The home stars were willed on by a fervent crowd which saw Manuchehr Rioev defeat Uzbekistan's Zafar Rashidov with just 27 seconds remaining of the 9-minute semi-final in the men's under-65.8-kilogram competition.

The Tajik sealed the win with a triangle choke which forced the submission to thrill the crowd again after his compatriot Isomiddin Zokirov's opening-bout loss to Shukurkon Rustamov of Uzbekistan in the same division.

More joy awaited Tajikistan in the men's under-52.2kg semi-finals as Isrofil Komilzoda beat Kazakh Ruslan Abdrakhmanov.

Another all-Tajik bout was scheduled in the men's under-61.2kg event, but the win was awarded to Mirzobek Umarov after Shoymard Abdulnazarov failed a medical exam before the beginning.

He will face team-mate Akrom Uzakov in the gold medal match following a unanimous points decision victory against Salauat Kabi of Kazakhstan.

There were three Tajik losses before Shokrukh Fatoev and Zafarso Shomirsaidov won in the men's over-120.2kg and under-56.7kg divisions, respectively.

A unanimous decision win secured Muhammad Salohiddinov's safe passage to the men's under-56.7kg final as he dispatched India's Mahboob Khan Mohammad Khan.

Another unanimous decision from the judges in the next bout saw Tajikistan's Masud Odinaev see off Neimat Assadov of Kazakhstan in the men's under-70.4kg class.

Anvar Langarchiev clinched the final win for the home nation in the men's under-93kg battle following a failed medical exam from Uzbek Bekruz Ochilov.

Competition is set to continue tomorrow in the capital with the medal matches.