#WrestleCoralville

FS World Cup: 5 match-ups to watch

By Vinay Siwach

CORALVILLE, Iowa (November 22) -- The World Cup in Coralville will offer spectacular match-ups with a few being repeats from the Belgrade World Championships while others being first timers.

There will be no dearth of action for the fans who will assemble at the Xtreme Arena for the tournament on December 10 and 11.

The freestyle competition will see stars from hosts USA, Iran, Japan, Mongolia, Georgia and the All-Star team in action with plenty to look forward to. But here are the top five potential match-ups.

The six teams are divided into two groups with the USA paired alongside Georgia and Mongolia while Iran is pooled with Japan and the All-World Team.

65kg - Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) vs John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA)

The 65kg final in Belgrade saw two of the most exciting young talents right now in the world. Amouzad and Diakomihalis put on a show in a 21-point gold-medal bout in Belgrade. It began with both going for attacks from the start and in one sequence, the two managed to score 14 points with Diakomihalis leading 8-6. However, Amouzad ran away in the second period, adding seven points to win the gold. A rematch only promises to be better with Diakomihalis turning up with the support of the home crowd and in familiar territory. Having wrestled Amouzad will help him change his tactics, if any, for the rematch. The fans can expect a flurry of attacks from both wrestlers to get the early advantage.

For Amouzad, it will be a chance to set himself as the 65kg favorite with Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) being away from the mat. Like Otoguro in 2018 when he beat Bajrang PUNIA (IND) 15-9 to win the world gold, Amouzad showed his caliber against Diakomihalis. From here, it can get better for Amouzad or Diakomihalis can emerge as the challenger.

70kg - Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) vs Ernazar AKMATALIEV (UWW)

Another rematch that promises to be a thriller. Yazdani and Akmataliev met in the Asian Olympic Qualifiers in Almaty last year and managed to let it fly from the first whistle. Yazdani built a 12-8 lead at the break but Akmataliev used the front chest wrap to score two exposure in the second period and managed to win against Yazdani who failed to keep the pace. That was at 65kg.

Both wrestlers have now moved up to 70kg. In Oslo, Yazdani won silver at 65kg while Akmataliev won the same medal at 70kg. Akmataliev added bronze at Belgrade and will now be a crucial member of the All-World Team at the World Cup. Yazdani will be burning to get on the mat after missing out in Belgrade and finishing second at the U23 World Championships.

The two bring high-quality wrestling to the mat with Akmataliev depending on big throws while Yazdani counters most attacks of his opponents. If the two meet at the World Cup, it is sure going to be another humdinger.

Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (UWW) is a two-time world silver medalist. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

74kg - Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (UWW) vs. Jason NOLF (USA)

Salkazanov has been in two World Championships finals but failed to cross the final barrier -- Kyle DAKE (USA). But with world champion Dake deciding to sit out of the World Cup, Salkazanov will get a chance to square up against another American wrestler at 74kg in Jason NOLF (USA).

Nolf has been an exciting prospect for the USA but Salkazanov has the experience of beating world-class wrestlers. He will be bringing all that experience to Coralville and Nolf will be waiting for him. Nolf won silver at the prestigious Ivan Yarguin Grand Prix at the start of the year. However, it will be a test for him if he can break the defense of Salkazanov.

The match can turn out to be a fierce battle if Nolf can build an early lead that will put Salkazanov in a spot of bother. He will then try to cover up the lead, making the match exciting.

86kg - Alireza KARIMI (IRI) vs Azamat DAULETBEKOV (UWW)

Three-time world medalist Karimi will be on the Iran team in the absence of superstar Hassan YAZDANI (IRI). Karimi has been playing second fiddle to Yazdani for a long time and this trip can help him gain experience if he wants to beat Yazdani in Iran. A match-up against Azamat DAULETBEKOV (UWW) will be a perfect start.

While Karimi has beaten Dauletbekov in their previous three meetings, Dauletbekov will have the confidence to pull one back. He won the bronze medal at the World Championships, apart from being the Asian champion this year. He brings a style of wrestling that is full of attacks and counters. Unlike others, Daletbekov doesn't suffer from conditioning issues and can battle Karimi who last competed internationally at the Islamic Solidarity Games in August. He won the gold medal over Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) at 86kg. But he will be tested against Dauletbekov who has constantly improved since making his World Championships debut in 2017.

Kyle SNYDER (USA)Kyle SNYDER (USA) won his third world title in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

97kg - Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) vs Kyle SNYDER (USA)

It's a bout that no one asked for, but every wrestling fan needed. World and Olympic champion Snyder can potentially wrestle two-time world champion Ghasempour. Snyder is a regular at 97kg while Ghasempour is jumping up from 92kg for the World Cup. Ghasempour won his second world title in Belgrade after a scintillating final against J'Den COX (USA).

Snyder also won the gold in Belgrade, five years since his last world title in Paris. Over the years, Snyder has ended up being the second best at 97kg and a bout against Ghasempour will throw up a new challenge for Snyder who won the gold at the 2016 Rio Olympics. No one has really managed to match his level since he won the first world title in 2015 apart from Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF).

