Ranking Series

Yasar Dogu to Determine Overwhelming Number of World Championship Top-Four Seeds

By Eric Olanowski

VEVEY, Switzerland (July 16) -- After several months of jockeying for individual Ranking Series points, the final freestyle Ranking Series event of the year, and the pre-seeds for the World Championships in Nur-Sultan, are only a month away. The Yasar Dogu will take place from July 11 to 14 in Istanbul with more than 370 wrestlers expected in freestyle and women’s wrestling.

With many top-four seeds up for grabs, there is still a lot at stake -- 18 Ranking Series points to be exact. Of the current 40 top-four seeds, five wrestlers have seized the No. 1 seed, 17 wrestlers have cemented at least a top-four seed, leaving 23 seeds open for the taking. Wildly enough, there are still 150 non-seeded wrestlers that can steal a seed for September's World Championships. 

How Many Non-Seeded Wrestlers Can Still Earn A Seed?
57kg - 7
61kg - 7
65kg - 36
70kg - 41
74kg - 1
79kg - 36
85kg - 7
92kg - 5
97kg - 6
125kg - 4

Atli and Uguev Locked up Top-Two Seeds at 57kg
Suleyman ATLI (TUR) and Zavur UGUEV (RUS) will be the top two seeds at 57kg, but seven wrestlers can still steal the third or fourth seed from current holders Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN) and Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ).

Defending European champion Suleyman Atli and Budapest world champion Zavur Uguev have 61 and 60 points respectively and have built at least a 19-point lead over their closest competition. Although Atli and Uguev can flip flop each other for the first and second spots, it's numerically impossible for anyone to pass them. 

Last year’s world bronze medalist Yuki Takahashi and Budapest silver medalist Nurislam Sanayev are ranked third and fourth respectively. Seven wrestlers can steal a third or fourth seed from Takahashi and Sanayev. Of those seven wrestlers within striking distance, Georgi VANGELOV (BUL) and Givi DAVIDOVI (ITA) are the only two entered into the Yasar Dogu. Vangelov is ranked eighth with 28 points and needs at least 13 points to jump into a top-four seed; and Davidovi, who is ranked ninth with 26 points, requires at least 15 points to earn a seed.

Top 10 at 57kg
61 Suleyman ATLI (TUR)
60 Zavur UGUEV(RUS)
41 Yuki TAKAHASHI (JPN)
40 Nurislam SANAYEV (KAZ)
36 Reineri ANDREU ORTEGA (CUB)
34 Muslim SADULAEV (RUS)
32 Thomas Patrick GILMAN (USA)
28 Georgi Valentinov VANGELOV (BUL)
26 Givi DAVIDOVI (ITA)
26 Darthe CAPELLAN (CAN)

“Big Move Bonne” Nabs First Seed at 61kg
The only wrestler that's locked up their seed at 61kg is defending world champion Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB). "Big Move Bonne" has 76 points, which is 23 points ahead of Joseph COLON (USA), who has 53 points.

Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS) and Beka LOMTADZE (GEO) are the third and fourth-ranked wrestlers respectively, but the Russian departed 61kg and moved up to the Olympic weight category of 65kg. Rashidov’s bump in weight slides Lomtadze into the third position and inserts Romania's Nikolai OKHLOPKOV into the mix. He'll move into the fourth seed at 61kg.

There are now six wrestlers who are within eight points of fourth-seeded Okhlopkov, but only two of those wrestlers have entered their names into the Yasar Dogu. They're No. 5 Rahul AWARE (IND) and No. 10 Behnam EHSANPOOR (IRI). Aware is only two points away from earning a seed at 61kg, while Ehsanpoor sits eight points out from jumping into the No. 4 slot.

