#WrestleBelgrade

2023 Wrestling World Championships 57kg, 74kg, 79kg, 92kg semis set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 17) -- The World Championships enters its second day with more Freestyle action. Four new weight categories will be on the mat 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 92kg with the first two being Olympic weight classes. Later in the evening, Paris Olympic quotas will be handed out.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER

The semifinals at 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 92kg

79kg
Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) vs. Orkhan ABASOV (AZE)
Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) vs. Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR)

92kg
Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) vs. Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ)
Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)

57kg
Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) vs. Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ)
Stevan MICIC (SRB) vs. Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB)

74kg
Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) vs. Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN)
Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) vs. Kyle DAKE (USA)

15:48: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) avoids the fate of fellow Olympic champion Zavur UGUEV (AIN) when he staves off the upset bid of a hometown favorite, beating former world champion Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) 6-4 to make the 74kg semifinals. Sidakov trailed 3-2 going into the second period when he scored a takedown with just under two minutes left. Cabolov gets a stepout, but he still trails on criteria. Sidakov seals the deal with a late stepout for the win.

15:45: Kyle DAKE (USA) survives a scare in his bid to defend his 74kg title, scoring a stepout with 27 seconds left to go ahead en route to a 6-4 win over Daichi TAKATANI (JPN). Takatani gained a 4-point move off a lift-up-and-dump in the first period, and that kept him ahead on criteria when Dake tied the score in the second period. A late but futile challenge added the final point. 

15:45: If you need any more surprises! Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) with a 4-3 win over Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) at 74kg! Kougioumtsidis had a 3-3 criteria lead but tried throwing Salkazanov in the final seconds. The referees gave Salkazanov two points as Kougioumtsidis fell on his back. But a challenge from Greece saw it overturned. Salkazanov's head had moved out first.

He will meet Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) in the semifinals who survived a comeback from Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) to win 5-4.

15:34: Stevan MICIC (SR) pulls off the biggest surprise of the day, much to the thrill of the hometown crowd, when he overcomes a five-point deficit in the last 40 seconds, scoring the winning takedown at the buzzer to stun Olympic champion Zavur UGUEV (AIN) 9-7 in their 57kg quarterfinal.

15:30: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) stunned Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) with a four to start and then transitioned into a leg lace but Higuchi held on. Harutyunyan comes out leading 7-2. But Higuchi settles back and gets a takedown and gut to cut it to 7-6. A double from Higuchi for four and a lead of 10-7 at the break. A takedown to start the second period for Higuchi. Looks like Harutyunyan is out of steam. Higuchi with another four. He now leads 16-8. A takedown from Harutyunyan cut the lead to 16-10 with a minute to go. Two stepouts for the Armenian and it's 16-12. He adds another with a caution and Harutyunyan closes in with 16-14. Higuchi hangs on!

15:20: Osman NURMAGAOMEDOV (AZE), a bronze medalist last year, is trailing on criteria when he scores two takedowns in the final 40 seconds to upend Zahid VALENCIA (USA) 5-1 and secure a place in the 92kg semifinals. 

15:15: Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) with a fall over Pruthviraj PATIL (UWW) to move into the 92kg semifinals. He will take on Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) who beats Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL).

15:05: Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) takes the lead for the first time with a double-leg takedown with 45 seconds left, then gets a late one off a desperation leap in a 5-2 victory at 79kg over 2022 silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI). Usamanov will face Orkhan ABASOV (AZE), a 9-3 winner over Chance MARSTELLER (USA), in the semifinals.

15:05: U23 world champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) worked hard for a 5-1 lead over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) and kept attacking to finish the bout 7-1 and move into the semifinals against Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR). The Ukrainian came out all guns blazing against Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) and won the quarterfinal 5-2

14:54: Defending 74kg champion Kyle DAKE (USA) comes out like gangbusters against two-time Asian champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), bulldozing to a 9-0 first-period lead. But he takes his foot off the gas in the second and gives up four points, but he's into the quarterfinals with a 9-4 win. He will face Daichi TAKATANi (JPN), whose older brother Sohsuke he defeated at the 2018 World Cup.

14:35: Stevan MICIC (SRB) was up 5-0 at the break and added another takedown in the second period against Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) to win 7-2 at 57kg. Top win for Micic there

14:25: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) will get a chance to avenge his quarterfinal loss from last year at 61kg to Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), and in the same round, after he mauled Vladimir EGOROV (MKD) 11-0 at 57kg.

