Rising star Masoumi gains revenge, joins gold rush by young Iran team

Sunday, March 30, 2025 - 20:27 By Ken Marantz

AMMAN, Jordan (March 30) -- Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) settled an old score as he continued his emergence as the new face in the heavyweight class.

Rising star Masoumi defeated Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the 125kg final as Iran won three of the five Freestyle titles at stake on the final day of the Asian Championships on Sunday in Amman, Jordan.

The 20-year-old Masoumi's 6-0 victory over Munkhtur avenged a loss in the quarterfinals two years ago at the Asian Championships, and gave the reigning world U23 and U20 champion the first of what could be many senior Asian titles to come.

Iran also got golds from teenager Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) at 86kg and world U23 champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), who successfully defended his 92kg title, while collegian Takara SUDA (JPN) gave Japan its third freestyle gold with a victory at 61kg and Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) triumphed at 74kg to become a three-time Asian champion.

The young Iran squad, which medaled in all but one weight class, compiled 190 points to run away with the team title for the second straight year and sixth time in seven years. Japan finished second with 146, while Kazakhstan edged Mongolia by two points for third place with 125.

"Iran did something really great and valuable this year by bringing young wrestlers to the Asian Championships, proving that we can win the title with them and that they deserve our trust," said Masoumi, whose father Fardin was a two-time world medalist and finished fifth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"The championship age is getting lower in the world, and I believe the more opportunities we give these young athletes, the bigger achievements they can accomplish."

Masoumi came into Amman riding high from a victory at the Zagreb Ranking Series event in February, a year after losing in the final to compatriot, world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Amir ZARE (IRI). Lanky for a heavyweight, Masoumi combines a lethal combination of speed, agility and power.

In the final against Munkhtur, a two-time world medalist and the 2023 Asian champion, Masoumi quickly took advantage of an opening and tripped the Mongolian backward at the edge for a 4-point takedown. He then used a double underhook to muscle Munkhtur over the edge to get a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on.

Although Masoumi went scoreless in the second period, he was never put in danger and fended off all of Munkhtur's efforts.

"Munkhtur is a tough and respectable opponent," Masoumi said. "He’s a world silver medalist, a world bronze medalist, the runner-up at the Asian Games, and an Asian champion.

"Thank God, with my coaches’ analysis and my own progress over the past few years, I was able to wrestle a smart match, winning 6-0 and avenging my loss to him in the Asian Championships two years ago."

Masoumi said his next competition will be the domestic Takhti Cup, which will serve as a national team qualifer for this year's World Championships in Zagreb.

"All of the top heavyweight contenders, including the biggest names, will compete there," he said. "I’ll also participate and test my chances for the Zagreb competition."

Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) posted an 11-4 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) in the 86kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 86kg, Rahmani put on an impressive performance in roaring to an 11-4 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), the 2023 Asian champion at 79kg who, at 32, was an opponent nearly twice his age.

Rahmani, less than one year removed from taking an Asian U20 silver, started his quest for senior gold with a single-leg takedown, then gave up one to Sakayev. Rahmani gained an activity point to lead 3-2 going into the second period.

The Iranian increased the gap by stepping over for a 2-point exposure on the edge, then really got rolling when he got behind for a takedown and hit a gut wrench. Another takedown put him up 11-2 before Sakayev capped the scoring with a late takedown.

Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) wrestles Deepak PUNIA (IND) in the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Firouzpour, like Masoumi a world U23 champion and winner in Zagreb, turned in the most dominant victory of the night's finals, crushing Deepak PUNIA (IND) 10-0 for his second straight gold at 92kg and third overall.

A stepout and a snap-down takedown gave the 22-year-old Firouzpour a 3-0 lead in the first period. In the second, he added three more stepouts -- with a fleeing point added to one -- and an activity point to go up 8-0, then ended the match by countering a trip attempt and getting behind with 39 seconds left.

Firouzpour finished the tournament with two technical falls in three matches, and without conceding a point.

