WATCH: Young challengers at 2023 World Championships

Saturday, September 9, 2023 - 19:46 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 9) — For the pre-Olympic World Championship, most wrestlers try to move into the six Olympic weight classes in their respective styles. The competition to make the national team for these championships is fierce, as a medal can guarantee them a spot on the Olympic team for their country, a dream for most wrestlers.

With close to 1000 wrestlers competing in the 2023 World Championships, a few young stars who can make a name for themselves are also competing. They may not be the favorites to win the gold medal, but there are certain dark horses to upset any of the well-established names.

Among the three styles, a few teenagers have already won World Championship medals and will look to repeat in Belgrade. Others, the dark horses, will have an outside chance to shine on the biggest stage.

Here are nine wrestlers, three from each style, who can enhance their reputation in Belgrade.

Freestyle

AMAN (UWW) (57kg)

In the last four editions of the Asian Championships, the 57kg gold medal has been won by an Indian. Olympic silver medalist Ravi DAHIYA became the first Indian to win it three times when he struck gold in Ulaanbataar in 2022. As he pulled out injured from the 2023 edition, 19-year-old Aman stepped up and won the gold.

It could not have been more fitting, as Aman is a carbon copy of Dahiya with his long limbs helping him attack with ease and a gas tank that destroys wrestlers in the second period. It’s no surprise that the two train at the same stadium in Delhi.

Aman will have to step up once again as he takes his first trip to the World Championship. Now 20, Aman will be in a field with some of the biggest names in the world of wrestling.

The U23 world champion will have returning world champ Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 61kg world champ and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), Zane RICHARDS (USA), Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), 61kg European champion Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), 57kg European champion Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE), Suleyman ATLI (TUR) among others.

Aman's first senior-level gold came at the Bolat Turlykhanov Cup in 2022, and since then, he has participated in seven tournaments, winning medals in six of them including two golds. The tournaments have given Aman much-needed experience for the big event, where the youngster looks unfazed by the names in the bracket or the stage.

The two-time U17 world bronze medalist will also have his eyes on winning the Paris Olympics quota. Four years ago, Dahiya won a bronze medal to clinch a Tokyo Olympics quota in his first World Championships. Aman would not mind a similar result in his first Worlds.

Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) (65kg)

The 65 kg weight class in Belgrade will throw many surprises as most wrestlers are evenly matched in skills and temperament. World champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) can certainly be considered the heavy favorites, but it will be ill-advised to completely count out Haji ALIYEV (AZE), Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM), Iszmail MUSZUKAJAEV (HUN), Nicholas LEE (USA), Mikyay NAIM (BUL), Alejandro VALDES (CUB), Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL), Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) among others.

One name that is not mentioned in Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB). The 2022 U20 world champion has been taking long strides in recent tournaments, consistently winning medals at the Ranking Series events. Since 2022, Jalolov has managed to win medals in five out of eight competitions.

Jalolov’s is still a work in progress for the senior level, but a few of his results make for a great case. He began his senior career at UWW events at the Yasar Dogu Ranking Series and came home with a bronze medal by beating Tumur Ochir who has since raised his game significantly.

He lost to the Mongolian star 5-1 in Almaty in the third Ranking Series event but wrestled back to win another bronze. He added another bronze in 2023 at the Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series event after losing to Tevanyan. The next two tournaments were the Asian Championships and the Bishkek Ranking Series. Jalolov finished without a medal in both after losing to Tumur Ochir. He, however, closed the gap in each meeting.

Jalolov is an aggressive counterattacker, which Tumur Ochir figured out after their first meeting. Tevanyan matches Jalolov in style. But not many have experienced what Jalolov brings with him, and with nothing to lose in Belgrade, Jalolov can outshine a number of seasoned campaigners.

Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) (92kg)

It’s rare that Japan has a potential medal winner in a heavier weight class. But Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) can change that in Belgrade.

Yoshida, whose only international experience is the Asian Championships in Astana this year, will be seeded sixth at 92kg since he collected 10000 points for winning gold in Astana. He blew hot and cold in Astana, as he won two bouts via technical superiority and two via decision. But never did he look like a 19-year-old out-of-place teenager.

After conquering Asia, Yoshida will have to step up if he wants to lay claim to the 92kg weight class. Both the finalists from last year, Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and J’den COX (USA), will not be in Belgrade. But both bronze medalists, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) and Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) are returning. Feyzulla AKTURK (TUR), Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) and Zahid VALENCIA (USA) are some of the hot favorites to reach the final this year.

