Godinez stuns 2 world champs for Pan-Am title

Friday, May 6, 2022 - 22:13 By Vinay Siwach

ACAPULCO, Mexico (May 6) -- When Karla GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) was 13 years old, she was excited about a trip to Disneyland. Little did she know that she will be in a foreign country, Canada, and beginning a new life.

Hailing from Aguascalientes, Mexico, she did not speak the language nor did she know the culture when her parents settled in Surrey. But it was the start of a new life in an unknown land.

More than 12 years later, Godinez, having survived all the challenges, won the Pan-Am title after defeating two world champions in a single day, incidentally in her country of birth -- Mexico.

Godinez participated in her first senior Pan-Am Championships Friday and came home with a gold medal after beating world and defending champion Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) 8-5 in the 55kg final.

This was one of the two gold medals Canada won on the second day of the tournament along with the USA which also won two in women's wrestling.

Friday also saw the three remaining Greco-Roman gold medals being awarded. Guatemala was denied its first-ever Pan-Am champion in Greco-Roman while Cuba captured the remaining two golds.

But the day belonged to Godinez who pulled off one of the most shocking wins at the Pan-Am Championships in recent history.

Her day began against U23 world champion Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU), a bout that was significant in determining if she faced Winchester in the semifinal or final.

Godinez scored a takedown against Yepez before giving up two non-action points to lead 2-2 on criteria at the break. With just over a minute remaining in the bout, she scored a takedown to take a clear 4-2 lead and booked her spot in the semifinal.

The 24-year-old destroyed Nadia TRUJILLANO LA ROSA (PER) 11-0 in the semifinal while Winchester had a similar score against Yepez in the other semifinal.

Winchester was a heavy favorite in the final against Godinez and it began that way when she scored the first takedown in the final. But Godinez was unfazed by that.

She switched levels when going for a single leg against Winchester. After getting hold of the USA wrestler's left leg, she quickly gripped the right and tossed her opponent for a four.

But Winchester is known for a comeback. That is how she won her first world title. Both wrestlers traded stepouts before Winchester managed a takedown to tie the score 5-5. But she needed another point as Godinez led on criteria owing to her four-point move.

At this point, Godinez wanted to keep the pressure up and not let Winchester find an opening.

"[My plan] was to keep moving forward," she said. "I was going to leave everything on the mat. I was giving it all."

But Winchester upped the pressure and got a stepout, almost. Godinez circled back from the danger zone and managed to score a counter takedown when Winchester was hoping for a pushout. After the clock expired, the USA wrestler challenged the call but it was not to be.

As she struggled to hold her tears, Godinez's childhood and sacrifices flashed in front of her eyes.

"I've been through a lot and I feel like when I am on the mat, I put it out there," she said.

As a naturally reserved person, Godinez was struggling to express her feeling but embraced her younger sister Ana GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) after the win. The two have an elder sister, the famous Mixed Martial Arts fighter Lupita, and it was on her insistence that they trained in wrestling.

Despite being late beginners in the sport, both Karla and Ana have been dominating nationally and internationally. Ana is a U23 world champion while Karla is now a Pan-Am champ.

The second gold for Canada came at 59kg when Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) beat Ameyalli JESSEL ROJAS (MEX) in their Round 3 head-to-head clash. Both had a win over Xochitl MOTA PETTIS (USA) in the morning session which made their clash a virtual gold-medal bout. Beauregard finished the bout in just 35 seconds, as Jessel had no answer to her leg-lace.

Forrest MOLINARI (USA), blue, won the 65kg gold medal at the Pan-Am Championships. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

USA won two gold medals thanks to spirited performances by Forrest MOLINARI (USA) and Skylar GROTE (USA) at 65kg and 72kg.

Molinari, who had begun this year with silver at Ivan Yargiun and gold at Istanbul Ranking Series, claimed the gold with an easy outing in Acapulco. She won all three of her bouts dominating her opponents.

The bout which confirmed her gold in the Nordic-style bracket was over Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN) in Round 3. She defeated the Canadian via fall.

"I am not entirely thrilled with my performance here," Molinari said. "I am very big on detail and I honestly think that there are a lot of areas I can clean up but it's just good to be back out here, get back to weight, see where I need to clean up."

To the normal eye, it looked close to a perfect performance as she spent only four minutes and 46 seconds on the mat in the morning session. The gold will also help Molinari become the number one ranked wrestler in the weight class.