"My main goal was to not give up any points and wrestle my best in this tournament," Firouzpour said. "I’m happy that I achieved the result I wanted. I hope to perform well in the upcoming Takhti Cup...and to win gold at the World Championships in Croatia."

Firouzpour also praised Iran coach Pejman DOROSTKAR for taking the chance to assemble such a young team for the tournament.

"Not every head coach would take that risk, but he embraced the challenge and built a U23 team," Firouzpour said. "In fact, most of our team was under 21. Only one other wrestler and I were 22, while almost everyone else was under 20.

"Thanks to his decision, we won nine medals and dominated Asia. With a coach and federation president like we have now, I’m confident we’ll achieve the best results at the World Championships as well."

Punia, a world silver medalist at 86kg in 2019, earned his fourth Asian medal and first since 2022. He also has a silver from the 2023 Asian Games and placed fifth at the Tokyo Olympics.

Takara SUDA (JPN) defends against UDIT (IND) in the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Suda, winner at the Tirana Ranking Series event in February in his international senior debut, made it 2 for 2 on this level with a 6-4 victory in the 61kg final over UDIT (IND), last year's silver medalist at 57kg.

"I was determined to win the gold medal," Suda said. "To win my second senior tournament, following the Ranking Series, shows I can be competitive on this level."

Suda fired straight out of the blocks and scored a stepout with a charging single leg, then added a single-leg takedown to go into the break 3-0.

Udit went on the offensive in the second period, but couldn't seem to keep hold of the elusive Suda, who twice jumped free when Udit grabbed a low single. Udit kept his grip a third time, but Suda still managed to squirm free.

An activity point put Udit onto the scoreboard, but Suda quickly responded with a snap-down takedown. The two traded late stepouts before Udit scored a takedown in the final seconds that still left him short.

"In the final, I knew the Indian opponent would be strong physically," Suda said. "At the very least, I wanted to be aggressive in the first period."

Suda earned his ticket to Amman by winning his first national title last December in the absence of injured world champion Masanosuke ONO (JPN), his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate and training partner. Ono has since announced he will compete for Penn State University in the United States next season.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) added a third Asian title to his name. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the 74kg final, Kaipanov put on a masterclass in defending against a dangerous opponent, with a stepout and activity point in the second period lifting him to a 2-1 victory over Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) and his first Asian title since 2021.

Toktomambetov, the 2024 world U23 silver medalist who took an Asian bronze at 70kg in 2023, gained an activity point for the lone score of the first period. But he couldn't break through Kaipanov's defenses in the second as the Kazakh veteran took the lead and held on for the win.

The victory makes Kaipanov a four-time Asian medalist, having won his first gold at 70kg in 2019 and a silver medal in 2022. He also took a world bronze at 70kg in 2019.

Dauletbekov grabs 92kg bronze for 6th career medal

Veteran Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), who moved up 92kg late last year, was unable to continue his remarkable streak of Asian titles, but assured he would not leave Amman empty-handed when he defeated Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) 2-1 for a bronze medal.

Dauletbekov scored a stepout in the first period, and that proved the difference when the two had offsetting activity points to give him a sixth career Asian medal dating back to 2017.

The world bronze medalist, who won three straight Asian golds at 86kg from 2022-2024, bumped up a weight class following the Paris Olympics, where he placed 11th.

The other 92kg bronze went to Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN), who stormed to an 11-0 victory over Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) to add to his bronze at 97kg in 2021. Ishiguro barged to a 4-point takedown right off the bat, then got behind in standing position and took Rakhimov to the mat while executing a gut wrench, then added another roll for the 10-point gap at 1:52. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

In one of the oddest matches of the tournament, DINESH (IND) scored a takedown with :40 left to cap a comeback in a wild 14-12 victory over an obviously fatigued Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) for a 125kg bronze.

Saparov, the 2023 Asian U23 champion, looked chipper at the start, hitting Dinesh with a slick arm throw for 2, then using an arm spin for another takedown and adding a gut wrench to lead 6-0.

