Hong Ends Bronze Age, Helps China Usher in Possible Golden Era

Friday, April 10, 2026 - 18:28 By Ken Marantz

BISHKEK, Kyrgyzstan (April 10) -- By ending her own personal Bronze Age, Kexin HONG (CHN) helped China possibly usher in the beginning of a new Golden Era.

Hong was one of four Chinese to strike gold on the final day of the women’s competition at the Asian Championships, winning the 57kg title on Friday to end a rash of recent third-place finishes.

“Each bronze medal made me a little bit stronger by the competition,” Hong said. “So this time, I feel really happy, especially when yesterday I finished the semifinal and made it to the final. Finally, a final.”

The other Chinese who made the top of the podium in Bishkek’s Zhastkyk Arena were Jin ZHANG (CHN) at 53kg, LILI (CHN) at 65kg and Jia LONG (CHN) at 72kg, capping a performance in which all 10 of the country’s wrestlers took home medals.

The lone other medal at stake on Friday went to two-time former world champion Nonoka OZAKI (JPN), who had ousted a Chinese opponent in the quarterfinals the previous day before snatching the 62kg gold by avenging one of her few international losses -- which led to a nice surprise for her on the medal podium.

China pipped rival Japan for the team title when Lili and Long defeated Japanese opponents in their gold-medal matches. China, with five golds overall, finished on top with 205 points, followed by Japan with 191 and Mongolia in third with 126.

“It shows that every single member of our team has been working hard behind the scenes,” Long said. “And because we have a good coach who draws up excellent plans for us, we execute them with dedication, all for the sake of our shared dream.”

Kexin HONG (CHN) celebrates after winning the gold medal at 57kg. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Hong completed a spotless run to the gold with a victory by fall over former world silver medalist Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) in the 57kg final.

Hong is no stranger to ending tournaments with victories, and her resume includes medals from every major global event. Unfortunately, none of those wins had come in finals over the past three years.

According to a Chinese team official, her teammates tease Hong about having an affinity for bronze, nicknaming her "Tong Pai Da Man Guan," which loosely translates to "Bronze Medalist Grand Slam." It’s not hard to see why. In the past three years, she has taken home medals of that color at four major competitions -- the 2023 Asian Games, the 2024 Paris Olympics, the 2025 Asian Championships and the 2025 World Championships.

The closest she came to breaking the hex came in Paris, where she was leading 7-0 in her semifinal against Anastacia NICHITA (MDA) when disaster struck and she got caught and pinned.

“Nobody wants to lose, but that's part of competition,” Hong said. “I really felt sad for that moment, but it also meant there was some weakness in my wrestling.

“So, I accepted and recovered, and told myself that I can become better and better. Now I’m happy to see myself improve.”

There were no slipups in her demolition of Batkhuyag in Friday’s final. Hong opened with a takedown and lace lock for a quick 4-0 lead. After a second takedown and exposure, she got her arm between Batkhuyag’s knees, lifted up and planted the Mongolian on her back, securing the fall in 1:31.

“Before, I never thought about that I can finish so fast,” said Hong, who won all three of her matches by technical superiority or fall, without conceding a point.

“Just before the competition, I just thought to be ready for the six minutes, ready to fight to the last second and just try my best to show all my advantages.”

Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) defeated Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) to win her third Asian gold medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 62kg, Japan’s Ozaki completed an equally flawless run to her third Asian gold and fifth medal overall by scoring two 4-point takedowns in a 10-0 victory over Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK).

“I was able to win by technical superiority, but before the match, I never thought I could have such a large gap in points like this, so I'm really happy,” said Ozaki, a Paris Olympic bronze medalist at 68kg.

The victory in 2:15 avenged a particularly frustrating loss to Mun in the final of the 2023 Asian Games. Ozaki had been leading when Mun used an arm throw to toss her onto her back, then held her in the near fall position for the final minute to win 6-6 on criteria.

