Asian Games

Yazdani Captures 86kg Asiad Gold with Victory Over Breakout Lebanese

Monday, August 20, 2018 - 03:45 By United World Wrestling Press

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The way that world and Olympic champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) stormed to the gold medal at the Asian Games was hardly a surprise. But what might have turned some heads was the opponent on the wrong end of his fourth technical fall of the day.

Yazdani added the Asian Games title to his growing collection with a one-sided victory in the freestyle 86kg final over American-born Domenic ABOUNADER (LBN), who gave Lebanon its first-ever continental medal.

Yazdani was one of two Iranian winners of the five gold medals at stake on the opening day of four-day competition in the quadrennial event at the Jakarta Convention Center. Mongolia, Uzbekistan and India also came away with golds as 10 countries in total earned medals. 


Hassan YAZDANI CHARATI (IRI) (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Yazdani, who earned his first career title at the Asian Championships in Bishkek earlier this year, completely overwhelmed the 23-year-old Abounader, taking just 1:29 to score a 10-0 technical fall. 

In contrast to the world-renowned Yazdani, Abounader's name recognition may be limited to U.S. college wrestling fans. A four-time qualifier for the NCAA tournament at Michigan University who placed fifth this year, he was competing in his first major international tournament. 

Abounader showed he could handle the added pressure as two of his victories came by one point---an 8-7 decision over Aligadzhi GAMIDGADZHIEV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals and a 10-9 thriller over Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ). 

Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) and Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL),  earned the bronze medals. Both won silvers in Bishke, Orgodol at 86kg and Davlumbaev at 92kg, which is not on the Asia Games program because only the Olympic weights are in use.

Prior to Abounader's arrival in the final, the best previous finish by a Lebanese wrestler at an Asian tournament was Khodr BCHARA's sixth place in Greco-Roman 130kg in the 1990 Asian Games in Beijing.


Ali KARIMI (IRI) (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Iran picked up its second gold when Ali KARIMI (IRI) scored with a 4-point move in the first period and cruised to a 6-0 victory in the 97kg final over five-time Asian medalist Magomed MUSAEV (KGZ). 

Karimi, the 2017 Asian champion in New Delhi, has returned from a six-month suspension meted out after he purposely lost a match at the Under-23 World Championships last November to avoid facing an Israeli opponent in the next round. 

In the semifinals, Karimi scored a first-period fall over Rio 2016 Olympic bronze medalist and two-time Asian champion Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB). 

Ibragimov came back to take the bronze medal by injury default over Takeshi YAMAGUCHI (JPN). The other bronze was won by KIM Jaegang (KOR).

In other action, Asian champion KANG Kum Song (PRK) pulled off the shock of the day when he knocked off Paris 2017 world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) in the first round at 57kg---only to fall short of the gold medal himself. 

Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) scored a 5-point throw in the first period of the final before dealing Kang an 8-2 defeat to make his first continental medal a gold one.  

Erdenebat, winner of the Mongolian Open in June, was a world bronze medalist at both Paris 2017 and Las Vegas 2015. In Paris, he lost a nail-biting 4-4 decision on big point in the third round to Takahashi. 

Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Takahashi, the 2017 Asian champion, shook off his 9-5 loss to Kang and came back to take home a bronze with a tough 3-3 victory over LIU Minghu (CHN), scoring the decisive and lone point of the second period for the win.

The match against Kang was marred by a scoreboard malfunction that caused a 15-minute delay between the periods. Takahashi told the Japanese press that he felt that allowed Kang to regain his stamina.

Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI), third at the 2017 Asian Championships, captured the other bronze, scoring eight second-period points in a 9-4 win over KIM Sunggwon (KOR). 

Bajrang BAJRANG (IND), a silver medalist at 61kg four years ago in Incheon, made it to the top step of the podium this time with an action-packed 11-8 victory over Bishkek 2018 silver medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) in the 65kg final.

Bajrang avenged a second-round loss to Takatani in Bishkek, where he went in as the defending champion but had to settle for a bronze medal. 

Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Bajrang, who became a national hero when he won the gold at the 2017 Asian Championships in New Delhi, caught Takatani off guard early to take a 6-0 lead, but the Japanese came back with a pair of takedowns to make it 6-4 going into the second period. 

There was more exchanges of points in the second period, but the Indian was able to maintain his lead and hold on for the victory that gave India its 10th wrestling gold medal in the 34-year history of the Asian Games. It follows the victory by Yogeshwar DUTT---Bajrang's mentor---in the same weight class in 2014, which ended a 28-year gold medal drought.

