Which wrestlers can move in rankings before Paris Olympics?

Monday, June 3, 2024 - 11:39 By Vinay Siwach

BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 3) -- The final Ranking Series before the 2024 Paris Olympics will begin this week in Budapest. With Paris 2024 qualified countries entering their wrestlers, the tournament will see a change in ranking and eventually in the seeds for the Games in August.

Freestyle, Women's Wrestling and Greco-Roman have six Olympic weight classes with ranking points awarded to wrestlers competing in these weights in Budapest. Since it's a Level C event, gold medalists will get 8000 points, silver medalists will get 6400 points and bronze medalists will be awarded 5200 points. If it's a Nordic system with only one bronze medalist, the fourth-placed wrestler will receive 4640 points. For details of how the Ranking Series points system works, click here.

Ranking points will also awarded based on the number of participants in a weight class. If a weight category has between two and five participants, the points will be reduced in half and only the first three wrestlers will be awarded. If a weight class has six to 12 participants, no additional point will be given.

Furthermore, if a weight class has 13 to 16 participants, 3000 additional points will be given to all wrestlers except those who were not ranked previously. If a weight class has more than 16 wrestlers, 5000 additional points will be given to all wrestlers barring the ones who did not have ranking points previously.

Here's a breakdown of which wrestlers can improve their ranking in Budapest.

Freestyle

57kg (9 entries)

World Championships silver medalist and currently ranked third in rankings Rei HIGUCHI (JPN) will have a chance to move to the second spot by winning the gold medal in Budapest. He currently has 37000 points and will be tied with number one ranked and world champion Stevan MICIC (SRB) at 45000 points. However, Micic's gold will keep him at the top spot.

Another big mover can be AMAN (IND) who is currently eighth with 20000 points. A bronze medal will push him to sixth spot pushing Zavur UGUEV (AIN) down. Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB), currently ninth with 18200 points, can also jump to sixth by winning gold. Any lower position will only take him to the seventh spot.

65kg (7 entries)

Only world champion Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN), and Haji ALIYEV (AZE) have a chance to move up the ladder. Muszukajev, ranked fourth with 45000 points, can jump all the way to the top with a gold medal. A silver, bronze or fourth-place finish in Budapest will make him second-ranked. Any other result for Muszukajev will take him to the third spot.

Aliyev will only move from 10th place to ninth, irrespective of where he finishes in the tournament.

74kg (11 entries)

With certainty that he will win gold, Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) will remain at his current third rank even if he does win. His 36500 points will become 44500 if he wins gold, still 500 less than second-ranked Zaurbek SIDAKOV (AIN).

A top-eight finish from Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN), currently ranked 13th with 20200 points, will disrupt the other ranked wrestlers and eventually the seeds at the Olympics.

86kg (12 entries)

Top-ranked Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) can be relieved that he will go into the Olympics as the number one-ranked wrestler. With 52500 points, no other wrestler can replace him even by winning gold medal in Budapest.

Third-ranked Myles AMINE (SMR) is the closest with 44000 points but a gold medal in Budapest will only take him to 52000 points. But he will move to second spot with a 10th place or better finish. Hassan YAZDANI (IRI) will remain fourth even if he wins the gold medal in Budapest.

No other wrestler entered at 86kg will affect the seedings.

97kg (10 entries)

Third-ranked Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) is all set to become the top-ranked wrestler at 97kg heading into the Olympics. He will achieve that rank by finishing on the podium irrespective of the color of his medal.

Ibrahim CIFTCI (TUR), currently ranked fifth with 44700, can move to third spot with a gold medal in Budapest. However, he is set to be fourth irrespective of his result in Budapest.

Alisher YERGALI (KAZ) will also move up in the rankings. Currently ranked 11th, Yergali can move to eighth with a bronze medal or better finish. Mostafa ELDERS (EGY) can also break into the top 10 with a medal but is unlikely to change the seeds for the Olympics.

125kg (12 entries)

With world champion Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) locking up the top spot with 68000 points, the battle will be between Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) and Mason PARRIS (USA) for the second spot. Petriashvili is currently second with 57000 points while Parris is third with 54200 points.

