Ghasempour repeats at 92kg to give Iran first gold

Saturday, September 17, 2022 - 23:56 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (Sept. 17)--The gash over the right eye of Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) attested to the intensity of the battle. The gold medal around his neck will be a lifetime reminder of the outcome of a fearless performance.

Ghasempour provided some cheer for an underachieving Iranian team in Belgrade when he repeated as 92kg champion with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Jden COX (USA) in one of three freestyle finals on Saturday, the eighth day of the World Championships.

The United States, which had already clinched the team title heading into the night session, split the two other finals, adding a third gold when Kyle DAKE (USA) defended his 74kg title but seeing Thomas GILMAN (USA) dethroned at 57kg when Russian-born Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) gave Albania its first-ever world champion.

Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and J'den COX (USA) embraced each other after the 92kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

After the Iranian Greco team went gold-less, Ghasempour watched as two compatriots lost to American wrestlers in the freestyle finals on Friday night.

Looking to restore his nation's pride, he scored a first-period takedown while on the activity clock, then made that lead hold up in a repeat of his victory over Cox in the world semifinals a year ago in Oslo.

"I hope this has lifted the spirits of the Iranian people who have been waiting for a gold medal for a few days since the championships began," said Ghasempour, a two-time Asian and world U23 champion who won his first senior world title in 2021.

While the second period lacked points, there was no scarcity of action, with a number of exciting scrambles and the gash suffered by Ghasempour providing testament to the fervor of the two combatants.

"My opponent is a very technical and tricky opponent," Ghasempour said. "I did not give up a single point against him which could have put me in danger of losing the gold. I am happy that my preparations for this match ensured I win the gold medal."

In the final minute, Ghasempour, his head now taped, found himself on his stomach clinging to Cox's leg after a deep single attempt. Cox kneeled over the Iranian and reached back for one of his legs, pulling up for a counter lift. But the referee stopped the action as dangerous, and Cox showed his frustration by throwing down the leg and storming back to the middle of the mat.

"I just wanted to put a lot of attacks together," Cox said. "I was pushing it to try to get something. It's probably the most I have done without getting any points, which is testimony to him and his wrestling ability, his IQ."

After the intense match ended, there was no bad blood between the two and they showed their respect for each other. Cox even shared a hug with the Iranian coach when he went over for the traditional handshake.

"Six-minute battle and we both enjoyed it, pushed to get what we wanted, which was the gold medal, and today he came out on top," Cox said. "There is a lot of mutual respect."

For Cox, it was the first time he ended a World Championships on a losing note. He won world titles in 2018 and 2019 along with bronzes in 2017 and 2021. He also has an Olympic bronze from 2016 at 86kg.

"It's a first for everything and it is my first silver medal," he said. "Losing to get silver sucks. But to get here and do this, I worked my butt off for this. I regret nothing. Tough bout."

Will there be a third clash of the titans? The 27-year-old Cox is tempted, but for now, that would have to come at the Olympic weight of 97kg, which he says is his next destination.

"Ninety-seven kilograms starts today," Cox said. "There is an itch in me that keeps telling me to come back for Ghasempour. One more year. One more year. As far as the years go, I think it's smarter for me to move to 97kg."

Kyle DAKE (USA) won the 74kg final 3-1 to win the world title for the fourth time. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Dake, the bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, captured the fourth gold of his career and second straight at 74kg in a similar fashion, scoring a first-period takedown and making that hold up for a 3-1 victory over Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) in a rematch of the 2021 world final.

There are those who might contend that Dake went too much into defensive mode in the second period, an argument that has a rare caution that awarded 1-point to Salkazanov as evidence.

That said, Salkazanov, who was looking to become Slovakia's first-ever world champion, did not appear overly aggressive until the waning moments of the match.

"Salkazanov is a great opponent, he's very dangerous," said Dake, who won his first two world golds, in 2018 and 2019 at 79kg before dropping down to the Olympic weight and displacing Jordan BURROUGHS (USA). "I just had to keep him off balance.

"That was the biggest thing for me, just stay strong. Obviously, all my opponents are tough. Kudos to them for pushing me to get here and appreciate it."

