Narikuni Finally Joins Former Kids Club Teammates as National Champion

Thursday, December 16, 2021 - 16:23 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO, Japan (December 16) -- Above the bandage covering the two stitches he received on the top of his head, Taishi NARIKUNI now finally wears the metaphorical crown of national champion that had already been won by so many of his former kids wrestling club teammates.

"It took a long time, and I went through a lot," said Narikuni, after winning the freestyle 70kg title on Thursday at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships, the first of two domestic qualifiers for next year's World Championships in Belgrade.

Narikuni, who had to overcome a blip in his career caused by a combination of bad luck and his own carelessness, defeated Hikaru TAKATA 7-3 in the final as champions were crowned in eight weight classes across all three styles on the opening day of the four-day tournament at Tokyo's Komazawa Gym.

Narikuni's victory coincided with that at 97kg by Takashi ISHIGURO, who got his start in the sport alongside Narikuni at the Tokyo-based Gold Kids club run by Narikuni's mother -- a two-time former world champion. Ishiguro picked up his second national title.

In other action, former world cadet and junior champion Yuka KAGAMI reestablished herself as the nation's premier women's heavyweight by defending her 76kg crown, while MASATO SUMI avenged a loss in last year's final at Greco 87kg to take his fifth career gold medal.

Although the daily infection rate is well down in Tokyo, the tournament is being run under strict coronavirus protocols, with no spectators or family allowed, and entries limited to a maximum of 12 per weight class. Each division is completed in one day, and there is no repechage and only one bronze-medal match.

For unannounced reasons, none of Japan's medalists from the Tokyo Olympics are taking part, although 11 of the nation's 12 medalists from the World Championships in Oslo are in attendance.

(From left to right) Taishi Narikuni, Takashi Ishiguro, Hayato Ishiguro and Narikuni's mother, Akiko (sitting). (Photo: Tateo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

The 24-year-old Narikuni was a high-flying national collegiate champion when his career took a dark twist in 2017. He was slapped with a two-year doping ban after a doctor mistakenly prescribed a cold medication containing a banned substance.

Although the ban ended, he did not return to competition in earnest until last May at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, which is the second domestic qualifier for the World Championships. He placed third there, giving him a boost of confidence that he could still be competitive at a high level.

Perhaps a bit too much confidence, as Narikuni declared at the time a lofty goal of winning world golds in both freestyle and Greco, akin to making him the "Shohei Ohtani of wrestling," a reference to the Japanese baseball star known for his ability to be both a pitcher and slugger.

Narikuni takes a somewhat unique stance when it comes to training---he barely wrestles. Currently, when he is not at his part-time job at a karaoke parlor, he's a coach at Gold Kids, where he mentors youngsters in tumbling and apparatus as well as wrestling.

Since the Meiji Cup, his workouts consisted solely of weight training, running and light sparring with the kids. He did not participate in live wrestling until 10 days before the Emperor's Cup, including sessions with his pal Ishiguro, who was also a junior high school classmate.

"We practiced together from about a week ago," Narikuni said. "It really rubbed off on me."

Even with the big weight difference between the two, "It was a great workout. It's because of that that I won."

Narikuni said he never feels he has lost any sharpness by lack of live wrestling.

"I've been doing it since I was little," he said. "It's ingrained in my body. And also, I coach kids, and I roll around with them. So my body remembers the moves."

Those moves were first developed in the club started by his mother, who won world titles in 1990 and 1991 under her maiden Akiko IIJIMA. Among the notable alumni of the club are Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO, world bronze medalist Toshihiro HASEGAWA, and Ishiguro's younger brother Hayato, a 2018 world junior champion who last year won his first national title at 86kg.

"It was frustrating, I mean, really," Narikuni said of watching those he grew up having such success. "Even Hayato won a title. Other kids I was with at Gold, they're all winning championships, going to the Olympics. To be honest, I felt I was left behind."

For now, Narikuni is catching up and is halfway to getting to the World Championships, although he said he still has a ways to go before he can have success there. In the final, Narikuni saw a 5-1 lead against Takata trimmed to two points by giving up a takedown with a minute to go, although a late takedown off a counter gave him the 7-3 win.

