Ranking Series

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

Tuesday, June 18, 2019 - 14:38 By Eric Olanowski

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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 FS 57kg, 74kg, 79kg, 92kg Highlights

Sunday, September 14, 2025 - 08:42 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

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ZAGREB, Croatia (September 14) -- World Championships enters day with Freestyle continuing in 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 125kg.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 1 REPORT

READ THE SEMIFINAL REPORT HERE

74kg semifinal

SF 1: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) vs Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW)
SF 2: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) vs. Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK)

15:17: For much of his 74kg quarterfinal with David CARR (USA), Chermen VALIEV (ALB) was the second-best wrestler on the mat. He falls behind 5-1, and in the second period, Carr is in deep on a single and looking to pad his lead. But Valiev, an Olympic bronze medalist, twists Carr over for a 2-point exposure. Then he amazingly goes ahead on criteria with a takedown with :46 left. In his desperation to score, Carr allows Valiev to get behind, and Valiev scores a stepout with a fleeing point tacked on to go ahead 7-5. He then fends off Carr's attack to secure a hard-fought win.

15:15: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) builds a 4-0 lead over Yones EMAMI (IRI) at the break with two takedowns. But Emami fires back with a takedown and turn for a 4-4 criteria lead. Takahashi blocks him and cradles for two points. He then adds a takedown when a squared but Emami stands tall and leads 8-4. A stepout is confirmed to make it 9-4. Takahashi keeps the pressure and Emami gives up a takedown on the edge. Takahashi, leading 11-4, keeps his distance from Emami and wins 11-4.

15:14: Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) leads 3-0 Magomedrasul ASLUEV (BRN) with a point and takedown. He then adds another point for activity in the second period to make it 4-0. A takedown in the final 30 seconds swells his lead to 6-0, the winning score.

15:13: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) stays on track to a fourth world gold with a workmanlike 5-1 win over Murad KURAMAGOMEDOV (HUN) to advance to the 74kg semifinals. Sidakov uses his deep single to great effect, scoring a takedown in each period. All of the other points came on the activity clock.

92kg semifinals

SF 1: Trent HIDLAY (USA) vs Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE)
SF 2:  Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) vs. Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI)

15:03: Trent HIDLAY (USA) brings his best underhook game and scores at will against Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO). He wins 6-1 and heads to the semifinals of the World Championships.

15:03: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) is nursing a 1-0 lead in the second period when, with Batyrbek TSAKULOV (SVK) on the clock, he scores a takedown at the edge. As he gets the activity point, he quickly adds a stepout, which gives him the buffer he needs when Tsakulov comes to life and scores a takedown. Firouzpour adds a late takedown off a desperation attempt Tsakulov and he's into the 92kg semifinals with a 7-2 win.

15:02: Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ) cannot match the strength of Amanula GADZHIMAGOMEDOV (UWW) at 92kg he drops his quarterfinal against 9-0.

14:56: Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) earns his place in the 92kg quarterfinals when his opponent Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) has to default midway through the first period with a left knee injury. Nurmagomedov got in on a low single, and Kurugliev immediately signaled the injury to his knee, which was heavily taped to begin with.

79kg semifinals

SF 1: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) vs. Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE)
SF 2: Levi HAINES (USA) vs. Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL)

14:50: Levi HAINES (USA) had the crowd on his side as he desperately tried to get through the stalling defenses of Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) as he attempted to preserve a 2-0 lead, with both of his points coming off the activity clock. The American's efforts paid off just in time -- he scored a takedown at the edge with 1.9 seconds left. An unsuccessful challenge gave him a 3-2 win and a place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

14:46: Suldkhuu OLONBAYAR (MGL) with some impeccable defense in the quarterfinal against Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) as he wins 3-0 to book a spot in the semifinals at 79kg.

14:45: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) gives absolutely no chance to Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) in the quarterfinal at 74kg and wins his bout 6-0 to advance to the semifinals.

14:45: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) won the battle of activity points with Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR), getting two to his opponent's one for a 2-1 victory at 79kg. Mykhailov was down 2-0 when he received an activity point to cut the gap. He also launched the lone true attack of the match, but Nokhodi managed to force it to a stalemate.

57kg Semifinals

SF 1: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) vs Chongsong HAN (PRK)
SF 2: Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) vs Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ)

14:36: Chongsong HAN (PRK) took a 4-0 lead and seemed to be cruising to a victory over Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) at 57kg, but seemed to suffer an injury that slowed him down. In the second period, Bravo Young received a fleeing point, then scored a late takedown to cut the gap to 4-3. But Han avoided being turned over to assure his place in the semifinals.

14:34: A close victory for Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) over Musa MEKHTIKHANOV (UWW) in the 57kg quarterfinals. Abdullaev built a 3-0 lead but gave a takedown in the second period as Mekhtikhanov made it 3-2. Mekhtikhanov challenged in the dying seconds for fleeing but there was none. Abdullaev moves into the semifinals with a 4-2 victory.

