Freestyle World Cup

Freestyle World Cup Running Notebook: Day 1

By United World Wrestling Press

Watch Freestyle World Cup Live Stream

7:54 p.m. Daulet SHABANBAY (KAZ) edged Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) 3-3 on criteria to give Kazakhstan its first and only win in the dual meet. Azerbaijan defeats Kazakhstan 9-1. 

7:44 p.m.  Roman BAKIROV (AZE) edged Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ)  3-2 at 97kg to extend Azerbaijan's lead to 9-0. 

7:32 Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) cruised to a technical fall over Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) at 92kg, giving Azerbaijan an 8-0 lead with two matches remaining. 

7:25 p.m. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) topped Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) 3-0 at 86 kg. 

7:24 p.m. Zviad METREVELI (GEO) shut out Singh PUSHPENDER (IND) 5-0 at 125kg to give Georgia an 8-2 victory over India. 

7:16 p.m. Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) kept Azerbaijan's shutout in tact as he defeated Saken AITZHANOV (KAZ) 8-1 at 79kg. 

7:15 p.m. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) claimed a technical fall victory over Viky VIKY (IND) at 97kg. 

7:13 p.m. Davit KHUTSISHVILI (86kg) and Dato MARSAGISHVILI (92kg) picked up victories for Georgia to extend their lead over India to 6-2. 

7:06 p.m. Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) edged Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) 2-1 at 74kg to give Azerbaijan a 5-0 lead halfway through the dual meet. 

6:58 p.m. Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) was dominant in picking up an 11-1 technical fall over Sachin GIRI (IND) at 79kg.

6:54 p.m. Azerbaijan extended its lead to 4-0 as Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) shut out Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) 7-0 at 70kg. 

6:51 p.m. Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) cruised to a 10-0 technical fall over Kumar Omprakash VINOD (IND) at 74kg. 

6:48 p.m.  Three-time world champ Haji ALIYEV (AZE) topped Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ) to put Azerbaijan up 3-0. 

6:45 p.m. Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) picked up a win for Georgia over Kumar ARUN (IND) to even up the dual meet at 2-2. 

6:37 p.m. Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) won a thrilling match over Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ) at 61kg to give Azerbaijan a 2-0 lead. 

6:32 p.m. Sharvan SHARVAN (IND) picked up a victory by injury default over Magamed SAIDOVI (GEO) at 65kg, giving India a 2-1 lead. 

6:27 p.m. Sandeep TOMAR (IND) put India on the board with a 4-1 win over Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) at 61kg. 

6:24 p.m. Afgan KHASHALOV (AZE) cruised to an 8-1 victory over Mukhambet KUATBEK (KAZ) at 57kg. 

6:14 p.m. Georgia received a forfeit over India in the first match at 57kg. 

6:03 p.m. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) used a late takedown to secure a comeback victory on criteria over Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB) at 125 kg. Cuba picks up the 7-3 victory in the dual meet. 

5:53 p.m. Reineris SALAS PEREZ (Cuba) was impressive in picking up a technical fall over Batzul Ulziisaikhan (Mongolia) 11-1 at 97kg. The victory put Cuba up 7-2 heading into the final match. 

5:45 p.m. Lazaro Daniel HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) came from behind late to defeat Turtogtokh Luvsandorj (MGL) 4-3 at 92kg. Cuba now leads 6-2 with two matches remaining. 

5:36 p.m. Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) gave Cuba a 5-2 lead as he edged Uitumen Orgodol (MGL) 3-2 at 86kg. 

5:24 p.m. Mongolia picked up a much-needed win at 79kg as Iderkhuu Gantulga (MGL) used a big move to secure a fall over Yoan Adrian ZULUETA MORALES (Cuba). The victory cut the deficit to 4-2. 

5:14 p.m. In a battle of world medalists, Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) edged Mandakhnaran Ganzorig (MGL) 3-3 on criteria at 74kg to give Cuba a 4-1 lead. 

