalist Abdurakhmonov starts a counter scramble that ends with him on top for a takedown.

Iran now has its fourth Paris 2024 quota in Freestyle as Yones EMAMI (IRI) puts on a takedown show to beat Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) in three minutes and 49 seconds. Emami had failed to win a quota at the World Championships after losing to Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and later to Hetik CABALOV (SRB) in the repechage. But a dominant performance in Bishkek sees him tick one more spot for Iran.

65kg wrap: Kyrgyzstan picked up its second Freestyle quota for Paris 2024 as Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) posted a controlled 5-3 win over Kwang Jin KIM (PRK). Trailing 2-1 at the break, Akmataliev got a takedown in the second period before being awarded a point for Kim's passivity. The two exchanged stepouts but Akmataliev led 5-3 with little time left for Kim to score a takedown for a win.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) picked up Japan's third quota in Paris -- and a chance to keep the 65kg Olympic gold in Japanese hands -- with a comprehensive 11-0 victory over Shaohua YUAN (CHN). Kiyooka used a low single to maximum effect to score two takedowns in the first period which, combined with an activity point, gave him a 5-0 lead. In the second, he landed a double-leg takedown, applied the lace lock and rolled twice to end the match in 4:30. Kiyooka knocked off Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to earn the right to represent Japan in Bishkek. His victory came six days after his younger sister Moe won the women's 55kg gold at the Asian Championships in the same venue.

57kg wrap: Kyrgyzstan won the first Paris 2024 quota of the Asian OG Qualifier as Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), winner of this year's Yasar Dogu tournament in Turkey and a two-time world U23 bronze medalist, pulled a ticket to Paris out of his hat with a counter takedown with 14 seconds to edge Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) 3-3 on criteria. After each received an activity point that gave the Kyrgyz the lead on criteria, Batkhuyag fought out of a deep double-leg takedown to score a takedown with a minute left to go ahead 3-1. Batkhuyag grabs a single and tries to hang on for dear lift, but Almaz Uulu breaks the hold and gets behind to give Kyrgyzstan its first freestyle quota in Paris.

The second Paris quota at 57kg was won by Uzbekistan as Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) pinned 2023 Asian champion AMAN (IND) in the first period. Abdullaev used a takedown before hitting a duckunder for four. He used a takedown and roll and kept Aman on his back to secure the fall.

Here are the qualification bouts for Paris 2024

57kg
Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) vs. Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL)
Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) vs. AMAN (IND)

65kg
Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Shaohua YUAN (CHN)
Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) vs. Kwang Jin KIM (PRK)

74kg
Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) vs. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ)
Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) vs. Yones EMAMI (IRI)

86kg
Gwanuk KIM (KOR) vs. Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN)
Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) vs. Zushen LIN (CHN)

97kg
Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) vs. Awusayiman HABILA (CHN)
Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) vs. Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)

125kg
Zhiwei DENG (CHN) vs. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) vs. Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)

12:50: Zagreb Open champion Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) proves too high of a hurdle for rising Japanese star Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) to overcome, pulling away in the second period for a 9-1 win at 97kg. Azarpira extended his lead to 3-1 early in the second period with a third stepout while on the activity clock, then began piling up the points.

12:48: Former world champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) turned his match around in a hurry, overcoming a six-point deficit in the second period to chalk up a 12-6 win at Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL). Akmataliev starts the comeback with a takedown and two gut wrenches to go ahead on criteria. But he doesn't stop there, adding a 4-point counter lift, and still having time to add a takedown.

12:45: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) led 2-0 after two passivity points against Kwang Jin KIM (PRK). But Jalolov gets called for fleeing and is docked a caution and one. A stepout for Kim makes it 2-2 criteria lead for him. Jalolov can't match the pace of Kim who gets a stepout and fleeing to win 5-2.

