Syzdykova stuns Medet Kyzy to regain Asian gold

Tuesday, April 11, 2023 - 15:47 By Ken Marantz

ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 11) -- Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) picked the right place and the right time to avenge a recent spate of losses to a long-time rival while earning the second Asian gold and seventh medal overall of her storied career.

Syzdykova used a wicked throw to send defending champion Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) to the mat before securing a fall in the 76kg final as the women's competition got underway at the Asian Championships on Tuesday in Astana.

"This is my fifth match against Aiperi," said Syzdykova, a 2016 Olympic bronze medalist who had lost to Medet Kyzy in their past three meetings. "Last time she defeated me at the Tokyo Olympics. We also wrestled in the [2021] Asian Championships in Almaty.

"This is wrestling. This is women’s wrestling, which is very unpredictable. Today you win, tomorrow you lose. It’s very unpredictable, there are no words to describe it."

Powerhouse Japan got off to a solid start, winning three of the five titles at stake. Former world champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) repeated as 50kg champion, while Yui SAKANO at 59kg and world silver medalist Ami ISHII at 68kg earned golds in the senior Asian debuts.

The remaining gold went to Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN), as China medaled in all five weight classes in an impressive return to the Asian Championships after a three-year hiatus induced by the pandemic and other factors.

Syzdykova, host Kazakhstan's lone finalist of the night, sent the crowd at the Zhaksylyk Ushkempirov Martial Arts Palace home happy with her thrilling win over Medet Kyzy, a 2021 world bronze medalist and world U23 champion.

After a staid first period in which Syzdykova received an activity point, the joint got jumping when she suddenly locked up Medet Kyzy's arm and, dropping backward, flung her to the mat before clamping down for the fall in 4:25.

For the 31-year-old Syzdykova, Medet Kyzy had been a thorn in her side in recent years. After Syzdykova won 2-0 in the first encounter in Rome in 2019, she lost to Medet Kyzy by fall in the semifinals at the 2020 Asian Championships, 6-1 in the first round at the 2021 Asian Championships, and then 8-1 in the first round at the Tokyo Olympics.

The victory on Tuesday adds to her Asian gold from 2021 and is her seventh medal overall dating back to 2014, but Syzdykova said winning it at home was not particularly special.

"Honestly, It didn’t really change anything for me," she said. "I think there is no difference in which country you wrestle. It’s my personal opinion."

After taking much of 2022 off, Syzdykova returned this year with a victory at the French Grand Prix in January and a bronze at the Ranking Series tournament in Egypt in February.

"I just went out there [today] to wrestle," she said. "There wasn’t any strong will to win, because I had a one-year break from wrestling. I can say now I am learning my opponents from the very beginning because one year away from wrestling is too much."

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) defended her 50kg title at the Asian Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Yoshimoto captured her second straight title at 50kg with a victory in the final by fall over Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB), a virtual repeat of her 10-0 win over the Uzbek in the semifinals last year in Mongolia.

"It was the second [title], but I didn't think about winning it as a second one," Yoshimoto said. "I just took it as normal, going one match at a time."

Yoshimoto was gaining an activity point when she finished up a low single for a takedown and a 3-0 lead. Yoshimoto then shot in on a double-leg takedown which Immaeva tried to counter with a hip throw, but instead ended up on her own back when Yoshimoto rolled through.

It gave Yoshimoto four points that she didn't need as she clamped down for the fall at 2:50. Yoshimoto, the 2021 world champion, is currently in the uneviable position of being one of the top wrestlers in the world in her weight class, but only second best in her own country. Sitting between her and her dream of a berth at the 2024 Paris Olympics is Tokyo Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN).

Susaki defeated Yoshimoto at the All-Japan Championships in December, the first of two domestic qualifying tournaments for the World Championships in Belgrade, where the first spots in Paris will be up for grabs.

For Yoshimoto to make it, she needs to beat Susaki (or have someone else do it) and win the title at the All-Japan Invitational Championships in June, then defeat Susaki in a playoff -- a tall order, to say the least. "I will use and reflect on what I gained here as a plus, and prepare to win in June," Yoshimoto said.