Top 10 at 61kg
76 Yowlys BONNE RODRIGUEZ (CUB)
53 Joseph Daniel COLON (USA) *Not expected to compete for USA*
40 Gadzhimurad RASHIDOV (RUS)
38 Beka LOMTADZE (GEO)
28 Nikolai OKHLOPKOV (ROU)
26 Rahul Balasaheb AWARE (IND)
25 Tuvshintulga TUMENBILEG (MGL)
21 Mohamed Al Amine LAKEL (ALG)\
20 Mohammadbagher Esmaeil YAKHKESHI (IRI)
20 Behnam Eshagh EHSANPOOR (IRI)

Bajrang and Otoguro Will Be Top-Two Seeds at 65kg
Perhaps the most wide-open weight heading into the final Ranking Series event is at 65kg. Outside of India's top-ranked Bajrang BAJRANG and Japan's Takuto OTOGURO locking up their top-two seeds, there are still 36 wrestlers who could sneak into at least a fourth seed.

As the rankings sit right now, Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS) and Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR) are ranked third and fourth respectively. There are six wrestlers within a distance of third-ranked Chakaev, but 36 wrestlers can still steal the fourth-spot from European silver medalist Kilicsallayan. Of those 36 wrestlers who can take the four-spot from the Turkish wrestler, only No. 21 Kaireddine BEN TELILI (TUN), No. 28 Peiman Bioukagha BIABANI (IRI), and No. 40 Haji ALI (BRN) will make the trip to Istanbul in July.

Top 10 at 65kg  
78 Bajrang BAJRANG (IND)
60 Takuto OTOGURO (JPN)
41 Akhmed CHAKAEV (RUS)
32 Selahattin KILICSALLAYAN (TUR)        
32 Nachyn KUULAR (RUS)
30 Sayatbek OKASSOV (KAZ)
28 Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL)
28 Niurhun SKRABIN (BLR)
25 Alejandro VALDES TOBIER (CUB)           
22 Haji ALIYEV (AZE)

Gazimagomedov Leads By 52 Points, Seals up No. 1 Seed at 70kg
Russia's defending world champion Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV has amassed 92 points and has cemented his spot as the weights No. 1 seed. Bahrain's second-ranked Adam BATIROV jumped up to the Olympic weight of 74kg for the Asian Championships but is moving back down to 70kg for the Yasar Dogu. It's not yet clear what weight Batirov will go for the World Championships.

After Gazimagomedov and Batirov, the other top-four ranked wrestlers are Nurkozha KAIPANOV (KAZ)  and Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR). Kaipanov, the Asian and Sassari champion, is ranked third with 36 points, and Kvyatkovskyy is ranked fourth with 30 points.

Gazimagomedov is the only wrestler who has locked up his seed for the World Championships. There are still eight wrestlers who can catch Batirov, but only No. 8 Fares LAKEL (ALG) (26 points) will compete at the Yasar Dogu.

Kaipanov has 15 wrestlers chasing him, while 41 wrestlers are within striking distance of Kvyatkovskyy. The wrestlers who can overtake either the third or fourth spot that are entered into the Yasar Dogu are Lakel, Kaya, Mustafayev, and No. 44 Ali UMARPASHAEV (BUL).

Top 10 at 70kg  
92 Magomedrasul GAZIMAGOMEDOV (RUS)
40 Adam BATIROV (BRN)
36 Nurkozha KAIPANOV(KAZ)
30 Andriy KVYATKOVSKYY (UKR)
28 Yones Aliakbar EMAMICHOGHAEI (IRI)
26 Devid SAFARYAN (ARM)
26 Batyr BORJAKOV (TKM)
26 Fares LAKEL (ALG)
25 Zurabi IAKOBISHVILI(GEO)
25 Franklin MAREN CASTILLO  (CUB)
 

Sidakov, Chamizo, and Burroughs Cement Seeds at 74kg
Arguably the most straightforward weight class in the world is 74kg. Although there's only one wrestler who could sneak into a top-four seed, only 18 points separate first-seeded Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS) from fourth-seeded Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO).

Italy's Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ won the Sassari in his home country and jumped from fourth to second, and finds himself four points behind the Russian defending world champion. Chamizo has already entered his name into the Yasar Dogu. If he at least places, he'll take over the top spot at the 2019 World Championships, pitting him against world runner-up Kentchadze in the semifinals.

