Susaki Pulls Off Last-Second Win over Irie, to Face Tosaka in 50kg Final; Icho-Kawai Clash on Tap

Saturday, June 15, 2019 - 17:40 By Ken Marantz

TOKYO (June 15)---As the seconds ticked down, Yui SUSAKI could see everything she had dreamed of achieving being lost. There would be no trip back to the World Championships and, by extension, she could kiss her Olympic aspirations goodbye.

Willing herself to snatch a victory from a certain defeat, Susaki launched a desperate attack, and in one of those lightning-quick turn of events that seem to defy reality, Susaki went from hopeless to hopeful in a span of seconds.

Susaki scored a 4-point takedown with 2 seconds remaining in her opening match to grab a stunning 6-2 victory over rival Yuki IRIE, then went on to make the women’s 50kg final on the third day of the four-day All-Japan Invitational Championships in Tokyo.

Having cleared the first hurdle with such drama, Susaki faces an equally high one when she takes on 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist Eri TOSAKA in the final on Sunday, which will be the first-ever official match between the lightweight titans.

That’s one of several high-profile finals on tap as the top wrestlers funneled into the Olympic weight classes for the tournament, setting up clashes between stars with hefty collections of global medals.

At 57kg, Rio 2016 champions Kaori ICHO and Risako KAWAI will clash in a rematch of their meetings at last December’s All-Japan Championships (Emperor’s Cup), in which Icho beat Kawai for the title after losing to her in a preliminary group match.

And the 53kg final will see a battle between reigning world champions, as 55kg gold medalist Mayu MUKAIDA, who moved down to the Olympic weight, will take on Haruna OKUNO, winner of the 53kg world title at Budapest 2018.

The victor between Susaki and Tosaka will face Irie in a playoff on July 6 for a place on Japan’s team to the World Championships in Kazakhstan in September. Capturing a medal at the worlds---certainly a likelihood in the 50kg class that Japan dominates---would in turn earn an automatic place at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

That’s the incentive that is driving Susaki and the other top wrestlers at the tournament, also referred to as the Meiji Cup, at Tokyo’s Komazawa Gym.

“I’m strongly determined to definitely win the title, win the playoff, then win my third straight world championship and get to the Tokyo Olympics,” said the straight-talking Susaki.

A victory at the Meiji Cup, combined with a title at the Emperor’s Cup, earns a place on the team to Nur-Sultan 2019. If the winners are different, the berth will be decided in a playoff.

The latter is now the case at women’s 50kg, as Irie had won the Emperor’s Cup, where she defeated Tosaka in the semifinals. Susaki had skipped the tournament due to an elbow injury.

It caused quite a buzz when Irie and Susaki were drawn to face each in their opening match, which was in the quarterfinal round. The last time the two met, Susaki came out on a top in the playoff for Budapest 2018, where she won a second straight world gold.

Yui SUSAKI, the reigning two-time world champion, faces 2016 Rio Olympic gold medalist Eri TOSAKA in the final on Sunday. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

“At the World Championships, I also had to face the top seed right away,” Susaki said. “So I looked at that as a plus for me going into today’s match. You have to do what you have to do. To be the champion, you have to be able to beat everyone.”

Susaki got the upper hand with a double leg takedown in the first period, but Irie grabbed the lead on last-point criteria with a takedown a minute into the second. Irie then went into defensive mode, keeping Susaki at arm’s distance as the clocked ticked away.

With 5 seconds left, Susaki blasted straight in for a high double leg, then brought her left arm up to Irie’s neck while pulling in the leg with the right. As the clock hit :02, Irie tumbled backward to the mat with a splat.

“In the last, what two seconds, I was able to reverse the score,” Susaki said. “Today, I couldn’t cut the distance between us, and couldn’t get inside. But I didn’t panic, and I thought I couldn’t give up on the Olympics. That feeling was so strong, so I just went for it. I went with my strength, a direct tackle from the front, and it worked.”

Susaki, who will turn 20 later this month, had a less-dramatic but not-much-easier match in the semifinals, scoring with a duck-under to clinch a 5-2 victory over two-time world U23 champion Miho IGARASHI.

Tosaka advanced with a 9-2 win over Kika KAGATA in the other semifinal.