After all of the disruptions from the pandemic, Dake hopes the situation remains smooth heading to the Paris Olympics.

"I can't control what happens in the outside world," he said. "You just got to go out and play the cards [you're dealt]. Last year was an 'interesting' year, this year is more normal. Hopefully, they continue to be this way leading to the Paris Olympics."

Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) defeated defending world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA) to win the gold at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, Abakarov made history for his adopted home of Albania with a solid 7-2 victory over Gilman in his first career appearance at a World Championships and his first tournament since 2017 in the lowest weight class.

"Of course, I believed that I could win," said Abakarov. "If I hadn’t believed in myself, I wouldn’t have won the gold. I worked hard for it. I knew he was the reigning world champion, he is a worthy opponent. I was sure that I was able to win."

Abakarov took the fight to Gilman from the outset, starting off with an arm throw for 2. He added a go-behind takedown and received a penalty point for finger-grabbing before Gilman finally got the board with a stepout to make it 5-1 at the break.

In the second period, Abakarov scored with a double-leg takedown, and Gilman added a second stepout. Gilman had a chance to cut the gap and get within striking distance when he got in on a single and lifted Abakarov's leg into the air, but the Albanian squirmed out of the predicament.

Abakarov began competing for Albania this year, after years of being stuck in the Russian system and never breaking into the national team for major tournaments.

"It’s my first year wrestling for Albania," he said. "Before that, I was wrestling in Russia, but I couldn’t make it to qualify for the top tournaments, because the competition there is tough.

"My coaches are here [in Albania], here is my father, from early childhood he was coaching me, since I was 6 or 7. I had many coaches, I can’t even remember all of their names. But I want to say thank you to all those who ever taught me."

Abakarov made a drastic drop down to 57kg for Belgrade, having won the Mediterranean Games and finishing second at the Islamic Solidarity Games at 65kg earlier this summer. He said it doesn't make his job any easier as he aims for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"The competition in 57kg is really tough," he said. "We will be getting ready for the next year for the world championships to qualify for the Olympics."

Stevan MICIC (SRB) won Serbia's first-ever World Championships medal in freestyle. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Micic gives host Serbia freestyle medal

In the bronze-medal matches, host Serbia, which saw four of its Greco-Roman wrestlers crowned as champions, avoided a podium shutout in freestyle when two-time European bronze medalist Stevan MICIC (SRB) came through with a solid win at 57kg.

Micic scored two with a counter lift in the first period and added two takedowns in the second to defeat two-time world U23 medalist Reineri ANDREU (CUB) 7-1.

Micic, who was born in the U.S and raised in a Serbian enclave in the state of Indiana, competed for the U.S. up to 2016, winning a world junior bronze in 2015. He was a three-time All-American at Michigan University.

The other bronze at 57kg went to Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), who nailed Wanhao ZOU (CHN) with a standing pancake and secured a fall in 4:33 for his first major medal since winning an Asian silver in 2017. Each wrestler had one point from an activity point at the time.

Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), blue, defeated Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) 5-3 to win the 74kg bronze. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In a battle of bronze medalists from the 2016 Rio Olympics, two-time former world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) eked out a 5-3 victory over Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) at 74kg to take home his fifth world medal.

An activity point each left Chamizo ahead on criteria when Demirtas launched a takedown attempt in the second period. In the scramble that followed, both were awarded two points, but Chamizo's came second to maintain the criteria advantage at 3-3. A last-second takedown added the final points.

At 74kg, Asian champion Yones EMAMI (IRI) picked up his second world bronze when he combined three stepouts and a takedown in a comprehensive 6-0 victory over 18-year-old Sagar JAGLAN (IND), who was fighting for a senior medal a month after winning world U20 bronze.

Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) scored a stepout in the final second to win the 92kg bronze. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In a wild one at 92kg, European bronze medalist Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) squandered an eight-point lead, only to score a stepout at the buzzer to snatch a 12-10 victory over European silver medalist Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) to medal in his senior world debut.

