Yoshimoto continues to shine while in Susaki’s shadow

Saturday, December 21, 2024 - 15:41 By Ken Marantz

Remina YOSHIMOTO successfully defended her 50kg title with a win over Umi ITO. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

TOKYO (December 21) -- In a world without Yui SUSAKI, Remina YOSHIMOTO might have accumulated a stack of world and perhaps Olympic titles by now. But the reality is what it is, and Yoshimoto continues to pick up any golds that Susaki decides to forego.

Yoshimoto, who for five years now has not lost to an opponent not named Susaki, captured her second straight women's 50kg title at the Emperor's Cup All-Japan Championships on Saturday in Tokyo.

The 2021 world champion scored the decisive takedown midway through the second period, then held on for a 3-2 victory over 2023 world U23 champion Umi ITO for her fourth career crown.

"I defended at the end when the match got tough," Yoshimoto said. "I realize that I need to be able to defend by breaking the opponent down. I'll keep that in mind at practice from now on."

In other highlights on the third day of the four-day tournament at Tokyo's Yoyogi No. 2 Gym, world U20 champion Sakura ONISHI captured her first Emperor's Cup title at 59kg in dramatic fashion, while Tatsuya SHIRAI picked up an elusive first crown two years after a historic victory at the world U23.

Remina YOSHIMOTO (JPN) Remina YOSHIMOTO tries to turn Umi ITO after scoring a second-period takedown in the women's 50kg final. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

In the women's 50kg final, an exchange of activity points had Yoshimoto ahead on criteria when she scored a double-leg takedown at the midpoint of the second period. Ito pressed ahead and scored a stepout with 12 seconds left, but a last-ditch shot was parried by Yoshimoto's sprawl, which is how the match ended.

From the start of 2020, the 24-year-old Yoshimoto has lost just four matches -- all to Susaki, the 2021 Tokyo Olympic gold medalist who took a bronze last summer in Paris after being dealt her first-ever loss by a non-Japanese.

Since then, along with her triumph at the 2021 worlds that Susaki skipped, Yoshimoto also captured international golds at the 2021 and 2022 Asian Championships, as well as the 2023 Asian Games.

There is speculation that Susaki, who has struggled to make weight at 50kg, might move up to 53kg in the run-up to the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics. That prospect was made more viable with the announcement by Akari FUJINAMI, the Paris gold medalist at 53kg, that she will move up to 57kg.

"I'm not thinking about that," Yoshimoto said. "Anyway, I'm aiming to go to the World Championships next year at 50kg. I'm looking at each and every match as they come and not thinking about what my weight class will be ahead."

Another reality of Japanese women's wrestling is that there always seems to be someone new coming down the pipe. Even if Susaki leaves, coming up behind Yoshimoto is red-hot teenager Yuu KATSUME, with whom she is well acquainted -- they are in the same training group.

Yoshimoto still trains at her alma mater of Shigakkan University, where members of the team from the affiliated high school, which Katsume attends, also practice. Katsume has put up Fujinami-like numbers, having won 18 straight tournaments, including the world U17 at 46kg this year, since a loss in the fifth grade of elementary school in 2019.

"She's really motivating me," Yoshimoto said. "It provides a great training environment.

As for someday finally getting the best of Susaki, Yoshimoto said, "She's really got my number and it's been tough. I want to find the strength and a way to win."

Sakura ONISHI (JPN) Sakura ONISHI forces Sena NAGAMOTO to her back before securing a fall in the women's 59kg final. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

Rising star Onishi pins down 1st title

At women's 59kg, Onishi was trailing 6-4 in the second period when she used a nifty move to take 2023 world U23 silver medalist Sena NAGAMOTO directly to her back and secure a fall at 4:50.

In the standing position, Onishi had an overhook on Nagamoto's right arm. But instead of going for an underhook on the other side, she twisted to her own right while applying pressure on the arm, crushing Nagamoto to the mat.

"I was trying for low singles, but she was ready for that," Onishi said. "Even if I got in, I couldn't get points from it. I thought, what should I do? My coach in the corner gave me advice and I had faith in it. At the end, the move I used is one that I thought I would use at some time. To do it on such a big stage gives me confidence."

