Soryan, Greco-Roman, World Championships, Gaber

Soryan Eyes Sixth Title, Gaber Readies Run to Rio (Live Updates)

Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 04:39 By William May

TASHKENT (September 14) – London 2012 Olympic Games gold medalist Hamid SORYAN (IRI) seeks his sixth world title and Athens 2004 champion Karam GABER (EGY) prepares a run for Rio 2016 on Sunday, the final day of the wrestling world championships in Tashkent.

Soryan, however, could be looking at a challenge from Asia champion and local favorite Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) in the semifinals at the Gymnastics Palace, and then, in the 59kg final, from 2013 world champion Ivo ANGELOV (BUL).

For his part, even before reaching the semifinals, Angelov will likely have to get by the winner of the match-up between Olympic bronze medalists Mingiyan SEMENOV (RUS) or Roman AMOYAN (ARM).

The 35-year-old Gaber, meanwhile, wrestling in his first competition since winning a silver medal in London, will be tested early and, if he navigates the bracket successfully, then face world silver medalist Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) in the 98kg championship final.

Aleksanyan, who narrowly missed the title last year in Budapest, is on a mission to win it all this year and follow Arsen JULFALAKYAN (ARM) to the top of the medals podium in Tashkent. Julfalakyan won the world title at 75kg on Friday.

Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE), runner-up to Tamas LORINCZ (HUN) at the European championships and Golden Grand Prix Final, will try to capitalize on the Hungarian’s move to 66kg and close out the year with the world title at 71kg.

MAT A: http://new.livestream.com/unitedworldwrestling/events/3369840

MAT B: http://new.livestream.com/unitedworldwrestling/events/3369848

MAT C: http://new.livestream.com/unitedworldwrestling/events/3369851

Greco-Roman

59kg (36 entries)

Soryan begins his quest for a sixth world title near the bottom of the 36-wrestler bracket. A bump in the road might be European runner-up Victor CIOBANU (MDA), his likely opponent in the quarterfinals.

Asia champion Tasmuradov will have the backing of a boisterous crowd as he opens against Edward BARSEGIAN (POL) and Kristijan FRIS (SEB) on his way to a semifinal berth opposite Soryan.

Angelov starts at the bottom of the upper half of the bracket and in the quarterfinals could meet the winner of the Amoyan-Semenov match-up in the first round.

Peter MODOS (HUN), a 2013 bronze medalist in Budapest, has had a quiet year recuperating from a knee injury suffered in March, but could still navigate to the fourth semifinal berth.

71kg (30 entries)

Chunayev would seem to be the class of this non-Olympic weight category, but will be tested early at the bottom of the bracket by Justin LESTER (USA) in the round of 16 and European bronze medalist Yunus OZEL (TUR) in the quarterfinals.

Varsham BORANYAN (ARM), winner at the German Grand Prix in June, could emerge a challenger to Chunayev from the quarter above.

At the top of the bracket, Poddubny tournament winner Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) and and Afshin BYABANGARD (IRI) could duel for the uppermost semifinal berth, while Aleksandar DZEMYANOVICH (BLR) and Pytlasinski tourney runner-up Mathia MAASCH (GER) battle for the berth opposite.

98kg (30 entries)

European champion Aleksanyan begins the upper half of the bracket and is looking at a potential meeting in the quarterfinals with Aleksander HRABOVIK (BLR), a bronze medalist at the German Grand Prix.

London 2012 gold medalist Ghasem REZAIE (IRI), 2013 junior world champion Musa EVLOEV (RUS) and European bronze medalist Marthin NIELSEN (NOR) make for a crowded top quarter of the bracket in a battle to face Aleksanyan in the semifinals.

At the very bottom of the bracket, Gaber appears ready to make a run for Rio, but first will to battle through a swarm of tough competitors, including European runner-up Cenk ILDEM (TUR).

