#WrestleParis

Paris 2024 Wrestling: Dake dominates, Zare vs Akgul in semis

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

PARIS (August 9) -- The Paris Olympics is closing towards its end but wrestling is still in full swing here at Champs de Mars Arena. Freestyle action in 74kg and 125kg and Women's Wrestling 62kg. In the evening session, Olympic champions will be crowned in Freestyle 57kg and 86kg and Women's Wrestling 57kg.

LIVE MATCH ORDER | PARIS 2024 DAY 4

13:23: In the final freestyle 74kg quarterfinal, Razambek JAMALOV (UZB) prevails in a thriller 6-5 when Chermen VALIEV (ALB) is assessed two penalty points for fleeing in the final seconds, the second one coming on an Uzbekistan challenge after time expired. Jamalov leads 3-2 in the second period when Valiev gets a stepout and takedown for a 5-3 lead. Jamalov gets a stepout with 1:05 left, then goes on the offensive, resulting in the first fleeing penalty. That still leaves him behind on big-point criteria, and his late aggressiveness pays off when the challenge gives him the winning point.

13:14: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) had her hands full with Ana GODINEZ (CAN) in their women's 62kg quarterfinal, but once she got the lace lock in the second period, it was all over for the Canadian. Limited to an activity point and running out of time on a late takedown attempt in the first period, Motoki finally struck with a single-leg takedown. She then wrapped up the ankles and reeled off four rolls for an 11-0 win.

13:09: Viktor RASSADIN (TJK) earns his place in the freestyle 74kg semifinals, jumping out to a 5-0 lead and holding on for a 7-4 victory over Feng LU (CHN).

13:05: Grace BULLEN (NOR) will not be denied. She starts with a 4-p0int takedown, applies the lace lock and three rolls later, she eliminates Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) with a 10-0 victory in 1:15 to advance to the women's 62kg semifinals.

13:01: Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) gets a shot to avenge a loss to Tynybekova in the women's 62kg semifinals in Tokyo when she gets a 4-point takedown in the first period en route to a 7-3 victory over Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL).

12:58: Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) glides into the freestyle 74kg semifinals in spectacular fashion, lifting Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) onto his shoulders and executing a balletic 4-point throw to cap a 10-0 victory with :19 left in the first period. Takatani had already scored two takedowns, adding an exposure after the second and nearly ending it with a fall.

12:53: After his high Mason PARRIS (USA), Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) cannot hold the fort against Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) and drops 12-2. He will face Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO) in the 125kg semifinals.

12:52: Kyle DAKE (USA) looks on a mission as he manhandles Yones EMAMI (IRI), buildling up a 9-1 lead before using a counter lift to put Iranian on his back and securing a fall to advance to the freestyle 74kg semifinals. Dake scored three takedowns with a single leg in which he lits the leg high into the air and trips Emami to the mat.

12:52: Are we seeing another 'miracle' in women's wrestling? Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gets an activity point, then picks up a takedown for a 3-0 lead against 62kg favorite Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ). But adversity brings out the best in Tynybekova, and she cuts the lead with a stepout early in the second period, then gets behind and swings Miracle to the mat for a 4-point takedown. An unsuccessful challenge gives Tynybekova a 6-3 lead, but it's still not over. Miracle gets a stepout, then hits a roll through for an exposure in the final seconds. But the 4-point move holds sway for a 6-6 win on criteria that puts Tynybekova into the semifinals.

12:46: Taha AKGUL (TUR) takes his own time to beat Daniel LIGETI (HUN) and he books a semifinal spot against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI). Both have a 1-1 head-to-head.

12:41: Chermen VALIEV (ALB) gets a stepout with four seconds left, and it's upheld on a challenge to give him a dramatic 4-3 victory over European bronze medalist Turan BAYRAMOV (AZE) for the final spot in the freestyle 74kg quarterfinals.

12:40: Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) uses four minutes and 16 seconds to beat Amarveer DHESI (CAN) 10-0 and move into the semifinals. He awaits the winner of Taha AKGUL (TUR) and Daniel LIGETI (HUN).

