Greco-Roman Rankings

Greco-Roman Rankings: Fumita, Borrero, Kayaalp Secure Top Billing for Olympic Games

Thursday, April 2, 2020 - 12:15 By Eric Olanowski

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CORSIER-SUR-VEVEY, Switzerland (April 2) – Reigning world champions Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN), Ismael BORRERO (CUB) and Riza KAYAALP (TUR) constructed insurmountable leads (greater than 18 points) over the rest of the field in their respective weight classes and assured themselves the top seed at the 2021 Tokyo Olympic Games.

In addition to Fumita, Borrero and Kayaalp, reigning world champs Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) and Musa EVLOEV (RUS) are also ranked first in one of the six Olympic weight categories. 

Nur-Sultan silver medalist Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) is the lone non-returning world champion who is ranked first at an Olympic weight. He won his sixth Ranking Series title and a silver medal at the European Championships and earned the top billing at 87kg.

In the four non-Olympic weight classes, Nugzari TSURTSUMIA (GEO), Shinobu OTA (JPN), Abuiazid MANTSIGOV (RUS) and Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) sit in the No. 1 spot heading into the final Ranking Series event.

Fumita Locks up Top-Seed at 60kg 
Kenichiro Fumita compiled a commanding 38-point lead over Sergey EMELIN (RUS) and locked up the top seed for the Olympic Games at 60kg. 

Fumita, who is looking to become the first Japanese Greco-Roman wrestler to win Olympic gold since 1984, led Emelin by 20 points after he scored the 10-5 win over the Russian in 60kg world finals. The two-time world champion extended his lead to 38 points after he claimed the Asian title in New Delhi. He beat No.15 Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) in New Delhi and assured himself the top seed for the Tokyo 2021 Olympic Games.

“It’s an honor,” Fumita said of the top seed. “It’s a rare thing, as there has hardly been any Japanese No. 1 going into the Olympics. For me, with No. 1 seed comes responsibility, but I will work hard to be worthy of it.”

Emelin sat out of the European Championships in Rome, which allowed the Turkish youngster Kerem KAMAL (TUR) to move within 12 points of the second-ranking.

Kamal began the year ranked 15th after his 21st place at the World Championships. He finished in fifth at the Matteo Pellicone, then captured a silver medal at the European Championships and leaped 12 spots to No.3 in the latest rankings. He’s tied with Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) with 28 points but holds criteria over the Uzbek wrestler because Bakhramov competed up at 63kg at the World Championships.

The top-20 wrestlers at 60kg all have at least 14 Ranking Series points, which means an 18-point Ranking Series gold medal could potentially catapult them into the top-four of the rankings. 

Top-Ten at 60kg
1. Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) - 78
2. Sergey EMELIN (RUS) - 40
3. Kerem KAMAL (TUR) - 28 
4. Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB) - 28
5. Ali Reza Ayat Ollah NEJATI (IRI) - 25
6. Mirambek AINAGULOV (KAZ) - 25  
7. Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) - 20
8. Lenur TEMIROV (UKR) - 20
9. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) - 20  
10. Ivo Serafimov ANGELOV (BUL) - 18 

Borrero Blows Open Top Seed Race at 67kg
Defending Olympic champion Ismael Borrero blew the top off the race to the top seed and will begin his quest to win back-to-back gold medals perched atop the 67kg bracket at the Olympic Games.

The two-time world champion came into the season with a 20-point lead over Artem SURKOV (RUS). He added 20 points to his previous total with his gold-medal performance at the Pan-American Championships. 

Borrero has 80 points and owns the staggering 40-point lead over Surkov. 

Surkov sat out of the European Championships and is in jeopardy of losing his second seed. He has a slight one and two-point advantage over Mate NEMES (SRB) and Mohamed ELSAYED (EGY), respectively.  

Nemes, a world bronze medalist, started the year ranked fourth. He rose to No.3 with a seventh-place finish at the European Championships, which was worth 14-points. Nemes is one point ahead of Egypt’s Nur-Sultan fifth-place finisher, El Sayed. 

