UWW

Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) became Kyrgyzstan's 1st-ever wrestling world gold medalist at 2019 World Championships, giving her chance to become former Soviet republic's 1st-ever Olympic champion in any sport in Tokyo. Defeated defending champion Taybe YUSEIN (BUL) in final with takedown in final 10 seconds for 5-3 victory...Has won last 5 tournaments (Poland Open twice, Individual World Cup, Ukrainian International and Asian Championships) over 7-month span from November 2020 to June 2021...Last lost in quarterfinals at 2020 Asian Championships, falling 6-1 to rival Yukako KAWAI (JPN) in reversal of 2019 final....Has medaled at every Asian Championships between 2013 and 2021 except 2018 (injured), winning golds in 2016, 2017, 2019 and 2021. Also skipped World Championships in 2018...Finished 5th at Rio 2016 Olympics, losing in semifinals to Valeria KOBLOVA (RUS) and bronze-medal match to Sakshi MALIK (IND). Also appeared at London 2012 Olympics just four years after starting wrestling, but lost in 1st round...Village did not have wrestling club, so she left home to pursue sport in Bishkek at age 15.