#WrestleXian

Mukaida Also Falls to DPR Korean in One of Three Asian Finals Decided in Final Seconds

Friday, April 26, 2019 - 17:06 By Ken Marantz

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XI’AN, China (April 26)—Having seen her teammate knock off one Japanese giant in the afternoon, PAK Yongmi (PRK) took down one of her own in the evening.

Pak scored a dramatic takedown in the final seconds to stun world champion Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN), 4-3, in the 53kg final on the second and final day of women’s wrestling at the Asian Championships in Xi’an.

“Up to the final, everything was going well,” said a tearful Mukaida, who also suffered a last-second loss in the 53kg final at the Paris 2017 world championships. “In the final, I didn’t wrestle the type of match I had imagined.”

That was only a precursor of a night of high drama to come, as two of the four other titles at stake were decided in the dying seconds, one giving host China a gold and the other denying one of Japan’s four finalists.

Reigning world champion RONG Ningning (CHN) stole the 57kg gold medal with a last-second takedown against JONG Myong Suk (PRK). (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

World champion RONG Ningning (CHN) sent the crowd at Xidian University’s Invengo Gymnasium into a frenzy when she scored a 4-point takedown with two seconds left to defeat JONG Myong Suk (PRK), 4-2, for the 57kg gold.

Jong had pulled off the surprise of the tournament in the morning session, when she stunned four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO (JPN) 7-4 in the semifinals.

Not to be outdone, Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) saved the best for last in the 62kg final, capping a comeback from a 6-1 first-period deficit with a 2-point lift with three seconds left to vanquish world silver medalist Yukako KAWAI (JPN), 8-6.

The last two finals were more straight-forward affairs, with China and Japan each adding one final gold medal to their tallies to finish with four each. 

Japan, which placed nine of its 10 wrestlers in the finals over the two days, won the team title with 215 points. Host China, which medaled in eight weight classes, was second with 183, with India took third with 113, thanks mainly to four bronze medals.

PAK Yongmi (PRK) upset Japan's reigning 55kg world champion Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN), 4-3 to win the 53kg gold medal. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

In the opening final, Mukaida, the 55kg world champion who has moved down to the Olympic weight of 53kg, took a 3-0 lead with a snap-down takedown early in the second period. 

But Pak, the defending champion who also won the Asian Games gold last summer in Jakarta, cut the gap with a low single-leg takedown. Mukaida, looking to pad her lead, used the same move to get a lock on Pak’s leg and was working to get behind. 

That’s when Pak adeptly made a grab for Mukaida’s heel, which knocked the Japanese off balance and onto her hip. Pak then worked her foot out from under Mukaida and gained control with :07 on the clock.

“In the end, she slipped her foot out and managed to get behind,” Mukaida said. “I need to put together the moves to finish that off.”

Mukaida had beaten Pak in their previous meeting, a 6-2 decision in the first round at Paris 2018, where the Japanese had to settle for silver after giving up a last-second 4-point move in an 8-6 loss to Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (BLR). 

Jong, a world bronze medalist at 55kg and last summer’s Asian Games champion, can certainly sympathize with Mukaida, after suffering a similar fate at the hands of Rong. 

Using her lightning-quick speed, Jong scored a takedown in the first period, and it looked like that would hold up as the second period began winding down. With the seconds ticking away, Rong got in on a single leg, and as Jong fiercely resisted, the Chinese tripped her to her back for 4 points and the victory.  

“I knew she beat Icho and she trained specially for this tournament, so today when I took the mat I thought I should be more aggressive,” Rong said. 

“But this morning when I was aggressive, I lost two points. During the break between the periods, my coach told me to be patient and then I told myself to stay calm.”

Rong, energized by the cheering crowd, said she willed herself to keep fighting to the end, and it paid off as she added to the gold she won a year ago at 59kg in Bishkek.

“I couldn’t believe it,” Rong acknowledged. “When my opponent left the mat, she sighed [in disbelief].”

Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) scored an 8-6 come-from-behind win over 2018 world runner-up Yukako KAWAI (JPN) to win the 62kg gold medal. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

In the 62kg final, Tynybekova gave up a takedown and a pair of rolls to Kawai to fall behind 6-1 going into the second period. But after chipping the lead down to two points, Kawai was assessed a penalty point for fleeing. 