To be second, Parris will have to win gold and hope that Petriasvili finishes outside the podium. If Parris wins gold and Petriasvili wins bronze, both wrestlers will be tied at 52200 points but Petriashvili will remain second due to his silver medal at the World Championships to Parris' bronze.

Nao KUSAKA (JPN) has a chance to become the top ranked wrestler at 77kg in Budapest. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Greco-Roman

60kg (11 entries)

Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) currently sits fourth with 37000 points but is expected to be third with a medal of any color in Budapest. He, however, cannot overtake the top two -- Zholoman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) and Ligua CAO (CHN).

Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) may not be going to Paris 2024 but he will certainly change the current rankings. With 29025 points, he is seventh but any medal will put him at fifth. Ninth-ranked Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) will also improve his ranking but cannot move above seventh even if he wins the gold medal.

67kg (12 entries)

Not much will change at 67kg as Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) has locked up the top spot. He is entered for the Budapest tournament at 72kg. That means world champion and second-ranked Luis ORTA (CUB) will have a chance to close the gap but cannot overtake Jafarov whose lead is 17200 points.

Fourth-placed Mohammadreza GERAEI (IRI) will jump to third spot with a fifth-place finish or better as he is currently fourth with 31000 points.

Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) and Mamadassa SYLLA (FRA) will move up as well if they finish on the podium which eventually with affect the Olympic seeds.

77kg (18 entries)

World champion silver medalist and top-ranked Sanan SULEYMANOV (AZE) and Asian champion Nao KUSAKA (JPN), currently ranked third, will be battling for the top rank at 77kg. Suleymanov has 58100 points while Kusaka has 54200 points. For Kusaka to overtake Suleymanov, he will have to win the gold medal and hope that the Azerbaijan wrestler does not finish on the podium or finish three places better than Suleymanov.

Iuri LOMADZE (GEO) is set to improve his rank from sixth to fifth unless Zoltan LEVAI (HUN) wins a medal and Lomadze loses in the first round. Demeu ZHADRAYEV (KAZ) will also move up from seventh if he can finish better than Lomadze.

Yosvanys PENA FLORES (CUB) can also be a top-five ranked wrestler if he can finish on the podium. It will depend on where Zhadrayev, Levai and Robert FRITSCH (HUN) finish in the tournament.

87kg (18 entries)

The shared world champions Ali CENGIZ (TUR) and David LOSONCZI (HUN) are set to consolidate the top two spots in the rankings. Cengiz has 58000 points and Losonczi has 45000 points with no chance of the latter overtaking the former.

Nursultan TURSYNOV (KAZ) and Semen NOVIKOV (BUL) are currently ranked sixth and seventh with 33000 points and 31000 points. Both will certainly take the fourth and fifth spots at the end of the tournament but can be third as well. Tursynov will have to win a medal to be third while Novikov will have to win the gold medal and hope that Tursynov doesn't reach the final.

Bachir SID AZARA (ALG), currently 13th with 15800 points will finish in top ten by the end of this tournament and depending on his finish, can reach as high as the eighth spot.

97kg (11 entries)

Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) is ranked fourth with 41000 points and can only improve to third with a bronze medal or better finish. But he will have to also hope that Artur OMAROV (CZE), ranked fifth with 39520 points, doesn't finish better than him.

130kg (14 entries)

Second-ranked Riza KAYAALP (TUR) is set to overtake Amin MIRZAZADEH (IRI) and move to the top spot. Kayaalp has 50000 points and needs to finish 10th or better to get more than Mirzazadeh's 55000 points. A medal for Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY) will move him from fifth place to third.

Sixth-placed Iakobi KAJAIA (GEO) will keep his spot unless eighth-ranked Heiki NABI (EST), 10th-ranked Beka KANDELAKI (AZE) or Alin ALEXUC CIURARIU (ROU) win gold medal.

