#WrestleZagreb

Reasco becomes Ecuador's first world champ as Maroulis adds to gold tally

Wednesday, September 17, 2025 - 22:22 By Ken Marantz

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 16) -- While Helen MAROULIS (USA) was adding to her mountainous pile of world medals with a fourth career gold, Genesis REASCO (ECU) made history by becoming Ecuador's first-ever world champion.

Reasco reached the pinnacle of the sport with a 4-2 victory in the 76kg final over Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), denying the two-time world medalist her first gold in the last of four women's finals on Wednesday at the World Championships in Zagreb.

"I went in, gave my all, and it worked," Reasco said. "That’s how the gold medal was achieved, because honestly, I have a lot of respect for all my opponents. They gave everything out there on the mat, and they were really good matches -- both yesterday’s and today’s. Everything was very tough, very close."

Maroulis, who will turn 34 on Friday, showed why she has accumulated eight medals overall in 12 trips to the World Championships when she scored a dramatic takedown with :05 left to edge Il Sim SON (PRK) 3-2 in the 57kg final.

In other finals, Myonggyong WON (PRK) gave the DPR Korea its second women's title in two nights -- and just the third in its history -- with an emotional victory at 50kg , while Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) earned her second world gold and fifth medal overall with a dominant run to the 65kg title.

Reasco's historic victory came two years after Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) became the South American country's first-ever world medalist, and a day before Yepez gets a chance to join her as a gold medalist after making the 53kg final earlier in the day.

Reasco had long been seen as having the potential for a breakthrough, but never seemed to be able to make that final step up to the big time. She finished fifth at the 2022 World Championships and 2024 Paris Olympics, and was third at this year's Pan American Championships.

But after knocking off Paris bronze medalist Milaimy MARIN (CUB) in Tuesday's semifinals, the impossible suddenly became possible.

"At the Olympics, I was close to winning bronze, but it didn’t happen," she said. "But now the world medal came, and I’m very happy after all the sacrifices."

In the final, Reasco scored with a double-leg takedown in the first period, then scored another at the edge in the second. Medet Kyzy, a three-time Asian champion, tried desperately to launch a comeback, but she had to settle for 2 with a late throw attempt and came up short.

The 27-year-old Reasco got a relatively late start to the sport, saying she was not even aware of wrestling's existence until she was introduced to it at age 15.

"At that time, I practically didn’t know what wrestling was," she said. "I was going for another sport, but the coach of that sport took me to wrestling -- it was thanks to his influence. Otherwise, I wouldn’t have even known what wrestling was.

"The first day I saw it, I was shocked. Since I was little, I always liked sports -- I liked basketball, football. So I always had that love for sports. Any sport, any other sport, I liked."

But her dedication to training eventually led to the greatest of achievements, which she surmises will be widely celebrated back in her hometown of Esmeraldas and the province of Manabi where she trains.

"When I focus on competition, I even put my phone aside," she said.

In the 57kg final, Maroulis had her work cut out for her with the quick and powerful Son, this year's Asian silver medalist.

"She's an amazing opponent," Maroulis said. "I knew she was going to be tough. I watched all of her film. I'm like, my gosh, she's so good."

Maroulis had to fight out of a double-leg attempt in the first period, in which she received an activity point for the only score. In the second, Son received an activity point, then went ahead 2-1 by scoring a stepout at 1:32.

It looked like it might end that way until Maroulis, using a trip to great effect as she had done all tournament, sent Son reeling backward, then spun behind as Son tried to whip her over with :05 on the clock.

"I had to really, really dig deep for that and, I don't know, before the last exchange started, I just had to dig deep and find it," Maroulis said. "It was just some scramble flurry and just that it came out my way. I'm grateful."

The U.S. wrestler added the title to the ones she won in 2015, 2017 and 2021. She also has an Olympic gold from 2016, when she dealt the legendary Saori YOSHIDA (JPN) her lone international loss, and three Olympic medals overall.

Maroulis said that she had to deal with a blood vessel problem that curtailed her training starting in the spring, and did not return to full-fledged practice until about two weeks ago.

