February Rankings, United World Wrestling, Women's Wrestling, Icho, Zhou, Vorobieva, Maroulis, Gray

Zhou Takes Over No.1 at 69kg, Icho Still Atop 58kg in Women’s Rankings

Wednesday, February 3, 2016 - 22:41 By William May

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY (February 3) – World silver medalist ZHOU Feng (CHN) emerged the new leader at 69kg in the first United World Wrestling rankings for women’s wrestling in 2016.

Zhou took over the top spot after an upset loss by world champion Natalia VOROBIEVA (RUS) at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games test event, which featured some of the top female wrestlers in the world.

Zhou defeated former junior world champion Dorothy YEATS (CAN) in the light heavyweight final by technical fall after the Pan American Games gold medalist defeated Vorobieva in the opening round.

Meanwhile, halfway around the world, another world champion also stumbled, but still remains on top of her weight category in this month’s rankings.

Three-time Olympic Games gold medalist Kaori ICHO (JPN), who had won 189 matches in a row following her last loss in 2003, was stunned in the 58kg final at the Yarygin Grand Prix tourney in Krasnoyarsk, Russia.

Unranked PUREVDORJ Orkhon (MGL), who wrestles most frequently at 55kg, had an answer for all of Icho’s attacks and ended up with a technical fall over the 10-time world champion. 

Despite the loss, Icho remains in control of 58kg – at least, for the time being -- since there were no challengers in the rankings in a position to take up the mantle.

A challenge, however, was issued to three-time world champion Adeline GRAY (USA) by Erica WIEBE (CAN), who had pinned 2013 world champion ZHANG Fengliu (CHN) in the semifinals at 75kg in Rio.

Gray defeated a pair of silver medal winners from the previous world championships in Aline FERREIRA (BRA) in the quarterfinals and ZHOU Qian (CHN) in the semifinals before edging Wiebe, 7-4, in the final.
 
Wrestlers in the rankings are listed by name, country code, most notable or most recent result over the last 12 months, and their position in the previous rankings.

48kg – 2013 world champion SUN Yanan (CHN) took an injury default from Valentina ISLAMOVA (RUS) to climb to No.3 in the rankings while Asia champion Yuki IRIE (JPN) won her second Yarygin Grand Prix by fall over Nadezhda FEDOROVA (RUS) to break into the rankings at No.8.

1. Eri TOSAKA (JPN) – World No.1 (1)
2. Mariya STADNYK (AZE) – World No.2 (2)
3. SUN Yanan (CHN) – Rio Test Event No.1 (7)
4. Valentina ISLAMOVA (RUS) – Rio Test No.2 (4)
5. Genevieve MORRISON (CAN) – World No.3 (3)
6. Jessica BLASZKA (NED) – World No.3 (5)
7. Li Hui (CHN) – World No.5 (6)
8. Yuki IRIE (JPN) – Yarygin Grand Prix No.1 (Not ranked)
9. Carolina CASTILLO HIDALGO (COL) – Paris GP No.3 (11)
10. Patricia BERMUDEZ (ARG) – Dan Kolov No.1 (nr)
11. Natalya PULKOVSKA (UKR) – Dan Kolov No.2 (9)
12. Alyssa LAMPE (USA) – Rio Test No.3 (12)
13. Nadezhda FEDOROVA (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
14. Yu MIYAHARA (JPN) – World Cup No.2 (8)
15. Tatyana AMANZHOL (KAZ) – Asia No.3 (10)
16. Anna LUKASIAK (POL) – Paris GP No.1 (nr)
17. Jasmine MIAN (CAN) – Rio Test No.3 (nr)
18. ERDENESUKH Narangerel (MGL) – Yarygin GP No.3 (18)
19. Iwona MATKOWSKA (POL) – GGP Final No.3 (16)
20. Elitsa YANKOVA (BUL) – European Games No.2 (14)

53kg – European Games silver medalist Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) got a boost to No.7 with her victory at the Grand Prix of Paris while Lyubov SALNIKOVA (RUS) thumped former world champion Chiho HAMADA (JPN) at the Yarygin Grand Prix as both wrestlers vaulted to No.8 and No.9 in the rankings.

1. Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) – World No.1 (1)
2. Sofia MATTSSON (SWE) – World No.2 (2)
3. Odunayo ADEKUOROYE (NGR) – World No.3 (3)
4. ZHONG Xuechun (CHN) – Rio Test No.1 (4)
5. JONG Myong-Suk (PRK) – World No.3 (5)
6. Angela DOROGAN (AZE) – European Games No.1 (6)
7. Katarzyna KRAWCZYK (POL) – Paris GP No.1 (13)
8. Lyubov SALNIKOV (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.1 (nr)
9. Chiho HAMADA (JPN) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
10. Nadeshda SHUSHKO (BLR) – Paris GP No.3 (9)
11. Maria GUROVA (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
12. ERDENECHIMEG Sumiya (MGL) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
13. Whitney CONDER (USA) – Pan Am Games No.1 (13)
14. Nina HEMMER (GER) – German GP No.2 (8)
15. Karima SANCHEZ RAMIS (ESP) – Paris GP No.3 (10)
16. Natalia BUDU (MDA) – Dan Kolov No.2 (19)
17. Betzabeth ARGUELLO (VEN) – Paris GP No.2 (20)
18. Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) – Dan Kolov No.1 (nr)
19. Alma VALENCIA ESCOTO (MEX) – Pan Am Games No.2 (14)
20. Natalya MALYSHEVA (RUS) – Rio Test No.3 (nr)

55kg – Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR) upset teammate Katsiaryna HANCHAR (BLR) in the final of the Paris Grand Prix to climb seven rungs to No.11 in the ranking. Nadeshda TRETYAKOVA (RUS) toppled Asia champion Anri KIMURA (JPN) at the Yarygin Grand Prix to join the rankings at No.12

1. Helen MAROULIS (USA) – World No.1 (1)
2. Irina OLOGONOVA (RUS) – World No.2 (2)
3. Evelina NIKOLOVA (BUL) – World No.3 (3)
4. Tatyana KIT (UKR) – World No.3 (4)
5. Katsiaryna HANCHAR (BLR) – Paris GP No.2 (5)
6. PANG Qianyu (CHN) – Spanish GP No.3 (6)
7. Natalya SINISHIN (AZE) – European Games No.3 (7)
8. PUREVDORJ Orkhon (MGL) – Yarygin GP No.1 (nr)
9. Marwa AMRI (TUN) – Poland Open No.1 (8)
10. Anri KIMURA (JPN) – Asia No.1 (9)
11. Zalina SIDAKOVA (BLR) – Paris GP No.1 (18)
12. Nadeshda TRETYAKOVA (RUS) – Yarygin No.1 (nr)
13. Alyona KOLESNIK (AZE) – European U23 No.1 (12)
14. Bediha GUN (TUR) – European U23 No.5 (13)
15. HAN Kum-Ok (PRK) – Asia No.2 (14)
16. SUNDEV Byambatseren (MGL) – World Cup No.3 (10)
17. Hikari SUGAWARA (JPN) – GGP Final No.3 (15)
18. JONG In-Sun (PRK) – GGP Final No.3 (16)
19. Aishan ISMAGULOVA (KAZ) – Medved Prizes No.3 (17)
20. Viktoria SHULGINA (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)

58kg – 2014 European bronze medalist Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) rallied for her first Dan Kolov title after three years as runner-up to climb to No.8 in the rankings, while LI Qian joins the rankings at No.13 with a runner-up in the Rio test event.
 
1. Kaori ICHO (JPN) – World No.1 (1)
2. Petra OLLI (FIN) – World No.2 (2)
3. Elif Jale YESILIRMAK (TUR) – World No.3 (3)
4. Johanna MATTSSON (SWE) – GGP Final No.3 (5)
5. Aiym ABDILDINA (KAZ) – GGP Final No.3 (8)
6. Yulia RATKEVICH (AZE) – World No.3 (4)
7. Jackeline RENTERIA CASTILLO (COL) – Medved Prizes No.1 (6)
8. Mimi HRISTOVA (BUL) – Dan Kolov No.1 (12)
9. Marianna SASTIN (HUN) – Poland Open No.2 (8)
10. Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) – GGP Final No.2 (9)
11. Lissette ANTES CASTILLO (ECU) – Pan Am Games No.3 (10)
12. Grace BULLEN (NOR) – European Games No.3 (11)
13. LI Qian (CHN) – Rio Test No.2 (nr)
14. Michelle FAZZARI (CAN) – Rio Test No.3 (16)
15. BAATARJAV Shoovdor (MGL) – Yarygin GP No.3 (20)
16. Anastassia HUCHOK (BLR) – Poland Open No.1 (13)
17. Tatyana LAVRENCHUK (UKR) – European Games No.2 (14)
18. Lyubov OVCHAROVA (RUS) – Rio Test No.3 (nr)
19. Allison RAGAN (USA) – GGP Final No.2 (15)
20. ZHOU Zhangting (CHN) – Spanish GP No.3 (17)

