U20 Worlds: New stars in focus; Iran aims Freestyle title defense

Wednesday, August 9, 2023 - 09:52 By Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (August 9) -- A week after the top U17 wrestlers were in Istanbul fighting it out to become world champions, the best at the U20 level will be in Amman, Jordan for the U20 World Championships which begins August 14.

A host of returning champions, continental champions and senior-level medalists will be in action in Freestyle with Iran, the United States, India and Azerbaijan among the favorites to win the team title like in Sofia, Bulgaria a year ago.

Iran won the team title with the U.S. finishing second and India third. This year too, Iran is fielding a strong team led by returning champion at 125kg Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI). But can the other teams displace Iran from the top? Here's a look:

Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) will be the defending champion at 125kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

125kg
Masoumi at 125kg is clearly the favorite to win the gold medal but Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE), the U17 world champ a week ago, will fancy his chances as well.

The U17 Euro champ and U20 Euro silver medalist has been in terrific form this year and an upset win over Masoumi, who finished fifth at the senior Asian Championships this year, cannot be ruled out.

Other at 125kg will be U20 European champ Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR), U23 European silver medalist Volodymyr KOCHANOV (UKR), U20 Pan-Am champ Karanveer MAHIL (CAN) and Christian CARROLL (USA).

2022 U20 world 61kg champion Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN) is dropping down to 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

57kg
At 57kg, returning bronze medalist Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), who is also a bronze medalist at the U23 World Championships, will first look to reach the final before trying to win the title. In his way stands U20 European champ Ruslan ABDULLAYEV (AZE) and returning silver medalist Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ) who won the Asian title in 2022.

The 61kg returning U20 world champion -- Yuto NISHIUCHI (JPN) -- is dropping down to 57kg in his bid for his second world title at the U20 level. He is coming back from a knee injury he suffered at the Meiji Cup in June. The U.S. is sending 2022 U17 world champ Luke LILLEDAHL (USA) who won the U20 Pan-Am title this year.

U20 Asian champ UDIT (IND) was replaced by SAGAR (IND) after the former got injured during the Asian Games selection trials and had to be stretched off.

92kg
Iran will bank highly on Mohammadmobin AZIMI (IRI) to win the gold medal at 92kg as he comes into the competition as a two-time U20 Asian champion and an internationally unbeaten wrestler. He will have to battle it out with U20 European champion Knyaz IBOYAN (ARM) who also won the 86kg silver medal at the U23 European Championships this year.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) at 92kg will use his experience as a silver medalist at the senior Asian Championships and two gold medals at the U23 Asian Championships to win the world title, giving Azimi and others a tough competition.

Turkiye will be sending Muhammed GIMRI (TUR), the silver medalist from the U23 and U20 European Championships this year, with the hope of winning the first Freestyle U20 world title since 2018.

The U20 Pan-Am Jack DARRAH (USA) will also be in the race to finish on the podium with the U.S. hoping to make it to the top.

Returning medalists from 70kg, Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) and Hossein AGHAEI (IRI) are entered at 74kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

74kg
The U.S. also has last year's 70kg silver medalist Mitchell MESENBRINK (USA) who is jumping to 74kg, a weight class he won the U20 Pan-Am Championships. Reaching the final at 74kg this year will be a daunting task.

Mesenbrink's path to the gold medal may go through a familiar opponent Hossein AGHAEI (IRI), returning bronze from 70kg, who Mesenbrink defeated 9-7 in a thrilling quarterfinal last year. Aghaei won the U20 Asian silver medalist at 74kg.

Joining them in the field is returning silver medalist Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN) who will look to repeat his run from last year and upgrade his silver to gold in only his second international tournament.

U20 Asian champ Yerkhan BEXULTANOV (KAZ) will return to Amman a city where he dominated the continental final against Aghaei after a stunning 8-7 semifinal win over Asadbek KARIMOV (UZB). Bexultanov will have to be cautious of Karimov as he will also be in Amman with revenge on his mind.

Bettering the competition are U23 Asian champion Feng LU (CHN), former U17 Worlds silver medalist Giorgi GOGRITCHIANI (GEO), U20 Euro champ Stas WOLF (GER) and Amaan GULACHA (CAN) who was second to Mesenbrink at the Pan-Ams.

Keep an eye on Raul CASO (ITA) and JAIDEEP (IND), former U17 World Championships, who can cause an upset in any given match.