Although it was only one spot, El Sayed made the critical leap from fifth to fourth and is in prime position to earn a seed at the Olympic Games. But he's only 16 points ahead of the tenth-ranked wrestler, which means there are still at least six guys who can catch him. 

Two of those guys who are looking to add their name to the seeding consideration are Hansu RYU (KOR) and Frank STAEBLER (GER). The pair who combine for five world titles are both coming off winning continental golds and have their sights on an Olympic seed.

Ryu, a ’17 and ’13 world champion, went 4-0 in New Delhi and captured his third Asian title. He’s ranked fifth and is only two points behind El Sayed.

Staebler, on the other hand, began the year ranked third, but has since dropped to No. 8. The three-time world champion bumped up to 72kg, where he cruised past Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) in the finals and grabbed his second European title. 

After his finals match in Rome, Staebler announced that this was his last time he'd compete at the continental championships. "This was the last European Championships of my career. I am very happy to end the European cycle with a gold medal. The next stop is the Tokyo Olympic Games for an Olympic medal." 

Top-Ten at 67kg
1. Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) - 80 
2. Artem SURKOV (RUS) - 40 
3. Mate NEMES (SRB) - 39
4. Mohamed Ibrahim Elsayed Ibrahi ELSAYED (EGY) 38
5. Hansu RYU (KOR) - 36
6. Makhmud BAKHSHILLOEV (UZB) - 34 
7. Ashu ASHU (IND) - 26
8. Frank STAEBLER (GER) - 25 
9. Morten THORESEN (NOR) - 22 
10. Anthony Javier PALENCIA PUENTES (VEN) - 22

Pair of Hungarians Ranked Inside Top Four at 77kg
The Hungarian duo of Tamas Lorincz and Zotlan LEVAI (HUN) are both ranked inside the top four of the lastest rankings at 77kg. 

But, reigning world champion Lorincz received the nod to represent his nation at the Olympic Games – which will ultimately remove fourth-ranked Levai from top-four seeding contention.

Pavel LIAKH (BLR), who is ranked fifth right now, will receive the one spot bump once Levai departs the rankings. Without Levai, Liakh has the potential to be the fourth-seeded wrestler at 77kg when Tokyo rolls around. 

Top-ranked Lorincz commanded a 20-point lead over Sweden’s Alex KESSIDIS to start the season. But the Hungarian has been absent all season, which allowed his world finals opponent to move to within two points of stealing the No.1 ranking. 

Kessidis, who became Sweden’s first GR world finalist since 2011 (Jimmy LIDBERG), fell to Levai in the opening round of the European Championships. He clawed his way back to a bronze-medal finish, which was worth 18 points. Kessidis moved to within two points of earning the top seed at the Olympic Games. 

Third-ranked Karapet CHALYAN (ARM) scored wins over former world champion Viktor NEMES (SRB) and fifth-ranked Liakh at the European Championships. Although he fell to eventual champion Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), Chalyan still finished with a bronze medal. 

The top 11 athletes at the weight are still within striking distance of Liakh and have a shot at earning an Olympic seed with an 18-point gold-medal finish at the final Ranking Series event. 

Top-Ten at 77kg
1. Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) - 60
2. Alex Michel BJURBERG KESSIDIS (SWE) - 58
3. Karapet CHALYAN (ARM) - 38
4. Zotlan LEVAI (HUN) - 36
5. Pavel LIAKH (BLR) - 26
6. Wuileixis de Jesus RIVAS ESPINOZA (VEN) - 26
7. Mohammadali Abdolhamid GERAEI (IRI) - 25
8. JALGASBAY BERDIMURATOV (UZB) - 25
9. Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) - 22
10. Askhat DILMUKHAMEDOV (KAZ) - 20

Lorincz Moves Past Beleniuk for No. 1 Spot at 87kg
Viktor Lorincz entered the European Championships four points shy of overthrowing reigning world champion Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) for the No.1 spot at 87kg. Despite losing to Ukrainian youngster Semen NOVIKOV (UKR) in the gold-medal match of the European Championships, Lorincz earned the 18-point silver medal and moved 14-points ahead of Beleniuk.  

