Left Behind in the Run to Tokyo 2020, Okuno Plods into 53kg Final at All Japan

Friday, December 20, 2019 - 16:00 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (Dec. 20) — Throughout her career on the global stage, Haruna OKUNO has blown away all in her path, a trend she continued this year by winning both the world junior and U-23 titles over a two-month span.

Back home in Japan, however, missing out on the senior World Championships and subsequently a place at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics seemed to take the wind out of her sails.

Okuno put together two underwhelming victories to advance to the final of the women’s 53kg class on the second day of the All Japan Championships in Tokyo, setting up a rematch of a recent disappointing loss to world silver medalist Nanami IRIE.

Okuno could manage only two activity-clock points in fending off Asian junior champion Umi IMAI 2-0 in the quarterfinals, then rode a lone first-period takedown to beat unheralded Yuka YAGO 3-1 in the semifinals.

“After the World Cup [in November], I didn’t get in enough practice,” said Okuno, who won two matches in helping host Japan win a fifth straight World Cup. “Without practice, this is what happens. As I wanted focus on tying up, I think overall that went well. I’m not injured, but I’m not in good condition.”

Okuno, whose only international losses came at the world cadet in 2014 and Asian Games in 2018 (she finished third at both), picked up a second senior world gold in 2018 when she won the 53kg title in Budapest.

But both she and Irie lost out for the place in that weight class for the team to the World Championships in Nur-Sultan to Mayu MUKAIDA, the 55kg world champion who dropped down to the Olympic weight.

Okuno and Irie both entered the wrestle-off for the 55kg spot, and Irie pulled off a surprising 3-1 win to earn the ticket to Nur-Sultan, where she captured the silver medal in her senior world debut. Okuno, who had won two previous meetings between the two, never seemed to have her heart in the match.

“In the playoff for the World Championships, 55kg was the only weight class open [for us],” Okuno said. “Before the playoff, I hardly practiced for two months. I only trained for two days. This year was the least I’ve practiced in my life.”

There was speculation that Okuno might drop down to 50kg—the only women’s weight class in which Japan did not clinch an Olympic berth at Nur-Sultan—and enter the fray for the coveted ticket to the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament with Yui SUSAKI, Yuki IRIE (Nanami’s older sister) and Eri TOSAKA.

But she said Friday she never thought of going down to 50kg, citing the example of gold medalist Hitomi Obara’s struggle to get down to 48kg for the London 2012 Olympics.

“Obara cut weight for London, when the weigh-in was held the day before, and she spent two years to get down to the weight,” Okuno said. “Now, with the same-day weigh-in, it’s not so easy to just go out and win.”

Nanami Irie made the final with a 10-0 technical fall in the semifinals over Yumi SHIMONO.

Mukaida and the other world medalists in Olympic weights at Nur-Sultan automatically clinched Tokyo 2020 spots, and are sitting out the All-Japan tournament, also referred to as the Emperor’s Cup.

In the few weight classes in which Japan clinched an Olympic spot but did not medal, the winner at Komazawa Olympic Park Gym will fill the berth. In the remaining divisions, the winners will represent Japan at the Asian qualifier in Xi’an, China, in March.

Of the three wrestlers who failed to secure Olympic spots in Nur-Sultan and were involved in finals contested on Friday, two earned tickets to Xi’an and another shot.

Naoya AKAGUMA gained a point in each period with Takeshi YAMAGUCHI on the activity clock for a 2-0 victory to capture his second straight national freestyle 97kg title and third overall.

At Greco 97kg, Yuta NARA made it four national titles in a row with a 2-2 win over Yuri NAKAZATO. In Nur-Sultan, outside of the three medalists in the lightest weight classes, Nara was Japan’s only Greco wrestler to post a victory.

Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA’s two-year reign at freestyle 125kg ended when he had to default during the final to Tetsuya TANAKA due to a right elbow tendon injury that he originally suffered in Nur-Sultan.

“It’s disappointing to lose, but I knew going into the final I would put priority on the injury,” he said. “I knew that defaulting would be the best option.”

Meanwhile, there was high anticipation that the Emperor’s Cup would get its first-ever high school Greco champion and first in freestyle in 30 years—a direct result of all the maneuvering into Olympic weight classes that thinned out the non-Olympic divisions.

But all three high schoolers in men’s finals on Friday were taught a harsh lesson by collegiate opponents on just how intense the senior level can be.

