#WrestleTokyo

#WrestleTokyo Olympic Games Preview: 65kg

Thursday, July 29, 2021 - 15:57 By Eric Olanowski

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TOKYO, Japan (July 21) – Top-seeded Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) headlines the loaded 65kg bracket that'll feature fellow world champions Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and Haji ALIYEV (AZE) and six other world-medal holders.

Rashidov, who captured a world title in '19 after falling in the gold-medal match in back-to-back years, is seeded No. 1. The other trio of seeded wrestlers included '19 world-medal winners Bajrang BAJRANG (IND), Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ) and Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).

Punia, a three-time world medalist -- including an '18 world finalist -- is seeded No. 2 at 65kg. He heads into the Tokyo Olympic Games looking to become the fourth Indian freestyle wrestler to win an Olympic medal. He'd join Kha-Shaba JADAV (IND), Sushil KUMAR (IND) and Yogeshwar DUTT (IND). 

Following his 13th place at the '17 World Championships, Punia finished on the podium in 19 consecutive events. The high-paced Indian superstar won a pair of world medals during that span, a quartet of Asian championships medals -- including a gold in '19 -- and four Ranking Series titles.

Niyazbekov is seeded third at 65kg. The 32-year-old Zhanakorgan, Kazakhstan native, is a two-time world medalist. He claimed bronze at the '11 World Championships, then reached the world finals in '19 with a thrilling 9-9 criteria win over Bajrang. However, Niyazbekov ultimately fell to Rashidov in the gold-medal match and settled for a runner-up finish in his home country. 

But Niyazbekov will be on the same side of the bracket as second-seeded Punia. The pair have split their last two meetings. The Kazakh won in Nur-Sultan, but most recently, Punia evened up the rivalry with a 10-0 win at the Ali Aliev Tournament in Kaspiisk, Dagestan. 

Hungary's Muszukajev is seeded fourth at the weight. The former Russian-turned-Hungarian had a breakout performance at the '19 World Championships. The 28-year-old grabbed five victories -- including wins over world champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO) -- en route to winning a world bronze medal. He'll sit on the top side of the bracket with Rashidov, who beat him in the world semifinals, 3-2.

Other world-title holding threats outside of Rashidov to pay attention to are Ototguro and Aliyev. Fans should also keep an eye on multiple-time world medalists and outside threats Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB) Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL).

A year after becoming Japan's youngest-ever freestyle world champion, Takuto Otoguro went 3-2 at the '19 World Championships and finished fifth. But since that upsetting finish in Nur-Sultan, the 22-year-old who hails from Fuefuki, Japan, has won three consecutive competitions. He won the '19 Japan Championships and downed Bajrang in the finals at back-to-back Asian Championships to claim gold.

Aliyev, Azerbaijan's first-ever three-time world champion, seems to be finding his stride up at 65kg. After winning a bronze medal in Rio at 57kg, the 30-year-old ascended from 61kg to 65kg. He succeeded early at 65kg on the European level -- winning golds at the '18 European Championships and '19 European Games -- but failed to finish inside the top-10 at the '18 and '19 World Championships. But since his 12th-place finish at the '19 World Championships, Aliyev strung together podium finished at the Individual World Cup, World Olympic Qualifier and the Poland Open.

Gadzhiev, the now two-time Olympian, is a 70kg silver and bronze-medal finisher, respectively, at the '17 and '19 World Championships. After winning '20 titles at the European Championships, Poland Open and Individual World Cup, the 33-year-old, originally from Gurubki, Karabudakhkentsky, Dagestan, appeared at 65kg for the European Olympic Qualifier. He reached the semifinals but lost to eventual champion Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) before injuring defaulting out to a fifth-place finish. 

Less than two months later, at the World Olympic Qualifier, Gadzhiev bounced back and scored five wins en route to earning a 65kg berth to Tokyo. 

