#wrestlebishkek

Ranking the 10 potential continental finals rematches on tap for Bishkek RS

Thursday, May 25, 2023 - 12:31 By Eric Olanowski

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BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (May 24) --- The Central Asian wrestling fanatical town of Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, is set to play host to the highly anticipated Kaba Uulu Kozhomkul & Raatbek Sanatbaev Ranking Series event from June 1-4. This event, which marks the third stop on the Ranking Series calendar, will gather elite wrestlers from around the world, allowing fans to witness thrilling rematches from some of the fiercest rivalries in the sport.

Over 400 wrestlers from 32 countries are set to showcase their skills in Bishkek, with 28 fresh off grabbing continental glory. In eleven weight classes—four in freestyle and three in Greco-Roman and women’s wrestling—there is the potential to see rematches from the gold-medal bouts at the Asian, European and Pan-American Championships.

We ranked the 10 potential rematches from the Continental finals to keep an eye out for in Bishkek:

1. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) vs. Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)

A potential rematch from the 62kg Asian finals could occur between world champions Tynybekova and Purevdorj.

In their previous encounter, Tynybekova showcased her aggression throughout the match, while Purevdorj's counter-wrestling skills kept her in contention. However, Tynybekova prevailed with a 9-5 victory, securing seven crucial points in the second period.

2. Mehdi Mohammad BALIHAMZEHDEH (IRI) vs. Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ)

Balihamzehdeh and Dzhuzupbekov have the potential for another intense encounter, following their highly competitive 97kg final match at the Asian Championships.

During that finals bout in Almaty, both wrestlers displayed the will to win, resulting in a 4-4 deadlock after five and a half minutes of action.

However, in the bout's closing moments, Dzhuzupbekov was penalized for a headbutt with 15 seconds remaining. As a result, Balihamzehdeh was awarded a caution and two, granting him a crucial two-point advantage, which ultimately helped him secure the Asian title.

3. Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) vs. Suleyman ATLI (TUR)

An eagerly awaited rematch could occur between Rzazade and Atli, the two wrestlers who clashed in the 57kg finals for European gold.

Atli entered Zagreb as the unquestionable favorite to grab gold, but Rzazade had different plans.

Rzazade demonstrated his power and timing in the opening 15 seconds with a four-point arm throw and never looked back. In the end, the Azeri picked up the 12-2 win, surpassing his silver-medal finish from last year’s European Championships.

For Atli, if there’s one guy you’re heading into Kyrgyzstan seeking revenge against, it’s Rzazade.

4.  Poya Soulat DAD MARZ (IRI) vs. Rupin RUPIN (IND)

One of the brightest rising stars at 55kg Dad Marz will look for a second consecutive win over Indian youngster Rupin, who he defeated in the 55kg finals of the Asian Championships.

In that finals meeting in Almaty, Dad Marz and Rupin were squared up at one apiece with less than a minute to go when the referee awarded the Iranian a caution-and-two with 55 seconds after his Indian opponent grabbed his fingers.

This time around, Dad Marz will aim for a clean win, showcasing his skills and putting his own points on the board.

5. Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) vs. Giullia RODRIGUES (BRA)

Valverde and Rodrigues could have another showdown at 57kg after their previous meeting in the Pan-American finals, where Valverde emerged victorious with a 4-2 win.

The match in Buenos Aires saw a crucial call go in Valverde's favor, ultimately changing the bout's outcome. Despite facing adversity with a wrapped head and conceding two shot clock points late in the final frame, Valverde managed to hold onto her 4-2 lead.

Side note: their other meetings came at the 2022 XII South American Games and the 2017 Pan-American Championships.

6. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) vs. Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)

Munkhtur and Batirmurzaev could clash in a rematch from the 125kg Asian finals.

This would be the fifth meeting between the two. Batirmurzaev won the first two meetings, but Munkhtur won the last two.

The interesting part about this rivalry is how the tides have turned from their first meeting, which came back at the 2019 U23 Asian Championships.

In their first two encounters, Batirmurzaev emerged victorious, showcasing his dominance over Munkhtur. He secured a pin in their first bout, and in the subsequent match, defeated Munkhtur by a score of 4-2.

During this period, Batirmurzaev appeared to have Munkhtur's number, leaving the Mongolian wrestler eager for redemption.

