Vintage Susaki in Asian final; Morikawa vs Zhumanazarova for 68kg Gold

Wednesday, April 8, 2026 - 05:29 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 8) -- Yui SUSAKI (JPN) may have been away from the mat for over 20 months but she showed no signs of rust as she reached the Asian Championships final at 50kg in Bishkek on Wednesday.

With two falls and a technical superiority win, it was vintage Susaki as she did not give up a single point in the three bouts. First up was Ziqi FENG (CHN), a fellow bronze medalist from 2024 Paris Olympics, and Susaki blocked an arm-spin attempt from Feng to score two points. As Feng landed on her back, Susaki kept her in the same position to secure the first fall.

NEELAM (IND) tried to challenge Susaki a few times in the quarterfinals but her attempted front headlock counters did not work and Susaki scored an 11-0 technical superiority win in 2:51. The semifinal was a similar story as Susaki pinned Maral TANGIRBERGENOVA (KAZ) in just two minutes.

Susaki scored a go-behind to open the scoring before a gut-wrench turn gave her a 4-0 lead. A sweep-single to takedown made it 6-0, and Susaki continued the sequence into an arm-bar to secure the fall.

"This is my first official UWW tournament in one year and eight months and I'm really happy to be back on this stage, and I'm filled with gratitude," Susaki said. "In my three matches, I was able to put out what I did in practice. Looking ahead to tomorrow's final, I think they were good matches."

The theme of the final will also be vintage as Susaki faces an opponent she last wrestled nine years ago. She will take on Son Hyang KIM (PRK) for the gold medal bout, a wrestler Susaki defeated 10-0 to win her first Asian gold aged 18 in 2017.

While she is focused on winning the gold medal on Thursday, Susaki is treating the Asian Championships as the launch pad for a newer version of herself.

"I'm here to start toward winning this year's World Championships and Asian Games, and then the Los Angeles Olympics. To face the DPR Korean and firmly win would establish my presence to the world," she said.

The new Susaki also includes a improved weight management, an issue she struggled with in the past. After the Paris Olympics, Susaki gave considerable thought to moving up to 53kg but as the 2025 Emperor's Cup approached in December, she decided to remain at 50kg, a weight in which she won Olympic gold in Tokyo.

"It's my first time to get down to 50kg overseas since the Paris Olympics," she said. "Since then, I've made some changes to my diet, and it was really smooth this time and I was able to maintain my strength. I could keep eating while dropping weight, so my condition is very good."

Susaki will have a chance to win her third Asian title on Thursday when she takes on Kim.

A former world bronze medalist, Kim wrestled Aktenge KEUNIMJAEVA (UZB) in the other semifinal and scored an early takedown to open the scoring. She used a lace lock and twisted the Uzbekistan wrestler over three times for an 8-0 lead before the match hit the minute mark.

But Keunimjaeva, a three-time Asian bronze medalist, did not go down meekly, as she used a whizzer for a 4-point takedown at the edge to cut the lead in half before the break. Kim opened the second period with a duck under to a double-leg takedown to make it 10-4.

Two years ago in the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament in Bishkek, Keunimjaeva pulled off a miracle late comeback to beat Kim, and she nearly did it again. Locking Kim's arms, Keunimjaeva muscled Kim directly to her back for a 4-pointer in the last 20 seconds. But she failed to get the fall, and Kim got a late exposure for a 12-8 win.

In other semifinals, local stars Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) and Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) both made it to gold medal bouts at 76kg and 68kg respectively.

After her close call in the quarterfinals, Medet Kyzy leaves no margin for error in storming to an 11-0 win over Hui Tsz CHANG (TPE) in pursuit of her third straight Asian gold and fourth overall. Medet Kyzy spins behind for the opening takedown, then hits two gut wrenches, then adds a 2-point exposure. When Chang tries to escape by going over the top, Medet Kyzy somersaults her over onto her back for the winning points that end the match in 1:04. An unsuccessful challenge of who-knows-what adds a final point.

Two-time Asian bronze medalist Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) enters her first-ever Asian Championships final after a 7-2 win over Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ). She got the first point for Yerkebayeva's passivity before a double-leg takedown to lead 3-0. As the clock ticked, Yerkebayeva tried a few fake attacks but missed them and Enkh Amar scored two counter takedowns to extend her lead to 7-0. Yerkebayeva scored a late takedown to cut the lead.