With her conditioning limited, she said she aimed to end her matches early, which resulted in her ending all three of her matches leading up to the final by fall.

"I was like, I'm just going to start working on training because I'm not conditioned enough to go six minutes," Maroulis said. "I'm literally not conditioned enough. But if I pin, no one has to know that."

Maroulis said she is currently undecided about continuing her career. But should she go on, it could put her on a collision course with one of the sport's rising stars, Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), the Paris Olympic champion at 53kg who announced that she was moving up to 57kg in the runup to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics.

"I would love to wrestle her," she said. "I've been wrestling for so many years, I want to wrestle the best of the best, and she's phenomenal. I've heard and seen great things about her.

Maroulis said the two have never had a chance to work out together. "We message back and forth, actually we were trying to go to a camp together, it just didn't work out in time for the Olympics. I found she was going to 57[kg], I said, 'Oh my gosh.' It's a great opportunity for both of us."

At 50kg, Won dominated her gold-medal showdown with Asian silver medalist Yu ZHANG (CHN) from the start, storming to an eight-point lead in the first period and holding on for an 8-2 victory.

"This medal and the championship belt I’ve won are just the first step in repaying my parents for all their sacrifices," Won said. "From now on, I’ll work even harder to become an Olympic champion."

Her victory came a day after Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) won the 55kg gold to become the second women's world champion in their country's history. They joined Yong-Mi PAK (PRK), who won the 53kg gold in Nur-Sultan in 2019.

Won became so overcome with emotion, she tearfully hugged the referee after the match, then went over and did the same with the side judges. Then she hugged her coaches, and during the medal ceremony, shed tears as the national anthem was played.

"The moment I took first place, all the tough days of training flashed before my eyes and I couldn’t hold back my tears," she said. "And when I thought about sharing the news with my mom and dad, the tears came again."

Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN)Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) celebrates after winning the 65kg final at the World Championships. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 65kg, Morikawa cruised to an 8-0 victory over Alina KASABIEVA (UWW) to regain the title she won in 2022, capping a year in which she also won the Ranking Series Tirana event and a second career gold at the Asian Championships.

Morikawa scored all of her points by shooting for a single, then fighting off a whizzer by Kasabieva to gain control for a pair of takedowns in each period.

"It's my first time to face her, but comparatively she was easier to wrestle than my semifinal opponent," Morikawa said, referring to her semifinal victory over former world champion Irina RINGACI (MDA), albeit a 10-0 decision.

"I couldn't get in on my tackles, and that part is something that I have to change. I'll be going to a heavier weight class and I want to be able to knock off the top wrestlers."

For Morikawa, competing at 65kg now is part of a process aimed at being competitive in the race to make the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, almost surely at 68kg, after missing out on Paris.

"It was great that I won the championship, but the next step will be starting soon. I can be happy today, but from tomorrow I'll have to start working hard in practice."

In between her two world titles, Morikawa took a world bronze at 72kg in 2023, then returned to 65kg in 2024, only to have to settle for a bronze again.

"It was a long time [between titles], and there was the time that I missed out on the Olympics, but I will use this victory as inspiration for what is coming next. It will be the start of a much more difficult fight than up to now, so I have to renew my determination."

While two world golds is no small accomplishment, Morikawa joked that it still leaves her well behind her coach, who was in her corner on Wednesday and accompanied her on the victory lap on the mat.

"I still only have two titles, so I'm about 10 behind the coach who was in my corner," Morikawa said of Kaori ICHO (JPN), the four-time Olympic and 10-time world champion.

Smirnova stuns Yoshimoto for 50kg bronze

Elizaveta SMIRNOVA (UWW) pulled off the surprise of the bronze-medal matches, stunning former world champion Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) at 50kg with a stepout in the final seconds for a 3-3 win on criteria.

Yoshimoto, a two-time Asian champion, received an activity point, then gave up a takedown when Smirnova countered and got behind to a 2-1 lead. In the second period, Yoshimoto finally got through, scoring a takedown with :54 left. But she failed to hold off Smirnova's final push, leaving her devastated and in tears.

