FS World Cup: All you need to know

Wednesday, November 30, 2022 - 12:44 By Vinay Siwach

CORALVILLE, Iowa (November 30) -- The World Cup is back in the United States. After three years of absence, the freestyle World Cup will be held December 10 and 11 at the Xtreme Arena in Coralville, Iowa. To make it special, the women's World Cup will also be held simultaneously.

The USA and Iran, the two best teams from the World Championships, are expected to meet in the final as both are placed in different groups. But it will be unwise to count out the All-World Team, a team comprising the best wrestlers in each weight class from Belgrade after the five qualified teams.

Iran finished second to the USA in the team race in Belgrade but it will be eyeing another World Cup win. The USA will have added pressure, wrestling in front of the home crowd.

Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) led the US to the World Cup win in 2018. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

Led by six-time world champion Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) and Kyle SNYDER (USA), the home team would like to repeat the title win from 2018. The two will be joined by a young team with little international experience. World silver medalist John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA), Seth GROSS (USA), Jason NOLF (USA), Zahid VALENCIA (USA) and Hayden ZILLMER (USA) are also part of the squad.

In Group A, the USA will open the World Cup against Mongolia which surprised all by qualifying for the tournament in the fifth spot. As far as the match-ups go, the USA holds the upper hand against Mongolia which is bringing all three of its Belgrade World medalists. But given the depth in the US squad, it will be an uphill ask for Mongolia to go past the hosts.

The US vs Mongolia match will be followed by Iran taking on Japan in the morning session on December 10. With the Emperor's Cup scheduled 10 days after the World Cup, a few of Japan's stars, including both world champions, are giving the tournament in the US a miss.

U23 world champion Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) will spearhead the young team which includes Taichi YAMAGUCHI (JPN) and U23 world bronze medalist Ryoma ANRAKU (JPN) among others who are short on international experience.

Two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) will lead the Iran team. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Iran should not have a difficult time handling the team and a win against Japan will take them a step closer to the final.

The second session on Saturday will see Georgia take on Mongolia with the former looking strong on paper. But it may come down to the wire as both do have a young squad. Georgia is bringing a pair of U23 world champions in Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) and Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) along with senior world medalists in Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) and Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) with Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO), Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO), Giorgi SULAVA (GEO), Tarzan MAISURADZE (GEO), Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) and Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) completing the line-up.

The match-up will be a key factor in deciding which team manages to reach the dual for third place if both teams lose to the US.

Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) will lead the All-World Team at the World Cup. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

The All-World Team will make its debut soon after this match against Japan. World champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (UWW) will be opening the competition for them and in all likelihood, it should cleansweep the dual against Japan and set up a thrilling final group dual against Iran.

It also compromises of two-time world medalist Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (UWW), the bronze medalist from Belgrade Ernazar AKMATALIEV (UWW), two silver medalists from Belgrade in Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (UWW) at 74kg and Batyrbek TSAKULOV (UWW) at 97kg. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (UWW) at 92kg, Azamat DAULETBEKOV (UWW) at 86kg, Arslan BUDAZHAPOV (UWW) at 79kg, Georgi VANGELOV (UWW) at 61kg and Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR) at 125kg will also be taking the mat.

It will all come down to session three on Saturday as Georgia clashes with the US and Iran takes on the All-World Team.

The US will be the favorite against Georgia but the match-ups between Bujiasvili and Richards at 57kg, Elbakidze and Berger at 70kg, Maisuradze and Valencia at 86kg, Maisuradze and Jackson at 92kg, Manashvili and Zillmer at 125kg can tilt the dual in favor of Georgia.

The same is the case for Iran vs All-World. Abakarov will be a heavy favorite at 57kg against Reza MOMENIJOUJADEH (IRI) while Vangelov will have to go past Armin HABIBZADEH (IRI) at 61kg. A rematch from Belgrade between world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and Muszukajev at 65kg will be a match for every wrestling fan. Another fan-favorite bout is at 70kg between Akmataliev and Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) and it can go either way and prove crucial in the end result.

U23 world champion Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOUR (IRI) will have to punch above his weight to beat Salkazanov at 74kg while Karimi will hope to continue his winning record against Dauletbekov. At 92kg, Nurmagomedov will face two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) in a tough bout before Tsakulov gets U23 world champion Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI).

At 125kg, U23 world champion Amirreza MASOUMI (IRI) will fancy his chances against Khotsianivskyi but no team can be sure of a victory and a spot in the final.

The winner of this match is likely to reach the final with the US waiting. The finalists can be different if Georgia punches above its weight to upset the US.

Iran vs USA or All-World Team vs US, both matches promise to be a close battle and will give the fans their worth in the two-day tournament.

#WrestleBudapest

Budapest Ranking Series Greco-Roman Highlights

Sunday, July 20, 2025 - 08:52 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 20) -- The Budapest Ranking Series final day will see Greco-Roman action in seven weight classes -- 55kg, 60kg, 63kg, 67kg, 77kg, 82kg, 97kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 3 RESULTS

16:30: The end of the semifinals in Budapest. Giorgi MELIA (GEO) makes it to the 97kg final after a 5-1 victory over Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE). He will take on Hayk KHLOYAN (ARM) who sneaks through with a 5-4 win over Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN).