68kg semifinals - Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN), wrestling her first Asian Championships at 68kg, into the finals after 7-0 victory over former world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) in the semifinals. She started off with a point for Enkhsaikhan's passivity, then got a takedown when she was put on the activity clock. As the match progressed, Morikawa kept her pressure and scored two different takedowns on the edge to enter the final

Two-time Olympic medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) ends the reign of defending champion Zelu LI (CHN) with a 1-1 victory, much to the delight of the home crowd despite the lack of technical points scored — Zhumanazarova came out on top by virtue of receiving the second of the two activity points. LI gets her activity point in the first period as neither wrestler can find an opening. In the second period, Zhumanazarova gets in on a single-leg takedown, but Li forces the situation to a stalemate. Li is then put on the activity clock, which puts Zhumanazarova up on criteria. In the final minute, Li twice launches an attack, but Zhumanazarova sprawls to safety to make the final for the first time since 2022.

59kg semifinals - Sena NAGAMOTO (JPN) becomes the third Japan wrestler to reach the final after a 10-0 blanking of Ulmeken ESENBAEVA (UZB) in the 59kg semifinals. She built a 6-0 lead in the first period before another takedown to start the second period to make it 8-0. A sweep-single takedown was her last move to complete a technical superiority victory.

Mengyu XIE (CHN), a former Asian champion looking to improve on her bronze medal from 2025, shrugs NEHA (IND) by and gets behind for an early takedown, to which she adds a gut-wrench. Neha comes back with counter roll for 2 from a front body lock, which the Chinese side unsuccessfully challenges, cutting Xie's lead to 4-3 at the break. A deep single-leg takedown and gut wrench by Xie makes it 8-3. When Xie shoots for a double, Neha locks her up again, this time spinning behind for a takedown, making it 8-5 with a minute to go. Neha twice tries to force Xie over with a front headlock roll, but each time, the Chinese resists and holds the Indian's back toward the mat for a pair of 2-point exposures and a 12-5 win.

55kg semifinals - World bronze medalist Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) continues to dominate in her senior Asian debut, advancing to the final with a one-side 10-0 victory over Ariunzaya ODONCHIMEG (MGL). Uchida, who won world U17 and U20 titles in recent years but had never competed in a continental tournament, finishes off the match after a second takedown, locking Odonchimeg's arm and levering her over three times to end the bout in 1:33.

Uchida will face returning silver medalist Yuxuan LI (CHN) for the gold medal after the China wrestler completed a dominant 11-1 victory over Hansika LAMBA (IND). Li got on the scoreboard when Lamba was called passive in the first period. Li then tripped Lamba for a takedown and used two gut-wrenches to lead 7-0. Lamba tried getting a takedown but Li was quick to counter and scored a takedown before giving up a reversal for a 9-1 lead. She finished the match with a takedown 6 seconds before the clock expired.

Qualification Session Higlights

12:42: Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) with an excellent fake attack to get a takedown against KAJAL (IND) to secure the win int the 76kg quarterfinals. Kajal led 3-1 when Yerkebayeva scored a stepout with 25 seconds left. Yerkebayeva managed a leg attack soon but let it go when Kajal fell forward to defend it. The Kazakhstan wrestler just jumped behind to get a takedown which stunned Kajal. Yerkebayev with a 5-3 win, as India challenged at the end and lost it.

12:37: Former world silver medalist Davaanasan ENKH AMAR (MGL) secures her spot in the 76kg semifinals with an 8-2 victory over Eunju HWANG (KOR). Leading 4-0, Enkh Amar gains two takedowns in the second period before Hwang gets on the scoreboard with a late takedown

12:35: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), one of the host nation's top stars, avoided what would have arguably been the biggest upset of the tournament so far when she snatched a victory from the jaws of defeat in her 76kg quarterfinal with Wenji LI (CHN). Li, the 2023 Asian U23 champion at 72kg, was the dominant wrestler, using her double-leg takedown to build up a 6-2 lead deep into the second period. But there is a reason that Medet Kyzy is a three-time Asian champion and three-time world medalist. Just when it looked like all was lost, she shot in on a double, rose up to secure a bear hug, and tripped Li directly to her back in the final minute. That four points would have given her the win, but Li wasn't going anywhere and Medet Kyzy secured the fall with :29 left.

