Aichi-Nagoya:Bahrain: Shamil Sharipov clinched the bronze medal in the men's 125kg freestyle wrestling event at the 20th Asian Games, elevating Bahrain's total medal count to 22, which includes 11 gold, five silver, and six bronze medals.
According to Bahrain News Agency, Sharipov began his tournament with an impressive 11-0 victory over Kim Gwanuk of South Korea in the round of 16. He continued his dominant performance by defeating Kyrgyzstan's Arslanbek Turdubekov 11-0 in the quarterfinals, advancing to the semifinals.
In the semifinals, Sharipov was defeated by China's Buheeerdun by fall, which led him to compete in the bronze medal match. He successfully secured third place by defeating Mongolia's Batbayar Nambardagva with a 9-0 score, marking Bahrain's fifth wrestling medal at the Games.
In other matches, Bahrain's Khidir Saipudinov was defeated 9-5 by Kyrgyzstan's Malik Shavaev in the round of 16 of the 86kg category. Ali Begov also exited in the round of 16 of the 65kg category after his match against Yun Junsik of South Korea ended 5-5, with Yun advancing on criteria.
Bahrain will continue its participation in wrestling and taekwondo as the Asian Games near their conclusion on October 4. In freestyle wrestling, Magomedrasul Asluev and Magomed Sharipov will compete in the 74kg and 97kg categories, respectively. In taekwondo, Ola Al Doseri will begin her campaign in the women's over-67kg category in the round of 16.
Bahrain's athletes across various sports are contributing to the Kingdom's growing medal tally at the Aichi-Nagoya Asian Games.