Prior to coming to Zagreb, Yoshimoto's only losses in any competition since 2019 were to compatriot and Tokyo Olympic champion Yui SUSAKI (JPN), whom she lost to four times. That limited her to a single previous appearance at the World Championships in 2021, when she won the gold.

The other 50kg bronze went to Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR), who also needed a late score in posting a 3-2 victory over Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL) and adding to the world bronze she won back in 2017.

Byambasuren scored a takedown while on the activity clock to take a 2-0 lead into the second period, and it looked like that might hold up when Demirhan gained a 2-point exposure off an inner thigh block with :15 left. Byambasuren came close to getting behind in the final seconds, but fell short and an unsuccessful challenge handed Demirhan her final point.

The victory took some of the sting out a serious knee injury that Demirhan suffered in the final exchange. She limped off the mat and was taken from the main floor in a wheelchair, then was carried by two fellow medalists to the podium during the medal ceremony wearing a walking cast.

Japan was dealt another set back a short time later in the 57kg bronze-medal bouts, when three-time European champion Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) scored a takedown and exposure in the second period to upend Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN) 4-1.

As with Demirhan, Khoroshavtseva's victory ended a long medal drought -- her previous bronze had come in 2019.

Paris Olympic bronze medalist Kexin HONG (CHN) picked up her first world medal, surging to a 10-0 victory over Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) in the other 57kg match.

Moldova's national hero Ringaci earned a fourth career world medal by beating Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) 6-3 for a 65kg bronze, scoring a takedown in the first period and two in the second.

Two-time Asian silver medalist Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) had the lead on criteria when she scored an exposure at the edge while holding off an attack by Macey KILTY (USA) to clinch a 4-2 win for the other 65kg bronze.

At 76kg, another Olympic bronze medalist added a world bronze when Marin stormed to a 10-0 victory over PRIYA (IND), setting the mood when she scored the first of her five takedowns by lifting the Indian in the air and dumping her to the mat.

Kylie WELKER (USA) added to the bronze she won last year at 72kg by holding on for a 6-2 victory over Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) for the other 76kg bronze. Welker scored a takedown and gut wrench in the first period, then after Alpyeyeva came back with two stepouts,

clinched the win with a takedown with :14 left. 

Day 5 Results

Women's Wrestling

50kg (21 entries)
GOLD: Myonggyong WON (PRK) df. Yu ZHANG (CHN), 8-2

BRONZE: Elizaveta SMIRNOVA (UWW) df. Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN), 3-3
BRONZE: Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) df. Munkhnar BYAMBASUREN (MGL), 3-2

53kg (23 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) df. ANTIM (IND), 5-3
SEMIFINAL: Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) df. Hyongyong CHOE (PRK), 2-1

57kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Helen MAROULIS (USA) df. Il Sim SON (PRK), 3-2

BRONZE: Olga KHOROSHAVTSEVA (UWW) df. Himeka TOKUHARA (JPN), 4-1
BRONZE: Kexin HONG (CHN) df. Iryna KURACHKINA (UWW) by TF, 10-0, 2:22

62kg (22 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) df. Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL) by TF, 14-1, 4:15
SEMIFINAL: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) df. Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) by TF, 14-3, 6:00

65kg (17 entries)
GOLD: Miwa MORIKAWA (JPN) df. Alina KASABIEVA (UWW), 8-0

BRONZE: Irina RINGACI (MDA) df. Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), 6-3
BRONZE: Enkhjin TUVSHINJARGAL (MGL) df. Macey KILTY (USA), 4-2

68kg (24 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Ami ISHII (JPN) df. Buse TOSUN (TUR) by TF, 11-0, 2:34
SEMIFINAL: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) df. Jia LONG (CHN), 6-1

72kg (17 entries)
SEMIFINAL: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) df. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) by Fall, 5:00 (11-6)
SEMIFINAL: Nesrin BAS (TUR) df. Zelu LI (CHN), 9-6

76kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Genesis REASCO (ECU) df. Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ), 4-2

BRONZE: Kylie WELKER (USA) df. Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR), 6-2
BRONZE: Milaimy MARIN (CUB) df. PRIYA (IND) by TF, 10-0, 4:07

#WrestleSamokov

Onishi, Blaze reach final at U20 World Championships

Tuesday, August 19, 2025 - 06:38 By Vinay Siwach

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SAMOKOV, Bulgaria (August 18) -- Japan and India emerged as the two countries with two finalists each in Women's Wrestling at the World U20 Championships in Samokov, Bulgaria on Tuesday.