“I have taken revenge of my Asian Championship loss,” Bajrang told the Indian press. “My next aim is the World Championships.”

Taking home the bronzes were Sirojiddin KHASANOV (UZB) and Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ).

Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

At 74kg, Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) won a second straight Asia Games gold and made amends for failing to defend his Asian Championships title when he eked out a 3-2 victory in the final over Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ). 

Abdurakhmonov, who won at 70kg four years ago, scored all of his points in the second period to edge Kaisanov, who finished third at Bishkek 2018. Abdurakhmonov advanced to the final with a comprehensive technical fall victory in the semifinals over Paris 2017 bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI. 

Fujinami bounced back to take a bronze medal, building up a 7-0 lead then holding off 2016 world bronze medalist Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI), 10-8, in the third-place playoff. That was a near repeat of Fujinami's 7-6 nail-biter over the Iranian in the third round at the world championships. 

The other bronze went to GONG Byungmin (KOR), who rolled to a 10-0 technical fall victory over 37-year-old Abdullrahman IBRAHIM (QAT). 

Earlier, veteran Sushil KUMAR (IND), the two-time Olympic medalist looking for Asian glory at 35, lost 5-3 in the first round to Adam BATIROV (BRN), then saw his day end when Batirov fell to Fujinami in the quarterfinals. 

“I was also not expecting this result,” Kumar told the Indian press. “I had prepared, but wins and losses are all part and parcel of sport.”

The competition continues Monday with the final freestyle weight class, 130kg, and the first four in women's wrestling, 50kg, 53kg, 57kg and 62kg. 

Freestyle

57kg (19 entries)
Gold - Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) df. KANG Kum Song (PRK), 8-2 
Bronze - Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) df. LIU Minghu (CHN), 3-3
Bronze - Reza ATRINAGHARCHI (IRI) df. KIM Sunggwon (KOR), 9-4

SF - Kang df. Liu by TF, 10-0, 4:18
SF - Erdenebat df. Atrinagharchi, 8-2

65kg (21 entries)
Gold - Bajrang BAJRANG (IND) df. Daichi TAKATANI (JPN), 11-8
Bronze - Sirojiddin KHASANOV (UZB) df. Batmagnai BATCHULUUN (MGL), 10-6
Bronze - Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ) df. Batyr BORJAKOV (TKM), 5-2

SF - Bajrang df. Batchuluun by TF, 10-0, 3:56
SF - Takatani df. Okassov, 4-4

74kg (21 entries)
Gold - Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) df. Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ), 3-2
Bronze - GONG Byungmin (KOR) df. Abdullrahman IBRAHIM (QAT) by TF, 10-0, 3:24 
Bronze - Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) df. Mostafa HOSSEINKHANI (IRI), 10-8 

SF - Kaisanov df. Gong, 12-8
SF - Abdurakhmonov df. Fujinami by TF, 11-1, 3:53

86kg (19 entries)
Gold - Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) df. Domenic ABOUNADER (LBN) by TF, 10-0, 1:29 
Bronze - Adilet DAVLUMBAYEV (KAZ) df. Aligadzhi GAMIDGADZHIEV (KGZ), 3-0
Bronze - Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL) df. Pawan KUMAR (IND), 8-1

SF - Abou Nader df. Davlumbayev, 10-9
SF - Yazdani df. Orgodol by TF, 12-2, 4:57

97kg (13 entries)
Gold - Alireza KARIMI (IRI) df. Magomed MUSAEV (KGZ), 6-0
Bronze - Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) df. Takeshi YAMAGUCHI (JPN) by Injury Default, 3:28 (6-0) 
Bronze - KIM Jaegang (KOR) df. Noor Ahmad AHMADI (AFG), 3-0

SF - Karimi df. Ibragimov by Fall, 1:27 (4-2)
SF - Musaev df. Kim, 1-1

#WrestleSamokov

U20 World Championships Freestyle Day 1 Results and Highlights

Sunday, August 17, 2025 - 06:36 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 17) -- The U20 World Championships kicks off in Samokov, Bulgaria on a Sunday. Four weight classes will be in action -- 70kg, 74kg, 97kg and 125kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | U20 WORLD PREVIEW

19:22: In the final match of the day one of the U20 World Championships, Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) manages to hang on to his 1-1 criteria lead against former world U17 champion Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE). Mohmmad Nezhad got the one point for passivity in the second period which gave him the criteria.

19:15: A mini-upset in the 125kg semifinal as Asian U20 Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) beats Cole MIRASOLA (USA), 11-0, inside the first period. Two excellent counter takedowns from Kassimbek and then a locks Mirasola's legs around his head and turns him twice. A double-leg to finish things.

