Iran Captures 3 Golds, FS Team Title at #WrestleUfa; USA Continues 74kg Domination

Wednesday, August 18, 2021 - 19:59 By Vinay Siwach

UFA, Russia (August 18) – They waited six years for it but Iran finally reclaimed it. For the first time since 2015, Iran won the junior world team title and in style. With five gold medals, one silver and one bronze, Iran accumulated 178 points to win the top position in freestyle wrestling at the Junior World Championships in Ufa, Russia.

Two-time cadet world champion Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) led the way with the gold medal at 61kg before former cadet world champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) and Ali AKBARPOURKHORDOUNI (IRI) won gold at 86kg and 125kg respectively.

The other two gold medals of the day went to USA as Keegan OTOOLE (USA) won the 74kg title and Rocky ELAM (USA) denied Iran a fourth gold of the night by winning the 92kg final bout.

Russia finished in second position with two gold and four bronze medals, giving them 142 points which are 13 more than USA which finished third after three gold and two bronze medals.

Amouzadkhalili began the night with 9-3 win over two-time cadet Worlds bronze medalist RAVINDER (IND). The two had an intense battle in the first period with one stepout for Amouzadkhalili. Ravinder began the second period with a lift on counter and lead 2-1 but Amouzadkhalili quickly scored a takedown to take back the lead.

“I am good at working with collar ties and arm drags,” he said and used the same to up the pressure on the Indian. With the time running out, Amouzadkhalili scored a big four using an ankle pick which India challenged and lost. A stepout each gave them one point but gold went to Iran.

The 61kg wrestler's win was another step towards his transition to senior level in which he won a bronze medal at the 2020 Individual World Cup. He will now wrestle at the Oslo World Championships.

“I only wanted gold and I won it,” he said. “I go to Norway and I hope to win the gold there."

It was followed by Firouzpourbandpei's win which was on similar lines as he continued to pressure Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA) and ultimately won 10-0.

Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) claimed his first junior world title in Ufa. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

A stepout opened the scoring for him before a takedown made it 3-0. He led 4-0 at the end of the first period. His continued pressure and defense to Magamadov's attacks eventually tired the French wrestler and a series of takedowns ended the bout 10-0 with 1:15 seconds remaining.

He won the world title in 2019 and said he is a much better wrestler since and enjoyed winning his first junior world title.

“The feeling is totally different,” he said. “Back then, I was a child and inexperienced but this time was much more difficult and I like it better.”

About staying at 86kg which has Iran's top wrestler Hassan YAZDANI (IRI), Firouzpourbandpei said that he will wait and decide about it.

Ali AKBARPOURKHORDOUNI (IRI) won the 125kg world title in Ufa. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

The day was capped with Akbarpourkhordouni's nail-biting win at 125kg. Trailing 2-4 in the second period, the Iran wrestler scored a stepout against 2021 junior Euro champion Lyova GEVORGYAN (ARM) but still trailed 3-4. With 12 seconds remaining, he took advantage of a tiring Gevorgyan and scored a stepout and lead 4-4, marking his third straight win in the dying seconds after the quarterfinal and semifinal.

“After eight years of hard training I am a champion,” he said. “Regarding the final, I watched his bouts so I know how to wrestle him.”

Explaining his strategy for the bout, he said that keeping up the pressure was important if he wanted to win.

“In first round, I put pressure on him to tire him and I could get points in the second period,” he said.

While he missed the chance to be on the team to Oslo, the new junior world champ is looking to improve and make the next Iran team.

“This competition pushed me up one step but it is not the last step,” he said. “I am hoping to be at U23 World Championship and take same [gold] medal

“I learned too much from this competition and it pushed me up to one level but I need to learn and train more for senior level and Olympic Games.”

They might not have won the team title but USA continued their dominance at 74kg as Otoole won the gold. Since the 2016 junior Worlds, USA has captured every gold medal at this weight class and Otoole could not have asked for a better debut at an international event.

Otoole, who had never wrestled anyone outside of America, stunned a U23 world champion in the quarterfinals, defeated the home favourite in semifinal before beating Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ) 11-0 in the final.

Keegan OTOOLE (USA) is USA's fifth junior world champ at 74kg in last five edition. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

“It feels amazing,” he said. “I have been dreaming of this moment for many years. I had this opportunity and I wanted to make the most of it and fight till my death and that's what I did.”

His scrambles with Kuanyshbay got him two points to open and then a leg lace to double the lead. A stepout added one more point and he led 5-0 at the break.