“Recently, I’ve been losing in the semifinals, so I’m glad I was able to make it to the final,” said Tosaka, who underwent foot surgery after her victory in Rio and has not wrestled internationally since. “I went through hard times after Rio, but having gone through that experience, I want to win tomorrow.”

Tosaka, who said she has been encouraged by a group of about 50 supporters from her Toyama Prefecture hometown who made the long trip to Tokyo by bus to cheer her on, knows what she is in for in her first meeting with Susaki, her successor as world champion in the lightest weight class.

“She’s strong mentally, and has speed and power,” the 25-year-old Tosaka said. “It’s not just youthful energy, she’s an athlete with remarkable talent. I’m sure it will be a tough match. But however the match plays out, even if it looks bad, the only thing that matters is winning.”

Icho survives scare herself

Like Susaki, Icho also had to survive a scare as she aims for her first Meiji Cup title since 2015. Icho had not competed since her triumph in Rio until launching a comeback in September last year.

Icho, after winning her two preliminary group matches quite handily, had her hands full with world junior silver medalist Sae NANJO in the semifinals. Nanjo was leading 1-1 on criteria in the second period when she got in on a tackle that Icho countered with a lift.

Nanjo was awarded 2 points and, upon further review by the referees, Icho also received 2 for tilting Nanjo, giving her a 3-3 advantage. Icho then held off a last-ditch single-leg attempt for the victory.

“I’m not sure [why it happened],” Icho said of the close match. “If I have the courage to attack, that would lead to points. The thing is whether I can get that courage.”

Icho, who had to settle for a bronze medal after losing in the semifinals at the Asian Championships in April, said she now goes into competition with a different perspective from when she was such a dominant force.

“Nothing I’ve done up to now can be used for reference,” she said. “Now, I’m the challenger. I’m not the world champion, I’m not even the Asian champion. I think the best way is to face high-level wrestlers as a challenger.”

Kawai needed three wins to top her group, including a 12-4 win over Nanjo, before chalking up a mundane 2-1 win in the semifinals over Akie HANAI, with all of the points coming on the activity clock.

Mukaida, coming off a disappointing second-place finish at the Asian Championships, overwhelmed Ibuki TAMURA with an 11-0 technical fall in the semifinals, while Okuno ousted Nanami IRIE, 5-2. Mukaida has won all eight of her previous encounters with Okuno.

At 68kg, Rio 2016 champion Sara DOSHO, who missed a chance to defend her world title last year after undergoing shoulder surgery, advanced to the final, where she will face former three-time world junior champion Masako FURUICHI.

In freestyle, world champion Takuto OTOGURO showed little sign of the knee problem that has recently plagued him in cruising into the 65kg final. He will take on Rei HIGUCHI, the Rio 2016 silver medalist at 57kg.

Not to be outdone, 2017 world champion Kenichiro FUMITA and Rio 2016 silver medalist Shinobu OTA will go at it again for the Greco-Roman 60kg title. Fumita won their last clash, in the Emperor’s Cup final, to take a 5-4 lead in career meetings.

Yuki TAKAHASHI clinched his ticket Nur-Sultan with a 6-3 victory over Kaiki YAMAGUCHI. (Photo: Sachiko Hotaka)

Takahashi earns chance to regain world title

Overshadowed somewhat by the big names going through the qualifying rounds, 2017 world champion Yuki TAKAHASHI clinched his ticket Nur-Sultan with a 6-3 victory over Kaiki YAMAGUCHI in the freestyle 57kg final.

Takahashi, who won bronze medals at last year’s World Championships and at this year’s Asian Championships, was elated to move closer to his dream of making the Olympics. The sting of failing to qualify for Rio 2016 still lingers.

“Four years ago, I missed out on the Rio Olympics. I felt disappointment, I felt regret. Put all together, it’s a harsh memory. I knew that to get to the World Championships, I had to win here.”

Takahashi scored two takedowns in the second period to clinch the win over the 20-year-old Yamaguchi in a near repeat of the Emperor’s Cup final, which he won 6-4.

“When I saw the draw sheet, I thought it would be Yamaguchi in the final,” Takahashi said. “The level in the lightweight classes in Japan has steadily been rising, but I was confident I could win out.”