"In terms of execution, I give it a zero," Narikuni said. "I'm happy that it's my first title, but honestly speaking, with this performance I can't beat the world, so the joy is honestly not there."

Narikuni ended the match in actual pain. In the final seconds, he suffered a gash when his head collided with Takata's teeth, and he needed two stitches from the tournament doctor before his post-match press conference.

Asked what he needs to be a world-beater, the Tokyo native replied, "Everything, the mental side, the physical side. I'm really not there."

Takashi Ishiguro won the gold at 97kg. (Photo: Tateo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

Takashi Ishiguro, who won his first national title at 92kg in 2017, picked up his second by overwhelming national collegiate champion Keiwan YOSHIDA 10-0 in the 97kg final.

Ishiguro opened the scoring with a nifty ankle pick, then picked up four points with a double-leg tackle to the back. Two quick rolls after that and the match was ended at 2:34.

For those in the Olympic weights, the tournament is also serving as the qualifier for the Asian Games, to be held in September in Hangzhou, China. That might present a problem for the Japan federation, as it falls during the week after the World Championships, and it's unknown what wrestlers who qualify for both will do.

Ishiguro, who competed at this year's World Championships in Oslo, where he lost in the first round to superstar Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF), relishes the chance to prove himself on the continent after placing third at the Asian Championships last April.

"If I can't be competitive in Asia, I can't fight against the world," Ishiguro said. "I want to have the ability to take on Iran and Mongolia."

The other freestyle gold up for grabs on Thursday went to Taiki YAMAMATO, who won his second straight title and fourth overall with a close 3-2 victory over Hiroto NINOMIYA in the 125kg final.

Yamamoto, nursing a 2-0 lead after receiving two activity points, gave up a takedown with just under a minute left to fall behind on criteria, but came right back with a stepout point with :46 left for the victory.

Kagami Yuka Kagami won the gold at 76kg over Nodoka YAMAMOTO. (Tateo Yabuki / Japan Wrestling Federation)

At women's 76kg, Kagami proved golden again by scoring a second-period takedown to notch a 2-2 win in the final over unheralded Nodoka YAMAMOTO.

"I was focused on staying aggressive, and I gave up points from my attack, but I never lost faith and kept up the attack in my style of wrestling to the end, and I think that's what led to this result," Kagami said.

Kagami said it was frustrating to watch the success of the Japanese women at the Tokyo Olympics, where the hosts won four of the six golds, but also motivated her to have similar success at Paris 2024.

"Seeing the Japanese wrestlers do so well invigorated me, but at the same time, I was gritting my teeth to the fact that I was not among them," Kagami said. "I want to definitely appear at the Paris Olympics and, to become the first Japanese in the heaviest [women's] weight to win a gold medal, I will dedicate myself to training from now."

Yamamoto had prevented the latest showdown between Kagami and rival Yasuha MATSUYUKI, who defeated Kagami a little over a month ago at the national collegiate championships. The 18-year-old Yamamoto knocked off Matsuyuki, her senior teammate at Shigakkan University, 2-1 in the semifinals.

The clash between Kagami and Matsuyuki, both former world cadet champions, at the college championships was the fourth meeting in a one-year span as they vie to fill the shoes of retired three-time world medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA.

"Since I had little time to practice after the inter-collegiates, I think this is the best I could do at this point," said Matsuyuki, who has been plagued with a knee injury dating back to July.

Matsuyuki said she may have subconsciously been looking past Yamamoto to a clash with Kagami. "I didn't have it that much in mind, but I might have thought that way unconsciously," she said.

At women's 59kg, 2018 Asian silver medalist Sara NATAMI took advantage of the absence of world silver medalist Akie HANAI and won her second career national title with a 10-0 technical fall over Himeka TOKUHARA.

In Greco-Roman, Sumi turned the tables on his Japan Self-Defense Forces teammate So SAKABE, avenging a loss in last year's final at 87kg by scoring a 5-1 victory in the final.