86kg
Another returning silver medalist for the U.S. is Bennett BERGE (USA) who will aim to change the color of his medal from last year. In all likelihood, he will have to beat returning champion Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) who defeated Berge 10-5 in the final. Magamadov has added U23 and U20 European Championships titles since then.

Magamadov will be looking to defend his world title over Mushegh MKRTCHYAN (ARM) who he defeated in the U20 European finals. Mkrtchyan won a silver medal at 79kg last year in Sofia. Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO) is another wrestler who will be Amman who Magamadov defeated at the European tournament.

U20 Asian champion Mukul DAHIYA (IND) will be another wrestler looking to upset the returning champion along with Amirhossein ALIZADEH (IRI) who was second to Dahiya in the same city as it hosted the U20 Asians as well.

Bronze medalist from that tournament, Imangali KALDYBEK (KAZ), will also be in the fray along with Ivan CHORNOHUZ (UKR) who won bronze in Europe.

65kg
At 65kg, a few wrestlers with major international experience will battle it out for the gold. Leading the lot will be Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) who won the Yasar Dogu gold last month. He was in Sofia but lost 6-5 in the quarterfinal finishing fifth.

Others in the field include 2023 U23 and 2022 U20 European champion Mykyta ZUBAL (UKR), one of the biggest threats to the gold medal as he finished fifth last year, Goga OTINASHVILI (GEO), who won a silver at the U20 European Championships, former U17 world champion Kamronbek KADAMOV (UZB) and Jaskaran SINGH (IND) who lost to Kadamov in that final. Singh won the U20 Asian title in Amman in July.

The U.S. will see Jesse MENDEZ (USA) who wrestled at the 2021 U20 World Championships. U20 European bronze medalist Seyfulla ITAEV (FRA) and U23 Asian silver medalist Aden SAKYBAEV (KGZ) are also wrestling.

70kg
Close to 10 wrestlers will be hoping it to the final at 70kg with senior Asian silver medalist Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB) leading the pack. He will have the 2021 U17 world champ at 65kg Meyer SHAPIRO (USA), Magomed BAITUKAEV (AIN) who was also the U17 world champ in 2021 at 55kg, and Ali REZAEI (IRI) who won the silver medal at the Yasar Dogu.

Ibrahim YAPRAK (TUR) won the U20 European Championships and will look to add a world medal to his resume. Returning fifth-placer Hayk PAPIKYAN (ARM) will look to finish on the podium this year. He won U23 European silver medal and U20 Euro silver as well but at 74kg. Saba KOBAKHIDZE (GEO) was the silver medalist at U20 Euros and he will also be in Amman.

Can Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ), former U17 world champ at 92kg, win at 97kg? (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

97kg
All four 97kg medalists from the U20 European Championships are entered for the World Championships. Champion Ivan PRYMACHENKO (UKR), who was the silver medalist at the U20 Euros last year, will be one of the favorites to win. He can have potential bouts against silver medalist Dogan UZUN (TUR) and two bronze medalists Zafar ALIYEV (AZE) and Nika PANTSULAIA (GEO).

U20 Asian champion and 2022 U17 world champ at 92kg Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) will look to add another world medal as he continues to shine at the age-group level. 2021 U20 Euro champ Islam KILCHUKOV (AIN), U20 Asian bronze medalist Deepak CHAHAL (IND) and U20 Pan-Am champ Camden MC DANEL (USA) will also look to finish on the podium.

Sagar JAGLAN (IND) will be wrestling at 79kg, a year after winning bronze at 74kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

61kg
India has two returning bronze medalists, Mohit KUMAR (IND) at 61kg and Sagar JAGLAN (IND) at 79kg.

To upgrade his medal, Kumar, who won the U20 Asian title, will have to face 2021 U17 world champion Ali KHORRAMDEL (IRI), U20 African champ Shehabeldin MOHAMED (EGY) and Nicholas BOUZAKIS (USA) who won the Pan-Ams at this age-group.

2021 U17 world silver medalist Abdinur NURLANBEK (KAZ) and Besir ALILI (MKD) who finished fifth at the 2022 senior European Championships are also in action.

79kg
Former U17 world champion and senior Worlds fifth Jaglan, who won a bronze medal at 74kg last year after losing the semifinal to Kamiya, won the U23 and U20 Asian titles at 79kg and will be a top contender for the gold in Amman. He is joined by Farzad SAFI (IRI) who lost to Jaglan in the U20 Asian final.