Grace BULLEN (NOR) and Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) will look to improve their rankings at 62kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Women's Wrestling

50kg (16 entries)

Otgonjargal DOLGORJAV (MGL) is ranked second with 55200 points but Ziqi FENG (CHN), third ranked with 53400 points, will hope to overtake her. Feng will have to finish better than Dolgorjav especially if both win medals. Feng has to finish on the podium if she hopes to overtake Dolgorjav.

Fourth-ranked Evin DEMIRHAN (TUR) has 45000 points but is unlikely to move up just like Alisson CARDOZO (COL) who is fifth with 27000 points.

53kg (11 entries)

Lucia YEPEZ GUZMAN (ECU) will have her eyes on the top spot as she tries to jump from the second spot. Yepez, who has 46100 points, will have to finish fifth or better to overtake Vanesa KALADZINSKAYA (AIN).

Jonna MALMGREN (SWE), who has 46013 points at the fourth spot, can be third if she wins a bronze medal or a better finish. She can also be second by winning gold and Yepez finishes ninth or lower.

ANTIM (IND), ranked seventh with 31000 points, can jump to fifth if she wins the gold or silver medal.

57kg (10 entries)

Third-ranked with 47200 points, Anastasia NICHITA (MDA) will be eyeing the top spot. All she has to do is reach the final of the Budapest tournament. This will help her overtake Tsugumi SAKURAI (JPN), the top-ranked wrestler with 53000 points.

Anhelina LYSAK (POL), ranked fourth with 42700 points, is unlikely to improve but Helen MAROULIS (USA), with 41000 points, is all set to overtake Lysak.

62kg (13 entries)

In the most closely contested weight class, Grace BULLEN (NOR) will have a chance to change her rank. She is ranked third with 44000 points but a gold medal can help her get 11000 points and move past Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) who is ranked second with 54000 points.

Fourth-ranked Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR), fifth-ranked Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) and sixth-ranked Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) will have a chance to move around in rankings. Dudova, at 36575 points, leads Niemesch by only 575 points while Koliadenko has 39520 points.

Kayla MIRACLE (USA) is seventh with 28000 points but will have to be careful as Ana GODINEZ (CAN) with 24400 points, Lais NUNES (BRA) with 23500 points and Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) with 23400 points can overtake her.

68kg (11 entries)

Buse TOSUN (TUR), who is ranked number one with 68200 points, will consolidate her position as will Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) who is second with 52500 points.

There will not be a change of position for third-ranked Koumba LARROQUE (FRA) but she can gain more points. Blessing OBORUDUDU (NGR) can move from sixth spot to fourth by reaching the final and to fifth by winning a bronze medal.

76kg (7 entries)

Three Pan-American wrestlers will be looking to improve their rankings. Tatiana RENTERIA (COL) can gain the most as the fourth-ranked wrestler has 39000 points and can be third by winning gold or silver. Milaimy MARIN POTRILLE (CUB) can also improve on her sixth spot. She can move to fifth by reaching the medal matches.

Justina DI STASIO (CAN), ranked 11th with 22075 points, can move as high as seventh by reaching the final.

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo 2026 Day 1 Results: Lee, Uguev, Kadiev Win Gold

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - 08:25 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (February 25) -- There were no surprises on day one of the second Ranking Series of the season as established starts made it to the top of the podium in Tirana.

The 2026 Muhamet Malo event began with six weight classes, 57kg, 61kg, 65kg, 70kg, 74kg and 86kg with competition in the last weight class being most anticipated.

World champion at 79kg Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), former world champion Kyle DAKE (USA), world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) and upcoming star Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) were all gearing up to claim the gold.

In the end, it was Kadiev who moved through a tough bracket to come out on top at 86kg and win his first significant senior medal to start his season.

Kadiev second bout pitted him against birthday boy Dake, who was making his international debut at 86kg. Dake managed to get control of Kadiev few times but failed to convert them into takedowns. Kadiev led 5-1 at the break, before a mini-comeback from Dake which saw the score change to 7-4. However, Kadiev switched levels in the final minutes and raced to an 11-4 victory.

Awaiting Kadiev in the semifinal was Dzhioev, who had defeated Vladimir GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) in earlier rounds. Kadiev scored a takedown for two points before getting one more point for Dzhioev's passivity. The Azerbaijan wrestler managed to sore two stepouts in the second period but never finished his attacks as Kadiev hung on for a 3-2 victory.