Asked if the victory boosted her confidence, she replied, "More than confidence, my true feeling is that it shows I have room for growth. I really feel that it was good that I entered this tournament. That's the way I will regard it as I head to June."

Like Yoshimoto, Ishii is both facing stiff domestic competition in the race for Paris and won her title on Tuesday via a fall, after Nisha DAHIYA (IND) abandoned the fight in the 68kg final when the score hit 10-0.

"I'm relieved," Ishii said. "As for how I felt I did, I can't say that everything was good, but I think that much of it was worth noting."

Ishii, who also won a world U20 gold last year, used a low single to score two takedowns in the first period. Dahiya, a world U23 bronze medalist, attempted but was stopped on two arm throws in the second period, and Ishii got behind after the second one to make it 6-0.

Another single-leg takedown upped the lead to 8-0, and when Ishii levered Dahiya over, she flopped onto her back where the referee called the fall at 5:37, giving the Japanese the title in her senior Asian debut.

"I hadn't really thought about the 'first appearance, first title ' aspect of it," she said. "But the result, becoming Asian champion, that emotion has set in and I'm happy about that."

Ishii will now begin preparations for making Japan's team to the World Championships in a weight class that includes world 65kg champion Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) and Tokyo Olympic champion Yukako KAWAI (JPN). Ishii defeated both in winning the title at the All-Japan Championships.

"Taking in what I did here and the result, I will do what needs to be done over the next two months to prepare for the second qualifier," Ishii said.

Sakano, making her senior Asian debut at age 28, gave Japan its second gold of the night with a 5-1 victory in the 59kg final over ZHUOMALAGA (CHN).

Sakano, who received an activity point in the first period, scored her lone technical point when Zhuoumalaga shot in on a single and the Japanese counter-lifted her for a 2-point exposure. The Chinese scrambled out and behind for a reversal, but was unable to gain exposure points of her own.

Sakano's victory was tougher than the one between the two earlier in the day, a 13-2 technical fall in the round-robin competition of the seven-women weight class. She said her opponent had learned well from their first encounter and made it much harder the second time around.

"Actually, both matches were tough. Even though I was a bit tired, I was able to exert all of my energy," Sakano said. "She had figured out what I was going to do, so it made it harder, but all I thought about was fighting hard to win."

For Sakano, the trip to Astana marked a rare chance to represent Japan on the senior level. She finished fifth at the 2016 World Championships at 60kg, and was the world U23 champion in 2017, but has not recently been able to break into the lineup given the country's depth.

Asked how she felt about the opportunity, Sakano replied, "Both nervous and excited. I'm grateful to all those who have supported me and helped me get to this point."

At 55kg, Pang added to the Asian gold she won in 2016 by forging out a 6-2 victory in the final over Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL).

Starting with an activity point, Pang built a 5-0 lead with a combination duck-under takedown and gut wrench. In the second period, Chinbold got on the scoreboard with a reverse arm throw, but Pang scrambled behind for a reversal that capped the scoring.

"I am not satisfied with the process of my wrestling here, but the gold medal is some relief for me," said Pang, a two-time world bronze medalist.

Pang did derive some satisfaction in defeating a Japanese wrestler en route to the gold, having knocked off unheralded Rino KATAOKA (JPN) in the semifinals. For years, Japan has haunted Pang, mainly in the form of Mayu MUKAIDA (JPN), among whose wins over Pang includes one in the 53kg final at the Tokyo Olympics.

"For a long time, I have struggled against Japan and don't beat them usually," Pang said. "But today I managed to do that. It is good to do these things on the mat and achieve the results."

Shalygina bags bronze after decade-long hiatus

Local star Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ), who returned to the mat last year after taking a decade off to start a family, earned her sixth Asian medal -- and first since gold in 2012 -- by taking bronze at 68kg, although not under the best of circumstances.

Shalygina was awarded the victory by injury default when 2021 world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) was unable to continue due to an unstoppable bloody nose less than a minute into the bout.

No points had been scored when the match was halted. The tournament doctors did what they could to stop the bleeding, even resorting to wrapping a bandage around Zhumanazarova's head and over her nose, but to no avail. The decision left Zhumanazarova in tears.