Valdes Tobier will return to competition for the first time in 17 months. Due to the pandemic, the '17 and '18 world bronze medalist hasn't competed since punching his ticket to Tokyo with a first-place finish at the '19 Pan-American Olympic Qualifier. 

Tokyo will be the 32-year-old Cuban's second Olympic Games. He finished in seventh-place at the '16 Rio Olympic Games.

Meanwhile, despite being enrobed with world champs and medalists across the bracket, one of the biggest favorites to contend for 65kg gold is Armenia's red-hot Vazgen Tevanyan.

Since falling to Otoguro in the second round at the '19 World Championships, Tevanayan has transformed himself into a completely different wrestler -- and it all started with his magical Individual World Cup performance. In Belgrade, 21-year-old won five matches and capped off his run with a 9-1 thumping of then-reigning world bronze medalist Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).  

He extended his win streak to nine consecutive matches after punching his ticket to his first Olympic Games with wins over Olympic champion Vladimir KHINCHEGASHVILI (GEO), three-time world champ Aliyev and two-time world medalist Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL) at the European Olympic Qualifier. 

Wrestling at the Tokyo Olympic Games kicks off August 1-7 at the Makuhari Messe with 65kg action beginning on August 6.

65kg
No. 1 Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS)
No. 2 Bajrang BAJRANG (IND)
No. 3 Daulet NIYAZBEKOV (KAZ)
No. 4 Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN)
Takuto OTOGURO (JPN)
Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL)
Adama DIATTA (SEN)
Haithem DAKHLAOUI (TUN)
Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB)
Agustin Alejandro DESTRIBATS (ARG)
Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)
Haji ALIYEV (AZE)
Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ)
Morteza Hassanali GHIASI CHEKA (IRI)
Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL)
Georgios PILIDIS (GRE)

#WrestleAmman

Asian Championships 2025 GR day one finals set

Tuesday, March 25, 2025 - 07:58 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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AMMAN, Jordan (March 25) -- The 2025 Asian Championships begins in Amman with Japan hoping for continental domination after a rich show at the Paris Olympics. Iran, the leader in Greco-Roman and Freestyle, will be challenged by Japan. In Women's Wrestling, Japan has China and DPR Korea.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | ASIAN CHAMPIONSHIPS PREVIEW

Iran comes out of the sessions with four finalists and Uzbekistan manages three. All three Uzbekistan's gold medal bouts will be against Iran wrestlers.

Kazakhstan, Iraq and Japan with a finalist each. The gold medal bouts will begin at 18:00 hours local time.

130kg gold medal bout: Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) vs Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ)

14:33: In the final semifinal bout of the session, Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) assures himself of a fourth career Asian medal with a 4-1 win over Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB) in their 130kg semifinal. Nasimov gets the first-period passivity call, but can't turn Syzdykov. In the second period, Syzdykov gains a stepout, then pretty much puts the match away with a gut wrench from par terre as Nasimov can find no way to break through the Kazakh's defenses. Syzdykova has the full collection of medals — a silver in 2021, a gold in 2022 and a bronze in 2023. What color will this year's be?

14:28: U23 world champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) makes it to the 130kg final with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yuta NARA (JPN). Takedown, stepout, takedown and two turns help him win 9-0 in one minute and seven seconds.

87kg gold medal bout: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) vs Yasin YAZDI (IRI)

14:21: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) is into the final at 87kg in just his second international tournament on the senior level, getting the points in par terre for a correct throw while avoiding giving any away while in bottom in a 3-1 victory over Sunil KUMAR (IND).

14:20: Former Asian champion Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) is into the final at 87kg after a fairly one-sided victory over Shamil OZHAEV (KAZ) in the semifinal. Berdimuratov hit a suplex from par terre to lead 5-0 before defending the par terre position in the second period to win 5-1.