5:02 p.m. Cuba made it three victories in a row as Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) topped Ganbayar Sanjaa (MGL) 5-3 at 70kg. 

4:52 p.m. Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) used a five-point throw to earn an 11-0 technical fall over Batmagnai Batchuluun (MGL) at 65kg.  The victory puts Cuba up 2-1 in the dual meet. 

4:47 p.m. Multiple-time world medalist Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) used a late four-point throw to defeat Tuvshintulga Tumenbileg (Mongolia) 6-4 at 61kg to even the dual meet score at 1-1. 

4:36: Bakhbayar Erdenebat (MGL) gave Mongolia an early lead as he topped Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (Cuba) 4-0 in the opening match at 57kg. 

4:21 p.m. Nicholas GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), a returning world bronze medalist, closed out the dual meet with a 10-0 technical fall over Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA (JPN). USA picks up a 7-3 dual meet victory over Japan. 

4:07 p.m. Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) used five takedowns to pick up a first-period technical fall over Taira SONODA (JPN) at 97kg. The victory gives USA a 6-3 lead with one match remaining. 

4:03 p.m. Olympic and world bronze medalist J'den COX (USA) rolled an 11-0 technical fall over Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) at 92kg, giving USA a 5-3 lead with two matches to go. Cox scored first off a passivity before breaking the match open late in the first period with four consecutive exposures to go up 9-0. He ended the match early in the second period with a takedown. 

3:55 p.m. David TAYLOR (USA) gave USA its first lead of the dual meet as he picked up a 12-2 technical fall over Masao MATSUSAKA (JPN) at 86kg. The match was competitive early after the two wrestlers traded takedowns, but it was all Taylor the rest of the way, as he dominated with takedowns and turns. 

3:47 p.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) claimed a dominant 10-0 victory by technical fall over 2014 world silver medalist Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) at 79kg. Dake grabbed an early lead off a passivity in the first period. Then in the second period Dake put the match away with two consecutive four-point throws. Japan challenged the final throw, but the call was upheld, giving Dake the technical fall, which evened the dual at 3-3. 

3:37 p.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), a 2012 Olympic champion and four-time world champion, gave up the first point against world bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) at 74 kg, but dominated the rest of the way. After Fujinami scored off a passivity in the first period, Burroughs scored seven unanswered points to win the match 7-1 and cut USA's deficit to 3-2 midway through the dual meet. 

3:25 p.m. Two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) gave the Americans their first victory. He held on to defeat Kirin KINOSHITA (JPN) 8-5. Green jumped out to an early 6-0 lead on the strength of a two-point takedown and a four-point takedown. Kinoshita inched closer in the second period after a takedown on the edge of the mat, which cut the deficit to three. But Green was able to hold on for the victory. 

3:12 p.m. 2015 cadet world champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) kept the momentum on Japan's side as he defeated past world champion Logan STIEBER (USA) 10-5 at 65kg. Otoguro scored four first-period takedowns, nearly ending the match in the first period, but Stieber battled back and cut the deficit to 8-4 at one point. Otoguro scored a takedown with 1:19 remaining and hung on for the win to give Japan a 3-0 lead. 

2:58 p.m. Asian silver medalist Kazuya KOYANAGI (JPN) edged Kendric MAPLE (USA) 2-2 on criteria at 61kg. Koyanagi scored in the first period off a passivity to take a 1-0 lead into the break. Maple battled back in the second period, scoring twice off passivity to grab the lead. Koyanagi came back with a step out to take the criteria lead. In the closing moments of the match Maple was awarded a takedown to take a 4-2 lead. However, Japan challenged the call and it was overturned, giving Koyanagi the criteria victory and Japan a 2-0 lead. 

2:45 p.m. In one of the most anticipated matchups of today -- a rematch of last year's World championship match at 57kg -- Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) defeated Thomas GILMAN (USA) 4-1. Gilman scored first off a passivity in the opening period, but Takahashi scored two takedowns in the final 1:30 to take the victory, giving Japan the early 1-0 lead in the dual meet.