America's Budapest world bronze medalist Jordan BURROUGHS sits in the third spot, 13 points behind top-ranked Sidakov.

Unlike many of the other weight classes, there's only one wrestler who could sneak into the top four of the world rankings, and that's Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV (UZB). Abdurkhmonov would have to win the Yasar Dogu to jump into the top four. If he won the final Ranking Series event,  he'd have one more point than Georgia's fourth-ranked Avtandil Kentchadze.

Top 10 at 74kg
76 Zaurbek SIDAKOV (RUS)
72 Frank CHAMIZO MARQUEZ(ITA)
63 Jordan Ernest BURROUGHS(USA)
58 Avtandil KENTCHADZE (GEO)
41 Bekzod ABDURAKHMONOV(UZB)
38 Azamat NURYKAU (BLR)
34 Daniyar KAISANOV (KAZ)
28 Yakup GOR (TUR)
28 Amit Kumar DHANKHAR (IND)
28 Timur BIZHOEV (RUS)

Dake and Hasanov Tied For First at 79kg Heading into Yasar Dogu
The top-three finishers respectively at the World Championships: Kyle DAKE (USA), Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE), and Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS) have locked up the top three seeds at the World Championships. Dake and Hasanov both have 60 points, but the American holds criteria because of his Budapest World Championship placement. Gadzhimagmedov sits three points behind the pair of world finalists with 57 points. The trio of top-three guys have built at least a 27-point lead over fourth-ranked Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ) who heads into the Yasari Dogu with 30 points.

Though Usserbayev's fourth seed is in jeopardy because he's not entered into the Yasar Dogu, and four wrestlers who can steal the spot are entered. The four wrestlers who are within 10 points of overthrowing Usserbayev are No.5 Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG), No. 6 Parveen RANA (IND), No. 11 Muhammet KOTANOGLU (TUR), and No. 17 Bahman TEYMOURI (IRI).

Top 10 at 79kg
60 Kyle Douglas DAKE (USA)
60 Jabrayil HASANOV (AZE)
57 Akhmed GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (RUS)
30 Galymzhan USSERBAYEV (KAZ)                       
28 Fateh BENFERDJALLAH (ALG)
28 Parveen RANA (IND)
28 Nika KENTCHADZE (GEO)
26 Unurbat PUREVJAV (MGL)
26 Omaraskhab NAZHMUDINOV (ROU)
26 Alexander David DIERINGER (USA)
 

Erdin Locks up Top-Seed at 86kg After Taylor Undergoes Knee Surgery
Reigning 86kg world champion David TAYLOR (USA) recently had surgery on his knee and was forced to sit out of America's World Team selection tournament, Final X -- meaning he'll miss the 2019 World Championships. Taylor's absence means two things. First, Turkey's world runner-up Fatih ERDIN has locked up the 86kg top seed. Second, Taylor will forfeit his No. 2 seed, which will move up the third through fifth-ranked wrestlers.

Four points separates Iran's soon-to-be second-ranked Hassan YAZDANICHARATI (43 points) and Spain's eventual fourth-ranked Taimuraz FRIEV (39 points). But, Slovakia's third-ranked Boris MAKOEV (39 points) and Spain's Taimuraz Friev won't wrestle at the Yasar Dogu. Makoev and Friev's absence leaves the door open for the six wrestlers that are looking to steal a seed. Currently, India's ninth-ranked Deepak PUNIA (28 points), who finds himself 11 points away from a world seed, is the only wrestler that could overthrow Friev that'll compete at the Yasar Dogu.

*Top-ranked Erdin and second-ranked Yazdanicharati will both wrestle at the Yasar Dogu.