“One of my main objectives coming here was to beat that DPR Korean wrestler,” Ozaki said. “There were also big hurdles to get over. As such, I want to view this result in a positive light and regard it as doing a good job.”

Ozaki’s reward for a job well done came on the medal podium, where she was surprised to see that the presenter was none other than longtime rival and local superstar Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ), the three-time world champion and two-time Olympic medalist who is currently on a hiatus.

They shared a hug after the medal was placed around a beaming Ozaki’s neck.

“Aisuluu-san is a hero,” Ozaki said. “I have so much respect for her. Of course, I respected her while she was competing. She's really a special person. To be at a competition and receive the medal this way is really an honor and I am proud of it.”

To get to Bishkek, Ozaki had to defeat reigning world and Olympic champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) at the All-Japan Championships in December. Now, to achieve her goal of getting to this year’s World Championships and Asian Games, she will have to beat Motoki again, either at next month’s Meiji Cup or a subsequent playoff.

Jin ZHANG (CHN) works on a takedown against MEENAKSHI (IND) during the 53kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

At 53kg, Zhang picked up her first gold in her second trip to the Asian Championships with a lightning-quick 10-0 victory over MEENAKSHI (IND). A single-leg takedown, a lace lock and four quick spins gave Zhang the victory in 53 seconds.

Zhang, the 2024 world silver medalist at 55kg, got over her biggest hurdle in the semifinals, when she pancaked former world champion Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) for a stunning victory by fall.

“I never think about when what kind of action I can win from,” Zhang said. “I just follow the coach’s instructions, to be tough and do your attack.”

Zhang said she will not succumb to the pressure that comes with being a newly crowned Asian champion.

“After I stepped off this podium, everything will go to zero and it's a new start,” she said. “I will never think about I'm Asian champion now. I will surely fight for the higher step of the podium.”

Going into the last two finals, Japan could have won the team title with victories in both. Instead, the Chinese swept the two, with one match coming down to a challenge decision and the other a more forthright victory.

LILI (CHN) tries to score a takedown against Nana IKEHATA (JPN) during the 65kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

At 65kg, China’s Lili had the winning takedown confirmed by challenge for a 3-2 victory after it appeared that Nana IKEHATA (JPN) had held on for the title.

Ikehata, the winner at the Zagreb Ranking Series this year and the 2024 world U20 champion, was leading 2-1 with all of the points coming on the activity clock when Lili made a low lunge for Ikehata’s leg with :30 to go.

Lili caught Ikehata’s heel and the Japanese tumbled onto her backside, but immediately got up and fought desperately to keep Lili from completing the takedown as time ran out.

But on challenge, it was decided that Ikehata’s initial drop to the mat constituted a takedown for Lili, who was awarded the 2 and the victory, giving her an Asian gold to go with her 2023 world bronze, and leaving Ikehata stunned.

Jia LONG (CHN) turns Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) using a high gut wrench. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

In the final bout of the night, Long completed the Chinese gold rush with a 10-2 victory in the 72kg final over Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN) -- a repeat of the 65kg final in 2023.

After a stepout and activity clock gave Long a 2-0 lead at the break, she finally got Yoshitake to the mat with a single-leg takedown. From there she used her deadly high gut wrench for three consecutive rolls.

That should have ended the proceedings right there, but on the final one, Yoshitake managed to fluidly step over for a 2-point exposure that kept the action going with 1:20 left. But Yoshitake never threatened and Long came away with her second Asian gold.

Long has been gradually moving up in weight, having won the 2022 world silver and 2024 world gold at 65kg and a bronze at last year’s World Championships at 68kg.

“Perhaps there were some challenges with strength,” Long said of competing at 72kg. “But in terms of speed, it might have been a bit better than at 68kg.”