Meanwhile, world silver medalist Yukako KAWAI, Risako’s younger sister, also secured a ticket back to the World Championships in the women’s 62kg division with a 3-1 victory over Asian 59kg champion Yuzuka INAGAKI.

Kawai was on the activity clock with the score tied 1-1 when she scored the decisive takedown with 53 seconds left, then fought off a late tackle attempt from the high schooler, a world cadet champion in 2017.

Day 3 Results

Freestyle

57kg (12 entries)
Final - Yuki TAKAHASHI df. Kaiki YAMAGUCHI, 6-3
3rd Place - Toshihiro HASEGAWA df. Shotaro SUWAMA, 6-0
3rd Place - Rikuto ARAI df. Daiki ARAKI, 8-2

61kg (11 entries)
Final - Yo NAKATA df. Ken KIKUCHI by TF, 12-2, 5:09
3rd Place - Ryutaro HAYAMA df. Keita SHIMIZU by Def.
3rd Place - Kodai OGAWA df. Wataru TADANO by TF, 14-4, 5:05

65kg (11 entries)
Semifinals
Takuto OTOGURO df. Yujiro UENO by TF, 10-0, 2:38
Rei HIGUCHI df. Takuma TANIYAMA, 9-0

70kg (8 entries)
Semifinals
Kojiro SHIGA df. Jin HARAGUCHI, 5-2
Haruki SENO df. Shinnosuke SUWAMA, 2-1

74kg (12 entries)
Final - Mao OKUI df. Jintaro MOTOYAMA, 6-2
3rd Place - Yuto MIWA df. Yuhi FUJINAMI by Def.
3rd Place - Ryuki YOSHIDA df. Ken HOSAKA, 6-4

92kg (5 entries)
Round-robin, Final Standings
1. Takuma OTSU (4-0)
2. Takumi TANIZAKI (3-1)
3. Koji YAMANE (2-2)
Key match: Takuma OTSU df. Takumi TANIZAKI, 2-1 in 2nd round

Greco-Roman

55kg (8 entries)
Final - Shota OGAWA df. Hirokazu ONO by TF,10-0, 1:05
3rd Place - Kenta KOSAKA df. Hiromu KATAGIRI by Def.
3rd Place - Kota OTANI df. Kazuto KATO by TF, 9-0, 1:59

60kg (12 entries)
Semifinals
Kenichiro FUMITA df. Hayanobu SHIMIZU by TF, 9-1, 4:15
Shinobu OTA df. Ayata SUZUKI by TF, 9-0, 3:19

67kg (12 entries)
Final - Shogo TAKAHASHI df. Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA, 2-1
3rd Place - Katsuaki ENDO df. Katsuyoshi KAWASE by Def.
3rd Place - Yusuke KITAOKA df. Yamato UI, 5-3

72kg (12 entries)
Semifinals
Tomohiro INOUE df. Keisei SHIMABUKURO, 4-0
Nao KUSAKA df. Ryoma HOJO, 12-7

82kg (9 entries)
Semifinals
Yuya OKAJIMA df. Masao TANAKA by TF, 8-0, 2:38
Satoki MUKAI df. Tatsuya FUJII, 3-1

130kg (8 entries)
Final - Arata SONODA df. Keita BANCHI by TF, 8-0, 1:15
3rd Place - Shoma SUZUKI df. Satoshi KAIZUKA, 3-1
3rd Place - Sota OKUMURA df. Ryota KONO, 3-2

Women’s Wrestling

50kg (12 entries)
Semifinals
Yui SUSAKI df. Miho IGARASHI, 5-2
Eri TOSAKA df. Kika KAGATA, 9-2

53kg (11 entries)
Semifinals
Mayu MUKAIDA df. Ibuki TAMURA by TF, 11-0, 4:48
Haruna OKUNO df. Nanami IRIE, 5-2

57kg (7 entries)
Semifinals
Risako KAWAI df. Akie HANAI, 2-1
Kaori ICHO df. Sae NANJO, 3-3

62kg (12 entries)
Final - Yukako KAWAI df. Yuzuka INAGAKI, 3-1
3rd Place - Yui SAKANO df. Kiwa SAKAE by Fall, 3:09 (6-0)
3rd Place - Miwa MORIKAWA df. Kumi IRIE, 4-2