Top 10 at 86kg
84 Fatih ERDIN (TUR)
80 David TAYLOR III (USA)
43 Hassan Aliazam YAZDANICHARATI(IRI)
40 Boris MAKOEV (SVK)
39 Taimuraz FRIEV NASKIDAEVA (ESP)
36 Dauren KURUGLIEV (RUS)
34 Vladislav VALIEV (RUS)
34 Ali SHABANAU (BLR)
28 Deepak PUNIA (IND)
26 Akhmed AIBUEV (FRA)

Cox Without of Reach, Will Be Top Seed at 92kg
Defending world champion J'Den COX (USA) has a commanding 19-point lead over second-ranked Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI) and has locked up the No. 1 seed at 92kg at the World Championships.

There can only be one wrestler per nation per weight at the World Championships so Russia will be forced to forfeit one of their two top-four seeds. Right now, Magomed KURBANOV holds the third seed and a two-point advantage over fellow Russian and fourth-seeded Batyrbek TCAKULOV. Kurbanov has 44 points, and Tcakulov has 42 points.

After Russia drops one of their two top-four seeds, the fourth seed will likely go to Georgia's seventh-ranked Irakli MTSITURI, who has 30 points. The reason being, fifth-ranked Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN) and sixth Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR) have transitioned to the Olympic weight of 97kg.

Mtsituri taking over the No. 4 spot means that if Turkey's eighth-ranked Ibrahim BOLUKBASI and India's ninth-ranked Viky VIKY score more than five points at the Yasar Dogu, they will gain the No. 4 seed at the World Championships.

Top 10 at 92kg
78 J'Den Michael Tbory COX (USA)
59 Alireza KARIMIMACHIANI (IRI)
44 Magomed KURBANOV (RUS)
42 Batyrbek TCAKULOV(RUS)
41 Atsushi MATSUMOTO (JPN)
40 Ivan YANKOUSKI (BLR)
30 Irakli MTSITURI (GEO)
26 Ibrahim BOLUKBASI (TUR)
25 Viky VIKY (IND)
22 Ulziisaikhan BAASANTSOGT (MGL)

Sadulaev and Snyder Will Be Top Two Seeds At 97kg 
The two pound-for-pound kings Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS) and Kyle SNYDER (USA) have locked up the top two seeds at 97kg and are only separated by two points heading into the final Ranking Series event. "The Russian Tank" has 80 points, which is good enough for the No. 1 ranking. "Captain America" has 78 points and is ranked No. 2 at 97kg.

The third and fourth seeds are still open for the takers. Right now, Mongolia's Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN and Georgia's Elizbar ODIKADZE are the third and fourth-ranked wrestlers respectively. Italy's Abraham CONYEDO RUANO still has a chance to take over the third spot with a win in Istanbul, while five others can potentially steal the fourth spot from Odikadze.

Of those who can sneak into a top-four seed, No. 5 Conyedo Ruano, Iran's seventh-ranked Reza YAZDANI and Turkey's tenth-ranked Baki SAHIN are entered into the Yasar Dogu.

Top 10 at 97kg
80 Abdulrashid SADULAEV (RUS)
78 Kyle Frederick SNYDER (USA)
54 Batzul ULZIISAIKHAN (MGL)
41 Elizbar ODIKADZE (GEO)
37 Abraham de Jesus CONYEDO RUANO (ITA)
36 Igor OVSIANNIKOV (RUS)
34 Reza Mohammad Ali YAZDANI (IRI)
32 Aliaksandr HUSHTYN (BLR)
26 Murazi MCHEDLIDZE (UKR)
24 Baki SAHIN (TUR)

Akgul Needs One Point to Ensure He’s on Opposite Side as Petriashvili
As it sits right now, Georgia's top-ranked Geno PETRIASHVILI (88 points) has apprehended the No. 1 seed at the World Championships and would meet Turkey's Olympic champion and fourth-ranked Taha AKGUL in the semifinals.  But, that has the potential to change over the next month because Taha will wrestle at the Yasar Dogu in his home country.

Taha and Russia's third-ranked Anzor KHIZRIEV are tied with 50 points apiece, but Khizriev holds the advantage because he placed higher at the Budapest World Championships. The Turkish big man cannot catch China's second-ranked DENG Zhiwei, so his goal at the Yasar Dogu is to pick up at least a point. That'll put him ahead of Khizriev, but more importantly, get him away from his biggest rival Petriashivili at the World Championships.