60kg – Dzhanan MANOLOVA (BUL) won all three bouts in a round-robin tournament at Dan Kolov for the title, while 2014 world champion SUKHEE Tserenchimed (MGL) rebounded from a first-round loss to Kaori ICHO (JPN) for a bronze medal.
 
1. Oksana HERHEL (UKR) – World No.1 (1)
2. Dzhanan MANOLOVA (BUL) – Dan Kolov No.1 (2)
3. SUKHEE Tserenchimed (MGL) – Yarygin GP No.3 (3)
4. Irina NETREBA (AZE) – Poland Open No.3 (4)
5. Leigh JAYNES (USA) – World No.3 (5)
6. Emese BARKA (HUN) – European Games No.1 (6)
7. LUO Xiaojuan (CHN) – GGP Final No.1 (7)
8. Veranika IVANOVA (BLR) – European Games No.3 (8)
9. Svetlana LIPATOVA (RUS) – European Games No.2 (9)
10. Yulia PRONTSEVICH (RUS) – Yarygin No.1 (nr)
11. Ayaulaylm KASYMOVA (KAZ) – Yarygin No.2 (nr)
12. Victoria BOBEVA (BUL) – Dan Kolov No.3 (11)
13. SUN Yazhen (CHN) – Spanish GP No.3 (10)
14. Natalya FEDOSEEVA (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
15. Therese PERSSON (SWE) – German GP No.2 (12)
16. Hafize SAHIN (TUR) – European U23 No.3 (13)
17. Jennifer PAGE (USA) – Pan Am No.1 (14)
18. Breanne GRAHAM (CAN) – Pan Am No.2 (15)
19. Kanako MURATA (JPN) – Asia No.2 (16)
20. Yukako KAWAI (JPN) – GGP Final No.3 (17)

63kg – 2014 world champion Yulia TKACH (UKR) appears to have regained form, winning her first title in nearly one year at the Dan Kolov tourney for No.3 in the rankings. Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT) won at the Schultz Memorial for No.4 while Maria MAMASHUK (BLR) won in Paris for No.6.

1. SORONZONBOLD Battsetseg (MGL) – World No.1 (1)
2. Risako KAWAI (JPN) – World No.2 (2)
3. Yulia TKACH (UKR) – Dan Kolov No.1 (5)
4. Anastasija GRIGORJEVA (LAT) – Schultz Memorial No.1 (4)
5. Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) – Dan Kolov No.2 (3)
6. Maria MAMASHUK (BLR) – Paris GP No.1 (7)
7. Braxton STONE (CAN) – Pan Am Games No.1 (6)
8. Valeria LAZINSKAYA (RUS) – European Games No.1 (8)
9. Katherine VIDIAUX LOPEZ (CUB) - Pan Am Games No.2 (9)
10. Danielle LAPPAGE (CAN) – Rio Test No.1 (nr)
11. WANG Xiaoqian (CHN) – Rio Test No.2 (nr)
12. Inna TRAZHUKOVA (RUS) – Yarygin No.1 (nr)
13. Monica MICHALIK (POL) – Paris GP No.2 (15)
14. Ayaka ITO (JPN) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
15. Ekaterina LARIONOVA (KAZ) – Yarygin GP No.3 (11)
16. XILUO Zhuoma (CHN) – Asia No.1 (12)
17. Henna JOHANSSON (SWE) – German GP No.1 (13)
18. Nadeshda MUSHKA (AZE) – Poland Open No.2 (14)
19. Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) – All-Africa Games No.1 (16)
20. Erin CLODGO (USA) – Pan Am Games No.3 (17)

69kg – Two of the most recent world champions won events in January – Aline FOCKEN (GER) in Paris and Alina MAKHINYA (UKR) at the Dan Kolov tourney in Sofia – as the last four world champions crowd into the Top Five of the light heavyweight rankings.

