Ranking Series: Bolat Turlykhanov Cup entries

Wednesday, May 25, 2022 - 14:45 By Eric Olanowski

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (May 25) -- The former Kazakh capital Almaty will host the second of four Ranking Series events, the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup from June 2 to 5.

Over 275 wrestlers from 15 nations spanning Africa, Asia, Europe and Pan-America will make the trek to the southern mountainous region of Kazakhstan for the point-earning Ranking Series event.

On the freestyle side of the competition, the biggest storyline is the insanely stacked squad that Iran is bringing. Leading the charge will be reigning world champions Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (IRI) and Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and Amir ZARE (IRI). Asian and junior world champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) is moving up from 92kg to 97kg for the event.

Yazdani, the Rio Olympic gold medalist and Tokyo Olympic runner-up, will return to the mat for the first time since his ultra-emotional win over his arch-rival David TAYLOR (USA), which led to him winning his third world title. “The Greatest” enters the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup ranked second at 86kg – 1600 points behind first-ranked Taylor – but will grab the world’s top spot barring a catastrophic meltdown.

Top-ranked Ghasempour has a stronghold on the 92kg field, but top-20 foes No. 11 Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL), No. 15 Viky CHAHAR (IND) and No. 16 Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) will be looking to halt his hopes of expanding his 7,500-point lead.

Despite social media rumors that Zare has pulled out of the competition due to an injury, he’s still registered for the competition on Wednesday (May 25).

Another Asian freestyle powerhouse bringing a loaded lineup is India. Their team will feature Olympic medalists Ravi KUMAR (IND) and Bajrang PUNIA (IND) and the 2019 world silver medalist Deepak PUNIA (IND).

The world’s top Greco-Roman wrestler Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) headlines the GR entries. “The Iceman” enters the competition riding a five-tournament win streak and hasn’t lost since 2019. Geraei won Olympic, senior world, U23, and Asian gold medals during that impressive run.

Geraei will be wrestling at 72kg, which is five kilos up from his Olympic-winning weight of 67kg. Another Iranian reigning world champion that’ll also be moving up is Meysam DALKHANI (IRI). He won world gold at 63kg but will replace Geraei at 67kg for this tournament.

Other massive Greco-Roman storylines to follow are the potential matchups at 63kg and 130kg.

Continental champions Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and Kerem KAMAL (TUR) are bumping up a weight class and could go toe-to-toe at 63kg.

At 130kg, Olympic silver medalist and top-ranked Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) is the front-runner, but reigning world champion No. 5 Aliakbar YOUSOFIA (IRI) is tailing close behind.

Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI), Iran’s Tokyo Olympic Games rep, will look to regain his starting spot from Yousofia, who stepped into Iran’s lineup at the 2021 World Championships after Mirzazadeh tested positive for COVID-19 in the leadup to the Oslo.

Before Oslo, Mirzazadeh grabbed the Tokyo spot from Yousofia with a win in the Poland Open finals.

Other wrestlers to pay attention to at 130kg are reigning Asian champion Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) and Yasar Dogu Ranking Series champion Osman YILDIRIM (TUR).

In women’s wrestling, Olympic bronze medalist and top-ranked Bolortuya BATOCHIR (MGL) will look to grow her narrow 1,200-point lead on Akari FUJINAMI (JPN). She’ll compete at 53kg.

At 76kg, a colossal top-three clash between No. 2 Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and No. 3 Samar HAMZA (EGY) could happen. Medet Kyzy won gold at the Yasar Dogu and Asian Championships this season, while Hamza is fresh off winning gold at the African Championships.

Wrestling begins next Thursday (June 2-5) and can be watched live on uww.org.