The final semifinal berth may well go to the Pytlasinski bronze medal winner Miloslav METODIEV (BUL) or Alin ALEX-CIURARIU (ROU), a bronze medalist at the world student championships in July

59kg

GOLD: Hamid Mohammad SORYAN (IRI) v. Mingiyan SEMENOV (RUS)
BRONZE: Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) v. Ismael BORRERO (CUB)
BRONZE: Spenser Thomas MANGO (USA) v. Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR)

Semifinal: Hamid Mohammad SORYAN (IRI) df. Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB), 2-1
Semifinal: Mingiyan SEMENOV (RUS) df. Spenser Thomas MANGO (USA) by TF, 9-1

Repechage: Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) df. Jung-Baik LEE (KOR), 1-0
Repechage: Ismael BORRERO (CUB) df. Haithem Ahmed FAHMY (EGY), 13-9
Repechage: Jung-Baik LEE (KOR) df. Roman AMOYAN (ARM), 4-2
Repechage: Haithem Ahmed FAHMY (EGY) df. Alex Iordache ANECHITEI (ROU) by TF, 9-0

Quarterfinal: Hamid Mohammad SORYAN (IRI) df. Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-0
Quarterfinal: Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) df. Lumin WANG (CHN) by TF, 9-0
Quarterfinal: Mingiyan SEMENOV (RUS) df. Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR), 5-0
Quarterfinal: Spenser Thomas MANGO (USA) df. Kazuma KURAMOTO (JPN) by TF, 10-0

1/8: Hamid Mohammad SORYAN (IRI) df. Ismael BORRERO (CUB), 5-0
1/8: Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) df. Tonimir SOKOL (CRO) by TF, 9-0
1/8: Kazuma KURAMOTO (JPN) df. Andres MONTANO (ECU), 2-2
1/8: Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Deniz MENEKSE (GER), 6-3
1/8: Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) df. Ivo Serafimov ANGELOV (BUL), 1-1
1/8: Spenser Thomas MANGO (USA) df. Peter MODOS (HUN), 4-0
1/8: Lumin WANG (CHN) df. Arsen ERALIEV (KGZ) by TF, 12-3
1/8: Mingiyan SEMENOV (RUS) df. Jung-Baik LEE (KOR) by FALL, 6-0

1/16: Hamid Mohammad SORYAN (IRI) df. Haithem Ahmed FAHMY (EGY), 2-1
1/16: Taleh MAMMADOV (AZE) df. Yasin OZAY (FRA), 3-2
1/16: Tonimir SOKOL (CRO) df. Kristian FRIS (SRB), 4-4
1/16: Stig-Andre BERGE (NOR) df. Manuel A. LOPEZ (MEX), 5-0
1/16: Kazuma KURAMOTO (JPN) df. Ravinder SINGH (IND), 4-1
1/16: Peter MODOS (HUN) df. Tobias Fonnesbek (DEN), 3-1
1/16: Ismael BORRERO (CUB) df. Goderdzi DAVITADZE (GEO), 7-1
1/16: Arsen ERALIEV (KGZ) df. Ievgen MIAGKYI (UKR), 2-1
1/16: Elmurat TASMURADOV (UZB) df. Edward BERSEGIAN (POL) by TF, 8-0
1/16: Jung-Baik LEE (KOR) df. Jussi-Pekka NIEMISTOE (FIN) by TF, 13-3
1/16: Andres MONTANO (ECU) df. Andrey TSARYUK (ISR) by TF, 8-0
1/16: Deniz MENEKSE (GER) df. Victor CIOBANU (MDA) by FALL, 6-2
1/16: Lumin WANG (CHN) df. Maksim KAZHARSKI (BLR), 6-2
1/16: Ivo Serafimov ANGELOV (BUL) df. Albert BAGHUMYAN (ESP) by TF, 9-0
1/16: Mingiyan SEMENOV (RUS) df. Roman AMOYAN (ARM), 3-0
1/16: Spenser Thomas MANGO (USA) df. Fatih UCUNCU (TUR), 2-2

Qualification: Haithem Ahmed FAHMY (EGY) df. Suparmanto SUPARMANTO (INA) by TF, 8-0
Qualification: Goderdzi DAVITADZE (GEO) df. Fouad FAJARI (MAR), 5-0
Qualification: Hamid Mohammad SORYAN (IRI) df. Alex Iordache ANECHITEI (ROU) by TF, 8-0
Qualification: Ismael BORRERO (CUB) df. Yerbol KONYRATOV (KAZ), 5-0

71 kg

GOLD: Yunus OZEL (TUR) v. Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS)
BRONZE: Varsham BORANYAN (ARM) v. Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE)
BRONZE: Aliaksandr DZEMYANOVICH (BLR) v. Afshim BYABANGARD (IRI)