Yoshida will have to deal with it and get rid of the nerves before the World Championship. He will be wrestling with stars who will have a few in the stands cheering for them. The experience from the Asian Championships and his Iranian style of wrestling can be a big boost for Yoshida, as not many have laid a hand on him.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), who lost to Yoshida in the Asian Championships final, will look to avenge that loss, and that will be Yoshida’s big test—can he continue what he started and give hope to Japan?

Women’s Wrestling

ANTIM (UWW) (53kg)

Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) could well be the young star to watch out for, but who doesn’t know that? Fujinami is actually the favorite to win the gold in Belgrade, as she returns to the World Championship after skipping the last one due to injury. At just 20, Fujinami already has the senior world title, which she won in 2021 in Oslo as a teenager.

Another 20-year-old who can cause a few problems for others in Belgrade is Antim. The two-time U20 world champion has made a name for herself recently as the challenger to VINESH in India while performing on the international stage. Antim’s tactical wrestling led her to win the world titles along with a silver medal at the senior Asian Championships and gold at the Tunis Ranking Series last year.

But her first World Championships can bring a lot of challenges, including wrestling some of the strongest wrestlers out there at 53kg. Apart from Fujinami, Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN), Lucia YEPEZ (ECU), Maria PREVOLARKI (GRE), Iulia LEORDA (MDA), Andreea ANA (ROU), Jonna MALMGREN (SWE), Dominique PARRISH (USA) are some of the stars entered.

Her potential five bouts in Belgrade will test Antim every minute and provide a perfect picture of the challenges senior-level wrestling throws.

Aryna MARTYNAVA (AIN) (55kg)

The non-Olympic weight class has attracted 19 entries, led by former world champions Haruna OKUNO (JPN) and Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA). While there are many others like Karla GODINEZ (CAN), Mariia VYNNYK (UKR), Min ZHANG (CHN), who can stand on the podium, U20 world champion Aryna MARTYNAVA (AIN) will fancy her chances to claim one of the four spots available on the podium.

Martynava made the switch from 59kg to 55kg at the U20 World Championships in Amman, Jordan, this year and won the gold, spending merely three minutes and 35 seconds on the mat in four bouts (24 minutes). All four of her wins were via technical superiority, with the first two finishing in 28 seconds and the final in 21 seconds. It was only the semifinal, which went for 2:18.

Before a silver medal at the 2021 U20 World Championships, Martynava had odd medals at the U17 level. But her return to the mat after two years saw her dominate the competition. She would like to take the form into the World Championships, her first, and cause a few upsets at 55kg.

Milaimys MARIN PORTILLE (CUB) (76kg)

Portille won the Youth Olympic Games in 2018 and announced herself as a young star from Cuba. She went on to win the U20 and U23 World Championships in 2019 to continue her rise. It was only last year that she participated in her first senior World Championships and finished 14th.

As Portille returns to Belgrade for another World Championships, she will hope to put on a better show than the one she did against Anastasiia SHUSTOVA (UKR), losing 11-0. Portille did not look in her element and was struggling to attack or defend.

At 22, Portille has shown glimpses of being a good heavyweight wrestler, but to stand against the best in the world, she will have to raise her level in Belgrade. The likes of Adeline GRAY (USA), Samar HAMZA (EGY), Epp MAE (EST), Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will not give her a second chance. She, however, can take confidence from the fact that she has wins over Yuka KAGAMI (JPN) and Tatiana RENTERIA (COL).

Greco-Roman

Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) (60kg)

Among all the stars that Azerbaijan has in its Greco-Roman line-up, Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) may be seen as a youngster with little chance to make it in the 60kg field at the World Championships. But don’t count him out.

The 21-year-old earned his spot at 60kg when Azerbaijan could have experimented with Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE). But Mammadli’s selection is the writing on the wall that he is the one in the long run.

Mammadli has wrestled in three tournaments at the senior level this year and medals at all. He won a silver medal at the Zagreb Open to start the season before a bronze medal at the European Championship, and another bronze at the Budapest Ranking Series in July.

His three losses this year have been to Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI), Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) and Omid ARAMI (IRI). The first two wrestlers will be in Belgrade along with Kerem KAMAL (TUR), Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), Victor CIOBANU (MDA) who can make life difficult for Mammadli but provide him the perfect platform to shine against the best.

Daniel SOHRABI (IRI) (72kg)

If not for Olympic champion Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI), Daniel SOHRABI (IRI) could well have been Iran’s representative at 67kg for the World Championships. But he has to move to 72kg and will be looking to upset a few established stars.