It still counts as a win for the 34-year-old Shalygina, adding to a long list of honors from long ago that includes two Asian golds, three world medals, and a bronze from the Beijing Olympics -- for the young ones, that was in 2008.

Kazakstan also got a bronze at 55kg from Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ), who used a double arm lock from standing to put NGUYEN Thi My Trang (VIE) onto her back, recording a fall at 5:45 with a 9-6 lead. Sedneva used the same move twice earlier, and Nguyen stopped the second for 2.

China came away with three bronzes, from Ziqi FENG (CHN) at 50kg, veteran Feng ZHOU (CHN) at 68kg and Juan WANG (CHN) at 76kg.

Feng, the 2019 world U23 silver medalist, made short work of NEELAM (IND), scoring a takedown and spinning off four straight lace-lock rolls for a 10-0 technical fall in :55.

Zhou, a two-time world medalist and two-time Asian champion, captured her sixth career Asian medal with a 9-2 victory over 2021 Asian silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL).

Zhou had a 4-point takedown off a single leg tackle in the first period and never looked back in winning her first major medal since an Asian silver in 2019.

Not to be outdone, Wang emulated Feng and used a takedown and four lace-lock rolls for a 10-0 technical fall in 1:26 over Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB).

In the other 76kg match, teenager PRIYA (IND) assured that Japan would not medal in every weight class when she scraped out a 2-1 win over Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN), who was making her national senior team debut.

Priya gained an activity point in each period while limiting Nagashima to a stepout in the final seconds of the match.

At 55kg, Kataoka rebounded from her semifinal loss by beating Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB), 10-4. Kataoka had earned some notice by winning both of her matches at the World Cup in December.

Miran CHEON (KOR) picked up her first senior Asian medal in three tries with a 4-2 victory over Yi Jing CHEN (TPE) at 50kg. Chen got the opening takedown, but Cheon responded with one of her own to lead 2-2 on criteria going into the second period. She then used a driving tackle to pad her lead and secure the victory.

Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) won the lone bronze up for grabs at 59kg when she built up a 7-point lead in the first period and held on for an 11-6 victory over Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ).

Day 3 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) df. Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) by Fall, 2:50 (7-0)

BRONZE: Ziqi FENG (CHN) df. NEELAM (IND) by TF, 10-0 (:55)
BRONZE: Miran CHEON (KOR) df. Yi Jing CHEN (TPE), 4-2

Semifinal: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) df. NEELAM (IND) by Fall, 2:43 (8-0)
Semifinal: Jasmina IMMAEVA (UZB) df. Miran CHEON (KOR), 8-1

55kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Qianyu PANG (CHN) df. Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL), 6-2

BRONZE: Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) df. NGUYEN Thi My Trang (VIE) by Fall, 5:40 (9-6)
BRONZE: Rino KATAOKA (JPN) df. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB), 10-4

Semifinal: Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) df. Marina SEDNEVA (KAZ) by TF, 10-0 (:47)
Semifinal: Qianyu PANG (CHN) df. Rino KATAOKA (JPN), 6-1

59kg (7 entries)
GOLD: Yui SAKANO (JPN) df. ZHUOMALAGA (CHN), 5-1

BRONZE: Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) df. Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ), 11-6

Semifinal: Yui SAKANO (JPN) df. Diana KAYUMOVA (KAZ) by TF, 10-0 (3:26)
Semifinal: ZHUOMALAGA (CHN) df. Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ), 6-2

68kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Nisha DAHIYA (IND) by Fall, 5:37 (10-0)

BRONZE: Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) df. Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) by Inj. Def., :58 (0-0)
BRONZE: Feng ZHOU (CHN) df. Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL), 9-2

Semifinal: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), 6-2
Semifinal: Nisha DAHIYA (IND) df. Feng ZHOU (CHN), 7-6

76kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) by Fall, 4:25 (5-0)

BRONZE: Juan WANG (CHN) df. Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB) by TF, 10-0 (1:26)
BRONZE: PRIYA (IND) df. Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN), 2-1

Semifinal: Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) df. Juan WANG (CHN), 6-4
Semifinal: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN), 3-2

#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships 2026 Preview

Friday, April 3, 2026 - 20:30 By Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 3) -- Soon after Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) became the Olympic champion in 2024, he went missing from the wrestling world. Past injuries and two surgeries kept him out of action for close to two years, skipping the entire 2025 and early 2026 season.