After Bataev got an opening takedown, Maisuradze secured a lace lock while scoring a takedown, then reeled off four rolls to go up 10-2. In the second period, Bataev chipped away at the lead until he tied it with a fourth straight takedown with :13 left.

Maisuradze came to life after that and managed to shuffle Bataev out at the buzzer. The challenge replay showed there was 0.3 seconds on the clock when Bateav's foot stepped down out of bounds. The unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

In the second match at 92kg, Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) earned his second consecutive world bronze when he overwhelmed Radoslaw MARCINKIEWICZ (POL) by 11-0 technical fall, beating the clock in the first period by scoring a takedown and completing three gut wrenches with eight seconds left.

Kyle SNYDER (USA) defeated Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) in the 97kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Snyder makes 6th world final; Higuchi through

In the final set of semifinals earlier in the night session, Olympic silver medalist Kyle SNYDER (USA) advanced to the 97kg gold-medal match and, while he won't be facing the arch-rival in a bid for a third world title and first since 2017, he will be taking on Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK).

Snyder shot for and completed a takedown right off the opening whistle, and then fended off the attacks of Asian champion Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) for a 4-1 victory. Snyder also received an activity point in the first period, while the two traded stepouts in the second.

In Sunday's final, which will close the curtain on the nine-day competition, Snyder will face European silver medalist Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK), who roared to eight second-period points to complete a 10-0 technical fall over Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO).

The Russian-born Tsakulov, who began competing for Slovakia last year, will aim to become that country's first world champion in freestyle.

For the first time since 2017, the final will not be between Snyder and longtime nemesis Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF).

Snyder, the gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, lost to Sadulaev in the finals of 2018, 2019 and 2021 World Championships as well as last year's Tokyo Olympics. Whichever color, the world medal in Belgrade will be the sixth of his career.

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) reached the 61kg final after beating Seth GROSS (USA) 14-7. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

In other action, 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) advanced to the 61kg final in his first senior World Championships, while preventing the U.S. from having six of six finalists over the final two days.

Higuchi rallied to a 14-7 win over Seth GROSS (USA) by firing a barrage of low singles that the American spent all match reaching over and trying to counter lift, to some success but eventually not enough.

"It was tough," said Higuchi, who prepped for the worlds by winning his first senior Asian title in April. "I took it too lightly at times in trying to finish up [takedowns], but I'll fix that and make sure I'll be able to win in the final."

Higuchi took a 4-1 lead into the second period, only for Gross to go ahead 5-4 with a counter roll and a defensive takedown. After an exchange, Higuchi managed to gain exposure points three times by leveraging Gross over while in on singles.

"I'm confident that no one beats me in terms of the amount of training, so I put my stamina to use up to the end and was able to pull away," said Higuchi, for whom a gold will be some redemption for missing out on the Tokyo Olympics, mainly because he failed to make weight at 57kg at the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament.

In the final, Higuchi will face 2019 Asian champion Reza ATRI (IRI), who scored two takedowns in the final 40 seconds to knock off Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL) 5-3.

Iran and the U.S. both have two other finalists, and they will clash for the 65kg crown.

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) went on a takedown spree in the second period to pull away from Olympic silver medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) for a 9-2 win, while Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) needed just :53 to overpower Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) in a 10-0 technical fall.

Day 8 Freestyle Results

57kg (31 entries)
Gold - Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df. Thomas GILMAN (USA), 7-2

Bronze - Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) df. Wanhao ZOU (CHN) by Fall, 4:33 (3-1)
Bronze - Stevan MICIC (SRB) df. Reineri ANDREU (CUB), 7-1

61kg (24 entries)
Semifinal - Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) df. Seth GROSS (USA), 14-7
Semifinal - Reza ATRI (IRI) df. Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL), 5-3

65kg (27 entries)
Semifinal - Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) df. Haji ALIYEV (AZE), 9-2
Semifinal - Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) df. Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) by TF, 10-0, :53

74kg (34 entries)
Gold - Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), 3-1

Bronze - Yones EMAMI (IRI) df. Sagar JAGLAN (IND), 6-0
Bronze - Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), 5-3

92kg (23 entries)
Gold - Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Jden COX (USA), 2-0

Bronze - Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 12-10
Bronze - Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Radoslaw MARCINKIEWICZ (POL) by TF, 11-0, 2:52

97kg (23 entries)
Semifinal - Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI), 4-1
Semifinal - Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) df. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) by TF, 10-0

#WrestleBelgrade

Preview: Freestyle rivalries resume but tough test awaits stars in Belgrade

Thursday, September 14, 2023 - 12:18 By Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 13) -- Soon after Kyle SNYDER (USA) won his first world title in five years in Belgrade last year, his rival Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) was quick to react.

