Kazakhstan's freestyle wrestler Nurkozha Kaipanov has advanced to the final of the World Wrestling Championships taking place in Astana. In the semifinal of the 74 kg weight category, he defeated 2025 world champion Yoshinosuke Aoyagi of Japan with a score of 3:1. This was reported by Qazaqyia.kz citing Kursiv Media.
In the decisive bout, Kaipanov will face Russia's Inalbek Sheriev. The final will take place tomorrow, November 1.
Kaipanov began the home World Championships with an early victory over Egzon Xhoni of Kosovo – 10:0. The Kazakhstani then defeated Azerbaijan's Turan Bayramov – 4:0. In the quarterfinal, Kaipanov also won early against Viktor Rassadin of Tajikistan – 11:0, after which he proved stronger than Aoyagi in the semifinal.
Kaipanov became world champion in 2024 in the non-Olympic 70 kg category. At the home tournament, he competes in the Olympic 74 kg weight class.
In the 57 kg category, Meirambek Kartbay lost his first bout to Mexico's Roman Bravo-Young – 2:5.
Bravo-Young subsequently reached the final, thanks to which the Kazakhstani got the opportunity to continue competing through the consolation bracket. Kartbay's first opponent tomorrow will be John Leopold of Mauritius.
Azamat Dauletbekov in the 92 kg category began the championship with a victory over Olympic medalist Dauren Kurugliev. At a score of 2:2, the Kazakhstani advanced on additional criteria.
In the quarterfinal, Dauletbekov lost to Georgia's Miriani Maisuradze – 2:4. The Georgian then failed to reach the final, so the Kazakhstani lost the opportunity to continue through the consolation bracket.
Shamsat Tair competed in the 79 kg category. In the first bout, he defeated Algeria's Abdelkader Ikkal – 10:2, but in the 1/8 final he lost early to Belarus's Magomedkhabib Kadimagomedov – 2:12. Kadimagomedov then lost in the quarterfinal and did not allow Tair to enter the consolation bracket.
Bolat Sakaev, who the day before retained a chance for bronze in the 86 kg category, finished his performance at the world championship without a medal. In the consolation round, the Kazakhstani lost to Mongolia's Batbilguun NaadamBat – 5:7.
Tomorrow the final bouts of the World Championships will take place in the 57, 74, 79 and 92 kg categories. Kaipanov will fight for gold at 74 kg, while Kartbay will start the day with a consolation bout and retain a chance for a bronze medal.
Also today, Asyl Aitakyn will compete for third place.
In Greco-Roman wrestling, Kazakhstan's team with three bronze medals took 12th place in the unofficial medal standings. They were earned by Iskhar Kurbaev (55 kg), Aidos Sultangali (60 kg) and Bagdat Sabaz (67 kg).
Kazakhstan's only medal in women's wrestling at the tournament was won by Zeinep Bayanova. In the 50 kg category, she became a bronze medalist. Earlier, Nilufar Raimova, Zhamilya Bakbergenova and Altyn Shagayeva also reached third-place bouts but lost to their opponents.
The World Wrestling Championships are being held in Astana at Barys Arena from October 24 to November 1 with the participation of almost 900 athletes from about 100 countries. Kazakhstan is hosting the adult world championship for the first time since 2019. Our team is represented by a full roster of 30 athletes.