Rio silver Higuchi marks return with 1st Asian gold

Sunday, April 24, 2022 - 16:53 By Ken Marantz

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (April 24) -- After a trying three years that included missing out on the Tokyo Olympics, Rio 2016 silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) has returned to his winning ways. And he's eating normally, too.

Higuchi captured his first Asian title in dominant style, blitzing Darioush HAZRATGHOLIZADEH (IRI) 10-0 in just 46 seconds of the freestyle 61kg final on Sunday, the final day of the six-day Asian Championships in Ulaanbaatar.

"From the beginning, I thought to go with my attacking style," said Higuchi, who won all four of his matches by technical fall. "My single-leg tackles and arm locks were working from the first match, so I don't think it was too bad."

It was an otherwise good day for Iran, which added three golds to the three it won on Saturday to easily win the team title with 201 points. India finished second with 152 points, one point ahead of Kazakhstan after both had one champion and three silver medalists.

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) outscored his opponents 44-4 to in his four bouts. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Higuchi, in making amends for a disappointing third-place finish in 2017, came out firing on all cylinders in the final, catching Hazratgholizadeh with a 4-point arm throw soon after the opening whistle. He added a pair of gut wrenches, then closed out the match with a takedown.

"I decided to give it a shot right at the start," Higuchi said of the arm throw, a common weapon used by Japanese lightweights. "From the first match, I was always using single-leg tackles and arm locks, so I thought my opponent had figured it out. So I decided to go for an arm throw from the beginning."

It marked a grand renewal for one of Japan's most promising wrestlers, who got caught up trying to find an appropriate Olympic weight.

After Rio, he moved up to 61kg and finished third at the Asian Championships in New Delhi. In late 2017 he made the jump to 65kg, where he won the 2018 world U23 title, but could not dislodge eventual Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) for the Olympic spot in that weight class.

After losing to Otoguro in a playoff for the Olympic spot, he decided to make the drastic drop back to 57kg, in which he had not competed since Rio. More than the domestic competition, Higuchi's battle was with the scale.

"Last year, in particular, was really bad," Higuchi said. "More than from a standpoint of wresting technique or stamina, the battle became with my weight. Last year ended with a really disappointing result. But at the end of this year, the trial process for Paris [2024] starts, I'll train harder and harder to have a better result."

Higuchi hit rock bottom in April last year when he failed to make weight at the Asian Olympic qualifier in Almaty, a tournament in which he would have been a strong favorite to take a top-two place.

The Japan federation opted to send former world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) to the final world Olympic qualifier, where he secured a spot in Tokyo at 57kg for Japan. Takahashi then defeated Higuchi in a playoff for the spot, ending his dream of winning an Olympic title on home soil.

For now, Higuchi is happily ensconced at 61kg, where last December he finished second at the national championships. He still has to count calories, but not as drastically.

"At 61kg, I can eat normally," said the 26-year-old Higuchi, now a coach at his alma mater Nippon Sports Science University. "Cutting weight is just the usual amount so that I don't get emaciated and can be like a regular wrestler."

Asked about what lies ahead in the future in terms of his weight class and the 2024 Paris Olympics, Higuchi replied, "If I go up to the 65kg division, Takuto OTOGURO and Kaiki YAMAGUCHI are there. It would be a tough battle. Of course, at 57kg, there are many strong wrestlers such as Toshihiro HASEGAWA. I have to work hard on my wrestling and raise my level in practice."

So which way will he go, up or down? "[It's a] secret," he said in English with a sly smile.

Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) won his first Asian title after beating the defending champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) in the 74kg final. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Iran's second golden treble

Iran's golden treble on Sunday came from Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) at 74kg, teenager Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) at 92kg and Yadollah MOHEBI (IRI) at 125kg.

In the 74kg final, Emamichoghaei scored all five of his points in the first period, and that held up in a 5-2 victory over defending champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ).

After gaining a point on the activity clock, Emamichoghaei put together a takedown-gut wrench combination to go ahead 5-0. In the second period, Kaipanov scored a takedown with :20 left, but it was too little, too late.

