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

Yoshida Repeats as Asian Champ as Japan, India Grab 2 Golds

Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 18:46 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 11) – Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) brought further glory to a country with little prior success in the upper weights, while also standing out for his Iranian heritage.

And now he has company in that dynamic combination.

Yoshida successfully defended his 97kg title at the Asian Championships on Saturday, one of two golds captured by Japan on the first night of finals in Freestyle – both by wrestlers born and raised in Japan with Iranian fathers.

WATCH ARASH YOSHIDA (JPN) vs AMIRALI AZARPIRA (IRI) FINAL: CLICK HERE

Yoshida outlasted Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) in a battle of world medalists, notching a second-period takedown for the key score in a 4-0 victory.

“I'm glad I was able to beat an opponent I had been aiming to defeat, and to win the Asian championship,” said Yoshida, who also won the Asian gold at 92kg in 2023.

His victory came a short time after unheralded compatriot Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) – who also has an Iranian father and Japanese mother – won the 79kg gold in his first major senior tournament.

It was also a big night for India, which claimed golds from SUJEET (IND) at 65kg and ABHIMANYOU (IND) at 70kg, while Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) won the other title at stake with a somewhat distasteful triumph at 57kg.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), blue, and Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) battle it out in the 97kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

For Yoshida, his facing – and beating – an Iranian in a major international tournament final had long been the dream of his father, who runs the kids wrestling club outside of Tokyo where Arash and his siblings started the sport.

“It's a bit [special],” Yoshida said of beating Azarpira. “It's not so good that my father is so happy about it, but at the same time, I'm glad. I am my own self, and I came here as a Japanese to represent Japan.”

In the final at Bishkek’s Zhastyk Arena, neither wrestler could make inroads early on as Yoshida received an activity point for the lone score of the first period.

In the second period, Azarpira launched an attack, but Yoshida sprawled and started to work his way behind. When Azarpira tried to get to his feet, Yoshida deftly lunged for an ankle and sent the Iranian to the mat for a takedown and a 3-0 lead. A penalty for hands to the face accounted for Yoshida’s final point.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Olympic Wrestling (@unitedworldwrestling)

“I wasn’t able to attack much, so I ended up focusing solely on finding a way to win,” Yoshida said. “The match itself wasn’t very interesting. The Iranian was strong, and I thought it would come down to a battle of power. I thought it was good that I kept the pressure on when we tied up.”

As for achieving a golden repeat, Yoshida said, “That wasn't really an issue for me. It’s more to just do each and everything I needed to do as it comes up. When it comes to repeating, it’s like I’m thankful because it’s something that becomes mine.”

At last year’s World Championships in Zagreb, Yoshida took a bronze medal after losing in the semifinals to Kyle SNYDER (USA), who then beat Paris Olympic bronze medalist Azarpira for the gold.

Yoshida can secure a trip to this year’s World Championships with a victory at next month’s Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, or in a playoff in the unlikely event that he loses. The winner will also earn a ticket to the Asian Games that Japan will host in October.

“The top wrestlers will come up with a strategy against me, so I think the world is going to get tougher for me,” Yoshida said. “I will have to put my whole heart into training.”

Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) celebrates after winning the 79kg gold medal at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

As Yoshida continue to establish himself among the world elite, collegian Gharehdaghi took a big first step when he forged out a 2-1 victory over Sandeep MANN (IND) for the 79kg, with activity points accounting for all of the scoring.

Gharehdaghi, a 20-year-old third-year student at Tokyo’s Waseda University, spent the match trying to break through Mann’s defensive shell, while his opponent would not launch a legitimate attack until the final seconds.

It was a far cry from the Gharehdaghi’s action-packed semifinal win over Olympic bronze medalist Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) that suddenly cast him into the spotlight.

“I wanted to be aggressive and do my style of wrestling,” Gharehdaghi said. “But it was a final. The feeling of not wanting to make a mistake comes to the forefront, and there were times I couldn't do the wrestling that I wanted to.

“I''m happy that I won the title, but above that, I wanted it to be more my type of wrestling.”

WATCH: KEYVAN GHREHDAGHI (JPN) BEATS OLYMPIC CHAMPION RAZAMBEK JAMALOV (UZB)

Gharehdaghi’s win ended a run of victories by India in the two previous finals.