14:18: Two Olympic champions, Zavur UGUEV (AIN) and Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN), both won by the same score in back-to-back matches on Mat B to advance to the quarterfinals. Uguev takes out Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) 6-0 at 57kg, then Sidakov scores three takedowns to beat Yones EMAMI (IRI) by the same score at 74kg. 

14:15: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), on his world debut, beats Vladislav VALIEV (AIN) 7-0 at 92kg. What a start for the teenager. Valiev was a 2019 European champion.

14:05: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) with a strong arm throw and gets a four over AMAN (UWW). He gets to a leg lace and an 11-0 win over Aman at 57kg.

14:00: Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) continues to use his low single to maximum effect, advancing to the 57kg quarterfinals by scoring a pair of stepouts and a takedown in the first period and holding off any attacks in a 4-0 victory over Wanhao ZOU (CHN).

13:55: Both returning bronze medalists at 92kg, Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), with technical superiority win. The Georgian wins over Rustam SHODIEV (UZB) while the Azerbaijan wrestler wins over Denys SAHALIUK (UKR).

13:50: Chance MARSTELLER (USA), who had to beat former world and Olympic champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) just to make the U.S. team and get to Belgrade, scores three hard-fought takedowns in a 7-2 victory over Chems FATAIRIA (ALG) to advance to the 79kg quarterfinals. 

13:20: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) with a 3-0 win over Bekzod ABDURAKHAMANOV (UZB) at 74kg. An activity point and a takedown for Sidakov as he moves into the 1/8 finals

13:00: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) needed some time but he won 10-0 over Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) at 74kg. He moves into the 1/8 finals

12:57: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) with a technical superiority win over Gayan Kathurangana (SRI) as he warms up at 57kg. Next up on Mat D is Asian champion AMAN (UWW) against Igor CHICHIOI (MDA). He gets one takedown and a point for Chichioi's passivity to lead 3-0 at the break. He gets a figure-four and wins 11-2

12:55: Stevan MICIC (SRB) gets the crowd going as he wins at 57kg, a technical superiority over Gukhyeon KIM (KOR). He was a bronze medalist last year at 61kg.

12:52: Tokyo Olympic and two-time former world champion Zavur UGUEV (AIN) gets off to a roaring start at 57kg. He scores two quick takedowns against Levan METREVELI (ESP)  and after the second one, he applies an arm bar and levers the Spaniard over three times for a 10-0 win in 1:34.

12:49: An upset on Mat C as Niklas STECHELE (GER) scores a takedown with 30 seconds to go and defeats two-time world medalist Suleyman ATLI (TUR) 7-6 at 57kg.

12:35: Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), the 61kg champion last year who is on a mission to win the Olympic 57kg gold that he barely missed out on at Rio 2016, shows no mercy in pummeling Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) in a 10-0 victory in 1:10. Higuchi counters Vangelov's counter with legs and a cross-face to go up 4-0. When Vengelov squirms out, Higuchi goes to a tight lace lock and forces the three rolls he needs to end the match.

12:30: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) with a 14-2 win over Simone PIRRODU (ITA) at 57kg. Seems like that leg lace has hurt Pirrodu as he limps off the mat

12:16: A thriller on Mat C puts Olympic silver medalist Magomedkhabib KADIMAGOMEDOV (AIN) out of the gold-medal chase. Georgis KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) scores a takedown and stepout off a subsequent scramble to go up 5-4 with 40 seconds left. But Kadimagomedov gets 2 off a counter lift with 7 seconds left, only to see the Greek scramble out and get a 2-point exposure with 2 seconds left for a dramatic 7-6 win.

12:10: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) knocks off two-time world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) 7-2 at 74kg! Chamizo scored two points but Takatani scored a takedown and a stepout. But he got on a double-leg and got the turn to win 7-2

12:05: Veteran Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) doesn't seem to have lost a step at 33 as he aims for his third world medal and first since 2018. The Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist uses his sweeping low singles to knock off Kamil RYBICKI (POL) with a comprehensive 12-1 technical fall at 74kg.

12:00: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO) in a rematch of the 2018 World Championships final on Mat D. Kentchadze is put on activity clock but fails to score. He manages a stepout and lead 1-1 at the break. Sidakov shoots for single leg in the second period but Kentchadze gets the cradle for four and a danger position gives Sidakov two points. Sidakov challenges the call but it holds. 6-3 lead for Kentchadze. Sidakov switches levels and gets a takedown to cut the lead to 6-5. And the Tokyo Olympic champion hits a double leg for takedown to take the 7-6 lead which he maintains for the end of the clock. What a start for Sidakov at 74kg.