Olympic silver medalist Ravi KUMAR (IND) will look to win his third gold medal of the year. He'll compete up at 61kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

57kg
Aman SEHRAWAT (IND)
Zhakhongir AKHMAJANOV (KAZ)
Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ)
Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ)
Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ)
Munkh BATKHUYAG (MGL)
Dashtseren PURVEE (MGL)
Nasanbuyan NARMANDAKH (MGL)

61kg
Ravi KUMAR (IND)
Assylzhan YESSENGELDI (KAZ)
Zhassulan TASKUL (KAZ)
Yeldos MOMBEKOV (KAZ)
Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ)
Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ)
Chinzorig TSERMAA (MGL)
Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL)
Baljinnyam DAMJIN (MGL)
Ali M M ABURUMAILA (PLE)
Shamsiddin IBODOV (TJK)

65kg
Bajrang PUNIA (IND)
Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ)
Iassaui MUKHTARULY (KAZ)
Rifat SAIBOTALOV (KAZ)
Tsogbadrakh TSEVEENSUREN (MGL)
Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL)
Tugsjargal ERDENEBAT (MGL)
Komron KHOLOV (TJK)
Abbos RAKHMONOV (UZB)
Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB)

70kg
Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND)
Syrbaz TALGAT (KAZ)
Amandyk BAKEYEV (KAZ)
Rodion ANCHUGIN (KAZ)
Alibek OSMONOV (KGZ)
Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ)
Khanburged GANKHUYAG (MGL)
Begzjav GANSUKH (MGL)
Temuulen ENKHTUYA (MGL)
Muboraksho QURBONBEKOV (TJK)
Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR)
Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB)

74kg
Amr Reda RAMADAN (EGY)
Naveen NAVEEN (IND)
Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)
Nurlan BEKZHANOV (KAZ)
Kanat MUSSABEKOV (KAZ)
Byambadorj BAT-ERDENE (MGL)
Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL)
Sumiyabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL)
Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)
Fazli ERYILMAZ (TUR)
Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB)
Asomiddin HASANOV (UZB)

79kg
Gourav BALIYAN (IND)
Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ)
Zhiger ZAKIROV (KAZ)
Daulet YERGESH (KAZ)
Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ)
Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ)
Dulguun ALTANZUL (MGL)
Batzul DAMJIN (MGL)
Byambadorj ENKHBAYAR (MGL)
Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK)
Jakub SYKORA (SVK)

86kg
Deepak PUNIA (IND)
Hassan YAZDANI (IRI)
Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ)
Nurzhan ISSAGALIYEV (KAZ)
Abylaikhan NURSULTANOV (KAZ)
Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL)
Temuujin MENDBILEG (MGL)
Tsogtgerel MUNKHBAATAR (MGL)
Boris MAKOEV (SVK)
Fatih ERDIN (TUR)
Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB)
Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB)

92kg
Viky CHAHAR (IND)
Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI)
Islyambek ILYASSOV (KAZ)
Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ)
Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ)
Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL)

97kg
Deepak NEHRA (IND)
Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI)
Yunus GAFUROV (KAZ)
Akezhan AITBEKOV (KAZ)
Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ)
Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)
Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK)
Faizi FAIZZODA (TJK)
Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR)
Mukhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB)
Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB)

125kg
Mohit GREWAL (IND)
Amir ZARE (IRI)
Alisher YERGALI (KAZ)
Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ)
Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)
Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL)
Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL)
Salim ERCAN (TUR)
Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB)

Reigning world and Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) headlines the Greco-Roman entries. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Greco-Roman

55kg
Giorgi TOKHADZE (GEO)
Arjun HALAKURKI (IND)
Poya DAD MARZ (IRI)
Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ)
Alpamys DASTANBEK (KAZ)
Khorlan ZHAKANSHA (KAZ)
Davaabandi MUNKH-ERDENE (MGL)
Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK)
Jasurbek ORTIKBOEV (UZB)

60kg
Marat GARIPOV (BRA)
Gyanender DAHIYA (IND)
Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI)
Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI)
Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ)
Yernar FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ)
Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ)
Kuttubek ABDYKERIM UULU (KGZ)
Firuz MIRZORAJABOV (TJK)
Mukhammadkodir YUSUPOV (UZB)
Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB)