12:39: World silver medalist Sakura MOTOKI (JPN), whose father was an Olympian at Sydney 2000 but did not medal, got her campaign for a place on the women's 62kg podium off to a successful start with a quick fall over Kriszta INCZE (ROU). A takedown and an arm bar and Incze was on her back, with the match ending in 37 seconds.  
      
12:35:
Ana GODINEZ (CAN) defies the home crowd when she holds on for a 5-2 win over Ameline DOUARRE (FRA) at women's 62kg. Godinez gets an activity point and two takedowns in the first period. Douarre energizes the crowd with a second-period takedown, but that will be the end of the scoring.

12:35: Geno PETRIASHVILI (GEO), the returning silver medalist, opens his day with an 11-0 dominance of Oleksandr KHOTSIANIVSKYI (UKR).

12:29: Razembek JAMALOV (UZB) charges to a 6-0 lead, then holds off four-time reigning European champion Taimuraz SALKAZANOV (SVK) for an 11-3 victory in a testy match at freestyle 74kg. It was only 6-3 when Jamalov added a bunch of points in the final seconds.  

12:25: Giorgi MESHVILDISHVILI (AZE) gets going with a 4-0 win over Diaaeldin ABDELMOTTALEB (EGY) and he books his spot in the quarterfinals. In the next match, Robert BARAN (POL) holds off Yusup BATIRMURZAEV (KAZ) 4-1.

12:25: European silver medalist Luisa NIEMESCH (GER) grinds out a 3-0 victory at women's 62kg over Hanbit LEE (KOR), a last-minute reallocation entry into the field. Niemesch scores a takedown while on the activity clock, then adds an activity point in the second. 

12:15: European champion Grace BULLEN (NOR) gets her Olympic debut off to a good start, capping a 12-2 win over Siwar BOUSETA (TUN) with a 4-point takedown at women's 62kg.  

12:15: Feng LU (CHN) allows Amr HUSSEN (EGY) to tie their freestyle 74kg match at 4-all in the first period, but breaks it open in the second with a 10-point surge for a 14-4 victory.

12:08: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), back in Paris where she won world gold in 2017, won't be leaving with the women's 62kg gold this time. Tokyo bronze medalist Iryna KOLIADENKO (UKR) rallies from a 4-0 deficit in the second period, scoring a takedown and two exposures, then adding another takedown to go ahead 8-4. But it is not over. Purevdorj gets a stepout, then a counter lift with :20 left to cut the gap to one, but Koliadenko holds out for an 8-7 win.

12:04: Former world silver medalist Lkhagvagerel MUNKHTUR (MGL) brings out a huge second period to score a four-pointer and then break Mason PARRIS (USA) in the 125kg 1/8 finals. He beats Parris, who won bronze at the World Championships in 2023, 10-5 and moved into the quarterfinals.

12:03: Russian-born Asian silver medalist Viktor RASSADIN (TJK), looking to give Tajikistan just its second-ever Olympic medal, scores four takedowns in an 8-2 win over Georgios KOUGIOUMTSIDIS (GRE) at freestyle 74kg.

11:56: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL), the 2021 world champion at 59kg, is nursing a tentative 3-2 lead in the second period against Johanna LINDBORG (SWE) at women's 62kg. Lindborg shoots for the winning takedown, but Dudova hits a 4-point counter. Lindborg forces her out for one, then loses a challenge over the exchange and Dudova walks off an 8-3 winner.

11:53: Yones EMAMI (IRI) needs to expend little energy following his tough preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg with Frank CHAMIZO (ITA), getting the takedown against Bacar NDUM (GBS) and executing four back-and-forth rolls for a 10-0 win in 1:34.

11:50: Rio Olympic champion Taha AKGUL (TUR) begins his quest for his third Olympic medal with an 11-0 win over Jonovan SMITH (PUR). Akgul will take on Ligeti in the quarterfinals of 125kg

11:44: World bronze medalist Daichi TAKATANI (JPN) scores a takedown right to a roll to finish up a 10-0 victory over Geandry GARZON (CUB) at freestyle 74kg. Takatani is trying to get the medal that eluded older brother Sohsuke in three trips to the Olympics.