The 18-year-old Onishi stole the spotlight last spring when she took down one of Japan wrestling's biggest names at the Meiji Cup All-Japan Invitational Championships, which, along with the preceding year's Emperor's Cup, serve as domestic qualifiers for the World Championships.

Onishi stunned two-time Olympic champion Risako KINJO (formerly KAWAI) en route to the 59kg title. Although she suffered a last-second loss to Kinjo in a playoff for the 59kg spot at the Non-Olympic Weight Category World Championships, Onishi's credentials were well established.

With world U17 and U20 titles already in her collection, Onishi can clinch a trip to her first senior World Championships with a victory at next year's Meiji Cup, which will be held in June.

"The Meiji Cup [last year] was my first [senior] national-level tournament, so I felt no pressure," Onishi said. "I went there to enjoy the experience and I kind of flew under the radar. This time I will be seeded and, even though I'm just 18, there will be pressure. I'm really grateful to all those who support me."

Onishi is currently a freshman at powerhouse Nippon Sports Science University, where Olympic champion Fujinami has taken her under her wing as a mentor. Like all but one of Japan's 11 Olympic medalists, Fujinami was not entered in the tournament, but she was on hand to cheer on her teammate.

"Akari was watching me from the stands and that gave me strength," Onishi said with reverence. "She's the person I admire the most. It's because of Akari that I am here now."

Tatsuya SHIRAI (JPN) Tatsuya SHIRAI, right, clamps down on Yudai TAKAHASHI in the freestyle 86kg final. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

Shirai finally breaks through at 86kg

Two years ago in Pontevedra, Spain, Shirai was on top of the world when he won the freestyle 86kg gold at the World U23 Championships, a feat that made him the heaviest Japanese in history to win a world title on any age level.

After that, things did not go so well, as Hayato ISHIGURO established himself as the top dog at 86kg and qualified for the Paris Olympics. Shirai failed to defend his world U23 title in 2023, losing the Aaron BROOKS (USA), who ironically would oust Ishiguro in Paris. Shirai also had to settle for a bronze at this year's Asian Championships.

In Saturday's final, Shirai grinded to a 3-0 victory over Yudai TAKAHASHI in a battle between two immovable blocks of granite and former NSSU teammates, scoring a stepout to go with a pair of activity points.

"We know each other pretty well," Shirai said.

To make the final, Shirai had to get past veteran Sohsuke TAKATANI, winning their semifinal clash 2-1, with all of those points coming on the activity clock.

"I think what Shirai needs to be concerned with is that he didn't score any technical points off me," Takatani said. "You can't leave winning or losing up to the referee. If he's going to aim for the Olympics, he needs to be more bold."

Takatani is a 12-time national champion who dropped back down to 86kg after spending the past three years at 92kg or 97kg -- and even taking a stab at Greco. Currently the head coach at Takushoku University, he won a world silver medal at 74kg in 2014, and made three Olympic appearances but never came home with a medal.

When younger brother Daichi won the 74kg silver in his Olympic debut last summer in Paris, it apparently lit a fire in Sohsuke.

He says his immediate goal is to get to the 2026 Asian Games, a tournament in which he has never taken part and which will be hosted by Japan. Long term, his eyes may also be on the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, when he will be 39.

Godai MITANI (JPN) Godai MITANI scores the first of two quick-fire 4-point throws in the Greco 63kg final against Ayata SUZUKI. (Photo: Takeo YABUKI / JWF)

Soon-to-be-fireman goes out with a bang

Unheralded Ikuei University senior Godai MITANI pulled off the surprise of the day when he obliterated three-time Asian medalist Ayata SUZUKI with a pair of spectacular throws in the Greco 63kg final.

Mitani used an arm drag to lock up Suzuki's right arm, then reached around and grabbed his chin and twisted him back and down to the mat for a quick 4.

Suzuki came out of the scramble with a front headlock, but Mitani worked his way up to lock up Suzuki's head and arm, then, putting his schoolboy judo experience to work, hit a hip throw for another 4 to end the match in 28 seconds.

