China's Buheeerdun wins men's FS 125kg gold at China-Central Asia Elite Wrestling tournament

Sherzod Poyonov (L) of Uzbekistan and Habila Awusayiman of China compete during the men's freestyle 97kg final at 2026 China-Central Asia Elite Wrestling Tournament in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

XI'AN, Aug. 9 (Xinhua) -- The 2026 China-Central Asia Elite Wrestling Tournament concluded on Sunday, with China's Buheeerdun winning gold in the men's 125kg freestyle event.

Buheeerdun, 26, won bronze at China's 15th National Games in 2025. In Sunday's 125kg competition, Buheeerdun and Uzbekistan's Abdurashidov Namoz each won their first two round-robin matches, leaving their encounter to decide the gold medal.

World No. 10 Buheeerdun made a stronger start but then made a mistake and lost a challenge, allowing Namoz to take a 5-4 lead into the break.

Buheeerdun continued to attack in the second period, gradually wearing down Namoz's defense before turning the match around to win 11-6.

"Although I never play against the Uzbekistan player, I knew his advantages and disadvantages. During the break, my coach asked me to keep attacking in the second half, so I can keep scoring points and win the match," Buheeerdun told Xinhua.

He added, "I will strengthen my weakness, looking forward to winning the gold at Asian Games in September."

Mongolia's Batkhuyag Munkh-erdene won the 57kg title, while Tajikistan's Evloev Magomet and Kudiev Abdulmazhid took gold in the 87kg and 65kg events, respectively.

Uzbek wrestlers won two gold medals on Sunday, with Poyonov Sherzod triumphing at 97kg and Kuldashev Begijon at 74kg.

Abdulmazhid Kudiev (bottom) of Tajikistan and Sanjarbek Rustambekov of Uzbekistan during the men's freestyle 65kg final at 2026 China-Central Asia Elite Wrestling Tournament in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Sherzod Poyonov (R) of Uzbekistan and Habila Awusayiman of China compete during the men's freestyle 97kg final at 2026 China-Central Asia Elite Wrestling Tournament in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Begijon Kuldashev (top) of Uzbekistan and Ariunbold Ganbat of Mongolia compete during the men's freestyle 74kg final at 2026 China-Central Asia Elite Wrestling Tournament in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Sherzod Poyonov (R) of Uzbekistan and Habila Awusayiman of China compete during the men's freestyle 97kg final at 2026 China-Central Asia Elite Wrestling Tournament in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)

Magomet Evloev (top) of Tajikistan and Gang Suhe of China compete during the men's freestyle 86kg final at 2026 China-Central Asia Elite Wrestling Tournament in Xi'an, northwest China's Shaanxi Province, Aug. 9, 2026. (Xinhua/Li Yibo)