16:12: Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) gets the benefit of Beka MELELASHVILI (USA) defensive fouls and win 4-3 at 82kg semifinals. He will face Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW) for the gold who defeated Rafael IUNUSOV (UWW), 5-1.

16:00: Robert Attila FRITSCH (HUN) launches Sergei STEPANOV (UWW) for a huge four-pointer in the last minute and wins the 77kg semifinal 6-3 to set up a final against Sergei KUTUZOV (UWW) after he defeated Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) 8-6. Suleymanov was going well with a 6-0 lead but when Kutuzov got the par terre, he reverse lifted Suleymanov for a four and another for two points to lead 7-6. A lost challenge made it 8-6 for the win.

15:40: European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) rolls to a 8-0 technical superiority win over Daniial AGAEV (UWW) in the 67kg final. But there will be no all-Georgian final as Leri ABULADZE (GEO) drops his semifinal to Valentic PETIC (MDA) 5-3.

15:25: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) takes out European silver medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) 5-3 to enter the final at 63kg. Surprising win for Eriomenco but he will face Sergey EMELIN (UWW) for the gold medal. Emelin had a injury walkover in the other semifinal.

15:05: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) showing why he is the best in the world at 60kg as he beats Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) in a rematch of the European final. He defends most of Tibilov's attacks to win 3-2. He will face SUMIT (IND) in the 60kg final after the Indian pinned Galym KABDUNASSAROV (KAZ).

14:45: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) needs all the luck he can as he beats Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB), 5-5, on criteria in the 55kg semifinal. He will take on Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) for the gold medal after he defeated Alpamys DASTANBEK (KAZ), 8-0, in just a minute and 20 seconds.

Semifinals

14:15: Sergei KUTUZOV (UWW) scores turns from par terre and beats Asian champion Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) 9-0 to book a place in the semifinal against Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) at 77kg.

14:00: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) keeps and simple and gets both par terre advantages in the against Mehroj BAKHRAMOV (UZB) and beats him 4-0 at 60kg. This avenges his loss to Bakhramov at the Zagreb Open earlier this year.

13:55: Georgij TIBILOV (SRB) takes out Amiran SHAVADZE (GEO) 5-5 in the 60kg quarterfinals via criteria. Tibilov will face Mammadli in the semifinal, a rematch of the European final which Mammadli won

13:40: SUMIT (IND) breaks Dahyun KIM (KOR) down with his pace and secures the fall after an early scare in the 60kg bout. He moves into the semifinals of the Ranking Series.

13:35: European champion Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) comes strong in defense, blocking Anil MOR (IND) when the Indian was trying to turn Sefershaev from par terre. He also pushed him out for a point. Sefershaev win 4-1 at 55kg.

13:25: Alex SZOKE (HUN) sends the local crowd into frenzy after beating Artur SARGASIAN (UWW) 6-6 on criteria at 97kg. Szoke had three two point techniques while Sargasian managed only two and the Hungarian kept the criteria.

13:15: European silver medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) puts another clinical show and beats Ellis COLEMAN (USA) 6-1 at 63kg. He enters the semifinals.

12:45: World and European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) takes a little injury timeout before par terre but gets to work and finishes the bout against Seunghak KIM (KOR), 9-0, at 60kg.

12:20: Two huge losses as Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) drops his match 9-3 to SUMIT (IND) and on Mat D, Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (UWW) loses 9-0 to Dahyun KIM (KOR) at 60kg. Both were looking to be on the team to Zagreb but what unexpected losses.

12:00: Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) manages to blank Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) in the opening round at 77kg. A takedown to open the scoring for Suleymanov before he scores a turn from par terre. Gutu challenges for the hand-below-waist but it's lost. A takedown in the second period and Suleymanov wins 8-0.

11:50: European champion Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) gives no chance to Artium DELEANU (MDA) and wins an easy 7-1 opening round.

11:45: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) and Dinislam BAMMATOV (UWW) are involved in a battle but it's the Moldovan who comes out on top 5-5 on criteria.

11:35: European silver medalist Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) bosses his opening round bout at 63kg and beats Yerkebulan ARDAKOV (KAZ), 9-0 to advance. In the next match on Mat D,

11:20: World U23 champion Alisher GANIEV (UZB), one of the most explosive wrestler in the world, wins his first bout at 63kg via disqualification of Aidos SULTANGALI (KAZ). Ganiev was already leading 7-0 by then.

11:05: Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) opens with a 10-0 victory over Seungjun KIM (KOR) at 97kg. Savolainen has not enjoyed similar success like he did before the Paris Olympic cycle.

10:55: Aram VARDANYAN (UZB) needs a challenge to overturn a defeated to victory against Doniyorkhon NAKIBOV (UZB). Vardanyan got a exposure at the end but was not scored. However, he won the challenge and Nakibov is devasted.

10:40: Former world champion Ulvu GANIZADE (AZE) wins his first bout at 77kg with a 1-1 score against Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) as he was the first to get the par terre points.

10:30: Welcome to the final day of the Budapest Ranking Series. It will be Greco-Roman action the whole day in seven weight classes

FS World Cup: All you need to know

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Budapest Ranking Series Greco-Roman Highlights