14:32: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) bounces back after giving up the first point for passivity against Spencer LEE (USA) in the 57kg quarterfinals. He blocks a duck-under attempt and adds a stepout to lead 3-1. He then scores a takedown to make it 5-1 at the break. Harutyunyan with a cut-back to score four points before Lee counters with an exposure for two. Harutyunyan leads 9-3. The United States challenges the four points but it is upheld and challenge is lost. Harutyunyan leads 10-3. He adds a takedown to make it 12-5, lace turn for 14-3 and it's a win for Harutyunyan over Olympic silver medalist.

14:31: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) put on a second-period onslaught to storm into the 57kg semifinals with a 16-5 win over Vladimir EGOROV (MKD). Almaz Uulu led 5-5 on criteria going into the second period when he scored a stepout, then parlayed a takedown into four rolls and other exposures to end the match with :45 to spare.

Quarterfinals will begin at the same time.

14:10: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) posts a 12-2 victory over Ibragim VELIEV (BEL) in the 74kg pre-quarterfinals and he books a quarterfinal against David CARR (USA).

14:02: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) continues to make mincemeat of the competition, barging into the 74kg quarterfinals with his third straight technical fall of the day without giving up a point. He made Giorgi ELBAKIDZE (GEO) his latest victim, twice getting in on a double leg, then pressing ahead as the Georgian attempted a counter lift to complete the takedown -- then adding a gut wrench to boot. On the second combination in the second period, he added a second roll to finish the match 10-0.

13:55: Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) completes a 5-0 win over Orozobek TOKTOMAMBETOV (KGZ) with two takedowns and moves into the quarterfinal at 74kg. He is joined by Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) who also wins 5-0 against Anthony MONTERO CHIRINOS (VEN).

13:54: Ramazan RAMAZANOV (BUL) just cannot keep up with the amazing speed of David CARR (USA), who zips his way to four takedowns in the first period by snatching a single leg or getting behind in a blink of an eye. He ends it with a low single less than a minute into the second period for a 10-0 win to advance to the 74kg quarterfinals.

13:43: Three-time Asian champion Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) gets a pair of takedowns in the first period, then picks up some free points in the second to advance to the 92kg last-8 with a 7-0 victory over Ahmed BATAEV (BUL).

13:33: World silver medalist from 2023 Osman NURMAGOMEDOV (AZE) scores a takedown in the first period and leads 2-0 against Deepak PUNIA (IND) at the break. He is put on the activity clock in the second period. He gives up that point but still leads 2-1. An exchange leads to two points for both wrestlers, with Nurmagomedov still leading 4-3 with less than 30 seconds left. He defends his lead and wins 4-3 at 92kg.

13:32: Two more Americans advance to the quarterfinals with 10-0 victories in back-to-back matches on Mat C. Levi HAINES (USA) takes out Bumgae SEO (KOR) at 79kg, and Trent HIDLAY (USA) follows by whitewashing Samuel SCHERRER (SUI) at 92kg.

13:26: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI), a four-time world medalist, launches his quest for a first gold by scoring a takedown in each period for a tame 4-0 victory over Michael LABRIOLA (PUR) to book his place in the 79kg quarterfinals.

13:22: Spencer LEE (USA), Paris Olympic silver medalist, with a leg-lace and wins his first bout at 57kg 10-0 against Yusuf DEMIR (TUR).

13:15: In a replay of the gold-medal match at the 2023 worlds, Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) holds on for a 4-1 victory over Vladimeri GAMKRELIDZE (GEO) to gain a spot in the 79kg quarterfinals.

13:11: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) proves too much for young Rin SAKAMOTO (JPN), pulling away in the second period to win 9-4 and advance to the 57kg quarterfinals. Almaz Uulu leads 3-2 in the second period when he gets a takedown and exposure to go up 7-2. Sakamoto gets behind for a takedown, but can't get the lace-lock going, then gives up a late desperation takedown.

13:00: Three-time world medalist Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) survives a grueling and thrilling test with Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL), surging late then holding on for a 13-8 victory to make the 57kg quarterfinals. Harutyunyan trailed 5-2 in the second period when he put on a seven-point spree to go ahead. Batkhuyag wasn't done, getting a stepout, then stunning Harutyunyan with a quick takedown right off the whistle to make it 9-8. But the Armenian clinches the win with a takedown and roll in the final seconds.

13:00: Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) built a 3-0 lead and then held on to it. He gave up a point but still managed to win 4-1. A point for lost challenge from Aryan TSIUTRYN (UWW).

12:50: Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) with a fall over Ali MOMENI (IRI) at 61kg. Excellent wrestling from Bravo Young as he builds a 6-0 lead and then keeps Momeni on the mat for a fall

12:45: 2024 world U23 champion Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN) continues to impress by driving to a 12-0 whitewash of Vitali IHNATOVICH (UWW) to advance at 74kg. Takahashi gets a takedown-roll combination for a 5-0 first-period lead, then repeats the process in the second, adding a second exposure.

