#WrestleBelgrade

World Championships GR 60kg, 72kg, 97kg semis set

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

BELGRADE, Serbia (September 22) -- With only three weight classes on Friday, the World Championships is entering its final days. Greco-Roman stars in 60kg, 72kg and 97kg will take the mats with 60kg and 97kg being the Olympic weight classes.

WATCH LIVE | MATCH ORDER | DAY 6 RESULTS

The semifinals for the evening session:

72kg
Robert FRITSCH (HUN) vs. Shingo HARADA (JPN)
Selcuk CAN (TUR) vs. Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA)

60kg
Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) vs. Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM)
Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) vs. Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ)

97kg
Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) vs. Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU)
Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) vs. Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI)

14:50: Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB) overpowers U20 world champion Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN) 8-5 in the 97kg quarterfinal. Both exchanged four-pointers before Khaslakhanau was awarded a point for Rosillo's foul. But the Cuban hit another four and was close to a fall but ultimately won 8-5

14:47: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) returns to the semifinals at 97kg as he beats Felix BALDAUF (NOR) 4-1. Saravi got a turn from par terre to lead 3-0. Baldauf got two passivity advantages in the second period but failed to score. During the second par terre, Saravi stopped him mid-turn and scored a reversal. 

14:42: Once again, Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) was put on top of par terre first and never gave his opponent a chance to be on offense again. Aleksanyan reeled off four rolls against Artur OMAROV (CZE) to end their 97kg semifinal 9-0 in just under two minutes. Later today, Aleksanyan, who last year won his fifth career title, will attempt to make his eighth world final against Mindaugas VENCKATITIS (LTU), who ended the gold-medal hopes of local favorite Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) with an 8-0 technical fall.

14:35: Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) jumps out to a 7-0 lead in the first period against Christopher KRAEMER (GER), and that's how it ends as he advances to the 60kg semifinal and a shot a defending world champion Sharshenbekov.

14:34: Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) got a turn from par terre and then defended his par terre position against Liguo CAO (CHN) to complete a 3-1 victory and set up a semifinal against  Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM)

14:31: A 9-0 shutout victory for world champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) as he gets two four-pointers using underhooks against Islomjon BAKHRAMOV (UZB). The world champion will take on Mehdi MOHSEN NEJAD (IRI) in the semifinals.

14:26: Ibrahim GHANEM (FRA) has dominated today! He now moves into the semifinals at 72kg after a 9-0 domination of Ibragim MAGOMADOV (KAZ).

14:24: In a wild match with a bizarre finish, European champion Robert FRITSCH (HUN) is through to the 72kg semifinals by beating local favorite and defending champion Ali ARSELAN (SRB). It was ended by fall, but the Serb seemed to give up from exhaustion. He had taken a 9-5 lead with a pair of front headlock turns in the first period, but became a limp body when Fritcsh scored a takedown and easily turned him over.

14:20: Japan continues its incredible run at this World Championships as Shingo HARADA (JPN) beats returning silver medalist Ulvi GANIZADE (AZE) 6-4 after being 3-1 down. He will take on Robert FRITSCH (HUN) who pinned world champion Ali ARSALAN (SRB)

Quarterfinal action now in 72kg, 60kg and 97kg

14:10: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI) executes three powerful gut wrenches from par terre and he advances at 97kg with a 7-1 win over Gerard KURNICZAK (POL). That was the final match before the start of the quarterfinals, which will begin simultaneously on the four mats starting with 72kg.

13:59: Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) gets put on top in par terre against Josef RAU (USA), and that only spells trouble for the American. Aleksanyan easily turns him over with a series of tilts and rolls for a 9-0 win in just over two minutes to advance to the 97kg quarterfinals.

13:55: The literally gray-beard Rustam ASSAKALOV (UZB) jumps out to a 4-0 lead against Gabriel ROSSILLO (CUB) at 97kg, but the 39-year-old two-time world medalist gives up a takedown and a 4-point throw to lose 6-4.

13:47: Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) continues to get it done at 97kg, forging a 7-5 victory over Tamas LEVAI (HUN), a bronze medalist a year ago at 82kg. Kajaia gets three gut-wrench rolls from par terre, while limiting Levai to two front headlock turns, and that was the difference.

