#WrestleAmman

U20 stars gear up for Japan test in Women's Wrestling

By Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (August 10) -- Among the 663 wrestlers competing at the U20 World Championships in Amman next week, 187 are women. But wrestling fans around the world will be looking up to 10 women wrestlers who are expected to not only win a medal, but gold.

Japan will be entering the U20 World Championships as the defending team champion, a title it has won 10 times out of 11. The only time Japan did not win was when it skipped the 2021 edition of the tournament due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Last year, Japan won eight gold and two bronze medals and two of the eight gold medalists, Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) and Ayano MORO (JPN) are returning to defend their titles.

China, among the best in Women's Wrestling, will be returning to the U20 Worlds after four years as it missed the 2021 and 2022 editions citing travel restrictions during the pandemic.

The only other country to win the women's team title ever in 2021, the United States is sending a strong squad led by senior world champion Amit ELOR (USA) who is also a two-time defending champion.

India, a team that has shown constant progress, will look to improve on its performance from Sofia where it won one gold, three silver and two bronze medals.

Women's wrestling will begin August 16 and all action will be live on uww.org and the UWW App.

Audrey JIMENEZ (USA)Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) is a returning silver medalist at 50kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

50kg
The lightest weight class will see returning silver medalist Audrey JIMENEZ (USA) lead the challenge for the U.S. Jimenez has participated in two senior-level international tours this year and won a medal in both. She would like to make amends after losing in the final to Umi ITO (JPN) last year.

Taking Ito's place is Miruko SAKANE (JPN), an 18-year-old on her first international trip. In the selection trials in Japan, she won four bouts.

Among the continental champions, 17-year-old Yu ZHANG (CHN) won the U17 and U20 Asian Championships and will be looking to make her mark at the world level along with Viktoriia SLOBODENIUK (UKR) who won the U20 European Championships.

For India, Priyanshi PRAJAPAT (IND) will hope to win back-to-back medals after finishing with a bronze medal last year. But challenges include Sviatlana KATENKA (AIN) who won a silver medal at the U17 World Championships last week and also the U17 European champion, 2021 U17 Worlds bronze medalist Elvina KARIMZADA (AZE) and fellow U20 Asian bronze medalist Laura GANIKYZY (KAZ).

53kg
Perhaps one of the few weight classes in which a Japanese may not be the favorite on paper. Mariia YEFREMOVA (UKR), an internationally unbeaten wrestler in seven competitions and a two-time champion at the U20 European, U17 World, U17 European and U15 European Championships makes her the top contender for gold.

At last year's U17 World Championships, she defeated Sakura ONISHI (JPN) who won the gold last year without surrendering a point. Yefremova also won the U20 European gold without giving up a point in four bouts.

But winning the gold in Amman will not be easy. Nagisa HARADA (JPN) was dominant in Japan's selection trials with three technical superiority wins. Harada is also a 2019 U17 world champ and won a silver medal at the 2023 Klippan Lady's Open, losing European champion Jonna MALMGREN (SWE).

ANTIM (IND)ANTIM (IND) won the gold medal at the 2022 U20 World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

And also in the fray is defending champion ANTIM (IND), the first women's U20 world champion from the country. A silver medalist at the senior Asian Championships this year, Antim will aim to defend her title from Sofia.

The U.S. will be banking on returning bronze medalist and 2021 U17 world champ Katie GOMEZ (USA). She suffered a fall in the quarterfinals last year to Altyn SHAGAYEVA (KAZ) who is also returning for another run for the gold medal. At the U20 Asian Championships, Shagayeva finished with a bronze medal after a close 5-4 loss to the eventual champ Liuxuan CHEN (CHN). The Chinese wrestler will be in Amman to try and win a world title.

Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA), who won a silver medal at the 2022 U23 World Championships, would like to win a medal in Amman after missing it last year as she suffered a loss in the quarterfinal.

A darkhorse will at 53kg will be Polina LUKINA (AIN) who won the 2021 U20 Worlds silver medal and also has a silver medal from the Istanbul Ranking Series in 2022. U20 European silver medalist Gultakin SHIRINOVA (AZE) and Emine CAKMAK (TUR), a former U20 Worlds bronze medalist, would like to make their mark as well.