But that is irrelevant to her as she explained that the Pan-Am title was just a step toward gearing up to win the world title in Belgrade, Serbia later this year.

"Just one more to add to the list," she said. "These tournaments are steps to get to the world title. I know I am the best in the world and I am going to prove it this year. I say it every year but I continue to grow. It's about executing. The things we practice, we need to execute in competitions, being sharp and this is just practice for Worlds to do that."

Skylar GROTE (USA) won the gold at 72kg, her first Pan-Am title at the senior level. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

The second gold for the USA at 72kg was won by Grote to give the USA another 25 points in the team title. In a Nordic-style bracket, Grote won the gold over Maria GARCIA BAUTISTA (MEX) by defeating the Mexican wrestler in the Round 3 bout.

Grote, a former junior Pan-Am champion, won 10-0 over Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA) in Round 1 while got a walkover by an injured Taylor FOLLENSBEE (CAN) in Round 2.

In the bout against Garcia, she began with a takedown and three gut-wrenches before finishing the match with another takedown. Grote did not give up a single point in the competition.

"It's a grinding season," Grote said referring to the US Open title she won five days back. "I am looking forward to the World Team Trial and winning the world title. That's the goal."

Grote has switched between wrestling for the USA and Canada but will be looking to make the USA world team later in June.

"I wanted to prove that I am getting better with every tournament that I compete in. That is my goal. I want to be better than the last tournament and I feel like I am consistently doing that. It's about believing in myself. I gave up on the external validation I used to seek and I know I have what it takes."

The next for the young wrestler will be to make a mark outside of the USA and Grote thinks she is ready to do that, even sending a warning to her rivals.

"I am tough and I am going to wrestle everywhere and I am going out to battle," she said. "Grote isn't going down without a fight."

Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB), blue, won the 77kg Greco-Roman weight class. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Guatemala denied

Guatemala will have to wait for its first-ever Pan-Am Greco-Roman champion as David CHOC HUOC (GUA) and Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA) both suffered losses in the 77kg and 82kg finals respectively.

Cuba won two gold medals Friday when Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) defeated Choc 7-2 in the 77kg final while Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) humbled Johan BATISTA (DOM) 9-0 in the 87kg final.

The third gold medal went to local star Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ (MEX) who handed Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA) a 1-1 defeat, avenging the loss against the Guatemala wrestler from the morning session.

Pena's bouts were not high scoring but his run to the final won controlled wins. In the final, he was awarded a point for Choc's passivity. He managed to score a four-pointer from par terre and then added two more points. Choc did score a reversal and then a point in the second period but that was not enough.

This was the second straight year that Choc had missed the chance to create history as in 2021 he lost the final to Benjamin PROVISOR (USA) at the home Pan-Am Championships.

Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) won his second Pan-Am title. (Photo: UWW / Osvaldo Aguilar)

Cuba's second gold of the day went to two-time U23 world medalist Gregorich who defeated Batista with two stepouts and three guts from par terre. The Tokyo Olympian now has two Pan-Am titles, four years after he won the first.

His gold helped Cuba gain some valubale points in the team title race which they were destined to finished second.

But Vicente 1-1 win over two-time Pan-Am bronze medalist Jimenez in the 82kg final helped Mexico stay ahead in the team title race which was won by the USA with 165 points, 17 more than second-placed Mexico. Cuba had 101 points to finish third.

Vicente had suffered a 10-1 loss to Jimenez in the morning session but he avenged that when it mattered the most in the gold medal bout. Vincente and Jimenez exchanged inactivity points in either period of the final with the Mexcian winning 1-1 on criteria.

The remaining six women's wrestling and two freestyle weight classes will be in action Saturday in Acapulco, Mexico.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

55kg
GOLD: Karla GODINEZ GONZALEZ (CAN) df. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), 8-5

BRONZE: Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) df. Nadia TRUJILLANO LA ROSA (PER), 10-0

59kg
GOLD: Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN)
SILVER: Ameyalli JESSEL ROJAS (MEX)
BRONZE: Xochitl MOTA PETTIS (USA)

Key Match: Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) df. Ameyalli JESSEL ROJAS (MEX), 10-0 in Round 3

65kg
GOLD: Forrest MOLINARI (USA)
SILVER: Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN)
BRONZE: Atzimba LANDAVERDE MORENO (MEX)

Key Match: Forrest MOLINARI (USA) df. Miki ROWBOTTOM (CAN), via fall in Round 3

72kg
GOLD: Skylar GROTE (USA)
SILVER: Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA)
BRONZE: Maria GARCIA BAUTISTA (MEX)