However, the tides began to turn in favor of Munkhtur after dropping two consecutive matches. In their third meeting, Munkhtur finally claimed victory, defeating Batirmurzaev by a score of 2-1. This marked a significant turning point in their rivalry and highlighted Munkhtur's growth and development as a super heavyweight.

Most recently, in their fourth encounter, Munkhtur continued his upward trajectory, securing a hard-fought 1-1 victory to claim his first Asian title. This victory solidified Munkhtur's position as a formidable force in the 125kg category, not only in Asia but worldwide.

7. Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) vs. Minghu LIU (CHN)

Zhumashbek Uulu and Liu could potentially meet in a rematch from the 61kg Asian finals.

Zhumashbek Uulu gave up a straight-on double in the first period but adjusted accordingly in the second. He adapted quickly, limiting Liu to one shot in the final three minutes. The Kyrgyz wrestler’s effective use of an underhook on his Chinese opponent’s right side dictated the pace of the match in the closing period, and after Liu’s gas tank diminished, Zhumashbek Uulu scored a pair of step-outs and two shot clock points to win, 4-2.

8. Alina HRUSHYNA AKOBIIA (UKR) vs. Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)

Hrushyna Akobiia and Aliyeva could meet for the third time, continuing their rivalry that has seen Hrushyna Akobiia emerge victorious in their previous encounters at the 2022 World Championships and 2023 European Championships.

In the 57kg finals of this year's European Championships, Hrushyna Akobiia dominated the match, leading 10-0 before securing a fall to claim back-to-back European titles.

Aliyeva will be determined to reverse the trend and pick up a much-needed win against Hrushyna Akobiia.

9. Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ) vs. Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB)

Doszhanov and Otakhonov could meet in a rematch from the Asian Championships where they vied for the 70kg gold medal.

Doszhanov capitalized on his single scoring opportunity, executing a front headlock that propelled Otakhonov out of bounds as the inactivity clock expired. Doszhanov secured a crucial 2-0 victory in this low-scoring affair.

10. Iman MOHAMMADI (IRI) vs. Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB)

Mohammadi proved to be the superior wrestler in their previous encounter, securing a dominant 9-0 victory over Sharibjanov in the 63kg Asian finals.

Mohammadi displayed his wide array of skills, scoring points through go-behinds and step-outs, before concluding the match with a remarkable four-point throw.

Sharibjanov will be eager to turn the tables and seek redemption in their potential rematch.

Catch all the action live from Bishkek on uwww.org or the Home of Wrestling, United WorldW Wrestling’s app

#WrestleZagreb

Komarov upends Mohamadi to make history, spoil Iran celebrations

Sunday, September 21, 2025 - 20:47 By Ken Marantz

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Note: An earlier version of this article mentioned Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) as the first male wrestler to have won the "Grand Slam". Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) was the first. The error is regretted.

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 21) -- Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI) was set to put the cherry on top of Iran's dominant performance in Zagreb, but Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) had a recipe for disaster.

Komarov pulled off a stunning 4-3 victory in the 87kg final that left Mohamadi inconsolable, while earning himself a unique place in wrestling history as the curtain came down on the World Championships on Sunday with the last three Greco titles decided.

"I’m very happy," Komarov said. "The final was really tough, and I believed I could succeed. In the end I managed it, and I’m very glad about that."

In other finals, teenager Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) gave Uzbekistan just its second world Greco title -- more than two decades after the first -- with a victory at 63kg, while Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) triumphed at 67kg to become the Iran's second Olympic champion in two nights to add the senior world gold.

Iran easily won the team title with 180 points, nearly twice as much as the runner-up, to complete the freestyle-Greco double for the first time. The Asian powerhouse finished with four golds and eight medals overall in Greco. Azerbaijan placed second with 89 points, followed by Uzbekistan with 72. Both nations had one champion.

With his triumph in Zagreb, the Russian-born Komarov became the second male wrestler to complete the "Grand Slam" of world titles -- winning all three age-group titles as well as the senior gold.

Komarov, who began competing for Serbia in 2024, previously won the first of two cadet (U17) titles in 2015, the world junior (U20) in 2017 and 2018, then added the world U23 in 2021.