Mitani was unknown when he entered Ikuei, where he worked hard and managed to make his way onto some collegiate podiums, culminating with his first and only national collegiate championship this year.

Mitani has never competed overseas and, although he is halfway to earning a trip to next year's World Championships, he will not be going. Mitani said the All-Japan was his final tournament, as he has already committed to joining the fire department in his home Hiroshima Prefecture after graduating.

Also putting a cap on their career was Ikuei teammate Hanano SAKURAI, the younger sister of Paris Olympic 57kg champion Tsugumi SAKURAI. Hanano, who took a bronze medal at 50kg, will take a job as an elementary school teacher back home in Kochi Prefecture.

Day 3 Results

Freestyle

74kg (15 entries)
GOLD -- Hikaru TAKADA df. Iori KOSHIBA, 5-3
BRONZE -- Shuri ITO df. Kojiro SHIGA by TF, 12-0, 3:38
BRONZE -- Daiju SUZUKI df. Ryota UCHIYAMA, 8-3

79kg (16 entries)
GOLD -- Ryonosuke KAMIYA df. Ryuki YOSHIDA, 4-4
BRONZE -- Subaru TAKAHARA df. Hirotaka ABE, 5-0
BRONZE -- Kirin KINOSHITA df. Natsura OKAZAWA, 8-5

86kg (8 entries)
GOLD -- Tatsuya SHIRAI df. Yudai TAKAHASHI, 3-0
BRONZE -- Sohsuke TAKATANI df. Masakiyo YOSHIDA by TF, 11-0, 1:19
BRONZE -- Fumiya IGARASHI df. Daisuke MASUDA by TF, 10-0, 1:17

Greco-Roman

55kg (18 entries)
GOLD -- Yuhei YAMAGIWA df. Kenta OGUSU by TF, 9-0, 3:29
BRONZE -- Mizuki ARAKI df. Soken MASUDA, 9-5
BRONZE -- Ryuma KAWANO df. Taiga ONISHI, 10-3

63kg (20 entries)
GOLD -- Godai MITANI df. Ayata SUZUKI by TF, 8-0,: 28
BRONZE -- Komei SAWADA df. Kazuki YABE, 1-1
BRONZE -- Manato NAKAMURA df. Taishi NARIKUNI by TF, 8-0, :59

130kg (15 entries)
GOLD -- Yuta NARA df. Shion OBATA, 3-1
BRONZE -- Sota OKUMURA df. Koei YAMADA, 5-1
BRONZE -- Ayumu IWASAWA df. Naoto YAMAGUCHI, 7-1

Women's Wrestling

50kg (12 entries)
GOLD -- Remina YOSHIMOTO df. Umi ITO, 3-2
BRONZE -- Hanano SAKURAI df. Rinka OGAWA, 4-0
BRONZE -- Miyu NAKAMURA df. Mayo OTA, 7-0

59kg (12 entries)
GOLD -- Sakura ONISHI df. Sena NAGAMOTO by Fall, 4:50 (6-6)
BRONZE -- Yui SAKANO df. Sae NOGUCHI, 8-3
BRONZE -- Himeka TOKUHARA df. Minori ASANO by TF, 10-0, 1:41

76kg (6 entries)
GOLD -- Nodoka YAMAMOTO df. Yasuha MATSUYUKI by TF, 10-0, :56
BRONZE -- Mizuki NAGASHIMA df. Miku OTSUNA, 4-1

2026 Muhamet Malo

Muhamet Malo 2026 Day 2 Results: Sadulaev Beats Khaniev; Iran Wins 2 Golds

Wednesday, February 25, 2026 - 23:08 By Vinay Siwach

TIRANA, Albania (February 26) -- The Feti Borova Arena has now witness two of the most epic comeback from Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW).

In 2024, he marked his return from injury with his sixth world title, one which he won by going down to 92kg and shocking the world with a buzzer-beating win over Kamran GHASEMPOUR (IRI).

The second was on Thursday. In his first international tournament since the world title, Sadulaev returned to 97kg and won the gold medal at the Muhamet Malo Ranking Series.