1. ZHOU Feng (CHN) – Rio Test No.1 (4)
2. Natalia VOROBIEVA (RUS) – Rio Test No.3 (1)
3. Aline FOCKEN (GER) – Paris GP No.1 (3)
4. Jenny FRANSSON (SWE) – GGP Final No.2 (2)
5. Alina MAKHINYA (UKR) – European Games No.1 (7)
6. Sara DOSHO (JPN) – World No.3 (5)
7. Dorothy YEATS (CAN) – Rio Test No.2 (9)
8. Elena PIROZHKOVA (USA) – GGP Final No.1 (12)
9. OCHIRBAT Nasanburmaa (MGL) – Poland Open No.1 (8)
10. Elmira SYZDYKOVA (KAZ) – Yarygin GP No.1 (11)
11. Agnieszka WIESZCZEK-KORDUS (POL) – Paris GP No.2 (8)
12. Ilana KRATYSH (ISR) – European Games No.2 (12)
13. Dalma CANEVA (ITA) – Yarygin GP No.2 (15)
14. Maria ACOSTA (VEN) – Paris GP No.3 (18)
15. Martina KUENZ (AUT) – German GP No.2 (13)
16. Enass MOUSTAFA (EGY) – All-Africa Games No.1 (14)
17. Tamyra MENSAH (USA) – Rio Test No.3 (nr)
18. Alla CHERKASOVA (UKR) – Dan Kolov No.2 (nr)
19. Darima SANZHEEVA (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.3 (nr)
20. Leah FERGUSON (CAN) – German GP No.3 (16)

75kg – European U23 champion Daria OSOCKA (POL) won the Grand Prix of Paris crown and veteran Svetlana SAENKO (MDA) took the Dan Kolov crown in Sofia to edge up slightly in the rankings at 12th and 13th, respectively.

1. Adeline GRAY (USA) – World No.1 (1)
2. Epp MAE (EST) – GGP Final No.1 (2)
3. Vasilisa MARZALIUK (BLR) – World No.3 (4)
4. Erica WIEBE (CAN) – Rio Test No.2 (5)
5. Aline FERREIRA (BRA) – Rio Test No.3 (6)
6. ZHOU Qian (CHN) – World No.2 (3)
7. Andrea OLAYA GUITIERREZ (COL) – Paris GP No.3 (7)
8. ZHANG Fengliu (CHN) – Rio Test No.3 (11)
9. Ekaterina BUKINA (RUS) – European Games No.2 (8)
10. Hiroe SUZUKI (JPN) – Asia No.1 (10)
11. Justina DISTACIO (CAN) – Pan Am Games No.2 (9)
12. Daria OSOCKA (POL) – Paris GP No.1 (13)
13. Svetlana SAENKO (MDA) – Dan Kolov No.1 (15)
14. Lisset HECHEVARRIA (CUB) – Pan Am Games No.3 (12)
15. Maider UNDA (ESP) – European Games No.3 (14)
16. BADRAKH Odonchimeg (MGL) – Yarygin GP No.1 (nr)
17. Alena PEREPELKINA (RUS) – Yarygin GP No.2 (nr)
18. Yasemin ADAR (TUR) – Poland Open No.1 (16)
19. Guzel MANYUROVA (KAZ) – Spanish GP No.2 (17)
20. OCHIRBAT Burmaa (MGL) – Yarygin No.3 (nr)

#WrestleAstana

Asian Championships day six finals set

Friday, April 14, 2023 - 04:23 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ASTANA, Kazakhstan (April 14) -- The final day of the Asian Championships is here. Kazakhstan leads the team title race after two gold medals on Thursday. But others are not out of the race. Five weight classes -- 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg -- will be in action.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The finals for the evening sessions are set

61kg - Minghu LIU (CHN) vs. Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ)

74kg - Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) vs. Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ)

86kg - Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) vs Alireza KARIMI (IRI)

92kg - Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)

125kg - Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) vs. Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ)

14:30: No better way to end the session! Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) was trailing Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) 6-3 with 10 seconds remaining and he comes out with a trip and gets the four. He does fall off the platform but is safe. Masoumi challenges but the action began inside the zone and it is confirmed on review. Munkhtur into the final 8-7

14:28: A big back trip to a fall and Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) is the host country's fourth finalist. The 2020 Asian champion is down 1-0 in the second period of a 125kg semifinal when he uses an inner leg trip to slam down Sardorbek KHOLMATOV (UZB) and end the match at 4:47.