Defending champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) will look to become a two-time world U20 champion after she reached the 59kg final and 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) made it to the 68kg final.

India had two wrestlers in action and both made the final. TAPSYA (IND) shocked returning champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) at 57kg while returning bronze medalist SRISHTI (IND) made it to the final after beating Laura KOEHLER (GER).

Onishi, a senior Asian champion, completed his third technical superiority of the day as she defeated Aubre KRAZER (USA), 10-0, in the semifinals. Onishi used a leg lace to lead 8-0 before an exposure finished the bout 10-0.

For the gold medal, she will face Karin SAMUELSSON (SWE) who earned the chance at the expense of European U20 and U23 champion Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), who was handed her first defeat of the year.

Samuelsson needed a challenge and some extra-ordinary defense in the final 10 seconds to win the bout 8-7 against Hurbanova. The match hung in balance when Samuelson had a 6-5 lead but Hurbanov managed to hit a leg-attack score a takedown. As Samuelson tried to attack, Hurbanova pulled the Sweden wrestler's hair and was cautioned after a challenge, giving a 7-7 criteria lead to Samuelson.

Hurbanova bodylocked Samuelson in the final seven seconds and tried to drive her out but Samuelson stood taller on her toes to overpower that attempt and win. Azerbaijan challenged but it was for no gain.

Another Nordic country made history as Norway got a finalist in Women's Wrestling. Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) rallied to beat Anna STRATAN (KAZ), 12-2, and became the first Norway wrestler to enter the World U20 Championships final in Women's Wrestling in 15 years.

She will now try to become the first world U20 champion from Norway in 37 years on Wednesday when she faces Tapsya in the final after the Indian defeated Uchida in the semifinal 4-3 with a takedown in the final 10 seconds.

Uchida had a 3-2 lead with a takedown in the second period but struggled with injury in her ankle and needed medical timeout with 15 seconds left in the match. Tapysa waited for the final five seconds before she went for the far and cradled Uchida for two points as time finished and she won 4-3.

At 68kg, Hoshino was in trouble in her semifinal, falling behind 5-0 at the break against Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) but she scored a quick takedown to cut it to 5-2. Another takedown later, she used the arm-bar to pin Erdenebat and win the semifinal.

Srishti scored a huge four-pointer in her semifinal against Kuehler and three setpout to complete a 7-3 win and set up a clash with Hoshino.

U.S. gets 2 more finalists

The United States had two more finalists in Freestyle as returning bronze medalist Marcus BLAZE (USA) and Maxwell MCENELLY (USA) won their respective semifinals at 61kg and 86kg respectively.

In the 61kg semifinals, Blaze rolled to a 15-4 technical superiority against Magomedkhan MAGAMEDKHANOV (UWW). The match began with Magamedkhanov chestwrap for two but Blaze planted him for two as well to take criteria lead.

The bout then turned one-sided as Blaze scored a takedown and Magamedkhanov was cautioned for locking hands with Blaze. The bout began in par terre with Blaze leading 5-2. Blaze scored four points by turning Magamedkhanov twice before a lost challenge added one more point to his score for a 10-2 lead at the break.

Blaze got another takedown when Magamedkhanov missed a shot and then a turn finished the bout 15-4.

The 2023 world U17 champion Blaze will now take on another former world U17 champion in Ahora KHATERI (IRI) who wrestled an almost perfect semifinal against Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), winning 3-1.

Saitiev opened the scoring when he was given a point for Khateri's passivity. But the Iranian scored a takedown and then was given a point for Saitiev's passivity in the second period.