Outside of the top four, there is a quartet of wrestlers who can still find themselves sitting in the top-four with a promising performance at the Yasar Dogu. Of those four, India's Sumit SUMIT (36 points) is the only one entered that has the potential to catch Khizriev and Akgul. Sumit would have to score at least 15 points and hope that Taha does not wrestle to grab the fourth seed.

Top 10 at 125kg
88 Geno PETRIASHVILI(GEO)
77 Zhiwei DENG(CHN)
50 Anzor Ruslanovitch KHIZRIEV (RUS)
50 Taha AKGUL (TUR)
45 Nicholas Edward GWIAZDOWSKI (USA)
41 Parviz HADIBASMANJ (IRI)
38 Daniel LIGETI(HUN)
36 Sumit SUMIT (IND)
30 Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR)
22 Oleg BOLTIN  (KAZ)

*The United States, who usually sends their first team to the Yasar Dogu, has not entered anyone as of Monday night. 

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 3 FS 65kg, 97kg and WW 55kg, 59kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 15) -- The World Championships day three will see the start of Women's Wrestling in Zagreb. Two weight classes -- 55kg and 59kg -- will be in action. Freestyle will continue in 65kg and 97kg with two Olympic champions in action.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 2 RESULTS

65kg semifinals
SF 1: Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) vs Piabani (CAN)
SF 2: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) vs. Umidjon JALALOV (UZB)

14:56: Peiman BIABANI (CAN) comes back from a 2-0 down to beat Andrii BILIICHUK (UKR) in the 65kg quarterfinals. Biabani scored three stepouts and a takedown to take the lead and held on to it to win the quarterfinals.

14:55: SUJEET (IND) gave it all against Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) in the 65kg quarterfinals but Amouzad got a takedown in the final 20 seconds to be safe. Amouzad scored four stepout to lead 4-0 but struggled with conditioning. Sujeet scored a takedown and stepout to make it 4-3. Needing only one to win, Sujeet committed to a far leg attack and Amouzad countered with a takedown to make it 6-3. Sujeet scored a takedown with 4 seconds on the clock but could not get one point for the win. Amouzad reaches semifinal with a 6-3 win.

14:52: Olympic champ Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) fires out at the gun in his 65kg quarterfinal against Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW), grabbing a single leg, snatching the other ankle and going straight to a lace-lock roll. The action, however, is so fast he is given just 2 points, which proves enough as he fends off Ibragimov to post a 3-0 victory. Kiyooka's final point came on an unsuccessful challenge after the buzzer when Ibragimov's side tried to get the Japanese penalized for fleeing, but the judges ruled he properly defended.

14:51: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) breaks open a close match with a pair of takedowns in a 20-second span of the second period, then holds on for a 5-3 victory over Sebastian RIVERA (PUR) to advance to the 65kg semifinals. Jalolov held the criteria advantage after both had received an activity point, but scored a takedown at with 1:20 left, then added another a short time later. Rivera picked up a takedown with :22 to go, but it was too little, too late.

55kg semifinals
SF 1: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) vs. Kyong Ryong OH (PRK)
SF 2: Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) vs. Andreea ANA (ROU)

14:41: Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) uses her lace to great effect to deny any comeback from Elvira KAMALOGLU (TUR) in the 55kg quarterfinals. Oh manages to go past Kamaloglu 14-7

14:40: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) reaches the 55kg semifinals after beating Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) 10-5. It was a takedown masterclass from Uchida who led 8-0 before Khomenets had a big four pointer. But Uchida kept her cool and managed to win 10-5.

14:39: Andreea ANA (ROU) runs 2022 world bronze medalist Karla GODINEZ (CAN) out of the ring in the final minute for a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on, putting her into the 55kg semifinals with a 3-1 victory. Each wrestler had received an activity point, with the Canadian holding the last-point criteria.