77kg gold medal bout: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) vs Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI)

14:10: Two-time reigning world U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is into the final at 77kg in his senior Asian debut, outlasting a determined Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) in a lively 4-3 victory. Maksatbek Uulu, winner of the Tirana Ranking Series tournament and a 2023 world U23 bronze medalist, is on top in par terre first, but Abdevali extricates himself from a front headlock. The Iranian then dances out of potential stepouts and, in final seconds of the first period, gets behind for a takedown and a 2-1 lead. Abdevali scores a pair of stepouts, and those points prove vital when Maksatbek Uulu gets behind for a takedown.  

14:05: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB), who has only a bronze medal at the Asian Championships back in 2018, is guaranteed a silver medal as he moves into the 77kg final with a 9-0 win over Amro SADEH (JOR), dashing the hopes of the hosts.  

63kg gold medal bout: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) vs Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB)

13:58: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR), the returning bronze medalist at 63kg, hits off a correct throw for two points from par terre to lead Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) 3-0 at the break. Keshtkar gets the par terre in the second period and he fails to put his hands on Chung twice and is asked to resume in standing. A huge blunder from Keshtkar. Chung leads 3-1. Keshtkar gets the third passivity advantage and par terre. This time he puts his hands correctly and completes a throw outside for a point. Chung is docked two points for an aggressive elbow and asked to restart in par terre. Chung sneaks out. He pressures Keshktar for a stepout but the Iranian hits a chest wrap for four to lead 8-3 with 13 seconds on the clock. Challenge from Korea for stepout. On review, the step is inside and Keshtkar gets four points. He leads 9-3 and will win with hte same score.

13:56: It doesn't get more fast and furious than the 63kg semifinal between Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ) and Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB). Assetuly opens the scoring with a takedown and a 2-point throw, only to see Khalmakhanov come back with a 4-point fireman's carry, to which he added a 4-point throw. But when he tried another throw at the edge, Assetuly shut it down and forced the Uzbek to land on his back to get 2, with an unsuccessful challenge tacking on another point. Assetuly caps the first period with a stepout for a 9-7 lead. The second period is all Khalmakhanov, who finishes off a 16-7 win with a takedown straight to a roll.

55kg gold medal bout: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) vs Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ)

13:45: Defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) falls to Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) after a tense semifinal at 55kg. Ro built a 5-0 lead in the first period but Yamagiwa answers with a a big four from par terre to lead 5-5 on criteria. Ro tries a arm-throw that is blocked by Yamagiwa who gets a out-of-bounds point. DPR Korea challenge but lost and Yamagiwa leads 7-5. Ro with a front headlock two to make it 7-7 but Yamagiwa leads on criteria. The Japanese brings out a arm-throw to make it 11-7. With five seconds left, Ro manages to hit a body throw which is scored only two points. Yamagiwa is asked to be in par terre but fails to score and Yamagiwa wins 11-9.

13:37: In the 55kg semifinals, Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) fights back from a five-point deficit to not only take the lead, but finish off Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a fall and assured a better medal than the bronze he took home last year. Botirov, a bronze medalist in 2023, makes the most of his first shot at par terre, scoring with a gut wrench and then going top for a headlock roll, although Albidhan squirmed out of that and got behind for a reversal. Trailing 5-1, he then scores a 4-point takedown to the back when Botirov momentarily loses his balance to go ahead 5-5 on criteria. In the second period, Albidhan scores a takedown, gets 2 for an exposure, then holds Botirov down for the fall at 4:27.  

Semifinals in the five weight classes begin now

13:15: Jalgasbay BERDIMURATOV (UZB) gets Sanghyeok PARK (KOR) in par terre and Park is cautioned for fleeing. Berdimuratov finishes the bout 10-0 after Park is asked to restart in par terre. Berdimuratov into the 87kg semifinal.

13:14: Sunil KUMAR (IND), a silver medalist back in 2019 looking to regain some of his old magic, gives India a presence in the opening-day semifinals with a 10-1 victory over Sukhrob ABDULKHAEV (TJK) at 87kg. Sunil scores all of his points in the second period, getting two gut wrenches from par terre with a 2-point penalty tacked on after the second one; a point for an unsuccessful challenge of the penalty; then a 2-point roll to finish the match at 4:25.