68kg (6 entries)
Semifinals
Sara DOSHO df. Chiaki SEKI, 8-0
Masako FURUICHI df. Rio WATARI, 9-4

72kg (4 entries)
Round-Robin, Final Standings
1. Mei SHINDO (3-0)
2. Mai HAYAKAWA (2-1)
3. Kanon KOBAYASHI (1-2)
Key Match: Mei SHINDO df. Mai HAYAKAWA, 2-1 in 3rd round

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo Day 4 Results: Medet Kyzy Beats Reasco to Win 76kg Gold

Saturday, February 28, 2026 - 09:53 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (February 28) -- The stakes were not the same but Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) will be very satisfied with her win over world champion Genesis REASCO (ECU).

World champion Reasco and silver medalist Medet Kyzy met in the 76kg final of the 2026 Muhamet Malo Ranking Series on Saturday. In the rematch of the World Championships final, Medet Kyzy changed her strategy and kept Reasco tangled in upper body match-up. It worked out well for Medet Kyzy as she defeated Reasco 5-4 to clinch the gold medal.

Five months ago in Zagreb, Reasco led 4-0 with two different takedowns before Medet Kyzy cut it to 4-2 but was unable to score another takedown which would have given her the win.

In Tirana on Saturday, the Kyrgyzstan wrestler did not let Reasco settle down and dictate. She scored the first stepout of the bout to take a 1-0 lead. Reasco and Medet Kyzy then were locked in par terre but the former managed to get her hand out and score a takedown to lead 2-1. Medet Kyzy got a two-on-one and snapped Reasco for takedown and turned her using a gut-wrench to step ahead 5-2 at the break.

Reasco tried her getting a two-on-one on Medet Kyzy but was blocked as Medet Kyzy kept her left arm on the Ecuadorian's forehead. Reasco then switched plans and went for her favorite double-leg attack to get the takedown and cut the lead to 5-4.

But Medet Kyzy did not panic and locked Reasco in double underhooks and then standing to run out the time and claim the victory.

While there were no celebrations from Medet Kyzy but her win makes her the favorite not just for the April's Asian Championships but also the October's World Championships.

Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) finishes her final against Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Bakbergenova Dominates

Three-time world silver medalist Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) was dominant throughout the day and won the gold medal at 72kg.

Coming out of the Nelson bracket as the number one from the group, she won the semifinal, 10-0, against Diksha MALIK (IND). From the other side, world bronze medalist Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) reached the final.

Bakbergenova was put on the activity clock in the first period and Nurtaeva was on the board with a 1-0 lead. But a slide-by from Bakbergenova threw the bout wide open. Bakbergenova elevated Nurtaeva's leg and rolled over for four points but the latter kept her control to get two points.

The Kazakhstan wrestler kept her position and was awarded a point for reversal and then tried to pin Nurtaeva, however, the Kyrgyzstand wrestler flee out of bounds. At the end of the exchange, Bakbergenova led 11-3. Kyrgyzstan challenged the call and lost one more point and Nurtaeva was put in forced par terre.

Bakbergenova sat on Nurtaeva as the latter tried to get out of the hold but going between the former's legs. That was the two points Bakbergenova needed to complete her victory.

Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) turns NEHA (IND) during the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Vynnyk Edges Neha

Albania is turning out to be a happy hunting ground for Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR). After winning her two U23 World Championships gold medals here in 2023 and 2024, Vynnyk won the 57kg gold medal at the Ranking Series on Saturday.

In one of the most exciting finals of the night, Vynnyk defeated NEHA (IND), 8-7, with 13 points coming in the second period. It was the Indian who opened the score with an early takedown to lead 2-0 at the break, before Vynnyk who used a chest wrap to throw her over and led 2-2. She continued the exchange with three turns before a reversal and came out with an 8-3 lead.

Neha, who looked clueless in her defense, used strength to put Vynnyk down for two points to cut the lead to 8-5. With 50 seconds remaining and needing three points to win, Neha elevated Vynnyk's leg, trying to score four points. But Vynnyk defended all attempts to trip her and killed the time as Neha tried to find a way to score.

