U20 Worlds: Stage set for Greco-Roman stars to step up

Thursday, August 10, 2023 - 15:18 By Vinay Siwach

AMMAN, Jordan (August 11) -- Iran ran away with the U20 World Championships Greco-Roman team title last year but the story can be different this year in Amman. It won four golds, two silvers and two bronzes to top the table with Azerbaijan second and Ukraine finishing third.

However, with the inclusion of Individual Neutral Athletes and Georgia bringing a star-studded team, Iran may find it difficult to finish as it did in Sofia, Bulgaria.

Besides Iran, Azerbaijan and Georgia seem to be the best in business with top age-group wrestlers coming to Amman. Armenia and Turkiye, along with Asian powerhouse Kazakhstan will hope to improve their rankings.

Greco-Roman action at the U20 World Championships begins August 18 and will be live on uww.org and the UWW App.

Denis MIHAI (ROU) will look to upgrade his silver to gold in Amman (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

55kg
Returning silver medalist Denis MIHAI (ROU) hopes to upgrade his medal. He has the experience of winning the U23 European Championships and a bronze medal at the senior European Championships since that silver. He will face challenges from Tamazi GLONTI (GEO) who lost to Mihai in the quarterfinals before dropping the bronze-medal bout against Nuristan SUIORKULOV (KGZ) who also returns hoping for another medal.

2021 U20 world bronze medalist Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) will also be a big contender for gold. Aliyev won the U23 Euros at 60kg but dropped down to 55kg for the U20 competition. The change in the weight class did not change the result as he won gold again.

Iran is sending 2022 U17 world champ Ali AHMADI VAFA (IRI) who finished with a bronze medal at the U20 Asian Championships after losing to Alisher GANIEV (UZB) who will return to Amman for the world gold now.

2022 senior European bronze medalist Emre MUTLU (TUR) missed out on a medal last year but he will give it another try this year. U20 European silver medalist Marko VOLOSHYN (UKR) will also try to win a world medal.

2021 U20 world champ Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) is returning to the tournament. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

60kg
After an absence of two years 2021 U20 world champion Amirreza DEHBOZORGI (IRI) will return to defend his title. The 2019 U17 world champ did not compete internationally in 2022 but did return to wrestle at the Zagreb Open Ranking Series at the start of the year but finished without a medal.

But he will find things a lot different than 2021 as he faces U20 European champion Anri KHOZREVANIDZE (GEO), 2022 European champion Suren AGHAJANYAN (ARM, returning bronze medalist Sumit DALAL (IND) and Koto GOMI (JPN) who finished fifth last year.

Senior and U20 Pan-Am silver medalist Jeremy PERALTA (ECU), U23 World Championships bronze medalist Melkamu FETENE (ISR) and U20 European bronze medalist Kemal SEVGILI (TUR) are also entered.

U20 Asian champion Khusniddin OLIMBOEV (UZB) will look to add a world medal to his resume. (Photo: UWW / Bayrem Ben Mrad)

63kg
Three continental champions will try to win a world medal at 63kg. U20 European champion Yurik HOVEYAN (ARM) will have a lot on his shoulders with respect to the team race as well. Joining him are U20 Asian champ Khusniddin OLIMBOEV (UZB) and U20 European champ Adham ELSAYED (EGY).

Former U20 Asian champ Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) will return to competition as well. Faraim MUSTAFAYEV (AZE), who won a bronze medal at the U20 European Championships and is a 2022 U17 world silver medalist, will be key in Azerbaijan's bid to finish on the podium.

Iran is sending Ahmadreza MOHSEN NEZHAD (IRI) as he tries to keep the 63kg gold, won by Imam MOHAMADI (IRI), at home.

The U20 European silver medalist Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) will count himself as someone to finish on the podium in Amman.

67kg
For Georgia to be close to winning the team title, Nika BROLADZE (GEO) will have to step up again. The returning silver medalist will back himself to repeat the run to the final, a bout he lost last year to Kanan ABDULLAZADE (AZE).

