Freestyle World Cup

Freestyle World Cup Running Notebook: Day 2

By United World Wrestling Press

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5:53 p.m. In the final match of the dual meet, Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) used a late takedown to defeat returning world bronze medalist Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) 4-3 at 125kg. Gwiazdowski appeared to be in control after building a 3-0 lead off a passivity and takedown. But Magomedov scored two late takedowns to defeat Gwiazdowski. USA wins the Freestyle World Cup with a 6-4 victory over Azerbaijan. 

5:43 p.m. Kyle SNYDER (USA) clinched the Freestyle World Cup title for USA by beating Roman BAKIROV (AZE) 14-3 at 97kg. Snyder was dominant from start to finish. Leading 2-1, Snyder scored a takedown to go up 4-1 and then used four turns to blow the match open. He led 12-3 at the break and added a takedown early in the second period to finish off the technical fall.

5:36 p.m. In a battle of world medalists, Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) edged J'den COX (USA) 4-4 on criteria at 92kg. Albarov picked up a takedown two minutes into the match to grab a 2-0 lead. Cox came back with a takedown of his own early in the second period to give him the criteria lead. But Albarov would find another takedown to go up 4-2. Cox would score with two step outs in the final 90 seconds of the match, but Albarov would hang on for the criteria victory. 

5:22 p.m. David TAYLOR (USA) gave the United States its fifth victory by beating world fifth-place finisher Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) 12-2 at 86kg. Taylor built a 6-2 lead after the opening period, and then added two more takedowns and late exposure to get the technical fall. 

5:12 p.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) topped Olympic bronze medalist Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) 5-3 to put USA up 4-2 after six matches. Dake led 1-0 after the opening period. Hasanov took the lead at the 2:20 mark with a takedown. Dake inched closer with a step out. The American then picked up a takedown with 1:30 left to go up 4-2. A short time later he received a point off a penalty to go up 5-3. Hasanov would add a late step out, but it wouldn't be enough. 

4:48 p.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), a 2012 Olympic champion and four-time world champion, earned a second-period fall over U23 European champion Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) at 74kg. Burroughs used a step out and takedown in the first period to lead 3-0 at the break. In the second period he scored an early takedown and then put Omarov to his back and secured the fall. USA leads 3-2 through five matches. 

4:48 p.m. Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) edged multiple-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) 4-4 on criteria at 70kg. The victory knotted the dual meet score at 2-2. Green took a 2-0 lead into the break after scoring with a double leg takedown in the first period. But Azimov battled back in the second, getting a takedown followed by a two-point exposure to grab a 4-2 lead. Green inched closer with a step out point and then another point for a fleeing caution. But Azimov held on for the one-point win. 

4:38 p.m. Logan STIEBER (USA), a 2016 world champion, picked up a key win for USA at 65kg by beating three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) 6-3. Stieber led 2-1 at the break after a first-period takedown. He added to his lead early in the second period with another takedown. Aliyev responded with a takedown of his own to make the score 4-3. Stieber then closed out the victory with a takedown in the final 10 seconds to win by three. 

4:27 p.m. Kendric MAPLE (USA) put the United States on the board with a 6-2 victory over multiple time junior world medalist Afgan Khashalov (AZE) at 61kg. Maple jumped out to a 4-0 lead after a takedown and gut wrench turn. Khahalov scored late in the first period to cut the deficit to 4-2. Maple would respond early in the second period with another takedown. 

4:16 p.m. Giorgi EDISHERASHVILI (AZE), a 2017 European champion, edged returning world silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) 8-7 in the first bout of the gold-medal match. Gilman led 2-1 early in the second period after a takedown, but the Georgian scored with multiple exposures to take the lead and go up 8-3 after a failed USA challenge. Gilman would add two late takedowns, but fall short. 

4:05 p.m. The gold-medal match is underway between USA and Azerbaijan. 

3:52 p.m. Taiki YAMAMOTO (JPN) edged Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB) 6-5 in a back-and-forth match at 125kg to give Japan the bronze medal. Japan defeated Cuba 6-4.

3:40 p.m. Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) used three four-point moves to claim a 12-0 technical fall over Taira SONODA (JPN) at 97kg. Japan holds a 5-4 lead over Cuba going into the final match of the dual meet. 