Sara NATAMI (JPN) defeated MANISHA (IND) to win the 57kg bronze medal. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kadir Caliskan)

Kiyooka, Natami bounce back

Kiyooka and Sara NATAMI (JPN), who were both handed stunning losses by fall in the semifinals, bounced back to take home bronze medals with one-sided victories.

Kiyooka, the silver medalist a year ago, completed the collection of Asian medals with a 10-0 rout of Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ) in 1:24 at 53kg. Kiyooka also has 55kg gold from 2024, the year she also won a world title at that weight.

Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) took home the other bronze at 53kg, using a fireman’s carry to take Seoyoung PARK (KOR) directly to her back and secure a fall in 2:00.

Natami, whose defense of the 57kg title was ended in the semifinals by Batkhuyag, needed slightly more time than Kiyooka to finish up her 10-0 win over MANISHA (IND). The winning points were decided on a Japanese challenge when the referee undercounted the number of spins Natami accomplished with her lace lock.

Natami, who came to Bishkek as a substitute for injured Olympic champion Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), now also has the full collection of Asian medals. In addition to last year’s gold, she won a silver in 2018 and another gold in 2022.

In the other match at 57kg, Youngjin KWON (KOR) gave Korea its lone medal in Women’s Wrestling by scoring three 2-point exposures off a takedown counter in the second period to top Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE) 7-2.

Qi ZHANG (CHN), the lone Chinese not wrestling in a final on the night, assured she would not leave Bishkek empty-handed when she converted her second takedown of Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) into a fall in 1:31 at 62kg.

The victory gave Zhang a second straight bronze and fourth of her career in a fourth different weight class. She also has a gold at 59kg from 2024, as well as the 2023 world gold at that weight.

A first-period fall also decided the other 62kg bronze, with Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) building up a 7-0 lead over Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) before using an arm bar to end the match at 1:48.

Both the home team and India bagged bronzes in the two heavier weights.

At 65kg, Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) gave up an early takedown to Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB), but came back with a 4-point takedown to the back that she topped off with a fall in 2:02 to add to the Asian bronze she won at 68kg in 2024.

Two-time world U23 bronze medalist MONIKA (IND) also had a 4-point takedown in a 9-0 victory over Hanbit LEE (KOR) for the other 65kg bronze.

Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ), a world bronze medalist at 72kg, scored a first-period takedown while on the activity clock and that was enough to edge Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL) 2-0 for her first Asian bronze.

In the other 72kg bout, HARSHITA (IND) added to her 2024 silver medal with a victory by fall over Sevinchoy POLVONOVA (UZB) in 3:25 after building up a 5-0 lead.

Day 5 Results

Women’s Wrestling

53kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Jin ZHANG (CHN) df. MEENAKSHI (IND) by TS, 10-0, :53

BRONZE: Moe KIYOOKA (JPN) df. Aziza KELDIBEKOVA (KGZ) by TS, 11-0, 1:24
BRONZE: Sakibjamal ESBOSYNOVA (UZB) df. Seoyoung PARK (KOR) by Fall, 2:00 (2-0)

57kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Kexin HONG (CHN) df. Khulan BATKHUYAG (MGL) by Fall, 1:31 (10-0)

BRONZE: Youngjin KWON (KOR) df. Thi My Trang NGUYEN (VIE), 7-2
BRONZE: Sara NATAMI (JPN) df. MANISHA (IND) by TS, 10-0, 1:50

62kg (11 entries)
GOLD: Nonoka OZAKI (JPN) df. Hyon Gyong MUN (PRK) by TS, 10-0, 2:15

BRONZE: Qi ZHANG (CHN) df. Nigina SABIROVA (UZB) by Fall, 1:31 (4-0)
BRONZE: Tserenchimed SUKHEE (MGL) df. Tynys DUBEK (KAZ) by Fall, 1:48 (7-0)

