Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series preview

Monday, July 11, 2022 - 12:15 By Vinay Siwach

TUNIS, Tunisia (July 11) -- The final stop of the Ranking Series moves to the Tunisian capital -- Tunis. After wrestlers grabbed ranking points at the continental championships and the three Ranking Series events, the Zouhaier Sghaier is the final event from which wrestlers can earn those all-important points.

The World Championships in September will see the top eight wrestlers from each weight class receive a seed. While some of the seeds have been locked up, a few wrestlers can still move around and change their numbers.

A top-seeded wrestler and defending world champion who will be in Tunisia is Thomas GILMAN (USA). He will be in action for the first time since winning his maiden Pan-Am title in May.

Gilman, who defeated Alireza SARLAK (IRI), in the final in Oslo last year, is likely to face the same opponent in Tunis. Not only Sarlak, but Gilman's semifinal opponent Horst LEHR (GER) will also be eyeing to avenge his loss from last year.

For Sarlak, beating Gilman in Tunis will not be as important as getting past Amhad MOHAMMADNEZHAD (IRI). The two are battling for a spot on the Iran national team.

Sarlak, the silver medalist at World Championships, lost to Mohammadnezhad at the Takhti Cup last month which resulted in the Iran federation going for another selection in Tunisia. Mohammadnezhad will fancy his chances against Sarlak and then pick up other wins over international wrestlers.

Winner of Ranking Series in Almaty, Aman SEHRAWAT (IND) will be hoping to continue his medal run with a third straight Ranking Series medal at 57kg.

Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) is wrestling at 79kg for a spot on Iran's World Championships team. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

That is not the only weight class in which Iran is trying to finalize its team for Belgrade. At 79kg, a huge battle awaits as World Championships silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) and Asian champion Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) are wrestling for the spot.

While the winner among the two will get the spot, if they do not face each other, the higher positioned wrestler may get a look in. But both will have their task cut out against European champion Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), Asian silver medalist Gourav BALIYAN (IND) who fell agonizingly to Savadkouhi in the Asian final.

Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) has been the second-best for the USA after world champ Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and gold in Tunis can further cement his name as one of the top stars of the weight class.

Iran also has Yones EMAMI(IRI) at 74kg but he has already confirmed his spot on the team along with Asian champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) at 65kg. For all other weight classes, Iran held a selection trial Sunday in Tehran with defending world champion Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and Amir ZARE (IRI) all set to defend their titles.

None of the three are taking the trip to Tunisia but still, there are some big stars in action at the four-day tournament.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) is eyeing his second straight Ranking Series gold medal. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) will be the favorite to win the gold at 125kg. Kazakhstan is sending Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) and Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) with the hope to finalize one name for the World Championships.

Hayden ZILLMER (USA) will also be tested for the first time after making the USA world team over Nicholas Gwiazdowski (USA).

The USA is sending a strong team to the Ranking Series event and Kyle SNYDER (USA) will be their leader as Burroughs and Kyle DAKE (USA) decided to skip the event.

Snyder will have a trio of Turkey wrestlers in Oktay CIFTCI (TUR), Polat POLATCI (TUR) and Burak SAHIN (TUR) on his path to gold. Others entered in the weight class include U20 world bronze medalist Deepak NEHRA (IND), Serik BAKYTKHANOV (KAZ) and Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ).

At 65kg, Kazakhstan is hoping that Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) can cement his place with a good showing in Tunis. But he will have Tokyo Olympian Agustin DESTRIBATS (ARG), U23 Asian champion SUJEET (IND) and former U17 world champion John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA).

Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) is entered at 50kg for the USA. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Even in women's wrestling, the USA is sending a full-strength squad with Olympic champion Taymra MENSAH STOCK (USA) and bronze medalists Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA) and Helen MAROULIS (USA) leading the charge.

Hildebrandt, who has already locked up the top seed, will have compatriot Emily SHILSON (USA) at 50kg along with European champion Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR) and U23 European champion Emma LUTTENAUER (FRA).

Other world team members of the USA will be in action as well. Dominique PARRISH (USA) will have two Canadians at 53kg in Karla GODINEZ (CAN) and Diana WEICKER (CAN). Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) is also taking the trip to Tunisia to grab some points before the seeds are finalized.

African champion Sarra HAMDI (TUN), who is currently ranked 11 and ninth in seedings, will like to break into the top 10 and hope that she will get the seed for the World Championships.