In adding the gold to his bronze at 70kg in 2019, Emamichoghaei avenged a 7-6 loss to Kaipanov in the semifinals at 70kg at the 2019 World Championships, where Kaipanov took the silver and Emamichoghaei a bronze.

The Iranian's win evened their head-to-head record at 2-2.

"I have defeated him twice now," Emamichoghaei said. "Once in Norway and now a second time. I am very happy about it. Next time I will train harder and win in a better way."

Emamichoghaei also faced a stiff test in his opening match in the quarterfinals, when he barely eked out a 7-5 win over Daichi TAKATANI (JPN).

"It was the first match," Emamichoghaei said. "If you are a wrestler, you know the first match is different from other bouts. In that, I was a little tight and didn’t do well, but I am happy that I won.

"A win is a win anyway. I’m the next tournament, I will definitely start my first match better than what I did here."

Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) claimed an 11-0 win in the 92kg final to win the gold. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Firouzpour, the world junior champion and world U23 bronze medalist in 2021, simply overpowered Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL) in the 92kg final, winning 11-0 in 4:51 for his third straight technical fall of the day, without conceding a point.

"Yes my opponents were not that strong and I was able to win easily," Firouzpour said.

Firouzpour stopped a throw attempt by the Mongolian for 2, then added three stepouts to take a 5-0 lead into the break. In the second period, he added a takedown and lace lock combination for 4, then finished up the match with a snap down takedown.

"I am happy," Firouzpour said. "Thank God that at the age of 19 I could win the gold medal of Asia. This is just the beginning. I hope to win more and more."

Yadollah MOHEBI (IRI) is now a three-time Asian champion at 125kg. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

Bringing the curtain down on the tournament was Mohebi's 3-1 win over Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) in the 125kg final, which added to titles he had previously won in 2017 and 2019.

In a staid affair in which both had received activity points, Mohebi scored the decisive single-leg takedown in the second period. For Yergali, it was his fourth straight Asian medal, although none are gold. He won the previous ones at 97kg.

"After I won in Iran, I was chosen for the Asian competition," Mohebi said. "I am wrestling here for the third time and I have won all of them, so thank God. Asian competition is always important for Iran and it’s all because of God that we won this time as well in team rankings."

Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) captured the lone gold for Kazakhstan at the Asian Championships. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

The remaining gold went to Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), who after one silver and one bronze in four previous appearances, finally made it to the top step of the podium with a solid 6-1 victory over Deepak PUNIA (IND) in the 86kg final.

"I can say that this is a big victory in my career," Dauletbekov said. "Of course I am happy. With God's will, I was honored to make Kazakhstan's anthem play and the flag be raised. I'm glad that I could protect my country's honor. I'm dedicating this victory to my mom and dad."

Dauletbekov, who was second in 2017 and third in 2018, chalked up a stepout and takedown in each period to defeat the former world junior champion Punia, who settled for the silver for the second year in a row.

The 2017 world U23 and 2014 world junior silver medalist, is looking to make his mark on the global senior stage.

"There are many good wrestlers in my weight category," Dauletbekov said. "To be a champion at all the other wrestling events, I will train as hard as possible."

In the bronze-medal matches, Yeihyun JUNG (KOR) gave Korea its lone medal of the entire championships when he caught Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) in an early headlock and clamped down for a fall in 1:34 at 125kg.

The other match at 125kg was a doozy, made even more so by the presence and eventual victory of local favorite Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL). Enkhtuvshin gave the home crowd one final thrill by rallying from a 9-1 deficit to edge Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB) by the un- heavyweight score of 15-12.

Both bronze-medal matches at 61kg also had thrilling finishes, with neither outcome decided until the final seconds.

Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ), the 2020 champion, scored a 2-point exposure off a single-leg takedown attempt with :02 left to edge Mangal KADYAN (IND), 6-4.

Likewise, Akbar KURBANOV (KAZ) came out of a final scramble behind Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), then forced him to the mat with :12 left for the winning takedown and a 5-4 win.

Mohsen MOSTAFAVI (IRI), the only Iranian who did not make the finals Sunday, will go home with a bronze after scoring three stepouts in a 4-0 win over Gwanuk KIM (KOR) at 86kg.

The other 86kg bronze went to Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB), who edged Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ) 6-5 to deny him a second straight bronze.