Hikaru TAKADA came closest, falling 5-3 to Shin HARAGUCHI at freestyle 70kg. But the two Greco finals turned into routs, as Asian silver medalist Hiromu KATAGIRI needed just over a minute to crush Yu SHIOTANI with a 12-0 technical fall that he ended with a 5-point throw, and Ayata SUZUKI followed suit with a 9-0 technical fall of Kosei TAKESHITA.

“The opponent was a high school student, so I thought there is no way I’m going to lose,” Katagiri declared.

Sara NATAMI upset Yuzuka INAGAKI, 2-2, in the 59kg finals. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

One of Japan’s top female high schoolers, Yuzuka INAGAKI, was not immune from the carnage. She was stunned by collegian Sara NATAMI, who pancaked her for 2 points in the second period of the 59kg final for a 2-2 win on big-point criteria.

Inagaki, the world junior and U-23 champion at 62kg, had beaten Natami 5-0 in their Nordic group the day before.

“Yesterday was under the Nordic system, so I knew I would have another chance,” said Natami, a 2018 Asian silver medalist. “I just had to build off [the loss].”

While the high schoolers came up short, Nao KUSAKA became the youngest-ever national Greco champion when, at 19 years and 22 days, he defeated Takuya TOMIZUKA 5-4 for the 72kg title.

Satoki MUKAI joined his father as a national champion with a 2-1 victory over Yoji KAWAMURA in the Greco 82kg final. His father Takahiro, a two-time Olympian, won eight straight titles at 74-82kg from 1982 to 1988.

In weight classes that ran through the semifinals on Friday, former world silver medalist Sosuke TAKATANI advanced to the final at freestyle 86kg as he pursues a berth in a third career Olympics.

Fellow world team member Yudai TAKAHASHI could give the tournament a male high school champion just yet after securing a spot in the freestyle 79kg final.

Former two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI and Rio 2016 Olympic champion Eri TOSAKA could square off in the 50kg semifinals on Satruday. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Susaki, Tosaka drawn in same bracket
Former two-time world champion Yui SUSAKI and Rio 2016 Olympic champion Eri TOSAKA could meet in the women’s 50kg semifinals following the draw for Saturday, when the action starts for the marquee weight classes.

Yuki IRIE, who defeated Susaki in a playoff for a place on the team to Nur-Sultan, is the top seed in the other bracket of the high-profile division.

Susaki defeated Tosaka by technical fall in the final at the All-Japan Invitational Championships last June, which put her in the playoff with Irie.

In the women’s 68kg class, Rio champion Sara DOSHO, who finished fifth at Nur-Sultan, was handed a tough test to start out with, as she was drawn with highly touted high schooler Yuka KAGAMI.

Kagami, the world 72kg junior champion, had tried to make Tokyo 2020 at 76kg, but could not unseat world silver medalist Hiroe MINAGAWA. Now she has gone the other way, dropping down to 68kg.

At Greco 67kg, world 63kg champion Shinobu OTA could face defending national champion Shogo TAKAHASHI in the quarterfinals, which would be the second match for both.

Ota was the Rio 2016 silver medalist at 59kg, but failed to beat eventual world champion Kenichiro FUMITA for the place on the team to Nur-Sultan at 60kg. He moved up to 63kg and came away with his first world title, and has now jumped another division in a bid to return to the Olympics.

At freestyle 57kg, former world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI and Rio 2016 silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI were drawn in separate brackets, meaning they would not meet until Sunday’s final.

Day 2 results

Freestyle

61kg (19 entries)
Final - Ryuto SAKAGI df. Keita SHIMIZU, 5-3
3rd Place - Kodai OGAWA df. Raimu MAEDA by TF, 10-0, 3:22
3rd Place - Ryutaro HAYAMA df. Takumi YOSHIMURA, 7-1

70kg (16 entries)
Final - Shin HARAGUCHI df. Hikaru TAKADA, 5-3
3rd Place - Ryo YONEZAWA df. Tsuyoshi NAKAMURA, 10-8
3rd Place - Hidetaka SAKANO df. Shinnosuke SUWAMA by Def.