Maroulis at 57kg will the favorite to win the gold and certain her top seed with a gold medal-winning performance. Trying to stop her will be Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR), Giullia RODRIGUES (BRA), Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER) and Mansi AHLAWAT (IND) among others.

Rodrigues will receive a seed at Worlds if she enters the competition but Paruszewski, currently ranked 16th, needs to break into the top-12 to be certain that she will receive a seed at the World Championships.

Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), red, is returning to competition after nine months. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Tamyra MENSAH STOCK (USA) will be wrestling for the first time since winning the bronze medal at the Oslo World Championships. She lost her top seed to world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) and can now only move up to second.

But her path to gold will not be easy as U23 world champion Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) and even Forrest MOLINARI (USA) are wrestling at 68kg.

Larroque has been out of action for more than nine months nursing her knee injury. But she will be hoping to return to full form as she battles with Lecarpentier for a spot on France's team for Belgrade.

Two other weight classes in which the USA is hoping to do well are 72kg and 76kg. Pan-Am champion and winner of the Rome Ranking Series event Skylar GROTE (USA) will once again try to win the gold, her second in as many Ranking Series events.

But U17 and U20 world champion Amit ELOR (USA) will have other ideas. Elor blanked Grote at the World Team Trials in June and a closer battle is expected between the two if they clash in Tunisia.

Despite the two accomplished stars, Buse TOSUN (TUN) will be the favorite to win the gold at 72kg. Ranked fourth in the world, Tosun missed out on a medal in Istanbul and but the world bronze medalist won a silver medal at the European Championships in March.

A medal in Tunis can take her to third in the world, a spot better than world champion Masako FURUICHI (JPN).

Yelena MAKOYED (USA) dominated the competition to win the 76kg gold in Rome. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The 76kg weight class offers even tougher competition. Canadian veteran Justina DI STASIO (CAN), world bronze medalist Samar HAMZA (EGY), U20 World silver medalist BIPASHA (IND), the USA world team member Precious BELL (USA), Dymond GUILFORD (USA) and star of Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series Yelena MAKOYED (USA) are entered.

Makoyed stunning a top-class field in Rome, winning the gold medal with victories over Martina KUENZ (AUT), world silver medalist Epp MAE (EST), Francy RAEDELT (GER), Catalina AXENTE (ROU) and U23 world champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR).

Once again she will be expected to perform on a similar level but Bell and Guilford will provide more resistance, having wrestled Makoyed domestically.

Top-ranked wrestler in the world at 59kg Sarita MOR (IND) will be wrestling for her second straight Ranking Series gold medal. She is clubbed against Elena BRUGGER (GER) and Siwar BOUSETA (TUN).

Rio Olympic bronze medalists Sakshi MALIK (IND) and Marwa AMRI (TUN) are both entered at 62kg. While Malik won the gold in Almaty, Amri is coming off a golden performance at the African Championships and Mediterranean Games. Both will fancy their chances to win the gold in Tunis with Amri holding the home advantage.

Lais NUNES and Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) are the other contenders for gold at 62kg.

Sunil KUMAR (IND) is the favorite to win the 87kg gold in Tunis. (Photo: UWW / Assem Shalgumbayeva)

The Greco-Roman field is highlighted by wrestlers from Turkey, India and a few from Africa. Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG) is entered at 60kg with Salim HAMDI (TUN) and Ayhan KARAKUS (TUR) also in the field.

India has entered two wrestlers at 67kg in NEERAJ (IND) and Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND). The battle for gold will be played out between the two and Koussay MELKI (TUN) and Volkan CAKIL (TUR).

Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) will be the favorite to win the 77kg weight class. But for that, he will have to wrestle past Joilson DE BRITO (BRA) and Furkan BAYRAK (TUR).

Home star Lamjed MAAFI (TUN) will hope to win the 82kg weight category in front of his home crowd. Trying to stop him will be Harpreet SINGH (IND), Sajan BHANWALA (IND) and Emrah KUS (TUR).

Former Asian champion at 87kg Sunil KUMAR (IND) has his eyes on gold and for that, he has to only beat Mohamed MISSAOUI (TUN).

At 97kg, Adem BOUDJEMLINE (ALG), Igor DE QUEIROZ (BRA), DEEPANSHU (IND), Mohamed JABRI (TUN) and Muhittin SARICICEK (TUR) will be in the Nordic bracket hoping to clinch the top medal.