Semifinal: Yunus OZEL (TUR) df. Varsham BORANYAN (ARM) by forfeit, 5-0
Semifinal: Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) df. Aliaksandr DZEMYANOVICH (BLR) by TF, 8-0

Repechage: Afshim BYABANGARD (IRI) df. Balint KORPASI (HUN), 4-3
Repechage: Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) df. Ionel PUSCASU (ROU) by TF, 9-1
Repechage: Balint KORPASI (HUN) df. Aleksandar MAKSIMOVIC (SRB), 7-2
Repechage: Ionel PUSCASU (ROU) df. Fernando Vicente GOMEZ (MEX) by TF, 8-0

Quarterfinal: Yunus OZEL (TUR) df. Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE), 4-1
Quarterfinal: Varsham BORANYAN (ARM) df. Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ), 2-1
Quarterfinal: Aliaksandr DZEMYANOVICH (BLR) df. Shermet PERMANOV (TKM) by FALL, 4-6
Quarterfinal: Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) df. Afshim BYABANGARD (IRI), 4-0

1/8: Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) df. Justin Dashaun LESTER (USA), 9-7
1/8: Shermet PERMANOV (TKM) df. Knut Zakarias TALLROTH (SWE) by FALL, 7-3
1/8: Afshim BYABANGARD (IRI) df. Young-Ha KIM (KOR), 2-0
1/8: Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) df. K.K. YADAV (IND) by TF, 8-0
1/8: Aliaksandr DZEMYANOVICH (BLR) df. Kairat TUGOLBAEY (KGZ), 10-2
1/8: Yunus OZEL (TUR) df. Ionel PUSCASU (ROU), 3-1
1/8: Varsham BORANYAN (ARM) df. Dilshodjon TURDIEV (UZB) by TF, 10-2
1/8: Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) df. Balint KORPASI (HUN), 2-1

Qualification: Justin Dashaun LESTER (USA) df. Mindia TZULUKIDZE (GEO), 5-0
Qualification: Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) df. Ridong ZHANG (CHN) by TF, 9-0
Qualification: Knut Zakarias TALLROTH (SWE) df. Matthias MAASCH (GER), 2-2
Qualification: Aliaksandr DZEMYANOVICH (BLR) df. Tomas SOBECKY (CZE) by TF, 8-0
Qualification: Yunus OZEL (TUR) df. Fernando Vicente GOMEZ (MEX) by TF, 8-0
Qualification: Rasul CHUNAYEV (AZE) df. Noritomo ETO (JPN) by TF, 8-0
Qualification: Dilshodjon TURDIEV (UZB) df. Kristaps KALNAKARKLIS (LAT) by TF, 8-0
Qualification: Shermet PERMANOV (TKM) df. Franson Rsei GIBBONS (PLW) by FALL, 4-0
Qualification: Chingiz LABAZANOV (RUS) df. Aleksandar MAKSIMOVIC (SRB), 5-2
Qualification: Ionel PUSCASU (ROU) df. Georgios PREVOLARAKIS (GRE), 7-0
Qualification: K.K. YADAV (IND) df. Vojtech JAKUS (SVK) by FALL, 5-3
Qualification: Varsham BORANYAN (ARM) df. Riccardo Vito ABBRESCIA (ITA) by TF, 9-0
Qualification: Kairat TUGOLBAEY (KGZ) df. Joseph Dominic LOPEZ (GUM) by TF, 9-0
Qualification: Balint KORPASI (HUN) df. Armen VARDANYAN (UKR), 2-0

98kg

GOLD: Oliver Adrian HASSLER (GER) v. Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM)
BRONZE: Cenk ILDEM (TUR) v. Alin ALEXUC-CIURARIU (ROU)
BRONZE: Ghasem Gholamreza REZAEI (IRI) v. Aliaksandr HRABOVIK (BLR)

Semifinal: Oliver Adrian HASSLER (GER) df. Cenk ILDEM (TUR), 5-0
Semifinal: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Ghasem Gholamreza REZAEI (IRI), 3-1