Eventually, Vynnyk fell on the edge and Neha got only two points, that too after a challenge. Neha was left with only six seconds to win the match and that was always too little against Vynnyk, who improved her bronze from last year.

At 53kg, Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) won all her four bouts in the Nelson bracket to win the gold medal. She outscored her four opponents 36-3 to stamp her authority.

MEENAKSHI (IND) won the silver medal after beating Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), 2-1, in the Round 5 bout. Yetgil ended with a bronze medal.

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) won the 67kg gold after a 5-1 win over Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO). (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Shermakhanbet Returns With Gold

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ), who has been out of action for close to a year, returned to international competition with a gold medal at 67kg. The former Asian champion took out Zagreb Open champion Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 5-1, in the final. He was the second Georgian who Shermakhanbet defeated as he took out European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) in the semifinals.

In the final, Shermakhanbet scored a turn from par terre in the first period and then defended his par terre in the second period despite desperate efforts from Chkhikvadze.

The Kazakhstan wrestler got the last two points when Chkhikvadze tried to throw him but landed on his back.

At 63kg, Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) defeated compatriot Sakit GULIYEV (AZE), 1-1, thanks to the first par terre call he got and held criteria.

RESULTS

Women's Wrestling

53kg
GOLD: Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW)
SILVER: MEENAKSHI (IND)
BRONZE: Zeynep YETGIL (TUR)

57kg
GOLD: Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR) df. NEHA (IND), 8-7

BRONZE: Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ) df. Kristina MIKHNEVA (UWW), via fall (7-7)
BRONZE: Amanda MARTINEZ (USA) df. Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR), 5-4

72kg
GOLD: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) df. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), 14-3

BRONZE: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) df. Diksha MALIK (IND), via fall

76kg
GOLD: Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) df. Genesis REASCO (ECU)

BRONZE: Dymond GUILFORD (USA) vs. Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU)
BRONZE: Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) vs. Elmira YASIN (TUR)

Greco-Roman

63kg
GOLD: Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) df. Sakit GULIYEV (AZE), 1-1

BROBZE: Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ) df. Ali HAJIVAND (IRI), 6-3
BRONZE: Morten THORESEN (NOR) df. Bakytzhan KABDYL (KAZ), 2-1

67kg
GOLD: Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) df. Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO), 5-1

BRONZE: Mahammad SHUKURZADE (AZE) vs. Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO)
BRONZE: Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) df. Otto BLACK (USA), 8-0

Morning Session Highlights

15:00: Greco 67kg semifinals - Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) books his spot in the 67kg final after a 4-4 criteria over Otto BLACK (USA). This is the second straight Ranking Series final for Chkhikvadze. Black threatened to upset the Georgian as he scored two takedowns in the first period to lead 4-0. But Chkhikvadze managed to control the second period and scored two takedowns against a tiring Black to win.

Meiirzhan SHERMAKHANBET (KAZ) denied European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO), 3-1, in the other semifinal. A takedown from Shermakhanbet which was challenge by Georgia but lost, giving a 3-0 lead to the Kazakhstan. A stepout is all Khetsuriani could score in the second period.

14:45: Greco 63kg semifinals - Sakit GULIYEV (AZE) goes high gut-wrench from par terre and turn (NOR) Morten THORESEN (NOR) four times to finish the semifinal 9-0. He will face compatriot Ziya BABASHOV (AZE) who rode on a strong first period to beat Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), 7-3. Babashov hit a four-pointer and turn from par terre to score his points.

14:30: 76kg semifinals - World Championships final rematch in Tirana. World champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) comes back after being 4-2 down against Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) and scores two take downs in the second period to win 6-4. World silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) gets past the young Elmira YASIN (TUR), 9-0, to book her chance to avenge that loss from Zagreb

14:20: 72kg semifinals - Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) was put on the activity clock in the second period but she instantly hits Diksha MALIK (IND) with a double leg and then score six points with a lace to lead 9-1. She scores a stepout to finish the semifinal 10-0. Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) will face Bakbergenova in the final after she held off Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) for a 2-1 win

14:10: 57kg semifinals - NEHA (IND), a U20 world bronze medalist, with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) in just one minute and 32 seconds. A stiffer challenge awaits in the final as Solomiia VYNNYK (UKR), a U23 world champion, will stand between her and the gold medal. Vynnyk used a strong gut-wrench and then a four-pointer to win her semifinal against Nilufar RAIMOVA (KAZ), 14-2.