As that was her second caution, Kawai went on the attack, taking a shot at a single leg and then holding on for dear life. With the clock ticking down, Tynybekova reached over, locked on a leg and fought desperately to lift Kawai up. 

“The lucky thing was that she passed through my legs, so I could get a grip on her leg,” Tynybekova said.

With :03 on the clock, she finally got Kawai up and over. An additional point for an unsuccessful challenge accounted for the final score.

“I was 100 percent sure I could turn her over,” said Tynybekova, who won her third Asian gold after skipping last year’s tournament in her home country due to a shoulder injury. “I practice that move over and over. I was sure I was going to win.”

While four of the five finals on Thursday featured clashes between Chinese and Japanese wrestlers, only one did on Friday, and that one went the host country’s way.

LUO Xiaojuan (CHN) scored a second-period takedown and, in contrast to the previous finals, that was the extent of the action as she defeated Naomi RUIKE (JPN), 3-0, at 65kg.

Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) grabbed the 72kg title with a 12-1 win over Korea's JEONG Seoyeon in the gold-medal bout. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka) 

High schooler and two-time world cadet champion Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) salvaged some Japanese pride on a disappointing day when she put on a second-period blitz to take the 72kg gold with a 12-1 technical fall over JEONG Seoyeon (KOR).

The first period was limited to an activity clock point awarded to Jeong. But Kagami scored an early takedown, then reeled off five consecutive rolls to end the match at 3:36. 

After the fourth roll, Kagami smiled and stopped, thinking she had already clinched the win. Realizing her mistake, she quickly resumed the match and got the decisive points. 

Four-time Olympic champion Kaori ICHO (JPN) bounced back to win a bronze medal at 57kg after falling in the semifinals to JONG Myong Suk (PRK). (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka) 

Meanwhile, Icho bounced back from her stunning loss to take a bronze medal at 57kg with a victory by fall over Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE).

After taking a 4-0 lead, Icho locked Nguyen in a cradle, levered her over and ended the match in 2:23.

“Not just the third-place match, but the three matches here made clear what direction I need to take my training,” said Icho, adding that even with the loss, she will take home more than the bronze.

“I understand what I need to change. Everything about this was a good experience.”

Uzbekistan captured three bronze medals, while India, Mongolia and Kazakhstan had two each.

Next up on the fifth day of the tournament is the men’s Greco-Roman competition in five weight classes.

Day 4 results

Women’s wrestling

53kg (11 entries)
Gold – PAK Yongmi (PRK) df. Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN), 4-3
Bronze – Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) df. KIM Hyungjoo (KOR), 9-3
Bronze – Vinesh VINESH (IND) df. PANG Qianyu (CHN), 8-1

57kg (10 entries)
Gold – RONG Ningning (CHN) df. JONG Myong Suk (PRK), 4-2
Bronze – Kaori ICHO (JPN) df. Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) by Fall, 2:23 (4-0) 
Bronze – Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) df. Pooja DHANDA (IND), 5-3

62kg (12 entries)
Gold – Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Yukako KAWAI (JPN), 8-6
Bronze – Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) df. Salinee SRISOMBAT (THA), by TF, 10-0, 1:19
Bronze – Sakshi MALIK (IND) df. MUN Hyon Gyong (PRK), 9-6 

65kg (8 entries)
Gold – LUO Xiaojuan (CHN) df. Naomi RUIKE (JPN), 3-0
Bronze – Aina TEMIRTASSOVA (KAZ) df. Kaur NAVJOT (IND), 7-0 
Bronze – Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) df Sakhipjamal ALEUATDINOVA (UZB) by Fall, 4:43 (7-0) 

72kg (8 entries)
Gold – Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) df. JEONG Seoyeon (KOR) by TF, 12-1, 3:25
Bronze – Nilufar GADAEVA (UZB) df. Li Chia-Hsin (TPE) by TF, 11-0, 3:53 
Bronze – Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. WANG Juan (CHN), 13-6

Team Standings
1. Japan, 215 points (4 gold-5 silver-1 bronze)
2. China, 183 (4-2-1)
3. India, 113 (0-0-4)

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 GR day one finals set

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 07:58 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (March 25) -- The 2025 Asian Championships begins in Amman with Japan hoping for continental domination after a rich show at the Paris Olympics. Iran, the leader in Greco-Roman and Freestyle, will be challenged by Japan. In Women's Wrestling, Japan has China and DPR Korea.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW

Iran comes out of the sessions with four finalists and Uzbekistan manages three. All three Uzbekistan's gold medal bouts will be against Iran wrestlers.