Lorincz, who has a perfect 23-0 record in Ranking Series events, only needs to finish top-five at the final Ranking Series event to assure himself the No. 1 seed that he's so desperately chasing. "I want to win the [European Championships and Poland Open] because it will help my seed for the Olympic Games," said Lorincz, the defending world silver medalist at 87kg. “I will also be in the lead for the Ranking Series again.”

Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB), a world bronze medalist, is ranked third. He’s 23 points behind second-ranked Beleniuk after finishing in fifth place at the Asian Championships.

Kumar SUNIL (IND) rounds out the top four at 87kg. He started the year ranked 33rd in the world but leaped 29 spots after winning gold at the Asian Championships and silver at the Matteo Pellicone. He sits five points from overthrowing Assakalov for the No. 3 spot. 

Top-Ten at 87kg
1. Viktor LORINCZ (HUN) - 74
2. Zhan BELENIUK (UKR) - 60
3. Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) - 37
4. Kumar SUNIL (IND) - 32
5. Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB) - 30
6. Azamat KUSTUBAYEV (KAZ) - 28
7. Josef Patrick RAU (USA) - 28
8. Denis Maksymilian KUDLA (GER) - 25
9. Luis Eduardo AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN) - 24
10. Mikalai STADUB (BLR) - 20

Evloev and Aleksanyan Tied Atop 97kg Rankings
Musa EVLOEV (RUS) and Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) are tied atop the rankings at 97kg heading into the final Ranking Series event. The two are only separated by the Russian’s criteria-breaking higher finish at the World Championships. 

Evloev secured his second consecutive 97kg world title after Aleksanyan pulled out of the gold-medal match at the World Championships due to an injury. The Russian sat out of the Matteo Pellicone and European Championships, but still owns the No. 1 spot with his 60 points.

Aleksanyan has competed twice this year and won each tournament he's entered. He returned to the mat in early January, where he won gold at the Grand Prix de France HenriDeglane. He made his second appearance of the year at the European Championships, where he earned his fifth European title. 

Aleksanyan forged a rock-solid 7-1 finals victory over tenth-ranked Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) and claimed his fifth career European championship title. 

But Aleksanyan said he isn't worried too much about his rankings. "I am not interested in what number I am in the rankings. The most important is that I got the license for the Olympics. There will be 16 athletes, and I will be one of them wrestling for the Olympic gold."

The Rio Olympic champion had two goals coming into the year, and he checked one of those off with his European championship gold-medal performance. "My first goal was to become a five-time European champion. The Olympics are ahead and I want to become a two-time Olympic champion in Tokyo." 

Turkey’s Rio Olympic bronze medalist Cenk ILDEM is ranked third at the weight. He finished in third place at the World and European Championships and 19 points behind Evloev and Aleksanyan. 

Asian champion Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) is ranked fourth at 97kg. The Iranian is five points behind Ildem but has less than an 18-point over the next nine wrestlers. 

Top-Ten at 97kg
1. Musa EVLOEV (RUS) - 60
2. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) - 60
3. Cenk ILDEM (TUR) - 41
4. Mohammadhadi Abdollah SARAVI (IRI) - 36
5. Nikoloz KAKHELASHVILI (ITA) - 36
6. Tadeusz MICHALIK (POL) - 32
7. Tracy Gangelo HANCOCK (USA) -32
8. Artur OMAROV (CZE) - 30
9. Gabriel Alejandro ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) - 30
10. Mélonin NOUMONVI (FRA) - 26

Kayaalp Seals No. 1 Seed at 130kg
Despite failing in his quest to win a tenth European title, Turkey’s Riza Kayaalp amassed a 22-point lead over second-ranked Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) and sealed up the No. 1 seed at 130kg at the Olympic Games. 