U20 European champion Otari ADEISHVILI (GEO) is entered along with Gregor EIGENBRODT (GER) who lost to Adeishvili in the final, U20 Euro bronze medalist Narek GRIGORYAN (ARM), U20 Asian bronze medalist Magzhan ZHANYRBAY (KAZ) and Matthew SINGLETON (USA).

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ramazanov Returns to Shake Up 86kg; Strong DPR Korea Squad in Ulaanbaatar

Tuesday, June 2, 2026 - 08:49 By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 1) -- Olympic champion Magomed RAMAZANOV (BUL) is finally returning to the mat. He has been out of action for more than a year but will be at 86kg for this week's Ulaanbaatar Open, the third Ranking Series in Mongolia from June 4 to 7.

Ramazanov's return is significant for 86kg and the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. Out of the four 86kg medalists from Paris 2024, none participated in the 2025 World Championships at 86kg. Zahid VALENCIA (USA) became the world champion, Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN) won silver, and Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) winning bronzes. All four were first-time world medalists in this weight class.

This year began with the Ranking Series and Parker KECKEISEN (USA) won in Zagreb and Ibragim KADIEV (RUS) in Tirana. At the continental championships, Kadiev became the European champion, Ghasempour won the Asian Championships and Valencia dominated the Pan-American Championships.

Ramazanov's return, and if he wins gold, will make him the favourite to win the gold medal at the 2026 World Championships that will be held in Astana, Kazakhstan from October 24 to November 1. The Ranking Series will also be a test of how healthy the Olympic champion is after his surgery.

The 32-year-old will in the field along with former world silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) who is moving up from 79kg for the first time. It will be a test for the Iranian as he prepares to claim the 86kg spot on the Iran team.

Asian silver medalist Mukul DAHIYA (IND) is also entered and his relentless pace troubled many at the Asian Championships in Bishkek. However, he still lacks the technicality of being among the top at 86kg.

Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) and Malik SHAVAEV (KGZ) will try to challenge the field along with Abdulmuslim ABULMUSLIMOV (RUS).

In other Freestyle weight classes, a mouth-watering clash awaits at 65kg. World champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) will open his season in Ulaanbaatar with hopes of winning gold.

In all likelihood, a clash against Shamil MAMEDOV (BUL) awaits Amouzad. The two met at the 2023 World Championships and Mamedov defeated Amouzad in the bronze-medal bout, 8-6. Mamedov returned to international wrestling in April at the European Championships but did not win medal.

SUJEET (IND), in red-hot form and unbeaten this year, was also entered for the tournament but he confirmed to United World Wrestling that he is unlikely to travel as he competed and won the Asian Games selection trial in India on May 31. India is still likely to send U23 Asian champion Mohit KUMAR (IND) and ROHIT (IND)

Kwang Jin KIM (PRK), a silver medalist at the 2025 Asian Championships, is also in the mix along with Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ), Ossimzhan DASTANBEK (KAZ) and Christopher COMPOSTO (USA).

Takhir KHANIEV (RUS) Khaniev brothers -- Takhir, left, and Ismail -- won the U23 European Championships gold medal at 97kg and 79kg respectively. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Khaniev brothers, Ismail and Takhir, will be in action at 79kg and 97kg respectively for Russia before they challenge the big names domestically for the World Championships spot in July. Takhir made headlines when he defeated Kyle SNYDER (USA) at the Tirana Ranking Series at 97kg and later won a silver medal.

Takhir, who also won gold at the U23 European Championships, should have a straight forward win at 97kg in Mongolia.

Ismail, at 79kg, will have to face U20 world champion Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI) and the two youngsters are likely to give a match to remember if they face each other.

ABHIMANYOU (IND) defeated Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) in the 70kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

For hosts Mongolia, Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will lead the charge at 70kg and he will have a chance to avenge his loss to ABHIMANYOU (IND) from the Asian Championships final.

Abhimanyou stunned the field in Bishkek, beating favourites Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Tumur Ochir to win the 70kg gold. He defeated the Mongolia, 5-3, but the Ranking Series will show if his win in Bishkek was one off or not.

The DPR Korea's world champion Chong Song HAN (PRK) comes to Ulaanbaatar as a firm favourite at 57kg, His electric wrestling and strength has troubled even established names.

A clash against European silver medalist Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (RUS) will be a treat if it happens. Mekhtikhanov, known for some crafty wrestling, will have navigate Han's strength if he hopes to win a gold medal.

A few other names include Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) and Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ) as Kazakhstan continues to select its team for the World Championships and the Asian Games. It has registered at least two wrestlers in maximum weight classes and will hope to return with at least one gold.