Brokadze has already avenged that loss and in style, as he pinned Abdullazade in the semifinals of the U20 European Championships. He later lost the final to Azat SARIYAR (TUR) and will be waiting to get his hands on the Turkish wrestler in Amman. Gaspar TERTERYAN (ARM), the U20 European bronze medalist and 2022 U17 world champ, will also look to avenge his U20 Euro semifinal loss to Sariyar.

Add to the mix another U17 world champ Joel ADAMS (USA) who won the gold last year at 65kg without giving up a single point. He had defeated Ahoura BOUVEIRI PIANI (IRI) to win the gold last year and may face the Iranian again. Bouveriri Piani is the current U20 Asia champion, a title he won in Amman last month.

U20 African champion Moustafa ALAMELDIN (EGY), returning fifth-placer Nestori MANNILA (FIN), U20 Asian bronze medalist Aziz GASSYMOV (KAZ) and U20 Asian silver medalist Ilyosjon ABDINAZAROV (UZB) will also look to finish on the podium.

72kg
One wrestler who would be itching to return to competition is Anri PUTKARADZE (GEO). The 2022 U17 world champ was stunned 9-0 by Rokas CEPAUSKAS (LTU) in the U20 European Championships this year. Cepauskas will be in Amman hoping to repeat the feat and win a world medal after the continental bronze.

The three other U20 European medalists will also be in Amman. A rematch between gold medalist Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) and silver medalist Levente LEVAI (HUN) is on the cards while Irfan MIRZOIEV (UKR) will look to avenge his loss to Nurullayev. Mirzoiev won the bronze medal at last year's U20 World Championships but won the silver at the U23 Europeans this year.

Other medal threats include U23 Asian champion Yeldos KAMELOV (KAZ), U20 Asia gold medalist Abdullo ALIEV (UZB), U20 Asia silver medalist Seyedmohammadmahdi MIRI (IRI) and Yehia ABDELKADER (EGY), the U20 African champion.

U20 European champion Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA), blue, is aiming to becoming Moldova's first Greco-Roman U20 world champion. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

77kg
All eyes will be on Alexandru SOLOVEI (MDA) as the U20 European champion looks to win a U20 world gold medal after finishing with a silver medal last year at 72kg. The 2022 U17 world champion will become the first U20 world champion if he manages a gold medal in Amman.

Trying to stop him from achieving the historic feat will be Davud MAMMADOV (AZE) who lost to Solovei in the U20 European final and is also a silver medalist from the 2022 U17 Worlds. Alireza ABDEVALI (IRI) will be keen on wrestling Solovei as he lost to the Moldovian in the world final in 2021. Abdevali won a bronze medal at the U20 Asian Championships this year.

U20 Asian champion Azimjon SOATULLAEV (UZB) and U20 African champion Mahmoud AHMED (EGY) are the other continental champions entered at 77kg along with U20 Asian bronze medalist Maihaimu MIREADILI (CHN) and two U20 European bronze medalists -- Michal ZELENKA (CZE) and Ruslan ABDIIEV (UKR).

Alperen BERBER (TUR) is going for his second age-group world title. (Photo: UWW / Kadir Caliskan)

82kg
The 82kg weight class will see two returning bronze medalists in Rohit DAHIYA (IND) and Alperen BERBER (TUR).

Berber, the 2022 U17 world champ, will look to continue his winning streak over Ismayil RZAYEV (AZE) who lost to him in the U17 world final and in the semifinals of the U20 European Championships. Berber finished with a silver medal at the continental event. Two bronze medalists from the same event -- Ilia CERNOVOL (MDA) and Ivan CHMYR (UKR) -- are also booked for Amman.

U20 Asian champion Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), who also has a silver medal at the U23 Asians, will also put forward his challenge in Amman along with Mahmoud IBRAHIM (EGY), the U20 African champion and U20 Asian bronze medalist Yasin YAZDI (IRI).

87kg
A rematch of last year's U20 World Championships final is on the cards as defending champion Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) and silver medalist Abolfazl CHOUBANI (IRI) are both entered at 87kg. While Choubani has won the U20 continental gold since, Nazaryan has managed to win a silver medal at the U20 Europeans.