Repechage: Aliaksandr HRABOVIK (BLR) df. Adam VARGA (HUN), 6-0
Repechage: Alin ALEXUC-CIURARIU (ROU) df. Miloslav Yuriev METODIEV (BUL) by Injury Default, 0-0
Repechage: Adam VARGA (HUN) df. Arslan SAPARMAMMEDOV (TKM), 5-0
Repechage: Alin ALEXUC-CIURARIU (ROU) df. Radoslaw Pawel GRZYBICKI (POL), 3-0

Quarterfinal: Cenk ILDEM (TUR) df. Ardo ARUSAAR (EST), 1-0
Quarterfinal: Oliver Adrian HASSLER (GER) df. Miloslav Yuriev METODIEV (BUL) by Injury Default, 7-2
Quarterfinal: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Aliaksandr HRABOVIK (BLR), 1-0
Quarterfinal: Ghasem Gholamreza REZAEI (IRI) df. Marthin Hamlet NIELSEN (NOR), 2-0

1/8: Oliver Adrian HASSLER (GER) df. Alin ALEXUC-CIURARIU (ROU), 3-0
1/8: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Adam VARGA (HUN), 2-0
1/8: Cenk ILDEM (TUR) df. Timo Antero KALLIO (FIN), 3-1
1/8: Miloslav Yuriev METODIEV (BUL) df. Erwin Jose CARABALLO (VEN) by DQ, 4-0
1/8: Ghasem Gholamreza REZAEI (IRI) df. Musa EVLOEV (RUS), 2-1
1/8: Ardo ARUSAAR (EST) df. Hardeep SINGH (IND), 4-1
1/8: Aliaksandr HRABOVIK (BLR) df. Zhanarbek KABDOLOV (KAZ), 4-2
1/8: Marthin Hamlet NIELSEN (NOR) df. Caylor Ryan WILLIAMS (USA), 3-0

Qualification: Timo Antero KALLIO (FIN) df. Karam Mohamed GABER (EGY) by FALL, 2-0
Qualification: Ardo ARUSAAR (EST) df. Abudurexiti ALIMUJIANG (CHN) by TF, 10-1
Qualification: Miloslav Yuriev METODIEV (BUL) df. Dimitriy TIMCHENKO (UKR), 3-2
Qualification: Zhanarbek KABDOLOV (KAZ) df. Vasil IMERLISHVILI (GEO), 1-0
Qualification: Musa EVLOEV (RUS) df. Evgeniy ACHKASOV (UZB), 6-0
Qualification: Cenk ILDEM (TUR) df. Shalva GADABADZE (AZE), 2-0
Qualification: Oliver Adrian HASSLER (GER) df. Radoslaw Pawel GRZYBICKI (POL), 2-1
Qualification: Erwin Jose CARABALLO (VEN) df. Spyridon KOUNTOURATZIS (GRE), 3-0
Qualification: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) df. Arslan SAPARMAMMEDOV (TKM) by TF, 10-1
Qualification: Ghasem Gholamreza REZAEI (IRI) df. Carl Fredrik Stefan SCHON (SWE), 3-1
Qualification: Hardeep SINGH (IND) df. Akira OSAKA (JPN), 4-1
Qualification: Alin ALEXUC-CIURARIU (ROU) df. Daniel GASTL (AUT), 2-0
Qualification: Aliaksandr HRABOVIK (BLR) df. Vilius LAURINAITIS (LTU) by TF, 11-0
Qualification: Adam VARGA (HUN) df. Robert AVANISYAN (ISR), 3-0

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview

Monday, September 8, 2025 - 13:14 By Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 6) -- For nearly a decade, the 97kg Freestyle wrestling division was defined by two names: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) and Kyle SNYDER (USA). From 2015 to 2017, Snyder ruled the mat, winning Olympic and World titles.

Sadulaev then took over from 2018 to 2021, claiming every major gold. When Sadulaev missed the 2022 Worlds, Snyder reclaimed the top spot.

But in 2023, a new force emerged -- Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN). He stunned the wrestling world by beating both Snyder and Sadulaev in Belgrade, claiming the world title. In 2024, he repeated his feat in Paris, solidifying his status as the man to beat at 97kg.

Now, Tazhudinov enters Zagreb as the wrestler to beat, but he’ll face stiff competition from veterans looking for redemption and rivals who came close to beating him.