Kazakhstan, Iraq and Japan with a finalist each. The gold medal bouts will begin at 18:00 hours local time.

130kg gold medal bout: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) vs Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)

14:33: In the final semifinal bout of the session, Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) assures himself of a fourth career Asian medal with a 4-1 win over Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) in their 130kg semifinal. Nasimov gets the first-period passivity call, but can't turn Syzdykov. In the second period, Syzdykov gains a stepout, then pretty much puts the match away with a gut wrench from par terre as Nasimov can find no way to break through the Kazakh's defenses. Syzdykova has the full collection of medals — a silver in 2021, a gold in 2022 and a bronze in 2023. What color will this year's be?

14:28: U23 world champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) makes it to the 130kg final with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yuta NARA (JPN). Takedown, stepout, takedown and two turns help him win 9-0 in one minute and seven seconds.

87kg gold medal bout: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) vs Yasin YAZDI (IRI)

14:21: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) is into the final at 87kg in just his second international tournament on the senior level, getting the points in par terre for a correct throw while avoiding giving any away while in bottom in a 3-1 victory over Sunil KUMAR (IND).

14:20: Former Asian champion Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) is into the final at 87kg after a fairly one-sided victory over Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) in the semifinal. Berdimuratov hit a suplex from par terre to lead 5-0 before defending the par terre position in the second period to win 5-1.

77kg gold medal bout: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) vs Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI)

14:10: Two-time reigning world U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is into the final at 77kg in his senior Asian debut, outlasting a determined Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) in a lively 4-3 victory. Maksatbek Uulu, winner of the Tirana Ranking Series tournament and a 2023 world U23 bronze medalist, is on top in par terre first, but Abdevali extricates himself from a front headlock. The Iranian then dances out of potential stepouts and, in final seconds of the first period, gets behind for a takedown and a 2-1 lead. Abdevali scores a pair of stepouts, and those points prove vital when Maksatbek Uulu gets behind for a takedown.  

14:05: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), who has only a bronze medal at the Asian Championships back in 2018, is guaranteed a silver medal as he moves into the 77kg final with a 9-0 win over Amro SADEH (JOR), dashing the hopes of the hosts.  

63kg gold medal bout: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) vs Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB)

13:58: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), the returning bronze medalist at 63kg, hits off a correct throw for two points from par terre to lead Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) 3-0 at the break. Keshtkar gets the par terre in the second period and he fails to put his hands on Chung twice and is asked to resume in standing. A huge blunder from Keshtkar. Chung leads 3-1. Keshtkar gets the third passivity advantage and par terre. This time he puts his hands correctly and completes a throw outside for a point. Chung is docked two points for an aggressive elbow and asked to restart in par terre. Chung sneaks out. He pressures Keshktar for a stepout but the Iranian hits a chest wrap for four to lead 8-3 with 13 seconds on the clock. Challenge from Korea for stepout. On review, the step is inside and Keshtkar gets four points. He leads 9-3 and will win with hte same score.

13:56: It doesn't get more fast and furious than the 63kg semifinal between Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) and Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB). Assetuly opens the scoring with a takedown and a 2-point throw, only to see Khalmakhanov come back with a 4-point fireman's carry, to which he added a 4-point throw. But when he tried another throw at the edge, Assetuly shut it down and forced the Uzbek to land on his back to get 2, with an unsuccessful challenge tacking on another point. Assetuly caps the first period with a stepout for a 9-7 lead. The second period is all Khalmakhanov, who finishes off a 16-7 win with a takedown straight to a roll.

55kg gold medal bout: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) vs Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ)

13:45: Defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) falls to Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) after a tense semifinal at 55kg. Ro built a 5-0 lead in the first period but Yamagiwa answers with a a big four from par terre to lead 5-5 on criteria. Ro tries a arm-throw that is blocked by Yamagiwa who gets a out-of-bounds point. DPR Korea challenge but lost and Yamagiwa leads 7-5. Ro with a front headlock two to make it 7-7 but Yamagiwa leads on criteria. The Japanese brings out a arm-throw to make it 11-7. With five seconds left, Ro manages to hit a body throw which is scored only two points. Yamagiwa is asked to be in par terre but fails to score and Yamagiwa wins 11-9.

