Buchanan spoils Yazdani’s return at Zagreb Open

Friday, February 6, 2026 - 00:58 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 5) -- For the modestly attended Zagreb Open 2026, Thursday brought a noticeable lift in attendance as Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) returned to competition.

Yazdani, who injured his shoulder in the Paris Olympics final, was returning 18 months and another surgery later. The Olympic champion at 74kg in 2016 and silver medalist at 86kg in 2020 and 2024, is now up at 97kg.

Over the past decade, Yazdani has enjoyed stardom with fans not just in Iran but across the globe.

So when a bulkier Yazdani walked out to the mat in Zagreb, his silhouette under the spotlights looked different. The 13 kilogram jump was clearly visible. There was no traditional jump from him before coming to the center of the mat.

Stephen BUCHANAN (USA) launches Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) for a four-point throw. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Yazdani’s decision to switch Olympic weight classes was a move born out of necessity, especially after two shoulder surgeries.

In the early rounds of the Zagreb Open, the experiment seemed to be working. The signature underhooks were there, the gas tank seemed fine and his movement, despite the bulk, did not seem unnatural.

Before reaching the final, Yazdani had seen off his opponents with rather ease. He scored points via stepouts, takedowns and go-behind in typical Yazdani fashion. He gave up only four points in his three bouts and reached the final without much trouble.

But then he hit a wall.

In the second period of the final, Yazdani's underhooks stopped working and his gas tank showed a leak. His movement became slower although his mind wanted him to be quick against Stephen BUCHANAN (USA).

Buchanan matched Yazdani for position and let Yazdani take only a 2-1 lead at the break. But he caught Yazdani in the second period and launched the Iranian for a suplex for four. It's rare for Yazdani to be thrown around like that.

And with him falling behind 5-2, Yazdani tried to attack more and that's when opportunities for Buchanan opened up as he scored three takedowns and two steps, beating Yazdani 13-3 and capturing the gold medal in Zagreb.

This was Yazdani's only tenth loss at the senior level and first to a U.S. wrestler other than David TAYLOR (USA). It was also the first a wrestler defeated Yazdani via technical superiority.

With Buchanan's gold, the United States finished the tournament with five gold medals in Freestyle.

Trent HIDLAY (USA) scores a takedown against Mobin AZIMI (IRI). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

World champion at 92kg Trent HIDLAY (USA) forfeited his final against Mobin AZIMI (IRI). But Hidlay had defeated the Iranian 5-5 in their round robin bout.

Hidlay, known for his insane comeback in bouts, was down 5-0 against Azimi when he mounted a comeback. He scored a takedown and then a point to make it 5-3. He then scored a step out on Azimi which cut the lead to 5-4. Iran challenged the stepout call but lost it to tie the score 5-5 with Hidlay holding criteria. Hidlay then defended his criteria for the rest of the bout.

In another bout against an Iranian, Hidlay came back from 8-0 down to beat Abofazl RAHAMANI (IRI) 11-9 as he took the top spot in his group.

Rahamani and Azimi clashed as well in the round robin and it was Azimi who scored a takedown in the final seconds to beat his compatriot 4-3 and finish second in the group.

Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) pins Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) in the 125kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

At 125kg, Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) is quickly emerging as the biggest challenger to world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) at the weight class.

Sharipov captured the gold medal at 125kg with a incredible cradle and turk position against Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA). Shapirov locked Hendrickson in a leg-turn and then turned him on his back, keeping him down and securing the fall.

With a dominant performance in Zagreb, the Bahrain wrestler has put his name as a serious medal threat at the 2026 World Championships that will be held in Bahrain in October.

European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) defended his gold medal from 2025, winning a close 4-4 final against Dean HAMITI (USA) at 79kg.

Khadjiev was leading 4-1 when he was put on the activity clock. As the clock expired and he failed to score, Khadjiev also gave up a takedown which tied the score 4-4. But the French wrestler get the criteria due to his two two-point scoring moves.

RESULTS

Freestyle

79kg
GOLD: Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) df. Dean HAMITI (USA), 4-4

BRONZE: Evan WICK (USA) df. Daniel BRAUNAGEL (USA), 8-6
BRONZE: Adel PANAEIAN (IRI) df. Otari ADEISHVILI (GEO), via fall

92kg
GOLD: Mobin AZIMI (IRI) df. Trent HIDLAY (USA), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Dustin PLOTT (USA) df. Michael MACCHIAVELLO (USA), 6-1

97kg
GOLD: Stephen BUCHANAN (USA) df. Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), 13-3

BRONZE: Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO) df. Richard VEGH (HUN), 12-2
BRONZE: VICKY (IND) df. Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA), 8-2

125kg
GOLD: Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN) df. Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA), via fall

BRONZE: Mortaza JANMOHAMMADZADEH (IRI) df. Robert BARAN (POL), 8-4
BRONZE: DINESH (IND) df. Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), via fall

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Haruna MORIKAWA (JPN) df. NEELAM (IND), 5-2

BRONZE: MUSKAN (IND) df. Agata GOLUCHOWSKA (POL), 11-0
BRONZE: Elizaveta SMIRNOVA (UWW) df. Natalia WALCZAK (POL), 9-6

55kg
GOLD: Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) df. Karla GODINEZ (CAN), 6-0

BRONZE: Nagisa HARADA (JPN) df. Beatrice FERENT (ROU), 2-1
BRONZE: Areana VILLAESCUSA (USA) df. Amani JONES (USA), 4-0

#JapanWrestling

Ono Interview: On Comeback, Penn State, Folkstyle, 2028 LA Olympics

Tuesday, May 26, 2026 - 11:19 By Vinay Siwach

TOKYO (May 24) -- Where is Masanosuke ONO (JPN)?