1:31 p.m. The next dual meet is scheduled for 2:30 p.m. and pits USA vs. Japan. 

1:28 p.m. Four-time European medalist Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) closed out the dual meet with a 3-2 victory over Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB). Azerbaijan takes the dual meet 8-2.

1:18 p.m. Roman BAKIROV (AZE) controlled three-time world medalist Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) from start to finish, winning 3-0 at 97kg. Heading into the final match, Azerbaijan leads Cuba 7-2. 


1:09 p.m. World bronze medalist Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) clinched the dual meet victory for Azerbaijan with a victory at 92kg. He claimed a 7-4 win over Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) in an action-filled match, giving Azerbaijan its sixth win of the dual meet with two matches remaining. 

1 p.m. Zviad METREVELI (GEO) made it three straight victories for Georgia as he defeated Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) 3-2 at 125kg. But it was too little too late as Japan took the dual meet victory, 7-3. 

12:59 p.m. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) scored a late takedown to pull out a 3-2 victory over Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) at 86kg. The victory pushed Azerbaijan's lead to 5-2 with three matches remaining. 

12:51 p.m. Junior world silver medalist Givi MATCHARASHVI (GEO) gave Georgia its second victory of the dual meet as he dominated YAMAGUCHI (JPN) at 97kg. Japan leads 7-2 with one match remaining. 

12:50 p.m. Olympic bronze medalist Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) picked up a quick 10-0 technical fall over Yoan ZULUETA MORALES (CUB) at 79kg to extend Azerbaijan's lead to 4-2. 


12:45 p.m. Multiple-time world/Olympic medalist Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) gave Cuba a much-needed win at 74kg. He topped Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) 6-2. 

12:41 p.m. Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) gave Georgia its first victory against Japan as he dominated Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) 10-0 at 92kg. 

12:32 p.m. Japan kept its shutout in tact as Shota SHIRAI (JPN) shut out Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) 6-0 at 86kg. 

12:30 p.m. Three-time world military medalist Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) extended Azerbaijan's lead to 3-1 with a 7-3 victory over Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) at 70kg.

12:24 p.m. 2014 world silver medalist Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) gave Japan a 6-0 lead over Georgia after he claimed a technical fall (11-0) over Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) at 79kg.

12:20 p.m. Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB) picked up the biggest win of the day, earning a fall over three-time world champ Haji ALIYEV (AZE) at 65 kg. The Cuban had built an 8-2 lead prior to the fall. Azerbaijan now holds a 2-1 lead after three matches.

12:17 p.m.  In a battle of world medalists, Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) dominated Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB) 8-0 at 61kg. With the victory, Azerbaijan goes up 2-0 on Cuba. 

12:15 p.m. World bronze medalist Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) was impressive in a 13-2 victory over Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) at 74kg. Japan leads 5-0 halfway through the dual meet. 

12:07 p.m. European champion Giorgi EDISHERASHVI (AZE) gave Azerbaijan an early lead as he topped Reineri ORTEGA (CUB)  7-5 at 57kg. Ortega came on late, but fell short. 

12:04 p.m. Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) held on to defeat Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) 10-8 in an action-filled match at 70kg. Japan extended its lead to 4-0 over Georgia.

11:52 a.m. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) closed out the 6-4 dual meet victory for Mongolia with a 12-2 technical fall over Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ) at 125kg. 

11:50 a.m. Junior world bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) used a late rally to defeat Magamed SAIDOVI (GEO) at 65kg. Takatani was trailing 4-1 until the final minute before using a series of turns to get the 7-4 comeback victory. Japan goes up 3-0 in the dual meet. 

11:42 a.m. In a wild, back-and-forth match, Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) defeated Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) 7-5 at 97kg to give Mongolia a 5-4 lead with one match remaining. 

