Gold medalist Artyom Shturbabin of Uzbekistan reacts after the Men 66Kg Final of Kurash between Uzbekistan and Iran at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
HANGZHOU, Sept. 30 (Xinhua) -- It was little surprise that Uzbekistan, where the ancient martial art of kurash originated at least 3,500 years ago, dominated on the opening day of the competition at the Hangzhou Asian Games on Saturday.
The world champion trio of Artyom Shturbabin, Khilola Ortikboeva and Mukhsin Khisomiddinov lived up to their favorites tag in their respective weight categories on the gilam, kurash's competition arena.
In the men's +90kg final, four-time world champion Khisomiddinov, who is also the defending champion at the Asiad, defeated Turkmenistan's Tejen Tejenov 5-0 for the gold.
"All their athletes are strong," said Tejenov. "It is the traditional sport of Uzbekistan, so I'm not surprised."
Shturbabin defeated Iran's Majid Vahid Barimanlou 8-0 to take gold in the men's 66kg. Losing semifinalists Murodzoda Khairandeshi of Tajikistan and Kwon Jae-deog of South Korea rounded off the podium with the shared bronze medal.
In women's 52kg final, Ortikboeva swept past compatriot Sitora Elmurodova 10-0 to take the title.
South Korea secured their first Asian Games medals in kurash through bronze medals for Kwon (men's 66kg) and Jeong Jun-yong in the men's +90kg.
Thailand had their own kurash moments when Saowalak Homklin (women's 52kg) and Kunathip Yea On (men's +90kg) both collected bronze medals.
The shared bronze medal in the women's 52kg went to Aynur Amanova of Turkmenistan. ■
Gold medalist Artyom Shturbabin (2nd,L) of Uzbekistan, silver medalist Majid Vahid Barimanlou (L) of Iran and bronze medalists Kwon Jaedeog (2nd,R) of South Korea and Murodzoda Khairandeshi of Tajikistan attend the awarding ceremony for the Men 66Kg Final of Kurash between Uzbekistan and Iran at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Majid Vahid Barimanlou of Iran reacts after the Men 66Kg Final of Kurash between Uzbekistan and Iran at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Artyom Shturbabin (top) of Uzbekistan competes with Majid Vahid Barimanlou of Iran during the Men 66Kg Final of Kurash between Uzbekistan and Iran at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Artyom Shturbabin (L) of Uzbekistan competes with Majid Vahid Barimanlou of Iran during the Men 66Kg Final of Kurash between Uzbekistan and Iran at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Artyom Shturbabin (bottom) of Uzbekistan competes with Majid Vahid Barimanlou of Iran during the Men 66Kg Final of Kurash between Uzbekistan and Iran at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
Mukhsin Khisomiddinov (R) of Uzbekistan competes with Tejen Tejenov of Turkmenistan during the Men +90Kg Final of Kurash between Uzbekistan and Turkmenistan at the 19th Asian Games in Hangzhou, east China's Zhejiang Province, Sept. 30, 2023. (Xinhua/Wan Xiang)