At 86kg, Mcenelly needed a late takedown to overcome senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) and earn himself a chance to win gold medal. Rahmani was slow to pick up pace in the match and Mcenelly built a 3-1 lead.

But Rahmani did show more speed in the second period and he scored a takedown using a beautiful duck under to lead 3-3 on criteria. A stepout made it 4-3 for Rahmani.

With 30-seconds left on the clock, Rahmani planted one foot in the center with no position and Mcenelly pounced on him in a split second scoring a takedown after some effort and led 5-4.
Rahmani got a point for Mcenelly's fleeing but kept the criteria for a 5-5 win. He will now try to beat Bozigit ISLAMGEREEV (UWW) who defeated Ahmet YAGAN (TUR), 5-1, to enter the final.

The morning session updates follow

14:00: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) with a 12-2 win over Oleksandra RYBAK (UKR) at 68kg and then defending 59kg champion Sakura ONISHI (JPN) completes a 10-0 win over Yifan ZHU (CHN) to enter the semifinal at 59kg.

13:54: No problems for Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) as she sees off ALIMOVA (LTU) 10-0 and reaches the semifinal at 57kg against TAPSYA (IND). In the other semifinal, European U20 champion Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) will take on Anna STRATAN (KAZ), a former world U17 bronze medalist 

13:45: Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) with a fall over Mohammad UMKHADJIEV (FRA) at 86kg and moves into the semifinal. He is looking to upgrade his bronze medal from 2024.

13:40: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) gave up four stepouts and was cautioned once as Allan ORALBEK (KAZ) led 5-0. One stepout for Khateri before the break to make it 5-1. The second period is better for Khateri who begins with a takedown to cut the lead to 5-3. A point for passivity from Oralbek make it 5-4. Khateri with a leg attack and drives Oralbek out with takedown and scores two points to lead 6-5 and win the bout.

13:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is on a different level than the field at 61kg in Samokov. He gets his positions, waits for other wrestlers move and then launches his own. That's what Asian U20 champion Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) got in the 61kg quarterfinals. Blaze got the point for passivity first and then an ankle pick and turn made it 5-0. In the second period, Blaze waited for almost two minutes but got a cradle and then a turn to make it 9-0. A reversal point for Toktomatov but Blaze finishes with a takedown and wins 11-1.

13:22: Hiunai HURBANOVA (AZE), European U20 champion and unbeaten this year, gets an easy 6-0 win over Rahma BEDIWY (EGY) and moves into the quarterfinals at 59kg.

13:18: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) hangs on for a desperate 17-9 win at 61kg and makes the semifinals! Saitiev got good laces to lead 14-5 at the break against Ajay KAPADE (IND) who began with some good forward pressure in the second period and gets a takedown. Saitiev was struggling with conditioning but he scored one takedown in the second period as well the 9 point lead was too much to cover for Kapade.

13:10: A 27-second finish for defending champion at 59kg Sakura ONISHI (JPN). She leg laces Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR) to advance to the quarterfinals

12:57: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) overpowers Jordyn FOUSE (USA) in their 68kg bout and wins 13-2. Fouse failed to get past Hoshino in those scrambles.

12:55: Aubre KRAZER (USA) mounts a comeback after being 3-0 down against Erdenebolor LKHAGVASUREN (MGL) at 59kg and wins 10-3 and advance to the quarterfinals.

12:50: Defending 57kg champion Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) looks so comfortable. She warms up with a 10-0 win over Anna KOEBLO (HUN)

12:45: That is history for Angola! Joseth MAVUNGU (ANG), the first-ever woman enter for a World Championships from the country, pulls off a fall over Ilinka STEFANOVA (BUL) in a back-and-forth bout at 68kg. First win at the world level for Angola in women's wrestling.

12:32: Odzaya ERDENEBAT (MGL) gets the fall over world U17 champion Wenjin QIU (CHN) at 68kg! Erdenbat reached the far leg of Qiu and picked her for four-points before finishing the bout 11-0 and advance

12:15: In a rematch of the European U20 final at 57kg, Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) once again beats Tindra DALMYR (SWE). Domajeva got a takedown and a point for passivity and hung to her 3-1 lead for the win at 57kg.