11:41 a.m.  Another world champion for Japan (U23) Rinya NAKAMURA topped Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) 9-2 at 61kg to give Japan a 2-0 lead. 


11:33 a.m. Returning world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) started slowly, but turned it up late and claimed a 10-0 technical fall over Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) at 57 to give Japan a 1-0 lead. 

11:32 a.m. Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) picked up a key victory for Kazakhstan, edging Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) 2-1 at 92kg, making the dual meet score 4-4 with two matches to go.

11:24 a.m. The dual meet between Japan and Georgia is underway on Mat A. 

11:19 a.m. Mongolia retook the lead (4-3) after Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL) notched a 6-4 victory over Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) at 86kg.  

11:11 a.m. Past junior world champ Dom BRADLEY (USA) closed out the 10-0 dual meet victory for the Americans with a 10-0 technical fall over Singh PUSHPENDER (IND). Bradley used a big four-point move early in the match to pace him to the victory. 

11:10 a.m. Saken AITZHANOV (KAZ) built an 11-1 lead before securing a fall over Iderkhuu GANTULGA (MGL) at 79kg. The victory tied the dual meet at 3-3. 

11:06 a.m. Olympic champ Kyle SNYDER (USA) cruised to a 10-0 first-period technical fall over Viky VIKY (IND) at 97kg, closing the match with a gut wrench. The Americans take a 9-0 lead with one match to go.

11:02 a.m.  Hayden ZILLMER (USA) shut out past cadet world champion Deepak PUNIA (IND) 7-0 at 92kg to put USA up 8-0.

11:01 a.m. Olympic fifth-place finisher Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) blanked Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) 9-0 at 74kg to give Mongolia a 3-2 lead halfway through the dual meet. 

10:50 a.m. David TAYLOR (USA) followed up Dake's impressive performance with an impressive performance of his own, claiming a first-period technical fall over Pawan KUMAR (IND) at 86kg to give USA a 7-0 lead with three matches to go. 

10:48 a.m. Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) topped Ganbayar SANJAA (MGL) 4-1 to tie the dual meet up at 2-2. 


10:47 a.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) came out aggressively, using a four-point move followed by a turn to go up 6-0 at 79kg against Sachin GIRI (IND). Dake closed out the match with a technical fall a short time later. 

10:44 a.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), an Olympic champ and four-time world champ, led only 3-0 at the break, but opened it up in the second period and rolled to an 11-1 technical fall over Kumar VINOD (IND) at 74kg. USA leads 5-0 halfway through the dual meet. 

10:38 a.m. Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ) secured a technical fall over Batmagnai Batchuluun (MGL) at 65kg to put Kazakhstan on the board. 

10:32 a.m.  Two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) scored a four-point takedown with a double leg on his way to a 10-0 technical fall over Kumar ARUN (IND) at 70kg. USA takes a 4-0 lead over India. 

10:28 a.m. Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) edged Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ) 2-1 at 61kg to give Mongolia a 2-0 lead after two matches.

10:24 a.m. Past world champ Logan STIEBER (USA) kept the momentum going for the Americans as he defeated Sharvan SHARVAN (IND) 12-2 at 65kg. Stieber finished the match with a series of gut wrenches. USA now leads India 3-0 after three matches. 

10:20 a.m. Joseph COLON (USA) came back to top 2017 world seventh-place finisher Sandeep TOMAR (IND) 6-4 at 61kg. Tomar built a 4-0 lead before Colon battled back to secure the victory and give USA a 2-0 team lead. 

10:18 a.m. Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) picked up a 10-0 technical fall over Mukhambet KUATBEK (KAZ) at 57kg to start the dual meet, giving Mongolia the 1-0. lead. 

10:09 a.m. World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) opens with a forfeit against India at 57kg. USA leads India 1-0. 

10:05 a.m. The first four nations competing are being introduced right now. 



