Sidakov wins World Championships showdown with Dake; Micic, Aitmukhan claim historic golds

Monday, September 18, 2023 - 21:46 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 18) -- After years on an inevitable collision course, Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) and Kyle DAKE (USA) finally met on the mat. In a wild encounter that lived up to the billing, Sidakov landed a big first blow as a Possible Prelude to Paris.

Sidakov wrangled enough points fighting off Dake's counters to forge a 10-7 victory in a highly anticipated freestyle 74kg final on Monday, the third day of the World Championships that is also serving as the first qualifier for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"As you have all seen, the final match was really tough," Sidakov said. "Kyle is a worthy opponent. He is a four-time world champion and Olympic medalist, so I had this fighting spirit inside, I was going up there to wrestle for the whole six minutes."

While wrestling fans around the world got one of the dream matches they have been longing to see, it was also a day of celebration for the host country, which saw the crowning of its first-ever world champion in freestyle with the ascension of Stevan MICIC (SRB) at 57kg in Belgrade's Stark Arena.

Kazakhstan also saw the emergence of a first-ever freestyle gold medalist at a World Championships, with teenager Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) taking the title in the non-Olympic weight of 92kg, one of two decided on Monday.

Sidakov, in his first major competition since winning the gold at the Tokyo Olympics, was trailing on criteria when he took the lead with a mind-boggling scramble, then finished up the victory with a late exposure for his third career world title.

Sidakov and Dake had been world champions together in 2018 and 2019 when the American was competing at 79kg. But Dake moved down to 74kg ahead of the 2021 Olympics, and although they did not meet in Tokyo, where Dake took bronze, the two were destined to someday take the mat together.

That day came on Monday and did not disappoint.

Dake struck first, gaining a step out in the first period while on the activity clock. Sidakov came back in the second period with a double-leg takedown, just seconds before he received an activity clock point to go up 3-1. Midway through the period, Dake went ahead on criteria with a well-executed single-leg takedown.

With 40 seconds left, all hell broke loose. Sidakov came in low on a single, and a seated Dake went into his counter position, reaching over and wrapping up the chest. In a crazy scramble, bodies and limbs were tossed around and when it was all sorted out, Sidakov was awarded five points (two exposures and a reversal) and Dake four (two exposures), putting Sidakov up 8-7.

"I had very different thoughts going through my mind," Sidakov said of what he was thinking during the challenge. "Either keep the score or attack, but one should choose only one plan and follow it. Today my plan worked out. As you’ve seen, I won the match."

There was no way that this was going to end calmly, and another scramble that could have gone either way in the final seconds ended up adding 2 to Sidakov's tally.

"[It was] two years without wrestling much internationally," Sidakov said. "I wrestled six matches at this tournament, the last time I wrestled as many matches as I did this time I think was on a cadet level. I woke up in the morning today, and I felt this pain in my body, but I prepared for the fight."

Stevan MICIC (SRB) defeated Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) in the 57kg final to become Serbia's first-ever Freestyle world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

Micic, who defeated reigning world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) and Tokyo Olympic gold medalist Zavur UGUEV (AIN) en route to the final, stepped up his game to another level to defeat 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) 7-4.

"This is insane," said the American-bred Micic, whose grandparents emigrated to the U.S. from the former Yugoslavia. "It feels like a dream... In reality, this is what I've been working for, and I think it's going to take a minute for this to actually set in. I'm so proud of myself, but also proud of all the support behind me."

Micic, who spent time training in Japan earlier this year, got on the scoreboard first with a go-behind takedown, but Higuchi came back with a blast double to go into the second period up 2-2 on criteria. Higuchi added a single-leg takedown to up the lead to 4-2, but Micic regained the lead with a takedown.

As Higuchi, the world champion last year at 61kg, pressed for the winning takedown, Micic used his long reach to score 2 with a counter. In the final seconds, Higuchi got in deep with a single at the edge, but a challenge failed to give him the points he was seeking.

"The biggest difference between Higuchi and the other opponents is that his offense is so crisp," Micic said. "For Higuchi, my guard had to be up always."

Micic said his 9-7 quarterfinal victory on Sunday over Uguev gave him the boost of confidence that propelled the 2022 bronze medalist to his greatest triumph.

"I felt a confidence in myself for Abakarov that maybe wouldn't have been if I didn't wrestle Uguev first," he said. "Maybe the Abakarov match [a 6-2 win in the semifinals] might have been different."

Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) won the 79kg gold medal after beating Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 4-1, in the final. (Photo: Amirreza Aliasgari)

There were also two finals in non-Olympic weight classes.

At 79kg, Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) made the most of his first tournament abroad since winning a world junior (U20) silver medal in 2016, winning the gold with a workmanlike 4-1 victory over world U23 champion Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO).

Usmanov was limited to an activity point in the first period but started the second with a lightning-quick high crotch takedown for a 3-0 lead. He added a stepout before Gamkrelidze added one of his own in the final seconds.

"The final match was really tough," Usmanov said. "In the first period, the score was 1-0 and in the 2nd period, I knew I had to attack to get the points and make the difference bigger."

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) became Kazakhastan's first-ever Freestyle world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

The other gold went to teenager Aitmukhan, who came from behind to deny two-time bronze medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) a first gold with a 5-2 victory at 92kg.

Nurmagomedov had a 2-0 lead from an activity point and stepout when Aitmukhan, the Asian silver medalist this year, finally got on the scoreboard with a stepout with 30 seconds left. But the referees deemed that Nurmagomedov had fled the action and tacked on another point to put Aitmukhan up 2-2 on criteria.

As Nurmagomedov pressed for a winning move, Aitmukhan whizzed him over at the edge for 2. An unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

Before Aitmukhan made it to the top of the podium, Kazakhstan had five wrestlers who made it to the final at a senior worlds, but each went down to defeat.

Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) qualified Serbia at 74kg for the Paris Olympics with bronze medal at World Championships. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Serbia adds bronze

In the bronze-medal matches in the Olympic weights, Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) gave the host country another ticket to Paris when he rallied to a 6-4 victory over Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) at 74kg for his third career world medal.

Bayramov was on the clock when he scored a takedown with a slick inside trip to lead 2-1. The Azeri side initiated a challenge, hoping to make the takedown a 4-pointer. That was denied, but still left Bayramov ahead on criteria.

But with 20 seconds left, Cabalov scored a single-leg takedown and added a roll to go up 6-2.

That gave him the leeway when he gave up a stepout and a fleeing point in the final seconds, allowing him to add the bronze medal to the silver he won in 2017 and gold in 2016.

The other bronze at 74kg went to Daichi TAKATANI (JPN), whose dramatic victory by fall over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) allowed him to emulate his older brother Sohsuke as both a world medalist and Olympian.

Takatani found himself in an early 4-point hole before he cut the gap with a takedown at the end of the first period. In the second period, he got in deep on a single, transitioned to a cradle and worked Kougioumtsidis onto his back. He then stepped over and clamped down for the fall at 3:37.

The elder Takatani brother appeared in his third Olympics in Tokyo and won a silver medal -- also at 74kg -- at the 2014 World Championships. The Japan federation has decreed that any wrestler in an Olympic weight class who wins a medal will automatically fill the Olympic berth, meaning Daichi has a confirmed ticket to Paris.

Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) defeated Zavur UGUEV (AIN) in the bronze medal bout at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, Abakarov came out on top in his bronze-medal clash with Uguev, scoring a takedown and exposure in the final 40 seconds to win 4-4 on criteria.

Uguev, the gold medalist in Tokyo two years ago, looked in control after taking a 4-0 lead with an activity point, a stepout early in the second period, and a takedown while on the activity clock. But Abakarov, who last year became Albania's first-ever world gold medalist, stepped up when it counted and pulled off the victory.

Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) captured his third straight world bronze and first at 57kg, which means a second chance for an Olympic medal. Having moved down from 61kg to the Olympic weight, Harutyunyan totally dominated Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) with an 11-0 technical fall.

Two-time world silver medalist Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) won the bronze medal at 79kg. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

In the non-Olympic weight classes, Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) wasn't able to improve on the silver medals he won the past two years at 79kg, but won't be leaving Belgrade empty-handed after taking bronze with a comprehensive 10-0 rout of Orkhan ABASOV (AZE).

Nokhodi seized the momentum from the opening whistle, scoring a takedown and a pair of gut wrenches for a quick 6-0 lead. He then picked up two snapdown takedowns, the second one ending the match at 2:50.

In a battle of reigning continental champions, Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) earned his second straight bronze at 79kg, scoring a takedown in the first period that proved decisive in a 3-1 victory over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ).

Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) denied Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) a second straight world bronze medal at 92kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

At 92kg, two-time European champion Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) denied Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) a second straight world bronze in dramatic fashion, scoring the winning takedown with two seconds left for a 5-3 victory.

Akturk was leading 3-1 and squandered a takedown opportunity that kept the door open for Maisuradze, who then tripped Akturk out at the edge with 20 seconds left. The original call of a stepout was revised on a challenge to a takedown, putting the Georgian up 3-3 on criteria.

But Akturk wasn't going to go down easy and immediately secured a single leg, got it up in the air, and then took the action to the mat where he forced Maisuradze's knee down for the winning points.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) celebrates after beating Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) in the 92kg bronze-medal bout. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) added the other 92kg bronze to the U.S. tally, overwhelming teenaged Asian champion Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) by a 10-0 technical fall in 1:41.

Valencia led 3-0 after an exposure off a scramble and an unsuccessful challenge, then transitioned from a takedown to a high-thigh lock before reeling off three rolls to finish the match.

Zavur UGUEV (AIN) returned to win a Paris Olympic quota as an Individual Neutral Athlete. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev, Kougioumtsidis prevail in playoffs

Uguev returned to the mat later in the fifth-place playoff for the Paris Olympic quota at 57kg and rode an early takedown to a 4-0 victory over Kartbay.

For now, Uguev has secured the Olympic spot as an Individual Neutral Athlete, but it hinges on a final determination by the International Olympic Committee on the eligibility of Russian and Belarussian athletes in Paris.

Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) clinched a Paris Olympic quota after he won in the playoff as Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) was cautioned out. (Photo: UWW / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Kougioumtsidis gained the 74kg quota for Greece, coming back from an 8-point deficit to defeat Bayramov, officially by disqualification after a third caution. Kougioumtsidis kept chipping away at the lead as a fatigued Bayramova drew two cautions for fleeing.

But Bayramov, who had a 4-point throw in the first period, looked like he might still hang on when Kougioumtsidis scored a step out at the buzzer to tie the score 8-8. But the Greeks launched a challenge that Bayramov had grabbed Kougioumtsidis' singlet, and that was upheld, resulting in the disqualification.

Day 3 Results

Freestyle

57kg (33 entries)
GOLD: Stevan MICIC (SRB) df. Rei HIGUCHI (JPN), 7-4

BRONZE: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) df. Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ) by TF, 10-0, 3:59
BRONZE: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df. Zavur UGUEV (AIN), 4-4

5th-Place Playoff: Zavur UGUEV (AIN) df. Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ), 4-0

65kg (45 entries)
GOLD: Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) vs. Sebastian RIVERA (PUR)

Semifinal: Iszmail MUSUKAEV (HUN) df. Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI), 6-5
Semifinal: Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) df. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM), 10-9

74kg (45 entries)
GOLD: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN) df. Kyle DAKE (USA), 10-7

BRONZE: Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 6-4
BRONZE: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) by Fall, 3:37 (6-4)

5th-Place Playoff: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) df. Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) by Disq.,
6:00 (8-8)

79kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Akhmed USMANOV (AIN) df. Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO), 5-1

BRONZE: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Orkhan ABASOV (AZE) by TF, 10-0, 2:50
BRONZE: Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) df. Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ), 3-1

92kg (27 entries)
GOLD: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) df. Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), 5-2
BRONZE: Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 5-3
BRONZE: Zahid VALENCIA (USA) df. Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) by TF, 11-0, 1:41

97kg (35 entries)
GOLD: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) vs. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)

Semifinal: Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO), 6-1
Semifinal: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) df. Abdulrashid SADULAEV (AIN) by Inj. Def., 4:57 (9-2)

Women's Wrestling

55kg (19 entries)
GOLD: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) vs. Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA)

Semifinal: Haruna OKUNO (JPN) df. Mariana DRAGUTAN (MDA), 6-0
Semifinal: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA) df. Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) by TF, 10-0, 4:02

59kg (22 entries)
GOLD: Qi ZHANG (CHN) vs. Yuliia TKACH (UKR)

Semifinal: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Jennifer PAGE (USA), 5-1
Semifinal: Yuliia TKACH (UKR) df. Elena BRUGGER (GER) by Fall, 1:14 (2-0)

#WrestleBelgrade

Ghasempour repeats at 92kg to give Iran first gold

Saturday, September 17, 2022 - 23:56 By Ken Marantz

BELGRADE, Serbia (Sept. 17)--The gash over the right eye of Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) attested to the intensity of the battle. The gold medal around his neck will be a lifetime reminder of the outcome of a fearless performance.

