#WrestleAmman

Medet Kyzy pulls off late miracle for 3rd Asian gold

Thursday, March 27, 2025 - 19:00 By Ken Marantz

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AMMAN, Jordan (March 27) -- Winning the tight ones is a sign of a true champion, and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) couldn't have cut it any closer in retaining her Asian crown and becoming a three-time champion.

Medet Kyzy thwarted an upset bid from REETIKA (IND) with a takedown and gut wrench in the dying seconds for a 7-6 victory in the 76kg final at the Asian Championships on Thursday as women's wrestling took the stage on the third day in Amman, Jordan.

"I prepared for the Asian Championships really well," said Medet Kyzy, who will turn 26 on Sunday. "In the last 20 seconds, I said to myself, 'Aiperi, you have to win.'"

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) also became a three-time champion at 50kg, while young compatriot Sakura ONISHI (JPN) had a miracle victory of her own at 59kg as the powerful Japanese squad was limited to two of the five titles at stake, albeit they lost a world champion to a last-minute withdrawal due to injury.

The two other finals were match-ups between wrestlers from China and the DPK Korea, which they split as Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) and Zelu LI (CHN) became first-time champions at 55kg and 68kg, respectively.

Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ)Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) scores the winning turn against REETIKA (IND) in the 76kg final at the Asian Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the 76kg final, Medet Kyzy, a two-time world medalist, was facing an opponent bent on avenging a close 1-1 loss in the quarterfinals at last year's Paris Olympics.

And for much of the match, it looked like it was payback time for 2023 world U23 champion Reetika, an Asian bronze medalist a year ago in Bishkek.

After Medet Kyzy opened with a counter for a takedown, Reetika scored a single-leg takedown to go into the break up 2-2 on criteria. In the second period, Reetika twisted Medet Kyzy over in a scramble for a 2-point exposure, then added a double-leg takedown to make it 6-2.

It looked bleak for Medet Kyzy when, in the final seconds, she managed to get behind for a takedown, then barely muscled Reetika's shoulders past the 90-degree point with a gut wrench with :02 left on the clock. The 2-point exposure was upheld on challenge.

Medet Kyzy said she was inspired by her Kyrgyzstan teammates, including Greco-Roman brothers Zholaman and Tynaar SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) cheering her on from the stands.

"They cheered so badly for me I couldn’t lose," she said. "I worked till the very end." Medet Kyzy said that she and her coaches have been working on improving her quickness on the mat, which paid off on Thursday.

"After the Olympics, I sat down with the coaches and we did a full analysis of my wrestling," she said. "Now I’m more efficient compared to before."

Medet Kyzy, who finished fifth at the Paris Olympics, had also previously struck gold in 2022 and now has a total of eight Asian medals, along with a gold and bronze from the Asian Games.

"The Olympics were half a year ago," Medet Kyzy said. "It was very hard for me, because I ended up being fifth. All this time my friends, family, and coaches supported me a lot. Now we have started preparation for the 2028 Olympics."

At 50kg, Yoshimoto, taking advantage of a chance to compete internationally with high-profile rival Yui SUSAKI (JPN) still on hiatus, put on a takedown clinic in an 8-0 victory over world U20 champion Yu ZHANG (CHN).

Yoshimoto chalked up two takedowns in each period with a combination of single-leg attacks and counters to outclass the Chinese teen and add to her previous Asian golds from 2022 and 2023 -- she also has gold from the 2023 Asian Games.

"I didn't make the team last year, but I went into my third [Asian Championships] with a new feeling and not thinking about it too deeply," said Yoshimoto, the 2021 world champion in Susaki's absence. "I feel like the opponents came up with a strategy against me, so it wasn't so easy.

"I wasn't looking to win in any particular way, but I wasn't moving like I wanted. It was different from the first and second times and there is much I need to reflect on."

Yoshimoto has not lost to a non-Japanese opponent since 2019, when she was defeated by Chun LEI (CHN) at the test event for the Tokyo Olympics. Her only other international loss was to two-time Olympic medalist Yun SUNAN (CHN) in the final of the Klippan Lady earlier that year.