Kuanyshbay did try to dive at Otoole's legs but the USA wrestler was quick to go behind or defend anything that was thrown at him. Otoole then tried his trademark cradle but couldn't get a fall but the two set of exposures make it 10-0 which are awarded after a discussion between the judges. Kazakhstan challenged the call but lost.

Despite his stunning run in Ufa, the American, who has to attend school from Monday, was not satisfied with his performance, especially because he wants to shift to senior level next year.

“[My performance was] Not perfect,” he said. “I was down in my quarterfinal and semifinal but I was wrestling amazing opponents. I felt I performed well but can improve.

“Next year, I will wrestle at the senior level in the US and see how I can do. I need to improve my strength, mental maturity and technicality to compete with those guys in the USA and internationally.”

Wrestling at his first-ever international tour, Otoole believed that he could not have had a better experience.

“[It was an] opportunity like I have never had before,” he said. “Wrestling overseas, traveling 25 plus hours and then I am wrestling opponents from Hungary, Azerbaijan, Russia and Kazakhstan. Amazing opportunity. This is going to propel me to the senior level.”

Rocky ELAM (USA) scored this takedown to win the 92kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

His teammate Elam was also competing at his first international event and won a gold at 92kg against Mahdi HAJILOUEIANMORAFAH (IRI). Unlike Otoole, Elam had to work hard for his win and it only came in the final few seconds of the bout.

He was leading 2-0 after a passivity point and a stepout but in the second period, Hajiloueianmorafah came out on top in a scramble and led 2-2 on criteria. With less than 20 seconds to go, Elam snuggled out of a scramble to take down the Iran wrestler and hang on for a 4-2 win.

“I knew I was attacking the whole time and thought I was going to get it that time,” Elam said. “Just because he got that [one] takedown doesn't mean that I am out of it and I was confident of my attacks. I just needed to finish my shot and I was confident that I would do that at the last minute.”

Elam, whose brother Zachery won a silver at junior Worlds in 2018, said that this experience was challenging and he would only be a better wrestler from here.

“I try to stay active and offense wins me matches,” he said. “I am coming out a better wrestler from this tournament. I didn't want any easy guys to win the gold. I got challenged multiple times in this tournament and that will help me improve.”

USA kicks off WW with 3 finalists

Before the USA won two freestyle golds, the women's wrestler began the day on great note with three finalists in Ufa. A pair of cadet world champions and a bronze medalist led USA's strong performance Wednesday, the first of the women's wrestling.

Emily SHILSON (USA) and Amit ELOR (USA), who won cadet world titles in 2018 and 2021 respectively, are on course to win their first junior world titles at 50kg and 68kg.

Kylie WELKER (USA) won a bronze medal at the 2019 edition of the cadet Worlds but managed to reach the final in Ufa with a victory via fall over Kseniya DZIBUK (BLR) in the 76kg semifinal.

Russia and Belarus sent two each in the finals as well while Mongolia, Kyrgyzstan and India continued their improved performance in women's wrestling with one finalist each.

Shilson extended her head-to-head record against SIMRAN (IND) to 3-0 after beating her 10-0 in the semifinal. The USA wrestler quickly got up 6-0 with a takedown and two exposures. Simran did try to attack but Shilson was visibly quicker to counter and complete a double leg takedown and then exposed Simran to her back for the win.

“I was a little bit tired in the morning,” Shilson said. “But I had to find a way to win. I was down in the first match but had to finish the job. I recovered after the morning session and tomorrow I am not going to change much, move my feet and my hands.”

She will face Enkhzul BATBAATAR (MGL) who defeated Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR) 9-4. Demirhan opened the scoring but one takedown from Batbaatar and leg lace sealed the win for her.

Elor also finished her bout in the first period as she laced Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK) 11-0. She scored with a stepout and headlock before a leg lace made it 7-0. An arm spin for four finished it 11-0.

“I was a little nervous because this is the second junior tournament I have done,” Elor said. “I was comparing this to the cadet Worlds which really helped me prepare for this.”

But she is expected to face a tough challenge from Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (RUS) who was equally dominant in her win over Nesrin BAS (TUR). She pinned Bas with 1:46 seconds remaining.

But Elor has been in terrific form since the 2019 cadet Worlds which was the last tournament someone scored a point on her in the semifinal. “I am going to rest a lot and focus,” she said. “My opponent is tough and looks athletic.”

