#Bishkek2018

Makhmudov Sends Home Crowd into Frenzy with Victory over Zhadrayev in 72kg Greco Thriller

Wednesday, February 28, 2018 - 17:58 By Ken Marantz

With the crowd at fever pitch as the seconds ticked down, Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) managed to preserve his slim lead and give the host country its much-awaited first gold medal of the Asian Championships.

One volunteer said it sparked "a national celebration."

Makhmudov, a world junior silver medalist a year ago, introduced himself to the senior level by forging an 8-6 win over Paris 2017 world silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) in the 72kg final of Greco-Roman on the second day at the Kozhomkul Sports Palace.

"The biggest help for me was that the Kyrgyz people screamed for me to be strong and also to do better," Makhmudov told the Kyrgyz media of the thunderous roar from the crowd.

"When I heard it, I thought, 'I can die here on the floor but I will still win. This win will be for them.'"

The other head-to-head clash in a final between the hosts and Kazakhstan was a more staid affair and ultimately went the latter's way, as Askhat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ) edged Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ) 5-2 for the 82kg gold.

Kazakhstan earlier picked up the gold at 67kg when veteran Almat KEBISPAYEV, a three-time world medalist, captured his first Asian title since 2010 by outclassing Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN) 5-1.

Even so, in the end, it was Kyrgyzstan's day to shine as the hosts claimed the team by title by a single point over neighbor Kazakhstan with 157. Uzbekistan finished third with 146, seven points ahead of Japan. Traditional powerhouse Iran won three golds but had little else to show for its efforts and placed fifth with 129.

Kyrgyzstan picked up two bronze medals on the night to one for Kazakhstan, but much of the credit for the team championship will surely go to Makhmudov.

In the final, Makhmudov bounced back after giving up an early 4-point throw by ripping off a spectacular 5-point hip throw of his own. He added a takedown just before the first-period buzzer to take a 7-4 lead into the break.

Zhadrayev bravely fought on as the decibel level of the crowd steadily rose. He scored two points from step-outs but then gave up a passivity point.

From the par terre position, Makhmudov had a chance to put the match away but failed to turn the Kazakh over, keeping the lead at 2 with a minute to go. In an intense finish, Makhmudov held on for a victory that drove the crowd into a frenzy.

"I couldn't make use of my chances," Zhadrayev said. "I made mistakes in tactics."

For Shinobu OTA (JPN), there was no way he was going to let the chance to win the only Asian medal missing from his collection get away--particularly since he had to beat the world champion just to get the opportunity.

Ota, a Rio 2016 Olympic silver medalist, captured the 60kg gold with a victory by technical fall over teen RI Se Ung (PRK). Ota ended the match 20 seconds into the second period with a highlight-reel---at least he wants it to be---4-point throw from a front head lock that made the score 11-2.

Ota added the gold in Bishkek to the silver he won in 2014 and bronze in 2015. He missed last year's tournament in New Delhi after losing out to Kenichiro FUMITA for the place on Japan's team. Fumita went on to win the world title.

"I beat last year's world champion Kenichiro Fumita to make the Japan team to these Asian Championships, so I came with the mindset that I couldn't lose," Ota said.

o"Also, if I wrestled solidly, I was confident I wouldn't lose. I prepared well in training. If I get to the world championships and can continue like this, I can win the title."

After receiving a point for passivity and starting from the par terre position, Ota used his favored front head lock, only to be stopped midway through a roll to give Ri two points. But Ota continued to press on, and reeled off three rolls to take a 7-2 lead into the second period.

"I wanted to end it there but the opponent was strong," Ota said. "Even though I didn't put him away, it was good that I could use a move I worked on in practice. It's the move I have the most confidence in."

He used it once more, this time from a standing position. Latching on from the front again, Ota bridged backward to flip the North Korean over him and conclude the match.

"I was aiming to make it onto the 'Big Move'," Ota said half-jokingly, referring to UWW site's highlighted move. "I wanted to do it so the UWW would show it (around the world)."

Meanwhile, Sayedmostafa SALEHIZADEH (IRI) salvaged some Iranian pride when he grinded out a 4-0 victory in the 97kg final over Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), giving him a second straight Asian gold.

Iran's only other shot at a medal on the day ended with Shirzad Ali BEHESHTITALA (IRI) losing by fall to Kanybek ZHOLCHUBEKOV (KGZ) in their 60kg bronze-medal match.