11:45: Returning bronze medalist Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) has a tight bout against Tim MUELLER (GER) but manages to hang on for a 3-1 win. Budazhapov would hope to win a bronze again and qualify Kyrgyzstan for the Paris Olympics.

11:41: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM), a bronze medalist at 61kg the past two years, begins his foray at the Olympic weight of 57kg by overwhelming gritty Kamil KERYMOV (UKR). He fights off a whizzer for a takedown and a 14-3 technical fall with one tick left on the clock.

11:35: Vladislav VALIEV (AIN) warms up with a 10-0 win over Dan CHEPTAI (KEN) at 92kg. The 2019 European champion is a huge gold medal favorite

11:31: Amirali AZAPIRA (IRI), the two-time reigning world U23 champion at 97kg, gets Iran off to a winning start, gaining a driving takedown early in the second period to finish off an 11-0 technical fall over Woomin JANG (KOR) at 92kg. That sets up an Iran-USA clash with Zahid VALENCIA (USA) in the round of 16.

11:20: 2021 European champion Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK) holds on to a 2-2 win over Gurbanmyrat OVEZBERDIYEV (TKM) in the 79kg opening bout. Both wrestlers did not stop their pace.

11:12: Consecutive matches at 79kg on Mat B show why coaches tell their athletes to fight to the end, no matter how badly they are losing. Shuhrat BOZOROV (TJK) trails Mihail GEORGIEV (BUL) 6-0 late in the second period, but scores a takedown, then uses a cross-face ride to secure a fall with 40 seconds left. Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL) follows by spotting Peilong LI (CHN) an eight-point lead, then whittles it down before putting Li on his back and going ahead 10-8. Bat Erdene stops a last-ditch throw attempt and gains a fall in the final seconds.

10:55: Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) opens the action at 79kg by scoring a late stepout off a scramble to hold on for a 3-2 victory over European bronze medalist Ahmad MAGOMEDOV (MKD).

10:30: Big day of wrestling in front of us. Two Olympic weight classes, 57kg and 74kg, will be in action along with 79kg and 92kg, the two non-Olympic weight classes.

#WrestleParis

Wrestling at Paris 2024: Lopez beats Mirzazadeh, Ozaki falls

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

PARIS (August 5) -- Welcome to wrestling at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Day one here at the Champs de Mars Arena with Greco-Roman in 130kg and 60kg and Women's Wrestling in 68kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 NEWS

What a session of wrestling! Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) marches towards a fifth Olympic gold medal after reaching the semifinals at 130kg. He downed world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) 3-1. At 60kg, Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) vs Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) in the semifinal. 

In women's wrestling, Amit ELOR (USA) has Sol Gum PAK (PRK) while Blessing OBURODUDU (NGR) wrestles Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)

17:20: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) looks like a man on a mission as he puts away Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) on his first chance of par terre, going back and forth for four exposures and a 9-0 win in 1:43 at Greco 60kg. That sets up a mouth-watering encounter with Sharshenbekov for a place in the finals.

17:17: Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) pulls off one of the biggest victories of her career, scoring a takedown with seven seconds left to stun Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) 8-6 at women's 68kg after squandering a six-point lead. Zhumanazarova counters a single leg for a takedown and adds a roll, then picks up a second takedown to go up 6-0 at the break. Ozaki comes back in the second period with a takedown and gut wrench, then goes ahead on criteria with a takedown with 1:10 left. But Zhumanazarova still has some fight left in her, and gets behind on a single for the win.

17:15: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) rides a 4-point throw from par terre to a 9-0 victory over Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) to secure his place in the Greco 60kg semifinals.

17:07: Liguo CAO (CHN) gets a 4-point throw from par terre and that makes the difference in a 5-3 victory over a gutsy Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) to advance to the Greco 60kg semifinals.

17:06: Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) relied on her wits and experience to defy the home crowd and get past Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) 6-2 and advance to the women's 68kg semifinals. Oborududu trailed 2-1 in the second period when she scored a takedown with 1:10 left. With Larroque pressing for the winning score, it was Oborududu who came up with a takedown to clinch the win.