Key Match: Skylar GROTE (USA) df. Brenda AGUIAR DOS SANTOS (BRA), 10-0 in Round 1

Greco-Roman

77kg
GOLD: Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) df. David CHOC HUOC (GUA), 7-2

BRONZE: Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) df. John YEATS (CAN), 8-0
BRONZE: Ravaughn PERKINS (USA) df. Emmanuel BENITEZ CASTRO (MEX), 3-2

82kg
GOLD: Daniel VICENTE GOMEZ (MEX) df. Reinier JIMENEZ TERRY (GUA), 1-1

BRONZE: Tyler CUNNINGHAM (USA) df. Nestor TAFUR (COL), 6-0 via VCA

87kg
GOLD: Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) df. Johan BATISTA (DOM), 9-0

BRONZE: Carlos MUNOZ JARAMILLO (COL) df. Ariel ALFONSO RODRIGUEZ (HON), 11-3
BRONZE: Alfonso LEYVA YEPEZ (MEX) df. Andre RAMOS PINTO (BRA), 7-5

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo 2026 Day 1 Results: Lee, Uguev, Kadiev Win Gold

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - 08:25 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (February 25) -- There were no surprises on day one of the second Ranking Series of the season as established starts made it to the top of the podium in Tirana.

The 2026 Muhamet Malo event began with six weight classes, 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg and 86kg with competition in the last weight class being most anticipated.

World champion at 79kg Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), former world champion Kyle DAKE (USA), world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and upcoming star Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) were all gearing up to claim the gold.

In the end, it was Kadiev who moved through a tough bracket to come out on top at 86kg and win his first significant senior medal to start his season.

Kadiev second bout pitted him against birthday boy Dake, who was making his international debut at 86kg. Dake managed to get control of Kadiev few times but failed to convert them into takedowns. Kadiev led 5-1 at the break, before a mini-comeback from Dake which saw the score change to 7-4. However, Kadiev switched levels in the final minutes and raced to an 11-4 victory.

Awaiting Kadiev in the semifinal was Dzhioev, who had defeated Vladimir GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) in earlier rounds. Kadiev scored a takedown for two points before getting one more point for Dzhioev's passivity. The Azerbaijan wrestler managed to sore two stepouts in the second period but never finished his attacks as Kadiev hung on for a 3-2 victory.

Then came Kougioumtsidis who recovered from a disappointing Zagreb Open, where he lost in the first round, to reach the final in Tirana with three wins via technical superiority. He began well against Kadiev in the final with and led 4-2 but Kadiev locked the Greece wrestler in a lace to finish the bout 15-4.

Dzhioev and Dake clashed in the bronze medal bout and the former completed a 4-1 victory do deny Dake a medal on his 35th birthday.

Zavur UGUEV (UWW) scores a takedown on Chermen TAVITOV (UWW) in the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Uguev Keeps It Simple

World champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) showed first signs of struggle in the final in an otherwise flawless performance as he captured the 61kg gold medal.

Uguev, who is also the European champion at 61kg, used the duck-unders to great effect, first against Simone PIRODDU (ITA) to win 10-0 and then to beat Nathan TOMASELLO (USA), 7-1.

He faced a more stingy Austin DESANTO (USA) int the semifinals but managed to see him off 5-0, keeping his distance from the U.S. wrestler.

Perhaps that helped Uguev in the final as he felt the pressure from Chermen TAVITOV (UWW), especially in the final minute. He built a 3-0 lead and was avoiding getting into scramble when Tavitov managed to score stepout.

But Uguev challenged and won which removed the one point for Tavitov and gave him a breather. Soon after, Uguev attacked to get two points and extend his lead to 5-0. He gave up two points as well but managed to hold his lead and win 5-2.

The win also confirmed that Uguev will defend his 61kg title at the European Championships at the same venue in April.

"For me, this tournament was a wrestle-off," Uguev said. "The final is always tough. The strategy was to keep moving, attack, wrestle actively, with constant pressure. Some things worked, some didn’t. It was my first time facing him, he’s a worthy opponent."

Though he has not been at 57kg, the Olympic weight in which he won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, since finishing fifth at the 2023 World Championships, Uguev said he hopes to win a second Olympic gold in 2028.

"Look at Abdulrashid SADULAEV! He still loves to wrestle. We talk a lot, and I find it very interesting," he said. "He doesn’t even think about stepping away from wrestling. Guys like him motivate me, and I am aiming for a second Olympic gold."