Snyder, who missed the podium in Paris, remains dangerous. He once pushed Sadulaev to the limit before the latter adjusted. Snyder also fell in Albania to Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), the current Asian champion. Yoshida, blends Iranian and Japanese techniques and has excellent underhook defense and is a serious medal contender.

Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is a three-time European champion. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) is another name to watch. He won Olympic silver in Paris but was pinned quickly by Tazhudinov. Still, as the number two seed, he avoids Tazhudinov until the final and must contend with Snyder, Yoshida, and possibly Sadulaev on his side of the bracket.

Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI), seeded number five, came closest to beating Tazhudinov in Paris, leading 3-0 before surrendering two late takedowns to lose 4-3. Back from injury, his fitness will be key if the two meet again in Zagreb.

Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), Kazakhstan’s first freestyle world champion, also pushed Tazhudinov hard at the Asian Championships but couldn’t close the match. He’s a strong bet for the podium. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) returns after a bronze in Paris and a silver at the 2023 World Championships, remains a serious threat in one of the deepest brackets in the championships.

Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) defeated Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) in the 65kg Olympic final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Olympic final rematch on cards

Apart from Tazhudinov, Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) is the only other Freestyle Olympic champion in Zagreb. At 65kg, all four returning medalists from Paris are entered, though Islam DUDAEV (ALB) will wrestle at 70kg.

A repeat of the 2024 Olympic final is expected at 65kg, with Kiyooka and silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) on course to collide if seeding holds. Kiyooka has never wrestled at a World Championships and skipped the season after winning gold in Paris, but his resume includes wins over world-class opponents. He beat Tokyo Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) to earn Japan’s Paris spot, and then defeated Asian champion Kaisei TANABE (JPN) twice to make the team for Zagreb.

Amouzad will be his biggest threat, looking to avenge the Olympic final. Barring that loss, the Iranian has been a consistent force, using his under-over technique to catch opponents off guard. If he can limit Kiyooka's relentless attacks and keep the match low-scoring, he may have a chance.

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European champion Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), the world U23 champion, brings a full arsenal to challenge both Kiyooka and Amouzad. He could be the biggest disruptor in the bracket.

Sebastian RIVERA (PUR), an Olympic bronze and world silver medalist, could medal again despite not competing since Paris. Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) and SUJEET (IND) are also aiming for podium finishes.

Gold drought for Uguev

Beyond Kiyooka and Yoshida, other Japanese medal hopefuls include Asian champion Takara SUDA (JPN) at 61kg, world silver medalist Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) at 70kg, Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) at 74kg, and the Ishiguro brothers at 86kg and 92kg.

Suda will have big shoes to fill as his Yamanashi Gakuin University teammate Masanosuke ONO (JPN) rose to become the world champ last year. Suda faces an equally tough field with Zavur UGUEV (UWW), Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), and UDIT (IND) among others.

Takara SUDA (JPN) is the Asian champion at 61kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Uguev, Olympic and 2019 world champion, returned to form by winning the European title in April. He finished fifth last year after losses to Ono and Vitali ARAJAU (USA). Can he now stop Suda, the Ranking Series and Asian champion? Suda has found ways to win but struggles with conditioning.

Abakarov, a former world champion, will also be in the mix, having beaten Uguev in 2023. Other contenders include Asian silver medalist Udit, Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ) -- back at 61kg -- and Jaxen FORREST (USA), who beat Arajau to claim the U.S. team spot.

Sidakov set to return

At 74kg, 2023 world champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) has managed to recover just in time for the World Championships. He suffered an injury in his European Championships loss to Chermen VALIEV (ALB) and will likely go through the Albanian if he wants to defend his gold.

Also Read: Valiev opens up Olympics, his style

Valiev has had close encounters against Sidakov and the win at Europeans was his first over Sidakov. His strategy to keep a close score or defend a lead may not always play out well. But his defensive skills are top notch, and he doesn't let anyone score easily.

Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) and David CARR (USA) are two youngsters who can surprise a few. Both have lethal attacks and can move quickly. Takahashi won the clash in Budapest but Carr nearly pulled off a comeback against a tiring Takahashi.

World silver medalist Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) would like to return to the podium, while Yones EMAMI (IRI) and veteran Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) remain strong contenders.

Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), blue, and Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) wrestled in the 70kg final at 2024 World Championships. Kaipanov won gold. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Top-seeded Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN) and world champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ) will go for the 70kg title. Kaipanov defeated Aoyagi in last year’s final to win gold. Aoyagi seemed in form with a win at the Budapest Ranking Series but will be challenged in Zagreb.

