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Multiple World and Olympic Champions to Compete at Pan American Olympic Qualifier

Wednesday, March 11, 2020 - 02:27 By Taylor GREGORIO

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Photo of David TAYLOR (USA). 

The 2020 Pan American Olympic Qualifier is set for this March 13-15 in Ottawa, Canada. The event serves as a qualifier for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics as the top-two from each bracket will earn a bid for their country at the respective weight.

The Pan Am Olympic Qualifier is the second of three qualifying phases. The first was the 2019 World Championships, where the top-six from each Olympic weight qualified for Tokyo. The final event is the World Olympic Qualifier in Sofia, Bulgaria, scheduled for later this year.

Action begins on Friday with all six Greco-Roman weights, followed by women’s freestyle on Saturday and wrapping up with men’s freestyle on Sunday. Fans can watch the action live on unitedworldwrestling.org.

Men’s freestyle
Qualified: Colombia (86 kg), United States (74 kg, 97 kg)

57 kg
Highlighting this weight class is 2017 and 2019 U23 World champion Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB), who won the Pan American Championships last week in Ottawa.

Also in the mix is 2017 World silver medalist Thomas GILMAN (USA) and 2020 Pan Am bronze medalist Juan RAMIREZ BELTRE (DOM).

65 kg
Leading this weight class is 2017 and 2018 World bronze medalist Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB), who is also a 2019 Pan American Games champion.

Three of last week’s medalists will compete this weekend, including silver medalist Mauricio Javier SANCHEZ SALTOS (ECU) and bronze medalists Agustin Alejandro DESTRIBATS (ARG) and Sixto Miguel AUCCAPINA PEDRAGAS (PER).

The 2020 Pan Am champion John Michael DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) is not registered for the Pan American Olympic Qualifier. Instead, it will be 2012 Cadet World champion Zain RETHERFORD (USA).

74 kg
There are two past World medalists registered at 74 kg, Jeandry GARZON CABALLERO (CUB) and Franklin GOMEZ MATOS (PUR).

Garzon is a 2007 World silver runner-up and three-time World bronze winner (2005, 2006, 2010), while Gomez won silver at the 2011 World Championships.

Last week, Gomez was the Pan Am runner-up, and Garzon finished with bronze. Both lost to Jordan BURROUGHS (USA), who qualified the United States at 74 kg with a bronze-medal finish at the 2019 World Championships.

Also wrestling this week is Anthony Jose MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN), who won 2020 Pan American bronze.

86 kg
2018 World champion David TAYLOR (USA) returns to competition for the first time since his title run at the 2018 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

Joining him at the weight are 2020 Pan American champions Yurieski TORREBLANCA QUERALTA (CUB) and Angus Patrick ARTHUR (JAM). Torreblanca won at 86 kg, and Arthur became the first Jamaican to claim Pan Am gold, winning the 92 kg bracket last week.

Other medalists from the Pan Am Championships that will compete are silver medalist Pool Edinson AMBROCIO GREIFO (PER) and Clayton Steven PYE (CAN).

Already qualified at this weight for the Olympic Games is Carlos IZQUIERDO MENDEZ (COL) after taking fifth at the 2019 Worlds.

97 kg
The favorite at this weight is two-time World silver medalist and 2010 World bronze winner Reineris SALAS PEREZ (CUB). Last week, he fell in the 2020 Pan Am finals Kyle SNYDER (USA), who already qualified the United States for the Olympics with a bronze medal at 2019 Worlds.

Pan Am runner-up at 92 kg Maxwell Lemar LACEY GARITA (CRC) will bump up to 97 kg this week in attempt to qualify Costa Rica for the Games for the first time in the nation’s history.

Also competing is 2020 Pan Am bronze medalist Luis Miguel PEREZ SOSA (DOM).

125 kg
Nick GWIAZDOWSKI (USA) heads into the heavyweight bracket with the most freestyle success, owning 2017 and 2018 World bronze medals as well as the 2019 Pan Am Games title.

However, looking to dethrone him is three-time World medalist in Greco-Roman Oscar PINO HINDS (CUB), who won silver at the 2019 Worlds and bronzes in 2017 and 2018.

Because of his silver medal in Kazakhstan, Pino qualified Cuba for the 130 kg weight in Greco for the Olympics. This weekend, he looks to qualify another weight for Cuba, taking on freestyle this season. Last week, he won bronze at the Pan Am Championships.