13:04: World U23 and U20 champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) emulates his compatriot Yazdi, building up a 7-0 lead in his 130kg quarterfinal before using a stepout to defeat Asian U23 champion Wenhao JIANG (CHN) 8-0.

13:03: Yasin YAZDI (IRI) gives Iran another semifinalist with an 8-0 win over Jiaxin HUANG (CHN). Yazdi scores three rolls in par terre for a 7-0 lead. He needs just 28 seconds of the second period to finish off the victory.

13:00: Seonjae KIM (KOR) with two turns from par terre to lead 5-0 against Yuta NARA (JPN) at the break in the 130kg quarterfinal. But Nara shows up in the second and scores six turns from par terre to win 13-5 and enter the semifinals. But Korea challenge for the last turn and wins the challenge to give a lifeline to Kim. But Nara holds on to win to However, Nara scores a stepout in the final second and a caution for fleeing against Kim. A 13-5 win for Nara.

13:00: Former Asian champion and three-time medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) proves too much for Ali AL SHARIJEE (IRQ), chipping away before posting an 8-0 victory to advance to the 130kg semifinals.

12:56: Russian-born Shamil OZHAEV (KGZ) gets a takedown late in the first period to take a 2-2 lead on criteria over world U23 bronze medalist Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) in their 87kg quarterfinal. in the second period, Ozhaev appears to get a takedown-roll combination at the edge, but on challenge, it is ruled a stepout for Zhanyshov. Just when it looks like he's going to hold on for a win, Ozhaev arm drags him to the mat for the winning takedown in the final seconds. The move is upheld on challenge for a 5-3 win. 

12:49: Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ), the 2023 world U23 champion and 2021 Asian champion at 67kg, cruised into the 63kg semifinals with a 9-0 rout of Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ).

12:45: Incredible strength from AYTJAN KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) to throw Chan KIM (PRK) with a underhook setup. He gets the par terre and then scores another four-pointer to win 9-0 in a minute and 43 seconds at 63kg.

12:45: World U23 bronze medalist Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) hits a nifty 4-point spinning arm throw in the second period to top off a 6-0 victory Yun LU (CHN) to book his spot in the 55kg semifinals.

12:36: World U20 champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) is through to the semifinals at 77kg with an 11-2 victory over Lai Hsing YAO (TPE).

12:35: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) gets the par terre advantage in the 63kg bout against Godai MITANI (JPN) and he fails to score. Iran quickly challenge for a fleeing foul against Mitani who is cautioned for fleeing and returned in par terre with Keshtkar leading 2-0. However, he fails to add any points. Keshtkar make it 4-0 with a takedown. In the second period, Keshtkar scores a stepout as Mitani's head touched out of bounds. Mithani gets a lifeline with par terre with 1:55 left on the clock. Mitani's a few tricks but fails to add any points. He later scores a stepout and makes it 5-2. Keshtkar answers with a four-pointer and wins the bout 9-2

12:35: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB), a bronze medalist two years ago, makes short work of 2024 bronze medalist Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ), scoring four gut wrenches from par terre for a 9-0 victory and a place in the 55kg semifinals.

12:31: In one of the feature bouts of the session, defending champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) gets the first shot at par terre in his 55kg quarterfinal with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI), but the Iranian doesn't budge. In the second period, Dad Marz gets his shot, and he also can't get any points. With 1:16 to go, Ro gets a second chance, and this time he muscles Dad Marz over for 2, then hangs on for hard-fought 3-1 victory. It was a far different result from last year in Bishkek, when Ro scored a 9-0 win for the gold medal.

12:30: Back and forth match at 55kg between Sajjad ALBIDHAN (IRQ) and Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ). Albidhan races to a 7-0 lead but Kamaliyev adds a takedown from scramble to cut it to 7-2 at the start of the second period. Kamaliyev keeps the pressue and as Albidhan tries to evade, he called for a foul and par terre with a 7-3 lead. He reverses the position and scores two turns to win 12-3.