Sohrabi ability to make a comeback after falling behind makes him super lethal against wrestlers who try to hold on to their leads. He also has attacks to score from standing and does not wait for the par terre position.

In 2023, Sohrabi won gold at the third and fourth Ranking Series in Bishkek and Budapest, respectively. In Zagreb, he left without a medal after losing to Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB). That was his third loss since the start of 2022, with the other two being the U20 World Championship semifinal loss to Nika BROLADZE (GEO) and Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) in the Greco-Roman World Cup in December.

The World Championship will be another big yet important stop for Sohrabi as he tries to establish himself in the big league. He will have Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE), Ramaz ZOIDZE (GEO), Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), Ali ARSALAN (SRB), Selcuk CAN (TUR) and other solid wrestlers in the field.

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) (77kg)

Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) has medals at all the age-group World Championships. But his debut World Championships at the senior level ended in 13th place. After skipping last year’s World Championships, Gutu is back with the aim of earning an Olympic spot for his country in Belgrade.

At 77kg, a weight class that has supremely talented wrestlers, Gutu will have his task cut out for him. The high-flying wrestler has to come up with his best defense from par terre, something that has troubled him in the past. He will have to keep a check on his big moves, as he has a habit of getting countered during such moves.

With Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM), Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), Iuri LOMADZE (GEO), Zoltan LEVAI (HUN), Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI), Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), Viktor NEMES (SRB), Yunus BASAR (TUR), Kamal BEY (USA) being some of the names entered, Gutu cannot let his guard down.

#wrestlebishkek

Tynybekova continues dominance of Motoki for 6th Asian gold; Feng stuns Sakurai

Sunday, April 14, 2024 - 17:01 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 14) -- Throughout a sparkling career that has made her a hero in her homeland, Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) has had a fierce rivalry with a number of Japanese wrestlers. The latest in the line has yet to find a way to break through and beat her.

Tynybekova continued her dominance of Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), using her counterattack style to maximum effect in a 9-6 victory in the women's 62kg final at the Asian Championships on Sunday in Bishkek, giving her a second straight gold and sixth of her career in front of an adoring home crowd.

"Throughout my career, I never got the chance to compete in Kyrgyzstan," Tynybekova said. "This year, when I found out the Asian Championships would be in Kyrgyzstan, I really wanted to compete in front of the home crowd. I am so happy that despite my physical condition, I could win the gold."

In the biggest upset of the tournament, Yongxin FENG (CHN) shocked three-time world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) at 57kg as China came away with two of the four other golds at stake on the fourth day of competition at Bishkek Arena with Qian JIANG (CHN) prevailing at 72kg.

Ji Hyang KIM (PRK) gave DPR Korea its first gold medal in its return to the Asian Championships after a five-year absence with an impressive victory at 53kg, while Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) triumphed at 65kg to ensure that the Japanese anthem would be played at least once on the night.

Japan, with four golds overall, barely won the team title for the third straight year with 173 points, just one point ahead of China and its three champions. Mongolia finished third with 138, three points ahead of India.

Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) uses a couter lift against Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) in the 62kg final during the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Tynybekova revealed that she got seriously ill after winning the title at last month's Yasar Dogu tournament in Antalya, Turkey, and even considered pulling out of the Asian Championships, where she now has 11 total medals.

"Two weeks before this continental championships, my coach Nurbek Izabekov proposed not to wrestle here because I didn’t fully recover," the three-time world champion said. "I spent two weeks lying in bed. Despite all this, I am so happy to be able to compete successfully."

Tynybekova, who made Kyrgyz history when she became the nation's first-ever wrestling world champion in 2019, has had her share of wins and losses contending with Japanese opponents through the years. First, there was Yukako KAWAI (JPN), who defeated her in the Tokyo Olympics final, then along came Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), who beat her in the 2022 Asian final.

Motoki, the 2022 world bronze medalist at 59kg, became the next in line when she moved up to 62kg and beat out Ozaki and Kawai in qualifying for the Paris Olympics. But Sunday's loss to Tynybekova was her third loss in three meetings over a seven-month span, and this was not as close as the first two.

"I would like to say that there are no easy or tough opponents," Tynybekova said. "It all depends on my physical condition on that exact day. That’s why me and my coaches will prepare to wrestle every single wrestler in my weight class."

In their first clash, Tynybekova pulled off a late 4-1 victory in the final at last year's World Championships in Belgrade. They met again in the semifinals at the Zagreb Open in January, where Tynybekova eked out a 3-3 win on criteria.

On Sunday, it was Tynybekova who took the early lead, gaining an activity point and then scoring a takedown after throwing Motoki off balance with a snap-down to go ahead 3-0.