9:29 a.m. Follow the action on Day 1 of the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City, Iowa, starting at 10 a.m. CT. United World Wrestling is providing a running notebook throughout the two-day event. The most recent updates will appear at the top. United States opens with India on Mat A, while Mongolia battles Kazakhstan on Mat B. 

 

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 8: GR 63kg, 67kg, 87kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 20) -- The World Championships are close to its end with the final full day of action on Saturday. Three packed weight classes -- 63kg, 67kg and 87kg -- go on the mat.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 7 RESULTS

67kg semifinals
SF 1: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) vs Daniial AGAEV (UWW)
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)

14:28: Daniial AGAEV (UWW) ends the bid of former Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) for a second world title when he gets a 2-point lift and dump from par terre -- after being given more than ample time to complete the move -- in the second period for a 4-2 win at 67kg. Agaev will face Esmaeili for a place in the final.

14:27: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) completes a correct throw from par terre which gives him a 4-3 lead and ultimately the victory over Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) in the 67kg quarterfinals. Galstyan threaten to upset the world silver and Olympic bronze medalist as he turned him when he got the par terre. However, Jafarov scored a stepout to make it 3-1 at the break.

14:23: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) remains on fire, chalking up his third straight victory by technical superiority without giving up a point as he annihilates Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) 8-0 at 67kg. Esmaeili comes out of the blocks with quick 4-point arm throw. Set up in par terre, he then executes a roll, then charges Joergensen out for a stepout. The final point was awarded on challenge, ending the match at 1:54.

14:21: Host Croatia's quest for a world finalist ends as Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) drops his quarterfinal at 67kg 10-0 to Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) who absolutely manhandled Etlinger. A reverse lift throw for four and suplex for four in his win.

63kg semifinals
SF 1: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) vs. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI)
SF 2: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) vs. Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA)

14:15: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) puts Moldova in the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) at 63kg. A two-point turn from par terre is difference between the two wrestlers.

14:14: Seven years after winning his lone world title, Sergey EMELIN (UWW) sees his quest end in Zagreb due to the newest rule change in the sport, as three-time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) gains the first of two passivity points to win 1-1 on "first-point" criteria and advance to the 63kg semifinals.

14:13: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), the world U20 and senior Asian champion, reaches the semifinals at 63kg with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ). Unreal forward pressure from Khalmakhanov.

14:10: Asian silver medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) continued his quest for a world gold with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) to make the 63kg semifinals. Keshtkar powers Mammadov down for a takedown, then unleashes a 2-point throw, which gets a 2-point foul attached. That puts Keshtkar on top of par terre, and he takes advantage with another 2-point throw to end the match at 2:07.

87kg Semifinals
SF 1: David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI)
SF 2: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) vs. Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW)

14:02: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) somehow manages to defend against a throw from par terre by Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) even after being lifted in the air, landing on top for two points, which are awarded on challenge. Alirzaev then puts the match away when he goes on top in par terre in the second period, scoring two rolls for a 7-1 victory and a place in the 87kg semifinals.

14:02: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) got the first priority Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) but he fails to score any points from par terre and leads 1-0 at the break. Mohmadi gets the two points from par terre and a stepout to lead 4-1. Zhanyshov cannot break the defense of Mohamadi who wins with that scoreline.

1401: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) gets the par terre and a stepout to lead David LOSONCZI (HUN) 2-0 at the break. In the second period, Losonczi trips to grip Filchakov who is cautioned for fleeing and the bouts restarts in par terre. Losonczi with a four-pointer to lead 6-2. He defends that lead to enter the semifinals at 87kg.

14:00: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets the first of the two passivity points awarded, and that makes the difference in a 1-1 victory over Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) that puts him into the 87kg semifinals later today.

Quarterfinals begin at the same time.

13:34: Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) turns Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) from par terre to take a 3-0 lead in the first period but the Armenian unleashes a strong gut-wrench in the second period and scores four turns for eight points to lead 9-3 and win the bout at 67kg.