17:03: A semifinal for Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) as he hangs on for a 2-1 win over Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) at 130kg. He will wrestle Lingzhe MENG (CHN) for a spot in the final

16:53: Teenager Sol Gum PAK (PRK) and a right shoulder injury prove too much for NISHA (IND), who can't hang on and is eliminated with a 10-8 loss at women's 68kg. Nisha was the dominant force, building up an 8-2 lead when she injured her shoulder during a Pak takedown. She could offer little resistance as Pak continued to score points until getting the winning takedown with 8 seconds left to earn a semifinal clash with Elor.

16:52: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) survived a second passivity call against himself to beat Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) 1-1 and enter the semifinal at 130kg in Greco-Roman

16:47: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), who ended the Tokyo Olympics in tears after losing to a Cuban in the Greco 60kg, showed no mercy for Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB) as he cruised to an 11-1 victory. Fumita gets three rolls from par terre in the first period, then finishes off the proceedings with a 4-point headlock throw in the second.

16:39: Three-time Asian medalist Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) makes short work of Abdelkarim FERGAT (ALG), reeling off a series of gut wrenches for a 9-0 victory in 1:48 at Greco 60kg.

16:40: Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) gets both the par terre to lead 2-0 against Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ). The Kazakh is then docked two points for his aggressive open hand. Shariati wins 4-0 to enter the semifinals against Lopez

16:37: Amit ELOR (USA) proves too much for Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) and she's comfortably into the women's 68kg semifinals with an 8-0 victory. Elor gets two takedowns and a stepout in the first period, then adds an activity point and takedown in the second.  

16:35: Razvan ARNAUT (ROU) uses a nice arm drag for a first-period takedown, then adds a second 2-point in the second in a 4-2 win over Enes BASAR (TUR) at Greco 60kg. Basar used the over-the-top jump to score a late takedown, but the clock ran out before he completed a turn.

16:30: Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) and Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) in the 130kg quarterfinal. Lopez defeated the Iranian in the Tokyo Olympics. In Paris, he gets the first par terre advantage and, hold your breath, gets a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break! What a moment in the match. Three minutes to wrestle. Mirzazadeh used a much more aggressive approach in the second period. Lopez is called for passivity and is now in par terre. Mirzazadeh needs a turn to take the criteria lead. Mirzazadeh wants to resume in standing. That strategy from Iran will need three points for a win. Lopez is still standing tall over Mirzazadeh. Mijain LOPEZ beats Mirzazadeh 3-1 and moves into the semifinal

16:27: Like her compatriot minutes before Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) needs a comeback to get by Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) 8-3 at women's 68kg. Zhumanazarova trails 3-0 going into the second period when she hits a 4-point takedown, then tangles up Enkhsaikhan's legs and scores a pair of rolls. She will next face Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) for a place in the semifinals later tonight.

16:21: Two-time reigning world champion and top seed Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ), aiming to become his country's first-ever gold medalist, survives a tough first test from neighbor Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ), scoring two takedowns in the second period for a 6-3 win at Greco 68kg.

16:20: World bronze medalist Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) pins age-group world champion Muhammet BAKIR (TUR) at 130kg. He moves into the quarterfinals. But it's time for the big one. Lopez vs Mirzazadeh

16:16: World 65kg champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) needs just 32 seconds to get past Soleymi CARABALLO (VEN) 10-0 to start her quest for the women's 68kg gold after missing out on Japan's place at her usual weight at 62kg.

16:14: Tokyo Olympic silver medalist Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) spotted former world champion Linda MORAIS (CAN) an early takedown, but came back with three of her own in the second period for an 8-2 victory at women's 68kg. 

16:10: Yasmani ACOSTA (CHI) hangs on to a 1-1 win over Kiril MILOV (BUL) at 130kg. Acosta got the passivity advantage in the second period which was enough for him to win 1-1. Milov, a regular at 97kg, moved to 130kg after Bulgaria was awarded a quota.

16:07: World bronze medalist Liguo CAO (CHN) hits a 4-point throw from par terre in the second period to secure a 6-2 victory over Moamen MOHAMED (EGY) at Greco 60kg. Cao was trailing 2-1 when he received the passivity point with 1:47 left to put him ahead on criteria, but sealed the deal with his big throw at the edge.

16:01: World bronze medalist Koumba LARROQUE (FRA), urged on by a loud partisan crowd in the Champs de Mars Arena, scores two takedowns in the first period and one in the second in a 6-0 victory over Tayla FORD (NZL).