Welker also won via fall against Dzibuk when she whipped the Belarus wrestler and secured the final with 4:58 seconds remaining. In the final, she will face BIPASHA (IND) who won 9-4 against Odbag ULZIIBAT (MGL). In a controlled semifinal, she led 2-0 by stepouts but Ulzibat scored 4 via whipover. In the same sequence, Bipasha exposed for two points. Another takedown made it 6-4 for India. A stepout and a takedown in the second period finished the bout 9-4.

Russia and Belrus will square off in the 59kg final with Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (RUS) taking on Aryna MARTYNAVA (BLR).

Sidelnikova was quick to finish her match 10-0 against Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE) with a takedown and scoring via gut wrenches and exposure. Martynava made short work of former cadet World silver medalist Anna SZEL (HUN) 13-2.

The Belarus wrestler's huge double for four gave her a 10-2 lead and then an exposure made it 12-2. Hungary challenged the call but to no success.

The win for Martynava was a surprise for many including Sidelnikova. “I didn't expect Martynava would win,” she said. “But it doesn't matter who I should wrestle in the finals.”

The Russian wrestler lost to Valeria KOBOLOVA (RUS) at the senior Russian Championships but is looking forward to winning the junior world title at home.

“Junior World Championship is still really important,” she said. “It's my last Junior tournament, so I really want to win the gold.”

Belarus will have Alesia HETMANAVA (BLR) going for gold and will wrestle Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) in the 55kg final. Both won their semifinal via falls.

“I have wrestled Bilimbek Kyzy before at the World championships, but I lost,” Hetmanava said. “So we will prepare some tactics for tomorrow. It's 1-1 so far as I won back in Belarus at the international tournament 'Medvezhonok'.”

Hetmanava went for the cradle to get the fall over Melda DERNEKCI (TUR) while Bilimbek Kyzy stunned home favourite Anastasiia IANDUSHKINA (RUS).

RESULTS FS Medal Bouts

61kg
GOLD: Rahman AMOUZADKHALILI (IRI) df RAVINDER (IND), 9-3

BRONZE: Fedor BALTUEV (RUS) df Abulfaz NASIROV (AZE), 14-3
BRONZE: Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN) df Levik MIKAYELYAN (ARM), 7-0

74kg
GOLD: Keegan OTOOLE (USA) df Nurdaulet KUANYSHBAY (KAZ), 11-0

BRONZE: YASH (IND) df Stambul ZHANYBEK UULU (KGZ), 12-6
BRONZE: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) df Idar KHATANOV (RUS), 2-1

86kg
GOLD: Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) df Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA), 10-0

BRONZE: Islam KARTOEV (RUS) df Daviti KOGUASHVILI (GEO), 9-6
BRONZE: Sagadulla AGAEV (AZE) df Emre CIFTCI (TUR), 3-3

92kg
GOLD: Rocky ELAM (USA) df Mahdi HAJILOUEIANMORAFAH (IRI), 4-2

BRONZE: Pruthviraj PATIL (IND) df Ivan KIRILLOV (RUS), 2-1
BRONZE: Nicolaas DE LANGE (RSA) df Muhammed GIMRI (TUR), 8-6

125kg
GOLD: Ali AKBARPOURKHORDOUNI (IRI) df Lyova GEVORGYAN (ARM), 4-4

BRONZE: Anirudh KUMAR (IND) df Aydin AHMADOV (AZE), 7-2
BRONZE: Andrei BESTAEV (RUS) df Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA), 7-3

RESULTS Semifinals

50kg
GOLD: Enkhzul BATBAATAR (MGL) vs Emily SHILSON (USA)

SF 1: Enkhzul BATBAATAR (MGL) df Zehra DEMIRHAN (TUR), 9-4
SF 2: Emily SHILSON (USA) df SIMRAN (IND), 10-0

55kg
GOLD: Alesia HETMANAVA (BLR) vs Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ)

SF 1: Alesia HETMANAVA (BLR) df Melda DERNEKCI (TUR), via fall
SF 2: Kalmira BILIMBEK KYZY (KGZ) df Anastasiia IANDUSHKINA (RUS), via fall

59kg
GOLD: Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (RUS) vs Aryna MARTYNAVA (BLR)

SF 1: Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (RUS) df Zhala ALIYEVA (AZE), 10-0
SF 2: Aryna MARTYNAVA (BLR) df Anna SZEL (HUN), 13-2

68kg
GOLD: Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (RUS) vs Amit ELOR (USA)