12:05: Ahora KHATERI (IRI) must thank his luck that he managed to hang on for an 8-6 victory over Omar AYOUB (PUR) at 61kg. Ayoub had a 6-1 lead at the break but a takedown and stepout made it 6-4 for Khateri. Ayoub then gave a point for passivity and takedown in final seconds and drop the bout against the Iranian who is former world U17 champ.

11:55: Askat TOKTOMATOV (KGZ) tried pinning Takuto OSEDO (JPN) but the Japanese managed to survive. Toktomatov hit the same cut-back for four points again in the second period and pinned Osedo at 61kg and book a place in the quarterfinal against Marcus BLAZE (USA)

11:46: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW) scores two takedowns in his 61kg bout against Andrii SHOKALIUK (UKR) and wins 4-1 and advance to the quarterfinals.

11:32: Marcus BLAZE (USA) is into the quarterfinals at 61kg after European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) is given three cautions and is out. In typical Blaze style, he is on a relentless attacking spree and Begoyan keeps evading. But a takedown right at the break makes it 3-0 for Blaze. They offered one for fleeing but not given. Begoyan gets on board in the second period with a head-outside finish for a takedown and makes it 3-2. A flurry of action and Blaze gets a stepout which Armenia challenges but lost which makes it 5-2 for Blaze with over a minute left in the bout. Blaze gets another point for open hands from Begoyan to lead 6-2. A caution for for Blaze for not engaging and one point for Begoyan. But two cautions against Begoyan for aggressive open hands and he is cautioned out of the match. 

11:20: That match felt like it went on for ages! European U20 silver medalist Sevim AKBAS (TUR) falls to Mariia MIZIURKO (UKR), 7-5, at 59kg. Miziurko had a big four-pointer which proved to be the difference. 

11:07: Returning bronze medalist at 68kg SRISHTI (IND) with a big double-leg for four to get a 10-0 win over Pan-Am U20 champion Eduarda RODRIGUES (BRA). Srishti is also the Asian U23 champion this year.

11:05: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ), the Asian U20 champion at 68kg, scores a 10-0 win over Sheng Fang CAI (TPE) at 68kg. While she has frequently won medals at the Asian level, Tashtanbekova is looking for her first world medal.

10:55: Sabina TOREY (KAZ) with a quick fall over Michaela SEBOEKOVA (SVK) at 68kg to begin her international debut for Kazakhstan.

10:53: 2023 world U20 champion Ray HOSHINO (JPN) was in all sorts of trouble as returning silver medalist Ayse ERKAN (TUR) got her pinned on the mat in the 68kg bout. But Hoshino managed to move her head outside. Erkan had built a 6-0 lead before Hoshino scored a go-behind and then used an arm-bar to pin Erkan. All that in just two minutes.

10:50: Returning bronze medalist and senior Asian champion Abolfazl RAHMANI (IRI) puts a takedown clinic and beats Grigor CHERNAKOV (BUL) at 86kg. Rahmani is one of the favorites to win the gold in Samokov.

10:35: Adlan SAITIEV (UWW), who failed to medal last year, begins with a 10-1 win over Danoush JOWKAR (GBR) at 61kg. He won a silver medal at the European U20 Championships and now hoping for a world medal as well.

10:20: European U20 champion Sargis BEGOYAN (ARM) completes a first-period technical superiority win over Haci ZADE (TUR) at 61kg. Begoyan is looking to a world medal to his resume after the bronze he won in 2022 world U17.

10:15: Marcus BLAZE (USA) has to be one of the most exciting talents in Freestyle out there. The returning bronze medalists takes only 87 seconds to gut-wrench Sandro HUNGERBUEHLER (SUI) and 10-0 at 61kg.

10:00: The U20 World Championships will see the final two Freestyle weight classes, 61kg and 86kg, in action on Tuesday and the start of Women's Wrestling with 57kg, 59kg and 68kg.