Next up for Yoshimoto is the Meiji Cup in June, the second of two domestic qualifiers for this year's World Championships where she will likely have to encounter Susaki, who has not competed since taking a bronze at the Paris Olympics.

Onishi, one of Japan's brightest rising stars, looked to be headed to just her second defeat in seven international tournaments when she pulled off a last-second 6-4 victory over Pyol HONG (PRK) in the 59kg final, thanks to a favorable call.

"This is my first time at the senior Asian Championships, and I knew it would not be easy to win," Onishi said. "That's exactly how it was. The final was a tough match. There was a moment when I thought I was going to lose. But I stayed strongly determined to win."

The reigning world U20 champion took a 3-0 lead with a single-leg takedown, to which a 1-point penalty was tacked on for grabbing the wrists.

In the second period, all of Onishi's tackle attempts were well thwarted by Hong, who spun behind after one counter for a takedown, after which she added a gut wrench to go up 4-3.

With the clock ticking down, Onishi launched a desperate surge forward that forced Hong over the edge for a stepout with :02 left that, by itself, would not have been enough. But the referee signaled an additional point for fleeing that was upheld by the side judges, leaving Hong stunned and Onishi elated.

"There was only a little time left, but I thought I had to do something and just go for it," the 19- year-old Onishi said. "All I thought was that I wanted to win. I have no recollection of what I actually did."

The match marked Onishi's first encounter with an opponent from the DPR Korea. "She was very powerful and she was able to keep me from doing my usual winning pattern. I couldn't get in on a tackle, and honestly speaking, I was panicking a little. But it was a good experience."

Onishi, the world U17 champion at 53kg in 2023, prepped for Amman by winning the Tirana Ranking Series event in February. She was dealt her lone international loss in the final at the 2022 U17 worlds to Maria YEFREMOVA (UKR).

Oh, the losing finalist at 55kg last year, moved up to the top of the medal podium by grinding out an 8-1 victory over Yuxuan LI (CHN), who finished third in Tirana.

Oh gained a takedown off a counter, then went to a lace lock, but was limited to one roll through by Li to make it 4-0. In the second period, Oh padded her lead with a single-leg takedown and added another lace lock roll. As she tried another, Li managed to execute a switch and scored a reversal for her lone point.

Oh had earned her place in the final for the second year in a row by knocking off three-time world champion Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) with a nail-biting 6-5 win in the semifinals. Last year, she lost in the final to Moe KIYOOKA (JPN), who will be going for the 53kg gold on Friday.

Zelu LI (CHN)Zelu LI (CHN) works a cradle against Sol Gum PAK (PRK) in the 68kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostandin Andonov)

The 68kg final was a quick affair when Zelu Li defeated Sol Gum PAK (PRK) by fall in just 35 seconds.

Li forced in a half-nelson from the standing position, then slammed Pak directly to her back and clamped down for the fall.

Li finished second at the Tirana Ranking Series to world 72kg champion Ami ISHII (JPN), who was entered at 68kg in Amman but withdrew prior to the competition due to a knee injury she suffered a week ago in training.

Murayama Okuno bounces back to take bronze

In the bronze-medal matches, Murayama Okuno assured she would not leave her first Asian Championships empty-handed, while two Indian teenagers made it onto the medal podium in their international senior debuts.

Murayama Okuno bounced back from her semifinal loss to Oh by shutting out Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB) 8-0 at 55kg.

Murayama Okuno jumped out to a 4-0 lead with a takedown and a stepover exposure. In the second period, she broke through Matnazarova's defenses to get a late takedown off a counter and a gut wrench for her final points.

The other 55kg bronze went to two-time Asian U23 champion Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL), who got behind countering a takedown attempt by NISHU (IND), applied a chicken wing and turned her over for a fall in 2:13.

At 50kg, Myonggyong WON (PRK), last seen on the continental stage winning a bronze at the Asian juniors (U20) in 2019, now has a senior medal after overwhelming Miran CHEON (KOR) 10-0.

Won twice went out the back door for a takedown, and after the second one, secured a high- thigh lock and executed one roll, then moved down to the laces and ripped off two more to end the match at 2:01.

Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL), in her second appearance at the Asian Championships five years after placing fifth, came away with the other 50kg bronze after scoring a deep double-leg takedown late in the first period and making that hold up in a 3-0 victory over Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ).

At 59kg, teenager MUSKAN (IND), a 2024 world U17 bronze medalist at 53kg, received two activity points and scored a late takedown to defeat Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) 4-0.

Mengyu XIE (CHN) made short work of Guldana BEKESH (KAZ), storming to a 10-0 technical fall in :48 to add the other 59kg bronze to the gold she won back in 2019.

Xie, a 2022 world bronze medalist at 55kg, opened with a takedown-gut wrench combination, then did it again, adding a second roll to finish off Asian U23 bronze medalist Bekesh.

In a battle between last year's bronze medalists at 68kg, 2023 world silver medalist Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) added to her extensive collection of Asian medals by finishing off Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) 14-2 with a driving 4-point takedown in the final seconds.

Enkhsaikhan scored three takedowns in the first period to lead 6-2, then added two more and looked headed for a 10-2 win. But she got in deep on a double-leg, lifted up and drove Tashtanbekova to the mat for a 4-pointer.

Enkhsaikan now has five Asian medals, all bronze save for a silver from 2021.

The second Indian teen, world U17 champion Mansi LATHER (IND), used a snap-down, spin-behind attack to maximum effect to rout Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) 12-2 for the other bronze at 68kg.

In an entertaining bout at 76kg, YANGLA (CHN) twice threw Mi Hyang KIM (PRK) to her back, only to be reversed to her own back, but scored a late takedown to clinch an 8-5 victory. Yangla got the big move of the match with a back suplex for 4.

Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) added to the Japanese medal tally, showing surprising speed and agility for a heavyweight in charging to a 10-0 win over Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) for the other 76kg bronze.

Yamamoto opened with a single-leg takedown and two gut wrenches, added a snap-down, go-behind takedown, then finished things off at 2:00 with a single-leg takedown at the edge.

Photo

Day 3 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg (13 entries)
GOLD: Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) df. Yu ZHANG (CHN), 8-0

BRONZE: Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) df. Svetlana ANKICHEVA (KAZ), 3-0
BRONZE: Myonggyong WON (PRK) df. Miran CHEON (KOR) by TF, 10-0, 2:01

55kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) df. Yuxuan LI (CHN), 8-1

BRONZE: Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) df. Dilshoda MATNAZAROVA (UZB), 8-0
BRONZE: Otgontuya BAYANMUNKH (MGL) df. NISHU (IND) by Fall, 2:13 (4-0)

59kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) df. Pyol HONG (PRK), 6-4

BRONZE: MUSKAN (IND) df. Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL), 4-0
BRONZE: Mengyu XIE (CHN) df. Guldana BEKESH (KAZ) by TF, 10-0, :48

68kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Zelu LI (CHN) df. Sol Gum PAK (PRK) by Fall, :35 (4-0)

BRONZE: Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) df. Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) by TF, 14-2, 6:00
BRONZE: Mansi LATHER (IND) df. Irina KAZYULINA (KAZ) by TF, 12-2, 4:43

76kg (10 entries)
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. REETIKA (IND), 7-6

BRONZE: YANGLA (CHN) df. Mi Hyang KIM (PRK), 8-5
BRONZE: Nodoka YAMAMOTO (JPN) df. Seoyeon JEONG (KOR) by TF, 10-0, 2:00

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025: Day 6 GR 55kg, 77kg, 82kg, 130kg Highlights

Thursday, September 18, 2025 - 08:31 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 18) -- Greco-Roman day at the World Championships in Zagreb. Four weight classes -- 55kg, 77kg, 82kg and 130kg -- are in action with Olympic champion Nao KUSAKA (JPN) and Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) are expected to meet in 77kg quarterfinals.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 5 RESULTS

77kg semifinals
SF 1: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) vs. Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI)
SF 2: Nao KUSAKA (JPN) vs. Robert FRITSCH (HUN)