But from there, it became clear he was struggling for breath, and the only thing that seemed to save him were constant breaks to stop a bloody nose. Dinesh continually chipped away at the lead, although Saparov managed one spurt in the second period when he got behind for a takedown and added a gut wrench to go ahead 12-7.

Dinesh kept pressing and kept scoring, inevitably getting the winning points to clinch his first major medal. With Saparov's loss, Turkmenistan continued a medal drought at the Asian Championships dating back to 2018.

Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) claimed the other 125kg bronze and his second in a row with a victory by fall over Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ).

Leading 4-1 in the second period, Sharipov was sprawling when he reached under and pulled in Al Jamie's leg, forcing him to his back for a 4-point move before pressing down for the fall in 4:53.

At 61kg, Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), the winner at this year's Zagreb Ranking Series event, capped his debut at the Asian Championships with a solid 6-1 victory that relegated Kum Chol RI (PRK) to a second straight silver medal.

After thwarting a nice ankle pick by Ri and converting it into a takedown, Javan went on the offensive and got two takedowns off a high crotch, sandwiched around a stepout by Ri. Javan then defended well in a scoreless second period to add the Asian bronze to those at the world U20 in 2022 and world U23 in 2021 at 57kg.

Wanhao ZOU (CHN) won the other 61kg bronze, getting a takedown and stepout in the first period in a 4-2 victory that denied Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) a second career bronze.

At 74kg, Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN) received an activity point in each period, while putting up a Great Wall of Defense to defeat Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB) 4-0. Aheiyou got his last two points when he stopped a last-ditch throw attempt by Nasritdinov.

Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) became the lone Iranian in freestyle to leave without a medal when was dealt a heartbreaking 2-2 defeat by Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), despite being the aggressor throughout their 74kg match.

Shakeri, the 2023 world U230 champion at 65kg, gained an activity point in the first period, but Asluev went ahead in the second when he managed to gain control long enough for a takedown during a scramble that ended with Shakeri gaining a stepout.

To his credit, Asluev deftly slipped out when Shakeri got behind on the ankles, and whizzered out of another takedown attempt as he added to his bronze from 2023.

At 86kg, Asian U20 champion Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), burned once by an arm spin by Nan CAO (CHN), was ready the second time, stopping his opponent in mid-twist and securing a second-period fall.

Cao, the Asian U23 champion at 79kg, took the lead with an acrobatic takedown in the first period. But Naadambat was ready the second time and it resulted in his first senior medal.

Stocky Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) came away with his second straight 86kg bronze, using his low center of gravity to score four stepouts and defeat Mukul DAHIYA (IND) 4-2.

Shirai, the 2022 world U23 champion, chalked up two stepouts in each period before 2023 Asian U20 champion Dahiya finally got on the scoreboard with a takedown late in the second period.

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

61kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Takara SUDA (JPN) df. UDIT (IND), 6-4

BRONZE: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) df. Kum Chol RI (PRK), 6-1
BRONZE: Wanhao ZOU (CHN) df. Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ), 4-2

74kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 2-1

BRONZE: Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN) df. Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB), 4-0
BRONZE: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), 2-2

86kg (15 entries)
GOLD: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 11-4

BRONZE: Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL) df. Nan CAO (CHN) by Fall, 3:56 (2-2)
BRONZE: Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) df. Mukul DAHIYA (IND), 4-2

92kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) df. Deepak PUNIA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 5:21

BRONZE: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Sherzod POYONOV (UZB), 2-1
BRONZE: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) df. Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) by TF, 11-0, 1:53

125kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) df. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), 6-0

BRONZE: DINESH (IND) df. Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM), 14-12
BRONZE: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ) by Fall, 4:53 (8-1)

#wrestlebishkek

Unheralded Gharehdaghi Stuns Olympic Champ Jamalov

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 05:12 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 10) -- Unheralded Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) weighed 76kg in the morning on Friday. But in the semifinal of the Asian Championships, he punched well above his weight, beating 74kg Olympic champion Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) at 79kg.

Making his international senior debut, Gharehdaghi upset Jamalov 4-3 to advance to the 79kg final. He used an effective shrug to set up two second-period takedowns in a turbo-charged match that featured a number of wild scrambles.