13:30: Former European champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) manages to turn Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) just enough to get the two points from par terre to lead 3-1. Qatar challenges against the scoring but that is lost and Eriomenco wins 4-1 at 63kg.

13:28: Host Croatia's long-shot hopes of winning a gold medal remained alive when Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) scored all of his points in the second period to knock off No. 2 seed Valentin PETIC (MDA) 7-4 at 67kg. Etlinger reeled of two rolls from par terre, then twice stopped throw attempts for 2-point counters. Of concern is that Etlinger was holding his left arm after the match, indicating a possible injury.

13:22: Luis ORTA (CUB) into the 67kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) as he gets the criteria according to the new Greco-Roman rules which gives the victory to the first scorer if the bout ends 1-1. As has become the norm, Turkiye challenge after the match which changes the score to 2-1 but Orta remains the winner.

13:13: A clutch takedown from Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final 8 seconds as he upsets European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-3. Kamal was leading 3-3 on criteria after both score two-point turns from their par terre position. However, Mammadov managed to find an opening in the final moments to hand Kamal his first loss of this year when he would have least liked it.

13:12: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) finishes off a victory over Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) with a spectacular 5-point throw to earn a spot in the 67kg quarterfinals. Put on top in par terre, Jafarov gets two points for a penalty when Shimoyamada blocks his throat while in the air. Australia challenges, but is unsuccessful, putting Jafarov up 4-0. It also puts Shimoyamada, the former Japan national champ, on bottom again, and he is helpless to stop Jafarov's big throw.

13:08: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) was sailing to  victory with a 5-0 lead over Damian VON EUW (SUI) but the Swiss wrestler slammed him for four to make it interesting in the last minute but Alirzaev with a reversal and he wins 6-4 at 87kg.

13:05: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) continues his devastating form, easily putting away Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB) 8-0 to advance to the 67kg quarterfinals. Esmaeli gets a roll from par terre, then picks up a takedown to go ahead 5-0 at the break. Another takedown followed by a stepout ends the match at 4:05.

13:01: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) keeps the winning streak of Iran going after beating Baosheng HUANG (CHN), 2-1, at 63kg.

12:57: Veteran Sergey EMELIN (UWW) uses a reverse head lock from standing to slam Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) to mat for 4 in the second period, paving the way for a 7-3 victory at 63kg that ends testily. Emelin's final points came on a 2-point penalty, and Aslanyan had some words for Emelin, although they ended up with a final hug as they exited the mat.

12:56: World U20 and Asian senior champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) gets a roll and exposure from par terre in the first period and he's through to the 63kg quarterfinals with a 5-1 victory over two-time European medalist Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR).

12:50: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), Paris Olympic bronze medalist, gets both par terre positions in his match against Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) and he adds a stepout plus a correct throw to win 5-0 and advance to the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:42: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gives up the first passivity point to Payton JACOBSON (USA) at 87kg, but does not allow a turn in par terre. When his chance comes in the second period, Komarov takes advantage and gut wrenches Jacobson over. An unsuccessful challenge for who-knows-what gives Komarov another point, and he gains a late stepout to win 5-1.

12:40: European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) uses his early 4-0 lead as a cushion to beat local favorite Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 4-3 at 87kg. He scored a turn from par terre and stepout to get the 4-0 lead before defending that in the second period.

12:34: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) gets the roll in par terre against Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) in the first period of their 87kg clash, then holds steady in the bottom in the second period. That puts last year's world U20 champion into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win.

12:25: Paris Olympic and 2023 world silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) trails 3-1 going into the second period against Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL). But he rectifies the situation quickly, getting behind and then launching a beautiful 4-point throw. Mohmadi gets a chance at par terre and repeats the 4-pointer. Another throw is not executed as well, but gives him a 1-point stepout and an 11-3 win and a spot in the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:15: Asian silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) sticks Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) to his back off the whistle for a 4-point takedown at 67kg. As he works for a fall, Beishekeev stands up and slams Sogabe down for a 4-point throw, ending the match 8-0 in 1:30. That avenged a loss by fall to Sogabe in the first round at the 2023 Asian Championships, where Sogabe took the silver.