Moe KIYOOKA (JPN)Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) is a U20 and U23 world champion at 55kg. (Photo: UWW /Kostandin Andonov) 

55kg
Defending champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) will be the hot favorite to repeat. She won four of her bouts via technical superiorities last year and added a U23 world gold in November. In February this year, the former U17 world champion won the Zagreg Open Ranking Series and finished second to Akari FUJINAMI (JPN) in Japan's selection trials for the senior World Championships.

Hoping to upset Kiyooka will be returning silver Albina RILLIA (UKR) after she suffered a 10-0 loss in the final to Kiyooka. Rillia, however, will have to be careful as U20 European champ and returning bronze medalist Tuba DEMIR (TUR) is waiting to avenge her quarterfinals loss from Sofia.

Demir will be tested by another returning bronze medalist Roza SZENTTAMASI (HUN), who lost to Demir via fall at the U20 European Championships. Georgiana LIRCA (ROU), who will be in Amman, lost to Demir in the final.

Representing India will be JYOTI (IND) who won a silver medal at the U20 Asian Championships but forfeited her final. She is also joined by U20 Asian bronze medalist Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) who wrestled at 57kg last year and finished fifth.

Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR)Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR), the U20 European champion, will be one of the favorites at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostandin Andonov)

57kg
Since 57kg has been included in the U20 Worlds program, Japan has won all gold medals barring one. In 2021, when Japan skipped the tournament, Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) won the gold medal in a historic final against Aurora RUSSO (ITA). Amman may present an opportunity for a non-Japanese wrestler to win the gold.

Ichika ARAI (JPN) will be on her first international trip after winning the Junior Queen's Cup in Japan. To keep the gold at home which Ruka NATAMI (JPN) won last year, Arai will have to go through some tough wrestlers including U20 Asian and European champions.

REENA (IND) won the gold in Amman last month and she will fancy her chances to go all the way at 57kg. European champ Alina FILIPOVYCH (UKR) has the caliber to win the title along with Gerda TEREK (HUN) who finished second to her in the continent. Terek also has silver from the 2022 U17 Worlds.

Joining them in a bid to win gold is U17 Asian champion Jin ZHANG (CHN), two-time U20 African champion Louji YASSIN (EGY), U20 Pan-Am silver medalist Bertha ROJAS (MEX), U20 European bronze Sevval CAYIR (TUR), former U17 world silver medalist Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA), who lost to Kiyooka in 2019 and Ulmeken ESENBAEVA (UZB) who won bronze at U20 Asia and is a 2022 U17 world bronze medalist.

Aurora RUSSO (ITA)Can Aurora RUSSO (ITA) become Italy's first world champion in Women's Wrestling. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

59kg
All four continental champions are entered at 59kg along with a former U20 world champ. In 2021, Alesia HETMANAVA (AIN) had a dream run and won the 55kg gold at the U20 World Championships as a 17-year-old. She will be back to win another U20 title, this time 59kg. 

Trying to stop her are U20 Pan-Am champ Camila AMARILLA (ARG), U20 African champ Farah HUSSEIN (EGY), U20 Asia champ NITIKA (IND) and U20 European champ Russo who won silver at 57kg in the same World Championships.

Japan will be sending 18-year-old Kanami YAMANOUCHI (JPN) who won the U15 Asia gold in 2019. In the selection trials, she won three bouts to clinch the spot. Madina AMAN (KAZ) is a returning bronze medalist and will look to improve. She won her bronze after beating Aleksandra WITOS (POL) who also returns.

Klippan Lady's Open and U20 European silver medalist Annatina LIPPUNER (SUI) will be a wrestler to keep an eye on after her run at the continent tour in which won three bouts before losing the final to Russo.

Both U20 Euro bronze medalists Sevim AKBAS (TUR) and Yuliia PAKHNIUK (UKR) are entered along with U20 Asia silver medalist Sarbinaz JIENBAEVA (UZB).

