#WrestleBelgrade

Live Blog, U23 World Championships Day 6: FS 61kg, 74kg, 86kg, 92kg, 125kg

By United World Wrestling Press

BELGRADE, Serbia (November 6) -- The penultimate day of the U23 World Championships is here. The final five weigh classes of freestyle will be in action at the Belexpocentar. Later in the day, we will have the five freestyle finals.

MATCH ORDER | WATCH LIVE

1540: Artur CHEBODAEV (RUS) never looked in trouble as he makes his way to the semifinals after a 7-0 win over Christopher CANNON (USA). He will face Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL) in the semins. Narmandakh defeated Arman ELOYAN (FRA) in the semifinal.

1500: At 92kg, junior world championAmirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) looks unstoppable. He beats Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ) 11-0. U23 European champion Erhan YAYLACI (TUR) also moves into semis with a 12-4 win over Arkadzi PAHASIAN (BLR).

1440: Sajjad GHOLAMI (IRI) with another win for Iran. The 86kg wrestler in now into the semifinal after beating Mher MARKOSYAN (ARM) 5-0 and on Mat A, Zagid KARIMOV has two cautions against him but he wins 7-3 against Sandeep Singh MANN (IND).

1415: Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) keeps the winning ways for Iran. He beats Praveen MALIK (IND) 12-2. On Mat B, Arsen HARATYUNYAN (ARM) moves on to the quarterfinals with a 6-0 win

1345: Valiev scored a stepout, added a takedown and in the same action he gets a roll to lead 5-0. Bayramov cuts it to 5-2 with a takedown and then tries to score to pushouts but Valiev is quick to not go out in standing and refs call it neutral. Bayramov fails to get the takedown. Valiev will move into the quarterfinals after the 8-3 win

1330: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) and Cherman VALIEV (RUS) are making their way for their 1/8 final on Mat C

1300: Junior world champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) looks good in Belgrade. He starts with a first-period 10-0 win over Kolyo DIMITROV (BUL) at 92kg

1240: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) starts with a controlled win over Gamzatgadzhi KHALIDOV (HUN). He was looking for the pin but the time ran out in the first period. He comes back to win 11-1

1230: Christopher CANNON bringing the fire on Mat A! He fends off attacks from Suraj KOKATE (IND) and then adds leg lace and a carry for four to win 10-0

1200: Cherman VALIEV (RUS), one of the favorites to win here, starts with an easy 11-0 win over  Tino RETTINGER (GER) and moves to the 1/8th against Bayramov

1140: Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) is wrestling at his sixth international tournament this year. He takes his time but scores an easy 6-0 win over Vadym KURYLENKO (UKR)

1130: Do we have a new Geno PETRIASHVILI? Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO) uses his express speed to win his opening bout Yurii IDZINSKYI (UKR) 

1115: Canada's Hunter LEE gave up two points but Demur MEGENEISHVILI (GEO) cannot answer Lee's other attacks. The Canadian wins 13-2

1100: Emre CIFTCI (TUR) begins with a 10-0 hammering of Benjamin GREIL (AUT) to get going at 86kg. A couple of forfeits here at 86kg

1030: Welcome to yet another day of wrestling action at the U23 World Championships. Freestyle action continues as we have five more weight classes going on the mat. Big session coming up

Obituary

Habibi, Iran's first Olympic champion, dies aged 94

By United World Wrestling Press

TEHRAN, Iran (August 24) -- Emamali HABIBI (IRI), Iran's first-ever Olympic gold medalist and United World Wrestling Hall of Fame member, passed away Sunday aged 94.

Habibi was born Babol in 1931 and won the first Olympic gold medal for Iran in 1956 Melbourne Olympic Games. Facing Alimbeg BESTAEV in the final round to decide the gold medalist, Habibi secured a fall in the 67kg final and etched his name in history, became first Olympic champion for Iran.

It was a rare feat in those times as he had never wrestled at an international event before the Olympics. He would make his World Championships debut in 1959, winning gold medal at 73kg. He defended his title in 1961 and added a third gold medal in 1962 at 78kg.

Emamali HABIBI (IRI)Emamali HABIBI (IRI) with his World Championships gold medal.

He participated in the 1960 Olympic Games in Rome at 73kg and finished fourth. Habibi also has a gold medal at the 1958 Asian Games, held in Tokyo, Japan.

Habibi's legacy also includes his diverse wrestling techniques and speed on the mat which allowed him to win bouts with domination. He is widely considered one of the greatest freestyle wrestlers of his times. He was included in the UWW Hall of Fame in 2007 for his contribution to wrestling.

UWW offers its condolences to Iran Wrestling Federation and the Habibi family.