79kg (11 entries)
Semifinals
Yudai TAKAHASHI df. Taro UMEBAYASHI, 9-2
Shinkichi OKUI df. Yuta ABE, 5-2

86kg (11 entries)
Semifinals
Sosuke TAKATANI df. Shutaro YAMADA, 8-0
Hayato ISHIGURO df. Shota SHIRAI, 2-1

92kg (9 entries)
Semifinals
Takuma OTSU df. Yudai YOKOTA by TF, 12-1, 4:33
Ryoichi YAMANAKA df. Takumi TANIZAKI, 4-1

97kg (14 entries)
Final - Naoya AKAGUMA df. Takeshi YAMAGUCHI, 2-0
3rd Place - Taira SONODA df. Keiwan YOSHIDA, 6-2
3rd Place - Takashi ISHIGURO df. Atsushi MATSUMOTO by TF, 10-0, 3:42

125kg (14 entries)
Final - Tetsuya TANAKA df. Nobuyoshi ARAKIDA by Inj. Def., 3:00 (2-0)
3rd Place - Yasuhiro YAMAMOTO df. Takuto YASUDA by TF, 14-3, 4:55
3rd Place - Katsutoshi KANAZAWA df. Taiki YAMAMOTO, 5-4

Greco-Roman

55kg (23 entries)
Final - Hiromu KATAGIRI df. Yu SHIOTANI by TF, 12-0, 1:07
3rd Place - Takumi HOSHINO df. Kagetora OKAMOTO by TF, 8-0, 2:07
3rd Place - Hirokazu ONO df. Mizuki ARAKI, 9-3

60kg (12 entries)
Final - Ayata SUZUKI df. Kosei TAKESHITA by TF, 9-0, 3:16
3rd Place - Kaito INABA df. Tatsuto OSHIRO by TF, 9-0, 2:17
3rd Place - Kensuke SHIMIZU df. Maito KAWANA, 8-3

63kg (15 entries)
Semifinals
Yoshiki YAMADA df. Harushi SHIMAYA, 7-1
Masaki ISHIKAWA df. Ichito TOKUHIGA by TF, 10-0, 1:44

72kg (22 entries)
Final - Nao KUSAKA df. Takuya TOMIZUKA, 5-4
3rd Place - Minto MAEDA df. Ibuki KATSUURA by TF, 9-1, 5:13
3rd Place - Takahiro YAMAMOTO df. Masaki KONDO by Fall, 1:53 (4-0)

82kg (15 entries)
Final - Satoki MUKAI df. Yoji KAWAMURA, 2-1
3rd Place - Yuto MATSUZAKI df. Masao TANAKA, 5-3
3rd Place - Rai HAYASHI df. Shoma YAMASAKI by Fall, 4:44 (7-0)

87kg (12 entries)
Semifinals
Masato SUMI df. Kanta SHIOKAWA, 5-1
Takahiro TSURUDA df. Kaito MIYAMOTO, 7-0

97kg (14 entries)
Final - Yuta NARA df. Yuri NAKAZATO, 2-2
3rd Place - Suguru KINOSHITA df. Masayuki AMANO, 2-1
3rd Place - Masaaki SHIKIYA df. Sanjuro TAKAHASHI by TF, 10-0, 2:06

130kg (10 entries)
Semifinals
Arata SONODA df. Shoma SUZUKI by TF, 8-0, 1:12
Ryota KONO df. Keita BANCHI by Fall, 1:58 (5-0)

Women’s Wrestling

53kg (14 entries)
Semifinals
Haruna OKUNO df. Yuka YAGO, 3-1
Nanami IRIE df. Yumi SHIMONO by TF, 10-0, 3:26

55kg (10 entries)
Final - Kana HIGASHIKAWA df. Tsugumi SAKURAI by Fall, 1:02 (2-0)
3rd Place - Tomoha UCHIJO df. Saki IGARASHI by Def.
3rd Place - Michika OHASHI df. Hikari HIGUCHI, 6-3

57kg (8 entries)
Semifinals
Akie HANAI df. Chiho HAMADA, 3-1
Sae NANJO df. Hanako SAWA by TF, 10-0, 2:06

59kg (6 entries)
Final - Sara NATAMI df. Yuzuka INAGAKI, 2-2
3rd Place - Yumi KON df. Ayami SUGIMOTO, 5-2

62kg (11 entries)
Semifinals
Atena KODAMA df. Suzu YABIKU, 7-0
Ami ISHII df. Kumi IRIE, 4-3

65kg (7 entries)
Final - Naomi RUIKE df. Miyu IMAI, 7-2
3rd Place - Miki KAWAUCHI df. Rin TERAMOTO, 6-6

72kg (3 entries)
Round-Robin
(Standings after 2 rounds)
1. Mei SHINDO (2-0), 2. Kanon KOBAYASHI (0-1), Mai HAYAKAWA (0-1).

76kg (5 entries)
Round-Robin, Final Standings
1. Yasuha MATSUYUKI (4-0)
2. Rino ABE (3-1)
3. Mizuki NAGASHIMA (1-2)
Key match: Yasuha MATSUYUKI df. Rino ABE, 10-1

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

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