At 92kg, 2020 silver medalist Takuma OTSU (JPN) was left to rue what might have been, after he got caught on his back attempting a front headlock roll while holding a 12-8 lead, and Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) clamped down for a fall in 5:34.

Viky CHAHAR (IND) took the other 92kg bronze, scoring two takedowns in the second period of a 5-3 victory over Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB).

At 74kg, neither match went the distance. Japan's Takatani picked up his third Asian medal with a 10-0 technical fall over Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL), while Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) won his second straight bronze by whitewashing 2021 silver medalist Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) 11-0.

Photos: Asian Championships day six

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

61kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) df. Darioush HAZRATGHOLIZADEH (IRI) by TF, 10-0, :46

BRONZE: Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ) df. Mangal KADYAN (IND), 6-4
BRONZE: Akbar KURBANOV (KAZ) df. Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), 5-4

74kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Yones EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI) df. Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), 5-2

BRONZE: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) df. Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) by TF, 10-0, 4:37
BRONZE: Islambek OROZBEKOV (KGZ) df. Ikhtiyor NAVRUZOV (UZB) by TF, 11-0, 5:42

86kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Deepak PUNIA (IND), 6-1

BRONZE: Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB) df. Saiakbai USUPOV (KGZ), 6-5
BRONZE: Mohsen MOSTAFAVI (IRI) df. Gwanuk KIM (KOR), 4-0

92kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) df. Orgilokh DAGVADORJ (MGL) by TF, 11-0, 4:51

BRONZE: Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) df. Takuma OTSU (JPN) by Fall, 5:34 (10-12)
BRONZE: Viky CHAHAR (IND) df. Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) 5-3.

125kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Yadollah MOHEBI (IRI) df. Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), 3-1

BRONZE: Yeihyun JUNG (KOR) df. Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) by Fall, 1:34 (4-0)
BRONZE: Batmagnai ENKHTUVSHIN (MGL) df. Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB) 15-12

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Asian Championships Day 6 Greco-Roman Finals Set

Tuesday, April 16, 2024 - 05:15 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 16) -- The final day of the Asian Championships here in Bishkek with the last five Greco-Roman weight classes. World champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will hope to defend his Asian title at 60kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 REPORT

The finals for the five Greco-Roman weight classes are set

60kg - Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) vs Kaito INABA (JPN)

67kg - Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) vs. Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI)

72kg - Shingo HARADA (JPN) vs. Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI)

82kg - Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI)

97kg - Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) vs. Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ)

14:40: Two-time world bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) simply overpowered Jeongyul KWON (KOR) at 97kg to make his first final since winning the gold in 2020. Saravi chalked up four stepouts to go with an arm drag takedown in cruising to an 8-0 victory that ended with a point for an unsuccessful challenge by the Koreans of the final stepout.

14:36: Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) will wrestle for the 97kg gold medal as he beats Houzhi HAO (CHN) 8-0 in the semifinals. Matsiyev gets a stepout and then finishes the bout with three turns from par terre.

14:29: Was that the match of the day? Rasoul GARMSIRI (IRI hangs on for 7-7 criteria win over Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ) in the 82kg semifinals. Orunkul Uulu hits a four-pointer in the first period to lead 5-0 but Garmsiri begins the second period with a front headlock four which Kyrgyzstan challenge. The four points are upheld and Kyrgyzstan loses the challenge, giving Garmsiri a 5-5 criteria lead. Orunkul Uulu scores a takedown to regain the lead 7-5. But Garmsiri doesn't give up and uses another headlock for two throws but the referees offer no points. Iran challenges and after review, Garmsiri gets two points for the first throw but the second throw is clean. A 7-7 criteria lead for Garmsiri is enough as he sees off the final 24 seconds without any trouble.

14:23: Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), the first high schooler to represent Japan at the Asian Championships since 1989, will be wrestling for gold in his international senior debut after ousting 2022 bronze medalist Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) 9-2 at 82kg. In the first period, Yoshida slips behind and throws Rasulov for 4 at the edge. Put on top in par terre, Yoshida is unable to turn and takes a 5-0 lead into the second period. With 30 seconds left, Rasulov launches a 'flying squirrel' over-the-top attempt, but Yoshida lands on top for another 4, while Rasulov is awarded 2.