13:34: Ali ARSALAN (SRB) would love nothing more than to win his second straight 72kg title before the home crowd, and he cut it close in his opening match. Arsalan reeled off three gut wrenches from par terre to take a 7-0 lead into the second period against Danial SOHRABI (IRI). But the Iranian gradually came back and even scored the tying takedown with two seconds, but Arselan took the win 7-7 on big-point criteria.

13:12: Mohammadhadi SARAVI (IRI), the 2021 champion and a bronze medalist last year, gets a pair of stepouts in the first period and he's through with a 3-1 win over Markus RAGGINGER (AUT) at 97kg.

12:52: Abubakar KHASLAKHANAU (AIN), two months after winning the world U20 gold at 97kg, starts his senior debut by rallying to beat Mathias BAK (DEN) 11-5. Khaslakhanau has to fight off his back in the first period, and goes ahead to stay with a 4-point takedown and 2-point throw in the second.

12:43: Mega-superstar Artur ALEKSANYAN (ARM) gets a wake-up call when Nicu OJOG (ROU) hits him with a 4-point arm throw to start their 97kg first-round match. But the multi-world and Olympic champion quickly rebounds, scoring a reversal and two gut wrenches, then adds a 4-point takedown to go into the break up 9-4. Aleksanyan adds a stepout for a 10-4 win.

12:41: Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) gets two gut wrenches from par terre, much to the joy of the home crowd, and he advances at 97kg with a 5-1 victory over Serhii OMELIN (UKR).

12:34: Returning bronze medalist Arif NIFTULLAYEV (AZE) has pulled out of his bout against Mindaugas VENCKAITIS (LTU) after he expressed pain in his heavily strapped elbow. On Mat D, Artur SARGASIAN (AIN) also suffers an elbow injury in the bout against Gabriel ROSILLO (CUB).

12:30: Who would have thought that a 97kg Greco-Roman bout would turn into a slugfest? Arvi SAVOLAINEN (FIN) comes back from 6-0 to beat Tyrone STERKENBURG (NED) via fall after leading 10-7

12:15: World champion Zholaman SHARSHENBEKOV (KGZ) had to work a little but he got the job done with a 10-2 victory over Justas PETRAVICIUS (LTU) at 60kg. Big day for the Kyrgyz world champ. He faces Pridon ABULADZE (GEO) next

12:05: Two-time former world champion Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) has a worry-free second match, scoring two tilts from par terre to defeat Helary MAEGISALU (EST) 5-1 and advance to the round-of-16 at 60kg.

12:00: Young gun Nihat MAMMADLI (AZE) opens his World Championships with a 6-2 win over Kevin DE ARMAS (CUB) in 60kg, a weight class that is nothing less than a minefield.

11:56: Returning 60kg silver medalist Edmond NAZARYAN (BUL) has fallen at the first hurdle, and fallen hard. Former European champion Gevorg GHARIBYAN (ARM) dominates the match and finishes off a 9-0 win with go-behind takedown.

11:50: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (AIN), the 2021 world U23 champion at 60kg, beats the 2022 champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR) 11-5. Allakhiarov is trailing when he hits a 4-point front body lock throw, which gets a 2-point leg penalty tacked on, with 21 seconds to go.

11:38: Mihail KAJAIA (SRB) thrills the home crowd by holding off two-time former world champion Metehan BASAR (TUR) 2-1 at 97kg. Kajaia, a bronze medalist in 2018, gets a steput in the first period and that proves the difference.

11:19: Never give up. Patrick SMITH (USA) falls behind 7-2 at 72kg against European bronze medalist Kamil CZARNECKI (POL), but chips away at the lead against his tiring opponent. He cuts the lead to 2 before slamming him down for a fall with just under two minutes left.

11:17: Veteran Heiki NABI (EST) won't be going for his sixth career world medal after losing his 130kg repechage match to Abdellatif MOHAMED (EGY), who gets both passivity points for a 2-0 win. The 38-year-old Nabi, the 2012 London Olympic silver medalist has won his five world medals over a 14-year span from 2006 to 2019.