14:39: European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) scores three takedowns, which is enough to trump the 4-point takedown that Yaynelis SANZ VERDECIA (CUB) chalked up and temporarily put her in the lead. Verbina walks away with a 6-4 victory in the 55kg quarterfinal, in which all of the points came in the first period.

59kg semifinals
SF 1: Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) vs. Sakura ONISHI (JPN)

SF 2: Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) vs. Maria VYNNYK (URK)

14:30: Elena BRUGGER (GER) and Altjin TOGTOKH (MGL) trade takedowns in the second period but Brugger leads 3-3 on criteria with a 2 minutes left. She makes it 5-3 with a takedown before two lace turns make it 9-3 with 1 minute left in the match. BUT TOGTOKH WITH A BIG MOVE AND FALL! She beats Brugger despite the latter leading 9-5 and advances to the 59kg semifinals.

14:26: After spotting Bediha GUN (TUR) a four-point lead, Laurence BEAUREGARD (CAN) comes back to go ahead on criteria in the second period, only to fall behind again. But Beauregard comes up with a late takedown to win 6-6 on criteria and earn a spot in the 59kg semifinals.

14:25: Mariia VYNNYK (UKR)  hits the move of the day in the women's competition, tossing Othelie HOEIE (NOR) for 5 with a high-amplitude back suplex en route to a 11-0 victory to advance to the 59kg semifinals.

14:20: Sakura ONISHI (JPN) with an inside trip and the fall over Anastasiia SIDELNIKOVA (UWW) after a 12-0 lead. She advances to the 59kg semifinal and a step closer to the first senior world title. She is a two time world U20 champion, the second coming just a month ago in Samokov, Bulgaria.

97kg semifinals
SF 1: Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) vs Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI)
SF 2: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) vs. Kyle SNYDER (USA)

14:15: Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) survives a huge scare against Magomed KURBANOV (UWW) in the 97kg quarterfinals. Kurbanov threated to run away with it when he began with two stepouts to lead 2-0. He made it 4-0 with a takedown but Tazhudinov got going in the second period with a takedown to cut the lead to 4-2. He used a front headlock move to score six more points to lead 8-2. A challenge, which was lost, from Kurbanov made it 9-4. But Kurbanov got a breather and then got a takedown to make it 9-6. In the final 15 seconds, he managed a front chestwrap exposure but Tazhudinov got a reversal as the score changed to 10-8. Tazhudinov gave up a stepout but still managed to win 10-9.

14:10: Young Arash YOSHIDA (JPN)  puts on an impressive display of power, scoring five stepouts in bulling to a 6-2 victory over Olympic silver medalist Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) to advance at 97kg. Yoshida's other point came on a rare reversal after he gave up a takedown. That sets up a rematch with Snyder of their semifinal encounter at the Tirana Ranking Series event in February won 5-5 by the Japanese.

14:09: Kyle SNYDER (USA) provides no openings for Zbigniew BARANOWSKI (POL) in their 97kg quarterfinal as the seven-time world medalist post a workmanlike 5-0 victory comprised of a takedown, two stepouts and an activity point.

14:05: The first semifinalist at 97kg is Olympic bronze medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) who beats VICKY (IND) 10-0 in 3:30. A blast double in that match from Azarpira for four points.

13:55: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN) spends much of his 65kg match trying to chase down the elusive Ayub MUSAEV (BEL), but he manages to snatch an ankle enough to score three takedowns, with one thigh-lock roll added in for a 9-4 victory. There was one lapse of caution, when Kiyooka was thrown for 4 on a counter lift, but was otherwise in no danger.

13:40: Real WOODS' (USA) got on point in his match against Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) and that was for a lost challenge from the Iranian. Otherwise, Amouzad showed why his underhooks are lethal, scoring 10 points from the move to win 12-1. A stepout and point for lost challenge from the United States were the other two points.

13:36: Three-time former European champion Andreea ANA (ROU) chalks up a 4-point move in the first period and two stepouts in the second and she's through to the 55kg quarterfinals with a 6-3 victory over 2024 world U20 champion Cristelle RODRIGUEZ (USA).