14:10: Kaito INABA (JPN) has been throwing around his opponents the whole day and Galym KABDUNASSAROV (KAZ) is his latest victim. Inaba stops Kabdunassarov in the middle of a second turn from par terre, lifts him for a beautiful four-pointer and leads 5-3 at the break. He gets a par terre on top in the second period, to go up 6-3 when Kubadunassarov is called for a leg foul and Inaba goes up 8-3. A late stepout from Kabdunassarov but Inaba wins 8-4 to set up a 60kg final against Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)

14:07: Double world champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will get a shot at third straight Asian gold at 60kg after knocking off Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) 9-0. Sharshenbekov showed why he is at the top of the sport when, in par terre, he was unable to toss Dehbozorgi while in a standing bear hug, but went back to the mat and scored with a gut wrench. Dehbozorgi was assessed a 2-point penalty for an illegal move that gave Sharshenbekova a 5-0 lead but also caused some discomfort in his shoulder. It hardly slowed him down in the second period as he scored a takedown and finished off the match with a 2-point throw at the edge.

13:56: Shingo HARADA (JPN) learned his lesson from a failed throw in the first period, coming back with a 4-pointer in the second en route to a 9-2 victory over Abdullo ALIEV (UZB) to make the 72kg final at his first Asian Championships. Aliev, on the bottom of par terre in the first period, disrupted a throw by Harada to score a 2-point exposure. In the second period, Harada jumped behind for a takedown, then followed with a textbook-perfect reverse lift for 4, before adding another takedown.

13:50: A 10-0 rout from Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) of Adilkhan SATAYEV (LAZ) in the 72kg semifinals. Rostami with two rolls from par terre and Satayev gets hit for two-point caution. The bout resumes in par terre and Rostami gets the roll to win 9-0. A lost challenge from Kazakhstan gives Rostami the final point.

13:44: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) thrills the crowd by hanging on for a 2-1 victory over Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) in their 67kg semifinal. With Beishekeev in par terre first, Chung reverses a roll attempt, but instead, Beishekeev gets a fortunate stepout from the scramble for a 2-0 lead. Chung can't get a turn from par terre in the second period, so the 63kg silver medalist from last year will be fighting for a bronze at best.

13:35: Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) needs only 58 seconds to finish the 67kg semifinal against Rovshen ATDAYEV (TKM). Esmaeili Leivesi with a takedown and roll, then adds another takedown to make it 6-0. A lift and full throw to win 10-0.

13:15: World U20 bronze medalist Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) makes it 5 out of 5 for Iranians in the semifinals when he outlasts Aslamdzhon AZIZOV (TJK) 8-5 to make the final four at 60kg.

13:07: It would be hard to get a more impressive win than the one that Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) just posted against Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB) in the 60kg quarterfinals. After powering to a 4-point takedown, Sharshenbekov comes back by flipping Bakhromov for another 4-pointer to end the match in 27 seconds.

13:05: High schooler Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) gets his senior debut off to a good start with a 7-2 win over Rohit DAHIYA (IND) to make the 82kg semifinals.

13:00: Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB) ends Sultan EID's (JOR) inspired campaign with a 9-0 technical superiority. Rasulov with four turns from par terre to win.

12:56: Not to be for Beksultan MAKHMUDOV (KGZ)! He tries a big throw to get a four but falls on his back and Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) sticks him to get the fall at 97kg. Matsiyev led 7-4 when Makhmudov tried the arm throw.

12:52: World and Olympic bronze medalist Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), one of the bigger names in action on the final day, reels off four rolls from par terre for a quickfire 9-0 victory over Badamdorj BALTMUNKH (MGL). Saravi has an Asian gold from 2020.

12:45: Mohammadreza ROSTAMI (IRI) with two rolls from par terre to take a 5-0 lead against Ji LENG (CHN) who did get a turn from par terre in the second period but failed to stop Rostami from winning 5-3 and advanced to the 72kg semifinals.

12:44: Returning bronze medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) has a roll from par terre eliminated on challenge, but comes back in the second period with a 4-point throw in his second chance to defeat Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ) 7-1 in the 67kg quarterfinals.