10:57: What a way to get the session started! In a clash between former world champions that, in another place at another time could have been for the gold medal, Olympic silver medalist Kenichiro FUMITA (JPN) dodges a bullet and beats Victor CIOBANU (MDA) 3-1 at 60kg. As Fumita tries for the turn from par terre, Ciobanu reverses for 2, then scores an apparent 4 at the edge. But on challenge, Ciobanu is assessed a 2-point leg infraction penalty and his points are wiped out. Fumita holds on for the win. The two also met in the quarterfinals at the 2019 worlds, with Fumita notching a wild 12-5 win en route to his second career gold.

10:30: Welcome to day seven of the World Championships. All Greco-Roman day with 60kg, 72kg and 97kg wrestlers wrestling for the world title. 60kg and 97kg are the Olympic weight classes.

#WrestleBudapest

Budapest Ranking Series 2025 Entries: Freestyle

By United World Wrestling Press

BUDAPEST, Hungary (June 25) -- The final Ranking Series stop of the year -- Polyak Imre & Varga Janos Memorial -- is here. Like its previous editions, the tournament will be held in Budapest, Hungary from July 17 to 20.

Close to 500 wrestlers are expected for the tournament which will begin with Freestyle on July 17. All medal bouts will be held on the same day.

WOMEN'S WRESTLING ENTRIES | GRECO-ROMAN ENTRIES

The competition will be held on four mats and two-kilogram allowance will be given to all wrestlers, according to Ranking Series rules. This is the final event in which wrestlers can earn Ranking Series points and earn a seed for the World Championships in September.

Wrestling will begin at 1030 hours local time and the medal bouts will begin at 1700 hours local time every day. For full schedule of the tournament, click here.

Note: The entries are preliminary and can change until 72 hours before the draw of respective style. For final entries, refer to arena.uww.org.

World Championships Tickets

Freestyle

57kg
Islam BAZARGANOV (AZE)
Peter HAMMER (CRC)
Roberti DINGASHVILI (GEO)
Luka GVINJILIA (GEO)
Niklas STECHELE (GER)
RAHUL (IND)
Milad VALIZADEH (IRI)
Abzal OKENOV (KAZ)
Abylaikhan ALMUKHAMEDOV  (KAZ)
Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ)
Sunggwon KIM (KOR)
Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX)
Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB)
Bekir KESER (TUR)
Luke LILLEDAHL (USA)
Aryan TSIUTRYN (UWW)

61kg
Georgii OKOROKOV (AUS)
Arman ELOYAN (FRA)
Giorgi GONIASHVILI (GEO)
Daviti ABDALADZE (GEO)
Balazs RACZ (HUN)
UDIT (IND)
Reza MOMENI (IRI)
Ebrahim KHARI (IRI)
Takara SUDA (JPN)
Darkhan YESSENGALI (KAZ)
Adil OSPANOV (KAZ)
Taiyrbek ZHUMASHBEK UULU (KGZ)
Joseph SILVA (PUR)
Dylan SHAWVER (PUR)
Emrah ORMANOGLU (TUR)
Seth GROSS (USA)
Dzmitry SHAMELA (UWW)

65kg
Islam DUDAEV (ALB)
Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM)
Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE)
Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN)
Mikyay NAIM (BUL)
Khamzat ARSAMERZOUEV (FRA)
Nika ZAKASHVILI (GEO)
Goderdzi DZEBISASHVILI (GEO)
Gamzatgadzsi HALIDOV (HUN)
Zoltan MIZSEI (HUN)
SUJEET (IND)
Yasin REZAEI (IRI)
Colin REALBUTO (ITA)
Sherkhan ABIL (KAZ)
Nursultan SADYK (KAZ)
Junsik YUN (KOR)
Krzysztof BIENKOWSKI (POL)
Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK)