“You know who was absent there,” Sadulaev wrote on Instagram, pointing at his own absence from the World Championships. “My friend, I’m ready to give you another chance to become a real king in the 97kg weight class. Our viewers deserve the continuance of the story.”

A year later, there will be no absentees as Sadulaev was confirmed to compete at the World Championships in Belgrade. That means that Sadulaev will get a chance to reclaim his world title, currently held by Snyder.

The two will resume their rivalry this week and if the two actually meet on the mat, it will be their fifth bout. Sadulaev holds a 3-1 head-to-head record with his last win coming in the final of the Oslo World Championships in 2021.

Gable STEVESON (USA) is the only Tokyo Olympic champion not wrestling in Belgrade. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The build-up to the World Championship has been dominated by Freestyle line-ups with doubts over Gable STEVESON’s (USA) participation and the final call on the Individual Neutral Athletes. But the mystery was solved on Tuesday. Apart from Sadulaev, Olympic champions Zavur UGUEV (AIN) and Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) were also approved to compete in Belgrade. Shamil MAMEDOV (AIN) and Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) will also be at the tournament.

That makes Steveson the only Tokyo Olympic champion to not feature in the tournament as Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) and David TAYLOR (USA) were already confirmed. Interestingly, all Olympic champs besides Taylor are unseeded, which means they will be drawn randomly and can may their arch-rivals in the first round itself.

While the inclusion of the AIN certainly brings more star-power to the mega event, the World Championships holds further importance as it will see close to 1000 wrestlers eyeing the 90 Paris Olympic quotas, divided equally among the three styles, on offer at the first qualifying event for the Games next year.

The team title race will also see the impact of the same as the U.S. tries to defend its first-place finish. With the AIN loaded with star power, U.S. will have to avoid any slip-ups. AIN will not be awarded any points in the team rankings at the World Championship but it can certainly derail the plans of other nations.

Given the benefits of wrestling in an Olympic weight class, wrestlers have squeezed themselves into the six Olympic weight classes, 57kg, 65kg, 74kg, 86kg, 97kg and 125kg. Out of the 368 wrestlers entered in Freestyle, 252 wrestlers are in these six weight classes with 86kg receiving the most entries — 52. In the non-Olympic weights, 61kg, 70kg, 79kg and 92kg, 116 wrestlers are entered with 70kg getting the most entries with 34 wrestlers.

Each Olympic weight class offers five Olympic spots and a wrestler can earn the same for the respective National Olympic Committee by winning one of the four medals. The fifth spot will be decided with a playoff between the two losers of the bronze medal bouts.

As far as storylines go, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and Taylor are expected to wrestle for the 86kg gold again while Snyder may face Sadulaev early at 97kg as the AIN wrestler is unseeded. Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) returns to international competition after two years but in his absence, a young star has emerged at 65kg -- world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI). Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) drops to 57kg with eyes on second straight world title but faces the likes of 57kg world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) and Olympic champion Uguev. Kyle DAKE (USA) will be looking to avenge his Olympic loss to Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) but a much-awaited bout against Sidakov will be the highlight at 74kg. A three-way battle will ensue at 125kg as Taha AKGUL (TUR) looks to defend his title against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) and longtime rival Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO).

Sadulaev’s return gives him a chance to win his sixth world title and be level with Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), the wrestler with the most world tiles among active members. But Snyder will look to deny him. The two met twice in two months in 2021 with Sadulaev winning both the encounters quite comfortably. That is not to say Snyder has not been up to the mark. In the five Olympic and World Championships finals since 2017 in which both Snyder and Sadulaev have participated, only once — 2019 — the two have not faced each other. The other four instances have been a bout for gold with Sadulaev winning three and Snyder one.