A similar process will be followed at 130kg as NAVEEN (IND), Amine GUENNICHI (TUN) and Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) hope to claim the gold.

The action begins July 14 with Greco-Roman action and women's wrestling beginning the next day. Freestyle will be on July 16 and 17. All the live-action and highlights will be available on uww.org.

#wrestlebishkek

India, DPR Korea and China top nations at Asian Olympic qualifier

Saturday, April 20, 2024 - 04:03 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 20) -- Asian OG Qualifier enters its second day with Women's Wrestling in six Olympic weight classes. 12 Olympic quotas will be awarded for Paris 2024.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | FREESTYLE REPORT

76 wrap: World U23 champion REETIKA (IND) gives India its third win of the night with an untroubled 7-0 victory over Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE). Reetika scores a pair of takedowns by spinning to the side off a front headlock, then adds a stepout for a 5-0 lead. It is much the same tactic in the second period to add another takedown to the tally as she keeps Chang at bay and is content to run out the clock in her fourth match of the day.

China won its third quota as well with Juan WANG (CHN) defeating Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) 6-1 in the semifinal. Bakbergenova got on board first as for Wang's passivity but was put on the activity clock in the second period and she failed to score to give Wang a 1-1 criteria lead. Wang held on to that lead till the final 10 seconds when she made a desperate attempt and Wang circled and pulled off a suplex for four. Kazakhstan challenged the call but lost giving one more point to Wang.

68kg wrap: Hosts Kyrgyzstan gets its third Paris 2024 quota as former world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) holds on to a 7-3 win over Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB).

Sol Gum PAK (PRK) pulls off a thrilling 7-4 victory over three-time Asian Games champion and two-time Olympian Feng ZHOU (CHN) to give the DPR Korea its third win in four matches. Pak, who needed to beat Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) in her final round-robin group match to make the qualifying match, opens with a takedown, but the lanky Zhou comes back with a counter lift from a front body lock to lead 2-2 on criteria at the break. In the second period, Pak goes ahead with a single-leg takedown from an underhook. As the clock ticks down, Zhou secures a front headlock and tries to muscle Pak over. Pak stops the throw for a moment to get a 2-point exposure before Zhou completes the roll. An unsuccessful challenge upholds Pak's exposure.

62kg wrap: Former world champion Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) proves too much for unheralded Hanbit LEE (KOR), scoring a fall for a victory that puts her back in the Olympics for the first time since 2016. Purevdorj, who won her lone Asian gold in Bishkek in 2018, uses a single for a takedown, then applies an arm bar and plies her opponent over for the fall in 1:57.

Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) wins a second wrestling quota for the DPR Korea with a controlled 6-2 win over MANSI (IND). Mun used three takedowns against an agile Mansi who could have won India's third quota of the night.

57kg wrap: Zagreb Open champion Kexin HONG (CHN) pulls off a miracle comeback and avenges a loss at last October's Asian Games to In Sun JONG (PRK), storming back from an eight-point deficit to not only tie the match, but secure a fall and the ticket to Paris. Jong opened the match with a single-leg takedown, then put on a fine display of counter wrestling with consecutive counter-lifts to make it 6-0, then another to take an 8-0 lead into the break. But Hong got behind when Jong shot right off the whistle in the second period and added a lace-lock roll to cut the gap to 8-4. Hong then works out of a deep single for a takedown, flips Jong onto her back and secures the fall at 4:36. Jong had beaten Hong 4-2 in the Asian Games semifinals.

India gets its second quota of the night and third overall as ANSHU (IND) uses gut wrench to beat the 2023 Asian Championships silver medalist Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) 11-0 inside the first period. She won 10-0 but Uzbekistan was challenged as the last roll was not exposure but a review confirmed the two points.

53kg wrap: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) puts the DPR Korea in the Paris Olympics. She wins the first wrestling quota for the country with a 4-0 win over Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ). Choe scored a takedown in the first period and tried holding that lead till the end. Eshimova, who needed a takedown to win, made a desperate attempt but Choe countered for another two points and the win.

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist and two-time world bronze medalist PANG Qianyu (CHN) earned her ticket to Paris after cruising to a 10-0 victory over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). Pang forces her way behind for an opening takedown, then gets a 2-point tilt and a pair of gut wrenches for an 8-0 lead. In the second period, Pang eludes a single-leg attempt and spins behind for a takedown that ends the match.

