#WrestleIstanbul: Assakalov Leads Uzbekistan to Three GR Gold

Thursday, February 24, 2022 - 15:46 By Vinay Siwach

ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 24) -- When the Uzbekistan team arrived in Istanbul, Turkey, for the Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series event, veteran wrestler Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) called a team meeting.

The former Olympic bronze medalist had only one piece of advice for the rest of his team members -- wrestle until the final whistle.

Using his experience, Assakalov led a trio of Uzbekistan wrestlers to gold-medal wins on the first day of the tournament, including the 97kg title for himself.

"It was Uzbekistan's day," Assakalov said. "I am the leader of the team, and they follow me. But everyone fought really well today. Even the wrestlers who could not win gold fought until the end."

Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) caused a stir at 63kg when he blanked world champion Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in the final. At 67kg, Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) shut down Morten THORESEN (NOR) to win gold, 5-2. Their third champ was Assakalov, who defeated upcoming Finish wrestler Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN), 5-1, in the 97kg gold-medal bout.

Turkey had two champions as Adem UZUN (TUR) won the 55kg gold, and Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) won the 130kg gold after Turkish legend Riza KAYAALP (TUR) suffered a shocking pin in the semifinal.

Azerbaijan and Kazakhstan had a solo champion each.

Islam ABBASOV (AZE) stunned world champion Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB) at 87kg and Yernar FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) won 60kg gold against Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), 7-1.

But with a mix of youth and experience, Uzbekistan stole the show.

Debuting at 97kg, Assakalov set an example about how to wrestle without pressure. He had a remarkable day overall outscoring his opponents 26-4.

Against Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN), who finished fifth in Tokyo, Assakalov was in complete control. Savolalian admitted that wrestling the veteran was a lesson for him.

"I usually wrestle in Europe so it was good to get some bouts against Asian wrestlers," he said. "I wrestled two from Kazakhstan, one from India and even the veteran Assakalov. I learned that I can beat them it's just a matter of who's day it is."

Thursday was clearly Assakalov's as he managed to get a four after beginning with a stepout. The throw from a headlock caught his opponent off guard. He was called passive in the second period but his 5-1 lead was enough to give him the gold.

Having Rio bronze medalist Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) in the corner was of great help for the young team. Tasmuradov was a constant among all the gold medal bouts.

Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) blanked Victor CIOBANU (MDA) in the 63kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 63kg, Ciobanu, hoping for a winning start to the season, ran into the buzzsaw Bakhramov in the final.

Bakhramov, born in Samarkand, took no time in building a 5-0 lead after Ciobanu was hit with passivity. The Uzbek extended his lead to 7-0 after Ciobanu was called for fleeing the mat. The former Asian champion closed out the match before the conclusion of the first period with a takedown and won the match, 9-0.

Bakhramov scored a win via fall over Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) in his first bout before defeating Dastan KADYROV (KGZ), 9-1, in the semifinals.

It was Bakhramov's third Ranking Series gold medal and second straight as he had won last year's Poland Open Ranking Series.

Bakhshilloev followed Bakhramov by beating Thoresen, who was called passivity and gave up two rolls from the par terre position. Coming into the second period, Bakhshilloev led 5-0 but surrendered an inactivity point and a stepout, cutting his lead to 5-2.

The group will now fly to Mongolia for the Asian Championships and try to challenge Greco-Roman powerhouse Iran at the continental championships.

Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), left, pinned Riza KAYAALP (TUR) in the 130kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Kayaalp stunned

Kayaalp was on his way to another Ranking Series gold, but Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) clamped his arm mid-roll and flattened the four-time world champion to his back, and secured a pin, silencing a hostile local crowd.

But the 130kg still went to Turkey as Yildirim defeated the Azerbaijan wrestler, 3-1, in the final.

Kayaalp came back to win the bronze medal, warming himself up for the next month's European Championships in Budapest.

Islam ABBASOV (AZE) celebrates his victory over Zarubi DATUNASHVILI (SRB). (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Azerbaijan did have a champion in Istanbul as Abbasov kept Datunashvili at bay. The Serbian was called passive early but showed strong defense from the par terre position before securing the stepout to lead 1-1 on criteria.

Before the break, Datunashvili scored another stepout to extend his lead 2-1, taking a step closer to victory.

Abbasov was called passive in the second period, but again, Datunashvili failed to score from par terre.

With 20 seconds remaining, Abbasov scored from a head-pinch exposure and secured a 3-3 lead. However, a desperate attempt from Datunashvili cost him two more points, giving Abbasov the 6-3 win.

Fidakhmetov's gold at 60kg denied the home country a second straight gold medal of the day. Scoring all his seven points in the first period, Fidakhmetov gave up one for inactivity in the second period.