But the Paris Olympic champion at 74kg is returning to action at the Asian Championships in Bishkek, from April 6 to 12 at 79kg, leading a young Uzbekistan team.

"I missed wrestling," Jamalov said. "It was tough watching others win medals while I couldn't. It made me feel more motivated to win."

Jamalov will have a chance to win his first medal at the Asian Championships, which will be his debut continental championships in Asia. At 79kg, Jamalov should not face much trouble but will be checked as he has wrestled only five matches against Asian wrestlers in his career.

The foremost will be Iran's defending Asian champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI), who also won U20 world gold last year. Another challenge will be the weight class itself as Jamalov will be wrestling at his highest weight in his career.

"I have wrestled Asian wrestlers before and I know their style," he said. "I will try to wrestle according to my style and make it challenging for them."

Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), red, and Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) during the 70kg final at the 2022 Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Bayrem Ben Mard)

Weight to Watch

The 70kg weight class will be one of the toughest in Bishkek with three world medalists entered along with two returning medalists.

Defending champion and world bronze medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) will lead the challenge against a field that also has world silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) and former world and Asian champion Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN).

Returning to the Asian Championships for the first time in four years, Narikuni will also be wrestling 72kg Greco-Roman in a bid to win double titles. In 2022, won Freestyle 70kg gold after beating Akmataliev in a memorable final.

Akmataliev will look to avenge that loss in front of his home fans and also keep the gold medal with himself. He defeated Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) last year but the Tajikistan wrestler is returning with the hopes of upgrading his silver to gold.

U23 world silver medalist and returning bronze medalist Sina KHALILI (IRI) will also be looking for some revenge especially against Rassadin who defeated the Iranian in the opening round last year.

97kg battle

Can Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) return to golden ways or will Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) defend his title? Will Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) come back and sail through the field?

All the questions will be answered in Bishkek as the 97kg battle heats up. World silver medalist Azarpira and world bronze medalists Yoshida and Tazhudinov are among the favorites to win gold. Yoshida is the defending champion but did not wrestle Tazhudinov, who pulled out late from the tournament last year.

Tazhudinov has been off-color for a few tournaments now, losing at the World Championships and later at the Islamic Solidarity Games. Azarpira was the one who handed Tazhudinov the defeat in the semifinals of the World Championships in a very tactical bout. He will be in the race to win gold in Bishkek but a match against Yoshida will be a fan-delight.

Former U20 world champion at 92kg, Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) will also be in the mix but may find the going tough as he is still adjusting to the new weight class.

Zare Leads Iran

Iran is bringing a young team to Bishkek but has world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) lead the pack. He will be the favorite to win the 125kg gold medal despite the presence of Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN), perhaps the second-best heavyweight around the world in action.

U20 world and Asian champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) will be making his senior debut at 125kg and will look to at least finish on the podium.

At 86kg, Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) will look to put a disappointing end to last year and start with a gold medal at the Asian Championships, a feat that should not be a hard one to achieve.

Mobin AZIMI (IRI) may face a tougher battle at 92kg with the likes of Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN), Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) entered in the field. However, Azimi appears to be little ahead in the race to win gold.

Aoyagi Aims 74kg Glory

In the premier weight 74kg, world champion at 70kg Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) will look to add an Asian title to his name. He finished with a bronze medal at 70kg last year. He will face the likes of Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) and Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), among others in the field.

The 57kg weight remains an open one with returning silver medalist Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) hoping to upgrade his medal. He will be the favorite to be crowned champion. The field also has Zagreb Open bronze medalist Fuga SASAKI (JPN), ANKUSH (IND) and Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ).

Returning bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) and former U23 world silver medalist Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) are also in the mix to win medals.

Olympic Medalists Collide at 61kg

Paris Olympic bronze medalists Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) and AMAN (IND) are likely to clash at 61kg. Abdullaev, who also won world bronze, has struggled with conditioning in recent times and a bout against Aman will test him. Aman, who won the 61kg gold medal in Zagreb and a former Asian champion at 57kg, will also need to find a way to win a second Asian title.