“The Indians were really on a roll, starting from 65kg,” Gharehdaghi said. “I wasn't trying to stop the streak. I was just thinking about myself.”

Gharehdaghi said he will eventually move down to 74kg when the Olympic qualifying process begins, and remains unsure at this time what weight class he will enter at the Meiji Cup.

For now, he can bask in the glory of a well-earned triumph without letting it go to his head.

“It gives me confidence, but I am telling myself to not be satisfied with this and to work to get to a higher level,” he said.

SUJEET (IND) claimed the 65kg gold medal in Bishkek after an 8-1 victory over Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

India’s mini gold rush began with Sujeet’s 8-1 win over world bronze medalist Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) at 65kg, which he secured with three second-period takedowns.

Sujeet, the 2025 world u23 champion and winner of two Ranking Series events this year, gained an activity point and stepout to go ahead in the first period. In the second, the run of takedowns started, disturbed only by a stepout by Jalolov and ending with a nice duck under.

“He is a very good competitor,” Sujeet said of Jalolov, “but I want to give my best. I don’t want to consider any opponent weak or strong.”

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Olympic Wrestling (@unitedworldwrestling)

It was Sujeet’s fourth win in four meetings with Jalalov, most recently in the final at the last year’s World U23 Championships.

Sujeet still has an axe to grind about his disappointing showing at last year’s senior worlds, where he fell in the quarterfinals, then was eliminated in the repechage to finish out of the medals.

“Last year, there were a lot of shortcomings at the World Championships,” Sujeet said. “I was under a lot of pressure. But this year, I have started to improve. There is a difference between this year and last. I am improving day by day.”

ABHIMANYOU (IND) scores a takedown on Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) in the 70kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Abhimanyou, a bronze medalist in 2024, followed Sujeet’s victory by rallying for a 5-3 victory in the 70kg final over world silver medalist Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL).

“I just wanted to give 100 percent in the final,” said Abhimanyou, who became the first Indian to win an Asian gold in a weight class above 66kg since 2010.

“I focused on a few things in the final. The Mongolian wrestler has a great underhook on his right side. And my defense on my left side is very good so I could cancel him.”

Tumur Ochir scored first when he spun out of a near takedown for a stepout, then received an activity point to take a 2-0 lead at the break.

Abhimanyou started the second period with a double-leg takedown, with an unsuccessful challenge giving the Indian a 4-2 lead. After limiting Tumur Ochir to a stepout despite getting in deep on a single, Abhimanyou gained a stepout with :54 left to cap the scoring.

“I was not worried even when he scored the first two points,” Abhimanyou said. “I could feel that I will catch him for a takedown whenever I want.”

Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) won the 57kg gold, the only champion for Iran on Saturday. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 57kg, what started as an exciting match between two dynamos ended with returning silver medalist Valizadeh being booed after completing an easy victory over an injured Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL).

Batkhuyag suffered an apparent rib injury while scoring a stepout midway through the first period that cut Valizadeh’s lead to 4-3. After the restart, Valizadeh shot in for a takedown, at which time Batkhuyag seemed to have was stopped fighting.

But Valizadeh didn’t, and flip-flopped the lifeless Batkhuyag back and forth until he piled up enough points for a 14-3 victory that ended the match at 1:47.

To be fair, the referee never blew the whistle, and Valizadeh was under no obligation to stop. And after the initial boos, the crowd actually applauded when he celebrated his victory with a gymnastics back flip.

Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) returned with a bronze medal at 97kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Tazhudinov takes home 97kg bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) assured he would not leave Bishkek empty-handed, emphatically beating Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) 14-0 at 97kg.

Tazhudinov, a two-time former gold medalist, jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the first period, then poured it on after tackling Urkimbay, turning him over again and again to end the match in 3:53.

In the other 97kg match, Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) scored a defensive takedown and gut wrench combination in the second period that made the difference in a 7-5 win over VICKY (IND) in a match that was otherwise filled mainly with stepouts.

Poyonov, the world U20 champion at 92kg, added the bronze to the silver he won at 92kg in 2024.

At 70kg, local star Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) completed his collection of Asian medals with a vintage performance of his counter wrestling as he won one of three bronze medals claimed by the host nation.