Nazaryan and Choubani's final was among the most controversial bouts of that tournament as the Iranian scored a stepout with one second left of the clock to take a 2-1 lead only to see it reversed on an Armenian challenge. The judges ruled that Choubani committed a foul -- hand below Nazaryan's waist -- while scoring.

Achiko BOLKVADZE (GEO), returning silver medalist from 82kg, is making the jump to 87kg and will hope to win a medal in the new weight class. He can be counted among the favorites as he defeated Nazaryan 5-4 in the U20 European final.

Nurassyl AMANALY (KAZ) was second best to Choubani at the U20 Asians and will be back in Amman along with U23 Asian champ at 82kg Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) and U20 African gold medalist Kareem ELDESOUKY (EGY).

97kg
Georgia will count heavily on U20 European champion Gor AYVAZYAN (GEO) to add 25 points to the team race. The 2022 U17 world champ at 92kg will have the other three medalists from the U20 Europeans including silver medalist Rostislav COVALI (MDA) and two bronze medalists -- Darius KIEFER (GER) and Vladyslav LUB (UKR).

Kiefer will be an interesting match-up for Ayvazyan. Though the Georgian has beaten Kiefer in their last two meetings, Kiefer has closed the gap significantly. In the 2022 U17 world final, he suffered a 9-0 loss but in the U20 European semifinals, Kiefer lost 3-2.

Returning silver medalist Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ) will look to upgrade his medal this year but faces a tough challenge from his opponents including U20 Asian champion Amirreza AKBARI (IRI), silver medalist Damirkhon RAKHMATOV (UZB) and bronze medalist Tao WEI (CHN).

Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI), blue, is a returning silver medalist at 130kg. (Photo: UWW / Kostadin Andonov)

130kg
Two-time U20 Asian champion Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) was absolutely furious after losing the final last year but will have a chance to win the gold as he returns to the U20 World Championships. He will face strong opposition from U20 European champion Laszlo DARABOS (HUN) who is also a silver medalist from the 2022 U17 World Championships.

U20 European silver medalist Mazaim MARDANOV (AZE) is also entered along with U23 Asian champion Wenhao JIANG (CHN) who also won the silver at the U20 continental event.

Aden ATTAO (USA) is the returning bronze medalist and will fancy his chances of making it to the final this year. He is joined by U20 African champion Fekry EISSA (EGY), a wrestler Attao defeated to win the bronze last year, U23 Asia silver medalist Jokhar UZAROV (KAZ) and U20 European bronze medalist Talip CIFTCI (TUR).

2026 Muhamet Malo

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

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

TIRANA, Albania (March 1) -- European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) claimed gold medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series in Tirana at 60kg after a 1-1 victory over compatriot Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) in the final.

Mammadli had to defend two passivity calls against him in the second period. The 2024 world champion did not give any points when he was put in par terre during those calls.

He held the criteria in the match, thanks to the new Greco-Roman rule in which if the bout 1-1 due to the passivity calls, the wrestler who gets the first point will be the winner.

At 97kg, world silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) claimed the gold medal after world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) defaulted via injury. But before the final, Sargsian had to go through Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) in the quarterfinals and then Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI) in the semifinals.

Against Dzhuzupbekov, Sargsian scored a takedown and then lifted the Kyrgyzstan wrestler and slammed back first for four points. He got the par terre in the second period and turned Dzhuzupbekov close to the edge to complete a 9-0 win.

He then forged a 3-2 win over Moradiyan in semis, He 1-1 on criteria before Moradiyan got whizzed for four points by Sargsian. Iran challenged the call and won but it only changed the score to 3-1. Moradiyan scored a stepout but it was too little too late.

Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) sets up a throw on Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) during the 60kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

European champion at 55kg Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) battled it out against Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) and come out on top, 3-1, in the final.

In a very close bout, Mammadov, a U23 world and senior European silver medalist in 2024, got the first par terre a position but failed to score any points.

When Sefershaev got the position in the second period, he lifted Mammadov towards the edge before a half-hearted throw. It was scored one point for stepout for Sefershaev and Azerbaijan promptly challenged that call as Mammadov fell on top of Sefershaev.