50kg wrap: Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) becomes the first woman in Uzbekistan history to clinch a spot in the Olympics when she hangs on desperately to a 4-2 victory over Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE). Keunimjaeva takes a 3-0 lead with a single-leg takedown with Hsieh on the activity clock, but a late shot at another is countered, and Hsieh slips behind for 2 with five seconds left in the first period. Keunimjaeva, who takes a timeout for treatment on her knee, keeps shooting in the second period, and although she can't finish them off, she eats away at precious time. After a late shot in the final seconds, Hsieh tries to slip away, but Keumjaeva clings onto the toes for dear life and gets the win. A challenge is unsuccessful. It is a reverse of their meeting at the 2021 Asian Olympic Qualifier at 53kg, which Hsieh won 16-8, although neither wrestler ended up qualifying.

VINESH (IND) wins the second quota for India for the Paris Games. Down at 50kg from her favored 53kg, she rolls to a 10-0 win over Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ). Leading 4-0 into the second period, Vinesh scored a takedown and then used two gut wrenches to finish the bout.

Here's the schedule for the Paris Qualification bouts

50kg
Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) vs. Meng Hsuan HSIEH (TPE)
VINESH (IND) vs. Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ)

53kg
Qianyu PANG (CHN) vs. Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB)
Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ) vs. Hyogyong CHOE (PRK)

57kg
Kexin HONG (CHN) vs. In Sun JONG (PRK)
Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) vs. ANSHU (IND)

62kg
Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) vs. Hanbit LEE (KOR)
Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) vs. MANSI (IND)

68kg
Feng ZHOU (CHN) vs. Sol Gum PAK (PRK)
Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) vs. Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB)

76kg
REETIKA (IND) vs. Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE)
Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) vs. Juan WANG (CHN)

12:25: Sol Gum PAK (PRK) stuns Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) 6-2 in their final group match at 62kg to advance at the expense of NISHA (IND) after all three finished 2-1. Pak leads 2-0 when Zhumanazarova goes ahead in the second period with a takedown. Pak works out from the bottom and grabs a leg, then slips out of a whizzer throw for a takedown and a 4-2 lead. She counters a late takedown for her final points. Zhumanazarova still topped the group, while Pak advanced despite losing to Nisha in the first round of matches.

12:20: REETIKA (IND) hangs on for a 9-6 win over Juan WANG (CHN) in the final Group bout at 76kg. Wang was cautioned for fleeing twice as Reetika scored stepouts. The Indian got a four-pointer to lead 8-0 at the break. Wang began her comeback with a takedown. She scored another in the 10 seconds, and added a gut but before she could tie it 8-8, the time ran out. China challenged but lost giving Reetika another point. Reetika tops the group and will face Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE).

12:15: Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB) wins a 6-4 thriller at 53kg over Aizhan SABYRBEK KYZY (KGZ). Down 2-0, Akhmedova scores a takedown, then in a scramble, gives up a 2-point exposure before getting one herself with 49 seconds left. That puts her ahead 4-4 on criteria, and she fights off a fierce attack, scoring a consolation takedown in the final seconds.

12:05: Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN) hangs on in a nail-biter for a 5-2 victory over a feisty Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) to make the qualifying match at 53kg. Pang is ahead 2-0 on a pair of stepouts when she pads the lead to 4-0 with a spin-behind takedown. With time running out, Batkhuyag works for a big move, and nearly gets it with a back trip for 2. She lifts Pang's legs and turns her over, but it comes after time expires. An unsuccessful challenge gives Pang her fifth point.

12:01: NISHA (IND) looks to have clinched second place in her 68kg group with a 10-0 victory over Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ).

11:53: Asian Games bronze medalist Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) continues her dramatic tournament at 50kg, scoring a 2-point counter on a deep takedown attempt by Thi Xuan NGUYEN (VIE) in the last 20 seconds to clinch a 3-1 victory and advance to the Olympic qualifying match.

11:49: Zhuldyz ESHIMOVA (KAZ), the Grand Dame of 53kg, hangs on for a 2-1 victory over Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) to advance to the Olympic qualifying match. The 36-year-old Eshimova, whose collection of Asian medals dates back to 2007, will be aiming to make her third Olympics, having appeared at London 2012 and Rio 2016.

11:45: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) limps but that is after she has pinned Nethmi AHINSA (SRI) to enter the 53kg semifinal. Can Choe win the first Paris 2024 wrestling quota for the DPR Korea

11:44: Asian Games bronze medalist Juan WANG (CHN) takes a 2-0 lead against Eunju HWANG (KOR) in the second period, where she scores a takedown and three gut wrenches for a 10-0 victory at 76kg. She is 2-0 in her group with one match to go.