3:33 p.m. Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) kept Cuba's hopes alive as he edged Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN) 4-4 on criteria at 92kg. With a 4-2 lead late, Hernandez surrendered a takedown, but held criteria, giving him the victory. 

3:22 p.m. Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) kept Cuba in the dual meet as he topped Shota SHIRAI (JPN) 4-1 at 86kg. 

3:11 p.m. World silver medalist Sohsuke TAKATANI (Japan) cruised to a 10-0 first-period technical fall over Yoan Adrian ZULUETA MORALES (Cuba) at 79kg. Japan extends its lead to 5-1 after six matches. 

3:05 p.m. In a battle of world medalists, Yuhi FUJINAMI (JPN) dominated Livan LOPEZ AZCUY (CUB) 16-5 at 74kg. Japan now leads 4-1. 

3 p.m. Franklin MAREN CASTILLO (CUB) used impressive takedowns to notch an 8-4 victory over Keisuke OTOGURO (JPN) at 70kg and give Cuba its first win. Otoguro cut the deficit to two points in the third period, but Castillo scored a takedown with 20 seconds left to extend his lead.

2:47 p.m. Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) was on the brink of losing by technical fall in the first period to world bronze medalist Alejandro Enrique VALDES TOBIER (CUB) when he trailed 8-0, but battled all the way back, scoring 10 unanswered points to win 10-8. With the victory, Japan takes a 3-0 lead over Cuba. 

2:38 p.m. Kazuya KOYANAGI (JPN) won a hard-fought match, 9-6, over two-time world bronze medalist Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB). Koyanagi jumped out to an early 5-0 lead, but Bonne Rodriguez battled back to get within a point in the second period. Koyanagi sealed the deal with late takedown. His victory gives Japan a 2-0 lead. 

2:26 p.m. Returning world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) trailed at the break, but used a strong second period to pick up a 7-5 victory over U23 world champion Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB) in the first match of the dual meet at 57kg. 

2:17 p.m. Japan and Cuba will now battle for third place. 

2:09 p.m. Daulet SHABANBAY (KAZ) wins by technical fall (10-0) over Singh PUSHPENDER (IND) at 125kg, which closes out the dual meet. Kazakhstan wins 10-0 to place seventh.

2:04 p.m. Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) shuts out Zviad METREVELI (GEO) 6-0 at 125kg, but Georgia wins the dual meet 6-4 to take fifth place. 

2 p.m. Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) rolls to a 10-0 technical fall over Viky VIKY (IND) at 97kg.

1:59 p.m. Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) tops Deepak PUNIA (IND) 10-3 at 92kg to push Kazakhstan's lead to 8-0. 

1:56 p.m. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) makes it look easy in picking up a 10-0 technical fall in under a minute against Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) at 97kg. 

1:53 p.m. Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) wins by injury default over Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) at 92kg. Georgia takes a 5-3 lead with two matches remaining. 

1:49 p.m. Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL) tops Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) 12-5 at 86 kg. 

1:48 p.m. Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) gets a  3-0 shutout victory over Pawan KUMAR (IND) at 86kg. 

1:44 p.m. Saken AITZHANOV (KAZ) won by fall over Sachin GIRI (IND) at 79kg, giving Kazakhstan a 6-0 lead. 

1:41 p.m. In a wild, high-scoring affair, Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) defeated Iderkhuu GANTULGA (MGL) 22-17 at 79kg. Georgia now leads 4-2. 

1:37 p.m. Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ) picks up a 13-7 victory over Kumar Omprakash VINOD (IND) at 74kg.  

1:29 p.m. Georgia takes a 3-2 lead in the dual meet as Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) tops Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) 7-1 at 74kg. 

1:26 p.m. Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ) blanks Kumar ARUN (IND) 6-0 at 70kg, extending Kazakhstan's lead to 4-0. 

1:20 p.m. Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) edges Ganbayar SANJAA (MGL) 2-1 at 70kg, making the dual meet score 2-2. 

1:17 p.m. Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ) makes it three victories in a row for Kazakhstan as he wins by technical fall over Sharvan SHARVAN (IND) at 65kg.