But on review, it was clear that Mammadov's more than half body went outside the zone and he landed his hands outside first which was the basis of the one point for stepout. The lost challenge made Sefershaev's score 3-1.

He will now be defending his European title in the same arena in Tirana, Albania come April.

In the 130kg weight class, Murat KAMPAROV (UWW) emerged as the gold medal winner after he defeated Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN), 5-0, in the final.

He scored a turn from par terre in the first period to lead 3-0 at the break, Maeenpaeae, hoping to get the par terre call in the second period, began the second period with some furious attacks but lost his balance.

Kamparov capitalized on it and scored a takedown on the edge for a 5-0 lead, which turned out to be the winning score of the final.

Javad REZAEI (IRI) hits a four-point throw on Hojat REZAEI (IRI) during the 72kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Amirreza Aliasgari)

Iran Wins 2 Golds

Iran won two gold medals to open its account in Tirana.

At 72kg, in an-all Iranian final, 2021 U23 world champion Javad REZAEI (IRI) got the better of Hojat REZAEI (IRI), 7-3, in the final.

Hojat was put in par terre in the first period and Mohammad scored two suplex throws of four points each to finish the final 9-0. However, Hojat challenged the call and the second throw was only scored two points after the review, changing the score to 7-0.

In the second period, Hojat was put awarded the passivity call and he got on board with a point. As he was trying to work a move, Mohammad committed a defensive foul which added two more points to Hojat's score.

However, Hojat did not score any action points during the bout and Mohammad was happy to defend his lead and win the gold medal.

The second gold medal for Iran was won by debutant Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) who defeated world fifth-placer Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW), 6-2, in the 82kg final.

Tiuliubaev failed to score any points from par terre in the first period but held criteria 1-1 lead when Hosseini got the par terre in the second period.

However, Tiuliubaev committed a defensive leg foul during Hosseini's left and was docked two points which gave Hosseini a 3-1 lead. Tiuliubaev challenged the foul call but it was confirmed and he lost another point. Though Hosseini did not score any points from position he held a comfortable 4-1 lead.

With 17 seconds left, Tiuliubaev scored a stepout to cut the lead to 4-2 but he then committed a headbutt, perhaps out of frustration of losing, which gave Hosseini two more points and swelled the Iranian's score to 6-2.

The weight class also had world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) and Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ). But both went medalless after losing in the quarterfinals to Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE) and Kamal BEY (USA), respectively.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) df. Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1

BRONZE: LALIT (IND) df. Arsen ZHUMA (KAZ), via fall (9-0)
BRONZE: Marlan MUKASHEV (KAZ) df. Vishvajit MORE (IND), 12-12

60kg
GOLD: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) df. Nihad GULUZADE (AZE), 1-1

BRONZE: Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) df. Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM), 7-1
BRONZE: Suner KONUNOV (UWW) df. Maxwell BLACK (USA), 1-1

72kg
GOLD: Mohammad REZAEI (IRI) df. Hojat REZAEI (IRI), 7-3

BRONZE: Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) df. Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE), 7-4
BRONZE: Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) df. Almatbek AMANBEK (KAZ), via fall

82kg
GOLD: Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) df. Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW), 6-2

BRONZE: Iraklii KALANDIIA (UWW) df. Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE), via fall (11-1)
BRONZE: Viktor NEMES (SRB) df. Kamal BEY (USA), 2-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) df. Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Giorgi MELIA (GEO), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) df. Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI), 4-2

130kg
GOLD: Marat KAMPAROV (UWW) df. Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN), 5-0

BRONZE: Elias KUOSMANEN (FIN) df. Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 3-0
BRONZE: Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) df. Jello KRAHMER (GER), via fall (7-0)

Morning Session Highlights

15:50: 130kg semifinals - Murat KAMPAROV (UWW) will take on Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) in the 130kg final after he defeated Beka KANDELAKI (AZE), 1-1. Maeenpaeae scored a quick 8-0 victory over Dzmitry ZARUBSKI (UWW) in the other semifinal.

