#WrestleIstanbul: Freestyle Brackets Breakdown

Friday, February 25, 2022 - 15:38 By Eric Olanowski & Vinay Siwach

ISTANBUL, Turkey (February 25) -- The freestyle draws were completed Friday in Istanbul, Turkey for the Yasar Dogu, Vehbi Emre & Hamit Kaplan Ranking Series event.

Once again, it's Turkey and Kazakhstan that have the most wrestlers entered. Both countries have 30 wrestlers for the 10 weight classes.

The USA has 15 wrestlers in Istanbul while Iran has 13. India follows with 12 wrestlers of their own. Mongolia has brought 11 wrestlers.

Three countries have 10 wrestlers in the competitions and those are Georgia, Kyrgyzstan and the Russian Wrestling Federation.

The 65kg category has 26 wrestlers, the most for any weight class in freestyle.

Turkey will have selection bouts before the competition to pick the third wrestler at all 10 freestyle weights.

57kg

57kg (17 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Former Ranking Series event champion Beka BUJIASHVILI (GEO) and World Championships bronze medalist Horst LEHR (GER) headline a 17-wrestler bracket at 57kg.

Bujiashvili opens up against Seyed AZIMISIYACHEGHAEI (IRI) and he can meet Lehr in the upper side of the bracket.

Lehr, who is also looking to improve his ranking, will have two-time cadet World bronze AMAN (IND) as his biggest test. If he wants to be ranked third after the competition, Lehr needs to win gold.

61kg

61kg (20 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Tokyo Olympics silver medalist Ravi KUMAR (IND) will a wrestler to follow at 61kg. An exciting class against Suleyman ATLI (TUR) is on the cards if the two can keep winning and reach the semifinals. Kumar begins his campaign against fellow Indian Mangal KADYAN (IND) while Atli starts against Assyl AITAKYN (KAZ).

Atli will also have to go past U23 European champion Teimuraz VANISHVILI (GEO) to reach the semifinals.

The lower side of the bracket is also packed as former U23 world champion Ulukbek ZHOLDOSHBEKOV (KGZ), Russian champion Ramiz GAMZATOV (RWF), and Tokyo Olympian Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) are drawn on the same side.

Zholdoshbekov and Gamzatov could clash in the quarterfinals while Abdullaev is favourite to reach the semifinals.

65kg

65kg (26 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

World champion Zagir SHAKHIEV (RWF) and Russian champion Shamil MAMMEDOV (RWF) are drawn on either side of the bracket and could potentially meet in the final.

But Shakhiev has Joey MCKENNA (USA) and former U23 World silver medalist Adlan ASKAROV (KAZ) on his side of the bracket. Shakhiev and Mckenna can meet in the quarters and Askarov has a good chance to make the semifinals.

World number two Shakhiev can overthrow top-ranked Olympic champion Takuto OTOGURO (JPN) with at least a 10th place finish. Currently, the Russian has 45000 points, and with a 10th-place finish, Shakhiev will get 7480 points, bringing his overall total to 58000 points. That'd be enough to overtake Otoguro, who has 51000.

Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) also has a chance to be top-ranked but Shakhiev will have to lose early as well. The Mongolian is at 44500 points and can grab the top-ranking with a 10th-place finish. That will take his tally to 51980 points, while gold will take him to 57500 points.

But he is on the same side as Mammedov, former world bronze medalist Akhmednabi GVARZATILOV (AZE), former world champion Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) and World bronze and Tokyo Olympian Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN). Lomtadze and Muszukajev wrestler in the first round and winner is likely to get Gvarzatilov.

Ali RAHIMZADE (AZE) and young star Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) are also on the lower side of the bracket and clash in the first round.

70kg

70kg (21 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

World silver medalist Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) and Russian champion Viktor RASSADIN (RWF) are expected to meet in the quarterfinal at 70kg. The winner will most likely get two-time world medalist James GREEN (USA) in the semifinals but Green will have to overcome fellow American teammate Jordan OLIVER (USA) for that.

Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI (GEO), bronze medalist in Oslo, can clash with Oslo silver medalist at 65kg Amirmohammad YAZDANI (IRI) in the semifinals. The two will have to keep their winning streak till then.