He joins Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) as the lone men to achieve the Grand Slam. Mirzazadeh, who won a second career Greco 130kg title two days earlier in Zagreb, become the first when he won his first senior gold in 2023, adding to world titles at U17 in 2015, U20 in 2018 and U23 in 2021.

A handful of women, including Yui SUSAKI (JPN) and Amit ELOR (USA), have achieved the slam. Three other male greats came close, but fell just short by taking silvers on either the U17 or U20 levels -- Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) in freestyle and Leri ABULADZE (GEO) in Greco.

"I’ve collected the whole set of medals," said Komarov, who has also completed the Grand Slam on a European level. "My coach, my journey -- everything I did was right. I have success, so I’m very happy. My goal and my dream are the Olympic Games. I think about it. It’s too early to talk about that now, but I hope everything works out."

Even with his past glory, not everything had worked out for Komarov in his run-up to Zagreb. In fact, it was less than spectacular.

Eighth at the Paris Olympics, this year the 26-year-old relinquished the European title he had won in 2024, having to settle for a bronze, and placed fifth at all three Ranking Series events he entered, in Zagreb, Tirana and Budapest.

In fact, it was in Tirana that he clashed with Mohamadi, who handed him a 5-1 defeat in the semifinals en route to the gold.

"It was a very hard road to get here -- it’s been a very difficult year and I lost all the ranking series. I lost at the Europeans," Komarov said. "Of course I had doubts in myself, but I believed I could do it and I succeeded. I’m always mentally ready -- I didn’t change anything, just worked a lot and tried to wrestle without mistakes and give my best."

But Komarov made all the right moves in Zagreb to beat Mohamadi, who reluctantly settled for his second world silver, adding to one at 82kg in 2023.

The difference came down to what each wrestler did from par terre. Mohamadi, who won the Tirana Ranking Series title, could only manage a stepout on a throw
attempt. Komarov, on the other hand, got the traditional roll, which put him up 3-2 in the second period.

The key moment of the match came in the final minute, when Mohamadi pressed forward in a tackle position and had Komarov backpedaling out of the ring.

But the stepout -- nor a potential fleeing point -- was not awarded when it was determined on a lost Iranian challenge that Mohamadi's hands had dropped below Komarov's waist, which made it 4-2.

Mohamadi needed a takedown to win, but could only manage a late stepout. At the final whistle, he dropped to the mat in total despair, and had be propped up as he
walked dejectedly from the main floor.

Meanwhile, Komarov's celebrations took a odd twist when it was discovered there was no Serbian flag for him to hoist for his victory lap. Instead, he circled the mat on the shoulders of his coaches.

"Nobody believed I would win," Komarov said with a smile. "Many Serbians came to support me, but nobody brought a flag."

While Komarov chose to relocate his life to Serbia and has a Serbian wife, his family remains in Russia. His younger brother, Ilya KOMAROV (UWW), won a bronze medal at the U20 World Championships in August.

At 63kg, Khalmakhanov's victory on the senior stage came just over a month after winning the gold at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria.

Khalmakhanov, who also won the senior Asian title in March, looked like a seasoned veteran in the final against Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), dominating in a 6-0
victory.

Khalmakhanov wasn't able to turn in par terre in the first period, but added a stepout to take a 2-0 lead at the break. In the second, he shrugged Chung down for a takedown, then added another stepout while attempting a throw.

The Korean side challenged the original takedown, but it was denied, giving Khalmakanov a 6-0 lead that he defended to the end. 

Perhaps the only person more ecstatic over Khalmakanov's victory was his coach, the indefatigable Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), who finally retired at age 40 after the Paris Olympics, having won two world medals but no golds.

Uzbekistan's only previous gold in Greco came in 2001, when Dilshod ARIPOV (UZB) won the 58kg title in Petras, Greece.

Chung was denied in his bid to give Korea its first world Greco gold since his senior teammate and longtime training partner at Kyungsung University, the now-retired Hansu RYU (KOR), won the second of his two world golds in Paris in 2017.

At 67kg, Esmaeili got a stepout to start the match, and that proved the difference in a 2-1 victory over reigning European champion and Paris Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE).

"With a smart plan, I beat him 2–1 and became the champion of this weight class," said Esmaeili, who won the gold in his senior world debut.