19:10: Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) gets the better of European U20 champion Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO). Rademacher led 4-3 at the break but then scores a takedown for two points to start the second period, add another go-behind and another single-leg to takedown to lead 10-3. Petriashvili gets an attack for  two points but Rademacher is relentless in his wrestling and three more takedowns to win 16-5 and reach the final.

18:55: Magomedgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (UWW) hangs on for an 11-9 win over VISHAL (IND) who had Magomedov in all sorts of trouble. Magomedov led 10-4 when Vishal mounted a comeback against absolutely broken Magomedov. He scored a takedown and Magomedov was cautioned for a singlet foul which made it 10-7. As the bout was restart in par terre, India challenged for two more points but the referee had blown the whistle before control from Vishal. That challenge gave enough breathing time to Magomedov to managed to hang on to his lead and win 11-9 at 97kg.

18:40: Raul CASO (ITA) cannot repeat his heroics in the semifinal against Adilet AKYLBEKOV (KGZ) at 74kg. Caso was down 3-2 and almost got a takedown but Akylebkov sneaks out and then Caso jumps over for control but the Kyrgyz wrestler is stands up quickly. Akylebkov wins 3-2. Italy challenge for two points but never there. One more point for Akylebkov

18:30: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) survives a scare against Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) in the 74kg, pulling off a 7-3 win. However, it was Yamaguchi who threatened to score in the final 25 seconds when Khaniev was leading 3-3 on criteria. Yamaguchi hit a double-leg attack and planed Khaniev who did not landed in danger and exposed Yamaguchi for two points. Yamaguchi tried a desperate throw in the final 15 seconds but Khaniev blocked it for two more points to win and enter the final at 74kg.

18:20: Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) has had a dream run in Samokov and he has made it to the 70kg finals after beating Nurlan AGHAZADA (AZE) in the semifinals. What a turnaround after finishing 18th last year at the World U20 Championships. He rallies with three takedowns in the second period against Aghazada to win 7-4.

18:10: PJ DUKE (USA) is into the final! He beats Erfan ELAHI (IRI) 2-2 on criteria. Elahi gets the first point after Duke is put on activity clock but Duke gets a takedown when Elahi tries a stepout and lead 2-1. A stepout in the second period for Elahi to make it 2-2 but Duke leads on criteria. Elahi does not realize that he is down on criteria and doesn't really attack in the final minute. Duke beats Elahi 2-2 and enters hte final at 70kg

The semifinals will begin at 18:00 hours local time

13:40: Cole MIRASOLA (USA) downs Inal GAGLOEV (UWW) in the final bout of the session. Mirasola with a takedown to start off the scoring in the bout. he He added a stepout to lead 3-0 at the break. No more action in the second period and Mirasola wins 3-0 and enter the 125kg semifinal against Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ).

13:30: Ashab DADAEV (FRA) thought he is winning against Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 97kg quarterfinals but he was down 3-2. Petriashvili had a takedown and stepout while Dadaev scored a stepout and a point for lost challenge from Petriashvili.

13:20: Abolfazl MOHAMMAD NEZHAD (IRI) beats Levan LAGVILAVA (FRA) 11-4 at 125kg and storms into the semifinals in which he will face Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) who defeated Aleksandre ABRAMISHVILI (GEO) 5-0 in the quarterfinals

13:15: Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), the Asian U20 champion, pins Baejoon JANG (KOR) in the 125kg quarterfinals. Kassimbek has lost two world U17 finals and now has a chance to win at U20 level.

13:10: European fifth-placer Alexandr GAIDARLI (MDA) hands Islam KAZHAROV (UWW) a 8-3 loss. Big win for Gaidarli who finished 18th last year but has a silver medalist from 2024 European U20 Championships.

13:05: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI) keeps a strong defense after taking a 4-1 lead against Sungkar SEIDAKHMET (KAZ) at 70kg and wins 4-2. Elahi will face PJ DUKE (USA) in the semifinals after the U.S. wrestler defeated Abdoullah NAKAEV (FRA), 14-4, in the quarterfinals. This was Duke's third victory via fall or technical superiority. Nakaev had some good scrambles but Duke managed to finish better.

12:40: Raul CASO (ITA) with a takedown in the final second to beat Parvinder SINGH (IND) at 74kg. Caso had just six seconds to score two points to win 5-4.

12:37: European U20 silver medalist Yusif DURSUNOV (AZE) with a quick fall over Ruije LI (CHN) at 125kg. The former world U17 champion is looking for a U20 world title.

