#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.

#WrestleCasablanca

African Championships 2025 Entries

By United World Wrestling Press

CASABLANCA, Morocco (April 21) -- The African Championships will be held in Casablanca, Morocco from April 29 to May 4 in three different age-groups. The championships will kick off with the U17 level on April 29, the U20 competition will be held on May 1 and 2 while the senior event will be held on May 3 and 4.

All 10 Greco-Roman and five Women's Wrestling weight classes will be in action on May 3 while 10 Freestyle and remaining five Women's Wrestling weight classes will take place on May 4.

All matches will be live on uww.org and the UWW App using UWW+.

Note: These entries are subject to change. Please refer to UWW Arena for final entries on the day of the competition.

Greco-Roman

55kg
Bofenda KALUWEKO (ANG)
Ephraim MWINI (COD)
Ahmed ALY (EGY)
Ayoub SBETE (MAR)
Joel IPINGE (NAM)
Lennie STEYN (RSA)
Adem LAMLOUM (TUN)

60kg
Adel FEGAS (ALG)
Reginaldo da SILVA (ANG)
Rabby KILANDI (COD)
Ahmed SHABAN (EGY)
Mouad JAHID (MAR)
Virinao NGUATJITI (NAM)

63kg
Mohamed DRIDI (ALG)
Godefroid KALUBI (COD)
Youssef MOHAMED (EGY)
Benson KARIUKI (KEN)
Mouncif MESROUR (MAR)

67kg
Ishak GHAIOU (ALG)
Roland KALAMBAYI (COD)
Mohamed ABDELREHIM (EGY)
Kenneth KOECH (KEN)
Bilal EL BAHJA (MAR)
Oussama NASR (TUN)

72kg
Abdelmalek MERABET (ALG)
Norvil BUKASA (COD)
Anthony WESLEY (CPV)
Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY)
Brian OLOO (KEN)
Walid TALBI (MAR)
Nkosinathi MASHININI (RSA)

77kg
Andy MUKENDI (COD)
Yehia ABDELKADER (EGY)
Mathayo MAHABILA (KEN)
Souhaib KHDAR (MAR)
Radhwen TARHOUNI (TUN)

82kg
Abd OUAKALI (ALG)
Aly ABDELGHANY (EGY)
Evans SIEUNDA (KEN)
Elias CHIGUER (MAR)
Shafaihuuna BENHARD (NAM)

87kg
Bachir SID AZARA (ALG)
Mahmoud IBRAHIM (EGY)
Wadii OUALAL (MAR)

97kg
Barthelemy TSHOSHA (COD)
Mohamed GABR (EGY)
Emmanuel OSEI SARFO (GHA)
Dan CHEPTAI (KEN)
Wissam KOUAINSO (MAR)

130kg
Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY)
Joel TUKAI (KEN)
Anis HNINI (MAR)
Oussama ASSAD (MAR)

Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS)Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS) wrestling at the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Freestyle

57kg
Salah KATEB (ALG)
Alex VEMBA (ANG)
Roland TAMBI NFORSONG (CMR)
Ephraim MWINI (COD)
Mostafa MAHMOUD (EGY)
Diamantino IUNA FAFE (GBS)
Mohamed CAMARA (GUI)
Samuel MUMO (KEN)
Finoana RAKOTONIAINA (MAD)
Ben TARIK (MAR)
Lenerd VAN SCHALKWYK (RSA)
Omar FAYE (SEN)

61kg
Radouane SISSAOUI (ALG)
Seko KINAVIUD (ANG)
Ndjidda BOUBA (CMR)
Rabby KILANDI (COD)
Hassan ELSAYED (EGY)
Solomon ADDICO (GHA)
Thierno DIALLO (GUI)
Benson KARIUKI (KEN)
Yassine RAZZAK (MAR)
John LEOPOLD (MRI)
Saviour EGOLI (NGR)
Roehan DU PLESSIS (RSA)
Didier DIATTA (SEN)
Khalil BARKOUTI (TUN)

65kg
Rida DJEFFAL (ALG)
Miguel ANTONIO (ANG)
Godefroid KALUBI (COD)
Wilson VEIGA GOMES (CPV)
Mansour ELGHATIET (EGY)
Wotna NDOC (GBS)
Kenneth KOECH (KEN)
Ahmed EL BAHJAJI (MAR)
Stephen IZOLO (NGR)
Sulaiman KARGBO (SLE)
Farouk JELASSI (TUN)

70kg
Abderrahmane BENAISSA (ALG)
Gabriel MUANDA (COD)
Anthony WESLEY (CPV)
Mohamed AHMED (EGY)
James OMWANGE (KEN)
Otmane EL BAHJA (MAR)
Tope ADEBAYO (NGR)
Jaun HUGO (RSA)
Sylvio DIATTA (SEN)
Khairiddine BEN TLILI (TUN)