14:55: In the most anticipated match of the session, Nao KUSAKA (JPN) repeated his victory Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) from the final at the Paris Olympics to advance to the 77kg semifinals as he pursues a first world gold. Kusaka got the first chance at par terre, but it was Zhadrayev who came out with the points. Kusaka went to his usual cross body lock, but Zhadrayev used the momentum and timed it perfectly to launch a throw himself. Although Kusaka got behind for reversal, it left Zhadrayev ahead 2-2 on criteria. In the second period, a quick charge at the whistle sees Kusaka gain a stepout that is awarded on challenge. Kusaka adds another stepout, then fends off the pressure from Zhadrayev while avoiding getting flagged for passivity and advances with a 4-2 victory. Next up for Kusaka will be Robert FRITSCH (HUN), from the country where the Japanese went to train prior to his triumph in Paris.

14:54: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) blocks Ahmet YILMAZ (TUR) as the Turkiye tries to turn Amoyan from par tarre to get the two points for danger position. There is no way back for Yilmaz as Amoyan, the Olympic bronze medalist, wins 3-1 to enter the semifinals at 77kg.

14:53: The Iranian win-rush continues as the country puts all four wrestlers in the semifinals with Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) beating Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE), 3-1, at 77kg. Abdevali turned Suleymanov from par terre to take the lead and the win.

14:50: Robert FRITSCH (HUN) spoils the bid of local hero Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) to make the 77kg semifinals, scoring a stepout in the first period that proves the difference in a 2-1 victory.

55kg semifinals
SF 1: Emin CAKIR (TUR) vs. Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO)
SF 2: Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) vs. Payam AHMADI (IRI)

14:42: European bronze medalist Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) is into the world semifinals with a 3-2 victory over Denis MIHAI (ROU). A stepout from Lolua made the difference as he held criteria at 2-2. A lost challenge from Mihai gives another point to Lolua

14:40: In a battle between a 30-something and a teenager, experience wins out, which is not surprising given it involves four-time 55kg world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE). Azizli scores a takedown and gut wrench in the first period against 18-year-0ld Jayden RANEY (USA), who gets his chance on top in par terre in the second, but cannot budge the Azeri, who wins 5-1 to advance to the semifinals.

14:35: Emin CAKIR (TUR) upsets former world bronze medalist Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) at 55kg, with a 9-0 technical superiority win.

14:31: Payam AHMADI (IRI) quickly joins the Iranian parade into the semifinals, needing just 25 seconds to bull Artiom DELEANU (MDA) down to the mat and execute three quick-fire rolls for an 8-0 victory at 55kg.

82kg semifinals
SF 1: Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO)
SF 2: Karlo KODRIC (CRO) vs. Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI)

14:28: A match for the ages as Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), a former world U17 champion and recent world U20 bronze medalist, beats European champion Gurban GURBANOV (AZE), who is cautioned out of the match. Gurbanov had a 6-2 lead but Yoshida, a powerhouse, keeps pressuring Gurbanov who is struggling with conditioning. A slew of stepouts and Yoshida makes it 8-6. On the stepout with 16 seconds left, Gurbanov receives his third caution and is disqualified from the match, giving Yoshida the win.

14:22: Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW) thought he had it covered but Gela BOLKVADZE (GEO) scores two turns from the third passivity par terre to beat Tiuliubaev 5-4 and enter the semifinals at 82kg.

14:20: Karlo KODRIC (CRO), perhaps charged up by a vocal block of home fans in the stands nearby, steps over for 2 on a gut wrench attempt by Mihail BRADU (MDA), giving him a 4-1 lead midway through the second period of their 82kg quarterfinal. Kodric gives up a late stepout, but walks off a 4-2 winner.

14:15: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) fights off a whizzer by Ramon BETSCHART (SUI) to secure a takedown, then traps an arm and executes four exposures to advance to the 82kg semifinals with an 8-0 victory in 1:05.

130kg semifinals
SF 1: Darius VITEK (HUN) vs Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW)
SF 2: Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) vs Wenhao JIANG (CHN)

14:07: Wenhao JIANG (CHN) with a pair of stepouts and he's into the 130kg quarterfinals with a 4-1 win over Jello KRAHMER (GER).

