#WrestleSkopje

Three Gold, Three Finalists as Russia Close-in on Greco-Roman title

By Vinay Siwach

Russia took a step closer to winning the Greco-Roman team title after entering three more wrestlers in the finals apart from winning three gold and two bronze medals on the penultimate day of the U23 European Championships.

The three gold medals are already a better record than the last U23 Euros in which Russia claimed only two gold of 10.

They have a chance to double that on Sunday as Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS), Shamil OZHAEV (RUS) and Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) entered the final at 60kg, 82kg and 97kg.

Ukraine and Hungary also managed to advance two wrestlers each to the finals while Turkey, Armenia and Georgia got one each at the Jane Sansadski Arena in Skopje, North Macedonia.

Led by the senior Russian Championships silver medalist Allakhiarov, Russia had four wrestlers in the semifinal with Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS) falling short.

Allakhiarov wrestled junior World Championships silver medalist Tigran MINASYAN (ARM) in the semifinal at 60kg and made it look easy with his control of the center. Minasyan was the first to attack but Allakhiarov countered with a body lock throw for four points. A stepout made it 5-0.

The Russian performed a takedown in the second period to lead 7-0 and almost had the fall but Minasyan rolled out. A successful challenge from Armernia only delayed the eventual result as Allakhiarov won 7-0.

He will take on Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR) who defeated Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN) 5-2 in the other semifinal, which saw all the points scored in the first period.

Kecskemeti scored with a stepout before he was awarded a point for Kurochkin's passivity. But during the following par terre position, he lost control and the Ukrainian reversed it and also slammed him for four points lead 5-2, a margin which remained till the end of the bout.

His teammate Andrii KULIK (UKR) also made it to the final on Saturday. In the 72kg semifinal against Martun BADALIAN (BLR), Kulik scored two stepouts before been awarded the passivity point. Leading 3-0, he got a gut and then held the position to win via fall in just 2:19.

From the other semifinal, Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) wrestled accoring to his reputation and reached the semifinal after defeating Kutuzov. The Individual World Cup and European silver medalist opened the scoring with a stepout before the referee called Kutuzov for inactivity.

Amoyan completed a throw from par terre position to lead 4-0. Kutuzov did score a stepout but that was all, Amoyan winning the bout 4-1.

At 82kg, returning bronze medalist Tamas LEVAI (HUN) improved on his performance and made it to the final with a close 2-1 win over senior European bronze medalist Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO).

Levai was the first to be given passive but Rikadze was warned in the seccond period, giving Levai the criteria at 1-1. He scored a stepout with an arm lock in the final few seconds of the bout. The Georgian corner wanted to challenge the call Rikadze refused.

Levai will now take on Ozhaev who took no time to beat Arminas LYGNUGARIS (LTU) 8-0 in the other semifinal. After scoring a stepout, he was awarded a point for Lygnugaris' passivity. From the par terre position, Ozhaev slammed a throw for four points. A takedown later, he pocketed the bout in 2:14.

Another Russian to successfully reach the final was Sargsian as he also won 8-0 against Michail IOSIFIDIS (GRE) at 97kg. He was even quicker than Ozhaev, finishing the bout in just 1:37. He scored via three takedowns and a throw for two to finish the bout with technical superiority.

The other semifinal at this weight was much more closer as Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) etched out a 4-3 win over Ondrej DADAK (CZE). At the end of the bout, both wrestler took a few seconds to catch there breath.

They were awarded points for passivity but it was Katsanashvili who managed an exposure from the par terre position to lead 3-3. Dadak scored a reversal at this point to reduce the lead to 3-2. He later scored a stepout but Katsanashvili held the criteria 3-3.

With both wrestlers struggling to match the intensity of the bout, it was the Georgian who kept his cool and scored a stepout to lead 4-3 while Dadak, despite his tries, failed to score.

Turkey also had a finalist as Kadir KAMAL (TUR) ended the hopes of Oleksii MASYK (UKR) with a 6-2 win in the 67kg semifinal. Kamal led 1-0 as Masyk was warned for inactivity but he quickly gave it up with a lost challenge as he claimed a gut wrench from par terre position. The judges did not think the same.