70kg
Arman ANDREASYAN (ARM)
Kanan HEYBATOV (AZE)
Akaki KEMERTELIDZE (GEO)
Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN)
Abbas EBRAHIMZADEH (IRI)
Sina KHALILI (IRI)
Yoshinosuke AOYAGI (JPN)
Meirzhan ASHIROV (KAZ)
Yegor ANCHUGIN (KAZ)
Austin GOMEZ (MEX)
Patryk OLENCZYN (POL)
Zelimkhan MUTSUKHAEV (POL)
Viktor VOINOVIC (SRB)
Haydar YAVUZ (TUR)
Brandon CANNON (USA)

74kg
Chermen VALIEV (ALB)
Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE)
Magomed KHANIEV (AZE)
Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN)
Adam THOMSON (CAN)
Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO)
Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN)
JAIDEEP (IND)
Reza SHAKERI (IRI)
Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN)
Alibek ABDIKASSYMOV (KAZ)
Yeldos KUANYSHBAY (KAZ)
Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ)
Sangho HAN (KOR)
Daegil HAN (KOR)
Szymon WOJTKOWSKI (POL)
Tajmuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)
David CARR (USA)

79kg
Khidir SAIPUDINOV (BRN)
Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA)
Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO)
Luka CHKHITUNIDZE (GEO)
Lucas KAHNT (GER)
Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
CHANDERMOHAN (IND)
Mahdi YOUSEFI (IRI)
Fariborz BABAEI (IRI)
Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN)
Bolat SAKAYEV (KAZ)
Daulet YERGESH (KAZ)
Nurlan BEKZHANOV (KAZ)
Michael LABRIOLA (PUR)
Akhsarbek GULAEV (SVK)
Magomet EVLOEV (TJK)
Muhammet AKDENIZ (TUR)
Levi HAINES (USA)

86kg
Simon MARCHL (AUT)
Arsenii DZHIOEV (AZE)
Taran GORING (CAN)
Aiden STEVENSON (CAN)
Rakhim MAGAMADOV (FRA)
Tariel GAPHRINDASHVILI (GEO)
Tornike SAMKHARADZE (GEO)
Patrik PUESPOEKI (HUN)
Zeteny GANGL (HUN)
Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI)
Nurzhan ISSAGALIYEV (KAZ)
Gyeongyeon LEE (KOR)
Paulius LESCAUSKAS (LTU)
Cezary SADOWSKI (POL)
Igor SZUCKI (POL)
Boris MAKOEV (SVK)
Osman GOCEN (TUR)
Zahid VALENCIA (USA)
Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (UWW)

92kg
Benjamin GREIL (AUT)
Abubakr ABAKAROV (AZE)
Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)
Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN)
Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO)
Lars SCHAEFLE (GER)
Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE)
Musza ARSUNKAEV (HUN)
Krisztian ANGYAL (HUN)
Mobin AZIMI (IRI)
Benjamin HONIS (ITA)
Arystan KARABEK (KAZ)
Filip SZUCKI (POL)
Trent HIDLAY (USA)
Alperen TOKGOZ (TUR)
Yaraslau IADKOUSKI (UWW)

97kg
Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN)
Adlan VISKHANOV (FRA)
Merab SULEIMANISHVILI (GEO)
Richard VEGH (HUN)
VICKY (IND)
Abolfazl BABALOO (IRI)
Bekzat URKIMBAY (KAZ)
Nurdaulet BEKENOV (KAZ)
Juhwan SEO (KOR)
Domantas PAULIUSCENKO (LTU)
Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL)
Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK)
Resul GUNE (TUR)
Jonathan AIELLO (USA)
Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (UWW)

125kg
Johannes LUDESCHER (AUT)
Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE)
Gabriel DE SOUSA (BRA)
Shamil SHARIPOV (BRN)
Georgi IVANOV (BUL)
Alen KHUBULOV (BUL)
Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO)
Solomon MANASHVILI (GEO)
Vlagyiszlav BAJCAJEV (HUN)
Milan KORCSOG (HUN)
Milan GELLEN (HUN)
Nursultan AZOV (KAZ)
Gyeongmin KIM (KOR)
Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL)
Robert BARAN (POL)
Jonovan SMITH (PUR)
Efe Anil AL (TUR)
Trent David HILLGER (USA)
Demetrius THOMAS (USA)
Dzianis KHRAMIANKOU (UWW)