65kg (9 entries)
GOLD: LILI (CHN) df. Nana IKEHATA (JPN), 3-2

BRONZE: Gulnura TASHTANBEKOVA (KGZ) df. Firuza ESENBAEVA (UZB) by Fall, 2:02 (4-2)
BRONZE: MONIKA (IND) df. Hanbit LEE (KOR), 9-0

72kg (8 entries)
GOLD: Jia LONG (CHN) df. Mahiro YOSHITAKE (JPN), 10-2

BRONZE: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) df. Odgerel ERDENE OCHIR (MGL), 2-0
BRONZE: HARSHITA (IND) df. Sevinchoy POLVONOVA (UZB) by Fall, 3:25 (5-0)

Freestyle

57kg (11 entries)
SF 1: Munkh Erdene BATKHUYAG (MGL) df. Abdymalik KARACHOV (KGZ), 4-1
SF 2: Milad VALIZADEH (IRI) df. Fuga SASAKI (JPN) by TS, 11-0, 3:23

65kg (12 entries)
SF 1: SUJEET (IND) df. Abdulmazhid KUDIEV (TJK), 7-2
SF 2: Umidjon JALOLOV (UZB) df. Alibeg ALIBEGOV (BRN), 5-3

70kg (10 entries)
SF 1: ABHIMANYOU (IND) df. Ernazar AKMATALIEV (KGZ), 6-3
SF 2: Tulga TUMUR OCHIR (MGL) df. Sina KHALILI (IRI), 5-1

79kg (12 entries)
SF 1: Keyvan GHAREHDAGHI (JPN) df. Razambek JAMALOV (UZB), 4-3
SF 2: Sandeep Singh MANN (IND) df. Somonjon IKROMOV (TJK) by TS, 10-0, 3:13

97kg (13 entries)
SF 1: Amirali AZARPIRA (IRI) df. VICKY (IND), 2-0
SF 2: Arash YOSHIDA (JPN) df. Akhmed TAZHUDINOV (BRN), 15-6

#WrestleZagreb

World Championships 2025 Day 8: GR 63kg, 67kg, 87kg Highlights

Saturday, September 20, 2025 - 08:39 By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 20) -- The World Championships are close to its end with the final full day of action on Saturday. Three packed weight classes -- 63kg, 67kg and 87kg -- go on the mat.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 7 RESULTS

67kg semifinals
SF 1: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) vs Daniial AGAEV (UWW)
SF 2: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) vs. Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ)

14:28: Daniial AGAEV (UWW) ends the bid of former Olympic champion Luis ORTA (CUB) for a second world title when he gets a 2-point lift and dump from par terre -- after being given more than ample time to complete the move -- in the second period for a 4-2 win at 67kg. Agaev will face Esmaeili for a place in the final.

14:27: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) completes a correct throw from par terre which gives him a 4-3 lead and ultimately the victory over Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) in the 67kg quarterfinals. Galstyan threaten to upset the world silver and Olympic bronze medalist as he turned him when he got the par terre. However, Jafarov scored a stepout to make it 3-1 at the break.

14:23: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) remains on fire, chalking up his third straight victory by technical superiority without giving up a point as he annihilates Haavard JOERGENSEN (NOR) 8-0 at 67kg. Esmaeili comes out of the blocks with quick 4-point arm throw. Set up in par terre, he then executes a roll, then charges Joergensen out for a stepout. The final point was awarded on challenge, ending the match at 1:54.

14:21: Host Croatia's quest for a world finalist ends as Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) drops his quarterfinal at 67kg 10-0 to Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) who absolutely manhandled Etlinger. A reverse lift throw for four and suplex for four in his win.

63kg semifinals
SF 1: Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) vs. Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI)
SF 2: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) vs. Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA)

14:15: Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) puts Moldova in the semifinals with a 3-1 victory over Azatjan ACHILOV (TKM) at 63kg. A two-point turn from par terre is difference between the two wrestlers.

