#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.

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Open 2025 Ranking Series Entries

By United World Wrestling Press

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (May 19) -- The third stop of the Ranking Series will be in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia. The competition will kick off on May 29 and continue till June 1.

Hosts Mongolia and India dominate entry list of over 200 wrestler. The UWW wrestlers will also have a significant presence.

The competition will be live on UWW+ on uww.org and the UWW App. Follow United World Wrestling on Instagram, Facebook, TikTok, X and YouTube.

Note: These are preliminary entries and subject to change 72 hours before the draws of each style. For real time entries, refer to arena.uww.org

Freestyle 

57kg
RAHUL (IND)
AMAN (IND)
Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ)
Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ)
Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX)
Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL)
Jiguur SARANTUYA (MGL)
Batmend ZORIGOO (MGL)
Bekir KESER (TUR)
Lev PAVLOV (UWW)

61kg
Georgii OKOROKOV (AUS)
UDIT (IND)
Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ)
Bekbolot MYRZANAZAR UULU (KGZ)
Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL)
Enkhbold ENKHBAT (MGL)
Bolor Erdene GANBOLD (MGL)
Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW)
Artem GOBAEV (UWW)
Anzor MAZHIDOV (UWW)

65kg
ROHIT (IND)
Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ)
Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ)
Junsik YUN (KOR)
Zeneemeder BYAMBASUREN (MGL)
Gantulga BATBAATAR (MGL)
Battulga RAASH (MGL)
Ahmet DUMAN (TUR)
Dzhambulat KIZINOV (UWW)

70kg
Vishal KALIRAMANA (IND)
Mohammadali AMOUZAD (IRI)
Aliakbar FAZLI (IRI)
Jin su JEON (KOR)
Usukhbayar BAATARKHUU (MGL)
Ankh Erdene ALTANGEREL (MGL)
Khangaibayar GANBOLD (MGL)
Viktor RASSADIN (TJK)
Konstantin KAPRYNOV (UWW)
Zagir SHAKHIEV (UWW)

74kg
JAIDEEP (IND)
Hossein ABOUZARI (IRI)
Yones EMAMI (IRI)
Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI)
Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ)
Burenjargal BATBAYAR (MGL)
Deleg SHINEBAYAR (MGL)
Tugsjargal ERDENEBAT (MGL)
Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR)

79kg
AMIT (IND)
Fariborz BABAEI (IRI)
Yeruult YADAMJAV (MGL)
Sukhbat GANSUKH (MGL)
Dalaitseren JAVKHLANKHUU (MGL)
Magomet EVLOEV (TJK)

86kg
ASHISH (IND)
Bekzat RAKHIMOV (KGZ)
Taegyu HWANG (KOR)
Byambadorj BAT ERDENE (MGL)
Dayanbileg GAN OCHIR (MGL)
Tamiraa TSEVEEN OCHIR (MGL)
Ganbat TSERENPUNTSAG (MGL)
Osman GOCEN (TUR)

92kg
Deepak PUNIA (IND)
Demchigdorj TUMURBAATAR (MGL)
Bayarbaatar SANJAASUREN (MGL)
Delgerdalai DEMBEREL (MGL)
Askhab SAADULAEV (UWW)

97kg
VICKY (IND)
Ahmad BAZRI (IRI)
Pureun KIM (KOR)
Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL)
Sarantsogt DEMUUL (MGL)
Tuvshintur GANBAYAR (MGL)
Resul GUNE (TUR)
Uladzislau KAZLOU (UWW)
Bady Maadyr SAMDAN (UWW)
Irbeg TAVGAZOV (UWW)

125kg
DINESH (IND)
Altangerel CHINBAT (MGL)
Byamba Erdene DULAMKHUU (MGL)
Narantulga DARMAABAZAR (MGL)
Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR)
Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW)
Abdulla KURBANOV (UWW)

Kerem KAMAL (TUR)
European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) will be at 63kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling Federation / Kostadin Andonov)

