BUDAPEST, Hungary (July 19) -- Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) is getting ready for the World Championships.

After two years away from the mat, the Paris 2024 bronze medalist returned at the Ulaanbaatar Open at 63kg and won gold. On Sunday, he dropped to his original Olympic weight, 60kg, and put on a classic performance and rolled to gold medal, three months before the World Championships.

"It has been two years since I was at 60kg," Sharshenbekov said. "There was a break after the Olympics. I feel like I am just beginning to feel it again."

Sharshenbekov did not wrestle in the final after his opponent, Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), forfeited because of injury. But before the final Sharshenbekov was in top form.

He began the day against Dalton ROBERTS (USA) and got a fall in a minute using a push-pull move. That remained the theme for Sharshenbekov throughout the day.

In the second bout, Elmir ALIYEV (AZE) failed to put up a fight and lost 10-0. Sharshenbekov got the first par terre and then turned Aliyev for two points before a four-point throw. In the second period, he scored a takedown which was challenged by Azerbaijan. On review, it was a clear takedown and challenge was lost.

Sharshenbekov jumped to a 2-0 lead with a chasing takedown against Mahmoud SAAD (EGY) in the quarterfinals. He then got a par terre and turn to extend the lead to 5-0. Just before the break, he jumped behind Saad to score a takedown and make it 7-0.

He took 25 seconds in the second period to finish another bout via technical superiority and set up a semifinal against world silver medalist Alisher GANIEV (UZB).

Szoke Wins 97kg

Alex SZOKE (HUN) gave the patient home crowd a lot to cheer as he defeated Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS), 5-1, in the 97kg final. In one of the best performances at the tournament, Szoke showed a mix of experience and strength, scoring from par terre and countering Ermolenko for a takedown.

Ermolenko and Szoke were off to a great start as both wanted the first par terre but it the local star who was given the advantage in the first period to lead 1-0. Szoke then managed to turn the Russian and extend his lead to 3-0.

The second period saw Ermolenko on top but Szoke was at his best defense and did not allow the Russian to score any points. But there was a heart stopping moment for Szoke late in the match when Ermolenko locked Szoke and dragged him towards the zone. But Szoke showed exceptional skills and broke the lock.

Szoke managed to go-behind Ermolenko and bring him down for a takedown and lead 5-1, essentially ending the final and even Ermolenko knew it as he slammed the mat in disappointment.

Russia Wins 3 Golds

All was not gloomy for Russia as its experienced campaigners managed to win three gold medals out of the six on offer on Sunday.

European champion Sergey EMELIN (RUS) still commands one of the best Greco-Roman game out there. He has the ability to win 1-1 on criteria, score a takedown when needed or defended his lead if that what it takes. He displayed all three in the 63kg final against Kerem KAMAL (TUR).

Emelin and Kamal were in a thrilling battle and the former took a 2-2 criteria lead. Kamal kept the pace of the bout and when he was about to push Emelin out, the Russian circled back and scored a takedown to lead 4-2. A stepout in the last minute helped Emelin go up 5-2 and that slowed down Kamal who took home the silver medal.

In an actionless final at 82kg, Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) defeated Asian champion Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), 1-1, to give Russia its second gold medal.

The third gold medal for Russia came at 130kg when Marat KAMPAROV (RUS) held on to his 1-1 criteria against U20 world champion Laszlo DARABOS (HUN). The win silenced the very vocal Hungarian fans.

Asian champion Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) added a Ranking Series gold medal to his name after an easy 5-1 victory over Brady KOONTZ (USA) in the final. Botirov was aggressive from the start and was awarded the par terre position first. He scored two turns using the gut-wrench to lead 5-0.

Koontz got the position in the second period but Botirov was up for it and defended the par terre to clinch the victory.

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Ikhtiyor BOTIROV (UZB) df. Brady KOONTZ (USA), 5-1

BRONZE: Iskhar KURBAYEV (KAZ) df. LALIT (IND), 18-10
BRONZE: Artiom DELEANU (MDA) df. Max NOWRY (USA), 3-0

60kg
GOLD: Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) df. Yernur FIDAKHMETOV (KAZ), via inj. def.

BRONZE: Alisher GANIEV (UZB) df. Mahmoud SAAD (EGY), 14-2
BRONZE: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) df. Yerbol KAMALIYEV (KAZ), 5-3

63kg
GOLD: Sergey EMELIN (RUS) df. Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-2

BRONZE: Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) df. Murad MAMMADOV (AZE), 7-0
BRONZE: Zhambolat LOKYAEV (RUS) df. Sunny KUMAR (IND), 3-1

82kg
GOLD: Gamzat GADZHIEV (RUS) df Shahin BADAGHIMOFRAD (QAT), 1-1

BRONZE: Tornike MIKELADZE (GEO) df. Azimjon SOATULLAEV (UZB), 3-1
BRONZE: Mihail BRADU (MDA) df. Ognjen JAKOVLJEVIC (SRB), 3-1

97kg
GOLD: Alex SZOKE (HUN) df. Ilia ERMOLENKO (RUS), 5-1

BRONZE: Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) df. Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE), 1-1
BRONZE: Hayk KHLOYAN (ARM) df. Musa EVLOEV (RUS), via inj. def.

130kg
GOLD: Marat KAMPAROV (RUS) df. Laszlo DARABOS (HUN), 1-1

BRONZE: Wenhao JIANG (CHN) df. Olzhas SYRLYBAY (KAZ), 2-2
BRONZE: Konsta MAEENPAEAE (FIN) df. Aden ATTAO (USA), 3-1