In the second period, Motoki had no choice but to press for a takedown, but that was walking right into Tynybekova's trap. In a typical Tynybekova scramble, she initiated a counter lift from which she would score six points while conceding two to Motoki to go up 9-2.

Motoki managed a pair of consolation takedowns in the final 15 seconds, but could not gain additional exposures.

"I lost at the World Championships, then again in Croatia, and this time I wanted to get revenge," said a sobbing Motoki, whose father appeared in the 2000 Sydney Olympics. "I got various advice from a lot of people, and I came to this tournament with confidence. But my opponent was a level better than me today."

Yongxin FENG (CHN) celebrates after beating world champion Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) in the 57kg final during the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Just as Yui SUSAKI (JPN) experienced the night before, Sakurai was dealt a wake-up call at a tournament that she was using as her final competition before the Paris Olympics. The difference is that Susaki held on to win the 50kg title, while Sakurai was dealt her first defeat in an international tournament in five years when she fell 5-2 to Feng.

Feng, a bronze medalist at the Zagreb Open this year, wrestled a strategically perfect match, grabbing an early lead and then all but neutralizing Sakurai's 2-on-1 attack. It would not be until the end of the match that Sakurai could get close to creating a scoring chance.

"First of all, I believed in my skills, and secondly, in terms of all aspects of my skills and physical condition, I am better than her, so I am more confident," Feng said.

Feng seemed to catch Sakurai flat-footed when she took a shot right off the opening whistle, scoring a takedown with a low single. Before Sakurai realized what had hit her, Feng added two more points with a gut wrench for a 4-0 lead.

"After I scored points in the first period, it made me more confident," Feng said. "Then in the second, I didn't try for many points because of my [earlier] points. I was thinking about being defensive. But I didn't think about defense throughout the whole process. I still want to score more points if I have the opportunity so that I can win for sure."

It would not be until the final minute that Sakurai finally got a clear shot and was able to get in on a double-leg takedown. As Feng reached over for a counter lift, Sakurai pressed ahead for a 2-point expoure.

But time ran out before she could add to the tally, and an unsuccessful challenge looking for a second exposure gave Feng her final point.

"The performance of the Chinese team has been very good," Feng said. "In terms of training, we train so hard, should we have such results? Yeah. I will train hard next and keep doing it. When I get off the podium, everything will be zero. I will continue to work hard."

Sakurai, last October's Asian Games champion and who had won the senior Asian title in her only other appearance in 2022, acknowledged that her opponents are doing their homework, and she will have to come up with a new strategy.

"I think everyone knows my style of wrestling," the 22-year-old Sakurai said. "I have to train so that even if I get stopped, I can still find a way to score points."

Sakurai won her first world title at 55kg in 2021, then moved up to the Olympic weight of 57kg and won back-to-back world golds. Just to get to last year's World Championships, where she secured her ticket to the Paris Olympics, she had to win out in a stacked domestic field that included two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (JPN). Her down-to-the-wire battles with Sae NANJO (JPN) were epic.

Now she needs to rebound from the shock of her first international defeat since losing 3-2 to Batbaatar ENKHTSETSEG (MGL) at the 2019 Asian U20 Championships.

"No matter the tournament, my objective is always to win the title," Sakurai said. "When you lose, there has to be a reason for the loss. I will look at this as I'm glad it wasn't the Olympics, and I will practice hard up to August."

Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) won the 65kg final via fall. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the 65kg final, Yoshitake beat Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) at her own game, winning by fall to improve on her silver medal from a year ago in Astana.

After gaining an activity point, Yoshitake was under pressure from Tuvshinjargal, but she used it to unleash a headlock throw late in the first period to go ahead 3-0.

In the second period, Tuvshinjargal shot in on the legs, and Yoshitake slipped in underhooks, then pancaked the Mongolian to her back for the fall in 3:05.

Yoshitake, a winner in Antalya last month, became the third wrestler from Nippon Sports Science University to win a gold in Bishkek, following Kento YUMIYA (JPN) and Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) in freestyle.

Ji Hyang KIM (PRK) celebrates after beating ANJU (IND) in the 53kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 53kg, Kim capped a day of dominance with a quick 10-0 victory in the final over ANJU (IND), adding the senior gold to her Asian cadet title from 2019.

Kim shot right off the whistle for a low single which she converted into a takedown, then added an exposure. Back on their feet, she made it 8-0 with a shrug-by takedown and exposure, then finished the match with another shrug-by, all in just over a minute.