Then came Kougioumtsidis who recovered from a disappointing Zagreb Open, where he lost in the first round, to reach the final in Tirana with three wins via technical superiority. He began well against Kadiev in the final with and led 4-2 but Kadiev locked the Greece wrestler in a lace to finish the bout 15-4.

Dzhioev and Dake clashed in the bronze medal bout and the former completed a 4-1 victory do deny Dake a medal on his 35th birthday.

Zavur UGUEV (UWW) scores a takedown on Chermen TAVITOV (UWW) in the 61kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Uguev Keeps It Simple

World champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) showed first signs of struggle in the final in an otherwise flawless performance as he captured the 61kg gold medal.

Uguev, who is also the European champion at 61kg, used the duck-unders to great effect, first against Simone PIRODDU (ITA) to win 10-0 and then to beat Nathan TOMASELLO (USA), 7-1.

He faced a more stingy Austin DESANTO (USA) int the semifinals but managed to see him off 5-0, keeping his distance from the U.S. wrestler.

Perhaps that helped Uguev in the final as he felt the pressure from Chermen TAVITOV (UWW), especially in the final minute. He built a 3-0 lead and was avoiding getting into scramble when Tavitov managed to score stepout.

But Uguev challenged and won which removed the one point for Tavitov and gave him a breather. Soon after, Uguev attacked to get two points and extend his lead to 5-0. He gave up two points as well but managed to hold his lead and win 5-2.

The win also confirmed that Uguev will defend his 61kg title at the European Championships at the same venue in April.

"For me, this tournament was a wrestle-off," Uguev said. "The final is always tough. The strategy was to keep moving, attack, wrestle actively, with constant pressure. Some things worked, some didn’t. It was my first time facing him, he’s a worthy opponent."

Though he has not been at 57kg, the Olympic weight in which he won gold at the Tokyo Olympics, since finishing fifth at the 2023 World Championships, Uguev said he hopes to win a second Olympic gold in 2028.

"Look at Abdulrashid SADULAEV! He still loves to wrestle. We talk a lot, and I find it very interesting," he said. "He doesn’t even think about stepping away from wrestling. Guys like him motivate me, and I am aiming for a second Olympic gold."

Spencer LEE (USA) scores a turn on Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW) during the 57kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Lee, Sujeet Repeat

At the season opening Zagreb Open Ranking Series, Spencer LEE (USA) and SUJEET (IND) won gold medals in contrasting styles. But in Tirana, both had similar runs as they repeated as champions at 57kg 65kg respectively. Both Lee and Sujeet won their respective four bouts via technical superiority.

Lee combined to outscore his opponents 49-8 while Sujeet made it 47-4.

Among the victims of Lee's incredible performance were former world bronze medalist Horst LEHR (GER) and Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW). Lehr went for double-leg blast right off the whistle to shock Lee with a four-pointer. But Lee remained composed and quickly finished the semifinal, 14-4, using a leg lace.

Gamzatov never seemed to trouble Lee who again managed an early finish, beating the UWW wrestler 10-0 with a gut-wrench.

SUJEET (IND) completes an attack against Rashid BABAZADE (AZE) during the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Sujeet warmed up with a 16-4 victory over Endrio AVDYLI (ALB), who tossed the Indian for a four at the start of the bout. Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO) fell next, 10-0, before Sujeet defeated Joseph MC KENNA (USA), 11-0, the same score line as the one in the semifinals of the Zagreb Open.

Rashid BABAZADE (AZE), who pulled off an incredible buzzer-beating four-pointer in the semifinals against Vitali ARUJAU (USA) to win 16-13, failed to put up a fight in the final. Sujeet laced him to win 10-0 to capture a second straight Ranking Series gold medal.

Kyrgyzstan and Iran captured gold medals as well with Asian champions Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Yones EMAMI (IRI) winning at 70kg and 74kg respectively.