SF 1: Elizaveta PETLIAKOVA (RUS) df Nesrin BAS (TUR), via fall
SF 2: Amit ELOR (USA) df Zsuzsanna MOLNAR (SVK), 11-0

76kg
GOLD: BIPASHA (IND) vs Kylie WELKER (USA)

SF 1: BIPASHA (IND) df Odbag ULZIIBAT (MGL), 9-4
SF 2: Kylie WELKER (USA) df Kseniya DZIBUK (BLR), via fall

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo 2026 Wrestling Day 5 Results: Mammadli, Sargsian Win Gold

Sunday, March 1, 2026 - 08:36 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (March 1) -- European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) claimed gold medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in Tirana at 60kg after a 1-1 victory over compatriot Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) in the final.

Mammadli had to defend two passivity calls against him in the second period. The 2024 world champion did not give any points when he was put in par terre during those calls.

He held the criteria in the match, thanks to the new Greco-Roman rule in which if the bout 1-1 due to the passivity calls, the wrestler who gets the first point will be the winner.

At 97kg, world silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) claimed the gold medal after world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) defaulted via injury. But before the final, Sargsian had to go through Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals and then Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI) in the semifinals.

Against Dzhuzupbekov, Sargsian scored a takedown and then lifted the Kyrgyzstan wrestler and slammed back first for four points. He got the par terre in the second period and turned Dzhuzupbekov close to the edge to complete a 9-0 win.

He then forged a 3-2 win over Moradiyan in semis, He 1-1 on criteria before Moradiyan got whizzed for four points by Sargsian. Iran challenged the call and won but it only changed the score to 3-1. Moradiyan scored a stepout but it was too little too late.

Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) sets up a throw on Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) during the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion at 55kg Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) battled it out against Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) and come out on top, 3-1, in the final.

In a very close bout, Mammadov, a U23 world and senior European silver medalist in 2024, got the first par terre a position but failed to score any points.

When Sefershaev got the position in the second period, he lifted Mammadov towards the edge before a half-hearted throw. It was scored one point for stepout for Sefershaev and Azerbaijan promptly challenged that call as Mammadov fell on top of Sefershaev.

But on review, it was clear that Mammadov's more than half body went outside the zone and he landed his hands outside first which was the basis of the one point for stepout. The lost challenge made Sefershaev's score 3-1.

He will now be defending his European title in the same arena in Tirana, Albania come April.

In the 130kg weight class, Murat KAMPAROV (UWW) emerged as the gold medal winner after he defeated Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN), 5-0, in the final.

He scored a turn from par terre in the first period to lead 3-0 at the break, Maeenpaeae, hoping to get the par terre call in the second period, began the second period with some furious attacks but lost his balance.

Kamparov capitalized on it and scored a takedown on the edge for a 5-0 lead, which turned out to be the winning score of the final.

Javad REZAEI (IRI) hits a four-point throw on Hojat REZAEI (IRI) during the 72kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Iran Wins 2 Golds

Iran won two gold medals to open its account in Tirana.

At 72kg, in an-all Iranian final, 2021 U23 world champion Javad REZAEI (IRI) got the better of Hojat REZAEI (IRI), 7-3, in the final.

Hojat was put in par terre in the first period and Mohammad scored two suplex throws of four points each to finish the final 9-0. However, Hojat challenged the call and the second throw was only scored two points after the review, changing the score to 7-0.

In the second period, Hojat was put awarded the passivity call and he got on board with a point. As he was trying to work a move, Mohammad committed a defensive foul which added two more points to Hojat's score.

However, Hojat did not score any action points during the bout and Mohammad was happy to defend his lead and win the gold medal.

The second gold medal for Iran was won by debutant Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) who defeated world fifth-placer Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW), 6-2, in the 82kg final.

Tiuliubaev failed to score any points from par terre in the first period but held criteria 1-1 lead when Hosseini got the par terre in the second period.

However, Tiuliubaev committed a defensive leg foul during Hosseini's left and was docked two points which gave Hosseini a 3-1 lead. Tiuliubaev challenged the foul call but it was confirmed and he lost another point. Though Hosseini did not score any points from position he held a comfortable 4-1 lead.

With 17 seconds left, Tiuliubaev scored a stepout to cut the lead to 4-2 but he then committed a headbutt, perhaps out of frustration of losing, which gave Hosseini two more points and swelled the Iranian's score to 6-2.