In the final one, Jamalov scored a stepout to pull within one point with :33 left. But the third-year student at Tokyo's Waseda University, whose father is Iranian, held off a final surge from Jamalov, with his legs sailing in the air during a sprawl.

"I didn't really think about a strategy," Gharehdaghi said. "I just wanted the opponent to feel that I was tough. I stayed aggressive and on the attack. In the second period, it was so hard I could hardly stand up."

Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) battles it out witb Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) during the 79kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

While he defeated Jamalov, Gharehdaghi said he always admired the Olympic champion and he was glad that he could wrestle the Uzbekistan wrestler.

"I have admired him for a long time," he said. "More than winning or losing, I'm glad I could face him."

For the gold medal, the Japanese will face another unexpected finalist Sandeep MANN (IND) who completed a dominant 10-0 win over Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK) using three takedowns and two turns.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) scores on Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) during the 97kg semifinal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Another Japan wrestler who denied an Olympic champion was Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) as he defeated Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) in the 97kg semifinals.

Defending champion Yoshida, who also has an Iranian father, broke Tazhudinov down with his relentless pressure and scored takedowns at will in the final minute. He built a 4-4 criteria lead at the break but Tazhudinov fired a takedown at the start of the second period to lead 6-4.

However, Yoshida scored two points for exposure in the next exchange. Bahrain challenged the call but lost it, giving one more point to Yoshida and extend his lead to 7-6. He added two quick stepouts to make it 9-6 before making it 11-0 with a go-behind takedown.

The two got in a scramble towards the end of the bout but it was Yoshida who managed to score a takedown and then turned Tazhudinov to make it 15-6, his winning score.

Yoshida will face world silver medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) in the final after the Iranian posted a danger-free 2-0 win over VICKY (IND). Azarpira, who is making his senior Asian debut, got an activity point in the first period, then, while on the activity clock himself, added a stepout point in the second period.

SUJEET (IND) reached his first-ever Asian Championships final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In other semifinals, U23 world champion SUJEET (IND) set up final against world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg. The two met in the U23 World Championships final last year in which Sujeet won 10-0.

65kg semifinals - SUJEET (IND) continues his hot start to the season by scoring three takedowns in the second period and defeating Russian-born Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) 7-2. Sujeet, winner of two Ranking Series events earlier this year, strikes first by scoring a stepout, but Kudiev comes back with a takedown while on the activity clock to take a 2-1 lead into the break. Sujeet then puts on an exhibition of how to perfectly set up and execute takedowns, scoring three in a row from the midway point of the second period. First, he gets in deep on a double-leg, then scores with a sweeping single, then goes back with the double-leg.

A rematch of the U23 World Championships final as Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) enters the Asian Championships final after Sujeet does the same from other side. Jalolov beats Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) 5-3 using a late takedown.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) presents his case to referee after the semifinal against ABHIMANYOU (IND). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 70kg, Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will face ABHIMANYOU (IND) after he defeated Sina KHALILI (IRI), 5-1. Abhimanyou stunned local hero and defending champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 6-3.

70kg semifinals - Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) reached the final after a controlled 5-1 victory over U23 world silver medalist Sina KHALILI (IRI). Apart from the one point he got for Khalili's passivity, Tumur Ochir scored four stepouts in the second period to claim the victory and a shot at the gold medal.

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) saw his title defense at 70kg end in confusion and tears when he fell 6-3 to ABHIMANYOU (IND). Abhimanyou was leading 3-3 on criteria in the second period when he got deep on a double-leg takedown. Akmataliev attempted a counter lift at the edge, and the referee originally awarded him a 4-point throw with 1:08 left. But upon discussion and without an official challenge, the score was changed to give the Indian a two-point takedown, which Akmataliev apparently did not realize. He never tried to attack in the final seconds, and was taken aback when he saw the scoreboard and dropped to the mat in despair. A challenge from Kyrgyzstan went nowhere and Abhimanyou, a 2024 bronze medalist, gave a sly grin over his unusual win.