But like any smart wrestler, he made sure he has the clear lead. He went big with a shoulder throw and got two points. A stepout gave another point. Just before the break, he scored a takedown by snapping Masyk down to lead 6-1.

Masyk managed only a stepout in the second period but could avoid the defeat.

From the other side of the bracket, Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) entered the final after a agonisingly close 4-3 win against Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE).

In a bout that saw a number of interruptions, mainly for medical attention to Vancza's bleeding, Jafarov had almost pulled of the win but a Hungary challenge denied him.

Vancza led 1-0 after Jafarov was passive but was awarded two more points as the referee thought the Azerbaijan wrestler was using his head to hit Vancza. A successful challenge from Azerbaijan reversed the decision.

But soon after, the referee did awarded the Hungarian the two points in the second period. Jafarov again challenged the call. He lost, making the score 4-0. He roared back with a takedown and another one soon to make it 4-4. A step out in the same action made it 5-4.

Hungary challenged the latest takedown saying Jafarov used his legs in the action. The video replays confirmed that and the score was reversed to 4-2 for the Hungarian. A late stepout was not enough for Jafarov in the 4-3 defeat.

Komarov leads Russia to three gold

Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) has medals from cadet, junior and senior level continental championships. On Saturday, he completed his medal cabinet with a gold medal at the U23 level as well.

Making his debut at this age-group, the Russian defeated Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO) 6-1 in the 87kg final to win the gold medal.

Tchkuaselidze was the aggressive wrestler of the two as he pressured Komarov in the first minute. During one such attack, he had the Russian on the edge but Komarov used the Georgian's momentum to reverse the attack and score a takedown.

Another takedown gave him a 4-0 lead before Tchkuaselidze answered with a stepout. Komarov in his composed and laid back wrestling scored another takedown to lead 6-1 at the break. The scorers were not troubled till the six minutes expired.

This was the second of Russia's three golds on Saturday. Junior world champion Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) also claimed his first U23 Euro gold after beating Per OLOFSSON (SWE) 5-2 at 77kg.

A big four point throw and the passivity point were enough for Stepanov to counter Olofsson's opening takedown in the final.

The gold medal at 130kg also went to Russia as Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) beat David OVASAPYAN (ARM) 5-1 in the final.

Laptev got going after sneaking out of a dangerous position to duck under and put Ovasapyan on his back for two points. A passivity warning against Ovasapyan made it 3-0 for the Russian.

But later, Laptev was warned for passivity to see his lead being reduced to two points. As Ovasapyan was looking for a turn from par terre position, Laptev reversed it to lead 4-1. Armenia challenged the call but lost.

But his teammate Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) had a different ending to his tournament. In the 63kg final, he defeated Niklas OEHLEN (SWE) 4-1 to win the gold medal.

Zaur ALIYEV U23 European Championships

At 55kg, a thrilling final saw junior World Championships silver medalist Zaur ALIYEV (TUR) win the gold medal over Adem UZUN (TUR), thanks to a successful challenge at the beginning of the bout.

Aliyev tried and shoulder throw but failed. Uzun got the takedown and a gut wrench to lead 4-0. Azerbaijan challenged the call and won, reversing the score to 0-0.

The deadlock was broken when Uzun was called passive and Aliyev led 1-0. Later, it was the turn of Aliyev to be in par terre and Uzun managed an exposure to lead 3-1.

With just over a minute left, Aliyev got Uzun in front head lock and looked at his corner, with his coach instructing him for a roll. He did exactly that and rolled Uzun for two points to lead 3-3.

He maintained the criteria, despite desperate attempts from Uzun, for the win.

The final medal bouts of the remaining Greco-Roman weight classes will be held on Sunday, the final day of the U23 event, the first after 592 days of absence.