Spencer LEE (USA) scores a turn on Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW) during the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Lee, Sujeet Repeat

At the season opening Zagreb Open Ranking Series, Spencer LEE (USA) and SUJEET (IND) won gold medals in contrasting styles. But in Tirana, both had similar runs as they repeated as champions at 57kg 65kg respectively. Both Lee and Sujeet won their respective four bouts via technical superiority.

Lee combined to outscore his opponents 49-8 while Sujeet made it 47-4.

Among the victims of Lee's incredible performance were former world bronze medalist Horst LEHR (GER) and Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW). Lehr went for double-leg blast right off the whistle to shock Lee with a four-pointer. But Lee remained composed and quickly finished the semifinal, 14-4, using a leg lace.

Gamzatov never seemed to trouble Lee who again managed an early finish, beating the UWW wrestler 10-0 with a gut-wrench.

SUJEET (IND) completes an attack against Rashid BABAZADE (AZE) during the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Sujeet warmed up with a 16-4 victory over Endrio AVDYLI (ALB), who tossed the Indian for a four at the start of the bout. Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO) fell next, 10-0, before Sujeet defeated Joseph MC KENNA (USA), 11-0, the same score line as the one in the semifinals of the Zagreb Open.

Rashid BABAZADE (AZE), who pulled off an incredible buzzer-beating four-pointer in the semifinals against Vitali ARUJAU (USA) to win 16-13, failed to put up a fight in the final. Sujeet laced him to win 10-0 to capture a second straight Ranking Series gold medal.

Kyrgyzstan and Iran captured gold medals as well with Asian champions Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Yones EMAMI (IRI) winning at 70kg and 74kg respectively.

Akmataliev had to dig deep in the final against Alec PANTALEO (USA) as he fell behind 2-1 with less than 30 seconds remaining. He had to score a reverse lift exposure for two points to lead 3-2 and then keep both his hands locked around the U.S. wrestler to avoid giving up a point for counter.

It was originally scored two points for each wrestler, giving Pantaleo a 4-3 win but Akmataliev challenged the decision and the two points for Pantaleo were removed, making the Kyrgyzstan wrestler a 3-2 winner.

Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) was not so lucky as Emami never gave any opening to him in the 74kg final. After getting the first point via activity clock, Emami scored a takedown and turn to lead 5-0 in the first period. There were no more points scored in the bout.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Spencer LEE (USA) df. Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW), 10-0

BRONZE: Horst LEHR (GER) df. Atish TODKAR (IND), 19-8
BRONZE: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Akshay DHERE (IND), 9-2

61kg
GOLD: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Chermen TAVITOV (UWW), 5-2

BRONZE: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ), 3-0
BRONZE: Austin DESANTO (USA) df. Nathan TOMASELLO (USA), 8-0

65kg
GOLD: SUJEET (IND) df. Rashid BABAZADE (AZE), 10-0

BRONZE: Joseph MC KENNA (USA) df. Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO), 7-0
BRONZE: Vitali ARUJAU (USA) df. Joshua KRAMER (ECU), 11-7

70kg
GOLD: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Alec PANTALEO (USA), 3-2

BRONZE: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ), 5-1
BRONZE: Zalkarbek TABALDIEV (KGZ) df. Austin GOMEZ (MEX), via inj. def.

74kg
GOLD: Yones EMAMI (IRI) df. Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 5-0

BRONZE: Quincy MONDAY (USA) df. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 9-
BRONZE: Inalbek SHERIEV (UWW) df. Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), via inj. def.

86kg
GOLD: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 15-4

BRONZE: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) df. Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM), 10-6
BRONZE: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Kyle DAKE (USA), 4-1

Morning Session Highlight Below

16:30: 86kg semifinals - Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) overcomes his Zagreb Open disappointment and reaches the final after a 10-0 technical superiority over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ). He will face Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) for gold after Kadiev beat 3-2 over world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE). Kadiev scored a takedown and a point was added for Dzhioev's passivity. Dzhioev managed to attack Kadiev multiple times but failed to finish them and scored only two stepouts.

16:20: 74kg semifinals - Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with two activity clock points against Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) to win 2-0. He will face Yones EMAMI (IRI) for the gold medal after the Iranian gets the win as Magomedrasul ASULEV (BRN) injures himself in the second period.