Put in the par terre first, Sumi took full advantage by powering Sakabe over with a pair of gut wrenches. Taking the bottom position in the second period, Sumi wriggled free of danger to secure the victory.

The title provides some consolation for Sumi, a 2018 Asian silver medalist who failed in two shots to qualify for the Tokyo Olympics.

"This year was the Tokyo Olympics, and I was sent as the Japan entry to the Olympic qualifiers, but unfortunately I was unable to secure a place, which was a shameful result," Sumi said.

"After that, I came back to Japan and it was very frustrating to watch the Tokyo Olympics. I set a goal to be ready in December for this tournament and it's good that I could win it."

Sakabe advanced to the final with a 4-1 victory over Satoki MUKAI, last year's 82kg champion who won a bronze medal at this year's Asian Championships.

Kodai SAKURABA, who finished eighth at the Oslo World Championships at 77kg, picked up his first national title with a 10-4 victory over collegiate champion Nao KUSAKA.

Kusaka was looking to add to the 72kg gold he won in 2019, which had made him the youngest national Greco champ in history.

At 82kg, Yuya OKAJIMA filled the gap left by Mukai and regained the title he won in 2018 by scoring a pair of takedown-gut wrench combinations in an 8-0 technical fall over Masao TANAKA.

Day 1 Results

Freestyle

70kg (12 entries)
Final - Taishi NARIKUNI df. Hikaru TAKATA, 7-3
3rd Place - Ryosuke KERA df. Ryo YONEZAWA, 3-3
Semifinal - Narikumi df. Yonezawa by TF, 11-0, 5:07
Semifinal - Takata df. Kera, 3-2

97kg (6 entries)
Final - Takashi ISHIGURO df. Keiwan YOSHIDA by TF, 10-0, 2:34
3rd Place - Shohei YAMASAKI df. Yohei SHINADA, 5-0
Semifinal - Ishiguro df. Shinada by TF, 11-0, 1:21
Semifinal - Yoshida df. Yamasaki, 9-7

125kg (10 entries)
Final - Taiki YAMAMATO df. Hiroto NINOMIYA, 3-2
3rd Place - Kai SHUTTO df. Sota YAMAMOTO, 4-2
Semifinal - T. Yamamoto df. Shutto, 3-0
Semifinal - Ninomiya df. S. Yamamoto by TF, 10-0, 1:40

Greco-Roman

77kg (11 entries)
Final - Kodai SAKURABA df. Nao KUSAKA, 10-4
3rd Place - Minto MAEDA df. Shunsuke MIZUGUCHI by TF, 9-0, 2:18
Semifinal - Sakuraba df. Mizuguchi by TF, 10-1, 2:50
Semifinal - Kusaka df. Maeda, 4-1

82kg (12 entries)
Final -Yuya OKAJIMA df. Masao TANAKA by TF, 8-0, 3:36
3rd Place - Yoji KAWAMURA df. Tatsuya FUJII, 3-1
Semifinal - Tanaka df. Kawamura, 5-3
Semifinal - Okajima df. Fujii, 2-2

87kg (11 entries)
Final - Masato SUMI df. So SAKABE, 5-1
3rd Place - Satoki MUKAI df. Ryota NASUKAWA, 5-3
Semifinal - Sumi df. Nasukawa, 8-1
Semifinal - Sakabe df. Mukai, 4-1

Women's Wrestling

59kg (10 entries)
Final - Sara NATAMI df. Himeka TOKUHARA by TF, 11-0, 4:18
3rd Place - Yumeka TANABE df. Yumi KON by TF, 10-0, 5:00
Semifinal - Natami df. Kon by TF, 10-0, 3:17
Semifinal - Tokuhara df. Tanabe, 3-3

76kg (5 entries)
Final - Yuka KAGAMI df. Nodoka YAMAMOTO, 2-2
3rd Place - Miku SAITO df. Yasuha MATSUYUKI by Def.
Semifinal - Yamamoto df. Matsuyuki, 2-1
Semifinal - Kagami df. Saito by TF, 11-0, 1:45