14:14: Seven years after winning his lone world title, Sergey EMELIN (UWW) sees his quest end in Zagreb due to the newest rule change in the sport, as three-time Asian medalist Hanjae CHUNG (KOR) gains the first of two passivity points to win 1-1 on "first-point" criteria and advance to the 63kg semifinals.

14:13: Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB), the world U20 and senior Asian champion, reaches the semifinals at 63kg with an 8-0 technical superiority win over Yerzhet ZHARLYKASSYN (KAZ). Unreal forward pressure from Khalmakhanov.

14:10: Asian silver medalist Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) continued his quest for a world gold with a comprehensive 8-0 win over Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) to make the 63kg semifinals. Keshtkar powers Mammadov down for a takedown, then unleashes a 2-point throw, which gets a 2-point foul attached. That puts Keshtkar on top of par terre, and he takes advantage with another 2-point throw to end the match at 2:07.

87kg Semifinals
SF 1: David LOSONCZI (HUN) vs. Alireza MOHAMADI (IRI)
SF 2: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) vs. Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW)

14:02: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) somehow manages to defend against a throw from par terre by Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN) even after being lifted in the air, landing on top for two points, which are awarded on challenge. Alirzaev then puts the match away when he goes on top in par terre in the second period, scoring two rolls for a 7-1 victory and a place in the 87kg semifinals.

14:02: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) got the first priority Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) but he fails to score any points from par terre and leads 1-0 at the break. Mohmadi gets the two points from par terre and a stepout to lead 4-1. Zhanyshov cannot break the defense of Mohamadi who wins with that scoreline.

1401: Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) gets the par terre and a stepout to lead David LOSONCZI (HUN) 2-0 at the break. In the second period, Losonczi trips to grip Filchakov who is cautioned for fleeing and the bouts restarts in par terre. Losonczi with a four-pointer to lead 6-2. He defends that lead to enter the semifinals at 87kg.

14:00: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets the first of the two passivity points awarded, and that makes the difference in a 1-1 victory over Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) that puts him into the 87kg semifinals later today.

Quarterfinals begin at the same time.

13:34: Gagik SNJOYAN (FRA) turns Slavik GALSTYAN (ARM) from par terre to take a 3-0 lead in the first period but the Armenian unleashes a strong gut-wrench in the second period and scores four turns for eight points to lead 9-3 and win the bout at 67kg.

13:30: Former European champion Vitalie ERIOMENCO (MDA) manages to turn Aref MOHAMMADI (QAT) just enough to get the two points from par terre to lead 3-1. Qatar challenges against the scoring but that is lost and Eriomenco wins 4-1 at 63kg.

13:28: Host Croatia's long-shot hopes of winning a gold medal remained alive when Dominik ETLINGER (CRO) scored all of his points in the second period to knock off No. 2 seed Valentin PETIC (MDA) 7-4 at 67kg. Etlinger reeled of two rolls from par terre, then twice stopped throw attempts for 2-point counters. Of concern is that Etlinger was holding his left arm after the match, indicating a possible injury.

13:22: Luis ORTA (CUB) into the 67kg quarterfinals with a 1-1 victory over Murat FIRAT (TUR) as he gets the criteria according to the new Greco-Roman rules which gives the victory to the first scorer if the bout ends 1-1. As has become the norm, Turkiye challenge after the match which changes the score to 2-1 but Orta remains the winner.

13:13: A clutch takedown from Murad MAMMADOV (AZE) in the final 8 seconds as he upsets European champion Kerem KAMAL (TUR), 5-3. Kamal was leading 3-3 on criteria after both score two-point turns from their par terre position. However, Mammadov managed to find an opening in the final moments to hand Kamal his first loss of this year when he would have least liked it.

13:12: Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) finishes off a victory over Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) with a spectacular 5-point throw to earn a spot in the 67kg quarterfinals. Put on top in par terre, Jafarov gets two points for a penalty when Shimoyamada blocks his throat while in the air. Australia challenges, but is unsuccessful, putting Jafarov up 4-0. It also puts Shimoyamada, the former Japan national champ, on bottom again, and he is helpless to stop Jafarov's big throw.