Kayaalp downed Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) in the 130kg finals at the World Championships and won his fourth world title belt. Thanks to his winning efforts in Nur-Sultan, the Turkish big man started the year with 60 points. He tacked on 12 points after a disappointing seventh-place finish at the European Championships. But, through it all, Kayaalp somehow constructed a 22-point lead over second-ranked Mohamed and now has the luxury of sitting out of the final Ranking Series event and still keeping his top seed. 

Egypt’s Mohamed made arguably the most significant leap in the rankings since the year started. He went from unranked to No. 2 heading into the final Ranking Series event after winning the Matteo Pellicone and the African Championships. Mohamed is ten points ahead of Pino Hinds, but with the reemergence of the Cuban giant Mijian LOPEZ (CUB), Pino Hinds will be removed from the rankings as Lopez attempts to win an unprecedented fourth Greco-Roman Olympic gold medal. 

Moises Salvador PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN) and Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) will each receive bumps from Pino Hinds’ absence and will be ranked third and fourth, respectively.

Perez Hellburg jumped from 18th to fourth with top-three finishes at the Matteo Pellicone and Pan-American Championships. The Venezuelan fell to second-ranked Mohamed in the finals of the first Ranking Series event, then went 2-1 at the continental championships and finished with a bronze medal. 

Abdullaev will ultimately move into the No. 5 slot once Pino Hinds is removed from the rankings. The Uzbek wrestler started the year ranked fourth and slipped one spot after a bronze-medal finish at the Matteo Pellicone. 

Every wrestler in the top-20 is still within distance of catching Abdullaev for the No. 4 spot. 

Top-Ten at 130kg
1. Riza KAYAALP (TUR) - 72
2. Abdellatif mohamed ahmed MOHAMED (EGY) - 50
3. Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB) - 40
4. Moises Salvador PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN) - 28
5. Muminjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) - 26
6. Adam Jacob COON (USA) - 26 
7. Heiki NABI (EST) - 25
8. Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) - 25
9. Eduard POPP (GER) - 20
10. Amir Mohammadali GHASEMIMONJEZI (IRI) - 20

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 FS 57kg, 74kg, 79kg, 92kg Highlights

Sunday, September 14, 2025 - 08:42 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 14) -- World Championships enters day with Freestyle continuing in 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 125kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 REPORT

READ THE SEMIFINAL REPORT HERE

74kg semifinal

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)
SF 2: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) vs. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)

15:17: For much of his 74kg quarterfinal with David CARR (USA), Chermen VALIEV (ALB) was the second-best wrestler on the mat. He falls behind 5-1, and in the second period, Carr is in deep on a single and looking to pad his lead. But Valiev, an Olympic bronze medalist, twists Carr over for a 2-point exposure. Then he amazingly goes ahead on criteria with a takedown with :46 left. In his desperation to score, Carr allows Valiev to get behind, and Valiev scores a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on to go ahead 7-5. He then fends off Carr's attack to secure a hard-fought win.

15:15: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) builds a 4-0 lead over Yones EMAMI (IRI) at the break with two takedowns. But Emami fires back with a takedown and turn for a 4-4 criteria lead. Takahashi blocks him and cradles for two points. He then adds a takedown when a squared but Emami stands tall and leads 8-4. A stepout is confirmed to make it 9-4. Takahashi keeps the pressure and Emami gives up a takedown on the edge. Takahashi, leading 11-4, keeps his distance from Emami and wins 11-4.

15:14: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) leads 3-0 Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) with a point and takedown. He then adds another point for activity in the second period to make it 4-0. A takedown in the final 30 seconds swells his lead to 6-0, the winning score.

15:13: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) stays on track to a fourth world gold with a workmanlike 5-1 win over Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN) to advance to the 74kg semifinals. Sidakov uses his deep single to great effect, scoring a takedown in each period. All of the other points came on the activity clock.