#WrestleAmman

Asian C'ships 2025 Day 4 Women's Wrestling Finals Set

Friday, March 28, 2025 - 08:28 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (March 28) -- After five Women's Wrestling weight classes, it's turn for the remaining five -- 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg -- at the Asian Championships which enters day four.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 REPORT

72kg gold medal bout: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs Yuqi LIU (CHN)

14:17: Yuqi LIU (CHN) earns a shot at adding the senior Asian 72kg gold to the U20 one she won last year when she notches a 5-2 victory over Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB). Early in the first period, Liu misses an opportunity when she gets Oknazarova's leg into the air, only to see the Uzbek twist herself free. Liu gets an activity point and that accounts for the lone score of the first period. The action opens in the second period, and Liu scores with a single-leg takedown, but Oknazarova responds with a double-leg that puts Liu onto her back, but is scored only as a 2-pointer. Liu adds an insurance takedown on a counter.

14:15: Former world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN) and four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) battle it out in the 72kg semifinals and it's a snoozefest. Bakbergenova gets the 1-0 lead after Furuichi fails to score when put on activity clock in the first period. Furuichi gets the 1-1 criteria lead when Bakbergenova fails to score in the second. Bakbergenova is hit with another passivity in the second period and Furuichi leads 2-1 with 43 seconds on the clock. Bakbergenova gets Furuichi out of bounds but she is on her knees and it's called no points. Furuichi defends with all might but Bakbergenova scores the stepout this time to win 2-2. Bakbergenova with the win with 0.6 seconds left despite Japan's challenge.

65kg gold medal bout: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) vs. Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL)

14:02: World 59kg champion Qi ZHANG (CHN) manages to cut Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) lead to 4-2 with a takedown but Morikawa gets two takedowns in the final minute and Zhang gets one. Morikawa wins 8-4 to enter the final at 65kg. In her only other Asian Championships appearance in 2022, Morikawa won gold but it was a round-robin bracket in which she did not get to celebrate the win in final, a fact she rued that year.

13:58: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) will get a chance to improve on her silver from last year, advancing to the 65kg final with victory by fall over Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB). Tuvshinjargal gets in deep on a double, and when Allaniyazova goes over the top in defense, Tuvshinjargal twists backward for a 2-point exposure. She then works her way up to fall position and pins Allaniyazova down at 1:59.

62kg gold medal bout: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) vs MANISHA (IND)

13:54: After three consecutive bronze medals, MANISHA (IND) will finally be fighting for the gold when she chalks up a 5-1 victory at 62kg over Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ). Limited to an activity point in the first period, Manisha starts the second period with a stepout, then adds a snap-down takedown. She scores another stepout with a minute to go, then inadvertently gives up one when she goes out spinning behind for a takedown.

13:50: In perhaps the match of the semifinal session, Ok Ju KIM (KIM) secures the fall over Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) at 62kg. Kim tried the cradle, then went for the half-nelson before pinning Ozaki and make it to the 62kg final on international debut for the 24-year-old.

57kg gold medal bout: Il SIM SON (PRK) vs Sara NATAMI (JPN)

13:42: Il Sim SON (PRK) follows Natami by also bringing an early end to her 57kg semifinal, using a barrel roll to put Youngjin KWON (KOR) onto her back, then moving to a headlock and leg wrap to secure the fall in 2:08.

13:41: Kexin HONG (CHN) can't catch a break getting pinned via step overs from her opponents. Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) did it in the semifinals at the Paris Olympics now at the Asian Championships, Sara NATAMI (JPN) gets the fall.

53kg gold medal bout: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Hyogyong CHOE (PRK)

13:40: In a much-anticipated clash between young stars, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) goes on the offensive as expected in their 53kg semifinal and ANTIM (IND) does what she does best, fending off. For one period at least. Kiyooka, limited to an activity point in the first period, breaks through with Antim on the activity clock for a single-leg takedown, then adds a thigh-lock roll. The world 55kg champion then repeats the process to end the match with a 10-0 win in 4:10.

13:35: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) takes only a minute and 13 seconds to complete her leg lace and win 10-0 against Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) and reach the 53kg final.

Semifinals will begin 13:30 Amman time.