15:40 - 97kg semifinals - World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) moves into the final with a 3-2 victory over the very impressive Amirreza MORADIYAN (IRI). Sargsian held only a 1-1 criteria lead before Moradiyan got whizzed for four points from Sargsian. Iran challenged the call and won but it only changed the score to 3-1. Moradiyan scored a stepout but it was too little too late. Sargsian will face world bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) in the final after he scored a electric 7-1 win over Giorgi MELIA (GEO).

15:25: 82kg semifinals - Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) beats Kamal BEY (USA), 7-0, at 82kg after scoring a four-pointer in the first period and then a takedown in the second. He will face Adlet TIULIUBAEV (UWW) for the gold medal after he held off Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE), 4-1, with all points being non-action points. Tiuliubaev led 2-1 when he scored a stepout from par terre in the second period. Vazirzade challenged the call and asked for two points for himself but lost it. Tiuliubaev scored a stepout to extend his lead to 4-1. A failed attempt from Vazirzade sees him being slammed on the mat as Tiuliubaev wins 6-1

15:10: 72kg semifinals - An all-Iran final at 72kg after Javad REZAEI (IRI) wins his semifinals, 5-1, against Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ). Rezaei scored two turns from par terre in the par terre and then did well to defend in the second. Beishekeev tried to do a flying squirrel but did not score any points. In the other semifinal, Hojat REZAEI (IRI) managed a controlled 7-3 victory over Ruslan NURULLAYEV (AZE) to enter the final.

14:55: 60kg semifinals - Nihad GULUZADE (AZE) books a place in the final after a thumping 8-0 victory over Sadyk LALAEV (UWW) at 60kg. He opened the scoring with a stepout before getting the par terre position to lead 2-0. Three gut-wrenches get the job done for him. He will face compatriot Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) in the final after the European champion defeated Suner KONUNOV (UWW). Mammadli scored a stepout to lead 1-1 at the break, then got a takedown to start the second and extend the lead to 3-1. He defended the lead to win

14:40: 55kg semifinals - Emin SEFERSHAEV (UWW) enters the final after a dominant 10-1 victory over Vishvajit MORE (IND). He used two throws, a takedown and turn to score his points. He will face Rashad MAMMADOV (AZE) for the gold medal after he held off LALIT (IND), 6-5, in the other semifinal. Mammadov led 3-2 when Lalit got the par terre in the second period to lead 3-3 on criteria. He managed to score two points for exposure but Mammadov got a reversal and completed a correct throw to lead 6-5, the winning score

14:20: Ali ILIASOV (UWW) must be gutted after that loss to Beka KANDELAKI (AZE). The U20 world champion scored a takedown and got a point for Kandelaki's passivity in the first period to lead 3-0. Kandelaki got the par terre in the second and after a long time on top, managed to turn Iliasov and lead 3-3 on criteria. With ample time left, Iliasov waited for his options before he managed to get behind Kandelaki and was about to lock his hands when the Azerbaijan wrestler flung him away from his back and was given two points. Iliasov challenged it and the 2 points were changed to 4 points which results in a 7-3 lead for Kandelaki. He won the quarterfinals at 130kg with the same score

14:00: World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) with a technical superiority win over Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) at 97kg. Sargsian scored a takedown and then lifted Dzhuzupbekov and slammed him back first for four points and a 6-0 lead. He gets the par terre in the second period and turn close to the edge to complete a 9-0 win.

13:50: Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) blanks Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 6-0, at 60kg. He scored two turns from par terre in the first period to lead 5-0 and then again got a stepout early in the second period to win 6-0

13:45: Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) with an 1-1 victory over Alex SZOKE (HUN) at 97kg. Maskevich got the criteria since he received par terre advantage in the first period against Szoke, who won the Zagreb Open three weeks ago.

13:35: Tunjay VAZIRZADE (AZE) stuns Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ) at 82kg. While Makhmudov did not give up any points when he was put in par terre in the first period, Vazirzade scored four points via a body throw in the second to lead 5-0. That also made him avoid being called passive in the second period. Makhmudov with a late takedown but Vazirzade wins 5-2

13:20: Kamal BEY (USA) with an upset win over Olympic silver medalist Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) at 82kg. Zhadrayev was leading 3-1 but Bey with a drag and takedown to lead 3-3 on criteria with 20 seconds left to win and advance to the next round.

