Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) gained place in Tokyo Olympics by winning Asian Olympic qualifying tournament. In decisive semifinal, scored two 4-point throws to defeat Gurpreet SINGH (IND) 8-2, then defeated Shohei YABIKU (JPN) 7-3 in final....This year, took bronze medal at Istanbul tournament. Lost to Furkan BAYRAK (TUR) 8-5 in 1st round, won by injury default in bronze-medal match over Aleksandr CHEKHIRKIN (RUS)...Missed all of 2019 after undergoing surgery on left knee injured while playing football on Feb. 8, 2019. In lone competition of 2020 after long rehab, lost to former world champion Viktor NEMES (SRB) 3-0 in 1st round at Individual World Cup...Made splash in senior debut at 2018 Asian Championships in home country. Won 72kg gold with thrilling 8-6 victory over Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) in final selected at UWW's Greco match of year....Six months later, was silver medalist at 2018 Asian Games, losing 7-3 in final to Mohammadali GERAEI (IRI)...World junior silver medalist in 2017 and bronze medalist in 2018, world cadet champion in 2016.