13:00: ANTIM (IND) with a low single as soon as the whistle goes for the 53kg quarterfinal against world U20 champion and senior world silver medalist Jin ZHANG (CHN). She adds a takedown to make it 4-0 inside the first minute. Zhang with a double hand lock throw but Antim survives the pin attempt. Another takedown for Antim and she leads 6-2 at the break. Antim adds another takedown with snapdown for an 8-2 lead. Her double underhooks help her defend whatever Zhang is throwing at her. Zhang gets two points after Antim defends with a chestwrap but Zhang exposes her. She adds another to cut the lead to 8-6. Both wrestlers in a tangle and referees call for a consultation. It is scored two for Antim, two for Zhang, giving Antim a 10-8 win. China challenge the decision. On review it is Antim is awarded two points twice and she wins 10-6

12:47: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) with a fall over Jeongae BARK (KOR) in the 65kg quarterfinal. Perfect headlock for the fall

12:44: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) had to launch a big four-pointer to lead 4-2 against Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) in the 65kg quarterfinal.. Mukatay had countered the first attack secured a 2-0 lead. Morikawa begins the second period with a stepout. Step over defense from Morikawa to make it 9-2 before securing the fall with 1:46 left on the clock.

12:41: MANISHA (IND) muscles her way into the 62kg semifinals with a victory by fall over Hanbit LEE (KOR). As she receives an activity point, Manisha uses double underhooks on the mat to leverage Lee over and gains the fall in 2:25.

12:38: Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) explodes for nine points in the second period to notch a 10-4 victory over Miyasar KUSHMURATOVA (UZB) and advance to the 62kg semifinals

12:36: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) gets over a major hurdle in her quest for a third Asian gold when she grinds out a 4-1 victory over Lili LILI (CHN) to make the 62kg semifinals. Ozaki gets an activity point in the first period and early in the second to lead 2-0. She gets in on a single-leg and gets the leg into the air, only for Lili to mule-kick her way out of the predicament. Lili receives an activity point, adding to the tension as the clock ticks down. With :10 left, Lili attempts a last-ditch front headlock roll, but Ozaki stuffs it for a final 2.

12:33: Sara NATAMI (JPN) puts on a technical masterclass of takedowns and wins 11-0 against Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) to enter 57kg semifinals.

12:27: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), last year's world and Asian champion at 55kg who has moved down to 53kg, puts on a takedown clinic in cruising to a 10-0 victory over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE). She topped off her fourth takedown with a quick lace lock to end the match in 1:58.

12:25: Youngjin KWON (KOR) did not let Danielle LIM (SGP) from the headlock and secures the fall after a 7-0 lead to advance to the 57kg semifinals.

12:24: Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) loses a challenge for a counter to a counter-lift by Maysa YUSUPJANOVA (TKM) that would have ended the match on a technical fall, but goes on to pancake her opponent to mat and score an actual fall to advance to the 65kg semifinals.

12:21: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) needs just 46 seconds to get a takedown against Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ), rip off four lace-lock rolls and secure her spot in the 53kg semifinals with a 10-0 win.

12:20: Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) begins the 72kg quarterfinal with the typical Mongolian headlock throw for four against Yuqi LIU (CHN). Liu answers with a takedown but Zorigt leads 4-2. With just over a minute remaining, Liu gets Zorigt on her back to the mat and secures a fall and enter the semifinals.

12:20: Qi ZHANG (CHN) builds up a 7-2 lead in the first period against Asian U23 silver medalist Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ). The two trade stepouts in the second period before Zhang adds a late takedown for a 10-3 win and a possible semifinal clash with Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN).

12:12: Il Sim SON (PRK) is into the semifinals at 57kg with a victory by fall over Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

12:10: Four-time world medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) begins her quest for a third Asian gold and sixth medal overall with a 10-0 victory over Sehee KIM (KOR) to advance to the semifinals at 72kg. After her third takedown, Bakbergenova rolls Kim twice to end the proceedings.