12:14: Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS), a former Asian champion who has made the rare move for a Japanese of changing his national affiliation to Australia, shows he's still got it. The 30-year-old takes Gjete PRENGA (ALB) down to his back for 4, then sends him flying for a 4-point throw to win their 67kg clash 8-0 in 39 seconds.

12:10: European champion and Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is taken into the second period by Neiser MARIMON HIDALGO (VEN) at 67kg, albeit with a 3-0 lead, but ducks under for a takedown, then launches a slick 4- point throw for a 9-0 win in 3:52.

12:07: Luis ORTA (CUB), after a four-pointer, gets the par terre and two turns to win Maksym LIU (UKR) to win 9-0. Ukraine corner challenges asking for the last turn to be cancelled but it is valid and the challenge is lost, giving another point to Orta.

12:03: Daniial AGAEV (UWW), a 2024 world U23 bronze medalist,  has a 2-point throw after a takedown annulled on challenge, but comes back in par terre with a trap-arm roll for a 5-0 lead over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) at 67kg. In the second period, Khetsuriani charges to a stepout. then gets a chance at par terre. but Agaev resists, and he walks off a 5-2 winner.

11:51: Paris Olympic 67kg champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI), who added a second straight Asian title earlier this year and is aiming for his first senior world title, has a challenging opening match in former world champion Sebastian NAD (SRB). Esmaeili scores first by successfully challenging for a singlet-grabbing foul, then muscles Nad down for a takedown. A passivity point gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. In the second period, Esmaeili spins behind for a takedown, then quickly gut wrenches for a 9-0 win.

11:35: Former world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) drops his opening bout to Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sergey EMELIN (UWW), 1-1, on the basis of first-point criteria.

11:27: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) with a controlled 4-0 victory over Jianwen LUO (CHN) at 87kg. A position in par terre, a turn for two points and a stepout in his win.

11:21: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), world U20 champion in 2024, lifts Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) from par terre for a fine suplex for four points. Gobadze is cautioned for two points for a leg foul and the bout restarts in par terre. Yevloyev with a correct throw to finish the bout 9-1

11:17: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) held off an aggressive Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the final minute to win 1-1 at 87kg. Nazaryan got the first-point criteria

11:11: Paris Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) needed a correct throw and a bodylock to takedown for a 5-1 victory over Hannes WAGNER (GER) at 87kg

11:07: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), a world U23 silver medalist, starts his senior World Championships with a 4-1 victory over Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB). He scored a stepout to make it 1-1 before getting the par terre and leading 2-1. A turn from par terre extended his lead to 4-1, also the winning score.

11:05: Former European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets a bloody lip early in his 87kg match with Soh SAKABE (JPN), but is otherwise untroubled in rolling to a 5-2 win. Two rolls from par terre gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. Sakabe gets a chance at par terre in the second period but hardly budges Komarov, although he gets a stepout in the final seconds.

11:00: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) comes from 5-1 down to beat Hasan KILINC (TUR), 6-5, at 87kg. Kilic got a reverse lift throw for four points from par terre in the second period to lead 5-1 but Zhanyshov with setpouts and cautions against Kilinc to win.

10:55: Two-time world bronze medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) has little trouble disposing of Erion RAMLJAK (AUS) with an 8-0 victory at 87kg. Filchakov starts with a stepout, then reels off three exposures from par terre to end the proceedings in 1:46.

10:50: After Karlo KODRIC (CRO) ended the 11-year wait for a world medal for hosts Croatia, Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) is looking to add to that bronze medal. He wins with a 9-0 win over Patrik GORDAN (ROU) at 87kg

10:30: The 63kg, 67kg and 87kg wrestlers are set to take the mat on day eight of the World Championships in Zagreb.