13:35: World silver medalist Sebastian RIVERIA (PUR) rolls to a 10-0 technical superiority win over Goderdzi DZEBISASHVILI (GEO) to secure his place in the 65kg quarterfinals.

13:28: SUJEET (IND) with a typical hard-working win over Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) at 65kg. A lot of stepout given up by a tired Kim. Sujeet into the quarterfinals.

13:25: Asian champion Kyong Ryong OH (PRK) looks like one to beat at women's 55kg as she storms to a 12-2 victory over Mihaela SAMOIL (MDA) to advance to the quarterfinals. Oh has a reply to all of Samoil's counter moves, and her victory in 2:36 includes a 4-point takedown off a double leg.

13:25: European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) with a fall over veteran Oleksandra KOGUT (AUT) at 55kg. Verbina is looking to win a first world medal at the senior level and she looks good to do it.

13:13: World silver medalist Oleksandra KHOMENETS (UKR) warms up with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Hyerim LEE (KOR) at 55kg. Khomenets is looking find her old form after returning from an injury.

13:12: Less than a month after winning a second straight world U20 gold, Sakura ONISHI (JPN) begins her quest for a title in her senior world debut with a 10-0 rout of Laylokhon SOBIROVA (UZB) at 59kg.

13:09: European champion and Olympic silver medalist Givi MATCHARASHVILI (GEO) eases by Shatlyk HEMELYAYEV (TKM) 4-0 in his opening match at 97kg as he looks to improve on his two career world bronze medals. A takedown in the first period and activity points in each half were all he needed.

13:10: Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) holds on to her 8-4 lead and beats NISHU (IND) at 55kg to advance to the quarterfinals at the World Championships. This is her debut at the senior level

12:59: Asian champion Arash YOSHIDA (JPN), looking to give Japan a rare medal in the upper weights, continues his run with a 10-0 victory over Ertugrul AGCA (GER) at 97kg. Yoshida, whose father is Iranian and runs the kids club in Japan where he started the sport, scores a takedown and lace-lock roll in the first period, then finishes up the match with three takedowns in the second.

13:00: Pyol HONG (PRK) and Elena BRUGGER (GER) waited and waited for some action. Brugger took a 2-1 lead when Hong was on the second activity period and did not score. In the final 10 seconds, Hong locks Brugger's arms and throws her for two points and wins 3-2. Germany challenges the call. There was no danger for Brugger in that throw and the scores are reversed to 2-1 and a victory for Brugger at 59kg.

12:53: In a contentious match at 97kg that included penalty points and a dressing down of both wrestlers from the match chairman, Olympic bronze medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) comes away with a 6-3 victory over Akhmed MAGAMAEV (BUL).

12:42: Kyle SNYDER (USA), a 10-time world and Olympic medalist, begins his quest for an 11th one with a 10-0 victory over Cristian SARCO (VEN) at 97kg. He missed out on a medal in Paris, the first World or Olympics since 2015 that he failed to win a medal.

12:40: Kotaro KIYOOKA (JPN), competing internationally for the first time since his triumph at 65kg at the Paris Olympics -- with a new, braided hair style -- opens with a 13-2 victory over Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN). It is Alibegov who strikes first, surprising the Olympic champion with a quick double-leg takedown. But Kiyooka replies with a single-leg takedown, then transitions to his patented thigh-lock with the head between the legs and rolls twice for a 6-2 lead. He adds a stepout before the buzzer. Kiyooka stays on the attack in the second period and gains a takedown and two traditional lace-lock rolls to end the match in 4:59.

12:32: Paris Olympic and 2023 world bronze medalist Sebastien RIVERA (PUR)appears to wake up after giving up an early stepout to Chouaib SAHRAOUI (ALG) at 65kg. He comes back with a takedown, then goes on a gut wrench spree to make it 12-1, at which point Sahraoui throws in the towel and it officially goes into the books as a fall at 1:57.