13:08: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) was sailing to victory with a 5-0 lead over Damian VON EUW (SUI) but the Swiss wrestler slammed him for four to make it interesting in the last minute but Alirzaev with a reversal and he wins 6-4 at 87kg.

13:05: Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI) continues his devastating form, easily putting away Shermukhammad SHARIBJANOV (UZB) 8-0 to advance to the 67kg quarterfinals. Esmaeli gets a roll from par terre, then picks up a takedown to go ahead 5-0 at the break. Another takedown followed by a stepout ends the match at 4:05.

13:01: Mohammad KESHTKAR (IRI) keeps the winning streak of Iran going after beating Baosheng HUANG (CHN), 2-1, at 63kg.

12:57: Veteran Sergey EMELIN (UWW) uses a reverse head lock from standing to slam Karen ASLANYAN (ARM) to mat for 4 in the second period, paving the way for a 7-3 victory at 63kg that ends testily. Emelin's final points came on a 2-point penalty, and Aslanyan had some words for Emelin, although they ended up with a final hug as they exited the mat.

12:56: World U20 and Asian senior champion Aytjan KHALMAKHANOV (UZB) gets a roll and exposure from par terre in the first period and he's through to the 63kg quarterfinals with a 5-1 victory over two-time European medalist Oleksandr HRUSHYN (UKR).

12:50: Turpal BISULTANOV (DEN), Paris Olympic bronze medalist, gets both par terre positions in his match against Szymon SZYMONOWICZ (POL) and he adds a stepout plus a correct throw to win 5-0 and advance to the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:42: Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gives up the first passivity point to Payton JACOBSON (USA) at 87kg, but does not allow a turn in par terre. When his chance comes in the second period, Komarov takes advantage and gut wrenches Jacobson over. An unsuccessful challenge for who-knows-what gives Komarov another point, and he gains a late stepout to win 5-1.

12:40: European champion David LOSONCZI (HUN) uses his early 4-0 lead as a cushion to beat local favorite Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) 4-3 at 87kg. He scored a turn from par terre and stepout to get the 4-0 lead before defending that in the second period.

12:34: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ) gets the roll in par terre against Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) in the first period of their 87kg clash, then holds steady in the bottom in the second period. That puts last year's world U20 champion into the quarterfinals with a 3-1 win.

12:25: Paris Olympic and 2023 world silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) trails 3-1 going into the second period against Daniel ALEKSANDROV (BUL). But he rectifies the situation quickly, getting behind and then launching a beautiful 4-point throw. Mohmadi gets a chance at par terre and repeats the 4-pointer. Another throw is not executed as well, but gives him a 1-point stepout and an 11-3 win and a spot in the 87kg quarterfinals.

12:15: Asian silver medalist Razzak BEISHEKEEV (KGZ) sticks Kyotaro SOGABE (JPN) to his back off the whistle for a 4-point takedown at 67kg. As he works for a fall, Beishekeev stands up and slams Sogabe down for a 4-point throw, ending the match 8-0 in 1:30. That avenged a loss by fall to Sogabe in the first round at the 2023 Asian Championships, where Sogabe took the silver.

12:14: Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS), a former Asian champion who has made the rare move for a Japanese of changing his national affiliation to Australia, shows he's still got it. The 30-year-old takes Gjete PRENGA (ALB) down to his back for 4, then sends him flying for a 4-point throw to win their 67kg clash 8-0 in 39 seconds.

12:10: European champion and Olympic bronze medalist Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE) is taken into the second period by Neiser MARIMON HIDALGO (VEN) at 67kg, albeit with a 3-0 lead, but ducks under for a takedown, then launches a slick 4- point throw for a 9-0 win in 3:52.