1:10 p.m. Georgia received a forfeit at 65kg. 

1:08 p.m. Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) rolls to an 11-0 technical fall over Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) at 61kg, giving Mongolia a 2-0 lead. 

1:07 p.m. Rassul KALIYEV (KAZ) defeated Sandeep TOMAR (IND) 10-6 at 61kg. 

1:06 p.m. Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) shuts out Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) 4-0 at 57kg to open the dual meet. 

12:57 p.m. Kazakhstan receives a forfeit at 57kg against India. 

12:56 p.m. The fifth and seventh-place matches are underway. 

12:47 p.m. Daulet SHABANBAY (KAZ) gets a 12-2 technical fall over  Yudenny ALPAJON ESTEVEZ (CUB), which gives Kazakhstan the victory over Cuba on criteria points as each country won five matches. 

12:42 p.m. Mamed IBRAGIMOV (KAZ) used a late exposure to edge Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB) 3-3 on criteria at 97kg. The points were not initially awarded, but it was challenged and overturned. The dual meet will come down to the final bout. 

12:34 p.m. Kazakhstan inches closer as Iliskhan CHILAYEV (KAZ) gets a 12-2 technical fall over Lazaro HERNANDEZ LUIS (CUB) at 92kg. Cuba leads 5-3 with two matches remaining. 

12:31 p.m. Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA (JPN) shuts out PUSHPENDER (IND) 4-0, which gives Japan a 9-1 victory over India. 

12:26: Cuba extends its lead to 5-2 after Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) tops Elkhan ASSADOV (KAZ) 4-2 at 86kg. 

11:52 a.m. Sohsuke TAKATANI (JPN) gives Japan another technical fall. He defeats Sachin GIRI (IND) 10-0 at 79kg. 

11:48 a.m. Japan received a forfeit at 74kg. 

11:47 a.m. KINOSHITA (JPN) dominated ARUN (IND) by technical fall at 70kg. 

11:46 a.m. Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB) started the dual meet with a 4-1 win over Mukhambet KUATBEK (KAZ) at 57kg. 

11:42 a.m. At 65kg, OTOGURO (JPN) kept it rolling for Japan as he claimed a technical fall over SHARVAN (IND). 

11:40 a.m. NAKAMURA (JPN) claimed an 11-0 technical fall over TOMAR (IND) at 61kg. Japan leads 2-0 after two matches. 

11:38 a.m. World champion Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) received a forfeit at 57kg against India. 

11:35 a.m. The next four nations competing are walking out right now. 

11:33 a.m. Jamaladdin MAGOMEDOV (AZE) edged Zolboo NATSAGSUREN (MGL) 3-2  at 125kg, giving Azerbaijan a 7-3 victory over Mongolia. 

11:28 a.m. Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA), a returning world bronze medalist, closed out the victory for USA with a 7-0 victory over Zviad METREVELI (GEO) at 125kg. USA defeats Georgia 8-2 and advances to the gold-medal match at 4 p.m. 

11:25 a.m. Roman BAKIROV (AZE) handled Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL) 10-1 at 97kg. 

11:19 a.m. Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) rolled to an easy first-period 10-0 technical fall over Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) at 97kg. 

11:15 a.m. Dato MARSAGISHVILI (GEO) used an early takedown and late takedown to defeat Olympic and world bronze medalist J'den COX (USA) 5-0 at 92kg. USA now leads 6-2 with two matches remaining. 

11:13 a.m. Aslanbek ALBOROV (AZE) rolled to an 11-0 technical fall over Turtogtokh LUVSANDORJ (MGL) at 91kg, giving Azerbaijan a 5-3 lead with two matches left. 

11:06 a.m. Aleksandr GOSTIYEV (AZE) picked up a 10-3 victory over Uitumen ORGODOL (MGL) at 86kg. 

11:02 a.m. David TAYLOR (USA) kept the ball rolling for USA as he picked up an 11-1 technical fall over Davit KHUTSISHVILI (GEO) at 86kg.

10:59 a.m. Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE) cruised to a 12-2 technical fall over Iderkhuu GANTULGA (MGL) at 79kg. 