In rankings, Akmataliev is ranked second with 37000 points but can go ahead of top-ranked Magomedmurad GADZHIEV (POL), who has 45000 points. For that, he needs to finish at least 8th.

Iakobishvili sits third with 31000 points. He can move up to the second rank with a tournament win, as that will take him to 44000 points.

74kg

74kg (18 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Asian champion Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ), junior world champion Mohmmadsadegh FIROUZPOURBANDPEI (IRI) and Turkey veteran Soner DEMIRTAS (TUR) all have ended up on the lower side of the bracket at 74kg. Demirtas can claim his lost glory with a win in front of his home fans.

79kg

79kg (21 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

Favorite to win the weight class Jordan BURROUGHS (USA) begins against Meiir KOSHKINBAYEV (KAZ). Two wins for him to start and he can wrestle Russian Nationals silver in 2020 Gadzhimurad ALIKHMAEV (RWF).

The five-time world champion can cement his place further at the top of the rankings with a medal-winning performance in Istanbul. Burroughs enters the Yasar Dogu with 45000 points. He can add 13000 points for gold, 11400 points for silver and 10200 points for bronze.

Junior Worlds bronze Gourav BALIYAN (IND) and Asian bronze medalist Ali SAVADKOUHI (IRI) can put on a show before likely making a semifinal against Burroughs.

Former world champion Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) and Asian champion Arsalan BUDAZHAPOV (KGZ) are on the lower side of the bracket. One of the two is likely to make the final.

86kg

86kg (20 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

74kg Tokyo Olympics bronze medalist Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB) is making the jump up to 86kg. He begins his campaign against Maksat SATYBALDY (KAZ).

Two-time junior world champion Mark HALL (USA) is also on the same side and the two can meet in the quarterfinals.

Former U23 Worlds silver medalist Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) and former world number Fatih ERDIN (TUR) can clash in the pre-quarterfinals.

Dauletbekov can be the biggest mover in rankings as well if he wins gold. The Kazak wrestler is currently in the seventh spot with 25000 points, and a medal in Istanbul can move him to the fourth spot.

92kg

92kg (13 entries)

Gold: 11000 points
Silver: 9400 points
Bronze: 8200 points

India’s Deepak PUNIA highlights the top side of the chart at 92kg. He’s moving up from his normal weight of 86kg where he finished in second place at the ’19 World Championships. He’ll likely get Iran’s Asian runner-up from a season ago Ahmad BAZRIGHALEG (IRI) if he wins his opening round match against Shamil ZUBAIROV (AZE).

On the lower side, Erhan YAYLACI (TUR), the U23 world bronze medalist from a season ago, will square off with Ahmed BILICI (TUR). The winner of that match will likely get Ivan Yariguin champion Guram CHERTKOEV (RUS) for a spot in the finals.

97kg

97kg (14 entries)

Gold: 11000 points
Silver: 9400 points
Bronze: 8200 points

Mohammad MOHAMMADIAN (IRI) enters Turkey looking for a third consecutive Ranking Series title. Over the last two seasons, he’s claimed golds at the Matteo Pellicone and the Poland Open. He’s most known for his incredible run at the Matteo Pellicone Ranking Series event where he pinned Olympic champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) en route to winning gold.

Mohammadian is on the bottom side of the 97kg bracket, where he’ll kick off his day against Uzbekistan youngster Muhammadrasul RAKHIMOV (UZB). If he remains unbeaten until the semifinals, he’ll likely get Mongolia’s No. 11 Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL), who can move into the top ten with a medal in Istanbul.

On the top side of the bracket, Russia’s European championship wrestle-off between Alikhan ZHABRAILOV (RWF) and Shamil MUSAEV (RWF) could happen in the second round if they get past their opening round opponents. The winner of that match virtually earns a 97kg berth to Budapest.

125kg

125kg (21 entries)

Gold: 13000 points
Silver: 11400 points
Bronze: 10200 points

All eyes will be on Turkish legend Taha AKGUL (TUR). The Rio Olympic champion is on a quest to win his seventh Yasar Dogu title.

Akgul is on the top side of the bracket. His toughest competition will likely come in the quarterfinals against reigning Asian champion Oleg BOLTIN (KAZ).