63kg
Kerim MACHALIKASHVILI (GEO)
Beka GURULI (GEO)
NEERAJ (IND)
Galym KABDUNASSAROV (KAZ)
Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ)
Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ)
Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)
Dastan KADYROV (KGZ)
Ahmet UYAR (TUR)
Kerem KAMAL (TUR)

67kg
Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO)
Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND)
Meysam DALKHANI (IRI)
Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ)
Daniyar KALENOV (KAZ)
Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ)
Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ)
Khalmurat IBRAGIMOV (KGZ)
Kaly SULAIMANOV (KGZ)
Abror ATABAEV (UZB)

72kg
VIKAS (IND)
Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI)
Alikhan KOKENOV (KAZ)
Azat SADYKOV (KAZ)
Abylaikhan AMZEYEV (KAZ)
Sheroz OCHILOV (TJK)
Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB)
Jamol JUMABAEV (UZB)

77kg
Khvicha ANANIDZE (GEO)
Sajan BHANWALA (IND)
Mohammad Reza MOKHTARI (IRI)
Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ)
Tamerlan SHADUKAYEV (KAZ)
Maxat YEREZHEPOV (KAZ)
Renat ILIAZ UULU (KGZ)
Habibjon ZUHUROV (TJK)
Yunus Emre BASAR (TUR)
Dilshod OMONGELDIYEV (UZB)

82kg
Tornike DZAMASHVILI (GEO)
Singh HARPREET (IND)
Pejman POSHTAM (IRI)
Miras BARSHYLYKOV (KAZ)
Rakhmet SAPIYEV (KAZ)
Kalidin ASYKEEV (KGZ)
Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)
Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK)
Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR)
Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB)

87kg
Gurami KHETSURIANI (GEO)
Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO)
Sunil KUMAR (IND)
Ramin TAHERISARTANG (IRI)
Ali Abdolreza SHARIFI (IRI)
Baurzhan MUSSIN (KAZ)
Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ)
Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ)
Melis AITBEKOV (KGZ)
Atabek AZISBEKOV (KGZ)
Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB)

97kg
Aleksi LODIA (GEO)
DEEPANSHU (IND)
Mahdi FALLAHHAMIDABADI (IRI)
Yersaiyn SAIFULLA (KAZ)
Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ)
Sanzhar SERIKKAN (KAZ)
Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)
Metehan BASAR (TUR)
Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB)

130kg
Sulkhan BUIDZE (GEO)
Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO)
SATISH (IND)
Aliakbar YOUSOFIAHMADCHALI (IRI)
Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)
Mansur SHADUKAYEV (KAZ)
Anton SAVENKO (KAZ)
Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)
Murat RAMONOV (KGZ)
Osman YILDIRIM (TUR)

Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Bolortuya BAT OCHIR (MGL) is the biggest star of women's wrestling who'll be in Kazakhstan. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Women’s Wrestling

50kg
Turkan NASIROVA (AZE)
Shahana NAZAROVA (AZE)
NEELAM (IND)
Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ)
Aigul NURALIM (KAZ)
Namuuntsetseg TSOGT-OCHIR (MGL)
Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL)
Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB)

53kg
Tatyana VARANSOVA (AZE)
Leyla GURBANOVA (AZE)
Pooja GEHLOT (IND)
Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ)
Aisha UALISHAN (KAZ)
Anudari NANDINTSETSEG (MGL)
Buman ENKHBOLD (MGL)
Bolortuya BAT-OCHIR (MGL)
Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB)
Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB)

55kg
Sushma SHOKEEN (IND)
Assylzat SAGYMBAY (KAZ)
Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ)
Ainur ASHIMOVA (KAZ)
Khishigsuren BATBOLD (MGL)
Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)

57kg
Mansi AHLAWAT (IND)
Emma TISSINA (KAZ)
Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ)
Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL)
Sumiya ERDENECHIMEG (MGL)
Othelie HOEIE (NOR)
Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB)

59kg
Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE)
Sarita MOR (IND)
Aizhan ISMAGULOVA (KAZ)
Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ)
Shoovdor BAATARJAV (MGL)
Tsogzolmaa DORJSUREN (MGL)
Grace BULLEN (NOR)
Dilfuza AIMBETOVA (UZB)