Wrestling continues tomorrow with the remaining three Greco-Roman weights and four women's wrestling weight classes in action. Bouts will begins 1030 local time.

Fidakhmetov The four medal winners at 60kg in Istanbul. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Day 1 Greco-Roman Results

55kg
GOLD: Adem UZUN (TUR) df Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ), 6-5
BRONZE: Dogus AYAZCI (TUR) df Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ), 5-1

60kg
GOLD: Yernar FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) df Ekrem OZTURK (TUR), 7-1

BRONZE: Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) df Ahmet UCAR (TUR), 9-8
BRONZE: GYANENDER (IND) df Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE), via injury default

63kg
GOLD: Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) df Victor CIOBANU (MDA), 9-0

BRONZE: Ahmet UYAR (TUR) df Abdurahman ALTAN (TUR), via cautions
BRONZE: Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df Dastan KADYROV (KGZ), 8-0

67kg
GOLD: Mahmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) df Morten THORESEN (NOR), 5-1

BRONZE: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) df Kaly SULAIMANOV (KGZ), 10-0
BRONZE: Volkan CAKIL (TUR) df Furkan YILDIZ (TUR), via injury default

87kg
GOLD: Islam ABBASOV (AZE) df Zurabi DATUNASHVILI (SRB), 6-3

BRONZE: Metehan BASAR (TUR) df Mehmetali KUCUKOSMAN (TUR), 1-1
BRONZE: Ali CENGIZ (TUR) df Umalt DAUDOV (KAZ), 10-2

97kg
GOLD: Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) df Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN), 5-1

BRONZE: Felix BALDAUF (NOR) df Abdul CEBICEBI (TUR), 4-2
BRONZE: Beytullah KAYISDAG (TUR) df Islam UMAYEV (KAZ), 9-0

130kg
GOLD: Osman YILDIRIM (TUR) df Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) df Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ), 4-1
BRONZE: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df Rafal KRAJEWSKI (POL), 9-0

#wrestlebishkek

Hong Ends Bronze Age, Helps China Usher in Possible Golden Era

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 18:28 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 10) -- By ending her own personal Bronze Age, Kexin HONG (CHN) helped China possibly usher in the beginning of a new Golden Era.

Hong was one of four Chinese to strike gold on the final day of the women’s competition at the Asian Championships, winning the 57kg title on Friday to end a rash of recent third-place finishes.

“Each bronze medal made me a little bit stronger by the competition,” Hong said. “So this time, I feel really happy, especially when yesterday I finished the semifinal and made it to the final. Finally, a final.”

The other Chinese who made the top of the podium in Bishkek’s Zhastkyk Arena were Jin ZHANG (CHN) at 53kg, LILI (CHN) at 65kg and Jia LONG (CHN) at 72kg, capping a performance in which all 10 of the country’s wrestlers took home medals.

The lone other medal at stake on Friday went to two-time former world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), who had ousted a Chinese opponent in the quarterfinals the previous day before snatching the 62kg gold by avenging one of her few international losses -- which led to a nice surprise for her on the medal podium.

China pipped rival Japan for the team title when Lili and Long defeated Japanese opponents in their gold-medal matches. China, with five golds overall, finished on top with 205 points, followed by Japan with 191 and Mongolia in third with 126.

“It shows that every single member of our team has been working hard behind the scenes,” Long said. “And because we have a good coach who draws up excellent plans for us, we execute them with dedication, all for the sake of our shared dream.”

Kexin HONG (CHN) celebrates after winning the gold medal at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Hong completed a spotless run to the gold with a victory by fall over former world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) in the 57kg final.

Hong is no stranger to ending tournaments with victories, and her resume includes medals from every major global event. Unfortunately, none of those wins had come in finals over the past three years.

According to a Chinese team official, her teammates tease Hong about having an affinity for bronze, nicknaming her "Tong Pai Da Man Guan," which loosely translates to "Bronze Medalist Grand Slam." It’s not hard to see why. In the past three years, she has taken home medals of that color at four major competitions -- the 2023 Asian Games, the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 2025 Asian Championships and the 2025 World Championships.

The closest she came to breaking the hex came in Paris, where she was leading 7-0 in her semifinal against Anastacia NICHITA (MDA) when disaster struck and she got caught and pinned.

“Nobody wants to lose, but that's part of competition,” Hong said. “I really felt sad for that moment, but it also meant there was some weakness in my wrestling.

“So, I accepted and recovered, and told myself that I can become better and better. Now I’m happy to see myself improve.”

There were no slipups in her demolition of Batkhuyag in Friday’s final. Hong opened with a takedown and lace lock for a quick 4-0 lead. After a second takedown and exposure, she got her arm between Batkhuyag’s knees, lifted up and planted the Mongolian on her back, securing the fall in 1:31.