11:44: Two-time world silver medalist Kayla MIRACLE (USA) gives up an early takedown to world U23 champion Nesrin BAS (TUR) at women's 62kg, but comes back with four takedowns of her own, capping the final one with a 2-point exposure for a 10-2 lead. She then adds a creative 2-point roll while under Bas on a takedown attempt. Next up for the American is Tynybekova.

11:42: Daniel LIGETI (HUN) makes it to the quarterfinal at 125kg with a top 10-0 technical superiority win over Ashton MUTUWA (NGR).

11:40: World bronze medalist Hetik CABOLOV (SRB) finishes off a 10-0 victory at freestyle 74kg with his second takedown-gut wrench combo, knocking out Refugee Team member Iman MAHDAVI (EOR) in 2:49.

11:33: Tokyo bronze medalist Kyle DAKE (USA) makes short work of Anthony MONTERO (VEN) in his bid for an elusive gold at freestyle 74kg, combining takedowns with gut wrenches for a 10-0 win in 2:20.

11:33: Top seed and reigning world champion Aisuluu TYNYBEKOVA (KGZ) gets her campaign started at women's 62kg Tokyo Olympic silver medalist has her hands full with Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR), but comes away with a 5-3 victory. Tynybekova falls behind 1-1 on criteria early in the second period when she gives up a stepout. She comes back with a stepout of her own, then uses a cradle to secure a takedown. Kolawole scores a takedown in the last seconds, then loses a dubious challenge to give Tynybekova her final point.

11:36: Amarveer DHESI (CAN) manages to get two technical points over Zhiwei DENG (CHN) and win his 125kg bout 2-1 and book a place in the quarterfinals against Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI).

11:28: World champion and returning bronze medalist Amir Hossein ZARE (IRI) begins his day with a 5-0 win over Aiaal LAZAREV (KGZ). Not much troubled Zare in that bout.

11:27: Razambek  JAMALOV (UZB) breaks open a close match at freestyle 74kg to knock off Tokyo silver medalist Mahamedkhabib KADZIMAHAMEDAU (AIN) 8-0. With a 2-0 lead heading into the second period, Jamalov gets in deep on a double, lifts up and back to put Kadzimahamedau onto his back for 2. He then adds a takedown and gut wrench for good measure.  

11:21: In the two repechage bouts on Mat C, Javrail SHAPIEV (UZB) takes out Alexander MOORE (CAN) 6-1 and Dauren KURUGLIEV (GRE) wins 10-0 against Jayden LAWRENCE (AUS). Both Shapiev and Kurugliev book spots in the bronze medal bouts.

11:20: Giullia PENALBER (BRA) fills the final place in the women's 57kg bronze-medal matches with a 7-0 victory over Sandra PARUSZEWSKI (GER). Penalber gets a 4-point takedown and a regular takedown in the second period. She will face Kexin HONG (CHN) for the bronze.

11:18: Fans get an early treat with a clash between veteran and two-time former world champion Frank CHAMIZO (ITA) and two-time world medalist Yones EMAMI (IRI) in a preliminary round match at freestyle 74kg, which has 18 entries. Chamizo, a bronze medalist at Rio 2016, takes a 4-3 lead in the first period with a pair of scores of some wild scrambles. But Emami charges back, getting a 4-point takedown off a single-leg and adds another takedown for a 9-4 win.

11:10: In the opener on Mat B, Hannah TAYLOR (CAN) is in control all the way in rolling to a 13-0 victory over Luisa VALVERDE (ECU) in a women's 57kg repechage, clinching it with a 4-point takedown.  She will try to win her first Olympic medal by keeping Helen MAROULIS (USA) from winning her third in the bronze-medal match.  

11:06: The action on Mat A opens with the lone repechage match at freestyle 57kg. Bekzat ALMAZ UULU (KGZ) spots Wanhao ZOU (CHN) a four-point lead, but catches him with a pancake to get the fall with :24 left in the first period. He will face Golomjon ABDULLAEV (UZB) for the bronze later tonight.

10:55: Welcome to day five of wrestling at the Paris Olympics. We advise you to click on the match order of the day and have your minds blown!