Akmataliev had to dig deep in the final against Alec PANTALEO (USA) as he fell behind 2-1 with less than 30 seconds remaining. He had to score a reverse lift exposure for two points to lead 3-2 and then keep both his hands locked around the U.S. wrestler to avoid giving up a point for counter.

It was originally scored two points for each wrestler, giving Pantaleo a 4-3 win but Akmataliev challenged the decision and the two points for Pantaleo were removed, making the Kyrgyzstan wrestler a 3-2 winner.

Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) was not so lucky as Emami never gave any opening to him in the 74kg final. After getting the first point via activity clock, Emami scored a takedown and turn to lead 5-0 in the first period. There were no more points scored in the bout.

RESULTS

57kg
GOLD: Spencer LEE (USA) df. Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW), 10-0

BRONZE: Horst LEHR (GER) df. Atish TODKAR (IND), 19-8
BRONZE: Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE) df. Akshay DHERE (IND), 9-2

61kg
GOLD: Zavur UGUEV (UWW) df. Chermen TAVITOV (UWW), 5-2

BRONZE: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) df Merey BAZARBAYEV (KAZ), 3-0
BRONZE: Austin DESANTO (USA) df. Nathan TOMASELLO (USA), 8-0

65kg
GOLD: SUJEET (IND) df. Rashid BABAZADE (AZE), 10-0

BRONZE: Joseph MC KENNA (USA) df. Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO), 7-0
BRONZE: Vitali ARUJAU (USA) df. Joshua KRAMER (ECU), 11-7

70kg
GOLD: Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) df. Alec PANTALEO (USA), 3-2

BRONZE: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) df. Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ), 5-1
BRONZE: Zalkarbek TABALDIEV (KGZ) df. Austin GOMEZ (MEX), via inj. def.

74kg
GOLD: Yones EMAMI (IRI) df. Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), 5-0

BRONZE: Quincy MONDAY (USA) df. Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO), 9-
BRONZE: Inalbek SHERIEV (UWW) df. Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN), via inj. def.

86kg
GOLD: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) df. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), 15-4

BRONZE: Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ) df. Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM), 10-6
BRONZE: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) df. Kyle DAKE (USA), 4-1

Morning Session Highlight Below

16:30: 86kg semifinals - Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) overcomes his Zagreb Open disappointment and reaches the final after a 10-0 technical superiority over Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ). He will face Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) for gold after Kadiev beat 3-2 over world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE). Kadiev scored a takedown and a point was added for Dzhioev's passivity. Dzhioev managed to attack Kadiev multiple times but failed to finish them and scored only two stepouts.

16:20: 74kg semifinals - Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with two activity clock points against Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) to win 2-0. He will face Yones EMAMI (IRI) for the gold medal after the Iranian gets the win as Magomedrasul ASULEV (BRN) injures himself in the second period.

16:10: 70kg semifinals - ~~Kyrgyzstan with two heartbreaks in the semifinals as both Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Zalkarbek TABALDIEV (KGZ) lose.~~ Scratch that because Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) with a comeback to beat Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ). He had 15 seconds to overturn a 9-5 deficit and he did in style. He scored a takedown and then hooked Aliyev's leg to turn and score four-points before giving up a takedown. All this in the last 15 seconds. Akmataliev wins 12-9

He will face Alec PANTELO (USA) who completed a 10-0 technical superiority win over Tabaldiev.

15:50: 65kg semifinals - Vitali ARUJAU (USA) comes out as the winner in an entertaining semifinal against Rashid BABAZADE (AZE). Arujau with a counter four-pointer to take an early 5-1 lead. Both then exchange a few sequences with Arujau scoring takedowns to lead 13-7 at the break. Babazade scored a takedown and turn to cut the lead to 13-11 before Arujau scores a go-behind to lead 15-11. Babazade hits another exposure to cut the lead to 15-13. Lovely wrestling from both with Arujau defending his lead. That is till the final second when Babdaze dumps him using a duck-under to arm-grab throw for four and wins the bout. A lost challenge from the U.S. makes it 18-15 for Babazade

U23 world champion SUJEET (IND) beats Joseph MCKENNA (USA), 11-0, in the other semifinal, his second win over the American in three weeks.