“Before, I never thought about that I can finish so fast,” said Hong, who won all three of her matches by technical superiority or fall, without conceding a point.

“Just before the competition, I just thought to be ready for the six minutes, ready to fight to the last second and just try my best to show all my advantages.”

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) defeated Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) to win her third Asian gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 62kg, Japan’s Ozaki completed an equally flawless run to her third Asian gold and fifth medal overall by scoring two 4-point takedowns in a 10-0 victory over Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK).

“I was able to win by technical superiority, but before the match, I never thought I could have such a large gap in points like this, so I'm really happy,” said Ozaki, a Paris Olympic bronze medalist at 68kg.

The victory in 2:15 avenged a particularly frustrating loss to Mun in the final of the 2023 Asian Games. Ozaki had been leading when Mun used an arm throw to toss her onto her back, then held her in the near fall position for the final minute to win 6-6 on criteria.

“One of my main objectives coming here was to beat that DPR Korean wrestler,” Ozaki said. “There were also big hurdles to get over. As such, I want to view this result in a positive light and regard it as doing a good job.”

Ozaki’s reward for a job well done came on the medal podium, where she was surprised to see that the presenter was none other than longtime rival and local superstar Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), the three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist who is currently on a hiatus.

They shared a hug after the medal was placed around a beaming Ozaki’s neck.

“Aisuluu-san is a hero,” Ozaki said. “I have so much respect for her. Of course, I respected her while she was competing. She's really a special person. To be at a competition and receive the medal this way is really an honor and I am proud of it.”

To get to Bishkek, Ozaki had to defeat reigning world and Olympic champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) at the All-Japan Championships in December. Now, to achieve her goal of getting to this year’s World Championships and Asian Games, she will have to beat Motoki again, either at next month’s Meiji Cup or a subsequent playoff.

Jin ZHANG (CHN) works on a takedown against MEENAKSHI (IND) during the 53kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 53kg, Zhang picked up her first gold in her second trip to the Asian Championships with a lightning-quick 10-0 victory over MEENAKSHI (IND). A single-leg takedown, a lace lock and four quick spins gave Zhang the victory in 53 seconds.

Zhang, the 2024 world silver medalist at 55kg, got over her biggest hurdle in the semifinals, when she pancaked former world champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) for a stunning victory by fall.

“I never think about when what kind of action I can win from,” Zhang said. “I just follow the coach’s instructions, to be tough and do your attack.”

Zhang said she will not succumb to the pressure that comes with being a newly crowned Asian champion.

“After I stepped off this podium, everything will go to zero and it's a new start,” she said. “I will never think about I'm Asian champion now. I will surely fight for the higher step of the podium.”

Going into the last two finals, Japan could have won the team title with victories in both. Instead, the Chinese swept the two, with one match coming down to a challenge decision and the other a more forthright victory.

LILI (CHN) tries to score a takedown against Nana IKEHATA (JPN) during the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 65kg, China’s Lili had the winning takedown confirmed by challenge for a 3-2 victory after it appeared that Nana IKEHATA (JPN) had held on for the title.

Ikehata, the winner at the Zagreb Ranking Series this year and the 2024 world U20 champion, was leading 2-1 with all of the points coming on the activity clock when Lili made a low lunge for Ikehata’s leg with :30 to go.

Lili caught Ikehata’s heel and the Japanese tumbled onto her backside, but immediately got up and fought desperately to keep Lili from completing the takedown as time ran out.

But on challenge, it was decided that Ikehata’s initial drop to the mat constituted a takedown for Lili, who was awarded the 2 and the victory, giving her an Asian gold to go with her 2023 world bronze, and leaving Ikehata stunned.

Jia LONG (CHN) turns Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) using a high gut wrench. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the final bout of the night, Long completed the Chinese gold rush with a 10-2 victory in the 72kg final over Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) -- a repeat of the 65kg final in 2023.

After a stepout and activity clock gave Long a 2-0 lead at the break, she finally got Yoshitake to the mat with a single-leg takedown. From there she used her deadly high gut wrench for three consecutive rolls.

That should have ended the proceedings right there, but on the final one, Yoshitake managed to fluidly step over for a 2-point exposure that kept the action going with 1:20 left. But Yoshitake never threatened and Long came away with her second Asian gold.

Long has been gradually moving up in weight, having won the 2022 world silver and 2024 world gold at 65kg and a bronze at last year’s World Championships at 68kg.

“Perhaps there were some challenges with strength,” Long said of competing at 72kg. “But in terms of speed, it might have been a bit better than at 68kg.”