Greco-Roman

55kg
Anil MOR (IND)
Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ)
Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL)
Sumiyabazar MUNKHZAYA (MGL)
Alexander CUEVAS (SGP)

60kg
SURAJ (IND)
Akyl SULAIMANOV (KGZ)
Kurmanbek ZHAPAROV (KGZ)
Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL)
Enes BASAR (TUR)

63kg
CHETAN (IND)
Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI)
Doolotbek CHOIBEKOV (KGZ)
Hanjae CHUNG (KOR)
Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT)
Kerem KAMAL (TUR)

67kg
NEERAJ (IND)
Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)
Murat FIRAT (TUR)

72kg
Ankit GULIA (IND)
Danial SOHRABI (IRI)
Yryskeldi KHAMZAEV (KGZ)
Zandanbat BATSAIKHAN (MGL)
Mehmet SAHIN (TUR)

77kg
Nishant PHOGAT (IND)
Yryskeldi MAKSATBEK UULU (KGZ)
Orgil NYAM ERDENE (MGL)
Lkhagvasuren DASHJAMTS (MGL)
Sumiyabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL)
Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR)

82kg
PRINCE (IND)
Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ)
Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT)
Burhan AKBUDAK (TUR)

87kg
Karan KAMBOJ (IND)
Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ)
Batbayar TSOGTBAATAR (MGL)
Alperen BERBER (TUR)

97kg
NITESH (IND)
Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ)

130kg
PREM (IND)
Erlan MANATBEKOV (KGZ)
Nambardagva BATBAYAR (MGL)
Turbat BATBAYAR (MGL)
Hamza BAKIR (TUR)

Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) will wrestle at 62kg for Mongolia. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Women's Wrestling

50kg
NEELAM (IND)
Oyundari GANBAT (MGL)
Purevtungalag MUNKHBAT (MGL)
Amar Orchlon AMGALANTUGS (MGL)
Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR)
Natalia PUDOVA (UWW)
Aiana UKHEEVA (UWW)

53kg
ANTIM (IND)
Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL)
Tsovoo GANKHUYAG (MGL)
Oyunbileg RENDOO (MGL)
Ariunzaya ODONCHIMEG (MGL)
Aysun ERGE (TUR)
Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW)

55kg
PUSHPA (IND)
Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL)
Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL)
Dulguun MUNKHBOLD BOLORMAA (MGL)
Tumendemberel NYAMDAVAA (MGL)

57kg
Ana PEREIRA (BRA)
NEHA (IND)
Enkhtuvshin BALJINNYAM (MGL)
Erdenebolor LKHAGVASUREN (MGL)
Munkhchimeg URJIN (MGL)
Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR)

59kg
MUSKAN (IND)
Anudari BATKHUYAG (MGL)
Khorolgarav BOLDBAATAR (MGL)
Bayasgalan MONGOLKHUU (MGL)
Bediha GUN (TUR)

62kg
MANISHA (IND)
Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL)
Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)
Saruul ERDENEBILEG (MGL)
Alina KASABIEVA (UWW)

65kg
SHIKSHA (IND)
Maitsetseg BAYARAA (MGL)
Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL)
Narkhajid NYAMSUREN (MGL)
Ekaterina KOSHKINA (UWW)
Valeriia DONDUPOVA SUVOROVA (UWW)

68kg
MONIKA (IND)
Balqis TAAIBIN (JOR)
Davaajargal ALTANSUKH (MGL)
Gantsetseg BATSUKH (MGL)
Batsuren MYAGMARSUREN (MGL)

72kg
HARSHITA (IND)
Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL)
Naidansuren BYAMBASUREN (MGL)
Tsogzolmaa DORJSUREN (MGL)
Kristina BRATCHIKOVA (UWW)

76kg
REETIKA (IND)
Tselmuun OTGONBAT (MGL)
Urtnasan GAN OCHIR (MGL)
Suvd Erdene KHURELCHULUUN (MGL)