74kg
Saad BOUGUERRA (ALG)
Francisco KADIMA (ANG)
Jacques MONTY MBOUGOU (CMR)
Norvil BUKASA (COD)
Joao BARBOSA VICENTE (CPV)
Omar MOURAD (EGY)
Caetano SA (GBS)
Brian OLOO (KEN)
Mohammed BOUZGAR (MAR)
Ebierelayefa ANDREW (NGR)
Jesse VAN BAALEN (RSA)
Maodo BA (SEN)
Foday KARGBO (SLE)
Jamal ABDUL (UGA)

79kg
Abdelkader IKKAL (ALG)
Andy MUKENDI (COD)
Yahya ELGAMAL (EGY)
Mathayo MAHABILA (KEN)
Mohammed BOUAZOUNI (MAR)
Keean BOSSE (RSA)
Mbaye DIOP (SEN)
Alfred DANIEL (SLE)

86kg
Houssem OUCIF (ALG)
Iliassou BONI (BEN)
Matteo FURTADO TRESSE (CPV)
Ahmed MAHMOUD (EGY)
Evans SIEUNDA (KEN)
Walid CHEIKH LAHLOU (MAR)
Oluwafemi JACKSON (NGR)
Ulrich WITTE (RSA)
Siny SEMBENE (SEN)

92kg
Cedric ABOSSOLO (CMR)
Mohamed AHMED (EGY)
Dan CHEPTAI (KEN)
Ahmed FRIFRA (MAR)
Ebikeme NEWLIFE (NGR)
Immanuel BOSHOFF (RSA)
Mamadou DIOUF (SEN)

97kg
Barthelemy TSHOSHA (COD)
Aabdelrahman SHEYATAN (EGY)
Gino INTCHALA (GBS)
Jonathan SUTHERLAND (GHA)
Ayoub NASSR ELLAH (MAR)
Pape NDIAYE (SEN)

125kg
Youssef ABOUDAWABA (EGY)
Issah FUSEINI (GHA)
Joel TUKAI (KEN)
Oussama ASSAD (MAR)

Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR)Farah HUSSEIN (EGY), blue, and Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) are entered at 62kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Women's Wrestling

50kg
Cheima CHEBILA (ALG)
Malak AHMED (EGY)
Emma WANGILA (KEN)
Sabah KANEB (MAR)
Miesinnei GENESIS (NGR)
Chloe BREWIS (RSA)

53kg
Chahinez RABAH (ALG)
Nogona BAKAYOKO (CIV)
Rose KOMBE (CMR)
Sama MAHMOUD (EGY)
Zineb ECH CHABKI (MAR)
Christianah OGUNSANYA (NGR)
Matilda KOKERA (RSA)
Mama SAMBOU (SEN)
Chahrazed AYACHI (TUN)

55kg
Achouak TEKOUK (ALG)
Rosine NTSA ASSOUGA (CMR)
Salma ELBOSTANY (EGY)
Emily WANYAMA (KEN)
Sara ETTAKI (MAR)
Adijat IDRIS (NGR)
Kara LE ROUX (RSA)
Lobna ICHAOUI (TUN)

57kg
Chaimaa AOUISSI (ALG)
Ivyone MASIBO (KEN)
Mamy RASOANOMENJANAHARY (MAD)
Douaa BHAR (MAR)
Mercy ADEKUOROYE (NGR)
Chaima DAHI (TUN)

59kg
Rayane HOUFAF (ALG)
Rahma BEDIWY (EGY)
Malala SOLONIAINA (MAD)
Zineb HASSOUNE (MAR)
Kavelishimwe ABRAHAM (NAM)
Jumoke ADEKOYE (NGR)
Chahd JELJELI (TUN)

62kg
Nawel BAHLOUL (ALG)
Angelina RODRIGUES MIRANDA (CPV)
Farah HUSSEIN (EGY)
Sanaa MANDAR (MAR)
Vihanshy KANAPETRADU (MRI)
Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR)
Safietou GOUDIABY (SEN)
Saida CHERIDI (TUN)

65kg
Sofia VEMBA (ANG)
Lec ANDE (CAF)
Mouda HAMDOUN (EGY)
Faith WAMALWA (KEN)
Oumaima EL ATLA (MAR)
Ebipatei MUGHENBOFA (NGR)
Cara DU PLESSIS (RSA)

68kg
Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG)
Kawiyatou ISSIFOU (BEN)
Mariam MESBAH (EGY)
Aminata IMBALI (GBS)
Koumba SOW (GUI)
Saadia ET TAMMAR (MAR)
Hannah RUEBEN (NGR)

72kg
Yasmine BOUREGBA (ALG)
Aimelda NDIFFO (CMR)
Rosie TABORA (COD)
Asmaa ABACH (MAR)
Ebi BIOGOS (NGR)

76kg
Amy YOUIN (CIV)
Pelagie WILITA (CMR)
Malachi KYSER (GHA)
Yacout EL GORAI (MAR)
Damola OJO (NGR)