Ghamespour produces some of the most controlled attacks in wrestling and has a solid defense as well. With some quick movements on the mat, Ghamespour appears to be an ideal wrestler but it will be a challenge for him to show up at 97kg against Snyder, a complete wrestler in his own form.

#WrestleVungTau

U23 Asian Championships 2025 Entries

By United World Wrestling Press

VUNG TAU, Vietnam (June 13) -- The U23 Asian Championships will be held in Vung Tau Vietnam from June 18 to 21.

The competition will begin with Greco-Roman, followed by Women's Wrestling and then Freestyle. For full schedule, click here.

The U17 Asian Championships will be held from June 23 to 28 at the same venue. For U17 Asian Championships entries, click here.

Note: The entries are subject to change 72 hours before the draw of each style. For final entries, refer to UWW Arena.

Women's Wrestling

50kg
VINITA (IND)
Maral TANGIRBERGENOVA (KAZ)
Munkhgerel MUNKHBAT (MGL)
Nipuni WASANA (SRI)
Mushtariy TOLIPBEKOVA (UZB)
Ngoc Linh DO (VIE)

53kg
Hinaben KHALIFA (IND)
Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ)
Ariunzaya ODONCHIMEG (MGL)
Ji Hyang KIM (PRK)
Chamodya KESHANI (SRI)
Ya Hsin CHEN (TPE)
Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB)
Thi My Linh NGUYEN (VIE)

55kg
REENA (IND)
Angelina PERVUKHINA (KAZ)
Aruuke KADYRBEK KYZY (KGZ)
Odonchimeg TSEVEEN (MGL)
Hsiu Ching LIN (TPE)
Lan Phuong VU (VIE)

57kg
Neha SHARMA (IND)
Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ)
Sezim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ)
Rentsenkhand MUNKH OCHIR (MGL)
Jin Ju AN (PRK)
Nethmi AHINSA (SRI)
Warisara KHUMDEE (THA)
Pei Ying LIAO (TPE)
Sandugash DJENBAEVA (UZB)

59kg
Tanvi MAGDUM (IND)
Viktoriia KHUSAINOVA (KAZ)
Tancholpon KYBALBEKOVA (KGZ)
Erdenebolor LKHAGVASUREN (MGL)
Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB)

62kg
Pragati GAIKWAD (IND)
Tynys DUBEK (KAZ)
Anudari BATKHUYAG (MGL)
Thi Hien DANG (VIE)

65kg
SHIKSHA (IND)
Zhangyl BEKEN (KAZ)
Dilnaz SAZANOVA (KGZ)
Davaajargal ALTANSUKH (MGL)
Huynh Xuan Nhi NGUYEN (VIE)

68kg
Yuqi LIU (CHN)
SRISHTI (IND)
Beibit SEIDUALY (KAZ)
Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ)
Batsuren MYAGMARSUREN (MGL)
Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB)

72kg
Saihan AO (CHN)
Jyoti BERWAL (IND)
Zhibekzhan SABYRZHANOVA (KAZ)
Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ)
Tuyamaa GONCHIGDORJ (MGL)
Asaloy AMANGELDIEVA (UZB)
Thi Ninh TO (VIE)

76kg
PRIYA (IND)
Anastassiya PANASSOVICH (KAZ)
Kaiyrkul SHARSHEBAEVA (KGZ)
Tuvshinjargal TARAV (MGL)

Nan CAO (CHN)Gold medalist at 79kg in 2024, Nan CAO (CHN) will be wrestling at 86kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov) 

Freestyle

57kg
Jianhao LIU (CHN)
ANKUSH (IND)
Zhakhongir AKHMAJANOV (KAZ)
Mukhammadrasul SALIEV (KGZ)
Munkh Od LKHAMBUZMAA (MGL)
Kwang Hyon KIM (PRK)
Chanuka GAJANAYAKA (SRI)
Nodirbek JUMANAZAROV (UZB)
Nhu Duy PHAM (VIE)

61kg
Shengjie HU (CHN)
NIKHIL (IND)
Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ)
Iukhan DOKTURBEK UULU (KGZ)
Batnasan GANKHULEG (MGL)
Kwang Myong KIM (PRK)
Rukeshnath RELSAN (SRI)
Thirawat MAITHONG (THA)
Amir HAMAYUN (TKM)
Arslan RAKHIMOV (UZB)

65kg
SUJEET (IND)
Rustem TOLEN (KAZ)
Rustamzhan KAKHAROV (KGZ)
Gantulga BATBAATAR (MGL)
Mcclaren MARREN (SGP)
Jelaletdin SEYIDOV (TKM)
Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB)

70kg
SAGAR (IND)
Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ)
Adis RAKHAT UULU (KGZ)
Bumbayar BAARAA (MGL)
Mustafo AKHMEDOV (TJK)
Shirmuhammet BEKIYEV (TKM)
Begijon KULDASHEV (UZB)
Xuan Truong DOAN (VIE)