Semifinals will begin at 14:00 hours local time

12:55: Quick finish for Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) as she rolls Vanesa GEORGIEVA (BUL) after a takedown to win 10-0 at 76kg. She will wrestle in the semifinals.

12:50: World champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) is too good for European champion Anastasiya ALPYEYEVA (UKR) at 76kg. She opens with a double-leg four-pointer before Alpyeyeva is hit with caution which makes her score 5-0. A scramble is score two points for Reasco and one for Alpyeyeva which Ukraine challenges but loses the challenge, giving extra point to Reasco who wins 8-5

12:45: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ) shits gears in the final minute to beat Bose TOSUN (TUR) 6-1 at 72kg. Bakbergenova led 2-1 after two activity clock points and then scored a double-leg takedown and roll to complete the victory

12:40: In a battle of age-group stars, Elmira YASIN (TUR) beats KAJAL (IND), 7-5, at 76kg. Kajal led 3-0 when Yasin hit double-leg for four points which Kajal challenged but lost to give Yasin a 5-3 lead. The first two minutes of the second period were slow before Kajal got a takedown but that only made it 5-5 with Yasin holding criteria. A desperate throw from Kajal at the end resulted in Yasin on top, giving the Turkiye wrestler two more points

12:35: Another excellent win for Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) over Samantha STEWART (CAN) at 57kg. Once again, Domajeva with a comeback from 4-0 down to make it 4-4 in the second period and win on criteria.

12:20: Ali HAJIVAND (IRI) and Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) took a long time to finish their 63kg bout and it is the Iranian who comes out on top 6-3. Mammadov took a 3-0 lead in the first period. But, Hajivand got the par terre in the second and Mammadov committed a defensive foul which gave a 3-3 criteria lead to Hajivand. He then hit a correct throw to make it 5-3. Hajivand then almost got Mammadov in a fall but did not complete it but his lead swelled to 7-3. Mammadov challanged that asking for leg foul but lost it which gave Hajivand the additional one point.

12:00: Zagreb Open champion Diego CHKHIKVADZE (GEO) with first-period victory over Erzu ZAKRIEV (UWW) 67kg. Chkhikvadze hits an opening four-pointer and then gets a pushout which was actually a throw but Zakriev did not land in danger. Zakriev challenges for two points for himself but challenge is lost. A two-point takedown and stepout gives Chkhikvadze the 9-1 win

11:50: Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) gets a win over Buse TOSUN (TUR), 12-1, in the Nelson bracket bout. Tosun unusually clueless in that bout was even docked a caution point

11:25: World silver medalist Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) recovers from the first takedown that Gulmaral YERKEBAYEVA (KAZ) scored on her to complete a 12-2 victory in her opening bout at 76kg in Tirana.

11:15: World champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) needed a stepout with 20 seconds left to pull off a victory against Dymond GUILFORD (USA) in the opening round bout at 76kg. The United States challenged the call but Guilford stepped out first, giving Reasco another point as she wins 3-2.

11:05: U20 world silver medalist Felicitas DOMAJEVA (NOR) with a activity clock point and a stepout to complete a 2-2 win over Jenna HEMIAE (FIN) at 57kg. Really clutch from Domajeva

10:55: Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), a three-time world silver medalist, with a 4-3 victory over Wiktoria CHOLUJ (POL) at 72kg

10:45: Starting the day with 53kg as Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) takes out MEENAKSHI (IND), 5-0, and then Zeynep YETGIL (TUR) hangs on for a 3-3 criteria win over Roksana ZASINA (POL), also at 53kg

10:30: A big day in Tirana as a World Championships final rematch on the cards between champion Genesis REASCO (ECU) and Aiperi MEDET KYZY (KGZ) at women's 76kg.

Susaki Pulls Off Last-Second Win over Irie, to Face Tosaka in 50kg Final; Icho-Kawai Clash on Tap

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Muhamet Malo Day 4 Results: Medet Kyzy Beats Reasco to Win 76kg Gold