16:10: 70kg semifinals - ~~Kyrgyzstan with two heartbreaks in the semifinals as both Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Zalkarbek TABALDIEV (KGZ) lose.~~ Scratch that because Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) with a comeback to beat Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ). He had 15 seconds to overturn a 9-5 deficit and he did in style. He scored a takedown and then hooked Aliyev's leg to turn and score four-points before giving up a takedown. All this in the last 15 seconds. Akmataliev wins 12-9

He will face Alec PANTELO (USA) who completed a 10-0 technical superiority win over Tabaldiev.

15:50: 65kg semifinals - Vitali ARUJAU (USA) comes out as the winner in an entertaining semifinal against Rashid BABAZADE (AZE). Arujau with a counter four-pointer to take an early 5-1 lead. Both then exchange a few sequences with Arujau scoring takedowns to lead 13-7 at the break. Babazade scored a takedown and turn to cut the lead to 13-11 before Arujau scores a go-behind to lead 15-11. Babazade hits another exposure to cut the lead to 15-13. Lovely wrestling from both with Arujau defending his lead. That is till the final second when Babdaze dumps him using a duck-under to arm-grab throw for four and wins the bout. A lost challenge from the U.S. makes it 18-15 for Babazade

U23 world champion SUJEET (IND) beats Joseph MCKENNA (USA), 11-0, in the other semifinal, his second win over the American in three weeks.

15:40: 61kg semifinals - Zavur UGUEV (UWW) makes it to the final at 61kg after a 5-0 win over Austin DESANTO (USA). He led 1-0 at the break after the American was put on the activity clock but goes takedown and turn in the second to win. For the gold medal, he will face Chermen TAVITOV (UWW) who defeated Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 8-5.

Tavitov comes out with a huge double-leg for four points to start his semifinal against Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) to lead 4-0. Abakarov scores a takedown to cut the lead to 4-2 but Tavitov with a takedown and two turns while trying to pin Abakarov to lead 8-2. Tavitov challenges asking for two more points but loses it. Abakarov has little more than one minute to overturn that 8-3 deficit. A late takedown from Abakarov but Tavitov will take the 8-5 win.

15:30: 57kg semifinals: Spencer LEE (USA) was stunned by a double-leg attack for four off the whistle by Horst LEHR (GER). But Lee quickly gathers himself. He scores a sweep single takedown for two before using the lace to win 14-4. He will face Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW) for the gold medal after he manages to hang on for a 3-1 victory over Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE).

So far, Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) defeated Kyle DAKE (USA), 11-4, at 86kg while Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) beat Vladimir GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) to set up a semifinal against Kadiev. Spencer LEE (USA), Zavur UGUEV (UWW), SUJEET (IND), Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), Yones EMAMI (IRI) have made it to the semifinals in their respective weight classes

15:15: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) with another controlled win at 86kg, this time beating Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) 6-1 and advancing to the semifinals against Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE).

15:05: It was an 1-1 bout till five minutes but world champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) then uses a duck-under to dump Nathan TOMASELLO (USA) to lead 3-1. He then turns the American twice for two points each and win the quarterfinal, 7-1, and advance to the last four

15:00: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) moves into the semifinals at 86kg with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Christopher FOCA MEJIA (DOM). Variations of takedowns from Kougioumtsidis in that technical superiority win.

14:40: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) led 2-1, thanks to a takedown in the first period but world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) shifts gears in the second period and scores two takedowns, one stepout against Gamkrelidze's one takedown to win the 86kg battle, 6-4, to advance to the semifinals

14:25: Joseph MCKENNA (USA) denies world bronze medalist Umidjon JALALOV (UZB) in the 65kg quarterfinals. A takedown to begin with before McKenna scored a point via pushout. He defended his 3-0 lead to enter the semifinal

14:20: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) gives the home crowd more to cheer about as he rolls to a 10-0 victory over Leomid COLESNIC (MDA) and reach the semifinals at 61kg. Trap-arm gut from Abakarov to score his points

14:15: Spencer LEE (USA) recovers from an early four pointer from Robert DINGASHVILI (GEO) and completes a 15-4 victory at 57kg. Top class wrestling from the Olympic silver medalist as he moves into the semifinals

14:00: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) takes out Kyle DAKE (USA) at 86kg. Kadiev, a two-time U20 world champ at 79kg, clearly with the physical advantage over Dake as he manages to defend Dake's three times. Kadiev scored a takedown and turn to lead 5-1 at the break. Dake managed to score stepout but in one sequence, Kadiev scored two points via counter. He led 7-4 before finishing the bout 11-4, leaving a bad taste for Dake, who is celebrating his 35th birthday today

13:45: SUJEET (IND) with another technical superiority win at 65kg and he moves into the semifinals. Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO) had no answers to the pace of Sujeet who will now face the winner of Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) and Joseph MCKENNA (USA).