12:22: Amro SADEH (JOR) gives the home crowd another impressive victory, capping a 10-0 victory over Sagar THAKRAN (IND) with a 4-point throw from par terre to book a place in the semifinals at 77kg.

12:20: Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) got two points on Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ) at 77kg but Maksatbek Uulu, who recently won gold in Tirana Ranking Series, scores 10 to win 10-2

12:17: Kim CHAN (PRK), a bronze medalist at 63kg a year ago, has a scary moment when he was stopped on his back during a roll by Suhib ALHASANAT (JOR), but otherwise has no trouble scoring a 13-2 victory.

12:10: Paris Olympics fifth placer Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) needs one par terre advantage to sprint to a 9-0 technical superiority victory over 2022 Asian champion Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) at 77kg

12:08: Two-time Asian U23 champion Haodong TAN (CHN) pulls off a miracle victory over Iranian-born Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT), scoring 4 points in the final seconds for a 6-3 win. Mohammadi had gone ahead 3-2 with a second-period takedown and appeared to have the victory well in hand. Qatar has had just one Asian medalist in its history, a freestyle silver in 2018 from Georgian-born Giorgi Sakandelidze.

12:07: Ali AL SHARUEE (IRQ) with a big 9-0 win over PREM (IND) at 130kg. Al Sharuee with a stepout and caution to lead 2-0. He gets the par terre advantage to lead 3-0. Three turns from par terre and he wins 9-0

12:03: Takedown and three turns will do it for multiple time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) against Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL) at 63kg. Chung is chasing the elusive gold he fell short in 2023

12:00: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) with a takedown and gut-wrench for a 4-0 lead over Abduvali RAHIMBAYEV (TKM). Botirov blocks an attempted takedown from Rahimbayev which is scored two. Turkmenistan challenges but lost. The restart is in par terre and Botirov gets the turn for a 9-0 win

11:59: Can Mostafa ALQADE (JOR) make it 2-for-2 for the hosts? He gets the roll from par terre against Asian U23 champion Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), but Kamaliyev reverses him to his back. A foul, puts Kamaliyev on top and he adds a gut wrench for a 6-3 lead. In the second period, Kamaliyev gets the passivity call, and from par terre bulls Alqade over for 2 before ending the match by fall.

11:50: Defending 55kg champion Yu Chol RO (PRK) advances to the quarterfinals with a 9-0 victory over NITIN (IND), setting up a rematch of the 2024 final with Poya DAD MARZ (IRI). 

11:55: Kohei YAMAGIWA (JPN) has to do it twice but he beats Junsik YU (KOR) 11-1 at 55kg. Yamagiwa with a reverse lift and then a front headlock throw to  lead 7-1. He then gets a four-pointer for the win.

11:45: Another fall on Mat A. Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM) needs only a minute to pin Orgil NYAM ERDENE (MGL) at 77kg. 55kg weight class matches on Mat A now.

11:42: Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ), the 2022 gold medalist at 72kg, gets three rolls from par terre, then gives up nothing from the bottom for a 7-1 victory over Dowon LEE  (KOR) at 77kg. 

11:42: Amro SADEH (JOR) gets off to a good start at 77kg for the host nation, which hasn't had an Asian medalist since 2013. He scores a 4-point throw in the first period, then hangs for a 6-6 victory on criteria over Jixin YU (CHN).    

11:30: Not the ideal start for Japan here. Kodai SAKURABA (JPN) gives an injury walkover to U20 world champion Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) at 77kg. Next match on Mat A, Sagar THAKARAN (IND) gets a quick fall over Aryan BIN AZMAN (SGP) at 77kg in the first 30 seconds.

11:15: Welcome to Amman! The Asian Championships is here with Greco-Roman on day one. Wrestling in 55kg, 63kg, 77kg, 87kg and 130kg will wrestle today.