15:40: 61kg semifinals - Zavur UGUEV (UWW) makes it to the final at 61kg after a 5-0 win over Austin DESANTO (USA). He led 1-0 at the break after the American was put on the activity clock but goes takedown and turn in the second to win. For the gold medal, he will face Chermen TAVITOV (UWW) who defeated Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 8-5.

Tavitov comes out with a huge double-leg for four points to start his semifinal against Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) to lead 4-0. Abakarov scores a takedown to cut the lead to 4-2 but Tavitov with a takedown and two turns while trying to pin Abakarov to lead 8-2. Tavitov challenges asking for two more points but loses it. Abakarov has little more than one minute to overturn that 8-3 deficit. A late takedown from Abakarov but Tavitov will take the 8-5 win.

15:30: 57kg semifinals: Spencer LEE (USA) was stunned by a double-leg attack for four off the whistle by Horst LEHR (GER). But Lee quickly gathers himself. He scores a sweep single takedown for two before using the lace to win 14-4. He will face Ramiz GAMZATOV (UWW) for the gold medal after he manages to hang on for a 3-1 victory over Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE).

So far, Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) defeated Kyle DAKE (USA), 11-4, at 86kg while Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) beat Vladimir GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) to set up a semifinal against Kadiev. Spencer LEE (USA), Zavur UGUEV (UWW), SUJEET (IND), Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), Yones EMAMI (IRI) have made it to the semifinals in their respective weight classes

15:15: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) with another controlled win at 86kg, this time beating Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN) 6-1 and advancing to the semifinals against Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE).

15:05: It was an 1-1 bout till five minutes but world champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) then uses a duck-under to dump Nathan TOMASELLO (USA) to lead 3-1. He then turns the American twice for two points each and win the quarterfinal, 7-1, and advance to the last four

15:00: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) moves into the semifinals at 86kg with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Christopher FOCA MEJIA (DOM). Variations of takedowns from Kougioumtsidis in that technical superiority win.

14:40: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) led 2-1, thanks to a takedown in the first period but world bronze medalist Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) shifts gears in the second period and scores two takedowns, one stepout against Gamkrelidze's one takedown to win the 86kg battle, 6-4, to advance to the semifinals

14:25: Joseph MCKENNA (USA) denies world bronze medalist Umidjon JALALOV (UZB) in the 65kg quarterfinals. A takedown to begin with before McKenna scored a point via pushout. He defended his 3-0 lead to enter the semifinal

14:20: Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB) gives the home crowd more to cheer about as he rolls to a 10-0 victory over Leomid COLESNIC (MDA) and reach the semifinals at 61kg. Trap-arm gut from Abakarov to score his points

14:15: Spencer LEE (USA) recovers from an early four pointer from Robert DINGASHVILI (GEO) and completes a 15-4 victory at 57kg. Top class wrestling from the Olympic silver medalist as he moves into the semifinals

14:00: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) takes out Kyle DAKE (USA) at 86kg. Kadiev, a two-time U20 world champ at 79kg, clearly with the physical advantage over Dake as he manages to defend Dake's three times. Kadiev scored a takedown and turn to lead 5-1 at the break. Dake managed to score stepout but in one sequence, Kadiev scored two points via counter. He led 7-4 before finishing the bout 11-4, leaving a bad taste for Dake, who is celebrating his 35th birthday today

13:45: SUJEET (IND) with another technical superiority win at 65kg and he moves into the semifinals. Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO) had no answers to the pace of Sujeet who will now face the winner of Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) and Joseph MCKENNA (USA).

13:40: Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE) with a 3-1 victory over Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) who has moved up from 79kg. Dzhioev added a stepout to the two activity clock points he had.

13:35: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE), world champion at 79kg but moving to 86kg, beats former U20 world champion at 79kg Alp Arslan BEGENJOV (TKM) 14-4 in his opening bout. It's only his second tournament at this weight class. He lost his opening bout at the Zagreb Open.

13:25: Austin DESANTO (USA) with another win at 61kg. He is happy to give a takedown with less than five seconds remaining to beat Meirambek KARTBAY (KAZ), 3-2, in their 61kg bout.