Kaipanov won 74kg gold at the Asian Championships but is now back at 70kg to defend his world title. While Aoyagi is a key challenger, others may break Kaipanov’s defensive wall.

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Former world silver medalist Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) will be the biggest threat as he hunts for his first world title. His attacking style troubles many, though his conditioning is still a work in progress. The field is deeper with Asian champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), who entertains with crafty moves, though that can be his undoing.

Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), a Paris Olympian and second to Akmataliev in Asia, is also a medal threat. Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) will be at 70kg. Saiyn KAZYRYK (UWW) can make a run to the final but will be tested on the international level.

PJ DUKE (USA), coming off a world U20 gold, and world medalist Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM), will look to add to their success.

Olympic silver medalist Spencer LEE (USA) is chasing his first world title at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Lee chases world gold

In other weight classes, Spencer LEE (USA) will be looking to win a world medal. A United States wrestler winning the gold medal in the lowest weight category is a rare occurrence. Thomas GILMAN (USA) won gold in 2021 and silver in 2022; however, the country drew a blank in 2023.

Now, Paris Olympic silver medalist Lee is primed to win gold at 57kg in Zagreb. This will be his first World Championships, but he is the favorite to claim the title. It is unlikely he will face much trouble, but if he does, it will likely come from 2023 world bronze medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) and Paris bronze medalists AMAN (IND) and Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB).

The field is further intensified by Asian champion Chong Song HAN (PRK), European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB), and Iran’s Ali MOMENI (IRI).

At 79kg, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW), world champion in 2023, should have no trouble winning his second title despite familiar foes like Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) and Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI).

Usmanov defeated both en route to his 2023 gold and has since won the European Championships in 2024 and 2025. In the final in Slovakia, Usmanov overcame veteran Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA).

Khadjiev remains a podium contender but recently suffered a close loss to Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) in Budapest, making the Greek wrestler a real medal threat. Also not to be counted out is Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), who has consistently been competitive at the World Championships.

New dawn at 86kg
The 86kg category will see a big shift in Zagreb. Since 2017, Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) and David TAYLOR (USA) have shared the gold medals at Worlds. However, that near-decade-long reign is ending. Taylor has retired, and Yazdani has moved up a weight class, skipping this year.

So who will be champion in Zagreb? Two-time world champion Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI), second to Yazdani at 86kg, will be the favorite. He was competing at 92kg and was close to a third world title before losing heartbreakingly in the semifinals to Sadulaev.

Also Read: "I was destroyed" - Ghasempour on Sadulaev loss

Now back at the Olympic weight class, Ghasempour aims to deliver his best performance in Zagreb. He is unseeded, which means he can be drawn anywhere in the bracket.

The weight class is packed with talent. European silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW) is thriving at 86kg and nearly won gold at the European Championships. Former world U20 champion Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) is another strong contender despite limited top-level international experience.

Zahid VALENCIA (USA) has improved significantly over the past year and is a potential podium finisher with his attacking pace. Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) are dark horses who could surprise in this competitive field.

Podium All four 2025 European Championships medalist Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE), left, Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), second from left, Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), third from left, and Feyzullah AKTURK (TUR) are medal threats in Zagreb. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Two-time world silver medalists Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) and Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), European champion Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE), Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI), and former world silver medalists Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) and Deepak PUNIA (IND) make the 92kg category one of the toughest in Zagreb.

Though he lacks a World Championships medal, Trent HIDLAY (USA) is a top gold-medal contender after winning gold in Budapest. He is currently one of the strongest wrestlers globally.

Firouzpour, moving into the spotlight after Ghasempour’s shift down a weight class, enters Zagreb as a favorite. Though new to Worlds, his Iranian style with underhook pushouts and takedowns makes him a serious threat.

Nurmagomedov and Kurugliev battled at the European Championships and Budapest, with Kurugliev prevailing both times. Maisuradze remains a strong competitor despite a recent dip in form.

At 125kg, Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) stands head and shoulders above the rest, though European champion Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE), Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL), and Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) aim to challenge him.

Soryan Eyes Sixth Title, Gaber Readies Run to Rio (Live Updates)

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World Championships 2025 Freestyle Preview