13:37: In the 55kg semifinals, Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) fights back from a five-point deficit to not only take the lead, but finish off Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a fall and assured a better medal than the bronze he took home last year. Botirov, a bronze medalist in 2023, makes the most of his first shot at par terre, scoring with a gut wrench and then going top for a headlock roll, although Albidhan squirmed out of that and got behind for a reversal. Trailing 5-1, he then scores a 4-point takedown to the back when Botirov momentarily loses his balance to go ahead 5-5 on criteria. In the second period, Albidhan scores a takedown, gets 2 for an exposure, then holds Botirov down for the fall at 4:27.  

Semifinals in the five weight classes begin now

13:15: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) gets Sanghyeok PARK (KOR) in par terre and Park is cautioned for fleeing. Berdimuratov finishes the bout 10-0 after Park is asked to restart in par terre. Berdimuratov into the 87kg semifinal.

13:14: Sunil KUMAR (IND), a silver medalist back in 2019 looking to regain some of his old magic, gives India a presence in the opening-day semifinals with a 10-1 victory over Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK) at 87kg. Sunil scores all of his points in the second period, getting two gut wrenches from par terre with a 2-point penalty tacked on after the second one; a point for an unsuccessful challenge of the penalty; then a 2-point roll to finish the match at 4:25.

13:04: World U23 and U20 champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) emulates his compatriot Yazdi, building up a 7-0 lead in his 130kg quarterfinal before using a stepout to defeat Asian U23 champion Wenhao JIANG (CHN) 8-0.

13:03: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) gives Iran another semifinalist with an 8-0 win over Jiaxin HUANG (CHN). Yazdi scores three rolls in par terre for a 7-0 lead. He needs just 28 seconds of the second period to finish off the victory.

13:00: Seonjae KIM (KOR) with two turns from par terre to lead 5-0 against Yuta NARA (JPN) at the break in the 130kg quarterfinal. But Nara shows up in the second and scores six turns from par terre to win 13-5 and enter the semifinals. But Korea challenge for the last turn and wins the challenge to give a lifeline to Kim. But Nara holds on to win to However, Nara scores a stepout in the final second and a caution for fleeing against Kim. A 13-5 win for Nara.

13:00: Former Asian champion and three-time medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) proves too much for Ali AL SHARIJEE (IRQ), chipping away before posting an 8-0 victory to advance to the 130kg semifinals.

12:56: Russian-born Shamil OZHAEV (KGZ) gets a takedown late in the first period to take a 2-2 lead on criteria over world U23 bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) in their 87kg quarterfinal. in the second period, Ozhaev appears to get a takedown-roll combination at the edge, but on challenge, it is ruled a stepout for Zhanyshov. Just when it looks like he's going to hold on for a win, Ozhaev arm drags him to the mat for the winning takedown in the final seconds. The move is upheld on challenge for a 5-3 win. 

12:49: Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ), the 2023 world U23 champion and 2021 Asian champion at 67kg, cruised into the 63kg semifinals with a 9-0 rout of Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ).

12:45: Incredible strength from AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) to throw Chan KIM (PRK) with a underhook setup. He gets the par terre and then scores another four-pointer to win 9-0 in a minute and 43 seconds at 63kg.

12:45: World U23 bronze medalist Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) hits a nifty 4-point spinning arm throw in the second period to top off a 6-0 victory Yun LU (CHN) to book his spot in the 55kg semifinals.

12:36: World U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is through to the semifinals at 77kg with an 11-2 victory over Lai Hsing YAO (TPE).

12:35: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) gets the par terre advantage in the 63kg bout against Godai MITANI (JPN) and he fails to score. Iran quickly challenge for a fleeing foul against Mitani who is cautioned for fleeing and returned in par terre with Keshtkar leading 2-0. However, he fails to add any points. Keshtkar make it 4-0 with a takedown. In the second period, Keshtkar scores a stepout as Mitani's head touched out of bounds. Mithani gets a lifeline with par terre with 1:55 left on the clock. Mitani's a few tricks but fails to add any points. He later scores a stepout and makes it 5-2. Keshtkar answers with a four-pointer and wins the bout 9-2

12:35: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB), a bronze medalist two years ago, makes short work of 2024 bronze medalist Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ), scoring four gut wrenches from par terre for a 9-0 victory and a place in the 55kg semifinals.