World silver medalist Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) will challenge them both in the bracket along with former U23 world champion Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), who last wrestled when he won gold at the 19th Asian Games in 2023.

Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), world silver medalist at 57kg, will be at 61kg and wrestling in front of home fans which makes him one of the favorites to win gold.

SUJEET (IND) is unbeaten so far this year, winning golds in Zagreb and Tirana. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Will Sujeet Breakthrough?

India's last Asian champion, in a weight class not 57kg, was crowned in 2019 when Bajrang PUNIA (IND) won the 65kg gold in a comeback for ages in Xi'an, China. Now, SUJEET (IND) will look to end that drought and also look to give India an Asian title in three years.

The two gold medals to start the season, in Zagreb and Tirana, put Sujeet in the top position to win gold at 65kg. He will have a familiar foe in Umidjon JALALOV (UZB) in the weight class. When a match between Sujeet and Jalalov has taken place, the Indian has won all four times and the Uzbekistan wrestler will be keen on getting one back to the Indian.

Last year's 61kg Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) will be at 65kg in Bishkek and a challenge for Sujeet.

Kaisei TANABE (JPN), Freestyle 65kg champion last year, will try his luck in Greco 63kg this year. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

GRECO-ROMAN

The Greco-Roman field at the Asian Championships in Bishkek will be highlighted with Olympic and world champions. But a standout story will be that of Kaisei TANABE (JPN). The 65kg Asian champion in Freestyle, is attempting to win the Greco gold at 63kg this year.

Tanabe switching the styles of wrestling was not forced. He tried making the Japan team for both Freestyle and Greco but failed to win the qualifying tournament in the former.

A step ahead of Tanabe is his compatriot Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN), a Freestyle world and Asian champion, who is entered in both styles for Bishkek. Narikuni was crowned champion in Freestyle 70kg and Greco 72kg in Japan, making him to first to complete the double in 52 years. He will try to regain his Asian 70kg title and also win gold at Greco 72kg.

A win in Japan at 63kg does make Tanabe a threat but competition in Bishkek will be tough. Erfan JARKANI (IRI), the Zagreb Open champion this year, will be the biggest test for Tanabe as Iran usually brings a style that depends both on strong par terre and conditioning.

Another potential challenger is Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB), a former Asian champion in search of another Asian medal since 2021. Despite his lack of form in recent years, Bakhramov brings a tough style.

Narikuni's path at 72kg is similar with Javad REZAEI (IRI), former U23 world champion and Muhamet Malo Ranking Series champion last month, being a favorite to win. Narikuni has an exceptional record in Freestyle but his Greco international debut at the Zagreb World Championships ended in a first-round loss.

Paris Olympic fifth-placer Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ) can stop Narikuni in his quest as well. Ismailov will be wrestling in front of his home crowd, giving another advantage. Uzbekistan is going with newbie Shakhzod KUCHKOROV (UZB), who won the bronze medal at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series.

Olympic and world champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI) will aim to defend his Asian title. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran's Champions

Iran still remains the team to beat in Asia and once again the country is bringing a solid squad. Olympic champion Hadi SARAVI (IRI) leads at 97kg along with world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg.

Saravi seems to be a notch above the field right now and should have no trouble winning gold. Mirzazadeh too has an upper hand at the highest weight class and will be a clear favorite to win.

Former U20 world champion and Zagreb Open silver medalist Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) has moved up to 97kg with his debut coming in Zagreb. Last year's silver medalist Yuri NAKAZATO (JPN) and bronze medalist NITESH (IND) are expected to repeat as medalists.

The breakout star of 2025 Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) will take on the 87kg field. He became the world champion at 82kg in Zagreb, then moved up to 87kg and won the U23 world title a month later.

He starts as the favorite at 87kg but experienced wrestler Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) and world bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) can make his path trickier.

Alisher GANIEV (UZB) will carry Uzbekistan's hopes for the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uzbekistan with Hopes

This may be the best chance for the ever-improving Uzbekistan team to clear Iran at the Asian level. Despite missing its star Aytjan KHALMANOV (UZB), Uzbekistan is still bringing a good team to Bishkek.

World silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB) has a chance to win his first Asian title at 60kg. He lost four of the five finals last year but with lessons from World Championships, in which he put himself under undue pressure, Ganiev is a strong favorite.

Olympic bronze medalist and defending champion Se Ung RI (PRK) will be one of the opponents he needs to get past. Ri has proven to be an extremely strong wrestler, winning bronze at the Asian Games and Paris.

Former U20 world champion Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) will try to establish himself at the senior level, a feat he failed to do at the World Championships. A medal in Bishkek can boost his confidence and make him Iran's first choice at 60kg.

Japan's big-throwing Yu SHIOTANI (JPN) will also hope for a medal. He lost to Ganiev at the Ranking Series in Zagreb but will get a chance to avenge that loss.

Another hopeful for Uzbekistan will be Asian champion Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), who is now jumping from 77kg to 82kg. Vardanyan won the gold medal last year with a buzzer-beating throw in the final and will hope to use it as motivation.

Former Asian champion and veteran Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) will look to challenge Vardanyan, both being perhaps the most experienced wrestlers in the field.

Then comes Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) who made his international debut in Tirana and won the 82kg gold medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) has a good chance to improve on his bronze medal he won last year and claim another historic medal, perhaps gold, for Qatar.

Makhmudov at Home

Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) returned to competition at the Islamic Solidarity Games last year and won gold at 77kg. He also wrestled at 82kg in Tirana in February but went home without a medal.

But the Paris bronze medalist returns to the Asian Championships in Bishkek as the favorite at 77kg with fans eager to watch him perform at home.

Last time Makhmudov wrestled in Bishkek, he lost to Nao KUSAKA (JPN) at 77kg but with Kusaka not in the field, Makhmudov should find it smooth sailing to gold.

Iran is betting on Zagreb Open Ranking Series winner Ali OSKOU (IRI). His run in Zagreb was impressive and he will be confident going into the Asian Championships of winning a gold medal.

Chung's Chance

After bringing a long-awaited medal at the World Championships for Korea in Zagreb, Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) can win more silverware for Korea. Chung won silver in Zagreb at 63kg but is moving up to the Olympic weight class of 67kg for the Asian Championships.

Former U20 world champion Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) will be a tough opponent along with returning silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ). The change in weight class may hurt Chung's chances rather than improving them.

Others at this weight class include Kensuke SHIMIZU (JPN), a world bronze medalist from 2022, U23 Asian champion Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ) and returning bronze medalist Man Gwang SON (PRK).

At 55kg, Zagreb Open finalists Mohammad HOSSEINVAND (IRI) and Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) are likely to reach the final in Bishkek as well. Botirov lost the final in Zagreb to Hosseinvand but will look to avenge that loss if the two meet in Bishkek.

Sara NATAMI (JPN) will look to defend her 57kg Asian title in Bishkek. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

WOMEN'S WRESTLING

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) pulled out of the Asian Championships after an injury. Despite her absence, the favorite at 57kg is still a Japanese, Fujinami's replacement Sara NATAMI (JPN).

The depth of the Japanese team will be on display once again at the Asian Championships as the country looks to dominate. Apart from Natami being the favorite to win as defending champion, world champion Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), former world and Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN), who is returning to competition for the first time since Paris Olympics, and two former world champions Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) and Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) are also in the squad.

For Natami to defend her title and win her third Asian gold she will have to go past Olympic bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) in her field. Natami had pinned Hong last year on her way to the gold.

Asian champion at 62kg MANISHA (IND) made a drastic step to drop to 57kg and she began the season with gold at the Zagreb Open. Asian Championships, however, will be a different test.

Big-throwing and Sri Lanka's history-maker Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI), former world 53kg silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) and former Asian silver medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) will have a chance to put themselves on the podium.

Yui SUSAKI (JPN) will return to the mat for the first since the Paris Olympics. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Susaki 2.0

Susaki's return will be at 50kg as she prepares for another Olympic cycle after suffering a shock and first international loss at the 2024 Paris Games. The Asian Championships should be a good test for Susaki, who incidentally wrestled her last Asian Championships in Bishkek in 2024 in which she won gold. Susaki will face some familiar foes at the weight class including fellow Paris Olympic bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN).