12:38: In the candidate for Match of the Day, Shaohua YUAN (CHN) outlasts Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ) with a wild 16-15 win at 65kg. Yuan is leading 4-2 when in a wild flurry, Aliyev gets 4, Yuan gets 4, then Aliyev gets 3, giving the Kazakh at 9-8 lead going into the second period. The madness doesn't stop there, as Aliyev goes ahead with two takedowns, only for Yuan to storm back with an arm throw for 2 and a chest lift for 4. Yuan gets a stepout that could have gone either way, and Aliyev scores a takedown with :03 left. He tries a lace lock, but it is ruled too late, and an unsuccessful challenge point is tacked on.

12:27: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) with five takedowns to beat Junsik YUN (KOR) 10-0 and enter the semifinals at 65kg. He has to win one more bout to qualify Japan for the Paris Games.

12:22: China and Korea go at it on adjacent mats, and the Chinese take both. Two-time Olympian and two-time world medalist Zhiwei DENG (CHN), who placed fifth in Tokyo, gets a takedown and gut wrench in the first period and beats Yeihyun JUNG (KOR) 5-0 at 125kg. At 97kg, Asian Games bronze medalist Awusayiman HABILA (CHN) scores a takedown and exposure in the last 20 seconds to put away a fatigued Juhwan SEO (KOR) 6-2.

12:22: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN), who won a bronze medal in the just completed Asian Championships, gets his points in the first period and makes it hold up in a 2-1 victory over Khasanboy RAKHIMOV (UZB) at 125kg.

12:20: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) with a pin over Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB). He hits two four-pointers for a 12-5 lead before 40-year-old Ibragimov just gave up.

12:11: In a 74kg quarterfinal with non-stop action, two-time world medalist Yones EMAMI (IRI) proves too much for Byungmin GONG (KOR), scoring four takedowns on counters in the second period for a 15-4 win. The two put together an 11-point first period when Emami scored three takedowns against Gong's two.

12:10: Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) gives no chance to Erzo ISAKOV (JOR) and wins his 86kg quarterfinal 7-1 and advances to the semifinal.

12:10: Tokyo Olympian Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) finishes off Andrey ARONOV (KGZ) with a 4-point takedown in a 10-0 victory at 97kg.

12:01: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) hangs for a thrilling 3-2 win over Wanhao ZOU (CHN) at 57kg. Almaz Uulu gets a stepout to lead 1-1 on criteria at the break. In the second period, he gets a stepout with Zou on the activity clock, which gives him a 3-1 lead when it expires. Zou drives him out, but what could have been a takedown was ruled a stepout, and Almaz Uulu managed the run out the clock the rest of the way.

12::00: Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) with a leg lace to end SUMIT's (IND) Olympic hopes in Bishkek. He advances to the 125kg semifinals and is a win away from the Paris Olympic quota.

11:57: Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) in a high-scoring battle with top seed Feng LU (CHN) but comes out on top with a fall at 74kg. The Uzbek star led 15-9 before he got the fall 23 seconds into the second period.

11:56: Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) hits a textbook-perfect lateral drop to throw Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) onto his back before securing a fall at 2:49 and booking his place in tonight's 125kg Olympic qualifying match.

11:50: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) gives up a takedown to JAIDEEP (IND), then comes back with one of his own, and that makes the difference as he holds on to win 2-2 on last-point criteria in their 74kg quarterfinal.

11:50: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) shows the perfect strategy against Chongsong HAN (PRK) to advance to the 57kg semifinals. He was put on the activity clock in the first period but hit a cradle to lead 4-1. Han is called for blocking with hands and Abdullaev wins 7-1. He faces AMAN (IND) for a Paris 2024 quota

11:45: Asian Games bronze medalist Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) advances to the 65kg quarterfinals by rolling to a 9-0 victory over Jelaletdin SEYIDOV (TKM).

11:43: AMAN (IND) books his spot in the 57kg semifinals with an 11-1 win over Sunggwon KIM (KOR). Slow off the blocks, Aman ups the charge in the second period and wins 11-1

11:41: Iran dealt with a huge blow! Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) drops his 57kg quarterfinals to Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) 14-3. Two four-pointers, a takedown and two rolls for Batkhuyag.

11:37: Young Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) continues to impress, powering his way to a 10-0 victory over DEEPAK (IND) at 97kg. Yoshida will next face Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) for a spot in the semifinals, a meeting with an opponent from his father's country of origin.

