Biography

Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) earned ticket to 2nd Olympics with top-2 finish at Asian Olympic qualifying tournament in Almaty. Had finished 11th at 2019 World Championships with 12-9 loss in 2nd round to Khadzhimurad GADZHIYEV (AZE)....Placed 3rd at Ukrainian International in February this year...Two-time world bronze medalist (2014, 2018). At Budapest 2018, dealt stunning 12-12 loss in 1st round by Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) after leading 12-4 with minute to go....Two-time gold medalist at Asian Games (2014 and 2018) and Asian Championships (2015 and 2017). Beat Tokyo Olympian Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) 3-2 in final at Jakarta 2018....Placed 5th at Rio 2016 Olympics. Lost 10-5 in 1st round to Aniuar GEDUEV (RUS), beat world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) 11-1 in repechage, but lost 9-7 in bronze-medal match to Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE)....Went to USA as teenager after incident on Uzbek junior national team. Knowing no English, studied at Colby Kansas Junior College before transferring to Clarion University in Pennsylvania. Finished 3rd at 2012 NCAA Championships. After graduating with sports management degree, became volunteer coach at Harvard University while continuing career...Has also competed in mixed martial arts, compiling a 7-0 record.