14:17: Kazakhstan puts a third wrestler into the finals, and again at the expense of Bahrain. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) scores all of his points in the second period for a 6-1 win at 92kg over Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN). Down by a point in the second frame, Aitmukhan scores a takedown off a scramble, adds an activity point and stepout, then finishes up the win by countering a single and going behind for 2. The crowd loved it.

14:15: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) breaks Ajiniyaz SAPARNIYAZOV (UZB) with a technical masterclass. Yoshida adds takedowns at consistent intervals and moves into the 92kg final with a 13-2 win.

14:08: Alireza KARIMI (IRI) proves a bridge too far for a determined Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), advancing to the 86kg final and showdown with Dauletbekov with a 9-2 victory. Karimi gets all the points he will need in the first period, scoring a takedown and a stepout. In the second period, he gets in on a single, where he fights off a counter-lift attempt for 2. Ishiguro is not done yet, and gets behind and takes Karimi down for 2. In the final seconds, Karimi fends off a throw attempt with a 4-point tackle.

14:05: Defending champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) is a crowd favorite and they can't stop cheering as he moves into the 86kg final with a 10-0 technical superiority over Bobur ISLOMOV (UZB). A strong gut wrench there from Dauletbekov.  

13:57: Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) sends the home crowd wild by advancing to the 74kg final with a nail-biting 2-1 win over Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) -- the same result and scoreline from their meeting two months ago in the repechage round at the Zagreb Open. Yessengali gets an activity point and stepout in the first period. Asluev pulls to within one with an activity point, but Yessengali fends off all of his attacks to seal the victory. 

13:52: Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) dominates Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) 12-2 to reach the final at 74kg. He got to those single-leg attacks and made a figure 4 in the second period to get the technical superiority win.

13:46: Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) is into the 61kg final with an entertaining 11-2 victory over Yasin REZAEIAGHOUZGOLEH (IRI). Each gets a stepout, then Zhumashbek Uulu gets Rezaeiaghouzgoleh's leg in the air, but the Iranian escapes with a backward counter roll, and gets a stepout to boot. But Zhumashbek Uulu comes right back with a 4-point backlift to go ahead 5-2. The second period is all Zhumashbek Uulu, as he adds a pair of takedowns and stepout. It was a similar result to their semifinal clash at the Zagreb Open, in which Zhumashbek Uulu won 18-6.  

13:40: Minghu LIU (CHN) is into the 61kg final. He led 2-1 at the break against Sardor RUZIMOV (UZB) but worked a takedown to extend the lead. A lost challenge made it 5-1. Ruzimov tried a few attacks however Liu was confidently tackled them and won 8-2

The semifinals are underway.

13:02: Home favorite Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ) fills the final semifinal spot up for grabs in the session with a 4-0 victory over Adilet ZHAPARKULOV (KGZ) at 74kg.

12:58: In a stunner on Mat B, Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) snatches a last-second 5-3 victory over Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI) in their 74kg quarterfinal. Abouzari had dominated and was leading 3-0 midway through the second period when Asluev cut the gap with a takedown. With the final seconds ticking down, Asluev put everything into turning the Iranian with a front body lock, and on the second try, got him over enough for a 2-point exposure. Iran challenged the call but it was upheld.

12:52: With the score tied 1-1 in the second period of their 74kg semifinal, Byungmin GONG (KOR) scores a 2-point exposure in a scramble, but Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) works around for a reversal, then applies a lace lock to go ahead 4-3. The Japanese adds a takedown, and he's into the semifinals with a 6-3 win.

12:47: The host country puts another wrestler into the semifinals when Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) scores a takedown and a pair of 2-point exposures in the second period to finish up a 14-3 technical fall over Mirlan CHYNYBEKOV (KGZ) at 92kg.

12:40: 2020 Asian champion Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) fires up the home crowd when he uses a front lock body roll seconds into the match to turn Anirudh KUMAR (IND) over, then locks up his arms for a quick fall and a place in the 125kg semifinals.