74kg
Tao SHEN (CHN)
JAIDEEP (IND)
Nurdaulet SEILBEKOV (KAZ)
Kanat KERIMBEKOV (KGZ)
Tolui MUNKHBAT (MGL)
Dilshan WEERASEKARA (SRI)
Vatan ANNAORAZOV (TKM)
Zafarbek OTAKHONOV (UZB)
Van Tu NGUYEN (VIE)

79kg
Bolati NA ERTAI (CHN)
CHANDERMOHAN (IND)
Askhab KHAJIYEV (KAZ)
Baitemir TULEBERDIEV (KGZ)
Gan Erdene BAATARKHUU (MGL)
Ishan FERNANDO (SRI)
Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM)
Daler CHULIBAEV (UZB)
Cong Dat TRUONG (VIE)

86kg
Nan CAO (CHN)
Sagar JAGLAN (IND)
Yelnar SHILDEBAY (KAZ)
Mukhammad ABDULLAEV (KGZ)
Bayarbaatar SANJAASUREN (MGL)
Kowtham SIVAKUMAR (SRI)
Dovletgeldi MYRADOV (TKM)
Boburbek RUZIMBOEV (UZB)
Van Long TRINH (VIE)

92kg
Iqbal AHMADI (AFG)
SACHIN (IND)
Arystan KARABEK (KAZ)
Ulukbek SOOROMBEKOV (KGZ)
Demchigdorj TUMURBAATAR (MGL)
Praveen KADUPITIGE (SRI)
Soltan BEGENJOV (TKM)
Sadirdin DAMINJONOV (UZB)
Viet Trung TRAN (VIE)

97kg
NARENMANDUHAI (CHN)
VICKY (IND)
Nurdaulet BEKENOV (KAZ)
Kutman TOLOBALDIEV (KGZ)
Khosbayar TUGSBAT (MGL)
Shaman SIRIWARDANA (SRI)
Orazmuhammet HOJALYYEV (TKM)
Otabek NAZIRBOEV (UZB)

125kg
Maysam SHAH QOL (AFG)
Jaspooran SINGH (IND)
Alimzhan SALIMZHAN (KAZ)
Sulde DONGAK (KGZ)
Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL)
Huoying SHI (CHN)

Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ)Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) is the defending champion at 87kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Greco-Roman

55kg
Rishav CHAUDHARY (IND)
Yerassyl MAMYRBEKOV (KAZ)
Nurbolot BERDIKULOV (KGZ)
Chung Ryol KIM (PRK)
Abduvali RAHIMBAYEV (TKM)
Jonpulat TULKINBOEV (UZB)
Trong Nam NGUYEN (VIE)

60kg
Ziyue XI (CHN)
Samarth MHAKAVE (IND)
Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ)
Kurmanbek ZHAPAROV (KGZ)
Kuk Ryong KIM (PRK)
Rasul JORAYEV (TKM)
Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB)

63kg
SUMIT (IND)
Ongdassyn KHAMITOV (KAZ)
Baiaman APILOV (KGZ)
Khusniddin OLIMBOEV (UZB)

67kg
UMESH (IND)
Bagdat SABAZ (KAZ)
Baiaman KARIMOV (KGZ)
Chin Wee KOH (SGP)
Ogabek MUKIMOV (UZB)

72kg
Dongfu XIE (CHN)
Ankit GULIA (IND)
Sergazy ABDIKHADYR (KAZ)
Kutman TEMIRBEKOV (KGZ)
Dhirenrajah ANANDARAJAH (MAS)
Didar ORAZBERDIYEV (TKM)
Abdullo ALIEV (UZB)
Van Chuyen NGUYEN (VIE)

77kg
Jixin YU (CHN)
AMAN (IND)
Akzhan YKYLASSOV (KAZ)
Erlan MARS UULU (KGZ)
Aryan BIN AZMAN (SGP)
Wisit THAMWIRAT (THA)
Hekim GURBANMYRADOV (TKM)
Chih Chi LU (TPE)
Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB)
Cong Manh NGUYEN (VIE)

82kg
PRINCE (IND)
Dias KALTAY (KAZ)
Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ)
Samandar BOBONAZAROV (UZB)
The Hoang Anh NGUYEN (VIE)

87kg
ROHIT (IND)
Maksat SAILAU (KAZ)
Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ)
Peerawat AUNTHIN (THA)
Dovletmyrat BAYRAMOV (TKM)
Rahimjon UZOKOV (UZB)
Van Thuy NGUYEN (VIE)

97kg
NITESH (IND)
Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ)
Nurmanbet RAIMALY UULU (KGZ)
Javokhir SHODIYAROV (UZB)

130kg
Wenhao JIANG (CHN)
Uttam RANA (IND)
Jokhar UZAROV (KAZ)
Nurbolot TOKTOGONOV (KGZ)
Temurbek NASIMOV (UZB)
Van Bao NGUYEN (VIE)