Nokhodi bumps to 86kg, beats Ishiguro 9-6 for Asian Games gold
The two-time World finalist went up from 79kg and took out a returning World silver medalist.
Mohammad Nokhodi of Iran won Asian Games freestyle gold at 86kg, beating Japan's Hayato Ishiguro 9-6 in the final, per United World Wrestling. Nokhodi moved up a weight class to do it, according to GlobalWrestOrder, who pointed out that Ishiguro is a returning World finalist and Nokhodi is a two-time World finalist himself. Beating a World silver medalist in a weight that is not yours is the kind of result that changes how a senior-level bracket gets read.
GlobalWrestOrder was not subtle about what it meant, calling it an "insane display of technique and ability" and writing that Nokhodi "looked better than ever here at the Asian Games." The account's read is that if he keeps wrestling like this, he is the favorite for the World title back down at his natural 79kg.
The rest of the 86kg podium
Suldkhuu Olonbayar of Mongolia took one bronze with a 5-3 win over Azamat Dauletbekov. Malik Shavaev of Kyrgyzstan took the other, teching Gyeongyeon Lee of South Korea 12-1.
For the fans tracking 79kg into the next World Championships, this is the data point that matters more than the medal. Nokhodi has twice come up short in a World final. He just handled a World finalist from one weight above, which is the hardest way to make that argument.
Iran also had plenty going on elsewhere at these Games, where India broke a 64-year drought by reaching a Greco final.
What to watch
Whether Nokhodi goes back down to 79kg for the World Championships or stays at 86kg. Nobody has said which way he is leaning.
Nokhodi looks like the favorite to win the world title at his natural weight of 79kg
Just an insane display of technique and ability