The weight class also had world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ). But both went medalless after losing in the quarterfinals to Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE) and Kamal BEY (USA), respectively.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: LALIT (IND) df. Arsen ZHUMA (KAZ), via fall (9-0)
BRONZE: Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) df. Vishvajit MORE (IND), 12-12

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), 1-1

BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) df. Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM), 7-1
BRONZE: Suner KONUNOV (UWW) df. Maxwell BLACK (USA), 1-1

72kg
GOLD: Mohammad REZAEI (IRI) df. Hojat REZAEI (IRI), 7-3

BRONZE: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) df. Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE), 7-4
BRONZE: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) df. Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ), via fall

82kg
GOLD: Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) df. Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW), 6-2

BRONZE: Iraklii KALANDIIA (UWW) df. Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE), via fall (11-1)
BRONZE: Viktor NEMES (SRB) df. Kamal BEY (USA), 2-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) df. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Giorgi MELIA (GEO), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) df. Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI), 4-2

130kg
GOLD: Marat KAMPAROV (UWW) df. Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN), 5-0

BRONZE: Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN) df. Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 3-0
BRONZE: Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) df. Jello KRAHMER (GER), via fall (7-0)

Morning Session Highlights

15:50: 130kg semifinals - Murat KAMPAROV (UWW) will take on Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) in the 130kg final after he defeated Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 1-1. Maeenpaeae scored a quick 8-0 victory over Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) in the other semifinal.

15:40 - 97kg semifinals - World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) moves into the final with a 3-2 victory over the very impressive Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI). Sargsian held only a 1-1 criteria lead before Moradiyan got whizzed for four points from Sargsian. Iran challenged the call and won but it only changed the score to 3-1. Moradiyan scored a stepout but it was too little too late. Sargsian will face world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) in the final after he scored a electric 7-1 win over Giorgi MELIA (GEO).

15:25: 82kg semifinals - Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) beats Kamal BEY (USA), 7-0, at 82kg after scoring a four-pointer in the first period and then a takedown in the second. He will face Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW) for the gold medal after he held off Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE), 4-1, with all points being non-action points. Tiuliubaev led 2-1 when he scored a stepout from par terre in the second period. Vazirzade challenged the call and asked for two points for himself but lost it. Tiuliubaev scored a stepout to extend his lead to 4-1. A failed attempt from Vazirzade sees him being slammed on the mat as Tiuliubaev wins 6-1

15:10: 72kg semifinals - An all-Iran final at 72kg after Javad REZAEI (IRI) wins his semifinals, 5-1, against Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ). Rezaei scored two turns from par terre in the par terre and then did well to defend in the second. Beishekeev tried to do a flying squirrel but did not score any points. In the other semifinal, Hojat REZAEI (IRI) managed a controlled 7-3 victory over Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) to enter the final.

14:55: 60kg semifinals - Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) books a place in the final after a thumping 8-0 victory over Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) at 60kg. He opened the scoring with a stepout before getting the par terre position to lead 2-0. Three gut-wrenches get the job done for him. He will face compatriot Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) in the final after the European champion defeated Suner KONUNOV (UWW). Mammadli scored a stepout to lead 1-1 at the break, then got a takedown to start the second and extend the lead to 3-1. He defended the lead to win

14:40: 55kg semifinals - Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) enters the final after a dominant 10-1 victory over Vishvajit MORE (IND). He used two throws, a takedown and turn to score his points. He will face Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) for the gold medal after he held off LALIT (IND), 6-5, in the other semifinal. Mammadov led 3-2 when Lalit got the par terre in the second period to lead 3-3 on criteria. He managed to score two points for exposure but Mammadov got a reversal and completed a correct throw to lead 6-5, the winning score

14:20: Ali ILIASOV (UWW) must be gutted after that loss to Beka KANDELAKI (AZE). The U20 world champion scored a takedown and got a point for Kandelaki's passivity in the first period to lead 3-0. Kandelaki got the par terre in the second and after a long time on top, managed to turn Iliasov and lead 3-3 on criteria. With ample time left, Iliasov waited for his options before he managed to get behind Kandelaki and was about to lock his hands when the Azerbaijan wrestler flung him away from his back and was given two points. Iliasov challenged it and the 2 points were changed to 4 points which results in a 7-3 lead for Kandelaki. He won the quarterfinals at 130kg with the same score

14:00: World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) with a technical superiority win over Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) at 97kg. Sargsian scored a takedown and then lifted Dzhuzupbekov and slammed him back first for four points and a 6-0 lead. He gets the par terre in the second period and turn close to the edge to complete a 9-0 win.