#WrestleUlaanbaatar

Ulaanbaatar Open: Iran, India, Bulgaria Win 2 Greco-Roman Golds

By Vinay Siwach

ULAANBAATAR, Mongolia (June 4) -- Payam AHMADI (IRI) emerged as the most dominant wrestler on day one of the Ulaanbaatar Open Ranking Series on Thursday.

At 55kg, Ahmadi outscored his opponents 33-0 in four bouts to claim the gold medal in the Nordic bracket, never looking in any kind of trouble.

The 2025 World Championships silver medalist was among the seven champions on day one of the tournament. Iran won two gold medals and so did India and Bulgaria. China won the remaining one to close out the day.

Payam AHMADI (IRI)Payam AHMADI (IRI) blanked his opponents 33-0 in four bouts in Ulaanbaatar. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Ahmadi opened the day against Asian Championships silver medalist LALIT (IND) and secured an easy 8-0 technical superiority win in one minute and 57 seconds.

In Round 2, Ahmadi took only 33 seconds to see off Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL). He blocked Munkh Erdene's body lock attempt for four points and threw the Mongolian again for four more points. He took just 46 seconds to do the same to Sumiyabazar MUNKHZAYA (MGL) in Round 3.

His final bout was against Emin CAKIR (TUR) and Ahmadi two four-point throws from par terre to complete a 9-0 victory and claim the gold medal in the morning session itself.

 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 

 

By the end of the day, Iran had its second gold medalist in Danial SOHRABI (IRI), who defended his title in Ulaanbaatar Open from 2025 at 72kg. Just like last year, Sohrabi's gold medal carried extra significance.

With the 72kg victory over Javad REZAEI (IRI) in the final,  Sohrabi assured his spot on the Iran team for the 2026 World Championships where he will try to upgrade his bronze medal that he won in 2025.

Both Sohrabi and Rezaei followed identical paths to the final, dominating every bout they wrestled. They were even finishing the matches in quick time and via technical superiorities.

In the final, Sohrabi was the first to go in par terre and Rezaei did his best to turn Sohrabi twice and lead 5-0. Sohrabi seemed unfazed despite falling behind in the bout.

When the second period began, he managed to earn the par terre position for himself. However, he turned Rezaei only once. When Sohrabi tried a throw, Rezaei managed to defend it but the former was awarded a stepout which made the score 5-4.

A little time had passed when Sohrabi brought down Rezaei for a takedown and took a 6-5 lead. He then turned Rezaei to extend his lead to 8-5 which he defended to win the gold medal, his second straight at the Ulaanbaatar Open at 72kg.

NITESH (IND)NITESH (IND) throws Nurassyl AMANALY (KAZ) during the 97kg final in Ulaanbaatar. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

India, Bulgaria Win 2 Golds

Apart from Iran, India and Bulgaria also won two gold medals each. Two 2026 Asian medalists for India, NITESH (IND) and Sunil KUMAR (IND), won at 97kg and 87kg respectively.

Bulgaria's two golds medals came through Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) winning at 82kg and Stoyan KUBATOV (BUL) claiming gold at 77kg.

Nitesh, the Asian silver medalist at 125kg, overcame a deficit twice in the final against Nurassyl AMANALY (KAZ) and beat the Kazakhstan wrestler 13-9. At one point in the bout, Amanaly led 5-3 but Nitesh made it 5-5 with Amanaly leading on criteria.

As Nitesh tried a bearhug body lock, Amanaly tossed the Indian for four points for a 9-5 lead with around two minutes remaining in the final. Those two minutes must have felt like eternity for Amanaly who was struggling with his conditioning. He gave up a three step outs and a point for fleeing as Nitest made it 9-9, still behind on criteria.

He then brought down Amanaly for a takedown and then turned him for two more points to build a 13-9 lead. Amanaly did not have anything left in himself to fight for the remaining time and Nitesh comfortably defended the score.

Sunil KUMAR (IND)Sunil KUMAR (IND), blue, won the 87kg gold medal at the Ulaanbaatar Open. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

Kumar followed a slightly different path as he managed to score a turn from par terre against Azat SALIDINOV (KGZ) and win 4-1. Salidinov got the par terre position in the first period to go 1-0 up. He tried a throw but no points were awarded for it. Kyrgyzstan challenged the call but lost, giving a point to Kumar.