12:39: Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI) books his place in the 67kg semifinals with an 8-0 win over Firuz MIRZORAJABOV (TJK). Esmaeili Leivesi hits a 4-point throw in the first period and ends the match with a takedown 34 seconds into the second.

12:35: A last-ditch headlock throw from Rovshen ATDAYEV (TKM) gets him a 9-6 win over Man Gwang SON (PRK) at 67kg. Atdayev led 5-0 when Son scored a four-pointer and then got the par terre position to take a 5-5 criteria lead. Son scored a stepout to be 6-5 clear but Atdayev hit a solid throw for the win.

12:33: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) is through to the 67kg semifinals with a 7-1 win over Vinayak PATIL (IND).

12:28: Ilkhom BAKHROMOV (UZB), the 2019 champion and 2021 silver medalist, trails 3-2 in the second period against Hyok SONG (PRK) at 60kg when bulls his way to a takedown, gets 2 points for a penalty, then adds a takedown for an 8-3 win. Bakhromov's brother Islomjon failed to medal at 63kg on Monday.

12:23: World bronze medalist Liguo CAO (CHN) finishes off a 9-1 victory over Baljinnyam TSEVEENRAVDAN (MGL) with a stepout to advance to the 60kg quarterfinals, where he will face Kaito INABE (JPN).

12:20: Galym KABDUNASSAROV (KAZ) with two front headlock throws to beat PRAVESH (IND) 9-0 at 60kg. He will face Seunghak KIM (KOR) in the quarterfinals as Kim defeated Umit DURDYYEV (TKM) 8-0 in an earlier bout.

12:18: With the arena still buzzing over the loss by local hero Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) the previous night, the host country's other Greco world and Asian champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) powers into the 60kg quarterfinals. Needing just one point to finish off SUPARMANTO (INA), Sharshenbekov hits a 4-pointer to win 11-0 in 1:20.

12:14: Former U20 world champion Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) wins his opening bout at 60kg 9-0 against Jui Chi HUANG (TPE). No slip up from the Iranian wrestler in that bout

12:13: Sultan EID (JOR) still has a long way to go to become Jordan's first Asian medalist since 2013, but he's off to a good start with a 5-1 victory over 82kg over 2019 world U23 bronze medalist Yevgeniy POLIVADOV (KAZ). Eid is not a totally unknown entity, having won a bronze at 87kg at the Kolov-Petrov tournament in Bulgaria in March.

12:03: Two-time bronze medalist Adilkhan NURLANBEKOV (KGZ) gets a 2-point throw in his second chance at par terre to take a 4-0 lead over Jiyeon LEE (KOR) in their 72kg match. Lee gets a takedown with 20 seconds to go, but it's not enough and Nurlanbekov walks off a 4-2 winner.

11:58: Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB), the silver medalist last year at 63kg, falls at the first stage at 67kg to Man Gwang SON (PRK), who scores from par terre in the first period and overcomes a leg cramp in the second to win 4-1.

11:53: Saeid ESMAEILI LEIVESI (IRI), the 2022 world U20 champion and this year's Yasar Dogu winner at 67kg, gets off to a roaring start with a 4-point reverse throw in his opener against Lei LI (CHN). Esmaeili Leivesi adds a throw from par terre for a 7-0 lead after one period, then ends the match with a 4-point throw midway through the second period.

11:41: Hyok SONG (PRK) is in a tight match with Ali ALBIDHAN (IRQ)at 60kg when the Iraqi seems to run out of gas late in the third period. Song slams him to his back and Albidhan meekly concedes a fall.

11:41: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), the silver medalist last year at 63kg and Asian Games bronze medalist at 60kg, takes the mat at 67kg against world U23 bronze medalist Haruto YABE (JPN). Chung scores a first-period takedown, then survives unscathed in a stint on the bottom of par terre in the second for a 3-1 win.

11:35: What a start to the day! Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) with two huge reverse lifts to beat Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL) 14-0 at 67kg.

11:30: Can Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) do what Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) failed to do? Can he give the Bishkek crowd something to cheer about on the final day of the Asian Championships?

Rio silver Higuchi marks return with 1st Asian gold

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Asian Championships Day 6 Greco-Roman Finals Set