92kg semifinals

SF 1: Trent HIDLAY (USA) vs Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)
SF 2:  Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) vs. Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI)

15:03: Trent HIDLAY (USA) brings his best underhook game and scores at will against Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO). He wins 6-1 and heads to the semifinals of the World Championships.

15:03: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) is nursing a 1-0 lead in the second period when, with Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) on the clock, he scores a takedown at the edge. As he gets the activity point, he quickly adds a stepout, which gives him the buffer he needs when Tsakulov comes to life and scores a takedown. Firouzpour adds a late takedown off a desperation attempt Tsakulov and he's into the 92kg semifinals with a 7-2 win.

15:02: Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) cannot match the strength of Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) at 92kg he drops his quarterfinal against 9-0.

14:56: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) earns his place in the 92kg quarterfinals when his opponent Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) has to default midway through the first period with a left knee injury. Nurmagomedov got in on a low single, and Kurugliev immediately signaled the injury to his knee, which was heavily taped to begin with.

79kg semifinals

SF 1: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) vs. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
SF 2: Levi HAINES (USA) vs. Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL)

14:50: Levi HAINES (USA) had the crowd on his side as he desperately tried to get through the stalling defenses of Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) as he attempted to preserve a 2-0 lead, with both of his points coming off the activity clock. The American's efforts paid off just in time -- he scored a takedown at the edge with 1.9 seconds left. An unsuccessful challenge gave him a 3-2 win and a place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

14:46: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) with some impeccable defense in the quarterfinal against Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) as he wins 3-0 to book a spot in the semifinals at 79kg.

14:45: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) gives absolutely no chance to Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) in the quarterfinal at 74kg and wins his bout 6-0 to advance to the semifinals.

14:45: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) won the battle of activity points with Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), getting two to his opponent's one for a 2-1 victory at 79kg. Mykhailov was down 2-0 when he received an activity point to cut the gap. He also launched the lone true attack of the match, but Nokhodi managed to force it to a stalemate.

57kg Semifinals

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs Chongsong HAN (PRK)
SF 2: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) vs Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ)

14:36: Chongsong HAN (PRK) took a 4-0 lead and seemed to be cruising to a victory over Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) at 57kg, but seemed to suffer an injury that slowed him down. In the second period, Bravo Young received a fleeing point, then scored a late takedown to cut the gap to 4-3. But Han avoided being turned over to assure his place in the semifinals.

14:34: A close victory for Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) over Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (UWW) in the 57kg quarterfinals. Abdullaev built a 3-0 lead but gave a takedown in the second period as Mekhtikhanov made it 3-2. Mekhtikhanov challenged in the dying seconds for fleeing but there was none. Abdullaev moves into the semifinals with a 4-2 victory.

14:32: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) bounces back after giving up the first point for passivity against Spencer LEE (USA) in the 57kg quarterfinals. He blocks a duck-under attempt and adds a stepout to lead 3-1. He then scores a takedown to make it 5-1 at the break. Harutyunyan with a cut-back to score four points before Lee counters with an exposure for two. Harutyunyan leads 9-3. The United States challenges the four points but it is upheld and challenge is lost. Harutyunyan leads 10-3. He adds a takedown to make it 12-5, lace turn for 14-3 and it's a win for Harutyunyan over Olympic silver medalist.

14:31: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) put on a second-period onslaught to storm into the 57kg semifinals with a 16-5 win over Vladimir EGOROV (MKD). Almaz Uulu led 5-5 on criteria going into the second period when he scored a stepout, then parlayed a takedown into four rolls and other exposures to end the match with :45 to spare.

Quarterfinals will begin at the same time.

14:10: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) posts a 12-2 victory over Ibragim VELIEV (BEL) in the 74kg pre-quarterfinals and he books a quarterfinal against David CARR (USA).

14:02: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) continues to make mincemeat of the competition, barging into the 74kg quarterfinals with his third straight technical fall of the day without giving up a point. He made Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) his latest victim, twice getting in on a double leg, then pressing ahead as the Georgian attempted a counter lift to complete the takedown -- then adding a gut wrench to boot. On the second combination in the second period, he added a second roll to finish the match 10-0.