12:31: In one of the feature bouts of the session, defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) gets the first shot at par terre in his 55kg quarterfinal with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), but the Iranian doesn't budge. In the second period, Dad Marz gets his shot, and he also can't get any points. With 1:16 to go, Ro gets a second chance, and this time he muscles Dad Marz over for 2, then hangs on for hard-fought 3-1 victory. It was a far different result from last year in Bishkek, when Ro scored a 9-0 win for the gold medal.

12:30: Back and forth match at 55kg between Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) and Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ). Albidhan races to a 7-0 lead but Kamaliyev adds a takedown from scramble to cut it to 7-2 at the start of the second period. Kamaliyev keeps the pressue and as Albidhan tries to evade, he called for a foul and par terre with a 7-3 lead. He reverses the position and scores two turns to win 12-3.

12:22: Amro SADEH (JOR) gives the home crowd another impressive victory, capping a 10-0 victory over Sagar THAKRAN (IND) with a 4-point throw from par terre to book a place in the semifinals at 77kg.

12:20: Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) got two points on Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) at 77kg but Maksatbek Uulu, who recently won gold in Tirana Ranking Series, scores 10 to win 10-2

12:17: Kim CHAN (PRK), a bronze medalist at 63kg a year ago, has a scary moment when he was stopped on his back during a roll by Suhib ALHASANAT (JOR), but otherwise has no trouble scoring a 13-2 victory.

12:10: Paris Olympics fifth placer Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) needs one par terre advantage to sprint to a 9-0 technical superiority victory over 2022 Asian champion Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) at 77kg

12:08: Two-time Asian U23 champion Haodong TAN (CHN) pulls off a miracle victory over Iranian-born Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT), scoring 4 points in the final seconds for a 6-3 win. Mohammadi had gone ahead 3-2 with a second-period takedown and appeared to have the victory well in hand. Qatar has had just one Asian medalist in its history, a freestyle silver in 2018 from Georgian-born Giorgi Sakandelidze.

12:07: Ali AL SHARUEE (IRQ) with a big 9-0 win over PREM (IND) at 130kg. Al Sharuee with a stepout and caution to lead 2-0. He gets the par terre advantage to lead 3-0. Three turns from par terre and he wins 9-0

12:03: Takedown and three turns will do it for multiple time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) against Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL) at 63kg. Chung is chasing the elusive gold he fell short in 2023

12:00: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a takedown and gut-wrench for a 4-0 lead over Abduvali RAHIMBAYEV (TKM). Botirov blocks an attempted takedown from Rahimbayev which is scored two. Turkmenistan challenges but lost. The restart is in par terre and Botirov gets the turn for a 9-0 win

11:59: Can Mostafa ALQADE (JOR) make it 2-for-2 for the hosts? He gets the roll from par terre against Asian U23 champion Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), but Kamaliyev reverses him to his back. A foul, puts Kamaliyev on top and he adds a gut wrench for a 6-3 lead. In the second period, Kamaliyev gets the passivity call, and from par terre bulls Alqade over for 2 before ending the match by fall.

11:50: Defending 55kg champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) advances to the quarterfinals with a 9-0 victory over NITIN (IND), setting up a rematch of the 2024 final with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI). 

11:55: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) has to do it twice but he beats Junsik YU (KOR) 11-1 at 55kg. Yamagiwa with a reverse lift and then a front headlock throw to  lead 7-1. He then gets a four-pointer for the win.

11:45: Another fall on Mat A. Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) needs only a minute to pin Orgil NYAM ERDENE (MGL) at 77kg. 55kg weight class matches on Mat A now.

11:42: Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), the 2022 gold medalist at 72kg, gets three rolls from par terre, then gives up nothing from the bottom for a 7-1 victory over Dowon LEE  (KOR) at 77kg. 

11:42: Amro SADEH (JOR) gets off to a good start at 77kg for the host nation, which hasn't had an Asian medalist since 2013. He scores a 4-point throw in the first period, then hangs for a 6-6 victory on criteria over Jixin YU (CHN).    

11:30: Not the ideal start for Japan here. Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) gives an injury walkover to U20 world champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) at 77kg. Next match on Mat A, Sagar THAKARAN (IND) gets a quick fall over Aryan BIN AZMAN (SGP) at 77kg in the first 30 seconds.

11:15: Welcome to Amman! The Asian Championships is here with Greco-Roman on day one. Wrestling in 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg will wrestle today.