12:35: What a match on Mat B! Young Arashi YOSHIDA (JPN) goes into the second period trailing 6-3 against Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) in their 92kg quarterfinal. The Japanese uses a beautiful switch for a takedown, but then loses a challenge to fall behind 7-5. Yoshida puts the pressure on and scores a takedown to tie the score, but still trails on criteria. With the Mongolian visibly tiring, Yoshida fights off a headlock throw attempt for the go-ahead takedown with 1:15 left and goes on to win 9-7.

12:34: Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN), looking to give Bahrain its second gold in two days, scores a takedown in each period and defeats Deepak PUNIA (IND) 5-0 to advance to the 92kg semifinals.

12:22: Alireza KARIMI (IRI) remains on a collision course for a gold-medal showdown with Azamat DAULTETBEKOV (KAZ), scoring two takedowns in the second period to complete a 10-0 technical fall in the 86kg quarterfinals over Zushen LIN (CHN).

12:25: World silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) works up a 6-0 lead over BUHEEERDUN (CHN) at the break in the 125kg quarterfinal. Another takedown for the Mongolian to begin the second period before he adds a stepout. Another one to finish the bout 10-0

12:16: Reigning champion Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) begins defense of his 86kg title by taking just 39 seconds to chalk up a 10-0 technical fall over Weng CHOW (SGP). A takedown and four gut wrenches going back and forth, and Dauletbekov is into the semifinals.

12:13: Amirreza MASOUMI VALADI (IRI), who picked the world U20 and U23 titles last year, meets little resistance in cruising to a 10-0 technical fall in just under two minutes over Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) to stake his place in the 125kg semifinals.

12:13: U23 world champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) gets a tough one against Kodai OGAWA (JPN) at 61kg. However, he gives up only a passivity point in the 4-1 win. 

12:10: Minghu LIU (CHN), the 2019 Asian silver medalist, breaks open a close match with Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) with a takedown and roll to open the second period, then adds a takedown for good measure for an 8-1 win that puts him into the 61kg semifinals.

12:04: Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN), an Asian junior silver medalist in 2014 looking for his first major senior medal, gets off to a good start with an 8-2 win over YASH (IND) to advance to the quarterfinals at 74kg. Kinoshita puts the match away with a pair of second-period takedowns.

11:47: Anirudh KUMAR (IND) gives up a late first-period takedown to fall behind on criteria against 2017 bronze medalist Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) in their qualification match at 125kg. No matter, as he scores three takedowns in the second period to take the match 8-2.

11:35: Doveltetmyrat ORAZGYLYJOV (TKM) leaves it just a little too late in his qualification match at 86kg with 2022 bronze medalist Bobur ISLOMOV (UZ). Trailing 10-4 with a minute left, Orazgylyjov scores a pair of takedowns, but ends up on the short end of a 10-8 decision.

11:32: What a moment for Arashi YOSHIDA (JPN)! The Japanese collegian, whose father is Iranian and runs the wrestling school where he got his start in the sport, is drawn against an Iranian in his international debut, and comes away with a 10-0 technical fall over Arashk MOHEBI (IRI). Yoshida scores all of his points on takedowns. 

11:23: Three-time former Asian champion Alireza KARIMI (IRI), participating in his first major tournament since taking the world silver at 92kg in 2019, opens his campaign at 86kg with a 5-2 win over Gwanuk KIM (KOR). Karimi gets all of his points in the first period with an activity point, takedown and gut wrench. Kim gets in on a single in the second period, but the Iranian slips out to make it a stepout, plus one for fleeing.

11:15: Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL), a world bronze medalist five years ago, makes the quarterfinals at 61kg with a close 3-1 win over Nurbolat ABDUALIYEV (KAZ). 

11:11: Deepak PUNIA (IND), the silver medalist a year ago at 86kg, starts off with a nifty 4-point arm throw against Xiao SUN (CHN) in their qualification match at 92kg. He adds a pair of double-leg takedowns and he's into the quarterfinals with an 8-1 victory.

11:00: Welcome to Astana as we wrap up the Asian Championships with the final day of action-packed competition. The tournament concludes with the final five weight classes in freestyle, 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg. Local star Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) at 86kg is the lone reigning champion back to defend his title.