13:40: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) with a 3-1 victory over Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) who has moved up from 79kg. Dzhioev added a stepout to the two activity clock points he had.

13:35: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), world champion at 79kg but moving to 86kg, beats former U20 world champion at 79kg Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM) 14-4 in his opening bout. It's only his second tournament at this weight class. He lost his opening bout at the Zagreb Open.

13:25: Austin DESANTO (USA) with another win at 61kg. He is happy to give a takedown with less than five seconds remaining to beat Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ), 3-2, in their 61kg bout.

13:20: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) moves into the 86kg quarterfinals with a 10-0 victory over ARYAN (IND). He won a silver medal at the Zagreb Open. Can Gamkrelidze change it to gold this time?

13:03: World champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) with a controlled 10-0 victory over Simon PIRODDU (ITA). Uguev scored a beautiful duck-under before throwing Piroddu for two points. Otherwise, Uguev seemed relaxed as he dictated the pace of the bout.

13:00: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) unleashes a furry of attacks but none successful as he drops his opening bout at 61kg against former world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 2-0. One stepout for Abakarov in the first period and another point when Abdullaev was put on the activity clock

12:45: Quick win for Spencer LEE (USA)! He scored a takedown against Ashish TODKAR (IND) and then turned him twice to lead 6-0. Todkar was about to get control but Lee escaped. Lee then leaps to complete another takedown and turn to win 10-0 at 57kg

12:30: Yones EMAMI (IRI) took his own time but he gets a 7-2 victory against William LEWAN (USA) at 74kg. A slow start to that match before Emami scored those points in that second period.

12:25: Quincy MONDAY (USA) beats Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 5-1, at 74kg. No openings for the crafty Bayramov in that match.

12:15: Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), who has had steady improvement at 74kg, wins 3-1 against Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE), was the U23 world champion at 70kg last year. He is most likely move down to 70kg for the European Championships

12:00: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) with five stepouts in that 7-2 victory over Oskonbai ABDISAMATOV (KGZ) at 65kg. Jalolov won bronze at the World Championships last year and then a silver at the U23 Worlds

11:50: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), who is at 70kg may be only for this tournament, drops his bout 4-3 against former world silver medalist and Asian champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ). Ibragimov was leading 3-0 but gave up four points in the second period

11:40: Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ) with a four-point suplex over Islam DUDAEV (ALB) at 70kg to win 8-3. Dudaev led 3-3 on criteria but Aliyev got behind on the edge and slammed the home wrestler to take the win.

11:35: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) continues to impress at 86kg. He opens in Tirana with an 11-0 win over Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA), who seems to have hurt his leg after that leg-lace.

11:30: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) with a 10-0 victory over Shane JONES (PUR) at 86kg. Quick win for him and he sets up the next match against Kyle DAKE (USA), who is making his 86kg debut internationally.

11:10: Zagreb Open champion Austin DESANTO ((USA) takes on Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), world 57kg silver medalist, at 61kg. The Kyrgyz with a head-pinch four-pointer to open the scoring. DeSanto answers with a takedown and two turns before adding a stepout to lead 5-4. Almaz Uulu with another four-pointer but gets countered for two and the score is now 8-7 in favor of the Kyrgyz. Akmaz Uulu pressures DeSanto but fails to take him out and gives up a takedown as the American takes a 9-8 lead at the break. DeSanto gets the first score of the second period with a takedown and now leads 11-8. Another failed stepout attempt from Almaz Uulu but DeSanto with a counter takedown to lea d13-8. Failed challenge from Kyrgyzstan. DeSanto gives up a takedown and caution for fleeing but wins 14-11.

10:50: Vitali ARUJAU (USA), a world champion at 61kg in 2023, has moved up to 65kg. In his debut, he scored a convincing, 6-0, win over Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL). He is coached by USA and Cornell teammate John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) at this tournament.

10:35: Joseph MC KENNA (USA), at 65kg, with a quick win over Mohit KUMAR (IND). Three takedowns and two turns to complete a 10-0 victory.

10:15: The Muhamet Malo 2026 kicks off with six weight classes. Here's the preview of what to expect in Tirana -- read here

Godinez stuns 2 world champs for Pan-Am title

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Muhamet Malo 2026 Day 1 Results: Lee, Uguev, Kadiev Win Gold