SAVITA (IND)Suzu SASAKI (JPN) will look to avenge her U17 World Championships loss against SAVITA (IND). (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

62kg
Suzu SASAKI (JPN) had to mount a comeback after trailing 6-0 in the final of the Junior Queen's Cup to seal her spot for the U20 World Championships. While winning the gold medal is her top priority, she also wants to avenge her 2022 U17 World Championships loss to eventual champion SAVITA (IND).

Savita, who won defended her U17 Worlds gold at 61kg last week in Istanbul, will be looking to add to her U20 Asia title but has to deal with Sasaki, who won the Klippan Lady's Open earlier this year, along with a host of other stars who will try to win the gold.

The biggest names include returning bronze and U20 and U23 European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) who lost to Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) last year. She later went on to win a silver at the U23 World Championships as well, once again losing to Ozaki in the final.

But Bondar will be one of the top prospects to win the gold even as Savita and Sasaki renew their rivalry. The other returning bronze medalist Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) too will try to find a way to the final.

Two-time U20 Pan-Am champion Melanie JIMENEZ (MEX), silver to her Mayara RAMOS (BRA), U20 European silver medalist Iris THIEBAUX (FRA) and U23 Worlds bronze medalist Astrid MONTERO (VEN) can cause upsets.

Eniko ELEKES (HUN)Eniko ELEKES (HUN) will be looking for her first U20 world title. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

65kg
Eniko ELEKES (HUN) suffered a first-round loss last year in Sofia but could have been a one-off. She was the 2021 U17 world champ and is now a U20 European champion going into the U20 Worlds in Amman. A medal looks like a big possibility for Elekes at 65kg.

Alicja NOWOSAD (POL) was second to Elekes in Europe and will be in Amman with a medal and revenge on her mind. She will be joined by U20 Euro bronze medalists Nikoleta BARMPA (GRE) (68kg) and Maria PANTIRU (ROU).

Returning bronze medalist and senior African champ Khadija JLASSI (TUN) will look to become the first Tunisian wrestler to reach the final at the age-group World Championships.

Duygu GEN (TUR), who won the U17 Europeans, will turn up in Amman, 10 days after winning a silver medal at the U17 Worlds in Istanbul. A medal in Amman will be a huge success for the youngster.

U20 Asian silver medalist ANTIM (IND) and U20 Pan-Am silver medalist Gleymaris BERIA (VEN) are also entered.

68kg
She was not able to do it last year at 65kg but Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) will look to win the title this year at 68kg. A three-time U20 European champ Skobelska, who won a bronze at the U23 Worlds as well, will be one of the favorites at 68kg. Returning bronze medalist Sophia SCHAEFLE (GER) who lost to Skobelska in the final, will try to reverse the result on the world stage.

All three U20 Asian medalists in silver medalist Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) and two bronze medalists Zhibekzhan SABYRZHANOVA (KAZ) and ARJU (IND), who finished fifth last year in Sofia, will be in Amman.

The U.S. is sending Isabella MIR (USA) who won the Spain Grand Prix this year and will be a trouble for other wrestlers. She is the daughter of Frank MIR.

Amit ELOR (USA)Amit ELOR (USA) is the U20, U23 and senior world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

72kg
We'll take Amit ELOR (USA)!

Ayano MORO (JPN)Ayano MORO (JPN), blue, and PRIYA (IND) finished first and second respectively at the last U20 World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

76kg
Amman will see the return of the phenomenal Kennedy BLADES (USA) who won the U20 world title in 2021 at 72kg. This year, she has already won the Alexandria Ranking Series at the senior level and finished second in the U.S. world team trials.

She will be joined by three returning medalists including champion Ayano MORO (JPN), silver medalist  Priya MALIK (IND) and bronze medalist Veronika NYIKOS (HUN).

Moro will defend her title after she dominated the Japan selection trials, winning both bouts 10-0. She will be tested by two-time U17 world champ Malik who lost 3-1 in the final last year. Malik won the U20 Asian gold in Amman in July.

U20 European champ Nyikos will hope to reach the final which she missed last year after a close loss to Malik in the semifinals, her second to the Indian.

Laura KUEHN (GER), however, will look to avenge her U20 Euro final loss to Nyikos while Yuqi LIU (CHN) hopes to do the same against Malik who won against the Chinese wrestler twice at the U20 Asia.