12:25: Two-time Olympic medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ), looking for her first Asian gold to go with two bronzes and a silver, gets her campaign at 68kg started with an 11-0 win over Thi Linh DANG (VIE). Zhumanazarova is limited to two takedowns in the first period by the gutsy Dang, but after a second-period takedown, she ends the match with a 4-point takedown.

12:24: After a slow first period in which Yelena SHALYGINA (KAZ) got a point for Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) passivity in their 68kg bout, Morikawa managed to score 10 points in the second to complete a victory over the Kazakhstan wrestler. A takedown and gut-wrenches is what Morikawa used to score her points.

12:16: Yui SUSAKI (JPN) uses her low single to deadly effectiveness in an 11-0 victory over NEELAM (IND) at 50kg that she completes eight seconds inside the first-period buzzer. Neelam did her best to counter Susaki's singles, but the Japanese star kept piling up the points in a four-takedown effort.

12:10: Son Hyang KIM (PRK) continues to impress at 50kg, hitting three gut wrenches after her second takedown to defeat Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) 10-0 in 1:10 and advance to the semifinals

12:07: Sena NAGAMOTO (JPN), winner at the Zagreb Ranking Series who is making her senior Asian debut, gets off to a roaring start at 59kg with an 10-0 victory over Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)

12:02: Former Asian champion and world bronze medalist Mengyu XIE (CHN) overwhelms two-time Asian medalist Bolortuya KHURELKHUU (MGL), scoring seven points in the first period and then ending the match in the second for an 11-0 win to advance to the 59kg semifinals

11:59: Rising star Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN), a 2025 world bronze medalist a year after winning the world U20 gold, storms to a 10-0 victory over Jeongbin OH (KOR) to secure her spot in the 55kg semifinals

11:58: Ulmeken ESENBAEVA (UZB), a multiple-time medalist at age-group Asian Championships, begins with a fall over Hyebin AHN (KOR) at 59kg.

11:56: Wenji LI (CHN) proves too powerful for Yasuha MATSUYUKI (JPN) in their qualifying round bout at 76kg, handing the Japanese squad its first loss by topping off two of her three takedowns with 2-point rolls in a 12-2 technical superiority win in 5:31

11:55: NEHA (IND), a former U20 world bronze medalist, starts with a fall over Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (KAZ) at 59kg. She built a 6-0 lead before scoring a takedown and then used a cradle to secure the fall

11:53: An impressive start for last year's runner-up at 55kg, Yuxuan LI (CHN). After a stepout to get started against Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ), Li gains a takedown, then reels off four gut wrenches in succession for an 11-0 victory in just over a minute.

11:52: Five-time Asian medalist and 2023 world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) scores two stepouts in the first period, the second with Svetlana OKNAZAROVA (UZB) on the activity clock, and adds two takedowns in the second before finishing the match with a 4-point takedown in the last seconds for an 11-0 victory at 68kg.

11:41: Yi Hui LIN (TPE) stuns Ngoc Linh DO (VIE) with a 4-point takedown with :16 left, then holds on for a 5-4 victory at 50kg in the opening match on Mat B.

11:35: Son Hyang KIM (PRK), a world bronze medalist and Asian silver medalist way back in 2017, storms into the quarterfinals at 50kg with a 10-0 thrashing of Nipuni HEWA PEDIGE (SRI). Kim's most recent accomplishment was a silver at the 2023 Asian Games.

11:34: 53-second fall for Yui SUSAKI (JPN) in her first international match since the 2024 Paris Olympics! Susaki got Ziqi FENG (CHN) in her opening bout at 50kg, a rematch of the final from the 2024 Asian Championships final. Susaki tried two leg attacks but failed to covert them into points. Out of nowhere, Feng tried an arm-spin which was blocked by Susaki. Feng fell back first on the mat and Susaki kept the pressure to secure the fall!