12:07: Luis ORTA (CUB), after a four-pointer, gets the par terre and two turns to win Maksym LIU (UKR) to win 9-0. Ukraine corner challenges asking for the last turn to be cancelled but it is valid and the challenge is lost, giving another point to Orta.

12:03: Daniial AGAEV (UWW), a 2024 world U23 bronze medalist, has a 2-point throw after a takedown annulled on challenge, but comes back in par terre with a trap-arm roll for a 5-0 lead over European bronze medalist Joni KHETSURIANI (GEO) at 67kg. In the second period, Khetsuriani charges to a stepout. then gets a chance at par terre. but Agaev resists, and he walks off a 5-2 winner.

11:51: Paris Olympic 67kg champion Saeid ESMAEILI (IRI), who added a second straight Asian title earlier this year and is aiming for his first senior world title, has a challenging opening match in former world champion Sebastian NAD (SRB). Esmaeili scores first by successfully challenging for a singlet-grabbing foul, then muscles Nad down for a takedown. A passivity point gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. In the second period, Esmaeili spins behind for a takedown, then quickly gut wrenches for a 9-0 win.

11:35: Former world champion Leri ABULADZE (GEO) drops his opening bout to Tokyo Olympic bronze medalist Sergey EMELIN (UWW), 1-1, on the basis of first-point criteria.

11:27: Milad ALIRZAEV (UWW) with a controlled 4-0 victory over Jianwen LUO (CHN) at 87kg. A position in par terre, a turn for two points and a stepout in his win.

11:21: Islam YEVLOYEV (KAZ), world U20 champion in 2024, lifts Lasha GOBADZE (GEO) from par terre for a fine suplex for four points. Gobadze is cautioned for two points for a leg foul and the bout restarts in par terre. Yevloyev with a correct throw to finish the bout 9-1

11:17: Vigen NAZARYAN (ARM) held off an aggressive Exauce MUKUBU (NOR) in the final minute to win 1-1 at 87kg. Nazaryan got the first-point criteria

11:11: Paris Olympic silver medalist Alireza MOHMADI (IRI) needed a correct throw and a bodylock to takedown for a 5-1 victory over Hannes WAGNER (GER) at 87kg

11:07: Marcel STERKENBURG (NED), a world U23 silver medalist, starts his senior World Championships with a 4-1 victory over Mukhammadkodir RASULOV (UZB). He scored a stepout to make it 1-1 before getting the par terre and leading 2-1. A turn from par terre extended his lead to 4-1, also the winning score.

11:05: Former European champion Aleksandr KOMAROV (SRB) gets a bloody lip early in his 87kg match with Soh SAKABE (JPN), but is otherwise untroubled in rolling to a 5-2 win. Two rolls from par terre gives him a 5-0 lead at the break. Sakabe gets a chance at par terre in the second period but hardly budges Komarov, although he gets a stepout in the final seconds.

11:00: Asan ZHANYSHOV (KGZ) comes from 5-1 down to beat Hasan KILINC (TUR), 6-5, at 87kg. Kilic got a reverse lift throw for four points from par terre in the second period to lead 5-1 but Zhanyshov with setpouts and cautions against Kilinc to win.

10:55: Two-time world bronze medalist Yaroslav FILCHAKOV (UKR) has little trouble disposing of Erion RAMLJAK (AUS) with an 8-0 victory at 87kg. Filchakov starts with a stepout, then reels off three exposures from par terre to end the proceedings in 1:46.

10:50: After Karlo KODRIC (CRO) ended the 11-year wait for a world medal for hosts Croatia, Ivan HUKLEK (CRO) is looking to add to that bronze medal. He wins with a 9-0 win over Patrik GORDAN (ROU) at 87kg

10:30: The 63kg, 67kg and 87kg wrestlers are set to take the mat on day eight of the World Championships in Zagreb.

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World Championships 2025 Day 8: GR 63kg, 67kg, 87kg Highlights