Sadualev's return to competition was much talked about as he entered the tournament which had the likes of his long-time rival and world champion Kyle SNYDER (USA), up-and-coming star Mukhamed KHANIEV (UWW), Olympic bronze medalist Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE), former world champion Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) and other world medalists.

While his fifth match against Snyder was denied after the American lost to Khaniev in the quarterfinals, Sadulaev was met with a stiffer challenger in Khaniev.

Mukhamed KHANIEV (UWW) defeated Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the 97kg quarterfinals. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

The U23 world silver medalist defeated Snyder 10-4 and then took out Magomedov in the semifinal to set up a clash against Sadulaev. The winner would also book his spot for the European Championships, to be held at the same arena in April.

Sadulaev was checked by Khaniev in the first period but a double-leg blast helped the former take a 4-0 lead. Khaniev cut it to 4-2 but a watchful Sadulaev never allowed him to dictate the pace of the bout.

Keeping Khaniev at an arm's length, Sadulaev scored three counter takedowns while giving up two stepouts to win final, 10-4, and lock his spot for the European Championships.

Abdulla KURBANOV (UWW) works on Mason PARRIS (USA) during the 125kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

In other Freestyler results, Abdulla KURBANOV (UWW) clinched the 125kg gold medal after an impressive 8-5 victory over world bronze medalist Mason PARRIS (USA) in the final.

While the score makes the final look close, Kurbanov was the better of the two wrestlers in the final, managing to tire Parris out in the final. He scored a four-pointer in his eight points and did not let Parris threaten his lead even one.

When the score was 7-3, Parris tried to score a takedown but Kurbanov scored a stepout on counter to make 8-3. He did give up a takedown in the final 10 seconds to avoid further risks in the final.

Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) defeated Dean HAMITI (USA) in the 79kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Iran Wins 2 Golds

After Yones EMAMI (IRI) won Iran's first gold medal on Wednesday, Iran added two more through Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) and Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) at 79kg and 92kg, respectively.

Nokhodi, who had struggled with a knee injury last season, seemed to have gained full fitness. He had no trouble in seeing off Dean HAMITI (USA), 10-0, in the final at 79kg.

The two-time world silver medalist scored three different takedowns and managed to turn Hamiti twice to accumulate his points in the gold medal bout.

Firouzpour, world bronze medalist in Zagreb, was in similar form as he defeated former world silver medalist Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 11-1, in the 92kg final.

RESULTS

Freestyle

79kg
GOLD: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) df. Dean HAMITI (USA) , 10-0

BRONZE: Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) df. Sagar JAGLAN (IND), 10-4
BRONZE: Luka CHKHITUNIDZE (GEO) df. Cameron AMINE (USA), 3-3

92kg
GOLD: Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) df. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO), 11-1

BRONZE: Ahmed BATAEV (BUL) df. Jacob CARDENAS (USA), 11-0
BRONZE: Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ) df. Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ), 4-0

97kg
GOLD: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) df. Mukhamed KHANIEV (UWW), 10-4

BRONZE: Kyle SNYDER (USA) df. Magomedkhan MAGOMEDOV (AZE), via inj. def.
BRONZE: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) df. Jointy KUMAR (IND), 10-0

125kg
GOLD: Abdulla KURBANOV (UWW) df. Mason PARRIS (USA), 8-5

BRONZE: Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) df. Hakan BUYUKCINGIL (TUR), via fall
BRONZE: Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL) df. Nursultan AZOV (KAZ), 4-2

Women's Wrestling

50kg
GOLD: Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) df. Priyanshi PRAJAPAT (IND), 13-2

BRONZE: MUSKAN (IND) df. Kendra RYAN (USA), 10-0
BRONZE: Erin GOLSTON (USA) df. Valeriia TIUKPIEKOVA (UWW), 4-2

55kg
GOLD: Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ) df. Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR), 3-2

BRONZE: Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER) df. PUSHPA (IND), 3-2
BRONZE: Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) df. Beatrice FERENT (ROU), 10-0

Morning Session Highlights

Women's Wrestling

14:50: 55kg semifinals - Liliia MALANCHUK (UKR) with a takedown with four seconds left to beat European champion Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) at 55kg. Trailing 3-1, she got Verbina down on the edge to take a 3-3 criteria lead. Verbina challenged only to lose it and drop the semifinal 4-3.