12:30: World and Olympic champion Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN) faces Magomedgadji NUROV (MKD) in his first match at 97kg. He begins with a takedown and stepout to lead 3-0. A blast double for four to make it 7-0. Two points for exposure to make it 9-0 before he finishes the match with a stepout.

12:29: Budpest Ranking Series champion SUJEET (IND) storms out to a quick 6-0 lead against Cavit ACAR (TUR) at 65kg, but it suddenly begins to evaporate as Acar scores a pair of defensive exposures and the exchange reversals. That puts Sujeet up 7-5 at the break. But he pulls away in the second period, with a 4-point takedown when Acar attempts a reverse counter lift and an unsuccessful challenge gives Sujeet a 15-5 win.

12:25: Vazgen TEVANYAN (ARM) was leading 5-0 but Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK) hit a takedown and rallied a leg-lace to win to win 16-5. Tevanyan seems in some trouble with his knee. Armenia challenges and the last turn is removed. But down 14-5, Tevanyan managed only three more points as Kudiev wins 14-8.

12:18: Olympic silver medalist Rahman AMOUZAD (IRI) wastes little time in getting his campaign for a second career world gold at 65kg off to roaring start, using a 4-point takedown to finish off a 13-0 whitewash in just under two minutes. over Ikromzhon KHADZHIMURODOV (KGZ).

12:15: Ibragim IBRAGIMOV (UWW) controls his bout against Gantulga BATBAATAR (MGL) throughout the six minutes to win 12-0 and advance at 65kg. Ibragimov is trying to win his first world medal

11:54: Real WOODS (USA) gives no chance to Maxim SACULTAN (MDA) in his 65kg opening bout. Woods with a gut-wrench to rack up those points but he wins 11-0

11:38: A victory for the Philippines. In a battle between wrestlers from countries trying to develop the sport, American-born Arian CARPIO (PHI) defeats Victoria CHHEN (AUS) 7-0 to advance at women's 59kg. Carpio, who competed for the U.S. until 2019, scores a takedown-lack lock combination and stepout in the first period, then caps the win with a second-period takedown.

11:35: Seems like Sowaka UCHIDA (JPN) has recovered from an ankle injury she picked at the U20 World Championships. She starts her 55kg campaign with a 10-0 victory over Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL)

11:20: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) matches 2023 Asian Games bronze medalist Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) with an activity point and stepout, but both of his come in the second period and that gives the Iranian a 2-2 victory on last-point criteria at 97kg.

11:20: Jacarra WINCHESTER (USA), a world 55kg champion in 2019, moved up to 59kg for this World Championships but Hong LIANG (CHN) shows Winchester that there are different levels to this. She pins Winchester

11:14: Asian champion Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) picks up a first-period fall against Domantas PAULIUSCENKO (LTU) at 97kg, a weight class that is absolutely packed

11:10: In the first of many high-profile matchups to come in the super-stacked 97kg division, 2023 world 92kg champion Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) gives up a takedown and the lead with just under two minutes left to Magomed KURBANOV (UWW), the 2021 silver medalist at 92kg. But Aitmukhan gets behind off a scramble with :48, then adds a stepout. But a second apparent stepout with :08 left is overturned on challenge and awarded to Kurbanov, suddenly giving him a 4-4 lead on criteria. A last-ditch challenge at the end is denied, giving Kurbanov a 5-4 win.

10:58: Asian bronze medalist Kwang Jin KIM (PRK) gets a first-period takedown and that holds up for a 2-0 victory over Junsik YUN (KOR) to clear his first hurdle at 65kg.

10:50: A match marred with multiple medical timeouts, Olympic bronze medalist and world silver medalist Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE) has to be carried off the mat after he called for an injury. Magomedov and VICKY (IND) battled it out and the India wrestler led 5-0 before Magomedov woke up. The score was 9-7 with Vicky leading but Magomedov scored a takedown and turn to lead 11-9. But he failed to recover for a restart and the match was decided with Vicky as winner.