11:30: After two days of exciting Greco-Roman in the morning, the Asian Championships will see Women's Wrestling on the mats. Local stars Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will be the favorites at 68kg and 76kg

#wrestlebishkek

Asian Championships 2026, Day 6 Live: Freestyle

Saturday, April 11, 2026 - 05:02 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 11) -- The Asian Championships enter the final full day in Bishkek with the remaining Freestyle weight classes - 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg and 125kg. Iran, after a slightly disappointing day, will look to reach at least four finals if not all five.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | WHO IS GAHREHDAGHI?

125kg semifinals - Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) with a fall in 41 seconds over DINESH (IND) to enter the final. He hits a double leg attack straight off the whistle and then works the fall.

Reigning world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) went of the offensive in the second period and powered to a 5-0 victory over BUHEEERDUN (CHN), giving the Iranian a chance for a second Asian gold in his second appearance after winning in 2024. With neither giant able to muster anything resembling a scoring opportunity, Zare scored the lone point of the first period via the activity clock. But Zare took the initiative in the second period, bulling Buheeerdun to the mat for a takedown, then adding a gut wrench to make it 5-0. At one point, Zare shot for a takedown and Buheeerdun knocked him off balance, but could not convert the opening. It was a better showing for Buheeerdun than the last time they met, when Zare whipped him 10-0 in the quarterfinals of the 2023 Asian Games.

92kg semifinals - Two-time bronze medalist Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) became another first-time finalist in Bishkek with a workmanlike 8-0 victory over Asian U20 bronze medalist Iakov CHAPLIN (KGZ). Sharipov took a 2-0 lead when he scored a stepout just seconds after the activity clock ran out on Chaplin for the lone points of the first period. In the second, Sharipov came out firing and scored a takedown with a driving tackle. He used his power again for a second, countering a takedown attempt by blocking a leg and driving ahead, then got behind for his third takedown of the period to make it 8-0.

U23 world champion Mobin AZIMI (IRI) earns a shot at his first senior Asian title after he wins 6-0 against Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ). He got the first point when Dauletbekov was put on the activity clock and then doubled the lead with a stepout. The exact sequence played out in the second period as well as Azimi led 4-0. A takedown for a 6-0 score sealed the win for Azimi.

86kg semifinals - Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) with a fireman's carry to score a four-pointer over Mukul DAHIYA (IND) to start the semifinal and he then adds a takedown to make it 6-0. Dahiya gets takedown before the break to cut the score to 6-2. Dahiya scores a takedown before break to cut the lead to 6-2. He opens the score period with a takedown to make it 6-4 before driving Sakayev for a two-point takedown. Sakayev keep a 6-6 criteria lead but Dahiya takes a clear lead with a go-behind. As Sakayev struggles with conditioning, Dahiya scores two more takedowns and wins the semifinals 12-6

Two-time world and Asian champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) proves too much for Asian U23 silver medalist Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM), storming to an 11-0 victory to advance to the final in his first Asian appearance since winning the 92kg gold in 2021. Ghasempour, a bronze medalist at last year's World Championships, bides his time, first gaining an activity point before adding a takedown and gut wrench combination for a 5-0 lead in the first period. In the second, he scores with a high crotch, goes to the lace lock and rolls twice to end the match at 3:31. Begenjov was looking to become Turkmenistan's first finalist since 1999; he will now have a chance to become its first medalist since 2018 and the first-ever in Freestyle.

74kg semifinals - Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) tries multiple ways to score on Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) but the Japanese just doesn't give up a takedown. He opened the match with a sweep single takedown and turned Toktomambetov for a 6-0 lead. Toktomambetov finally gets on Aoyagi's legs but the Japanese defends and then steps over to score two exposure points to lead 6-0 at the break. Both wrestlers go towards the edge and it is Toktomambetov who puts his hand out first which gives one point to Aoyagi. Kyrgyzstan challenges the call and lose it to add one more point to Aoyagi's score and make it 8-0. Aoyagi then blocks a throw from Toktomambetov and lands on top for two points and finish the bout.

Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) won't have to settle for a bronze medal this time after making his first Asian final with a takedown in each period of a 4-3 victory over Asian U23 bronze medalist Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB). After Kuldashev could only come away with a stepout after getting in on a deep single, Asluev took the lead with a takedown to go ahead 2-1 at the break. Asluev, who won his second career bronze last year, added his second takedown early in the second period. Kuldashev used a nifty duck under for a takedown that cut the gap to 1 with :46 left, but Asluev held on to secure the best medal of his career.