And even then, no love is lost between the two. Snyder visited Sadulaev’s native Dagestan and was seen meeting the latter’s family after a helicopter ride. The two have accepted being in touch despite not facing each other.

On the mat, Snyder, since becoming world champion, won the World Cup with the U.S., began this year with gold medals at the Zagreb Open and the Dan Kolov tournaments before winning the Pan-Am gold and the fourth Ranking Series in Budapest. Sadulaev, despite being away from international wrestling, continued his training, glimpses of which he posted on his Instagram. He recently posted that he is in the final phase of the preparation.

Snyder will have Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN) on his side of the bracket with Asian champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) as they are seeded fourth and eighth respectively. Tazhudinov, who is coached by Sadulaev’s coach Shamil OMAROV, will be a test for Snyder if he can match the gas tank of the American.

Apart from Sadulaev, Mojtaba GOLEIJ (IRI) will also be drawn at random. He almost defeated Snyder in Oslo before giving up a stepout in the dying seconds. Two veterans of the wrestling world, Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) and Magomed IBRAGIMOV (UZB) will also be unseeded in Belgrade.

The other threats to Snyder and Sadulaev include European finalists Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO). Snyder was troubled by Matcharashvili in the first bout in Budapest with the American scrapping through a 3-2 win before winning the gold over Magomedov who pulled out injured.

Matcharshvili won the European gold over Magomedov this year after a late takedown gave him a 4-3 lead. Magomedov will hope to avenge that loss if the two meet in Belgrade.

If you thought Snyder-Sadulaev was the only high-profile rivalry in wrestling right now, you are wrong. Taylor and Yazdani have followed a similar path in their own rivalry which will resume in Belgrade as the two gear up for their fifth battle. Taylor leads the head-to-head 4-1 with his latest win coming over Yazdani in the final of the 2022 World Championship. In Oslo, Yazdani scored his first win over Taylor, which compensated, though very little, Yazdani’s heartbreaking Tokyo Olympic final loss to the American.

The two are evenly matched on the mat but Taylor holds a slight advantage with his superior gas tank. In all their meetings, Yazdani has been the aggressor, always ending the first period with a lead. But Taylor has somehow found a way to win. Remember his first win over Yazdani as he pinned the Iranian in the World Cup in 2018? The two have more or less managed to keep the same scoring pattern with Taylor scoring nine points in the previous two bouts against Yazdani’s seven.

The major difference in Yazdani’s tactics in Oslo and Belgrade was the use of underhook. Yazdani completely dropped the signature move in the first period of the Belgrade bout and when he tried in the second period, Taylor had soared ahead.

It looks unlikely that any other wrestler will be able to stop the two meet in the final. Bronze medalists from last year Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and Boris MOKAEV (SVK) can come close but have suffered huge losses against the two. But such been Yazdani and Taylor’s dominance that the two have shared the global titles at 86kg since 2017.

Arslan BAGAEV (AIN) and Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE) are certainly medal contenders in Belgrade but they will have to navigate a field that also includes Olympic bronze medalist Myles AMINE (SMR).

The 2022 European champion lost to Dauren KURGULIEV (GRE) this year 3-1 but avenged his loss in Budapest to remain one of the top wrestlers at 86kg. He will be eyeing a second trip to the Olympics in Paris.

U20 world champion Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) is yet to make a mark at the senior level but the motivation to qualify for a home Olympics can certainly push the youngster for a medal.

Hayato ISHIGURO (JPN), Osman GOCEN (TUR) and Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) are also entered for the World Championships.

Tokyo Olympic champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) is going for his third world title. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Sidakov, Uguev face tough test
The late entry of Olympic champions Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and Zavur UGUEV (AIN) has spiced up things at 74kg and 57kg respectively. The two have not competed internationally since winning the gold medal in Tokyo but will be the favorites for gold in their weight classes.

However, the run to gold won’t be a cakewalk.