13:20: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) moves into the 86kg quarterfinals with a 10-0 victory over ARYAN (IND). He won a silver medal at the Zagreb Open. Can Gamkrelidze change it to gold this time?

13:03: World champion Zavur UGUEV (UWW) with a controlled 10-0 victory over Simon PIRODDU (ITA). Uguev scored a beautiful duck-under before throwing Piroddu for two points. Otherwise, Uguev seemed relaxed as he dictated the pace of the bout.

13:00: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) unleashes a furry of attacks but none successful as he drops his opening bout at 61kg against former world champion Zelimkhan ABAKAROV (ALB), 2-0. One stepout for Abakarov in the first period and another point when Abdullaev was put on the activity clock

12:45: Quick win for Spencer LEE (USA)! He scored a takedown against Ashish TODKAR (IND) and then turned him twice to lead 6-0. Todkar was about to get control but Lee escaped. Lee then leaps to complete another takedown and turn to win 10-0 at 57kg

12:30: Yones EMAMI (IRI) took his own time but he gets a 7-2 victory against William LEWAN (USA) at 74kg. A slow start to that match before Emami scored those points in that second period.

12:25: Quincy MONDAY (USA) beats Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE), 5-1, at 74kg. No openings for the crafty Bayramov in that match.

12:15: Orozbek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ), who has had steady improvement at 74kg, wins 3-1 against Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE), was the U23 world champion at 70kg last year. He is most likely move down to 70kg for the European Championships

12:00: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) with five stepouts in that 7-2 victory over Oskonbai ABDISAMATOV (KGZ) at 65kg. Jalolov won bronze at the World Championships last year and then a silver at the U23 Worlds

11:50: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), who is at 70kg may be only for this tournament, drops his bout 4-3 against former world silver medalist and Asian champion Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ). Ibragimov was leading 3-0 but gave up four points in the second period

11:40: Maiis ALIYEV (KAZ) with a four-point suplex over Islam DUDAEV (ALB) at 70kg to win 8-3. Dudaev led 3-3 on criteria but Aliyev got behind on the edge and slammed the home wrestler to take the win.

11:35: Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) continues to impress at 86kg. He opens in Tirana with an 11-0 win over Eugeniu MIHALCEAN (MDA), who seems to have hurt his leg after that leg-lace.

11:30: Ibragim KADIEV (UWW) with a 10-0 victory over Shane JONES (PUR) at 86kg. Quick win for him and he sets up the next match against Kyle DAKE (USA), who is making his 86kg debut internationally.

11:10: Zagreb Open champion Austin DESANTO ((USA) takes on Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), world 57kg silver medalist, at 61kg. The Kyrgyz with a head-pinch four-pointer to open the scoring. DeSanto answers with a takedown and two turns before adding a stepout to lead 5-4. Almaz Uulu with another four-pointer but gets countered for two and the score is now 8-7 in favor of the Kyrgyz. Akmaz Uulu pressures DeSanto but fails to take him out and gives up a takedown as the American takes a 9-8 lead at the break. DeSanto gets the first score of the second period with a takedown and now leads 11-8. Another failed stepout attempt from Almaz Uulu but DeSanto with a counter takedown to lea d13-8. Failed challenge from Kyrgyzstan. DeSanto gives up a takedown and caution for fleeing but wins 14-11.

10:50: Vitali ARUJAU (USA), a world champion at 61kg in 2023, has moved up to 65kg. In his debut, he scored a convincing, 6-0, win over Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL). He is coached by USA and Cornell teammate John DIAKOMIHALIS (USA) at this tournament.

10:35: Joseph MC KENNA (USA), at 65kg, with a quick win over Mohit KUMAR (IND). Three takedowns and two turns to complete a 10-0 victory.

10:15: The Muhamet Malo 2026 kicks off with six weight classes. Here's the preview of what to expect in Tirana -- read here

Which wrestlers can move in rankings before Paris Olympics?

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Muhamet Malo 2026 Day 1 Results: Lee, Uguev, Kadiev Win Gold