61kg semifinals - Asian Games silver medalist Kwang Myong KIM (PRK) gets a takedown and then catches Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) on his back and pins the world bronze medalist. Abdullaev is left stunned as he walks off the mat.

In a thriller between two turbo-charged wrestlers, Olympic bronze medalist AMAN (IND) outlasts Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) 11-9 to earn a shot at a second career Asian gold. Javan sweeps in for a single and gets Aman's leg into the air, but instead of going to the mat, he drives Aman out and to his back for a 4-pointer. Aman responds with a double-leg takedown, then adds a stepout that the Iranian challenges but loses. Javan scores with another sweeping single, only for Aman to come back with a takedown to make it 6-6 at the break. Aman goes ahead with a stepout to start the second period, then stays on the offensive and gets another to make it 8-6 at the halfway point. Aman makes Javan, who continually takes breaks complaining of a sore ankle, work hard for a stepout, then comes right back with a takedown to go up 10-7 with :30 left. Javan makes one last push and gets a takedown in the final seconds, but is also assessed a 1-point penalty for being slow to continue the match.

Qualification Session Highlights

13:12: Superstar Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) takes the mat for the first time in the final match of the session. The reigning 125kg world champion and Olympic silver medalist fends off the attacks of a gutsy world U20 champion Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), scoring three takedowns off counters in a 7-0 victory.

13:01: World silver medalist Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) survives a stiff test from Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), piling up an early lead then gaining a late defensive takedown to notch an 8-5 victory and advance to the 61kg semifinals. Javan gives up a takedown to start the match, but reverses and gains two exposures for a 5-2 lead. The two trade stepouts early in the second period before Hasegawa cuts the gap to 1 with a takedown with 1:30 left. But when he shoots for the potential winning score, Javan deftly leaps over him and gets behind to clinch the victory.

12:52: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) prevails in his latest encounter with longtime rival Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), scoring a takedown with :04 left for a 4-3 win and a place in the 61kg semifinals. Each wrestler had received an activity point when Almaz Uulu went ahead with a pair of stepouts. But Addullaev connected on a single and reeled in Almaz Uulu for the takedown, which survived the subsequent challenge. In their most recent meeting, Almaz Uulu won 8-0 in the 57kg semifinals at the World Championships.

12:50: AMAN (IND), a former Asian champion at 57kg, takes his time to get going but once he does, he finishes his 61kg quarterfinal 11-0 against Changsu KIM (KOR) and advance to the semifinals.

12:46: Zagreb Ranking Series champion and returning bronze medalist Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) comes out with a 2-point exposure from an odd scramble that starts when he jams up a back suplex attempt by Arslanbek TURDUBEKOV (KGZ) in their 125kg quarterfinal. An unsuccessful challenge makes it 3-0, which is how the first period ends. In the second, Sharipov secures a bear hug and attempts a back suplex himself, from which he gets a 2-point takedown. He adds a defensive takedown to chalk up a 7-0 win.

12:42: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) works on a 9-0 victory over Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) at 92kg. Ishiguro never seemed to trouble Azimi, who is a U23 world champion

12:32: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), looking to add to his extensive collection of Asian medals — six overall, including three golds, dating back to 2017 -- overcomes a tough foe in Bat Erdene BYAMBASUREN (MGL) for a 3-0 win at 92kg. Dauletbekov, who took a bronze last year, scores a takedown in the first period and adds a stepout in the second.

12:29: Two-time bronze medalist Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) scores a takedown in each period and that's all he needs for a 5-0 victory over Hade AYIDUSI (CHN) and a place in the 92kg semifinals.

12:25: World champion at 70kg Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) is ecstatic after beating Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) 7-6 in the 74kg quarterfinals. Aoyagi scored the first takedown of the match to lead 2-0 before a scramble and challenge from Yazdani switches the lead to 4-4 criteria for Yazdani. But Aoyagi with a takedown with 26 seconds left in the bout to take the lead again. Yazdani tries a body throw but Aoyagi blocks him and Yazdani falls on his back. It is initially score four points for Aoyagi but Iran wins another challenge and it scored a stepout for Yazdani on review. Aoyagi, leading 6-5, gives up a stepout while trying to escape but still holds 6-6 criteria. Iran challenge again the last 15 seconds but there is no takedown from Yazdani as he drops the bout 7-6. WIth the win, Aoyagi avenges his loss against Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) from two years ago at 70kg.