Myah PHILLIPS (CAN) is the U20 Pan-Am silver medalist while Daniela TKACHUK (POL) will have her last opportunity to win a medal after finishing fifth at the last two U20 Worlds.

#WrestleAmman

Rising star Masoumi gains revenge, joins gold rush by young Iran squad

By Ken Marantz

AMMAN, Jordan (March 30) -- Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) settled an old score as he continued his emergence as the new face in the heavyweight class.

Rising star Masoumi defeated Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the 125kg final as Iran won three of the five Freestyle titles at stake on the final day of the Asian Championships on Sunday in Amman, Jordan.

The 20-year-old Masoumi's 6-0 victory over Munkhtur avenged a loss in the quarterfinals two years ago at the Asian Championships, and gave the reigning world U23 and U20 champion the first of what could be many senior Asian titles to come.

Iran also got golds from teenager Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) at 86kg and world U23 champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), who successfully defended his 92kg title, while collegian Takara SUDA (JPN) gave Japan its third freestyle gold with a victory at 61kg and Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) triumphed at 74kg to become a three-time Asian champion.

The young Iran squad, which medaled in all but one weight class, compiled 190 points to run away with the team title for the second straight year and sixth time in seven years. Japan finished second with 146, while Kazakhstan edged Mongolia by two points for third place with 125.

"Iran did something really great and valuable this year by bringing young wrestlers to the Asian Championships, proving that we can win the title with them and that they deserve our trust," said Masoumi, whose father Fardin was a two-time world medalist and finished fifth at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

"The championship age is getting lower in the world, and I believe the more opportunities we give these young athletes, the bigger achievements they can accomplish."

Masoumi came into Amman riding high from a victory at the Zagreb Ranking Series event in February, a year after losing in the final to compatriot, world champion and two-time Olympic medalist Amir ZARE (IRI). Lanky for a heavyweight, Masoumi combines a lethal combination of speed, agility and power.

In the final against Munkhtur, a two-time world medalist and the 2023 Asian champion, Masoumi quickly took advantage of an opening and tripped the Mongolian backward at the edge for a 4-point takedown. He then used a double underhook to muscle Munkhtur over the edge to get a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on.

Although Masoumi went scoreless in the second period, he was never put in danger and fended off all of Munkhtur's efforts.

"Munkhtur is a tough and respectable opponent," Masoumi said. "He’s a world silver medalist, a world bronze medalist, the runner-up at the Asian Games, and an Asian champion.

"Thank God, with my coaches’ analysis and my own progress over the past few years, I was able to wrestle a smart match, winning 6-0 and avenging my loss to him in the Asian Championships two years ago."

Masoumi said his next competition will be the domestic Takhti Cup, which will serve as a national team qualifer for this year's World Championships in Zagreb.

"All of the top heavyweight contenders, including the biggest names, will compete there," he said. "I’ll also participate and test my chances for the Zagreb competition."

Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI)Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) posted an 11-4 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) in the 86kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 86kg, Rahmani put on an impressive performance in roaring to an 11-4 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), the 2023 Asian champion at 79kg who, at 32, was an opponent nearly twice his age.

Rahmani, less than one year removed from taking an Asian U20 silver, started his quest for senior gold with a single-leg takedown, then gave up one to Sakayev. Rahmani gained an activity point to lead 3-2 going into the second period.

The Iranian increased the gap by stepping over for a 2-point exposure on the edge, then really got rolling when he got behind for a takedown and hit a gut wrench. Another takedown put him up 11-2 before Sakayev capped the scoring with a late takedown.

Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI)Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) wrestles Deepak PUNIA (IND) in the 92kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Firouzpour, like Masoumi a world U23 champion and winner in Zagreb, turned in the most dominant victory of the night's finals, crushing Deepak PUNIA (IND) 10-0 for his second straight gold at 92kg and third overall.

A stepout and a snap-down takedown gave the 22-year-old Firouzpour a 3-0 lead in the first period. In the second, he added three more stepouts -- with a fleeing point added to one -- and an activity point to go up 8-0, then ended the match by countering a trip attempt and getting behind with 39 seconds left.