12:45: European champion Chermen VALIEV (ALB) with a gut-wrench against Tugsjargal ERDENEBAT (MGL) and he wins 12-2 at 74kg. Valiev is looking for his first-ever world medal

12:44: Not much action, but neither was Tokyo Olympic champion Zaurbek SIDAKOV (UWW) in any real danger as he begins his bid for a fourth world title with a 5-1 victory over Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) at 74kg. Sidakov picks up an activity point in the first period, then pads the lead with a stepout and activity point in the second before clinching the win with a takedown. He gives up a late fleeing point.

12:40: World silver medalist Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) with a 5-0 victory over Mohammad MOTTAGHINIA (ESP) at 74kg. Salkazanov is looking to add to his collection of world medals

12:36: David CARR (USA) spotted Rasul SHAPIEV (MKD) a quick four points in their 74kg encounter, but stormed back to keep the American record spotless on the day. Trailing 5-2 in the second period, Carr turned the tide with a 4-point double-leg takedown, which he topped off with a leg lace for a 9-5 win.

12:35: Deepak PUNIA (IND), who has been a long-time 86kg, is at 92kg for this season and won silver medal at the Asian Championships. He takes on Benjamin GREIL (AUT) in his first match in Zagreb. He builds a 3-0 lead at the break. Both trade stepouts in the second period before Punia scores a takedown for a 6-1 lead. Punia happy to hang on to his lead and advance at 92kg.

12:03: In a battle between two-time Asian bronze medalists, Takashi ISHIGURO (JPN), who watched his brother Hayato make the final at 86kg on Saturday, was dealt a tough 3-1 loss by Magomed SHARIPOV (BRN) at 92kg. Sharipov scored a first-period takedown before adding an activity point in the second period, when Ishiguro could only manage a stepout.

11:55: Three-time European silver medalist Zelimkhan KHADJIEV (FRA) needs less than a minute to build an eight-point lead on Patrik LEDER (CAN) at 79kg, opening with a 4-point takedown and adding two gut wrenches. It takes a little while, but he finishes it up in the first period with a stepout and an unsuccessful challenge.

11:54: Trent HIDLAY (USA), winner of the Budapest Ranking Series event, shows a nice mix of power and agility in storming to an 11-1 victory Redjep HAJDARI (MKD) at 92kg.

11:50: Two-time world bronze medalist Vasyl MYKHAILOV (UKR) is off to impressive start at 79kg, chalking up four takedowns in a 11-9 win over Alans AMIROVS (LAT).

11:41: Paris Olympic bronze medalist Gulomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) is having trouble breaking down the defenses of Salah KATEB (ALG)  at 57kg, and is limited to a stepout in the final seconds of the first period for a 1-1 lead. In the second period, he loses a challenge over a potential stepout. But he quickly gets a stepout, with a fleeing point tacked on, then the dam breaks and he scores a takedown and launches a series of gut wrenches to win 12-2 in 4:10.

11:30: Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) begins his quest for a world medal at 79kg with a 10-0 win over Ryunosuke KAMIYA (JPN). The Greece wrestlers looks solid here.

11:25: Two-time European champion Akhmed USMANOV (UWW) forges out a 6-2 victory over Iakub SHIKHDZHAMALOV (ROU) to advance at 79kg as he looks to repeat his world title from 2023.

11:20: Thomas EPP (SUI) was caught in a fireman carry by Ali MOMENI (IRI) who packs him and smashes for five. Momeni wins 6-1 at 57kg.

11:11: Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ), who finished fifth at the Paris Olympics, proves too much for Garette SAUNDERS (CAN) to handle in their 57kg clash, scoring four takedowns en route to an 11-0 victory.

11:09: At 57kg, 2023 world bronze medalist Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) loses his balance while in on a single and European silver medalist Azamat TUSKAEV (SRB) turns into a 4-point takedown. But the Mongolian gradually cuts the gap and rallies to win 6-4.

11:07: Can Roman BRAVO YOUNG (MEX) earn the first-ever medal for Mexico at the World Championships? He begins his quest with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Niklas STECHELE (GER) at 57kg

11:02: Asian champion Chongsong HAN (PRK) gets thing started in his 57kg opener against Darian CRUZ (PUR) with a nifty 4-point arm throw, then locks the thighs around his head and rolls for another 2. Han adds a takedown and he's through with an 8-0 win.

11:02: Arsen HARUTYUNYAN (ARM) begins with a 10-0 technical superiority win over Vladyslav ABRAMOV (UKR) at 57kg. His lace is lethal.

11:00: Kota TAKAHASHI (JPN), who won the 74kg gold medal at the Budapest Ranking Series, completes a first-period technical superiority over Ok Chol HAN (PRK). Takahashi built a 5-0 lead with early bursts of takedown. He made it 9-0 with another takedown and lace. A stepout finishes off things 10-0.

10:50: In a major matchup in the 70kg repechage between multi-world medalists, Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ) will get a chance to add to his collection when he broke open a close match with a series of gut wrenches to oust Iszmail MUSZUKAJEV (HUN) 14-4. Akmataliev was losing on criteria when he got 2 with a front body lock roll, then transititioned behind and hit the gut wrenches before Muszukajev knew what hit him.

10:30: We will continue Freestyle action at the World Championships in 57kg, 74kg, 79kg and 92kg. Here is the preview for the same.