12:08: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), former Asian champion and Paris bronze medalist at 68kg, is back to 62kg. She had to make the desperate move to 68kg but losing the domestic qualifiers at 62kg in Japan. She defeated Ami ISHII (JPN) to get the spot at 68kg for Paris. She returned to 62kg at the Emperor's Cup and won the gold to qualify for Asian Championships. Up against Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL), Ozaki opens up a 4-0 lead before takedowns are exchanged and Ozaki leads 6-2 at the break. The second period starts with a single-leg attack from Ozaki for two. Sukhee is quick with her attacks as well but Ozaki resets and defends to score takedwon. Sukhee keeps shooting on the legs and score a stepout as Ozaki is feeling the heat of the weight cut. Another sweep single from Sukhee, Ozaki defends for a while but gives up another takedown as Sukhee cuts her lead to 10-5 with 25 seconds remaining. Sukhee attempts a big throw but Ozaki with a whizzer and secures a 12-5 win.

12:06: Masako FURUICHI (JPN), one of the few wrestlers on the planet who has completed the "Grand Slam" of all four world age-group titles, faces a rising star in her opening match at 72kg in Jyoti BERWAL (IND), the world U20 champion at 76kg. An actionless first period sees Berwal take a 1-0 lead into the second. It's more of the same, as Berwal gets an activity point, but gives up a penalty point. In the final 20 seconds, Furuichi comes to life and completes a single-leg takedown with :10 left for a 3-2 win.

12:05: Asian U23 bronze medalist Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) is trailing 2-0 when she slams Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) to her back for a fall at 72kg. Nurtaeva was last year's Asian U23 champion at 68kg.

12:02: Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE), a silver medalist from 2021, with a buzzer-beating exposure to beat Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) at 53kg! Akhmedova was leading 5-3 but allowed Hsieh the leg attacks and while backtracking on her hips, there was exposure. Uzbekistan challenged but the decision was upheld as Hsieh won 6-5

11:57: Another historic first at these Asian Championships as Aylah MAYALI (PLE) becomes the first-ever female participant from Palestine when she faces Shakhzoda ALLANIYAZOVA (UZB) in a qualification-round match at 65kg. Allaniyazova opens the scoring with a double-leg takedown, then counters a Mayali shot to a stalemate. Allaniyazova adds another takedown at the edge to lead 4-0 at the break. In the second period, Allaniyazova gets a takedown and gut wrench, but Mayali reverses for her first points. In the end, the Uzbek proves too much and comes away with a 12-2 win, but not a bad effort for the debutante.

11:56: MANISHA (IND), last year's champion at 65kg, has dropped down to 62kg and starts strong with an 11-0 win over Asian U23 silver medalist. Tynys DUBEK (KAZ).

11:49: Il Sim SON (PRK), looking to do her part for DPR Korea in the team standings, starts off with a nice fireman's carry and never lets off the gas in posting an 11-0 win over Pei Ying LIAO (TPE) at 57kg in just under two minutes.

11:50: Jordan had its first wrestler in women's wrestling at the senior Asian Championships on Thursday and today Balqis TAAIBIN (JOR) is the second. However, she cannot produce a win for the hosts as Jeongae BARK (KOR) beats her 12-2 at 65kg.

11:45: Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ) with a headlock to fall over Dieu Thuong LAI (VIE) at 65kg. Lai was leading 6-0 but Mukatay with a reversal to get the fall.

11:42: World U23 bronze medalist Neha SHARMA (IND) advances at 57kg with an 8-1 victory over Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), a 2023 Asian bronze medalist.

11:39: Qi ZHANG (CHN), last year's champion and the 2023 world chamipion at 59kg, gets her campaign at 65kg started with lightning quick 10-0 rout of MONIKA (IND).

11:38: Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) only got going in the second but she did well and secured a fall over Thi Hien DANG (VIE) after building a 14-7 lead.

11:38: In the opening match on Mat B, Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI) seemed on the road to a rare victory for Sri Lanka, using an impressive double-leg takedown in taking leads of 6-0 and 8-4, only to get caught in a cradle by Youngjin KWON (KOR) and lose by fall at 57kg.

Narikuni Finally Joins Former Kids Club Teammates as National Champion

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Asian C'ships 2025 Day 4 Women's Wrestling Finals Set