2020 Pan Am silver medalist Amarveer DHESI (CAN) is also expected to compete at the weight. Dhesi is a 2014 Junior World champion.

Photo of Erica WIEBE (CAN). 

Women’s freestyle
Qualified: United States (68 kg, 76 kg)

50 kg
This weight features World champion Jessica Anne Marie MACDONALD (CAN), who also owns bronze medals from the 2011 and 2013 World Championships.

Looking to shake up the bracket is 2018 World runner-up at 53 kg Sarah HILDEBRANDT (USA), who is making the transition down to 50 kg for the Olympic year. Hildebrandt was the 2019 Pan Am Games champion and holds four Pan Am Championships gold medals.

There are three medalists from last week that are entered, including silver medalist Carolina CASTILLO HIDALGO (COL) and bronze medalists Kamila BARBOSA VITO DA SILVA (BRA) and Jacqueline Del Rocio MOLLOCANA ELENO (ECU).

Additionally, 2019 Pan American Championships winner and 2019 Pan Am Games silver medalist Yusneylis GUZMAN LOPEZ (CUB) will compete.

53 kg
The 2019 World champion at 55 kg, Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), is also moving down a weight class and is registered at 53 kg.

She’ll be met with other talents like past Pan Am medalists Samantha Leigh STEWART (CAN), Lianna de la Caridad MONTERO HERRERA (CUB) and Luisa Elizabeth VALVERDE MELENDRES (ECU).

Stewart is a 2016 Pan American champion. This weekend will mark her first continental event since she won her title.

2019 Pan Am Games bronze medalist Montero enters the bracket fresh off a silver-medal finish at the 2020 Pan Am Championships.

Winning the 2020 title was Valverde, who is also a 2011 Cadet World bronze medalist.

57 kg
Highlighting this weight is 2016 Olympic champion Helen MAROULIS (USA), who is competing in her first Pan Am event since 2012. Maroulis is also a 2015 and 2017 World champion. She took the 2019 season off, and is back for the Olympic year.

Reigning World champion and 2016 World bronze medalist Linda MORAIS (CAN) is also in the mix as well as 2019 Pan Am Games champion Lissette Alexandra ANTES CASTILLO (ECU) and 2020 Pan Am bronze medalist Betzabeth Rebeca SARCO COLMENAREZ (VEN).

62 kg
Leading the way in international credentials is two-time Olympic bronze medalist and 2017 World bronze winner Jackeline RENTERIA CASTILLO (COL). Last week, Renteria was seventh at the 2020 Pan Am Championships.

Another World medalist set to compete is 2017 bronze winner Michelle Christina FAZZARI (CAN).

2019 Pan American Games champion Kayla MIRACLE (USA) will represent the United States, rather than the 2020 Pan Am winner Mallory VELTE.

68 kg
There are a pair of World medalists entered at 68 kg, including Danielle Suzanne LAPPAGE (CAN) and Yudari SANCHEZ RODRIGUEZ (CUB).

Lappage is a 2018 Senior World silver medalist. This week marks her first Senior Pan American event as she seeks to qualify her country for Tokyo.

Fresh off a silver-medal finish performance, Sanchez goes into the weekend with three age-group World medals: 2018 U23 gold, 2017 Junior silver and 2017 U23 bronze.

Also at this weight is 2020 Pan Am champion Yanet Ursula SOVERO NINO (PER) and 2020 Pan Am bronze winner Maria Jose ACOSTA ACOSTA (VEN).

The United States is already qualified at this weight, thanks to a Tamyra MENSAH-STOCK, who won gold at the 2019 Worlds.

76 kg
Another Olympic champion in the women’s field comes at 76 kg, where Erica WIEBE (CAN) is slated to compete this weekend. The Canadian is also a 2018 World bronze medalist.

An up-and-coming talent hitting the mat this week is 2019 Junior and U23 World champion Milaimys de la Caridad MARIN POTRILLE (CUB), who had a strong effort in a loaded Pan Am Championships bracket and finished fifth last week.

Marin fell in the bronze-medal match to 2014 World silver medalist Aline DA SILVA FERREIRA (BRA), who will also compete in Ottawa this week.

2020 Pan Am bronze medalist Andrea Carolina OLAYA GUTIERREZ (COL) is also registered.

The United States also earned a bid to Tokyo at 76 kg, when Adeline GRAY claimed gold at the 2019 World Championships. It was her fifth World title.