62kg
Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE)
Tetiana OMELCHENKO (AZE)
Sakshi MALIK (IND)
Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ)
Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL)
Khongorzul BOLDSAIKHAN (MGL)
Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL)
Rushana ABDIRASULOVA (UZB)

65kg
Elis MANOLOVA (AZE)
MANISHA (IND)
Gaukhar MUKATAY (KAZ)
Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ)
Purevsuren ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)
Ariukhan JUMABAEVA (UZB)
Dinora RUSTAMOVA (UZB)

68kg
Divya KAKRAN (IND)
Albina KAIRGELDINOVA (KAZ)
Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL)
Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL)

72kg
BIPASHA (IND)
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ)
Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL)
Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB)

76kg
Samar HAMZA (EGY)
Pooja SIHAG (IND)
Inkara ZHANATAYEVA (KAZ)
Ainagul ABIROVA (KAZ)
Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)
Ariunjargal GANBAT (MGL)
Zagardulam NAIGALSUREN (MGL)
Urtnasan GAN-OCHIR (MGL)

#WrestleAlmaty

Zare returns with eyes on world domination

Tuesday, May 31, 2022 - 12:13 By Vinay Siwach

ALMATY, Kazakhstan (May 31) -- As he celebrated winning his first world title in Oslo last year, Amir ZARE (IRI) held up a virtual crown over his head, symbolizing that he is now the king of the heavyweight class.

This was two months after Gable STEVESON (USA) had left the world in awe by winning the gold medal at the Tokyo Olympics. He claimed that he was the king of the weight category after beating Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) en route to the gold.

Zare did the same in Oslo a bout between him and Steveson would settle the debate. But unfortunately, that is unlikely in the near future as Steveson chose professional wrestling.

For now, it’s Zare’s world.

He returns to competition after winning the title in Oslo at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup in Almaty with an eye to win his second world title. Zare is aware of what it takes to make the Iran team and being pitched as the favorite to win the gold. But a confident start in Almaty can pave way for a fruitful year.

"Almaty is not everything," Zare said. "We have to return to Iran and be selected to the national team. I have to train harder."

Amir ZARE (IRI) dominated his opponents in Oslo en route to gold. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Long before he won the world title and the Olympic bronze in the same year, the U20 world champ made splashes in the wrestling world when he pinned Petriashvili in the Iran league in 2019. Fans wondered if Iran has found a world-beating heavyweight to replace Komeil GHASEMI (IRI).

Zare was young and had already won the U20 world title. But like most wrestlers, he had odd results that stopped fans from taking his name in the same breath as Hassan YAZDANI (IRI). At the Youth Olympics, he got pinned by Sergey KOZRIEV (RWF) in the final which gave rise to doubts about his potential.

But as the Tokyo Games approached, Zare became the dark horse and returned home with a bronze medal after losing to Petriashvili in the quarters. He avenged that along with beating Akgul at the Worlds.

Now as a world champion, he will be part of Iran's golden trio in Almaty. Initially doubtful for the tour due to injury, he is expected to win the 125kg weight class.

The weight has a three Kazakh wrestlers in Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) and Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ). He will also have Oslo bronze medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) apart from Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL), Mohit GREWAL (IND), Salim ERCAN (TUR) and Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB).

After skipping the Asian Championships, this is an opportunity for the third-ranked Zare to close in on the top two wrestlers — Akgul and Petriashvili and claim the top seed for the September World Championships.

"It's important to win and return," he said. "I will train under the best coaches and hopefully that will help me win the gold medal again at the World Championships."

Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) returns to competition for the first time since winning the World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Yazdani and Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) are the other two world champions who will be in action in Almaty.

At 86kg, Yazdani will be looking to overtake Taylor as the top wrestler in the weight class. The American Olympic champ has 88000 points while the Iranian is 1600 points behind.