Malanchuk will face Laura ALMAGANBETOVA (KAZ) in the final after the Kazakhstan wrestler pinned Anastasia BLAYVAS (GER).

14:40: 50kg semifinals - Asian bronze medalist Zeinep BAYANOVA (KAZ) with an excellent win over MUSKAN (IND) at 50kg. She uses the snap to score three different takedowns to lead 8-1 at the break. She shoots an early takedown and then a turn to finish the bout 12-1.

She will another Indian, Priyanshi PARAJAPAT (IND), in the final after the Indian pinned Valeriia TIUKPIEKOVA (UWW)

Freestyle

14:35: 125kg semifinals - Mason PARRIS (USA) dumps Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) for four points to complete a stunning 14-3 win at 125kg. He will face a stiff challenge in the final against Abdulla KURBANOV (UWW), who defeated Kamil KOSCIOLEK (POL), 9-1.

14:25: 97kg semifinals - Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) is so quick! He opens with a fireman's carry to throw Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) and then turns two times to lead 8-0. A reversal gives Aitmukhan a point before he adds a stepout to make it 8-2. Sadulaev scores a takedown and then manages only a point when Aitmukhan defends a takedown but goes out of bounds. Sadulaev leads 11-2 at the break. Aitmukhan manages a stepout but Sadulaev hits a front headlock turn for two points to complete a 13-3 victory. Aitmukhan asks for a stepout with a challenges but loses it, making Sadulaev's score 14-3

Sadulaev will have Mukhammed KHANIEV (UWW) in the final with spot in the European Championships spot on the line. Khaniev, who defeated Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the quarters, gets a 10-0 victory over Magomedkhan MOGAMEDOV (AZE) in the semifinals.

14:15: 92kg semifinals - Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) works on several different takedowns and shuts down Kamil KURUGLIYEV (KAZ), 10-0, in the semifinal. Miriani MAISURADZE (GEO) will challenge Firouzpour in the final after he beats Ahmed BATAEV (BUL), 4-0. Two points for two passivity calls against Bataev and a takedown from Maisuradze to complete the victory.

14:00: 79kg semifinals - Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) takes 35 seconds to beat Sagar JAGLAN (IND), 10-0, using a gut-wrench. Nokhodi will face Dean HAMITI (USA) for the gold medal. Cameron AMINE (USA) and Dean HAMITI (USA) opened the semis with fireworks with the latter taking a 4-2 lead. However, they both wore down. Hamiti hangs on for a 5-3 win.

Semifinals will begin with 79kg. Followed by 92kg, 97kg and 125kg. Women's Wrestling will follow with 50kg and 55kg

13:45: In the last quarterfinal, Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) beats Benjamin HONIS (ITA), 13-0 and sets up a semifinal against Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) at 97kg

So far, Mukhammed KHANIEV (UWW) stunned world champion Kyle SNYDER (USA) in the quarterfinals at 97kg with a 10-4 victory, denying a final between Snyder and Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW).

Sadulaev on the other hand has made it to the semifinals with in what has looked like a rather easy outing. If he faces Khaniev in the final, the winner will go the the European Championships.

13:20: Abdulrashid SADULAEV (USA) had worked up an 8-0 lead inside the first minute but Nurdaulet BEKENOV (KAZ) injured his elbow in that exchange with Sadulaev. Initially looked a serious injury but Bekenov manages to stand up, holding his elbow. Sadulaev into the semifinals at 97kg

13:10: Kyle SNYDER (USA) facing Mukhamed KHANIEV (UWW) in the quarterfinals at 97kg. Khaniev is called passive and he gives up a point but manages to score exposure point in on exchange. Snyder with a stepout but Khaniev holds 2-2 criteria. Snyder open second period with two stepouts to take a 4-2 lead. Khaniev fires a leg-attack and converts it into a takedown to make it 4-4 and lead on criteria. He shoots another similar attack and scores another takedown before countering a fake shot from Snyder to make it 8-4 with less than a minute left. One way traffic as Khaniev manages to hold his ground against Snyder and complete a 10-4 victory to advance to the semifinals.