Akmataliev, rebounding from a devastating loss in the semifinals when he was unaware of the score, rode his counters to a 14-7 win over Shuang CHEN (CHN).

The three-time world medalist, pulled away in the second period with a pair of takedowns off counters, adding a counter lift for his final points for good measure to add to the gold he won last year and a silver from 2022.

Even when Chen scored four earlier by somersaulting forward with Akmataliev on his back, Akmataliev managed to fenagle a 2-point exposure.

In the other 70kg match, Sina KHALILI (IRI) took home his second straight bronze with a one-sided 11-0 win over Shakhzodbek YARASHEV (UZB) that included a 4-point takedown in the second period.

Zhakshylyk BAITASHOV (KGZ) followed Akmataliev by taking a bronze at 79kg with a 6-0 win over Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK) for his first major medal.

After opening with a stepout and activity point in the first period, Baitashov padded the lead with a takedown in the second period, then scored another blocking a desperate throw attempt by Ikromov.

Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) received his second straight Asian bronze and third overall when Jamalov forfeited their match.

At 57kg, Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) also won a bronze without a fight after Sunggwon KIM (KOR) defaulted due to injury. It is the first senior medal for Karachov, the 2024 world U23 silver medalist and Asian U23 champion.

In the other 57kg match, Asian U20 champion ANKUSH (IND) earned his first senior Asian medal when he hit a 4-point hip throw in the second period, leading to an 8-2 victory over Fuga SASAKI (JPN).

Sasaki had gone ahead 2-1 with a takedown to open the second period when Ankush slammed him to the mat. An unsuccessful challenge and a late takedown sewed up the victory for the Indian.

At 65kg, Russian-born Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) survived a wild battle with Asian U23 bronze medalist Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ), gaining an early 4-point takedown and getting 4 during a second period scramble to prevail 10-7.

Kudiev, the 2024 world bronze medalist at 70kg, led 5-2 in the second period when Kakharov tried to secure a cradle as he tried to take Kudiev to the mat. In the ensuing chaos, Kakharov got 2, only for Kudiev to reverse for 2 then add a 2-point exposure.

A late 2-point throw and unsuccessful challenge pulled Kakharov to within two points, but Kudiev sewed up the win with a stepout.

In the other 65kg match, Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) was leading 1-1 on criteria when he secured a second-period takedown for a 3-1 victory over Zeneemeder BYAMBASUREN (MGL).

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

57kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) df. Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) by TS, 14-3, 1:47

BRONZE: Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ) df. Sunggwon KIM (KOR) by Inj. Def.
BRONZE: ANKUSH (IND) df. Fuga SASAKI (JPN), 8-2

61kg (11 entries)
SF 1: AMAN (IND) df. Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), 11-9
SF 2: Kwang Myong KIM (PRK) df. Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) by Fall, 2:30 (3-0)

65kg (12 entries)
GOLD: SUJEET (IND) df. Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB), 8-1

BRONZE: Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) df. Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ), 10-7
BRONZE: Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) df. Zeneemeder BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 3-1

70kg (10 entries)
GOLD: ABHIMANYOU (IND) df. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), 5-3

BRONZE: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Shuang CHEN (CHN), 14-7
BRONZE: Sina KHALILI (IRI) df. Shakhzodbek YARASHEV (UZB) by TS, 11-0, 5:06

74kg (14 entries)
SF 1: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB), 4-3
SF 2: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) by TS, 10-0, 3:36

79kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) df. Sandeep Singh MANN (IND), 2-1

BRONZE: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) df. Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) by Forf.
BRONZE: Zhakshylyk BAITASHOV (KGZ) df. Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK), 6-0

86kg (15 entries)
SF 1: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM) by TS, 11-0, 3:30
SF 2: Mukul DAHIYA (IND) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 12-6

92kg (12 entries)
SF 1: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Iakov CHAPLIN (KGZ), 8-0
SF 2: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) df. Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), 6-0

97kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), 4-0

BRONZE: Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) df. VICKY (IND), 7-5
BRONZE: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) by TS, 12-0, 3:53

125kg (11 entries)

SF 1: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) df. BUHEEERDUN (CHN), 5-0
SF 2: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. DINESH (IND) by Fall, :41 (2-0)

Syzdykova stuns Medet Kyzy to regain Asian gold

Comments

Yoshida Repeats as Asian Champ as Japan, India Grab 2 Golds