He may have a rematch from the 2017 World Championships against Boris MAKOEV (SVK) in Almaty. But there are other challenges as well in Fatih ERDIN (TUR), Olympic bronze at 74kg Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB), and local favorite and Asian champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) among others.

Ghasempour has Deepak PUNIA (IND) and Viky CHAHAR (IND) at 92kg along with Islyambek ILYASSOV (KAZ), Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ), Abdimanap BAIGENZHEYEV (KAZ) and Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL).

Bajrang PUNIA (IND) will compete at his first Ranking Series event. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Strong FS field

Bajrang PUNIA (IND) would look to move on from the loss of his Asian Championships as he won a silver at 65kg. He faces a familiar for in Tulga TUMUR-OCHIR (MGL) as the two are expected to fight for the gold in Almaty.

But Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) will look to replicate his 61kg performances at 65kg as he continues to get familiar with the Olympic weight. Another young star is Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). The former U17 world champ won a bronze in Istanbul and now has a chance to upgrade it.

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) is the reigning European champion. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Expect some fireworks at 74kg as World silver and European champion Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) is making a trip to Almaty. He had come back from 5-0 to win 6-5 against Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) in the European final in March.

Uzbekistan veteran Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) will try to stop him but given his recent struggles, Salkazanov should find it easy.

Kazakhstan will be pinning its hopes on Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), Nurlan BEKZHANOV (KAZ) and Kanat MUSSABEKOV (KAZ). Mongolia has also entered three wrestlers in Byambadorj BAT-ERDENE (MGL), Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) and Sumiyabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL).

In an interesting move, U20 world champion at 92kg Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) is moving up to 97kg in a bid to challenge Asian champion Mohammadhossein MOHAMADIAN (IRI). He won the Asian championships as well at 92kg last month.

But to be successful he needs to go through Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) and veteran star Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB). Ulziisaikhan won silver in Ulaanbaatar while Ibragimov, 40, is making a comeback after missing out on a medal in Tokyo.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) may finally claim the top rank at 70kg after missing out in Istanbul and Ulaanbaatar. He failed to win the gold at both events keeping him below Zurabi IAKOBASHVILI (GEO)

Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) will be competing at 72kg in Almaty. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

GR stars ascend in Almaty

Iran also has a strong Greco-Roman team in Almaty as Olympic and world champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) will compete at the 72kg weight. He had won both titles at 67kg. Despite the change, it looks unlikely that he will return home without the gold.

He is replaced by another world champ at 67kg in Meysam DALKHANI (IRI). The 63kg gold medalist will try to replicate Geraei’s results at 67kg with an eye on the World Championships. It will interesting to see young Asian champion Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ).

Another Iran match-up is at 60kg as both Pouya NASERPOUR (IRI) and Ali Reza NEJATI (IRI) are entered in the weight. In what is virtually the World Championships team trial, both are wrestling to be on the flight to Belgrade.

Trying to stop them will be Kazakhstan twins Yernar FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) and Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) and Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB).

At 63kg, a huge match-up is brewing between world silver and Asian champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR).

After struggling with injuries throughout last year, Kamal return with a golden performance in Budapest. If he can win in Almaty, it may well be the beginning of Kamal finally rising to his potential at the senior level.

Almaty will witness the wrath of Olympic silver medalist Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) once again as he wrestles at 82kg. It was in Almaty last year that a high-flying Makhmudov qualified for the Olympics. He also enjoys a huge fan base in the neighboring nation.

But he will have to cope up with the challenges of 82kg and also face regulars in Pejman POSHTAM (IRI) and world silver medalist Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR).

A star-studded line-up at 130kg made this weight class UWW weight-to-watch at this tournament.

Women’s wrestling Almaty will feature strong teams from Kyrgyzstan, Mongolia, Kazakhstan and India. For our complete women’s wrestling preview, click here.

Ranking Series: Bolat Turlykhanov Cup entries

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Zare returns with eyes on world domination