14:05: Darius VITEK (HUN) is the beneficiary of the new Greco-Roman rule in which the wrestler with first passivity point win. He beats Mykola KUCHMII (UKR), 1-1, at 130kg.

14:03: Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW) with an over-under throw for four over Hamza BAKIR (TUR) in the 130kg quarterfinals. Bakir tries to come back with a double-arm lock throw but Hlinchuk blocks and secures the fall.

14:01: Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN) surprisingly throws world champion Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) for 4 with an arm throw in their 130kg quarterfinal, but any joy is gone in milliseconds as the Iranian rolls through the move and puts Kuosmanen on his back. Mirzazadeh doesn't waste the opportunity and secures the fall in 1:13.

Quarterfinals will begin at the same time

13:47: Olympic champion Nao KUSAKA (JPN) books an Olympic final rematch with Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) with a 7-0 victory over Ihor BYCHKOV (UKR) at 77kg. He scored all his points in the first period and somehow there were no points in the second period.

13:43: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) caps a one-sided 10-0 victory over Mateusz BERNATEK (POL) with a 4-point throw in the second period to secure his berth in the 77kg quarterfinals.

13:37: Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) used his head, and not in a good way, and it cost him a shot at a gold medal. Gutu was leading FRITSCH (HUN) 2-0 in their 77kg bout when he was hit with a 2-point penalty for a head butt, which also put him behind on criteria. Fritsch then received a passivity point, and he held on for a 3-2 victory. Ironically, Gutu suffered a head cut from his own action and had to have treatment, including a bandage around his head, which he ripped off and tossed in anger after the match.

13:30: Aleksa ILIC (SRB) almost pulls off a huge upset over Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) at 77kg. Ilic led 5-1 at the break but Zhadrayev, who for the par terre, scored a turn to make it 5-4 but a stepout gave a point to Ilic. Zhadrayev hits a big four-pointer against a tired Ilic his place in the quarterfinal with an 8-6 win.

13:21: World bronze medalist Denis MIHAI (ROU) with a takedown and roll, then a 4-point takedown against an overmatched Alexander CUEVAS (SGP) and he's into the 55kg quarterfinals with an 8-0 victory in just over a minute.

13:10: World U20 champion Payam AHMADI (IRI) gets his debut on the senior level off to an impressive start, manhandling Ulan MURATBEK UULU (KGZ) in a 9-0 win to advance to the 55kg quarterfinals.

13:07: Young Taizo YOSHIDA (JPN), the 2024 Asian champion, extricates himself from a 4-point hole, scoring five points in the second period to top Alexander JOHANSSON (SWE) 6-5 at 82kg. Yoshida, who gave up a 4-point arm throw in the first period, pressures Johansson down for two takedowns, then gets a stepout with :54 left to take the lead for the first time.

13:05: Gurban GURBANOV (AZE)  gets the first of the two passivity calls, and with no other scoring, that makes him a 1-1 winner over Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT) at 82kg.

13:04: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI) with powerpacked 8-0 technical superiority win over world silver medalist Erik SZILVASSY (HUN) at 82kg. Szilvassy was never allowed to settle down by Farokhi

13:00: Four-time world champion Eldaniz AZIZLI (AZE) with a 22-second technical superiority over Anil MOR (IND) at 55kg.

12:58: A stepout with 33 seconds left, Hamza BAKIR (TUR) beats Oscar PINO (CUB) 3-1 at 130kg. Bakir led 1-1 on criteria as he was given the first par terre position. But As Pino tried to score a stepout late in the second period, Bakir turned it around and managed to force Pino to put the hand before Bakir himself did. Cuba challenged the call but lost it.

12:52: With calls of 'Karlo! Karlo!' and the banging of drums reverberating throughout the arena, Karlo KODRIC (CRO) is through to the 82kg quarterfinals with a 5-0 victory over Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ).

12:45: Pavel HLINCHUK (UWW) comes back from 3-1 down to beat Razmik KURDYAN (ARM) 4-3, thanks for a successful challenge from Hlinchuk at the end.