13:55: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) completes a 5-0 win over Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with two takedowns and moves into the quarterfinal at 74kg. He is joined by Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) who also wins 5-0 against Anthony MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN).

13:54: Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) just cannot keep up with the amazing speed of David CARR (USA), who zips his way to four takedowns in the first period by snatching a single leg or getting behind in a blink of an eye. He ends it with a low single less than a minute into the second period for a 10-0 win to advance to the 74kg quarterfinals.

13:43: Three-time Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) gets a pair of takedowns in the first period, then picks up some free points in the second to advance to the 92kg last-8 with a 7-0 victory over Ahmed BATAEV (BUL).

13:33: World silver medalist from 2023 Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) scores a takedown in the first period and leads 2-0 against Deepak PUNIA (IND) at the break. He is put on the activity clock in the second period. He gives up that point but still leads 2-1. An exchange leads to two points for both wrestlers, with Nurmagomedov still leading 4-3 with less than 30 seconds left. He defends his lead and wins 4-3 at 92kg.

13:32: Two more Americans advance to the quarterfinals with 10-0 victories in back-to-back matches on Mat C. Levi HAINES (USA) takes out Bumgae SEO (KOR) at 79kg, and Trent HIDLAY (USA) follows by whitewashing Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) at 92kg.

13:26: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), a four-time world medalist, launches his quest for a first gold by scoring a takedown in each period for a tame 4-0 victory over Michael LABRIOLA (PUR) to book his place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

13:22: Spencer LEE (USA), Paris Olympic silver medalist, with a leg-lace and wins his first bout at 57kg 10-0 against Yusuf DEMIR (TUR).

13:15: In a replay of the gold-medal match at the 2023 worlds, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) holds on for a 4-1 victory over Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) to gain a spot in the 79kg quarterfinals.

13:11: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) proves too much for young Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), pulling away in the second period to win 9-4 and advance to the 57kg quarterfinals. Almaz Uulu leads 3-2 in the second period when he gets a takedown and exposure to go up 7-2. Sakamoto gets behind for a takedown, but can't get the lace-lock going, then gives up a late desperation takedown.

13:00: Three-time world medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) survives a grueling and thrilling test with Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL), surging late then holding on for a 13-8 victory to make the 57kg quarterfinals. Harutyunyan trailed 5-2 in the second period when he put on a seven-point spree to go ahead. Batkhuyag wasn't done, getting a stepout, then stunning Harutyunyan with a quick takedown right off the whistle to make it 9-8. But the Armenian clinches the win with a takedown and roll in the final seconds.

13:00: Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) built a 3-0 lead and then held on to it. He gave up a point but still managed to win 4-1. A point for lost challenge from Aryan TSIUTRYN (UWW).

12:50: Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) with a fall over Ali MOMENI (IRI) at 61kg. Excellent wrestling from Bravo Young as he builds a 6-0 lead and then keeps Momeni on the mat for a fall

12:45: 2024 world U23 champion Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) continues to impress by driving to a 12-0 whitewash of Vitali IHNATOVICH (UWW) to advance at 74kg. Takahashi gets a takedown-roll combination for a 5-0 first-period lead, then repeats the process in the second, adding a second exposure.

12:45: European champion Chermen VALIEV (ALB) with a gut-wrench against Tugsjargal ERDENEBAT (MGL) and he wins 12-2 at 74kg. Valiev is looking for his first-ever world medal

12:44: Not much action, but neither was Tokyo Olympic champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) in any real danger as he begins his bid for a fourth world title with a 5-1 victory over Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) at 74kg. Sidakov picks up an activity point in the first period, then pads the lead with a stepout and activity point in the second before clinching the win with a takedown. He gives up a late fleeing point.