It has veteran Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) competing at 92kg, a weight class which has a few tough names including two more names Bekzat AMANGALI (KAZ) and Yelnar SHILDEBAY (KAZ). Former Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) and defending Ulaanbaatar Open champion Askhab SAADULAEV (RUS) are among the opponents that will try to stop Dauletbekov.

A big test awaits youngster and U20 world champion and Asian bronze medalist Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) at 125kg. The teenager has made a steady climb and won bronze in Asia on his senior debut. He will face the likes of BUHEEERDUN (CHN), DINESH (IND), Robert BARAN (POL) and Timur KOTAEV (RUS).

At 74kg, with none of the big names entered, Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ), Tamir ESHINIMAEV (RUS) and Tumen BODIEV (RUS) can make it all the way. If Sagar JAGLAN (IND) lands in Ulaanbaatar, he will be getting much-needed experience as he continues to regain form.

Iran has brought Ahora KHATERI (IRI) back to 61kg after a brief stint at 65kg at the U20 World Championships. He will be among the favourites to win gold despite the presence of Assylzhan YESSENGELDI (KAZ), Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) and Bair BAIANDUEV (RUS).

World champion Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) will lead a strong DPR Korea squad at the Ulaanbaatar Open. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Women's Wrestling

The DPR Korea sent seven wrestlers in Women's Wrestling for the 2025 World Championships. The country won two golds, two silvers, a bronze medal, a fifth-place finish and one 18th-place finish and finished second overall behind Japan. A strong eight-member DPR Korea women's squad is now headed to Ulaanbaatar for the Ranking Series.

In perhaps its last competition before the Asian Games and the World Championships, DPR Korea will be hoping a strong outing and a rich medal haul at the Ranking Series, its first-ever.

World champion Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) leads the charge along with both the silver medalists from Zagreb, Il Sim SON (PRK) and Ok Ju KIM (PRK).

Oh will be at 53kg, down from 55kg, as she bids for the Asian Games spot. Her move sets up a top-tier clash against Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) who is among the three Japanese wrestlers participating in the Ranking Series. Oh had shown no chinks in her armour last year but Kiyooka may be able to exploit some. However, importantly the wrestlers will have a two-kilogram weight allowance which will give Oh the upper hand.

Apart from Kiyooka and Oh, the 53kg weight class has Asian silver medalist MEENAKSHI (IND), former Asian medalist Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL), 55kg European champion Andreea ANA (ROU) and Natalia MALYSHEVA (RUS), making the weight class among the most competitive.

The regular 53kg wrestler from the DPR Korea, Paris Olympic and world bronze medalist Hyo Gyong CHOE (PRK), is at 55kg and a young Tuba DEMIR (TUR) will look to challenge her in the weight class.

Il Sim SON (PRK) is the world silver medalist at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

World silver medalist at 57kg Son is undoubtedly the best in the field. Her exploits at the World Championships helped her almost beat Helen MAROULIS (USA) in the final. Son's defence will be difficult to breach for her opponents including former Asian champion MANISHA (IND), former world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) and European silver medalist Elvira SULEYMAN KAMALOGLU (TUR).

World and Asian silver medalist Ju Kim has her eyes set on the gold medal at 62kg. In the World Championships final, she was on her way to win gold but fumbled in the dying seconds when Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) tossed her for four points to snatch victory.

Kim's opponents in Ulaanbaatar include European silver medalist Amina TANDELOVA (RUS), European bronze medalist Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), former world champion Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) and world bronze medalist Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) among others.

Tandelova has the best chance to upset Ju Kim, who has struggled in the past with conditioning. And Tandelova's style and pace helped her in the European Championships final that she led 9-0 against Grace BULLEN (NOR) before being hit by Bullen classic trip and give up a fall.

The 50kg weight class will see Asian silver medalist Son Hyang KIM (PRK) among the favourites. She will joined by Olympic bronze medalist Ziqi FENG (CHN) who finished with a bronze medal at the Asian Championships. Evin DEMIRHAN YAVUZ (TUR) is also in the mix at this weight class.

European champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) will be the favorite at 68kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Paris Olympian Sol Gum PAK (PRK) has a tougher bracket at 68kg with European champion and world silver medalist Nesrin BAS (TUR) and European silver medalist Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU). Bas has won nine medals, including four golds, out of the 10 tournaments she has participated in since the Paris Olympics.

Former world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) will be carrying the hopes of the host nation which has entered its first team for the Ranking Series.