Results: GR Semifinals

60kg
GOLD: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) vs Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR)

SF 1: Anvar ALLAKHIAROV (RUS) df Tigran MINASYAN (ARM), 7-0
SF 2: Ihor KUROCHKIN (UKR) df Krisztian KECSKEMETI (HUN), 5-2

67kg
GOLD: Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) vs Kadir KAMAL (TUR)

SF 1: Krisztian VANCZA (HUN) df Hasrat JAFAROV (AZE), 4-3
SF 2: Kadir KAMAL (TUR) df Oleksii MASYK (UKR), 6-2

72kg
GOLD: Andrii KULIK (UKR) vs Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM)

SF 1: Andrii KULIK (UKR) df Martun BADALIAN (BLR), via fall (5-0)
SF 2: Malkhas AMOYAN (ARM) df Sergei KUTUZOV (RUS), 4-1

82kg
GOLD: Tamas LEVAI (HUN) vs Shamil OZHAEV (RUS)

SF 1: Tamas LEVAI (HUN) df Aivengo RIKADZE (GEO), 2-1
SF 2: Shamil OZHAEV (RUS) df Arminas LYGNUGARIS (LTU), 8-0

97kg
GOLD: Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) vs Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO)

SF 1: Artur SARGSIAN (RUS) df Michail IOSIFIDIS (GRE), 8-0
SF 2: Giorgi KATSANASHVILI (GEO) df Ondrej DADAK (CZE), 4-3

GR Medal Results

55kg
GOLD: Zaur ALIYEV (AZE) df Adem UZUN (TUR), 3-3

BRONZE: Bajram SINA (ALB) df Denis DEMIROV (BUL), 12-9
BRONZE: Mavlud RIZMANOV (RUS) df Denis MIHAI (ROU), 16-5

63kg
GOLD: Hrachya POGHOSYAN (ARM) df Niklas Jan Olov Pontus OEHLEN (SWE), 4-1

BRONZE: Aliaksandr PECHURENKA (BLR) df Abdulkadir SAYDAM (TUR), 8-2
BRONZE: Rakhman TAVMURZAEV (RUS) df Leri ABULADZE (GEO), 4-2

77kg
GOLD: Sergei STEPANOV (RUS) df Per OLOFSSON (SWE), 5-2

BRONZE: Erkan ERGEN (TUR) df Mikita KAZAKOU (BLR), 7-2
BRONZE: Samvel GRIGORYAN (ARM) df Nikoloz TCHIKAIDZE (GEO), 11-2

87kg
GOLD: Aleksandr KOMAROV (RUS) df Temuri TCHKUASELIDZE (GEO), 6-1

BRONZE: Istvan TAKACS (HUN) df Muhutdin SARICICEK (TUR), 1-1
BRONZE: Svetoslav NIKOLOV (BUL) df Gevorg TADEVOSYAN (ARM), 4-1

130kg
GOLD: Mikhail LAPTEV (RUS) df David OVASAPYAN (ARM), 5-1

BRONZE: Fatih BOZKURT (TUR) df Delian ALISHAHI (SUI), 9-0
BRONZE: Dariusz VITEK (HUN) df Franz RICHTER (GER), 5-4

#WrestleZagreb

World C'ships Day 5 WW 53kg, 62kg, 68kg and 72kg Highlights

By Ken Marantz & Vinay Siwach

ZAGREB, Croatia (September 17) -- Women's Wrestling will continue at the World Championships in 53kg, 62kg, 68kg and 72kg in Zagreb.

WATCH LIVE | LIVE MATCH ORDER | DAY 6 RESULTS

62kg semifinals
SF 1: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) vs. Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL)
SF 2: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) vs. Amina TANDELOVA (UWW)

13:40: Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) worked on five different takedowns before securing the fall over Esther KOLAWOLE (NGR) and reach the 62kg semifinals. Motoki, the Paris Olympic champion, is cashing her first world title.

13:45: Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), a world champion in 2017, with two big headlocks in her 5-1 victory over Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA). She returns to the World Championships semifinals to face Olympic champion Motoki.

13:42: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) not only advances to the 62kg semifinals, she avenges her loss in the final of this year's Asian Championships MANISHA (IND) with a solid 8-0 victory. Kim accumulates all of her points in the first period, topping each of her two takedowns with a 2-point roll or exposure.

13:37: The activity clock is just about to run out on Amina TANDELOVA (UWW) when she not only gets a score, her 4-point arm throw sends Ana GODINEZ (CAN) sailing onto her back in their 62kg quarterfinal. Tandelova doesn't let the opportunity get away and she secures the fall at 2:02.