Kim won all four of her matches by either fall or technical fall in a weight class that was supposed to feature reigning world champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), but who withdrew due to an elbow injury. The DPR Korea has entered a different wrestler in the Asian Olympic Qualifier that follows this event on April 19-21 in the same venue.

Qian JIANG (CHN) defeated HARSHITA (IND) in the 76kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the final bout of the night and the women's competition, China's Jiang, the 2019 Asian U20 champion at 76kg, scored a takedown in each period in defeating world U20 bronze medalist HARSHITA (IND) 5-2 for the 72kg gold.

Jiang took a 3-0 lead in the first period with a stepout and a snap-down takedown. In the second period, Harshita gained a 2-point exposure countering a takedown attempt. But Jiang came back with a spin-behind takedown to clinch the victory.

Mongolia claims 3 bronzes amid fall-fest

Of the 10 bronze-medal matches, only one went the distance, and Mongolia came away with three via falls by Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) at 53kg, Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) at 62kg and Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) at 72kg, while India and Kazakhstan had two each.

Not everything went the Mongolians' way -- Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) was on the losing end of a technical fall at 57kg.

Chinbold, the silver medalist last year at 55kg, used a hip throw to send Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) directly to her back and finish her off with a fall in 1:42.

Sukhee, a 2015 world silver medalist, took home her fourth Asian bronze and first in five years when, after a second takedown against Subeen JO (KOR), she trapped her opponent's leg against her chest, then pressed down from above for a pin in 2:42.

Zorigt took the longest of three, pancaking Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), the Asian Games silver medalist at 68kg, in the second period to end the match in 3:49 with a 7-0 lead.

In the only match that went the full six minutes, Chun LEI (CHN) denied Sri Lanka its first-ever senior Asian medal when she scored a first-period takedown off a fireman's carry, then held on for a 2-0 victory over impressive teenager Nethmi AHINSA (SRI) at 53kg.

Ahinsa was the first-ever Sri Lankan woman to make it to a bronze-medal match, and just the third wrestler overall. Lei was the 2018 champion at 50kg.

India's bronzes came from MANISHA (IND), who recorded a fall in 1:30 at 62kg over Arian CARPIO (PHI) after a 4-point takedown, and ANTIM (IND) by forfeit from Soobin KIM (KOR), who suffered a knee injury in her opening match at 65kg in the afternoon session.

For Kazakhstan, Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ) needed just 55 seconds to throw Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) to her back with a 4-point takedown and won by fall at 57kg, while Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ) scored five takedowns in a 10-0 technical fall over Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB).

Yaru WU (CHN) won China's second bronze of the night by pinning Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) at 65kg. Wu had an 8-0 lead after a takedown and three tilts when Kazyulina came back with a takedown. But Kazyulina got careless trying for a reverse cradle, and Wu clamped down for a fall at 1:49.

Hyon Ju YUN (PRK) won the other bronze at 57kg when she broke open a close match with Mongolia's Enkhbat by scoring 10 points in the second period for a 12-1 win with five seconds left in the match.

Day 4 Results

Women's Wrestling

53kg (15 entries)
GOLD: Ji Hyang KIM (PRK) df. ANJU (IND) by TF, 10-0, 1:06

BRONZE: Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL) df. Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) by Fall, 1:42 (4-0)
BRONZE: Chun LEI (CHN) df. Nethmi PORUTHOTAGE (SRI), 2-0

57kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Yongxin FENG (CHN) df. Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), 5-2

BRONZE: Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ) df. Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) by Fall, :55 (4-0)
BRONZE: Hyon Ju YUN (PRK) df. Gantuya ENKHBAT (MGL) by TF, 12-1, 5:55

62kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), 9-6

BRONZE: Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) df. Subeen JO (KOR) by Fall, 2:42 (4-0)
BRONZE: MANISHA (IND) df. Arian CARPIO (PHI) df. by Fall, 1:30 (5-0)

65kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) df. Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) by Fall, 4:03 (7-0)

BRONZE: ANTIM (IND) df. Soobin KIM (KOR) by inj. def.
BRONZE: Yaru WU (CHN) df. Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) by Fall, 1:49 (10-2)

72kg (9 entries)
GOLD: Qian JIANG (CHN) df. HARSHITA (IND), 5-2

BRONZE: Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) df. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) by Fall, 3:49 (7-0)
BRONZE: Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ) df. Ozoda ZARIPBOEVA (UZB) by TF, 10-0, 4:51

WATCH: Young challengers at 2023 World Championships

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Tynybekova continues dominance of Motoki for 6th Asian gold; Feng stuns Sakurai