At 74kg, four-time world and defending champion Kyle DAKE (USA) will be the biggest hurdle for Sidakov. Wrestling fans have longed for a bout between the two of the most complete wrestlers in the world. While Sidakov works like a machine, Dake can switch levels at will. Their domination at this level makes it one of the most anticipated bouts.

However, Dake may be anticipating another bout altogether, that against Olympic silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) who mauled Dake in Tokyo. Being a gold medal contender in Tokyo, Dake was the favorite against Kadzimahamedau but lost 12-1, his only loss in the World Championships or Olympics. Sidakov too will be aware of Kadzimahamedau’s level and what he is capable of.

The fourth wrestler in the fray is Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) who would like to make his third consecutive final, and perhaps win the title this year. His strong defense has been a problem for many but Dake has beaten him in both the finals the two met. Salkazanov can also upset Sidakov or Kadzimahamedau, but to do that, he would have to raise the level.

Though he has not been in a World Championships since 2019, Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) is known to be the guy with a surprise up his sleeve. Salkazanov has denied him for two consecutive years not but it would be foolish to think Chamizo can’t upset anyone. The crafty wrestler has all the skills to win and a pre-Olympic World Championships may push Chamizo to return to his old self.

Another top wrestler is Yones EMAMI (IRI) who belongs to cream at 74kg. He wrestled Dake in the semifinals last year and managed to shut down the American. However, he could not break Dake’s defense, losing 2-2 before winning a bronze medal.

Two veterans, Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) and Bekzod ABDURAKHMANOV (UZB) are also in the mix. Demirtas is still searching for that gold while Abdurakhamanov is going for another run after winning bronze in Tokyo. The Uzbek tried moving to 86kg last year but returned to 79kg for the Asian Championships this year and is now at 74kg.

Young stars Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) will try to make a name for themselves in this World Championships. Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO), returning bronze medalist Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ), local favorite Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) and Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) will also try to finish on the podium.

Zavur UGUEV (AIN) is returning to international competition for the first time since winning the Tokyo Olympics. (Photo: UWW / Tony Rotundo)

At 57kg, Uguev will first have to battle his weight and step on the mat against a field that is nothing less than first-class. Uguev, who won the gold in Tokyo after beating Ravi KUMAR (IND) in the final, has been an absolute rock at 57kg over the years.

The biggest test for him in Belgrade will be Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), who is returning to 57kg in a bid to win an Olympic gold medal. The 26-year-old won a silver medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics and tried moving to 65kg for Tokyo. Once he failed to make it past the domestic level, he returned to 57kg but his battles with weight have been well documented. Higuchi won his first world title last year at 61kg which is a non-Olympic weight class.

Nothing will come easy for both Uguev and Higuchi as returning world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) also looks to book his trip for the Olympics. Abakarov defeated Gilman with ease last year to become Albania’s first wrestling world champion.

Abakarov’s confidence may have taken a hit after he suffered a loss to Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) in the European Championships final but that was at 61kg. Both Abakarov and Harutyunyan have dropped to 57kg now.

Uguev will be on the lookout for Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) as well as he almost lost his first-round bout against Abdullaev in Tokyo if not for a last-second trip from Uguev to score a four-pointer. Abdullaev has struggled with weight but can do enough to be in the medal rounds.

Another wrestler who troubled Uguev in Tokyo was Thomas GILMAN (USA) but he won’t travel to Belgrade as Zane RICHARDS (USA) defeated him in the domestic qualifiers. Richards has a strong chain wrestling and while the U.S. style is familiar to most wrestlers in the world, Richards could be a surprise at 57kg.

European champion Aliabbas RZAZADE (AZE) has taken big strides in his career but the World Championships will be his real test. Rzazade won the Zagreb Open to start the year and continued his good form by winning Euros in which he defeated Suleyman ATLI (TUR) 12-2 in the final. Asian champion AMAN (IND) is replacing Kumar and will get his first taste of the big league. He won the U23 World Championships but the Belgrade tournament is not a tournament of U23 level and that is putting it mildly.

Top seed Wanhao ZOU (CHN), Almaz SMANBEKOV (KGZ), Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) and Stevan MICIC (SRB) will also be in the mix.

Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) will wrestle outside Japan after more than two years. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Champ vs challengers
While Sadulaev, Sidakov, and Uguev were on a forced break, Takuto OTOGURO (JPN), one of the most watchable wrestlers in the world, ironically, decided to be away from wrestling for a good year and a half since the Tokyo Olympics. He returned in December 2022 for Japan's first qualifier the 2023 World Championships. He won that and the second qualifier, the Meiji Cup, in June this year to confirm his Belgrade ticket. However, the champ looked a little rusty.

Otoguro, a world champion from 2018, will have to wrestle better than he did at the Meiji Cup, as any slip-up at 65kg could prove to be fatal.

Leading the challengers will be world champion Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) whose strong underhook game can trouble Otoguro as the Japanese wrestler isn't the happiest being stuck in positions. The bout between the two can be a spectacle and worthy final, the two can meet early as well as Otoguro is unseeded while Amouzad is the top seed.

The only other Tokyo Olympic medalist at 65kg coming to Belgrade is three-time world champion Haji ALIYEV (AZE) who hopes to finish his career with gold in Paris. But his recent losses at 65kg have cast doubts over his ability to challenge the young field at 65kg. Aliyev lost to Amouzad last year and later lost the bronze-medal bout to Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN).

And to think Muszukajev, a two-time world bronze medalist, will be a pushover is a crime. The style in which he doesn’t engage much with his opponent but attacks like a cat, when given open space, has given him fans around the world. But his struggle with conditioning is still an area of concern, especially in a weight class full of youngsters. Muszukajev also has a win over Otoguro, in the bronze-medal bout at the 2019 Worlds.

Another contender, perhaps for gold, is Shamil MAMEDOV (AIN), an extremely talented youngster who won the gold medal at the 2022 Yasar Dogu. He had then expressed his desire to become the world champion. But that did not happen in 2022.

Mamedov will get that chance, incidentally in Belgrade, as he gears up for his first World Championships, perhaps the toughest in recent years. He will be backing himself to upset all the established stars and make a name for himself.

A true dark horse in this weight class is Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) who won bronze in 2021 and finished second to Amouzad in the Asian Championships this year. Tumur Ochir has troubled many this year using his underhook and strong build. But the World Championships will throw wrestlers of different styles who would have studied to break the Mongolian’s position.

Count on European champion Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) as well. He missed out on a medal last year but Tevanyan has been improving, winning the U23 World Championships, Ibrahim Moustafa Ranking Series, and European Championships. His style can frustrate a lot of wrestlers and if not engaged early, the Armenian can easily defend his lead.

Two-time world medalist Alejandro VALDES (CUB) is entered for Cuba as he tries to make it to Paris with the hope of winning his first Olympic medal. Uzbekistan has trusted Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) to do the job and the former U20 world champion has the ability but may lack the experience needed at this level.

The United States had John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) in the final last year but he lost to Nicholas LEE (USA) in the domestic qualifications. Lee will have a huge responsibility on his shoulders as he tries to win the Paris quota for the U.S., something it missed in Tokyo.

Another NCAA star Austin GOMEZ (MEX) will be representing Mexico at the World Championships and it will be interesting to see how he performs internationally. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) and Erik ARUSHANIAN (UKR) can be the party-spoilers for anyone.

The champ vs. challengers sub would have been more apt for 125kg had Steveson entered. But with him out, Taha AKGUL (TUR) will be challenged in Belgrade and Steveson’s much-awaited bout with Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) will have to wait.

Zare will have his task cut out if he wants to win a second-world title. He was well on course last year before losing in the semifinals against Akgul who looked a better wrestler than in the Olympics or the 2021 World Championships.

Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) will have the same odds to win the title as Zare and Akgul as he chases his fourth in Belgrade. Petriashvili could have been the Olympic champion if not for Steveson to score a takedown literally in the final second.

The Georgian seems to have not put that loss behind as he lost tamely to Zare in 2021 and was stunned by MUNKHTUR (MGL) in the 2022 semifinals. Munkhtur lost to Akgul in the final but the four are expected to be on the podium once again.

Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) was a gut-wrench away from beating Zare last year in Almaty, Masson PARRIS (USA) had pinned Zare in U20 World Championships while Zhiwei DENG (CHN) has been a solid 125kg.

These three wrestlers can cause problems for the top four who should also keep an eye on Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Daniel LIGETI (HUN), Abraham CONYEDO (ITA), Robert BARAN (POL) are also entered.

The non-Olympic weight class will also throw some once-in-a-lifetime battles.

Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) is the favorite to win gold at 61kg. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

61kg
It was one-way traffic in 2021 as Abasgadzhi MAGOMEDOV (AIN) won gold at 61kg. It is expected to be the same as he returns aiming for his second world title.

Asian champion Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) and Vitali ARUJAU (USA) could come close but unless everything works in their favor and Magomedov doesn’t really show up, it will be difficult even for returning silver medalist Reza ATRI (IRI).

Zain RETHERFORD (USA) is the returning silver medalist at 70kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

70kg
But the U.S. can still bank on Zain RETHERFORD (USA) to give them gold in one of the lower weight classes. The returning silver medalist will be pitted against bronze medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ). Both lost to eventual champion Taishi NARIKUNI (JPN) at the World Championships last year. With the Japanese absent, Retherford will fancy his chances but so will Akmataliev who wrestled one of the most memorable matches against Narikuni in the semifinals.

But that’s what Akmataliev likes. The more his opponent attacks, Akmataliev will be counter and score big points.

Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will try to deny both Retherford and Akmataliev and win his world gold after finishing with a silver medal in 2021. Yazdani has been a mixed bag at the international level and has suffered losses along the way.

Evgenii ZHERBAEV’s (AIN) entry has certainly made the weight class even more interesting but a lot will depend on the bracket.

Ramazan RAMAZANOV (AIN), Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) and Ihor NYKYFORUK (UKR) will look to make some noise as well.

79kg
Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) denied him in two straight World Championships but Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) will be the favorite this year as Burroughs failed to make the U.S. team.

Chandler MARSTELLER (USA) defeated the six-time world champion in a best-of-three series to be in Belgrade. He will now try to stop Nokhodi. The two met in Budapest and Nokhodi dominated Marsteller.

However, Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) can cause some trouble with his different style of wrestling which Nokhodi, 21, may not be aware of.

U23 world champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) and Ramazan SARI (TUR) will try to finish among the medals.

92kg
Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) was on his way to a third consecutive world title but two injuries in the space of two months meant that the Iranian superstar had to withdraw from the World Championships.

That meant J’Den COX (USA) would finally get the gold he was denied by Ghasempour in the last two years but Cox switched to 97kg but never made the U.S. team. The absence of the two big stars has thrown the 92kg weight class wide open.

Both bronze medalists from 2022, Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) would feel that they can make the most of the situation and reach the final. Both have been consistent in 2023 and can make for a great final.

Vladislav VALIEV (AIN), a 2019 European champion at 86kg, will be a medal contender as well.

Iran is gambling with Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), a regular at 97kg, who has been asked to drop down to 92kg as Iran tries to defend its team title.

Azarpira has won the age-group World Championships at 97kg but it will be too early to predict his performance at 92kg, especially after the weight cut.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) made the U.S. team and can use to his active wrestling to win his first world medal. But it won’t be easy against some of the best in the world and Valencia has to switch levels.

Two-time European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) defeated both Maisuradze and Nurmagomedov en route to the gold medal and will push himself to repeat and end up on the podium.

Two absolute hammers are 19-year-olds Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) and Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ). The two met in the final of the Asian Championships with Yoshida prevailing over Aitmukhan in what was his first international trip.

Aitmukhan was in the final of the U20 World Championships as well but finished with a silver medal. But both Yoshida and Aitmukhan can trouble the best in the business.

The World Championships will kick off on September 16 with Freestyle and will be live on UWW+ and FloSport for the U.S. audience.

Ghasempour repeats at 92kg to give Iran first gold

Comments

Preview: Freestyle rivalries resume but tough test awaits stars in Belgrade