53kg semifinals
SF 1: Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) vs. ANTIM (IND)
SF 2: Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) vs. Hyongyong CHOE (PRK)

13:32: In a battle of young stars, Jin ZHANG (CHN) and ANTIM (IND) square off in the 53kg quarterfinals. Antim gets on board with a go-behind before powering her way to another takedown for a 4-0 lead. A similar takedown for Antim and she races to a 6-0 lead. Zhang fires one back and catch Antim off guard to score two points and cut the lead to 6-2 at the break. Zhang with high pressure and gets the reward with a takedown and two lace turns for an 8-6 lead. Antim gets a reversal for an 8-7 score but she has only 18 seconds to score two points for a win. She remains calm and scores the takedown to win 9-8 for a place in the semifinals at 53kg.

13:30: Olympic silver medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) gets the first takedown against Emma MALMGREN (SWE) and then turns her for a 4-0 lead. Malmgren tries hard in the second period but she can only score a takedown to make it 4-2 as Yepez wins 4-2.

14:29: Haruna MURAYAMA OKUNO (JPN) wrestles tentatively to start against a defensive opponent, Zeynep YETGIL (TUR), gaining just an activity point without taking a shot in the first period of their 53kg quarterfinal. But the three-time world champion finds an opening in the second, scoring with a single leg. She then gets behind twice as Yetgil starts to show fatigue and the Japanese advances with a 7-0 victory.

14:28: Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) continues her impressive run, storming to an 11-0 victory over Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) in their 53kg quarterfinal. Choe goes ahead in the first period with a takedown and two lace-lock rolls -- albeit the referee gave her more than ample time to execute them -- then added a takedown and exposure in the second.

68kg semifinals
SF 1: Buse TOSUN (TUR) vs. Ami ISHII (JPN)
SF 2: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) vs. Jia LONG (CHN)

13:20: Buse TOSUN (TUR) gets the first passivity call against Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) and the Czechia wrestler leads 1-0 at the break. Tosun on board in the second period with a point before a takedown helps her take a 3-1 lead with a minute remaining. Hanzlickova gets stepout but it's too little too late as Tosun wins 3-2 for a place in the 68kg semifinal.

13:18: Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) scores two takedowns in the last two minutes of the second period, giving her a come-from-behind 8-4 victory over Kateryna ZELENYKH (ROU) and a place in the 68kg semifinals. Yaneva opened the scoring with a takedown and gut wrench, only to fall behind on criteria when Zelenkykh scored a takedown on each side of the break.

13:18: Ami ISHII (JPN) and Kennedy BLADES (USA) in a big quarterfinals at 68kg. Ishii blasts with a takedown and then exposure for two more to lead 4-0 against Kennedy BLADES (USA). She uses the arm-dram to score another takedown and lace for an 8-0 lead inside the first two minutes. Blades gets on board with a stepout to make it 8-1. Both scramble but Ishii scores a takedown for a 10-1 lead at the break. Ishii takes some time but manages to power her way to the match winning takedown. A 12-1 victory for Ishii as she reaches the semifinal.

13:17: In an high-profile all-Asian clash in the 68kg quarterfinals with little action, Jia LONG (CHN) scores a takedown in the final seconds to finish off a 4-1 victory over two-time Olympic medalist Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ).

72kg semifinals
SF 1: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) vs. Alla BELINSKA (UKR)
SF 2: Nesrin BAS (TUR) vs. Zelu LI (CHN)

13:05: Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ) with four takedowns against Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) to secure a place in the 72kg semifinals with an 8-4 win.

13:03: After Nesrin BAS (TUR) receives an activity point, Alexandra ANGHEL (ROU) goes on the attack as the first-period clock in winding down. Can she finish it off in time? Instead, Bas whizzers her over onto her back and completes the fall with one second to go to earn the spot in the 72kg semifinals.

13:01: Zelu LI (CHN), the Asian champion at 68kg, barges into the 72kg semifinals with a 10-0 victory over Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL). Li takes Zorigt directly to her back and, although she can't complete the fall, she adds a gut wrench. Another takedown and two more turns and she's the winner in 1:45.