Sara NATAMI (JPN) defeated MANISHA (IND) to win the 57kg bronze medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Kiyooka, Natami bounce back

Kiyooka and Sara NATAMI (JPN), who were both handed stunning losses by fall in the semifinals, bounced back to take home bronze medals with one-sided victories.

Kiyooka, the silver medalist a year ago, completed the collection of Asian medals with a 10-0 rout of Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ) in 1:24 at 53kg. Kiyooka also has 55kg gold from 2024, the year she also won a world title at that weight.

Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) took home the other bronze at 53kg, using a fireman’s carry to take Seoyoung PARK (KOR) directly to her back and secure a fall in 2:00.

Natami, whose defense of the 57kg title was ended in the semifinals by Batkhuyag, needed slightly more time than Kiyooka to finish up her 10-0 win over MANISHA (IND). The winning points were decided on a Japanese challenge when the referee undercounted the number of spins Natami accomplished with her lace lock.

Natami, who came to Bishkek as a substitute for injured Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), now also has the full collection of Asian medals. In addition to last year’s gold, she won a silver in 2018 and another gold in 2022.

In the other match at 57kg, Youngjin KWON (KOR) gave Korea its lone medal in Women’s Wrestling by scoring three 2-point exposures off a takedown counter in the second period to top Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) 7-2.

Qi ZHANG (CHN), the lone Chinese not wrestling in a final on the night, assured she would not leave Bishkek empty-handed when she converted her second takedown of Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) into a fall in 1:31 at 62kg.

The victory gave Zhang a second straight bronze and fourth of her career in a fourth different weight class. She also has a gold at 59kg from 2024, as well as the 2023 world gold at that weight.

A first-period fall also decided the other 62kg bronze, with Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) building up a 7-0 lead over Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) before using an arm bar to end the match at 1:48.

Both the home team and India bagged bronzes in the two heavier weights.

At 65kg, Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) gave up an early takedown to Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB), but came back with a 4-point takedown to the back that she topped off with a fall in 2:02 to add to the Asian bronze she won at 68kg in 2024.

Two-time world U23 bronze medalist MONIKA (IND) also had a 4-point takedown in a 9-0 victory over Hanbit LEE (KOR) for the other 65kg bronze.

Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), a world bronze medalist at 72kg, scored a first-period takedown while on the activity clock and that was enough to edge Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL) 2-0 for her first Asian bronze.

In the other 72kg bout, HARSHITA (IND) added to her 2024 silver medal with a victory by fall over Sevinchoy POLVONOVA (UZB) in 3:25 after building up a 5-0 lead.

Day 5 Results

Women’s Wrestling

53kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Jin ZHANG (CHN) df. MEENAKSHI (IND) by TS, 10-0, :53

BRONZE: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ) by TS, 11-0, 1:24
BRONZE: Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) df. Seoyoung PARK (KOR) by Fall, 2:00 (2-0)

57kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Kexin HONG (CHN) df. Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) by Fall, 1:31 (10-0)

BRONZE: Youngjin KWON (KOR) df. Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE), 7-2
BRONZE: Sara NATAMI (JPN) df. MANISHA (IND) by TS, 10-0, 1:50

62kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) by TS, 10-0, 2:15

BRONZE: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) by Fall, 1:31 (4-0)
BRONZE: Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) df. Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) by Fall, 1:48 (7-0)

65kg (9 entries)
GOLD: LILI (CHN) df. Nana IKEHATA (JPN), 3-2

BRONZE: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB) by Fall, 2:02 (4-2)
BRONZE: MONIKA (IND) df. Hanbit LEE (KOR), 9-0

72kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), 10-2

BRONZE: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) df. Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL), 2-0
BRONZE: HARSHITA (IND) df. Sevinchoy POLVONOVA (UZB) by Fall, 3:25 (5-0)

Freestyle

57kg (11 entries)
SF 1: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) df. Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), 4-1
SF 2: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) df. Fuga SASAKI (JPN) by TS, 11-0, 3:23

65kg (12 entries)
SF 1: SUJEET (IND) df. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), 7-2
SF 2: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), 5-3

70kg (10 entries)
SF 1: ABHIMANYOU (IND) df. Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 6-3
SF 2: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Sina KHALILI (IRI), 5-1

79kg (12 entries)
SF 1: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) df. Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), 4-3
SF 2: Sandeep Singh MANN (IND) df. Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK) by TS, 10-0, 3:13

97kg (13 entries)
SF 1: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. VICKY (IND), 2-0
SF 2: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), 15-6

#WrestleIstanbul: Assakalov Leads Uzbekistan to Three GR Gold

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Hong Ends Bronze Age, Helps China Usher in Possible Golden Era