Firouzpour finished the tournament with two technical falls in three matches, and without conceding a point.

"My main goal was to not give up any points and wrestle my best in this tournament," Firouzpour said. "I’m happy that I achieved the result I wanted. I hope to perform well in the upcoming Takhti Cup...and to win gold at the World Championships in Croatia."

Firouzpour also praised Iran coach Pejman DOROSTKAR for taking the chance to assemble such a young team for the tournament.

"Not every head coach would take that risk, but he embraced the challenge and built a U23 team," Firouzpour said. "In fact, most of our team was under 21. Only one other wrestler and I were 22, while almost everyone else was under 20.

"Thanks to his decision, we won nine medals and dominated Asia. With a coach and federation president like we have now, I’m confident we’ll achieve the best results at the World Championships as well."

Punia, a world silver medalist at 86kg in 2019, earned his fourth Asian medal and first since 2022. He also has a silver from the 2023 Asian Games and placed fifth at the Tokyo Olympics.

Takara SUDA (JPN)Takara SUDA (JPN) defends against UDIT (IND) in the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Suda, winner at the Tirana Ranking Series event in February in his international senior debut, made it 2 for 2 on this level with a 6-4 victory in the 61kg final over UDIT (IND), last year's silver medalist at 57kg.

"I was determined to win the gold medal," Suda said. "To win my second senior tournament, following the Ranking Series, shows I can be competitive on this level."

Suda fired straight out of the blocks and scored a stepout with a charging single leg, then added a single-leg takedown to go into the break 3-0.

Udit went on the offensive in the second period, but couldn't seem to keep hold of the elusive Suda, who twice jumped free when Udit grabbed a low single. Udit kept his grip a third time, but Suda still managed to squirm free.

An activity point put Udit onto the scoreboard, but Suda quickly responded with a snap-down takedown. The two traded late stepouts before Udit scored a takedown in the final seconds that still left him short.

"In the final, I knew the Indian opponent would be strong physically," Suda said. "At the very least, I wanted to be aggressive in the first period."

Suda earned his ticket to Amman by winning his first national title last December in the absence of injured world champion Masanosuke ONO (JPN), his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate and training partner. Ono has since announced he will compete for Penn State University in the United States next season.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) added a third Asian title to his name. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In the 74kg final, Kaipanov put on a masterclass in defending against a dangerous opponent, with a stepout and activity point in the second period lifting him to a 2-1 victory over Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) and his first Asian title since 2021.

Toktomambetov, the 2024 world U23 silver medalist who took an Asian bronze at 70kg in 2023, gained an activity point for the lone score of the first period. But he couldn't break through Kaipanov's defenses in the second as the Kazakh veteran took the lead and held on for the win.

The victory makes Kaipanov a four-time Asian medalist, having won his first gold at 70kg in 2019 and a silver medal in 2022. He also took a world bronze at 70kg in 2019.

Dauletbekov grabs 92kg bronze for 6th career medal

Veteran Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ), who moved up 92kg late last year, was unable to continue his remarkable streak of Asian titles, but assured he would not leave Amman empty-handed when he defeated Sherzod POYONOV (UZB) 2-1 for a bronze medal.

Dauletbekov scored a stepout in the first period, and that proved the difference when the two had offsetting activity points to give him a sixth career Asian medal dating back to 2017.

The world bronze medalist, who won three straight Asian golds at 86kg from 2022-2024, bumped up a weight class following the Paris Olympics, where he placed 11th.

The other 92kg bronze went to Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN), who stormed to an 11-0 victory over Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) to add to his bronze at 97kg in 2021. Ishiguro barged to a 4-point takedown right off the bat, then got behind in standing position and took Rakhimov to the mat while executing a gut wrench, then added another roll for the 10-point gap at 1:52. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

In one of the oddest matches of the tournament, DINESH (IND) scored a takedown with :40 left to cap a comeback in a wild 14-12 victory over an obviously fatigued Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) for a 125kg bronze.

Saparov, the 2023 Asian U23 champion, looked chipper at the start, hitting Dinesh with a slick arm throw for 2, then using an arm spin for another takedown and adding a gut wrench to lead 6-0.