Iran got a finalist at 57kg as Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) destroyed Fuga SASAKI (JPN), 11-0 and set up a final against Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) who defeated Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), 4-1.

57kg semifinals - Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) became the first finalist of the Asian Championships in Bishkek for Iran. He countered Fuga SASAKI (JPN) multiple times to score two-point moves and completed an 11-0 victory. A lost challenge for Japan also added a point to his score.

Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) assured that he will improve on his bronze medal from last year, scoring three stepouts in a 4-1 victory over Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ). Batkhuyag took a 2-0 lead in the first period by scoring a stepout while Karachov was on the activity clock. In the second period, Karachov got an activity point to cut the gap to 1. But it was Batkhuyag who goes on the attack, and he chalked up two stepouts off driving single-leg takedown attempts. The 2023 world U23 bronze medalist then fended off Karachov's late attacks to finish up the victory.

Qualification Highlights

13:14: In the final match of the session, returning bronze medalist Sina KHALILI (IRI) books his place in the 70kg semifinals with a solid 10-3 victory over 2023 champion Sanzhar DOSZHANOV (KAZ). Khalili gains a takedown, then adds a "wishbone" roll, in which he locks his head between opponent's legs, then repeats the combination for an 8-0 lead. Doszhanov secures a stepout in the final seconds of the first period. In the second, the two trade takedowns and, beside temporary timeouts to stop a bloody nose, the Iranian goes through unscathed.

12:50: Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), competing for the first time since winning the 74kg gold at the Paris Olympics and undergoing two surgeries on his shoulder, is at his slippery best in besting defending champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) 5-2 in their 79kg quarterfinal. The Russian-born Jamalov constantly wiggles out of solid takedown attempts by Yousefi, limiting him to a pair of stepouts. Jamalov gets an activity point and stepout in the first period for a 2-1 lead. After cartwheeling out of a certain double-leg takedown by Yousefi, Jamalov connects with a single-leg shot while on the activity clock to go ahead, and an unsuccessful Iranian challenge puts him up 5-1. With time running out, Yousefi grabs a single leg and lifts it high in the air, but again he is forced to settle for a stepout.

12:37: World U23 champion SUJEET (IND), winner of two Ranking Series events this year, uses an ankle pick to great effect in cruising to a 10-0 victory over Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ) in 3:22 to advance to the 65kg semifinals.

12:32: In the marquee match-up of the morning, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) did not disappoint. Narikuni blocked a front headlock from Akmataliev for two points and then turned him using a gut-wrench to lead 4-0. As he was trying to turn him again, Akmataliev blocks him and gets two points. A reversal from Narikuni makes it 5-2. He tries another gut-wrench to extend the lead to 7-2 but Akmataliev once again blocks him for two points and holds Narikuni for a pin. Narikuni flees out of bounds and is docked two points and asked to return in par terre. He escapes and gets a reversal point to lead 8-6. Akmataliev scores a takedown to make it 8-8 and take the criteria lead. Narikui with a desperate flying squirrel but Akmataliev slams him on the mat for four points. A stepout for Narikuni at the end but Akmataliev wins 12-9 at 70kg

12:31: World bronze medalist Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) gets a takedown and two stepouts in the first period of his 97kg quarterfinal against Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ), then needs less than a half-minute to get a snapdown takedown and two gut wrenches in the second for a 10-0 victory. Next up for him is a clash with Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN).

12:26: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) fights out of a six-point hole against returning bronze medalist Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) with a pair of late first-period takedowns, then goes on a 10-point rampage in the second period against his visibly winded opponent to grind out a 14-9 victory and advance to the 79kg semifinals.

12:23: World silver medalist and Olympic bronze medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) powers to five stepouts against Sherzod POYONOV (UZB), but ends their 97kg with a takedown with six seconds remaining for a 10-0 win.

12:15: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) with a 25-second 10-0 victory over ANKUSH (IND) at 57kg! What an anti-climatic finish to the match. He reaches the semifinal

12:00: World bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) catches Zeneemeder BYAMBASUREN (MGL) by the leg and slams him on the mat. He holds him long enough to secure the fall and advance at 65kg.