13:00: Alla BELINSKA (UKR) steps over and catches Pauline LECARPENTIER (FRA) flat on the mat to secure the fall at 72kg and advance to the semifinal.

12:55: In the last match before the quarterfinals, Asian champion MANISHA (IND) keeps Astrid MONTERO (VEN) at bay at 62kg. Manisha got two points for two passivity calls against Montero who scored one point for the same. But Manisha hangs on for a 2-1 victory. This also means that European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) will return empty-handed.

12:45: Olympic champion Sakura MOTOKI (JPN) had just made a leg attack when Nikolett SZABO (HUN) called out injured. She seemed in a lot of pain having injured her knee. She had to carried off the mat on a stretcher. Motoki advances to quarterfinals at 62kg.

12:37: Veteran Orkhon PUREVDORJ (MGL), eight years removed from her lone world championship, stays on track at 62kg with a comprehensive 10-0 victory over three-time European bronze medalist Veranika IVANOVA (UWW).

12:31: European champion Maria PREVOLARAKI (GRE) makes short work of Kseniya STANKEVICH (UWW) to advance to the 53kg quarterfinals, taking her straight to her back and recording a fall at 1:26.
 
12:28:
Jin ZHANG (CHN), last year's world silver medalist at 55kg, looks impressive in posting her second straight one-sided win at 53kg when she takes out Natalia MALYSHEVA (UWW) with a 10-1 victory. Only an activity point early on kept her from keeping a perfect sheet, but she quickly followed it with a takedown as she took a 6-1 lead at the break.

12:27: Jonna MALMGREN (SWE) scored one takedown to lead 2-1 against Roksana ZASINA (POL) and then held her fort with that lead. Zasina tried desperately for an attack but failed to score and gave up a takedown. Malmgren wins 5-1 at 53kg.

12:25: Bilyana DUDOVA (BUL) cannot find a way to break the defenses of Ok Ju KIM (PRK) who scores four different takedowns in their 62kg bout to win 8-0

12:18: Jia LONG (CHN), the 2024 world champion at 65kg, gives up the big points to Delgermaa ENKHSAIKHAN (MGL) in their 68kg match, but she piles up more than enough for a 12-6 victory.

12:17: Adaugo NWACHUKWU (USA) gives up a 4-point takedown early in her 62kg clash with Johanna LINDBORG (SWE), then erupts for 13 points in the second period, including a pair of 4-pointers of her own, for a 13-6 victory. 

12:05: Ami ISHII (JPN), gunning for a second straight world title after winning last year at 72kg, continues her quest at 68kg by rolling to a 10-0 victory over Noemi SZABADOS (HUN) to advance to the quarterfinals. Ishii scores a single-leg takedown just as she receives an activity point to go up 3-0. After a second similar takedown, she goes to laces and finishes off the win ni 2:42.

12:04: Defending 68kg champion Buse TOSUN (TUR) gets the fall over Grabriela DA ROCHA (BRA) when she put her back on the mat in the second period and held on till the fall was called.

12:03: Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN) takes a 3-0 lead at the break in her 53kg bout against Annika WENDLE (GER). In the second period, she works a takedown and roll to make it 7-9. Another takedown on the edge puts her at 9-0 before she finishes the bout 11-0.

11:57: An upset on Mat C, as Zhamila BAKBERGENOVA (KAZ), aiming for her fifth world medal but first gold at 72kg, will have to settle for bronze at best after falling 3-3 on criteria to Nurzat NURTAEVA (KGZ). Nurtaeva trails 2-1 after giving up a second activity point, but scores a single-leg takedown with :51 left. Bakbergenova gains a stepout to tie, but trails on criteria, and Nurtaeva fends off a final attack to clinch the win.

11:56: Asian champion Hyogyong CHOE (PRK) goes to the lace lock after a second takedown, and three rolls later she advances at 53kg with a 10-0 victory over Namuuntsetseg TSOGT OCHIR (MGL) in 2:20.

11:55: Olympic silver medalist Lucia YEPEZ (ECU) comes from 4-1 down to get a fall over Laura HERIN AVILA (CUB) and advance at 53kg. Yepez is looking to add to her bronze medal from 2023. 