Photo of Gabriel ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB). 

Greco-Roman
Qualified: Cuba (67 kg, 130 kg)

60 kg
There are multiple Pan American champions that will compete for a qualification spot at 60 kg, including 2020 champion Dicther Hans TORO CASTANEDA (COL), 2019 champion Luis Alberto ORTA SANCHEZ (CUB) and 2015 and 2019 Pan Am Games champion Andres Roberto MONTANO ARROYO (ECU).

Also competing is 2019 Pan Am Games bronze medalist Ildar HAFIZOV (USA) and 2020 bronze medalists Jancel Miguel PIMENTEL GONZALEZ (DOM) and Emerson Isaias FELIPE ORDONEZ (GUA).

67 kg
There are three 2020 Pan American Championships medalists returning to competition this weekend.

Joilson DE BRITO RAMOS JUNIOR (BRA) won silver at 72 kg last weekend and will move down to 67 kg this weekend.

Cristhian Alberto RIVAS CASTRO (ECU) and Alejandro SANCHO (USA), who each won bronze at the championships are scheduled to compete in the Olympic Qualifier.

The 2020 Pan Am champ Ismael BORRERO MOLINA (CUB) will not compete as he already qualified Cuba for Tokyo after winning gold at the 2019 Worlds. Borrero is a 2016 Olympic champion and also won the 2015 World title.

77 kg
Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) and Patrick SMITH (USA) traded wins at the 2020 Pan American Championships, with Smith winning the matchup in pool action and Pena ultimately claiming the title over Smith in the finals.

Pena also won the 2019 Pan American Championships, and later that year, Smith emerged with gold at the 20019 Pan American Games.

Both will wrestle again this weekend.

Also expected to compete is 2020 Pan Am bronze medalist Wuileixis de Jesus RIVAS ESPINOZA (VEN), who is a 2019 Pan Am Games runner-up.

87 kg
Bringing World medals to the weight is Daniel GREGORICH HECHAVARRIA (CUB), who is a 2018 U23 silver medalist and 2019 U23 bronze winner. Last week, he finished fifth at the Pan Am Championships, forfeiting in the bronze match.

Winning the 2020 Pan Am title was Josef RAU (USA. En route to his win last week, Rau defeated 2019 Pan Am Games champion Luis Eduardo AVENDANO ROJAS (VEN), who will also wrestle in the Qualifier.

Two other 2020 Pan Am medalists will compete, including silver medalist Carlos Andres MUNOZ JARAMILLO (COL) and bronze medalist Lesyan Osvaldo COUSIN OTOMURO (JAM).

97 kg
We will likely see another entertaining rivalry at 97 kg as the 2020 Pan Am champion G’Angelo HANCOCK (USA) and 2020 runner-up Gabriel Alejandro ROSILLO KINDELAN (CUB) will be back at it this weekend.

Similar to Pena and Smith at 77 kg, Hancock and Rosillo went head-to-head twice in the Pan Am Championships, with Rosillo winning in the pool action but Hancock getting the victory in the finals.

Both own age-group World medals with Rosillo claiming gold at the 2019 Junior Worlds and Hancock owning bronze from the 2016 Junior Worlds.

Another World medalist in the mix is Kevin MEJIA CASTILLO (HON), who finished fourth at the Pan Am Championships. Defeating Mejia in the bronze match was Luillys Jose PEREZ MORA (VEN), who is also registered for this weekend.

130 kg
Two World medalists highlight the field in Yasmani ACOSTA FERNANDEZ (CHI) and Adam COON (USA).

Acosta won bronze at the 2017 World Championships, and Coon earned silver in the 2018 Worlds.

The American is fresh off producing a silver medal at the 2020 Pan Ams, while Acosta entered the event but did not compete.

Both 2020 Pan Am bronze winners are registered: Leo Dalis SANTANA HEREDIA (DOM) and Moises Salvador PEREZ HELLBURG (VEN).

Cuba is already qualified at the weight, thanks to a silver medal from Oscar PINO HINDS at the 2019 World Championships. This weekend, Pino will compete in freestyle in attempt to qualify Cuba for the Olympic Games at 125 kg.

 

2026 Muhamet Malo

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

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

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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)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)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.

Photo

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.