11:57: Olympic and two-time Asian champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), aiming to break out of recent slump, begins his campaign at 97kg by taking a 5-0 lead over Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) then plodding to a 6-2 win that included giving up two late stepouts.

11:56: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN), another Japanese wrestler with Iranian roots who is making his first appearance on the senior national team, looks impressive in scoring four takedowns in a 9-1 victory over Daulet YERGESH (KAZ) to gain a place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

11:55: Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) ends Takara SUDA (JPN) attempt of winning a second straight Asian gold with a 9-0 victory. Kudiev scored two stepouts and one point for Suda's activity clock to lead 3-0 at the break. Three different takedowns helped him to clinch an important victory at 65kg.

11:51: A marquee matchup on Mat A between past and reigning champions at 70kg — with an intriguing twist. Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN), the 2022 world and Asian champion, scores two takedowns in the final minute for a come-from-behind 7-4 win over defending champion Viktor RASSADIN (TJK). Narikuni leads 1-0 off an activity point in the first period when Rassidin opens the second by twice coming out the back door for takedowns to lead 4-1. Narikuni strikes back with a single-leg takedown, and barely misses an exposure with an arm bar, leaving him still trailing. But he fights off whizzer to get behind for the go-ahead takedown with :19 left, then adds a gut wrench for good measure. Narikuni, who is also doing the Freestyle-Greco double here, will be back on the mat tonight for his Greco 72kg bronze-medal match.

11:37: U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) scored a takedown in the last minute to take a 6-5 lead against Feng LU (CHN) and win the bout at 79kg. Lu had a 5-4 lead after a reversal but Yousefi showed no signs of panicking, picking up a single-leg, head-outside takedown for the win. He gets to face 74kg Olympic champion Razambek JAMALOV (UZB)

11:35: A wild one on Mat B! Asian U23 bronze medalist Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ) gets the home crowd going by opening his 65kg match with Zagreb Open silver medalist Peyman NEMATI (IRI) with a stepout, then gets behind and throws the Iranian to the mat for a takedown and a 3-0 lead. Nemati responds with a stepout off an attempted back trip, and then another to cut the lead to one at the break. Nemati goes ahead 4-3 with a single-leg takedown to start the second period, but Kakharov fights off a whizzer for a stepout to regain the lead 4-4 on criteria. In a wild scramble in the final seconds, Kakharov picks up a 2-point exposure to come away with a 6-4 win.

11:26: Reigning Asian U23 champion and 2024 world U23 bronze medalist VICKY (IND) manages just a stepout and activity clock in the first period of his 97kg bout with Triloki YADAV (NEP), but breaks down his opponent's defenses in the second to gain his first takedown, then gains two exposures after a second for a 10-0 win.

11:25: Takara SUDA (JPN), who is moving up from 61kg, is saved up the buzzer in his opening bout at 65kg against Adi SERIKULY (KAZ). Suda scored a stepout before a scramble gave two points to each wrestler. With a 3-2 lead, Suda managed an easy takedown to extend it to 5-2. Serikuly managed to get his first takedown in the final 10 seconds to make it 5-4 but the time expired before he could score any more points. Kazakhstan challenged hoping the last turn was in time but that was not the case and Suda won 6-4

11:19: Sherzod POYONOV (UZB), the 92kg Asian silver medalist and world U20 champion in 2024, hands the home team an early defeat with an 8-2 win over Kanybek ABDULKHAIROV (KGZ) to advance to the 97kg quarterfinals.

11:14: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL), who is doing the rare Freestyle-Greco double in Bishkek (he lost in the Greco 97kg quarterfinals), begins with a 3-0 win over Juhwan SEO (KOR) in their 97kg qualification-round match. Ganbaatar has a better shot at Freestyle, as he is a two-time past Asian bronze medalist who finished second at this year's Ranking Series tournament in Mongolia.

Rising star Masoumi gains revenge, joins gold rush by young Iran team

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Unheralded Gharehdaghi Stuns Olympic Champ Jamalov