13:00: Wyatt HENDRICKSON (USA) got thrown for a four by Giorgi MESHDESHVILI (AZE) but he comes back with a takedown and powerful gut wrench to take an 11-4 lead. He then scores another takedown and turn to win 15-4. All in the first period at 125kg

12:50: Mohammad NOKHODI (IRI) hands Dzhabrail GADZHIEV (AZE) a 7-2 loss at 79kg. Nokhodi led 4-0 at the break before working a takedown and another point. Gadzhiev managed to score a takedown at the buzzer but Nokhodi in total control of that match.

12:30: European champion and world silver medalist Ekaterina VERBINA (UWW) keeps Aleksandra SKIRENKO (UWW) at a distance and wins 6-2 at 55kg. Slow start to the match before Verbina manages to open up and score takedowns.

12:22: World champion Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW) returns to the same venue he won his sixth world title. He is facing Jointy KUMAR (IND) in his first bout. Sadulaev with patiently waits and doesn't get involved much. Kumar gets called passive in the first period and gives up a point. Sadulaev is quick and scores a takedown soon after and turns Kumar to lead 5-0. A fireman's takedown from Sadulaev and he secures the fall over Kumar to win his first bout at 97kg.

12:15: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ) with a quick victory over VICKY (IND) at 97kg. Four takedowns and two stepouts for a 10-0 blanking of the Indian wrestlers. Aitmukhan will face Benjamin HONIS (ITA) in the quarterfinals

12:10: Kyle SNYDER (USA) lost his balance and Radu LEFTER (MDA) used that moment to trip him for four which made the score line 5-4, though in favor of Snyder, in their 97kg bout. But Snyder worked on two more takedowns to beat Lefter 9-4 to reach the quarterfinals.

11:50: Former U23 European champion Giorgi IVANOV (BUL) dumps Trent HIGLER (USA) for a four-pointer in the first period and then control the bout thoroughly to win 7-2 at 125kg.

11:40: Mason PARRIS (USA) overcomes a 4-2 deficit in a very draining 125kg bout to beat Omar SAREM (ROU) and advances with a 15-5 victory. Parris was made to work hard for that win.

11:35: World silver medalist Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) uses the gut-wrench and chalks up a 12-2 technical superiority win over Zyyamuhammet SAPAROV (TKM) at 125kg

11:25: SWEETY (IND) with a dominant 13-1 victory over Natalia WALCZAK (POL) at 50kg. Sweety in total control of that bout and she moves into the quarterfinals

11:15: Svenja JUNGO (SUI) with a late takedown to get a tough 3-1 victory over Agata GOLUCHOWSKA WALERZAK (POL) at 50kg. The Poland wrestler had a 1-1 criteria lead but Jungo with a match-winning takedown

11:00: At 92kg, Amirhossein FIROUZPOUR (IRI) starts with a 9-2 win over Azamat DAULETBEKOV (KAZ). Firouzpour hit a four-pointer when Dauletbekov was trying to scamper out of a tie. He then added a stepout to lead 5-0 at the break. No more points in the bout.

10:45: Rizabek AITMUKHAN (KAZ), a world champion at 92kg in 2023, had built an 8-0 lead against Andro MARGISHVILI (GEO) in their 97kg bout but seemed to struggle in the second period. However, he manages to defend that lead and win 8-5

10:40: Kyle SNYDER (USA) was first up on Mat and he warms up with a 3-0 win over Ertugrul AGCA (GER). Takedown in the first period and a stepout in the second as Snyder moves into the second round at 97kg. He can face Abdulrashid SADULAEV (UWW), only if both make the final

10:35: Richard VEGH (HUN) scored nine stepouts against AKASH (IND) and got one point for caution against the Indian as he wins the opening bout at 97kg 10-0. Victory via stepouts if we may

10:20: Welcome to the second day of the Muhamet Malo in Tirana. The Snyder vs Sadulaev chapter five is expected today. Both wrestlers will face each other only if they reach the final.

Yoshimoto continues to shine while in Susaki’s shadow

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Muhamet Malo 2026 Day 2 Results: Sadulaev Beats Khaniev; Iran Wins 2 Golds