Uzbekistan came away with three bronze medals, while China, Japan, South Korea and India had one each.

Greco-Roman
60kg (11 entries)
Gold - Shinobu OTA (JPN) df. RI Se Ung (PRK) by TF, 11-2, 2:40

Bronze – Kanybek ZHOLCHUBEKOV (KGZ) df. Shirzad Ali BEHESHTITALA (IRI) by Fall, 0:33 (10-3)
Bronze – Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) df. LIN Yu Hung (TPE) by TF, 8-0, 4:54

67kg (12 entries)
Gold - Almat KEBISPAYEV (KAZ) df. Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (JPN), 5-1

Bronze – Mirzobek RAKHMATOV (UZB) df. Manish MANISH (IND), 6-4
Bronze – ZHANG Gaoquan (CHN) df. Seydylla TAZAYEV (TKM), 6-0

72kg (12 entries)
Gold - Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) df. Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), 8-6

Bronze – Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) df. JIANG Yuan (CHN) by TF, 9-0, 3:27.
Bronze – Tomohiro INOUE (JPN) df. Kuldeep MALIK (IND) by Fall, 0:59 (11-0)

82kg (10 entries)
Gold - Askhat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ) df. Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ), 5-2

Bronze – KIM Jinhyeok (KOR) df. Yuya MAETA (JPN), 5-1
Bronze – Singh HARPEET (IND) df. Nurbek KHASHIMBEKOV (UZB), by TF, 11-3, 1:48

97kg (10 entries)
Gold - Sayedmostafa SALEHIZADEH (IRI) df. Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), 4-0

Bronze – Yerulan ISKAKOV (KAZ) df. Ali Majeed AL KAABI (IRQ), 6-0
Bronze – Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) df. GU Hakbon (KOR), 6-4

#WrestleBudapest

Tazhudinov Battles Back for Budapest Gold Ahead of World Championships

Thursday, July 16, 2026 - 22:37 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 16) -- It was a flashback to the 2023 World Championships. A then little-known Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) turned Kyle SNYDER's (USA) double-leg attempt into a four-point throw that launched his rise to world champion.

On Thursday at the Budapest Ranking Series, Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) put Tazhudinov in almost the same position. Tazhudinov reached for the same counter. This time, it failed.

Tsakulov got the four points and a surprised Tazhudinov threw a challenge that he lost. At that point Tsakulov led the 97kg final in Budapest 5-3. Though he rallied to win the final 13-7, the difference between those two counters sums up Tazhudinov's journey over the past two years.

He won the 2023 World Championships and then stormed to the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympic. Following multiple surgeries, he returned at the 2025 Budapest Ranking Series and won gold with ease.

Despite the comeback gold, Tazhudinov never looked like the dominant wrestler who swept through the 2023 Worlds and Paris Olympics. He fell in the World Championships semifinals, finished fifth at the Islamic Solidarity Games and opened 2026 with bronze at the Asian Championships after a 15-6 loss to Arash YOSHIDA (JPN).

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) tries to counter a move from Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) during the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The final suggested that while Tazhudinov is still working his way back to his best, he is learning to win without the overwhelming dominance that once defined him.

After trailing Tsakulov, Tazhudinov regrouped and scored a stepout and exposure to take a 6-5 lead at the break. He scored another stepout in the second period to lead 7-5 but Tsakulov answered with a duckunder for two points to lead 7-7 on criteria.

With 30 seconds remaining, Tsakulov attacked the legs again and tried to finish with forward pressure. This time, Tazhudinov landed the same counter that had failed him earlier in the bout, flinging Tsakulov over for four points and an 11-7 lead. A takedown at the end gave him a 13-7 win and the gold medal, a confidence booster as he prepares to reclaim the world title in Astana.

"I had some setbacks," Tazhudinov said. "I wasn't in my best form and I wasn't fully focused, so I was extremely motivated for this tournament. I managed to get into great shape. This is the second time I've become champion at this tournament, and I'm very happy with the result."

Though he is the 97kg defending champion at the Asian Games, Tazhudinov said he is more focused on the World Championships this year.

"We have the Asian Games coming up, followed two weeks later by the World Championships," he said. "However, our main focus will be on the World Championships. I want to prepare as well as possible, reach peak form."

The World Championships in Astana will see Tazhudinov joined by world champion Snyder, Asian champion Yoshida, former Olympic champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and potentially 97kg star Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS), among others.

Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) captured the 125kg gold medal in Budapest. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Kassimbek Earns Gold

While the spotlight at the World Championships will be on the established stars, one youngster could emerge as a surprise. U20 world champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) will have home-mat advantage after taking another step forward with the 125kg title in Budapest.

The 19-year-old, who won silver at the Ulaanbaatar Open in June, posted a clutch win over Asian Championships silver medalist Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) in the quarterfinals, scoring a takedown in the final 10 seconds.

Sharipov led 3-2 after a scramble in the first period and he tried defending that lead and managed to do that well. However, Kassimbek got to Sharipov's legs in the closing seconds and finished a head-outside takedown to seal a 4-3 victory before blanking BUHEEERDUN (CHN), 10-0, in the semifinals.

Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) advanced from the opposite side of the bracket but was unable to trouble Kassimbek, who claimed his first senior international gold with a 5-0 victory.

Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL), blue, won the 79kg final against Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE), 5-1. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Asian bronze medalist Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) frustrated and defeated Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE), 5-1, in the 79kg final to capture his first career gold at a United World Wrestling event.

Gadzhiev was put on the activity clock and as he failed to score in the 30 seconds, Olonbayar went up 1-0. The Mongolian then scored a takedown using a leg attack to extend his lead to 3-0. A quick counter when Gadzhiev attacked the legs resulted in another takedown, making the score 5-0.

As he fell behind, frustration crept in for Gadzhiev who was warned for an eye-poke. But Olonbayar kept his cool, gave up a harmless stepout at the end and won the gold medal.

At 92kg, European champion Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) won the gold medal after Mukhammed ALIIEV (UKR) injured defaulted in the final. Prior to the final ending by injury default, both Tcokaev and Aliiev scored come-from-behind victories at some stage.

Tcokaev defeated Dustin PLOTT (USA), 8-6, after falling behind early while Aliiev pinned Anton VYHIVSKYI (SVK) despite being down 9-1 at the break. He scored a takedown as soon as the second period began and again brought down the tiring Vyhivskyi to secure the fall.

Ziqi FENG (CHN) scores using the gut-wrench in the 50kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Feng Gut-Wrenches to Gold

Ziqi FENG (CHN) captured the 50kg gold medal in Women's Wrestling, showcasing the powerful gut-wrench that has long been a hallmark of Chinese Women's Wrestling. She faced unheralded Samara CHAVEZ (USA) in the final and the American scored the first takedown for two points.

However, Feng took a 2-2 criteria lead and then turned Chavez five times using a high gut-wrench to claim a 12-2 victory and the gold medal. The Paris Olympic bronze medalist had won the gold medal in Budapest in 2024 as well.

At 55kg, Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA (UKR) emerged champion after she posted a 5-0 win over Hansika LAMBA (IND) in the final.

RESULTS

Freestyle

79kg
GOLD: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) df. Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE), 5-1

BRONZE: Aykan SEID (BUL) df. Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ), 2-0
BRONZE: Luka CHKHITUNIDZE (GEO) df. Shamsat TAIR (KAZ), 9-8

92kg
GOLD: Ali TCOKAEV (AZE) df. Mukhammed ALIIEV (UKR), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Dustin PLOTT (USA) df. Fatih ALTUNBAS (TUR), 10-0
BRONZE: Anton VYHIVSKYI (SVK) df. Zeteny GANGL (HUN), via fall (4-0)

97kg
GOLD: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK), 13-7

BRONZE: Vasyl SOVA (UKR) df. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL) df. Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR), 5-3

125kg
GOLD: Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 5-0

BRONZE: Rajat RUHAL (IND) df. Mason PARRIS (USA), via inj. def.
BRONZE: BUHEEERDUN (CHN) df. Omar SAREM (ROU), 10-0

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Ziqi FENG (CHN) df. Samara CHAVEZ (USA), 12-2

BRONZE: Jacqueline MOLLOCANA (ECU) df. Priyanshi PRAJAPAT (IND), 4-2
BRONZE: Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) df. Oksana LIVACH (UKR), via inj. def.

55kg
GOLD: Nataliia KLIVCHUTSKA (UKR) df. Hansika LAMBA (IND), 5-0

BRONZE: Karla GODINEZ (CAN) df. Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE), 5-0
BRONZE: Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) df. Tuba DEMIR (TUR), 9-8