Ghasempour provided some cheer for an underachieving Iranian team in Belgrade when he repeated as 92kg champion with a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Jden COX (USA) in one of three freestyle finals on Saturday, the eighth day of the World Championships.

The United States, which had already clinched the team title heading into the night session, split the two other finals, adding a third gold when Kyle DAKE (USA) defended his 74kg title but seeing Thomas GILMAN (USA) dethroned at 57kg when Russian-born Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) gave Albania its first-ever world champion.

Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) and J'den COX (USA) embraced each other after the 92kg final. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

After the Iranian Greco team went gold-less, Ghasempour watched as two compatriots lost to American wrestlers in the freestyle finals on Friday night.

Looking to restore his nation's pride, he scored a first-period takedown while on the activity clock, then made that lead hold up in a repeat of his victory over Cox in the world semifinals a year ago in Oslo.

"I hope this has lifted the spirits of the Iranian people who have been waiting for a gold medal for a few days since the championships began," said Ghasempour, a two-time Asian and world U23 champion who won his first senior world title in 2021.

While the second period lacked points, there was no scarcity of action, with a number of exciting scrambles and the gash suffered by Ghasempour providing testament to the fervor of the two combatants.

"My opponent is a very technical and tricky opponent," Ghasempour said. "I did not give up a single point against him which could have put me in danger of losing the gold. I am happy that my preparations for this match ensured I win the gold medal."

In the final minute, Ghasempour, his head now taped, found himself on his stomach clinging to Cox's leg after a deep single attempt. Cox kneeled over the Iranian and reached back for one of his legs, pulling up for a counter lift. But the referee stopped the action as dangerous, and Cox showed his frustration by throwing down the leg and storming back to the middle of the mat.

"I just wanted to put a lot of attacks together," Cox said. "I was pushing it to try to get something. It's probably the most I have done without getting any points, which is testimony to him and his wrestling ability, his IQ."

After the intense match ended, there was no bad blood between the two and they showed their respect for each other. Cox even shared a hug with the Iranian coach when he went over for the traditional handshake.

"Six-minute battle and we both enjoyed it, pushed to get what we wanted, which was the gold medal, and today he came out on top," Cox said. "There is a lot of mutual respect."

For Cox, it was the first time he ended a World Championships on a losing note. He won world titles in 2018 and 2019 along with bronzes in 2017 and 2021. He also has an Olympic bronze from 2016 at 86kg.

"It's a first for everything and it is my first silver medal," he said. "Losing to get silver sucks. But to get here and do this, I worked my butt off for this. I regret nothing. Tough bout."

Will there be a third clash of the titans? The 27-year-old Cox is tempted, but for now, that would have to come at the Olympic weight of 97kg, which he says is his next destination.

"Ninety-seven kilograms starts today," Cox said. "There is an itch in me that keeps telling me to come back for Ghasempour. One more year. One more year. As far as the years go, I think it's smarter for me to move to 97kg."

Kyle DAKE (USA) won the 74kg final 3-1 to win the world title for the fourth time. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Dake, the bronze medalist at the Tokyo Olympics, captured the fourth gold of his career and second straight at 74kg in a similar fashion, scoring a first-period takedown and making that hold up for a 3-1 victory over Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) in a rematch of the 2021 world final.

There are those who might contend that Dake went too much into defensive mode in the second period, an argument that has a rare caution that awarded 1-point to Salkazanov as evidence.

That said, Salkazanov, who was looking to become Slovakia's first-ever world champion, did not appear overly aggressive until the waning moments of the match.

"Salkazanov is a great opponent, he's very dangerous," said Dake, who won his first two world golds, in 2018 and 2019 at 79kg before dropping down to the Olympic weight and displacing Jordan BURROUGHS (USA). "I just had to keep him off balance.

"That was the biggest thing for me, just stay strong. Obviously, all my opponents are tough. Kudos to them for pushing me to get here and appreciate it."

After all of the disruptions from the pandemic, Dake hopes the situation remains smooth heading to the Paris Olympics.

"I can't control what happens in the outside world," he said. "You just got to go out and play the cards [you're dealt]. Last year was an 'interesting' year, this year is more normal. Hopefully, they continue to be this way leading to the Paris Olympics."

Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) defeated defending world champion Thomas GILMAN (USA) to win the gold at 57kg. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

At 57kg, Abakarov made history for his adopted home of Albania with a solid 7-2 victory over Gilman in his first career appearance at a World Championships and his first tournament since 2017 in the lowest weight class.

"Of course, I believed that I could win," said Abakarov. "If I hadn’t believed in myself, I wouldn’t have won the gold. I worked hard for it. I knew he was the reigning world champion, he is a worthy opponent. I was sure that I was able to win."

Abakarov took the fight to Gilman from the outset, starting off with an arm throw for 2. He added a go-behind takedown and received a penalty point for finger-grabbing before Gilman finally got the board with a stepout to make it 5-1 at the break.

In the second period, Abakarov scored with a double-leg takedown, and Gilman added a second stepout. Gilman had a chance to cut the gap and get within striking distance when he got in on a single and lifted Abakarov's leg into the air, but the Albanian squirmed out of the predicament.

Abakarov began competing for Albania this year, after years of being stuck in the Russian system and never breaking into the national team for major tournaments.

"It’s my first year wrestling for Albania," he said. "Before that, I was wrestling in Russia, but I couldn’t make it to qualify for the top tournaments, because the competition there is tough.

"My coaches are here [in Albania], here is my father, from early childhood he was coaching me, since I was 6 or 7. I had many coaches, I can’t even remember all of their names. But I want to say thank you to all those who ever taught me."

Abakarov made a drastic drop down to 57kg for Belgrade, having won the Mediterranean Games and finishing second at the Islamic Solidarity Games at 65kg earlier this summer. He said it doesn't make his job any easier as he aims for the 2024 Paris Olympics.

"The competition in 57kg is really tough," he said. "We will be getting ready for the next year for the world championships to qualify for the Olympics."

Stevan MICIC (SRB) won Serbia's first-ever World Championships medal in freestyle. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

Micic gives host Serbia freestyle medal

In the bronze-medal matches, host Serbia, which saw four of its Greco-Roman wrestlers crowned as champions, avoided a podium shutout in freestyle when two-time European bronze medalist Stevan MICIC (SRB) came through with a solid win at 57kg.

Micic scored two with a counter lift in the first period and added two takedowns in the second to defeat two-time world U23 medalist Reineri ANDREU (CUB) 7-1.

Micic, who was born in the U.S and raised in a Serbian enclave in the state of Indiana, competed for the U.S. up to 2016, winning a world junior bronze in 2015. He was a three-time All-American at Michigan University.

The other bronze at 57kg went to Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL), who nailed Wanhao ZOU (CHN) with a standing pancake and secured a fall in 4:33 for his first major medal since winning an Asian silver in 2017. Each wrestler had one point from an activity point at the time.

Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), blue, defeated Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) 5-3 to win the 74kg bronze. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In a battle of bronze medalists from the 2016 Rio Olympics, two-time former world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) eked out a 5-3 victory over Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) at 74kg to take home his fifth world medal.

An activity point each left Chamizo ahead on criteria when Demirtas launched a takedown attempt in the second period. In the scramble that followed, both were awarded two points, but Chamizo's came second to maintain the criteria advantage at 3-3. A last-second takedown added the final points.

At 74kg, Asian champion Yones EMAMI (IRI) picked up his second world bronze when he combined three stepouts and a takedown in a comprehensive 6-0 victory over 18-year-old Sagar JAGLAN (IND), who was fighting for a senior medal a month after winning world U20 bronze.

Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) scored a stepout in the final second to win the 92kg bronze. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

In a wild one at 92kg, European bronze medalist Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) squandered an eight-point lead, only to score a stepout at the buzzer to snatch a 12-10 victory over European silver medalist Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) to medal in his senior world debut.

After Bataev got an opening takedown, Maisuradze secured a lace lock while scoring a takedown, then reeled off four rolls to go up 10-2. In the second period, Bataev chipped away at the lead until he tied it with a fourth straight takedown with :13 left.

Maisuradze came to life after that and managed to shuffle Bataev out at the buzzer. The challenge replay showed there was 0.3 seconds on the clock when Bateav's foot stepped down out of bounds. The unsuccessful challenge added the final point.

In the second match at 92kg, Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) earned his second consecutive world bronze when he overwhelmed Radoslaw MARCINKIEWICZ (POL) by 11-0 technical fall, beating the clock in the first period by scoring a takedown and completing three gut wrenches with eight seconds left.