12:35: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) got on board with a passivity point against Manuel WAGIN (GER) in their 74kg quarterfinal. Wagin could not get his duckunders going in that match as Khaniev underhooks were solid. Khaniev avenges his European U20 semifinal loss by beating Wagin 10-0

12:27: Konstantine PETRIASHVILI (GEO), with his brother and Olympic champ Geno cheering from the stands, works a good 10-0 win over Andriyan VALKANOV (BUL) at 97kg.

12:20: Incredible comeback from Asian U20 champ Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ) against Narantulga DARMAABAZAR (MGL) at 125kg. In a rematch of the Asian U20 final which the Kazakh wrestler won, Kassimbek breaks Darmaabazar and wins 15-12 after being down 12-5 at the break.

12:15: A third U.S. vs Turkiye head-to-head match today. Returning bronze medalist at 97kg Justin RADEMACHER (USA) is countered by Ibrahim BENEKLI (TUR) a couple of times in the first period but he holds a 6-6 lead for his four-pointer. The second period is very straightforward as Rademacher gets the leg lace to lead 10-6. Benekli gets two points on board but Rademacher ultimately gets the fall with a 17-8 score. The head-to-head score is 3-0 for U.S.

12:05: Returning fifth-place Nikolaos KARAVANOS (GRE) brings down Asian U20 champion Erfan ALIZADEH (IRI), beating the Iranian 7-5. He led 5-5 on criteria and Alizadeh tried to hit a takedown but Karavanos counters with a takedown and wins at 97kg.

11:40: Noah LEIBOWITZ (JPN) begins with a 5-0 win over Aitenir MAKSATOV (KGZ) at 97kg. Leibowitz is one of the more exciting talents in Japan heavyweight and right behind Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)

11:30: Unlikely that PJ DUKE (USA) will be stopped in Samokov! He pins Gabriel SANCHEZ (MEX) in his second bout and has stormed to the quarterfinals at 70kg.

11:20: European U20 silver medalist Raul CASO (ITA) hangs on for a 9-8 wins at 74kg over Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IR). A four-pointer at the start of the match keeps him ahead. 

11:10: A potential final but we have it in 1/8 as returning silver medalist Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) takes on European U23 champion Ismail KHANIEV (UWW). Both trade stepout and Lockett leads 1-1 at the break. Khaniev gets another stepout for a 2-1 lead. Lockett is called for aggressive push and gets caution. Khaniev gets another point to make it 3-1. Khaniev is given another stepout but U.S. challenges the call. But clear stepout from Lockett and challenge is lost. A 5-1 lead for Khaniev with 24 seconds remaining. A stepout is all Lockett gets and Khaniev wins 5-2.

10:55: Big match at 74kg! European U20 champion Manuel WAGIN (GER) takes on senior European bronze medalist Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) at 74kg. Novruzov put on the shot clock but he scores a takedown after breaking Wagin's chest wrap and lead 2-0 at the break. Wagin gets on the leg in the second period but gets only a stepout. He adds another and a fleeing caution for Novruzov for Wagin to lead 3-2. Two beautiful duckunders from Wagin and earned two takedowns to lead 7-4. He wins the bout 7-2.

10:40: Ebrahim ELAHI (IRI), a former world U17 champion, almost made a mess of his first bout at 70kg against SAGAR (IND). He led 6-1 before Sagar tries to make a comeback against a tiring Elahi. A stepout for Sagar makes it 6-3 but only 13 seconds left. Elahi gives up another stepout and docked a point for fleeing, score changes to 6-5. But Sagar can't get two points to win in the final three seconds.

10:25: PJ DUKE (USA) hits the leg lace over Umut USLU (TUR) in his first bout to win 11-0 at 70kg. Duke will be on the senior U.S. team as well for the World Championships, a spot he won after beating Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) in the trials.

10:20: Kanata YAMAGUCHI (JPN) leg laces Catalin SPINU (MDA) to get the win at 74kg, a weight class which has good wrestlers on the same side. Asian U20 champion Mahdi MAMIVAND (IRI) breaks Aliaksandr VIARBITSKI (UWW) to win 9-2, eight of his points were scored in the second period.

10:10: Ismail KHANIEV (UWW) and Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) roll to 10-0 win over Vatan ANNAORAZOV (TKM) and Tolui MUNKHBAT (MGL) respectively. Novruzov has to work little harder but wins against Stiliyan DZHOROV (BUL)

10:00: What a line-up to start the day in Samokov! Ismail KHANIEV (UWW), Ladrion LOCKETT (USA) and Aghanazar NOVRUZOV (AZE) all in action on three actions at 74kg.