10:53 a.m. Kyle DAKE (USA) was dominant in a 10-0 victory over Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO) at 79kg. The USA goes up 5-1 through six matches. 

10:48 a.m. Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), a 2012 Olympic champion and four-time world champion, cruised to a first-period technical fall over Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO) at 74kg. Burroughs registered three takedowns and put the match away with a leg lace. 

10:45 a.m. Mandakhnaran GANZORIG (MGL) picked up a victory over Gadzhimurad OMAROV (AZE) at 74kg. 

10:41 a.m. Two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) nearly had a technical fall, but had to settle for an 8-0 victory over Levan KELEKHSASHVILI (GEO) to put USA up 3-1 on Georgia. 

10:38 a.m. At 70kg, Joshgun AZIMOV (AZE) topped Ganbayar SANJAA (MGL) 9-4 to even the dual meet score at 2-2. 

10:31 a.m. 2016 world champion Logan STIEBER (USA) registered a quick 10-0 technical fall over Magamed SAIDOVI (GEO) at 65kg. 

10:27 a.m. Azerbaijan received a forfeit victory at 65kg. 

10:25 a.m. Lasha LOMTADZE (GEO) came back to defeat Kendric MAPLE (USA) 3-3 on criteria at 61kg. Lomtadze scored a late takedown, which gave him the lead and eventually the victory. 

10:24 a.m.  Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL) topped Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE) 7-2 to give Mongolia a 2-0 victory. 

10:18 a.m. Bekhbayar ERDENEBAT (MGL) edged Afgan KHASHALOV (AZE) at 57kg to put Mongolia up 1-0. 

10:14 a.m. World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) put USA on the board with a 6-4 victory over Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) at 57kg. Gilman trailed after the opening period, but used five step outs in the final period to come back and win.

9:23 a.m. Follow action on Day 2 of the Freestyle World Cup in Iowa City, Iowa. Wrestling is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. CT. 

#WrestleZagreb

Kayaalp Returns with Gold at Zagreb Open; Gomi stuns Ganiev

By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (February 8) -- Wearing gold medals is nothing new for Riza KAYAALP (TUR), an Olympic, world and 12-time European champion with a career spanning more than 15 years.

But wearing the Zagreb Open gold on Sunday felt different for Kayaalp.

Returning to the mat after a hiatus of 18 months, Kayaalp wrestled at the Ranking Series event and claimed the 130kg gold medal. The 36-year-old looked sharp in Zagreb, repeatedly using the trademark gut-wrench to win his bouts. He showed no signs of fading in any bout and remained in complete control throughout.

Kayaalp opened with a 9-0 technical superiority win over Aden ATTAO (USA) and followed with another 9-0 victory against Rati TALIKISHVILI (GEO). In the semifinals, he was content with winning 4-0 against Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ), getting both passivity advantages.

 Facing Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA) in the final, Kayaalp scored three turns from par terre to lead 7-0. Schultz was given par terre advantage in the second period but failed to score as Kayaalp secured a 7-1 victory.

"It has been a day full of pride and joy for me to return to this beautiful mat," Kayaalp said. "I returned to the place that has been a part of my life, and to wear the gold medal here again."

At the 2023 European Championships at the same Arena Zagreb, Kayaalp had won his record-tying 12th gold medal. Later that year, he qualified for the 2024 Paris Olympics with a silver medal at the World Championships.

However, his career stalled in 2024 when he received a competition ban. Following a lengthy appeal process, Kayaalp cleared his name and returned to the sport, with the Zagreb Open being his first tournament.

"It was a stressful time. Things I never wanted happened to me," he said. "There is nothing worse in life than not being able to explain yourself. But we still have something to live for."

Kayaalp had planned to retire after the Paris Games. After missing the event, however, he returned with renewed motivation to win medals at the Olympics, World Championships and the European Championships.

"There is great fire, ambition and renewal within me," he said. "That old boredom in my mind is gone. I got angry, very angry. But now I hope to have good goals."

Riza KAYAALP (TUR)Riza KAYAALP (TUR) receives the gold medal from Taha AKGUL (TUR). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Taha AKGUL (TUR), a long-time teammate of Kayaalp but in Freestyle and now the President of the Turkish Wrestling Federation, called Kayaalp the magician.

