Zhumanazarova Captures Third Straight Gold at Junior Asian C'ships

Thursday, July 11, 2019 - 14:11 By United World Wrestling Press

CHON BURI, Thailand (July 11) - Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) made it three gold medals in three attempts at the Junior Asian Championships.

Zhumanazarova, a returning junior world bronze medalist, topped cadet Asian champion Rin MIYAJI (JPN) 8-6 in the finals at 68kg to win her third straight title on the first day of the women's wrestling competition at the Junior Asian Championships in Chon Buri, Thailand.

In the finals, Zhumanazarova found herself down early in the match. Miyaji, a past cadet Asian champion, picked up a takedown 40 seconds into the match. A short time later, Miyaji fired off an attack, which Zhumanazarova countered for a takedown and exposure before the Japanese woman reversed the action and scored two points, giving her a 4-4 criteria lead. Zhumanazarova then retook the lead with an exposure to go ahead 6-4 at the break. She added to her lead in the second period with a takedown to go up 8-4, but Miyaji turned the tables by stepping over and earning two points of her own, which cut the deficit to 8-6. The two wrestlers continued to battle. A late flurry at the end of the match resulted in no points as Zhumanazarova held on to win.

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) claimed the gold medal at 50kg. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Remina YOSHIMOTO, a 2017 cadet world champion, was the lone gold medalist for returning team champion Japan on Thursday. She claimed a 13-6 victory over Yuhong ZHONG (CHN) in the gold-medal match at 50kg. Yoshimoto led by two points with just over 30 seconds remaining before scoring five points late from two takedowns and a step out to win by seven.

Qian JIANG (CHN) celebrates after winning gold at 76kg. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Cadet world silver medalist Qian JIANG (CHN) made quick work of Shakhribonu ELLIEVA (UZB) in the finals at 76kg. Jiang secured a takedown early in the match off a single leg before transitioning to her leg lace, which she used to turn Ellieva four consecutive times to pick up a 10-0 technical superiority.

Hyon Ju YUN (PRK) embraces her coach after a 14-4 finals victory. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Hyon Ju YUN (PRK) earned the gold medal at 55kg by defeating Enkhtsetseg BATBAATAR (MGL) 14-4 in the finals. Yun raced out to an early 8-0 lead and appeared to be on her way to a first-period technical superiority, but the Mongolian fought hard and stayed in the match, scoring four points in the final minute of the first period. Yun closed out the match just over a minute into the second period with a takedown and exposure.

Anshu ANSHU (IND) dominated in the finals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Anshu ANSHU (IND) won the gold medal in dominant fashion at 59kg, beating Nazira MARSBEK KYZY (KGZ) by 10-0 technical superiority in the finals. Anshu scored her first takedown just 20 seconds into the match. A short time later she used a feet-to-back takedown to build her lead to 6-0. She added two more takedowns to end the match in the first period.

The five remaining women's wrestling weight categories, 53kg, 57kg, 62kg, 65kg and 72kg, will be contested Friday at the Junior Asian Championships, with action set to begin at 10 a.m. local time.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD - Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) df. Yuhong ZHONG (CHN), 13-6
BRONZE - Myonggyong WON (PRK) df. Otgontuya CHINBOLD (MGL), 11-0
BRONZE - Thi Hong CAN (VIE) df. Miran CHEON (KOR), 6-1

55kg
GOLD - Hyon Ju YUN (PRK) df. Enkhtsetseg BATBAATAR (MGL), 14-4
BRONZE - Anju ANJU (IND) df. Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB), 3-2
BRONZE - Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN) df. Sandugash DYUSSENGALIYEVA (KAZ), 10-0

59kg
GOLD - Anshu ANSHU (IND) df. Nazira MARSBEK KYZY (KGZ), 10-0
BRONZE - Zhuomalaga ZHUOMALAGA (CHN) df. Anh Tuyet TRAN (VIE), 9-0
BRONZE - Ayami SUGIYAMA (JPN) df. Khodicha NAJIMOVA (UZB), 10-0