12:42: Defending 130kg champion and Olympic bronze medalist Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI)  gets two gut wrenches off par terre for a 5-0 lead over Marko KOSCEVIC (CRO), much to the dismay of the home crowd. In the second period, Mirzazadeh adds a stepout, then scores a takedown for an 8-0 win with just over two minutes left.

12:36: Four-time Asian medalist Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) rns out of a gas about two minutes to soon, giving Mykola KUCHMII (UKR) two easy takedowns in the second period and a 6-4 win at 130kg.

12:35: Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN) pulls off the biggest surprise of the session so far, scoring a late takedown to topple Sergei SEMENOV (UWW) 3-3 at 130kg. In the first period, Semenov counters a throw attempt for a 2-point takedown, with an additional point for an unsuccessful challenge, but Kuosmanen strikes back with a stepout to make it 3-1 at the break. In the second period, a mighty shove sends Semenov down to the mat, and Kuosmanen pounces to secure the takedown and the shocking victory.

12:12: Jonni SARKKINEN (FIN) gets the first par terre position in the 77kg bout against Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) and he scores from a throw in which the Kazakhstan wrestlers lands outside the zone. Sarkkinen leads 2-0. Just before the break, Zhadrayev gets a stepout to make it 2-1 Zhadrayev got the par terre in the second period to take a 2-2 criteria lead before getting a exposure for two points. Finland challenges the call. The two points are confirmed and Zhadrayev lead grows to 5-2, which remains the winning score.

12:09: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM), a former world champion with three world medals, was about to become the beneficiary of the new rule giving the wrestler who scores the first point in a Greco bout that ends 1-1 the victory, but a late challenge over a last-second move instead makes him a 2-1 winner over Kamal BEY (USA).

12:05: Two-time world U23 champion Alexandrin GUTU (MDA) gets off to an awesome start, throwing Lai Hsing YAO (TPE) twice with spectacular four and five pointers to start his campaign at 77kg with a 12-0 win.

11:57: A welcome win for the home team. Antonio KAMENJASEVIC (CRO) rips off four rolls from par terre and he advances with a 9-0 victory over Hyeonjin KANG (KOR) at 77kg.

11:55: Olympic champion Nao KUSAKA (JPN) warms up with an 8-0 technical superiority win over AMAN (IND) at 77kg. He is expected to meet Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) in the quarterfinals if the seeds hold.

11:40: Taiga ONISHI (JPN), whose younger sister Sakura won the women's 59kg gold on Tuesday night, gets a quick takedown, only to have Huoying SHI (CHN) reverse in their opening match at 55kg. Shi goes ahead in the second period with an exposure off an arm throw attempt, then hits a back suplex that is good for another 2. Shi resists a throw attempt and gets another 2, giving him a 7-2 win.

11:19: Gholamreza FAROKHI (IRI), winner of the Ranking Series event here in Zagreb, has no need to go to par terre. He alternates three takedowns with two stepouts, then gets a point for a denied challenge to defeat Qingzhe LI (CHN) 9-0 in precisely two minutes at 82kg.

11:15: Four-time world medalist Oscar PINO (CUB), his nation's heir apparent at 130kg to legendary five-time Olympic champion Mijain LOPEZ (CUB), easily executes a gut wrench from par terre, then is a rock when put on the bottom and he's through with a 3-1 victory over Jacob LOGAARD (SWE).

11:05: Pavel HLINCHUK  (UWW), who won 2023 world u23 gold at 97kg, is now at 130kg. He begins his first World Championships at this weight with a 9-0 victory over Sulkhan BUIDZE (GEO).

11:00: Sergei SEMENOV (UWW), a two-time former Olympic bronze medal who has a world gold from 2018, gets a pair of rolls from par terre and, although Cohlton SCHULTZ (USA) managed a reversal after the second one, safely posts a 5-2 victory at 130kg to start the Greco action on Mat D.

10:55: Alexander JOHANSSON (SWE) gets a big win for Sweden as he defeats former European champion and young star Alperen BERBER (TUR) 2-1, at 82kg. Berber is coming back after an injury he suffered at the Mongolian Ranking Series.