A question that has intrigued both fans and wrestlers alike as Ono continues to missing from international wrestling since he became the world champion at 61kg in 2024.

Ono watched the Meiji Cup 2026 in Tokyo as he was in Japan to change his United States visa. Since he did not participate in the 2025 Emperor's Cup, Ono was ineligible to participate in the Meiji Cup.

United World Wrestling caught up with Ono on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup in Tokyo. Ono talks about his comeback, plan for 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, life at Penn State and more:

Excerpts:

- Why did you not participate in the Meiji Cup

Ono: I suppose it’s only natural that I can’t play because I don’t have the right to do so. That’s just the way things are in Japan. I’m aiming to make a comeback so that I can play in the next Emperor’s Cup and Meiji Cup. This has been a good period of preparation for that.

- How are your preparation for the comeback?

Ono: I’m feeling pretty much back to normal now, so I’m absolutely fine. It’s just that I haven’t competed much since the World Championships ended about two years ago, and there’s a part of me that simply can’t suppress the urge to get back out there. So I’m really looking forward to getting back into competition soon and giving it my all.

- When will you compete next?

Ono: I’ll be aiming to qualify [for Emperor's Cup]. As for the weight class, I’m thinking of competing in the 61kg category at the Shakaijin Championships. [The Shakaijin Championships will be held on July 11]. Once I’ve qualified, I’m not quite sure yet whether I’ll move down a weight class, stay in the same one, or move up, but I’m planning to set myself some clear goals.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN) giving interview on the sidelines of the Meiji Cup. (Photo: wrestling-spirits.jp / Ikuo Higuchi)

- How challenging life is at Penn State in the United States?

Ono: I imagine there are plenty of challenges. The rules of wrestling are different there, so there’s a lot to learn. I’m always being taught and helped by others. When it comes to what I’ve actually taken on board, it’s obviously wrestling. As for other aspects of school life, I wasn’t really the type who was naturally good at studying. I’m currently studying philosophy at a university in the United States, and whilst it’s a bit tricky, I’m doing my best in my own way.

- What is your daily routine?

Ono: I have practice in the morning, then I go to lessons, then there’s another practice session around midday, and then in the evening - or rather, in the late afternoon - I study with the translator.

- How's your experience at Penn State and Folkstyle?

Ono: I do a lot of Folkstyle, and I do a bit of Freestyle as well, but there’s so much to learn that I’m still very much a novice. When it comes to training, coach Cael SANDERSON, and his brother Cody, who’s also a coach, as well as Casey CUNNINGHAM and Nick LEE. Everyone, both the students and my flat mates, are really strong, so I’m learning a hell of a lot from them.

There really are so many movements that are unique to Folkstyle, I still feel a bit of a gap there. But once I’ve got the hang of it, I reckon I’ll be able to grow even more myself without losing sight of the good bits. If I just focus on that one thing, it’ll disappear, so I’m thinking I’ll keep 95 per cent of my style exactly as it is and just add a few bits here and there.

Masanosuke ONO (JPN)

Masanosuke ONO (JPN) showing his grades.

- Do you like studying Philosophy?

Ono: Philosophy. No, I don’t really get it. (Ono scored a remarkable 3.74 CGPA in his last semester).

- Why did you decide to wrestle Folkstyle?

Ono: I want to do Folkstyle more because I like Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now. I was world champ maybe two years ago, but I know Freestyle like 95 percent but Folkstyle, that I don't know. So I mean, I just I'm excited compete Folkstyle more than Freestyle right now.

- When will you compete for Penn State and why have you not yet?

Ono: I don't know why. If the coaches say you go, I go. I am learning for maybe just one year. It's kind of hard.

- Marcus BLAZE (USA) is your roommate. What you learn from him?

Ono: He's my roommate and in my weight. He's great guy. He's my weight maybe. I learn a lot from him. He likes pickleball. He likes something like outside. I cannot drive. I don't have license. So he drive me around there.

- If you want to go to 2028 LA Olympics, what is the path for you? If it's at 57kg, will you take inspiration from Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) who made it at 57kg for Paris?

Ono: I compete at December competition because of 2028 Olympics trial. I have to. I mean my weight like around 64kg so maybe this difficult. Living in America, when the Olympics are held here, you can’t exactly just give up on the idea of competing, you can’t just walk away from it. But when it comes to the Olympics, at 57 or 65kg, with the 8kgs mark being a key hurdle, it’s certainly a challenge. So I thought I’d just have to take it step by step, listening to my body as I go along. I’m not really that bothered about winning or losing. I just want to wrestle, so to be honest, it doesn’t really matter.

Higuchi is amazing. I am sure he is mentally tough. I like to eat and I like chipotle.

- Which weight class are you aiming for?

Ono: If [Rei] Higuchi were to join us at 57kg, I’d be absolutely chuffed. I’d be just as chuffed if we played with Higuchi at 65kg, or with [Kotaro] Kiyooka at 65kg. I’m not sure about [Toshihiro] Hasegawa, but I reckon [Rin] Sakamoto would be there. Wouldn’t it be brilliant if they all got together?

Buchanan spoils Yazdani’s return at Zagreb Open

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Ono Interview: On Comeback, Penn State, Folkstyle, 2028 LA Olympics