In the second period, Kumar led 2-1 after given the par terre position and he used a gut wrench to turn Salidinov to score the winning points.

Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL)Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) scores four points on Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) using an arm throw during the 82kg final. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Jake Kirkman)

In an all-Bulgarian final at 82kg, Dimitrov faced Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL) and used an arm throw for four points to get on board and the big-scoring technique proved crucial in the end.

Mnatsakanian blocked Dimitrov when he was trying a turn for two points and then scored two points to make it 4-4 but Dimitrov led on criteria. In the second period, both wrestlers were given passivity warning which meant par terre positions and one point each. It made the score 5-5 but Dimitrov's four-point move took the precedent over Mnatsakanian who did not have any high-scoring technique.

Kubatov rolled to the gold medal at 77kg after he used a strong gut-wrench to beat Amuguleng BAI (CHN), 10-1, in the final.

Xinxin JIN (CHN)Xinxin JIN (CHN) sets up a counter throw from the edge against Murat FIRAT (TUR) during the 67kg final at the Ulaanbaatar Open. (Photo: United World Wrestling / Kostadin Andonov)

Jin Stuns Firat

The surprise champion of the day was Xinxin JIN (CHN) who upset European silver medalist Murat FIRAT (TUR) in the 67kg final. Firat got on the board first with par terre and he rolled Jin for two points to lead 3-0.

Next was Jin's turn for par terre in the second period and he managed a turn using a front headlock just before the referee's to get two points and take a 3-3 criteria lead. Firat tried to score a stepout in the final minute but Jin stamped himself right at the edge and tossed Firat for four points.

Turkiye challenged the call, asking that the stepout was scored first. But on review, the four-pointer was confirmed and Jin got another point of the lost challenge which made his lead 8-3, giving him his first-ever international medal.

Photo

RESULTS

55kg
GOLD: Payam AHMADI (IRI)
SILVER: Davaabandi MUNKH ERDENE (MGL)
BRONZE: Emin CAKIR (TUR)

67kg
GOLD: Xinxin JIN (CHN) df. Murat FIRAT (TUR), 8-3

BRONZE: Tsuchika SHIMOYAMADA (AUS) df.  Ganbayar NAMSRAI (MGL), 9-0
BRONZE: ALAMUSI (CHN) df. Sachin SAHRAWAT (IND), 2-2

72kg
GOLD: Danial SOHRABI (IRI) df. Javad REZAEI (IRI), 8-5

BRONZE: Amanat SAMAT UULU (KGZ) df. Borgil TUVSHINBAATAR (MGL), 10-0 
BRONZE: Zhantoro MIRZALIEV (KGZ) df. Sultan ASSETULY (KAZ), via fall (11-5)

77kg
GOLD: Stoyan KUBATOV (BUL) df. Amuguleng BAI (CHN), 10-1

BRONZE: Yeonghun NOH (KOR) df. Jason BAUCAS (PHI), via fall
BRONZE: Bekzat ORUNKUL UULU (KGZ) df. Ankit GULIA (IND), via fall

82kg
GOLD: Deyvid DIMITROV (BUL) df. Aik MNATSAKANIAN (BUL), 5-5

BRONZE: Imur TEMIRBEKOV (KGZ) df. Lkhagvasuren DASHJAMTS (MGL), 9-0

87kg
GOLD:  Sunil KUMAR (IND) df. Azat SALIDINOV (KGZ), 4-1

BRONZE: Seunghwan LEE (KOR) df. Usukhbayar BAATARKHUU (MGL), 10-1
BRONZE: Luis AVENDANO (VEN) df. Turbold GANBOLD (MGL), via forfeit

97kg
GOLD: NITESH (IND) df Nurassyl AMANALY (KAZ), 13-9

BRONZE: Minho LEE (KOR) df. Tuvshinsanaa ERDENEJARGAL (MGL), 12-3
BRONZE: Gankhuyag GANBAATAR (MGL) df. Juan DIAZ (VEN), via fall