Kyle SNYDER (USA) defeated Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) in the 97kg semifinal. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

Snyder makes 6th world final; Higuchi through

In the final set of semifinals earlier in the night session, Olympic silver medalist Kyle SNYDER (USA) advanced to the 97kg gold-medal match and, while he won't be facing the arch-rival in a bid for a third world title and first since 2017, he will be taking on Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK).

Snyder shot for and completed a takedown right off the opening whistle, and then fended off the attacks of Asian champion Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) for a 4-1 victory. Snyder also received an activity point in the first period, while the two traded stepouts in the second.

In Sunday's final, which will close the curtain on the nine-day competition, Snyder will face European silver medalist Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK), who roared to eight second-period points to complete a 10-0 technical fall over Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO).

The Russian-born Tsakulov, who began competing for Slovakia last year, will aim to become that country's first world champion in freestyle.

For the first time since 2017, the final will not be between Snyder and longtime nemesis Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RWF).

Snyder, the gold medalist at the 2016 Rio Olympics, lost to Sadulaev in the finals of 2018, 2019 and 2021 World Championships as well as last year's Tokyo Olympics. Whichever color, the world medal in Belgrade will be the sixth of his career.

Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) reached the 61kg final after beating Seth GROSS (USA) 14-7. (Photo: UWW / Martin Gabor)

In other action, 2016 Olympic silver medalist Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) advanced to the 61kg final in his first senior World Championships, while preventing the U.S. from having six of six finalists over the final two days.

Higuchi rallied to a 14-7 win over Seth GROSS (USA) by firing a barrage of low singles that the American spent all match reaching over and trying to counter lift, to some success but eventually not enough.

"It was tough," said Higuchi, who prepped for the worlds by winning his first senior Asian title in April. "I took it too lightly at times in trying to finish up [takedowns], but I'll fix that and make sure I'll be able to win in the final."

Higuchi took a 4-1 lead into the second period, only for Gross to go ahead 5-4 with a counter roll and a defensive takedown. After an exchange, Higuchi managed to gain exposure points three times by leveraging Gross over while in on singles.

"I'm confident that no one beats me in terms of the amount of training, so I put my stamina to use up to the end and was able to pull away," said Higuchi, for whom a gold will be some redemption for missing out on the Tokyo Olympics, mainly because he failed to make weight at 57kg at the Asian Olympic qualifying tournament.

In the final, Higuchi will face 2019 Asian champion Reza ATRI (IRI), who scored two takedowns in the final 40 seconds to knock off Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL) 5-3.

Iran and the U.S. both have two other finalists, and they will clash for the 65kg crown.

Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) went on a takedown spree in the second period to pull away from Olympic silver medalist Haji ALIYEV (AZE) for a 9-2 win, while Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) needed just :53 to overpower Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) in a 10-0 technical fall.

Day 8 Freestyle Results

57kg (31 entries)
Gold - Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df. Thomas GILMAN (USA), 7-2

Bronze - Zanabazar ZANDANBUD (MGL) df. Wanhao ZOU (CHN) by Fall, 4:33 (3-1)
Bronze - Stevan MICIC (SRB) df. Reineri ANDREU (CUB), 7-1

61kg (24 entries)
Semifinal - Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) df. Seth GROSS (USA), 14-7
Semifinal - Reza ATRI (IRI) df. Narankhuu NARMANDAKH (MGL), 5-3

65kg (27 entries)
Semifinal - Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) df. Haji ALIYEV (AZE), 9-2
Semifinal - Yianni DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) df. Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) by TF, 10-0, :53

74kg (34 entries)
Gold - Kyle DAKE (USA) df. Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK), 3-1

Bronze - Yones EMAMI (IRI) df. Sagar JAGLAN (IND), 6-0
Bronze - Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) df. Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR), 5-3

92kg (23 entries)
Gold - Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI) df. Jden COX (USA), 2-0

Bronze - Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) df. Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 12-10
Bronze - Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) df. Radoslaw MARCINKIEWICZ (POL) by TF, 11-0, 2:52

97kg (23 entries)
Semifinal - Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Mohammadhossein MOHAMMADIAN (IRI), 4-1
Semifinal - Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) df. Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) by TF, 10-0

Sidakov wins World Championships showdown with Dake; Micic, Aitmukhan claim historic golds

Comments

Ghasempour repeats at 92kg to give Iran first gold