11:41: VINESH (IND) is too good for Samnang DIT (CAM) as the Indian pins her inside the first minute to enter the 50kg semifinals. She is now one win away from winning the Paris 2024 quota.

11:36: Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) virtually assures she will be fighting for a ticket to Paris tonight when she defeats NISHA (IND) for her second fall in two matches in her 68kg round-robin group.

11:33: In a battle of world U23 bronze medalists from the past two years, MANSI (IND) scores a takedown with 1:12 left for a 6-4 come-from-behind victory over Irina KUZNETSOVA (KAZ) at 62kg.

11:32: U23 world champion REETIKA (IND) controls her Round 2 bout against Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) at 76kg throughout and wins 11-0.

11:27: Asian Games champion Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK), leading 4-0, opens the second period with a headlock takedown to the back of Tokyo Olympian Jia LONG (CHN), the 2023 Asian gold medalist at 65kg. It takes a while, but eventually, Mun records the fall.

11:25: Asian Games champion Feng ZHOU (CHN) with another strong performance. She uses the ever-reliable gut wrench to win 10-0 against Ohyoung HA (KOR).

11:22: Former world champion Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), looking to get back to the Olympics after placing 7th at Rio 2016, moves one win away at 62kg by posting a 13-2 rout of Gulmira AITMURATOVA (UZB).

11:20: Tokyo Olympian ANSHU (IND), the 2021 world silver medalist, completes her third 4-point takedown-roll combination at the first-period buzzer to oust Kalmira BILIMBEKOVA (KGZ) 12-1 at 57kg

11:14: Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) scores a shocking 7-7 victory on criteria at 50kg over Son Hyang KIM (PRK), the Asian Games silver medalist and a 2017 world bronze medalist, with the winning point coming on a fingers-grabbing penalty in the final seconds that was awarded on the challenge. Kim was leading 6-2 when she gave up a 4-point counter lift with 12 seconds left, but went ahead by getting behind for a 1-point reversal with :07 on the clock.

11:02: Veteran Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) sees her bid to make a third Olympics -- she appeared at Beijing 2008 and London 2014 -- are all but ended when she is dealt a 10-0 loss to Sol Gum PAK (PRK) for her second loss in her 68kg round-robin group.

11:02: Asian Games bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) goes out the back door and lifts up and back for 4, part of a comprehensive 11-0 victory over Emma TISSINA (KAZ) at 57kg.

11:00: Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) gets Youngjin KWON (KOR) in a strangle for a pin but Kwon survives. Sobiraova, an Asian silver medalist, finishes with a 12-2 win at 57kg

10:59: Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL), the 2022 world silver medalist, begins her campaign at 53kg with an 8-6 victory over Seoyoung PARK (KOR), who scores all of her points in the final 10 seconds. Next up for Batkhuyag is Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Qianyu PANG (CHN).

10:56: Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ) wins a wild one at 50kg over Vatansulton SHAKARSHOEVA (TJK), taking the big point-filled match 12-7.

10:52: REETIKA (IND) begins her senior debut at 76kg with a 10-0 hammering of Eunju HWANG (KOR). That is followed with another Indian-Korea bout and Vinesh, who has moved down to 50kg as India already has the 53kg quota, rolls to a 10-0 win over Miran CHEON (KOR).

10:49: In a round-robin group match at 76kg, Asian Games bronze medalist Juan WANG (CHN) breaks open a 1-1 match with a takedown and two rolls in the second period for a 7-2 win over 2023 world 72kg silver medalist Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL). There's a good chance they could meet again for the Paris quota.

10:40: Feng ZHOU (CHN) rolls to an 11-0 win over Nabira ESENBAEVA (UZB) at 68kg. Total dominance from Zhou. In the same weight class, NISHA (IND) beats Sol Gum PAK (PRK) 7-3 and wins the Round 1 bout.

10:35: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) with a bright start for the local fans in Bishkek with a technical superiority win over Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) at 68kg. This was a Round 1 bout which means that Shalygina can still make it to the semifinal.

10:30: 12 Paris Olympic quotas in Women's Wrestling on offer here in Bishkek. Japan already has all six so none of the Japanese are competing

Zouhaier Sghaier Ranking Series preview

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India, DPR Korea and China top nations at Asian Olympic qualifier