13:00: Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) scores three turns from par terre and then holds off Alimkhan SYZDYKOV (KAZ) to win their 130kg 7-3. With Fardin HEDAYATI (IRI) pulling out due to health issues, Kandelaki is the favorite to win the gold here.

12:50: U20 world champion Ali ILIASOV (UWW) downs Sarkhan MAMMADOV (AZE), 3-1, at 130kg with a two-point turn from par terre to win his first bout in Tirana. Can he go all the way here?

12:35: Olympic bronze medalist Uzur DZHUZUPBEKOV (KGZ) gets a four-pointer to start his bout at 97kg against Amanberdi AGAMAMMEDOV (TKM) and then scores two turns from par terre to complete a 9-0 victory.

12:20: World bronze medalist Kiryl MASKEVICH (UWW) completes a very cool and composed victory at 97kg over Iussuf MATSIYEV (KAZ). Maskevich defended when he was put in par terre in the first and then used a suplex in the second period to win 5-1

12:14: World silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) used a side suplex and gut-wrench exposure to score his 8-0 win over Michial FOY (USA) at 97kg. He takes only one minute and 50 seconds to advance to the next round.

12:12: World bronze medalist Murad AHMADIYEV (AZE) falls to Giorgi MELIA (GEO) at 97kg. Ahmadiyev had scored a point using a reversal to lead 2-1 but gave up a stepout with 22 seconds left which gave Melia the lead and the victory.

12:10: U20 world bronze medalist and one of the rare Greco talent from India SURAJ (IND) starts with a 3-1 victory over Dimitri KHACHIDZE (GEO) at 60kg. He got a turn in the first period from par terre while Khadhidze did not when he got par terre in the second period.

12:00: Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO) feels the heat at 60kg as Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ) beats him 8-7. Kamaliyev got the par terre in the first period and he scored three turns using front chest-wrap. Lolua managed to block him once during the sequence and was awarded two points but the Kazakhstan wrestler lead 7-2 at the break.

Lolua got his chance in the second period and scored a turn. He scored the second as well but Kamaliyev never came in neutral position. Lolua challenges, asking for points for the second turn but he loses the challenge which gives Kamaliyev a 8-5 lead. Lolua did manage a takedown with 8 seconds left but still could not over turn the result. Georgia would think about that challenge considering it was evident Lolua did not get the second turn completely.

11:40: European champion Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) begins with an 8-0 technical superiority over Maxwell BLACK (USA) at 60kg. He will in all likelihood get 55kg world champion Vakhtang LOLUA (GEO), who is moving up, next.

11:30: Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) finds a way to beat Dmitrii DZHIOEV (UWW) at 82kg. Dzhioev led 1-1, holding criteria when he was given the third par terre, which is without points, but fails to score and it is Zhadrayev, the Olympic silver medalist at 77kg, who scores and wins.

11:20: Former world champion Akzhol MAKHMUDOV (KGZ), up at 82kg, begins with a close win over Dias KALEN (KAZ). Makhmudov was cautioned when he committed a defensive leg four on Kalen in par terre, giving Kalen a 3-0 lead. Makhmudov then scored a stepout to get one points. When he was given the par terre in the second period, he turned Kalen to make it 4-3 and defended that score to win.

11:10: Almost two years after his last competition, Viktor NEMES (SRB) was just 20 seconds away from making a winning start. But, Amin HOSSEINI (IRI) comes out with a suplex for four points to beat the Serbian 5-2 at 82kg.

10:50: In the first top match of the day, world silver medalist Artur SARGSIAN (UWW) takes out Mahammad AHMADIYEV (AZE) at 97kg. Sargsian led only 3-2 at the break but he launched a big four-pointer at the start of the second period and led 7-2, all but making it out of reach for Ahmadiyev.

10:30: A big day ahead in Tirana with six Greco weight classes in action -- 55kg, 60kg, 72kg, 82kg, 97kg and 130kg.

U20 Worlds: Stage set for Greco-Roman stars to step up

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