12:22: Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), looking to improve on his silver medal from last year in the stacked 74kg weight class, JAIDEEP (IND) takes a fragile lead with an activity point and stepout in the first period. In the second, Toktomambetov fends off everything Jaideep throws at him to snatch a 2-0 win.

12:15: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) begins his bid to improve on his silver medal from last year at 86kg with a 12-2 rout of Song Gang JI (PRK). Sakayev opens with a counter lift for 2, and after giving up a takedown, pulls away with a takedown, two exposures and a gut wrench to lead 10-2 at the break. He ends with chest wrap counter 37 seconds in the second period.

12:05: Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) has had some heartbreaking moments in recent years. A gold at the Asian Championships can perhaps bring some confidence back to him. He takes the first step towards the title with a 12-2 routing of Yudai TAKAHASHI (JPN) at 86kg.

12:00: Yedige KASSIMBEK (KAZ), a former U17 and U20 world champion, gets a takedown in the final minute to pull off a 2-2 criteria win over Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL) at 125kg with cheers from the crowd. He gets to face world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) next

11:58: Olympic and world bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) gets his campaign started at 61kg by notching a takedown in each period for a 4-1 victory over returning bronze medalist Wanhao ZOU (CHN).

11:51: Asian Games champion Toshihiro HASEGAWA (JPN), wrestling for the first time since that win in October 2023, starts off with a 6-2 victory over Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ) at 61kg. The match hung in balance with Hasegawa leading 4-2 and Aitakyn attacking non-stop. But Hasegawa got on a double-leg attack and then held Aitakyn in danger for two points to get a 6-2 lead. He managed to hold on to it till the end of the time.

11:49: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN), an 86kg bronze medalist last year who has moved up to 92kg, gets three gut wrenches off a takedown to finish up a 12-2 win over Punit KUMAR (IND) and advance to the quarterfinals.

11:48: In a clash between last year's Asian U23 bronze medalists at 61kg, Kwang Myong KIM (PRK) dominates, scoring a 4-point takedown en route to a 10-0 win over Batnasan GANKHULEG (MGL) in just under two minutes.

11:45: Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN), the world champion and three-time Asian medalist at 70kg who has moved up to the Olympic weight of 74kg, uses a low single and locks his head between the thighs of 2-2021 bronze medalist Sumiyabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), then hits a "wishbone" roll to take a 3-0 lead into the break. Aoyagi puts up an impenetrable wall of defense and walks off with a 3-0 win.

11:36: Asian U23 champion JAIDEEP (IND) gets a takedown and exposure to open a 5-0 lead in the first period against Daegil HAN (KOR), then turns him in the second period for a fall and he's into the 74kg quarterfinals.

11:27: Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) hugs Anil GEDARAA (SRI) as if to apologize after pinning him using a cradle in their 74kg match.

11:20: Malik SHAVAEV (KGZ) breaks a 1-1 deadlock with a single-leg takedown with 59 seconds left in his 79kg qualification-round bout before holding on for a 3-1 win over Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN), a world bronze medalist and Asian silver medalist last year at 79kg. After taking the lead, Shavaev tries to run out the clock but shooting again. Saipudinov desperately tries to break the hold, and eventually gets behind Shavaev, who keeps his knees off the mat. Saipudinov runs him out of the ring, but time had already run out.

11:14: Song Gang JI (PRK), the heaviest wrestler to represent the DPR Korea at the Asian Championships since 2010, gets off to a roaring start at 86kg. He follows a single-leg takedown with four back-and-forth gut wrenches for a 10-0 win over Madushanka MUDIYANSELAGE (SRI) in 36 seconds.

11:03: In the opening match on Mat A, brawny 2024 world U23 bronze medalist Yudai TAKAHASHI (JPN) slams down Weng CHOW (SGP) for a 4-point takedown that gives him a 10-0 win 56 seconds into their qualification round bout at 86kg

Vintage Susaki in Asian final; Morikawa vs Zhumanazarova for 68kg Gold

Comments

Asian Championships 2026, Day 6 Live: Freestyle