Mongolia is also banking on Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) and Erdenebulgan LKHAGVASUREN (MGL) to win medals at 65kg, a weight class that will see Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK), Asian Championships silver medalist at 62kg, moving up to 65kg.

The 59kg weight class is rather open one with Asian bronze medalist NEHA (IND), European medalist Bediha GUN (TUR), home-favourite Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL) among the mix with Pyol HONG (PRK), the only DPR Korea wrestler who did not wrestle for a medal at the World Championships.

The two weight classes that the DPR Korea is not sending any wrestlers are 72kg and 76kg. As is the case around the world, the 76kg category is stacked for Ulaanbaatar Open as well.

Age-group stars from Asia -- Saihan AO (CHN), Wenji LI (CHN), KAJAL (IND) and PRIYA (IND) -- are all expected to descend upon the Mongolian capital along with veteran Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) and Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL)

Former European champion Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) and another age-group star Valeriia TRIFONOVA (RUS) are also wrestling as the heaviest weight class continues to be among the most competitive one.

At 72kg, European silver medalist Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) will be the favourite with veteran Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) and HARSHITA (IND), who defeated Bakbergenova at the Asian Championships.

Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will return to international competition after close to two years. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Greco-Roman

The much-awaited return of Olympic bronze medalist and former world champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) will be the talking point of Greco-Roman in Ulaanbaatar. After a near two-year absence, Sharshenbekov will step out the mat for his first competition at 63kg.

Sharshenbekov was at the national camp with the Kyrgyzstan team and trained under Raul TRUJILLO DIAZ (CUB) who is in the country to prepare the wrestlers. Sharshenbekov also attended the Greco camp in Porec in February.

In Ulaanbaatar, he will be facing a field that includes Zagreb Open champion and Asian silver medalist Erfan JARKANI (IRI) and world bronze medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI). Both Jarkani and Keshtkar may well be involved in their own selection trial for the World Championships if they face each other.

Incidentally, Jarkani lost the Asian final to Aftandil TAALAIBEK UULU (KGZ), who is coached by Sharshenbekov. The Ranking Series gives a perfect platform for Sharshenbekov to return and assess his condition before the World Championships if he participates in it.

Iran's selections for World Championships will go through Ulaanbaatar and apart from 63kg, the 72kg weight class will also see a wrestle-off between Javad REZAEI (IRI) and Danial SOHRABI (IRI).

Rezaei won the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series and finished with a silver medal at the Asian Championships. He has been in good form while Sohrabi, a world bronze medalist, has not been to international competition since September. He is, however, the defending 72kg champion in Ulaanbaatar.

Others medal threats at this weight class include former U23 world champion Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) and Amantur ISMAILOV (KGZ).

World silver medalist Payam AHMADI (IRI) will be in action at 55kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Iran is also bringing its world silver medalist Payam AHMADI (IRI) at 55kg. He will be challenged by Asian silver medalist LALIT (IND) and Emin CAKIR (TUR), who finished fifth at the World Championships.

At 60kg, former U20 world champion Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) will continue for Iran as the country continues its efforts to find a mainstay at the weight class.

U23 Asian champion SUMIT (IND) will look to stand on the podium and so will Yu Chol RO (PRK), the Asian bronze medalist at 55kg now moving up to 60kg.

Although it seemed that he was injured at the Asian Championships, world silver medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) will return to the mat two months later. He won a silver medal at 63kg last year in Ulaanbaatar but has moved up to 67kg.

He will be joined by European silver medalist Murat FIRAT (TUR) who almost defeated Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) in the final. Firat will be among the favourites to win the gold medal. Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND) and Karajit SINGH (IND), both past Ranking Series medalists, will be hoping to finish among the medalists again.

In other weight classes, Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) and Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) will compete at 82kg perhaps to earn the first spot on the national team.

At 77kg, Stoyan KUBATOV (BUL) has AMAN (IND), Ankit GULIA (IND) and Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ) while the 87kg has Asian bronze medalist Sunil KUMAR (IND), PRINCE (IND), Rohit BURA (IND) and Azat SALIDINOV (KGZ) among others.

Asian silver medalist NITESH (IND) will be up against Paris Olympian Kevin MEJIA (HON), Nurassyl AMANALY (KAZ) and Juan DIAZ (VEN) at 97kg.

U20 Worlds: New stars in focus; Iran aims Freestyle title defense

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Ramazanov Returns to Shake Up 86kg; Strong DPR Korea Squad in Ulaanbaatar