68kg
GOLD - Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) df. Rin MIYAJI (JPN), 8-6
BRONZE - Kim Ngan PHẠM (VIE) df. Albina KAIRGELDINOVA (KAZ), 6-4
BRONZE - Xin LI (CHN) df. Yarinda AIRLANG (THA), 12-2

76kg
GOLD - Qian JIANG (CHN) df. Shakhribonu ELLIEVA (UZB), 10-0
BRONZE - Mizuki NAGASHIMA (JPN) df. Karuna KARUNA (IND), INJURY

#IranWrestling

Inspired by Olympic Gold, Esmaeili's Cousins Win U17 Asian Titles

Friday, June 12, 2026 - 12:33 By Vinay Siwach

DA NANG, Vietnam (June 11) -- When 20-year-old Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) returned to Iran after winning Olympic gold in Greco-Roman 67kg at the Paris Games, he came home with more than just a medal around his neck. He returned with proof that wrestling could change lives.

Raised in poverty in Dezful, Khuzestan Province, Esmaeili's improbable run to Olympic gold transformed him overnight into a national sensation. He was showered with gifts, cash awards and job offers.

The ripples of that triumph are still being felt. Last month, two of Esmaeili's own cousins, Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) and Vahid ASHIRI (IRI), won gold medals at the U17 Asian Championships in Da Nang after taking up wrestling only two years ago, inspired by his Olympic success and the hero's welcome he received back home.

Paris Olympic champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI), left, with his cousin Ali who won 48kg gold medal at the U17 Asian Championships.

Ali, whose father is Esmaeili's uncle, competed in Greco-Roman 48kg and won three bouts to capture the gold medal. He outscored his opponents 22-2 including two technical superiority wins.

Another cousin from his mother's side, Ashiri, competed in the Greco-Roman 55kg weight class and was crowned champion after four victories. He defeated wrestlers from India, Jordan, China and Kyrgyzstan with scores of 6-1, 5-2, 11-1, and 3-1 to capture the Asian title.

While they were winning gold medals in Vietnam, Olympic champion Esmaeili was watching from Iran.

"I watched their Asian finals and I always follow their training," Esmaeili told United World Wrestling. "We are from the same club and both are talented."

Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) became the U17 Asian champion at 48kg in Greco-Roman. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

The two took up wrestling at the age of 14 and quickly rose through the province before making it to the Iran team for the U17 Asian Championships. Ali Esmaeili feels that Saeid's presence motivates him to work harder to achieve medals in wrestling.

"I got into wrestling after watching Saeid's Olympic final. In 2 years, with his help, I managed to become the Asian champion. Every time I see Saeid, I feel really good and I am proud of him."

Though Esmaeili trains at the national camp in Tehran, he does not miss a chance to train the youngsters when he returns home and practices in Dezful.

"I tried to answer every question they asked me about wrestling carefully and I also taught them some of my techniques," he said.

Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) claimed the 55kg gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Ashiri also stepped foot in the club after watching Esmaeili's thrilling Paris campaign. Two years later, he is proud to represent both the Esmaeili family and the club.

"After Saeid won the gold medal, I went to the club where he trains and whenever I had any questions, he explained them to me carefully," Ashiri said. "I am truly proud to be a member of the club and a family with such a personality."

The next stop for both Ali and Ashiri will be the U17 World Championships in Baku, Azerbaijan from July 28 to August 2.

"Just like the Asian Championships, I want to repeat the success at the World Championships," Ali said.

RESULTS

48kg
Final: Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Javokhir SHARIFBOEV (UZB), 4-2
Semifinal: Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Umarali BERDALIEV (KGZ), 9-0
Quarterfinal: Ali ESMAEILI (IRI) df. Liaotan LAN (CHN), 9-0

55kg
Final: Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) df. Syimyk ASKAROV (KGZ), 3-1
Semifinal: Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) df. Zihao ZHANG (CHN), 11-1
Quarterfinal: Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) df. Adam ABU FARE (JOR), 5-2
Qualification: Vahid ASHIRI (IRI) df. HARION (IND), 6-1

Zhumanazarova Captures Third Straight Gold at Junior Asian C'ships

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Inspired by Olympic Gold, Esmaeili's Cousins Win U17 Asian Titles