The Chinese star almost pinned Susaki in the final of the Asian Championships in 2024 before the Japanese managed to comeback and win the gold medal. Feng would look to finally get a win over her.

Son Hyang KIM (PRK), who has wrestled Susaki three times, will look to get one back against the three-time world champion. The two first met at the 2017 Asian Championships and Susaki blanked her en route toher first Asian gold as an 18-year-old.

Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB), who has four bronze medals to her name, will have her eyes on reaching the final this time. NEELAM (IND), a returning bronze medalist, can be among the medalists.

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) is a two-time Asian champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Morikawa Eyes Hat-Trick

Morikawa has a perfect record at Asian Championships, winning two golds in as many attempts. But Bishkek will be different as those came at 65kg.

Now at 68kg, it presents a tougher challenge with Olympic silver medalist and home favorite Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) as the biggest one. Zhumanazarova has previously shown her mettle on quite a few occasions and with the home fans behind her, Zhumanazarova can upset Morikawa.

Defending champion Zelu LI (CHN) will be another strong contender. Li won bronze at the World Championships at 72kg but is now back to 68kg

Former world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) and young star Mansi LATHER (IND), a 72kg silver medalist at Zagreb Open, also have a chance to stand on the podium.

Ozaki Back at 62kg

After a whirlwind journey from 62kg to 65kg and then to 68kg which saw her win the world title and Olympic bronze, Ozaki is back to 62kg. She won gold at the Zagreb Open and now starts as the favorite for the Asian Championships.

She would also hope to avenge a loss. At the 2022 Asian Games in Hangzhou, Ozaki was leading the final against Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) when the latter used an arm-throw to clinch a 6-6 criteria win. Mun will be in Bishkek, giving an opportunity to Ozaki to avenge that loss.

Two former world champions are also in the fray -- Qi ZHANG (CHN) and Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL). Both will be in line for medals if not the gold along with world bronze medalist Nigina SABIROVA (UZB).

At 53kg, Kiyooka will hope to regain the Asian title she lost last year. In a one-sided final, Hyo Gyong CHOE (PRK) defeated her 12-1 at 53kg. With Choe not in the field, Kiyooka will be keen to win the gold medal.

She will still have to deal with former U20 world champion and senior silver medalist Jin ZHANG (CHN) and MEENAKSHI (IND) among others.

Japan will also hope that two youngsters can win gold medals in Bishkek.

Zagreb Open champion Nana IKEHATA (JPN) at 65kg and Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) have a great chance to add to Japan's gold tally. While Ikehata doesn't have a deep field at 65kg, world fifth-placer Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) will have to face returning silver medalist Yuxuan LI (CHN) at 55kg. Li remains the favorite to win the title, despite not wrestling internationally since.

U23 world champion Shugyla OMIRBEK (KAZ) is also in the mix as she wrestles in her first senior level continental event.

Home Star Medet Kyzy

Kyrgyzstan will witness world silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) wrestling at home when she steps on the mat to defend her 76kg title. Medet Kyzy is a huge favorite to win gold, unless U20 world champion KAJAL (IND) can spring a surprise.

Another young star India can bet on is NEHA (IND) at 59kg. In an impressive performance, she managed to win silver at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in February.

But navigating a bracket with Asian Championships debutant Sena NAGAMOTO (JPN), winner at the Zagreb Open, and returning bronze medalist Mengyu XIE (CHN) will be tough for Neha. Xie will also like to change the color of her medal and given the depth (or lack of it) at 59kg, she can certainly hope for gold.

Stars Merge at 72kg

A few stars have merged at 72kg. The weight class has former 65kg world champion Jia LONG (CHN), world silver medalist and Asian champion Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), world bronze medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), former Asian champion Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) and former silver medalist HARSHITA (IND), who defeated Bakbergenova last year in Budapest.

Long won bronze at 68kg at the World Championships but is looking for an Asian title at 72kg. But going through Bakbergenova, a legend at 72kg, will be difficult. U23 world champion Nurtaeva is searching for her first Asian medal and wrestling at home may well be the motivation she needs.

Syzdykova stuns Medet Kyzy to regain Asian gold

Comments

Asian Championships 2026 Preview