Each wrestler had a chance in par terre, but neither could turn the other, giving Esmaeili his closest victory of the tournament. He had cruised into the final with four consecutive wins by technical superiority.

"Anyone who makes it to the final is obviously a good wrestler, but I didn’t want to take unnecessary risks in the final," Esmaeili said. "We had a clear plan to win, and thank God it worked out -- we came out on top."

Esmaeili has been on quite a run in recent years. He has suffered just one loss since 2021, a 9-7 defeat at the hands of Luis ORTA (CUB) in the semifinals of the Budapest Ranking Series event in June 2024.

His accolades, in addition to the Paris gold, include back-to-back Asian titles in 2024 and 2025. Having already won golds at the world U17 and U20, he needs just the world U23 to complete a "Golden Grand Slam," which includes the Olympics.

His victory came a day after fellow Paris champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) won the title at 97kg.

"This was my first time competing in the [senior] world championships," Esmaeili said. "Before this, I had competed in the Olympics, where thankfully I won gold, and here I was able to repeat that Olympic gold to prove myself once again."

Keshtkar tops Emelin for 63kg bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Asian silver medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) stormed out a big lead, then fought fatigue to hold off a late surge from former world champion Sergey EMELIN (UWW) to take his first world medal with a 6-4 victory at 63kg.

Keshtkar used an arm spin for an opening takedown, then added a stepout off a whizzer. Another stepout, combined with an unsuccessful challenge, put him up 5-0 at the break.

After Keshtkar padded his lead with another stepout, Emelin went on the offensive as the Iranian began to run out of gas. A stepout, takedown and fleeing penalty point cut the gap to two points, but the Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist couldn't apply the coup de grace and fell short of a third world medal.

European bronze medalist Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA), last year's world U23 champion, was able to complete his comeback to defeat Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR) 6-5 for the other 63kg bronze.

Hrushyn, a two-time European medalist, had two stepouts and led 3-0 in the second period when Eriomenco gained a stepout, then was put in par terre. He took full advantage, executing a trap arm roll, then going back the other way to go ahead 6-3.

Hruyshyn scored a takedown with :37 left to pull within one, but Eriomenco conceded nothing the rest of the way to secure the medal.

At 67kg, lanky Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) fell into a five-point hole early against Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ), but used his elongated limbs to maximum advantage in ground wrestling to rally to a big lead before securing a late fall.

Two-time Asian silver medalist Beishekeev uncorked a 4-point throw from par terre in the first period to lead 5-0, with Galstyan picking up a stepout before the break.

Galstyan started his comeback by shrugging Beishekeev to the mat for a takedown, then getting behind again to tie the score at 5-5, although he still trailed on criteria. But he wrapped his long arms around Beishekeev and scored two exposures to go ahead 9-5.

An arm spin gave him another takedown, then he stopped an attack for another 2. That would have ended the match, but Galstyan put an exhausted Beishekeev on his back for a fall with :18 left.

At 87kg, Asian U23 champion Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) defeated David LOSONCZI (HUN) 4-2 to deny the former world champion a third career world medal.

Zhanyshov stopped a lateral drop attempt in the first period for a 2-point score, then added a passivity point to lead 3-0 at the break.

Losonczi, who took silver medals at three ranking series events this year, had a chance at par terre, but could not turn Zhanyshov. He did manage a stepout to cut the gap, but Zhanyshov shut him down the rest of the way, while a late caution point added to his tally.

Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) stepped over on a gut wrench attempt by Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) and secured a fall to take home the other 87kg bronze.

Alirzaev took a 3-0 lead with an exposure from par terre in the first period. In the second, he was on the bottom when he deftly stuck Yevloyev for the fall in 4:08.

Day 8 Results

Greco-Roman

63kg (26 entries)
GOLD: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) df. Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), 6-0

BRONZE: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) df. Sergey EMELIN (UWW), 6-4
BRONZE: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) df. Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR), 6-5

67kg (34 entries)
GOLD: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), 2-1

BRONZE: Daniial AGAEV (UWW) df. Sebastian NAD (SRB), 7-1
BRONZE: Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) df. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) by Fall, 5:42 (15-5)

87kg (30 entries)
GOLD: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) df. Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI), 4-3

BRONZE: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) df. David LOSONCZI (HUN), 4-2
BRONZE: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) df. Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) by Fall, 4:08 (5-1)