11:30: Gwanuk KIM (KOR, an Olympian in 2016, took a step toward making it to Paris by holding off Dovletmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) for a 6-5 victory at 86kg.

11:29: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), who beat Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to represent Japan in Bishkek, wins his first bout over Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) 10-7. A strong leg-lace game from Kiyooka to keep Kudiev at bay. Last week, Kiyooka's sister, Moe won the Asian Championships at 55kg

11:21: Former 70kg world silver medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), looking to make his first Olympics at 65kg, cruises to a 10-0 victory over Mohammed KAREEM (IRQ). Akmataliev gets a takedown and three exposures for an 8-0 lead, then uses a counter lift for 2 to finish the match in 2:29.

11:19: 2022 Asian champion Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) puts Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) in a power battle and gives no chance to Yamamoto to even attack. A 10-0 technical superiority win for the former world silver medalist.

11:16: Andrey ARONOV (KGZ) avoids becoming the first Kyrgyz wrestler to lose when he rallies to a 10-9 victory over Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) at 97kg. He will next face top seed Alisher YERGALI (KAZ).

11:14: Byungmin GONG (KOR), the 2021 Asian champion at 79kg, follows his second takedown by applying a lace lock against 2023 Asian bronze medalist Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) at 74kg. Three quick rolls and it's over.

11:10: Big match on Mat C as Yeihyun JUNG (KOR) scores a stepout in the final second to pull off an incredible win over Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM). Jung led 6-4 but Saparov kept coming back and took a 9-9 criteria lead before Jung got a single-leg attack to finish outside the zone. A lost challenge from Turkmenistan made it 11-9

11:06: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), looking to fill one of the three quotas that Iran still lacks in freestyle, gets off to a slow start but pours it on in the second period for a 10-0 win over Aiaal BELOLYUBSKII (TJK) at 57kg.

11:03: Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ), the 2021 Asian champion, with the fall over Zaman ANWAR (PAK) at 125kg. He will face Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals.

11:00: Did Bekzod ABDURAKHAMOV (UZB) survive a pin there? Magomet EVLOEV (TJK) had him a cradle but Abdurakhamov made it out of the hold and hung on for a 6-4 lead. He scores two takedowns in the second period to win 10-6 at 74kg.

10:58: Asian Games bronze medalist Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) scores all of his points in the second period to defeat Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) 7-1 at 74kg. A takedown to a gut wrench, then a counter lift for 2 followed by a stepout does the trick for Toktomambetov.

10:50: AMAN (IND), the 2023 Asian champion and Asian Games bronze medalist, makes short work of Yerassyl MUKHTARULY (KAZ) with a 10-0 victory in their opening match 57kg.

10:50: Alp BEGENJOV (TKM) hit a solid arm throw for four over JAIDEEP (IND) but the Indian remains calm and pins Begenjov 30 seconds before the break to advance at 74kg

10:46: Chongsong HAN (PRK) takes a minute and five seconds to see off Gayan KATHURANGANA (PRK) in the 57kg qualification bout. His next opponent is Gulomjon ABDUALLEV (UZB).

10:45: Veteran Junsik YUN (KOR), trailing 5-1 at one point in the second period, storms back and defeats Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) 6-6 on criteria with a stepout with seven seconds left at 65kg.

10:43: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), a two-time world U23 bronze medalist, gives the home team a victory to open the proceedings on Mat B, defeating Ali ABURUMAILA (PLE) 9-2 at 57kg.

10:44: A 43-second pin for Tokyo Olympian Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) over Kabe MATJANOV (TKM). A solid arm-bar pin from Abdullaev to advance at 57kg.

10:43: The first match in 57kg and Sunggwon KIM (KOR) holds on for a 1-1 win over Khattab AL ANI (IRQ) after two passivity calls.

10:30: The first day of the Asian Olympic Qualifier with six Freestyle weights classes. Bishkek is ready for it

Makhmudov becomes first male Kyrgyz world champion

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Six countries win Paris quotas at Asian qualifier