On the bottom side, Tokyo Olympian Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) opens up his day against reigning world bronze medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL). Whoever wins that bout will likely square off against Olympian Gennadji CUDINOVIC (GER) or Alisher YERGALI (KAZ), who is moving up from his Tokyo Olympic weight of 97kg.

#UnitedWorldWrestling

UWW successfully hosts first-ever World Conference

Thursday, September 25, 2025 - 14:16 By United World Wrestling Press

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 24) -- United World Wrestling successfully hosted its first-ever World Conference in Zagreb, Croatia from September 17 to 19.

UWW President Nenad LALOVIC welcomed all the guest to the conference, held during the World Championships in Zagreb, and led the floor with discussions on Artificial Intelligence in wrestling, Amateur MMA, developing wrestling and the impact of social media to keep wrestling at the top.

United World Wrestling President Nenad LALOVIC at the World Conference. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

"On behalf of United World Wrestling, I wish you a warm welcome in Zagreb first, but to this conference too," Lalovic said. "We had this idea maybe almost a decade ago. We were seeking for a platform, how these good relations among wrestlers and the national federations can improve our sport."

Injury prevention, weight management, career transitions for wrestlers, as well as the future of the sport were some of the key discussions during the three-day event at the Westin Hotel.

International Olympic Committee member and former President of Croatia Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC.

Former President of Croatia and International Olympic Committee member Kolinda GRABAR-KITAROVIC marked her presence at the historic event in capital city of Croatia.

Ministry of Tourism and Sports, Croatia State Secretary Josip PAVIC was also present at the conference and expressed his gratitude for entrusting Croatia for hosting the championships and the conference. Croatia Wrestling Federation President Vladimir BREGOVIC, Dean of University of Kinesiology, Zagreb Prof. Mario BAIC and numerous other stakeholders marked their presence at the conference.

On day one of the conference, UWW's growth in media and digital transformation was discussed with focus on strategy, social media, partnership and equipment and new technologies. The discussion then headed to Beach Wrestling and Associated Styles with Amateur MMA and Grappling as the main topics.

Zack ERRETT

The second day of the conference saw UWW Educator Zach ERRETT explaining the rules of Beach Wrestling, International Testing Agency Senior Legal Counsel Ayesha TALPADE presenting details of anti-doping program, followed by a panel discussion.

Kuniko TANIOKA, President of the Shigakkan University in Japan, led the discussion on sport nutrition and weight management along with UWW Medical Commission members Saam FALAHATI, Ioannis BARBAS and Szabolcs MOLNAR.

Former wrestlers shared their experiences on transitioning from wrestling to other jobs. Neven and Nenad ZUGAJ were among the panellists that also included Mijain LOPEZ, Taha AGKUL, Arsen JULFALAKYAN, Don RYAN, Alexei BAZULIN, Erica WEIBE, Bruce BAUMGARTNER.

Sofia MATTSSON

Head of the United States women's team Terry STEINER presented the "coaching the women's" part on day three. He explained how to support and train women wrestlers and led the panel that also had Tanioka, Marwa AMRI, Vincent AKA, Sofia MATTSSON, Wiebe and Nadine PIETSCHMAN.

"Depending on the success of this first World Conference, we will decide if in the future it will be a biannual one or a quadrennial one. Maybe every year if you have so much to say," Lalovic said. "World Championships is the best opportunity for that because people are already here. This physical presence is always more efficient."

A national federation workshop organized by United World Wrestling in Zagreb.

NF workshop

UWW also organized a workshop for the National Federations. UWW Sports Director Jean-Daniel REY and UWW Development Director Deqa NIAMKEY welcomed various NFs which had registered for the workshop.

Capacity building, finance and event organization were the key topics at the workshop. Croatia Wrestling Federation Secretary General Tin BREGOVIC, Professor of Kinesiology Nenad BORKOVIC, Professional Master in Social Innovation and Management Ivan BLAZEVIC led a panel discussion on the topic as they were part of the organizing committee for the World Championships in Zagreb.

Azerbaijan, Brazil, Spain and Thailand presented case studies related to event organization and the challenges of competitions.

#WrestleIstanbul: Freestyle Brackets Breakdown

Comments

UWW successfully hosts first-ever World Conference