"He came here with around twenty percent preparation," Akgul said about Kayaalp. "We have the European Championship ahead and we will prepare well. Hopefully, he will break Karelin's record by becoming European champion for the thirteenth time."

Kayaalp and Aleksandr KARELIN are tied at 12 European gold medals, and the former nearly broke the record in 2024. However, he got pinned by Sergey SEMENOV (UWW) in the final.

"He is the brother, the captain, the magician of the team," Akgul said. "We set out on this journey as two brothers. It was the same when I was an athlete. We won our gold medals together. Now, we want to represent Turkish wrestling in the same way."

Turkiye won the second gold medal of the day through Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR) who denied Mihail BRADU (MDA), 5-0, in the final.

As soon as the second period began, Bradu tried hitting an arm-throw on Saricicek but the Turkiye wrestler countered and flung Bradu and got four points.

That was the only action in the second period as Saricicek claimed the gold medal. Saricicek survived a tough semifinal against Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) but managed to scrap past 4-3.

Alex SZOKE (HUN)Alex SZOKE (HUN) tries to score against Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) in the 97kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Alex SZOKE (HUN) took a step closer to making the Hungarian team at 97kg for the European Championships after winning gold medal at the same weight here in Zagreb.

Facing former U20 world champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) in the final, Szoke managed to get both par terre position and also a turn to lead 4-0, which was also the winning score for him.

Hajiali HOSSEINVAND (IRI) emerged as the latest entry in Iran for a weight class. Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) had long been Iran's go-to at 55kg but then emerged Payam AHMADI (IRI) who won gold at U20 World Championships and silver at the senior level.

Now, Hosseinvand defeated Dad Marz in the semifinal in Zagreb and later went on to win the gold medal, defeating Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB), 2-0, in the final.

Hosseinvand got both par terre advantages in the match. While he did not score any points in the final, he defended his positions and did not give any either to claim the gold medal.

 

At 72kg, former U20 world champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) controlled his final against Nika BROLADZE (GEO) and won the gold medal, posting a 4-1 victory.

Alameldin was put in par terre in the first period which gave Broladze a point. As he was unable to score any points, Broladze led only 1-0 at the break.

Broladze gave up a point via stepout at the start of the second period which gave Alameldin a 1-1 criteria lead. Alameldin then got the par terre advantage, making the score 2-1.

In the final 30 seconds, Broladze tried some desperate moves but Alameldin bodylocked him and brought him down for two points which sealed the win for him.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Hajiali HOSSEINVAND (IRI) df. Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB), 2-0

BRONZE: Omer RECEP (TUR) df. Arsen ZHUMA (KAZ), 8-0
BRONZE: Poya DAD MARZ (IRI) df. LALIT (IND), 5-3

60kg
GOLD: Koto GOMI (JPN) df. Alisher GANIEV (UZB), 10-0

BRONZE: Amangali BEKBOLATOV (KAZ) df. Yu SHIOTANI (JPN), 1-1
BRONZE: Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ) df. Sajjad ABBASPOUR (IRI), via fall

72kg
GOLD: Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY) df. Nika BROLADZE (GEO), 4-1

BRONZE: Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ) df. Abror ATABAEV (UZB), 3-3
BRONZE: Shakhzod KUCHKOROV (UZB) df. Alejandro SANCHO (USA), 11-0

82kg
GOLD: Yuksel SARICICEK (TUR) df. Mihail BRADU (MDA), 5-0

BRONZE: Reza MOKHTARI (IRI) df. Beka MELELASHVILI (USA), 10-1
BRONZE: Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ) df. Jesse PORTER (USA), 7-2

97kg
GOLD: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), 4-0

BRONZE: Hadi SEYDI AVENDI (IRI) df. Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ), 1-1
BRONZE: Giorgi MELIA (GEO) df. Mihail KAJAIA (SRB), 2-1

130kg
GOLD: Riza KAYAALP (TUR) df. Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA), 7-1

BRONZE: Darius VITEK (HUN) df. Artur SARKISJAN (CZE), 1-1
BRONZE: Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ) df. Rati TALIKISHVILI (GEO), 6-1