15:59: Mantas KNYSTAUTAS (LTU) gets the par terre and never allows to Oussama ASSAD (MAR) to defend. He scores four turns and wins 9-0 to enter the quarterfinals at 130kg in Greco-Roman.

15:55: Raiber RODRIGUEZ (VEN) gives South America a rare victory by holding on to defeat two-time world medalist Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) 6-5 at Greco 60kg. Rodriguez, helped by a leg penalty, leads 6-1 before Mammadov scores a takedown with :45 left and adds a gut wrench to cut the gap to 1. Rodriguez then squirms out of a late takedown attempt to clinch the win and a place in the quarterfinals.

15:55: Lingzhe MENG (CHN) has a good warmup win over Jello KRAHMER (GER) at 130kg. He moves into the quarterfinals with a 4-1 win.

15:48: Sol Gum PAK (PRK) showed again how her country's wrestlers can never be underestimated when she outdueled former world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA) in a 10-6 thriller at women's 68kg. The two traded takedowns throughout the bout and Ringaci led 6-4 when Pak went ahead on criteria with a takedown with :58 left. She then put the matter to rest with a late 4-point takedown.

15:42: Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) with a takedown in the second period to beat Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) 3-1 at 130kg. Both exchanged passivity points but Syzdykov kept the pressure up and got the takedown with just over a minute left in the bout.

15:39: World bronze medalist Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) gets started at Greco 60kg with a comfortable 9-0 victory over Refugee Team member Jamal VALIZADEH (EOR). Bakhramov was just unstoppable with his gut wrenches from par terre in ending the match at 3:52.

15:37: Asian bronze medalist NISHA (IND) bounces back after giving up an early 4-point takedown to Tatiana SOVA RIZHKO (UKR) at women's 68kg, scoring two takedowns in the second period for a 6-4 victory. Sova Rizhko used a nice reverse headlock-back trip combination for her 4 points. 

15:32: Victor Ciobanu (MDA), the 2021 world champion who finished fifth at the Tokyo Olympics, falls at the first stage at Greco 60kg to Se Ung RI (PRK). From par terre, Ciobanu gets a reverse lock and pulls Ri back and over his head for 2, but Ri responds with a front headlock roll for 4 that was originally given 2 but upgraded on a challenge. Ri then catches Ciobanu when he tries the desperation over-the-head jump, throws him to his back and records the fall with 1:02 left.

15:30: Two veterans at 130kg. 2012 London Olympic silver medalist Heiki NABI (EST) and Rio bronze medalist Sabah SHARIATI (AZE) on Mat C. Nabi gets the first par terre advantage and leads 1-0. Shariati gets the par terre in the second and leads 1-1 on criteria. Shariati maintains the lead and wins 1-1 on criteria

15:22: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) pulls a surprise at women's 68kg, knocking off Zagreb Open champion Feng ZHOU (CHN) 10-3. Choluj uses a beautiful fireman's carry to take a 4-1 lead into the second period. The match hits a key point when Choluj gets in deep for a takedown and Zhou tries a counter lift. That gives both 2 points, but Choluj rolls through it and lands on top for 2 more to go ahead 8-3. 

15:22: Four-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) sets up a quarterfinal against world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) at 130kg. He looks formidable in his 7-0 win over Seungchan LEE (KOR).

15:13: Beginning the action at Greco 60kg on Mat A, Enes BASAR (TUR) puts together an amazing rally to defeat Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) 8-7 in a battle of the world 63kg bronze medalists. Tibilov storms to a 7-0 lead in the first period, but Basar turns the tide in the second, scoring a takedown and gut wrench, then getting another gut wrench from par terre. An unsuccessful challenge of a late takedown attempt gives Basar his final point.

15:12: The women's 68kg competition gets started on Mat B with a clash of reigning world champions. Amit ELOR (USA), the gold medalist at 72kg, had little problem putting away the top-seed and world 68kg champion Buse TOSUN (TUR), scoring four takedowns in a 10-2 victory.

15:09: World champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) gets his first win as he beats Adam COON (USA) with no trouble. He scores a turn from par terre to lead 3-0 at the break. Coon gets the par terre in the second period but no turn for him. Mirzazadeh wins 3-1 and enters the quarterfinals.

15:00: Wresting at the 2024 Paris Games could not have had a better story to follow on day one. Mijain LOPEZ (CUB) is going for his fifth Olympic gold medal at the Olympics. No athlete has done that before.