11:51: A takedown and four quick lace-lock rolls and two-time Asian bronze medalist ANTIM (IND) advances at 53kg with a 10-0 win over Carla JAUME SOLER (ESP).

11:49: Sol Gum PAK (PRK) tries to score the one point she needs to beat Yuliana YANEVA (BUL) at 68kg but Yaneva defends everything that is thrown at her to win 7-6 and advance.

11:49: Two-time Olympic medalist and 2021 world champion Meerim ZHUMANAZAROVA (KGZ) opens her campaign with a 10-0 win over Aniseta ACOSTA (ASA) at 68kg. Zhumanazarova had a pair of 4-point moves, the second coming with a hip throw that made it a 10-point difference. The match ended when Acosta fought off her back.

11:45: Kennedy BLADES (USA), the Paris Olympic silver medalist at 76kg who has dropped down to 68kg, gets off to rousing start, overwhelming RADHIKA (IND) for an 11-0 victory in 1:38. Blades gets a 4-point takedown thwarting a Radhika counter to take a 7-0 lead within the first minute. She then bulls her opponent over for a takedown, then caps the proceedings with a classic gut wrench.

11:40: Six-time Asian medalist Bolortungalag ZORIGT (MGL) is trailing 2-1 against Jyoti BERWAL (IND) in the second period of their 72kg bout when she does what Mongolian's do best -- hit her opponent with a headlock throw, giving her a victory by fall.

11:39: In a case of anything you can do, I can do better, LILI (CHN), a 2023 world bronze medalist at 65kg, scores three exposure tilts after a takedown to give her a 9-7 win over Birgul SOLTANOVA (AZE) at 62kg. Lili's sequence came after Soltanova had gone ahead with three consecutive 2-point lifts to counter a single-leg attempt by Lili.

11:35: After a longish defense from Hyeonyeong PARK (KOR), Adela HANZLICKOVA (CZE) secures the fall as Park runs out of steam.

11:28: Three-time world champion Haruna MURAYAMA (JPN), looking to fill the 53kg spot following the move up to 57kg by compatriot and Paris Olympic gold medalist Akari FUJINAMI (JPN), opens with an 11-0 victory over Shokhida AKHMEDOVA (UZB). Murayama leads 3-0 in the second period when she scores with a snapdown takedown, then reels off four gut wrenches.

11:32: Ok Ju KIM (PRK) with a fall over Aurora CAMPAGNA (ITA) in her opening bout at 62kg. Kim just too strong for Campagna

11:30: Alexandria GLAUDE (USA) opened the scoring against Masako FURUICHI (JPN) with a stepout before getting a point for inactivity of Furuichi. The Japanese bounces back with a takedown but gives up a reversal as Glaude leads 3-2. She hangs on to that lead to upset Furuichi

11:16: World 55kg silver Jin ZHANG (CHN) works on five different takedowns to beat Felicity TAYLOR (USA), 10-0, at 53kg with 31 seconds left on the clock.

11:11: In a battle of former European champions at 68kg, 2021 world silver medalist Khanum VELIEVA (UWW) gets a stepout just moments after giving up an activity point to Yuliana YANEVA (BUL). But Yaneva dominates the second period, scoring a takedown-gut wrench combination, then putting Velieva onto her back and securing a fall at 4:31.

11:09: Nice win for South America as Astrid MONTERO (VEN) scores two takedowns in the second period to knock off European champion Iryna BONDAR (UKR) 6-4 at 62kg. Montero gets behind for an early takedown, only to see Bondar come back with a takedown and quick exposure to lead 4-2 at the break.

10:50: Two-time Asian silver medalist RADHIKA (IND) gives up a 4-point takedown to the back to Laura GODINO (ITA) at the start of their 68kg qualification bout. That appears to wake up the Indian, who comes back with a takedown and stepout to cut the gap at the break. Another takedown puts Radhika ahead 5-4, then she ends the match by muscling Godino down and over for a fall with just over a minute left.

10:45: World 72kg champion Ami ISHII (JPN), back down at 68kg, starts her bid to win her second world title with a 10-0 victory over Manola SKOBELSKA (UKR) in a minute and 31 seconds.