But from there, it became clear he was struggling for breath, and the only thing that seemed to save him were constant breaks to stop a bloody nose. Dinesh continually chipped away at the lead, although Saparov managed one spurt in the second period when he got behind for a takedown and added a gut wrench to go ahead 12-7.

Dinesh kept pressing and kept scoring, inevitably getting the winning points to clinch his first major medal. With Saparov's loss, Turkmenistan continued a medal drought at the Asian Championships dating back to 2018.

Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) claimed the other 125kg bronze and his second in a row with a victory by fall over Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ).

Leading 4-1 in the second period, Sharipov was sprawling when he reached under and pulled in Al Jamie's leg, forcing him to his back for a 4-point move before pressing down for the fall in 4:53.

At 61kg, Ahmad JAVAN (IRI), the winner at this year's Zagreb Ranking Series event, capped his debut at the Asian Championships with a solid 6-1 victory that relegated Kum Chol RI (PRK) to a second straight silver medal.

After thwarting a nice ankle pick by Ri and converting it into a takedown, Javan went on the offensive and got two takedowns off a high crotch, sandwiched around a stepout by Ri. Javan then defended well in a scoreless second period to add the Asian bronze to those at the world U20 in 2022 and world U23 in 2021 at 57kg.

Wanhao ZOU (CHN) won the other 61kg bronze, getting a takedown and stepout in the first period in a 4-2 victory that denied Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ) a second career bronze.

At 74kg, Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN) received an activity point in each period, while putting up a Great Wall of Defense to defeat Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB) 4-0. Aheiyou got his last two points when he stopped a last-ditch throw attempt by Nasritdinov.

Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI) became the lone Iranian in freestyle to leave without a medal when was dealt a heartbreaking 2-2 defeat by Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), despite being the aggressor throughout their 74kg match.

Shakeri, the 2023 world U230 champion at 65kg, gained an activity point in the first period, but Asluev went ahead in the second when he managed to gain control long enough for a takedown during a scramble that ended with Shakeri gaining a stepout.

To his credit, Asluev deftly slipped out when Shakeri got behind on the ankles, and whizzered out of another takedown attempt as he added to his bronze from 2023.

At 86kg, Asian U20 champion Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL), burned once by an arm spin by Nan CAO (CHN), was ready the second time, stopping his opponent in mid-twist and securing a second-period fall.

Cao, the Asian U23 champion at 79kg, took the lead with an acrobatic takedown in the first period. But Naadambat was ready the second time and it resulted in his first senior medal.

Stocky Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) came away with his second straight 86kg bronze, using his low center of gravity to score four stepouts and defeat Mukul DAHIYA (IND) 4-2.

Shirai, the 2022 world U23 champion, chalked up two stepouts in each period before 2023 Asian U20 champion Dahiya finally got on the scoreboard with a takedown late in the second period.

Day 6 Results

Freestyle

61kg (12 entries)
GOLD: Takara SUDA (JPN) df. UDIT (IND), 6-4

BRONZE: Ahmad JAVAN (IRI) df. Kum Chol RI (PRK), 6-1
BRONZE: Wanhao ZOU (CHN) df. Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ), 4-2

74kg (16 entries)
GOLD: Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) df. Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 2-1

BRONZE: Tu Erxun AHEIYOU (CHN) df. Fazliddin NASRITDINOV (UZB), 4-0
BRONZE: Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) df. Mohammad Reza SHAKERI (IRI), 2-2

86kg (15 entries)
GOLD: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 11-4

BRONZE: Batbilguun NAADAMBAT (MGL) df. Nan CAO (CHN) by Fall, 3:56 (2-2)
BRONZE: Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) df. Mukul DAHIYA (IND), 4-2

92kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) df. Deepak PUNIA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 5:21

BRONZE: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Sherzod POYONOV (UZB), 2-1
BRONZE: Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) df. Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ) by TF, 11-0, 1:53

125kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) df. Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), 6-0

BRONZE: DINESH (IND) df. Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM), 14-12
BRONZE: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Ahmed AL JAMIE (IRQ) by Fall, 4:53 (8-1)