13:50: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) blanks Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 6-0, at 60kg. He scored two turns from par terre in the first period to lead 5-0 and then again got a stepout early in the second period to win 6-0

13:45: Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) with an 1-1 victory over Alex SZOKE (HUN) at 97kg. Maskevich got the criteria since he received par terre advantage in the first period against Szoke, who won the Zagreb Open three weeks ago.

13:35: Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE) stuns Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 82kg. While Makhmudov did not give up any points when he was put in par terre in the first period, Vazirzade scored four points via a body throw in the second to lead 5-0. That also made him avoid being called passive in the second period. Makhmudov with a late takedown but Vazirzade wins 5-2

13:20: Kamal BEY (USA) with an upset win over Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) at 82kg. Zhadrayev was leading 3-1 but Bey with a drag and takedown to lead 3-3 on criteria with 20 seconds left to win and advance to the next round.

13:00: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) scores three turns from par terre and then holds off Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) to win their 130kg 7-3. With Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) pulling out due to health issues, Kandelaki is the favorite to win the gold here.

12:50: U20 world champion Ali ILIASOV (UWW) downs Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1, at 130kg with a two-point turn from par terre to win his first bout in Tirana. Can he go all the way here?

12:35: Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) gets a four-pointer to start his bout at 97kg against Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM) and then scores two turns from par terre to complete a 9-0 victory.

12:20: World bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) completes a very cool and composed victory at 97kg over Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ). Maskevich defended when he was put in par terre in the first and then used a suplex in the second period to win 5-1

12:14: World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) used a side suplex and gut-wrench exposure to score his 8-0 win over Michial FOY (USA) at 97kg. He takes only one minute and 50 seconds to advance to the next round.

12:12: World bronze medalist Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) falls to Giorgi MELIA (GEO) at 97kg. Ahmadiyev had scored a point using a reversal to lead 2-1 but gave up a stepout with 22 seconds left which gave Melia the lead and the victory.

12:10: U20 world bronze medalist and one of the rare Greco talent from India SURAJ (IND) starts with a 3-1 victory over Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO) at 60kg. He got a turn in the first period from par terre while Khadhidze did not when he got par terre in the second period.

12:00: Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) feels the heat at 60kg as Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ) beats him 8-7. Kamaliyev got the par terre in the first period and he scored three turns using front chest-wrap. Lolua managed to block him once during the sequence and was awarded two points but the Kazakhstan wrestler lead 7-2 at the break.

Lolua got his chance in the second period and scored a turn. He scored the second as well but Kamaliyev never came in neutral position. Lolua challenges, asking for points for the second turn but he loses the challenge which gives Kamaliyev a 8-5 lead. Lolua did manage a takedown with 8 seconds left but still could not over turn the result. Georgia would think about that challenge considering it was evident Lolua did not get the second turn completely.

11:40: European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) begins with an 8-0 technical superiority over Maxwell BLACK (USA) at 60kg. He will in all likelihood get 55kg world champion Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO), who is moving up, next.

11:30: Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) finds a way to beat Dmitrii DZHIOEV (UWW) at 82kg. Dzhioev led 1-1, holding criteria when he was given the third par terre, which is without points, but fails to score and it is Zhadrayev, the Olympic silver medalist at 77kg, who scores and wins.

11:20: Former world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), up at 82kg, begins with a close win over Dias KALEN (KAZ). Makhmudov was cautioned when he committed a defensive leg four on Kalen in par terre, giving Kalen a 3-0 lead. Makhmudov then scored a stepout to get one points. When he was given the par terre in the second period, he turned Kalen to make it 4-3 and defended that score to win.

11:10: Almost two years after his last competition, Viktor NEMES (SRB) was just 20 seconds away from making a winning start. But, Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) comes out with a suplex for four points to beat the Serbian 5-2 at 82kg.

10:50: In the first top match of the day, world silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) takes out Mahammad AHMADIYEV (AZE) at 97kg. Sargsian led only 3-2 at the break but he launched a big four-pointer at the start of the second period and led 7-2, all but making it out of reach for Ahmadiyev.

10:30: A big day ahead in Tirana with six Greco weight classes in action -- 55kg, 60kg, 72kg, 82kg, 97kg and 130kg.

Iran Captures 3 Golds, FS Team Title at #WrestleUfa; USA Continues 74kg Domination

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Muhamet Malo 2026 Wrestling Day 5 Results: Mammadli, Sargsian Win Gold