12:40: World silver medalist Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) with a 5-0 victory over Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) at 74kg. Salkazanov is looking to add to his collection of world medals

12:36: David CARR (USA) spotted Rasul SHAPIEV (MKD) a quick four points in their 74kg encounter, but stormed back to keep the American record spotless on the day. Trailing 5-2 in the second period, Carr turned the tide with a 4-point double-leg takedown, which he topped off with a leg lace for a 9-5 win.

12:35: Deepak PUNIA (IND), who has been a long-time 86kg, is at 92kg for this season and won silver medal at the Asian Championships. He takes on Benjamin GREIL (AUT) in his first match in Zagreb. He builds a 3-0 lead at the break. Both trade stepouts in the second period before Punia scores a takedown for a 6-1 lead. Punia happy to hang on to his lead and advance at 92kg.

12:03: In a battle between two-time Asian bronze medalists, Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN), who watched his brother Hayato make the final at 86kg on Saturday, was dealt a tough 3-1 loss by Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) at 92kg. Sharipov scored a first-period takedown before adding an activity point in the second period, when Ishiguro could only manage a stepout.

11:55: Three-time European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) needs less than a minute to build an eight-point lead on Patrik LEDER (CAN) at 79kg, opening with a 4-point takedown and adding two gut wrenches. It takes a little while, but he finishes it up in the first period with a stepout and an unsuccessful challenge.

11:54: Trent HIDLAY (USA), winner of the Budapest Ranking Series event, shows a nice mix of power and agility in storming to an 11-1 victory Redjep HAJDARI (MKD) at 92kg.

11:50: Two-time world bronze medalist Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) is off to impressive start at 79kg, chalking up four takedowns in a 11-9 win over Alans AMIROVS (LAT).

11:41: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) is having trouble breaking down the defenses of Salah KATEB (ALG)  at 57kg, and is limited to a stepout in the final seconds of the first period for a 1-1 lead. In the second period, he loses a challenge over a potential stepout. But he quickly gets a stepout, with a fleeing point tacked on, then the dam breaks and he scores a takedown and launches a series of gut wrenches to win 12-2 in 4:10.

11:30: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) begins his quest for a world medal at 79kg with a 10-0 win over Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN). The Greece wrestlers looks solid here.

11:25: Two-time European champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) forges out a 6-2 victory over Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) to advance at 79kg as he looks to repeat his world title from 2023.

11:20: Thomas EPP (SUI) was caught in a fireman carry by Ali MOMENI (IRI) who packs him and smashes for five. Momeni wins 6-1 at 57kg.

11:11: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), who finished fifth at the Paris Olympics, proves too much for Garette SAUNDERS (CAN) to handle in their 57kg clash, scoring four takedowns en route to an 11-0 victory.

11:09: At 57kg, 2023 world bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) loses his balance while in on a single and European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) turns into a 4-point takedown. But the Mongolian gradually cuts the gap and rallies to win 6-4.

11:07: Can Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) earn the first-ever medal for Mexico at the World Championships? He begins his quest with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Niklas STECHELE (GER) at 57kg

11:02: Asian champion Chongsong HAN (PRK) gets thing started in his 57kg opener against Darian CRUZ (PUR) with a nifty 4-point arm throw, then locks the thighs around his head and rolls for another 2. Han adds a takedown and he's through with an 8-0 win.

11:02: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) begins with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Vladyslav ABRAMOV (UKR) at 57kg. His lace is lethal.

11:00: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN), who won the 74kg gold medal at the Budapest Ranking Series, completes a first-period technical superiority over Ok Chol HAN (PRK). Takahashi built a 5-0 lead with early bursts of takedown. He made it 9-0 with another takedown and lace. A stepout finishes off things 10-0.

10:50: In a major matchup in the 70kg repechage between multi-world medalists, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) will get a chance to add to his collection when he broke open a close match with a series of gut wrenches to oust Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) 14-4. Akmataliev was losing on criteria when he got 2 with a front body lock roll, then transititioned behind and hit the gut wrenches before Muszukajev knew what hit him.

10:30: We will continue Freestyle action at the World Championships in 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 92kg. Here is the preview for the same.